Eaches

We are still going, we are trying Viking for the first time. We want to compare it to Crystal. We love sailing smaller ships and interesting ports. We are signed up for the Viking Spirit 2019 Hong Kong to Tokyo. The Cuba cruise will let us compare the lectures, entertainment and shore tours with what we have experienced Crystal. We are sailing Crystal March 2018 Tahiti to Chili sailing to Easter Island and Robinson Crusoe Island. Think about joining us!

On the Hong Kong to Tokyo leg , you will be getting off in Tokyo and we will be getting on . I'm sure you will have a wonderful time on both Crystal and Viking ! We have never done the Alaska inside passage so that's why we are doing that leg.

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So we have cruised for 20+ years on Carnival, Norwegian, Princess, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean. At the beginning, cruising was fabulous, but every year they eliminate more and more and nickle-and-dime you. In any case our most recent Celebrity cruise was our last on the "mainstream" lines. We've basically had it.

 

 

 

So to that end, we are trying to figure which "luxury" cruise line is best for us. (They say Celebrity & Princess are "premium," which we find a joke.)

 

 

 

Anyway, we aren't looking for real "luxury" just something closer to what these other cruise lines were 10 to 15 years ago. Better food, maybe free non-alcoholic beverages, no nickle-and-dimming, some entertainment, maybe a few excursions included, etc.

 

 

 

What would you all recommend? We are in our 50's and 60's and don't want overly stuffy. Would you recommend Oceania, Crystal, Silversea, Viking Ocean, Seabourn?

You will Love Viking Cruising . They treat you like you want to be treated. The Food, Service and Ships are all top notch . They are now even combining River Cruises to join a Ocean Cruise to make it even more memorable ! Look at their brochures , I'm sure you will find one that will fill your needs .

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We're on Viking Ocean. They recently had to make some changes to their 4 cruises which included Havana. It's my understanding that the Cuban government didn't give Viking permission to visit Havana in early December (when an Oceania ship is there, though that may not have been a factor). Therefore, we're visiting Cienfuegos instead and Viking is providing excursions to Havana if wanted. (It's a long way unfortunately, but one of the excursions includes an overnight there, so not as bad as it could be. The excursions have also been made complimentary.)

 

 

 

I don't know for sure if we're docking in Cienfuegos, and haven't yet asked Viking or found a port website that would give me a clue. However, at least one Cruise Critic reader told me that HAL has Cienfuegos on the itinerary as a tender port, so perhaps we're tendering!

 

 

 

I'm sure Viking will tell us how to get CUCs (if we even need them, and we (personally) may not), but since we won't be docking in Havana it does complicate things a bit.

 

 

 

I didn't realize Oceania only went to Havana before.

If you wold look at your updated booking sheet it will show that Cienfuegos is a Tender port .

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...we should try Viking Ocean.

 

We are a couple that cruise often, mostly in the Caribbean and in suites. Our last two cruises (December and January) were on Oceania and Celebrity. One we found really boring but the food unbelievably good. The other offered excellent suite perks, much better entertainment, and the food was very good to pretty good to okay.

 

So for those who have cruised on Viking Ocean please convince us that we need to give this line a try. We are about to book so your input would be appreciated.

 

Thanks so much.:)

 

Katie

First of all why do you keep going to the Caribbean ? It's getting over run by the Mega Ships . Try and hold off and go on Viking's Midnight Sun voyage or their Viking Homeland cruise. They are just wonderful ! Quite , no Kids , no Gambling , and food that is equal to or better than Oceania and Celebrity. If smoking and the photo guys are what you go cruising for, then maybe the other lines are for you . Once you try Viking and their approach to cruising, you'll come back m, time after time . It's just better !

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Thank you for the above responses. I've come up with 3 more questions.

 

 

 

Pool area - I'm sure that the retractable roof will be closed for our sailing in January. Is the area heated or does it warm up enough with the greenhouse effect? Is the pool heated?

 

 

 

Mirrors - should I bring my own make-up mirror or is one provided?

 

 

 

Hotman - Karl Eckl was my alltime favorite hotel manager on Seabourn. I have seen that he has moved over to Viking and was the hotman for the Maiden voyage of the Star. Is he still on board?

 

 

 

I sent the ok to my travel agent to book this cruise for us and will be looking forward to discovering a new cruise line and participating on this message board.

 

 

 

Marjorie

The inside pool is heated - for the women they have a mirror in the pull up area in desk area and you have to try the tea and pastries at4 pm

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That's a shame, but inevitable. Do you still get to sit out in the blazing sun while "enjoying" your $10 burger? That was hard enough when it was free. Sorry Celebrity, others can enjoy your new "for fee" venue. This cruiser will not partake.

Viking offers you a very good - cooked for you burgers with all the dressings and a glass of wine for lunch with no up charge ! You can't beat it and I'm a Burger Lover and to top it off you can sit in the shade ! What more could you ask for !

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I am very close to booking my first Viking Ocean cruise and have a few specific questions.

 

 

 

Aft deck 2 - this was mentioned by Roothy123 in a previous post as a salty place for sailaways and it has peaked my curiosity. Can we really be on deck that close to the water while the ship is sailing?

