Viking Cruises, lately voted #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler, has begun its third season within the Nice Lakes with each of its expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris. The ships, designed to navigate the Welland Canal, supply varied itineraries exploring all 5 Nice Lakes till early October. Moreover, Viking has opened bookings for 2 new 2026 Nice Lakes itineraries: the 10-day Nice Lakes Treasures voyage roundtrip from Milwaukee and the 17-day Niagara & Nice Lakes Treasures voyage between Toronto and Milwaukee, each that includes new and thrilling ports of name.
“The Nice Lakes area is an outstanding place that’s near residence for a lot of of our friends, however one which few have but to totally uncover. With greater than 10,000 miles of shoreline, world-class cities and distant wilderness areas, it’s actually a vacation spot that’s greatest explored by ship,” mentioned Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We want to thank our native companions for the nice and cozy welcome as soon as once more, and we look ahead to introducing extra curious vacationers to the Nice Lakes this season and in future years.”
The return of Viking’s expedition ships to the Nice Lakes coincides with the latest announcement of the corporate’s newest scientific development—for the primary time ever, phytoplankton is being genetically sequenced at sea. With scientific help from UC San Diego’s Scripps Establishment of Oceanography and J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), real-time environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing of phytoplankton is being carried out within the PCR lab on board the Viking Octantis. Visiting scientists contributing to the Genomics at Sea Program (GASP) are capable of monitor the environmental impression on phytoplankton with out the necessity to transport samples to a distant shoreside facility. Viking will frequently host Scripps scientists on board the ship this season within the Nice Lakes.
Viking has additionally partnered with the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Nice Lakes Environmental Analysis Laboratory (GLERL), which conducts modern analysis on the dynamic environments and ecosystems of the Nice Lakes and coastal areas to offer info for useful resource use and administration choices that result in secure and sustainable ecosystems, ecosystem companies, and human communities. Moreover, Viking’s expedition ships have been designated official NOAA / U.S. Nationwide Climate Service climate balloon stations, from which common launches are undertaken.
Highlighted 2024-2026 Nice Lakes Voyages:
- NEW Nice Lakes Treasures (10 days; roundtrip Milwaukee) – Go to the “Windy Metropolis” of Chicago and its wealth of world-class museums, together with the Artwork Institute. Discover the picturesque islands of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve and admire their bucolic landscapes. Enterprise out to Flowerpot Island within the Fathom 5 Nationwide Marine Park and marvel on the beautiful pink granite isles of the Benjamins Islands. Take part in lab research as you discover coastal wetlands and delve into the Native cultures of the Nice Lakes.
- NEW Niagara & Nice Lakes Treasures (17 days; between Toronto – Milwaukee) – Uncover the mighty waterfalls of Niagara and immerse your self in nature amid the freshwater marshes of Level Pelee’s peninsula. Witness the creativity of Detroit’s city growth as you admire town’s postmodern and artwork deco skyscrapers. Behold the beautiful isles of Georgian Bay from the water and marvel at their verdant landscapes throughout this prolonged voyage.
- Nice Lakes Assortment (15 days; between Toronto – Duluth) – Be part of Viking for a novel voyage throughout the historic waterways of all 5 of the majestic Nice Lakes. Expertise culture-rich city facilities and admire the superior energy of thundering Niagara Falls. Discover the granite islands and sheltered inlets of Georgian Bay and traverse the well-known Soo Locks. Examine the aquatic ecosystems of the lakes as you journey and enterprise into the dense boreal forests that line the shores of Lake Superior and Lake Michigan.
- Niagara & the Nice Lakes (8 days; between Toronto – Milwaukee) – From city skylines to uninhabited islands, uncover North America’s wilderness alongside famend cultural points of interest whereas cruising the placing waterways of the Nice Lakes. Immerse your self within the lakes’ compelling delivery historical past, expertise the facility of the thundering Niagara Falls and maintain look ahead to scores of migratory birds at Level Pelee. Led by a workforce of specialists, discover sheltered bays and woodlands to uncover complicated ecosystems and hidden treasures.
