Luxurious and Studying Mix on New Expedition Ship
When the Viking Polaris was launched in September 2022, I questioned how totally different a cruise may be 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 all my remaining cruises for 2023, I received 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 concentrate on enrichment, studying and experiential actions.
The Viking Polaris shocked and fascinated me. It was not like any picture of what an expedition ship may appear like or what a 16-day cruise from Toronto to Fort Lauderdale may be like. I’ve been singing its praises ever since.
General Evaluate and Scores 10/10
10/10 Boarding
Ready on the opposite aspect of the Canadian airport have been a number of Viking greeters sporting crimson Viking jackets who led us to a ready motor coach for the brief journey to the ship.
10/10 The Ship
Named after the North Star, Polaris is certainly a star amongst cruise ships. With a most of 378 company in 189 staterooms, the Viking Polaris appears like a floating luxurious boutique lodge with its pretty light-filled Nordic design. On our cruise, there have been 310 passengers and 258 crew members.
10/10 My Stateroom
Massive and cozy 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 price to dine in any of them. Wine, beer and comfortable drinks are also complimentary at lunch and dinner. Delicacies is a few of the greatest I’ve ever had – on land or on sea.
9/10 Shore Excursions
Our cruise itinerary had a terrific selection of shore excursions, some free and a few requiring a payment. Most memorable was cruising previous the Statue of Liberty as daybreak broke.
8/10 Leisure
Mom Nature supplied the perfect leisure on our cruise. Whether or not it was watching the ocean movement 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 Purchasing
I definitely didn’t miss it however the Viking Polaris supplied skimpy buying. The ship’s Nordic Store had primary toiletries, some snacks and some clothes gadgets.
10/10 Library
A nook of The Residing Room had a well-stocked library. Nevertheless, books have been positioned in lots of locations across the ship together with staterooms.
10/10 Nordic Spa
Obtainable with out further cost, the Nordic Spa has a heated indoor pool, wood-sided scorching tub, sauna, cold-water dunking bucket, steam room, health club and that incredible snow grotto. Spa remedies price additional, after all.
10/10 Service
Distinctive.
10/10 Disembarkation
The Viking Polaris crew had a means of constructing folks really feel so welcomed that it was tough to pack up and stroll off. The method of leaving was effectively organized and as simple as attainable.
10/10 General Score
From prime to backside, the Viking Polaris is a magnificence with a superb workers as effectively. I realized one thing new day-after-day and made reminiscences that may be treasured. A real gem within the realm of cruising.
The Phrase is Out – Viking Polaris is a Fantastic Approach to see the World
After I stepped off the Viking Polaris in Quebec, a girl 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 Residing Room
My Solutions:
First, why is it an expedition ship? As a result of a Viking Polaris cruise emphasizes studying about our huge large great world. An instance – just a few 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 primary gathering place for day by day briefings, lectures, documentary screenings and musical performances.
The Aula
On Deck 2, Expedition Central is an enchanting spot the place we may look by way of microscopes to see microorganisms and will cease by throughout open hours to ask the Expedition Group about wildlife, geology, biology and different expedition questions.
Every pretty 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 might suggest the cruise – undoubtedly. Not simply because the Viking Polaris is a magnificence that provides 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 wonderful.
My Favourite Gems
The Disguise – On Deck 1, The Disguise was tough to search out however one in all my favorites. I visited it day-after-day as soon as I found out 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 cozy chairs in entrance of the slanted wall of home windows which made it appear as if we have been skimming over the ocean because the ship cruised.
The Disguise
The Disguise 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 succeed in each the North and South Poles.
Viking Each day E-newsletter – Every night we obtained a Viking Each day e-newsletter chock filled with necessary information. The e-newsletter additionally was obtainable in a digital format on the Viking Polaris app in my cellphone in addition to on the stateroom TV. Good strategy 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 place to take pleasure in a lightweight breakfast or Nordic lunch buffet or afternoon snack.
The dishware in Mamsen’s is identical 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 called for Torstein Hagen’s father. From his household’s little crimson home in Nittedal, Norway, Paps grew to become a CPA by correspondence course. Every single day, he bicycled from his house to the historic Rotnes Bruk property the place he utilized his accounting abilities.
Paps’ Explorer Lounge
Paps was so well-liked that in one election 12 months, he received his title on the poll for each events. In 1945, Crown Prince Olav of Norway adorned him for his resistance throughout World Battle II.
Paps remained a person of and for the folks with such giant 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 p.c alcohol), two-thirds scorching water and one packet of brown sugar.
Each night, I appreciated to conclude my adventurous day by sitting by the hearth at Paps, listening to musical duo Zee and Dee and savoring a drink whereas the Viking Polaris cruised by way of 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
Closing Ideas About Viking Polaris Cruise
– Free WiFi
– Complimentary beer, wine and comfortable drinks with lunch and dinner.
– Complimentary cocktails and champagne for sailaway occasion 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 picture gross sales
– No umbrella drinks
– No on line casino
– No smoking in inside areas
– No artwork auctions
– No youngsters underneath 18
– No inside staterooms
– No payment to make use of Nordic Spa
– No payment to make use of self-service laundry
– Free laundry detergent
– No waterslides or on-ship rides
– No huge musical stage productions
– Nordic Store affords solely primary toiletries, few snacks and a few Viking sweaters, jackets, hats.
– No jewellery retailers or tables arrange within the concourse
– No bottles of liquor or cartons of cigarettes in Nordic Store
– No onerous 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 crew 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 expertise
Statue of Liberty
Images by Jackie Sheckler Finch
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