Tell Me Why.....

If I am reading this tread & others "correctly", in the most basic of terms, Viking Ocean is an upscale, "no kids allowed" line, in the same basic class with an Azamara or Oceania, however not as luxurious as Silversea or Seabourn. Again, realize there are more differences than this, but just for a basic comparison - is this close to correct?

It can be a little more complicated than this. For some people, there can be a subtle line between upscale and pretentious. I do not mean this as criticism or judgment of anyone, but for us, a butler would make us uncomfortable, some levels of service can be too fawning, and wearing a tuxedo or showing off jewelry is of absolutely no interest. Viking has found the level at which we are comfortable. I can afford more "luxury" but don't want it.

It can be a little more complicated than this. For some people, there can be a subtle line between upscale and pretentious. I do not mean this as criticism or judgment of anyone, but for us, a butler would make us uncomfortable, some levels of service can be too fawning, and wearing a tuxedo or showing off jewelry is of absolutely no interest. Viking has found the level at which we are comfortable. I can afford more "luxury" but don't want it.

Yes. Although I like Silversea and will cruise with them again in 2019 to be with our old friends who don't want to cruise on Viking, my wife and I found the tuxedoed butler too intrusive. Always without fail kept knocking on the door as we were rushing to get dressed/ready for whatever asking what he could do for us. No way he'd stop interrupting us. Annoying. Find Viking Ocean's room stewards mush more receptive to acceding to our wishes.

We did have him unpack our large suitcases and hang the clothes (already on hangars) in our closet. Feeling sorry for him by cruise end as we'd never used his services, we accepted his offer to pack. BIG mistake. He somehow missed one of the 2 large suitcases and jammed everything into the one big suitcase & carry ons. It was so funny that we did not mind totally re-packing.

Our travel companions LOVED the butler. He brought them pre breakfast coffee & pastries. Brought them afternoon rum & cokes to help prepare them to go to the bar for more rum & cokes. List was endless. What was hilarious is that pre-cruise they were seriously concerned that my wife would monopolize the shared butler. Au contraire.

It can be a little more complicated than this. For some people, there can be a subtle line between upscale and pretentious. I do not mean this as criticism or judgment of anyone, but for us, a butler would make us uncomfortable, some levels of service can be too fawning, and wearing a tuxedo or showing off jewelry is of absolutely no interest. Viking has found the level at which we are comfortable. I can afford more "luxury" but don't want it.

Sometimes things just fit. We were lucky enough to find Viking on our first attempt, and it suits us perfectly. I won't say that we won't ever try another line, but currently Viking, both river and ocean, is our cruise line of choice.

Time for another update. If you have another Try it because..., please feel free to copy this list and add your addition to the bottom of the list. No need to wait for me to remember to do it. I won't be insulted and in fact, I would be thrilled if people would make their own additions.

• Try it because you are tired of mindless entertainment.
  
  
• Try it because you don't need a casino.
  
  
• Try it because you are sick and tired of the nickel-and-diming.
  
  
• Try it because you can live without other people's children.
  
  
• Try it because you are more interested in the ports of call than in partying until dawn.
  
  
• Try it because you are never asked to pose for photos.
  
  
• Try it because you like cruising among friendly people.
  
  
• Try it because you are invited to BYO wine, beer or other potables.
  
  
• Try it because you don't have to hide in your room to drink your BYO.
  
  
• Try it because there is no corkage fee in the dining rooms.
  
  
• Try it because specialty dining is included.
  
  
• Try it because there is no formal night.
  
  
• Try it because there is no bang-bang music.
  
  
• Try it because there are nooks and crannies everywhere to read, relax, and just be.
  
  
• Try it because the tables in the cafe (buffet) are set with silverware and napkins and a beverage server comes to take your order as soon as you sit down.
  
  
• Try it because room service will deliver delicious coffee and juice, even on debarkation day, within 10 minutes of your call.
  
  
• Try it because the free spa area is unbelievable!
  
  
• Take Viking because the staff can't help enough. If you have an issue they are quick, efficient and do their job with a smile.
  
  
• Take it because even the service at the buffet is better than any other cruise ship.
  
  
• Take it because you love English tea in the afternoon.
  
