Viking Expeditions
Parent company: Viking Holdings Ltd
PremiumSee how Viking Expeditions describes itself vs how we list it
What to say on a call
Best for
- 1Only 2 identical Polar Class (PC6) expedition ships (Octantis, Polaris), each carrying just 378 guests, built specifically for remote/polar destinations
- 2Expedition Kit is included in the fare: kayaks, Zodiacs, and Special Operations Boats, plus a keepsake Viking expedition jacket on polar itineraries and all needed excursion gear
- 3Same inclusive-fare model as Viking Ocean -- one complimentary excursion in every port, all dining, basic beverages, and Wi-Fi included -- applied to true expedition itineraries like Antarctica and the Arctic
Payments & cancellations
Final payment
Per cruise lineSet by the booking's promotion; shown on the invoice
Viking's Booking and Sale Terms (Last Updated September 29, 2026) say the deposit amount and payment schedule depend on the promotion the booking was made under, and refer to the invoice for the payment terms. No fixed final-payment day count is published (the former 180-day rule for World & Grand Cruises is no longer in the terms). Reservations may be cancelled without notice if payments are not received by the due date. Check the invoice for the exact date.
Terms changed September 29, 2026; under the October 2026 offer (bookings Oct 1-31, 2026) pay-in-full dates are set by departure year - see the offer terms.
Deposit
Per cruise lineSet on the booking invoice
Viking's Booking and Sale Terms (Last Updated September 29, 2026) no longer state a deposit amount: a deposit in the amount specified on the invoice secures the reservation, and the amount depends on the promotion the booking was made under. The deposit does not apply toward air purchased; with more than one cruise booked, deposit and payment policies apply per Cruise Tour.
Cancellation penalties
Per cruise lineSee details below
Viking Booking and Sale Terms (Last Updated September 29, 2026), fee per passenger by days before departure that written notice is received. Cruise Tours of 35 days or less (Table A): 120+ days US$100; 119-90 days 20% of Cruise Tour Fare; 89-70 days 35%; 69-50 days 50%; 49-30 days 75%; 29 days or fewer 100%. Cruise Tours of more than 35 days (Table B): 180+ days US$1,000; 179-150 days 20%; 149-120 days 40%; 119-90 days 60%; 89-60 days 80%; 59 days or fewer 100%. Bookings made directly with Viking can be cancelled within 24 hours of booking for a full refund. Optional shore excursions and travel protection follow their own terms.
Applies to: Table A: Cruise Tours of 35 days or less. Table B: Cruise Tours of more than 35 days (incl. World & Grand voyages over 35 days).
Onboard extras & packages
Prices are approximate, per person per day unless noted. Always confirm the current price with the cruise line.
- Gratuities (standard rooms)
- $20 pp/night (recommended; added automatically if not pre-paid)Per cruise line
- Gratuities (suites)
- $20 pp/night (same recommended rate for all staterooms)Per cruise line
- Drink package
- Basic IncludedPer cruise line
- Premium drink package
- $27 pp/night (Silver Spirits Beverage Package)Per cruise line
- Soda package
- Included with lunch & dinnerPer cruise line
- Non-alcoholic package
- Not published by the cruise line
- Wi-Fi (basic)
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Wi-Fi (premium)
- Included (single free Wi-Fi tier)Per cruise line
- Specialty dining package
- IncludedPer cruise line
- Specialty dining (avg per meal)
- Included (no charge)Per cruise line
- Fitness classes
- No fitness classes published; Fitness Center access is included
- Spa / thermal pass
- Included (Nordic Spa access)Per cruise line
- Air program
- Available (Viking Air)Per cruise line
- Other fees & perks
- One complimentary landing/shore excursion is included per port; any others are a fee. Expedition Kit (kayaks, Zodiacs, Special Operations Boats) and all needed excursion gear are included; polar itineraries include a keepsake Viking expedition jacket.Per cruise line
Accessibility & special needs
- How to tell the cruise line
- Tell Viking at booking or at least 60 days before the voyage about any accessibility needs, using the Health & Accessibility Form, 1-877-668-4546 or accessibilityservices@viking.com. Service animal requests are due at least 60 days before travel. Per cruise line
- Wheelchairs & scooters
- Expedition cruises may not offer the same services and accommodations as Viking's other cruises. Mobility devices must generally be 22 inches wide or less when folded and under 50 pounds. Per cruise line
- Service animals
- Only qualified, approved service dogs are allowed, with at least 60 days' notice: send the Service Animal Request Form to accessibilityservices@viking.com. The guest provides all documents and follows each port's rules. Per cruise line
- Medical equipment & pregnancy
- Viking cannot take guests who will be past their 16th week of pregnancy by the end of an expedition cruise (22nd week on other cruises). Medical and mobility equipment must meet Viking's size and weight rules and be stored in the cabin. Per cruise line
Not on the line's site (or not confirmed yet): blind / low vision, deaf / hard of hearing, guests of size. Ask the cruise line's accessibility team.
