Viking Suite size and Food Services

[KAM69]

Interested in the Viking cruise line as I like the itinerary of the world cruise. when looking into suites selection , i am not sure which selection is best suited for a long >100 day cruise.

Understand the Deluxe Veranda (DV) is 270 sq.ft. and the Penthouse Veranda  (PV) is 338 sq.ft. and Penthouse Junior Suite (PS) is 405 sq. ft.. I would like some greater insight into the suite dimensions; would anyone be able to share the length and width of the suites ? We have sail mostly with Regent and feel their Deluxe Veranda would be to small for a world cruise and their Penhouse Suite would be a comfortable size for a long journey .

 

Also, could you share some thoughts on the comparison of food on Viking verse Regent. Regent has a very nice variety of food and you can always order prime rib of beef, lobster, and beef tenderloin. Does Viking have a similar variety of food?

 

Apricate the insight

 

Cheers

[Peregrina651]

Have you taken the time to explore the Viking 360° Tour https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/content/ocean-star-tour/start.html?

 

 

[deec]

In our experience Viking's always available include NY Strip Steak, Chicken or Salmon.

[WestW]

The distinction in dimensions between the DV, PV and PS staterooms appears to be mostly width for which you get additional furnishings and space for storage. We have stayed in the PV stateroom 3 times, including on a 38 day cruise from Vancouver to Hong Kong and found it fits us perfectly.  

 

The PS junior suite appears to be about 3 feet wider. It adds an additional sink, larger bathroom.plus a curtain to close off the sitting area from the sleeping area.  Beyond an additional arm chair, the furnishings and storage closets appears to be the same as a PV.

 

The DV is about 3 feet narrower than the PV and it loses the credenza/wardrobe across from the bed that the PV and PS provide.  It also has two armchairs instead of a sofa and armchair that the PV provides.

 

I suppose it all depends on personal preference and pricing/value.  Plenty of people on this board have taken the WC in a DV stateroom but for us, we'd prefer the extra room and storage space of the PV. 

[Mich3554]

We are in a PV during this WC and this room seems to hit our sweet spot.  

[aungrl]

6 hours ago, KAM69 said:

Interested in the Viking cruise line as I like the itinerary of the world cruise. when looking into suites selection , i am not sure which selection is best suited for a long >100 day cruise.

Understand the Deluxe Veranda (DV) is 270 sq.ft. and the Penthouse Veranda  (PV) is 338 sq.ft. and Penthouse Junior Suite (PS) is 405 sq. ft.. I would like some greater insight into the suite dimensions; would anyone be able to share the length and width of the suites ? We have sail mostly with Regent and feel their Deluxe Veranda would be to small for a world cruise and their Penhouse Suite would be a comfortable size for a long journey .

 

Also, could you share some thoughts on the comparison of food on Viking verse Regent. Regent has a very nice variety of food and you can always order prime rib of beef, lobster, and beef tenderloin. Does Viking have a similar variety of food?

 

Apricate the insight

 

Cheers

We've sailed several times on Viking, in a variety of cabins, and once recently - last cruise before Covid, in 2019 - on Regent in a Penthouse Suite.  When comparing Regent to Viking, the closest cabin to a Regent PS is the Viking Penthouse Junior Suite.  It's very spacious, and has a bathroom lay-out that is - in our opinion - superior to Regent's bathroom in the PS.  

 

Regent gets very high marks from both loyalists and 'occasional' cruisers for its food quality, and we also found almost all of the food to be very good to excellent.  (There were a couple of problems on our particular cruise with less-than-fresh offerings at the pool grill two days in a row, and when we requested the lobster for the following night, we were - surprisingly - told that it couldn't be done.  But those are small things overall.)  On Viking, we've found the food to be exceptional in all venues at most meals.  There is always the occasional small problem, but there are entire cruises where neither of us could honestly find even a small thing to criticize.  Important note:  This experience comes from the before-times; there are plenty of recent posts about poorer food quality at times on more recent Viking cruises.

 

Overall, we prefer Viking to Regent for all of the reasons you'll read in other posts...no casino, great passenger-to-space ratios, lovely crew, new and understated Scandinavian ships, and absolutely outstanding resident lecturers.  (The lecturers we've experienced across all of our Viking cruises were superior to anything we experienced on our Regent cruise, by a significant margin.)  While we did enjoy the all-inclusive aspect of Regent, it's possible to duplicate that to a large extent by adding in Viking's Silver Spirits beverage package.  

 

I hope this helps as you continue your planning!

