Jump to content

San Juan to Barcelona - March 2018


friendlyfifer
 Share

Recommended Posts

If you head to the Roll Calls, there is one for this cruise. MY husband and I are BTW. Were going to have a great time if it kills him! We've had several friends who took other lines and said the at sea time is great. Its all opinion. Anyway, head over to the roll calll for our cruise and reach out for opinions. OK? Happy Sunday!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

From one of the links above:

 

. "At night, the astronomer aboard would be available on the top deck to point out stars and constellations. The marine biologist was always in the Explorers Lounge during the day looking for whales, dolphins and sea birds. All of the speakers were always available for conversation when you encountered them on the ship."

Cannot wait to do my first TA on the Viking Sea on March 27. I will enjoy these events and conversations.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We are thinking of booking the above cruise. With so many days at sea, does anyone know what activities are laid on during the day by Viking? We don't need to be kept constantly busy but a range of activities would keep us from getting bored.

 

We would avoid that if we were you. From our experience with Viking Ocean, their on-board activities and entertainment is probably the weakest of all the cruise lines we have been on. From our view Viking Ocean is NO STRONG ON ITS ENTERTAINMENT and ON-BOARD ACTIVITIES. Even their theatre musical /dance shows are poor compared to other cruise lines, their Christmas show reminded us of some high school amateur production. And their "Las Vegas Strip" (or something to that tune) was repeated TWICE on a 14 day cruise!

 

That is why, for any future cruises, we will only go for their port intensive itinerary ones (with included excursions), and will not take any Viking Ocean cruises with many sea days. Not unless they improve their on-board activities and entertainment, to be at least on par with other cruise lines.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We would avoid that if we were you. From our experience with Viking Ocean, their on-board activities and entertainment is probably the weakest of all the cruise lines we have been on. From our view Viking Ocean is NO STRONG ON ITS ENTERTAINMENT and ON-BOARD ACTIVITIES. Even their theatre musical /dance shows are poor compared to other cruise lines, their Christmas show reminded us of some high school amateur production. And their "Las Vegas Strip" (or something to that tune) was repeated TWICE on a 14 day cruise!

 

That is why, for any future cruises, we will only go for their port intensive itinerary ones (with included excursions), and will not take any Viking Ocean cruises with many sea days. Not unless they improve their on-board activities and entertainment, to be at least on par with other cruise lines.

 

 

 

For me, I would love to have sea days with nothing to do [emoji41]. There was an old movie called Houseboat with Sophia Loren and Cary Grant. Sophia Loren’s character used an Italian expression “Dolce far niente.” - how sweet to do nothing, she translated.

 

That’s my motto, How sweet to do nothing. Every cruise needs Dolce Far Niente days [emoji16]

 

Our upcoming cruise is port intensive, so I may have to make my own [emoji7]

 

Like many I’m attracted to Viking because they don’t have all the folderol of other lines.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

For me, I would love to have sea days with nothing to do [emoji41]. There was an old movie called Houseboat with Sophia Loren and Cary Grant. Sophia Loren’s character used an Italian expression “Dolce far niente.” - how sweet to do nothing, she translated.

 

That’s my motto, How sweet to do nothing. Every cruise needs Dolce Far Niente days [emoji16]

 

Our upcoming cruise is port intensive, so I may have to make my own [emoji7]

 

Like many I’m attracted to Viking because they don’t have all the folderol of other lines.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

The thing is, on other cruise lines, you have a choice. If you choose to do nothing, that's your prerogative. If you wish to be entertained at sea days, they have quite a number of things for you to do as well.

 

On Viking, the latter CHOICE is MISSING !

 

On board activities and quality of entertainment is Viking's WEAKEST SPOT, in our view.

 

That is not to say Viking does not have any strong points, they do - their food is generally excellent (except perhaps for Chef's Table, but that is another story!), the staff are helpful, the accommodation is good, and their ships are lovely.

 

Why oh why do Viking management not look into improving the quality of its entertainment and on-board activities simply beats us. They have achieved so much, and compared to getting new routes and new ships , improving their entertainment quality would be so achievable . And if they do, they would very strong in beating all their other competitors. Viking should try to attract both people like CyberKat who enjoys doing nothing, as well as those who enjoy on-board activities and entertainment.. This is especially the case if they are getting up to 10 ships to fill, they cannot just attraction a portion of potential customers (those who love to do nothing on sea days).

Edited by Gnoelj
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The shows and nonstop entertainments actually put us right off other cruises we've been on. We felt we were paying for all sorts of activities that we had no intention of attending.