  
• Try it because the entire staff knows your name after Day 1
  
  
• Try it because you only need your ship card to enter your room or to leave the ship
  
  
• Try it because everyone, including the crew, greets you with a smile
  
  
• Try it because you never have to wait for a table either at the buffet or at The Restaurant
  
  
• Try it because you are a guest, not just a wallet
  
  
• Try it because the beverage package is a bargain
  
  
• Try it because you'll only be sailing with 900+ people, rather than 2500+
  
  
• Try it because there are no inches of gold tables blocking the Atrium
  
  
• Try it because there is no karaoke
  
  
• Try it because there is no bingo
  
  
• Try it because people do not reserve / hog lounge chairs in pool area or open decks
  
  
• Try it because you have seen your last flaming Baked Alaska parade
  
  
• Try it because Orion has a Planetarium and a Resident Astronomer
  
  
• Try it because the film screen on the upper deck uses individual headphones rather than deafening soundtracks that are heard throughout the ship--and free popcorn
  
  
• Try it because of the Resident Historian and the enrichment program.
  
  

Flaming baked Alaska parade?[emoji79]

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Flaming baked Alaska parade?[emoji79]

 

 

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What? Have they also gone the way of the midnight buffet? Last time I sailed on a mainstream cruise line, they were de rigeur.

What? Have they also gone the way of the midnight buffet? Last time I sailed on a mainstream cruise line, they were de rigeur.

Only have a recent sample of HAL in 2011 and a looong time ago on the Carnival (when that cruise line first started with 4 ships). Neither of them did that.

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The baked Alaska Parade used to be a showstopper. The meringue on top used to actually be on fire as it was paraded through the dining room. When when the dessert was served, the meringue topping was hot and golden brown from the flaming and the ice cream just at the right point of softness for eating.

As the rules governing open flames on board ship, the parade, for lines that still do them, has deteriorated to a procession of ice cold Baked Alaska platters topped with either a sparkler or battery operated tea light. If you order the dessert, it is ice cold and the meringue is a cold, stiff layer on top of ice cream.

On the HAL Prinsendam recently, toward the end of the cruise, they had a "chocolate" parade through the MDR and adjacent Ocean Bar one evening about 8:30pm. The waiters were all carrying small trays of chocolate treats.

Haven't seen a Baked Alaska parade in a long time.

The baked Alaska Parade used to be a showstopper. The meringue on top used to actually be on fire as it was paraded through the dining room. When when the dessert was served, the meringue topping was hot and golden brown from the flaming and the ice cream just at the right point of softness for eating.

 

As the rules governing open flames on board ship, the parade, for lines that still do them, has deteriorated to a procession of ice cold Baked Alaska platters topped with either a sparkler or battery operated tea light. If you order the dessert, it is ice cold and the meringue is a cold, stiff layer on top of ice cream.

Totally agree. Back in the 70's & 80's, I actually enjoyed the weekly serving of Baked Alaska.

Princess still did the parade, as of our last cruise with them, but the new style Baked Alaska is ghastly.

Thanks Philw1776 - kind of what I thought. I'm reviewing the VOC various itineraries to see what I can find. We normally book based on destinations, not loyalty programs and appreciate your (and others) input. Regards to all

Bob

As the rules governing open flames on board ship,

Just interested. Which rules, or actually, whose rules? Flag state Norway? SOLAS? The insurance company? Who would care about Baked Alaska, did serving those or any open flames dish ever cause a serious fire or is there a reason to believe they could?

Fire protection standards are driven by SOLAS and then the Flag State develops Acts and Regulations consistent with SOLAS.

While many Regs are written as a response to incidents, others are developed based on risk assessment and consultations with industry.

Not aware of any incidents with the original Baked Alaskas, but on passenger ships I have responded to numerous small fires started by cigarettes or other open heat sources. Fortunately they are less prevalent these days. Normally hear more calls for Medical Party than the Fire/Assessment Party.

On the older ships they had significant quantities of wood and other combustibles, so had lots of fuel, once a fire started. On my last ship, we had no sprinklers, so all carpets and furnishings had to be fire rated, as non-combustible. When conducting major 1/4 life refits, if no fire rating was available I had to conduct flame tests on carpets and seats. These were at a local testing lab, with Transport Canada. Therefore, if we had a fire in a pax space, it should smoulder, but not ignite.

