Cruise Critic is live from Viking Octantis: What do you want to know?

[Editor Colleen]

Hi everyone,

Cruise Critic is on Viking Octantis, which is currently sailing a one-off Caribbean cruise before it heads north for its Great Lakes season. I'm onboard until April 18 and am excited to answer any questions you might have about this ship. This is my first glimpse of this ship, and I want to share it with you. 

What are you dying to know about Viking Octantis?

Cheers!

Colleen McDaniel

Editor in Chief

 

[TayanaLorna]

Hi Colleen.  All about the cabins - comparison to Ocean perhaps.  Run down of the hangar where all the water launches take place.  Is everyone able to use that facility?  Description of lounges and dining.  Enjoy!  Lucky you.  I love that Itinerary.  Was hoping it would be an annual repositioning cruise.

[Oh2Bcruisin]

Hi Colleen, My wife and I will be on Octantis in May. As part of the pre-cruise prep we were allowed one reservation for The Restaurant. Is it really necessary to have reservations or have they been able to accommodate walk ups?

[Azulann]

Look forward to your report. Please post some pictures of this new ship.

 I would be interested in the topic of lectures, number of experts on board , historian, naturalist etc? 

Thank you 

[Editor Colleen]

1 hour ago, TayanaLorna said:

Hi Colleen.  All about the cabins - comparison to Ocean perhaps.  Run down of the hangar where all the water launches take place.  Is everyone able to use that facility?  Description of lounges and dining.  Enjoy!  Lucky you.  I love that Itinerary.  Was hoping it would be an annual repositioning cruise.

Hi TayanaLorna!

I'll post pics of our cabin in a bit -- I will wait till our wonderful room steward has her way with it so you don't see my unmade bed. 🙂 We're in a Nordic Junior Suite, which is super spacious and has a lot of room to store things. Two closets! Plus a drying closet.

They are very comparable to the cabins on the ocean ships. The decor is similar, and the features are the same. The biggest difference is the lack of a true balcony. It's got the drop down window rather than a standard balcony. I really like it, but I am not a huge balcony sitter. For me, I like the fresh air and more space inside. We've heard from others who say they really miss the balcony. Here's a pic of my husband in front of the window, so you can see more of what I'm talking about. 

Regarding The Hangar, it's only open when the ship is operating tours from there. Yesterday, they had it opened for the first look at the special boats -- and the loading process. I wasn't able to join but will later this week, so stay tuned. Today, we're doing the submersible! 

 

If you love the Explorers' Lounge on the ocean ships, you'll be right at home on Octantis. It feels like home and is super comfy and fun. Our favorite surprise so far is The Hide, way down on Deck 1, all the way forward. It feels like a speakeasy, and it's a fun, quiet spot for a post-dinner aperitif. But it's great in the day for views, with cool, slanted windows that are going to be incredible in the Arctic!

 

Food is excellent; I'm such a sucker for Manfredi's, and it's just like the ocean ships. The World Cafe is a stunner, too. It feels like a food hall, with an actual area for sushi -- and a sushi bar! Plus, the Grill is such a surprise, with excellent steaks made to order. Tomahawks, filets, ribeyes and even brisket. It's a step up, I think, from the World Cafe on the ocean ships. One note: We're sailing at full capacity, and we've definitely felt the need to make reservations for the restaurants, including The Restaurant. They are full. 

 

Colleen

[Editor Colleen]

1 hour ago, Oh2Bcruisin said:

Hi Colleen, My wife and I will be on Octantis in May. As part of the pre-cruise prep we were allowed one reservation for The Restaurant. Is it really necessary to have reservations or have they been able to accommodate walk ups?

Hi Oh2Bcruisin,

We're sailing full, and we've found that reservations for The Restaurant are necessary. If you're OK eating at 8 p.m., you might have a better shot at just walking up and having a table. But if you prefer earlier, definitely make reservations. 

Happy cruising!

Colleen

[Sunflower & The Scientist]

We are on for Great Lakes in August.  We booked a Jr. Suite as the PV we are used to appears smaller.  Any information on staterooms would be great.  Also interested in the demographics, are they a bit different than the usual Viking cruiser?  Is the ship kind of a mini version of the larger ships?  What things are the same, what things are different...I know that's a broad question, but if anything stands out in your mind that would be helpful. 

Thanks for all the information....it is much appreciated! 

[Editor Colleen]

1 hour ago, Azulann said:

Look forward to your report. Please post some pictures of this new ship.

 I would be interested in the topic of lectures, number of experts on board , historian, naturalist etc? 

Thank you 

Hi Azulann,

I'm attaching pics of the dailies as well as the bios for the guides. This trip is a little different in that it is a one-off repositioning cruise, and it feels more expedition light than true adventure. We're visiting ports regular cruise ships visit, like St. Lucia and San Juan, and excursions are mostly things like snorkeling or beach days. Still, the guides are great, and always available at Expedition Central. They are passionate and knowledgable. (Funny, we had a memorable Antarctica cruise on another line with one of them, so we know this team is plenty experienced!) Enrichment so far has been mostly documentaries. 
Colleen

[Editor Colleen]

44 minutes ago, Sunflower & The Scientist said:

We are on for Great Lakes in August.  We booked a Jr. Suite as the PV we are used to appears smaller.  Any information on staterooms would be great.  Also interested in the demographics, are they a bit different than the usual Viking cruiser?  Is the ship kind of a mini version of the larger ships?  What things are the same, what things are different...I know that's a broad question, but if anything stands out in your mind that would be helpful. 

Thanks for all the information....it is much appreciated! 

Hello Sunflower & The Scientist!

 

We're in a Jr. Suite and are really loving it. I don't think I'll be able to see a PV, as they're all full. A friend onboard is in a Nordic Balcony, so I'll try to snag some pics from his cabin. 

 

Demographics feel VERY in line with a typical Viking Oceans cruise. We are noticing more groups of friends traveling together than we usually do, but that could be because it's a nice, easy Caribbean cruise. Couples are the norm. 

 

If you love Viking Oceans, this ship will feel really familiar -- decor is almost the same, the names of the venues are the same, and the Scandinavian approach is everywhere. Manfredi's feels almost identical to the same venue on the ocean ships. The Restaurant, too, though smaller. Viking's impressive attention to detail is amplified, especially in cabins, where storage space is excellent, and you have more charging areas than you might need. We love the drying closet, where you store cold wet (stinky?) gear. Still the same big bathrooms, heated floors etc. The thermal spa and fitness center are outstanding.

 

What's different? We adore the new The Hide lounge, Expedition Central and amazing expedition-themed artwork and displays. (Photos of the really cool felt birds; not taxidermy, but simply beautiful. Fun game! There's a felt albatross on the ship for you to discover. We found it last night. It's not pictured here, but keep an eye out when you sail.) The Landing, for getting on and off the ship, is functional and still stylish; we use this every day to get on tenders. I haven't been able to utilize The Hangar yet, but I'm hopeful they'll have an opportunity for me before the end of the cruise. 

 

We've been really impressed with the ship, which is so comfortable and, honestly, just beautiful. 

 

Colleen

[Iloveketo]

We are going in May and I couldn’t get a reservation in the Restaurant before 8:00, so I didn’t bother…

We did get one at Manfredi’s for 7:30. 
So, it looks like the World Cafe or room service for us… 

Were the steaks at the Grill in the World Cafe or just the Restaurant?

[miami mama]

Have you had an opportunity to get involved in any of the experiments or work that the scientists are conducting? Is there an opportunity to do so, and if so, how might one assist?

[miami mama]

Also, I understand the ship is to be christened in NYC. Have they released any information regarding this and what the plans might be?

 

Thank you for being so open in addressing our questions. 

[Editor Colleen]

1 hour ago, Iloveketo said:

We are going in May and I couldn’t get a reservation in the Restaurant before 8:00, so I didn’t bother…

We did get one at Manfredi’s for 7:30. 
So, it looks like the World Cafe or room service for us… 

Were the steaks at the Grill in the World Cafe or just the Restaurant?

Hi ILoveKeto,

Don't give up hope; we had a 7 p.m. dinner in Manfredi's last night, and while they said the reservations were full, there were many empty tables. 

The Grill is in the World Cafe, and it's EXCELLENT! I am a fan of the upgrades to the space. Really solid!

Enjoy!

Colleen

[Editor Colleen]

1 hour ago, miami mama said:

Have you had an opportunity to get involved in any of the experiments or work that the scientists are conducting? Is there an opportunity to do so, and if so, how might one assist?

I'm literally on my way there now. I will post about it tomorrow!

 

1 hour ago, miami mama said:

Also, I understand the ship is to be christened in NYC. Have they released any information regarding this and what the plans might be?

 

Thank you for being so open in addressing our questions. 

You're very welcome. I'm told there is no christening event in NYC. 

[miami mama]

Must have just been a rumor. Oh, well.

 

Can't wait to see your postings on the science aspect. Hope your experience is rewarding. 

[Editor Colleen]

13 hours ago, miami mama said:

Must have just been a rumor. Oh, well.

 

Can't wait to see your postings on the science aspect. Hope your experience is rewarding. 

Hi miami mama,

To clarify: It wasn't just a rumor, but it seems like a rescheduling. You're definitely plugged in! We had originally planned that we would be writing about that ceremony, but it has been postponed. Stay tuned!

Colleen

[Editor Colleen]

Hi all, 

 

We were lucky enough to do the submarine yesterday. It was a ton of fun and really worth doing. We didn't see a ton (three barracudas) but it was so much fun just experiencing something we'd never experienced before. 

 

Some info for you. We had a briefing the night before that really went over what to expect, and it was thorough, to the point a few people opted out. The emcee and pilots were there to take questions, and talked about how bumpy the experience would be. They also warned that if you have an inkling of claustrophobia, you shouldn't do it. Also, everyone was weighed so they could put people in the right seats for balance. (Yikes!)  

 

The maneuvering is a little tricky, and certainly would be difficult for anyone with mobility issues. You take a Zodiac to the dive location, then transfer from the Zodiac to the sub. We had some waves, and both boats were moving. Then, you climb down a ladder and duck-walk to your seats. 