[WNcruiser]

I sailed on both Viking and Regent this year and definitely feel the food was far better on Regent, both in quality and selection. I think Regent had the best food I have ever had on a ship, and thats 30+ plus years of cruises. 
 

For me I would not want anything smaller than a Penthouse veranda for a WC. The deluxe veranda was quite tight with very minimal storage and we were only on a 14 night. 

[janetcbl]

We started in a PV and were quite happy with the size, amenities, location, etc. Then we were offered a PS at a great price for our last cruise which we accepted and loved the “extras”…2 sinks, more storage space, curtain separation of living/sleeping areas and FREE laundry service. I am sure , if on our next cruise, we were offered a larger cabin we would be delighted with that, too. But, the point: we were on the ship on a cruise! In the end, that is all that matters, everything else is less important.

[Clay Clayton]

Have only sailed in PV once (on a very cheap upgrade) but the biggest differences to us were having a loveseat and a lounge chair rather than just two chairs and the location of the closets. In Vs and DVs, the closet is beside the bed whereas in a PV it is across from the toilet entrance in the entry hall. This location for us is much easier to access. 
 

We hope to do a WC in the near future and will certainly look at a PV but given the price difference, I suspect we will be in a lowly V. 

[deec]

1 hour ago, Clay Clayton said:

Have only sailed in PV once (on a very cheap upgrade) but the biggest differences to us were having a loveseat and a lounge chair rather than just two chairs and the location of the closets. In Vs and DVs, the closet is beside the bed whereas in a PV it is across from the toilet entrance in the entry hall. This location for us is much easier to access. 
 

We hope to do a WC in the near future and will certainly look at a PV but given the price difference, I suspect we will be in a lowly V. 

Most importantly, Clay, you will be ON the ship!!!

[KAM69]

Thanks so much for all the insights !

 

Appreciated the dimension reference of PS Junior 3 ft wider and DV 3 ft narrower, as it give a good visual that I can process (Thanks Westw). From all the reply's it appears the Penthouse Veranda or higher suite is preferred. A number of you commented on a suite upgrade offer, congratulations for obtaining one.   

 

Would appreciate some insight on how these upgrades occur and when they are offered. I was on the Viking website in early December looking at "World Journey 2023" and there was a PS Junior available for the January 8 2023 sailing; contacted my TA to determine if I could secure with a "last minute price" and was told only full fare, even less than 30 days from sailing.  

 

The Viking cuisine comments are beneficial as the variety and quality appear to be a high standard. I have been very impressed with Regent regarding there food and beverage. They are a high standard and presentation / service is exceptional.   

[OneSixtyToOne]

1 hour ago, KAM69 said:

Would appreciate some insight on how these upgrades occur and when they are offered.

That is one of the great mysteries of the universe.

[Squawkman]

25 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

That is one of the great mysteries of the universe.

I was offered and took a last minute upgrade from DV4 ->PV1 for $199pp 4 years ago. I use the same Viking agent and he didn’t know about it until I told him. Offer was by personal email about a week before embarkation. No explanation why I was picked, except maybe because I had done 2 river cruises and this was our first ocean.

[OneSixtyToOne]

31 minutes ago, Squawkman said:

I was offered and took a last minute upgrade from DV4 ->PV1 for $199pp 4 years ago. I use the same Viking agent and he didn’t know about it until I told him. Offer was by personal email about a week before embarkation. No explanation why I was picked, except maybe because I had done 2 river cruises and this was our first ocean.

Viking and every other cruise line doesn’t want to sail with empty cabins. It’s a wasted fixed asset. If DVs and Vs are filled and they have a waiting list, they probably offer upgrades to existing paid customers to free up lower priced and easier to sell cabins. How they choose customers to offer upgrades is anyone’s guess. It may be past customer history, but I was on a river cruise that offered an Explorer Suite upgrade to a first time cruiser. As I said, it’s one of the great mysteries of the universe.

 

To the OP, Viking doesn’t negotiate the price. If there is a “last minute sale,” it’s advertised via email, direct mail, social media, or other marketing channel. That discount code is available for anyone to use.

Edited December 30, 2022 by OneSixtyToOne

[Squawkman]

1 hour ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

To the OP, Viking doesn’t negotiate the price. If there is a “last minute sale,” it’s advertised via email, direct mail, social media, or other marketing channel. That discount code is available for anyone to use.

 In my case, an email was sent to individuals booked for that specific cruise. No promo codes, just a direct person to call if interested.

