Regent or Viking Ocean?

[Linda VH]

This probably won't matter to a lot of people BUT there is no casino. We love the casino (hope Tony is still pit boss on Explorer when we get on).;p

[tubeamps]

Just for information purposes, we paid an extra 4K each for round trip business class with Viking. That seemed reasonable considering it is peak season (July).

Just checked my numbers, it was closer to 3500 each for the business air.

Edited May 2, 2017 by tubeamps
more information

[Carol From California]

Carol, our experiences have apparently been different which is okay. I certainly agree with you about the PH suite on the Explorer vs. Oceania. Not sure what Regent was thinking when they built the PH suites (although we love the suites and the Seven Seas Suites on Explorer.

 

The dress code on Oceania in the Terrace Café at night incudes shorts, jeans or whatever. After dinner the passengers don't change and are walking around in shorts and jeans. I saw one man in overalls - the kind you would wear in the backyard or workshop - and several people in shorts. We just prefer long pants on men (and women) at night.

 

Terrace Café is a long story that I won't go into here. While food is subjective, a couple of things happened in the Terrace Café which left me not wanting to return. If I could eat in Jacques almost every night I'd be happy.

 

Based on reviews that I've read, Oceania is the best premium-plus cruise line out there. Their competition seems to be more Azamara (agree about suite sizes - they are the same ships - with different décor - as Oceania's small ships) than Viking Ocean.

 

Back to Viking Ocean and Regent, it appears that the biggest cost difference is included airfare - a big price item. Although Viking doesn't include as many excursions as Regent, IMO, it isn't a big deal. If you have to pay for your excursions, it probably would not come anywhere near the cost of a round-trip business class international flight which Regent includes.

 

We usually book our air with miles so the cost of the air is then deducted from the cruise fare on Regent, and on Oceania when it is included. On the cruise we have booked on the Explorer we did take the air. When it comes time to book these flights we will try to use mileage but if we are not successful we will take the Regent air.

 

We never observed the type of casual dress in the Terrace Café on Oceania that you did. Perhaps it was the itinerary? I would think in the Caribbean or somewhere like that the dress would be more casual. We have been on the Marina three times now and never saw that type of dress. We did an Australia/New Zealand cruise, a NY to Montreal cruise and a cruise from Amsterdam to Barcelona. We are scheduled to go on the Marina again in August (British Isles). Frankly I don't really care how people dress.....doesn't bother me at all. When we go to Hawaii or Mexico and stay in a 5-star resort, you will see very casual dress...men in shorts and a Hawaiian shirt in a 5 star restaurant. This reminds me of one of the first cruises we went on, on Regent. My husband and I went in to one of the restaurants and he did not have a jacket on. They quickly got one and made him put it on. That is before the dress code changed to "Country Club Casual". We like that much better and glad that most of the cruise lines have done away with formal nights.

[Carol From California]

This probably won't matter to a lot of people BUT there is no casino. We love the casino (hope Tony is still pit boss on Explorer when we get on).;p

 

And we never step foot in the casino so it does not matter a bit to us.

 

When we go to Las Vegas we don't gamble either. We go for the hotels, shows, and dining. :)

[JPR]

Our sweet spots in cruising are Regent Explorer F Superior Suites, Regent Mariner PH Suites, and best of all, PH Suites on Oceania Riviera and Marina. Spas and cuisine on the two "O" ships and Explorer are tops.

[ChatKat in Ca.]

All of these discussions just prove to me that ther is no such thing as the 'perfect cruise line'. I've said it before and I'll say it again - we're lucky to have the choices we have.

 

Yes. Variety is the spice of life.

 

I agree wtih @Carol - the Oceania ships are a better choice for us - Regent Light.

I won't be on a Viking Cruise though. I find the value for us is much better on Crystal and service is over the top. Yes, cabins are smaller but so well appointed and so much to do on Crystal - I don't miss the extra space. But then there is so much to do onboard that we are hardly in the cabin.

