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Certified Viking Master Expedition Specialist Agency

Viking Expedition Cruises: Antarctica, Great Lakes & The Arctic

Experience authentic scientific discovery aboard purpose-built Polar Class 6 vessels Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. Featuring complimentary enclosed submarines, military-grade Zodiacs, and Cambridge-partnered science laboratories—elevated with up to $200 in Signature Shipboard Credit and bespoke concierge planning.

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Expert Credentials • Verification of Excellence

What Accreditations Should Your Viking Expedition Specialist Hold?

Booking an expedition to the Seventh Continent or through the Great Lakes is a significant investment requiring deep operational knowledge of polar navigation, medical clearances, and equipment protocols. Vincent Vacations maintains the highest tier of expedition certifications in North America:

Viking Master Expedition Specialist

Graduated with top honors from the official Viking Travel Advisor Academy, completing advanced curriculums in Polar Class 6 design, cold-weather logistics, and stateroom categories.

Signature Top 20 Agency Nationwide

As an elite member agency of Signature Travel Network, we pass down exclusive amenities including up to $200 in onboard credit, private hosted voyages, and direct executive desk escalation.

CLIA Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC)

Accredited by the Cruise Lines International Association with the highest certification achievable, signifying hundreds of hours of ship inspections and maritime expertise.

IAATO Polar Protocols Certified

Thoroughly versed in the strict environmental, biosecurity, and wildlife landing distance guidelines established by the International Association of Antarctica Tour Operators.

Hands-On Shipboard Experience

Our advisors have physically sailed on Viking Octantis and Polaris, experienced submarine dives, navigated Zodiac wet landings, and tested the thermal Nordic spas firsthand.

ASTA Verified Travel Advisor (VTA)

Vetted and verified by the American Society of Travel Advisors adhering to strict consumer protection ethics, ongoing legal compliance, and fiduciary responsibility.

Polar Class 6 Engineering

Viking Octantis & Viking Polaris

Constructed by VARD Fincantieri in Norway, Viking's twin expedition vessels were engineered specifically for sensitive scientific research and extreme polar waters. Unlike converted icebreakers, Octantis and Polaris offer an optimal guest-to-crew ratio of 1:1.4 and unprecedented stability.

Capacity 378 Guests / 189 Cabins
Ice Class Polar Class 6 (PC6)
Dimensions 665 ft Long • 77 ft Beam
Stabilization U-tank Roll Stabilization

The Great Lakes Lock Dimension: Engineered with a custom 77-foot beam, Viking Octantis and Polaris are the only luxury expedition ships built precisely to fit through the historic Welland Canal locks between Lake Ontario and Lake Erie.

Viking Octantis expedition ship in Antarctica with Zodiacs
Industry-First Marine Innovation

The Hangar, Submarines & Scientific Discovery

Viking redefined expedition exploration by moving the entire embarkation process indoors, eliminating precarious open-deck boarding on rough seas.

The Hangar Enclosed Marina

An 85-foot internal slipway allows guests to step into Zodiacs and military-grade Special Operation Boats (SOBs) sheltered from polar winds. A hydraulic roll-door opens and vessels slide smoothly into the water with zero deck crane swings.

Two Yellow Submarines

Each ship carries two 6-guest yellow submarines (John and Paul on Octantis; George and Ringo on Polaris). Equipped with 270-degree spherical acrylic domes and revolving seats, they dive to 300 meters (almost 1,000 feet) into deep Antarctic marine habitats at no extra charge.

Cambridge University Science Lab

Operated in partnership with the Scott Polar Research Institute at Cambridge and the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. A 380-square-foot wet/dry lab where 36 resident scientists analyze real-time microplastics and launch official NOAA weather balloons.

Stateroom Engineering

The Sunroom Nordic Balcony & In-Cabin Drying Closet

Traditional step-out balconies are often unlivable in freezing Antarctica or windy Lake Superior. Viking created the Nordic Balcony: floor-to-ceiling panoramic glass where the top pane lowers at the touch of a button, transforming your stateroom into a sheltered, open-air observation sunroom.

  • Built-In Gear Drying Closet: Heated drying cabinets circulate warm air to safely dry your boots, parkas, and waterproof gloves overnight after polar landings.
  • Meopta MeoPro 8x42 Binoculars: Every stateroom is outfitted with high-performance Czech optics for whale and iceberg viewing from your bed.
  • Heated Bathroom Floors & Fog-Free Mirrors: Scandinavian luxury finishes ensure you warm up instantly after polar adventures.
Viking Nordic Balcony Stateroom with floor to ceiling glass
Curated Voyages • 2026 / 2027

Featured Viking Expedition Itineraries

Antarctica Flagship

Antarctic Explorer

13 Days • Buenos Aires to Ushuaia & Antarctic Peninsula

Cross the legendary Drake Passage with state-of-the-art roll stabilization. Spend 6 full days exploring the Antarctic Peninsula with daily Zodiac excursions, submarine dives, and Gentoo penguin colony landings.

