Mrs Miggins

June 23 Journey Spain Intensive. Lovely itinerary although disappointed we only arrive in Bordeaux at 8 pm on the day before departure. I thought we would have the whole day there. It's a Perry Golf cruise as well so I don't know if that will impact our usual Azamara experience.

Cruisemapper listed Quest in Marghera last April. We docked in Ravenna.

Mostly I agree with UK Tog. However I think we have more Viking experience. We have been on both. Viking 5 times, Azamara 12 with several B2Bs. We sailed both this year. Dress code is similar on both however because Viking is almost all North American clients then our observation would be that in the evening most people are more casual. There is a greater mix of nationalities on Azamara with more from the UK, Australia, New Zealand. To me it is one of its benefits. In a CC suite there is no uncharge for the speciality restaurants, otherwise it is $30 extra with packages available. The all inclusive Azamara policy means you can order included drinks and cocktails all day long. There are 4 included wines which often change but the waiter will try to find your favourite from before. This year food on Azamara was better than on Viking and service was superior. Usually I would mark them as similar. Presentation on Azamara better except in Chefs Table. We purchased the Silver Spirits package on Viking but often it took much longer to get our choice. Service was better on Azamara this year. On Viking Sky there were many new hires who seemed out of their depth particularly in the Main Dining Room. Usually I would mark them as similar. Viking's downside is their inflexibility as reported by UK tog. We missed Monte Carlo this year which was important to many onboard. Unusually I saw the Captain at the bar. I said that on previous Azamara cruises in the Med alternative ports were quickly found. (Genoa instead of Monaco for example) He seemed to say it was all too difficult to arrange. We docked in Ravenna instead of Venice. Azamara gave us an excellent Future Cruise Certificate. Viking docked in Tarragona instead of Barcelona - no recompense. Vikings main benefit is their beautiful ships. I love the Spa. Azamara seem to get better docking positions. Entertainment on Azamara has been better than Viking. We had an awful magician/pick pocket on 2 nights in the Theatre. One night a film. Viking did bring onboard Azamara favourites the tenor David Righeschi and Maria Salvini. Sadly the theatre was half empty. We had a good Night under the Stars on Viking but it does not really compare with Azamara's White Night. The guest lecturer onboard Viking was poor this year, perhaps not typical. For the Greek Islands I would choose Azamara. They are more flexible. Their ships are a little smaller. The itinerary for Azamara 11 days in May 23 is better than the Viking 11 days in May 23 in my opinion There have been numerous threads on this subject. All of our plus points will be different. We all want slightly different things. Whichever you choose you will have a wonderful time, especially if you have not visited this lovely region before.

There is a replica of the 70 metre long Bayeux Tapestry in Reading museum. Embroidered by 35 Victorian women in 1885 because “England should have a copy of its own” Slight differences from the original as the women added ‘pants’ to cover the modesty of some naked men. Apparently the male staff at the South Kensington Museum had added underwear to the hand coloured photos they were using !

The Viking link to the 1066 events shown in the Bayeux Tapestry (actually an embroidery )parts of which are depicted onboard the Viking ships, are a little tenuous William the Conqueror was a Norman, however his Great Great Great Grandfather was Rollo a Viking Chieftain who attacked Northern France in AD 911 and became Duke of Northern France. Whilst the artefacts are interesting I could never work out why they were on a 'Viking' ship.

The lectures on our September Viking cruise were poor. Every word was read from a text and the visuals must have been prepared about 20 years ago. I want both good Entertainment and good lectures. The band in Torshavn and the Guitarist were both excellent however.

Despite all the advertising in the UK the percentage of UK passengers seems very low. There were only about 20 on our Viking cruise. On Azamara we had 49%. I don't think Viking are very interested in us. Their audience is from North America so naturally everything is geared towards them. I do think it rather strange that their Piano and violin duo in The Atrium was often playing to a single figure audience but Viking seem to think that gives an "high or upper class" feeling to the ship. I felt rather sorry for the girls who appeared as disinterested as those few in the room. When the bar got a little livelier and louder they were completely ignored. When they finished a couple of people did clap but with very little enthusiasm. We have had good times on Viking and met some lovely people, but there did seem to be a lot of underwhelmed guests onboard. The crossover from River Cruising is obviously a good source of new clients but many seemed completely unaware of the essential differences between River and Ocean.

We are only interested in European cruises. Viking itineraries need an update as many others have said. This year we cruised with Azamara, Scenic and Viking. I have booked a lovely itinerary with Azamara which includes several new ports for us. We have been cruising for 20 years so it's difficult to find a new place. I will also book Scenic again. I have not booked anything on Viking yet. Our last cruise with them was lacking in a number of ways. Viking is still a class act with their big bonus being their beautiful ships but food, service and entertainment were not up to the standard of our previous cruises. New itineraries please, and then they will be back on our list.

So sorry but sometimes I do not understand your posts. What does the first sentence mean ?

6041 is one of the obstructed view OV which are smaller than normal OV and Balcony Cabin. You will have extra space !

Padua is a lovely place to visit. We just went on the train from Venice so I can't comment on the actual Viking excursion. Driving time from Chioggia, according to Google maps, is about an hour.

It's difficult I know. We went to Ravenna, which we really enjoyed, the famous Mosaics are splendid. This actually worked well for us as we have been lucky enough to visit Venice and stay in there wonderful hotels over many years, but had never been to Ravenna. Friends went to Chioggia with Viking but said the long boat transfer for the excursions to Venice severely restricted their time. Other lines are using Trieste which is also a nice place to visit but not if Venice itself is the actual goal. The only plan that works at the moment is to stay for at least a few days in wonderful Venice. That gives the opportunity to experience seeing it at night, which is magical. Hope you find an answer.

