Vineyard View

Thank you all again. It seems from these two pictures that there are a couple different verandas on deck five. One picture shows a glass/transparent lower area, where the other appears to be metal/opaque. Does this vary by ship? We may need to bump up to deck 6 to avoid being too far forward. Slim options remain and deck 5 are all very forward with 509 being the furthest available. Apparently today is the last day for the current promotion. Does anyone expect a Labor Day sale? We are still working with friends on a final decision, although I am leaning towards the Adriatic/Mediterranean itinerary.

Thank you all again. I may look at June if the group decides this is the area they want to sail. We just prefer shoulder season travel with less people and families. The picture of the balcony and description is very helpful. Thank you. It looks like it could obstruct the view a bit when seated? The itinerary does state Venice but I understand that can change. Flights are what I am thinking.

Thank you margbem. I thought Seabourn was docking at Venice industrial port. So it is Ravena? when you say the balcony was only glass on the top, I am not sure what you mean by that? I was a bit worried about the weather on that sailing in April. It is the itinerary that has me looking, but I will keep that in mind. We will have friends sailing with us who do not have cruising experience, and rough seas might be a big minus.

Thank you both. Really torn between the two because they both look amazing - they are definitely sharp contrasts to one another. Have you sailed V1 on Deck 5? Would a V2 offer a considerably better location experience in your opinion? DH just looked at the 14 day British Isles option as well with a focus on Scotland. Decisions, decisions!

We are considering two different itineraries this next Spring, both of which offer us a mix of new and previously visited ports. Both very different from one another. We have never sailed on Seabourn so really appreciate any thoughts on itineraries and staterooms. Seabourn Quest RT Venice 11 day Adriatic empires and Malta sailing 5/27. We have been quoted a V1 on deck 5. The attraction for us is Croatia and for me Malta. Wondering if anyone has a done similar itinerary and their experiences? Also, sailing forward on Deck 5. Does it make more sense to bump up a level for a more quiet experience given the back half of the deck is public space? Seabourn Ovation (realize this is maiden season) 12 day Western Europe’s Historic and cultural icons - Dover RT, 4/23. Also either a V1 or next level up. Attraction is new ports in Portugal and France but weather could be a concern at this time? Also same questions if there is feedback on some of these ports and stateroom category. thank you

Truly good to know these clarifications. Thank you again

One last question - I hope - based on your great picture above - would cabin 7131 have a two sided open balcony only facing aft?

Thank you both so much!

This helps me a lot. Thank you. Not sure how I feel about this - 17 day itinerary with 5 tender ports. Having not sailed on Oceania nor near life boats on any cruise, I really have no first hand experience. It was my error on number. Correct held cabin is 7111. Maybe it’s better to move up a category and forego larger balcony

The upgraded drinks package includes the same wines by the glass as the regular wine package? I did not realize this. Thank you for the clarification

Thank you. So how do I know if the lifeboats are on the side next to 7011 on Marina? We have several tender ports, and quite honestly that would not be worth it for me if the lifeboat was my view and the associated noise.

We are looking at a B2B on Journey next April. Unfortunately we would need to change staterooms between. On the intensive Italy leg there isn’t much left. 8065-69, and 8068-70. On the spreadsheet there seem to be noise issues reported in 8069 both morning and night, so assuming the other two would have the same. A little concerned about movement in the last two (68-70) but it may not be that much difference from the others available? Any thoughts around choices? Also. Which cabins have showers vs tubs? I know I read that somewhere a while back, but I cannot locate it, so in advance I apologize for asking. Thank you

Would you mind elaborating on the lifeboat issue for this cabin please? I appreciate your input. Thank you

We have cruised on several Viking Oceans as well as River. We have always been impressed with Viking. The ‘included’ excursion, as has been mentioned, seem mostly to be scenic bus rides or walking tours depending on location. Since we generally DIY or use private tours, these are not generally useful to us. We always upgrade the drink package, because at $20/pp the additional wine selections in themselves are worth it to us, the bonus is included cocktails if we choose. That said, of wine isn’t your thing, included wines work for many and cocktails are extremely reasonably priced. We love the layout of the staterooms, and the ship design. Bathrooms are nice sized regardless of booking category. Service is very good, and we have been overall happy with food. Also love the various outdoor space options. What we don’t like are the payment terms. They are currently requiring 12-18 months PIF unless you have a cruise already booked with them. That to us is pretty extreme. The second issue are the itineraries - they need to get into some new ports! As is the OP, we are also looking at Oceania. The reviews make me want to give this line a try. Over and over I hear about the cuisine. I agree that the pricing model is a head scratcher. I just went through a booking process to try to figure it out, for a 2024 itinerary on Marina. We arrange our own air so I declined that portion. I was still offered a shipboard credit, a drink package, or one other item. I chose the basic drink package. With that option, since I don’t care about included excursions, it seems like an apples to apples inclusion with Viking for our needs. Maybe I am missing something. I do wonder if we can pay the difference to upgrade the drink package.

