Viking Polaris vs Viking Star

Viking Polaris

The Viking Polaris, launched in 2022, is a purpose-built expedition ship that truly redefines the genre. With a gross tonnage not specified in the payload, but designed for remote exploration, it carries an intimate 378 guests across its 6 passenger decks. The ship embodies a luxe, comfortable, and Scandinavian-influenced ethos, blending first-class amenities with enriching scientific programming. It feels like a sophisticated base camp for exploring the world's most pristine environments, offering an accessible adventure without compromising on Viking's signature understated elegance.

Viking Star

The Viking Star, launched in 2015, offers a classic ocean cruising experience with a refined, intimate boutique hotel feel. This 47,800 gross tonnage ship (derived from standard Viking Ocean class) accommodates 930 guests across its 9 passenger decks, providing a more spacious environment than river cruise vessels but maintaining a personalized touch. Its modern Scandinavian design creates an adult-oriented and understated ambiance, focusing on destination immersion and cultural enrichment rather than adrenaline-fueled adventure, making it a comfortable haven for well-traveled adults.

Viking Polaris

Onboard the Viking Polaris, the atmosphere is one of focused curiosity and relaxed luxury. With a guest capacity of 378 and a dedicated crew of 256, the ship maintains a comfortable crew-to-guest ratio, ensuring attentive service. The crowd tends to be adult-oriented, drawn by the enriching expedition experiences and high-quality onboard amenities. Conversations often revolve around daily wildlife sightings and scientific discoveries, fostering a communal sense of exploration in a sophisticated, Scandinavian-chic setting.

Viking Star

The Viking Star cultivates a destination-focused and sophisticated atmosphere, appealing to an adult-oriented crowd of 930 guests. With a crew of 550, the service feels attentive, contributing to the ship's intimate boutique hotel ambiance. The vibe is understated and elegant, encouraging cultural immersion through port-intensive itineraries rather than boisterous onboard activities. Guests appreciate the serene public spaces for relaxation, intellectual engagement through lectures, and socializing over fine dining and quiet live music.

Viking Polaris

Dining on Viking Polaris is a culinary journey designed to complement the expedition. All venues are included, from the expanded World Café with its live cooking, grill, and premium sushi/seafood choices, to the elegant main dining room, The Restaurant, offering regional and classic dishes. Manfredi's provides a popular Italian steakhouse experience, while Mamsen's offers Norwegian specialties like waffles and open-faced sandwiches. A special, weather-dependent Outdoor BBQ event serves upscale surf & turf, and 24-hour room service ensures comfort is always on the menu. Reservations are recommended for The Restaurant and Manfredi's.

Viking Star

Viking Star offers a comprehensive and largely inclusive dining experience. The Restaurant serves inventive international and regional cuisine in an open-seating, alfresco-style setting. Manfredi's Italian grill is a highly sought-after venue, known for its superb atmosphere and Tuscan dishes. The Chef's Table presents themed five-course menus with wine pairings, rotating every three days. Casual options include The World Cafe with made-to-order stations and sushi, The Pool Grill for upscale burgers, and Mamsen's, a delightful Norwegian deli. The unique Kitchen Table, a market-inspired cooking experience, is available for an additional charge.

Viking Polaris

Entertainment on Viking Polaris is centered around enrichment and the expedition itself. The Aula is a stunning panoramic auditorium for daily briefings, science lectures from Viking Resident Scientists, and films. Interactive spaces like Expedition Central and The Studio facilitate learning about the destinations and wildlife. For evening relaxation, the Explorer's Lounge offers panoramic views and live music, while The Hide provides a tucked-away speakeasy bar with unique sea-level views. The Living Room serves as a multi-use space for reading, games, and classical music, emphasizing quiet enjoyment over traditional shows.

Viking Star

Viking Star offers a more traditional, yet still sophisticated, array of entertainment focused on cultural enrichment. The Star Theater hosts production shows by an onboard troupe, including ABBA-themed revues, and destination-driven films. Enrichment Lectures with knowledgeable speakers delve into the ports of call. For more casual evenings, guests can enjoy live music from guitarists, pianists, and classical trios in the atrium or Explorer's Lounge, or a dance band in Torshavn. Daytime activities include organized games like golf putting and shuffleboard, plus a Viking Heritage Museum for historical insights.

Viking Polaris

Viking Polaris features 189 cabins, all equipped with a unique Nordic Balcony – a full-sized window that lowers to create an open-air viewing platform. All accommodations, from the 222 sq ft Nordic Balcony staterooms to the expansive 1,223 sq ft Owner's Suite, boast king-sized beds, floor-to-ceiling drying closets, heated bathroom floors, and premium Freyja toiletries. Higher-tier suites like the Nordic Penthouse (269 sq ft), Nordic Junior Suite (322 sq ft), and Explorer Suite (580 sq ft) offer additional space, enhanced mini-bar services, and priority access for excursions and dining reservations.

Viking Star

The Viking Star offers 465 cabins, all featuring private verandas, embodying a spacious and comfortable design. Standard Veranda staterooms measure 270 sq ft, while Deluxe Veranda rooms offer similar space with added perks. Penthouse Veranda (338 sq ft) and Penthouse Junior Suite (405 sq ft) categories provide increased living areas and upgraded amenities like complimentary laundry services and priority bookings. The Explorer Suites (757-1,163 sq ft) are corner suites with wraparound verandas, and the lavish Owner's Suite (1,448 sq ft) includes a private ocean-view sauna, curate decor, and a dedicated pantry, ensuring a truly indulgent experience.

Viking Polaris

The service on Viking Polaris is highly attentive, supporting an accessible and enriching expedition experience. The onboard style is luxe, comfortable, and deeply Scandinavian-influenced, focusing on functional elegance. Guests benefit from included, fairly robust Wi-Fi, even in remote areas, and a Personalized schedule managed via the Viking Voyager app. Dress code is elegant casual in the evenings, with casual attire suitable for daytime and excursions. Higher suite categories receive complimentary laundry and pressing, enhancing the first-class expedition feel.

Viking Star

Viking Star delivers a refined, high-quality service reflecting its intimate boutique hotel ethos. The onboard style is characterized by modern Scandinavian decor, understated elegance, and a strong destination focus. Guests enjoy excellent, free, and unlimited Wi-Fi, along with complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. The dress code is elegantly casual for most evening venues, with a relaxed approach during the day. Higher suite categories include perks like complimentary laundry and pressing services, all contributing to a sophisticated and stress-free journey for well-traveled adults.

Viking Polaris

Viking Polaris is purpose-built for immersive exploration of the world's most remote and rugged destinations. Its prime itineraries include polar regions like Antarctica and the Arctic, as well as the Great Lakes. The ship's specialized equipment, such as submarines, Zodiacs, kayaks, and Special Operations Boats, facilitates unique shore excursions and wildlife encounters with polar bears, walruses, whales, penguins, moose, and black bears. These journeys are designed for deep engagement with nature and scientific discovery, led by an expert expedition team.

Viking Star

Viking Star is designed for destination-focused ocean cruising, excelling in port-intensive itineraries globally. Its strength lies in providing cultural immersion through longer port calls and frequent overnights, allowing guests to delve deeply into the history, art, and cuisine of each region. Every port includes a complimentary excursion led by knowledgeable local guides, enhancing the discovery experience. These voyages are ideal for travelers who prioritize extensive time ashore and cultural enrichment, offering a comfortable and elegant base from which to explore diverse global destinations.