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Viking ocean cruises vs Seabourn?


BasandSyb
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Hi all

 

We have done hundreds of days cruising over the last 10 years or so, but have pretty much stayed with what we know - predominantly Seabourn, with several on Regent and Paul Gauguin.

 

We were interested in the feedback you provided recently on the Cunard vs Seabourn query, as we had been planning a 37 day exploration with a group of mostly Seabourners a few of whom decided to take the plunge and try the Cunard experience on the same route. Your feedback was on par with what we have read and knew that we would prefer Seabourn.

 

Does anyone have any experience with the new Viking ocean ships and can comment on the food, service and experience vs Seabourn?

 

Thanks

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Not yet, but I will be able to tell you how I compare the two cruiselines after my Viking Ocean cruise next year! I am expecting the experiences to be quite different, not the least being a much larger ship on Viking, and smaller cabins than Seabourn, different alcohol offerings etc. I have another cruise booked on Seabourn later this year, but with a few significant disappointments on recent Seabourn cruises, I thought it was time to start spreading my wings a bit.

 

As an Aussie you are probably aware that Scenic is launching a small luxury ocean "yacht" next year (Scenic Eclipse), that could be an option for you as well - I have booked a cruise on her for 2018.

 

I might come running back to Seabourn with my tail between my legs once I try Viking and Scenic, but I won't know unless I try!

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Yes, we were thinking the same thing about trying something else, given our last two cruises on Seabourn with food disappointments. We were tossing up with doing Regent for the next trip which we have enjoyed before, but decided to stay with the longer Seabourn voyage.

 

We like the smaller ships (the 3 little SBs were our favourites), but the time is coming to try something else.

 

Have been to some Ponnant info sessions and friends have recently reported back in terms of good entertainment, smaller rooms, small bathroom, public areas usually crowded, not much organised for sea days, food and wine great. They said 2 weeks was a good length.

 

Have also seen the new Scenic Eclipse brochures. Looks very elegant. We prefer an international mix of passengers when we travel, so have avoided Scenic river boats for the same reason. Will be interesting to hear what the mix is for the new ocean ship. Enjoy your cruises and we look forward to receiving your reports.

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Like you have decided to try something different, therefore we have forgone Seabourn this year and gone with Viking Ocean Sun, we sail in October so will be able to give information re what is good and what isn't.

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Well we've done it other way round! Been on 2 Viking ocean...both times in penthouse suite. Excursions and all inc very good. Ship beautifully designed...never feels crowded...classy decor. service good. BUT...doesn't have the "class" of SB. somehow feels like having the best house in the worst street.... and now we're about to embark on SB encore Med Cruise. Bit worried bout negative reviews...will do comparison when we're back.

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I’m happy to give insight between the two.

 

Some background so you understand the context of my experiences. I traveled on the Seabourn Quest for a seven-night Baltic cruise in 2015 and sailed on the Viking Star for a 14-night Transatlantic cruise this past February (2017). On the Quest we had a Penthouse Suite and on the Viking Star we had an Explorer Suite. Both attracted different clientele and provided unique onboard activities based on their itineraries. I’ll try and stick to the “hard product” differences on food and service that wouldn’t change much from cruise to cruise.

 

What you might miss on Viking Ocean compared to Seabourn:

 

  • Fewer guests (Viking ships carry roughly double the number of passengers as Seabourn ships)
  • Gratuities included in upfront fare (on Viking you pay for gratuities at the end of your trip)
  • In a standard balcony suite:
    • Less indoor space
    • No walk-in closet
    • One less bathroom sink (Seabourn has two)
    • No tub (Seabourn has tub and shower)

    [*]Open bars (although Viking does include beer, wine and soft drinks with meals – its debatable on the quality of Viking’s included wine; you can also purchase an unlimited alcohol drink package on Viking)

    [*]A casino (That didn’t bother me at all on the Star, but it did feel like it took away a little hub of activity in the evening that you always find on other ships – love it or hate it.)

    [*]Viking doesn’t have a loyalty/frequent cruiser program

What you gain on Viking Ocean:

  • All balcony suites – no ocean view/picture window staterooms
  • One included shore excursion in every port of call
  • Free Wi-Fi shipwide for all classes
  • Two alternative dining options (Seabourn has one)
  • Nearly non-smoking since its launch (there’s just one small outdoor space they allow smokers at)
  • They actively promote that they don’t cater to those under 18 years of age

It’s a tie:

  • No additional fees for alternative dining on either cruise line

The “X” Factor for each line in my opinion:

 

Food is a tough call since I haven’t been on Seabourn since Thomas Keller was introduced, but I’d give the edge to Viking mostly in the dining room and alternative dining spots. The food just tasted more fresh and the menus were more inspired. Seabourn gets the nod for buffet dining in The Colonnade and The Patio. No matter what cruise line I’ve been on, no one seems to be able to deliver a hot breakfast for room service in the morning very well. Grrrr.