I read on another thread, in trying to decide between a Concierge and a B cabin, that if you could grab an extended balcony B cabin it was a great opportunity to take. I am looking at a 2024 itinerary that has 7111 open, but it appears that the bar may be directly beneath this cabin? Am I reading this incorrectly? Thank you for your advice.

It all comes down to how it pencils out for your style. Whatever works best for each couple. It works best for many not to purchase SSP. The decision comes down to If you like the included wines or if you would prefer options? Additionally how many cocktails/wine you enjoy on vacation? Viking pours are very reasonable to pay for, totally agree. And there are some good offerings in liquors in those reasonable offerings. At $19.95/pp it is a very fair cost for a cruise line. We prefer choices in wines and would end up paying more, because those included often do not work for us. So for us, SSP saves us money. We save money, is my point. I too would love to see the payment in advance be more flexible as it was at one time. I would be pleasantly surprised if that occurred. Not holding my breath.

Of course one can do that. Why wouldn’t you be able to? My point is that you can order at anytime without additional charges, whereas if you do not have the package, you will be charged for alcohol of any type outside of the wine/beer included at lunch and dinner.

You can order alcohol of all varieties at any time of day with the package! There are some decent liquors included. On a sea day a morning mimosa or bloody isn’t all bad either!

Without wanting to side rail this into a wine thread, we feel that The Silver Spirits package is well worth purchasing. If you enjoy having a variety of wines, with choices at your meals, then I absolutely believe you will be happy that you did. I meant in my post that I would like to see a deeper offering of wines. Some of the wines in the package are truly budget wines, and a much smaller offering are what I might call medium value. That said, I admit to being particular with wine. Some people could care less and that is fine. I would like to see Viking up their game in what they offer. Yes, with the package, you also get a discount on higher end wines that are available by the bottle only, but either a revamp of offerings, or maybe even a two tiered pricing offering that brings a different level of wines available (other cruise lines do this) might be welcome by some passengers.

It is THE main reason I have been looking at others. It certainly isn’t because we don’t both love Viking.

This is a great thread. A couple points really call out to me - Add varied/new ports to the Mediterranean itineraries, and soon. The bulk of the existing ports have been in play for several years, and as mentioned, there are so many that others go to which would really attract us. I would say this has been our biggest delay in booking- finding one that has enough ‘newness’. Included excursions - for most reasons mentioned, we often use these as a way to get into a place to DIY and let the guide know we are doing so - and yes, we tip that guide in all fairness. So the idea Deec brought up to have one active and one more leisure included in each port would be very attractive. Silver Spirits Wines - some massaging of these offerings would be more than attractive. And past due. I think that Viking has the opportunity to really expand their port offerings outside of the Mediterranean with all the new ships coming. It would be very compelling to see less standard offerings in various parts of the world, and not just the far Northern Hemisphere. Outside of the new expedition ships, many seem pretty generic.

Totally agree….thank you

Thank you. This is helpful and I appreciate your input. It is tempting. We have sailed in PV3 in the past so weighing out those two options.

Great video. Thank you. Would you say that the balcony was different than a side DV1 balcony in depth or width?

Thank you Peregrina. I appreciate this information. We have sailed on Viking B2B (not turn around) and experienced similar to what you are sharing. I wasn’t clear that what I meant by that statement that if on that middle day, we were not allowed to take shuttles to Venice (and you cannot simply walk off the ship and explore) until noon, that it could get chaotic (there is likely a much better adjective) waiting for that to occur and then getting on the shuttles without long wait times. Later that day, once in Venice, returning in the mix with new passengers, depending on your return time, or getting to the last shuttle by 8:30) could get quite busy waiting for shuttles. I think I am just trying to visualize with the uniqueness of Venice, what that whole experience would look and be like on a turn around in that port. How much quality time you would actually have in Venice with all this, and if the last shuttle is at 8:30. I know from experience that Viking is a class act, and works hard for their passengers, but the Venice rules are out of their hands and just being worked through. Yes, there would be way more quality time than if they docked in Vienna or Trieste as others do, but what does that look like?