Yes but of course but SeaDream is "Yachting not Cruising". We have docked in San Basilio with Azamara but sadly not this year only 600 or so passengers but not the 100 that SeaDream have. My main point is that many Cruise Lines still state Venice as a port, and even Azamara have said they will be back in Venice proper this year, but I am sure that is dependent on the local Authority who have made last minute changes this year even for Viking.

Love the spell check. Fusina/Margherita has a festive cocktail sound, nothing like the actual industrial port of Marghera.

Sorry my comment should have been directed to Sockysunshine post 13 who says in future they will take a different cruise line. I know the current situation having docked in Ravenna in April instead of Fusina/Margherita. Some people obviously do not understand the decisions are made by the local authorities in Venice and not by the individual cruise lines.

Which cruise line do you think docks in Venice ?

We were on a back to back and Venice (or as it turned out Ravenna) was our final port. In fact we were given a FCC along with all those who had believed we would dock in the industrial port of Venice. We had a couple of months notice I think but not sure.

In April we were due to dock in Marghera/Fusina on Quest. We ended up in Ravenna, despite Marghera being listed by Cruisemapper, and Azamara used Ravenna for the rest of the 2022 season. Cruisemapper are again listing Azamara for Marghera in May. It is also listing Viking who used a combination of Marghera and Chioggia through 2022. Despite this Viking have confirmed to their passengers that they will continue to use Chioggia for the 2023 season. I hope you do get to dock in Marghera, whilst it is nothing like the wonderful San Basilio dock, at least you are closer to Venice. On the upside, Ravenna is lovely, and friends who ended up in Chioggia enjoyed that too despite the hour and a half transfer by boat that they had on Viking.

Been reviewing my photos. In 2018 St Tropez - (Monte Carlo New years Day) the party was in the Atrium. Quite crowded with lots of people sitting on the stairs and the four piece band from Torshaven set up next to the grand piano with a couple of singers. The screen at the top of the stairs showing NYE around the world. In 2019 - Rome, there was a party around the pool as well. That year we had fallen amongst thieves (English saying) from Florida. We certainly had had far more to drink that night so perhaps thats why I had forgotten that bit. Notice quite a few jackets and sparkle - On New Year's Day there was a spectacular Brunch laid out around the pool.

Have done 2 New Year's Eve on Viking in the Med. Both times the party was in the Atrium. Fairly low key compared with other reports on this thread. Very enjoyable, People did dress up a little thank goodness so that it did look special. Most people in bed by 12.30.

I was lucky as one change is allowed on onboard bookings so I have got the additional OBC. However I have lost the Essential Package ($300 shore excursions, one unlimited wi fi and premium beverage package) Really surprised that they allowed this especially as our cabin category is sold out. Thanks for the heads up ! Cruise Critic can be really helpful (if occasionally extremely annoying).

I booked onboard in April for a June 23 14 day cruise. Is it worth me trying ? Is the $1000 dollars in addition to the onboard booking benefits. I did read the T & Cs so I know Azamara may not agree to give me this extra OBC. Whilst I love my TA I am not always sure she will 'push' for extra from Azamara. We have not yet booked flights and I see the current offering is not great with an indirect flight from LHR to Barcelona and an indirect flight home from Bordeaux. Is it worth trying for direct flights with Azamara, which might make it a "new' booking.

This exchange may categorise the different vibe I noticed onboard. Advertising needs to be taken with a pinch of salt. Research is the key to find out what actually is included. A few onboard hadn’t done any apparently and had little idea about any of the ports, local customs, or what to expect onboard plus a certain feeling of entitlement which is unattractive.

I have some sympathy with Viking here as a flight deviation must lead to passengers in diverse locations. Presumably any transfer to the ship might have to be an essentially private one by taxi. Cost wise not at all the same as collecting and transporting a large group by bus from an airport. However I do agree that the wording is misleading. In regard to other ‘included’ items in comparison to Azamara (I know we both love them) I appreciate the free wi fi, the speciality restaurants at no extra cost, the lovely spa area, afternoon tea service plus sometimes better shuttle services for example Piraeus to Central Athens. I would mention I have booked another Azamara cruise but not another Viking. The vibe onboard Our last Viking cruise was certainly different to our previous ones. I have been reading the thread on that subject with interest. My recent Scenic river cruise was certainly the All Inclusive winner. Pick up from home, transfers across Paris for our rail journey , premium drinks including champagne, fantastic included shore excursions plus a lovely mix of passengers.

MORE FEATURES, SERVICES AND EXCURSIONS INCLUDED: Return flights from London and selected regional airports One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call Free Wi-Fi (connection speed may vary) Beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner 24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water Port taxes & fees Ground transfers with Viking Air purchase Visits to UNESCO Sites Enrichment lectures & Destination Performances Access to The Nordic Spa & state-of-the-art fitness center Self-service launderettes Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge 24-hour room service Onboard gratuities ALL STATEROOMS INCLUDE: King-size Viking Explorer Bed with luxury linen 42" flat-screen LCD TV with intuitive remote & complimentary Movies On Demand Large private bathroom with spacious glass-enclosed shower, heated floor, anti-fog mirror & hair dryer Premium Freyja toiletries Direct-dial satellite phone and cell service Security safe 110/220 volt outlets Ample USB ports Cultural Curriculum® Meals including regional specialties Most al fresco dining at sea Walking track & sports deck 24-hour Guest Services Welcome Cocktails & Farewell Reception Curated library Viking Service Guarantee