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With regard to excursions to the ballet in St. Petersburg are the dancers from the Mariinsky?

 

 

I appreciate it is a matter of personal preference, but I cannot visit Russia without attending a performance of Folk Songs, and Dance.

 

There are so many tourist shows that it is hard to tell who is performing where and what venues Viking might be choosing. If it is Mariinsky, you want, unless you are getting tickets to a regular performance, don't expect to see the lead dancers or even members of the corps, especially during the summer months.

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There are so many tourist shows that it is hard to tell who is performing where and what venues Viking might be choosing. If it is Mariinsky, you want, unless you are getting tickets to a regular performance, don't expect to see the lead dancers or even members of the corps, especially during the summer months.

 

Thank you for confirming my suspicions re the ballet.

 

It would be my intention to see a Folk Song, and Dance, performance.

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There are so many tourist shows that it is hard to tell who is performing where and what venues Viking might be choosing. If it is Mariinsky, you want, unless you are getting tickets to a regular performance, don't expect to see the lead dancers or even members of the corps, especially during the summer months.

 

The reason I questioned the ballet is because I did the Viking Danube cruise last year. Paid to see an opera with symphony in vienna and it was a 3 piece group in an auditorium--set up just for Viking. The performers were good but I had expected a theater with an orchestra. Wondered if the ballet would be the same set up.

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With regard to excursions to the ballet in St. Petersburg are the dancers from the Mariinsky?

 

 

I appreciate it is a matter of personal preference, but I cannot visit Russia without attending a performance of Folk Songs, and Dance.

 

Good to know that you liked the Folk Dancing show. So many choices!

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The reason I questioned the ballet is because I did the Viking Danube cruise last year. Paid to see an opera with symphony in vienna and it was a 3 piece group in an auditorium--set up just for Viking. The performers were good but I had expected a theater with an orchestra. Wondered if the ballet would be the same set up.

 

On my Tauck river cruise, the included evening excursion in Vienna was to a privately owned Palace and comprised dinner accompanied by a string quartet who then played for an excellent tenor, and soprano, and a male, and female, ballet dancer.

 

A memorable evening.

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On my Tauck river cruise, the included evening excursion in Vienna was to a privately owned Palace and comprised dinner accompanied by a string quartet who then played for an excellent tenor, and soprano, and a male, and female, ballet dancer.

 

A memorable evening.

 

Wow! Sounds wonderful!

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The show we saw was simply marvelous (Russian Folk-Show at Nikolayevsky Palace also called Feel Yourself Russian).

 

Thank you for the link.

 

Was there singing in the show that you saw?

 

It's just that the videos of the show posted on YouTube contain only dancing.

 

The following video from 2015 indicates Viking using a much larger scale production show, very similar to the one I saw some years ago on my last visit to St. Petersburg.

 

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Peregrina, We will take Viking Homelands cruise in July - this is our first cruise with Viking. I love this post - if we were not already booked, we would probably do so because of your thoughts. I have followed threads for months, and you are a wonderful source of information.

 

We did Homelands in 2015. It was our first Ocean cruise with Viking. We loved it and our ship, the Star ran into problems, but we still rave about the entire trip. Although we are booked on the Magnificent Mekong in Sept, we ware booked on the British Isles Explorer in 2018.

 

Have a ball!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

We are about to embark on June 3. The Viking river policy was beer and wine at lunch and dinner. If you bought a bottle on shore, they would open it no charge. This is not a sneaking booze cruise line. You also won't see people smashed out of their minds. This is a cruise line about the ports. You can buy or bring on your own booze.

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Trav25, I'm scheduled for Viking Homeland Cruise in July. Please share any advice/suggestions with me after your trip!:cool: What excursion are you taking in Russia--local company or Viking?

We are doing the Alla company because of seasoned cruisers (we met them last October on our Viking Portugal cruise) who raved about it for St Petersburg. I'll try to post when home.

 

We left early and have been in the U.K. for a week and just arrived in Stockholm today. This is our second time in Stockholm and again, there is so much to do in four days. We have restaurant reservations (a must) for each night.

 

Just was told by the hotel here that the taxis are not regulated. Use the ones the hotel gets for you or use Uber.

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Warnemunde is an attractive seaside resort that has developed from it's small fishing village origins.

 

The following video is worth watching:

 

 

 

For fresh fish, one should try the Fischhus Min Herzing:

 

http://www.fischhus-min-herzing.de/menu

 

 

 

 

It is also very convenient to travel from Warnemunde into Rostock either by train or by ferry.

 

The following video provides a flavour of Rostock:

 

Thank you for links English Voyager! This is what we are planning to do :)

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What exactly is the policy on BYOB? I don't see anything on their website

 

You may bring any potable liquids on board. You are encouraged to sample the local beers, wines, liqueurs, etc. You may consume what you bring on board anywhere on board. You do not have to camouflage your drink. There is no corkage fee. Glasses are happily supplied.

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Love this description, ronbe65!

 

"For the "luxury" or "near luxury" category, this ship is a breakthrough as it is for the first time since Crystal Serenity that a small (or relatively small) ship is designed as a real cruise ship, not as an expensive nursing facility packed into a small floating sink."

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Editor in Chief

Cruise Critic

 

"

Hi Katie,

It's hard to say why exactly you should try Viking Ocean as we don't know what things are most important for you.

I can tell you how we compare these cruise line products (overall) as we have cruised on all of them.

Viking Star 4.5* (currently on the ship)

Oceania Riviera 4.0* (Smaller ships 3.0*)

Celebrity Solstice class 3.5*

Celebrity Reflection subclass 3.0*

 

For the "luxury" or "near luxury" category, this ship is a breakthrough as it is for the first time since Crystal Serenity that a small (or relatively small) ship is designed as a real cruise ship, not as an expensive nursing facility packed into a small floating sink.

