How does Viking compare to Celebrity Retreat?

[OceanCruise]

For those of you that have sailed Viking, how would you compare that to Celebrity Retreat experience? Is the vibe on Viking more subdued and "intellectual" and geared toward an older clientele? I feel Celebrity is trying to attract a younger demographic with their more technical and edgy entertainment offerings now (although that is not necessarily a bad thing). How would you rank Viking in terms of other mass market and luxury lines? I am not referring to ports visited/itineraries but rather the onboard experience, food, staterooms and overall amenities. Are there differences in the onboard experience between Viking river and ocean cruises?

[Georgia_Peaches]

Viking wants their final payment virtually upfront. We booked and then canceled because they wanted final payment 30 days after the deposit for a cruise that was over a year out. Wasn’t willing to tie our money up that way. And like Retreat, it’s pricey. 
 

Our dear friends, ages 55 and 57 sail them exclusively and enjoy the vibe. They lean towards the party side of things but the ship vibe is more upscale country club… in their view. 
 

Oh and there’s no casino, if that matters. 

Edited May 27 by Georgia_Peaches

[leaveitallbehind]

Viking Cruises is also adults only 18+.  Final payment is early - 180 days on a recently booked cruise.  Smaller ships typically less than 1,000 passengers with higher crew to passenger ratio. 

 

Viking Ocean and Viking River are not really comparable.  The river cruises are very port immersive on much smaller vessels that typically carry less than 200 passenger with very few on board venues that would usually include a main restaurant, buffet, lounge with a bar, small library, and a sun deck.  While the overall atmosphere between the two may be similar, they offer completely different experiences IMO.

Edited May 27 by leaveitallbehind

[Beachlover1989]

I thought I read (or heard) that if you cancel a Viking cruise though , you will get that money in a future cruise credit?

[jwlane]

2 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

a main restaurant, buffet, 

No separate buffet (they do occasionally serve from a buffet in the main restaurant).

[BOB999]

With the Retreat portion of Celebrity, you get the amenities of a large cruise ship, but still have a 100-250 person "ship within a ship" for dining, service, lounge/bar and on some ships, pool.  Viking doesn't offer the ship within a ship concept and you are simply one of 800 or 900.  Other than the differences between Celebrity and Viking in general, a big difference I've found is the lack of individualized service between the Retreat and being "just another guest."  River cruises are completely separate animals entirely.

 

Viking Ocean

 

 Unlike the Retreat, there are no butlers (if that is important).  The ship tends to have a more upscale feel throughout.  There is more of a focus on enrichment type activities but there are still music and other entertainment.  The vibe I've found to be more subdued than Celebrity.
 

There are four or five restaurants: buffet, main dining and 2-3 specialties.  The specialty restaurants don't charge, so reservations are rationed based on cabin category.  You can try to get in standby, I found it to be some work.  In general the food is good.  Beer/house wine is included at mealtime only unless you get their reasonably priced package
 

A shore excursion is included (usually a walking or bus tour).  Other excursions are available at a price.  Booking windows open based on cabin category.  

Overall Viking Ocean is a nice experience, but it's a different kind of experience from The Retreat.

 

Viking River

 

River cruising is about the destination, the ship is a transportation mechanism/dining/sleeping venue (depending on water levels).  I enjoy river cruising, but I think it's important to approach it with eyes wide open.  River cruising is a very cruise-line dictated experience.  The phrase I use is "cattle call."  You go where they tell you, when they tell you.

Depending on the river, you may not know when you are stopping or leaving until you get on the ship or later.  The ability to do your own thing in a destination is limited.  Sometimes you get free time to explore, other times they leave within 5 minutes of arriving off the bus.  With Viking River there are included excursions and a few optional ones.

Dining is similar, particularly dinner, there is a restaurant where people are expected to dine at the same time with large shared tables.  There are a few tables set up in the bar area as well.  The food is good and beer/wine is included at meal time.  

There is one bar with some entertainment (usually a single performer).  The vibe really depends on the passengers.  It could be vibrant or empty/sleepy.

[leaveitallbehind]

28 minutes ago, jwlane said:

No separate buffet (they do occasionally serve from a buffet in the main restaurant).

Correct but some ships also have a second food venue that is buffet based.

[OceanCruise]

1 hour ago, BOB999 said:

With the Retreat portion of Celebrity, you get the amenities of a large cruise ship, but still have a 100-250 person "ship within a ship" for dining, service, lounge/bar and on some ships, pool.  Viking doesn't offer the ship within a ship concept and you are simply one of 800 or 900.  Other than the differences between Celebrity and Viking in general, a big difference I've found is the lack of individualized service between the Retreat and being "just another guest."  River cruises are completely separate animals entirely.

 

Viking Ocean

 

 Unlike the Retreat, there are no butlers (if that is important).  The ship tends to have a more upscale feel throughout.  There is more of a focus on enrichment type activities but there are still music and other entertainment.  The vibe I've found to be more subdued than Celebrity.
 

