Viking Antarctic Cruise Information and Reviews

[Safari-Wom]

I’m currently researching Antarctic cruises for 2025.  I’m a senior and will be traveling alone so I’m especially interested in making travel to and from the ship’s port as easy and uncomplicated as possible.  The Viking cruises begin in Ushuaia and they appear to offer escorted chartered flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and the reverse upon return.  This is important  to me as getting to Ushuaia is tricky and not accessible with major airlines.  I don’t want to arrive in Buenos Aires to try to make my own way there.  I’d love to see any reviews of cruisers’ experiences on the Viking Antarctic cruises including Viking handling of the guests’ pre embarkation & post debarkation experience as well as the on board experience.  I am looking at the Viking Polaris cruises so reviews of this ship would be great!  I will so appreciate any input I can get from the Cruise Critic community.

[OneSixtyToOne]

16 minutes ago, Safari-Wom said:

I’m currently researching Antarctic cruises for 2025.  I’m a senior and will be traveling alone so I’m especially interested in making travel to and from the ship’s port as easy and uncomplicated as possible.  The Viking cruises begin in Ushuaia and they appear to offer escorted chartered flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and the reverse upon return.  This is important  to me as getting to Ushuaia is tricky and not accessible with major airlines.  I don’t want to arrive in Buenos Aires to try to make my own way there.  I’d love to see any reviews of cruisers’ experiences on the Viking Antarctic cruises including Viking handling of the guests’ pre embarkation & post debarkation experience as well as the on board experience.  I am looking at the Viking Polaris cruises so reviews of this ship would be great!  I will so appreciate any input I can get from the Cruise Critic community.

 

While we haven't taken the Antarctica cruise we have taken the expedition ship from Santiago to Ushuaia, which included the charter to Buenos Aires. The entire flight is Viking passengers and the travel was seamless. The Octantis is the sister ship of the Polaris and are identical in every way. Here is the review of our cruise. While not Antarctica, I do review the ship and all the equipment, as well as our Zodiac landings, Special Operation Boat excursions, and the nature, scientific, and cultural presentations. Lots of pictures and videos to explore:

 

[LindaS272]

Here’s the Expeditions thread that might be fun reading for you:

 

 

[CurlerRob]

35 minutes ago, Safari-Wom said:

I’m currently researching Antarctic cruises for 2025.  I’m a senior and will be traveling alone so I’m especially interested in making travel to and from the ship’s port as easy and uncomplicated as possible.  The Viking cruises begin in Ushuaia and they appear to offer escorted chartered flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and the reverse upon return.  This is important  to me as getting to Ushuaia is tricky and not accessible with major airlines.  I don’t want to arrive in Buenos Aires to try to make my own way there.  I’d love to see any reviews of cruisers’ experiences on the Viking Antarctic cruises including Viking handling of the guests’ pre embarkation & post debarkation experience as well as the on board experience.  I am looking at the Viking Polaris cruises so reviews of this ship would be great!  I will so appreciate any input I can get from the Cruise Critic community.

 

In addition to what has already been posted, this promo post may be of interest - it runs through July 31 and is offering extraordinary savings on what are expensive cruises. Click on the "Post Viking Promos" next to the female avatar. 🍺🥌

 

 

[Baron Barracuda]

We'll be on the Polaris in December and Viking Air recently contacted us  about flights.  They seem to treat the sailing as starting in Buenos Aires so booked us a flight (thankfully non-stop) there from JFK.  In BA they put us up overnight in a hotel and then collect everyone the next morning for a charter to Ushuaia.  Return trip is another charter from Ushuaia to BA followed by a same day late night flight home (again thankfully non-stop).  Seems pretty seamless. 

Edited July 21 by Baron Barracuda

[millybess]

1 hour ago, Baron Barracuda said:

We'll be on the Polaris in December and Viking Air recently contacted us  about flights.  They seem to treat the sailing as starting in Buenos Aires so booked us a flight (thankfully non-stop) there from JFK.  In BA they put us up overnight in a hotel and then collect everyone the next morning for a charter to Ushuaia.  Return trip is another charter from Ushuaia to BA followed by a same day late night flight home (again thankfully non-stop).  Seems pretty seamless. 

Those flights seem really good.  Have they been ticketed yet?

[Safari-Wom]

Thank you for this information.  I really appreciate  it.   Are they going to have a Viking rep meet you at the BA airport?  I haven’t yet made a firm decision regarding cruise lines.  However, regarding your comment about Viking Air, I read a number of horrible stories about dealing with them so I’m leary about trusting them with this task.  I’ll reconsider that as well.  I’m on the other coast from New York, so I won’t find a non-stop flight and I’d be nervous handing over the logistics of planning this with lay-over time etc. to Viking.  I hope you have a wonderful trip!  And I love your dog picture…..

