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We were in 3048 and loved it. So quiet, but that was in 2021 when Covid restrictions were still in place. Still thought it was a great location.

Thanks for the review. I am researching Azamara as it looks like it has great itineraries. I was a bit turned off by the request for 'optional' tipping when signing a bill/check. That has gotten out of hand everywhere, not just cruise ships. If the drinks package includes gratuities, they should not be having staff mention the option for an optional tip, nor should the app make you choose '0'.

Some good ideas already. I have been packing light for almost 40 years of international travel ala Rick Steves. My first trip to Europe for six weeks was in carryon and I haven’t looked back. My carryon weighs 25 pounds all packed. Complete mix and match, lightweight and quick dry clothing. I like to look nice when traveling so packing light just helps me me more organized.

As a potential new O cruiser, I am pleased by what I see. I have mentioned that I have been interested in O, but the onramp to the new lingo and way everything was organized currently is daunting. I do compare it to Viking who makes it incredibly easy for a person. I like that more things are included and I don't need a spreadsheet to determine which option to take. If O would consider allowing 2 internet connections per stateroom as part of included, would be wonderful. I don't see how 1 connection is any value.

The confusing options are the main reasons I haven’t booked with O. I have been on Viking a few times and really like the all inclusive. I do like the O itineraries but I haven’t been able to figure out what my cost would really be with all the add ons

I want to second the 'clear as mud' comment. I want to try Oceania, but I think they make it difficult for first timers. It is dizzying to me to figure out all of the miscellaneous items and what they cover, etc. I am a relatively new cruiser and have taken two Viking cruises. They do make it simple: beer and wine included at all meals, wifi free with 2 connections per stateroom, one included excursion at each port, clear pricing on the extra drinks package, paid excursions, etc. I have heard so many good things though about Oceania food and their itineraries so I'm trying to wade through the confusion to see if I can figure it out. I imagine it is like learning a new language: extremely challenging at first and then easy once you know it.

Thanks for the continued conversations on this topic. I am still thinking about an Oceania cruise and will look forward to the reviews coming from several of you after you experience both lines.

I so appreciate this topic. I have been trying to compare and it is a big headache. The one advantage to Viking is the almost all-inclusive fares. Oceania fare structure seems so very confusing and I agree you need a spreadsheet to compare apples to apples. Viking does make it easy to just pay one price and have less to think about. And the ships are beautiful and rooms very spacious and comfortable.

Thanks for posting! We were on the Venus in 2021 and really enjoyed the Gavi di Gavi. Now I can see the specifics and order it here in the US.

Hello: I am a relatively new cruiser. I have taken one Carnival cruise many years ago, and then most recently a Viking ocean and river cruise. I really enjoyed Viking a lot as most things are included, the ship is nice and quiet, and rooms are large with balconies, etc. But, it looks like Azamara offers some different opportunities that other cruise lines don't. I see the variety in dining options, the Azamazing excursion, White Nights, etc. I have read many of the posts on CruiseCritic and watched videos to get a feel for the ships, how things work, etc. I really was spoiled by Viking with all balcony rooms, large rooms, generous bathrooms, included excursions, free wi fi, etc. I admit the Azamara rooms seemed smaller and the bathrooms especially. So, I'm hoping to hear from veteran Azamara cruisers who have done other lines. Should I give Azamara a try? What do you think is the big difference? Or is there really no substantial difference and I should focus on itinerary to determine a cruise line? (I have also looked at Oceania but their pricing structure seems way too confusing.) Thanks for considering this post. I appreciate all input.

Thanks for this thread. We have sailed one Viking Ocean cruise and are very interested to see how they compare to other lines. We really loved our experience and I hope to book more cruises in the future. We sailed last year and only 198 passengers on our ship. Loved the service, but definitely did not have the crew recognize us and know our name during an 11 day cruise. I don't fault that, though, a lot to expect for crew to remember 930 passenger names.

We were just in Passau in early August on a Viking cruise. The eBike excursion is quite expensive for 3 hours, so we opted out and walked around the city. If you really do want to do an eBike, there are 2 places in town where you can rent an eBike for about $20-30 Euros for the day and you can easily do the route on your own. We tried to rent the bike, but you needed an advance reservation. The ebike rental shops are just in the town and easy to reach by foot.

We just completed our first river cruise last month. It was on Viking, Amsterdam to Budapest. Viking had included air and it was nice not having to find our own flights, especially as flights are not cheap these days. We paid $100 extra to fly into Amsterdam a day early. We had a swan level room and it was just fine for us. You really are not in your room very much. The realities of a river cruise are much different, so it is helpful to be prepared. There is only one restaurant and only one main lounge area, so river cruises are really set up for mingling with others. Hopefully by next year Covid will be a thing of the past, but this year it just made for close quarters and lots of Covid running through the ship. Be prepared for river level issues and adjustments to the schedule and you will be just fine. The route is quite beautiful along the Rhine and the Danube and we really enjoyed our time, even if we did come home with Covid.

it really depends on which service provider you have. We have TMobile so our plan allows texts and data. When we had ATT, we only used wi fi and turned off cellular for the entire trip ,including roaming. We used Whatsapp for communicating with folks back home and FaceTime if we needed to call (which we didn't)

We were just on a river cruise, not ocean, and masks not required, although we wore them on buses, anytime on an indoor excursion. Difficult to avoid Covid though as we are packed in together in the lounge and restaurant, as the purpose of river cruising is really for mingling. We were one of the unlucky ones to come down with Covid upon return. Glad I didn't have it on the ship as I would not have liked isolating in our swan level room. I am hoping that those of you isolated now are only for the 5 required days and then you are free to roam with a mask. Glad they adjusted the CDC guidance make it more reasonable.