Princess cruiser wants to try Viking

[Murphey]

So, we have a kajillion (;)) cruises with Princess and it is late in our cruising career, but we ran across an ad for Viking and it triggered an interest. We had done a river cruise (China) with them years ago and were pleased with the experience.

 

We have some privileges with Princess, but in reading through the Viking material, most of those are already included. Yes, Viking is more expensive, but when you pencil things out, maybe Viking isn't really more $$$. So, what I'm asking for is your opinion, things we should consider that perhaps the reading material hasn't covered. CC is a wealth of information and I would like to tap a little here. Thank you.

Edited January 13, 2017 by Murphey

[PatriciaF]

We are platinum Princess Cruisers and sailed with Viking in December (Athens to Venice). Very impressed. The specialty restaurants that are free were much better than those on Princess. We didn't miss the casino or the photographer or champagne art auctions. The shows were good--some I thought were as good as some we have seen on Princess--others only so so. The spa was wonderful--no charge for some of the areas that Princess would charge for.

 

I thought the buffet got boring for breakfast after about day 3 -- but full room service breakfast is available to all cabin classes.

 

We were in port every day and walked 3 to 9 miles each day--so we were not up late and can't say what the night life is like.

 

We cruised with friends that have cruised many lines, including Oceania, and they thought that the only thing Oceania had over Viking was Nobu, one of its specialty restaurants.

 

We usually pick the itinerary before the cruiseline but will be looking to see if Viking is sailing an itinerary we are interested in.

[Murphey]

Thank you so much for your reply......good information!

[Host Jazzbeau]

We cruised with friends that have cruised many lines, including Oceania, and they thought that the only thing Oceania had over Viking was Nobu, one of its specialty restaurants.

 

Nobu has a specialty restaurant on Crystal, not Oceania.

[huntersyaya]

We have done several cruises on both. Viking wins in my opinion because of the number of passengers (less than 1000) and the vast amount of public space on Viking. You can find "oceans" of room where you can plop down and read a book or take a little nap without much disturbance.

[philw1776]

We have done several cruises on both. Viking wins in my opinion because of the number of passengers (less than 1000) and the vast amount of public space on Viking. You can find "oceans" of room where you can plop down and read a book or take a little nap without much disturbance.

 

That is why this Viking customer also loved cruising with Silverseas. Their premier ships are even smaller, just over 600 passengers. Plenty of unoccupied nice space, though less space and less striking than on Viking Ocean. Easy on/off ship. It's simply personal preference but we don't like huge crowds and lines. Silverseas is ALL inclusive, tips drinks, in room bar. We're not big drinkers so the only benefit of this liquor for us was the ability to select any available alternative wine, instead of the Merlot that Viking had for days running on our last (river) cruise. Easy to order last Tuesday's wine that we loved on Silverseas.

[Alicomp]

We are Elite on Princess and just returned from our first Viking ocean cruise. We've already booked another. We loved that there were so many places to sit and read (or whatever). The ships are decorated nicely and not glitzy. We don't drink, but liked having our minibar stocked with Diet Coke every day. We didn't have to buy a soda sticker as we did on Princess (there isn't such a thing on Viking). Also liked no photographers, very few announcements, no art auction, included excursion in each port. We didn't use the spa, but it looked great. The fitness center also had an adequate amount of equipment. There is artwork throughout the ship and if you download a Viking app it will tell you about each piece of art as you are looking at it. I think the Princess buffet is better and afternoon tea is better on Princess, but overall we preferred Viking.

[stretchcruz]

We are also Elite on Princess, Diamond (almost Diamond Plus) on RCI, have sailed Carnival, NCL, Celebrity, Holland America, Costa...and we can't wait till our Viking Ocean cruise on the Sky in April. Over the years cruising is not what it was when we started over 45 cruises ago...the nickel and diming, the photographers, the upcharge for drinks, not letting you bring drinks aboard, the art auctions, the huge ships, the children...we are really looking forward to being treated like grownups on this cruise without all of the games...and no children..no screaming and running and yelling...and all balcony cabins. We can't wait! We are really hoping that our Viking Sky cruise will bring us back to what cruising used to be for us. There is a place for children and families and screaming and yelling and nickel and diming but we've decided over the past couple of years that the ships that cater to that are not for us. So we are hoping that Viking Ocean and the Viking Sky will be fabulous! After 3 weeks onboard I should be able to let you know and I will. We can't wait to try it!