While these fire protection standards are now in place, they were not written back in the 70's & 80's.

Fire protection standards are driven by SOLAS and then the Flag State develops Acts and Regulations consistent with SOLAS.

 

While many Regs are written as a response to incidents, others are developed based on risk assessment and consultations with industry.

 

Not aware of any incidents with the original Baked Alaskas, but on passenger ships I have responded to numerous small fires started by cigarettes or other open heat sources. Fortunately they are less prevalent these days. Normally hear more calls for Medical Party than the Fire/Assessment Party.

 

On the older ships they had significant quantities of wood and other combustibles, so had lots of fuel, once a fire started. On my last ship, we had no sprinklers, so all carpets and furnishings had to be fire rated, as non-combustible. When conducting major 1/4 life refits, if no fire rating was available I had to conduct flame tests on carpets and seats. These were at a local testing lab, with Transport Canada. Therefore, if we had a fire in a pax space, it should smoulder, but not ignite.

 

While these fire protection standards are now in place, they were not written back in the 70's & 80's.

Thank you!

Try it because you are tired of mindless entertainment.

Try it because you don't need a casino.

Try it because you are sick and tired of the nickel-and-diming.

Try it because you can live without other people's children.

Try it because you are more interested in the ports of call than in partying until dawn.

Try it because you are never asked to pose for photos.

Try in because you like cruising among friendly people.

Try it because you are invited to BYO wine, beer or other potables.

Try it because you don't have to hide in your room to drink your BYO.

Try it because there is no corkage fee in the dining rooms.

Try it because specialty dining is included.

Thank you for this great post of we we should try Viking. We just booked a PV1 cabin for the Sept 21 2020 Venice to Athens cruise. Every statement you made above was why we booked with Viking.

thank you for this great post of we we should try viking. We just booked a pv1 cabin for the sept 21 2020 venice to athens cruise. Every statement you made above was why we booked with viking.

sweeeet!!!

Enjoy....but be prepared...Viking is addictive!

On 3/6/2017 at 1:00 PM, Dauntless said:

 

 

Viking should lift this quote for it's advertising

Hey, Dauntless, they heard you! Check this out: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/why-viking/viking-difference/viking-difference-wvin.html

On 10/6/2018 at 11:56 AM, terrydtx said:

 

Thank you for this great post of we we should try Viking. We just booked a PV1 cabin for the Sept 21 2020 Venice to Athens cruise. Every statement you made above was why we booked with Viking.

Try it because you are tired of mindless entertainment.

Try it because you don't need a casino.

Try it because you are sick and tired of the nickel-and-diming.

Try it because you can live without other people's children.

Try it because you are more interested in the ports of call than in partying until dawn.

Try it because you are never asked to pose for photos.

Try in because you like cruising among friendly people.

Try it because you are invited to BYO wine, beer or other potables.

Try it because you don't have to hide in your room to drink your BYO.

Try it because there is no corkage fee in the dining rooms.

Try it because specialty dining is included.

Yes indeed!  Every statement made by Peregrina651 is right on the nose!  Could not have said it better myself.

This is indeed why we booked Viking the first time and why have several more booked in the future.

Again - everyone has different interests and tastes.  Those that don't enjoy Viking either did not do their homework or were led astray by their travel agents, or simply wanted to try it the first time, and found they didn't care for it.

We love that fact that a Cruise Line decided to target this market niche, since no one else has!

Hopefully there are no napkin waving sing-along productions during dinner by the staff!

1 hour ago, Sue4LSU said:

Hopefully there are no napkin waving sing-along productions during dinner by the staff!

With the help of other members, the initial list has been amended many times since it was first posted. With the addition of your entry, it now reads:

Try it because you are tired of mindless entertainment.

Try it because you don't need a casino.

Try it because you are sick and tired of the nickel-and-diming.

Try it because you can live without other people's children.

Try it because you are more interested in the ports of call than in partying until dawn.

Try it because you are never asked to pose for photos.

Try it because you like cruising among friendly people.

Try it because you are invited to BYO wine, beer or other potables.

