By
Alex Smith |
Viking’s new purpose-built expedition ship, Viking Octantis, has begun sailing on her first Antarctic season. The launch of the ‘Antarctic Explorer’ itinerary means that Viking now offers sailings to all seven continents as the company enters its 25th anniversary.
“When we started Viking 25 years ago, we wanted to do things differently – and since then, our mission has resonated with curious travellers,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “Antarctica has always inspired the most intrepid explorers; for many, visiting the ‘White Continent’ is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. With the arrival of the Viking Octantis, we are offering our guests the opportunity to explore this unique part of the world in comfort and in the most responsible way possible.”
Viking Octantis will spend February and March in Antarctica, before travelling north to be officially named in April 2022 in New York, USA, by godmother and Norwegian educator, explorer and lecturer Liv Arnesen. She sailed onboard Viking Octantis for the ship’s first two expeditions to Antarctica and recorded a video message to welcome guests to the ship.
Following the christening in New York, Viking Octantis will redeploy to the Great Lakes region for a series of voyages throughout the spring and summer. A second, identical sister ship, Viking Polaris, will join the fleet later in 2022.