Anyone that has switched from Celebrity to Viking Ocean? Would love feedback!

this is a very informative thread ...thanks to all who posted

We are elite on celebrity and have tried crystal 2x this year and are very happy with the product but they only have 2 ships and not enough selections for itinerary. We are considering V. for our next sailing and found the info here to be very helpful

Though I haven’t cruised on Celebrity, I have considered it, along with several other lines that are looked at as more upscale than Carnival (aren’t they all [emoji12]).

Most of our cruises have been on Carnival, and frankly, they are fun. No way could Carnival be deemed even close to upscale, but the fun factor and a high energy level are definitely there. Still there are other factors that have been wearing thin, so we’ve been looking for something upscale.

As I said Celebrity is one of the lines we considered, so I’ll tell you why we chose Viking instead of any of the other lines I looked at.

At one point in the YouTube video,mentioned above, the host shows the Carnival Fantasy and a Viking Ship (I think, the Star) docked next to each other. The Fantasy is only slightly bigger but it holds 2675 guests served by 920 crew. The Viking ships (all basically the same) hold 930 guests served by 550 crew. I like those odds. They had me at 930 guests [emoji7] ... and very few, if any children.

Then they added all veranda cabins, included WiFi, included specialty restaurants, included excursions, included beer and wine (during lunch and dinner hours).

We did one of their river cruises last year, and they definitely know how to make things extra special. We really loved the experience. But we do like ocean cruising as well. From what I have been reading they give you the same experience on their ocean ships.

From my research, many upscale and luxury cruises tend to be a bit more formal. We aren’t looking for totally casual, but my husband is not wearing a suit or even a jacket and tie on vacation. No worries with Viking. People were all dressed nicely without being dressed up. I don’t mind dressing up, but I prefer smart casual.

I have also gotten the impression from chatting with people and reading here on CC, that many who sail on the more upscale cruise lines can be a bit snobby - not everyone surely [emoji15]- but I get the impression one runs into that mindset more often. We ran into no snobs on our Viking cruise - just lots of interesting people. Loved it.

I also really like the decor and layout of their ships. They have managed clean/modern, and warm/inviting at the same time. Not an easy feat. My personal taste is more traditional and cozy, and yet I felt right at home on Viking.

Some other things that drew me to Viking were no gold-by-the-inch sales, no mad scrambles to buy t-shirts, watches, costume jewelry hyped all day by a breathless CD, no bingo, no casinos, no kids in the pool with diapers (swim or others), and just a different calm atmosphere that was by no means dull - unless you thrive on frenzy [emoji38]

The food was great and there are more dining options on the ocean ships than the river ships. Embarkation day on the river cruise was wonderful. It felt almost like we were arriving to our private yacht. I think the ocean experience will be similar. There are different times the rooms will be ready, but no set times to arrive or board.

On the river cruise, they greeted our taxi and whisked our luggage away. We checked in at the reception desk - no lines, no waiting. They invited us to have lunch on the Aquavit Terrace (a feature I was thrilled to see they carried over from river to ocean) and had already started the included beer and wine service.

We were able to leave after lunch for a bit more sightseeing. When we returned, our cabin was ready and our luggage was IN the room, not left in the hall.

I’m sure many of the other upscale and luxury lines do a lot of special things as well, but Viking made us feel we belonged there - almost like welcome friends on a return visit, even though it was our first cruise.

We will probably stick with Viking in the near future, but you never know, you may find us in Celebrity or one of the other lines someday!

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Have cruised a number of times with Celebrity and have three more booked with them through 2018. However, always wanted to try Viking Ocean after a fabulous Budapest to Amsterdam river cruise on the Viking Bragi. Unfortunately, my traveling friend died last December from the effects of Agent Orange and I was going to cancel the West Indies cruise on the Viking Sea that we booked for 1/6/2018. I've decided to go alone as a solo passenger so you know it cost me 200%. However, I was so impressed with Viking previously that I know I'll be fine and enjoy this upcoming cruise. I'm sure the ship will be lovely, the food and service very good and even though alone, I'm sure I'll meet very interesting fellow passengers.

I’m sure you’ll have a Great Time! So sorry to hear of your loss.

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I will be very interested to compare Celebrity to Viking Ocean. We enjoyed the Viking Homelands Cruise but still were not satisfied. We are booked on Celebrity Solstice Aqua Class for New Zealand next year.