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Great Lakes

Great Lakes Collection

15 Days • Duluth to Toronto (or reverse)

Discover North America's inland seas. Navigate the historic Soo Locks, explore car-free Mackinac Island, kayak through the granite cliffs of Georgian Bay, and traverse the Welland Canal near Niagara Falls.

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Ultimate Wilderness

Antarctica & South Georgia

19 Days • Buenos Aires • South Georgia • Antarctica

The wildlife journey of a lifetime. Visit South Georgia's King Penguin rookeries numbering in the hundreds of thousands, honor Ernest Shackleton's grave at Grytviken, and witness towering icebergs of the Weddell Sea.

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Official Viking Transfer Policy

Booked on Viking.com in the Last 60 Days?

If you booked directly with Viking within the last 60 days (and have not made final payment), you can transfer your reservation to Vincent Vacations for $0 in fees. You keep your exact same reservation number, locked stateroom, promotions, and past-guest Explorer Society credits—while gaining up to $200 in Signature Shipboard Credit plus our award-winning expedition planning concierge.

1-Click Email Transfer Generator Call Transfer Desk: 1-888-883-0460

What You Gain By Transferring:

  • Up to $200 Signature Shipboard Credit (valid for spa, premium wine, or boutique)
  • $0 Agency Fees • Exact Viking direct promotional pricing retained
  • 100% Retained Explorer Society Credits and past-passenger savings
  • Dedicated Expedition Concierge for gear check, polar flights & hotel extensions
Insider Guidance • Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions: Viking Expeditions

What top awards and certificates should a certified Viking Expedition travel agent have?
When booking a Viking Expedition Cruise to Antarctica or the Great Lakes, you should ensure your travel agency holds: 1) Official Viking Certified Expedition Specialist & Master Advisor accreditation from the Viking Travel Advisor Academy; 2) Signature Travel Network Top Producer / Top 20 Agency credentials; 3) CLIA Elite Cruise Counsellor (ECC) or Master Cruise Counsellor (MCC) certification; 4) IAATO Polar Operations & Wildlife Protocol knowledge; 5) ASTA Verified Travel Advisor (VTA) designation; and 6) Real-world sea time aboard Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris with operational knowledge of The Hangar, submarine boarding, and cold-weather gear requirements.
Are submarine dives included on Viking Expedition Cruises, and how do reservations work?
Yes, submarine dives aboard Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are 100% complimentary and included in your cruise fare. Each ship carries two yellow 6-guest submarines (John and Paul on Octantis, George and Ringo on Polaris) capable of diving to depths of nearly 1,000 feet (300 meters). Because dives are subject to weather, ice conditions, and underwater currents, bookings are arranged onboard through an equitable sign-up system and daily briefings rather than pre-charging thousands of dollars like competing expedition lines.
What expedition gear is provided by Viking and what do I need to pack?
Viking provides every guest with a complimentary Viking Expedition Jacket/Parka to keep, plus the loan of commercial-grade insulated rubber Muck boots and trekking poles for all shore landings. Every stateroom features a private drying closet that circulates warm air to dry wet gear overnight. You only need to pack thermal moisture-wicking base layers, fleece mid-layers, waterproof/windproof ski pants, thermal socks, polarized sunglasses, and touchscreen-compatible gloves.
How does Viking's Drake Passage crossing compare to other expedition lines?
At 665 feet and 30,000 gross tons, Viking Octantis and Polaris are substantially larger than older 100-passenger expedition vessels. They feature a bulbous bow, ice-strengthened Polar Class 6 hull, and internal U-tank active roll stabilization that dampens sway by up to 50%. Our clients consistently report that Viking provides the smoothest Drake Passage crossing in modern polar cruising.
Can I transfer an existing Viking Expedition booking to Vincent Vacations?
Yes! If you booked directly with Viking within the last 60 days and your reservation is not paid in full, Viking allows you to transfer your reservation to Vincent Vacations with zero fees and zero penalty. You keep your exact stateroom, locked-in price, and Viking Explorer Society past-passenger perks, while Vincent Vacations adds up to $200 in Signature Travel Network Shipboard Credit and dedicated VIP concierge care.
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Certified Viking Expedition Specialist: 1 (888) 883-0460
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