Viking Expeditions vs Ponant
+ Global JourneysCompare the expedition ships, onboard inclusions, pricing and shore excursions with Viking Expeditions and Ponant, to see which is the better fit for your next cruising expedition.
We asked Viking why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
A Viking ocean cruise is the discerning traveller’s dream. Whether you choose to visit Scandinavia, Asia, the Mediterranean or the Americas, our itineraries are designed to immerse you in the history and culture of each destination. With us, you could be exploring a local food market with our head chef one day and experiencing an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of a world-famous museum the next.
Our state-of-the-art small ships take you right into the heart of each destination, and you won’t find any casinos or kids on board. Plus, our fares read more include just about everything you need - from meals, beverages and Wi-Fi to a culturally enriching shore excursion at every port of call. This unique combination of features has become affectionately known as ‘the Viking difference’.
Viking is the world’s leading small-ship cruise line, and we can’t wait to welcome you on board to discover the Viking difference for yourself.
Total No. Expedition Cruises
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Onboard currencyThe low down on Viking from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Purpose built and newly launched in 2017, Viking now boasts 16 mid-sized ships each accommodating between 930-998 guests, as well as 2 expedition ships (max 378 guests) that explore the world's most remote destinations. Already award winning, their itineraries are varied from worldwide journeys to smaller explorations of the Nordic region, Indian ocean, Asia, Oceania, Caribbean and the Med. Viking position these cruises as 'The Thinking Person’s Cruise', with included and optional shore excursions covering each destinations cultural and historic highlights. So if you are looking for water-slides, children's facilities and casino's, then perhaps read more another cruise company is more suited.
Retired and semi-retired world travellers.
Adults only cruising, Scandinavian design, destination-focused experiences and no casinos.
No. Premium beverages and some excursions cost extra. House beers and wine are included with meals and a courtesy shore excursion is offered at each port.
Premium beverages and selected shore excursions, plus some onboard experiences such as The Kitchen Table, cost extra.
Yes, but only for Australian and New Zealand passengers.
Yes. One courtesy shore excursion is offered at each port on classic cruises; expedition cruises include at least one shore excursion per landing day.
Yes. Complimentary WiFi is available.
No. The Viking Explorer Society offers credit and referral rewards to past Viking passengers only.
No. Children under 18 are not accepted.
Enrichment lectures, film screenings, presentations, daily expedition briefings, scientific programs in The Laboratory, complimentary dining, evening entertainment and free WiFi.
No.
Some experiences, such as The Kitchen Table, incur additional charges. Specialised fitness classes may also cost extra.
Yes. Viking offers seven complimentary restaurants on its mid-sized ships.
No.
Yes. Purified water is provided in all staterooms; soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner, and specialty coffees and assorted hot teas are available 24 hours a day.
Complimentary house wines and beers are served with lunch and dinner.
Yes. For premium cocktails or wines and spirits, Viking offers the Silver Spirits beverage package.
Yes. Complimentary 24/7 room service.
Yes. Spa access is complimentary and spa and salon services are available for a charge.
Yes.
Yes. Classes may include yoga, Zumba, TRX and Body Conditioning; specialised classes may attract a charge.
Yes and charges apply. Not available on expedition ships.
Yes. Complimentary self-service laundry.
Yes. Charges apply.
We asked Ponant why you should cruise with them, here's what they said...
It's time to join Ponant's team of experienced naturalist guides and expedition experts to discover some of the world’s most distant and sought-after shores, venture into the heart of extreme lands and be immersed in nature on one of many Zodiac outings and shore excursions. Whether you dream of stepping foot on the Antarctic Peninsula, witnessing the incredible rise of Montgomery reef in the Kimberley or meeting and interacting with local communities in the Arctic, Ponant, the world leader in luxury expeditions can take you there.
Total No. Expedition CruisesDeparturesAvg. cruise lengthAvg. price per day (by cabin type)No. of Expedition ShipsAll-Inclusive levelOnboard currencyThe low down on Ponant from our expert team of advisors at Global Journeys...
Ponant cruises are best described as small-ship luxury expedition cruising: intimate yachts designed to reach remote ports and wilderness coastlines, paired with elevated French-style hospitality and strong inclusions. Unlike mainstream cruise lines built around onboard entertainment, Ponant is destination-first, with expedition landings, expert-led enrichment, and itineraries spanning the Arctic and Antarctica. A key point of difference is Le Commandant Charcot, a hybrid-electric LNG polar exploration ship positioned for high polar environments, giving Ponant a standout edge for serious polar travellers.
