Tell Me Why.....

Our travel agent did not offer any OBC for our first two Viking Ocean cruises, but when I told her that another agent was giving $300 on a 14-night British Isles cruise, she matched this offer and we took it (she's our next-door neighbor, so.......). Don't hesitate to talk to your travel agent and get the OBC that Viking outlines in their policy.

I’m sorry, I don’t understand. Your balance was more that what? And to be paid in 60 days? Is that 60 days after deposit/booking?

I’m just trying to figure out the logistics of booking and paying.

Did you use a travel agent? If so, do TA’s give any perks for booking Viking Ocean thru them?

Thanks.

our deposit was more than 500 and we had to pay the balance before 60 days from sailing....

yes, dont hesitate to ask a TA to offer you some incentives....

I’m so happy I found this thread. My husband and I have been loyal Celebrity cruisers for 15 years, but have become disillusioned with them recently. They are charging more and giving less. We just came back from an Alaska Celebrity land tour and cruise.

I have decided our next cruise will be on a smaller ship, and Viking fits the bill. I appreciate how pleased everyone is with the Viking Ocean experience.

I’m looking at the Caribbean itineraries for sometime next year.

It appears the deposit is $500 per person and the balance is due in 30 days. And there is a $100 pp penalty for cancellation, even months away? Is this correct?

Thanks to everyone who has contributed to this very informative thread.

Sandra and I are booked on the 22 day Caribbean to the Amazon voyage in November aboard the Viking Sea. We payed the balance for the trip 6 months prior to departure. I think that is standard for Viking Cruise.

We have been dedicated to Celebrity Cruises for many years. But, like several others who have posted here, we're fed with them and have no intentions of booking with them again. This will be our first Viking cruise and we are considering Viking and a few other higher end cruise lines for our next cruise in 2019.

Sandra and I are booked on the 22 day Caribbean to the Amazon voyage in November aboard the Viking Sea. We payed the balance for the trip 6 months prior to departure. I think that is standard for Viking Cruise.

Actually, it has not been standard for Viking. Viking River almost always had you paying in full almost immediately upon booking and even today, if you read the small print, they are continuing a very similar policy. When Viking Ocean launched, it followed a similar policy. We booked our first cruise in 2014 for June, 2016. We had to pay in full by the end of 2014. Others will tell similar stories. It is only recently that we have begun to hear more talk about being able to negotiate a final payment date of 6 months before the cruise--and most of the time you have to ask for it.

Even today, the stated policy is, as per the website: 2018: Book by July 31, 2018; pay in full by July 31, 2018 or within 90 days of departure, if earlier. 2019: Book by July 31, 2018; pay in full by August 31, 2018. 2020: Book by July 31, 2018; pay in full by December 31, 2018.

Stated policy, yes. But all reports on Cruise Critic show that anyone who asks for 6 months out can get it, on both Ocean and River. And of course UK guests have a much better final payment date, as part of their different T&C.

It’s a different mindset for me. I’m used to $200 per person deposit and balance due 90 days before the cruise on Celebrity. Sometimes they even have $25 pp deposit!

But it sounds like “you get what you pay for”. I’m willing to pay 6 months ahead for what I hope will be an excellent cruise on Viking. Now I have to decide which of the Caribbean itineraries and when in 2019 to go.

After 15 days of cold, rain and windy weather in Alaska in late May, we have decided our next cruise will be in the Caribbean.

Thanks for everyone’s information on timing for final payments. And for how great Viking is!

It’s a different mindset for me. I’m used to $200 per person deposit and balance due 90 days before the cruise on Celebrity. Sometimes they even have $25 pp deposit!

But it sounds like “you get what you pay for”. I’m willing to pay 6 months ahead for what I hope will be an excellent cruise on Viking. Now I have to decide which of the Caribbean itineraries and when in 2019 to go.

After 15 days of cold, rain and windy weather in Alaska in late May, we have decided our next cruise will be in the Caribbean.

Thanks for everyone’s information on timing for final payments. And for how great Viking is!

Yes we are also used to small deposits and final payments much closer to sailing. But it is what it is. It will be our first Viking O experience. I got heavily criticized on the Celeb boards for saying I wanted to try a new line since being so disappointed with the dining on our last 3 Celeb cruises.

Luxury cruise lines have fewer cabins and thus can't afford to let passengers book without penalty and wait to pay close to the cruise, so each has developed their own policy. Ponant requires 25% nonrefundable deposit, but final payment is only 60 days prior to sailing. Celebrity tried moving to nonrefundable deposits recently, but passenger pushback led to its cancellation.

When you start looking at the upgrades for suites on the mid range cruise lines, you are better off going with a more upscale luxury line for the same money. If I am going to pay extra I want everything superior too not just the room and the MDR.

When you start looking at the upgrades for suites on the mid range cruise lines, you are better off going with a more upscale luxury line for the same money. If I am going to pay extra I want everything superior too not just the room and the MDR.

Well said! ;p

I found three more "reasons" in another thread and so I'm updating the list and bringing it forward:

• Try it because you are tired of mindless entertainment.
  
  
• Try it because you don't need a casino.
  
  
• Try it because you are sick and tired of the nickel-and-diming.
  
  
• Try it because you can live without other people's children.
  
  
• Try it because you are more interested in the ports of call than in partying until dawn.
  
  
• Try it because you are never asked to pose for photos.
  
  
• Try it because you like cruising among friendly people.
  
  
• Try it because you are invited to BYO wine, beer or other potables.
  
  
• Try it because you don't have to hide in your room to drink your BYO.
  
