Favorite Features?

[harbormaster]

Has anyone seen the capacity of each of the restaurants? Can't seem to find it.

[rjscott]

I'm still thinking we may see some additions to the deck plan. While we know there is not going to be a casino, I don't see a card room or library. I think a library stocked with a selection of great worldwide travel selections is a must for a destination focused ship.

 

There is a large atrium area on Deck 3 and I'm guessing we may eventually see a card room and library in this area, and/or perhaps a small coffee shop.

 

Ernie

 

We were at the Ocean Launch event and Mr. Hagen said there will be a library, and I believe it will be in the atrium area. The brochure mentions the library on page 9 as well.

[rjscott]

My travel agent says there won't be any key cards, we'll all have bracelets. The cabin door will open as we approach with our bracelet, any purchases will be made with the bracelet, etc. Does Viking already do this on their new longboats?

 

We've only sailed the rivers with Uniworld and AMAWaterways.

 

When we sailed on the Viking Idun longship last April, we had keycards at that time. Don't know that it has changed since.

[rjscott]

Right? I often want to charge and read my iPad at the same time, and I like to travel with a small 5" desk fan to help me with my 'personal summertime'. I've learned that most ships have an outlet behind the bed for the lamps, but they're generally Euro round prong and would blow the fan out, not to mention we'd lose a lamp.

 

The longships have a 110 outlet at the bedside, which was very nice, as I used my Nook to check my email at night or early morning and then charged it on that bedside outlet while we were touring during the day. Very handy. Hopefully, they'll keep this convenience on the Viking Star.

[ellbon]

My travel agent says there won't be any key cards, we'll all have bracelets. The cabin door will open as we approach with our bracelet, any purchases will be made with the bracelet, etc. Does Viking already do this on their new longboats?

 

We've only sailed the rivers with Uniworld and AMAWaterways.

 

weird as i never would wear it and leave it by the pool or somewhere in cabin..

[wripro]

My opinion is that we should all stop comparing the ocean cruisers with the river cruisers. I'm sure this will be a totally different operation in all areas.

[Bear_Music]

My opinion is that we should all stop comparing the ocean cruisers with the river cruisers. I'm sure this will be a totally different operation in all areas.

Well, Viking themselves WANT us to connect the two:

 

"Join us as we usher in a new era of ocean cruising by taking the innovative thinking behind our award-winning river cruises and bringing it to the epic setting of the sea. This cruise experience is the one our river passengers inspired us to create. We have asked our guests, listened, observed—and now crafted the ultimate kind of cruise: one focused on destinations."

 

We can hope they are sincere in this, and will carry over the personal intimacy that's a hallmark of their river cruising into the Viking Oceans experience. Penny and I are banking on it; we've booked the Maiden from Istanbul to Barcelona.

 

Regarding "favorite features", our favorite is the LACK of specific features; no casino, no rock climbing, no zip lines, no waterslide, no discotheque, stuff like that. We like that there's a library with destination-specific publications. We like the free wi-fi A LOT. We like the clean, modern design; we don't do well with baroque excess :)

 

All in all, we're excited. This ship speaks to us.

[hypercafe]

For us the covered pool and promenade are great, things I missed on the Rivera. We also like the included shore ex. and wine and beer with lunch and dinner. The concept af great food in all rest. is a refreshing change, most if not all lines now make it seem you must eat in a specitality rest to get the best food. On our recent Oceania trip it was almost an obsession with some to get into the specialty rest. I hope they will have a trip that includes Egypt, if so we will be on it.

[shedridt]

But the thing that most impresses me is that they are already rolling out their program of land excursions. Although this list is surely tentative, it gives you a great idea of what to expect.

 

Also attractive is the length of the tours, which should minimize the tendency of short cruises to attract people interested in a more party-like atmosphere.

 

Can't wait to see more itineraries, as we've been to so many of the places currently in the announced routes.

[sitraveler]

Unlike Oceania, I'll bet there are fixed dining times. The dining room won't be big enough for anytime. There will be lots of news and details until we sail..

 

Saw in another thread that the ship will be ready on time, we'll see.

The builder had labor problems, and the Riviera had to shuffle several cruises. There were almost fights over who would get the preferred positions on the inaugural with the cancelled cruises.

 

Tipping policy looks like a river cruise, I wouldn't be surprised if this changes too.

 

Counting until 4/11/15, sorry all those CPA's