Is a Viking Cruise worth the money? Viking Ocean Cruise Critic Community

Table Of Content

• How Much Do Viking Ocean Cruises Cost?
• Let me tell you a good one. I share behind the scenes travel mishaps and adventures on the road.
• Highlights of a Viking Ocean Cruise
• Are There Luggage Restrictions On Board Viking Cruise Ships?
• Can I use the Viking Silver Spirits Package for drinks at the ship’s living room bar?
• Highlights of Caribbean & Central America Cruises

We sailed on the Viking Buri — well equipped with everything you could need and more. A glamours marble entryway leads to a lovely staircase toward a library, beautiful dining room, sun deck, bar, lounge, as well as many tucked away corners where guests can relax. The first night of our arrival we received welcome drinks and listened to music in the Aquavit lounge.

How Much Do Viking Ocean Cruises Cost?

This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. The sizes of the ships are designed specifically for the rivers they ply (e.g., they need to navigate the sometimes narrow waterways and any locks along the way). Viking ships all sport calming Scandinavian decor and are designed efficiently. The general experience on all Viking River cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship you’re on. However, the information in this article is from our Grand European Tour cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest aboard the Skirnir and Modi (more on the two ships later).

Let me tell you a good one. I share behind the scenes travel mishaps and adventures on the road.

We left feeling they made every possible effort to make our trip special. After exploring the small town of Tournon, we hopped on a steam train! Afterward, we took a walking tour of Vienne with its lovely church and Roman temple. We arrived in Avignon and headed to the ship where a light lunch was provided. Our luggage was whisked right into the room and we had time to explore the boat and meet our fellow passengers on the ship.

Highlights of a Viking Ocean Cruise

Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well. About 15 minutes before each excursion, there is an announcement to remind guests that it is almost time to leave and to remember the listening devices. Only service animals and certified therapy dogs may be allowed at Viking’s sole discretion. Guests who require the help of a service animal must complete and submit the Service Animal Request Form to Viking before final payment is due.

Day 5 Tournon

As we mentioned earlier, Viking Ocean cruises aren’t cheap, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t travel frugally. When you’re sitting in the Explorers’ Lounge perusing vintage maps or enjoying a thermal bath on the spa deck, you’ll know why Viking Ocean Cruises are held in such high regard. There's also live music at night in the Explorers' Lounge, a two-deck-high observation lounge and bar area at the very top of the ship. The Explorers' Lounge also is home to Mamsen's, the food counter serving tastes of Norway mentioned above. You'll also find live piano music in the evenings in river ship lounges.

Are There Luggage Restrictions On Board Viking Cruise Ships?

Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise. The package offers a selection of premium wines by the glass, allowing passengers to enjoy high-quality wines from various regions while onboard the Viking Sea. No, if you have the Viking Silver Spirits Package, you are not required to buy additional premium wines or cocktails, as the package already includes a wide selection of premium beverages. Premium wines on both types of cruises are available at an additional charge. The cost for premium wines on Viking Ocean Cruises averages $8.00 per glass, while Viking River Cruises offers a selection of premium wines at about 8 Euros per glass.

Viking adds an automatic service gratuity (which it calls a "hotel and dining charge") of $17 per person per day to final bills, depending on your cabin category. If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount before disembarking at the Explorers' Desk. (You can also increase the tip amount if so desired.) Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars and for drinks at restaurants. Note that Viking river ships do not have fitness centers, which is relatively unusual for river ships. Viking has long argued that few of its customers use fitness centers and the space that would be devoted to one is better used for other things. However, if you're fitness-obsessed, Viking river ships may not be the best choice for your river trip.

Highlights of Caribbean & Central America Cruises

Expert Review of the Viking Mars Cruise Ship - CruiseCritic.co.uk

Expert Review of the Viking Mars Cruise Ship.

Posted: Wed, 12 Jul 2023 17:32:00 GMT [source]

As Viking River Cruises continuously strives to provide an exceptional experience, it’s worth noting that the cost of some alcoholic beverages on the drinks menu has recently increased in 2023. This ensures that guests can enjoy a wide selection of beverages, including top-quality wines and spirits, during their river cruise adventure. Despite the length of your posts, you don't actually tell us much about the facts on which you base your ratings -- other than the personal factors that you don't drink and don't value included excursions. During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. Leave your dressier clothes at home; no formal nights are on a Viking River cruise.

And if you use points for airfare you are not penalized with high last minute airfare. I have done the same last mintue booking on Celebrity only once. It was a sailing I had been monitering for over one year and it was the end of the European sailing season.

Ronbe65, my issue with your analysis is that Viking should reconsider the Caribbean. Yes the included tours and lunch and dinner are included in the price as well as getting a veranda in every cabin. For myself, I love the special treatment that I receive from Viking from the moment that I book, and yes, I know that others may not have had the same experience. The different types of staterooms range in size, available outdoor space, the time for guaranteed stateroom access, and amenities. Also, the ability to book optional excursions varies by the stateroom level.

Plus, Viking offers several excursions each day that the ship is in port. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Viking River cruise, which transported us comfortably to some amazing European destinations. On Viking Ocean Cruises, the drinks menu features a range of options. You can enjoy hard liquor for $6.00 to $8.00, while most cocktails and martinis are priced at $7.50.

This lack of experience of other cruises may in fact be something of an advantage when trying to decide on the value for money aspect in absolute terms. We are not distracted by trying to balance the cost and experience of one company against another, simply looking at what we spent and what we got from Viking. For example, once the crew knows that everyone is accounted for after excursions, the ship is sailing within minutes of the anticipated departure (as noted in the Viking Daily).

10 Thrilling Experiences On A Viking Nile River Cruise - TravelAwaits

10 Thrilling Experiences On A Viking Nile River Cruise.

Posted: Wed, 13 Sep 2023 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Here we also went to Les Baux to see the “Carrieres de Lumières” exhibit in the quarry. The Viking Longship is an absolute masterpiece of Scandinavian design. Clean lines and beautiful, modern decor are featured throughout the vessel. Viking goes out of its way to make you feel special, especially if you're celebrating an important event.

On the ship restaurant menus, you’ll find the left side featuring daily-prepared chef specialties, often regional seasonal cuisine. Meanwhile, the right side of the menu offers standard options like fish, chicken, and steak. “Guests sailing the rivers in December can experience the traditional European Christmas markets and see the cities in a new way while enjoying local holiday treats and hot mulled wine,” our source notes. When booking your Viking sea cruise, you’ll have an easier time finding staterooms during certain months of the year. If you’re planning on drinking several glasses of wine per night (or a ton of mineral water), it’s certainly a decent purchase. If that doesn’t sound like a great value (or if you’re not planning on paying for enough beverages to justify the surcharge), there’s another option.

Viking ocean and Viking expeditions ships include the library located in The Living Room. Book selection is curated by London bookseller Heywood Hill to enrich and enhance your journey. You’ll also want to check out Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant and The Chef’s Table, the cruise line’s premium restaurants.