Viking Polaris
Marking a major milestone in construction,
Designed in a contemporary Scandinavian
Viking Cruises has completed the float-out of
style, the vessel’s 189 staterooms feature a
VIKING CRUISES
its second expedition vessel, the 378-passenger
Nordic Balcony – a first for polar expedition
Viking Polaris. Due to depart for her maiden
vessels – in which the sunroom converts into
season around the Arctic and Antarctica in
an al fresco viewing platform. The floor-to-
2022, the Polar-Class 6 vessel has been moved
ceiling, distortion-free glass at the very edge
to another of Vard’s docks for interior fit-out.
of the ship lets guests take the views in while
Designed by the same nautical architects and
ON DECK Route: Arctic to Antarctica Maiden Voyage: 2022 Owner: Viking Cruises Operator: Viking Expeditions Shipyard: Vard www.vikingcruises.com
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keeping the elements out.
engineers behind Viking’s ocean ships, Polaris
There’s also a panoramic auditorium at
will feature public areas that are familiar to
the stern; a spa with a sauna, snow grotto,
regular guests as well as new spaces created
hydrotherapy pool and hot tub; and an array
specifically for expeditions. Across the seven
of dining options including World Café, a new
decks, highlights include The Laboratory,
market concept with live cooking stations, a
a research facility that upholds the group’s
bakery, grill and sushi bar.
commitment to destination-focused learning,
And in another first, Viking Polaris is equipped
and the two-storey Explorers’ Lounge, where
with The Hangar, an enclosed in-ship marina
guests can take in the surrounding scenery
that permits the launch of excursion craft
through wraparound windows that extend
through multiple shell doors. Its 85ft slipway
overhead. Occupying the bow, the circular
enables passengers to embark on RIBs from a
observatory has its own bar and a small terrace
stable surface shielded from wind and waves
with open-air seating.
before venturing out on their expedition.