International guests, cosmopolitan world travellers and travellers seeking to explore remote locations.
Luxury expeditions, French cruising, a young expedition fleet and access to remote locations with small ships.
Ponant positions itself as all-inclusive, but classic-cruise shore excursions, premium-label spirits and champagne, and gratuities are not included.
Shore excursions, premium-label spirits and champagne, gratuities and gear beyond the provided parka and boots on polar expeditions. Optional excursions may also incur charges.
No. Tipping is customary but entirely at guest discretion. Ponant generally guides that tips are in the range of €10–12 per day per passenger.
No, excursions cost extra on Ponant's classic small ship cruises, although selected special offers may include them. Shore excursions are included on expedition cruises and Smithsonian Voyages with some optional excursions available at additional cost.
Yes. Complimentary WiFi is included.
No. Ponant Yacht Club benefits are available to Ponant members only.
No. The minimum age is six for Polar Expedition cruises, and children must meet height, instruction and equipment requirements for Zodiac excursions.
Naturalist and specialist lectures, guest lectures, live music, dance shows, film screenings and access to the hammam steam room.
No.
No. All onboard activities are included, although some group fitness sessions and specialised fitness classes may incur charges. Spa and salon services also cost extra.
No specialty restaurants. Ponant has two complimentary restaurants: a Gastronomic Restaurant and a grill.
No.
Yes. Mineral water, soft drinks, coffee and tea are included.
Yes. The Open Bar includes Charles Heidsieck champagne, beer, wine and spirits but excludes premium-label spirits and champagne.
Yes. Guests can purchase the Premium Open Bar for top-shelf spirits and Veuve Clicquot.
Yes. Complimentary 24/7 room service.
Yes. Spa and salon services are available for an additional charge; access to the hammam steam room is complimentary.
Yes. A fitness studio or gym is available.
Yes. Occasional group fitness sessions may be offered and may incur charges.
No.
No.
Yes. Laundry service is available for an additional charge.
11 Days Fort-de-France to Santa Cruz de Tenerife
Viking and Ponant both offer luxury expedition cruising, but they come from very different backgrounds. Ponant has decades of experience in polar and remote regions and operates a broader range of expedition vessels, while Viking entered the expedition market more recently with two purpose-built ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, both that focus heavily on destination immersion, expert-led exploration and a high level of comfort onboard.
Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris are identical 378-guest expedition ships with Scandinavian styling, spacious viewing areas and purpose-built expedition facilities including The Hangar, science laboratories and specialist exploration equipment. Ponant operates a more varied expedition fleet, from intimate sister ships and Ponant Explorers through to the highly specialised Le Commandant Charcot, which is designed for extreme polar navigation. Viking offers a very consistent ship experience, while Ponant gives you more variation depending on the destination and vessel.
Both lines include expert-led exploration, zodiac excursions and enrichment from scientists, naturalists and destination specialists. Viking places a strong emphasis on science, with expedition ships designed as working research vessels and opportunities for guests to engage with onboard experts. Ponant brings considerably more expedition heritage and a broader range of polar itineraries, including voyages to Antarctica, the Arctic, the Kimberley and the Geographic North Pole. If your priority is the widest variety of true expedition itineraries, Ponant has the edge, while Viking offers a highly polished and consistent expedition product with a strong scientific focus.
Both are highly inclusive. Viking includes expedition activities, all onboard dining, Wi-Fi, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, specialist expedition gear and access to its Nordic Spa, while Ponant includes dining, unlimited Wi-Fi, an open bar covering most wines, champagne, beer and spirits, plus included expedition activities and shore experiences. Ponant’s drinks package is more generous, while Viking includes more expedition clothing and equipment as standard. Gratuities are included for bookings made in Australia and New Zealand, while Ponant leaves tipping to your discretion.
Both offer Antarctic and Arctic expeditions, but Ponant has a broader and more established range, including specialist voyages aboard Le Commandant Charcot to remote areas beyond the reach of most expedition ships. Viking focuses its expedition program on Antarctica, the Arctic, Canada’s Great Lakes and selected remote regions, with both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris purpose-built for these journeys. If you want the widest choice of polar routes and more extreme expedition possibilities, Ponant offers more variety; if you prefer Viking’s familiar style, scientific focus and highly consistent onboard experience, its expedition program is a strong alternative.
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