Viking no kids policy

[Twice_a_year]

Congratulations to Viking. in giving us a choice. There are plenty of cruises geared towards kids. Now we have a choice to travel with adults. Don't get me wrong. I Iove kids but not all the time.

 

Good luck with this new policy.

[Heidi13]

Definitely agree, as this was just one of many factors that convinced us to switch to Viking.

 

In addition to "no kids", you also need to consider that the ships do not have space assigned to various aged kid's clubs. So while Viking's pax/space ratio is already higher than mainstream lines, as adults we can actually use the entire space available, which equates to significantly less congestion.

[philw1776]

More of a River issue. Viking Ocean was always age 18 minimum with possible exceptions. When I contacted them in January, they would not do exceptions. Probably were thinking of changing their policy.

Viking River had an age 12 minimum! now raised to age 18 required @ date of sailing, not date of booking. Now same policy for Ocean.

Anyone on River with under 18s already booked before Viking's August 2018 policy change will have their bookings honored.

[CILCIANRQTS]

We sold our youngest to upgrade to a suite! [emoji41]

 

 

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[philw1776]

We sold our youngest to upgrade to a suite! [emoji41]

 

 

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[emoji106]

 

 

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[Homosassa]

More of a River issue. Viking Ocean was always age 18 minimum with possible exceptions. When I contacted them in January, they would not do exceptions. Probably were thinking of changing their policy.

Viking River had an age 12 minimum! now raised to age 18 required @ date of sailing, not date of booking. Now same policy for Ocean.

Anyone on River with under 18s already booked before Viking's August 2018 policy change will have their bookings honored.

 

I am glad you posted this explanation.

 

T keep seeing this mentioned on other ocean cruise line forums on this board and was confused why this was a big change for a Viking Ocean cruise.

[Folgers111]

Was there an incident that led to Viking changing their policy? Was it just a general feeling the older passengers don’t want to be around children or did something happen to make them realize that children shouldn’t be on Viking?

[Jim Avery]

Was there an incident that led to Viking changing their policy? Was it just a general feeling the older passengers don’t want to be around children or did something happen to make them realize that children shouldn’t be on Viking?

Lots of people regardless of age do not want to be around other people's children on holidays. It is great that Viking offers this benefit. For those who want to travel with kids, there are so many options out there.

[newcruiser1956]

Was there an incident that led to Viking changing their policy? Was it just a general feeling the older passengers don’t want to be around children or did something happen to make them realize that children shouldn’t be on Viking?

 

I suspect it is a port intensive cruise line, ports that kids might not enjoy, and we are willing to pay the price to not have to deal with someone else's kids on a cruise. I am thrilled! I wish I could afford to be on them more. No screaming kids in the hot tubs, actually being able to get into the pool, etc etc etc.

 

There are plenty that caters to families, why not one that caters to adults?

 

They also do not have casinos, art auctions, heavy duty nickel and diming you to death either.

[philw1776]

Again, Viking OCEAN which has pools, hot tub, etc. people are mentioning NEVER had kids. Policy was always 18 and up with possible exceptions. Some of us had encountered a few HS kids, like the 16 yr olds on Homelands which the "kids" liked very much. When I'd called Viking OCEAN last December they were making no under 18 exceptions.

[Baron Barracuda]

On a smaller ship it helps not to have to set aside dedicated space for kids activities, children's pool, etc.

[Heidi13]

Was there an incident that led to Viking changing their policy? Was it just a general feeling the older passengers don’t want to be around children or did something happen to make them realize that children shouldn’t be on Viking?

 

VO has been 18+ since day 1, so the only possible change to their policy is no longer considering exceptions. Don't believe any incident was involved, as I believe this is a pure business decision. Many options are available for kids, as the mainstream lines are vying for families.

 

While adult only cruise options are limited in the N/American market, they have been available in UK/Europe for many years. P&O - UK has 50% of their fleet at 18+ and Saga is entirely 50+

 

Personally, we are very happy that VO introduced 18+ cruising.

[Jim Avery]

It certainly is a main attraction for us.

[SargassoPirate]

It certainly is a main attraction for us.

 

Same here. We enjoy well-behaved children, but not feral children like we so often see on the newer floating amusement parks.

[philw1776]

Got caught in Viking's policy change. Taking 3 generations on Viking next July. As long as already booked, high school students are supposed to be OK on Viking (used to be age 12 on river). AP french students wanted to tour France.

Set to switch our $$$ to Uniworld or AMA or Crystal for river.

Looking for another ocean cruise company to do something like Viking's British Isles or Midnight Sun cruises. Will miss excellent Viking Ocean ships. Open for suggestions.

[acwmom]

Got caught in Viking's policy change. Taking 3 generations on Viking next July. As long as already booked, high school students are supposed to be OK on Viking (used to be age 12 on river). AP french students wanted to tour France.

Set to switch our $$$ to Uniworld or AMA or Crystal for river.

Looking for another ocean cruise company to do something like Viking's British Isles or Midnight Sun cruises. Will miss excellent Viking Ocean ships. Open for suggestions.

Have you looked at Ponant for the British Isles?

 

Robin

 

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