caribe traveller

3 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

We struggle with the concept of a world cruise for some of the reasons you state above.  

 

We are not concerned with the entertainment because it is there or not.  We don't book Viking for the Star Theatre.  We are just as happy sitting in the Living Room listening to the pianist or strings while enjoying an evening decaf coffee with a Cognac.

 

I think we have to have the mindset that we are on the ship for 45 or 90 days and we are just going to relax, read, meet some new friends and perhaps socialize a bit.

We do enjoy the Star Theatre for the entertainment and the lectures.  It is not that the entertainment is there or not; it is that it is the same entertainment every 14 days whereas on a World Cruise or even a 90 day cruise the lecturers have an opportunity to develop series of presentation for an in-depth experience.  Two-week vacationers don’t generally attend the lectures, want the ABBA or Beatles shows, spend hours at dinner with the other 2,4 or 6 people traveling with them.

As we are retired, we can relax, read, meet friends, and socialize at home.  We are very active in our community and a learning program.  We don’t book for the theatre, the restaurants, the bars, or the pool.  We are there for the cultural possibilities to enhance the itinerary, to learn about the destinations, and to meet curious fellow cruisers.  It’s just getting more difficult to do with the new Viking spin.

We often have found more options in the World Cafe or different options than what is on the menu in The Restaurant.

We have never missed a show because of eating in the Restaurant, but then we eat at 6pm sharp each night.  Eating for us is clock based.

I wasn't clear; I meant that the World Cafe offers The Restaurant dinner menu items, but also has a number of other options, such as the sushi bar every night and special offerings either on the back deck or in the pool section.

We generally only eat at 6 if we are joining a group.  And having a group takes longer in general.  We have had to rush occasionally to get to the theatre.

Our preferred Viking cruise experience is longer cruises; they seem to break those into multiple shorter legs.  This takes from the experience we like as Viking goes on a cyclic repeat of entertainment, lectures, and activities.  With so many more ships, I believe they are having a harder time booking the full itineraries on the longer cruises.  Vacationers traveling for two weeks expect and experience a very different cruise from those who are making the ship 'home' for months at a time.  Understandable.

As committed as we have been to Viking Oceans, we are finding it harder to find the cruise experience Viking advertises.  

On 10/20/2023 at 12:16 PM, PasadenaDave said:

Thanks Doc for your always interesting insight.

 

 I went on my first cruise in 1992 and I was unimpressed with the food that so many raved about.  I returned to cruising in 2016 and we seem to do one per year now with Viking.

 

My opinion on cruise dining has never changed, food is generally acceptable but not amazing.  We have and continue to have the opportunity to eat at some fabulous restaurants and find that unless the place is high end, we both can cook better meals than those served at average restaurants.

 

My theory is that the average person on a cruise does not experience fine dining at their location of residence for whatever reason.  This is what leads to the wow factor that cruisers have concerning dining on cruises.

 

 I find it interesting that the Kolb’s presently blogging from Orion in the far east typically eat at the World Cafe.  Note that they being out for a long voyage likely to be efficient with time spent eating which isn’t always the case in the MDR.

We often eat in the World Cafe.  The dinner offerings are the same as The Restaurant with smaller portions.  It can be difficult to attend activities in the theater if one dines in The Restaurant.

We really enjoy Chef’s Table and Manfredi’s for a more leisurely evening, although we do not eat in Manfredi’s that often.

An advantage of Viking (world cruise experience) is that you can plan a birthday or anniversary party with Viking handling all the details including invitations, special cakes, hors d’oeuvres, beverages, and service at no additional cost.  Silver Beverage Package has been included in World Cruises, at least through 2022.

On 7/15/2020 at 10:44 PM, Escaper said:

So this is a spin-off of a similar thread on the River Cruises forum.

 

We booked a cruise with Viking during the "Risk Free" promotion.  In addition, we have confirmed we have 90% coverage for medical through our Blue Cross/Blue Shield medical insurance.

 

Given those two factors, is there any reason to spend almost $2K on either Viking or another 3rd party trip insurance program?  Am I missing something important?

 

Thanks for the assistance.  

Escaper

If you need to fly home early, short-notice fares can be thousands. 

A resounding YES! The price includes at least one included tour at each stop, wine or beer with lunch and dinner, friendly staff and crew, plus free laundry facilities. The cabins are quite nice. Viking, since they save their own stock and want to support the local economies, are fine with your bringing beverages back from your excursions. They even bring glasses, a corkscrew, and an ice bucket at no charge to your room. Or open your bottle at the table. The lecturers and pre-port information are available in person or on your cabin TV afterwards. Rivers or Oceans, a relaxing choice. No. I do not work for them.

This isn't Danskin, but I think the idea is the same.

http://www.thechickonthego.com/?utm_expid=41955477-0

Use this promo code to get the items for $99. NINETYNINE.

Although this price might keep you from trying them!