[mjobtx]

We have been on the Oceania Marina twice, soon to be three times and on the Insignia once. We have cruised on Celebrity, Regent, and soon to be Viking Ocean. On Oceania, the Terrace cafe is for people that don't want to change for dinner. Did some people take advantage in the Grand dining room and the specialty restaurants? Absolutely. It is difficult for staff to send a passenger back to their room to change unless the dress is way out of line. We saw none of that on either of the Oceania ships.

 

Like some of you, we pick a cruise line based on the itinerary. The itineraries of interest to us are currently on Oceania, Regent, and Viking. Before I book, I launch Excel and go to work. We get quotes and the perks for each cruise from our TA. We selected Viking for a 37 day Hong Kong to Vancouver itinerary in April 2019. Even adding in the things not included like business class airfare and estimating shore excursion costs (we have a lot of experience with private excursion costs), the cost was in our favor by several thousands of dollars. It made economic sense plus the itinerary required to cover the same ground was much more efficient.

 

The reviews are excellent for Viking Ocean so it just gets down to whether or not the experience is to our liking. We are not the kind of people that still wear suits on airplanes or tuxedos at dinner so we won't miss that part of the experience inherent on other cruise lines.

 

One final thought, we have sailed on Viking River cruises and had absolutely none of the negative experiences mentioned by others. There were six of us on the last Viking River cruise. Shortly after boarding the ship, I asked the hotel manager if there were any larger suites unsold. He said there were a total of four. We took three of those suites for our group for a total upgrade cost of $1,200 ($400 per cabin). Quite a savings. We were very happy with the entire experience.

[Travelcat2]

As many Regent regulars know, Regent lost quite a few officers and crew members to Viking Ocean due to their enticing benefits. Some have returned to Regent and others would like to. I asked one person that moved to Viking Ocean if it was something that we would enjoy. The answer was a simple "no". I trust this persons opinion.

 

We have tried Oceania and did not like the food in the Terrace Cafe or MDR but they have beautiful suites in the top categories. If we were going to sail a non-luxury cruise line again, it would be Oceania - not Viking Ocean (and only on the Riviera or Marina ....... Oceania's smaller ships are not to our taste and these are also the same ships that Azamara is sailing).

[BarbarianPaul]

We sailed on Regent in the Med last November, and will be first time Viking Oceans cruisers in August on their Viking Homelands Baltic cruise this August. We chose them for a number of reasons:

1. The itinerary was superior and at 14 days, longer than Regent.

2. Ship design looks stunning, light, modern, beautiful. For us the clean Scandinavian aesthetic made other ships pale in comparison.

3. More unique nighttime entertainment, including evening port talks, etc.

4. No kids

5. Great reviews

 

 

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[Dolebludger]

My sole concern about Viking Ocean is the question (to which I do not have the answer) of whether all drinks are included all of the time. This may not be a major issue to all But it is to us, even though we are not drunks! All I know is that Viking River does not have such an inclusion. Does Viking Ocean?

[OceanPatter]

We're with you, BarbarianPaul. While we immensely enjoyed our holiday cruise on the Explorer, we'll be trying Viking Ocean next March ... to get a different cruise experience with a 'Scandinavian' feel. And while the Explorer offers an almost identical itinerary, we like Viking Ocean's ports a little better.

 

There are so many options out there, it's hard to be strictly loyal to any one cruise line.

[OceanPatter]

My sole concern about Viking Ocean is the question (to which I do not have the answer) of whether all drinks are included all of the time. All I know is that Viking River does not have such an inclusion. Does Viking Ocean?

 

As I understand it, drinks are included with meals only.

[mjobtx]

Taken from the Viking Ocean website:

Beer, wine and soft drinks with onboard meals

Other included beverages, such as specialty coffees, teas and bottled water

[mjobtx]

We take our own wine on most cruises. According to the Viking representative I talked to today, they do not charge corkage if you take your own wine to dinner. Regent has the same policy. Oceania charges $25 per bottle corkage.

[clasater]

We have been on both lines (Viking Ocean and Regent) in the last year and will be on both in the next year. Viking's employees seem to enjoy their jobs just as much as Regent's. The food on Viking to us is every bit as good as Regent.

Viking has a very reasonable beverage package that includes premium spirits for $29.95.

Our enjoyment was equal with both. Think MOST people would enjoy either line !

