chipmaster

Good advice, we recently completed a 15 day viking and booked many attraction tickets directly.  When you do a search what comes up at the top is ALWAYS commercial sites that cost more.   

As noted all companies and attractions have their own site and they are always cheapest.   

We did find we had to use a reseller a few times for show tickets, museum as the time we wanted were sold out.  We worried a bit about if they were selling counterfeit but in our case was all good, YMMV.   

I didn't do the NCL, but seems Viking offered similar.  Even on the boat the  excursion desk had little clue to the exact schedule.  Upon badgering 🙂  the produced a hypothetical they would show us for the eventual Excursion we did take in Florence.    Than when we got on it we discovered they were doing it in reverse!.

I don't have a good recommendation for how to balance a ship excursion with pre-bought tickets to a museum or other.      I do know there are a bunch of second hand resellers.  We used that for the Academia on one day.  Was a small premium but they had limited tickets and their agent was standing right outside the entrance and each allotted time hour had what looked like between 5-10 customers.    Sadly for the Ufizzi we didn't have that option and had to wait about 30' in the no preserved line.   

Good luck

Just now, WanderingBrit said:

There were plenty of folks in the gym just after it opened at 06:00, and we weren't missing time in port or anything else 🙂

I guess I party too late in the night on vacation to want to do 6am, LOL.   I only do that when I'm working, I'm on vacation 😉 

I'd be curious what the gym crowd at 6am is on Viking 

Don't go cheap, make sure it has what you need and is well built.  Nothing worse than buy-in cheap and paying twice for it.

BTW on our recent cruise we heard many stories of people getting things lifted from my ship.  Not sure if it was the demographics or what.       Even I lost something, luckily it was replaceable, my backup phone, thank god they lifted the "wrong" one.   

 My final thought after our first Viking, we found it a good value and deserving of whatever they have been able to market as the "best smalll cruise".  

When we reflect back on the food, entertainment, ship and intangibles of the experience as well as the port offering for the included we have no regrets with the money we paid nor the choice going with them for our recent cruise.  They have a niche, and hope they can hold that niche as I would sail them again if that is the niche I'm looking for on my next cruise, YMMV

We had the chance to mingle with a few couples on the tour shared meals, on board, and during the social time.   I wasn't surprised by the average age, but more the actual backgrounds. But I don't cruise necessarily based on who my mates would be, but I know if you are looking for a certain ambience than your mates become part of that consideration and Viking might not be for many people. 

On 2/24/2024 at 9:04 PM, ericosmith said:

By the same token, I prefer they be added automatically.  I don't want to have to go to a desk to add tips.  I know, many people like to tip individually and personally but how else are the people you never see going to share in the tips.  Yes, I'd prefer they'd be included in the fare but it's not much different when they charge them automatically.  Oh, and I've yet to see a line whose price includes gratuities that doesn't point that out in capitol letters.  

We just got off our first cruise.  I see no problem with the auto add, and then for the waiters and our room steward we gave them something extra when we saw them at the various dining venues or during the cruise for our steward.  BTW they were all excellent, was an amazing environment!

On 2/25/2024 at 7:45 AM, janetcbl said:

The only reason we don’t pay gratuities in advance is we have often had excursions cancelled and end up wit a lot of extra OBC, which is helpful in paying for gratuities at the end of the trip.

Aren't the gratuities for the crew of the ship?   For excursion those are dispensed from what we saw to the guides and drives at the end of the tour.

We took our first viking after sampling so many other lines.  As to the value that is one debate versus the mainstream line, but wouldn't hesitate to make this our 1st choice for a SO only cruise.    

As to the merits of a public versus private.  I can't see this will make the experience any better on ship.  If anything the need to report quarterly finances can't be a good thing fundamentally.  

On our cruise we were told how wonderful the crew retention rate was > 97% was the number claimed.  I can't imagine this going up once they are a public company!

On 2/25/2024 at 8:47 PM, ParrotheadG said:

What are the hours of the spa and gym? TIA!

Very limited,  on our cruise was 6am to 8pm.   All I know it was shock to me how early it closed, but again given the demographics maybe not.  We wanted to use the spa facilities after an early dinner CLOSED *****!    I wanted to do it late after a dinner and before the Super Bowl onboard at 12:30 am, CLOSED.  Pretty much unless you skip time in port or some other thing, CLOSED. 

Just got off a European, there were lots of duty free in port right at the dock.  I'd never buy from the ship what you can get in port for cheaper and more selection, just saying...

Cruise ship amenities vary, but some provide robes others don't.  

Cruise ship layout varies and for some the pool are mid and aft and spas are top at the front our back so using the spa facilities can be hit or miss.

You are on a cruise, I've never seen any issues with strolling in flip-flops and swim suite with a shirt for guys, or towel wrap. For women a wrap or shirt thrown over the suit.

In the warm weather cruise you see a lot less modest people too, wander to and fro, LOL 

6 hours ago, epimom007 said:

We will be cruising from Rome to Venice on the Viking Jupiter in April. What time are the shows, typically? We weren’t able to get dinner reservations earlier than 8-8:30, and fear we will miss the entertainment. 
 

thanks. 

On our cruise the shows started 8:30 or 9pm

12 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

Then write Viking asking for extended hours.  I was just sharing what I understood to be the situation and could have something to do with the hours.

 

If you don't like the hours - write them and investigate why for yourself.

