Comparison of cabins

[bookbabe]

1 hour ago, millybess said:

Were you on Deck 6?  We have been in an ES on deck 5 a few times and have never experienced the black flecks, exhaust  fumes, pool smell, etc.

 

Maybe @bookbabe @BlairsvilleCruiseGirl can comment on this.

No issues in any of our deck 5 ES cabins

[CDNPolar]

And black flecks?

 

Heaters like this would typically be propane or some sort of gas or fuel that would burn cleanly and not produce flecks...?

 

[BlairsvilleCruiseGirl]

We've been in ES2 on Deck 5 and no black flecks, exhaust fumes or pool smell. CDNPolar, the black flecks would be from the exhaust stacks of the ship itself - even though the ships have "scrubbers," there is still some carbon residue.

[Mike07]

1 hour ago, CDNPolar said:

And black flecks?

 

Heaters like this would typically be propane or some sort of gas or fuel that would burn cleanly and not produce flecks...?

 

 

 

I don't pretend to be a flame expert but my fireplace at home has ceramic logs with natural gas and it still chars up the ceramic logs a little.

[Microman123]

 I'm a first time Viking Ocean cruiser embarking on the Viking Sky for three back-to-back  itineraries (Homelands, Trade Routes and Med. Odyssey) starting this August. It's a 50+ anniversary trip and we are in ES2 5109 (starboard) for the first 2 legs, and moving to 4120 (port) for the final leg. 

I just discovered that 5108 is open for those first two legs AND 4120 is open for the middle leg. I know that we will have the wonderful AFT view from any of these cabins, but are there any side view differences on these three itineraries? I know the deck is slightly larger on Deck 5 ES2, so, my real decision should just be Port or Starboard on Deck 5. If I have to move cabins, I only want to do it once. So for Homelands and Trade Routes, any educated opinions - 5108 or 5109? TIA

[OneSixtyToOne]

2 hours ago, Microman123 said:

 

 I'm a first time Viking Ocean cruiser embarking on the Viking Sky for three back-to-back  itineraries (Homelands, Trade Routes and Med. Odyssey) starting this August. It's a 50+ anniversary trip and we are in ES2 5109 (starboard) for the first 2 legs, and moving to 4120 (port) for the final leg. 

I just discovered that 5108 is open for those first two legs AND 4120 is open for the middle leg. I know that we will have the wonderful AFT view from any of these cabins, but are there any side view differences on these three itineraries? I know the deck is slightly larger on Deck 5 ES2, so, my real decision should just be Port or Starboard on Deck 5. If I have to move cabins, I only want to do it once. So for Homelands and Trade Routes, any educated opinions - 5108 or 5109? TIA

We’ve been on Mediterranean Odyssey in an Aft DV1 4122, and Trade Routes on a starboard DV2 on the 6th deck. IMO port or starboard is pretty irrelevant. Most of the cruise there is little land to see when at sea. The aft cabins are my favorite for the spectacular sale-away views. You can find some sail away pictures in my write up of the Mediterranean Odyssey from last year.:

 

 

 

 

[bookbabe]

On 7/1/2024 at 8:51 AM, Microman123 said:

 

 I'm a first time Viking Ocean cruiser embarking on the Viking Sky for three back-to-back  itineraries (Homelands, Trade Routes and Med. Odyssey) starting this August. It's a 50+ anniversary trip and we are in ES2 5109 (starboard) for the first 2 legs, and moving to 4120 (port) for the final leg. 

I just discovered that 5108 is open for those first two legs AND 4120 is open for the middle leg. I know that we will have the wonderful AFT view from any of these cabins, but are there any side view differences on these three itineraries? I know the deck is slightly larger on Deck 5 ES2, so, my real decision should just be Port or Starboard on Deck 5. If I have to move cabins, I only want to do it once. So for Homelands and Trade Routes, any educated opinions - 5108 or 5109? TIA

It depends on your direction.  Look at the itinerary maps and follow the arrows to see whether you’d be looking at distant land or open ocean from your current cabins.

 

We just finished a 36 day B2B of Iconic Mediterranean Treasures and Trade Routes, Istanbul to Bergen, and DH determined that 5108 was the “better” cabin for our journey.  He’s picky about that kind of thing.

