millybess

18 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

Yes!  I heard it constantly when in the room, although we were on deck 8 and there aren’t  very many cabins up there, so fewer people coming and going.  I would say we heard singing as late as 2 am and as early as 5 am. 

Yes.  We were recently on 7 close to the elevator and we could hear it.  It's a great location for the Explorer's Lounge, World Cafe, etc.  But it was a little too busy for us -- especially when everyone was coming and going to see the Northern Lights at 2 a.m. lol.

We stayed in an aft room before and we have booked the same location for our next 3 cruises.  Further away, but it's quieter and the scenery is very nice.   

On 5/25/2024 at 11:58 AM, oskidunker said:

Please let me know which ship tours you liked and those you did not. Am on Jan 6 cruise

I think you are cruising on Viking Venus?

On the Viking Cruises website, one of the ports is Napier.  However, on the invoice it's a sea day.  I assume your invoice is the same and Venus doesn't stop at Napier?

6 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

I suppose after we had booked three for each it allowed us to do more.

Same.

2 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

Yes. We got 6 total for each on a two segment. Had no idea why at the time. And, by the way, more than three in either is redundant.

Same here. We had 2 segments and 6 reservations. It was unexpected.

DH likes Chef's Table and usually I like Manfredi's.  But on that particular cruise last year, we didn't use them all.  It was too much.

3 hours ago, Ready to Sail! said:

We’ve only done one Viking cruise(2 are booked). I don’t remember anything besides afternoon tea happening there. Such a lovely space seems like a waste not to utilize more. I assume it is always open to just to sit and relax. Did we miss anything?  

The Wintergarden was used quite a bit on our recent sailing.

For the first few days it was used for yoga classes and it was very busy. (Yoga moved to the gym once passengers embarked in Tokyo).

Once we arrived in Tokyo, the Wintergarden was used for craft groups -- knitting, quilting, painting, etc. -- for the rest of the journey.

And, yes, it was open to sit and relax, but was quite warm sometimes.  

Very interesting thread which I have just come across after being away for a bit.

My question:  Is it possible that Viking would use different management companies for different ships?

On 5/17/2024 at 8:05 AM, CDNPolar said:

 

I don't think that age has anything to do with liking Viking or not.  Viking has never positioned themselves in the market as a nightlife ship, and I am personally hoping that they do not.

 

No disrespect to your comments, and no disrespect meant by this statement, but Viking is not the cruise line for you.

That's a surprising generalization.

We would like more upbeat music in one of the lounges and Viking is the cruise line for us.

As you point out, Viking "has never positioned themselves in the market as a nightlife ship" and we aren't into the nightlife.  But, just as an example, having someone perform in the Explorer's Lounge who pretends to be talented playing the same music over, and over again with different lyrics?  Or, another example, having a percussion, brass accompaniment on your iPad as you play the guitar?  Maybe Viking could do better.

On some of our cruises, Viking has provided very good lounge entertainment -- Mark, the guitar player is a fine example.  

On 5/17/2024 at 8:50 AM, OnTheJourney said:

I honestly don't think I'd book anything other than that anymore (if available of course). We were upgraded to that category one time and it spoiled us real quick. It was great having easy access to the upper level of the lounge, and then a quick trot down the stairs to Mamsen's.

Totally agree!  Either a PS1 or 2,  or an ES2 (on the newer ships our preferred ES is now an ES1 unfortunately).

14 hours ago, Hockeyump said:

Was it the female guitarist (we disembarked in Hong Kong)?  In our opinion she was too loud and the music was intrusive rather than background particularly at busy times.

Yes, a female guitarist.

1 hour ago, LindaS272 said:

We were on Jupiter in March 2020 when Viking shut down due to Covid. Jupiter was just a couple months old as I recall. On Orion in Nov. 2019, but I don’t know its build date.

Orion was built in 2018; Sea in 2016.

3 hours ago, Mich3554 said:

The Orion is probably slated for refurbishment.  We got off it on 5/14 as well and don’t agree with what was said totally.  In fact, meals in Chef’s Table and Manfredi’s were some of the best we have had.  We had excellent cabin attendants, and mostly ok service in WC.  
While we were on board, the carpet was replaced in the corridors.  DH noted that the floor in the Explorer’s lounge was buckling, near where it opens to the outside deck.  However, we noted this on the Jupiter as well, so suspect that there may be design issues with these 2 ships, since they were built about the same time.  

