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Thinking of Trying Viking Ocean


kerryincork
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I like to try different cruise lines and am thinking of trying Viking Ocean next.

 

I have sailed with NCL, RCCL, MSC, Celebrity, Carnival and Princess. I am booked with P&O next summer. Out of the cruise lines I have listed, which lines entertainment is closest to Viking?

 

I have looked at different itineraries they have and am interested in the 15 day ones. When I look at the details, it says that flights and excursions are included.

 

If flying from the UK and boarding in the Caribbean what airline do they typically use? Is it possible to upgrade your flight? Is it easy to do?

 

With excursions, when I am looking at the different cabins it says I can book 60 days out? Do the included excursions book out? Is it possible that there will be no availability for included excursion?

 

The mini-bar in the room is this at a cost?

 

It also says speciality coffee are included, does this mean cuppachinos?

 

As they provide flights are transfers included?

 

Any info would be appreciated.

 

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Forums mobile app

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Read this thread. Tell Me Why.....It will help answer a lot of your questions. Viking is not like any of the cruise lines that you have mentioned it has its own way of doing things. Entertainment on board is unlike anything on board any of the ships you have mentioned. Itineraries are port intensive; the ship is not your destination.

 

Read what it says about flights, upgrades and transfers on the Viking website. Things are slightly different in the the UK and perhaps you should ask some of these questions directly to Viking reps in UK.

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Viking has a website that is extremely informative--sit down and give yourself some time to thoroughly read it so you can make informed decisions about where and when and if you want to cruise with Viking. On the bottom of their homepage in very small letters is their Site Map, which is also worth perusing in addition to the topics in the banner bar at the top. This forum also has many lively posts that are a goldmine of info! Many posts have photos as well. Don't forget to read the reviews which can be found by clicking on the Research found at the top of the Cruise Critic page.

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I like to try different cruise lines and am thinking of trying Viking Ocean next.

I have sailed with NCL, RCCL, MSC, Celebrity, Carnival and Princess. I am booked with P&O next summer. Out of the cruise lines I have listed, which lines entertainment is closest to Viking?

I have looked at different itineraries they have and am interested in the 15 day ones. When I look at the details, it says that flights and excursions are included.

If flying from the UK and boarding in the Caribbean what airline do they typically use? Is it possible to upgrade your flight? Is it easy to do?

With excursions, when I am looking at the different cabins it says I can book 60 days out? Do the included excursions book out? Is it possible that there will be no availability for included excursion?

The mini-bar in the room is this at a cost?

It also says speciality coffee are included, does this mean cuppachinos?

As they provide flights are transfers included?

 

We've been with several cruise lines before, and of the ones you've listed, we found X to be the best.

We've also decided to try a different cruise line and have already booked with Viking.

We requested flights with BA, and got them no problem. We tend to book cruises more than 12 months in advance of embarkation, and so when the flights become available we had confirmation of the actual flights, and at that point we opted to upgrade our seats for the flights - all of which was no problem, and we paid for the upgrade at that point (and went ahead to get our favourite seats too).

We've asked several times if the transfers are included - and yes, the transfers are included.

 

We're currently in 'count-down' to our cruise, and have asked Viking about our minibar - it depends I think on the level of accommodation you have in your booking, but for the top levels it's included; but we've been given a drinks package anyway.

I can't answer about excursions selling out, ours are bookable 80 days prior.

I imagine given the size of the ships that the entertainment isn't going to be quite as glitzy as Princes, Celebrity and P&O, especially if you've been on the Solstice Class with X for example.

We booked our cruises directly with Viking, and have had absolutely no problem getting hold of them on the phone - we're UK based.

At least with Viking there's no 1st and 2nd sitting for meals situation, and no charges for alternative dining.

 

Good luck, enjoy P&O (which ship are you going on)?

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If I had to answer what cruise line is comparable to Viking for on board entertainment, I would say Holland America is somewhat close.