 

Stateroom attendants were more noticeable on Viking, but more gracious and understated on Seabourn.

 

Staff on both lines came to know our names and preferences pretty quickly. Viking was right up there with Seabourn on that matter.

 

Embarkation and disembarkation was lightning fast on Viking. I mean, breezed through. I’m a pretty oblivious guy on those details, but it really stood out to me. I was very impressed.

 

The included shore excursions on Viking weren’t bad at all! In fact, very comparable to what you’d pay for on other lines. Both Viking and Seabourn organize free shuttles for passengers when in ports that are great walking distances from the city/town center.

 

Both lines attract affluent passengers, but I found that Seabourn’s were more conspicuous. I’m in my mid-40s, so I was the young guy on both cruises. Both seemed to attract couples in their 60s and 70s. Even though these were trips abroad, Americans dominated the passenger mix. We made better connections with passengers on Seabourn than Viking (maybe due to smaller passenger count?). The Seabourn group seemed a little livelier. The Viking group seemed more intellectual – gross oversimplifications I know based on two random cruises. But Viking does promote itself as the “thinking man’s cruise.”

 

The Viking ships are newer, so they have more modern bells and whistles than Seabourn’s ships (minus Encore). The Viking Star is a BEAUTIFUL ship with elegant and restrained Scandinavian décor. Many, many small touches that made it feel upscale and residential. The Seabourn Quest I found was slightly more “lush” with a neutral design palette. Still, a pleasing aesthetic. Better pool and outdoor spaces on Viking in my opinion.

 

I can’t put my finger on it, but I felt Viking was more value for the money. You do get a sense though that its just a bit short of being ultra premium.

 

Give Viking Ocean a try, I think you’ll be pleased. It’s a good line to branch out to for something different. We are going back on the Seabourn Quest for a trip to Antarctica this February and I’m really looking forward to it.

Edited by FLgemini
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FLgemini, thank you so much for such a well structured and balanced report. We really appreciate the obvious time it has taken. You have addressed all the queries we had.

 

If we decide to take the plunge, we will be well informed. Sounds like it's worth dipping a toe in the water.

 

Enjoy your Antarctica trip - we had a fabulous time doing it on Quest a couple of years ago. We will be on Sojourn at the same time doing the Cape Town to Singapore run.:cool:

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Many thanks for the well balanced and very fair review and the comparison which make interesting reading.

 

There are, unfortunately, a number of 'deal breakers' in the Viking offering which would prevent us from cruising with them.

 

- the number of guests

- the layout of the suite (we always book veranda anyway)

- the up-charge for gratuities

- the up-charge for non-dinner drinks

 

Nevertheless, I can see why Viking would be attractive for many and I appreciate that our 'deal-breakers' would not be the case for everyone.

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Just to amend FLgemini's comparison a slight bit the Encore and soon to sail Ovation also have all balcony suites and SB has three alternative dining options, not one. Colonnade, R2 or TK Grill and the Patio Grill.

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After reading the many differences between the two lines one can only come to the conclusion that Seabourn is a no brainier if you want the better experience.

Viking has only one good thing going for it and that is Karl Eckl who used to work for Seabourn and is the most customer focused guy at sea.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

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Many thanks for the well balanced and very fair review and the comparison which make interesting reading.

 

There are, unfortunately, a number of 'deal breakers' in the Viking offering which would prevent us from cruising with them.

 

- the number of guests

- the layout of the suite (we always book veranda anyway)

- the up-charge for gratuities

- the up-charge for non-dinner drinks

 

Nevertheless, I can see why Viking would be attractive for many and I appreciate that our 'deal-breakers' would not be the case for everyone.

 

Yes, number of guests is the main concern for us and the size of the suites given we like the longer voyages. All the advertising we have seen in Australia has included gratuities and drinks - perhaps to entice a new market sector. We do like cruises where you just pay and go. It's nice to know what the competition is up to.

 

Thank you all.

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It's not an apples to apples comparison and based on price alone, Seabourn had better be delivering the superior product. Viking does not tout itself as "luxury" where as Seabourn does. Viking is more "ultra-premium" in line with Oceania and Azamara. The price is less so it's less inclusive. None the less Viking Ocean looks pretty awesome and I can't wait to try them. I love the clean Scandinavian look of the Viking ships and also that you do not have to pay extra to use the thermal suite in the extensive spa.

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  • 10 months later...

We just did a southern Caribbean cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey and I'm looking into Italy/Greece for next year. We loved so much about the Odyssey, not the least of which was our amazing Penthouse Spa suite. After that these other suites pale in comparison. But Viking seems to have the best itineraries. And I wasn't super impressed with the Seabourn excursions. I've been looking at Oceania as well and their excursions seem really interesting.

 

I'd be interested in some updated thoughts on comparing these lines.

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Yes, we were thinking the same thing about trying something else, given our last two cruises on Seabourn with food disappointments. We were tossing up with doing Regent for the next trip which we have enjoyed before, but decided to stay with the longer Seabourn voyage.