Viking's laid back approach attracted us. We enjoy sea days when we can read, chat to new friends, go to the spa or just stare out at the sea and truly relax.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Agree with others. Check the roll call where several threads address your query. As I've posted there, we adore sea days. Leisure, conversation, books, cross-stitching and crafts, trivia, NO casino, NO art conjobs. We've been to most ports on our own, and do not much enjoy the few crowded, hustled excursions usually on offer,

 

But, as always, chacun à son gout. If you crave lotsa action, plenty opportunities lie elsewhere. And welcome to them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The thing is, on other cruise lines, you have a choice. If you choose to do nothing, that's your prerogative. If you wish to be entertained at sea days, they have quite a number of things for you to do as well.

 

On Viking, the latter CHOICE is MISSING !

 

On board activities and quality of entertainment is Viking's WEAKEST SPOT, in our view.

 

That is not to say Viking does not have any strong points, they do - their food is generally excellent (except perhaps for Chef's Table, but that is another story!), the staff are helpful, the accommodation is good, and their ships are lovely.

 

Why oh why do Viking management not look into improving the quality of its entertainment and on-board activities simply beats us. They have achieved so much, and compared to getting new routes and new ships , improving their entertainment quality would be so achievable . And if they do, they would very strong in beating all their other competitors. Viking should try to attract both people like CyberKat who enjoys doing nothing, as well as those who enjoy on-board activities and entertainment.. This is especially the case if they are getting up to 10 ships to fill, they cannot just attraction a portion of potential customers (those who love to do nothing on sea days).

 

 

 

Why not ask them to add casinos? Lots of people enjoy that. Some won’t cruise on a ship without one.

 

How about photographers so people who love having their photo taken can be accommodated?

 

How about a DJ on the Aquavit Terrace? Lots of people love loud music blasting.

 

How about a row of shops with 2 for 1 tee shirt sales, watch sales and gold by the inch. This seems very popular on many cruise lines.

 

How about adding cabins that can accommodate 3 & 4 people so those who want to bring their children can do so by booking 1 room.

 

How about an art auction or a disco? Maybe an arcade? A climbing wall or a Flowrider? These activities are extremely popular on other lines.

 

Why not add all of the things that people love about mainstream cruise lines? Keep all of the people who want all of these things happy and entertained.

 

Because that’s not who Viking is. They are unique. They are not just like any other line. They have their target demographics and they know what pleases that target. They aren’t a mainstream line. They are a niche line. I suspect they will keep building ships as long as they can fill them.

 

The choice is there. The choice is to sail with them or not. If you want any of these things or all of these things, there are any number of lines that will supply them. Viking chooses not to and those of us who appreciate that Viking IS different choose to sail with them.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Looking forward to the sea days. Like another poster said, we've been to most of the ports and now, we usually just stay on the boat and enjoy the quiet. If there was a Caribbean cruise that was all sea days (cruise to nowhere), I'd book it!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My wife and I will be going the other way - Lisbon to Miami in December 2018. What shall we do? Sleep late, have three lovely meals, use the spa, take a tour of the galley, a tour of the bridge, a cooking class or two, go to a lot of informative lectures, listen to the classical trio, guitarist, and pianist, go to a couple of shows, play cards, work on the giant puzzle on the second floor of the atrium, walk a few miles on deck 2, watch some excellent movies in our very comfortable room, perhaps use the pool, have two ports of call with excursions, and do a lot of wonderful leisure reading. It's going to be hectic fitting it all in. Can't wait.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My wife and I will be going the other way - Lisbon to Miami in December 2018. What shall we do? Sleep late, have three lovely meals, use the spa, take a tour of the galley, a tour of the bridge, a cooking class or two, go to a lot of informative lectures, listen to the classical trio, guitarist, and pianist, go to a couple of shows, play cards, work on the giant puzzle on the second floor of the atrium, walk a few miles on deck 2, watch some excellent movies in our very comfortable room, perhaps use the pool, have two ports of call with excursions, and do a lot of wonderful leisure reading. It's going to be hectic fitting it all in. Can't wait.

 

 

 

We are legion [emoji16]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Thank you for your post Cyber Kat. I was criticised on another thread for putting forward similar views. I chose not to respond to that post but wanted you to know I am with you 100%.

 

 

 

I always say what I think. If people don’t like it, they don’t have to agree. I’m a different strokes for different for different folks kind of person.

 

I can understand that there are people who want entertainment and there are plenty of lines that have it. Everyone needs to find their fit.

 

I wouldn’t take a cruise on Royal Caribbean or Norwegian or Carnival and post that they should get rid of their amenities and add lectures and classical music. It’s not their thing.

 

You find the comfortable shoe for your foot. You don’t try change the shoe to fit your foot. Nothing is perfect, you try to find close [emoji41]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Spot-on Kath! It's why we do Viking. ;)

We'll complete our 4th & 5th Viking cruises in 2018.

Last 3 will be on Viking Sea in same suite.

We require no changes in these 5 soon to be 10 Viking Ocean sister ships.

 

Look forward to seeing you guys in San Juan next month for Tapas & Sangria.