[clasater]

Correction:

Cost of premium beverage package on Viking is closer to $20.

The exact daily cost is determined by the number of days cruising.

[kkmiausa]

Many of you will not agree with me, but here is my take. Have cruised on Oceania Marina and Riviera, Seabourn Quest, and even lowly Princess in the past year. Set for Regent in August and Oceania again in December on a Cuba sailing. Viking people, in my honest opinion, usually get hooked on them because of the river cruise commercials. Luckily, on our first river cruise over 5 years ago the time frame when we wanted to get away was early spring and the itinerary we liked was on Amawaterways - highly recommended by our travel agent-friend. We researched them all. Uniworld, Tauck, Avalon, Scenic and Viking. We chose Amawaterways and we fell in love with the line.

 

Now we have friends who are just starting to cruise. All they can talk about is Viking - since most everyone they know fell for the commercials. Maybe it is a little snobby of me, but I just don't like being with the herd. I prefer upscale when I travel. Believe me, we have done the cheaper lines through the years. We live in Miami so have done the usual NCL, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess and even horrors "Carnival".

 

I would never take a Viking ocean cruise. Maybe if you have never been on Regent or Oceania or even Seabourn you would probably think it is o.k. Just like we thought any balcony room was good, until we got upgraded to a Penthouse - now we are spoiled. I don't see any way that Viking could come close to the ambience, amenities, and food on Oceania. We are looking forward to Regent and with the all inclusive nature it really is less expensive compared to our Oceania cruise when you take into account the included excursions, premium drinks, tips, etc.

 

Just my take. Hope you enjoy Viking. But for me - never.

[BarbarianPaul]

Many of you will not agree with me, but here is my take. Have cruised on Oceania Marina and Riviera, Seabourn Quest, and even lowly Princess in the past year. Set for Regent in August and Oceania again in December on a Cuba sailing. Viking people, in my honest opinion, usually get hooked on them because of the river cruise commercials. Luckily, on our first river cruise over 5 years ago the time frame when we wanted to get away was early spring and the itinerary we liked was on Amawaterways - highly recommended by our travel agent-friend. We researched them all. Uniworld, Tauck, Avalon, Scenic and Viking. We chose Amawaterways and we fell in love with the line.

 

 

 

Now we have friends who are just starting to cruise. All they can talk about is Viking - since most everyone they know fell for the commercials. Maybe it is a little snobby of me, but I just don't like being with the herd. I prefer upscale when I travel. Believe me, we have done the cheaper lines through the years. We live in Miami so have done the usual NCL, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Princess and even horrors "Carnival".

 

 

 

I would never take a Viking ocean cruise. Maybe if you have never been on Regent or Oceania or even Seabourn you would probably think it is o.k. Just like we thought any balcony room was good, until we got upgraded to a Penthouse - now we are spoiled. I don't see any way that Viking could come close to the ambience, amenities, and food on Oceania. We are looking forward to Regent and with the all inclusive nature it really is less expensive compared to our Oceania cruise when you take into account the included excursions, premium drinks, tips, etc.

 

 

 

Just my take. Hope you enjoy Viking. But for me - never.

 

 

 

You certainly have a lot of opinions for someone who has never sailed on Viking Oceans. But guess what, neither have I...but I can't wait for our Baltic cruise coming up in a month! If you run the numbers, since Air isn't included on Viking, the cost is roughly equivalent to both Oceania and Regent. But the thing is, the Oceania ships, for better or worse, are old and repurposed, however nicely maintained they are. I've heard their food is good, but I can't imagine it being better than the Explorer, which we cruised on last year, and on the Crystal Serenity the summer before. The Explorer was wonderful, the cabins spectacular, the food great...but the ship's design, its acres of marble and dark wood, to us felt like a Peninsula Hotel. We've stayed in a million of them...I'd just rather not sail on one. And, truth be told, the ship was a little stuffy.

 

It wasn't the river cruise commercials that got us interested, since we're ocean not river cruising. It was the Viking Star's stunning and sleek Scandinavian design and modern aesthetic. It was the fact that the lectures and port talks were higher quality and given precedence over the lame entertainment, which was no better on Regent than any other cruise line we've sailed. And it was the unique itinerary, featuring more ports and a nice mix of the cities everyone visits with smaller Scandinavian stops as well.

