A planetarium, and a hull turned away at the other end of the world
Only two ships in this series carry the Explorers' Dome, a planetarium built
into the Explorers' Lounge. This is the first, and the line presented it in 2018
as the first planetarium at sea. It is the most visible configuration difference
among ten otherwise identical hulls. Its godmother is a NASA astronaut, which is
no accident.
The ship also went through a less glorious episode, and it is better read
here. In January 2023 the New Zealand authorities turned it away for hull
biofouling: marine organisms attached beneath the hull, which can carry invasive
species from one ocean to another. Four port calls were cancelled, the hull was
cleaned by divers in international waters, and the ship resumed its itinerary.
The hull
Two hundred and twenty-eight metres, 47,842 gross tons, nine decks, 930 guests
in 465 cabins all fitted with a veranda, and about 465 crew. Viking Jupiter shares the
planetarium, and Viking Mars and Viking Saturn share everything else.
The planetarium, in practice
A dome of some forty seats, built into the Explorers' Lounge, with screenings
scheduled on days at sea. It is not a gimmick: on a crossing, a day without a
port fills differently.
To compare with a newer and larger hull, look at Viking Vela.
What the package covers, and what it does not
One excursion is included in every port of call. Meals are included too,
specialty restaurants among them, with no surcharge. Beer, wine and soft drinks
come with lunch and dinner. Wi-Fi is included, with the caveat Viking writes
itself: speed varies. Access to the Nordic Spa and the fitness centre is
included, as are port taxes and fees.
Gratuities are not included. Viking says so in its terms, and it is a real
difference from some luxury river lines. You prepay them or settle them
aboard.
Also on you: optional excursions, drinks outside mealtimes, spa treatments
and flights, unless you buy the line's air package.
What is not aboard
No casino. No children's programme. No large-scale production show. No formal
night and no dress code. The line accepts travellers aged eighteen and over, the
age assessed on embarkation day, and its cabins carry neither a third nor a
fourth berth.
These are choices rather than omissions. The programme plans long hours
ashore, and evening life turns on lectures, a pianist, a quartet and a library.
A traveller looking for the constant animation of a large ocean ship will be
disappointed. A traveller escaping it will find exactly what they came for.
Booking from Quebec
Ocean itineraries rarely start close to home. A departure from Bergen,
Barcelona or Ushuaia takes a connection and often a hotel night before
embarkation. That night is not a luxury: a delayed flight that makes you miss a
ship costs far more than a hotel room.
Voyages AquaTerra holds a licence from Quebec's Office de la protection du
consommateur. Your payments move through the trust account required by law and
the Compensation Fund for Customers of Travel Agents covers your file.
