Viking Cruises marked the launch of its highly-anticipated brand Viking Expeditions (fleet) with the new purpose-built Viking Octantis ship starting her first Antarctic season.
The brand's launch is a milestone as Viking starts its 25th anniversary year. By the end of 2022, Viking will have I operation a second expedition vessel (systership Viking Polaris), as well as two new ships for Viking OCEAN (fleet), new Viking Longships (in Europe) and newbuild riverboats to be deployed on the rivers Mekong, Mississippi, and Nile.
With expeditions underway, the first passengers on the line’s Antarctic Explorer itinerary provided outstanding ratings, praising it as one of their best travel experiences.
Viking Octantis is expected to spend the Austral summer in Antarctica, prior to sailing north to be named in April in New York by her ceremonial godmother, Liv Arnesen, the renowned Norwegian explorer and educator. Liv Arnesen is the first woman in the world to ski solo/unsupported to the South Pole back in 1994. She sailed onboard Viking Octantis for the first two expeditions to Antarctica and recorded a video message to welcome guests.
After the ship’s official naming ceremony in NYC New York, Viking Octantis will sail to the Great Lakes for a series of voyages throughout spring and summer 2022.