Admittedly, the British menu was good at Chef's Table,  although they substituted chicken eggs for quail eggs.  And in Manfredi's, I enjoyed the short rib.  DH enjoyed almost everything at Chef's Table, but didn't like anything at Manfredi's.

At the WC:  The eggs Benedict were always cold.  The seafood: shrimps, lobster and crab were consistently mushy -- like they had been frozen and then thawed a tad too long.  The NY Striploin was uncuttable.

In regards to ship shape, the floor in the Explorer's Lounge by the piano is totally worn and very deeply scratched.

When we started to cross the Pacific and all of the outdoor loungers were removed from the Aquavit, we noticed 2 large blotches on the deck, portside, which appeared to be holes.  These would ordinarily have been covered by a lounger or a side table.

Anyway, our point is, we feel that our 3 sailings on Viking Sea in the last 14 months were excellent and very good value.  Our sailing on Viking Orion -- not so much.  Hence, we are hoping that our experience on Venus will be as good as our sailings on Viking Sea.

We have 3 more cruises booked with Viking and we are very much hoping that our recent experience was an anomaly.

22 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

Crew happiness has little to with which ship they are serving on and a whole more to do with the tone set by the management team.  There is no way to predict who that team will be at booking.

 

Moreover, as a GM explained, the crew is constantly changing with handfuls of crew coming and going at a time as opposed to large blocks of personnel being replaced at one time.  V has found that it is easier to integrate smaller numbers at a time.

 

 

I agree with all of that. And our experience on Orion was definitely unexpected.
 

Obviously, one wouldn’t know for certain who the management team would be at booking — although, there might be a pattern if you really think about it. 

Hopefully our experience on Venus will be similar to our numerous experiences on Sea.

Regardless, Orion is not in good shape. And again, obviously, we wouldn’t take a cancellation hit on a whim. 

On 4/3/2024 at 8:09 PM, millybess said:

Just to add: dates, itinerary and availability of preferred cabin and location would be our deciding factors, not the ship. 

No longer true.  We will consider the ship.

We have sailed on Viking Sea 3 times since March 2023.  We sailed on Viking Orion once and disembarked on May 14th.

The difference was very surprising.  It was like it was a different cruiseline.

We had zero issues with staff on Orion, but Sea was different because it was a "happy ship" as far as the staff goes, and it showed.  There was a huge difference in staff being happy with their jobs  and also a difference in the service.

The food on Sea was consistently excellent in all venues for all 3 cruises.  The food on Orion over 5 weeks was consistently inedible -- just my opinion.

The condition of the Viking Sea ship was very different.  It was in very good shape.  The Orion is a newer ship, but appeared to be far more worn.  We had a PS2 and it had issues.  Just one example would be the carpet "bubbling", but there were other issues.  The Explorer's Lounge is in very rough shape.  The floor is very scratched and worn, and the arms of the chairs are ripping.

We had a cruise booked on Orion for March and have changed it to a similar cruise on Venus. So I take back what I said about not booking for the ship.  Hopefully the issues on Orion will be addressed.

8 hours ago, BlairsvilleCruiseGirl said:

We're on the younger end too and my playlist leans to rock also, so the non-stop "easy listening" music in all the bars tends to put me to sleep after a while!  I really, really wish they would have some rock music (recorded is fine - it doesn't have to be live) in one of the areas in the afternoon/evening!  If I could put in a wish list, it would be that the Aquavit Bar planned rock in the afternoons/evenings - that way we could have some cocktails and enjoy the view to some Up-Beat music.  And yes, I know I'm about to get jumped on by all the classical music fans on CC about how it's lovely and relaxing and beautiful, etc etc.  Agree, it is lovely and relaxing and beautiful, but I can only take so much before I just want someone to  🎵Start Playing that Old Time Rock n' Roll!🎵 😎

Absolutely agree with you.  We aren't so much on the "younger end", but would like some of the music to be more up-beat.

We disembarked Orion yesterday after a 5 week cruise. The guitar player in the Explorers Lounge played 3 sets every evening -- the same tune, just different lyrics.  It was mind-numbing.

