Explorer Suite

[Flgreg]

Hello---based on the Viking website there are fore and aft Explorer Suites and they appear to be different sizes---one of them has more square footage than the other. Is that accurate?

 

Is one of them preferable to the other?

 

Thanks very much.

[Haqdeluxe]

2 hours ago, Flgreg said:

Hello---based on the Viking website there are fore and aft Explorer Suites and they appear to be different sizes---one of them has more square footage than the other. Is that accurate?

 

Is one of them preferable to the other?

 

Thanks very much.

The ES1 suites are forward and are listed at 1163 sq ft. The ES2 suites are all aft and are listed at 757 sq ft. Short of the Owner's Suite (OS)... an ES1 suite is the biggest. 

[OneSixtyToOne]

You might want to also consider the fantastic stern view that was discussed in this thread

[UWDawg]

You might find the following Viking Explorers Suite reviews useful.

 

Overview of Viking staterooms.  See Explorer’s suite-Forward (ES1) @ 2:53 and Explorer’s suite-Aft (ES2) @ 4:07
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7lNAZ6SE3pU

 

 

Explorer Suite 3001
Forward windows face out to the large bow deck, so the view isn’t as good as from the upper decks.  The veranda area is much smaller than the other Explorers Suites.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OzfxvqnpOi4

 

 

Explorer Suite 3095.
https://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=648044
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2330270-viking-star-explorer-suite-4120/

 

 

Stateroom 3094
Shows wrap=around veranda at aft of ship.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWxaMV3ZbGM

 

 

Explorer Suite 4000 Thanks to @Heidi13
https://andyandjudi.com/2020/04/16/viking-ocean-explorer-suite-es-1-review/ 

 

Explorer Suite 4001
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4eZOtw8dQuI
 

Explorer Suite 4120
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=__Xzg_xuXlw

 

 

Explorer Suite 4121
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-2fb46Zo1Y

 

 

Explorer Suite 5000
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uO8iHJLqFY

You have a great large veranda on the port side of the ship, but can’t access the forward, bow-facing balcony/veranda.
Also, you are required to close the blackout curtains at night to minimize the view of ambient light/glare from the bridge.

Explorer Suite 6099
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=54Hx_kBm6kQ 

 

The ES1 verandas are spacious and feel almost like an extra room.

The ES2 staterooms have a nice wrap-around veranda.

I'd think the forward ES3 verandas on deck 3 are more cramped than the others.

 

And of course there is the advantage that the Forward Explorers Suites get you into port sooner than the Aft Explorers Suites.

 

Edited September 15, 2022 by UWDawg

[Flgreg]

Thanks. Very helpful.

[FoggyEthan]

It seems like the suites 3000 and 3001 have a real oddity: they are on the same level as the bow, directly facing out to an area that can have activity. The bedroom window looks like it directly faces this public area. The reviewer of 3001 mentioned occasional events.

 

Can someone suggest how much of an issue this is? It's never the way you want to wake up in the morning to hearing deckhands right outside your window. Or in the wee-hours.

[UWDawg]

6 minutes ago, FoggyEthan said:

It seems like the suites 3000 and 3001 have a real oddity: they are on the same level as the bow, directly facing out to an area that can have activity. The bedroom window looks like it directly faces this public area. The reviewer of 3001 mentioned occasional events.

 

Can someone suggest how much of an issue this is? It's never the way you want to wake up in the morning to hearing deckhands right outside your window. Or in the wee-hours.

During our 2021/22 World Cruise access to the bow deck on level 3 was restricted.  I only recall two times when passengers were allowed in this area: 1.  to better see the Amalia Glacier, and 2. for a World Cruise group photograph.  In each case the deck was only open for a short time.  I occasionally saw crew members swabbing the deck. Otherwise, that area appeared pretty quiet. 

[Heidi13]

9 hours ago, FoggyEthan said:

It seems like the suites 3000 and 3001 have a real oddity: they are on the same level as the bow, directly facing out to an area that can have activity. The bedroom window looks like it directly faces this public area. The reviewer of 3001 mentioned occasional events.

 

Can someone suggest how much of an issue this is? It's never the way you want to wake up in the morning to hearing deckhands right outside your window. Or in the wee-hours.

 

The Deck 3 Explorer Suites are on the same deck as the Focsle, but this is a non-working space, as the mooring and anchoring machinery are 1 deck down.  On the 2020 WC, I don't recall the bow area being open to pax.

 

Personally, I would be more concerned with seas pounding the windows in heavy weather. There is good reason why the original Princess ships had steel shutters that we used to cover windows in similar locations, when heavy weather was expected.

[KBs mum]

Views from 5000, the one over the bow was taken while sitting on the bed. Sorry about the picture quality, had to copy them from a kindle