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Octantis sports a Polar Class 6 hull to ensure a safe voyage through polar regions and U-tank stabilizers that decrease rolling by up to 50% when the ship encouters icy waves. Its straight bows and long hulls will reduce fuel consumption while the dynamic positioning system on board will enable the ship to hover over the seabed without anchoring.
One innovative feature debuting on Octantis will be the Hangar, an industry-first enclosed marina that enables the launch of small excursion craft through the ship's multiple shell doors. Its 85-foot slipway lets guests embark expedition boats from a flat, stable surface inside the ship, shielded from wind and waves.
Expedition ships always carry lecturers and field experts, and Viking's 25 person-strong Expedition Team will join every voyage. These experts, includng biologists, botanists, geologists, glaciologists and photographers, will host daily lectures and briefings.
On top of that, Viking Octantis takes things to a whole new level with the Laboratory, a space where guests can interact with resident scientists and can even take part in field research projects on shore, which might mean tracking migratory patterns of penguins or accompanying scientists as they collect samples of flora and fauna.
In addition, Viking has partnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), whose scientists will join expeditions in the Great Lakes to conduct research focused on changes in the region’s weather, climate and ecosystems.
Fares on Octantis follow the Viking tradition of including the following in the base fare:
Some Viking Expeditions guests will also receive charter flights for hard-to-reach places included in the fare.
The ship will offer six stateroom categories: Nordic Balcony, Deluxe Nordic Balcony, Nordic Penthouse, Nordic Junior Suite, Explorer Suite and Owner’s Suite. All 189 cabins aboard Viking Octantis offer ocean views and what Viking terms a “Nordic balcony,” similar in some ways to a French balcony. It's a large window that can partially drop down and turn part of the room into an open-air space with the push of a button. Nordic Balcony and Deluxe Nordic Balcony cabins have a comfortable 222 square feet of living space and make up the majority of the staterooms on the ship. Other cabins range from 269 to 1,223 square feet.
Rooms come with a king-size bed and a bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower, heated bathroom floors and anti-fog mirrors. There will also be a floor-to-ceiling "drying closet" where circulating warm air dries clothes and expedition gear.
Octantis was followed by a nearly identical second ship, Viking Polaris, in August 2022. Both vessels are small enough to shimmy through narrow waterways like the St. Lawrence River in Canada but large enough to handle long ocean voyages. Both ships are designed to have a minimal environmental impact and to meet biosecurity standards and stringent emission norms.
For pricing, itinerary information and to reserve your spot on Viking Octantis, contact a Cruiseable travel consultant by email or call 1-877-322-3773.
