Viking 1st timer thoughts

[boxman52]

Went on the UK Coastal Star cruise. Here are my thoughts if anyone is thinking of booking a Viking Cruise for the first time it might help you

 

Covid handled very well

Food outstanding. The buffet has a limited choice compared to others but the quality is excellent and I prefer not to be faced with a huge selection of choice at a buffet of lower quality

Cabin very nice plenty of room

Ship interior I really liked the design and decor

Ship exterior I thought in places was tired if you looked closely. The hot tubs could barely bubble. In general I felt it was not the best maintained ship compared to others

Crew good, but I think no better than other ships

I liked the low key evening entertainment in particular the Viking Band were talented and we liked the atmosphere of the Torshaven club after dinner

Tours good but the "enrichment lectures" I am not too sure about. I am not enriched by finding out if tyres are important in Formula 1

Cruise Directors best skill was talking to you while at the same time walking away from you

Given the number of sea days they could have tried harder to do more during the day

What I didn't like at times was the attitude of some (only some but it was more than a couple)  fellow passengers. A number just want to tell you how many Viking Cruises they have been on and how many more they have booked. Others think because they have money they are entitled to everything and to treat people like dirt. I saw a number of older people tantrums. It was an all UK passenger cruise and I'd hope with people from other nations it might be a little different. Maybe I was just unlucky

Spa is great and I become addicted to the cold bucket after the steam room

 

In conclusion I would not say Viking is better than a lot of the other more mainstream cruise lines I have been on, it is just different. I would consider them for a port intensive trip and I like the adult only aspect but if I want a week of fun and escapism, they aren't going to do it for me

[Azulann]

Thank you for  your detailed review.

The Viking Star is the first Ocean ship of Viking, so maybe it does need some refreshing  in the near future. 

Sorry, you ran into folks who were bragging about  all their past Viking cruises etc and not very  interesting. 

These Welcome back cruises are not at full capacity, so it does at times to seem too quiet. 

 I look forward to my  Cruise not he Venus in October. I know there will be  some passengers from he UK, which I have always enjoyed meeting on former cruises.

I too like the World cafe and always find something new to try for lunch. It does not have to be over the top , just  good fresh food  and  a good variety. I always check out the salad of the day, sandwich of the day  before I go to my regular favorites for lunch.  

 

[-Lew-]

3 hours ago, boxman52 said:

What I didn't like at times was the attitude of some (only some but it was more than a couple)  fellow passengers.

 

Thank you very much for your thoughts...

 

We have yet to cruise on Viking Ocean, but when we do we expect to cross paths with fellow cruisers with the same attitudes we have observed on a number of the 60+ cruises we have sailed.  We find that simply walking away works best for us.

[Jim Avery]

Right you are Lew.  Insecure people tend to puff themselves up.  However many cruises one has been on there is always someone with more.  Just like how much money you have there is always someone with more.  Who cares?  I would like to meet you in Explorer's.  We could talk about  you taking care of my boy Mac Jones.....  Roll Tide!!🍺

[-Lew-]

9 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

I would like to meet you in Explorer's.  We could talk about  you taking care of my boy Mac Jones.....  Roll Tide!!

 

I'd love to meet up with you someday.  We're expecting big things from your boy this season!! 🤞

[friendlyfifer]

5 hours ago, boxman52 said:

n conclusion I would not say Viking is better than a lot of the other more mainstream cruise lines I have been on, it is just different. I would consider them for a port intensive trip and I like the adult only aspect but if I want a week of fun and escapism, they aren't going to do it for me

Your final sentence said it all. If fun and escapism is what you want then perhaps Viking is not for you. I think the Viking crew are amazing and much better than more upscale cruise lines. The cruise director on Venus was full of her own importance when we sailed in May/June. I would avoid sailing with her again unless the itinerary was ideal for me.

That said, Viking is the cruise line for me and I can’t wait to get back on board again.

[rbslos18]

3 hours ago, -Lew- said:

 

Thank you very much for your thoughts...

 

We have yet to cruise on Viking Ocean, but when we do we expect to cross paths with fellow cruisers with the same attitudes we have observed on a number of the 60+ cruises we have sailed.  We find that simply walking away works best for us.

That's what chased us away from one of the luxury lines to Viking. We had never been with so many people who felt so entitled. I do hope to not deal with such nonsense on our first Viking  cruise in December. We cruise to get away and not be on duty  listening to to negativity. 

[downsmead]

We had our first Viking cruise this August and we enjoyed it very much. We met a mixture of experienced Viking cruisers and some first timers like ourselves. The experienced ones were very happy to share their knowledge and experiences with us and we were fortunate not to come across the ‘entitled’ ones though they exist on every cruise line and we have met them in the past. 

I think that on every cruise you have the odd experience that, if you take it to heart, can sour your cruise, however most people can hopefully just shrug this off as a one off unpleasant encounter and move on and not let it bother you, life is too short.

