Viking Cruises

T H E V I K I N G D I F F E R E N C E I N T H E G R E AT L A K E S e most modern ships to ever sail this region VIKING EXPEDITION SHIPS HAVE BEEN DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY to reach the Great Lakes region and transit the Welland Canal and the Soo Locks. The Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are the largest passenger vessels ever to transit the Welland Canal—a key section of the St. Lawrence Seaway connecting Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. ELEGANT, MODERN AND COMFORTABLE At Viking, we build innovative ships that are the right size for the experience—with a signature Scandinavian design that never upstages the destination. Hosting just 378 guests, our purpose- built, expedition vessels were created specifically to explore the world's most remote destinations, while elegantly designed for discover y and comfor t. Viking Expedition vessels are also the newest and most modern vessels ever to explore this region of Nor th America. GETTING YOU CLOSER TO NATURE Our ships' fleet of custom excursion equipment— Special Operations Boats, zodiacs and kayaks get you closer to stunning landscapes and distinctive wildlife. Viking scientists are selected to complement itineraries, provide insights into the flora and fauna of your destinations, and offer information to enhance your experience. SCIENTIFIC PARTNERSHIPS For our scientific enrichment program, we have par tnered with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOA A) Great Lakes Environmental Research Laborator y (GLERL), which conducts innovative research on the dynamic environments and ecosystems of the Great Lakes and coastal regions. This research provides information for resource use and management decisions that lead to safe and sustainable ecosystems, ecosystem ser vices, and human communities. Viking's expedition ships have also been designated official NOA A / U.S. National Weather Ser vice weather balloon stations, from which regular launches are under taken. K AYA K I N G I N T H E G R E AT L A K ES 116

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