One cruise passenger has died and several others have sustained non-life-threatening injuries after a "rogue wave" smashed into Viking's new Viking Polaris last week. The incident occurred as the expedition ship was sailing to Ushuaia, Argentina. Scientists generally define a rogue wave as unexpected and very large—generally twice the size of any surrounding waves.
Viking issued a public statement, which said: "There was a rogue wave incident involving the Viking Polaris on November 29 at 22:40 local time, while the ship was sailing toward Ushuaia, Argentina. The ship sustained limited damage during the incident and arrived in port in Ushuaia without further incident the afternoon of November 30."
However, "it is with great sadness that we confirmed a guest passed away following the incident," the statement continued. "We have notified the guest’s family and shared our deepest sympathies. We will continue to offer our full support to the family in the hours and days ahead." The line did not provide any details about the passenger's cause of death.
Viking also said that "four other guests sustained non-life-threatening injuries during the incident and were treated by the ship’s onboard doctor and medical staff."
Investigation Begins; One Voyage Canceled
Viking said it was investigating the facts surrounding the incident and "will offer our support to the relevant authorities. Our focus remains on the safety and well-being of our guests and crew, and we are working directly with them to arrange return travel."
International media photos show some smashed windows on one side of the ship. In its statement, Viking said that it had canceled Viking Polaris' next scheduled "Antarctic Explorer" departure Monday, December 5. All impacted guests and their travel advisors have been notified directly by Viking Customer Relations. The expedition ship is operating a series of Antarctica voyages in winter 2022-23.
On Sunday, Travel Agent asked Viking's top global sales producer, Michael Consoli, franchise agency owner, Cruise Planners/Consoli & Associates in Roswell, GA, whether he had guests aboard the ship hit by the wave and also about any potential consumer demand impact. "I don't have guests on this sailing, but I do on the next two," he said. "While I've received a lot of questions [from booked clients], they are looking forward to their trips and all that Viking and Antarctica have to offer."
He added: "While these recent events are tragic and upsetting, I have full confidence that Viking has handled the situation in the outstanding way they have handled these types of situations in the past." He is also confident that his clients "are looking forward to their next adventure, while sympathetic to the tragic situation" and will have an amazing experience.
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