 

Photos are of my husband and I underwater, and a friend getting in the sub. No one in our group had problems with the getting in and out, and we talked to people older and younger who said the same. 

 

Worth noting: We made it, but they cut off the sub rides for the rest of the day after right after we got back onboard, because waves were too rough. Viking said they will always prioritize safety over anything else. Many people were rescheduled for today, but the captain made a 7:30 a.m. announcement that all sub rides were canceled because of swells. My best advice: Book early, and if you get canceled, keep trying. They'd love to accommodate everyone, but they are 100% at the mercy of Mother Nature.

 

Colleen

[Editor Colleen]

14 hours ago, miami mama said:

Must have just been a rumor. Oh, well.

 

Can't wait to see your postings on the science aspect. Hope your experience is rewarding. 

OK, the science is straight-up fun! Here's what we did, and what you can expect.

 

We met Dr. Brandi outside of The Aula, and she talked a bit about what we'd be doing and gave info on her background. Not surprisingly, she has a ton of impressive degrees and is really enthusiastic about science. That enthusiasm is infectious. 

After the intros, we headed down to The Hangar, where we took a look at the monitoring equipment onboard. It was surprisingly small, considering the power. 🙂 Viking is working with the Norwegian Institute for Water Research on monitoring microplastics in our oceans. It's also able to look for and report on other toxins and pollutants. (I'm not as articulate as Dr. Brandi was, and I'm sure not a scientist, but I think that gets at the heart of what they're doing.)

 

Here's where the passengers come in: After checking out the monitoring gadgets, we headed up to The Lab, where we donned fancy white coats and looked at samples to count the plastics in each sample. (Dr. Brandi gave us instructions on what to look for and advice on how to count, but we actually were doing the work.) It was fun and really educational; it's also the closest I've come to a science lab since high school, which was more years ago than I care to admit. Viking says they're the only cruise line that has passengers involved in scientific research this way.

 

Still on the schedule is a weather balloon release, coming sometime later this week. I'll be joining that to see what it's like. How fun!

 

Some photos attached here. 

Enjoy!

Colleen

[Azulann]

Thank you so much.

Having scientific lab on board is so cool. I  would love to know what they will be doing when the expedition ship is sailing the Great Lake? 

I  know I will never  get on an expedition ship but love hearing about these ships. 

[Cruise Critic Chris]

Jumping in to post Colleen's dispatch from the trip: https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=6897 

[eylarson]

We were lucky enough to do the submarine yesterday. It was a ton of fun and really worth doing. We didn't see a ton (three barracudas) but it was so much fun just experiencing something we'd never experienced before. 

 

Everyone should know the subs are an "crap shoot"  If booked you'll miss guaranteed to happen tours and given the limit on weather and sea state your may spend hours waiting for an event that won't happen.  

[Editor Colleen]

Photos from our lovely Junior Suite. More cabin photos to come when the internet is a bit better. 

[Editor Colleen]

Hello! I was able to do a quick tour of some other cabin categories. The first is a deluxe Nordic balcony. We liked this one. It's a bit compact, but well laid out. The seating area is smaller than our junior suite, but still comfortable. The bathroom, too, is tighter, with only one sink and a smaller shower.

The second photos are from the penthouse. It's very similar to the junior suite, just slightly narrower: There's less room between the bed and the dresser. The bathroom also is smaller, with only one sink and a smaller shower, plus no heated towel rack. 

 

[Sunflower & The Scientist]

Thank you for posting pictures of the different cabins.  We have only cruised with a veranda so the French balcony is going to be a change for us....not our preference, but we will make it work.  In cold or hot weather we're used to sitting out on the veranda for a bit then coming into the room to heat up of cool off.  Is the 'window' easy to open, or does it take some strength?  Also...are there room darkening (thick) drapes on the window? 

 

Is there afternoon tea? 

Thanks for the heads up that the submarines are not allowed in the US.  

 

Your information is very helpful. 

[Editor Colleen]

30 minutes ago, Sunflower & The Scientist said:

Thank you for posting pictures of the different cabins.  We have only cruised with a veranda so the French balcony is going to be a change for us....not our preference, but we will make it work.  In cold or hot weather we're used to sitting out on the veranda for a bit then coming into the room to heat up of cool off.  Is the 'window' easy to open, or does it take some strength?  Also...are there room darkening (thick) drapes on the window? 

 

Is there afternoon tea? 

Thanks for the heads up that the submarines are not allowed in the US.  

 

Your information is very helpful. 

Hi Sunflower & the Scientist,

The windows open with the touch of a button, so super easy. It might be tough to tell from the pics, but that middle ledge is fairly wide -- maybe 12 inches? So you can lean and see out pretty easily. 

Very effective room-darkening shades also drop from the ceiling, also by using a button. I'm not a great sleeper, but I've slept well on this cruise. 

I haven't seen a traditional tea, like you might see in the Wintergarden on the ocean ships. It hasn't been in the daily schedule, either. But that might be because it's been pretty port intensive. We have three sea days in a row starting tomorrow, so I'll keep an eye out.

Colleen