Viking Orion Explorer Suite Observations

[Zouave]

Currently on board Viking Orion.  This information is our impressions  of the Explorer Suite.  

 

Background: we have sailed over 25 times on various carriers.  We typically book high end suits.  First time on Viking.

 

Arrival and embarkation was disappointing.  Viking does not have expedited check in for their high end suites.  Line was long but took only 15 minutes to get to the counter.  Checkin agent had difficulty with automated passport and credit card reader.  It did not work and resulted in another 10 minutes to get checked in.  Cabin was basically ready at 1100.  

 

Viking does not have butler service per se.  Our cabin attendant met us but was scrambling to keep up with events.  Things came together slowly.  Bags arrived very quickly.

 

The Explorer Suite is advertised as one of the largest on the ship. That maybe but it far smaller than a comparable accommodation on Oceania and Celebrity.  The main salon is small and a bit cramped.  The closet and storage space for clothes is similarly small and does not accommodate a lot of hanging items.  The single bath has a huge shower/tub arrangement, however the suite lacks a separate toilet.  The door mechanism is loud and will wake up your partner if opened during the night. The shower does not drain well.  Lighting controls for the bath are outside, again lighting up the sleeping area and disturbing your partner.  Deck access is only made via a side door.  The forward deck is closed off and not accessible.  A waste of space to be sure.  

 

Given the price Viking charges, you  don’t get the same value for space on other carriers.

 

FYI.

 

 

Will post more

[DebsUK]

Greg, really glad you are posting. Seems a little disappointing, but maybe it will pick up.

[Zouave]

Pic

[GigemAggies]

Couldn't agree more. We were EXTREMELY disappointed with the Explorer suite for the price we paid. We won't make that mistake again. 

[rjrcm]

Which suite are you in?  They vary in size by location.  We are booked on Viking Sun suite 4000 sailing in June.

[Zouave]

17 hours ago, rjrcm said:

Which suite are you in?  They vary in size by location.  We are booked on Viking Sun suite 4000 sailing in June.

5000.  Your cabin is slightly smaller.

[Paulchili]

You mentioned Oceania. How do you compare the 2 lines overall and the food in particular. Which suite on Oceania are you comparing this one to?

TIA

[rjrcm]

 

4 hours ago, Zouave said:

5000.  Your cabin is slightly smaller.

 

Thanks.  The overall reviews I've seen for Explorer suites are very positive, but may be from those that have not experienced similar accommodations on other cruise lines.  Are you comparing to the larger Oceania ship, like Marina, or the smaller like Regatta?  The larger ships can afford to allocate more space to the high end cabins.

 

I was disappointed that we will not have access to the forward deck area.

Edited May 7, 2019 by rjrcm

[Zouave]

12 hours ago, Paulchili said:

You mentioned Oceania. How do you compare the 2 lines overall and the food in particular. Which suite on Oceania are you comparing this one to?

TIA

Royal Suite on Celebrity and VS Category on Oceania.  Very disappointed with Viking chefs table as it had one set meal and if you don’ eat fish you are leaving hungry.  Wine selection on Viking is way below Celebrity./Oceania.  Few high quality selections. Viking  Italian restaurant is good but wine list lacking high quality Brunello .or Barolos.  Main dining room is about the same on both lines.

[Zouave]

Update.  The shower in 5000 on Orion has a “perpetual puddle”.  Seems the tile installers failed to slope the shower floor towards the drain.  Other than an annoyance your feet always get wet going into the bath area.  Asked for and received a squeegee from cabin steward to sweep water Into drain.  Next day steward retrieved the squeegee and said to call housekeeping to clear the water.  Spoke with other ES passengers who do not have the problem.

 

Viking - fix this and watch future builds for proper tile installation.

[Zouave]

Another update. At sea.  Outside air temp is 33 degrees. Cabin has been cold all day. Engineering has been in three time to boost heat but still cold.  Believe the expanse of glass and wind from movement keeps cold air moving through the cabin.  We have pulled the drapes closed to see if that might help.  Heat comes down from ceiling vents which is great for cooling but not for heating.

[Zouave]

We found the fix.  The deck access door has a kill switch.  It the handle is not in the down and locked position (even if the hatch is closed) the environmental control system locks out.  Nice to know after the fact.

[Zouave]

We have had six visits by engineering.  The outside door has been shut for 24 hours.  Curtains have been closed.  Now in port.

 

Last visit by engineering supervisor yesterday who said they have done everything he can.  The environmental control unit is blowing full but air coming out is not making headway.  Last night we got extra blankets which helped with sleep but the wake up was again a cold one.  Thank God we have a heated towel rack.  It keeps the bathroom warm.

 

Infuriating part of this whole situation is having a guest services rep tell me “we have been monitoring the temperature in your suite and it is 20 degrees.”  That is the perhaps the temp at the thermostat at the cabin front door, four feet above the floor, but the floor is frigid and anywhere near the windows is likewise cold. I explained this to the rep and was told they could move us to lesser accommodations (strange, was told ship was sold out). Other forward suites have the same issue.

 

I posited a solution to Guest Services: get a small electric heater from local vendor but was told was not a safe solution.

 

I cannot recommend booking any of the forward Explorer Suites On Orion for cold weather itineraries.