friendlyfifer

On 4/30/2024 at 4:04 PM, Clay Clayton said:

Birthday? You must have me confused with somebody else.  I don’t celebrate them anymore! 
 

Mojitos have become my LCR drink because our LCR bartender Clayfon makes such tasty ones!

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.

On 4/16/2024 at 2:02 AM, duquephart said:

"Lobster Night" on a Viking cruise is no big deal - unless one thinks frozen lobster of unknown orign is a big deal.

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.

On 2/14/2024 at 8:13 PM, claranda said:

It turns out, much to my surprise, that Viking (and I suspect most cruise lines) only give their stateroom sizes in sq ft! I usually look for comparisons on a generic site that lists both ft and metres and hadn’t picked up on this. Oh well, even though only three nations still use imperial measurements, the vast majority of cruisers hail from the US (not many from Liberia or Myanmar), so the rest of the world must do the conversion! Not a problem - I’m of an age that remembers imperial…

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.

55 minutes ago, uktog said:

We really enjoyed it. Think Viking Space but with even better food and of course drinks included with excellent service. The entertainment isn’t good but they’re onto that problem and the entertainment director left during our second cruise. It needs a rethink and someone to manage whatever they offer. (I think there was a wrong hire as the lady wanted to be seen as a performer). 

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

On 1/5/2024 at 6:50 PM, uktog said:

My onboard experience - it’s certainly not pretentious. Names are a minor irritant but not enough to dismiss the line 

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

1 hour ago, netpj said:

We second the views of Vineyard View and will just add a couple of comments.  We were on Seabourn Ovation over Christmas.  It never felt crowded, in fact we thoroughly enjoyed the cruise.  We are presently on Viking Star with a lot of sea days.  The ship is beautiful, the crew outstanding, the food pretty good but to us the ship feels crowded on the sea days, lineups for the restaurant and often the World Cafe (where the food is often cold).  We are in PH JS and agree it does not really match up to veranda  accommodation on SB(bathroom in particular).  We also agree about the pricing comments.  One “basic” tip ur included with Viking along with several expensive options.  We will consider Viking in the future but will likely book Seabourn first, again it is personal preference.

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.

We are thinking of booking a Seabourn cruise for the first time. Having sailed with Viking and Silversea in the past, what differences will we notice?

On 11/21/2023 at 2:45 PM, Heidi13 said:

 

The number of sea days is entirely dependant on the itinerary and the cruise line. I have seen a number of Grand Voyages over the past 40 years that have just as many sea days as World Cruises. When a cruise crosses an ocean, regardless of whether it is classed as a World Cruise or Grand Voyage, it generally has more sea days

 

The type of cruise line has a huge impact in the ratio of sea days to port days on both World Cruises and Grand Voyages, with Premium/Luxury lines normally having a much higher percentage of port days. Since you mentioned 3-months for a World Cruise, I assume you refer to one of the mainstream mega ship cruise lines, since many Luxury/Premium lines take 4-months for a Grand Voyage and 6-months, or more, for a World Cruise.

 

Our 2015 World Cruise on Princess took 104 days and less than 40 were port days. In 2020, the Viking World Cruise lasted 245-days, having only 1 stretch of 8 sea days. Well over 60% were port days, which is better than most Grand Voyages that include an ocean transit.

 

When comparing Grand Voyages to World Cruises you also need to compare the total costs, specifically the included benefits. As an example, Viking did not provide any additional benefits to Grand Voyages, which can be 90+ days, but World Cruises receive a host of benefits worth many thousands of dollars, including considerable OBC, luggage shipping, Visa procurement, etc.

 

I certainly wouldn't consider World Cruises as uninspiring, but that is all up to individual expectations. Personally, I couldn't image booking a Caribbean cruise and even the Meddy, which has some great ports, but many of them are grossly overcrowded. Even back in the days when I worked an entire Australia cruise season, we went to most of the same islands every 2-weeks. Boring possibly, but certainly not uninspiring. I have seen many fabulous World Cruise itineraries from a variety of cruise lines, especially cruises based on smaller ships.

 

 

I always look forward to reading your contributions. I generally agree with your views and value your comment. As a fan of Viking , they would be my choice for a world cruise. That said, I think they need to update there offering.

Viking Vesta will be longer and wider than current ships. Having looked at the deck plans, they look identical to the current fleet. There will be more cabins but where will the increase in width show itself?

8 hours ago, 2cruisecats said:

If you want a particular side or area, ask and they will do their best to accommodate you. Side note! Last cruise, we asked to be set in Adri’s section.  Little did we know there were a few by that name.  We should have specified side ( port or starboard) and even the 100 or 200 section!

Abdi and Ian were our favourite waiters on Jupiter. They were very professional but also good fun. Papillon was on the front desk and he tried his best to find a table in the right section for us. ⭐️

Get to know the crew member on the front desk of the restaurant. No matter your category of suite they will always try to seat you where you prefer.