[Microman123]

8 minutes ago, bookbabe said:

It depends on your direction.  Look at the itinerary maps and follow the arrows to see whether you’d be looking at distant land or open ocean from your current cabins.

 

We just finished a 36 day B2B of Iconic Mediterranean Treasures and Trade Routes, Istanbul to Bergen, and DH determined that 5108 was the “better” cabin for our journey.  He’s picky about that kind of thing.

Thanks for your response. First it made me realize that I left out the fact we’re doing Stockholm to Venice. Since I’ve posted, my decision was made for me - 5108 was booked for one leg. Still, based on your recommendation, we’re perfectly placed in 5109 for a southerly voyage! We’ll compare notes in October. 

[NCteacherlovescruising]

On 2/11/2024 at 3:07 PM, Iloveketo said:

Hopefully some will find this helpful. 

Thank you!  This was what I came here to find out.  🙂  Within the same category I see pricing differences as well, is that based on cabin location?  

[OneSixtyToOne]

39 minutes ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Thank you!  This was what I came here to find out.  🙂  Within the same category I see pricing differences as well, is that based on cabin location?  

Yes, it’s all location based. For example the more expensive cabins in a category are on higher decks and mid ships. DV1s are an oddity, in that not many available and some are located directly aft on decks 3, 4, and 5, but an aft cabin is considered a good location because of view. We’ve stayed in the aft DV1s and love the view of the wake and sail aways.

Edited July 24 by OneSixtyToOne

[Microman123]

On 7/10/2024 at 9:32 AM, bookbabe said:

It depends on your direction.  Look at the itinerary maps and follow the arrows to see whether you’d be looking at distant land or open ocean from your current cabins.

 

We just finished a 36 day B2B of Iconic Mediterranean Treasures and Trade Routes, Istanbul to Bergen, and DH determined that 5108 was the “better” cabin for our journey.  He’s picky about that kind of thing.

Following up on your Husband's preference, was 5108 the "better" cabin on the Trade Routes portion of the trip? 

[Microman123]

On 6/17/2024 at 5:19 PM, BigAl666 said:

Our rear ES on Deck 6 had a much smaller living room than those we've had on Deck 4 and Deck 5.

Quick question, did you find any difference between ES2 (aft) on Deck 4 or 5? I still can change  for an end of August sailing.

 

Thanks for a quick response.!

[bookbabe]

1 hour ago, Microman123 said:

Following up on your Husband's preference, was 5108 the "better" cabin on the Trade Routes portion of the trip? 

Yes, for our direction (ending in Bergen) that was what he felt was the better side.

Edited July 26 by bookbabe

[Redtravel]

Comparing cabins by size and amenities is helpful.  Deciding which type of cabin is best for you is your choice. There are many features that should be considered.  After cabin size, I look at cabin location, cabin amenities that I would use, sun direction on that itinerary, adequate storage, bed direction, etc.  Price is also important.  Air arrangements should also be considered. what I like may not be what you like. I look at cabins that are in quiet locations. Prefer cabins on deck with cabins above and below. Avoid cabins over or under bars, casinos, kitchens, or pools.  Also, avoid cabins on decks that open near the buffet.  

[lovetosew]

When Canadians changed to metric in 1970, there was a morning DJ who began his show with clock times in metric as a joke.  The switchboard melted down! 

 

[Matty22]

Question: We were just upgraded to PV #5010 from DV #4035 on Orion 9/11/24 North Pacific Passage. We didn't expect it at all and it's definitely a nice upgrade.

Is there a reason they do that?

 

We were told by the original BA that the side that #4035 has the best views. What will the views be like on the new side? There are many sea days and a great view would be nice.

 

DH says don't look a gift horse in the mouth. LOL 

[OneSixtyToOne]

2 hours ago, Matty22 said:

Question: We were just upgraded to PV #5010 from DV #4035 on Orion 9/11/24 North Pacific Passage. We didn't expect it at all and it's definitely a nice upgrade.

Is there a reason they do that?

 

We were told by the original BA that the side that #4035 has the best views. What will the views be like on the new side? There are many sea days and a great view would be nice.

 

DH says don't look a gift horse in the mouth. LOL 

Typically upgrades occur when a cruise sells out a class of rooms and they have to accommodate Guaranteed Staterooms. Viking expects a certain percentage of cancellations. They will overbook easier to sell staterooms as assign a GTY instead of an actual room. If a class is indeed sold out, about a week before sailing they will start making offers to people to upgrade for a fee. If that doesn’t result in enough availability, they will upgrade people without giving any choice in the matter.

