Viking Pricing & Discounts

[kimba595]

My husband & I are going to do something romantic for our 20th wedding anniversary and are looking at the Paris & Heart of Normandy cruise on the Viking Spirit in May of 2015. It is 8 days with 6 guided tours and we would be staying in a deluxe stateroom. As always, everything is included.

 

My first question is, does the price of $7,400 for the two of us in a deluxe stateroom seem fair? They are currently running a 2 for 1 discount.

 

Second, Avalon is a bit more, but it seems like you are paying for the bigger room. Since we really don't care about the size, does it seem worth it to pay for it? We cruised to Alaska on Princess in 2004 and we hardly spent any time in our room.

 

Third, should I take the air transfers to & from the airport? I do like the ability to not have to worry about my bags, but at $240, is that too much? Would we do better taking a cab?

 

Also, after poking around on this site, I've noticed that some people can get credit with another member's number and they also get credit. Is that true?

 

We would like to make a decision in the next few days, so any input on the price, ship or itinerary would be greatly appreciated.

 

Kim

[id est]

Just a few words about the room. IMO for a river cruise it does not matter at all and you're right you'll hardly spend any time in there. During the day you'll be either on an included tour or exploring the city. Especially if it is Paris :)

[kimba595]

How do you feel about the price? Is it in line with what you paid? Were you happy with the excursions?

[Talisker92]

Unfortunately, this 2 for one "discount" is spreading to ocean cruise lines also. The discount is on a fictitious price that nobody ever paid.

I am admittedly an Vantage cheerleader, but I have the brochure with a comparison in front of me. Vantage runs an 11 day cruise for $2799 in the lowest category. Uniworld runs an 8 day cruise for $3299 in the lowest category, and Viking runs an 8 day cruise for $3056 in the lowest category.

Look at what the total price is, including air, transfers, and excursions. Which ever you choose, you will have a great time.

[id est]

The May Viking's prices start from $2706 in the lowest category. We sailed in December when the pricing was significantly lower: from $1356 pp

Edited February 6, 2014 by id est

[sippican]

Regarding the price. Do not be swayed by Viking's 2 for 1 discount. They always offer 2 for 1. It is not a special at all.

I cannot comment on what they offer, many are very happy with the company. They are the largest river cruise line out there. That being said, Carnival is the largest ocean cruise line, so size does not automatically equate to "best" to everyone.

Keep doing your research before you book with anyone.

What a great way to celebrate your anniversary. I'm sure it will be a wonderful trip.

[cruzzzinma]

We sailed in Nov 2013 and the prices in 2014 and 2015 are the same as we paid. It was a wonderful trip. The Viking transfers were apart of the fare we paid and worked flawlessly.

[franski]

My husband & I are going to do something romantic for our 20th wedding anniversary and are looking at the Paris & Heart of Normandy cruise on the Viking Spirit in May of 2015. It is 8 days with 6 guided tours and we would be staying in a deluxe stateroom. As always, everything is included.

 

This is a great itinerary... We did this tour with Uniworld for our 1st river cruise... and we were hooked. "Everything included" is a bit different for different lines. Viking will not include gratuities, or transfers - as some of the other lines will. But - the cost reflects this.

 

My first question is, does the price of $7,400 for the two of us in a deluxe stateroom seem fair? They are currently running a 2 for 1 discount.

 

The 2-for-1 discount is just words. However, Viking is offering 2015 at 2014 prices - and this *is* a good deal. We have booked to do the Elbe with Viking in 2015. Of course, Viking asks for payment in full much earlier than most other lines - but if you are OK with that, you can get your price locked in. (Not great interest on the money in the bank - so might as well pay for my trip in full!!!). I would suggest buying insurance - not with the company you are travelling with... just in case.

 

Second, Avalon is a bit more, but it seems like you are paying for the bigger room. Since we really don't care about the size, does it seem worth it to pay for it? We cruised to Alaska on Princess in 2004 and we hardly spent any time in our room.

 

Rooms are smaller than on many ocean liners. But - well laid out, so lots of storage space.

 

Third, should I take the air transfers to & from the airport? I do like the ability to not have to worry about my bags, but at $240, is that too much? Would we do better taking a cab?

 

That sounds like a lot. You can get transport (cab, car service) for *much* less... You can look into booking Viking air, and then their transfers are included. If there is any chance you will extend a day or two on either end, the transfers wouldn't be much use.

 

Also, after poking around on this site, I've noticed that some people can get credit with another member's number and they also get credit. Is that true?

 

On Viking, you can get $100/per person credit on your first cruise if you give the name of someone who has travelled with Viking before. id est has offered, but if that doesn't work out, you can e-mail me, and I can also provide a reference. franski@rogers.com

 

If you decide to go with Avalon, you can get a discount if you have ever travelled with Globus in the past.

 

We would like to make a decision in the next few days, so any input on the price, ship or itinerary would be greatly appreciated.

 

Time of year can impact on both the price of the cruise, and the air fare. I would also take a good look at the category of the room. They are all considered to be "deluxe" - and I am not sure what the top level cabin would get you that isn't in the next category down. That would save you a bit of money....

