Fitness Classes

[Pugwash123]

Can any of our previous cruisers advise if Viking Ocean ships offer fitness classes. I am particularly interested in Aqua aerobics. I have tried to find the information on the Viking web site but without success.

 

Pugwash123

[jerseygrl828]

On my cruise, yoga was offered on the morning of our sea day. Zumba was offered twice--on days we were in port for a half day. The classes were at 5pm if I remember correctly. I did not see anything about aqua classes. Enjoy your trip!

[Pugwash123]

On my cruise, yoga was offered on the morning of our sea day. Zumba was offered twice--on days we were in port for a half day. The classes were at 5pm if I remember correctly. I did not see anything about aqua classes. Enjoy your trip!

 

Jerseygirl, many thanks for your response.

 

I didn't know what Zumba was so I looked up a couple of videos and I don't think I have the energy or stamina for this kind of work out. If Viking are offering Zumba classes can I assume that the average age of the Viking Oceans passenger is somewhat younger than the cruise line I usually cruise with?

 

Pugwash123

[jerseygrl828]

I am in my early forties and I was definitely in the minority (which I expected). From what I saw, there were maybe 10 people younger than me on the trip. I went to all of the fitness classes offered on my trip and everyone was older than me. I would say that the classes on the ship are toned down from what you see online. Private sessions are an option. I'm pretty sure I remember seeing it offered for working out and for yoga.

[KyOh]

We just returned last night from Viking Homelands on the Star. There were no classes offered and honestly I didn't see any space to use for classes. The gym mirrored space is very small for any group activity.

 

What cruise were you on where they held the classes? And where did they hold them?

[jerseygrl828]

I was on the Viking Homelands on the Star as well. You had to sign up for the classes at the spa desk and they were listed in the Viking daily. The space is small--we had mats everywhere for the yoga class. It was the open area with the mirrors next to the fitness equipment (there is some wall mounted equipment in the room that folds back into the wall).

[OnTheWater50]

Do they offer classes on port days? (our cruise in January doesn't have any sea days)

What is the cost? What type are offered?

Thanks!

[KyOh]

There were no classes offered at all on Viking Homelands returned Aug. 7th other than Cha-Cha lessons one night!

[Ianstar]

I noticed most of these posts are pre pandemic. We have two Viking Ocean booked. Are there included fitness classes? How often? How challenging? I workout daily and enjoy any classes, I can ramp them up or scale back as needed. I prefer to make any cruise a wellness vacation as much as I can. Would love any up to date info.

[Iloveketo]

On 2/21/2023 at 4:32 PM, Ianstar said:

I noticed most of these posts are pre pandemic. We have two Viking Ocean booked. Are there included fitness classes? How often? How challenging? I workout daily and enjoy any classes, I can ramp them up or scale back as needed. I prefer to make any cruise a wellness vacation as much as I can. Would love any up to date info.

We have been on 4 Viking Ocean cruises since 2020. One was 33 days with a lot of sea days. Fitness classes are not something that I have noticed often. Maybe some dance lessons in the Explorers Lounge or yoga/stretching (I can’t remember for sure where that was). As far as aquatic exercises most of us just do our own thing in one of the pools. I quite often will do my favorite yoga moves in the “beach” area of the pool. On one cruise there was another couple we saw every morning doing yoga by the pool and then they would join us in the pool. 
At home we have a yoga instructor who comes to our place once a week and we go to a local college to use the pool about 5 times a week. So, I understand someone who still wants to keep their routine going. 

[purpleally]

Viking will never ever be considered a luxury cruiseline when they continue to nickel and dime such as charging for fitness classes

[LindaS272]

20 minutes ago, purpleally said:

Viking will never ever be considered a luxury cruiseline when they continue to nickel and dime such as charging for fitness classes

Not sure what you’re referring to. Viking doesn’t have much in the way of fitness classes and on some occasions when they do there may be a charge but it depends on who’s offering it. Maybe there’s a charge for a PT in the tiny gym?

[Heidi13]

20 hours ago, purpleally said:

Viking will never ever be considered a luxury cruiseline when they continue to nickel and dime such as charging for fitness classes

 

All depends on what you consider as "Luxury", as personally I consider very few of the current ships as being true luxury. Some are more "All inclusive", but since few modern ships provide "Silver Service", I personally don't consider them as being luxury. How many of the "Luxury" ships have butlers/cabin stewards that only have 5 cabins and the Steward brings your morning coffee/afternoon tea to you, wherever you are on the ship.

 

Having experienced the tail end of the 60's/70's liners, few of today's ships are comparable to those standards. Jim experienced the Cunard standards, so I have no doubt he has also experienced the true luxury of liner travel.

 

Since I am no longer looking for mandatory formal evenings, butlers/cabin stewards, silver service, etc Viking provides the ambiance and standards that meet our expectations. Based on my experiences, do I consider Viking as a "Luxury" cruise line - No. However, I also don't consider any of the reputed North American "Luxury" lines as comparable to the levels I experienced.

[Peregrina651]

21 hours ago, purpleally said:

Viking will never ever be considered a luxury cruiseline when they continue to nickel and dime such as charging for fitness classes

 

Thank goodness they will never be considered a luxury liner; it is not the experience I am looking for nor wish to subsidize for others.

 

Viking's list of included services cover those that many guests use (internet, beverages with meals, an included tour in each port, access to the spa) and does not include those services or events that only a few people benefit from or choose to partake in (beverage tastings, caviar, fitness classes, spa services, etc).   That is not nickel-and-diming.

 

More importantly, Viking is so much more than the list of items that is included or is not included in our cruise fare -- and it is these intangibles of attitude and atmosphere while on board the Viking ships that have sold us on Viking and that keep us coming back. We don't want butlers in white gloves; we don't want 24/7 party-time; we don't want casinos or formal nights -- and we don't want to listen to people whining that Viking could be so much better if they did offer these things. Viking was created for people who couldn't find what they wanted elsewhere.

 

I am sorry that Viking has opted for the "all-inclusive" tag line as it is vague and misleading -- and only causes trouble when they fail to live up to an undefined promise.  The faster they ditch the ridiculous tagline, the better.