For those of you that think of moving on to Viking

[Cyber Kat]

What has one traveller’s “attitude” got to do with the decision to avoid a cruise line? No one said the line prohibits scooters or walkers indeed the cruise lines are always very accommodating. That traveller could be on your next cruise on anyone’s ship. If you have an issue with them, take it up with them.

 

 

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Actually they do not allow scooters and they state that in their FAQ, but they do allow wheelchairs and walkers.

 

They have stated that they consider scooters a safety issue, and I tend to agree. I have played dodge ‘em scooters on other lines. As we get older ourselves, it becomes more difficult to get out of the way - we don’t move as fast as we used to - a fact that is often forgotten in the kerfuffle.

 

While I do have empathy with those who need them, it has been my experience that far too many (and definitely not all) users either don’t know how to operate them, or simply figure everyone else should just get out of the way. Again, something that is often easier said than done in narrow crowded spaces.

 

Impatient people in motorized conveyances and crowds often do not mix well as our highways have proven on a regular basis.

 

It becomes a greater issue in the confined spaces of smaller ships such as the ones in the Viking fleet. Viking is also making more active people their target market. They are not trying to be all things to all people. Not every fit is a good one.

 

Fortunately, for those who do need to use scooters, and don’t find walkers or wheelchairs viable options, there are many, many other lines to choose from that go to lovely ports on fabulous ships.

 

I don’t understand the beef with Viking. They are not forcing anyone to sail with them, and it’s not like there are no other options.

 

Another thing some people forget is that one of the As in ADA is American. It’s a USA set of regulations that does not apply to other countries. One might wish it did, but it does not. That is the reality.

[ChucktownSteve]

I always love it when somebody touts their degrees. A professor of mine, years ago, said that a degree only shows that one has the ability to learn and take tests. He went on to say that just because you have it on the wall doesn't mean you have it on the ball, the world is full of educated idiots.

 

+1

 

How many degrees are worthless majors anyway? I prefer a street smart person to an over educated pompous..... who expects everyone to adopt their philosophy.

[ChucktownSteve]

 

Celebrity is one of the lines, I’ve looked at. One advantage they have for me over Viking and some other lines is that they regularly have ships sailing from the NY/NJ area. No flights goes in the plus column.

 

You might be interested in the Oceania Marina cruise April 2019 out of NYC. It goes up the coast to Canada, three days crossing then some ports in Ireland before disembarking in London. Only One direct flight back. ;p

[cruzzzinma]

We have been thinking about Viking for a Baltic cruise versus Celebrity. I like the idea of only 900 or so passengers versus 2000 plus. We have been told Viking can get closer to Estonia and St Petersburg for example, versus a Celebrity or HAL ship. Is this true? What about the shore excursions included with Viking? Are they worth it? I was disappointed with Celebrity shore excursions in Alaska. Thank you for your comments.

I recommend posting this on the Viking board. There are dedicated Viking cruisers who can answer questions.

[Silkroad]

Actually they do not allow scooters and they state that in their FAQ, but they do allow wheelchairs and walkers.

 

They have stated that they consider scooters a safety issue, and I tend to agree. I have played dodge ‘em scooters on other lines. As we get older ourselves, it becomes more difficult to get out of the way - we don’t move as fast as we used to - a fact that is often forgotten in the kerfuffle.

 

While I do have empathy with those who need them, it has been my experience that far too many (and definitely not all) users either don’t know how to operate them, or simply figure everyone else should just get out of the way. Again, something that is often easier said than done in narrow crowded spaces.

 

Impatient people in motorized conveyances and crowds often do not mix well as our highways have proven on a regular basis.

 

It becomes a greater issue in the confined spaces of smaller ships such as the ones in the Viking fleet. Viking is also making more active people their target market. They are not trying to be all things to all people. Not every fit is a good one.

 

Fortunately, for those who do need to use scooters, and don’t find walkers or wheelchairs viable options, there are many, many other lines to choose from that go to lovely ports on fabulous ships.

 

I don’t understand the beef with Viking. They are not forcing anyone to sail with them, and it’s not like there are no other options.

 

Another thing some people forget is that one of the As in ADA is American. It’s a USA set of regulations that does not apply to other countries. One might wish it did, but it does not. That is the reality.

 

Agree! I had to take evasive action on a recent cruise. If I myself had been less nimble, I would have been pinned to a wall. That gentleman was quite apologetic, and his wife explained that his rented scooter was unfamiliar to him. They were lovely, and I certainly appreciated the fact that since the scooter was new to him, he was moving slowly. I have also encountered people who had mastered the controls and who behaved responsibly, as well as the ones who expect people to leap aside because they’re not stopping (difficult when one is already in an elevator when a scooter speeds in). On one occasion, I simply wasn’t certain the person on the scooter had the motor control to operate it safely.

 

Quick side note: I am enjoying your wonderful river cruise review. DH wants one of the pedal power bars for his birthday!

