Introducing Viking Expeditions

Introducing Viking Expeditions: thoughtfully curated, refreshing innovative, once-in-a-lifetime experiences in the wilds of Antarctica and the Great Lakes, nestled in the heart of North America. With extensive programs both on board and on shore, Viking guests enjoy an unprecedented immersion in these majestic regions.

Three Values

Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen shares his thoughts on three important values for human beings—and why travel is good for the world.

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2024 New Year’s Message from Torstein Hagen

Join Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen as he reflects on the past year and looks ahead to the future in a New Year’s message for the extended Viking family of guests and crew.

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Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen discusses his trip to Antarctica

Discover what a journey to Antarctica is really like during this exclusive conversation between Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen and award-winning British photographer Alastair Miller. Learn more about the magnificent landscapes and majestic wildlife Tor encountered during his own expedition to the “White Continent” on board the Viking Polaris. Follow along as our chairman shares the intriguing story of how his lifelong passion for travel and interest in far-flung destinations began during his childhood, when he sent a letter to Ushuaia from his home in Norway.

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Tor’s Travels

In this new video diary about his December 2022 voyage to Antarctica, Viking Chairman Tor Hagen invites viewers to join him on the trip of a lifetime. Filmed by his Oslo neighbor, Lene, the home videos showcase the incredible wildlife, scenery and scientific research that Tor and his fellow travelers experienced while exploring the “White Continent.”

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Discover Our Expedition Ships

Small enough to navigate remote polar regions, yet large enough to provide superior handling and stability, our right-sized, purpose-built expedition vessels are designed for profound voyages of discovery.

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Viking’s 26th Anniversary

In this special video message, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen marks our 26th anniversary and the destination-focused approach that has helped make us the world’s leading exploration company. Learn more about our offerings on all seven continents, as well as the historic recognition we have received from the readers of  Travel + Leisure and Condé Nast Traveler.

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Be Curious

Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen shares three things his family encouraged while growing up in Norway-kindness, honesty, and hard work. And the fourth that he has come to add over time: be curious.

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Onwards

Viking has been voted the world’s #1 for both rivers and oceans by Travel + Leisure as well as Condé Nast Traveler. Our newest national television commercial, “Onwards,” celebrates these prestigious awards.

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Introducing Viking Expeditions

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Viking is #1 for Rivers, Oceans and Expeditions | Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards

The results of Condé Nast Traveler’s 2023 Readers’ Choice Awards have been announced, and we are delighted to share that Viking was voted #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions. This is the first time a travel company has been voted the best across all three of these categories simultaneously, and the third consecutive year we have won for both rivers and oceans. Where do we go next? Onwards.

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An Invitation to Join Tor in Antarctica

Enjoy a brief preview of Tor’s Travels, a new video diary in which Viking Chairman Tor Hagen shares highlights from his December 2022 voyage to Antarctica on board the Viking Polaris. Filmed by his Oslo neighbor, Lene, the home videos showcase the incredible wildlife, scenery and scientific research that Tor and his fellow travelers experienced while exploring the “White Continent.”

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Chairman Torstein Hagen’s Presentation

On January 15, 2020, Chairman Torstein Hagen provided an update on our river and ocean cruise business before officially unveiling the details of Viking Expeditions and our new journeys to the ends of the earth and closer to home.

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Named "World's Best" for Oceans, Rivers & Expeditions

In a special recorded message, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen thanks our extended Viking family of guests and colleagues, following the July 11, 2023 announcement that Viking has been voted to the top of our categories for oceans, rivers and expeditions by the readers of Travel + Leisure in the 2023 World's Best Awards.

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Viking Octantis & Viking Polaris Naming Ceremony

On September 30, 2022, we marked our 25th anniversary and named our expedition ships, the Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris, with a historic celebration in Amsterdam. The ceremonial godmothers of the ships, renowned explorers and educators, Liv Arnesen and Ann Bancroft, named their ships and offered a blessing for good fortune and safe sailing. The event also closed with another milestone—for the first time ever, three classes of Viking ships met and sailed in a special convoy.

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Welcome Back to the World

We invite you to reawaken your spirit of discovery and celebrate our return to sailing. Join us in exploring the world in comfort…once again.

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Antarctica Has to be Experienced

Learn how experiencing Antarctica on a Viking voyage allows you to truly appreciate the majesty of the “White Continent.”

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Guest Reviews: Antarctica Expeditions

Hear from guests who have explored Antarctica with Viking and praised it as one of their best-ever travel experiences.

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Named #1 for Both Rivers & Oceans

Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen thanks our extended Viking family of guests and colleagues, following the July 12, 2022 announcement that Viking has been voted the world’s #1 for both rivers and oceans by Travel + Leisure as well as Condé Nast Traveler. Where do we go next? Onwards.

