Hi from Killarney, on Georgian Bay in Canada!

We are now on our third day aboard Viking Polaris, and so far, the trip has been great.

This is my first time sailing on one of Viking’s expedition ships, and the ship itself has been one of the biggest standouts. At 378 guests, Polaris falls somewhere between Viking’s river and ocean ships — much smaller than a traditional ocean ship, but larger than a river ship. 

There are a few things I miss from Viking’s ocean ships, especially the Wintergarden, which is one of my favorite venues. But a similar relaxed, light-filled feeling can be found at the Aquavit Terrace. And compared with Viking’s river ships, the spa and fitness spaces are a clear step up.

Speaking of the spa, we started yesterday morning in the thermal suite, moving between the steam room, snow grotto, cold water bucket and open-air hot tub. We’ll definitely be back to try the pool and sauna. 

The spa team was there to help and suggested the best order to use everything, which was appreciated. Without that, I probably would have spent at least part of the morning wondering whether I was doing Scandinavian wellness correctly or just finding new ways to embarrass myself in a bathing suit.

The food has also been excellent so far. We’ve only eaten in the World Café, the ship’s buffet, but I’ve been impressed by both the quality and the variety. There have been plenty of lighter options, which I appreciate, but also enough desserts, breads and richer dishes to remind you that you are, in fact, on vacation. Tomorrow we’ll dine at Manfredi’s, Viking’s Italian restaurant, where the menu includes dishes like osso buco, chicken parmigiana, bistecca alla Fiorentina, risotto with porcini mushrooms and Manfredi’s lasagne al forno.

Our stateroom has also been a pleasant surprise. Ralph has written before about Viking’s idea of “affordable luxury,” and the room is a good example of that: not flashy, but comfortable, spacious and thoughtfully designed. I especially love the amount of storage and the small living area with an L-shaped couch. It sounds like a small detail, but it makes the space feel much more usable than the standard cruise ship setup, where the sofa often seems to be placed wherever it happens to fit.

The room also has a floor-to-ceiling window that opens from the top, giving you fresh air without a traditional balcony. It is a smart feature for this type of ship, especially in cooler destinations where a full balcony might not get much use. The bathroom has heated floors, which are always appreciated, but my favorite feature might be the drying closet. Bathing suits, wet jackets, the pants I got a stain on at lunch and had to wash in the sink — you name it, that little closet handles it. It may take up space in the cabin, but I am now personally prepared to petition for one in every room I stay in for the rest of my life.

We still have plenty of sailing ahead of us, including more time onboard, more meals, more ports and more chances to see how Viking’s expedition experience compares with its river and ocean products. But for now, first impressions are very positive.

More soon from the Great Lakes,

Britton