 

So for us this in one herd we're really looking forward to joining.

 

 

 

 

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[Travelcat2]

I'll be interested in your review. Just a comment and a question. I don't know if you drink or enjoy lounges with or without a alcoholic beverage, do you expect the lounges onboard to be quiet compared to Regent?

 

My only comment is that Viking Ocean is not a luxury ship so, IMO, it may be doing a disservice to the cruise line by comparing it to Regent (after all, having no corkage fee is no big deal on luxury cruise lines but when you compare it with Oceania, it is a big plus).

 

Hope that your cruise is great:D

[tubeamps]

I'll be interested in your review. Just a comment and a question. I don't know if you drink or enjoy lounges with or without a alcoholic beverage, do you expect the lounges onboard to be quiet compared to Regent?

 

My only comment is that Viking Ocean is not a luxury ship so, IMO, it may be doing a disservice to the cruise line by comparing it to Regent (after all, having no corkage fee is no big deal on luxury cruise lines but when you compare it with Oceania, it is a big plus).

 

Hope that your cruise is great:D

 

Trying to dismiss Viking Ocean as not being in the same category as Regent or Crystal is myopic IMO.

Objectively, the only thing that appears to separate the lines are including gratuities and all alcohol. CRystal doesn't provide air.

 

I've sailed Regent and Crystal and your comment about comparing Viking as being a disservice is just plain silly.

If Viking can provide the level of service and food we expect, judging their product with a label is a disservice to the cruiser.

 

I board Viking Sea in 12 days for a run to the North Cape. I booked the second highest level room which included all the perks I would receive on Crystal or Regent.

 

I will review and compare my experiences to the coveted luxury lines upon my return.

[nfcu]

Some posters on here confuse the terms "all-inclusive" and "luxury". They think that just because a certain cruise line is all-inclusive, then it is in the luxury category, and if it is not all-inclusive, it cannot be luxury, so they dismiss it.

[mjobtx]

kkmiausa, you now know you were absolutely right. Dismissing a quality cruise line out of hand without ever trying it seems hypocritical on its surface. I would never suggest that you have to sail on the line but to dismiss it without cause is disingenuous.

 

As for me, the commercials played no roll in our decision. The itinerary coupled with excellent reviews did the trick. And all of us who have cruised no there is no such thing as "all inclusive." That is a marketing term that is over used. Some lines do include more of what you may want in the cruise rate but you are paying for it. No cruise line is giving anything away. If you were to track total cost as I do, you will find that the more all inclusive a cruise line says it is, the higher the premium over a similar cruise on another line. All inclusive is a marketing message meant to convey that we won't nickle and dime you. What it doesn't convey, is you will be paying quarters instead of nickles and dimes.

 

The real difference in cruise lines is not in marketing terminology, it is in the experience whether that be the level of luxury, pampering, itinerary, fellow passengers, or other factors. Pick the line that suits you but don't expect to get a bargain because it advertises "All Inclusive."

[Travelcat2]

The cruise industry designates the rating of a cruise line. There are many discussions on this topic on the Luxury board. Some people find "luxury" on a mainstream cruise line in a separate section that is not accessible by others. "Luxury" is in the eyes of the beholder. A cruise line does to have to be all-inclusive to be classified as "luxury" (example - Europa 1 and 2).

 

IMO, Regent is in competition with other "luxury" designated cruise lines (especially Silversea and Seabourn). The four major luxury cruise lines were not all-inclusive when we started sailing in 2004 but they are now. The "big four" tend to follow each other in certain ways. Regent started the more casual dress code - Seabourn and Crystal followed (Silversea is still formal). Regent implemented the strict non-smoking policy several years ago and it wasn't until recently that Seabourn joined the other three luxury lines with a strict non-smoking policy. My point is that Regent isn't looking at what Viking Ocean or Azamara is doing as they are not direct competition but they definitely know what other "luxury cruise lines" are offering. Interestingly, on the christening cruise of Explorer, we met the owner of Siilversea. He was onboard to enjoy the festivities and likely got a good eyeful of what the competition to their new ship, "the Muse" is.

