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Will we like Viking, if Seabourn and Crystal are our preferred Lines?


BUgrad
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We've taken three Viking Ocean cruises and have never seen anything close to a "homeless look" while dining or anywhere else on the ship.  We like the more casual dress code, but there were a number of travelers who dressed up and seemed to be enjoying themselves.  Just as there were even more of us in casual, but neat attire, who were also enjoying ourselves very much.  We have 2 more VO cruises booked.

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On ‎11‎/‎30‎/‎2018 at 9:26 PM, Dauntless said:

 

Extra tight shorts, clothes that looked like they had been thrown in the suitcase and it took a month tho get to the ship or things that look like they were bought several sizes ago, in either direction will not be the things you will see in 3 dining venues on Viking, though some people like to see if they can stretch the rules, and these are the only places on the ship where Country Club Casual is 'required'.  I have no problem with the ships request for dressing.  Would not like to be on a cruise where 'formal' dress required but his is a vacation and that's about doing things a little differently than at home.

Well, we've been on a ship where formal was supposed to be required, it was published in several languages in the daily paper, and on the notices outside the dining venues.  Despite this, we've seen people dress like slobs for evening activities - including dining, going into bars and lounges and even the theatre!  It caused quite a few comments!  On the other side of the coin, we've also seen people completely and utterly over-dressing - adding frills and bling where it was completely over the top.  

 

When the majority of passengers adhere to the relevant dress code (moderately), then it's nice, but the last thing we're going to be content with is people trying to get into afternoon tea in a swimsuit (not much of a swimsuit, more of a postage stamp in a country with a paper shortage), or going around on a formal night dressed like the remains of someone who has escaped the jungle.

 

It's a matter of showing respect for other passengers.  If people can't be bothered to present themselves neatly and in line with published information (in their own language or one that they know) then it's an insult to all the other passengers who have taken the time to present themselves correctly.  If we don't feel like going formal, we either order in, or go to the self service.

 

We most definitely did not find people being scruffy on VO.  

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On 11/27/2018 at 10:25 PM, kkmiausa said:

That is not what I consider cruise wear. We travel only Seabourn or Oceania for the most part. I think it is nice to dress for dinner. I like the all inclusive ships with fine dining, great personalized service (they know your name right away) and only the finest wines, champagne and  name brand liquors. No charges for room service ever.  The only thing is lately the clientelle on Seabourn has seemed to bend to over 80.


I don't know why everyone makes such a big deal about staff knowing your name.  They know you're name on Carnival as well, so it's not really saying much about the cruise experience 😄

 

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On 11/30/2018 at 11:14 PM, imcpa said:

I have sailed SS (3 times), Crystal (2 times), Seabourn, Regent and Windstar and will be sailing the Viking Orion in January.  I expect to enjoy it just as much as the others (without champagne in the cabin though :classic_ohmy:).  We are in a DV on deck 3 and are very excited from everything I have read about Viking.  I will report back when we return and, Mr. Avery, I will then hopefully also comment on your comparison of Viking vs Seabourn.


If you can get an upgrade or are offered one to a PV - take it.  We did and were so happy that we did.  It really is a much nicer room.  Lots of storage, great sofa, bigger balcony!

In the photo where you can see the drawers - those are the only drawers in the DVs on most of the ships.  On the Viking Sky, and newer, there are drawers also in the closet, but it takes away closet space.  The Orion should have those drawers. 

Also in the PV, the closet is opposite the bathroom.  In the DV it's next to the bed and it's bit tight.

But the ships are gorgeous!  We loved the Viking Sea and we have 2 more cruises booked.  One on the Sea and one on the Sky.  Both in PVs - I'm spoiled.

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I agree about moving up to a PV on Viking Ocean!!  We had DV cabins on our first two Viking cruises and having the closet right by the bed was a problem.  We splurged on a PV cabin on our third cruise in October and loved the extra space, better layout of the room and extra storage!!!  I think we will continue to find a way to splurge for PV's!!!  We love the Viking ships and the ocean cruises!