- Undiscovered Nice Lakes (8 days; Thunder Bay – Milwaukee) – Cross the width of Lake Superior between Duluth and the Soo Locks, exploring the lake’s North Shore Inside Passage as you sail. Hike alongside clifftop trails for sweeping views of the lake. Acquire perception into the distinctive options and ecosystems of distant wilderness islands, and admire Kakabeka Falls, the “Niagara of the North.” Comply with within the footsteps of fur merchants in Duluth and step again in time as you stroll the quaint, car-free streets of Mackinac Island.
- Canada & East Coast Explorer (15 days; between Toronto – Fort Lauderdale) – Sail the US’s Atlantic shoreline and go to storied cities. Take pleasure in Charleston’s southern allure and colonial houses. Go to Norfolk, residence to the world’s largest naval base. Hint Nova Scotia’s shores to discover its rugged landscapes and go to Quebec’s nationwide parks. Traverse one in all North America’s scenic waterways, the St. Lawrence River, and marvel on the locks and canals that comprise the St. Lawrence Seaway on an enriching journey to historic ports.
Viking can also be providing a wide range of Longitudinal World Cruises between the Nice Lakes and Antarctica, providing friends the chance of a lifetime to sail from the world’s largest freshwater system to “the top of the world” or the reverse. Moreover, all of Viking’s Nice Lakes voyages characteristic Mackinac Island, which was lately rated the #1 summer time journey vacation spot within the U.S. by USA Right now 10Best.
Viking Expedition Ships
The Polar Class, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris host 378 friends in 189 staterooms. These vessels are constructed for expeditions, at a really perfect measurement for security and luxury in distant locations. With extra indoor and outside viewing areas than different expedition vessels, friends are as shut as attainable to probably the most magnificent surroundings on earth. Highlights embody:
- The Aula: A surprising panoramic auditorium impressed by the College of Oslo’s famed ceremonial corridor, the previous venue for the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. Used for lectures, day by day briefings, documentaries and movies, this spectacular venue encompasses a 4k laser-projected display screen that retracts to show floor-to-ceiling home windows and 270° views.
- Finse Terrace: An out of doors lounge space simply above sea degree with recessed seating, the Finse Terrace was designed to permit friends the comforts of the ship al fresco whereas having fun with the dramatic surroundings. Named after the Finse Plateau in Norway, the place a number of the biggest polar explorers, together with Nansen and Amundsen, did their expedition coaching in preparation for his or her North and South Pole expeditions.
- The Hangar: A state-of-the-art, industry-first in-ship marina offering ease of embarkation and disembarkation of Particular Operations Boats and different tools whereas sheltered from the weather.
- The Bow: An essential forward-viewing platform. And within the case of inclement climate, The Shelter is a snug, partially enclosed area for friends to heat up with a scorching drink earlier than going again out into the weather.
- The Science Lab: Developed in partnership with the College of Cambridge and Akvaplan-Niva, The Science Lab, at 380 sq. ft., is designed to help a broad vary of analysis actions and is provided with moist and dry laboratory amenities. Company have supervised entry to The Science Lab to study from and take part with scientists in enterprise significant analysis.
- Expedition Central: The hub for the expedition workforce to seek the advice of with friends on their expedition actions and share information concerning the locations on a one-on-one foundation, with the help of 3D printed maps, digital screens, and a state-of-the-art spatial information visualization chart desk.
- Eating Selections: The Restaurant provides positive eating that includes regional delicacies and always-available classics; the informal World Café provides an open kitchen, bakery, grill and premium seafood and sushi selections, in addition to a variety of worldwide flavors; Mamsen’s, named for the Hagen household matriarch, serves Scandinavian-inspired fare; and Manfredi’s provides one of the best of Italian delicacies.
- The Nordic Spa: Following a day of exploration, The Nordic Spa provides friends alternatives to expertise the last word wholesome Nordic traditions, with an indoor heated pool set in opposition to expansive home windows and a badestamp (wood-sided scorching tub) that’s open to the skin.
- Explorers’ Lounge: Positioned excessive on the ship with floor-to-ceiling home windows, the Explorers’ Lounge gives friends a really perfect area to soak up the magnificent surroundings, share discoveries with fellow vacationers or to take pleasure in a drink.
- The Dwelling Room: On the Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris, The Dwelling Room is positioned to maximise views of the environment by means of floor-to-ceiling home windows and a library that informs even the best-read explorers. The Library is curated by acclaimed London bookshop Heywood Hill, as on all Viking vessels, in addition to Cambridge College’s Scott Polar Analysis Institute.
