By
Alex Smith |
Viking has taken delivery of its second expedition ship, Viking Polaris, from Fincantieri.
The delivery ceremony took place at Fincantieri’s Vard shipyard in Søviknes, Norway, where Viking Polaris’ sister ship Viking Octantis was also delivered in December 2021. The ship then set sail toward Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where she will be named on 30 September by polar explorer Ann Bancroft. Viking Octantis will also be officially named on 30 September by Norwegian explorer Liv Arnesen.
"Together with her sister, Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris is an amazing and unique ship that represents innovation and development of the cruise segment for both Viking and Vard," said Attilio Dapelo, general manager for business unit cruise at Vard. "Both vessels are over 200 meters long, the largest vessels built by Vard so far, and once again confirm Vard’s capabilities to build excellent vessels at the highest standards of cruise ships."
From Amsterdam, Viking Polaris will sail to South America, with both expedition ships spending the Austral summer in Antarctica, before travelling north to the Great Lakes region.
“Today is a proud day for the Viking family as we welcome Viking Polaris to our fleet,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking. “These are phenomenal ships, and we are very pleased with the positive reception from guests during the first season of our new expeditions. The great explorer, Ann Bancroft, has honoured us by serving as godmother to the Viking Polaris, and we look forward to welcoming her first guests onboard later this week.”