 

My answer is based on numerous cruises on HAL (and experience on all the others mentioned) and statements about the on board cruise experience here on this forum.

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Thanks for the replies. I will try the Viking website again.

 

I am going on Ventura next summer to Iceland.

 

Sent from my VTR-L09 using Tapatalk

 

I haven't personally done Ventura, but I know from long experience that if you are embarking in Southampton it's great. Iceland is awesome - have a wonderful time.

 

Once you get up to Iceland, evening time don't miss going up on deck or your balcony, the views are wonderful.

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Yes, cuppachinos are included.

 

The entertainment is really not like the large ships. On our sailing, there was nightly piano music and guitar music (not together but at different times) in the atrium. There was a show in the theater each night, but it was probably more of a lounge show than a production. The larger shows were an ensemble cast singing and dancing but not the same broadway type shows that I've seen on NCL. Still, something to do in the evening. There was a very interesting flutist that performed her music paired to images or video - it was surprising good to me. Also, there was an entertainer that was billed as a singer, but his comedy was what I thought was best about his act. On the Star, the cruise director and assistant cruise director were entertaining and talented. (note: I am usually annoyed by the cruise director on large ships.) They have movie screenings out by the pool (covered pool- retractable roof) some nights or maybe all (?). I never went, but walked by one night. Folks had head phones and were on comfy pool loungers with blankets and, I think, popcorn. There is a band that plays every night for dancing in Torshavn bar. I never went, but folks on this site rave about it being a lot of fun. One of the best things about Viking is the enrichment or as I would say daytime entertainment. The port talks were in the theater and often standing room only. I enjoyed the Chef's cooking demo.

 

Excursions... the included excursions are often a bus ride overview of the area. Some combine walking with bus, but usually mostly bus and stopping for brief looks at monuments or overlooks. The times do book up for the included tours so if you want to do a paid tour and also an included tour at the same port (not always possible with timing overlaps), then you should be prepared to sign on when the reservations open and book the times that work as soon as possible. If there are paid tours you are interested in, I've heard that it's best book and pay for them first. Folks have missed out because they put the tour in their cart, but didn't buy it soon enough and it sold out. We had limited ability to switch times for included tours on the ship, but can't rely on the availability. The first tour time was popular.

I hope that I answered some of your questions. The website and other threads here should help you out.

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If I had to answer what cruise line is comparable to Viking for on board entertainment, I would say Holland America is somewhat close.

 

My answer is based on numerous cruises on HAL (and experience on all the others mentioned) and statements about the on board cruise experience here on this forum.

Personally, I don't think that the entertainment on HAL and Viking are quite the same. On Viking, the stage shows are lighter, fewer cast members -- maybe 5 on our Homelands cruise-- and not "big productions". There was a comedian one night and they did bring in guests from the ports. Where Viking surpassed HAL was on the live music in the various lounges pre and post dinner settings. In addition to "the band" they had a trio (violin, cello & flute) , pianist and a great guitar guy and they rotated throughout the ship late afternoon and evening. We really enjoyed sitting with a pre (or post) dinner drink and listening to the various musicians.

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If I had to answer what cruise line is comparable to Viking for on board entertainment, I would say Holland America is somewhat close.

 

My answer is based on numerous cruises on HAL (and experience on all the others mentioned) and statements about the on board cruise experience here on this forum.

 

Oh good grief, we sailed Viking Ocean for the first time last December and did our 3rd cruise on Holland American cruise on the Koningsdam in late January. There isn’t comparison, Viking well exceeded our expectations while Koningsdam sealed the deal, never again. On HAL.

 

To the OP, please do check out the thread I started before our Viking cruise called “Tell My Why”. If you weed through it you’ll find why you should cruise Viking.

