Viking orders 2 expedition ships and secures options for 2 ocean vessels

Viking has confirmed an agreement to build two new expedition ships for delivery in 2030 and 2031, extending the company’s expansion in the polar and remote-destination segment.

The vessels will join Viking’s existing expedition fleet, which currently consists of the 378-guest Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis.

The new ships will be sister vessels and are scheduled to be constructed at an Italian shipyard.

The order strengthens Viking’s position in the expedition market, where capacity remains significantly smaller than in the mainstream cruise sector but has attracted sustained investment over the past decade.

Expedition vessels typically operate in regions such as Antarctica, the Arctic, and the Great Lakes, where specialised design and ice-class capability are required.

The company has also secured option agreements for two additional ocean ships for delivery in 2034, with an exercise date of July 30th, 2028. If exercised, the options would further expand Viking’s core ocean fleet later in the decade.

The two new expedition vessels will build on the passenger experience established aboard Viking Polaris and Viking Octantis, ships designed to combine expedition capability with the comfort levels more commonly associated with small ocean vessels.

On Polaris, programming is centred on interpretation and access to remote environments, supported by a team of expedition leaders and scientists delivering daily briefings and lectures in the Aula theatre, a purpose-built venue modelled on the Aula Hall at the University of Oslo.

Presentations are broadcast to cabins and designed to be accessible rather than academic, covering wildlife, polar ecosystems, and ongoing research projects.

Public spaces are arranged to keep the surrounding environment constantly in view.

Lounges, restaurants, and even corridor seating areas offer panoramic windows, while outdoor viewing points such as The Bow and the Explorer’s Lounge terrace serve as gathering spaces during wildlife sightings.

An enclosed area known as The Shelter allows passengers to observe conditions while protected from wind and snow, reinforcing the ship’s cold-climate focus.

Cabins are configured more like contemporary hotel rooms than traditional expedition berths. Even entry-level categories feature king-sized beds and panoramic ‘Nordic balconies’ with floor-to-ceiling windows that lower electronically.

Full-length drying closets are installed in each cabin to air expedition gear between landings, complemented by heated bathroom floors that assist with drying smaller items.

Complimentary polar equipment, including parkas, waterproof trousers, and boots, is issued to passengers, streamlining shore operations.

Dining on Polaris mirrors the structure found across Viking’s ocean fleet, with multiple restaurants included in the fare. Options range from The Restaurant and Manfredi’s Italian venue to the more casual World Café buffet, which incorporates a grill station and expanded sushi and seafood counters.

Outdoor barbecues and milestone celebrations, such as Antarctic Circle crossings, are marked with themed food service. While reservations are technically required for certain venues, walk-ins are generally accommodated given the fluid nature of expedition schedules.

The expedition facilities are centred around a ground-level Hangar housing Zodiacs, kayaks, two six-passenger submarines, and Special Operations Boats. The design allows rapid deployment in changing weather conditions.

Although passenger capacity at 378 is larger than many expedition competitors, the vessel is equipped to manage embarkation and landing logistics efficiently, albeit typically with one landing per day in Antarctica due to site restrictions.

Onboard amenities extend to a thermal spa with an indoor pool, an indoor-outdoor infinity pool with a retractable roof, fitness facilities, and multiple lounges including The Hide, a small speakeasy-style bar.

Wi-Fi is included and has demonstrated reliability even in remote regions. The overall experience is structured to deliver a first-class expedition environment while maintaining the comfort standards expected from Viking’s broader fleet, a template likely to be followed by the two additional ships scheduled for delivery in 2030 and 2031.