sleepybobo

Yes, I'd like either an "excursion package upgrade" for people who prefers to have Viking plan everything for them or an "excursion opt-out discount" for people who want to plan their own excursions. I understand why some like the included excursions. I've heard many times how some people enjoy having Viking takes care of everything. For me, after so many mediocre included excursions, I'd rather plan our own and pay private tours. I told my friend who will take her first Viking Ocean next year to budget for optional or private excursions.

Thanks for this well written, balanced and detailed review. My experience from my last VOC (albeit a different itinerary) mirrored yours. Food was so-so and excursions were disappointing. If that was my first Viking experience, I would also be an one-and-done Viking cruiser. I think I still will sail with Viking because I love the ship, the understated Scandinavian elegance and the well-appointed stateroom. May be Viking can redesign the included excursion or just get rid of such concept and adjust the price accordingly. Most of the included excursions I took were simply mediocre.

No disagreement with you at all. I love the Viking ships. I'm a big fan of the elegant Scandinavian decor. I don't advocate for a wholesale change, especially the design of the ships. But , perhaps some updates to the restaurant offerings? May be more local food in the menu? New shows? And yes. I would love to see new Med itineraries. But as you mentioned, trying to get everything back on track is challenging enough. So new itineraries may be too much to ask for now. And may be I have to be careful of what I wish for, the last time Viking tried something new (i.e. the planetarium), the result was......

Totally agreed with you. How many ABBA/Beatles shows can returning Viking cruisers see?!? I like the idea about shows featuring local music. I think this is a great thread. I also feel Viking needs to add some varieties to keep things interesting for returning cruisers. For me, I felt diminishing returns with each Viking cruise. The first one was fabulous. The second one less so, but still was amazing. By the third one, everything on the ship felt just too familiar and the sense of wonderment was largely gone. I still enjoy Viking and all it has to offer. But, something new, such as new shows, new menu, to spice things up would be a welcoming change.