We cruise for the joy, happiness and enrichment it brings us and always look forward to the next one. Suffice to say we have booked another Viking cruise and am planning yet another one soon.

Edited September 3, 2021 by downsmead

[rizello]

We had our first Viking cruise this August also.  I think it was exactly what I needed.  The past year or so has been a crazy year, especially for me at work.  I needed a quiet place to relax and recharge while taking in a new part of the world.  Maybe in normal times, it may have been too quiet.  For now, it couldn't have been more perfect.

[rbslos18]

10 hours ago, rizello said:

We had our first Viking cruise this August also.  I think it was exactly what I needed.  The past year or so has been a crazy year, especially for me at work.  I needed a quiet place to relax and recharge while taking in a new part of the world.  Maybe in normal times, it may have been too quiet.  For now, it couldn't have been more perfect.

This is precisely what got us into cruising. At work, I am always on-call, 24-7, and the pandemic has made it even worse as there is no separation from work and home. Cruise ships had become our paradise. It is the ultimate escape. After two years with diminished time with loved ones, and two deaths of loved ones, our first Viking cruise in December will hopefully be a sanctuary of peace and joy (if I can overcome the complexity and stress of a PCR test on the day before we leave!)

[lackcreativity]

12 hours ago, rizello said:

We had our first Viking cruise this August also.  I think it was exactly what I needed.  The past year or so has been a crazy year, especially for me at work.  I needed a quiet place to relax and recharge while taking in a new part of the world.  Maybe in normal times, it may have been too quiet.  For now, it couldn't have been more perfect.

You may find that in normal times ( living in hope!), that your days are more full. Excursions are not limited to a Viking bubble, and even after an excursion you might remain in the port and use the Viking shuttle to return to ship after time on your own. Many itineraries are port intensive, so for us, long days exploring followed by a nice dinner with new friends and maybe a lecture or a show or some music in the Explorer's Lounge keeps  us well occupied.

[WNcruiser]

I see Star is 6 years old now but has never been refurbished? We are trying our first cruise on Seabourn soon and want to try Viking in 2022, the ship would be Star. 
 

The adults only aspect is a big plus for us, just wish it was all inclusive. 

[JeriGail]

1 hour ago, WNcruiser said:

The adults only aspect is a big plus for us, just wish it was all inclusive. 

Viking includes an excursion in every port, free Wi-Fi, free specialty restaurants, house wine and beer at lunch and dinner, free laundry, and free thermal spa.  True - it doesn't include all wines and cocktails, but their drink package is cheaper than others I've used.

[Heidi13]

11 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

I see Star is 6 years old now but has never been refurbished? We are trying our first cruise on Seabourn soon and want to try Viking in 2022, the ship would be Star. 
 

The adults only aspect is a big plus for us, just wish it was all inclusive. 

 

The Star completed the mandatory 1st Special Survey drydocking in December 2019, at which time some refurbishment work was completed - in addition to the marine coatings, from memory they replaced carpets, furniture, etc.

 

You can check the old threads, as I recall it being discussed.

[molymoo]

19 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

The adults only aspect is a big plus for us, just wish it was all inclusive. 

I don't know how much more "all inclusive" you would expect.  You can, if you so desired, get on the ship and not spend one more penny and still have an excursion in every port, access to the spa, wine, beer, or soft drinks at your lunch and dinner, full access to specialty dining, and some of the best customer service on the seas.  Tips aren't "included" but technically you can have them removed from your bill.

[Heidi13]

6 minutes ago, molymoo said:

I don't know how much more "all inclusive" you would expect.  You can, if you so desired, get on the ship and not spend one more penny and still have an excursion in every port, access to the spa, wine, beer, or soft drinks at your lunch and dinner, full access to specialty dining, and some of the best customer service on the seas.  Tips aren't "included" but technically you can have them removed from your bill.

 

Wasn't me that mentioned it wasn't all-inclusive.😁

Edited September 10, 2021 by Heidi13

[molymoo]

4 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Wasn't me that mentioned it wasn't all-inclusive.😁

Oops!  grabbed the "quote" from the wrong place!  My bad!  Sorry.

 

[boxman52]

We bought the Silver drinks package and thought it was great value, given we both like to enjoy a number of cocktails and more choice of wine. I suppose we like a drink 😄so in that regard it was great value. We felt the cruise was very all inclusive 

[boxman52]

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

The Star completed the mandatory 1st Special Survey drydocking in December 2019, at which time some refurbishment work was completed - in addition to the marine coatings, from memory they replaced carpets, furniture, etc.

 

You can check the old threads, as I recall it being discussed.

