Quiet spots on the ship?

Where are the quieter spots on the ship (aside from one’s cabin)? I was watching a video someone made of themselves walking around the Sky, and I noticed piped-in music a lot of the time. (Throughout the Explorer lounges, for example, which were playing Jim Croce.) Are there any truly quiet public areas?

Where are the quieter spots on the ship (aside from one’s cabin)? I was watching a video someone made of themselves walking around the Sky, and I noticed piped-in music a lot of the time. (Throughout the Explorer lounges, for example, which were playing Jim Croce.) Are there any truly quiet public areas?

Yes - the Wintergarden is one. Unless they're doing a special event where they need it and the pool area open to each other, they keep this area very peaceful and quiet. The living room down on Deck 1 is relatively quiet with secluded areas. Many folks go up to the 2nd deck of the Explorer's Lounge which has cooshy chairs around to quietly read. I've spent more than a few hours in the 1st level of the Explorers lounge reading and having a wine. The only time there is music in the lounge is if a performer is playing an instrument, things that are announced in the Daily. Another quiet area - usually in the evenings - are the areas in each side of the Wintergarden where they have both chaise lounges and sofas. They don't pipe music everywhere.

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In my current experience on the Sun, yes, there is piped in music everywhere. We try to find a place to read and just end up in the cabin. Have written a suggestion to the GM that they have music free zones somewhere during the day. Even the gym is full of "techno pop". Not passenger age appropriate music at all. On the Pool Deck there are very comfortable loungers facing the floor to ceiling windows so are great for viewing, chatting with others or catching up on emails but not so much reading when they have the music cranked up. The Wintergarden can be quiet but not always. The side areas of the Wintergarden can be quiet but then they are passageways with people walking by and opening and closing the doors. Ask a hundred passengers the same question and get probably a hundred different answers.:cool:

In my current experience on the Sun, yes, there is piped in music everywhere. We try to find a place to read and just end up in the cabin. Have written a suggestion to the GM that they have music free zones somewhere during the day. Even the gym is full of "techno pop". Not passenger age appropriate music at all. On the Pool Deck there are very comfortable loungers facing the floor to ceiling windows so are great for viewing, chatting with others or catching up on emails but not so much reading when they have the music cranked up. The Wintergarden can be quiet but not always. The side areas of the Wintergarden can be quiet but then they are passageways with people walking by and opening and closing the doors. Ask a hundred passengers the same question and get probably a hundred different answers.:cool:

This is what is driving us away from Celebrity! I had hoped that Viking would be a quiet respite. We may be "one and done" and back to Azamara.

This is what is driving us away from Celebrity! I had hoped that Viking would be a quiet respite. We may be "one and done" and back to Azamara.

You might have a completely different experience. Seems the crew picks the music and also sets the volume. The Pool Deck for certain gets louder as the day goes on. Again, your mileage may vary.:cool:

I like the upper floor of the Explorers’ Lounge. I do wish other passengers wouldn’t sprawl on the comfy couches for naps. Re music, ask the crew to turn it down—or off.

I like the upper floor of the Explorers’ Lounge. I do wish other passengers wouldn’t sprawl on the comfy couches for naps. Re music, ask the crew to turn it down—or off.

Have done so. The results were no response or back to the same levels later.

I sent a note to Viking this evening and included a link to this thread. Within a half hour, I got this response:

—

Thank you for reaching out to us with your request to have quiet spaces aboard Viking Sky.

We are in receipt of your e-mail, along with others who are expressing this same sentiment. We have forwarded your message to our team in charge of the onboard operations for review, and rest assured, we will follow up internally to discuss this inquiry.

Looking forward to welcoming you and [husband’s name] aboard in just a month!

Kind regards,

Cristina Farah I Viking Cruises I Community Specialist I (t)

—

Well, that’s hopeful! I’m impressed they responded so quickly. (And apparently looked up my cruise info, too.)

So here’s hoping they’ll have a word with their crews and we’ll get a few quiet places soon.

I find the statement about loud music odd. Our experience on the Star in 2016 for Viking Homelands and the Sky just last January doesn't gibe with that at all. As I said - there are quiet spaces on board ship. I found them. But yes - on sea days - things could get loud such as around the Pool with special music set up but the Wintergarden doors were securely shut to keep the sound out. I remember playing innocent dumb when folks would wander in looking for a straight passageway to the pool and even tho I could see how those doors could be unlocked I would direct them back out the side doors. Anyway I simply don't recall music being piped in everywhere all the time. Maybe the other Viking ships operate differently. I can only speak for the ones I've been on.