 

The ship has a couple of unfortunate misses in design but it does not prevent it from being well above Oceania and Celebrity overall.

 

The food quality (overall) will be just slightly below Oceania and above Celebrity.

The entertainment - similar to Oceania (almost non-existent by cruise industry standards).

 

Celebrity is just a floating hotel.

 

Viking is a real cruise ship.

 

I will post a short review on this board and the full review in my cruise blog.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Some great information here that is really helpful to us, contemplating a Viking Sea S. Caribbean cruise out of San Juan. Last cruise was on Oceania, and prior to that, several Crystal, and a Celebrity thrown in (where my wife was one of the art instructors). Disliked Celebrity - both food & service not up to what we are used to. Crystal far & away had the best service, incredible food, and best enrichment & entertainment (Not a fan of the big shows - like a piano bar, or a trio or quartet, light dance music, jazz. As good as Crystal's food was, I thought Oceania's was better. No matter which restaurant we ate in, it was superb. Even ended up taking a couple cooking classes, which we never do! :-)

 

SO - Viking Sea. If these questions have been answered, I missed them in the 7 pages chock full of information.

We like to sit in a lounge area & listen to music and have a cocktail before dinner. On Oceania, we could not do that, because surprisingly there was no music anywhere on the ship from around 7:15 - 8:15 and then again none between 915 & 1015 for after dinner drinks. NONE. Very surprised - they had nice looking lounges, good musicians when they played, but no one playing at those times. Are there places to have a drink & listen to music on V around those times? (Has anyone posted daily programs here?)

 

Sea days were fine if you wanted to just sit & read by yourself, or wanted to gab with others. Are there interesting lecturers giving interesting talks about things like, art, history, politics? NOT interested in talks about where to shop & what to buy in the ports. On Crystal, I can see who the lecturers & entertainers will be online. Can that be done on V?

 

I assume smoking is not allowed in the cabins or restaurants?

 

Speaking of restaurants, I may be missing it, but I can't find info about the specialty restaurants on the website. Can anyone direct me, or let me know what they have?

 

Did I read right that there is no casino? Ouch - we do like to spend a little time in the casino on a cruise.

 

Thanks for all the help. Let's see if we'll become converts!

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Viking has no casino. Smoking only allowed outside on deck not in your room. Places to sit and listen to music and have drinks. Great talks on interesting topics none of the BS that you get on the other cruise lines. Your printed Viking daily you receive in the evening tells you about all of the talks scheduled for the next day always read your Viking daily Specialty restaurants are described online and are excellent with no extra fee. You must make a reservation and if you can't get one before your cruise it is easy to get what you want once on board no panic

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IMO We loved our cruise on the SKY but while the food was good to very good you will disappointed if you are looking for "superb."

one specialty restaurant in italian the other changes every three days and has a set menu with wine pairings. There is also a couple of times for an "optional" excursion ...paseengers accompany the chef to buy ingredients for a meal which they then prepare and eat together in a small private dining area. Quite pricey on our cruise but I spoke with a couple of people who thought it was a great experience!

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There is also a couple of times for an "optional" excursion ...paseengers accompany the chef to buy ingredients for a meal which they then prepare and eat together in a small private dining area. Quite pricey on our cruise but I spoke with a couple of people who thought it was a great experience!

 

That sound like fun!

 

thanks

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Speaking of restaurants, I may be missing it, but I can't find info about the specialty restaurants on the website. Can anyone direct me, or let me know what they have?

 

On the Viking Oceans portion of the Viking website, select the "Why Viking" tab, then "The Viking Difference". Scroll down to Destination Focused Dining, and click on "Learn More". There you will find information about all of the dining options.

 

You may also want to watch some of the videos they have posted. In particular, there is one about the Resident Historians program on board. We found the speakers (there were three on our cruise on the Star) to be very interesting. In particular, James Stourton, a retired Deputy Chairman of Sotheby's Europe, was most entertaining and informative. We made a point to attend all of his presentations.

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On the Viking Oceans portion of the Viking website, select the "Why Viking" tab, then "The Viking Difference". Scroll down to Destination Focused Dining, and click on "Learn More". There you will find information about all of the dining options.

 

You may also want to watch some of the videos they have posted. In particular, there is one about the Resident Historians program on board. We found the speakers (there were three on our cruise on the Star) to be very interesting. In particular, James Stourton, a retired Deputy Chairman of Sotheby's Europe, was most entertaining and informative. We made a point to attend all of his presentations.

 

Ahhh - there it is! Well hidden.

Thank you!

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We like to sit in a lounge area & listen to music and have a cocktail before dinner. On Oceania, we could not do that, because surprisingly there was no music anywhere on the ship from around 7:15 - 8:15 and then again none between 915 & 1015 for after dinner drinks. NONE. Very surprised - they had nice looking lounges, good musicians when they played, but no one playing at those times. Are there places to have a drink & listen to music on V around those times? (Has anyone posted daily programs here?)

 

Surprised to hear that was your experience. On our last cruise, a group we connected with met at Martinis for Happy Hour before dinner every day. There was also a string quartet that played at the Grand Bar as you walked past to the main dining room.

 

Please tell me that there is Happy Hour with 2 for 1 drinks?

 

Mia

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Please tell me that there is Happy Hour with 2 for 1 drinks?

 

Mia

 

On Viking, no happy hour. No drink specials. No reusable souvenir cups. However, the Silver Spirits is $40 per day per cabin (covers all potables but does not cover wine by the bottle or premium drinks over a certain price).

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