Viking announced the launch of its third season in the Great Lakes, deploying both the Viking Octantis® and Viking Polaris® expedition ships in the region. These ships, each accommodating 378 guests, are uniquely designed for navigating the historic Welland Canal and have been celebrated as the top choice for expeditions by Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers’ Choice Awards. The itineraries span Toronto to Duluth, covering all five Great Lakes, and will continue until early October before the ships head to Antarctica for the southern summer.
Additionally, Viking has opened bookings for two new Great Lakes itineraries for 2026. The 10-day Great Lakes Treasures voyage, departing from Milwaukee, will introduce guests to new destinations including Chicago, Canada’s Fathom Five National Marine Park, and the Benjamin Islands. The longer, 17-day Niagara & Great Lakes Treasures voyage will take travelers from Toronto to Milwaukee, featuring stops at Niagara Falls, Canada’s Point Pelee National Park, and includes a journey through the Welland Canal.
“The Great Lakes region is a phenomenal place that is close to home for many of our guests, but one that few have yet to fully discover. With more than 10,000 miles of coastline, world-class cities and remote wilderness areas, it is truly a destination that is best explored by ship,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman and CEO of Viking. “We would like to thank our local partners for the warm welcome once again, and we look forward to introducing more curious travelers to the Great Lakes this season and in future years.”
Viking’s return to the Great Lakes this season is aligned with their groundbreaking scientific initiative—conducting the first-ever genetic sequencing of phytoplankton at sea. In collaboration with UC San Diego’s Scripps Institution of Oceanography and the J. Craig Venter Institute, Viking’s expedition ship, the Viking Octantis, is equipped with a PCR lab where real-time environmental DNA (eDNA) sequencing of phytoplankton is underway. This allows visiting scientists from the Genomics at Sea Program (GASP) to analyze environmental impacts on phytoplankton directly on board, eliminating the need for distant shoreside analysis. Viking has committed to hosting Scripps researchers on the Great Lakes expeditions throughout the season.
Furthermore, Viking has formed a partnership with the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) to conduct extensive research on the Great Lakes’ dynamic environments and ecosystems. This collaboration aims to provide crucial data for sustainable ecosystem management. Additionally, Viking’s expedition ships serve as official NOAA/U.S. National Weather Service weather balloon stations, enhancing weather monitoring through regular balloon launches.
Highlighted Great Lakes Voyages for 2024-2026 include:
- NEW Great Lakes Treasures (10 days; roundtrip Milwaukee) – Explore Chicago’s cultural treasures, the Georgian Bay Biosphere Reserve, and Flowerpot Island in the Fathom Five National Marine Park, among other picturesque sites.
- NEW Niagara & Great Lakes Treasures (17 days; between Toronto – Milwaukee) – Experience the splendor of Niagara Falls and the serene freshwater marshes of Point Pelee, along with other iconic Great Lakes destinations.
- Great Lakes Collection (15 days; between Toronto – Duluth) – Embark on a comprehensive tour of all five Great Lakes, featuring urban cultural insights and natural explorations.
- Niagara & the Great Lakes (8 days; between Toronto – Milwaukee) – Discover the rich cultural and natural heritage of the Great Lakes, from urban skylines to secluded islands.
- Undiscovered Great Lakes (8 days; Thunder Bay – Milwaukee) – Traverse Lake Superior’s North Shore Inside Passage and experience the wilderness of remote islands and historical sites.
- Canada & East Coast Explorer (15 days; between Toronto – Fort Lauderdale) – Sail along North America’s scenic Atlantic coast, visiting historic and natural landmarks from Charleston to Quebec.
Viking continues to offer its guests immersive and environmentally considerate travel experiences, blending advanced scientific research with rich cultural explorations across its fleet of specially designed expedition ships.
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