 

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Have you ever cruised on Seabourn or Regent or even Oceania?I find people who so favor Viking is that is the only higher end line they have been on compared to Carnival or NCL or RCCL and they fall for the slick marketing!  I have never even seen Seabourn or Regent or even Oceania on a television ad and they are always fully booked.  People only know what they have as comparison and majority only go by word of mouth from others who fall for  these ads

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1 hour ago, kkmiausa said:

Have you ever cruised on Seabourn or Regent or even Oceania?I find people who so favor Viking is that is the only higher end line they have been on compared to Carnival or NCL or RCCL and they fall for the slick marketing!  I have never even seen Seabourn or Regent or even Oceania on a television ad and they are always fully booked.  People only know what they have as comparison and majority only go by word of mouth from others who fall for  these ads

"....and they fall for the slick marketing!"   Wow, are you always so demeaning of others????  

We have been on 3 Viking Ocean cruises , so I think we would have figured out by now if it was just slick advertising or a quality product.

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11 hours ago, kkmiausa said:

Have you ever cruised on Seabourn or Regent or even Oceania?I find people who so favor Viking is that is the only higher end line they have been on compared to Carnival or NCL or RCCL and they fall for the slick marketing!  I have never even seen Seabourn or Regent or even Oceania on a television ad and they are always fully booked.  People only know what they have as comparison and majority only go by word of mouth from others who fall for  these ads

 

We are regulars on Seabourn and have also cruised Silversea, our preference is now Viking we like the more relaxed atmosphere on board, the varied itineraries, facilities, food and overall size of the ship.

 

Each to their own, sail with each and make your choice.

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On 12/5/2018 at 12:37 PM, kkmiausa said:

Have you ever cruised on Seabourn or Regent or even Oceania?I find people who so favor Viking is that is the only higher end line they have been on compared to Carnival or NCL or RCCL and they fall for the slick marketing!  I have never even seen Seabourn or Regent or even Oceania on a television ad and they are always fully booked.  People only know what they have as comparison and majority only go by word of mouth from others who fall for  these ads

Personally, I have never seen a Viking advert and except for CC don't know anyone who has sailed with them.

 

When looking for a new higher end cruise line we thoroughly researched a number of premium & luxury lines. We determined, all premium/luxury lines are vastly superior to the mainstream lines, but a couple of things that stood out with Viking were no casino and no formal nights. For us the casino is a waste of space and I spent way too many years dressing up, so that in retirement I prefer a more relaxed atmosphere.

 

I think you will find many other Viking passengers are equally as discerning and were not swayed by word of mouth or glitzy ads.

 

BTW - I also only have P&O/Princess to compare to Viking, but I did sail with them back in the days when they were better quality and more formal than some of the current premiumluxury brands.

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Starting from the top. Comparing penthouse category in Viking to Seabourn.  Seabourn Penthouse Suite with balcony is over 534 square feet while I think Viking is around only 338  including balcony and  there is an enclosed bedroom separate from the living room area. Floor to ceiling glass out to large balcony. The toilet is in a separate part of the bathroom with its own separate sink. There are 2 sinks in the main bathroom, walk in round shower and a jetted spa  tub.  You don't have a mini bar instead you are stocked with 2 full sized bottles of alcohol of your choice along with wine or beer if you desire and of course all soft drinks and an Illy coffee maker. 

 

There are no formal nights, instead there is one night where there is a Captains reception and most ladies do wear cocktail attire. Men do not normally wear tuxedos.  And it is only the Main dining room where people dress up. You also have the choice of the Colonnade restaurant, the Thomas Keller more private dining room, and the Earth and Sea on pool deck.   The "casino" is the size of about 4 veranda suites put together, no entire floor and only  a few slot machines and one table of  poker. So those arguments really don't hold up.  Can you have caviar or lobster at your request at no charge on Viking?  Also there is virtually no night life at all on Viking to my understanding. 