17 minutes ago, makai 7 said:

Just off the Viking Star, our first and most likely last Viking Ocean cruise.  
 

We agree with the OP- the age and physical limitations of a large proportion of the passengers was surprising to us.  There were several passengers who clearly had dementia.  Their spouses worked hard to take care of them- but this was not what we had expected to experience.

 

and for dress; we saw everything from sloppy to very elegant.  We are casual dressers, but sloppy was surprising.

Viking is an excellent cruise line with wonderful crew. I hope they read comments such as yours. In my opinion, they need to widen the demographic of passengers both in terms of age and nationality and enforce their dress code.

I believe a new class of ship will be joining the Viking fleet shortly. Perhaps Viking should use this as an opportunity to look at their whole offering and make changes where needed.

12 minutes ago, travel4b said:

I’m afraid that pretty much parallels our experience. A shame, really, as the ship is gorgeous and the crew generally great. We are booked on an Athens to Mumbai itinerary in the fall but will probably cancel for the above reasons.  

This was not our first cruise with Viking, On previous cruises the average age was probably 65. The transatlantic cruise possibly attracted  an older demographic because of the number of sea days. Don’t give up on Viking. They are a great cruise line with wonderful crew,

18 hours ago, travel4b said:

Again, no disrespect at all but so many of the passengers have obvious infirmities.  There are many with canes or walkers and more that seem to struggle walking any distance. As for dress, not to open Pandora’s box, but there might as well not be a dress code. Every night we’ve seen more than a few tee shirts and grubby jeans. “Casual Elegant” seems to be a wishful concept for those that do clear the tee shirt/jeans bar. 

I agree wholeheartedly with your comments. We disembarked Viking Jupiter on 6 December having sailed from Barcelona to Buenos Aires.
 

We were told by a senior crew member that there was a high percentage of passengers in their 80s and 90s. There were a large number of less able passengers. This made moving around the ship and getting on and off the ship slower for others. Many of the less able signed-up for the walking tour of Recife. They didn’t last long and ruined the tour for others. Many of us more able had to apologise to the guide for abandoning the tour,

As for dress code, jeans, grubby t shirts were frequently seen throughout the ship in the evening. One woman was in the Explorers’ Bar in the evening in her bath robe. Viking didn’t seem to challenge anyone.

Adding fuel to the fire, it seemed that most of those making no attempt to reach the bar of the dress code were American.

On 12/17/2023 at 1:38 AM, wine-wine-wine said:

One thing I so appreciate about Viking is how egalitarian it is - once one steps out the door everyone is equal. (I know you know this - saying for the sake of others. 😎)

I agree somewhat with your comment. However, getting to know the crew with whom you have interaction does help. They do appreciate genuine friendliness and it does perhaps get you a better table, where possible, in the restaurant. 🤣

19 hours ago, kahuna21 said:

You experienced Viking cruisers: do you prefer to be located near the forward elevators (2) or the aft elevators (4)? Why? Thanks for the wisdom!

Having just completed a TA Barcelona to Buenos Aires our preference is decks 4 or 5 and more midships to forward. There was a noticeable vibration towards the aft of the ship. We had calm seas but our choice f cabin would work in all conditions.

19 minutes ago, farmecologist said:

 

Ok..I'll be that guy. 🤣

 

Mind telling me what "dressing smartly" means?  

 

We did a 2+ week trip to Europe in the summer of 2023 which included a river cruise and travel on our own.  Guess what we brought?  Travel backpacks...that's it.  We traveled very light, which is a requirement in my opinion for independent travel in Europe.

 

While we didn't dress in jeans, we did dress in "travel pants", etc... We didn't look like slobs, but we sure didn't bring formalwear.  I'm certainly NOT a formalwear type of guy, and I absolutely am not bringing formalwear on any cruise whatsoever.  And this is why I like Viking..they are much more "casual" than other luxury cruise lines, which are often FAR too "stuffy" for our tastes.🤷‍♂️

 

Awaiting your definition of "dressing smartly" means.  Thanks!

 

From the tone of your message, I doubt if you really want my definition. What is appropriate for a river cruise may not be so appropriate for ocean cruising. There was no formalwear on my cruise nor did I expect it. By ‘dressing smartly’ I was meaning ‘smart casual ‘. If you need that defined then please do a google search.

35 minutes ago, photopro2 said:

Thank you very much indeed for that. We do intend to do some walking, and knowing the startpoint is a great help for planning.

I am interested at your mention of the underground, do you know if you can buy tickets using a credit card?

You have to obtain an underground card and credit it with Pesos. Easier said than done! The Hilton Hotel told us that the city was sold out of the cards. Our options were to ask at an underground station or to approach a stranger and ask them to swipe us through the barrier. The first station we went to didn’t have cards but they sent us to the next station, two blocks away, which did have them. We got one card and swiped it twice each time for the two of us. Unfortunately I left the card for the cleaner of our hotel room or I would have posted it to you. 