 

Enjoy your planning - and your trip!!!

 

Fran

Edited February 7, 2014 by franski

[EZ-ED]

We were looking at a 2015 Viking Grand European in an AA suite. Price was just short of $20,000 when I was expecting half of that because of their 2 for 1 scam advertising. I have yet to discover what is worth a 1,000 plus per day on any river cruise. Rare wine for dinner? Butler to lay out clothes in the morning/evening? Ode cologne in the toilet? I think we will stick to land tours in Europe and ocean cruising because of the better value.

 

I must be missing something but have yet to discover it, although it may be the fact it has been some many years since I have traveled Europe other than Spain.

[Talisker92]

You are not missing anything. The major difference with ocean cruising vs. river cruising is the charges for everything on an ocean cruise.

As an example, we are going on a 31 day cruise in a minisuite, and it is about $11,000 for the 2 of us. But by the time you add in the $12 per day per person tips, plus the shore excursion prices, plus drinks, etc.

River cruises do not have casino, bingo, and many optional charge items that are profit centers on ocean cruises.

Plus when you have 100-200 people you do not get the economies of scale that you do on a 2000 to 3000 person ocean cruise ship.

[4774Papa]

My husband & I are going to do something romantic for our 20th wedding anniversary and are looking at the Paris & Heart of Normandy cruise on the Viking Spirit in May of 2015. It is 8 days with 6 guided tours and we would be staying in a deluxe stateroom. As always, everything is included.

 

My first question is, does the price of $7,400 for the two of us in a deluxe stateroom seem fair? They are currently running a 2 for 1 discount.

 

Second, Avalon is a bit more, but it seems like you are paying for the bigger room. Since we really don't care about the size, does it seem worth it to pay for it? We cruised to Alaska on Princess in 2004 and we hardly spent any time in our room.

 

Third, should I take the air transfers to & from the airport? I do like the ability to not have to worry about my bags, but at $240, is that too much? Would we do better taking a cab?

 

Also, after poking around on this site, I've noticed that some people can get credit with another member's number and they also get credit. Is that true?

 

We would like to make a decision in the next few days, so any input on the price, ship or itinerary would be greatly appreciated.

 

Kim

Sorry, but Viking's pricing is not 2 for 1. In fact it is a little confusing.

 

Vantage has a trip that is 11 days for a starting price of $1,999 per person.

 

https://www.vantagetravel.com/Trip/2015/A-Seine-River-Cruise--Paris-and-Highlights-of-Normandy

[patch101]

they are putting people at the Corinthia. It is 20 miles from downtown Old Town area. Do your own extension. Don't get stuck in the Corinthia.

[suspaul]

Not sure what the comment from patch101 is about.

 

We too are doing Paris and the Heart of Normandy in December and have arranged our own airfare, as a result, we're going in a few days early on our own and will make our way to the ship using the Metro. That said, if you book your air thru Viking your transfers will be included as several have said, however if you book your own and don't want to buy the transfers from Viking, below is info from Vikings website regarding where ships dock in European cities and approximate taxi costs.

 

Viking Spirit, Pride and Neptune docking location:

Port de Grenelle/Quai de Grenelle Approximate taxi fare from Charles de Gaulle Airport for one person with two suitcases is 50-60 euros; two people, each with two suitcases, can expect to pay approximately 70 euros.

 

Another idea is booking a private car or even a shuttle. We've used Blu Shuttle several times in Paris, you can take a look at their website and get prices and pre-book.

 

Congratulations on your upcoming 20th anniversary and enjoy your river cruise. Just an FYI, this will be our 4th river cruise with Viking in 3 years. Enjoy.

 

 

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Edited June 1, 2014 by suspaul

[mskaufman]

The May Viking's prices start from $2706 in the lowest category. We sailed in December when the pricing was significantly lower: from $1356 pp

 

We are looking at a December cruise this year. A lot of the cc feedback was that it was risky and that we would miss the pleasure of sitting on deck watching the river go by. What was your experience?

[ural guy]

Sign up for e-mail notices from the cruise lines. We got a quote to sail budapest to bucharest, May 2015 for $3500 for cheapest cabin on Viking. (Per person)

A week goes by and I get an email, free airfare from JFK for an Amsterdam to Budapest cruise, but you have to sail in June 14. The cruise is 4 days longer than the other cruise, but only $500 more...and the other quote didn't include airfare.

 

So we booked a 24 June cruise, Ams to Budapest, $4000 person, including air.

 

I did check,the airfare for the same Delta flights we're booked on would be $1500. I don't know if they offer this often, but if your flexible, this seems like a deal.

[suspaul]

mskaufman, we are booked on Vikings Paris & the Heart of Normandy, 12/7/2014. We're going for the holiday markets and know they'll be no sitting on the sundeck but it should be interesting. We've been on two other Holiday river cruises, and yes, there are risks regarding water levels but it's a chance you take. Our last holiday cruise was from Basel to Amsterdam in 2011, due to the water levels we did only have 4 nights on the ship, the other nights were acceptable in hotels and being bused but it worked out fine. It wasn't our best trip but far from the worse.

 

 

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