 

You cannot compare Seabourn, Regent, Crystal or even Oceania to a Princess.   Princess would be bottom of comparisions. Rankings probably  Princess, NCL, HAL, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Viking, then Oceania, Regent, Seabourn, and then Crystal. Our first river cruise was on Amawaterways and even with river cruising Viking staterooms are very small compared to Amawaterways, Uniworld and way below Crystal. 

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We love the Viking ships.  The staff, the Spa, the live music everywhere, the guest lecturers, the wide open spaces and the lovely Nordic decor.  No fussy reproduction antique furniture or curtains. (drapes)

We also love Azamara because everyone is so friendly.  We love Star Clippers for the wonderful sailing experience.  Oceania not so much despite having excellent food.  

I would no longer cruise on a ship that requires DH to drag out the Dinner (Tuxedo) Suit.  However I do agree that one must make some effort in the evening, and move a notch up from our sightseeing clothes.

We will be onboard on New Year's Eve and I will dress as if going to a party - because that is what Viking will put on.

 

Just back from a Scenic River Cruise - bit of a disaster - some not their fault because of low water levels, but it was their recovery from the situation which was poor.  Viking River did much better according to friends onboard at the same time.

However we will give Scenic another try next year to visit the Bordeaux region.

 

At the end of day we will all have our favourites for different reasons.  On the other hand there is nothing worse than being seated next to someone who is determined not to enjoy the cruise and persists in telling everyone how much better some other cruise line is.

 

 

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9 hours ago, kkmiausa said:

Starting from the top. Comparing penthouse category in Viking to Seabourn.  Seabourn Penthouse Suite with balcony is over 534 square feet while I think Viking is around only 338  including balcony and  there is an enclosed bedroom separate from the living room area. Floor to ceiling glass out to large balcony. The toilet is in a separate part of the bathroom with its own separate sink. There are 2 sinks in the main bathroom, walk in round shower and a jetted spa  tub.  You don't have a mini bar instead you are stocked with 2 full sized bottles of alcohol of your choice along with wine or beer if you desire and of course all soft drinks and an Illy coffee maker. 

 

There are no formal nights, instead there is one night where there is a Captains reception and most ladies do wear cocktail attire. Men do not normally wear tuxedos.  And it is only the Main dining room where people dress up. You also have the choice of the Colonnade restaurant, the Thomas Keller more private dining room, and the Earth and Sea on pool deck.   The "casino" is the size of about 4 veranda suites put together, no entire floor and only  a few slot machines and one table of  poker. So those arguments really don't hold up.  Can you have caviar or lobster at your request at no charge on Viking?  Also there is virtually no night life at all on Viking to my understanding. 

 

You cannot compare Seabourn, Regent, Crystal or even Oceania to a Princess.   Princess would be bottom of comparisions. Rankings probably  Princess, NCL, HAL, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity and Viking, then Oceania, Regent, Seabourn, and then Crystal. Our first river cruise was on Amawaterways and even with river cruising Viking staterooms are very small compared to Amawaterways, Uniworld and way below Crystal. 

The Viking Junior Suites are 405 sf, the suites are 757-1,163 sf and owners suite is 1,448 sf. On checking the Seabourn website their largest suite is comparable in size to Viking.

 

Personally, we consider the cabin as our bedroom and the public spaces as the living room. Viking has significantly more living space with a GT of 47,800, which is about 50% larger than Seabourn Sojourn. On our next cruise, even in a DV cabin we will have comp bottles of alcohol in the cabin.

 

The Seabourn FAQ states cruises have 1 to 3 formal nights, with tuxedo, suit or trousers/jacket being required in the MDR. Viking disposed of this and every night is elegant casual, requiring trousers and a collared shirt. 

 

With respect to comparing P&O/Princess, I noted previous years, which means back in the 70's, when P&O and also Cunard were the premier luxury cruise lines. This is a number of years before Seabourn started and then were subsequently purchased by Carnival. Last I read, Seabourn is now managed out of HAL's offices in Seattle. Personally, we avoid all of the Carnival brands.