Never promise an accommodation. Send the request to the line and let them confirm. How to handle these calls → Premium
Loyalty program
Viking Explorer SocietyPer cruise line
Guests may say
“Explorer Society”, “my Explorer Society number”
Viking's ocean, river and expedition fare terms all refer to the same Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits. Viking doesn't publish the program rules, so confirm with Viking how a guest's credits apply.
Military & veterans
We couldn't confirm a military rate on this line's official site. Don't promise one. If a guest asks, check with the line.
How military rates work → PremiumAirport transfers
Viking includes roundtrip airport transfers to the ship or hotel when air is bought from Viking with the cruise or cruisetour and flight dates match the itinerary (hotel transfers only when the hotel stay or pre/post extension was bought through Viking). Guests who book their own air can buy transfers separately.
Which ports: Not listed; see page.
What's offered changes by port and sailing. Check before you quote a price.
Cruise family
Viking Holdings Ltd
Loyalty between brands: Viking's river, ocean, and expedition fare terms all refer to the same Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits. Viking doesn't publish the program rules, so check with Viking for a guest's current past-guest benefits.
See the whole family →Good to know
Adults only (18+)
Per cruise lineAll guests must be at least 18 on the day they embark; there are no facilities for younger guests.
Polar medical assessment required
Per cruise lineFor Antarctica and Arctic voyages, every guest must complete a pre-boarding medical assessment signed by a physician, done within 120 days and no later than 45 days before departure. Viking strongly recommends medical cover of at least $250,000, including evacuation.
Submarine dives cost extra
Per cruise lineEach ship carries two 6-seat submarines, but a dive is an optional excursion at $499 USD per person. Cancelling less than 48 hours before the dive can cost $299. Submarines are not deployed on every itinerary.
Antarctica charter flights included
Per cruise lineAntarctica fares include the charter flights to and from Ushuaia and, on relevant itineraries, a hotel night in Buenos Aires on the way in.
No formal nights
Per cruise lineEvenings are 'elegant casual' with no formal nights (jacket and tie optional, no jeans). On polar expeditions the onboard dress code is more casual, and Viking sends a packing list.
Fleet
- Ships
- 2 ships: Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris (identical Polar Class expedition ships, 378 guests each)Per cruise line
- Newest ship
- Viking Polaris (delivered September 27, 2022; sister ship Viking Octantis was delivered December 2021)Per cruise line
- Ship classes
- Polar Class (PC6) expedition ships
Where they sail
Last full review: 28 Sep 2026·Last updated: 2 Nov 2026
A full review is when we re-check every fact on this page.
"Last updated" is the most recent check or change to any single fact.
Something wrong or missing?
"Per cruise line" = confirmed on the line's own site.
"Unofficial tip" = from an experienced travel professional; helpful, but not confirmed by the cruise line.