Edited January 14, 2017 by stretchcruz

[Murphey]

Thanks again for all of your insights. I think you hit the nail on the head....I couldn't quite articulate it. But, when we started with Princess, it was elegant and the service was outstanding without being "snooty". I feel the whole product has changed and after 50+ cruises, we are going to try Viking with the expectation that we will think, "gosh, this is what it used to be like"!

[PatriciaF]

As someone who cruise for the first time in 1975, I don't think you will find it like it was then--but prices aren't what it was like then either--$600/person for a six day cruise in a VERY VERY small cabin.

 

But--no kids, no photographer, no casino (which meant I saved about $20). Crew was changing out during our cruise, so some dining room staff had problems using the digital ordering system--in fact, breakfast took over an hour that day due to poor server--then we had him that afternoon for tea. He had problems there too!

[Captain_Morgan]

Thanks again for all of your insights. I think you hit the nail on the head....I couldn't quite articulate it. But, when we started with Princess, it was elegant and the service was outstanding without being "snooty". I feel the whole product has changed and after 50+ cruises, we are going to try Viking with the expectation that we will think, "gosh, this is what it used to be like"!

 

As a long time lurker and first time poster, I wanted to offer some insight from both sides of the coin.

 

Having worked in the industry for 14+ years and formerly with Princess for nearly 10 yrs; having sailed on the majority of their ships including the new Royal Class I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the product there has changed drastically over the years. I call it the 'Carnivalization' of the brand which is evident on many of the other brands under the umbrella and i first noticed it when the Caribbean Princess was launched and the focus was on filling it no matter the price which attracted any number of colorful characters for 7 day parties in the sun!! Add to the fact of the constant nickel and dime mentality where everything is an extra charge and they now find themselves going down the road of 3 and 4 day cruises to Ensenada or Bahamas :rolleyes:

 

I digress however, and can say on Viking you will not only see much newer ships, but also a much friendlier atmosphere as with only 930 guests at max capacity it never truly feels crowded and even when there's a group of people somewhere they seem to dissipate quickly. The general atmosphere on board is also much brighter and relaxing at the same time; no drab, dark tones around the ship or dated furnishings; nor is there a member of staff trying to hawk the latest 'drink of the day' with some tacky glowing accessory floating inside of it or a photographer hiding around a faux plant waiting to ambush you!

 

Viking is 18+ so no kids running around, up and down hallways and generally being disruptive and perhaps the demographic is older than some prefer but the aim from my understanding was that they wanted to target a 50+ age group, educated, with an interest in enrichment and culture and not just people wanting 'fun in the sun' on a 'milk run' around the same old tired ports...

 

Is Viking perfect?? Of course not, but i honestly think that value for money they are an excellent option and they've got a lot to learn as it relates to the different niche aspects of the industry but they're headed in the right direction IMO. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, elegant and informed so if that's what interests you than i'm sure you will have a great trip!

[Military Guy]

As a long time lurker and first time poster, I wanted to offer some insight from both sides of the coin.

 

Having worked in the industry for 14+ years and formerly with Princess for nearly 10 yrs; having sailed on the majority of their ships including the new Royal Class I can say without a shadow of a doubt that the product there has changed drastically over the years. I call it the 'Carnivalization' of the brand which is evident on many of the other brands under the umbrella and i first noticed it when the Caribbean Princess was launched and the focus was on filling it no matter the price which attracted any number of colorful characters for 7 day parties in the sun!! Add to the fact of the constant nickel and dime mentality where everything is an extra charge and they now find themselves going down the road of 3 and 4 day cruises to Ensenada or Bahamas :rolleyes:

 

I digress however, and can say on Viking you will not only see much newer ships, but also a much friendlier atmosphere as with only 930 guests at max capacity it never truly feels crowded and even when there's a group of people somewhere they seem to dissipate quickly. The general atmosphere on board is also much brighter and relaxing at the same time; no drab, dark tones around the ship or dated furnishings; nor is there a member of staff trying to hawk the latest 'drink of the day' with some tacky glowing accessory floating inside of it or a photographer hiding around a faux plant waiting to ambush you!

 

Viking is 18+ so no kids running around, up and down hallways and generally being disruptive and perhaps the demographic is older than some prefer but the aim from my understanding was that they wanted to target a 50+ age group, educated, with an interest in enrichment and culture and not just people wanting 'fun in the sun' on a 'milk run' around the same old tired ports...

 

Is Viking perfect?? Of course not, but i honestly think that value for money they are an excellent option and they've got a lot to learn as it relates to the different niche aspects of the industry but they're headed in the right direction IMO. The atmosphere is relaxed, friendly, elegant and informed so if that's what interests you than i'm sure you will have a great trip!

 

Great insight, I appreciate sharing your knowledge.