Viking Octantis

Viking Octantis is an expedition cruise vessel operated by Viking Expeditions Cruises, the expedition division of Viking Cruises. Completed in December 2021, it was the first purpose-built expedition ship developed for the Viking brand and entered passenger service during the Antarctic season in January 2022. The vessel was designed for voyages in polar and inland-waterway environments, combining an ice-strengthened hull with equipment and onboard spaces intended for exploration, education, and scientific observation. The ship accommodates up to 378 passengers in 189 staterooms. Its Polar Class 6 hull is intended to support operations in waters containing first-year ice, while a straight bow was designed to improve stability and reduce fuel consumption. State-of-the-art U-tank stabilizers are intended to reduce rolling when the ship is stationary, an important feature for expedition activities and for operating small craft away from the ship. The vessel's dimensions were also developed to allow passage through the Welland Canal, enabling access to the North American Great Lakes. Viking Octantis has a large aft equipment bay known as The Hangar. This space supports the ship's expedition program and stores inflatable Zodiac boats, kayaks, two high-speed special-operation boats, and two yellow Cruise Sub 7-300 submarines named John and George. A custom stern slipway allows the special-operation boats to be deployed directly from the vessel. The ship also contains The Aula, a two-deck-high auditorium with expansive glazing used for lectures, briefings, and educational programs. Scientific engagement is a central part of the vessel's identity. Its laboratory facilities support cooperation with organizations and institutions including the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Norwegian Institute for Water Research, the Polar Citizen Science Collective, the Norwegian Polar Institute, the University of Cambridge, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Oceanites, and the Scott Polar Research Institute. The ship also works with the National Weather Service and was described as the first civilian ship authorized to serve as a launch platform for weather balloons. The vessel's main operating pattern links expedition cruising with research-oriented programming. Its early itinerary concentrated on Antarctica, followed by Great Lakes voyages from ports including Toronto, Thunder Bay, and Milwaukee. It also became one of the first cruise ships to return to Atlantic Canadian ports after pandemic-era restrictions, calling at Charlottetown. In the northern-hemisphere summer season, Viking Octantis has operated in the Arctic and Great Lakes, before returning to Antarctic waters for the southern-hemisphere summer. The ship was joined by its sister vessel, Viking Polaris, in 2022.

Viking Octantis originated in Viking Cruises' expansion into expedition cruising. In April 2018, the company signed a letter of intent covering two new expedition vessels. The ships were conceived as purpose-built platforms for destinations where conventional ocean-going cruise ships are less suitable, including Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Great Lakes. Their dimensions were specifically planned to permit passage through the Welland Canal, giving the vessels access to the Great Lakes while retaining the capability to operate in polar waters. The design was developed by SMC Design of London, while the interiors were created by Rottet Studio of Los Angeles under the direction of designer Richard Riveire. The vessel was built with a Polar Class 6 ice-strengthened hull. Its straight bow was intended to improve stability and reduce fuel consumption, while U-tank stabilizers were designed to reduce rolling when the ship is stationary. Construction began primarily at the Fincantieri Vard Tulcea shipyard in Romania. The partly completed vessel was then towed to the Vard Søviknes yard in Søvik, Norway, for interior outfitting and final completion. The resulting ship was organized around expedition activity. The aft section contains The Hangar, a dedicated equipment and launch area holding Zodiacs, kayaks, two high-speed special-operation boats, and two Cruise Sub 7-300 submarines. A 26-metre stern slipway and associated doors and crane systems allow equipment to be deployed efficiently. The Aula, a double-height auditorium with windows on three sides, provides a venue for briefings, lectures, and presentations. Its interior design draws inspiration from the University of Oslo's ceremonial hall, historically associated with the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Viking Cruises took delivery of Viking Octantis on December 22, 2021. The ship's maiden passenger season began in Antarctica in January 2022, with explorer Liv Arnesen serving as its godmother. After completing its Antarctic program, the vessel sailed north through the Caribbean to New York City. A planned naming event there was postponed in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The ship then proceeded to its maiden Great Lakes season, operating from ports such as Toronto, Thunder Bay, and Milwaukee. The formal naming eventually took place in Toronto on September 30, 2022. The ceremony was conducted as a remote dual christening with sister ship Viking Polaris, which was docked in Amsterdam. Arnesen blessed the ship from the bow of Viking Polaris in Amsterdam, while a crew member in Toronto released the champagne bottle against Viking Octantis. Scientific and educational work forms a significant part of the vessel's operating concept. Its laboratory program has involved cooperation with environmental, ornithological, polar, conservation, and academic organizations, including NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the Norwegian Institute for Water Research, the Norwegian Polar Institute, the University of Cambridge, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Oceanites, and the Scott Polar Research Institute. The ship also partners with the National Weather Service and has been authorized as a civilian launch site for weather balloons. Viking Polaris joined the fleet in fall 2022 as Viking Octantis's identical sister ship. Together, the two vessels support Viking's seasonal expedition network. Viking Octantis generally operates in the Arctic and Great Lakes during northern-hemisphere summer months and returns to Antarctica during the southern-hemisphere summer.

