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Expedition Ships?


Clay Clayton
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I missed Viking’s announcement of their order for expedition ships and a search on here didn’t turn up any information. Have there been any clues as to Viking’s plans?

https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/cruises/2018/07/24/viking-cruises-order-ships-expedition-cruise-specialist-vard/826796002/

Edited by Clay Clayton
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Looks like the article is based on a press release from the ship builder Vard and not from Viking.

 

I didn't see anything in the Media Center on the Viking but then again, I didn't read every single article word for word seeing if maybe they slipped in a quick comment about future plans, The Viking message has always been well controlled and always given very little hint as to future plans.

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We’ve been told by someone in Viking Australia in one of their Travel expos they held around Australia last year that there is a plan for an Expedition Ship in process. If not already well underway. 

Edited by Pushka
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The expedition ships are provisionally due June 2021 and June 2022: see pages 11 and 14 of the attached list of cruise ships on order. And note letters of intent for at least one Star Class ship every year to 2027, potentially taking the fleet to 16 as mentioned above. 

http://amem.at/pdf/AMEM_Cruise-Ships-on-Order.pdf

 

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Hi All, Back in the fall of 2016 and early 2017 I received two surveys from Viking. One was for a Mississippi cruise and the other for an Antarctica cruise.  The surveys showed possible itineraries, room design, ship design and prices and of course asked my opinion on all.  The Antarctica ship was a pretty cool design.  After I finished with the surveys I was so mad that I didn't screen shot the pages!  Every time I go on a Viking cruise I always ask about both the Mississippi and Antarctica.  This past October the Cruise Consultant on my ship said that both were in the works.

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  • 3 weeks later...
On 1/22/2019 at 10:19 AM, deec said:

ours  consultant in December said probably no to Mississippi and maybe/probably  to Antarctica

Our travel agent told us about the Expedition Ships....

And that the goal was to go to 2 specific places, not only Antarctica, but also Galapagos Islands - to compete with the ships there like Lindblad.

We have planned (not booked) to use Linblad for Galapagos and will hold off until we learn more about Viking's intent.

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if you are interested in a Viking Mississippi cruise you can log your interest on Viking's website here

https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/contact/mississippi-cruises-form.html

 

Viking signed a port deal to visit Mark Twain's home town

https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Port-deal-shows-Viking-US-plans-are-progressing

 

this article indicates cruise will not start until 2021 or 2022

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  • 8 months later...
17 minutes ago, sw2315 said:

Viking expedition cruises to the Arctic and Antarctica will begin in January 2022.  Bookings are open now for Viking Explorer Society members.  Public announcement will be in January 2020.

 

How did you find out about this and where do we go for more information? Should I be watching my mailbox? My inbox?

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Our invitation popped into our inbox this morning.   Along with a neat little teaser video from Chairman Hagen.  
 

We are interested in Antarctica but prefer VIKING after they have had several seasons to new port itineraries.   This observation based on our experience earlier this year for our 36 night cruise Hong Kong,  Asia, Far East Russia, Bering Sea, Alaska and down into Vancouver.    On board experience excellent, shore excursions, Port scheduling, and particularly communication from Shoreside left a lot to be desired.      I would be more confident when Viking Ocean has a season or two in new territory under their belt.  
 

Just  my view.      We have Rome to Istanbul booked on Sky to look forward to  and feel they better know and understand the Med and Homelands far more than their first up itineraries.    Perhaps a result of their very fast expansion of Ocean.  
 

Rod 

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So the Explorer’s Desk Representative just made an “introductory” presentation.  Below are pictures of her slides. I’m a bit surprised at how large the ships will be.  Only slightly smaller than the Ocean Vessels though significantly less passengers.  The whole ship graphic refers to “outside” cabins but the list of cabins says balconies.  Given the pictures I’m wondering if they are some sort of “Juliette” or infinity balconies 

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Onboard Viking Sun we were given a packet yesterday and lo and behold, I got an email from our TA showing the routes and pricing.   12 days r/t Ushuaia starting at $15K.... No mention of explorers society only so about as public as it gets.  Pricing includes SSBP, gratuities and $999 air.  Only $500 deposit.  The Arctic trips out of Tromso are a bit cheaper starting $13,000+.

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13 hours ago, sw2315 said:

Watch your mailbox.  Mailings are going out this week to Viking Explorer Society members.

 

Too bad you chose to ignore this paragraph:

 

”This is a private announcement in which we are making these journeys available exclusively to you, our most loyal guests.  While we put the finishing touches on these voyages, I kindly ask that you not share this information; we will release details in a public announcement early next year.” 

 

Of course Hagen should know that very statement would ensure someone just couldn’t resist leaking it. 😉 

 

Since Clay has posted the information given out onboard his present cruise, I guess the word is being given out by Viking.

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