Cruise

The Viking Octantis comes to Life – Expedition Cruising will Never be the Same

Article and photography by Michael Morcos

This year, Viking is celebrating 25 years of cruising and are celebrating with the successful launch of the first of two Expedition ships in 2022. First were their River ships, and then came the Ocean ships and now it is time for the Expedition ships.

And it is a true game changer!

Christened the Octantis, the ship started it maiden voyage touring Antarctica and followed that up with summer cruises in the Great Lakes. Viking leads the way in every category, consistently doing the right things, gaining favourable media reviews and winning consumer awards for ‘best in’ category.

It would only stand to reason that the Octantis will follow suit and be recognised as one of the best expedition ships on the seas.

In this first of a two-part article, we will explore this modern, high-tech and beautiful Octantis before exploring the ‘Caribbean Connections’ cruise itinerary and destinations that brought us from Barbados to New York City.

Our ten-day cruise on this gorgeous ship would prove Viking has yet another winner in its fleet.

Public spaces

With only 189 staterooms and a capacity of 378 guests, the Octantis feels more like a lavish yacht than a full-size cruise ship. On our cruise, we found more space per passenger than any other ship we have been on. There were rarely any line-ups to embark or disembark and we navigated around the ship with ease.

There is a serene calmness aboard the Octantis, which is counter to the idea of an expedition ship. A passenger would assume this vessel would be built for passengers to face the elements in far off hostile lands, but contrary to this, it seems everything is in its proper place and quite luxurious.

Elegant Nordic design dominates the Octantis, and it emulates its sister ships, whether the Longships (river ships) or the Ocean vessels, the same relaxing look and feel is evident, embraced and enjoyed.

Guests do not have to go far to find a quiet place to relax. We found so many locations on different decks that one can choose to lay back in the Living room, discover the Explorers’ Lounge, or check out the Library. For a smaller ship, the number of nooks and crannies like the Shelter, Aquavit Terrace and the Finse Terrace are treasures waiting to be found. There are also the old standards of decks by the Pools and spectacular viewpoints on the Open deck.

So much more as well, like the Hide for late night drinks, the Aula where meetings and lectures take place in a modern theater-like setting, the Nordic Spa and the Fitness Center to burn off some of those excess calories you are going to take on.

Cuisine

Sailing and diets just do not go well together and for the most part we did not hold back on savouring the best Viking has to offer. The food was always fresh and healthy, and for such a small ship with maximum capacity of 378 guests, there are plenty of dining options that include buffets, sit down service and in-room dinning.

Our favourite was the World Café, were we had a cornucopia of choices including a sushi bar and a grill. Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant was easily booked by reservation, and Mamsen’s was open for breakfast and for delicious afternoon snacks. On top of these choices there were selected wines, beer and soft drinks included in our stateroom fare.

Staterooms

Accommodations on the Octantis come in a multitude of choices and ranges, from a Nordic Balcony (215 sq. ft.) up to the Owner’s suite (1,238 sq. ft.). The best part? All staterooms are facing outwards and there are no interior cabins.

On this cruise we would be in a Nordic Penthouse stateroom. First and lasting impressions were of how comfortable and efficient the room was, with a calm and inviting vibe. The cabin had more than enough storage space for all our belongings and a seating area and desk by the window, we really could have spent most of our time here.

One noticeable difference on the Octantis to our other River and Ocean Viking sailings was that there were no verandas. Not sure of how this would affect our trip, it soon dawned on me that we really did not need one. The floor to ceiling windows on the Octantis can roll down horizontally offering plenty of fresh ocean breezes and much more daylight and magnificent views of our surroundings. Besides that, the design actually offered lots of interior living space that would normally be lost to the veranda.

Naturally, in Viking fashion, the washrooms were clean and generous in size. Sleep was comfortable on king size beds and of special note, since this was an expedition ship, there was a drying closet. All through we did not rough it out Antarctica, we still used this space for drying our bathing-suits!

The Hanger

The piece de resistance of the Octantis is the Hanger. This space redefines expedition cruising, as in addition to the usual equipment like Zodiacs and kayaks, the Hanger houses some amazing modern equipment. If you can imagine, there are two state of the art submarines and two Special Operation Boats (SOB). These vessels are more than toys; they are also used for ongoing research where they can gather samples for scientific research on the health of the environment, including the infiltration of plastics in the far reaches of the world.

Rides on both the Special Operation Boats and in the submarine were once-in-a-lifetime experiences for most passengers. The SOB felt like a ride at Universal Studios and was a rush to the senses. This vessel was designed and built specifically for the Norwegian military and can accelerate and brake in ridiculous short distances while sharp turns on the water were like nothing else I have ever experienced. This was adventure!

Service

Octantis continues another Viking tradition, impeccable service. This is the best word to describe the actions of the dedicated Viking staff. On our many cruises over the years with this company, we have always been treated to the same incredible attention to detail that is consistent with the Viking experience. From our very first cruise with them, I was amazed by the friendliness. Back then, I was not sure if it was genuine but in a very short time, I figured it out: the staff was actually happy to be there. On this cruise it was a repeat, every request was handled smoothly and we were completely pampered by an attentive and smiling staff.

Life is always good when sailing with Viking, never any stress and always a fun and relaxing time. In our next article, we will indulge in the best the Caribbean has to offer as there is an included excursion in every port of call and they are all beauties!

www.viking.com