harbourside

We did start flying Business Class to Europe and Premium Economy for shorter trips, but after our last major cruise to South America got cancelled, decided we were now past the long flights, and use the money saved on Business class fares, for more expensive trips close to home, hence booking the 32 day trip around Australia with Viking. Will look at Scenic Eclipse 11, which will be cruising Australia and New Zealand.

I have been on 2 Viking Cruises and enjoyed them both. Having a tour in each port and wine and beer included at lunch and dinner is good, and the bedrooms are lovely, all having a balcony as standard. We like the smaller ships as previously only done River cruises with APT which where excellent. Lots of Australians on Viking. It fills a gap in the market. We are getting too old for any more long flights to Europe, so now look for interesting cruises close to home (New Zealand). Australia of course would be the main cruising country for us.

I am booked on Viking Venus January 2025 for there first Round Australia cruise (which includes Bali). Sydney to Sydney 32 days. Looking forward to this. Scenic Eclipse 11 will also be in our waters 2024/2025. These are more expensive cruise lines, but it does add options to the mass market lines.

After Saturns launching this year, are there any new ships scheduled for 2024.

The Captains dinner seems to be 2 set menus. One being vegetarian. Can you mix the menus or do you have to have them as stated.

Is there any dark rum in the included list.

No. We turned the sound up as high as it would go, so presumed it was preset. Some movies were okay, but most were annoying quiet.

I do not have a hearing problem, but I found watching a movie in our room on our recent Viking Cruise frustrating. Some were just to quiet. The maximum volume seems to be preset. I could not find any way to add subtitles. Any way to overcome this.

This is a good example of the lowering of food standards. The Beef Wellington I had on my first cruise, was mainly steak, with a small border of pate. Same as the lamb I had in "The Restaurant", it was very thick at least double thickness to the ones I had this time. (I am not talking about lamb chops served for breakfast, though even those were bigger than those served for dinner.) Put up prices, but do not dumb down the food items. This is not mass market sailing.

Yes, I saw Beef Wellington on "The Restaurant" menu, but it was on a night we were at The Chefs Table.

We had "Lotus" and California. We like Asian food, especially spicy food and the Crispy Crab certainly was that. My husband does not eat crab, prawns, etc, but I got him to try the crab which in the spicy sauce he actually enjoyed. Did not taste like crab. Everyones taste is different, so other people probably would not like it for the reasons that we did. Every cruise is different, even with the same menus, items may be better prepared or presented. We liked the World Cafe.

I said SOME of the food was disappointing, mainly in that it did not match descriptions. I also said there was good food choices also. Overall standards had dropped. I was comparing to previous Viking cruise. Obviously, themed dining nights add variety and interest. We liked our two Chefs table meals, and Manfreddis was good (not great).

As I stated, I was disappointed in some of the food, but I like Viking (It suits us), so I booked another cruise with them. We found the included tours good, the staff fantastic and we like the ship. I am hoping with a 32 day cruise around Australia, (this will be the first they have done), they will add a bit of mix to the food and do some special themed dining nights as on first cruise. First timers, may be disappointed, or returning quests, expecting similar to their previous cruises. I was willing to give it another go, but Viking is now getting close to in price and surpassing some Seabourn and Silverseas specials I was looking at. I looked carefully at what is included and what isn't. I do a spreadsheet to compare, but itinerary is also important. That is why I booked this new Viking Australian Circumnavigation cruise.

I have just returned from the Viking Mars. (Aust/New Zealand). The food was noticeably a step down. Some of "The Restaurant " main courses left a lot to be desired. Sounding good on the menu, but in reality, 2 very small lamb chops with a smear of something mashed and a blob of something else, was underwhelming. I had larger lamb chops served for breakfast, and three served with the Lotus menu at the "Chefs Table" Apple Tart Tatin, turned out to be a small round of pasty, (very small) topped with some apple slices. Pastries served in Mansens very extremely dry. Buffet pastries are now a lot smaller, and variety different. The round pinwheel raisin pastries, were only served on last day. Also no special dinners as previously. We have booked a 32day cruise around Australia for January 2025. With the new increased pricing, I hope they deliver better dining experiences. Service etc was excellent. There were still good food choices to be made, but overall a drop in standards.

Just got an email from Viking to say the Channel 9 will be broadcasting live from Viking Mars in Sydney on 22nd February , to show the Viking cruise experience

Thanks. My TA is great and has gone the extra mile for us in the past.

If I book a cruise on board, and have it sent to my travel agent, does his commission stay the same as if I booked direct through him.

We are on your cruise and have a Viking pickup from airport to White Bay. Our flight arrives 10.30 a.m.

Today you are supposed to be in Wellington. Where are you. On a go slow to Napier????

So is Viking Mars, now going Christchurch to Napier. No replacement for Wellington??

So what is Viking hiding. A simple explanation does not seem to be forthcoming. So we can dismiss the "ROPE" story as fantasy.

I hope the "ROPE" issue has been resolved, so that we can dock in Wellington.

TO RELAXING RITA: Have you been informed if Viking are doing any hull cleaning during your cruise. Since this is the reason given for cancelling the Wellington port, they will have to do something, or the remaining cruises will also be affected. How are all the other aspects of the cruise going, (Food, excursions etc).

What was the reason given for your Dunedin cancellation. Same issue?????? I am getting a bit anti this cruise now. I live in Auckland and just used a credit to cruise close to home in these times. Vikings New Zealand cruise does not have the best itinerary, (No Milford Sounds), but as I like Viking I decided to do the cruise just to enjoy the ship and see more of New Zealand. This cruise has already been cancelled once, (2022). I hope things improve for you. I was planning on doing their New Cruise, 32 days Circle Australia, Sydney to Sydney Jan 2025, booking on board. Viking had better get back in my good books.

Viking Mars has been sailing Auckland/Sydney route since December. Why now is it being stopped. Anyone on a Viking Mars/Orion cruise been able to complete a cruise in Aust/NZ this season.