Viking Ocean vs Oceania

[rbslos18]

We came to Viking in a rather serendipitous way. It was one of three options the exact two weeks we had off in the Winter. Despite having gone on over 35 cruises, I did not know that Viking has an Ocean division. I’ve been getting the River cruise brochures for some time. When I read the description online and Cruise Critic comments, I felt like this is too good to be true. On paper it seems perfect for us. We will find out in December!

 

RB

[agnesd]

On 1/1/2020 at 2:06 PM, DaveSJ711 said:

 

I happen to prefer Viking over Oceania.  Perhaps it's because I'm part-Danish.  Or perhaps it's because I've never cruised with Oceania.

 

More seriously:  My wife and I are relative newbies to the cruising experience.  We dipped our toes in the market after taking more than 40 land-based international trips.  On the three Viking cruises we took last year, we met some very interesting and down-to-earth folks, and others who had their heads way up in the air.  (We called the latter "The Expensive People.")  I'm speculating here, but I'm sure we would have encountered the same groups on Oceania.  You're bound to meet all types when you bump into 1000 affluent passengers with different quirks and idiosyncrasies.     

 

BTW, Carolyn, we enjoyed the Golden Circle tour we shared with you in Iceland.  I hope you considered us part of the down-to-earth crowd you met on Viking!        

 

On 1/31/2020 at 11:15 PM, agnesd said:

We just returned 1 week ago from the Oceania Serena.  Our previous cruise was Viking.  This is our history in order over the years. Two Oceania on small ships, 6 Crystal, Oceania on Marina, one Viking and the last Oceania Serena small ship

.

The Serena cabin was small as expected but after refurbishing the bathroom was intolerable.  The shower was ridiculous, sink area minimal etc.  Some men were taking showers in the gym.  You could not fall in this shower.  You would just be wedged in. Most of the categories had this bathroom.  Viking much larger cabins.

 

The enrichment lecturer had interesting topics but very boring presentations.  He just read the screen. Viking was also a disappointment in this category.  Oceania had wonderful lectures in our first cruises.  This could have been a fluke.

 

Food was great on O.  Red Ginger the best.  A few misses in GDR. Waves great.  We are not buffet fans so cannot comment  Would say food equaled Viking.  Except Sushi on Viking had a greater variety.

 

Our TA said we would miss the personal attention on Viking but did not.  We have booked another Viking and would not return to Oceania ships. This is our opinion.  Many will disagree but please be respectful of our thoughts.

 

The final decision is yours.  Happy Cruising.

I just wanted to add another adventure.  Looking for something for a week to escape the cold, I heard about MSC Yacht Club.  Sounded very good.  Five thousand passengers!  We were on the uppermost floor and everything was private. Pool, dining, outdoor grill station, butler, private elevator, private seating in the theater, private lounge with appys all day long, unlimited alcohol, and wifi.  Priority boarding, we had champagne and cookies waiting to board, disembarking at ports.  You really felt like a luxury cruise.  When we stopped at a port most of the ship was empty and we explored the rest of the ship. Cost was much lower than the luxury.  No lectures though.  Its hard to find passage now.  The word is out that its quite a deal.  Never thought I'd like and MSC  But you never know

 

[basenji56]

We just cancelled two Celebrity cruises.  One to Oceania and one to Viking Ocean.  Celebrity has priced themselves out of our market.  If we are going to pay their new prices, we figure it is better to buy a better product on VO or Oceania.

 

[shank63]

1 hour ago, basenji56 said:

We just cancelled two Celebrity cruises.  One to Oceania and one to Viking Ocean.  Celebrity has priced themselves out of our market.  If we are going to pay their new prices, we figure it is better to buy a better product on VO or Oceania.

 

You will not be disappointed with Oceania, as we have enjoyed the Riviera and the Marina.  Our first voyage on Viking Ocean is in June of this year, looking forward to it and hoping we sail!  We cruised on Celebrity years ago, but now we prefer smaller ships.

[orchestrapal]

5 hours ago, basenji56 said:

We just cancelled two Celebrity cruises.  One to Oceania and one to Viking Ocean.  Celebrity has priced themselves out of our market.  If we are going to pay their new prices, we figure it is better to buy a better product on VO or Oceania.

 

Having been on 2 VO and 13 Oceania cruises we would definitely say Oceania is a step up from VO.

VO has newer more modern ships but to us not the level of service and amazing speciality restaurants you get on Oceania.

 

[basenji56]

28 minutes ago, orchestrapal said:

Having been on 2 VO and 13 Oceania cruises we would definitely say Oceania is a step up from VO.

VO has newer more modern ships but to us not the level of service and amazing speciality restaurants you get on Oceania.

 

Glad to hear this.  We are booked on a TA from Southhampton next October.  Loved the available excursions too.  Is it true that you can get good steaks and lobster every night in the dining room?

 

[orchestrapal]

15 hours ago, basenji56 said:

Glad to hear this.  We are booked on a TA from Southhampton next October.  Loved the available excursions too.  Is it true that you can get good steaks and lobster every night in the dining room?

 

Part of always available in the buffet and by request in the  Dinning Room. With so many choices we have never found steaks necessary and don’t eat lobster.😺

 

 

 

 

[longterm]

On 12/25/2019 at 1:47 PM, zltm089 said:

Both Viking Ocean and Oceania fall in the premium cruise line category.

 

Viking seems to have more recent and modern ships.

 

How is the food (buffet, mdr and speciality reataurants) on those two lines? Which one do you prefer foodwise?

 

Many thanks

We haven't sailed Oceania, but having experienced Viking River and Ocean, we won't be changing to any other cruise line anytime soon.

 

We don't want to gamble; we love kids, but not on a cruise ship; we like the fact that Viking ships aren't huge and gaudy--bright flashing lights, climbing walls, casinos, go-kart tracks--that's not our style.

I've appreciated the crew on both river and ocean cruises, and so far have been pleased with everything Viking has provided. I've been on other cruise lines' sites, but nothing has convinced me to look elsewhere for our next adventure.

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, longterm said:

we like the fact that Viking ships aren't huge and gaudy--bright flashing lights, climbing walls, casinos, go-kart tracks--that's not our style.

Agree! 

 

1 hour ago, longterm said:

we love kids, but not on a cruise ship

I was an elementary teacher; however, couldn't agree more!!! 

[bbtondo]

On our first and only VO cruise in the Med last November we noticed there were many teachers on the ship.