On Viking, the food was good but not Great (except in Manfreddi's speciality restaurant). Yes it was quiet with a lot of spaces to feel private. No kids was Great but we purposely cruise while school is in session for that reason. It was a little too quiet for my taste. I don't go cruising to read books or attend history lectures. The entertainment on Viking is lacking. The shows were very amateurish. The band was just plain bad. The classical music offerings were good however. So we will see.... maybe Celebrity will be too crowded and hectic. The price was right.

As for the heated bathroom floors, be careful in warm weather. The bathroom can turn into a mini oven and some guests ask engineering to have the floors turned off.

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I will be very interested to compare Celebrity to Viking Ocean. We enjoyed the Viking Homelands Cruise but still were not satisfied. We are booked on Celebrity Solstice Aqua Class for New Zealand next year.

On Viking, the food was good but not Great (except in Manfreddi's speciality restaurant). Yes it was quiet with a lot of spaces to feel private. No kids was Great but we purposely cruise while school is in session for that reason. It was a little too quiet for my taste. I don't go cruising to read books or attend history lectures. The entertainment on Viking is lacking. The shows were very amateurish. The band was just plain bad. The classical music offerings were good however. So we will see.... maybe Celebrity will be too crowded and hectic. The price was right.

As for the heated bathroom floors, be careful in warm weather. The bathroom can turn into a mini oven and some guests ask engineering to have the floors turned off.

 

 

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I’ve heard Aqua Class is the only way to go on Celebrity.

The food on our river cruise was very good. Hoping our ocean cruise will be the same. Did you eat in the dining room or at the World Cafe? I’m hearing that the buffet there is fantastic. I don’t normally like buffets for dinner, but I’m going to try it.

Our itinerary is very port intensive so I don’t think I’ll get to read much. I do like a sea day to relax. We aren’t much into the stage type shows. We do like classical music. Are you referring to the band in Torshavn? Was that the one that was”plain bad,” or was it one for the show? We were looking forward to Torshavn. We do like a cover band with a broad repertoire. No band at all on the river cruise. Just fun and high jinx in the lounge.

I have heard that complaint about the floors. So odd that they provide a switch on the river ships and not on the ocean ships. We are going to be in the Caribbean so I hope they have come up with a solution. It’s a nice touch in a colder climate, but you need a switch.

Enjoy your New Zealand cruise! It’s on my list! Let us know how they compare. Celebrity out of Bayonne is convenient. Now if they only had a small ship!

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Yes, Torshavn. The singers could not hold a tune. We left after 10 minutes. Let's hope your performers are of a higher caliber.

We ate in the dining room and the buffet. I missed the stations of the Holland America buffet- think Asian stir fry station, pasta station, etc. on Viking, they separate out salads and desserts but entrees are all in one station. Neither venue was note worthy IMHO. I can't remember any single dish that stood out (in either a good or bad way). Manfreddi's is 'to die for'. The almond cake at Mamsens was Really good.

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I will be very interested to compare Celebrity to Viking Ocean. We enjoyed the Viking Homelands Cruise but still were not satisfied. We are booked on Celebrity Solstice Aqua Class for New Zealand next year.

On Viking, the food was good but not Great (except in Manfreddi's speciality restaurant). Yes it was quiet with a lot of spaces to feel private. No kids was Great but we purposely cruise while school is in session for that reason. It was a little too quiet for my taste. I don't go cruising to read books or attend history lectures. The entertainment on Viking is lacking. The shows were very amateurish. The band was just plain bad. The classical music offerings were good however. So we will see.... maybe Celebrity will be too crowded and hectic. The price was right.

As for the heated bathroom floors, be careful in warm weather. The bathroom can turn into a mini oven and some guests ask engineering to have the floors turned off.

 

 

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I have sailed in Aqua Class on the Celebrity M class ships( 2000 cruisers). Their Blu dining room, for AQ class only, was small and intimate, but I liked the food in the MDR better, more variety. I do not think Blu has changed its menu in years. They are now promoting their suites with "the ship within a ship "concept .Taking this even to a higher level with their new Edge ships.

I left Celebrity because it was too crowded on sea days around pool deck and even in the solarium, too crowded at the Martini Bar in evenings. Too many promotions and selling watches etc at all the SALES events. I do not go on a cruise for the shows at night. Not a big priority for me. Some are very good, but magicans are not my cup of tea. The service is great, except at the bars, seldom see a waiter if you are seated.

