6 new ships on the way - more of the same?

Lovely photos. We love Viking's new ocean ships. Yes, awkward closet in DVs. My concern is over staffing and getting new staff up to speed. Uneven service in the buffet was an issue for us on the Sun on our Oct-Nov cruise. Great service if all you wanted was a wine refill. Exceedingly difficult to get anyone's attention to get ice water, coffee, etc. - BTW, they have to go to the bar to get ice for each glass. Eye contact was rarely made except for wine. All the staff were really nice but definitely differences and more training needed. The staff only focused on wine and clearing tables and there was a lot of staff turnover for a 2 week cruise. We also questioned their system of closing one side of the buffet before "official" closing times as it rotated rather than keeping the side with a view open. We didn't appreciate dining with industrial views when there was a nice alternative at hand. All in all, loved our cruise and have booked another. All in all, we'd rather have good ships which Viking has and chose for itinerary which keeps us traveling.

You are being hard on a brand new ship (The Sun) and new crew . The crew on board are both brand new and experienced crew members from other VikingOcean ships . We have been on the Sun since December 15th and the crew has been excellent. We are about to loose a number of them to the opening of the Orion and wish them well in their travels . The reason for closing the one side of the buffet is to keep the volume up and the food fresh ! If you don’t like the view you can always take your food to the side with the view. Why not try the aquavit terrace by the pool, they have great views and plenty of fresh air . We been on the Sun for over 82 days and EVERYONE (crew) have been wonderful!

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There are two major design flaws (the spa and the forward suites on deck 3).

Hopefuly this will be addressed.

 

Other improvements needed: two deck high theater and larger pools. A slightly larger ship would be the best fit.

 

Service: a good French restaurant to replace the "demo" Chef's Table. Move afternoon tea to the Restaurant, at least partially, or set up an alternative in the buffet. Expand the Mamsen's.

Ronbe,

These are all just your opinions, and as it stands, I disagree with every one. That's the thing about opinions, they are not facts, in this case they are neither right nor wrong, they are just opinions.

The changes you suggest to the Viking ships would please you, but they would disappoint me.

What's wrong with the spa design?

Ronbe,

These are all just your opinions, and as it stands, I disagree with every one. That's the thing about opinions, they are not facts, in this case they are neither right nor wrong, they are just opinions.

 

The changes you suggest to the Viking ships would please you, but they would disappoint me.

I absolutely agree

There are two major design flaws (the spa and the forward suites on deck 3).

Hopefuly this will be addressed.

 

Other improvements needed: two deck high theater and larger pools. A slightly larger ship would be the best fit.

 

Service: a good French restaurant to replace the "demo" Chef's Table. Move afternoon tea to the Restaurant, at least partially, or set up an alternative in the buffet. Expand the Mamsen's.

More opinions:

I wrote to Viking on the exercise area. Way too many treadmills, many are often unused. Only 2 ellipticals. Hogged by folks setting personal endurance records. Put up a 30-45 minute time limit sign to discourage way over one hour runs. Nice free weights appropriate for us geezers.

Like the idea of a French or whatever replacing the underused "demo" Chef area. Or use it to expand Manfredi's.

Dislike moving the tea. It fits beautifully with Wintergarden decor. Admit that we never got there for tea as it was full for late arrivals and with 3 meals we're too stuffed for more. Suspecting you need to show a British Commonwealth passport for seating.

Dislike expanding Mamsen's. My least favorite.

More opinions:

I wrote to Viking on the exercise area. Way too many treadmills, many are often unused. Only 2 ellipticals. Hogged by folks setting personal endurance records. Put up a 30-45 minute time limit sign to discourage way over one hour runs. Nice free weights appropriate for us geezers.

 

Like the idea of a French or whatever replacing the underused "demo" Chef area. Or use it to expand Manfredi's.

 

Dislike moving the tea. It fits beautifully with Wintergarden decor. Admit that we never got there for tea as it was full for late arrivals and with 3 meals we're too stuffed for more. Suspecting you need to show a British Commonwealth passport for seating.

 

Dislike expanding Mamsen's. My least favorite.

Well , I’m glad they didn’t build , staff their ships by your guidelines! To each his own .

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Currently on the Viking Sea and we love the ship. I wouldn’t change a thing! Looking forward to walking on a Viking ship and having it feel like homecoming!

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Currently on the Viking Sea and we love the ship. I wouldn’t change a thing! Looking forward to walking on a Viking ship and having it feel like homecoming!

 

 

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That is exactly how I feel, like I am coming home.

I'm in the "why mess with a good thing" camp. They have I don't know how many river boats that all have the same design, so why not do the same with the ocean ships. Economies of scale, why re-invent the wheel? Hagen has been in the industry for a long time and he knows exactly what product he wants to offer. He has carved his niche and he has a following that is interested in his product.