[bEwAbG]

Lots of river cruise companies (including Viking) do not allow the scooters because they don't fit in the cabins & the corridors are narrow. The ones that do generally require that scooters be the fold-able type, and they cannot be left in the hallways. River cruises also may dock in nonstandard places, and the gangplanks are often an adventure, especially if there are several boats moored side-by-side at the same time (you have to cross gangplanks to the other boats first).

 

Viking's cruise ship policy is almost word-for-word the same as their river cruise policy, probably due to their focus on visiting ports versus using the ship as a destination. I think it's better to know their policy in advance rather than getting onboard to find out that there are unknown challenges. There have also been reports of exceptions being made, which I am sure are based on itinerary, but also many posts about requests being denied. The ADA doesn't apply to foreign-flagged ships, so I guess the only recourse is to not book with them.

[Lastdance]

Well said Cyber Kat! I chose not to quote, but did want to add my thoughts!

 

Also, policies are there to share what is and what is not allowed. Whether you like it or not, it is still the policy. There is no way that everyone can be accommodated, however, variety is the spice of life for many of us!

[cruise kitty]

Thanks to the OP for your straight forward assessment of Viking, although they sound like a perfect fit for me, the price holds me back, I cruise for the destinations, & it's difficult for me to justify paying so much more to get to the same port.

 

Also sorry that your thread got hijacked by certain "prestigious" people. ;)

[Hlitner]

The Scooter issue is difficult. We have one friend who really does depend on her scooter and we know she is a capable driver. But I had to hear my DW let out a loud scream (on a Celebrity cruise) when a 300 pound plus man in a heavy scooter decided to back over her foot (fortunately she only suffered a bad bruise). On another cruise DW and I were nearly crushed by a lady who rolled into our elevator just as the doors opened and pinned us against the rear wall. On other cruises we have actually met folks who sustained injuries after being hit or having their foot run over by scooters.

 

So what is the solution? I have no clue...and there is no simple fix. The large majority of those who use scooters do so very responsibly. But it only takes a few to cause big trouble.

 

Hank

[Cruise or Lose!]

Thank you, Hiltner. It’s a very emotional issue for me, because my mother’s choice of activities is severely restricted after a lifetime of sacrificing herself for others. I would understand if Viking had regulations governing scooters, and we would abide by those rules. But an outright ban essentially means that my mother and your friend are not welcome, and I have a serious problem with that. I can’t take it up with Viking, because a complaint letter that begins with “We have never cruised with you, and we will never cruise with you” is more than a little silly. So I get angry, and spout off from my soapbox, and come across as an idiot. Guilty as charged [emoji847]

 

 

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[Hlitner]

Thank you, Hiltner. It’s a very emotional issue for me, because my mother’s choice of activities is severely restricted after a lifetime of sacrificing herself for others. I would understand if Viking had regulations governing scooters, and we would abide by those rules. But an outright ban essentially means that my mother and your friend are not welcome, and I have a serious problem with that. I can’t take it up with Viking, because a complaint letter that begins with “We have never cruised with you, and we will never cruise with you” is more than a little silly. So I get angry, and spout off from my soapbox, and come across as an idiot. Guilty as charged [emoji847]

 

 

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We hear you. And my vote is still out on the Viking policy...but I do understand their thinking. A carefully worded letter to Viking's CEO (Torstein Hagen) might get some kind of productive response. But you need to consider that for everyone like you, who objects to the no-scooter policy, there are plenty of others who praise the policy. We almost feel a bit sorry for the cruise/travel industry when it comes to issues like scooters and "emotional support animals." Its a no-win situation.

 

I think that Viking was quick to adopt a no-scooter policy because that is the situation on most of their large River Boat fleet which cannot accommodate scooters (and in some cases wheelchairs). As they continue to expand their fleet it will be interesting to see if they modify this policy. I will mention that we were once on a long ocean cruise when we heard a lady ranting (to the Hotel Manager) because the ship would not allow her (and her scooter) to go ashore on a tender. The Hotel Manager tried to patiently explain that it was just too dangerous to transfer her (and her scooter) to a tender in moving seas...and ultimately on to a dock that involved multiple steps. Overhearing the entire conversation I felt a lot of sympathy for the lady (who was a frequent cruiser and should have known better) and the most Senior Officer (other than the Captain). But another person, hearing the same conversation mumbled, "if she got hurt or fell into the sea...she would be the first to sue the cruise line."

 

Hank

[Cruise or Lose!]

Getting myself onto a tender is complicated enough; getting my mother and a scooter onto a tender would be impossible!

 

Thanks for the laugh - and for your compassion.

 

 

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[bEwAbG]

Motorized wheelchairs are harder to learn to navigate than scooters which is why people who have limited mobility are usually put on scooters in the first place. As with any conveyance, some drivers are better than others. I've traveled quite a bit with someone who uses one, and he is adept at maneuvering the scooter to avoid hitting people, but it is always amazing to see how many times someone just steps right in front of him, even in uncrowded conditions. These scooters are pretty nimble, but you can't stop on a dime. If someone is new to using one, I can see it being a little unwieldy, especially on a rocking ship. Anyone using one is entitled to respect and consideration for their mobility issue, including providing appropriate personal space.