 

Nice to hear you enjoy the Seabourn experience, but we will stick with Viking, which is independently owned, with a CEO having extensive experience in luxury cruising. Back in the 80's & 90's, the Viking CEO ran Royal Viking Line, which was probably the first true luxury cruise company. They also provide the services that are important to us.

 

 

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Glad you are happy.  We all have different likes and criteria. Some people no matter what they read won't believe, as I said, no tuxedo is required on Seabourn Quest. They do ask for elegant casual in main dining room. To have what you consider a junior suite on Viking is more expensive than Seabourn. 

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Hi, speaking personally I have never been on a bad cruise or had a bad holiday.  I think it's a mind set,  Some are only happy when they can find something to whinge about.  It is our fellow cruisers that have been the highlight on all of our cruises.    On our recent Scenic cruise we met such great, funny, well travelled people.  Many were from Canada.  We laughed together about our minor worries and were thankful we had so little to complain about compared with the major woes of the world.  

I would also say that I would not comment on a cruise line I have never been on.  

I have heard many great comments about Seabourn but have not tried it (yet).

We will certainly enjoy our Viking New Year cruise and look forward to meeting everyone onboard.  Last year one unhappy person, who we met in the spa several times, had been given a more or less free cruise because of major problems previously (engine breakdown) but still couldn't find anything pleasant to say about anything.  She didnt like the size of the cabins and when I said I was perfectly happy in ours, she asked what size my house was at home, since she apparently lived in a mansion with several acres somewhere in the mid west of the USA and didnt like being confined on a ship,  That really made me laugh. 

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On ‎12‎/‎5‎/‎2018 at 10:16 PM, kkmiausa said:

That was not what my post meant. I am sure you feel it was quality but what is your comparison? It is like comparing hotels some of us prefer Ritz Carlton while others are fine with Marriott. 

For us companies providing services get just one chance to make a good impression - we've stayed in a Ritz Carlton just once (selected by a cruise line as a pre-cruise overnight), and that was enough - never again.

 

As far as feeling sure that what you call a top-end cruise line will guaranteed provide a really good service - I wouldn't bank on it!

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On ‎2‎/‎3‎/‎2018 at 12:20 AM, BUgrad said:

We have travelled quite frequently on Crystal and less so on Seabourn. We loved them. Did not like Silversea or RCCL. We generally like to explore on our own or with small groups that let you linger when you find a spot you like. Just wondering what the excursion experience is like? I do not want to be herded like on RCCL. What is the caliber of food and service? We live in a suburb of NYC and are spoiled by all the culinary offerings. Are there onboard lectures?

 

Would appreciate feedback from others who have travelled on luxury lines.

We've done quite a few cruises, but never ever on RCCL.  On our recent VO cruise, we found that the tour guides were extremely knowledgeable, and willing/able to be flexible in how the tour time was spent.  We didn't feel at all 'herded' - that's something we don't like.  

The calibre of the food and service was top notch - best cruise ever.  Yes, there are onboard lectures - but we don't usually go to them, and we were simply too busy anyway.

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22 minutes ago, Mrs Miggins said:

Hi, speaking personally I have never been on a bad cruise or had a bad holiday.  I think it's a mind set,  Some are only happy when they can find something to whinge about.  It is our fellow cruisers that have been the highlight on all of our cruises.    On our recent Scenic cruise we met such great, funny, well travelled people.  Many were from Canada.  We laughed together about our minor worries and were thankful we had so little to complain about compared with the major woes of the world.  

I would also say that I would not comment on a cruise line I have never been on.  

I have heard many great comments about Seabourn but have not tried it (yet).

We will certainly enjoy our Viking New Year cruise and look forward to meeting everyone onboard.  Last year one unhappy person, who we met in the spa several times, had been given a more or less free cruise because of major problems previously (engine breakdown) but still couldn't find anything pleasant to say about anything.  She didnt like the size of the cabins and when I said I was perfectly happy in ours, she asked what size my house was at home, since she apparently lived in a mansion with several acres somewhere in the mid west of the USA and didnt like being confined on a ship,  That really made me laugh.  