Try it because you don't have to hide in your room to drink your BYO.

Try it because there is no corkage fee in the dining rooms.

Try it because specialty dining is included.

Try it because there is no formal night.

Try it because there is no bang-bang music.

Try it because there are nooks and crannies everywhere to read, relax, and just be.

Try it because the tables in the cafe (buffet) are set with silverware and napkins and a beverage server comes to take your order as soon as you sit down.

Try it because room service will deliver delicious coffee and juice, even on debarkation day, within 10 minutes of your call.

Try it because the free spa area is unbelievable!

Take Viking because the staff can't help enough. If you have an issue they are quick, efficient and do their job with a smile.

Take it because even the service at the buffet is better than any other cruise ship.

Take it because you love English tea in the afternoon.

Try it because the entire staff knows your name after Day 1

Try it because you only need your ship card to enter your room or to leave the ship

Try it because everyone, including the crew, greets you with a smile

Try it because you never have to wait for a table either at the buffet or at The Restaurant

Try it because you are a guest, not just a wallet

Try it because the beverage package is a bargain

Try it because you'll only be sailing with 900+ people, rather than 2500+

Try it because there are no inches of gold tables blocking the Atrium

Try it because there is no karaoke

Try it because there is no bingo

Try it because people do not reserve / hog lounge chairs in pool area or open decks

Try it because you have seen your last flaming Baked Alaska parade

Try it because Orion has a Planetarium and a Resident Astronomer

Try it because the film screen on the upper deck uses individual headphones rather than deafening soundtracks that are heard throughout the ship--and free popcorn

Try it because of the Resident Historian and the enrichment program.

Try it because your last dinner has been ruined by a napkin-waving waiters sing-along

On 2/23/2019 at 7:13 AM, Peregrina651 said:

 

Hey, Dauntless, they heard you! Check this out: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/why-viking/viking-difference/viking-difference-wvin.html

That's awesome!

On 2/25/2019 at 4:20 PM, Sue4LSU said:

Hopefully there are no napkin waving sing-along productions during dinner by the staff!

This cracks me up. I never had an interest in ocean cruising until I learned of Viking Ocean Cruises. After a couple of Viking cruises, I figured I would give Carnival a go as we were trying to schedule a short affordable vacation that we could share with friends. While I can't say that I hated the Carnival cruise, I was rather annoyed by the napkin waving sing alongs in the dining room. One night, a man at the table next to us stood on his chair, put his foot on the table and waved his napkin and sang along with the staff. He then decided to dance with the waitress in a manner that nobody should attempt with a stranger. 

20 minutes ago, Choose Something Fun said:

This cracks me up. I never had an interest in ocean cruising until I learned of Viking Ocean Cruises. After a couple of Viking cruises, I figured I would give Carnival a go as we were trying to schedule a short affordable vacation that we could share with friends. While I can't say that I hated the Carnival cruise, I was rather annoyed by the napkin waving sing alongs in the dining room. One night, a man at the table next to us stood on his chair, put his foot on the table and waved his napkin and sang along with the staff. He then decided to dance with the waitress in a manner that nobody should attempt with a stranger. 

You are going to be so amazed when you get to Viking... But you NEED to get there soon!

31 minutes ago, Choose Something Fun said:

This cracks me up. I never had an interest in ocean cruising until I learned of Viking Ocean Cruises. After a couple of Viking cruises, I figured I would give Carnival a go as we were trying to schedule a short affordable vacation that we could share with friends. While I can't say that I hated the Carnival cruise, I was rather annoyed by the napkin waving sing alongs in the dining room. One night, a man at the table next to us stood on his chair, put his foot on the table and waved his napkin and sang along with the staff. He then decided to dance with the waitress in a manner that nobody should attempt with a stranger. 

When you say a short affordable vacation, do you mean a 3, 4 or 5 day cruise? If its a 7 day cruise you may want to try Holland America, no napkin waving or standing on MDR chairs! For a mainstream cruise line HAL comes closer to VO in size of ships refinement and demographics IMHO. HAL doesn't have shorter than 7 day cruises, however. We will use Viking when we want a special all inclusive special itinerary cruise and HAL for cruising with our kids and grandkids for Alaska, North America and Caribbean cruises.