Experiencing Antarctica on Viking Polaris

Join us on the Viking Polaris on her first cruise after her deadly rogue wave encounter in the Drake Passage. Experience zodiac landings, special operations boat rides and even a submarine dive in Antarctica. Torstein Hagen joined the passengers of the Viking Polaris on his first vacation in over 20 years. You too can join us on this expedition to Antarctica. For a more detailed ship tour see the companion video: Viking Polaris Antarctica Cruise After the Rogue Wave: A Comprehensive Tour • Viking Polaris Antarct...

[@hlcheah8747]

Thanks for a very descriptive account of your voyage to Antarctica . It will serve as a very good reference for me and my wife as we are planning for an expedition trip there in the near future. Certainly a memorable trip of a lifetime 🎉

[@jayverhaag9045]

WOW! we have been on 8 Viking cruises(5 river, 3 ocean), but the POLARIS and Antarctica is truly amazing. Thanks for the very professional, complete video of your cruise.

[@mlevine51]

We leave 1/21/24 for our Antarctic adventure!! Can't wait!

[@blessedandhappy3921]

My wife and I are in our early 60’s and we are considering an expedition on board either the Polaris or Octantis in 2026 and we don’t have a clue about doing anything like this. We only know that this wonderful and amazing part of our world is one of the few of its kind left and we want to respectfully experience its majestic scenery and wildlife while we are still physically able. We don’t do any social media so videos like yours really help to give people like us a window into the entire process that will make up this once in a lifetime experience. If you have any recommendations on other resources that we might find helpful as we continue to explore whether this is right for us, please reply with them. Thank you for taking the time to make this video and for sharing your adventure with us.

[@whidbeyben]

That is wonderful you are considering this adventure. There are tons of other KZbin videos on this particular subject, but you really just have to decide to make it a priority. You won't regret it. While this is a very expensive undertaking, in retrospect, we felt that Viking Expeditions offered an excellent value for the money. Beware, as noted in the video, that the journey to get into position from North America during the dead of winter to South America can be difficult and stressful. If you have the opportunity to book a pre cruise extension in Buenos Aires, I would heartily recommend it. We barely made it and our daughter and her fiancé had quite the unscheduled adventure getting to the ship. Buenos Aires is an exciting and fun place to spend a few days, and if you end up having flights cancelled or diverted due to weather, you'll just miss a day in Buenos Aires instead of missing out on the entire cruise. I imagine within a few years, authorities will start cracking down on Antarctic cruises because so many ships are now taking huge numbers of people down there, so don't wait too long. Also be aware that Antarctica herself will set the conditions on what and where you may be permitted to go and see. She's a very wild and unpredictable master. People who have a high sense of entitlement will be disappointed that it isn't a guaranteed Disney experience. Schedules are idealized guidelines but the Captains and crews must constantly adjust to the weather, seas and ice flows. We were very grateful for what we were able to experience in this incredible and wild place that is truly unlike anything else on this planet.

[@blessedandhappy3921]

@@whidbeyben Thank you so much for the great reply and advice. I would like to keep in touch with you as I’m sure we will have questions that your input will help us answer. This is a BIG decision and investment but an amazing opportunity. Looking at December/January 2026 sailings. Did you use Viking for air travel? Please let me know if you are interested in discussing this in more detail. Thank you.

[@jlizardi5013]

Great job; great trip! I felt like being there with you. Glad you shared it with us.

[@myrnacarbonell7722]

Glad you were able to finish your trip safely. This is truly an exhilarating experience especially the submarine dive. Hopefully, all expedition trips by Viking will be successful and safe.

[@anneuber]

Thank you for posting your video. It was truly enjoyable.

[@delzane]

Nice work of photojournalism! So much that I watched it twice.

[@ameliamurphy8416]

Your video popped up on my feed and I’m thankful for you sharing an experience that I will never have.

[@samannecallie]

Thanks! One of the best travelogues I’ve seen. Very well done, gives a good feel for the adventure.

[@whidbeyben]

Wow, thank you for your generous support. Glad you enjoyed it. I hope to post other adventures as well in the future.

[@kathyhubert7434]

Thank you for a great video! Anyone considering this type of trip should watch. I’m glad I found it.

[@Eddie-jr6bs]

Fantastic video view of Viking Antarctica! I have been lazily considering this. Your video is motivating. Thanks for showing the raw parts where excursions get canceled for weather, I’d been wondering how it goes in reality; but hey, it’s Antarctica. That’s useful info for the would be adventurer. Sold me on Viking tours in general. Great job and Awsome trip. I’m going to need more info on that submarine! Wow!

[@johnpick8336]

Thank you for taking us along on your very special trip.

