Here’s a closer look at what it’s like on board.

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

To be honest, Antarctica was never on my must-visit list.

Trudging through knee-deep snow to spot seals or enduring biting winds while hoping to see a humpback?

Exterior of ship among icebergs

Viking Polaris in Antarctica.Credit:Courtesy of Viking Cruises

I figured that was somebody elses ideal adventure, not mine.

How wrong I was.

Thats thanks in large part toPolaris, which was launched in 2022.

Exterior viewing deck with fire pit and hedges

The Finse Terrace, an outdoor area on Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris.Courtesy of Viking Cruises

But as plush as the ship may be, it cant compete with the surroundings.

Penguins, whales, and towering icebergs were tantalizingly close, seemingly just a sliding glass door away.

If maximizing your time on terra firma is a priority,Polarismight not be the best choice for you.

Nordic Junior Suite on-board the Viking Ship

A Nordic Junior Suite on Viking Polaris.Courtesy of Viking Cruises

It certainly changed my mind.

Viking Polaris

Staterooms and Suites

Polaris has half a dozen stateroom categories.

(I wouldve liked a volume control for the in-cabin speaker, over which announcements were often made.)

Woman inside ship looking at glaciers through the window

A Nordic Balcony stateroom on Viking Polaris.Courtesy of Viking Cruises

Bedside and deskside outlets have both 110- and 220-volt sockets and USB ports.

(Room service is also complimentary and guests on my sailing were raving about the southern-fried chicken.)

Elsewhere on board, World Cafe is the all-day buffet, with live cooking stations and open kitchens.

Viking cruise ship in cruising by penguins

Viking Polaris in Antarctica.Courtesy of Viking Cruises

Mamsens is a small restaurant serving Norwegian cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and afternoon tea.

Across the ship, passengers with food restrictions are welcome to request appropriate substitutions.

Several bars play to the convivial spirit of mostAntarctica-bound passengers.

Passengers on small raft

A Viking expedition in the seas off Antarctica.Courtesy of Viking Cruises

Second in popularity is the Hide, an intimate lounge secreted on Deck 1.

By day, its a quiet spot for reading or undisturbed post-lunch naps.

Vikings 13-day Antarctic Explorer itineraries begin with an overnight in Buenos Aires then a flight to Ushuaia for embarkation.

Penguins at Damoy Point

Penguins at Damoy Point, Antarctica.Courtesy of Viking Cruises

To control capacity on land, both options must be booked in advance.

Still, there were several opportunities to set foot on the seventh continent.

The only activity with an extra cost is a 30-minute dive on one of two submersibles aboard.

Passengers on outdoor deck taking views of glaciers

Viking guests taking in the view.Courtesy of Viking Cruises

Polarisand its sibling shipOctantisare the only commercial cruise vessels authorized to release weather balloons into the atmosphere.

Accessibility

Two Nordic Junior Suites on Deck 4 comply with ADA regulations.

Passengers on expedition

Passengers on the ice.Courtesy of Viking Cruises

Interior viewing deck

The Explorers' Lounge on Viking Polaris.Courtesy of Viking Cruises