I love late dinner and then maybe a night cap at a bar at the aft of the ship. It is the excursions and ports of call Iam most intereested in, so history is my cup of tea to make the day trips more enjoyable.

Your itinerary is wonderful and the Soltice is a S class ship with 3,000 folks.

I would sail Celebrity again, but they need to have more imaginative ports in Europe and South America. Still want to explore these parts of the world thoroughly.

I hope Viking is the perfect fit for me and my future sailings. Will know come March 2018.

I have sailed in Aqua Class on the Celebrity M class ships( 2000 cruisers). Their Blu dining room, for AQ class only, was small and intimate, but I liked the food in the MDR better, more variety. I do not think Blu has changed its menu in years. They are now promoting their suites with "the ship within a ship "concept .Taking this even to a higher level with their new Edge ships.

 

I left Celebrity because it was too crowded on sea days around pool deck and even in the solarium, too crowded at the Martini Bar in evenings. Too many promotions and selling watches etc at all the SALES events. I do not go on a cruise for the shows at night. Not a big priority for me. Some are very good, but magicans are not my cup of tea. The service is great, except at the bars, seldom see a waiter if you are seated.

 

I love late dinner and then maybe a night cap at a bar at the aft of the ship. It is the excursions and ports of call Iam most intereested in, so history is my cup of tea to make the day trips more enjoyable.

 

Your itinerary is wonderful and the Soltice is a S class ship with 3,000 folks.

 

I would sail Celebrity again, but they need to have more imaginative ports in Europe and South America. Still want to explore these parts of the world thoroughly.

 

I hope Viking is the perfect fit for me and my future sailings. Will know come March 2018.

Agree that it is the ports that are the reason for cruising for me. I tend more towards Nature attractions and look forward to Naturalist talks. (Hence New Zealand). I would happily go back to Viking if the itinerary was right. If the promotions and SALES are overwhelming on Celebrity then it will be my first and last on Celebrity. We will see.

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One of our celebrity cruises was in Aqua on Equinox (Solstice class) and Blu is lovely and you get to know the crew even though it’s any time seating. Access to the spa etc. The menus have been recently refreshed. It’s our preference but some of the better cabins are in Concierge class.

this is an interesting group of comments, but it may be comparing apples to oranges. I am booked in a junior suite on Viking on an up coming transatlantic. It will be my first time on Viking.I had my first Celebrity experience on the eclipse a year and a half ago and was in a celebrity suite. That being said I thought the experience on celebrity was very good, the celebrity suite was one of the best cabins I have ever stayed in on a cruise with the exception of the bathroom,the meals in luminae and the included specialty restaurants were very good.I had included gratuities,drink package ,shipboard credits,and a flight credit which will most likely be equivalent to the included items with Viking with the exception of the gratuities and flight allowance, but much of that was used in purchasing tours ,internet etc, so I am assuming this will be a break even with the Viking included tours,drinks and minibar.. The cost comparison is celebrity $1172/night and estimated Viking $1479/nt.On the other hand when I priced a suite on Holland America with little included except for lounge access and breakfast in the specialty restaurants and a couple of specialty restaurants included it was more expensive than either of these.

The point is I don't know that these comparisons are particularly fruitful since the experience on each of these is likely totally different. I have been on Holland in the suites, loved the lounge much better than Michaels club, but the overall experience was not as good as celebrity who seemed to get most things right,but again maybe the eclipse and the Norwegian itinerary and mostly European clientle also makes a difference. . I am looking forward to the small ship experience ,and all of the good things I have seen written about Viking, Just saw the Sea go through the cape cod canal 2 nights ago ,very impressive.

I just learned something interesting about OBC. Apparently, OBC can not be used for required gratuities. Very odd, but Viking confirmed this today with my Travel Agent.

Michael

Another nice feature of Viking Ocean is the ease of getting on and off at ports. Almost no waiting.....Nice! Shuttles to town are Free if you want to tour on your own. I had not even considered that they would charge for the shuttles. I guess Celebrity charges.

I just learned something interesting about OBC. Apparently, OBC can not be used for required gratuities. Very odd, but Viking confirmed this today with my Travel Agent.

 

Michael

Just last week got the same can NOT be used response directly from Viking customer service.

However in another thread someone onboard Viking Ocean was told by onboard management that their OBC can be used for gratuities.