[Cruise or Lose!]

Makes sense. Thank you.

 

 

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[Jade13]

Any policy that excludes an identifiable group based on immutable characteristics is unacceptable. Period. This policy has nothing to do with safety, and everything to do with desired clientele.

 

 

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They said that wheelchairs are allowed.

 

 

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[SargassoPirate]

Just received a thank you card from the CEO of Viking Cruises. It was a bulk mailing card, but nonetheless thanked us for our booking and they were looking forward to welcoming us on board.

 

Depending on how Viking delivers, our next cruise on Celebrity this spring may be our last. We are tired of the crappy website, constant upsell, and declining service and in 15 years, we have seen the decline.

 

No formal nights, no casino, and no kids is enough to get us to try them.

[wombatjoey]

We are also booked on the Viking O for South America and the Carib for next year.

 

Just a bit of history, we have been Elite plus for a long time with Celeb and have done a 14 night Eclipse this winter our 6th on this ship, same time each year. It is the last 14 nighter.

 

It took me a long time to realize that if I wanted a 5 star experience on Celeb, I was not going to get it by booking a lowly balcony. The food in MDR was terrible and the service poor.

 

So we cancelled the new upcoming Edge for next year. We had an infinity balcony but that is still not a Suite or better. The class oriented Celeb means that if you want the 5 Star you have to be in a Suite or higher.

 

Our cruise on the Viking Sea, is less per night than the infinity balcony would have been on the Edge with so much more included. Tours, air, coffees, sodas etc. spas, etc...

 

We are looking forward to a very large jogging track, the infinity pool, the spas...no moss gathering under this rock.

 

I really appreciate this thread and welcome any comments.

[Gezoman]

Have thought of Viking Ocean cruises and even attended several presentations. However, I'm a Celebrity fan and will stay with them. I might consider a river cruise from Vikings as a trial.

[Ozzmund]

We have been thinking about Viking for a Baltic cruise versus Celebrity. I like the idea of only 900 or so passengers versus 2000 plus. We have been told Viking can get closer to Estonia and St Petersburg for example, versus a Celebrity or HAL ship. Is this true? What about the shore excursions included with Viking? Are they worth it? I was disappointed with Celebrity shore excursions in Alaska. Thank you for your comments.

 

My brother and sister-in-law (mid to late 50s) took the Viking Baltic cruise last year.

He raved about the ship, food and size of the ship (snaller is better type of guy).

She was less enthusiastic about the overall atmosphere and sedate nature.

Both thought the included shore excursions were very good, but said they spent too much time on buses.

 

He would go back in a heartbeat, she, cruise again yes, Viking, no.

[wombatjoey]

Thank you for your comments.

 

I like that Viking only has balconies....regular and deluxe... all are treated the same when it comes to dining, included tours, spas, specialty rest, etc.

 

Would have to book a suite or better on Celeb to get the kind of dining experience those in Blu or Luminae have. The MDR for all others is no longer acceptable for us. Although I must say the buffet on the Eclipse was amazing...but not on the Infinity...it was really terrible..same food every day...the grill was also awful. So even the buffet is ship specific.

[Hlitner]

Thank you for your comments.

 

I like that Viking only has balconies....regular and deluxe... all are treated the same when it comes to dining, included tours, spas, specialty rest, etc.

 

Would have to book a suite or better on Celeb to get the kind of dining experience those in Blu or Luminae have. The MDR for all others is no longer acceptable for us. Although I must say the buffet on the Eclipse was amazing...but not on the Infinity...it was really terrible..same food every day...the grill was also awful. So even the buffet is ship specific.

 

Just to clarify, you DO NOT need to book a suite (on Celebrity) to get access to Blu. Most Aqua Class cabins (folks in these cabins are automatically assigned to Blu) are regular balcony cabins...with a few minor additional amenities (like a heated fog proof mirror on the bathroom).

 

Hank

[wombatjoey]

Yes suites or aquaclass...but not regular balconies.

[travelberlin]

To the OP, thanks for posting your impressions of your Viking cruise on this board. Although I do not think, Viking could be a real option to Celebrity because of the higher prices, it is good to get some information on that cruise line. We are looking with interest at Viking and some of your comments made it look more attractive to us.

Ivi

[marchie1053]

Was your Celebrity cruise also in the Caribbean? We find Caribbean cruises, especially those departing from ft Lauderdale or Miami ( as well as longer cruises), to have the oldest demographics.

 

 

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Caribbean Cruises - full of Mahogany Men & Walnut Women with skin sags that resemble the pool surface when a breeze blows ... :*

[Oceangoer2]

Caribbean Cruises - full of Mahogany Men & Walnut Women with skin sags that resemble the pool surface when a breeze blows ... :*

 

One day you'll be one of them and will resemble your words. ;)