 

I like the whole product -- no kids, no casinos, port-intensive itineraries, no nickel-and-diming, cruising for the non-"24 hour party" crowd, etc. etc. I'd rather new and exciting ports than new and exciting ships. So, I don't care if the whole fleet looks alike. I'm getting to the age where new isn't always better and there is a lot to be said for the familiar.

Great post! It seems that within cruising there are 2 basic camps of people...those who like the familiar routine, e.g. sailing on either the same ship repeatedly or else the same class of ships within any given line, or, in the case of Viking Ocean - where all ships are basically identical. The other camp - as witnessed by some peoples' extensive signatures, show a predilection to seemingly try as many different lines as possible. I fall somewhere in the middle since my cruising choices are driven by destination primarily. I don't feel at all loyal to any one line (despite the tiered membership / perk system that all of them seem to do).

All that being said, I am really looking forward to the more 'laid-back' atmosphere of Viking Ocean. I'm not a meet-and-mingle sort of person, do not attend many specifically party / social activities on a cruise, and so I think Viking will be a good fit.

As for the 'why change what works' idea, certainly as the cruising baby boomers are getting older, there is undeniably comfort in knowing exactly what you're going to get each time without risking the potential surprises and disappointments, etc. that could be had in trying a new ship and then perhaps not liking it as much for whatever reason. So, put very simply, in the vernacular, "that's why they make both chocolate and vanilla"!

Well , I’m glad they didn’t build , staff their ships by your guidelines! To each his own .

 

 

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Me too !!!!!!!

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As for the 'why change what works' idea, certainly as the cruising baby boomers are getting older, there is undeniably comfort in knowing exactly what you're going to get each time without risking the potential surprises and disappointments, etc. that could be had in trying a new ship and then perhaps not liking it as much for whatever reason. So, put very simply, in the vernacular, "that's why they make both chocolate and vanilla"!

For me, there is some of the "comfort in the familiar" in choosing the same cruise line, or even buying the same make of a car. However, I hope I never stop being willing to try new things. I love trying new restaurants or new foods or visiting new ports on a cruise. If I don't like one, I am not out much.

The difference is in the cost. With significant costs like a cruise, if I have a great experience, as we have with Viking, I will come back again and again. I am sure I would enjoy other cruise lines as well, but I guess I am just not a high stakes gambler!

VIKING, I hope you are reading!! I hope some of your new ships will have rooms for singles and a singles price. There are many of us that are widows and widowers that love to travel and love your product but can not afford to pay the double price and be on your line all the time. How about make it so we can afford to travel all the time on your ships instead of having to go to NCL and several others that have single rates??

Singles cabins sound like such a good idea to me. I have a few single friends who enjoy traveling on their own and would seriously consider a Viking cruise if it offered them a more reasonable option. And it would be especially nice to offer a single room to longtime cruisers who have lost their spouse but not their love for cruising and meeting new friends. Just doesn’t seem right to penalize people for traveling alone.

VIKING, I hope you are reading!! I hope some of your new ships will have rooms for singles and a singles price. There are many of us that are widows and widowers that love to travel and love your product but can not afford to pay the double price and be on your line all the time. How about make it so we can afford to travel all the time on your ships instead of having to go to NCL and several others that have single rates??

And for the record, I am on Viking with my daughter to Rome in Dec.

I am on Avalon River for a river cruise because it is $4,000 LESS than Viking for the same trip. I would have booked Viking if the price was not such a HUGE difference.

I suppose Viking is a business not a charity. If they can fill their cabins with couples they will. Its hard luck for singles but maybe they can find others to share with? Many seem to.

At our meet and mingle on the Star in December we were told by Viking staff that each Ocean ship is designed exactly the same by Viking. I guess it makes it easier for them. For my it’s not important I enjoy exploring a new ship.

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We are on the Sea now (first time on Viking-anything). While we love the ship (see my post on thread about Crystal Symphony vs Viking), a few tweaks might be in order:

- the loud toilet flush ... oh my, it’s louder than a jet engine

- another soap dish for the dual bathroom sinks ... there is no space between the sinks for the single dish they give you (we had to request another bar of soap)

- place hand towels closer to sinks ... on Regent they have towel racks below each sink for easy reach ... perhaps Viking needs to re-think this

- put TVs/viewing channels on the gym machines ... this is the first ship we’ve been on without that feature

- light up the showers in the spa/sauna area ... they are pitch black, and it’s hard tell soap vs shampoo (I’m farsighted)

- bowls of candied ginger outside the dining rooms would be a nice touch ... or candied anything for an after-dinner treat

- chocolates at turndown, or is that too passé?

Small gripes, for sure.

I would like to see a different design in the same type of decor and culture. We’ve been on 4 river cruises and the one thing that makes us hesitate to book another is that all the ships are the same. Although the Russia and Asia ships are different and we would probably do Asia next. But I think a little diversity is a good thing. New destination - new ship design. That being said, we would still choose Viking over another line.

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Quite magically, our steward delivered a second soap dish this afternoon, and the lights in the showers of the spa/sauna were turned on. Viking, if you’re listening ... thank you!