[@DoggyMom3]

Loved your video... allowed me to experience your adventures from the warmth of my living room. Only thing missing was a piece of Success Cake from Mamsen's and a Filet Mignon from The Grill. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

[@bgd73]

incredible journey, thanks for sharing

[@alicemcdougall2541]

Amazing video. So looking forward to our trip on Polaris on 19 November 2024.

[@brummienik4273]

First time viewer. Some stunning photography. Great !

[@whidbeyben]

Welcome aboard!

[@lynnmiki3839]

What an excellent video! So informative and well done visual experience of your adventure. We are scheduled to take the same ship next December . So excited to go especially after watching your video. Thank you!

[@pegeggeggleston4315]

Thanks for the great Adventure. Love PegEgg

[@steverimel1445]

Nice video, i was on the Plancius in Dec 22 as well. Great trip, once in a lifetime.

[@Roscoe.P.Coldchain]

Superb footage in the sub

[@2toeninja]

They had an adventure getting to the adventure

[@michaeljin101]

Thinking to book...

[@mnsweeps]

Great video. Planning one for this year.

[@gilstewart4069]

im thinking about a trip. what are you spending?

[@mnsweeps]

@@gilstewart4069 i booked silversea for dec 2024

[@mnsweeps]

@@gilstewart4069 I can refer you to silversea and we both get $500 off. I am going dec 2024 and got $16k for each for Antartica/FI and SG cruise (18 nights) with free night hotel stay in Santiago and charter flight included. Price also includes gratuity, drinks including alcohol and a private butler

[@rexcoste6470]

Great job! Loved the maps.

[@sandradix3974]

Looks like you had a great time! 38:11

[@elainemalcolm8349]

Thank you for this wonderful video ❤.

[@rickfischer3759]

Hey buddy good job on the video training !! Rick who you met in KOdiak

[@jerryniehaus3325]

I appreciate your very informative video. I will be on the Octantis in January 2025 to Antarctica and have questions on your photography. Was the Capture Clip beneficial? What size lens did you use mostly, if there was one? Any suggestions on camera eqipment to bring or not to bring. I plan to have have a Canon R5 and lenses. Would a dry pack be beneficial? Jerry

[@zekefister8294]

The video portion with the submarine dive was tremendous! I've been to safari in the Serengeti in Tanzania, and now, I'd love to do an Antarctic cruise. Thanks for this video.

[@russellwhite8890]

Fantastic!

[@flc48]

Thanks for a great video. We're leaving for our Antarctica adventure in February 2025. Your pictures are amazing!! I'm wondering if you could tell me what camera(s) you took along on your expedition. I want to be sure I properly capture the trip as well as I can. Thanks!!

[@whidbeyben]

Most video was shot on a GoPro 10, but telephoto was shot on a Canon EOS M50 with 55-200 zoom kit lens. Most stills were shot on iPhone 13Pro and the Canon EOS M50. Keep your equipment to a minimum because in the rain and cold, juggling equipment is difficult. And remember to live in the moment, not just through a lens. Antarctica is truly an amazing and inspiring place of wonder.

[@yunassaxer7119]

[@jamesmoore9511]

Been to Antartica twice and the only surprise was being down wind of Penguin colonies - Wow! That's an oder. Cows and pigs have nothin on that smell.

[@saranyabiswas2057]

Thanks for this absolutely brilliant video .. would you recommend this for my oareats in mid 70s ? They won’t do any activity but want to be in antartica ?

[@whidbeyben]

?oareats? Anyways, Viking caters to a more active and inquisitive adult demographic. Mid 70's doesn't explain much since I know people in their mid 70's who run marathons, and others in their early 60's who are invalids. None of the activities, except perhaps the kayaking, requires more than average strength, balance and coordination, but there were no (zero) scooters, walkers or electric wheel chairs on board the Viking Polaris. They do require a signed physician's statement of suitability from all passengers. Walking sticks were provided for the landings, and were appreciated on the irregular snow and ice. Getting in and out of the zodiacs requires a degree of flexibility and balance, and on board, they do subject anyone wishing to do the submarine dives and kayaking to physical testing consisting basically of doing a standing squat and recover. You also have to twist around, descend and ascend a narrow ladder, and crawl in a very confined space to do the submarine dive. There were problems with the internal hanger dock so boarding the Special Ops boats all took place at the same waterline embarkation stations that the Zodiacs use. That means there is a significant step down or up and there is constant movement between the mothership and the Special Ops boat or zodiacs to contend with. And you have to do all this with multiple layers of clothing and boots on. Even without the excursions, the Viking Polaris is fabulous with first rate food, service and thermal spa facilities which are all inclusive. There are lectures but no singing or dancing of any sort. The in room video system is on demand and has a broad selection of movies and TV shows, and basic internet connectivity is also inclusive, although internet speed in the waters of Antarctica are not sufficient to do any video editing or streaming. It's OK for email and internet browsing. So unless your "oareats" require canes, walkers or mobility scooters, I'd say by all means. We have been on over 30 different cruises around the world and this one ranks right up there alongside a private Galapagos charter as the most memorable experiences.

