Comparing Viking Ocean to Regent

[Hambagahle]

I had no problem with the wines offered on Oceania - in fact I found several rather good.  I also happen to like Oceania - food and service is excellent.  We just get the Premium Beverage package (and already have 6 bottles of the alcohol of our choice in the suite).  We tend not to take ship's excursions anyway even when included.  However I am happy to think that in a year's time we will be back on board a Regent ship.   I really love both lines!

 

Would not try any other at least for the moment and today's news in the London Times that the Viking Star and another ship or ships owned by Viking had all had engine problems in the past two years is not really encouraging me to try this line!

Edited March 25, 2019 by Hambagahle

[Portolan]

Another Viking versus Regent Comparison

 

Viking Star, 10-22 January 2020, “In Search of the Northern Lights”

     - Itinerary: 12 days, London-Stavanger-Bodo (cancelled due to weather delay)-Tromso-Alta-Narvik-Bergen

     - Suite: Penthouse Junior Suite (405 sq.ft. including balcony), with early suite access, 3 each specialty restaurant reservations and “free” laundry including dry cleaning.  Two WiFi logins/person.

 

Regent Explorer, 1-17 February 2019, "Islands & Fjords of South America"

     - Itinerary: 16 days, Buenos Aires-Punta Del Este-Montevideo-Puerto Madryn-Port Stanley-Ushuaia-Punta Arenas-Puerto Chacabuco-Puerto Montt-Valparaíso

     - Suite: F2 Superior Suite (415-464 sq. ft. depending on balcony size).  We are Platinum so have free laundry and two WiFi logins/person.

 

I feel these two cruises offer close to an apples to apple comparison in terms of moderately extreme voyages (to the tip of Norway in Winter and around the bottom of South America, respectively).  After research, I aimed at mitigating the differences between the two cruises by buying the Viking Silver Spirits drinks package and, of course, expecting a tip charge to show up on the final bill.  The respective costs (for two) were:

     - Viking: $13,998 (cruise w/o air) + $1,251 (excursions, 15 total including 9 paid… 1.25/day) + $478 (drinks package) + $360 (tips) = $16,087 or $1,341/day

     - Regent: $20,798 (cruise w/o air) + $919 (excursions, 18 total including 9 Regent Choice… 1.125/day) = $21,717 or $1,357/day (see comment under excursions, below)

So, nearly identical per diem for each cruise.

 

Observations on Viking:

     - We like the Viking ship’s esthetics (Scandinavian, like our house).  Light and airy. Nice artwork (with mobile app descriptions, see below).  We hope that Splendor will lighten up on the dark tones of Explorer.

     - The Penthouse Junior Suite is quite similar to the F2 suite on Explorer/Splendor with lots of storage.  The Regent F2 suites are a bit (or quite a bit for some balconies) larger and we like the feet-facing-outward design plus the walk-in closet versus Viking’s hallway closet.

     - The forward lounge has two levels and an outside balcony across the front, unlike Explorer, Splendor and Navigator.

     - The Viking app for mobile devices was very useful.  It has the daily program, restaurant menus, art guide, deck plans, etc.  It obviated the need to carry paper around to check the program.

     - WiFi was OK even at the high latitude of Alta.  We used AT&T WiFi calling (voice only) without problems each day.  Maybe slightly better than Regent (and 940 versus 750 passengers).  Judgement withheld until we can see how it currently is when on Explorer in May.

     - The lecturers were very good.  As good as the best we’ve had on Regent and better than most.  They had 4 lecturers: a geologist, a photographer (it was a successful Northern Lights cruise), and two historians.  On sea days, there were 3-4 lectures available!

     - The theater is small with two wing extensions which can be closed off for use as small movie theaters.  I’d estimate total seating of about 500, but shows were offered twice so (I guess) all 940 passengers could get in at one time or the other.  There were many nights with no evening shows.  Shows were essentially without staging (just an image background).  While we aren’t all that big on shows, Regent’s are definitely better. 

     - Viking Star has a nice suite of dining options with only two specialty restaurants (i.e., needing reservations): Manfredi’s (Italian similar to Setti Mari, but not as good IMHO) and the Chef’s Table (regional tasting menus changing every 3 days…we really liked it to the extent of eating there 6 nights/5 menus in 12 days!).  The regular restaurants are The Restaurant=Compass Rose, World Café=La Veranda, Pool Grill=Pool Grill, Mamsen’s (light breakfast/lunch fare with a Scandinavian flare…we liked this a lot)=no counterpart.  We thought all the counterpart Viking restaurants were good, but not equal to Regent.

     - Nice public spaces, none of which seemed overcrowded.  No casino (yeah…better use of space).

     - Excursions.  This is where a head-to-head comparison is difficult.  Viking provides one free excursion in each port.  These are 2-3 hour bus tours around the area with (sometimes) stops at museums or churches plus a photo stop or two.  A couple of these were OK, but most were really basic.  We paid $1,251 for other excursions.  In my judgement, the majority of these would be free excursions on Regent.  A couple might have hit the Regent Choice threshold (none included meals), but I’d estimate that they’d have been in the least expensive category on Regent…maybe $69 or so pp.  That means that (subjectively) the equivalent cost on Regent would have been ~$1000 less.  That would shift the per diem by about $80/day in Regent’s, making Regent in my comparison actually less expensive per day.  For our South America cruise in the comparison, all of the Regent Choice excursions were substantially better than any we had on Viking.

