friendlyfifer

Now a Canadian is making me smile. 🤣 I’d be interested to know if you agree with anything Uktog has said? Your summary of Viking makes me think your views would be beneficial. Poor Viking! Many of your points are harsh but true. I don’t want to see another Beatles or ABBA show but do enjoy the classical music and onboard speakers. In my 60s I am often one of the youngest on board and other passengers do hold me back on the ‘Tesco’-like tours. The ships are lovely and, unlike a visit to IKEA, very calming. The food offering needs to be updated. The crew is great and officers are quick to respond to any concerns raised with them. Thanks for your input.

I am an avid YouTube viewer and watched the same review of cruise lines. Like you I enjoy a cocktail or two and am not concerned that my teabag of choice may not be available on board. The Viking crew is excellent providing good service without fawning over the guests. Officers are keen to rectify any problems and I love the ships. The food is ok but needs updating and the theatre shows need a complete rethink. I’ll either take the plunge with Explora or head over to Silversea. Thanks for your input.

As a fellow Scot, you always make me smile.We feel we need a change from Viking and thought that Explora would be it. However from your comments it is definitely not our cup of tea.

I’m going off topic, sorry. Our last 4 cruises have been with Viking. How do Explora compare? We’ve also sailed with Silversea. Thanks

I am a fan of both the Beatles and ABBA. As a very young child I had Beatles wallpaper in my bedroom. My point is, how long can Viking flog the two groups? Surely frequent, repeat cruisers with Viking deserve something completely new?

Viking, firstly, would need to accept that it is time for a change. They could survey current and previous passengers or look at entertainment on other cruise ships. It is an emotive subject but, at my age, it won’t be long before I think I’m hearing the Beatles and ABBA on Viking for the first time.

I don’t disagree with you, there are many offerings which keep us coming back to Viking. However, subtle changes would be appreciated when it comes to shows, music in public areas and menus. The ships are beautiful and it is great to board any ship and know where everything is. The crew are amazing too. People of all ages know and love the Beatles and ABBA but surely Viking should want to put them out to grass at some stage. Also would the young entertainers not prefer to sing more contemporary songs?

I despair!! Viking is stuck in a time warp. Why develop two new shows around the music of the two groups that they have been flogging to death for years? Sadly our next cruise will be with another cruise line. We love Viking but need something new.

I left school in 1974 when ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest, that was fifty years ago. Surely Viking can come up with something a little closer to the present day. Enjoy the shows when you do see them. The show that has hits from the West End and Broadway is good but I suspect Viking don’t have the performance rights to some of the big hits from the last 50 years.

You’re right but having seen the ABBA and Beatles shows at least three times, enough is enough. ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1974, the year I left school. The Beatles are even older. Viking really do need to ring the changes.

We are thinking of booking another cruise. Can people who have sailed in the last few months tell me what shows are currently on board? We really don’t want to see tributes to ABBA or the Beatles ever again.

Clearly you are American. Why oh why would you have leftover steak reheated the following day? Order a half portion instead.

You’re simply being obtuse. If you are struggling with the Viking dress standards then choose another cruise line. There are plenty who wouldn’t object to your torn/ distressed look.

You should speak to the cruise line and get them to include the words ‘new’, ‘newer’, ‘quality’ and ‘dress’ in their description of accepted jeans. Do you real think that will resolve the issue? Of course it won’t. If the trousers can in anyway be described as jeans, then leave them at home or only wear them before 6.00 p.m..

We had a very loud American lady who came to afternoon tea in her bathrobe. She also wore it to Trivia just before lunch. My first thought was that she had learning difficulties but I suspect she simply wanted to be the centre of attention.

If they are jeans then don’t wear them to dinner. It simply puts the crew in a difficult position having to make a decision. It would also annoy me that jeans, expensive or otherwise, are being permitted.

From one old man to another, well said.

Jeans are made from denim and can be of various colours. Also jeans have rivets. The internet gives a definition. If in doubt, don’t pack them.

Why the debate? If you are wearing jeans or shorts you should be denied entry to the dining room. Your jeans may be expensive and your shorts made of a quality material but that doesn’t change the rules. And, while I’m having a rant 🤣, do not wear a baseball hat in the dining room. I have also seen less than acceptable evening wear in the Explorers’ Lounge after 6.00 p.m. but I’ll leave that for another day.

Clay, Clayfon was on the Sky when you and we did the TA just as Covid struck. I think it was his first contract with Viking. We met up with him a few years later. Please send him our best wishes (George and David from Scotland). Thank you too for all your photos and posts from the WC. We are so jealous.

I should think the majority of cruise lines have only frozen lobster. I’ve never seen live lobsters being loaded onto a cruise ship. Why Americans get so excited about a lobster night I have no idea.

You made me smile. As a Scot/European I agree that the metric system should be universal. Unfortunately, the US is out of sync with the rest of the world on so many issues and Viking have to pander to them and their inability to convert to metres, At our local university gym last week an American student jumped on the scales. He shouted to his friends ‘what’s 68kg in ‘American’? He’s at the top UK university and yet struggles with metric measurements.

Thanks for the quick response. Everything is of course subjective but I do value the opinion of a fellow Scot.

I’d be interested to get your thoughts on EJ. We’ve sailed with Viking, Silversea and Celebrity. Thanks

Thank you for your response. I agree with your comments regarding the Restaurant and World Cafe on Viking. I would be interested in your views on the average age of passengers on Viking versus Seabourn. Also are there more nationalities on one or the other? Viking seems to be 90%+ Americans. We came off the Viking Jupiter in early December after a three week crossing from Barcelona to Buenos Aires.