 

We like the smaller ships (the 3 little SBs were our favourites), but the time is coming to try something else.

 

Have been to some Ponnant info sessions and friends have recently reported back in terms of good entertainment, smaller rooms, small bathroom, public areas usually crowded, not much organised for sea days, food and wine great. They said 2 weeks was a good length.

 

Have also seen the new Scenic Eclipse brochures. Looks very elegant. We prefer an international mix of passengers when we travel, so have avoided Scenic river boats for the same reason. Will be interesting to hear what the mix is for the new ocean ship. Enjoy your cruises and we look forward to receiving your reports.

 

We tried Ponnant. It was 4 star with some 5 star tinges. The food was not one of those tinges.

I do agree with you about the idea of a Scenic ship. The best part of going abroad is not being stuck with too many people who were not adventurous enough to try any cruise line that isn’t heavily advertised to their own compatriots.

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Please do not compare Ponant, Oceania and Viking with SB, they are a different level of product. Which is not a luxury one. Ponant is quite possibly the least luxury line I have travelled on, even in their top suite, not remotely like SB. Viking and Oceania are also somewhat " municipal ", in comparison.

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It's not an apples to apples comparison and based on price alone, Seabourn had better be delivering the superior product. Viking does not tout itself as "luxury" where as Seabourn does.

 

True and true. Worse, SB and SS add "ultra" in front of luxury. Days that have long passed.

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We just did a southern Caribbean cruise on the Seabourn Odyssey and I'm looking into Italy/Greece for next year. We loved so much about the Odyssey, not the least of which was our amazing Penthouse Spa suite. After that these other suites pale in comparison. But Viking seems to have the best itineraries. And I wasn't super impressed with the Seabourn excursions. I've been looking at Oceania as well and their excursions seem really interesting.

 

I'd be interested in some updated thoughts on comparing these lines.

 

Can't compare because I haven't yet been on Seabourn. But Oceania excursions tend to be very over-priced. This means that Oceania cruises often have very active roll-calls where passengers organize excursions among themselves. Worked out well on our only Oceania cruise. Cabins tend to be small, depending on the class of ship. Our PH on Riviera was about the size of a standard cabin on Regent.

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I’m also considering Viking. The reasons I haven’t booked yet is itineraries.

Seabourn goes to the smaller more interesting ports, Viking stops at the big obvious cruise ship ports...boring.

Deck 5. Deck 5 on Seabourn is our favorite part of the ship on sea days. Uncrowded with shade, pool and jacuzzi...right on the ocean. Unique in the cruise ship world.

So for now I look at everything and am interested in anything that offers a competitive product for the price point of a regular veranda on Seabourn.

So far....nothing.

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I love that Seabourn stops at the smaller ports but on our cruise with them in the southern Caribbean we didn't end up in a few of the ports that were scheduled which makes it difficult to plan a private excursion. That is probably my only complaint. I think I am spoiled now for anything else.

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I think FLgemini gave a wonderfulcomparison. In the past two years we took two Viking Ocean Cruises includingthe two week Homelands Cruise and one Seabourn cruise from Athens toVenice. We are booked on the SeabournOvation Vintage Europe two week cruisein May from Lisbon to Amsterdam.

 

Although the Viking ships hold over 900 passengers, they areso well organized that you never notice the extra passengers. We are not “foodies” but in my opinion, but both cruise lines haveabove average food options. Since Vikingprovides free wifi and at least one free excursion in each port and Seabourncharges an outrageous fee for substandard wifi and provides no excursions andcharges a lot for the excursions they offer, I do get the feeling of being “nickledand dimed” on Seabourn. I know that Seabournprovided more alcoholic drinks and includes tips but I do not drink and usuallytip more anyway. To me, the only real factorto consider in choosing between the two cruise lines is itinerary. Other than that, both cruise lines offer aluxury vacation experience.

 

I do think that although the passengers on both lines are nearor past 60 years old, I did notice more people in their 40s on the SeabournCruise we took but that could change from voyage to voyage.

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While Seabourn is the cruise line that I prefer, Viking Oceans is a good product. I would actually choose Viking over Seabourn for a cold or cool weather itinerary thanks to their covered pool area, cozy space around the fireplace and their fantastic spa pool and relaxation area (which unlike the Retreat on Seabourn, is open to all passengers).

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Just off Seabourn Oddessy and we were very impressed.

First cruise with Seabourn, only other luxury lin Silversea last March.

 

Our inlaws were very recent on Viking Ocean, an not impressed at all. They have been on Silversea and have another booked for Europe in May. Once we tell them

about our experience with Seabourn, I'm sure they will want to try it.

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After reading the many differences between the two lines one can only come to the conclusion that Seabourn is a no brainier if you want the better experience.

Viking has only one good thing going for it and that is Karl Eckl who used to work for Seabourn and is the most customer focused guy at sea.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

I would sail forever on Viking if I knew Karl was going to be on that ship!

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