Luxurious and Studying Mix on New Expedition Ship
When the Viking Polaris was launched in September 2022, I puzzled how totally different a cruise is perhaps aboard this new expedition ship.
Would it not be like going day-after-day to my least-favorite science class in highschool? Would the ship be a bit much less elegant and the meals missing the connoisseur delicacies for which Viking is thought?
As one in every of my ultimate cruises for 2023, I acquired an opportunity to search out out for myself about this uncommon Viking Polaris. What I found was that Viking Polaris has all of the charms of different Viking ships plus a deal with enrichment, studying and experiential actions.
The Viking Polaris shocked and fascinated me. It was not like any picture of what an expedition ship would possibly appear to be or what a 16-day cruise from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale is perhaps like. I’ve been singing its praises ever since.
Total Overview and Scores 10/10
10/10 Boarding
Ready on the opposite facet of the Canadian airport had been a number of Viking greeters carrying crimson Viking jackets who led us to a ready motor coach for the quick trip to the ship.
10/10 The Ship
Named after the North Star, Polaris is unquestionably a star amongst cruise ships. With a most of 378 friends in 189 staterooms, the Viking Polaris looks like a floating luxurious boutique lodge with its beautiful light-filled Nordic design. On our cruise, there have been 310 passengers and 258 crew members.
10/10 My Stateroom
Giant and comfortable with a beautiful Nordic Balcony glass window that raised and lowered with the contact of a button.
10/10 Eating places
With a number of eating places, Viking Polaris costs no additional value to dine in any of them. Wine, beer and comfortable drinks are also complimentary at lunch and dinner. Delicacies is a few of the finest I’ve ever had – on land or on sea.
9/10 Shore Excursions
Our cruise itinerary had a terrific alternative of shore excursions, some free and a few requiring a charge. Most memorable was cruising previous the Statue of Liberty as daybreak broke.
8/10 Leisure
Mom Nature offered one of the best leisure on our cruise. Whether or not it was watching the ocean move or in search of critters to placed on a wildlife sighting record or listening to one of many scientists onboard clarify a few of the wonders of the world, we had enjoyable whereas we realized.
5/10 Procuring
I definitely didn’t miss it however the Viking Polaris supplied skimpy procuring. The ship’s Nordic Store had primary toiletries, some snacks and some clothes objects.
10/10 Library
A nook of The Dwelling Room had a well-stocked library. Nonetheless, books had been positioned in lots of locations across the ship together with staterooms.
10/10 Nordic Spa
Out there with out further cost, the Nordic Spa has a heated indoor pool, wood-sided scorching tub, sauna, cold-water dunking bucket, steam room, gymnasium and that incredible snow grotto. Spa therapies value additional, in fact.
10/10 Service
Distinctive.
10/10 Disembarkation
The Viking Polaris crew had a means of creating folks really feel so welcomed that it was troublesome to pack up and stroll off. The method of leaving was effectively organized and as straightforward as potential.
10/10 Total Score
From high to backside, the Viking Polaris is a magnificence with a superb workers as effectively. I realized one thing new day-after-day and made recollections that can be treasured. A real gem within the realm of cruising.
The Phrase is Out – Viking Polaris is a Fantastic Technique to see the World
After I stepped off the Viking Polaris in Quebec, a lady standing on the shore requested me in regards to the new ship. Why is it referred to as an “expedition ship” she requested? And would I like to recommend a Polaris cruise to others?
The Dwelling Room
My Solutions:
First, why is it an expedition ship? As a result of a Viking Polaris cruise emphasizes studying about our huge vast great world. An instance – a number of decks down within the ship’s Hangar are two yellow six-passenger submarines named George and Ringo for passenger expeditions into the deep. The Polaris’ sister ship Viking Octantis has two submarines named John and Paul.
Yellow submarines George and Ringo
Then there’s the spectacular Aula, a state-of-the-art panoramic auditorium impressed by the College of Oslo’s grand ceremonial corridor. With its 270-degree views and big retractable 4K laser-projected display screen, the Aula is the principle gathering place for each day briefings, lectures, documentary screenings and musical performances.
The Aula
On Deck 2, Expedition Central is an enchanting spot the place we might look by microscopes to see microorganisms and will cease by throughout open hours to ask the Expedition Workforce about wildlife, geology, biology and different expedition questions.
Every beautiful stateroom has two pairs of highly effective Meopta Optika MeoPro 8×42 binoculars and a big drying closet to air out moist expedition gear.
As for whether or not I’d advocate the cruise – undoubtedly. Not simply because the Viking Polaris is a magnificence that gives fascinating experiences and serves delicious delicacies however primarily due to the crew. Irrespective of how top-notch a ship is and the way yummy is its meals, if the ship’s crew is lazy, surly or nowhere to be discovered – the cruise is a waste.
The crew of the Viking Polaris – from captain to cabin attendant – was pleasant, environment friendly, caring and downright glorious.
