Viking has marked the start of a new venture with the introduction of a purpose-built expedition ship in the Antarctic.
Viking Octantis has started sailing in the region and will be joined by an identical sister ship by the end of the year.
The move, as the company marks its 25th anniversary in 2022, is part of a restart in fleet expansion following a hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The company expects to have two new ocean ships, new Viking Longship river vessels in Europe and new purpose-built craft for the Nile, Mekong and Mississippi rivers by the year end.
New Polar class Viking Ocantis and sister ship Viking Polaris both carry 378 passengers.
Viking Octantis will be named in New York in April before spending the summer operating in the Great Lakes region of North America
Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said: “When we started Viking 25 years ago, we wanted to do things differently and since then our mission has resonated with curious travellers.
“This week alone our guests are enjoying voyages north of the Arctic Circle and south to the Antarctic Peninsula, as well as to many great destinations in between.
“Antarctica has always inspired the most intrepid explorers; for many, visiting the ‘White Continent’ is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
“With the arrival of the Viking Octantis, we are offering our guests the opportunity to explore this unique part of the world in comfort and in the most responsible way possible.”