Viking Cruises

process so before long I'm in a Zodiac with nine other guests and our driver David, an experienced polar guide with several polar expeditions under his belt. We are all grinning from ear to ear because it feels such a privilege to be here. David steers the Zodiac close to the shoreline so we can get a better view of the abandoned mine site and the small cluster of summer houses at Ivittuut. It looks a fascinating place and a great place for photography but unfortunately, due to the possibility of polar bears lurking in the lingering fog, it's not safe to step ashore today. I'm disappointed not to be able to go ashore but that's expedition cruising. Changes to the advertised itinerary are "We are all grinning from ear to ear because it feels such a privilege to be here." quite common due to weather changes and the safety of passengers during excursions. We continue our Zodiac ride with binoculars trained on the hillsides looking for musk oxen. But like polar bears, they also prove elusive, so we head out into the fjord to get a closer look at the icebergs. The first one we come to is a small iceberg which David tells us, is often referred to as a Growler. From the ship it looked tiny but it looks much bigger now that we are next to it. I estimate it to be four to five meters wide and about two meters high at its tallest point. It is the whitest of white and glistens in the morning sun, and I snap a lovely picture of it with Viking Octantis in the background. The next iceberg on the opposite side of the fjord is massive! It dwarfs our Zodiac once we get alongside it. It's about the height of a four-story building and 55- 60 metres long. It too looks in pristine condition with intricate patterns created by its journey from the glacier farther up the fjord. We are all awestruck by its beauty as we slowly circumnavigate it and feel privileged to be in ithe presence of this amazing place. EXPEDITION CRUISING Expedition travel have become very popular style of cruising, and it differs significantly from traditional cruises in several ways. Unlike large cruise ships, expedition ships like Viking Octantis are much smaller and specially designed to navigate remote, ecologically sensitive areas. It's a much more immersive form of travelling that offers the chance to engage with some of the most remote parts of the world including Antarctica and the Arctic. This experience is designed for travellers who are looking for experiences that combine adventure, education and sustainability rather than flashy entertainment and city-based tourism. Don't expect big stage productions and other flashy entertainment options—instead you can learn and enrich your experience at Clockwise from top: Viking polar guide David; Icebergs up close; Promenade Deck Viking Octantis. viking.com | 66 S P R I N G I S S U E 2 7

• Cover