[Frenchberet]

32 minutes ago, Safari-Wom said:

Thank you for this information.  I really appreciate  it.   Are they going to have a Viking rep meet you at the BA airport?  I haven’t yet made a firm decision regarding cruise lines.  However, regarding your comment about Viking Air, I read a number of horrible stories about dealing with them so I’m leary about trusting them with this task.  I’ll reconsider that as well.  I’m on the other coast from New York, so I won’t find a non-stop flight and I’d be nervous handing over the logistics of planning this with lay-over time etc. to Viking.  I hope you have a wonderful trip!  And I love your dog picture…..

We've used Viking Air several times and haven't encountered any problems.  We did the Antarctica cruise on Octantis in February 2023.  Octantis and Polaris are sister ships and (in my opinion) the most beautiful ships in Viking's fleet.  We rated the Antarctica cruise at 5 stars - it was a wonderful experience from start to finish.  Viking met us at the airport in Buenos Aires and transported us to the hotel.  The next morning they bussed us to the airport for the charter flight to Ushuaia.  The cruise was terrific.  Following the cruise we did the Patagonia extension and again Viking arranged all the transportation.  Can't say enough good things about Viking or about the cruise to Antarctica.  Hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

[Safari-Wom]

Thank you so much. I’m so pleased with the Cruise Critic community.  I’m seriously reconsidering using Viking Air, after I have another look for the posts that alarmed me.  It seems that if I have them set up my flights, I’ll be more likely get the escort in Buenos Aires.  In my old age, I’m really not confident with dealing with that kind of thing in a country where I may not easily find English speaking assistance.  

[stretchcruz]

On 7/20/2024 at 4:29 PM, OneSixtyToOne said:

 

While we haven't taken the Antarctica cruise we have taken the expedition ship from Santiago to Ushuaia, which included the charter to Buenos Aires. The entire flight is Viking passengers and the travel was seamless. The Octantis is the sister ship of the Polaris and are identical in every way. Here is the review of our cruise. While not Antarctica, I do review the ship and all the equipment, as well as our Zodiac landings, Special Operation Boat excursions, and the nature, scientific, and cultural presentations. Lots of pictures and videos to explore:

 

How did they handle the charter flight to Buenos Aires? Mine leaves at 2:30 and it says seat is not assigned. Is there a way to get a seat or how do they do it? I'm tall and have had a minor back surgery and would like extra leg room. Is it a big plane? I'm in business class on the other flights. Thanks so much!

[OneSixtyToOne]

16 minutes ago, stretchcruz said:

How did they handle the charter flight to Buenos Aires? Mine leaves at 2:30 and it says seat is not assigned. Is there a way to get a seat or how do they do it? I'm tall and have had a minor back surgery and would like extra leg room. Is it a big plane? I'm in business class on the other flights. Thanks so much!

Seats are assigned when you get your boarding pass at the airport. The plane is a 737-800 with a 3-3 seat configuration, however for weight distribution they do not seat anyone in the middle seat and ask you not to change seats after boarding. As far as I can recall there is no premium seating. We had premium seating on our flight out of Buenos Aires but that doesn’t matter for this flight.

Edited July 22 by OneSixtyToOne

[stretchcruz]

24 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Seats are assigned when you get your boarding pass at the airport. The plane is a 737-800 with a 3-3 seat configuration, however for weight distribution they do not seat anyone in the middle seat and ask you not to change seats after boarding. As far as I can recall there is no premium seating. We had premium seating on our flight out of Buenos Aires but that doesn’t matter for this flight.

Thank you so much. I'll cross my fingers. It's a long flight. Looks like we'll be hanging at the airport for a long time as well.

[CurlerRob]

3 hours ago, stretchcruz said:

Thank you so much. I'll cross my fingers. It's a long flight. Looks like we'll be hanging at the airport for a long time as well.

 

EZE to USH is about 3:30 in duration - not so bad. If the weather is decent, the scenery is great from the air. Enjoy! 🍺🥌

[stretchcruz]

 

17 hours ago, CurlerRob said:

 

EZE to USH is about 3:30 in duration - not so bad. If the weather is decent, the scenery is great from the air. Enjoy! 🍺🥌

Thanks. I'm looking forward to the trip. Flight not until 2:30. Then flight back to Tucson 10:30. Airport time! I booked business so I should be able to get into the Admirals club in Buenos Aires. Hopefully!

Edited July 23 by stretchcruz

[CurlerRob]

5 minutes ago, stretchcruz said:

 

Thanks. I'm looking forward to the trip. Flight not until 2:30. Then flight back to Tucson 10:30. Airport time!

