Viking Octantis and Polaris ARE the future of cruising. Here's why.

I’ve been waiting for this for weeks. We have booked a Toronto back2back 2026 Octantis

Even though I'm in my 20s, doing a Viking Expedition to Antarctica is a life goal of mine ever since I learned what they do and how they do it. The ships, the equipment, the science and exploration themed activities, and the inclusions all seem incredible. One day!

Bravo, Helen and Rich! What a beautiful, interesting, and informative video about a gorgeous and technologically-advanced ship. You put this one together quickly and it turned out fabulous!

Great video . Ships look great but how does the older target clients couple with the technology onboard

Thanks for another great video. We are scheduled for a Great Lakes trip with Viking next year. I believe the red door leads to the private dining room. Jim

Be warned, by was our worst ever viking cruise on this boat, and we have now done 12 cruises
We did a trip from New York to Toronto
There are the following problems with the boat.
1. Check they are now allowed to run all their expedition boats in Canada
2 In the lecture theatre, which ascend steeply from front to back,there is no central rail and in rough seas, it is very difficult to climb the steps.
3. The buffet area runs the length of the boat and alot of walking is involved to find all your food
4. The main restaurant was not open for breakfast, and we thought and were just serving up food available in the buffet.
5. They were serving up orange squash instead of fresh orange juice
6. The swimming pool is not practical since it is too narrow. Only about 2 people can use it at once.

This looks incredible

I would love to do the Great Lakes. But it is so expensive compared to other itineraries.

Hi Rich and Helen. Yes, there is a marked difference between the reviews of a "Traditionalist Cruise Reviewer" and an "Adventurous Explorer."
In the ways of, if your primary itch is a cruise ship, with its traditional machinations, and you are unable to release the braces on your brains, then don't waste your time.
BUT, if you are Adventurous and have an Explorer's Spirit, then by all means, take a Viking Expedition Voyage !! You won't be disappointed.

I was hoping to do a pole to pole cruise, but then they pulled the plug 😟

Thank you for the video. It looks like a wonderful ship.

Damn, did you guys win the lottery or something? How do you pay for all these luxury cruises?

Notice that Carnival Corp, sold Seabourn's new expedition vessels; making Viking the true Luxury expedition leader.

As beautiful as these two ship are (and thank you Rich&Helen for the super video 😘) it is WELL WORTH reading the accident report of the Antarctica incident by the Norwegian Safety Investigation Authority (especially section 2.5.2). 🚩This ship type seems to have a design flaw with the windows on deck 2 being too low and unable to withstand strong breaking waves in very adverse weather conditions which for example the Drake passage is very well known for.

Hi, thanks for another nice Video🎉. I did Not have Viking one my list, but now, I think it is definitively a try. The scandinavian Design ist soo nice❤.

Great video. We’ve done 7 river and ocean cruises with Viking, so it’s great to see so much that is familiar and so much that is new and exciting. Will look forward to the itinerary video.

An absolutely amazing ship and I will definitely be booking one of them in the next couple of years. A great video as always, thanks so much for sharing.

My wife and I have been on several Viking cruises, both river and ocean. Viking thinks very highly of themselves and have slick marketing targeting Americans. Sadly, they do charge a premium for their upscale advertising that Americans are willing to happily pay. As you can guess, we are not fans after numerous trips with them. Now we have not been on the Viking Expedition ships as the price they charge is really targeted for the gullible. The ships do look quite nice though, very advanced. Others will disagree but that is why there are many cruise lines to choose from. Our choice is Oceana for better food and more elegant atmosphere, especially the new Vista.

SOOOOO excited to see this. I should have known it would be you who brought me Polaris and Octantis! Thank you, thank you!! I love all of your content, but the expedition stuff is just something special.

Great video!

I would love to do a cruise on one of these ships

Wow!
Looks amazing.
Thanks for that.
We were hoping you would try Polaris in the Great Lakes, as that's what we will be doing next year 😃

WOW! If I ever come into money this is how I will spend it

Such a cozy, swish ship that is equally as classy as it appears contemporary while embracing the fact that it’s a ship! The theming is so delightfully satisfying without being tacky. And I think that’s a feat not easy to accomplish. Really goes to show what Viking can do with more ship to work with.

Hi Rich. Great to see your channel growing so much. I remember watching back when you had your first 5000 subscribers, always love the informative, well spoken and sometimes cheeky commentary! You’ve always had what I’d describe as - a silky articulate voice, and your content really keeps in this theme! Keep it up, you’re definitely one of my favourite cruise/travel content creators, who never fails to give your subscribers a vicarious voyage every time!

Excellent detailed overview of the ship!! We were on Octantis’s second voyage to Antarctica. It was sincerely a trip of a lifetime. Viking’s Expedition Team in addition to all other staff were 1st class!

Excellent tour and review of the Polaris! I really can't wait to try out these ships, they genuinely look like the most impressive expedition ships ever built.

The Finse Terrace is likely named after Karin Hagen's (Viking Chairman's daughter) dog Finse, that features in a range of children's books.

I’m looking to do Antarctica cruise soon. And lean towards comfort luxury. Do you suggest Viking, silver sea or any other.

this look better than Scenic and silver sea. Is it so ?

Ships are much too large to be “expedition.” too many passengers ruin any unique travel experience. Will stay with Quark or Lindblad for such voyages.

Looks incredible! What a wonderful combination of luxury, comfort, and access to remote places!

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