Deckplan
Built in
2022
Capacity
378
Staterooms
189
Crew
256
Crew to guests
1 : 1.5
Length
203 m
US outlets
Yes
By
Viking Expeditions
Discover the Ultimate Expedition Adventure Aboard the Viking Polaris
This expedition vessel combines the thrill of remote exploration with unmatched luxury. Designed in 2022, it beautifully marries innovation and sophistication to set the standard for adventurous cruising. With space for just 378 guests, you’ll experience personalized service and an atmosphere of exclusivity.
The Viking Polaris is crafted for exploration. Glide through icy waters with its ice-strengthened hull, ride in Zodiacs, or dive into the deep aboard its submarines. After a day of discovery, unwind in your balcony stateroom or enjoy the spa’s thermal suite.
From Norwegian cuisine at Mamsen’s to stargazing at the Finse Terrace, every moment onboard feels magical. Whether you seek wildlife, adventure, or pure relaxation, the Viking Polaris redefines the meaning of travel—turning uncharted frontiers into a luxurious escape.
Dining
Viking Polaris carries the same range of tables for its 378 guests, centered on The Restaurant with the casual World Café alongside. Manfredi's serves as the specialty option, Mamsen's offers lighter bites, and the Aquavit and Finse Terraces bring dining into the open air.
Sailings on this ship
We'll email you the current itineraries we sell on Viking Polaris, plus the reasons travelers book with Small Ship Travel. Reply anytime to ask about specific cabins, dates, or itineraries.
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On board
Good to know
Wi-Fi is free on board, with shared computers available. The satellite link is the best available at sea, but expect slower stretches in polar waters where coverage thins.
Days are casual: shorts, slacks or jeans, and comfortable shoes, with swimwear and workout gear kept to the pool, spa, and fitness areas. Evenings are elegant casual across all venues, and there are no formal nights.
Viking's recommended gratuity is $20 per person, per night, either prepaid before you sail or added to your shipboard account. Anything beyond that is entirely at your discretion. We sort out the arrangements with you at booking.
Staterooms carry both 110V and 220V power. Most outlets are European two-pin style, but every stateroom also has US 110V sockets: two above the desk and one on each side of the bed. There are no UK three-pin sockets; adapters are sold in the onboard shop.
Vegetarian options appear at every meal, and the galley can prepare low-salt, diabetic, gluten-free, and low-cholesterol meals with advance notice. Tell us about dietary needs when you book, at least 90 days before departure, and remind the maitre d' once on board.
Viking welcomes guests with disabilities and asks that they be comfortable moving about the ship independently or travel with a companion who can assist. Flag accessibility needs with us before booking so the right stateroom and arrangements are in place from the start.
The ships are nonsmoking throughout, including staterooms and verandas, with one designated outdoor smoking area. Ashore, smoking is not permitted in Antarctica, the Arctic, or some Chilean fjords.
Every guest has free use of washers, dryers, irons, and ironing boards. Depending on stateroom category, laundry, pressing, and shoe shine service may also be complimentary.
Viking Expedition Cruises runs voyages to some of the most remote, striking places on Earth, pairing real adventure with the refined experience Viking is known for. Expert-led expeditions, purpose-built ships, and a genuine commitment to scientific work bring comfort, learning, and discovery together. Whether you are crossing the icy waters of Antarctica, sailing the Great Lakes, or reaching the wild Arctic, these voyages are built for curious travelers after authentic, meaningful experiences.
Viking's expedition fleet is two purpose-built ships, designed for polar and remote-region travel.
Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris launched in 2022. They are Polar Class 6 ships, built to operate safely in first-year sea ice, and each carries only 378 guests, which keeps things intimate and personal.
The design includes a reinforced straight bow for fuel efficiency and added stability, so the ships handle polar ice and varied expedition conditions well.
Enrichment spaces shape the days. The Aula is a panoramic auditorium for lectures, while The Hangar is an enclosed in-ship marina for launching Zodiacs (inflatable landing boats), kayaks, and two six-guest submarines for underwater exploration.
With its focus on education and scientific work, Viking offers more than sightseeing. You can meet the experts, take part in research, and come away with a deeper grasp of the natural world.
Viking Expedition Cruises builds carefully curated itineraries that bring you to some of the most remote, captivating regions on the planet.
Antarctica voyages reach the untouched landscapes of the Antarctic Peninsula, among towering icebergs, vast glaciers, and distinctive wildlife, with onboard scientists to explain what you are seeing.
Great Lakes voyages explore one of North America's most varied ecosystems, sailing Lake Superior, Lake Michigan, and Lake Ontario, with stops in Toronto, Milwaukee, and Quebec City.
Arctic and northern voyages take in the fjords of Norway, the icy waters of Svalbard, and the striking landscapes of Greenland, where polar bears, whales, and dramatic glaciers wait.
Each itinerary is built for depth, with extended time in port, Zodiac landings, and guided excursions that foster a closer connection to the place.
Viking Expedition Cruises works with leading scientific organizations and research institutions, so you can take part in real research while you travel. That hands-on engagement is a rare chance to contribute to conservation and understand the natural world more closely. You can join in several ways.
Wildlife tracking and observation programs cover whale and seabird monitoring.
Glacial and climate research runs in partnership with respected scientists.
Onboard laboratory studies let you help with data collection and analysis.
That focus on education and conservation makes Viking a strong fit for travelers who want to explore responsibly and learn as they go.
We keep our recommendations tight because we book what we know. After a close look at how Viking delivers on adventure, comfort, and sustainability, we were glad to add Viking Expedition Cruises to our collection for its depth of exploration.
Working with Viking, we arrange access, tailored itineraries, and the practical logistics that keep a trip calm rather than complicated. Whether you are drawn to the landscapes of Antarctica, the cultural reach of the Great Lakes, or the drama of the Arctic, we shape the adventure around what you want.
Booking through Small Ship Travel brings you advisor guidance, personal service, and added benefits on your Viking Expedition voyage. From pre- and post-cruise hotel stays to private shore excursions and travel logistics, we handle every detail so you can be present for the expedition.
Set out on a remarkable voyage with Viking Expedition Cruises and Small Ship Travel, where adventure, discovery, and comfort come together.
Get in touch and we will start planning your next voyage.
consultation
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