jiminyC_fan

It really is all about position.

 

The height of the deck and how central on a specific deck.

 

I recently sailed in a Deluxe Veranda Stateroom on Deck 4. Category DV4 Stateroom 4045...

 

 

Here is a photograph taken while visiting Ajaccio. It well illustrates the stateroom positions and what is likely to have a minimal obstruction...

 

 

I say minimal because the only obstruction to a perfect view that I can make out would be from those staterooms on Deck 4 directly above the tenders, illustrated here as we arrived in Toulon...

 

 

 

By minimal I mean that the occupiers 'line of site' would probably not allow them to see the 'gangway' when rigged.

 

Really no big deal at all.

 

You can read about the rest of my cruise on Viking star through this link to my cruise blog...

 

http://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2015/12/28/viking-star-a-taste-of-something-different/

Great information. Thank you. Because of your post I think we made up our minds that it will be Viking Oceans for our Homeland cruise. We love their River cruises so I'm sure we will love the Ocean cruises. Thanks again for your time.

A couple of years ago we took the Prinsendam on a combined trip that went from IJmuiden to the North Cape and back (14 days) and then the Baltic Cruise including the Kiel Canal and Hamburg for another 14. So it included Norwegian west coast and Sweden (2 stops) plus St. Petersburg and much more. We really enjoyed this cruise, and if it's available I strongly recommend it. I was looking for it, but for some reason Safari on my iPhone keeps sending me to the Dutch version of the website.

That sounds wonderful. I will search it out. Thanks!

Thank you Ruth!

I hear you. I was daunted to. But luckily we were looking for a specific time period which helped narrow things down when we struck on this 24 day Baltic, Fjords, Highlands choice. And the more we play with the itinerary offerings the better it keeps looking. Getting really excited.

I bet you are getting excited. I hope you will either post a live report or a review at the end. HAVE FUN!

I just saw my typo on the title. Sorry everyone.

I cannot thank you guys enough for your help. I will now set out to read all the links. The 24 day cruise has peaked my interest. Viking is new to ocean cruising but does a similar itinerary so I do want to compare to it as well. It's just so overwhelming trying to figure it all out. Thanks again!

I am just coming back from being absent from HAL. Have cruised a land/sea cruise to Alaska on HAL and absolutely loved sailing with HAL. Since then we have done a few Disney cruises and a wonderful European Viking River Cruise. I am now in the middle of planning for a Baltic cruise. My main concern is 14 days or longer, smaller ship and it must include Norway with Fjords and a port or two in Sweden after that I really don't care. I am 50% Norwegian and 50% Swedish so this is something I have wanted to do for a long time.

Can any of you help me decide what I should be looking at, please. I went to HAL's website and got more confused than ever. So I thought I should go to the experienced cruisers for advice. Is there one ship better than another? One cruise better than another? Time of year? I'm leaning towards May of 2017. Also, like in Alaska are there land/sea tours?

ANY suggestions are welcome. Thanks!

While booking a higher cabin category does allow you to book your excursions earlier I wouldn't pay the extra for that reason alone. We are booked in a PV and there are only two cabin categories that can book before us and frankly; we have been stalking the site for some time and the Flam excursions (including the "Included" tour) have been showing "SOLD OUT" for more than three weeks.

 

All of the other ports are showing availability for all excursions ... Flam seems to be a "unique" issue on this cruise.

Thank you

I found this thread helpful. I was just coming on to see how hard it is to book tours and if they sold out. I haven't booked yet and was just wondering if it is worth the extra $$ for a higher category because of the earlier bookings.

Respectfully- I stand by my post here. In no place did I state that the observations that I made were of anyone who posted on these boards. In fact, 2 of the 3 examples I made of observations, I have no idea if they have ever heard of Cruise Critic, let alone posted here.

As you all say, CC is for posting positive as well as criticism - but there are no rules that state you can only 'critic' Viking employees and Viking failures.

If people on a cruise behave in a manner that is offensive to fellow passengers, or their constant complaining to strangers on a cruise impacts those passengers negatively- who were just trying to have a good time, then we have the right to express our 'critic' of those behaviors and people. What I point out - to me - is as disturbing and frustrating as many of the complaints I read about regarding Viking employees and shortcomings.

If this is a forum to 'share experiences and information', and 'not stifle voices', then please do not stifle them -again, the observations I pointed out were of my experiences with a select group of people on the ship who may or may not be posters here. Apparently, based on the responses to my post, others felt the same way.

