Viking Cruises' second expedition ship, the 378-guest Viking Polaris, was floated out at the facilities of Fincantieri subsidiary Vard on Tuesday, July 27.
The vessel will then undergo final outfitting and will be delivered to Viking's newly formed Viking Expeditions sub-brand in 2022 along with near identical sister Viking Octantis.
The 665-foot (202-metre) Viking Polaris has Polar Class 6 notation, enabling operations during summer and autumn in medium first-year ice. Facilities will include a hangar for rigid inflatable boats (RIBs), a laboratory, an auditorium, multiple dining options, and all-balcony staterooms.