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We are from the UK and used Vikings flight service. We were flying to Athens and wanted a direct flight so they advised us to fly from London. We also wanted to upgrade so they made a note on our booking and as soon as the schedule came out they rang us and sorted it out over the phone. They used B.A. and all we had to do was log onto their website to choose our seats. We were happy with the service and the price.

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Personally, I don't think that the entertainment on HAL and Viking are quite the same. On Viking, the stage shows are lighter, fewer cast members -- maybe 5 on our Homelands cruise-- and not "big productions". There was a comedian one night and they did bring in guests from the ports. Where Viking surpassed HAL was on the live music in the various lounges pre and post dinner settings. In addition to "the band" they had a trio (violin, cello & flute) , pianist and a great guitar guy and they rotated throughout the ship late afternoon and evening. We really enjoyed sitting with a pre (or post) dinner drink and listening to the various musicians.

 

Please note that I said somewhat the same. My fault was in not qualifying my statement that I was comparing HAL's smaller ships (like the Rotterdam, Veendam) and the entertainment on them to the description of Viking's offerings.

 

If one has cruised the Rotterdam, the description of Minka34's on board Viking experience is very similar to on board entertainment on the Rotterdam.

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We’ve sailed on most of the cruise lines you mention, plus Cunard, HAL and Fred Olsen. Viking is unlike any of them.

There is so much space - we constantly say to each other “where IS everyone”. No need to reserve seats anywhere, constant views of the ocean, no photographers pestering you at every turn, no casino, no bingo, no karaoke, no inch of gold tables clogging up the atrium and a buffet which is more like a decent restaurant than a rugby scrum. It’s just delightful. Enjoy your P&O cruise, but if you decide to try Viking I’d bet you never go back to them.

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No need to reserve seats anywhere, constant views of the ocean, no photographers pestering you at every turn, no casino, no bingo, no karaoke, no inch of gold tables clogging up the atrium

 

Great points in favour of Viking.

 

In addition to not having the annoying photogs, you mentioned another of my pet peeves - the infiltration of the Atrium by Shoppies peddling trinkets. On our last Princess cruise this was almost daily at sea, resulting in the Atrium being a sea of humanity and impossible to navigate through. The noise carried down to the lower deck cafe, so even down there you couldn't sit and relax.

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We’ve sailed on most of the cruise lines you mention, plus Cunard, HAL and Fred Olsen. Viking is unlike any of them.

There is so much space - we constantly say to each other “where IS everyone”. No need to reserve seats anywhere, constant views of the ocean, no photographers pestering you at every turn, no casino, no bingo, no karaoke, no inch of gold tables clogging up the atrium and a buffet which is more like a decent restaurant than a rugby scrum. It’s just delightful. Enjoy your P&O cruise, but if you decide to try Viking I’d bet you never go back to them.

 

Thank you!! We have a list going on the "Tell Me Why..." thread and now we have three more to add to the list.

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What I really like about Viking is the ability to e mail questions from booking to flights etc. and getting quick responses. The customer service from my experience has been excellent.

 

So if you have questions or need more information just connect with customer service.:D

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  • 3 weeks later...
I really hate nickel and diming.

 

I'm not sure I would consider a $10 gym class "nickel and diming". It is an "extra" that you may choose or not ... it will not affect your cruise experience if you choose not to. I like a massage in the spa ... it is a service that I pay for and don't consider it "nickel and diming" ... just another option that I "choose" to enhance my cruise. You can still use the gym anytime ... with or without the class.

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Viking is now charging $10 for gym classes. About the only complaint I have. They better not keep following the other cruise lines with the extra charges

 

Thought about this one for a while and while I'm completely against the nickle & diming culture on the mainstream lines, I really don't have an issue with this one.

 

I can visit the gym and will know how to operate the machines, or can figure it out quickly and from years of coaching training am very comfortable with developing my own program. Therefore, I can use the gym without additional cost.

 

If some pax either need or want help with using the machines, or developing an exercise program, then I suggest a gym class is a value added service and charging a small fee isn't unreasonable.

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