  
• Try it because there is no corkage fee in the dining rooms.
  
  
• Try it because specialty dining is included.
  
  
• Try it because there is no formal night.
  
  
• Try it because there is no bang-bang music.
  
  
• Try it because there are nooks and crannies everywhere to read, relax, and just be.
  
  
• Try it because the tables in the cafe (buffet) are set with silverware and napkins and a beverage server comes to take your order as soon as you sit down.
  
  
• Try it because room service will deliver delicious coffee and juice, even on debarkation day, within 10 minutes of your call.
  
  
• Try it because the free spa area is unbelievable!
  
  
• Take Viking because the staff can't help enough. If you have an issue they are quick, efficient and do their job with a smile.
  
  
• Take it because even the service at the buffet is better than any other cruise ship.
  
  
• Take it because you love English tea in the afternoon.
  
  
• Try it because the entire staff knows your name after Day 1
  
  
• Try it because you only need your ship card to enter your room or to leave the ship
  
  
• Try it because everyone, including the crew, greets you with a smile
  
  
• Try it because you never have to wait for a table either at the buffet or at The Restaurant
  
  
• Try it because you are a guest, not just a wallet
  
  
• Try it because the beverage package is a bargain
  
  
• Try it because you'll only be sailing with 900+ people, rather than 2500+
  
  
• Try it because there are no inches of gold tables blocking the Atrium
  
  
• Try it because there is no karaoke
  
  
• Try it because there is no bingo
  
  

Thank you, Jammy Bun, for the last three.

Try it because of the Resident Historian and the enrichment program.

Try it because of the Resident Historian and the enrichment program.

Good one. I'll add it next time I repost.

Another one I read on another thread is the film screen on the upper deck uses individual headphones rather than deafening soundtracks that are heard throughout the ship.

• Try it because Orion has a Planetarium and a Resident Astronomer

Another one I read on another thread is the film screen on the upper deck uses individual headphones rather than deafening soundtracks that are heard throughout the ship.

The individual bags of popcorn was as nice touch, went well with a lighter chardonnay

No. Art. Auctions.

I have read all your comparisons with Celebrity and I'm sorry to hear that it's gone downhill. We've actually been cruising with Azamara for the past 5+ years which we love and would rate higher than Regent at a much higher price point. Wondering how Viking Ocean would compare to Azamara for those who've done both. TIA.

How could we have missed this one:

• Try it because you have seen your last flaming Baked Alaska parade

I have read all your comparisons with Celebrity and I'm sorry to hear that it's gone downhill. We've actually been cruising with Azamara for the past 5+ years which we love and would rate higher than Regent at a much higher price point. Wondering how Viking Ocean would compare to Azamara for those who've done both. TIA.

I think there has been quite a lot of discussion about this on both the Viking and Azamara boards. We have done 8 Azamara's with another booked for next May, and 2 Viking Ocean with another booked for this New Year. The main difference to me is that the Viking ships are beautiful, open and light. If you are used to a regular balcony on Azamara then you will be delighted with any cabin on Viking, especially the bathrooms.

I have recently been onboard the new Azamara Pursuit, and was impressed at the changes made - but it is not Viking.

Having said all the above I love Azamara and Viking. My actual advice is, if you like Azamara then in all probability you will like Viking, so if the itinerary and price point suit you, then give it a try.

People do not reserve / hog lounge chairs in pool area or open decks

If I am reading this tread & others "correctly", in the most basic of terms, Viking Ocean is an upscale, "no kids allowed" line, in the same basic class with an Azamara or Oceania, however not as luxurious as Silversea or Seabourn. Again, realize there are more differences than this, but just for a basic comparison - is this close to correct?

In a nutshell, you’re absolutely correct.

If I am reading this tread & others "correctly", in the most basic of terms, Viking Ocean is an upscale, "no kids allowed" line, in the same basic class with an Azamara or Oceania, however not as luxurious as Silversea or Seabourn. Again, realize there are more differences than this, but just for a basic comparison - is this close to correct?

I can only compare with Silversea:

Silversea offers:

1. butler service

2. all liquor included

3. NO included tours

4. Limited wifi minutes

5. casino

6. kids allowed (some age restrictions)

7. Specialty restaurants some with $$ fees

8. cigar smoking room

9 extensive pricey shops

10 outdoor pool

11 Nothing like Wintergarden

Viking offers:

1. room stewards & 24 hour room service

2. Beer, wine at meals only. Silver Spirits package at <$30pp/day includes all drinks under $15 or inexpensive per drink purchases.

3. Included tour at each port

4. No wifi restrictions; wifi works well

5. No casino

6. No kids under 18

7. specialty restaurants with no fees

8. no cigar smoking room

9. Smaller onboard shops

10 pool with retracting roof + infinity pool

11 Wintergarden

We loved both lines but if it says anything, we have three Viking trips planned. Only one is ocean and we have only done one ocean with each of these lines, although the Azamara was a back to back trip.

Viking ocean has included shore excursions. They are fine and sell more. We found that the main restaurant served the same food as the buffet and wound up liking the buffet better. We took most of our meals there. Specialty restaurants are included unless you want to buy a better wine pairing.

A couple of things that Azamara did really well was to teach everyone to fist bump only and that the passenger would see the crew do that too. They said “there is always flu somewhere in the world and the world comes together on a cruise ship.” The emphasis to clean hands was really great. We liked the piano bar on Azamara too. Loved, loved Azamara white night as well as the special onshore night each trip (can’t remember the name). What a treat!