[Squawkman]

Here’s the email I received with personal info deleted:

 

This is an automated email. Please do not reply. Southern Mediterranean Discovery VIKING SKY Booking Number: Ms  Mr 06DEC2018 Limited Time Offer: Upgrade to a Penthouse Veranda for $199 USD per person!* Thank you for choosing Viking for your upcoming cruise. We trust that you will enjoy a cruise line voted #1 by the readers of Travel + Leisure for the third year in a row in their World's Best Awards 2018.  Your 8-day voyage travels from Rome to Barcelona one culturally enriching itinerary. For a limited time, based on space availability, we would like to invite you to upgrade your experience. For $199 USD per person, enjoy the extra space, perks, and amenities that a Penthouse Veranda provides, including: 338 sq. ft. (25% more space) to relax and enjoy the views  Mini-bar replenished daily with complimentary alcoholic beverages 2 guaranteed priority reservations at each alternative restaurant (must be made onboard if within 7 days prior to departure) Complimentary bottle of champagne  Complimentary shoe shine and pressing service 1:00 PM priority stateroom access  To view a deck plan, please click here. Call now for details: 1-888-xxxx, Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST or email Xxxxc We thank you for your patronage and look forward to welcoming you on board soon.  Sincerely,  Xxxx Operations Agent, Yield Management 1-888-xxxx Viking *****     *Upgrade subject to stateroom availability. Upgrades on a first come, first-served basis. Offer is only available pre-cruise.  Insurance may be affected due to cruise cost increase.

Edited December 30, 2022 by Squawkman
Edited info

[Heidi13]

5 hours ago, KAM69 said:

Would appreciate some insight on how these upgrades occur and when they are offered. I was on the Viking website in early December looking at "World Journey 2023" and there was a PS Junior available for the January 8 2023 sailing; contacted my TA to determine if I could secure with a "last minute price" and was told only full fare, even less than 30 days from sailing.  

 

 

If considering a Viking World Cruise, you should also be aware that Viking's prices often increase between release and departure. The 2023 WC prices increased about $12,000 pp about 6 months after being released in December 2020.

 

Rather than looking for a last minute deal, I suggest booking early for the best deals on a World Cruise. The 2024 may not increase, as they were released at the same price point as the increased prices on the 23 WC and they have 2 ships to fill in 2024.

[MSEm]

We have sailed in the DV, PV, and PS.  We found the DV to be a little small for the longer cruises.  For us having the closet across from the bath door is a definite plus.  One of the major perks for us in the PS is the larger shower.  The PS shower will easily accommodate a shower stool wiith plenty of "leg room".

 Free laundry is nice. We also take several "Command" hooks for jackets & Hats.

[Clay Clayton]

16 hours ago, deec said:

Most importantly, Clay, you will be ON the ship!!!

🤞

[Clay Clayton]

11 hours ago, Squawkman said:

Here’s the email I received with personal info deleted:

 

This is an automated email. Please do not reply. Southern Mediterranean Discovery VIKING SKY Booking Number: Ms  Mr 06DEC2018 Limited Time Offer: Upgrade to a Penthouse Veranda for $199 USD per person!* Thank you for choosing Viking for your upcoming cruise. We trust that you will enjoy a cruise line voted #1 by the readers of Travel + Leisure for the third year in a row in their World's Best Awards 2018.  Your 8-day voyage travels from Rome to Barcelona one culturally enriching itinerary. For a limited time, based on space availability, we would like to invite you to upgrade your experience. For $199 USD per person, enjoy the extra space, perks, and amenities that a Penthouse Veranda provides, including: 338 sq. ft. (25% more space) to relax and enjoy the views  Mini-bar replenished daily with complimentary alcoholic beverages 2 guaranteed priority reservations at each alternative restaurant (must be made onboard if within 7 days prior to departure) Complimentary bottle of champagne  Complimentary shoe shine and pressing service 1:00 PM priority stateroom access  To view a deck plan, please click here. Call now for details: 1-888-xxxx, Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST or email Xxxxc We thank you for your patronage and look forward to welcoming you on board soon.  Sincerely,  Xxxx Operations Agent, Yield Management 1-888-xxxx Viking *****     *Upgrade subject to stateroom availability. Upgrades on a first come, first-served basis. Offer is only available pre-cruise.  Insurance may be affected due to cruise cost increase.

We had the same offer from a DV5 to a PV for our Asian cruise in 2019 for $199pp. We had booked last minute under a promo that provided a category upgrade so we had paid for a V2 and decided this was the cheapest way we would ever experience a PV.  As I recall, we were also offered a Junior Suite but it was $999 pp.  While also a good deal, it was more money than we were willing to part with!