[@prodibbabo7186]

Wow nice

[@wouldyoumind1430]

Nice video but wish you would have shown more of the ship 😢😮😂

[@whidbeyben]

You can watch the companion video: Viking Polaris After the Rogue Wave. A Comprehensive Tour. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWrIdHhpmpqcfMU

[@TheRuffusMD]

did you have 24 hour daylight ? that was something i really liked when visiting Alaska

[@whidbeyben]

The sun set after 2am (never stayed up to find out exactly when), so you really needed the blackout shades. It’s best to set your biological clock to Expedition time to make the most of your experience. A great treatment for seasonal affective disorder to escape the Northern hemisphere during winter, albeit an expensive one.

[@TheRuffusMD]

@@whidbeyben thank you .. i love the long days of summer

[@RANGLUYI]

@@whidbeybenWhy does Antarctica never have 24-hour sunshine?

[@whidbeyben]

@@RANGLUYI The furthest south we traveled was just shy of 65˚ South latitude. Beyond 66˚ South latitude, 24hr daylight is experienced from late November to early January.

[@RANGLUYI]

@@whidbeyben But no one gets anywhere near 66, do they? So no one in Antarctica has ever seen 24-hour sunlight?

[@relaxingmelodyIO]

Если ты это читаешь, то знай, всё у тебя будет хорошо. Ты со всем справишься, и преодолеешь все жизненные трудности. Не грусти, и не унывай.

[@FremontDude]

Did you all make landing in the paradise bay? Were there any landings on the main peninsula itself?

[@whidbeyben]

Unfortunately ice and wind precluded the scheduled 2 landings that would have been in the actual peninsular mainland, but all the Islands are on the Antarctic continent.

[@pikachuPoly]

how much is the submarine dive?

[@whidbeyben]

On Viking Expeditions, the sub dives are free (included in your fare) but constrained to one reservation per passenger per journey and higher category staterooms get first pick of reservations. We had a Nordic Deluxe veranda and were able to snatch up reservations by logging on the instant the reservation window opened. Within 15 minutes, all the sub reservations were booked. Almost as hard as getting Taylor Swift tickets. Anyone booking submarine or kayak excursions should know up front that there is NO GUARANTY that the excursion will occur. You are simply entering a lottery to be eligible for these activities. The Expedition crew works EXTREMELY hard to get as many excursions completed, but Antarctica is a fickle mistress who can change her stripes in an instant. Only 12 people can dive or kayak at once, and daylight, sea conditions, wind, and sea ice limit how many dives or kayaking sessions can occur. If you're extremely lucky, and have calm conditions every day, there's a good chance your excursions will go as scheduled, but that is not typical of Antarctica. Passengers should be advised that there is probably a slightly better than 50% chance that any booked Submarine or Kayak excursion, or actual Zodiac landing will be successful. Over half the dives on our journey ended up canceled including our original booking, but we were fortunate to be able to get rebooked automatically 2 days later when conditions allowed for dive operations. All six in our party did eventually get to do a dive, but many passengers never got to experience it because of conditions. The same applies for kayak excursions. Ours was canceled and conditions didn't allow rescheduling before our time in Antarctica ran out. Zodiac rides and Special Ops boat rides are very easy to book or even take on a standby basis, but the Zodiac Landings are also constrained by sea ice and other conditions as well. 2 of our 5 landings were canceled, and unfortunately both of those were on the mainland. But we did have 3 successful landings on the Islands of the Palmer Archipelago and South Shetland Islands that were spectacular experiences. The sub dive is a very cool experience for the novelty and tech, but you'd see a whole lot more in a tiny aquarium, so if you don't make your dive, don't get too upset. It's OK to feel a bit disappointed, but don't let that ruin your overall experience. I'm glad I didn't have to shell out an extra to do it, like some other Antarctica cruises do because it's certainly not worth paying an extra $800. Save that for a Hawaii helicopter tour. So feel elated if you do manage to successfully get a dive in during your cruise, like you won a lottery.

[@AbadWong-ou8vv]

Gud place

[@salvatoregallo2430]

Inglis subtitles, please 😊

[@salvatoregallo2430]

Inglish

[@chicagomike]

The titanic was supposed shipworthy too. No thanks too cold but interesting.

[@theodecy4748]

AMAZING!!!! Wow...... breathtaking expedition.... thx for sharing ✌️💯🇿🇦

[@pascalschnyder39]

what you showed was okay. but i watched to see the rogue wave and it's problems. also, unfortunately nothing was shown about the boat, the room, the services etc.

