Viking Sea

[sswf224]

Thinking of going on a cruise for my wife’s 70th.

 

never been on a cruise before so my questions are….

 

is it worth getting a drinks package ?

 

how much is a G n T ?

 

are the trips expensive ?

 

many thanks

[OneSixtyToOne]

Most cocktails and mixed drinks are $9.50.

The Silver Spirits Package is $25/per day/per person (both passengers must buy it unless there is a medical reason).

Meals include beer and wine. The package comes with an upgraded wine list but you can still purchase anything on the list.

Viking allows you to bring your own bottle at no charge and there is no corking fee.

IMO Unless each of you plan to have 2+ cocktails a day, it’s not worth it. I’m not a wine connoisseur so the included wine is fine for me.

 

Viking cruises tend to be at the upper end price wise but include many things that are additional charges on other lines. Whether it is worth it is a personal decision. 
 

Before my first cruise I was apprehensive because my impression of cruising was influenced by all those terrible Carnival commercials I saw on TV. It seemed the exact opposite of what I enjoy. Happily, Viking is the exact opposite of what other cruise lines offer.

 

No kids

No photographers

No rides

No auctions

No tacky Vegas style entertainment 

No casinos 

No thousands of passengers

 

It’s destination focused travel on a relatively small ship.

Edited October 11, 2023 by OneSixtyToOne

[Peregrina651]

Viking offers one included shore excursion in each port.  The rest of the offering are paid by you.  Prices  and range of prices vary by length and destination 

 

Included excursions are usually short introductory tours either walking or panoramic bus tours.  

[dreamercruise]

And the lectures are mind stimulating and entertaining.

[Peregrina651]

13 hours ago, sswf224 said:

are the trips expensive ?

 

That is hard to answer. What I think is inexpensive may be judged to be very dear by others -- or vice versa.

 

It is not required that you use only the Viking provided shore excursions to tour the ports, although there are people who stick with the ship's offerings for the convenience. In most ports, there are plenty of independent options ranging from hiring a car and tour guide for 2 to small group tours on minibuses to coach tours similar to what the ship is offering. Many ports are easy enough to grab a map and explore on your own, either walking or using cabs to get from place to place.

 

 

[CDNPolar]

6 hours ago, dreamercruise said:

And the lectures are mind stimulating and entertaining.

 

We have had some of the most mind stimulating and / or entertaining lectures and we have had some that would put me to sleep in 3 minutes or less.

 

I would say that we appreciate Viking for the Resident Historians that they do contract to come on board.  They are clearly experts in their field of knowledge and you cannot fault the content of what is delivered.  What you can fault - if you care to - is the delivery of the information.

 

We have all had that teacher or lecturer that exuded personality and made learning fun and we have all had that teacher or lecturer that we dreaded the next scheduled class.

 

In general, I would say that the lectures are excellent on Viking Ocean, and that 90+ percent of the lectures I have attended (and we attend all that we are onboard for) I would recommend and sit through again.

[CCWineLover]

On 10/12/2023 at 2:48 AM, CDNPolar said:

We have all had that teacher or lecturer that exuded personality and made learning fun

Brings to mind our absolute favorite "lecturer" - Russell Lee !

He has to be the absolute best at delivery and entertainment, often making what might seem like a dry subject, come completely to life!   He also puts quite a bit of effort into his preparation.

Kudos!

[Mich3554]

18 hours ago, CCWineLover said:

Brings to mind our absolute favorite "lecturer" - Russell Lee !

He has to be the absolute best at delivery and entertainment, often making what might seem like a dry subject, come completely to life!   He also puts quite a bit of effort into his preparation.

Kudos!

Agreed!  He even has a tie he wears to match his lectures!  

[Peregrina651]

A third vote for Russell Lee. 

[Texanniew]

I am not the OP, but I just want to thank all of you for your kind and respectful replies. I am new to Viking and joined some FB groups that would have not treated the question so kindly.  In fact, many posters are so condescending and rude, it’s made me seriously rethink going on a Viking cruise. You have restored my faith!

[CCWineLover]

11 minutes ago, Texanniew said:

I am not the OP, but I just want to thank all of you for your kind and respectful replies. I am new to Viking and joined some FB groups that would have not treated the question so kindly.  In fact, many posters are so condescending and rude, it’s made me seriously rethink going on a Viking cruise. You have restored my faith!

Thank you - I think you will find quite a lot of useful information given out with Cruise Critic people - it has a very different flavor than the FB groups.