 

Whether we agree with it or not, Azamara, Viking Ocean and Oceania are classified one step below "luxury". If "luxury" were based solely on service, food and the ship, Oceania's Riviera and Marina would definitely qualify. However, even the CEO of Oceania states that Oceania is not in the same class as Regent. Defending any of these cruise lines does not make it "luxury". No one is putting them down or saying that they are not great cruise lines -- they are just not in the same category as Crystal, Regent, Seabourn, Silversea, Europa 1 and 2, Sea Dream and possibly Windstar.

 

In any case, there is a fine line between ship categories an there are definitely luxury aspects on many cruise lines. While I typically say that this is my opinion, in this case it is the opinion of the cruise industry and most luxury cruisers.

[BarbarianPaul]

I'll be interested in your review. Just a comment and a question. I don't know if you drink or enjoy lounges with or without a alcoholic beverage, do you expect the lounges onboard to be quiet compared to Regent?

 

 

 

My only comment is that Viking Ocean is not a luxury ship so, IMO, it may be doing a disservice to the cruise line by comparing it to Regent (after all, having no corkage fee is no big deal on luxury cruise lines but when you compare it with Oceania, it is a big plus).

 

 

 

Hope that your cruise is great:D

 

 

 

Yes, I'll certainly be interested in my review too. I hope we like it! In answer to your question, my wife doesn't drink and at most I'll have a glass of wine occasionally at dinner. We don't really use the lounges either, and at night, after dinner, if we're not watching some sort of event, show, or lecture, we're either strolling around and enjoying the ship or hanging out in our cabin. We like to think we're more laid back than boring! :) And on this particular cruise, which is so port intensive, we're going to have to go to bed early to be up for many early morning excursions.

 

One thing I have learned about the Viking Star is that it's apparently filled with many nooks and crannies, that are perfect for relaxing on sea days and reading, which we love to do. The spa (including a room where it snows!) and gym are supposed to be incredibly nice as well, which is important to us.

 

Frankly, I don't expect Regent quality food, but the reviews have been strong and my expectations are still quite high. I guess we'll see.

 

I'm not sure what definition you're using for a luxury cruise line. With Viking, the gratuities, airfare and excursions (aside from a relatively basic free one in every port) are not included. Complimentary wine is offered at meals only...perfect for us. The pre cruise hotel isn't included either. But, having just done the math, once I add all these extras in, the cost is higher than our Explorer cruise in November, where we had some level of Concierge cabin. So my expectations are equivalent.

 

For us, again, the itinerary is more creative and the ship stunning, potentially superior in design to the competition. The nighttime events, including port talks, lectures and even local musicians, seem more sophisticated than the usual entertainment. The Scandinavian aesthetic might very well not be as pampering and indulgent, but I think it represents more of a cultural choice than a decrease in luxury.

 

I guess time will tell! I'll definitely have an opinion upon our late August return.

 

 

 

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[Travelcat2]

 

With Viking, the gratuities, airfare and excursions (aside from a relatively basic free one in every port) are not included. Complimentary wine is offered at meals only...perfect for us. The pre cruise hotel isn't included either. But, having just done the math, once I add all these extras in, the cost is higher than our Explorer cruise in November, where we had some level of Concierge cabin. So my expectations are equivalent.

 

I guess time will tell! I'll definitely have an opinion upon our late August return.

 

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Just to be clear, when you stated that the cost for your Viking cruise is higher than Regent, you were not including hotel or Business Class Air. This is pretty much what Regent advertises.... when you add in everything that is not included on lower priced cruises, Regent's pricing isn't as high as at first glance.

 

As I said in my "too long" post above, I am using the generally accepted list of "luxury cruise lines". After we took our first Radisson cruise, we looked for other "luxury" cruise lines and came with the same ones, Crystal, Seabourn and Silversea (in addition to Radisson). Now other lines are using the term.

 

Do you get free internet? If so, hope that you will find time to give us some impressions. I'll be checking the Viking board for your posts:D