Btw I remember a Royal Caribbean ship that docked alongside last January with music blaring out everywhere. You could hear them coming even before they docked! I could hardly believe how any ship could be such a clanging cymbal and a blight on one's equanimity.

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I find the statement about loud music odd. Our experience on the Star in 2016 for Viking Homelands and the Sky just last January doesn't gibe with that at all. As I said - there are quiet spaces on board ship. I found them. But yes - on sea days - things could get loud such as around the Pool with special music set up but the Wintergarden doors were securely shut to keep the sound out. I remember playing innocent dumb when folks would wander in looking for a straight passageway to the pool and even tho I could see how those doors could be unlocked I would direct them back out the side doors. Anyway I simply don't recall music being piped in everywhere all the time. Maybe the other Viking ships operate differently. I can only speak for the ones I've been on.

Maybe it depends on the preferences of the crew. Some cultures love noise and dislike silence, thinking that noise=happiness and enjoyment. I found this in Asia, for example.

[rant] And I’m increasingly finding it in the US these days, where you can’t even fill up your gas tank without having to listen to commercials. Or shop without hearing a cacophony of different songs coming at you from various departments at the same time. [/rant]

Here’s hoping Viking bucks that trend. They’re supposed to be the anti-Vegas cruise line after all.

Twitchly,

I have been contacted by personnel on board about your original post and responses. Will let you know what happens. Seems to be listening to our concerns.

Twitchly,

 

I have been contacted by personnel on board about your original post and responses. Will let you know what happens. Seems to be listening to our concerns.

Great! Let us know how it goes.

This is what is driving us away from Celebrity! I had hoped that Viking would be a quiet respite. We may be "one and done" and back to Azamara.

We've been on four Viking Oceans cruises already and nearly twice as many Azamara and we love them both...and find both equally relaxing. No problems or concerns about volume of music or choice of music in any of the venues on board. Like you, we were driven away from Celebrity when they started blasting earsplitting music everywhere so I understand where you're coming from. I doubt you'll have a similar opinion about Viking. Don't worry.

Onboard Sky. 8 Sea days out of 9. Wonderful trip. Plenty of quiet areas throughout the ship. In fact any quieter and it would be a , well. Look, there are plenty of places onboard to sit and relax, low to zero noise.Search them out. while you are doing so enjoy what you see. The ship is wonderful to just wander around. Being any quieter would not be of service to us. My 10 cents worth, and I'm just one of those 100 spoken about above.

I don’t remember “piped in” music being an issue on the Sea. I’m a musician - church, not rock - so I’m usually pretty sensitive to and about that. Listen carefully, though, for the piped in bird songs in the public restrooms. No, not kidding!

Seriously, you are all kidding right? What do you want? An old folks home at sea with everyone tiptoeing around? It's a vacation and music is meant to enhance that experience. You want places to read in peace, I get it. But don't you think that maybe some people like the music? Granted, if it's blasting loud and annoying is one thing, but some tasteful music in the background is nice. I don't travel to have people "ssh-ing" me as if I was in a library. Sorry, but if you want that level of quiet you should stay in your cabin and put in some earplugs and let the rest of the guests enjoy the music. I'm not dead yet.

Not dead yet either. The OP asked about piped in music. I answered him. Personally I don’t see why every public space needs piped in music all day every day. Especially that mindlessly repetitive techno pop. How about the sounds of a ship at sea?😎

Oy! Why are we arguing? My experiences and others is that there indeed are quiet areas where you can chill. And not just your cabin. There are also places that are popping with sound - like the live band by the pool. And there are also little string and piano recitals in the evenings. And except for the bird song in the rest rooms I simply don't recall a background level of piped in music; not even in the World Cafe. I still think of that Royal Caribbean ship that docked alongside us in Nassau that announced its presence with music blaring out of what seemed like its every orifice. That kind of ambiance I need like I need a hole in the head. Altho the worst piped in music experience I can recall waa a technical standards conference at the Disneyland hotel in Anaheim. The only place we were able to escape from the constant Disney music was in our meeting rooms. Other than that it was everywhere. Even now there are some folks I know who were staffing the registration desk and had no respite the entire week - if I just start singing the first few words of It's a Small World they positively cringe. And beg for mercy. And it's been nearly 10 yrs. [emoji3]