 

 

 

The spa - I have seen many photos and comments about the thermal suite which looks like the perfect place for cocooning on a cold winter day. What I can't find is a spa menu with the actual treatments and prices. Is it a Steiner or Canyon Ranch Spa that are often on cruise ships or is it an independant spa like the Thaï spa on Seadream.

 

 

 

Hosted tables - are invitations sent to passengers to dine with officers on occasion?

 

 

 

Cinema - on the deck plan it shows 2 cinemas next to the theater but I have seen no other mention of movies being aired other than in cabin.

 

 

 

If any of you know the answer to any one of these questions, please be kind enough to answer. It won't get you trivia points, just good karma ;)

I can answer a couple - the movies are in two places on the ship - in their own small movie area off of the main theater - for what it's worth - we've been on three cruises and never used it . Also at night they offer movies in the main pool area under the stars, with cordless headphones, really nice way to see a movie ! They also include your own bag of popcorn.

I don't remember who runs the spa but it's wonderful and very well run .

You will be well taken care of and will have fond memories of your travels .

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Tendering isn't a big deal. I have an all terrain walker and they had no problem with getting it on board. To be more specific, my walker folds.

I think that's Great - we'll see you aboard

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The greatest value is always the cheapest fare. I'm willing to pay a bit more to sail with Viking because they offer smaller ship and a casual, port intensive, child-free, smoke-free, casino-free approach to cruising. Value is always quantifiable.

Thank You !

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Thanks. Since we dock in Cienfuegos now, I'm not sure where we go to exchange money, but I'm sure Viking will tell us. Glad you enjoyed your day in Havana! I'm assuming that Viking won't be hand holding and that I'll be able to stay out a bit in Cienfuegos on my own. Sounds like trump just wants us to avoid state run places while on our own. Regs due out in the fall; we'll see, but I'm guessing no big deal. Just posted in port of call section to ask where ship docks.....if no response I'll post on Oceania board. Those folks know everything!

Cienfuegos is a tender port - no problem looking forward to the extra time in Cuba . I can't and won't get excited about things that we and Viking can not control . Everyone easy up and enjoy the change !

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Have you tried the World Cruise Ambassador @ wca@vikingcruises.com instead of Viking Customer Service . They have been very helpful with us on any questions or concerns . Hope it works out for you .

Thank you. Viking have responded to my tweet. Though it didn't say when and where it did mention the world cruise so I think your source is correct. Val :)

Shanghai, is the port that was mention .

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You missed the entire point of my post.

If you read the small print" all sailings are subject to change " I'm sure Viking did not set out to give extra credit and free shore excursions, when they announced these cruises . Between the Cuban Government and the current Washington administration you knew there was going to be changes ! And they happened !

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While some passengers are happy with the recent itinerary changes on Vikings Cuba cruise (substituting Cienfuegos for Havana and dropping Belize City and Cozumel), everyone is not.

 

 

 

We pulled the trigger on cancellation today and in yet another disappointment from Viking, they are not offering full refunds but rather, enforcing standard cancellation penalties.

 

 

 

Any passengers on the November sailings are looking at a 15% cancellation penalty for something totally out of their control and as a result of Vikings inability to actually execute on a sailing they sold.

 

 

 

With what I thought of as a reputable company, I find it hard to believe that in light of this extraordinary circumstance they will not waive any of their cancellation penalties what so ever.

 

 

 

Bad form, Viking!

Bye , Bye you don't know what you missed . ! We will have a Great Time without you

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We have our Account file a Extension every year.

Us too !

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My husband and I both take eye drops for Glaucoma. The 1-month bottle does not need refrigeration but the "extra" (3) months do need to be kept under refrigeration. Without the expense (and space!) renting a refrigerator for the cruise, is there any other way? (Using ice won't work...keeps them too cold.)

The Viking ships all have refrigerators in their cabins except the V cabins . You may have to move the candy bars and soda out of the way but it should serve the need. If you are in a V cabin then I would talk with one of the world cruise ambassadors .

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Viking will be a good change from Princess . No Kids - Diner when you want it - quiet when you want it- a Spa that is Wonderful . 930 passengers instead of 3000+. Very Nice up to date cabins with beautiful Large Bathrooms , what more could you want . P

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We've been on the Star and Sea right after they went into service . The service was just wonderful- it's the first cruise line that I can say -"The Crew Liked Being There" . They all had smiles and made you feel at home .

We also are going on the WC on the Sun and can't wait to see many of the crew from both the Sea and Sun !

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You're going to be on a Viking ship. There are no wild parties happening around the pool. No kids playing at the pool. They do show movies and the sail away but the top is usually open so the excess noise should dissipate. Since you didn't get specific, the other areas on the above deck will be Owner's suite, Mamsen's, Explorer's Lounge, Wintergarden or the World Cafe. On the whole there should bee no problem

We've been on deck 8-7 and one cruise on 6 and they all where great - no noise and no real movement . Get ready for a Great Cruise !

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Sounds interesting. Please send me a PM with the name of this service, if you please. landryrk at gmail dot com.

Also there is a web site Housesitter.com that will arrange a number of people to come live in your home- they will watch out for your animals house and other tasks . You pay your normal bills and the sitters live for free.

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