Extremely confusing.

Ah, THIS POST may explain the confusion...

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=54368991&postcount=7

I just learned something interesting about OBC. Apparently, OBC can not be used for required gratuities. Very odd, but Viking confirmed this today with my Travel Agent.

 

Michael

Prices for Australian based passengers include the gratuity. Be interesting to compare prices.

Prices for Australian based passengers include the gratuity. Be interesting to compare prices.

It's not that hard to do. Just log into the various Viking websites by country (.com, .ca, .uk, etc.) and then do the math. We had this discussion a while back and I did a post comparing prices in the various markets (sometime in 2017) and they were fairly close. The only thing is that I am not sure of is what the current gratuity amount is. When we sailed in December, 2016, it was 14USD per day per person. UK pricing includes air while USA pricing does not (and sometimes the air prices differ depending on what part of the country you live in).

It's not that hard to do. Just log into the various Viking websites by country (.com, .ca, .uk, etc.) and then do the math. We had this discussion a while back and I did a post comparing prices in the various markets (sometime in 2017) and they were fairly close. The only thing is that I am not sure of is what the current gratuity amount is. When we sailed in December, 2016, it was 14USD per day per person. UK pricing includes air while USA pricing does not (and sometimes the air prices differ depending on what part of the country you live in).

I’ve tried that but I’m geoblocked for US. I can see UK though and it seems Aussies pay $1000 AUD less. And inclusive of tips for us. But you say it includes airfare for UK? Trip is to Alaska so maybe not.

I’ve tried that but I’m geoblocked for US. I can see UK though and it seems Aussies pay $1000 AUD less. And inclusive of tips for us. But you say it includes airfare for UK? Trip is to Alaska so maybe not.

UK: As far as I can see, not only don't they include airfare in the price (as I saw on Med cruises) but they don't offer an airfare deal. I also did not see that they covered gratuities. Also note that the current booking deal is 500 off the price.

I got into Canada site--and of course, the US site, I don't remember which date you are sailing, so I just grabbed the V2 cabin price on the May 26 sailing, currently listed as 4399USD or 5899CAD, both offering free air and not including gratuities. (UK price is 3925, in case you don't want to go back looking for it).

UK: As far as I can see, not only don't they include airfare in the price (as I saw on Med cruises) but they don't offer an airfare deal. I also did not see that they covered gratuities. Also note that the current booking deal is 500 off the price.

 

I got into Canada site--and of course, the US site, I don't remember which date you are sailing, so I just grabbed the V2 cabin price on the May 26 sailing, currently listed as 4399USD or 5899CAD, both offering free air and not including gratuities. (UK price is 3925, in case you don't want to go back looking for it).

Thankyou for going to that bother and you got the right date!

$4399 USD is around $5300 AUD so that's within $150 of the Aus site, and will include gratutities but no airfare. We have the same $1000 (AUD) deduction per couple.

3925 pounds is around $6,600 AUD so very much more expensive. Seems the Brits are paying much more than everyone else.

I think you'll be happy with your choice.

 

 

 

We’ve done one sailing on Viking Star, have another one booked for Fall, and are also soon to be Elite Plus on Celebrity, though that will be achieved on an Azamara cruise coming up in November.

 

 

 

We had wandered away from Celebrity (despite being devoted) several years ago after an overcrowded cruise on a new Reflection where everyone had drink packages yet most of the bars were closed during the day, and everything from dining to elevators to putting your feet up with a drink seemed like a struggle. We were in a suite on that cruise, but it was before the current ‘suite experience’ so I can’t really speak to that. That suite was on the stern, and the walk seemed endless if you had to pop back to the cabin for something. I wouldn’t stay back there again.

 

 

 

My first cruise back on Celebrity since then was a recent Norway cruise on Eclipse with my sister in a 2C balcony, and it was great for that because the itinerary was wonderful and the price was right. We weren’t really there for the food, it was more of a casual girls trip. We did feel like we had to eat in the specialty restaurants for a really good meal though, and it was annoying that we couldn't just pop into the spa for a quick steam not being in Aqua Class. It also seems like they’re getting very ‘class divided’ and I didn’t love that. Just knowing I couldn’t go into Michael’s Club like I had always done before was kind of irritating.

