Glenndale

Do Diamond members still get priority embarkation?

I wrote the following for someone who had recently booked Viking and wanted a comparison with Saga. Some of it may not apply now with reference to Covid. Hope this helps a little. Both very good lines. Mostly British passengers and age range higher on Saga. Crew on both lines mainly Indonesian and Filipino, happy to help, excellent service, cannot praise them enough Cannot fault Viking’s Covid protocols, PCR and temperature tests every day along with a daily health questionnaire. All Viking ships have had Labs added for testing. Everywhere kept scrupulously clean Excursions included but have to stay in bubble and wear masks on coaches. Masks to be warn traversing ship indoors but not when seated. Cabins very similar at Verandah level and Deluxe Verandah equates to Penthouse Verandah on Viking Heated bathroom floor none on Saga. Ships are all Verandah Food in main restaurant very good but personally prefer the speciality restaurants on Saga Buffet in evening very good, seafood such as prawns, crab legs and sushi always available Living room area on both ships with bar / coffee bar and snacks Coffees and teas included. Preferred the layout of Viking’s Explorer lounge to Saga’s Britannia lounge Beautiful Winter Garden on pool deck and large screen for watching movies and a retractable roof IMO a huge plus for Viking Spa similar to Saga with the addition of a snow room Entertainment during day mainly lectures with singers in evening, quite low key but in the main very good No craft classes, a trivia session on a sea day and didn’t see any organised bridge etc. No formal nights but no jeans allowed in evening, people very smartly dressed Gentlemen generally didn’t wear jackets and ties but many ladies wouldn’t have looked out of place on a Saga formal night. Flights are included Unfortunately Viking rarely run cruises from / to UK Gratuities included and wine etc with meals. Possible to purchase drinks package for $19.95 per day, both people in cabin have to purchase. Package gave access to a wider range of wines and cocktails. Cannot help with how solos are treated but I'm pretty sure you'll have a great time 😃

Good spot nosapphire. It seems a major change, previously you could cancel on board. Thank you for pointing it out 🙂

Fresh orange juice improves it considerably 😀

Thanks for replying. I have to recommend the ice-cream in the Living Room if you’re passing thru 🤗

Thanks for that information David, we will be boarding SofA when you return. Is the ice-cream freezer in the Living Room working and are there any books in the library ?

Unfortunately I don’t see Cunard as luxury. IMO it’s a mass market line but obviously opinions differ.

They are generally more expensive but it depends on when you book, especially with Saga the best time is when itineraries are released. I priced up an Iceland cruise on Cunard and Saga when Saga released their 2023 brochure. Saga were around £150 or so more expensive than Cunard, based on mid ship balconies but when the inclusions are taken into account, much better value. No last minute reductions with Saga. Viking are more expensive but the experience is excellent and much cheaper compared with QG. I just don’t see their guests as a target for Cunard JMHO

I can’t see how you can say that Saga and Viking travellers are Cunard’s target market. They both have smaller ships and are all balcony, much newer ships too. The crew on these ships are generally more friendly and helpful IMO No restricted areas and excellent included speciality restaurants. Gratuities included. Saga included wine with meals and spirits and cocktails in bars. Viking include wine with meals and it’s possible to purchase a drinks package at around $20 per day. Specialty coffees, soft drinks etc. included. Both lines have some included excursions. No way are Cunard in competition with these 2 lines. I’m a Diamond world club member with experience on Cunard in Britannia, Club, PG and QG and know where I prefer to spend my ‘Grey pound’. I’ve also travelled with Saga and Viking so can speak from experience.

Riviera is an Oceania ship. One of my favourites 🙃

There is no advantage to booking on board. The best discounts are available when the itineraries are released. 🙂

Looking forward to hearing about your port stops as we will be doing ‘Secrets of the Emerald Isle ‘ in September. We have never ventured down the west coast of Ireland before.

Safe journey down and hopefully see you on board, Glenn & Michael

It should be showing on MySaga (Under UK Travel Service). We received our luggage tags yesterday and the pickup time showed as between 9am and 9:30am in a private car. It was showing as a shared car on MySaga. How are you getting down from Scotland?

We have our pick up time for our June 2nd cruise. 9:15 for a 4 hour journey. Unfortunately this is a bank holiday and the traffic will probably be horrendous.

Hand wash, bar soap, shower gel, shampoo, separate conditioner and body lotion.

They are good quality but for me too heavily fragranced.

Even before Covid, there has never been anything similar to the themed Formals that Cunard put on in the Queens Room or even P&O themes. I realise the lack of Cocktail parties can be laid at Covid’s door.

Good grief ! I seem to recall us meeting many years ago on an Azamara cruise. We will have to arrange to see each other, first sea day is favourite What deck are you on? We are on E deck. 😁😁

We will be on Discovery from June 2nd so I had wondered whether or not Saga would do anything special. Maybe we’ll have a firework send off from Dover and maybe a special jubilee menu. Spam perhaps 😁😁😁

No. Formal nights on Saga are pretty much none events, not even a cocktail party.