Vard Søviknes , Ålesund, Norway, recently delivered the 672.4'x77' Viking Polaris to Viking, Basil, Switzerland.
Viking said the new ship is specifically geared for adventure cruises in polar destinations, designed and developed for comfortable expeditions in Antarctica and North America’s Great Lakes. The vessel has a capacity of 378 guests in 189 staterooms.
"Together with her sister, Viking Octantis, Viking Polaris is an amazing and unique ship that represents innovation and development of the cruise segment for both Viking and Vard," Attilio Dapelo, general manager cruise business unit, said in a statement. "Both vessels are over 200 meters long and the largest vessels built by Vard so far."
Viking Polaris is an ice-strengthened Polar Class 6 vessel with a longer hull, straight bow, and fin stabilizers designed to provide the calmest possible journeys in remote regions. The u-tank stabilizers will significantly decrease rolling when the ship is stationary. The hull was built at Vard Tulcea in Romania. Vard Tulcea also partly outfitted the ship.
"We are proud to deliver the second ice-strengthened expedition vessel to Viking," saidArnt Inge Gjerde, yard director at Vard Søviknes. "The vessel is fantastic, and with a very high standard. Considering the sistership effect, and that we brought the synergies from the first vessel, we are very satisfied with the result. Viking Polaris is equipped with the latest technology and automation systems, all commissioned and tested by Vard in a very close cooperation with Viking."
Vard signed the letter of intent (LOI) for the two cruise vessels with Viking in April 2018. The contracts for the vessels became effective in July 2018.
Viking Polaris was delivered from Vard Søviknes in September 2022. The float out ceremony took place in Vard Tulcea in July 2021.The vessel arrived Vard Søviknes in Norway in January 2022 for further outfitting, testing and finalization.
Her sistership, Viking Octantis, was delivered from Vard Søviknes in December 2021.
