collectively hold more than 20% of the world's fresh
water. ey're also dotted with fascinating ports
providing plenty of opportunities for Viking shore
excursions - such as Mackinac Island, a picturesque
US holiday destination famous, among other things,
for its delicious fudge, where car-free streets are lined
with Victorian-era stately homes and shops only
accessible by horse-drawn carriages and bicycles. Our
cruise experience included a transit of the Soo Locks, an
engineering masterpiece maintained by the US Army
Corps of Engineers, which saw our huge vessel transit
with just inches to spare on each side between two lakes
with a seven-metre water level difference.
Back on board after our daily activities and
adventures, the ship was comfortable and just so
welcoming. e variety of onboard eateries includes
familiar Viking names such as Manfredi's, Mamsen's,
e Restaurant and the Aquavit Terrace, while the
World Café takes things to a new level, with a-la-carte
cooking of steaks and lobster complemented with a
sushi bar along with all the traditional favourites. e
service was exceptional - one morning our friendly
waiter in the World Cafe overheard us lamenting a lack
of peanut butter at the breakfast buffet, and lo and
behold the next morning he appeared with handfuls of
portions. "I had them hidden in my cabin," he quipped.
Fortunately Octantis also features a spectacularly
equipped gym to keep those cruising calories at bay,
alongside a fully equipped spa complete with a sauna,
steam room, snow room, ice water bucket and more -
a delightful place to relax and where we spent several
late afternoons soaking away the rigours of our
adventurous activities. Other onboard activities
included tours of the laboratory, giving guests an insight
into research programs which currently include water
quality monitoring and the launch of weather balloons.
With so much to offer, there's no doubt that like
those curious locals in under Bay, Viking Octantis
in the Great Lakes will spark the interest of anyone
interested in a cruise holiday with a difference.
GETTING THERE: The 8-day Undiscovered Great
Lakes itinerary sails from Thunder Bay to Milwaukee
From $8,495pp in Nordic Balcony
U S A
Apostle Islands
(Bayeld)
Houghton
Mackinac Island
Soo Locks
Milwaukee
Thunder Bay
Duluth
Chicago
M I N N E S O T A
O N T A R I O
M I C H I G A N
M I C H I G A N
W I S C O N S I N
C A N A D A
Lake
Superior
Lake
Huron
Lake
Michigan
N
Cruise
Overnight in Port
From top:
Viking Octantis
onboard amenities
including
Scandinavian
design in the
Hide; the Spa
pool; comfortable
lounges
throughout the
ship; lunch in the
World Café
VIEW
ITINERARY
86
VIKING