My Favourite Gems
The Conceal – On Deck 1, The Conceal was troublesome to search out however one in every of my favorites. I visited it day-after-day as soon as I discovered the labyrinth of stairs between decks and solely as soon as was another person within the appropriately named hideaway. I’d sit in one of many comfortable chairs in entrance of the slanted wall of home windows which made it appear as if we had been skimming over the ocean because the ship cruised.
The Conceal
The Conceal additionally has books and memorabilia from American explorer Ann Bancroft. Godmother of Polaris, Bancroft made historical past when she grew to become the primary lady to achieve each the North and South Poles.
Viking Every day Publication – Every night we acquired a Viking Every day publication chock stuffed with vital information. The publication additionally was out there in a digital format on the Viking Polaris app in my cellphone in addition to on the stateroom TV. Good method to save paper.
My stateroom
Nordic Balcony in my stateroom
Mamsen’s Restaurant – Mamsen was what Viking founder Torstein Hagen referred to as his hard-working mom, Ragnhild Hagen. Her kitchen was a household protected harbor in any storm.
Mansen’s breakfast waffle
Now Mamsen’s on the Viking Polaris is a loving tribute to the household matriarch serving meals that Torstein Hagen loved as a baby. It’s a great spot to get pleasure from a light-weight breakfast or Nordic lunch buffet or afternoon snack.
The dishware in Mamsen’s is similar design because the set Torstein Hagen remembered from his childhood. Coincidentally, the sample was referred to as “Tor Viking” – perhaps a foreshadowing of what was to come back.
Paps Explorers’ Lounge – In one other nod to household historical past, Paps Explorers’ Lounge bar is known as for Torstein Hagen’s father. From his household’s little crimson home in Nittedal, Norway, Paps grew to become a CPA by correspondence course. On daily basis, he bicycled from his dwelling to the historic Rotnes Bruk property the place he utilized his accounting abilities.
Paps’ Explorer Lounge
Paps was so standard that in one election 12 months, he acquired his identify on the poll for each events. In 1945, Crown Prince Olav of Norway embellished him for his resistance throughout World Conflict II.
Paps remained a person of and for the folks with such massive attendance that there was standing-room-only on the church for his memorial service.
Paps’ favourite brandy particular is served within the bar on the lounge for $5. The drink requires one third brandy from Norway’s Vinmonopol (the state-owned firm with sole rights to promote drinks containing greater than 4.75 % alcohol), two-thirds scorching water and one packet of brown sugar.
Each night, I preferred to conclude my adventurous day by sitting by the fireside at Paps, listening to musical duo Zee and Dee and savoring a drink whereas the Viking Polaris cruised by the night time.
Our Itinerary
Tue – Embark in Toronto
Wed – Scenic crusing, St. Lawrence Seaway Locks
Thu – Trois-Rivieres in Quebec, Canada
Fri – Quebec Metropolis
Sat – Scenic crusing St. Lawrence River
Solar – Cap-aux-Meules in Quebec
Mon – Cape Breton Island in Nova Scotia
Tue – Lunenburg in Nova Scotia
Wed – Sail the Atlantic Ocean
Thu – New York Metropolis
Fri – Sail the Atlantic Ocean
Sat – Norfolk, Virginia
Solar – Sail the Atlantic Ocean
Mon – Charleston, South Carolina
Tue – Sail the Atlantic Ocean
Wed – Disembark in Ft. Lauderdale
Remaining Ideas About Viking Polaris Cruise
– Free WiFi
– Complimentary beer, wine and comfortable drinks with lunch and dinner.
– Complimentary cocktails and champagne for sailaway social gathering and different particular occasions
– No cost for any eating places
– Enterprise heart stocked with computer systems for visitor use
– Complimentary 24-hour room service
– No photographers and photograph gross sales
– No umbrella drinks
– No on line casino
– No smoking in inside areas
– No artwork auctions
– No kids beneath 18
– No inside staterooms
– No charge to make use of Nordic Spa
– No charge to make use of self-service laundry
– Free laundry detergent
– No waterslides or on-ship rides
– No huge musical stage productions
– Nordic Store presents solely primary toiletries, few snacks and a few Viking sweaters, jackets, hats.
– No jewellery outlets or tables arrange within the concourse
– No bottles of liquor or cartons of cigarettes in Nordic Store
– No arduous sells for merchandise within the Nordic Spa.
– Free bottles of purified water in staterooms
– Sure, these are birds singing within the ship’s public restrooms. (Really, recordings of fowl songs)
– 16-member expedition workforce of scientists, biologists, geologists, botanists, ornithologists
– No cost for expedition excursions on Particular Operations Boats (SOBs) or use of kayaks or zodiacs.
– $499 for one-hour on 6-seater submarine dive. (Due to climate, no sub dives on our cruise)
– Easy crusing with the newest stabilization know-how
Statue of Liberty
Pictures by Jackie Sheckler Finch
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