 

This just happened to us. On week before departure they offered an upgrade from a DV4 to PV1 for $500 pp. We did not respond. Two days before departure we received a “congratulations” email stating we were upgraded for free. Many people we talked to were upgraded. One couple were upgraded to an Explorer’s Suite from a PJS. It was almost a full ship.

IMO port or starboard view is irrelevant. Most of the time you can’t see land from the ship. The bigger issue is location. Is anything above or below you causing noise? For example, on Deck 6 under the wings of the terrace, people have complained about noise when the crew move the tables in the morning. Also those wings can obstruct your upward view, not good in the fjords. Deck 5 does not have those issues.

Edited Friday at 07:13 PM by OneSixtyToOne

[Matty22]

53 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Typically upgrades occur when a cruise sells out a class of rooms and they have to accommodate Guaranteed Staterooms. Viking expects a certain percentage of cancellations. They will overbook easier to sell staterooms as assign a GTY instead of an actual room. If a class is indeed sold out, about a week before sailing they will start making offers to people to upgrade for a fee. If that doesn’t result in enough availability, they will upgrade people without giving any choice in the matter.

 

This just happened to us. On week before departure they offered an upgrade from a DV4 to PV1 for $500 pp. We did not respond. Two days before departure we received a “congratulations” email stating we were upgraded for free. Many people we talked to were upgraded. One couple were upgraded to an Explorer’s Suite from a PJS. It was almost a full ship.

IMO port or starboard view is irrelevant. Most of the time you can’t see land from the ship. The bigger issue is location. Is anything above or below you causing noise? For example, on Deck 6 under the wings of the terrace, people have complained about noise when the crew move the tables in the morning. Also those wings can obstruct your upward view, not good in the fjords. Deck 5 does not have those issues.

Thank you for your excellent explanation. Are you saying that they wanted to charge you to upgrade when you didn't even want it? That's crazy, but of course they think it's a deal. It sounds like such a juggling act they play. I contacted them and it was a no answer, answer. LOL

I just was concerned because it's Alaska and if views are important. But thanks to you, now I know! 

[OneSixtyToOne]

4 minutes ago, Matty22 said:

Are you saying that they wanted to charge you to upgrade when you didn't even want it?

They offered an upgrade for a price, which we didn’t respond to. Then they upgraded us for free two days before departure. We requested no upgrade. The PV is nice but I couldn’t justify the additional cost, especially since we already booked all our excursions.
 

Others were upgraded with no notice when then checked in at the cruise terminal.

Edited Friday at 08:10 PM by OneSixtyToOne

[Matty22]

1 hour ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

They offered an upgrade for a price, which we didn’t respond to. Then they upgraded us for free two days before departure. We requested no upgrade. The PV is nice but I couldn’t justify the additional cost, especially since we already booked all our excursions.
 

Others were upgraded with no notice when then checked in at the cruise terminal.

Oh, got it. Same here about the price and booked excursions. The specialty restaurants not so much. From what I'm reading is the Chef's Table is dependent on the daily menu and it doesn't always suit tastes.

You'd think they would let people know the change before they got there. 

They let me know our flight changed by minutes twice and yesterday that the one excursion was a half hour earlier. But they can't let people know of a room change? Oh well.

Fingers crossed the boat is there and our flights go smoothly. 

[Moby_Spout]

Helpful to read the approvals for aft DVs on deck 5 - views, etc.

 

I'm wondering about motion, waves and the like. Specifically, we have DV5107 for a 2025 Med cruise.

 

Recently, we were on deck 5 midship during a cruise that had gale winds and several days of very high seas. It proved a pretty stable spot, comparatively. We spoke with a gal in 5109 who said it was somewhat 'bucky' with the waves. 

 

Some motion is fine, just wondering how much to expect.

 

 

[JF - retired RRT]

17 hours ago, Matty22 said:

But they can't let people know of a room change?  

Sometimes, the notice comes via email and it's not noticed by the recipient.

On our last cruise (Princess), we had been upgraded from an Inside to a Balcony. Didn't find out until we checked in because I hadn't checked our emails or Princess for several days.