Yup… I did, LOL

25 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

Very true on the gym and spa hours, but if I am not mistaken, I have always understood that after the spa and gym closes for the night, it is available to some crew.

I may be wrong with this, but this is what I understand.  

Well good for the crew.  I hear after the restaurants close the crew also works to clean it.  Neither is relevant to me.

i have never been on a cruise where the gym hours were so short and limiting.  I appreciate most of the demographic spends little to no time exercise, Still leaving it open probably late and early probably not going to impact nor limit the crew.   
 

I did squeeze in some workouts and would have no issue working out with the crew over the other passengers.

13 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

I agree that Viking is appropriate for the main demographic that is the Viking guest, BUT, we are younger than the main demographic and we love the Viking atmosphere.  We don't want the noise, crowds, casinos, etc.  We enjoy the more sedate atmosphere of the Viking experience.

 

I sometimes think that Viking have a reputation that suggests only the older crowd will enjoy.  We think that more would enjoy Viking if they gave it a try.

A couple things that could be considered that is probably consistent with the old folks 😉   Longer gym and spa hours,  not everyone stops and goes too bed that early 

YMMV,  having done many cruises lines and tours I would say there is little difference between a Viking tour and any other line in terms of big bus.  If anything be ready for a different demographic and slower pace.

I do think the guides and schedules are more considerate of the demographics of the customers 

I just got off and had no problem getting a beer or wine at the World Cafe or by the pool anytime they were open.  You need to ask the waiters as they seem to have to bring it to you.  
 

Go to any of the  bar or Lounge is a charge except for coffee and such.

All and  all they make every attempt to give you the experience they promised!

Having sailed a few cheaper lines, I can say there was nothing disappointing about Viking and I can understand their high rating.   Given their demographics they seem to know it well and cater the experience and ports and excursions  very sensitive to keep that demographic happy.   

See my signature of what I’ve sailed, we really enjoyed the Viking food, tops IMHO

21 hours ago, netpj said:

We were wondering if anyone has sailed this particular itinerary, or similar, between late December and mid January?.  Any comments on what could be expected regarding weather?  We know it is not the ideal time of year but are intrigued by itinerary and the fact that it would be quieter than other times of the year.  Thanks in advance.

Do some research about historical and remember with climate changes we are seeing more and more extreme.

We are finishing up a two week on Viking that visited Greece, Turkey, Italy and Spain with additional land days.  We had clear and dry but cold days to whipping horizontal rains.   
 

We were lucky and and had 4 of 5 days dry in Paris and similar in London that were wonderful and perfect to be out and about.  Now hear  Eiffel Tower is closed due to strikes and nothing but rain for days.   
 

Hope for the best and plan for the worst.  There is a reason it is low season.   Pack planning for the worst!

We did our first Viking Ocean and found it about what you’d expect on a smaller ship designed for older folks.

Others have already described the evening options.  If a more active and high level is what you are looking for Viking will be a disappointment.  As we were sailing for the ports and better food we didn’t find the more slower and limiting options disappointing, appropriate for the demographics is probably what it is, LOL

On 1/6/2024 at 4:39 PM, mrstraveler1987 said:

Please help me decide on a cruise to choose.

Who- husband and wife- mid 30s- 

What- 10 year anniversary cruise

Where- Mediterranean 

When- late August/ September 

 

We have two small children - but they are NOT coming with. 

 

Budget- around $10,000 not including air fair, excursions, hotel before or after ect. Not a strict budget but around that. 

 

What we like- upscale , luxury, not big party scene, don’t mind being youngest, good food, quality drinks , we love private areas ( like the retreat on holland America). 

 

Our options 

1) Oceania - 7 days - concierge level vacancy - INCLUDES air fair - $9,096

2) azmara journey- 7 days- club level balcony - no air fair - $6,506

3) azmara- 9 nights- club level balcony- no air - $9,374

4) halland america - 7 days- Neptune suite - no air - $5,558 or veranda suite - $3,342

5) seabourn- 7 days - veranda suite - no air- $7,642

6) Cunard - 7 days- queen suit with butler - no air- $7251

 

Please help me!

Why not consider Viking Ocean?   We are doing that, leaving in a few days.

On 1/22/2024 at 9:13 PM, randyjoan said:

We see Viking has resumed trips to China. We had a trip there scheduled and canceled because of the pandemic and are wondering if it is worth the health risk, not to mention the political climate  and the idea of contributing money to that immoral country.

 We talked to Viking about their15-day Classic China in September or October.

  Thoughts, anyone?

I used to travel bi-weekly to China, never had a concern as long as you followed the rules and didn't have a history of behavior that would be considered offensive, LOL.

Did they over react to the pandemic, yes.    From what I see now, probably pretty safe as long as you don't have as note some colorful history or a background that might cause them to detain you, if you do you are SOL.  

My son is there again first time since the pandemic for three weeks.   He also used to travel monthly there before the pandemic.

"contribute money to that immoral country" ?? check around but probably a lot of things you buy and use is made in china by them immoral country, LOL

I am going on my first Viking, I'll be sure to drop back with some comments and pictures.   Only a few days before embarkation 😀

Everyone has different concerns but for me I care most about shoes that are comfortable and I won’t regret spending all day hoofing in them, day in and day out.  As long as they are not torn up and not inappropriate  who cares if I look like a tourist, after all I am, LOL