jiminyC_fan

Quite honestly, we saw everyone dress appropriately and never like a McDonalds. Just a nice top, skirt, pants or blue jeans. We didn't go in the summertime so never saw capri's but I think paired with a nice top it would be very acceptable. Men pretty much wore a nice collared shirt, nice slacks or blue jeans. Never saw hats, sweat pants, or tshirts in any of the dining rooms.

I am not a vegetarian but I found Viking had plenty of choices. We loved Viking and I think your attitude is right. People take the time to complain but not praise.

We are exactly what you described in yourselves. We chose Viking and were absolutely happy with them.

I WISH we packed lightly. I just don't get it. We pack a "drugstore" for just in case and pretty much always use something. Then we have our vitamins, prescriptions, iPad, chargers for phones and it goes on and on. How can you pack clothes and the incidentals in a small carryon? Then the return trip with the souvenirs for you and family???

Just so you know there were no obese women wearing spandex on our cruise. For that matter not one thin woman either. Every person dressed appropriately. Clean, comfortable and everything was covered that should be covered.

Nana, I don't need my fuzzy slippers. My jammies have feet in them. LOL

Must we decide on body types now to consider if jeans are appropriate? Body type is not always due to overeating. Should the overweight people dress differently because people judge them according to their weight? Must we decide the price we pay for jeans to consider if they are appropriate? Puh-lease. Denim is denim. My attitude is judge no one and enjoy your vacation without stressing over attire.

Have been reading this thread and think all these awards are subjective.

 

My idea of a lovely room is not everybody's. Food is very subjective as are the caliber of guides, crowding of ships, travel to sites, etc. Two people on the same cruise in same style cabin, eating the exact same menus can write totally different reviews.

 

I for one pay no attention to the ratings and awards--read the reviews for the content and file it away for a future trip.

 

I haven't posted because it clearly states by the OP that he wants people who have cruised with both. I haven't so I stayed silent. But I agree with you. It is all very subjective. I think each line has their own cheerleaders and would find the best in their favorite and the worst of the opposing line. It seems there are others that just can't possibly understand why others prefer Viking. It makes them look bad by continually bashing. Everyone has choices and I'm happy for those that like other lines. By comparing the decor to IKEA is crazy. Then the other comment about Viking cruisers checking out their ship. Please, both ships were doing that. Just human nature to be curious.

Really couldn't shove it out of the way. It would block one side or the other of the door just like it does on our sliding glass door at home. We would leave our curtain open on our cruise for a full wall beautiful view. If we had a screen, it would have been 1/2 of that crisp view.

Personally, I hate peering through a screen when the curtains are open. I much prefer the crisp clear view. I don't think I would like a screen.

We did facetime as well. I was sick and stayed on the ship and everyone else was off. I couldn't do facetime in our room like I could for everything else. It worked fairly well around the computer area though. Still slow but it served its purpose.

Well, I for one, love Viking. The beauty of competition is that if you don't agree with Viking policies, you have many other choices. Viking has earned my trust and my business and until they prove otherwise, they will have me as a repeat customer!

You beat me to it. I was going to say the same thing.

I used both my iPad and my phone. They worked all over. Verizon told me to keep it on airplane mode and turn off mobile data. We didn't have any unexpected charges. Worked like a charm. I was sharing a few of my pictures on facebook every day with the phone.

We were always going to try it but forgot. We made a connection with a server so we always looked forward to seeing her.

Something to consider if you take an all inclusive line is if you will get your moneys worth out of the "free drinks". No way would we so if stay away from them. Tipping at the end on the other lines really isn't a big deal so we don't add that as a priority either. Therefore, Viking was perfect for our needs. It wasn't equal to Carnival by any means. We won't even consider ocean cruising with Carnival so that may say something about our personal taste. We were on a Viking Longship and it was gorgeous. Food was good. Staff was wonderful. CD very caring and informative. Room was well appointed. Bed was comfortable. Size was good. Tours were good. We bought their air and transfers and it went flawless. Nothing to complain about at all on our entire cruise which also added a pre cruise stay. As you said, this subject is very subjective and can be quite a touchy subject.

You reserve on the ship. I believe we did it on the first day. I did lots and lots of research about our cruise and pretty much knew what was offered so that we could make an informative fast decision.

. Do you have any recommendation about which direction to take a train out to see the countryside and villages?

 

We had an awesome private full day tour that got us out of Amsterdam and we were able to see exactly what it sounds like you want to see. I am going to provide the link. I hope that is allowed here. http://www.privatehollandtours.com/index.html We highly recommend Ray. He can customize your tours. You can also read the great reviews on Trip Advisor that others have left.

I hope it works for you like it did for us. Flawless!

We used Viking Air last November and it worked out FANTASTIC. We paid a nominal extra fee and was able to choose our flights and seats. It was cheaper doing it that way for us, also. Would definitely do it that way again.

We've always used InsureMyTrip.com. Never heard of tripinsurance.com. Thanks!

As long you you are clean and your clothes are clean and neat who are we to judge.

 

Surely it is the journey and the people that we meet and not what we wear.

Beautifully stated.

Go Pack;;

 

I agree with your description of what properly constitutes Evening Casual. However, as you can tell from my of the replies here, there are those that firmly choose to stay with denim and blue jeans regardless of what the brochure says. You will find on your cruise that some (typically the Ugly American) even refuse to rise to that high of a standard! :mad:

WOW. That's all I have to say. WOW.

We were in Paris last July. I assure you very few people were wearing Dockers. Jeans are simply slacks made of denim material. In the year 2014 you can dress them up or dress them down. Jmo.

I think you have something here. Some live in the past but some of us live in the present. I found Europe as casual as the US. No distinction between them.

We are cross packers as well. It's a great peace of mind.

I agree Milling. We were definitely not out of place wearing blue jeans in the ports that we visited on the Grand European Tour last fall. I don't believe the locals were any more dressed up than us Americans. I felt so bad for an older woman on our cruise. She was tiny and oh so dainty. She wore HEELS in every port and in the rain. She looked so uncomfortable and a couple of times I saw her twist her ankle wearing them on the cobblestones. She ended up walking so slow to watch her step. I felt so bad for her.