     - Viking brought the Viking River use of whisperers to Viking Ocean.  This isn’t rocket science to manage despite some discussion to that effect in threads here.  Each suite has a double unit charging stand with instructions (see photo).  They set and test the audio channels for each tour as they assemble in the theater before excursions.  Since they provide their shore guides with the microphone version, they are always available if deemed appropriate for the tour (indicated in the daily program).  Same equipment at each stop there is no need to learn a new system repetitively.  How much did this cost Viking to set up?  Well, if you lose a whisperer, they’ll charge you $99 and I doubt they are losing money on that.  So, roughly $100 per passenger to install, plus an estimated $200/guide.  For a ship like Explorer, that’d come to $75k for the passengers and another $5k for guides…$80k.  Devices should have at least a one year life, so $80k/365/750 ~= $0.30 per passenger per day.  I haven’t tried the new Regent app yet, but anything that requires the passenger to install and configure will be less user-friendly and harder for the staff to trouble-shoot.

 

So, since we are itinerary driven, we’ll keep Viking in mind if they offer something that is unique, but it was no less expensive (actually, effectively more) than Regent and we missed many things.  If both Regent and Viking were offering the same itinerary, we’ll be on Regent.  Viking was certainly the best option to search for (and find) the northern lights!

 

In suite set-up for whisperers

Edited January 26, 2020 by Portolan

[1982CruzStart]

Thanks for the comparison. I really appreciated reading your thoughts on the 2 lines.  We had a terrible experience on a Viking river cruise so not likely to try Viking Ocean but i always like to read what i consider a well balanced review. 

[forgap]

Thank you as well, Portolan!   I have been eyeing this exact cruise but I was a bit concerned about how cold and dark it would be and the roughness of winter North Atlantic Seas.  Can you give any insight to these concerns?  

[Mahogany]

I just returned from a Viking TA, followed by a Western Caribbean on Regent. 

I agree, the décor of Viking is lovely, lots of welcoming public spaces to lounge, but I had to upgrade to a Penthouse Junior Suite to have the space I'm used to on Regent.

The Viking Restaurant has lots of window tables since the galley is between the dining tables, rather than at the end which is more common. Though light and airy, I felt tables were too close together. But it encouraged chatting.

The reason I will never sail again on Viking, but continue to recommend it to couples, is the 200% charge for Solo travelers.

[Portolan]

19 hours ago, forgap said:

Thank you as well, Portolan!   I have been eyeing this exact cruise but I was a bit concerned about how cold and dark it would be and the roughness of winter North Atlantic Seas.  Can you give any insight to these concerns?  

 

Well, it was dark (much of the time), cold (some of the time), and rough for a few days.  That's the price for sailing to the top of Norway in the winter.

 

In two of the northernmost ports, Tromso and Alta, we were there literally on the day that the sun first rose above the horizon (for 15 minutes)...and you couldn't see the horizon in either location (for another week or so), so it was just seeing some sunlight on high peaks or clouds in those locations.  Each location had 2-3 hours of not-night, and then pretty much night.

 

As far as cold goes, it wasn't too bad (lowest was around 15 degrees Fahrenheit).  But then we grew up in the northern Midwest and frequently go to really cold places like Yellowstone in Winter (-20 or more below).  The coldest you'll be is if you opt for that evening excursions chasing the northern lights since they will involve several hours outside and, depending on the location, no chance to warm up unless you retreat to the bus.

 

About two-thirds of the 2500-ish miles we sailed from London to Alta, Norway and back to Bergen are through exposed waters (vice inside outer islands) in the North and Norwegian Seas.  It's winter.  That means you can expect periods of rocking and rolling.  It was never so severe as to make moving about the ship hazardous if you used the handrails.  Outside decks were closed during these periods.  No service on the ship was disrupted.  We had, per Captain's report, 20 foot waves and wind gusts up to 50 mph at times.  The ship is very stable.  Major issue with roughness is that while the ship could safely maintain normal speeds, it would be uncomfortable for the passengers.  That necessitated slowing down.  We saw very few people wearing anti-nausea patches (which we don't need, but understand are very effective), so that's another barometer.  On the trip north, the Captain wanted to delay a long stretch of open sea a day to let the weather settle down a bit.  So we spent much of a day sailing in the Sognefjord and skipped the port call in Bodo.  Actually, we thought this was an improvement.  Bodo looked to be the least interesting port and since the focus of this cruise was to get north quickly, there was no fjord cruising in the itinerary.

 

And, bottom line, it was about seeing the northern lights.  As the attached picture shows, we were successful.  Two good times from the ship, and twice more on evening excursions.  This despite the weather was frequently overcast and we thought the prospects wouldn't be that good.  Especially on the evening excursions, the guides will take you where the conditions are more favorable.  The attached picture was taken at a spot about 1-1/2 hours from the ship.