 

 

 

I think I'm more concerned with the comfort of my cabin than a lot of people. In my endless searching for itineraries and prices on the internet, it seems to me that the categories on the three lines I mentioned that generally compare in PRICING are a V1 or V2 on Viking (the cheapest cabins) a balcony cabin on Azamara, or a Sky Suite on Celebrity.

 

 

 

As far as COMFORT goes, the cheapest cabin on Viking is quite a bit more comfortable than that balcony on Azamara, more comparable to their Club Continent Suites. It has less storage and walking around space than a Sky Suite on Celebrity, but a more comfortable and larger bed and better location choices. The balcony cabins on Viking have their drawbacks - the closet next to the bed is a struggle (like some S class balconies on X) and drawer space is limited. It’s the best bathroom in any standard cabin at sea though, and if you don’t like a bathtub, it’s better than the X Sky Suite.

 

 

 

As for the ships, the Viking ships are (to me) breathtakingly beautiful. Every area I walked into I looked around, sighed, and said to myself “Isn’t this nice.” There’s a lot to be said also for the smaller number of passengers, and the fact that nothing is very far away from wherever you happen to be. The no child policy and the fact that the cabins only hold two people also might make holiday and Summer travel more palatable.

 

 

 

I thought the food on Viking was quite a step up from Celebrity and just a bit less than Azamara, though IMO their Italian specialty restaurant Manfredi's was better than Azamara's Aqualina.

 

 

 

I realize that Azamara wasn't really mentioned in the OP, but with reciprocal Celebrity Elite benefits, they probably should figure into the equation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What do you mean you couldn’t go into Michael’s Club!!!!!!?????

I’m taking my parents on a cruise next year and it’s my dads favourite hang out!!!

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I think the OP mentioned staying in a 2C balcony cabin on the trip when she and her sister couldn’t get in to Michaels Club.

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OP back again. I watched a YouTube video yesterday of a guy talking about what VO does well and what it "misses" Each comment elicited a "that sounds great to me" from me and my husband (i.e. - no kids under 16, no smoking, etc.). Based on those comments we are even more happy to have chosen a VO cruise for next year.

I just got off the Sky and there is smoking on the 7th deck or 8th? cannot remember but it is really nasty especially when you go up for sail aways. I was great with NO kids, but a lot to be desired in the excursion dept.

I just got off the Sky and there is smoking on the 7th deck or 8th? cannot remember but it is really nasty especially when you go up for sail aways. I was great with NO kids, but a lot to be desired in the excursion dept.

My wife and I have been on 4 Viking Ocean Cruises and loved them all. We’ve been in and around the smoking area (8th deck) which you have to use as a destination. It’s not near any real heavily used areas on the ship. All the times we went by the location there where only 2 to 4 smokers there. It’s not a problem . Also, we have booked and very much enjoyed many of the complimentary and paid shore excursions and found them fun and very informative!

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Thankyou for going to that bother and you got the right date!

$4399 USD is around $5300 AUD so that's within $150 of the Aus site, and will include gratutities but no airfare. We have the same $1000 (AUD) deduction per couple.

3925 pounds is around $6,600 AUD so very much more expensive. Seems the Brits are paying much more than everyone else.

No problem. I just went with the cheapest cabin on the first sailing. Gratutities are $14 per day, so $150 more is about right right.

I wonder how much of the price differentiations have to do with currency fluctuations that take place after the prices are set?

My wife and I have been on 4 Viking Ocean Cruises and loved them all. We’ve been in and around the smoking area (8th deck) which you have to use as a destination. It’s not near any real heavily used areas on the ship. All the times we went by the location there where only 2 to 4 smokers there. It’s not a problem . Also, we have booked and very much enjoyed many of the complimentary and paid shore excursions and found them fun and very informative!

Where on Deck 8 is this smoking area? [Not that I see any particular reason from the deck plans to ever visit Deck 8 on our upcoming cruise, but we do like to know which parts of the ship to avoid.]

Where on Deck 8 is this smoking area? [Not that I see any particular reason from the deck plans to ever visit Deck 8 on our upcoming cruise, but we do like to know which parts of the ship to avoid.]

From the website: All Viking ship interiors, staterooms and balconies are nonsmoking except for the designated outdoor smoking area on the starboard side of Deck 8. Smoking restrictions also apply to e-cigarettes.

By the aft elevators. On Deck 8, there are a number of glass windbreaks (almost like cattle chutes) and the same glass barriers somewhat cordon off the smoking area.