There are four or five restaurants: buffet, main dining and 2-3 specialties.  The specialty restaurants don't charge, so reservations are rationed based on cabin category.  You can try to get in standby, I found it to be some work.  In general the food is good.  Beer/house wine is included at mealtime only unless you get their reasonably priced package
 

A shore excursion is included (usually a walking or bus tour).  Other excursions are available at a price.  Booking windows open based on cabin category.  

Overall Viking Ocean is a nice experience, but it's a different kind of experience from The Retreat.

 

Viking River

 

River cruising is about the destination, the ship is a transportation mechanism/dining/sleeping venue (depending on water levels).  I enjoy river cruising, but I think it's important to approach it with eyes wide open.  River cruising is a very cruise-line dictated experience.  The phrase I use is "cattle call."  You go where they tell you, when they tell you.

Depending on the river, you may not know when you are stopping or leaving until you get on the ship or later.  The ability to do your own thing in a destination is limited.  Sometimes you get free time to explore, other times they leave within 5 minutes of arriving off the bus.  With Viking River there are included excursions and a few optional ones.

Dining is similar, particularly dinner, there is a restaurant where people are expected to dine at the same time with large shared tables.  There are a few tables set up in the bar area as well.  The food is good and beer/wine is included at meal time.  

There is one bar with some entertainment (usually a single performer).  The vibe really depends on the passengers.  It could be vibrant or empty/sleepy.

That is very helpful info, thank you

[rmalbers]

2 hours ago, jwlane said:

No separate buffet (they do occasionally serve from a buffet in the main restaurant).

There is a difference between viking ocean and viking river, VO has a buffet, and a restaurant. 

[rmalbers]

In addition to the excellent post above.  A couple of other points, viking also has expedition ships that are smaller than their ocean ships.  The expedition ships tend to have a slightly younger demographic because the excursions can be more on the 'active' side. I only say that so that when you are reading info about viking you keep their different 'products' in mind.  Also, like all cruise ships the itinerary makes a 'little' difference on some of the type of people on board. I like the viking product a lot, both VE and VO.  The river cruise thing, I have not done.  It's really hard to make a comparison with X retreat product, they are just to different, mainly because of the small ship vs. large ship thing. 

Edited May 27 by rmalbers

[Oville]

We are also VO fans.  All cabins have a balcony.  There are 2 specialty restaurants and everyone gets to have one meal in each.  You can get additional evenings but I think the more expensive the cabin the better your chances are.  Also book these additional times when you get on board.

The bar is small but rarely crowded and the drink package is very cheap.  We like the rotating entertainment: classical, piano and contemporary.

[jwlane]

41 minutes ago, rmalbers said:

There is a difference between viking ocean and viking river, 

The sentence I quoted from was referring to VR.

[rmalbers]

2 minutes ago, jwlane said:

The sentence I quoted from was referring to VR.

Well then, I guess you should have had that in your quote so you don't mislead people.

[jwlane]

1 minute ago, rmalbers said:

 so you don't mislead people.

There are those that unnecessarily quote an entire post, and there are those that choose portions that are germane, trusting that readers are intelligent enough to refer back for supporting deets.

[rmalbers]

46 minutes ago, jwlane said:

There are those that unnecessarily quote an entire post, and there are those that choose portions that are germane, trusting that readers are intelligent enough to refer back for supporting deets.

Actually, from what I've seen on here, it sure looks to me that most people read the OP, then skim threw the comments and maybe add something.  It's no big deal but that's why I posted what I did, so no one got misled.

[Baron Barracuda]

We started cruising on Zenith back in '93.  Stayed primarily with Royal while our children were young and then almost exclusively with X once it was just the two of us again.  Got tired of all the cutbacks and shortened itineraries so moved over to Viking a few years ago.  We've done both Ocean and River and have an Expedition sailing to Antarctica this December.  Been very happy so far.  Base price is higher than an X verandah but cheaper than Retreat and believe you get a lot for your money with free beer & wine, specialty dining, wifi and shore excursions.  Food and service are definitely better.  On last sailing we enjoyed three nights where they served unlimited steak & lobster poolside.  Crowd is older.  Recently did 33 nights in the South Pacific on VO and in our 60's we were among the youngest aboard ship.  Lecturers are informative, one of ours was a retired RAF wing commander who spoke about NATO and all things Europe.  While the number of specialty reservations you can make in advance is set by cabin category once aboard ship everyone can make as many as they like.  They offer formal  tea each afternoon with sandwiches, pastries and scones which is always well attended.  Never a problem getting a lounger by the pool.  FP date is far in advance however if you have an existing reservation fp for additional ones is only 180 days out.  Downside for some is no children, no casino and no big time entertainment.  Viking Cruises recently went public so not sure if things may change in the future but the are currently our cruise line of choice.

Edited May 27 by Baron Barracuda