 

Edited January 27, 2020 by Portolan

[forgap]

Thank you, Portolan.  You really helped me evaluate this itinerary.   I am waffling between seeing the northern lights and seeing the fjords - so summer vs. winter.  Perhaps we should do both!  😎

[Portolan]

1 hour ago, forgap said:

Thank you, Portolan.  You really helped me evaluate this itinerary.   I am waffling between seeing the northern lights and seeing the fjords - so summer vs. winter.  Perhaps we should do both!  😎

 

Indeed, we have done both: several times in the summer (certainly takes care of the darkness issue!...fortunately the suites on Regent have effective black-out curtains...aim for the summer solstice, June 21st), and now once in winter.  Very different cruises.  do both.

[RJ2002]

17 hours ago, Mahogany said:

The Viking Restaurant has lots of window tables since the galley is between the dining tables, rather than at the end which is more common. Though light and airy, I felt tables were too close together. But it encouraged chatting.

 

 

We felt the same on our Viking Ocean cruise on the Star.  As I recall, there are maybe four 2-tops in the entire restaurant where you could enjoy some degree of privacy.  The rest of the 2-tops are lined up right next to each other, so close that it is not possible to walk between them.  The waiter addresses you and serves you from behind.  You might as well be sitting with the guests at the adjoining tables.  

 

The proximity of the tables to one another does encourage chatting, and can lead to awkward situations if one couple is not in the "chatting" mood.  

[SedonaJoel]

We just disembarked our first cruise on the Regent Explorer.  This was cruise number 80 ish for us.  In my opinion the Explorer is the most beautiful ship I've ever sailed on.  We booked 5 future Regent cruises while onboard which gave us an additional $1000 ship board credit on this cruise plus about $4000 in discounts on the 5 cruises we prebooked.

 

if you travel with a wheelchair Viking is by far the worst cruise line I've ever been on.  They offer no assistance whatever getting on and off the ship.  They have no one at the gangway.

 

Regent offered assistance at every port.

 

Joel

[Mcrosby57]

Our first Viking Ocean cruise is this coming summer: July 2023.  I have sailed on Regent Seven Seas.  So, my point of view is just from booking and cost of the two cruises for now.  At first look, Regent Seven Seas does look a lot more expensive.  But when you compare actual cabin to cabin and amenities, Regent comes out ahead in booking and costs.  Excursions, for example:  Regent has numerous included excursions while Viking only includes an introductory excursion (some on foot, some by coach/van/bus) at each port.  If you are in a port more than one night, you get 1 excursion that does not include food or entrance to any museums or experiences.  Regent, on the other hand has several included excursions every day and your only limit is your own schedule.  Regent does off different levels of excursions that you pay extra.  My experience with Viking, on the other hand is unless you are booked into a Penthouse cabin, you will be arranging your own excursions with third party companies.  I guess this is OK for some, but it does create a class differential that feels like something from the Titanic era.  From the get go, Viking will not service you unless you book the top tier suite cabins.  OK, so you book a top tier cabin, you book book excursions and then you have to book an expensive beverage package.  I have traveled on a Viking River Cruise.  I'm not a huge wine snob but the regular house wine served on the Viking River Cruise was far, far inferior to the wine served with lunch or dinner on Regent.  And, if you want a cocktail before dinner or after dinner on Viking and don't have a the drink package, costs of drinks will be added to your final bill.  Viking house wines are not nearly as good as the Regent wines.  Regent also offers business class flights, which is important to us if we fly anywhere outside of the Continental US.  When you have an 11 hour flight, the economy section of the plane isn't even healthy for 55+ passengers, the demographics of both cruise lines.  So, you pay extra for the upgraded flights, which is at least $500 per person and often more.  So, now we are up to paying for a penthouse cabin, paying for a beverage package, paying for all but a few excursions, and paying extra for upgraded flights.  Lastly, let's look at payment requirements.  If you are a first time Viking passenger or you don't know to ask, your final payment for the cruise will be 3-6 months after your booking.  If you are like us, you often book cruises 1-2 years in advance.  Regent does not expect payment until 3 months before the sail date.  Honestly, we just don't like the pressure or attitude of this from Viking.  All this before we even set sail.  I will be comparing the actual sailing experience of the two lines.  I did note that the Viking crew were much, much friendlier and passengers seemed friendlier on the Viking River Cruise compared to the Regent cruise but I will hold judgement on that to see if it's a River vs Ocean situation on Viking. 

[PatriciaF]

On 9/9/2018 at 5:30 PM, rcandkc said:

No one has answered my question so I’ll ask differently. If we get back from excursion at 4 or 5 and go to lounge for a drink and to relax...is that included?

Only if you bought the Silver Spirits package.

[Stickman1990]

1 hour ago, PatriciaF said:

Only if you bought the Silver Spirits package.

I suspect they worked it out at some point over the last 5 years - that question was asked back in 2018….