In my original post I mentioned the inside was very well maintained. it was small details that let it down. Around the hot tubs (which weren't very good) and pools had a number of poor repair jobs to tiles. Wood stain worn off, flaking paint etc

Lots of other examples I could mentioned on the exterior of the ship. It didn't match the interior and of all the ships I've been on I'd say the Star looked the most tired in certain areas. 

[duquephart]

1 hour ago, molymoo said:

I don't know how much more "all inclusive" you would expect.  You can, if you so desired, get on the ship and not spend one more penny and still have an excursion in every port, access to the spa, wine, beer, or soft drinks at your lunch and dinner, full access to specialty dining, and some of the best customer service on the seas.  Tips aren't "included" but technically you can have them removed from your bill.

 

I don't think there's anything technical about it.

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, boxman52 said:

In my original post I mentioned the inside was very well maintained. it was small details that let it down. Around the hot tubs (which weren't very good) and pools had a number of poor repair jobs to tiles. Wood stain worn off, flaking paint etc

Lots of other examples I could mentioned on the exterior of the ship. It didn't match the interior and of all the ships I've been on I'd say the Star looked the most tired in certain areas. 

 

Other than the intensity/number of jets in the hot tubs, these are all regular onboard maintenance jobs that should be addressed by the crew. Not sure how many ratings they had during layup, so it may take them a few months to catch up, now that they are fully crewed.

 

When we spent 4-months on Viking Sun the deck crew was out with Teepol soojing the decks/bulkheads every morning, then onto painting/staining daily. Pre-COVID, her OBM was excellent.

 

The condition of the outer decks is the responsibility of the Staff Captain and those are issues that should be easily addressed. 

[WNcruiser]

4 hours ago, molymoo said:

I don't know how much more "all inclusive" you would expect.  You can, if you so desired, get on the ship and not spend one more penny and still have an excursion in every port, access to the spa, wine, beer, or soft drinks at your lunch and dinner, full access to specialty dining, and some of the best customer service on the seas.  Tips aren't "included" but technically you can have them removed from your bill.

I was specifically talking about the drinks. For a luxury line I expect wine, beer and liquor to be included. Even the mainstream lines like Celebrity, Princess and HAL are including drinks and tips these days. 
 

We are trying out Seabourn first since they are all inclusive and have a no tipping policy. Still debating on Viking but will probably try in 2022. 

[CCWineLover]

5 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

I was specifically talking about the drinks. For a luxury line I expect wine, beer and liquor to be included. Even the mainstream lines like Celebrity, Princess and HAL are including drinks and tips these days. 
 

We are trying out Seabourn first since they are all inclusive and have a no tipping policy. Still debating on Viking but will probably try in 2022. 

Wishing you good voyages on Seabourn and your other "luxury" lines.

If you wind up not trying out Viking, that will just mean one more open cabin that we can all book - as they are getting difficult to find in the future!

Seriously though - we've always felt Viking's included drinks were just fine for us - but everyone has their own opinion.  Drinks weren't the thing that made us love Viking.

No kids, no photographers, fewer people, great staff, interesting itineraries, no charges for specialty restaurants (even if they don't have many), a buffet that is more like a restaurant, all balcony rooms, focus on lectures, learning, history and more. . .

But there are so many posts out there that discuss all this!

[Poulsbo Cruisers]

5 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

I was specifically talking about the drinks. For a luxury line I expect wine, beer and liquor to be included. Even the mainstream lines like Celebrity, Princess and HAL are including drinks and tips these days. 
 

We are trying out Seabourn first since they are all inclusive and have a no tipping policy. Still debating on Viking but will probably try in 2022. 

These “mainstream” cruise lines only include drinks and tips if you pay the higher all inclusive fare. And even then they don’t include excursions and specialty dining. Every time one turns around these mainstream cruise lines are adding specialty restaurants and charging more for them. For many people the included beer and wine at dinner and lunch on Viking meets their needs. To me the selling point to try Viking is the adults only policy and the absence of casinos, art auctions, and photos. It’s nice that there are many choices in cruise lines allowing everyone to decide what fare they are okay with and which inclusions they can’t live without. 

[Heidi13]

6 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

I was specifically talking about the drinks. For a luxury line I expect wine, beer and liquor to be included. Even the mainstream lines like Celebrity, Princess and HAL are including drinks and tips these days. 
 

We are trying out Seabourn first since they are all inclusive and have a no tipping policy. Still debating on Viking but will probably try in 2022. 

 

Having worked for Princess, they are the furthest from an "All-inclusive" cruise line. Yes, they do have packages available, for wi-fi, tips and drinks. However, they charge a higher base fare on most cruises. They also charge extra for port fees and taxes.

 

With Viking, if you want tips and drinks included, you can simply pre-pay before boarding, which is what you do with Princess.

 

In almost 40 years of working for and cruising with Princess, I never disembarked without having to settle an account, even as a Deck Officer. With Viking, after a 4 month cruise, we received a substantial refund of our shipboard account.