NOTE: For the month of March, I will be uploading footage I recorded during the 2022-2023 shipping season but haven't previously posted. Early in the shipping season, I made the decision to reserve some video clips so we would all have something to enjoy during the off-season while we wait for ships to return to action. If you haven't seen it already, I recently posted my video showing the highlights of the 2022-2023 shipping season. It can be viewed here: • 37 Massive Great Lakes...
Here is the Viking Octantis making her departure from Duluth, Minnesota late on the afternoon of September 19, 2022. This departure concluded her cruising season visits to the Twin Ports, of which there were seven overall trips to Duluth for her first season on the Great Lakes. On her way out through the shipping canal, she blew a loud salute from her multi-horn setup. The salute was an unusual three long and one short blast, which the "Know Your Ships" guide lists as the International Shipmasters Association member salute. The Aerial Lift Bridge responded with the more traditional Great Lakes master salute, which is three long and two short blasts.
If one looks at the prices of the Viking Expedition cruises, one could quickly become cynical about these cruises... as I initially was. But the way I see it, if these cruises become successful that will open the door for more cruise lines to travel the Great Lakes... which should introduce more competition and lower fares in the long run. (Or so I hope.)
If you'd like to see the Viking Octantis and her new sister, the Viking Polaris, it appears the dates they will be visiting Duluth in 2023 are:
May 30 - Viking Octantis
June 13 - Viking Octantis
June 24 - Viking Polaris
July 11 - Viking Octantis
July 22 - Viking Polaris
August 18 - Viking Octantis
September 12 - Viking Polaris
Note: While Viking usually runs tight itineraries, these dates may change, so be sure to check shipping schedules if you plan to visit Duluth to see one of these ships.
The 665-foot Viking Octantis was completed in December 2021 and entered service in January 2022. She will split her time between Antarctic voyages and Great Lakes voyages. She sails for Viking Cruises and is registered in Bergen, Norway. She has room for 378 passengers and 260 crew members. The Viking Octantis and her sister the Viking Polaris are Polar Class 6 cruise ships, with a reinforced hulls capable of travel in icy waters. During her voyages, the Octantis will also undertake scientific research. She has an area called "The Laboratory" which contains lab space in coordination with NOAA - Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory, Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Norwegian Institute of Water Research (NIVA), Polar Citizen Science Collective, Norwegian Polar Institute, University of Cambridge, IUCN, Oceanites, and the Scott Polar Research Institute. The Viking Octantis is also partnered with the National Weather Service and is the first civilian ship sanctioned to launch weather balloons. The Octantis also carries two Cruise Sub 7-300 submarines named "John" and "George" in addition to a number zodiacs, kayaks, and two high speed special operation boats. As you can tell, this is no ordinary cruise ship!
If you would like to view a full tour of the Viking Octantis, this video gives you a deck-by-deck look of her features: • Viking Octantis Ship T...
If you'd like to see one of her submarines in action, here is another video you may enjoy: • Viking Cruises Submari...