Bob & Margie

Edited by bcorre2
format
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Spot-on Kath! It's why we do Viking. ;)

We'll complete our 4th & 5th Viking cruises in 2018.

Last 3 will be on Viking Sea in same suite.

We require no changes in these 5 soon to be 10 Viking Ocean sister ships.

 

Look forward to seeing you guys in San Juan next month for Tapas & Sangria.

Bob & Margie

 

My mouth is watering for those Tapas and Sangria :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I started this thread and I agree with Cyber Kat and Nippie Sweetie. It is a fine balance on sea days and hopefully Viking will increase the number of activities without considering a casino, watch sales or other equally vile options.

 

Like you, we are pleased too that Viking does not have a casino nor do watch sales and as you put it, other equally "vile" options.

 

However, while Viking does many things which is great, it is so poor in its entertainment -

they are probably WAY, WAY BEHIND all the other cruise lines we have sailed with, and that tells you how bad it is! Where is the Viking "imagination" when it comes to entertainment? It's glaringly missing! That is really quite inexcusable for a talented management team who seem to be able to do so much so quickly and so well in their other departments. Hopefully, they will read these comments and make serious improvements in time to come.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope Viking read this thread. There does seem to be a group pushing for lots more flashy entertainment. Sigh.

Totally agree. I do no think Viking is into "flashy" in anything they do.

THANK GOD, that is why I so look forward to my Viking Transatlantic cruise.

Will do a live report of our sailing in March....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Husband and I will be on RCL Oasis the week of Feb 18, with the granddaughters. March 4 we are on the SKY for a TA. Will let you all know the differences as we see them. Of course we are doing RCL for the entertainment, SKY for ? Our First Viking Ocean cruise. My husband thinks Oasis is way to big, we'll see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have to agree with Cybercat - There are lines that have all the entertainment you could wish(?) for and more. Viking seems to be that little bit different.

We certainly don't need to be entertained all the time - the allure of cruising for us is meeting new people (not necessarily like minded), chatting in an atmosphere you can hear yourself in and getting away from the media rat race.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Like you, we are pleased too that Viking does not have a casino nor do watch sales and as you put it, other equally "vile" options.

 

 

 

However, while Viking does many things which is great, it is so poor in its entertainment -

 

they are probably WAY, WAY BEHIND all the other cruise lines we have sailed with, and that tells you how bad it is! Where is the Viking "imagination" when it comes to entertainment? It's glaringly missing! That is really quite inexcusable for a talented management team who seem to be able to do so much so quickly and so well in their other departments. Hopefully, they will read these comments and make serious improvements in time to come.

 

 

 

Clearly there are many of us, if not most of us, who would disagree.

 

Viking is NOT trying to be a cruise line with great entertainment. The entertainment they offer is intended, I assume, to be a very minor part of the Viking cruise experience. I don’t think they even mention it in any of their advertising or marketing materials. It simply is not who they are. I, and many others, appreciate them for who they ARE, and are not looking for them to be something they are not.

 

I suspect - and I could certainly be wrong - that most of the people complaining about the lack of “flashy” or more substantive entertainment have NOT done a river cruise with Viking.

 

I’m guessing that Viking management’s intent is to expand the river cruise experience to ocean ports. I get this impression from reading much of their statements and press materials. They want to appeal to those who have taken their very successful river cruises. WE are their target market.

 

On a river cruise there is virtually no entertainment. Usually the CD will do some trivia or a name that tune thing with the piano player in the lounge. It’s all just rather spontaneous. Totally unorganized and quite often unexpected fun happens. It’s much like going to a party at a friend’s house. The fun comes from the people being involved - not an audience just watching a show.

 

They also bring in local entertainment - sometimes a singer or a duet. We had a wonderful pair of women who did classical music and classic songs on a guitar and a violin. Very simple, but lovely.

 

This is the kind of entertainment that Viking river cruisers expect - and again, I think the river cruisers are the demographic they are trying to please on the ocean cruises.

 

One of the difficulties of ocean cruising in the Caribbean and on the TAs is that it isn’t as easy to bring in different local entertainment. The river ports are close to town, so if the ship will be docked long enough, local entertainers come on board, do their performance and leave.

 

On an ocean cruise the next port is usually further away, so the ship sails early in the evening. Do the entertainers come along and have to find their way home from the next port? That probably doesn’t work out well. Most probably would want a contract for at least that voyage and then you would have the same entertainment every night.

 

I think Viking may tweak things up in the entertainment area as they review comments, but I wouldn’t count on them doing anything much different than they are now.

 

We did a behind the scenes tour on a Carnival cruise. When you compare Carnival shows with other lines, they are seriously lacking in spectacle [emoji849]. But it’s astounding how much effort and work goes into even a minor production. I don’t think Viking wants to waste resources that could be put to better use.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Edited by Cyber Kat
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...