By
Alex Smith |
Viking’s second expedition ship, Viking Polaris, has been floated out at the VARD shipyard in Søviknes, Norway, marking a milestone in the construction project.
The ship will now be moved to a nearby outfitting dock for further construction and interior build-out.
“We are now one step closer to our launch of ‘the thinking person’s expedition’, with new voyages that will allow our guests to explore the ends of the world and closer to home – in comfort,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “We are grateful for our long-standing partnership with Fincantieri, who has helped us build the world’s most beautiful ocean ships and is now helping us perfect expedition cruising. We look forward to welcoming guests onboard Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis next year.”
Viking Polaris will accommodate up to 378 guests in 189 staterooms and will feature public spaces which have been designed specifically for expedition cruising. These include The Hangar, an in-ship marina with an 85-foot slipway that allows guests to embark on rigid inflatable boats from inside the ship. The Laboratory is a research area in which an onboard team of scientists will work on various studies, while The Aula panoramic auditorium will offer a venue for lectures and entertainment.
Viking Polaris will make her debut in summer 2022, with explorer Ann Bancroft serving as her ceremonial godmother. Bancroft is the first woman to successfully ski to both poles and, together with Viking Octantis’s godmother Liv Arnesen, became one of the first women to ski across Antarctica in 2001. They co-founded Bancroft Arnesen Explore / Access Water, an initiative that aims to educate leaders for a sustainable future.
Following her delivery, Viking Polaris will spend her maiden season sailing voyages to the Arctic and Antarctica.