Sleeping Giant Provincial Park is the home of the famous Sea Lion Arch, seen here from a Viking special operations boat. Outfitted with hydraulic seats and handrails for comfort and safety, this vessel explores the Great Lakes at an exhilarating speed. The boats are perfect for photographers as they get to different scenic points in record time. Additionally, the vessel can stop immediately to allow anyone to capture the "perfect shot."
Highlights of North America Cruises
GENERAL RESTRICTIONSCruise fares listed are cruise only in U.S. dollars, per person, based on double occupancy. All fares and offers are for new bookings only and are subject to availability, may not combinable with other offers except Viking Explorer Society Travel Credits and Viking Referral Rewards, are capacity-controlled and may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Special fares are based upon published full brochure fares; cruise fares do not include pre-paid charges, optional facilities and service fees, and personal charges, as defined in the terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket Contract which may be viewed elsewhere on this website. Full brochure fares may not have resulted in actual sales in all stateroom categories and may not have been in effect during the last 90 days. Air promotion applies to roundtrip flights only from select Viking Cruises U.S. gateways and includes airport-to-ship or hotel transfers, air taxes and air fuel surcharges.
What to Know about the Submarines on Viking Octantis
You will have your own private, protected viewing spot with a ledge for elbows, cameras, or binoculars, but just be sure to close the window when mosquitos are around. Admire views of the Sleeping Giant; learn about Thunder Bay’s history and heritage. Explore the “Windy City” and its wealth of world-class museums, including the Art Institute. Admire the boreal forests, sandy beaches and rugged rock formations of the Door Peninsula. Kayak the pristine waters of the Benjamin Islands, keeping your eyes peeled for wildlife.
North America Cruises
City stops include Cleveland, home to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Detroit, where you'll find the Henry Ford and Motown museums and a lively Greektown where you can indulge in your wildest Halloumi dreams. It's home to one of the few Revolutionary War fortresses that remain intact and Victorian-era architecture that evokes the charm of another era. If ever you've wanted to experience all five of North America's Great Lakes in a single trip, here's your chance. Meena Thiruvengadam is a lifelong traveler and veteran journalist who has visited more than 50 countries across six continents. Her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Departures, TripSavvy, and other publications. Though not an off-the-ship excursion, a highlight of this Great Lakes itinerary is the ship’s passage through the gravity-powered Soo Locks, which were built in 1885 and connect Lake Superior to Lake Huron.
Soo Locks Are a Highlight on a Viking Great Lakes Cruise
Touring Viking Polaris, the cruise line’s newest Great Lakes ship, now stopping in Cleveland (photos) - cleveland.com
Touring Viking Polaris, the cruise line’s newest Great Lakes ship, now stopping in Cleveland (photos).
Posted: Tue, 13 Jun 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]
Once the captain delivered the fresh fillets, the chef took over, creating an outstanding lunch. He topped our fish with a sauce of sun-dried tomatoes, capers and dill, and paired the fish with local asparagus and a brussels sprouts, potato and garlic-butter hash. Speaking of a "perfect shot," we were thrilled to capture this photo of an eagle posing dramatically on a tree top in Sleeping Giant Provincial Park from our special operations boat. This musical duo provided a perfect mixture of smooth jazz and classical selections as we watched the natural beauty of the Great Lakes roll by.
Checking out the world's largest paddle
And we got up early (with more than 50 other passengers) to witness the weekly -- for now -- launching of a weather balloon off the top deck. Thanks to its partnership with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Viking Octantis (and Viking Polaris) have joined the sanctioned list of 102 other weather balloon launch stations sanctioned by the U.S. The balloons have transmitters that collect data on wind, temperature, and pressure.
Great Lakes Cruises
Investigate Lake Superior’s picturesque islands and channels near the shores of Ontario. Morgan (listed in alphabetical order) are acting as lead underwriters and representatives for the proposed offering. UBS Investment Bank and Wells Fargo Securities are also acting as lead book-running managers. HSBC and Morgan Stanley are acting as bookrunners for the proposed offering, and Rothschild & Co, Stifel, Drexel Hamilton, LLC, Loop Capital Markets LLC and R. Back at the dock, the captain of the fishing boat took our catch to be cleaned while we headed to a restaurant in town where a chef primed us with salads and drinks as we waited for the fish to arrive.