So I respectfully ask that our opinions and experiences not be asked to be stifled, without restraint, or criticism.

Great post!

I think that our expectations determine our opinion of the cruise. I booked this cruise from the perspective of someone who has worked on many ships over the years. I know how difficult it is for a crew member to learn the ship, especially learn working for a new company with forms and procedures. A newly built ship always has bugs to be worked out. For that reason I did not have very high expectations and was not troubled by the glitches encountered. There could have been a total blackout, lights not working, toilets not flushing, propeller not turning, etc. Things went better than I expected. I think that Viking will correct the problems they are having. In the spectrum of problems they are small problems.

I have experienced a maiden voyage. Not Viking but a different line. It didn't run smoothly for a year. I totally agree with you and it's refreshing to read that someone truly understands what it's like and not bashing Viking for glitches.

Thanks for sharing that. I'm sure there are many people who have had good experiences, but the people who have had good experiences seldom take the time to post them as you have.

 

I totall agree. Thanks for taking the time to post.

Thank you for taking the time to write such a positive in depth review.

Food allergies are the cause of many hospitalizations and deaths. True food allergies are not too be taken lightly and certainly would not want to trust that the food is safe based on a whim that Viking does it just fine on their river cruises, so they must have a similar safety net in place on the ocean product. I can tell you from what I have experienced, the river ocean cruise product is the antithesis of their river cruise product. Think of it, Viking cannot handle the simplest of issue on their oceans product, how about trusting your life to them?

Of course food allergies are not to be take lightly and are life threatening. There are no guarantees anywhere one dines even in a restaurant at home.

Great attitude. Happy crusing!

I'm sorry this happened and by all means they owe a public apology. I have been a little upset by all the petty complaints by some but I have to admit this one was by far not petty. Don't let it affect the rest of your trip.

I don't know how similar the service is on Viking Ocean compared to the Viking River Cruises, but on previous river cruises when we told the maître d' that my wife needed to be gluten free, they really went all out for her - even bringing her gluten free appetizers and toast in the mornings. Of course the river ships are much smaller so perhaps easier to get such personal attention.

I, too, saw that on their River Cruise. The head chef came out every morning to discuss a dinner menu with a passenger because of her allergies. Hopefully they will get the same treatment on an ocean cruise.

Loved your review. You kept an open mind about a Maiden Voyage and realized there would be hiccups. We can't wait to give it a try. Thanks for taking the time to post.

If the beds are as wonderful as the Viking river cruise beds then I will be a happy camper. I slept like a baby on our river cruise. An inch or two won't bother me nor am I going to measure it, LOL.

Beds are just as subjective as food. Some like hard beds. Some like soft. Some like spicy food, some don't.

I would like to clarify that my statement was not directed at anyone or any company. I meant in general that most people tend to complain and not praise.

OP, please accept my apologies that this turned into a debate. That was not my intentions. I am truly happy you enjoyed your trip!

The OP enjoyed her trip and that is wonderful news. I, for one, think it's great she took the time to write something positive. Whether some want to accept it or not, there are passengers that enjoyed the Viking cruise. I could twist your thought that if you don't want to read something positive then skip over it. Cassandra, please don't turn this a negative thread.

kathy9, as in all cruise lines, not just Viking, an inaugural year has issues. To expect perfection right off from the starting gate is an unreal expectation. These people that are complaining paid the asking price knowing that their could be issues and were williing to gamble.

I think it's important to make note that there are happy people onboard. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2206525

Love reading something positive. I'm so happy that you took the time to write. Unfortunately more people post to complain than praise.

Please people, you have got to remember that it is an inaugural sailing. There will be kinks to work out for a few cruises. You should have realized that going in especially since this is their first ocean cruise ship. I have been on a Maiden Voyage and I didn't expect perfection. Those that complained were miserable. Those of us that understood and expected there to be problems enjoyed our cruise. Please be open minded for awhile.

Personally, my husband and myself love it when the ship goes through some rocking and rolling. We went through Hurricane Hilary a few years ago on a ship and meclizine worked wonders. We didn't get sick at all. I guess if we go on an ocean cruise, movement is expected and we must accept it. Also, when on a new ship there will be problems. Don't look for the negative. Look for the positive.

We were going to try and book for 2016 soon since there were a few cabins available but it looks like we should hold off until this situation is under control. I can certainly understand the problem and don't fault them.

Viking, could you advise me when will be a good time to book for the coming year or two?