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Oy! Why are we arguing? My experiences and others is that there indeed are quiet areas where you can chill. And not just your cabin. There are also places that are popping with sound - like the live band by the pool. And there are also little string and piano recitals in the evenings. And except for the bird song in the rest rooms I simply don't recall a background level of piped in music; not even in the World Cafe. I still think of that Royal Caribbean ship that docked alongside us in Nassau that announced its presence with music blaring out of what seemed like its every orifice. That kind of ambiance I need like I need a hole in the head. Altho the worst piped in music experience I can recall waa a technical standards conference at the Disneyland hotel in Anaheim. The only place we were able to escape from the constant Disney music was in our meeting rooms. Other than that it was everywhere. Even now there are some folks I know who were staffing the registration desk and had no respite the entire week - if I just start singing the first few words of It's a Small World they positively cringe. And beg for mercy. And it's been nearly 10 yrs. [emoji3]

 

 

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Hi Char,

No arguing here just answered the OPs question about piped in music. The Royal Caribbean ship sounds terrible. We really enjoy the string quartet, the guitarist, and Ferry the pianist who rotate near the One deck bar at happy hour. Not against music at all, just the piped in junk everywhere. Wish it were more like what you and others have described on the other ships. For whatever reason here it is pretty much everywhere all the time. Sort of like being in a giant elevator......:eek::cool:

Hi Char,

 

No arguing here just answered the OPs question about piped in music. The Royal Caribbean ship sounds terrible. We really enjoy the string quartet, the guitarist, and Ferry the pianist who rotate near the One deck bar at happy hour. Not against music at all, just the piped in junk everywhere. Wish it were more like what you and others have described on the other ships. For whatever reason here it is pretty much everywhere all the time. Sort of like being in a giant elevator......:eek::cool:

Re your last 2 sentences - yikes!!!! [emoji79]

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Personally I don’t see why every public space needs piped in music all day every day. Especially that mindlessly repetitive techno pop. How about the sounds of a ship at sea?

In total agreement with you. We will be boarding the Viking Sea soon, and are looking forward to a serene onboard experience. Piped-in music in the public spaces would be an immediate turn-off. If I want music, I can listen to my own playlists ... or not.

I'm packing, so my Hubby just did a walk about of the Sky for me. 11th day on Sky, 2 more to go. To us, perfect trip. Anyway, a report from him as of 5 minutes ago of noise levels onboard.

1. Explorers Lounge playing soft pop music. Many snacking , reading and or enjoying each others company. Pleasant noise level.

2. Wintergarden, The interior space has 2 passengers siting reading. No music, no noise. The exterior seating section of wintergreen as well was empty on both sides. No music, no noise.

3. Atrium had light piano music playing. Light and soft. Many passengers here sitting , reading, relaxing, playing games, talking to old and new friends.

4. Outside areas, be it chilly today. Only thing you hear to the splashing of the waves. No music.

Our comment, to us The Sky gives one the sophisticated feeling without being snobby. Different sounds in different areas. You choose the level. If you wish no sound there are beautiful places to disappear into. If its soft instrument sounds your in luck as well. If you want soft pop your also in luck. What he noted was the music drew many in. Not the other way around.

So, to answer the original Q, Yes you have plenty of beautiful places devoid of music to enjoy. Hub said 100+ soft chairs and or couches to choose from in the Wintergarden area alone. .

5. Oh, yes, All rooms have a Balcony to enjoy as well. Yet another location , which is noise free.

For clarity, Hubby said if it was a noise free zone ship, we'd not be on Viking.

This to his eyes is a rather eye opening discussion point. To us, music soothes the soul.

Sunbrookgal, please thank your husband for me. I appreciate his taking the time to do that!

The main thing I want to avoid is the canned pop music. Piano, jazz, classical, especially live — those I can usually either enjoy or tune out. Conversation is fine. And the birdsong in the restrooms sounds delightful. But pop music is a very individual taste, in my experience; one woman’s nectar is another one’s poison. To me, the insipid “soft rock” one hears everywhere is what they play in one of Dante’s circles of hell.

I do recognize that many people enjoy a wall of sound and find a lack of background music boring or disturbing. Canned music is pretty much unavoidable in public spaces now, so I assume I’m in a minority. I’ll be grateful for any Muzak-free spots we can find on the ship. And of course there’s always the cabin.

For that book immersion experience,, Wintergarden is it. Interior for total, outer has the floor to ceiling windows to keep you at peace with a wonderful small one person couch to settle into. sort of the Cleopatra style. Your surrounded by book shelfs. You have the walking traffic. However it is mellow and we haven't seen the RCL/Norwegian crowd. Oh, we too watched the you-tube videos. After 11 days, 8 sea, we've figured her out. She is a wonderful ship. You will enjoy.

Sunbrookgal - tell your hubby from me that he be the bomb. What a guy! Is that crazy Brit still doing the Team Trivia?? We were on the Sky just last January.

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