- Nordic Balcony: A primary for polar expedition vessels, all staterooms on board Viking’s expedition ships characteristic a Nordic Balcony, a sunroom that converts into an al fresco viewing platform with an remark shelf at elbow degree to stabilize binoculars or a digital camera. Company can select from six stateroom classes that vary from 222 sq. ft. to 1,223 sq. ft.—all with a Nordic Balcony, in addition to a king-size mattress and huge rest room with spacious glass-enclosed bathe, heated rest room ground and anti-fog mirror. Each stateroom can also be outfitted with a novel floor-to-ceiling drying closet that circulates heat air to dry and retailer clothes and expedition gear.
- Expedition Ship Suites: Nordic Junior Suites (322 sq. ft.) and Explorer Suites (580 sq. ft.) on the Viking Octantis and the Viking Polaris are much like these on Viking’s fleet of ocean ships, with wooden detailing and facilities that embody extra storage and seating, an expanded rest room with prolonged bathe and double sinks, welcome champagne, a fully-stocked mini-bar replenished day by day, complimentary laundry, precedence restaurant reservations and extra. Explorer Suites characteristic two separate rooms, a Nordic Balcony and a full outside veranda. Moreover, every ship options one Proprietor’s Suite (1,223 sq. ft.) that has three rooms –a front room, a board/eating room and a bed room—in addition to a 792 sq. ft. non-public deck with a conventional Norwegian badestamp open to the invigorating outdoor.
- Enrichment On Board and On Shore: Viking has created the world’s main scientific enrichment atmosphere in an expedition setting. Unique partnerships with the Scott Polar Analysis Institute at Cambridge College, The Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the Nationwide Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)—in addition to different prestigious scientific establishments match main researchers and educators with every expedition. Thirty-six specialists accompany every journey as a part of the Viking Expedition Group, together with an Expedition Chief and help employees, photographer, subject analysis scientists, normal naturalists, mountain guides, kayak guides, submarine pilots and specialists (ornithology, geology, larger predator biology and historical past). On board, friends take pleasure in day by day briefings and world-class lectures about their vacation spot. On shore, they will help in fieldwork or work together by means of experiential actions throughout landings—akin to monitoring birds to assist establish migratory patterns; accompanying scientists to gather samples; or taking their cameras ashore alongside knowledgeable photographer to find out how greatest to seize scenic landscapes.
- Environmentally Thoughtful: Viking believes that its accountability extends past offering distinctive journey experiences. From the outset, the corporate has been intentionally involved concerning the atmosphere, making choices that it believes are scientifically appropriate, reasonably than what’s deemed as politically appropriate. Viking’s fleet boasts many environmentally pleasant options, akin to diesel-electric river ships and energy-efficient ocean vessels outfitted with closed-loop exhaust scrubbers. Viking’s expedition ships have set a brand new normal for accountable journey by exceeding the present Worldwide Maritime Group (IMO) Power Effectivity Design Index (EEDI) necessities by almost 38%. Moreover, Viking is working to make its subsequent era of ocean ships much more environmentally pleasant, with a undertaking for a partial hybrid propulsion system of liquid hydrogen and gas cells, which may enable for operation with zero emissions whereas in port and whereas touring at low speeds.
With a transparent give attention to creating experiences for The Pondering Particular person, Viking doesn’t attempt to be all issues to all folks. This strategy has resonated with friends, and in 2023, Viking was rated #1 for Expeditions, in addition to #1 for Rivers and #1 for Oceans by Condé Nast Traveler in the latest Readers’ Alternative Awards.
About Viking
Viking (NYSE: VIK) was based in 1997 and gives destination-focused journeys on rivers, oceans and lakes all over the world. Designed for curious vacationers with pursuits in science, historical past, tradition and delicacies, Chairman Torstein Hagen typically says Viking provides experiences for The Pondering Particular person™. Viking has greater than 450 awards to its identify, together with being rated #1 for Rivers, #1 for Oceans and #1 for Expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler within the 2023 Readers’ Alternative Awards. Viking can also be rated on the high of its classes for rivers, oceans and expeditions by Journey + Leisure. No different journey firm has concurrently obtained the identical honors by each publications. For added info, contact Viking at 1-800-2-VIKING (1-800-284-5464) or go to www.viking.com. For Viking’s award-winning enrichment channel, go to www.viking.television.
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