In This Blog:
- Introduction
- Viking Expedition Ship Submarines
- Preparing to Dive: Pre-cruise, Embarkation Day, Dive Day, Hangar, Zodiac
- The Dive
- What We Saw
- Was it Worth it?
- Pink Bear Ratings
- Pink Bear Rating
- Final Thoughts
Introduction
One of the most unique experiences offered aboard Viking Polaris is the opportunity to explore the underwater world in one of the ship’s two submarines. Before this expedition cruise, I had never been in a submarine and honestly wasn’t sure what to expect. Was it worth the cost? Would there really be anything to see? Would I feel claustrophobic?
After completing a submarine dive in the remote fjords of Patagonia, I can confidently say it was one of the most memorable experiences of our entire expedition.
Like many activities aboard an expedition cruise, the submarine excursions are highly dependent on weather, sea conditions, and location. Opportunities can change throughout the voyage, and details are often not finalized until shortly before the excursion. Flexibility is part of the adventure.
Viking Expedition Ship Submarines
Viking Polaris and its sister ship, the Octantis, each carry two six-passenger submarines. The submarines all have Beatles names; on Octantis, they are Paul and John, and on Polaris, they are Ringo and George. These state-of-the-art vessels allow guests to explore the underwater environment while remaining comfortably seated inside a transparent acrylic sphere that provides nearly 360-degree views.
Unlike a traditional sightseeing excursion, a submarine dive offers a rare perspective that very few travelers ever experience. Instead of admiring Patagonia’s dramatic mountains and glaciers from above, we had the opportunity to explore an entirely different world hidden beneath the surface.
At the time of our cruise, the submarine excursion cost $499 per person and was one of the most sought-after optional activities onboard.
Preparing to Dive
Pre-cruise
Before boarding the ship, guests are given the opportunity to reserve a submarine dive. This is done on Viking website. The time in advance guests can reserve the dive is based on cabin category. We were in a suite, so we were one of the first to be able to sign up.
Embarkation Day Preparation
On the day of embarkation, guests are instructed to receive a safety briefing, and all must be weighed and sign a waiver. There is a weight limit and health restrictions. Guests must be able to climb through the narrow hatch and down a ladder into the submarine. You can refer to the Viking website for details.
What to Wear
For the submarine dive, no waterproof gear is necessary since it is enclosed. I wore stretch pants, a sweatshirt, socks, and sneakers. Booties were provided at the Hangar before transfer to Zodiac. I wore a puffer jacket, hat, and gloves for the Zodiac ride to the submarine.
Booties required for submarine dive
Day of the Dive
Our submarine dive was rescheduled from the previous day to 11:10 AM. We awoke to dark skies, low clouds, and light rain as Polaris approached Agostini. I was concerned our submarine trip would be cancelled again, and our glacier landing would be very wet. But the rain soon stopped, and the captain announced conditions at the glacier were good.
“We All Live in a Yellow Submarine, Yellow Submarine… “
The subs on Polaris are Ringo and George. We were on Ringo.
Our submarine meet time was 11:10 am in the Hangar.
At the Hangar, we were fitted for our booties and given a lanyard with a number. As each number was called, the passenger proceeded to the zodiac for transfer to Ringo.
Laura got number 1!
Zodiac Transfer to Submarine
We boarded the Zodiac and headed toward Ringo, ready and waiting for us.
At Ringo, we were instructed how to board. We were called in by number; odd numbers went to the right, and even numbers to the left after climbing down the hatch.
Climbing down the hatch
It is tight climbing in, but not bad, and the seats are comfortable. I am claustrophobic and was concerned about the confined space, but I was pleasantly surprised by how spacious the interior felt. While certainly cozy, it never felt cramped or uncomfortable. The crew was professional, reassuring, and clearly passionate about the experience.
The Dive
In the submarine Ringo! As the hatch was secured and preparations completed, excitement quickly replaced any nervousness I had.
The most memorable moment came during the initial descent.
As sunlight gradually faded and the surface disappeared above us, we slowly entered a quiet and mysterious environment unlike anything I had experienced before. The submarine moved smoothly and almost silently through the water.
The feeling was difficult to describe. It was part exploration, part science expedition, and part adventure movie.
The pilot provided commentary throughout the dive, explaining the submarine’s systems, the local marine environment, and the points of interest encountered along the way.
What We Saw!
Every submarine dive is different, and sightings depend heavily on location and conditions.
Our dive revealed a fascinating underwater landscape shaped by Patagonia’s remote fjords. It provided a completely different perspective on the region we had been exploring from the ship and Zodiac excursions.
Unlike a crowded tourist attraction, there was a sense of genuine discovery. We never knew what might appear next outside the viewing sphere.
What surprised me most was not any single animal, but the overall environment. The underwater world felt completely different from the dramatic glaciers and mountains we had been admiring from the ship. The water was filled with tiny organisms illuminated by the submarine lights, creating an almost otherworldly scene. It felt less like visiting an aquarium and more like participating in a real scientific expedition.
As we descended to the ocean floor, we saw lots of plankton, small fish, and shrimp. At the bottom, we saw coral, a squid, a crab, and more fish. We got an hour in the submarine, and it flew by. It was one of the most amazing experiences I have encountered.
Was it Worth It?
This is probably the question most guests ask. For us, I would say absolutely!
The submarine excursion is expensive and certainly not for every traveler. If your goal is simply to see wildlife, there may be better ways to spend your expedition budget. However, if you enjoy unique experiences and opportunities that few people will ever have, the submarine excursion is difficult to match. It isn’t simply transportation or sightseeing—it is an adventure.
For us, the experience was about much more than what we saw. It was about the excitement of descending beneath the surface, exploring an environment most people never visit, and participating in one of the most unusual activities available on any cruise ship. The cost of the dive on our cruise was $499 per person. It is expensive, but we feel it was very much worth it. As part of our retirement strategy, we take every opportunity to have unique experiences.
Practical Tips
- Waterproof clothing is not necessary this is a climate-controlled activity
- Do not wear any jewelry
- Wear warm clothing only for the Zodiac ride
- If you want to go on the submarine, sign up in advance on the website
- The hatch is small, and there is a ladder. You must be comfortable going through a small hatch and down a ladder
- Viking does a very good job assisting people into the submarine
- The submarine seats are comfortable
- Bring a camera, but keep in mind you must get it down the hatch and work with it in a confined space. A big zoom lens is probably not advisable.
Pink Bear Impression:
Pink Bear was initially disappointed to learn she would be spending much of the excursion looking out the window at fish instead of glaciers. However, once she realized she was traveling hundreds of feet beneath the surface in a real submarine, she quickly declared herself an official expedition scientist. She spent the remainder of the dive searching for sea monsters and insisting she was qualified to captain the vessel.
Retirement Activity Rating
⭐ Submarine Dive Experience: 10/10 if your budget allows
⭐ Cost Expensive
⭐ Adventure Level: Moderate
⭐ Retirement Comfort Level: 8/10
Final Thoughts
Looking back on our Patagonia expedition, the submarine dive remains one of the most unique travel experiences we have ever had. We have sailed rivers, crossed oceans, explored glaciers, and visited remarkable destinations around the world, but descending beneath a remote Patagonian fjord in a real submarine was something entirely different. It was one of those rare experiences that reminds us exactly why we travel in retirement—to continue discovering places and perspectives we never imagined possible.
If you want to read a full description of all our Expedition excursions, go to:
You can also read about the entire South American adventure on our Journey page: