Torstein Hagen, Founder and Chairman of Viking, announced the unveiling of Viking Expeditions, which will begin sailing in January 2022 with its first vessel, Viking Octantis, embarking on voyages to Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes (Viking’s arrival to the Great Lakes will bring the newest and most modern vessels ever to explore this region of North America). A second expedition vessel, Viking Polaris, will debut in August 2022, sailing to Antarctica and the Arctic.
The new Polar Class 6 Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris will host 378 guests in 189 staterooms; both ships are currently under construction. The ships are optimally sized and built for expeditions – small enough to navigate remote polar regions and the St. Lawrence River, while large enough to provide superior handling and stability in the roughest seas.