Say the word “cruise” and most people picture crowded buffets, overstuffed casinos, or jostling for a sun lounger by the pool. But Viking Polaris is here to smash that cliché to pieces—literally, with its ice-strengthened hull.
This 378-passenger expedition ship is custom-built for Antarctica and the Arctic, but every summer it sneaks over to North America for a spin around the Great Lakes. The result? A domestic cruise that feels less like a floating theme park and more like an urbane field trip for grown-ups who like their cocktails shaken and their science real.
A ship that acts like a university (but with better booze)
Forget conga lines. On board, the action happens in The Aula, a lecture hall-meets-theater with wraparound windows that make TED Talks look drab. Here, scientists and naturalists give afternoon and evening talks on everything from harmful algae blooms to shipwreck archaeology. Think of it as Netflix’s Explained, only live, with a bar nearby to imbibe while you learn from the experts.
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Polaris also houses a fully functioning science lab where real researchers from institutions such as Cornell and NOAA study microplastics, track bird migration and analyze lake water. Passengers can step inside to see microscopes glowing, samples filtering and data pinging back to universities.
Adventure gear, but make it chic
This isn’t all charts and petri dishes. Tucked in the belly of the ship is The Hangar, a kind of secret garage where Zodiacs, kayaks, and Special Operations Boats are stashed like toys for oversized kids. The Special Operations Boats are military-grade (exclusive to Viking)—purchased for over $1.1 million. They are equipped with the ability to travel up to 40 knots and stop on a dime, outfitted with hydraulic seats, so even at high speeds, you won’t feel any bumps. The design is genius: boats launch from a slipway inside the ship, shielded from wind and waves (more common in the colder climates), which makes boarding a cinch.
Then there are the submarines named George and Ringo. Paul and John are on the sister ship. These bright yellow, six-passenger submersibles can dive 300 meters below the surface, offering rare views of shipwrecks, eerie rock formations, and a world that usually belongs to scientists. It’s not guaranteed as the lakes don’t always play nice, but when conditions are right, it’s a goosebump-level experience. Wreckage over 100 years old was even found on a recent expedition.
A floating Scandinavian day spa
If your idea of “expedition” leans more toward spa robes than survival gear, Viking’s got you. Every stateroom has floor-to-ceiling windows and heated bathroom floors (yes, really). And the Nordic spa is outrageous: a snow grotto where actual flakes fall from the ceiling, a thalassotherapy pool that stretches along a wall of glass, hot-and-cold plunge pools, and of course saunas. It’s like someone dropped a Nordic wellness center into Michigan.
You don’t have to cross an ocean to feel like you’ve discovered new territory.
Even the dining is Nordic-tinged chic. The World Café (buffet) offers sushi, fresh-baked breads, and steaks seared to order, but you’ll definitely want to get the surf and turf if available. Gravlax and other Scandi comfort foods make appearances too (try their specialty waffles), but you’ll also find burgers and pizzas and even two other specialty restaurants, all included in the fare.
Stops worth bragging about
The Great Lakes route meanders from Ontario’s eastern shore to Duluth’s Soo Locks and concludes in Milwaukee on an eight-day voyage. One stop, Silver Islet, was once the world’s richest silver mine—until 1884, when pumps failed and the tunnels flooded. Today, you can kayak over the remnants, peering down at the ghostly outlines below the waves.
The cool, grown-up vibe
Not surprisingly, you won’t find kids’ clubs or a spirited game of Marco Polo here. Viking cruises are strictly 18 and over, so the vibe skews to curious, well-traveled adults not looking for a party scene. Guests are a mixed bag—some repeat cruisers who’ve done river or ocean itineraries, now dipping into something more adventurous, but still with the creature comforts intact. At the same time, some may be first-time explorers or parents with their adult kids in tow.
And while expedition cruising often conjures images of the Arctic or Galápagos, the Great Lakes option has a built-in appeal: it’s easier, more accessible. It’s a reminder that you don’t have to cross an ocean to feel like you’ve discovered new territory. This expedition feels exotic but stays close to home, one that pairs submarines with saunas, science with sushi. It’s equal parts brainy and bougie.
Why it Matters
The Great Lakes hold one-fifth of the world’s freshwater and sustain more than 3,500 species of plants and animals. They’ve shaped Indigenous traditions, fueled industry, and inspired legends. And they’re vulnerable to climate change, invasive species, and pollution. By weaving real research into its voyages, the Polaris makes every trip more than just sightseeing. You’re not just passing through—you’re helping contribute (in small but meaningful ways) to protecting the ecosystem.