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

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.

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!

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!

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

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

Yup… I did, LOL

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.

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

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

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

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