[@whidbeyben]

Please view the companion video Viking Polaris Antarctica. A Comprehensive Tour After the Rogue Wave here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pWrIdHhpmpqcfMU This is a top to bottom comprehensive tour of the ship's facilities.

[@seleneirissummersrn6980]

I want to do this…looks amazing!

[@malcolmdale9607]

The flat earthers say you can't go to Antarctica. They should be made to watch this video.

[@whidbeyben]

You're not going to change any Flat Earthers' minds about ANYTHING. Leave them to their backyard bunkers and enjoy a less crowded world.

[@texasboy5117]

We did Antarctica January of 2023, and this video brings back a LOT of wonderful memories. While expensive, we are planning on doing the trip again.

[@APOORVA470]

one of my classmate father went on antaratica expedtion long time back as a scietist from india

[@msharelick]

Great video! It looks like you have be tough to go on this trip.

[@chef6782]

great video .what was the cost?

[@whidbeyben5675]

Prices depend on dates and stateroom categories but these are among the most expensive tourist cruises on the planet per day at over $1000 per day. But relative to the market, Viking Expeditions are a great value for the comfort and luxury in such remote and wild places. www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/antarctica/antarctic-explorer/index.html

[@stevefazzio]

Thank you for sharing.

[@gilstewart4069]

Thanks for sharing your amazing trip. can you share with me about how much a trip like this cost?

[@whidbeyben]

These Antarctica expeditions are among the most expensive tourist cruises on the planet at over $1000 per day, but Viking offers great value for the comfort and luxury in such remote and wild areas. www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/antarctica/antarctic-explorer/index.html

[@virgiliogo1169]

We did ours in Jan 2018 and visited all the penguin colonies and it was incredible and weather cooperated well into our last destination of Falkland Islands. Thanks for sharing

[@frankcates3322]

Is there a spot in the video where you show getting in and out of the Zodiacs? The part about getting into the kayaks was interesting. I was not expecting the weather balloon though. Many years ago in the Army I launched and processed weather balloons, and I launched well over 1,000 of them altogether. We had one designed to reach 100,000 feet and those flights took about two hours to process.

[@whidbeyben]

Around 10:30 to 11:30 we get out of a zodiac going ashore. 23:08 shows transferring from the zodiac onto the sub. Transfers from the ship into the Zodiacs wasn’t a big deal, but does involve stepping down into the Zodiac from the dock platform of the ship.

[@carine4318]

Epic ❤ so in bucket list ❤

[@monkeycleveruidea1522]

good

[@davidvick749]

🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣

[@dhanasekarm6004]

Fentastic Sir,

[@patwilkinson2182]

Thanks for a great video!

[@whidbeyben]

Glad you liked it!

[@billhosko7723]

Massice CO2 emissions with all this. Where's the concern for Antarctica melting away... ;-)

[@rykehuss3435]

I'm so envious

[@whidbeyben]

Live vicariously! There's nothing wrong with travel voyeurism ;-)

[@gerdkuhlmann8154]

Price ???

[@whidbeyben]

Prices depend on dates and stateroom categories but these are among the most expensive tourist cruises on the planet per day at over $1000 per day. But relative to the market, Viking Expeditions are a great value for the comfort and luxury in such remote and wild places. www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/antarctica/antarctic-explorer/index.html

[@smith5312]

What a great vid. 👏👏. Just wondering how long the sub ride was and also how much does Viking charge for the sub ride ?

[@whidbeyben]

From boarding to disembarkation from the sub was about an hour. The sub dive was included in the fare, but while they make every effort they can to ensure as many people can experience a dive, passengers can only make one reservation, and having a reservation is no guaranty. The sub dives are subject to cancellations for excessive wind, sea conditions, ice and weather. Our reserved dive session was cancelled due to ice and sea conditions, but we eventually were rescheduled. The same holds for kayaking excursions. We were not able to do a kayaking excursion on our cruise due to sea and weather conditions. This is Antarctica, not Disneyland. It is breathtaking and humbling at the same time.

[@HalifaxHercules]

I'm wondering how the Viking Polaris can survive the hurricane force winds of the "Fierce 50s" to reach Antarctica? In reality, these cruise ships won't survive crossing the Drake Passage as they're not strong enough to handle the fierce hurricane force winds.

[@whidbeyben]

In reality, these ships have made the Drake Passage crossing many, many times. Viking makes no claim to have produced an indestructible all condition vessel. As we experienced on our journey, the experience and wisdom of the Captain and crews are paramount in assuring the safety and comfort of their passengers. We left the Antarctic Peninsula a day early to beat a storm front that could have pinned us down for several days, and the fatal rogue wave encounter on the prior voyage clearly demonstrates the risk of venturing into the more wild and unpredictable regions of the planet. Antarctica is truly one of the wildest and most beautiful regions on the planet but we must always respect the power that comes with that majesty.

[@vavilovasvetlana9044]

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