[Peregrina651]

4 hours ago, Texanniew said:

I am not the OP, but I just want to thank all of you for your kind and respectful replies. I am new to Viking and joined some FB groups that would have not treated the question so kindly.  In fact, many posters are so condescending and rude, it’s made me seriously rethink going on a Viking cruise. You have restored my faith!

 

Happy to have you aboard and glad to have been helpful. 

 

So, what else can we help you with in the run up to your first Viking adventure? We have a fine line of answers in drinks package, shorex hacks, dress code quandries, gratuities, specialty dining, who to ask, when to expect and where to find.  We also moonlight in practically unanswerable questions (when will Viking...?) and highly subjective topics (food, service, tour content, etc). 

 

Looking forward to sharing our expertise.  All you have to do is ask.

 

 

 

[KBs mum]

One thing is that Viking is set up for US passengers, the food and entertainment reflects that. Nothing wrong with it, but something to be aware of. 

The drinks package is worth it if you are going to have more than 3-4 drinks each outside of the house wines with meals. 

The Viking excursions are far more expensive than booking something independently, we only book via Viking if there is no other sensible option, often using them as transport only. The included tours can be useful transport. 

Viking usually arrange shuttle busses into the port town, if you want to stroll around on your own

[Texanniew]

On 10/15/2023 at 10:40 PM, Peregrina651 said:

We also moonlight in practically unanswerable questions (when will Viking...?) and highly subjective topics (food, service, tour content, etc). 

 

Looking forward to sharing our expertise.  All you have to do is ask.

 

 

 

Hysterical!

One thing that is also making me question our choice of itinerary for the West Indies explorer is that appears that all the excursions that you are actually doing something are extra. I am trying to figure out how much extra to budget.  Still debating on the silver package.  I might have a drink before dinner and maybe one after. 

Edited October 17, 2023 by Texanniew

[Peregrina651]

1 hour ago, Texanniew said:

Hysterical!

One thing that is also making me question our choice of itinerary for the West Indies explorer is that appears that all the excursions that you are actually doing something are extra. I am trying to figure out how much extra to budget.  Still debating on the silver package.  I might have a drink before dinner and maybe one after. 

 

Yes, the included excursion is designed as a quick overview and to give folks time to explore on their own.

 

SHOREX: Contact Viking (chat or phone call) and ask if they can send you the most current price list for the West Indies Indies Explorer shore excursions. It might take a few tries because not all of the agents know how to do it. HangUpCallAgain (HUCA) till you find an agent who knows what to do. If you are working with a travel agent, ask them to get it for you. These prices will be close enough to final prices that you should be able to figure your budget. 

 

Also, keep in mind that you don't have to use Viking shorex. CC has a section called Ports of Call and there is TripAdvisor, two places where you can find the names of independent tour providers. Services range from coach tour to mini-bus tours to private car with driver.

 

DRINKS PACKAGE: In all of the years following the conversation, I've come to the conclusion that folks buy the package for one of two reasons. One, because it saves them money. The other because they like the convenience 1) of not having to keep track of the bar tab and 2) of being able to try new drinks and not feel obligated to finish a drink they really don't like.

 

If you fall into the first category, then keep in mind what is already complimentary:

•  wine, beer, soft drinks with lunch and dinner (and juices at breakfast)

•  all coffees (except if it contains alcohol), teas and hot chocolate available 24/7

• liberal BYOB policy: 

• • anything in any quantity as long as it is legal, 

• • maybe consumed anywhere on the ship,

• • no corkage fee for wine,

• • appropriate drinking glasses/ice on request (mixers are a bar charge or take it from your mini-bar)

 

To do the math, someone else is going to have to supply bar prices because I don't know what the current prices are.

[Texanniew]

2 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Yes, the included excursion is designed as a quick overview and to give folks time to explore on their own.

 

SHOREX: Contact Viking (chat or phone call) and ask if they can send you the most current price list for the West Indies Indies Explorer shore excursions. It might take a few tries because not all of the agents know how to do it. HangUpCallAgain (HUCA) till you find an agent who knows what to do. If you are working with a travel agent, ask them to get it for you. These prices will be close enough to final prices that you should be able to figure your budget. 

 

Also, keep in mind that you don't have to use Viking shorex. CC has a section called Ports of Call and there is TripAdvisor, two places where you can find the names of independent tour providers. Services range from coach tour to mini-bus tours to private car with driver.

 

DRINKS PACKAGE: In all of the years following the conversation, I've come to the conclusion that folks buy the package for one of two reasons. One, because it saves them money. The other because they like the convenience 1) of not having to keep track of the bar tab and 2) of being able to try new drinks and not feel obligated to finish a drink they really don't like.

