Antarctica
The trip of a lifetime, planned a year ahead and done in real comfort.
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Viking
Viking Octantis
Viking's expedition ship: Antarctica and the Great Lakes with a science deck.
Overview
Viking Octantis entered service in 2022 and carries around 378 guests. A polar-class expedition ship with a hangar for Zodiacs and submarines, a working science program with partner universities, and Viking's calm, adults-only tone.
Octantis brings the Viking formula to expedition: Nordic interiors, the Explorers' Lounge, a spa, and an in-ship hangar that launches Zodiacs and two submarines from a sheltered marina. The science program is real, with scientists on board.
It alternates Antarctica with the Great Lakes and the Canadian Arctic, which makes it the expedition ship for couples who want the ice one year and North America the next.
At a glance
- Line
- Viking
- Size
- Small ship, around 378 guests
- Entered service
- 2022 (approximate)
- Our pick
- A Nordic Penthouse midship on Deck 5
Thinking about Viking Octantis?
We will say whether Viking Octantis is right for your party, which suite we would book and which sailing, or name the ship we would choose instead.
Best for
- Couples who want expedition with Viking's calm
- Grandparents going to Antarctica without children
- Travelers who value the science program
Not for
- Anyone traveling with children; adults only
- Travelers who want butlers and the highest luxury
- Anyone who dislikes Zodiacs
Price
What Viking Octantis costs
Premium expedition: below Silversea and Seabourn per night for Antarctica, with excursions, the spa and drinks at meals included. Planning figures on each sailing page.
Have a budget in mind?
Tell us what you are looking for and the figure you have in mind. We will say what it buys on each line, and where the same money goes further.
On board
Suites, cabins, dining and evenings on Viking Octantis
In our words, from the questions we are asked most. Suite names are the line's; which one we would book is ours.
- Suites
- Nordic Balcony staterooms with a floor-to-ceiling window that opens at the top; Deluxe Nordic Balcony, Nordic Penthouse, Nordic Junior Suites and Explorer Suites.
- Cabins we would book
- A Nordic Penthouse midship on Deck 4 or 5 for the steadiest ride; an Explorer Suite for space on a long voyage.
- Dining
- The Restaurant, Manfredi's, World Café, Mamsen's and the Aula for lectures; all included.
- Entertainment
- Lectures in the Aula, the science lab, the Finse Terrace with heated seating, live music. The landings are the show.
Want the right suite on Viking Octantis?
Tell us who is traveling and we will name the deck and the suite numbers we would hold, and the ones we would avoid.
Children, grandparents, mobility
Viking Octantis for the whole family
Three honest notes: what the ship does for children, what it does for grandparents, and what it asks of anyone with limited mobility.
- Children
- Adults only: guests must be 18 or over, by Viking's rule.
- Grandparents
- Calm, stable and well-organized; the Nordic Balcony avoids the cold of an open veranda. Zodiac boarding needs agility, which we discuss.
- Accessibility
- Accessible staterooms exist; landings require Zodiacs and the destination limits who can go ashore. We are candid about this.
Planning for the whole family?
Connecting suites, different activity levels, dining that works for everyone, and transfers that suit grandparents and toddlers alike. The best family suites go first, so start early.
Where it sails
Where Viking Octantis goes
The regions this ship sails as far as we know; the itinerary confirms the ports and the season.
Iceland & the Arctic
Expedition comfort around Iceland, Greenland and Svalbard, without giving up the butler.
Sample itineraries
Sailings on Viking Octantis
We have not written up a sample sailing on Viking Octantis yet. Viking publishes the current itineraries; tell us the season you have in mind and we will send the two or three we would consider, with planning figures.
Not sure where to go?
Give us the month, who is traveling and how far you will fly. A specialist will name the two or three regions and ships we would choose.
Deck plans and photographs
Deck plans and pictures of Viking Octantis
On Viking's official site; we send the marked-up plan with every proposal.
Viking Star alongside in BarcelonaPhoto: Anthony Levrot · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Viking Sky, one of Viking's 930-guest ocean ships, in SètePhoto: Christian Ferrer · CC BY 4.0
Our promise
We will say no.
We do not recommend a cruise because it is expensive, and we do not put people on the wrong ship. If Viking Octantis is not right for your party, we will tell you and suggest the one that is, even if it costs less or is sold by someone else. We are an advisor, not a booking engine.
Speak to a specialistGood to know
Viking Octantis FAQs
Are the submarines included on Viking Octantis?
Yes, where conditions and permits allow, which sets Viking apart from most expedition lines. Dives are allocated on board and not guaranteed.
Same line
Other Viking ships we have written up
Viking Star
The first Viking ocean ship: calm, Scandinavian, adults only.
Compared
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Plan your Viking Octantis cruise with Blackbury Travel.
Our pick: A Nordic Penthouse midship on Deck 5. Tell us who is traveling and when, and we will say which sailing and which suite, or whether another ship would suit you better.