jonthomas

Yes it is amazing how differently you can see the same product... On Viking this week, the most boring lectures of all our 55 plus cruises...whereas on O I was enthralled by the lecturer on our last cruise in Jan, a retired diplomat, who in detail explained the Cuban missile crisis, how it took 3 captains on the Russian nuclear sub to push the button and only two said yes....this is just one example of the quality of lecturers on V, there were 2 others, equally as captivating... I have plenty of time to write posts on this cruise as there is nothing else to do on this ship...and No incentives to do it, except for intrinsic ones... As for food, this will be the only cruise on which weight gain will not be an issue....powdered orange juice, tasteless scones, at tea time, not a single decaf tea to be found, the worst ice cream I have ever tasted......and in the buffet everyone serving themselves and handling all utensils.... Number 1, much more like number 10, even that is a stretch.

We are on the TA on the Sky right now.... The roof over the pool has only been open 2 days, we have been on the ship for 8 days....and they only opened the roof because we have been going to guest relations and complaining....the weather warm, little to no wind... Each time they cite safety conditions...the pool area is totally enclosed, no windows can open...without the open, roof it is incredibly hot, stifling, with chlorine vapor when they are cleaning... that whole area is empty...and winter garden is empty too..except for tea time.....pretty valuable real-estate to have no one in it.... That and other issues, we will not be returning to Viking, this is a cruise to recoup covid credits from a March 2020 TA sailing. We have found Oceania to be our line of choice.

You did what? And why?

Yup, I hear you, we have 6 booked, all the way to May, 2025, a 22 day on the Vista in a French balcony.

Right now the lectures on Viking sky, very boring and poorly attended...the roof over the pool stays closed as it is not secure when open, it is stifling...much of the food is not edible...yes of course that is subjective... Can't understand that you enjoy food on celeb unless you are in a suite with separate We have been on an O ship since things have opened up, 3 times, each one better than the one before....2 transatlantic and a Carib... Now we won't sail any other line... By the way, on V, all the utensils are out and you serve yourself in the buffet...everyone touching them... On O, you are served and offered help to bring it to table ...if you should need it...

Right now the lectures on Viking sky, very boring and poorly attended...the roof over the pool stays closed as it is not secure when open, it is stifling...much of the food is not edible...yes of course that is subjective... Can't understand that you enjoy food on celeb unless you are in a suite with separate dining venues...and paying for a suite is more than being on O, and you are still with the bratty kids all over the place...

We were elite plus on C...once they introduced the class system, we could no longer tolerate the food for those in regular balconies...tried Viking, then O, love O... Right now we are on a Viking ship, doing a transatlantic,using up covid credits.... does not compare to Oceania, will now only do O... We can't understand how V got first place for ocean cruising... O is far superior in every way.. If you want more details , just ask... We are on an O ship in Sept, Regatta to Alaska and pacific coast, 20 days, can't wait.

As I have said we are on a Viking ship right now and never again. We will be on an O ship in September. Please email me and I will explain in detail why after 45 or so cruises with Celebrity, 2 on azamara and 3 on Viking, we will only now sail with Oceania and hope it doesn't change. johthomas100z@gmail.com Yes it is jonthomas100z@gmail.com

I don't understand how V can get the number one rating...there is very little entertainment, the food, after one taste, is enough... The people we have talked to, have never sailed any other line, I think that is why they are still there, or maybe since wine is included with every meal, everything tastes better, once you have had a few. I don't know of anyone that has sailed on O and preferred V. One more week to go.

Can't wait to be on an O ship again....we were on the Riviera in Jan.... Now on a Viking,TA....and never again....horrible food, nothing to do, roof over the pool does not open up due to technical issues, so it's unbelievably hot.... Yup, using up a covid credit, but never again.

O is our line of choice but I completely agree with you about communication and making guests feel valued... If you expect repeat clients you have to show them good will...it can be done in a variety of ways...from having a brunch in MD, an open bar, some obcs into accounts, etc....doing nothing is very poor customer relations..... Hope it is still not too late for O to fix this major error in customer service.

We have done 50 cruises with C , 2 on Azamara, 3 with Viking Ocean....now we only do Oceania....none of them compare when it comes to food, incentives for doing activities, included shuttles in ports , the friendliness of passengers and so much more. If anyone wants more info, please post here.

Typo in my post, should say Vista not Viking, we are on Viking right now and not again.... The internet is amazing tho'

We are on a Viking TA right now, using up covid credits.... We have a new respect for sailing with O, can't wait for all our O booked cruises, on insignia, Serena, Marina and Viking.... Will post a review when we get back in two weeks.

Ugh....hate to have all these changes last minute... We left celeb for O....don't miss anything about C, but must say, we never had changes or cancelations like this....makes planning very difficult...

Ah we are there overnight...thank you for the sleuthing...

Certainly makes doing private tours a thing of the past....

Yes some say mid April...

Yes we use the bus from the airport...good service and inexpensive... So no one has found a hotel that is as cheap as continental palacette but better?

they are angled...lots of people were tripping on them...so take care....

which hotel close to plaza catalunia did you book?

with O... it is O reception that told us they contract out this service and have no control over it....

last time we had a suitcase which is a few cruises ago, in port of Miami, we felt uneasy leaving it with the porters....sure enough the luggage did not arrive in our stateroom...had to go to reception, they searched for it the whole first day..and the next day, asking us "are you sure it was not left at the airport".... the luggage was found on the third day somewhere on the ship where it shouldnt have been... we were told by guest relations, that they have contracted out this service to a company and have no control over the porters delivering the luggage to the ship... vowed if we ever travel with luggage again, that we take it up ourselves...it was an awful experience and reception was not really interested in helping us... we now mostly travel with carry ons...for all kinds of reasons, our own totally chaotic airport and the ships handling of luggage....are two main reasons...

You are describing the buffets with Celebrity, for those segregated from Luminae. On O, you do not touch anything. You are served, regardless of what kind of accommodation you have. Yeah I am beating this to death.

Thankfully there is NO such thing as Luminae, the reason we abandoned Celebrity. As someone here said, the apartheid approach to dining is abhorrent to us. Enjoy the Terrace.