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Viking: 25 Years of Exploration

In celebration of our 25th anniversary, learn more about Viking’s history and some of the key partners who have contributed to our success.

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Viking’s 25th Anniversary

Chairman Torstein Hagen marks Viking’s 25th anniversary and reflects on key milestones since the company was founded on August 5, 1997.

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Expedition Perspectives: Jørn Henriksen

Jørn Henriksen, Director of Expedition Operations, relates his passion for the landscape and wildlife of the Arctic and why our subject matter experts are uniquely positioned to lead Viking guests in the polar regions both on shore and on board.

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Expedition Perspectives: Damon Stanwell-Smith

Dr. Damon Stanwell-Smith, Science and Sustainability Manager of Expedition Operations, describes the transformative power of the polar expedition experience and the enrichment provided by Viking partnerships with the world’s leading academic and scientific institutions.

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Curated Libraries & Recommended Reading

We are pleased to partner with the iconic London bookshop Heywood Hill in the creation of our onboard libraries and Expeditions Recommended Reading lists. Chairman Nicky Dunne explains the history of this literary institution and the value of reading carefully selected books before embarking on your journey.

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Jørn Henriksen: Recommended Reading

Jørn Henriksen, Director of Expedition Operations, shares his favorite book selections related to Svalbard and our Arctic itineraries.

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Damon Stanwell-Smith: Recommended Reading

Damon Stanwell-Smith, Science and Sustainability Manager of Expedition Operations, shares his favorite book selections related to our Antarctic itineraries.

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Our Expedition Vessels

To explore the world’s most remote regions, we have introduced two specifically built, cutting-edge expedition class small ships: Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris.

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Expeditions Ship Design

To optimize guest safety and comfort, Chairman Torstein Hagen called upon the expertise and collaboration of Viking teams, including maritime architects, interior designers, and nautical and technical staff. After the traditional steel cutting, the ceremonial keel laying ushered in the next milestone of the ship construction process.

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The Aula & Finse Terrace

The world’s most advanced venue for learning at sea, The Aula is a stunning panoramic auditorium. Inspired by the University of Oslo’s famed ceremonial hall where the Nobel Peace Prize was historically awarded, The Aula will offer a dynamic venue for lectures and entertainment, with floor-to-ceiling windows and 270-degree views. Adjacent to The Aula through sliding glass walls is the Finse Terrace, an outdoor lounge area with comfortable couches and warming lava rock “firepits”—perfect for panoramic views of the surroundings. Together the two spaces can be combined to create an unmatched indoor-outdoor al fresco experience for guests to be immersed in nature.

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The Hangar

An industry first, The Hangar brings true comfort to expedition cruising. This enclosed, in-ship marina permits the launch of small excursion craft through the ship’s multiple shell doors. The Hangar’s most innovative feature is an 85 ft. slipway that allows guests to embark on Special Operations Boats from a flat, stable surface inside the ship, shielded from wind and waves.

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Videos

Videos

Introducing Viking Expeditions

Related Itineraries

Antarctic Adventure

Antarctic Explorer

Three Values

2024 New Year’s Message from Torstein Hagen

Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen discusses his trip to Antarctica

Tor’s Travels

Discover Our Expedition Ships

Viking’s 26th Anniversary

Be Curious

Onwards

Introducing Viking Expeditions

Viking is #1 for Rivers, Oceans and Expeditions | Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards

An Invitation to Join Tor in Antarctica

Chairman Torstein Hagen’s Presentation

Named "World's Best" for Oceans, Rivers & Expeditions

Viking Octantis & Viking Polaris Naming Ceremony

Welcome Back to the World

Antarctica Has to be Experienced

Guest Reviews: Antarctica Expeditions

Named #1 for Both Rivers & Oceans

Viking: 25 Years of Exploration

Viking’s 25th Anniversary

Expedition Perspectives: Jørn Henriksen

Expedition Perspectives: Damon Stanwell-Smith

Curated Libraries & Recommended Reading

Jørn Henriksen: Recommended Reading

Damon Stanwell-Smith: Recommended Reading

Our Expedition Vessels

Expeditions Ship Design

The Aula & Finse Terrace

The Hangar

Antarctic & Arctic Fauna

Arctic & Antarctic Flora

Celebrating 24 Years of Exploration

Discover Norway's Mountain Code

Expedition Itinerary: Canadian Discovery

Expedition Itinerary: Great Lakes Explorer

Expedition Itinerary: Niagara & the Great Lakes

Expedition Itinerary: Undiscovered Great Lakes

Going Ashore in Antarctica

Great Explorers: Roald Amundsen

Journey to Finse Plateau

Journeys to the Extraordinary

The Story Behind Finse Terrace