1 minute ago, Azulann said:

Thank your trip report of your TA crossing.

I think it is up to individual passengers to read carefully the  tours offered by Viking  as to physical exertions needed fo rwalking around a city or old part of town in foreign countries.

It is not the tour guide that should be responsible for those who do the walking tour and need to go back to bus or take a taxi on their own. Maybe if a crew member  is with every walking tour, they can help those less fit to figure out how to get back to ship  during a walking tour .

The descriptions of tours are very clear: walking over 1.5-3 miles over uneven pavement for 2-3 hrs is very clear. Others are labeled  demanding or easy meaning it is a bus ride with photo stops etc. 

 

I agree with your comments and at the port talks, Jennifer, the tours manager clearly laid out the physicality of each tour. When I spoke to her afterwards, it seems that many passengers overestimate their capabilities. Sadly the same individuals could not care less how their disruption of a tour impacts others. Our local guides were lovely and tried their best under difficult circumstances.

1 hour ago, photopro2 said:

Thanks for the report and I couldn't agree with you more. We definitely need some music from the 80s and even 90s+ added to the repertoire.

 

I don't suppose you happen to have kept the relevant daily or recall where the ship's shuttlebus stop in Buenos Aires was?

 

I think you might need to clarify that, I'm sure you didn't mean to say that no menu was offered at meal times???😕 

I’ve just found the details for the Buenos Aires shuttle bus. It leaves from the Plaza Hotel near Florida Street.

55 minutes ago, photopro2 said:

Thanks for the report and I couldn't agree with you more. We definitely need some music from the 80s and even 90s+ added to the repertoire.

 

I don't suppose you happen to have kept the relevant daily or recall where the ship's shuttlebus stop in Buenos Aires was?

 

I think you might need to clarify that, I'm sure you didn't mean to say that no menu was offered at meal times???😕 

Apologies, I don’t know the shuttle bus stop in Buenos Aires. My menu comment relates to my position now at home.

If you are going to Buenos Aires enjoy the city. It is very walkable and if you are happy to use the underground you will get to see so much more.

We returned home on Saturday from the above amazing cruise. It was an epic journey on a lovely ship with friendly and attentive crew. Viking provided excellent speakers and very professional guest entertainers. I am thinking especially about the tango show that we had on our final night on board. The resident singers and musicians were good although I was alarmed to hear that ABBA/The Beatles are going to be returned to the Star Theatre. One of our shows was music from the 50s, 60s and 70s. I would suggest that we need to roll the decades forward if new customers are to be attracted.

I know dress code is a touchy subject but it has to be mentioned. One lady appeared in her dressing gown/robe for trivia in the Star Theatre at 12.15, for afternoon tea and also in the Explorer’s lounge. The majority of passengers dressed smartly in the evening but there was a high percentage of people who made absolutely no effort whatsoever. Jeans, t-shirts and tops which were only suitable for gardening, in my opinion, were all too visible. I was amazed that such items were even considered for packing never mind that they ended up in the suitcase.

The included tour in Montevideo was exceptional and is at the other end of the spectrum to that in Recife. One senior crew member told me that there were many passengers in their 80s and 90s. We had many sea days which would attract an older demographic. In Recife we had an included walking tour and passengers were asked to meet in the Star Theatre where group numbers were assigned. Groups were then called in order to follow a crew member shoreside. We then formed a line behind our local guide. It took 30 minutes for all of my group to get shoreside. Groups with higher numbers had already departed before we set off. Within 10 minutes of walking the moans started. The group came to a halt as our guides were quizzed about how to get back to the ship. Some wanted to be taken directly to the shuttle bus stop in town, others wanted the guide to arrange a taxi. It was a 90 minute walking tour which a large number of people should have rejected due to their physical abilities. At the same time one person wanted to go to the toilet. Over the next 5 minutes others followed suit and our group was going no where. Along with others we apologised to the guides and headed off on our own. Viking must accept some responsibility for this shambles. They know the age profile of passengers and a walking tour is perhaps not the best included tour in a hot and steamy Brazil.

At home now, the weather is grey, wet and cold. The washing machine is going nonstop and my ironing will never be as professional as that provided by the Viking crew. No menu and wine list is now offered at mealtimes. Hopefully it will not be too long until we are back onboard a Viking ship.

Does anyone know if Jupiter has Starlink? We sail on it shortly.

4 hours ago, MikeyB said:

The Viking Sky leaves on November 17th from Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale.

I see there are two TA cruises leaving from Barcelona, one on 15 November and one on 17 November. 

I agree with everything in the comment above. However the cruise starts on 15 November in Barcelona not 17 November. I wouldn’t want you to miss the sail-away.