Antarctica on Octantis. Questions.

[WAVTAM]

First time in this part of the world. Doing package with air and trip.  Aside from the free daily tour, what is also available to do as excursions if so chooses. Pricing??? Have some onboard credit to use.

What is Viking Expedition Kit

What is Viking excursion gear if needed.

 

Expected range of weather/temperature in Nov/Dec.

Assume a standard n1/n2 cabin will do.

 

Any other tidbits to know.

 

[Clay Clayton]

Have no personal experience (yet🤞) but have watched this blogger’s series of videos on their trip in January 2022….he still hasn’t posted the final few days, don’t know if he got bored or what.  Anyway, he includes a lot of info on the gear viking provides so it might answer some of your questions.  Here is a link to the first of the series:

 

[Frenchberet]

2 hours ago, WAVTAM said:

First time in this part of the world. Doing package with air and trip.  Aside from the free daily tour, what is also available to do as excursions if so chooses. Pricing??? Have some onboard credit to use.

What is Viking Expedition Kit

What is Viking excursion gear if needed.

 

Expected range of weather/temperature in Nov/Dec.

Assume a standard n1/n2 cabin will do.

 

Any other tidbits to know.

 

We did the 13-day Antarctic Explorer and Patagonia extension in February 2023.  It was a wonderful trip and we loved every minute of it.  We used Viking Air and upgraded to Premium Economy.  No problem with any of the flights.

 

The onboard experience with Octantis was great.  The ship was beautiful and a mini version of the Ocean ships.  All daily excursions were included.  We were able to sign up in advance for one of each activity - zodiac landing, special ops boat, sub, and kayak.  Once on board you could sign up for anything you wanted.  There were waiting lists in some cases but it appeared that everyone was able to do everything they wanted to do.  We signed up for 2 cruises while on board and used our OBC to pay the gratuities.  Viking provides all the clothing you need - waterproof pants, boots, Viking jacket and liner.  You get to keep the jacket and liner.

 

In February, the temperature was around 30F.  Most days were sunny and clear.

 

We were in a DV cabin which had a big window that could be lower to get a better view or to take photos.  Great trip!  Happy to answer any other questions.  

[deec]

there is a group on that other  site dedicated to Viking Expedition  am I aloud to say that?  They only let folks who have done or plan to do a trip participate.  You will find great information.  We have a rescheduled trip to Antarctica in early January with a Viking pre-extension to the "delta" and a DIY Iguazza Falls post.  this will be our 7th continent and definitely a bucket list trip.  I have read that the early trips leaving in November sometimes have more "ice" to deal with so sometimes it was hard for them to land.  I am sure it is different every year depending on weather.

 

Edited May 26, 2023 by deec

[WAVTAM]

21 hours ago, deec said:

there is a group on that other  site dedicated to Viking Expedition  am I aloud to say that?  They only let folks who have done or plan to do a trip participate.  You will find great information.  We have a rescheduled trip to Antarctica in early January with a Viking pre-extension to the "delta" and a DIY Iguazza Falls post.  this will be our 7th continent and definitely a bucket list trip.  I have read that the early trips leaving in November sometimes have more "ice" to deal with so sometimes it was hard for them to land.  I am sure it is different every year depending on weather.

 

Other site???   Maybe start and then fill in with *** and sure I can figure it out.

[RD64]

Just have to say - the Octantis passed through the Sault Ste. Marie locks a few days ago - and it was a majestic sight as always.

[WAVTAM]

On 5/25/2023 at 3:51 PM, Frenchberet said:

We did the 13-day Antarctic Explorer and Patagonia extension in February 2023.  It was a wonderful trip and we loved every minute of it.  We used Viking Air and upgraded to Premium Economy.  No problem with any of the flights.

 

The onboard experience with Octantis was great.  The ship was beautiful and a mini version of the Ocean ships.  All daily excursions were included.  We were able to sign up in advance for one of each activity - zodiac landing, special ops boat, sub, and kayak.  Once on board you could sign up for anything you wanted.  There were waiting lists in some cases but it appeared that everyone was able to do everything they wanted to do.  We signed up for 2 cruises while on board and used our OBC to pay the gratuities.  Viking provides all the clothing you need - waterproof pants, boots, Viking jacket and liner.  You get to keep the jacket and liner.

 

In February, the temperature was around 30F.  Most days were sunny and clear.

 

We were in a DV cabin which had a big window that could be lower to get a better view or to take photos.  Great trip!  Happy to answer any other questions.  

We were able to sign up in advance for one of each activity - zodiac landing, special ops boat, sub, and kayak.

 

Are these the free daily excursions, or does one paid for these.

Assume all but sub would be included.

[Frenchberet]

1 hour ago, WAVTAM said:

We were able to sign up in advance for one of each activity - zodiac landing, special ops boat, sub, and kayak.

 

Are these the free daily excursions, or does one paid for these.

Assume all but sub would be included.

Everything was included, subs too.  No extra charges.  We did an activity each day we were in Antarctica, sometimes two activities.  For example, we took a zodiac to do a landing in the morning then did a special ops boat ride in the afternoon.  There were waiting lists and some people just wandered down (dressed) to fill spots in the event that someone didn’t show up.  It all worked very smoothly.  It was a great trip and we’d do it again in a minute!

[ropomo]

For those booking after April 1, 2023, the sub excursions are no longer included. They are currently listed at $499 on our June 10, 2023 Great Lakes Collection cruise for those reserving after the cut off date. To clarify, it's for those booking the cruise after the cut off date, not the excursion.

Edited May 28, 2023 by ropomo
clarification

[imalori]

On 5/26/2023 at 10:28 AM, deec said:

there is a group on that other  site dedicated to Viking Expedition  am I aloud to say that?  They only let folks who have done or plan to do a trip participate.  You will find great information.  We have a rescheduled trip to Antarctica in early January with a Viking pre-extension to the "delta" and a DIY Iguazza Falls post.  this will be our 7th continent and definitely a bucket list trip.  I have read that the early trips leaving in November sometimes have more "ice" to deal with so sometimes it was hard for them to land.  I am sure it is different every year depending on weather.

 

What other site? Please expand. We just booked a trip in December.