On 4/1/2024 at 11:40 PM, Hockeyump said:

It is very hot! We have had a couple of issues but they have been dealt with very well. 

Welcome to Hong Kong.  We were sitting in the hotel having breakfast and you sailed right by -- a happy sight to see.  Sorry the weather is not great, but enjoy your day here!  

Just to add: dates, itinerary and availability of preferred cabin and location would be our deciding factors, not the ship. 

4 minutes ago, RobinB13 said:

Has anyone been on both ships?  I know they are supposed to be identical but with Sea a couple years older, is it showing more wear?  Trying to decide on a date for a cruise and not sure if that should be a factor.  Thanks.

We will be on Orion for the first time next week.

We have mostly sailed on Sea, and as recently as January. We really like Sea and we haven’t noticed any wear. 

14 minutes ago, MikeyB said:

Thanks for posting.

Simba is a wonderful beverage manager.

And we’ll have one of Viking’s better CDs. Should be fun!

22 minutes ago, SailorPaulH said:

I know currency exchange is not possible on board, but is it possible to break larger notes to smaller (same currency) on board?

We have often changed Euros and U.S $ at Guest Services for smaller bills. 

4 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

We have bookings in 2025 and 2026 and our TA OBC is on our invoice immediately on booking.

 

The OBC from our TA will apply if we go to MVJ and purchase optional excursions, SSBP, or pre-paid gratuities.

 

The things we look at on the invoice after booking are the final payment date, the cabin number, the dates if we are coming in early or staying after, and then that the OBC is there.

 

I also did not know that some don't see this until just before boarding.

 

We have received OBC or rather SBC from Viking for various reasons and that is not available until we board the ship, but it is still stated on the invoice.

 

Is this a difference between US and Canada invoicing?  Perhaps?

I don't think there is a difference between U.S. and Canada invoicing.  We never see our OBC from our TA until the day after we board

@Hockeyump  Actually I see you're getting off as we're getting on.  I hope you have enjoyed your cruise!

10 minutes ago, Hockeyump said:

I can't find the thread where @millybess (I think) asked for these details. Currently on Orion so up to date. Temperature in Explorers Lounge also mentioned. We are in there every night and either sleeveless or short sleeves. Walking around tonight I found the Living Room area cooler than the EL.

@Hockeyump  Thanks very much.  See you next week!  

21 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

We have been on 3 Viking WCs, two fully sold to complete world cruisers and one mostly full of segments,.  Approx. 200 full world cruisers or so we were told.  First thought is like Dee we fully enjoy the camaraderie built up with some guests.  However, there are always those that irritate you or worse.  Nice when they are segmenters and go home...  We also met some very nice segmenters we still keep in touch with and were sorry to see leave.  Personalities aside, segmenters invariably come aboard with the do everything at once mentality.  Hurry up cause we are going home soon.  Full world cruisers get into a much more relaxed vibe as you don't have to hurry and do everything.  There is always tomorrow.  Also full world cruisers get into the rhythm of the ship, understand the flow patterns at the World Cafe, don't feel the need to storm Manfredi's and the Chefs table after the first two or three visits makes that not a thing.  Segmentrers bring a bit of fresh outlook onboard but can also bring fresh cooties from their travels to the ship.  So, plusses and minuses for both.  Best plan is take one of each and see which you like best....🍸

Very insightful.  Thanks!

3 hours ago, kcpvwill said:

What are these ducks? Not seen any on the cruises we’ve done.

So I did a bit of research, and it seems they are rubber ducks that some pax bring on board with their name, location, etc. tagged.  They hide the duck, and If you find the duck, you add your name, location, etc.

Maybe it's a group on the F book?  I guess, eventually, the duck travels around the world.  I'm not sure I have this right.

2 hours ago, kcpvwill said:

What are these ducks? Not seen any on the cruises we’ve done.

Same.

4 minutes ago, bluesplayer said:

Very disappointing!!   Ugh..  Heading out in a few days with the beverage package.  In my case for upgraded wines.  Maybe a mistake..

If you are leaving in a few days, I guess you can't cancel the SSBP on MVJ, but you may be able to cancel it on board.