 

If you fall into the first category, then keep in mind what is already complimentary:

•  wine, beer, soft drinks with lunch and dinner (and juices at breakfast)

•  all coffees (except if it contains alcohol), teas and hot chocolate available 24/7

• liberal BYOB policy: 

• • anything in any quantity as long as it is legal, 

• • maybe consumed anywhere on the ship,

• • no corkage fee for wine,

• • appropriate drinking glasses/ice on request (mixers are a bar charge or take it from your mini-bar)

 

To do the math, someone else is going to have to supply bar prices because I don't know what the current prices are.

Thank you so muchornthemuch for the great info!!

On 10/15/2023 at 10:40 PM, Peregrina651 said:

We also moonlight in practically unanswerable questions (when will Viking...?) and highly subjective topics (food, service, tour content, etc). 

 

Looking forward to sharing our expertise.  All you have to do is ask.

 

 

 

Hysterical!

One thing that is also making me question our choice of itinerary for the West Indies explorer is that appears that all the excursions that you are actually doing something are extra. I am trying to figure out how much extra to budget.  Also trying to figure out the silver package.  I might have a drink before dinner and maybe one after. 

[formernuke]

From a pure cost only perspective, in general Silver Spirits only makes sense if EACH of you will consume at least 2 or more drinks (outside of the beer/wine that's free at meals) EVERY DAY. There may be other reasons to choose it, but for most people that's the rule of thumb.

[CCWineLover]

3 hours ago, formernuke said:

From a pure cost only perspective, in general Silver Spirits only makes sense if EACH of you will consume at least 2 or more drinks (outside of the beer/wine that's free at meals) EVERY DAY. There may be other reasons to choose it, but for most people that's the rule of thumb.

To me it is not always a cost issue - but a timing issue.  It can be worth it if you care to have drinks not at lunch or dinner time.  Like Bloody Mary's in the AM, or Mai Tai's by the pool, or cocktails at the Explorers Lounge or Attrium before dinner, or after dinner drinks.   Or really anytime you want a non-beer or wine drink.

 

[KBs mum]

24 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

To me it is not always a cost issue - but a timing issue.  It can be worth it if you care to have drinks not at lunch or dinner time.  Like Bloody Mary's in the AM, or Mai Tai's by the pool, or cocktails at the Explorers Lounge or Attrium before dinner, or after dinner drinks.   Or really anytime you want a non-beer or wine drink.

 

All drinks are available at all times during 'bar open hours' and via room service, nothing is limited to meal times only, other than the included house wine/beer. 

Buying the package does not increase choice or availability, it is a merely a budgeting option 

[Peregrina651]

27 minutes ago, KBs mum said:

All drinks are available at all times during 'bar open hours' and via room service, nothing is limited to meal times only, other than the included house wine/beer. 

Buying the package does not increase choice or availability, it is a merely a budgeting option 

 

In other words, you don't have to have the drinks package to have access to the premium wines. You can pay for them by the glass.

 

BTW,  here's a link to the drinks package description and what is actually covered by the package.

https://cms-assets.viking.com/mar_content/global-brand-identity/Onboard_GuestFacing/US_CORP_SilverSpirits-AllProduct-2023.pdf

 

Bookmark this link for future reference. Even if the package changes, the link will remain the same.

[KBs mum]

48 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

In other words, you don't have to have the drinks package to have access to the premium wines. You can pay for them by the glass.

 

BTW,  here's a link to the drinks package description and what is actually covered by the package.

https://cms-assets.viking.com/mar_content/global-brand-identity/Onboard_GuestFacing/US_CORP_SilverSpirits-AllProduct-2023.pdf

 

Bookmark this link for future reference. Even if the package changes, the link will remain the same.

Likely mostly similar, but the OP is UK, not US. Sterling applies in advance, dollars only when on the ship

[Peregrina651]

35 minutes ago, KBs mum said:

Likely mostly similar, but the OP is UK, not US. Sterling applies in advance, dollars only when on the ship

 

Good point!

 

Can you post a link to the UK version of the same document? And can someone in the AUS/NZ market do the same? That way can serve all readers no matter where they are. 

[KBs mum]

22 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Good point!

 

Can you post a link to the UK version of the same document? And can someone in the AUS/NZ market do the same? That way can serve all readers no matter where they are. 

I've never had reason to look for it, I found an example bar menu and did the maths

[Canberra601]

11 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Good point!

 

Can you post a link to the UK version of the same document? And can someone in the AUS/NZ market do the same? That way can serve all readers no matter where they are. 

Here it is for Australia and NZ:

 

[Strangford]

UK version