Viking Antarctica Cruises: A Complete Guide for Adventurers

Looking to explore Antarctica in the comfort of a floating, amenity-filled hotel? Eager to learn about polar wildlife and important scientific research? If so, one of Viking’s Antarctica-bound cruises should be on your travel wish list. Two good friends, both world travelers and frequent cruisers, recently returned from Viking cruises to Antarctica. This article explores what a Viking cruise to Antarctica is like – the ship and excursions – plus tips to get the most out of the experience. 

My two friends, Ingrid and Irene, take several major trips yearly and treasure wonderful memories of their time exploring Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. After they returned from their Viking Antarctica expedition cruises, I had to know more, so I debriefed them on their adventures. I thank Ingrid and Irene for their insights about their experiences and suggestions for future travelers aboard a Viking expedition ship bound for Antarctica.

Top 5 Reasons to Take a Viking Antarctica Expedition Cruise

1. Visit the world’s unique snow and ice-covered continent. Antarctica is the coldest, windiest, highest, and brightest continent.
2. View wildlife that populates the frozen continental region, including penguins, seals, dolphins, whales, arctic terns — and even tiny krill (a favorite meal for penguins). 
3. Learn about the ecosystem and hear from scholars and scientists about their research aboard the ship. Viking has partnered with several global scientific communities, including the University of Cambridge’s Scott Polar Research Institute and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. On each Antarctica cruise, there are dozens of Viking Resident Scientists and Viking Expedition Team members. Soak in all you can from ornithologists, marine biologists, climatologists, geologists, and other specialists. Find out more about their current research and view their work in the onboard laboratory. Become a student at scientist-led lectures in the impressive Aula auditorium with massive floor-to-ceiling windows. 
4. Enjoy the ship’s many included (at no extra cost) amenities and comforts, including a fitness center; spa; several dining venues; complimentary wine and beer at lunch and dinner; and self-serve launderettes. Note that Viking does charge for some extra services, including a Silver Spirits beverage package (for spirits plus specialty wines and beer), some spa services (including massages and facials), and laundry services (if you want to send your clothes out to be washed).
5. Meet like-minded adventure travelers. Get to know other guests who share your love of learning more about the planet and experiencing what few others have. 

The Viking Antarctica Expedition Cruise Options

Viking operates two identical state-of-the-art Polar Class 6 Expedition ships, Octantis and Polaris, each carrying 378 guests. 

Three Antarctica-bound cruises vary in length and run from November through February, the summer months in the Southern Hemisphere:

1. Antarctic Adventure: 15 days (Days 4-12 explore Antarctica)
2. Antarctic Explorer: 13 days (Days 4-10 explore Antarctica)
3. Antarctica & South Georgia Island: 19 days (Days 12-16 explore Antarctica)

The cruises originate in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and conclude in Ushuaia, Argentina.

• The Antarctic Adventure and Antarctic Explorer cruises traverse the Drake Passage (the body of water where the Atlantic and Pacific oceans converge between South America and Antarctica) before reaching Antarctica. Guests visit the Melchior Islands, Danco Islands, Damoy Point, Enterprise Island, Mikkelson Harbor, and Elephant Island. Then, the ship sails back over the Drake Passage, with views of Cape Horn.
• The Antarctica & South Georgia Island cruise sails the Atlantic Ocean and visits the Falkland Islands as well as South Georgia Island before continuing to Antarctica. It also sails over the Drake Passage and by Cape Horn before its conclusion.

Pre- and Post-Extensions

Antarctic Expedition cruise guests can add pre- and post-extension trips — like other Viking cruises. The pre-extension options for the Antaractica-bound cruises include visiting Buenos Aires, the Iguazú Falls, the Atacama Desert, or Easter Island. Post-extensions are available in Patagonia.

Viking Polar Expedition Ships

Viking has a long history of providing excellent guest experiences, excursion choices, and highly-rated service, food, and amenities on their river and ocean voyages. The Octanis and Polaris expedition ships are no exception.

Amenities & Common Spaces

Viking is known for its well-designed ships that sport Scandinavian designs with soft colors. The ships’ configurations and artful design elements create a comfortable, relaxing environment. Furthermore, the expedition ships have impressive artwork, including paintings, photography, and sculptures, many celebrating Norwegian culture. You can take a self-guided tour of the specially-curated pieces aboard using the Viking Voyager app (available onboard).

Inside, each ship has a fitness center; a hair salon; an extensive spa with a steam room, a snow grotto, a sauna; and several pools. In addition, there are various common spaces, including a well-curated library, the Living Room, the Hide, and the Explorers’ Lounge. A medical center is also on board.

At the stern of the ship is the cavernous hangar within the ship. This is where the excursion vessels are housed and maintained. Near the hangar is the almost 400-square-foot science laboratory where scientists conduct research. Guests are encouraged to observe happenings in this space.