Island hop the Great Lakes
Rides on all these ‘toys’ are included with the cruise and the crew takes them out whenever possible. We enjoyed our zodiac rides to and from excursions and loved exploring in the SOB, which launches from a slipway inside “The Hangar” and has individually suspended seats for an incredibly smooth ride at high speeds. For those who have sailed on one of Viking’s ocean ships, the Octantis expedition ship (and its twin, Viking Polaris, which will begin sailing later in 2022) will immediately feel familiar. Cross the width of Lake Superior between Duluth and the Soo Locks, exploring the lake’s North Shore Inside Passage as you sail. Gain insight into the unique features and ecosystems of remote wilderness islands, and admire Kakabeka Falls, the “Niagara of the North.” Follow in the footsteps of fur traders in Duluth and step back in time as you stroll the quaint, car-free streets of Mackinac Island. Sail the vast waterways of the Great Lakes, the largest freshwater system in the world.
A new Panama and South America itinerary will take guests through the famous Panama Canal and along the western coast of South America, stopping at ports in Lima, Peru; Quito, Ecuador; and Cozumel in Mexico. Our scheduled submarine ride was canceled due to a technical issue, but those we spoke with who did get their turn in the sub enjoyed the novelty of the adventure, although most said they did not see much in the Great Lakes waters. The 665-foot-long, Polar Class 6 ship carries 378 guests and 256 crewmembers and sailed its inaugural in Antarctica before heading north. It is summering in the Great Lakes region before heading back to the Antarctic and other destinations.
Explore the picturesque islands of the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve and admire their bucolic landscapes. Venture out to Flowerpot Island in the Fathom Five National Marine Park and marvel at the stunning pink granite isles of the Benjamins Islands. Participate in lab studies as you explore coastal wetlands and delve into the Native cultures of the Great Lakes. Ask your Viking Expert for more information.Pre & Post Cruise Extensions vary by itinerary and are subject to change. Enjoy Cleveland’s scenic waterfront, or explore the river and trails of Cuyahoga Valley.
Their awards for photography and journalism fill up an entire wall in their office, the most recent being a top national award for their US and international galleries published on 10Best.Follow their travel adventures on their scenic photography website and travel blog. Mackinac Island, MI, a completely car-free throwback to simpler times, is easy to navigate on foot, in a horse-drawn carriage, or on a rented bicycle, which can be used to ride the 8.2 miles perimeter around the island in about 1.5 hours. From the fudge-forward downtown, it is a 20-minute hike to the grounds of the famed Grand Hotel or a $7 ride in a horse-drawn carriage.
Kayak over the remains of a submerged silver mine or visit the steep slopes of Ouimet Canyon. While built for harsh conditions and exploration, the Polaris was also designed for luxury, with a spa, specialty restaurants and spacious common areas featuring a wide selection of books. Each stateroom has panoramic drop-down windows, king-size beds and roomy bathrooms with heated floors.
And once the balloon was out of sight, passengers rushed to Expedition Central to watch the real-time data arriving on the computers. We attended Great Lakes-oriented lectures presented by a highly-credential expedition team on everything from discoveries made on an epic 1000-mile hike around Lake Michigan to the geologic history of the region. We toured the working science lab, while others participated in a microplastics workshop where the observations made help inform a global database. Take a Zodiac ride along the waters of Lake Huron and learn about endangered local wildlife.
The Great Lakes St. Lawrence Seaway System is considered one of the longest deep draft navigation systems, and one of the most outstanding engineering feats of the 20th century. Made famous by the 1980 movie "Somewhere in Time," filmed on location here, Mackinac Island is a gem of the Great Lakes cruise. Steeped in the charm of simpler times, this bucolic haven in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan preserves picturesque Victorian buildings along car-free streets traversed only by horse-drawn carriages, bicycles, and pedestrians. Get a close-up view of the majesty of the falls, including the largest, Horseshoe Falls. We cannot be held responsible for any costs you incur as a result of failing to do so. The new itinerary is among a handful Viking operates on the Great Lakes and one of a few new trips the cruise line has unveiled for 2023.
In Killarney, still in Georgian Bay, we hiked to a lighthouse and stopped at the Killarney Lodge for selfies with what is said to be the world’s largest canoe paddle, which is 107 feet long and weighs in at 22,000 pounds. We were pleased to see that Viking Octantis has made room for a well-equipped fitness room. Here are our impressions of the ship, the onboard science and other offerings, and tips on activities and excursions in ports visited on Viking Octantis Great Lakes sailing. Itinerary and shore excursions are subject to change and may vary by departure.
The Polar Class Viking Octantis features 189 staterooms and holds 387 passengers, so you'll never feel crowded onboard. Many ways to unwind include sitting in the Explorers' Lounge, with its amazing views over the lake, and hitting the pool, sauna, or steam room at the Nordic Spa. The luxurious staterooms offer all the comforts of home, from luxury linens to a large flat-screen TV, plus a floor-to-ceiling heated drying closet and 24-hour complimentary room service.
No comments:
Post a Comment