 

Unfortunately, you may not have much time to relax at EZE - a number of posters have indicated that it's a very lengthy process to get through the check-in and security lines. Just overall congestion and lack of efficiency. I think overall times in excess of 3 hours have been mentioned as common. 🍺🥌

Edited July 23 by CurlerRob

[pavementends]

> This is important  to me as getting to Ushuaia is tricky and not accessible with major airlines.

 

Aerolineas Argentina has regular flights to Ushuaia from Buenos Aires. There is no problem at all buying tickets on the web.

 

A few years ago I had some difficulty getting flight refunds. Apart from that, the advantage of arranging several days in BA (or elsewhere) outweighs the disadvantage in my mind.

 

Although- be aware that BA has two airports.

[stretchcruz]

1 hour ago, CurlerRob said:

 

Unfortunately, you may not have much time to relax at EZE - a number of posters have indicated that it's a very lengthy process to get through the check-in and security lines. Just overall congestion and lack of efficiency. I think overall times in excess of 3 hours have been mentioned as common. 🍺🥌

I guess it's good that I have 5 hours then!!

[MJD55]

This is a trip where it's best to let Viking handle all the travel.  While flights to BA are easy the trip to Ushuaia leave from the domestic airport.  You will also be leaving the hotel at around 4 AM.  On the return flight Viking will transport you from the domestic airport and provide a place to wait for your flight.  Our US flight departed at midnight.  

[CurlerRob]

6 hours ago, MJD55 said:

This is a trip where it's best to let Viking handle all the travel.  While flights to BA are easy the trip to Ushuaia leave from the domestic airport.  You will also be leaving the hotel at around 4 AM.  On the return flight Viking will transport you from the domestic airport and provide a place to wait for your flight.  Our US flight departed at midnight.  

 

If it's your preference to have Viking handle all the travel, that's fine - but I do not agree that it's "best". As you note, flights to/from BA are easy - all you have to do is ensure you have the appropriate buffers built in. 

 

We chose to arrive a day before Viking would (on their standard offering) and stay over a night on return, to allow some rest from the very long travel day on disembarkation. 🍺🥌

[deec]

I especially think the night after return is helpful if you have a late evening flight.  You won't have to hang out at the airport for hours!

[MJD55]

We flew to BA using Viking air from Miami.  Modified the reservation to go non stop.  Our return to BA was on our own as we went to Torres del Paine National Park.  Viking provided the flexibility we needed for flights and dates.  

A note on Vikings on board service.  Our trip occurred just after the rouge wave hit the ship.  The workers started at 6AM and went right past our stateroom slamming a crew entry door.  I went to guest services and asked if they could help.  By the afternoon the issue was solved and everyone on Vikings staff new about it. It's easy when all goes well but Vikings staff was amazing.

 

Good luck on your planning

[Baron Barracuda]

We'll be on Polaris to Antarctica this December.  Back in June received a surprise call from our TA.  Viking Air had contacted her and wanted to nail down our flights. We set up a 3 way call with VA rep who was very helpful and put us on the single daily non-stop from the NY area to Buenos Aires.  Return flight is also non-stop.  Because VA had contacted us they waived the $150pp Air+ fee but I believe we had to pay a $100pp deviation for the non-stop.  Had our seats picked out and were ready to go.  Fast forward to this week when I received notification from Viking that they had changed our outbound flight.  The new one included a 2 1/2 hour layover and our total travel time increased from 10 to 15 hours.  I checked the AA web site and saw the original non-stop was still scheduled and the seats we had booked were now empty.  Contacted TA and spent next 1 1/2 hours on the phone with VA supervisor who told us it was American Airlines who had cancelled our original booking and they can do this because the flight was not yet paid for ????  However, she could put us back on the non-stop if we were willing to pay a $750pp deviation.  She generously waived the $150 Air+ charge.  Given that I can book the flight directly through AA for only $1100pp this was ridiculous.  I told her that the cost of the flight had not increased since June and we had paid a deviation fee then.  She put us on a long hold while she spoke with "accounting"  before finally coming back and offering to restore our original flight for $70pp.  I wasn't happy but place a lot of value on non-stops (layovers are just an opportunity for things to go wrong) so paid the money.  She also ticketed us so this can't happen again.  This wasn't my first problem with VA  and I caution everyone to periodically monitor their flights because things can and do change.

[LindaS272]

Ticketing is key. You’ve paid Viking, but until there’s a ticket there can be changes by the airline or Viking. There can also be changes after ticketing, but it’s on them to fix it then if they make the changes.

[Cienfuegos]

16 minutes ago, LindaS272 said:

Ticketing is key. You’ve paid Viking, but until there’s a ticket there can be changes by the airline or Viking. There can also be changes after ticketing, but it’s on them to fix it then if they make the changes.

Ticketing is indeed key.  There's also a lot of float, with money collected from customers but not yet applied to ticketing from the airlines.