The Viking Octantis came out of the fog past Mission Point at noon on May 26th.
Built at the Norwegian and Romanian shipyards and launched last December, the ship is designed to explore polar regions.
However, this cruise season runs 14 circuits from Milwaukee to Georgian Bay, through Soo Locks to Thunder Bay and back, with Duluth and Mackinac Island as intermediate stops.
Sault, Michigan, will be added to the itinerary next year.
Read a previous story that describes some details about the boat here.