Outside, the ship has plenty of lounging space, with comfortable seating and firepits, on the deck and the Shelter (a covered outdoor space with seating).

Attire

Viking publishes a dress code that suggests casual clothes during the day. Since there are no formal nights aboard Viking ships, guests are encouraged to dress in “elegant casual” attire in the evenings. Dress nicely (sweaters and slacks are fine) and comfortably. Bear in mind that casual dress is always appropriate in the World Café.

Dining

You have your choice of dining venues, all provided at no extra charge. The World Café is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and does not require a reservation.

• The Restaurant offers regional menu items that change daily as well as traditional favorites that are always on the menu. A reservation is required and can be made with the maître d’ once aboard.
• Aquavit Terrace is a casual dining space at the ship’s stern.
• Manfredi’s offers a variety of Italian dishes (and requires a reservation).
• Mamsen’s features Norwegian-inspired items, including soups and open-faced sandwiches.
• World Café is a casual spot with an open kitchen featuring seafood, sushi, and grilled foods like burgers and steaks.
• Room Service is available 24/7.

Onboard Education & Entertainment

In addition to being comfortable passenger cruise ships, Octantis and Polaris are research vessels. As such, scientists and researchers are cruising along with the passengers. This translates to unique opportunities to learn more from the specialists on board through their lectures and scientific work.

Onboard entertainment includes vocalists and instrumentalists who play in the afternoons and evenings in the Explorer Lounge. On some evenings, guest researchers or lecturers share their experiences – or stories – with guests in The Hide, a space near the ship’s aft that features cozy seating and a bar. 

Staterooms 

The Viking polar expedition ship’s staterooms all feature Nordic balconies with unique floor-to-ceiling windows. You can open the top of the window to take in the sights and smells of the outside from the comfort of your room. The Explorer Suite and the Owner’s Suite on the expedition ships also have private outdoor spaces.

Each stateroom comes equipped with good-quality binoculars, a warming closet to dry your clothes post-excursions, heated bathroom floors, plenty of storage space, a mini-bar, a safe, 110V and 220V electrical outlets, USB and USB-C outlets, and other comforts. Sunscreen, hand cream, and chapstick are some amenities in the stateroom. 

Six stateroom categories offer varied square footage and amenities. Advance bookings (number of days before the ship’s departure) for the spa, alternate restaurants, and excursions are dependent on the stateroom category you book.

• Nordic Balcony 
  • 215 square feet
  • 11:00 am embarkation; 3:00 pm stateroom access
  • Can book expeditions 47 days before departure
  • Mini-bar with soft drinks, water, and snacks
• Deluxe Nordic Balcony 
  • 215 square feet
  • 11:00 am embarkation; 2:00 pm stateroom access
  • Can book expeditions 47 days before departure
  • Can book spa treatments 60 days before departure
  • Mini-bar with soft drinks, water, and snacks
• Nordic Penthouse
  • 269 square feet
  • 11:00 am embarkation; 1:00 pm stateroom access
  • Can book expeditions 57 days before departure
  • Can book spa treatments 70 days before departure
  • Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water, and snacks
  • Welcome bottle of champagne
  • Complimentary ironing and shoe shine service
• Nordic Junior Suite
  • 322 square feet
  • 11:00 am embarkation; 11:00 am stateroom access
  • Can book expeditions 57 days before departure
  • Can book spa treatments 80 days before departure
  • Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water, and snacks
  • Welcome bottle of champagne
  • Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, and shoe shine service
• Explorer Suite
  • 548 square feet
  • 11:00 am embarkation; 11:00 am stateroom access
  • Can book expeditions 67 days before departure
  • Can book spa treatments 90 days before departure
  • Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water, and snacks
  • Welcome bottle of champagne
  • Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, and shoe shine service
  • Complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package 
  • Private outdoor space
• Owner’s Suite
  • 1,238 square feet
  • Priority embarkation; 11:00 am stateroom access
  • Can book expeditions 67 days before departure
  • Can book spa treatments 100 days before departure
  • Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, soft drinks, water, and snacks
  • Complimentary laundry, dry cleaning, ironing, and shoe shine service
  • Welcome bottle of champagne
  • Complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package 
  • Private outdoor space
  • Daily personalized tea or pre-dinner cocktail and canapés
  • Dinner and guided tour with the ship’s officers 

Viking Antarctic Expedition Cruise Excursions

Viking guarantees at least one excursion daily, weather permitting. Excursions include scenic outings to view wildlife and scenery; trips to Antarctica, where guests explore the area; submarine trips down to the ocean’s depths; and kayaking. All passengers can enjoy the excursions at no extra charge.

A unique feature of the Viking Expedition ships is the large hangar at the stern (rear of the vessel). It houses the specialty crafts used to transport passengers daily to their scenic destinations.  

The four main vessels passengers can access are the following:

• Special Operation Boats (“Special Ops Boats”) are used to tour bays and view wildlife. Riding in Special Ops boats allows passengers to get a close look at wildlife and the surrounding sea and land — a much closer view than from aboard the ship.
• Zodiacs (rigid, inflatable boats) ferry guests from the ship to shore and back.
• Submarines take guests down in the water about 650 feet to view wildlife below the surface. Two yellow submarines are on each ship, and each sub seats six guests and one pilot. The subs are named after the Beatles, the hugely popular English rock band with the 1964 hit Yellow Submarine. The Viking Octantis ship has John and Paul, and the Viking Polaris ship has George and Ringo. Lest a submarine excursion sounds a bit scary, I should mention that there is a boat with Viking crewmembers on the water’s surface to monitor the sub the whole time it’s submerged.
• Kayaks for experienced kayakers.

Viking Polar Expedition Cruise Packing Tips

Viking provides all outer clothing, boots, and gear you’ll need for excursions. The Viking Expedition jacket you receive (and use while exploring off the ship) will be yours to take home at the end of the trip. What a souvenir!

It’s relatively easy to pack lightly for an expedition cruise. In fact, you may consider packing just a carry-on suitcase and a personal item for this journey. Doing so negates the need to check baggage on your flights, eliminating the chance of the airline misplacing your luggage. And since Viking provides all the outer gear you’ll need, and there’s a free laundrette (washers, dryers, laundry soap, and irons), it’s easy to get by with fewer clothes as you can easily do your wash while aboard. Some stateroom classes – Nordic Junior Suite, Explorer Suite, and Owner’s Suite – provide complimentary laundry services.

Suggested Packing List

Viking provides guests with a suggested packing list before the cruise. The packing list below includes recommendations from my two friends based on their recent Viking Antarctica cruises.

• 2 pairs of socks (designed for outdoor activities like hiking)
• 2 pairs of fleece-lined pants
• 1-2 tops to use as a base layer before getting dressed for excursions
• thermal long pants and top (preferably not cotton; consider Merino wool)
• 1 pair of mittens with a foldover section (so your fingers can be free to operate your camera or other devices)
• 1 fleece neck gaiter (that can be pulled up to your nose for extra warmth)
• 1 warm hat
• 2 pairs of pants while aboard the ship
• 3-4 shirts/blouses for life aboard the ship
• 1 sweater 
• 1 fleece jacket
• 2-3 pairs of undergarments 
• 1 set of pajamas
• camera or smartphone for taking pictures
• swimsuit (to use in the onboard pools and hot tub)
• sneakers with good tread
• sunglasses and/or sun goggles (to keep the wind out of your eyes)
• lanyard for holding your smartphone if planning to take some pictures while in a zodiac or special-ops boat

Viking Polar Expedition Cruise Tips

• Because crossing the Drake Passage can be unsettling for some people prone to seasickness, get some motion sickness prevention patches prescribed by your doctor. They may work better than Dramamine or similar medications.
• In preparation for excursions, give yourself plenty of time to get dressed. There are several layers of clothing and heavy boots to don, which takes time. A life vest over all the layers completes your outfit for activity off the ship.
• Always remember to go to the bathroom before beginning to get dressed. You certainly don’t want to have to peel off all the layers you just put on!
• Stay well hydrated throughout the day. 
• Apply hand cream and chapstick regularly to keep your skin moisturized. 
• If you want a quiet dinner, plan to eat later, like 7:30 or 8:00 pm. Most guests have finished (or are finishing up) their meals at this point.

Related Articles

Viking Related Articles

• Viking Ocean Cruises: The Ultimate Guide
• Viking Ocean Cruise Excursions: What You Need to Know
• Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps to Take After Booking a Cruise
• Viking River Cruises: The Complete Guide
• Best Sights to See on a Viking Grand European Tour Cruise
• Viking Antarctica Cruise: A Complete Guide for Adventurers

General Travel Planning Articles

• Best Apps and Websites for Savvy Travelers
• Travel Lightly: Top Ten Tips for Your Next Trip
• Travel Planning Timeline
• Expert Tips for Traveling to Europe for More Fun, Less Stress
• How to Use Google Translate While Traveling

Final Thoughts

Thanks again to Ingrid and Irene for sharing their experiences and suggestions for other travelers. The highlights for them (and other guests) who enjoyed their Viking Antarctica expedition cruises were:

• The ship itself and its many inviting spaces.
• The shipboard experience, including the lectures and the live music performances.
• The majesty of nature viewed from the ship and when in Antarctica.

Ingrid considers her Viking polar cruise a “trip of a lifetime.” That sums up the feelings of other happy adventurers who have explored a unique spot on the earth aboard the Viking Octantis or Polaris. It may just be time to add this journey to my travel plans. 

Comments?

Have you been on a Viking Antarctica expedition cruise? If so, please share your experiences and/or suggestions for future travelers. Thanks! 🙂