• 2022

  Antarctic maiden season

  [1]Viking Octantisen.wikipedia.org

  The ship began its first passenger voyages in Antarctica in January 2022.

• 2022

  First Great Lakes season

  [1]Viking Octantisen.wikipedia.org

  Following its Antarctic deployment, Viking Octantis began sailing the Great Lakes, including calls at Toronto, Thunder Bay, and Milwaukee.

• 2022

  Toronto naming ceremony

  [1]Viking Octantisen.wikipedia.org

  Viking Octantis was named in Toronto on September 30, 2022, during a remote dual ceremony with Viking Polaris in Amsterdam.

• 2022

  Sister ship joins the fleet

  [1]Viking Octantisen.wikipedia.org

  Identical sister ship Viking Polaris joined the Viking expedition fleet in fall 2022.

• 2021

  Construction completed

  [1]Viking Octantisen.wikipedia.org

  Viking Octantis was completed in December 2021 after construction in Romania and final outfitting in Norway.

• 2021

  Delivery to Viking

  [1]Viking Octantisen.wikipedia.org

  Viking Cruises took delivery of the ship on December 22, 2021.

• 2018

  Two-ship expedition program announced

  [1]Viking Octantisen.wikipedia.org

  Viking Cruises signed a letter of intent for two purpose-built expedition vessels, later realized as Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris.

A premium expedition cruise vessel combining Viking's hospitality model with polar capability, small-craft exploration, submersible excursions, and structured scientific and educational programming.

• Expedition cruising · 2022

  Viking Octantis expedition cruises

  Viking Octantis provides expedition voyages in Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Great Lakes. Its itineraries combine conventional cruise accommodation with shore landings, guided excursions, lectures, scientific observation, and deployment of small craft. The ship's design supports both polar sailing and navigation of the Great Lakes through the Welland Canal.

• Expedition equipment · 2022

  The Hangar expedition equipment system

  The Hangar is the vessel's aft expedition bay. It stores and supports deployment of Zodiacs, kayaks, two high-speed special-operation boats, and two Cruise Sub 7-300 submarines. Its stern slipway, side doors, gantry crane, and launch infrastructure are designed to make equipment handling part of the ship's regular expedition operation.

• Education and lectures · 2022

  The Aula

  The Aula is a two-deck-high auditorium at the aft of the ship. Glass windows on three sides provide views over the surrounding environment, while the room is used for expedition briefings, educational presentations, and lectures. Its design was inspired by the ceremonial hall of the University of Oslo.

• Scientific engagement · 2022

  Onboard laboratory and research program

  The ship includes laboratory facilities supporting collaboration with research, environmental, conservation, and academic organizations. Activities have included observation and citizen-science work connected with the Great Lakes and polar regions. The vessel also partners with the National Weather Service and has been sanctioned as a civilian platform for weather-balloon launches.

• 2022

  Launch Antarctic and Great Lakes itinerariesProduct launch

  Background

  After delivery, Viking needed to introduce its first expedition vessel to passengers in both polar and inland-waterway markets.

  Action taken

  Viking Octantis began passenger service in Antarctica and subsequently repositioned to North America for a maiden Great Lakes season.

  Aftermath

  The ship established a seasonal operating pattern linking Antarctic and Arctic or Great Lakes voyages.

  Source

• 2022

  Postpone and relocate the naming ceremonyOther

  Background

  The original naming event planned for New York City was postponed in the context of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

  Action taken

  Viking later held a remote dual christening in Toronto and Amsterdam on September 30, 2022.

  Aftermath

  Viking Octantis received its formal naming while its sister ship Viking Polaris was christened simultaneously from Amsterdam.

  Source

• 2018

  Enter purpose-built expedition cruisingStrategy

  Background

  Viking Cruises sought to extend its cruise portfolio into polar and expedition destinations while also serving the North American Great Lakes.

  Action taken

  The company commissioned a pair of purpose-built expedition ships, with dimensions and equipment tailored to polar operations and Welland Canal access.

  Aftermath

  The project produced Viking Octantis and the identical sister ship Viking Polaris, creating the foundation of Viking's expedition fleet.

  Source

1. 1Viking Octantisen.wikipedia.org