Viking Cruises

T he appropriately named Hide is a hidden chamber of delights tucked away below the bow of Viking Octantis. When you eventually find it, a heavy metal riveted porthole door, opens onto a space more typical of a chic designer boutique hotel than an expedition ship. An internal structure of polished blonde wood, with leather chairs and fabric sofas, galvanised steal pillars and shoots through which the ships anchors plunge to the seabed, is fringed by rows of huge slanting sea level floor to exposed industrial ceiling windows with views over the bow waves. By day you can often have this peaceful place all to yourself to savour the immaculate pencil renditions of worn woollens by Norwegian artist Hanne Lydia Opøien Fiegenschou, part of the inspirational collection of curated art, photographs and sculpture exhibited throughout the ship. In the evening those in the know gather to listen to fireside tales of adventure, related by members of the onboard expedition team, with added attraction of a pop-up bar serving single malts and barrel-aged bourbons. Viking Octantis is the first of two Viking expedition ships (the other Viking Polaris) principally designed with an optimum combination of size, stability and facilities for voyages to remote polar regions. I joined Viking Octantis in Barbados for the 10-day Caribbean leg of its journey from Antarctica to New York, via St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Barts, Virgin Gorda, and Puerto Rico. e Hide is not the only treat waiting to be found on board. Follow the shiny marble floor on deck two to the Nordic Spa's indoor therapy pool, past the Snow Grotto, experience shower, sauna and steam rooms to a door marked Badestamp. is opens onto a hot tub exposed to the elements from where you can watch a submarine launch. Yes, there are submarines on board! Two super high-tech yellow submarines, named John and George. Between taking guests on sub aquatic adventures they live in the Hanger. is industry first vast in-ship marina with hydraulic shell doors, high powered Zodiac RIBs, expedition kayaks and military style Special Operations Boats, launched via a 26 metre slipway, is straight out of a scene from a cinematic espionage caper. Viking guests have the privilege of funding some serious on board scientific research projects in partnership with Cambridge University, the National Oceanic and Atmosphere Administration (NOAA) and the Norwegian Institute for Water Research. A 'Ferry Box' supplies continuous data about water sucked from the ocean and in a glass-enclosed mezzanine Science Lab passengers can join resident scientists analysing samples of seawater for micro plastics using state of the art Leica microscopes. Welcome aboard VIKING OCTANTIS Viking's expedition ship offers the perfect blend of exploration and relaxation WORDS CHRIS CALDICOTT Viking Octantis 66 VIKING

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