I can see where you are coming from - and I can see your point.  However, I've learned to take what other passengers say with a pinch of salt (mostly) when people allege they live in a mansion it simply doesn't cut any cake with us.  

That sort of thing is about as palatable as one of Baldrick's turnips.  

 

Edited by Parsley Cruises
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5 minutes ago, Parsley Cruises said:

I can see where you are coming from - and I can see your point.  However, I've learned to take what other passengers say with a pinch of salt (mostly) when people allege they live in a mansion it simply doesn't cut any cake with us.  

That sort of thing is about as palatable as one of Baldrick's turnips.  

I love talking to everyone and that is what makes a cruise for me.  I felt rather sad for this lady but she did make me laugh.  

I have made several cunning plans for our New Year cruise!  Turnips did not feature on Viking previously  - perhaps I should complain.

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24 minutes ago, Mrs Miggins said:

I love talking to everyone and that is what makes a cruise for me.  I felt rather sad for this lady but she did make me laugh.  

I have made several cunning plans for our New Year cruise!  Turnips did not feature on Viking previously  - perhaps I should complain.

Cunning plans are brilliant - some of ours in the past have been epic!  Does Darling know?

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On 12/5/2018 at 5:16 PM, kkmiausa said:

That was not what my post meant. I am sure you feel it was quality but what is your comparison? It is like comparing hotels some of us prefer Ritz Carlton while others are fine with Marriott. 

 

I am a Lifetime Premiere Platinum Ritz Carlton member with hundreds of nights spent club level.  I find that VO compares quite well with RC.   The decor is spot on and the staterooms are smaller of course but the balcony with the views make up for that but I find the simple elegance equivalent.  The service is also outstanding except for the Chef's table. 

 

There were two exceptions to this.  One was the food in all of the restaurants was superior to RC.  However, the Chef's table and MDR ambience and decor I find horribly underwhelming.   Not even close to a fine dining atmosphere.  I just compared the Chef's table to any generic Marriott last week but with lower ceilings.  The food is quite good with the exception with of the beef carpaccio which I order everywhere I see it on a menu but was just inedible  The tables are far too close in the Chef's table for fine dining.  It is terrible service to serve two 2-top tables as one 4-top.  Wrong, wrong, wrong.  No excuse for that with a half empty dining room and this happened all four times I have been there.  It is terribly awkward.    Why am I giving my order over speaking loudly over someone's else's table?   Manfredi's is fine for an Italian restaurant since I don't consider it fine dining.

 

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From all your great CC reviews, we will shy away from Viking Ocean Cruises. Although Viking can provide the cabin and balcony we desire, the observation of dining with the "homeless" dressed does not appeal to us. We were brought up differently, with manners and respect for others, whether at home or at a restaurant. A cruise line is no different. This 'ship within a ship' concept with other lines appeals to us. With 120 or so suite guests separated from the 4000-5000 other passengers with their own venues . It allows us to venture out of the walls of the "Forbidden City" into the general party atmosphere, as well as allows a quick retreat. No fighting over all the 'saved' lounge chairs , no long buffet lines, no waiting for bar drinks, hardly any 'unwashed' or unkept revelers on "their" holiday (which somehow releases them from all decorum), and smokers that do not obey the rules.

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I think the last post must be a joke.  There were none of the things listed at the end of this post on our past Viking cruises and we are expecting a lovely cruise on a beautiful ship with some great, well travelled,  fellow guests over New Year. 

 

 

Each to their own, but I would not wish to be on a mega ship, no matter what cabin or suite I slept in.  I have been on RCCL, Princess, Celebrity etc. when we travelled with children, but would not go back to them now. We have always enjoyed our cruises, but now find we need a little more sophistication.  

 

On reflection I guess the post was just to stimulate a reaction and yes I fell for it.

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