Is a Viking Cruise worth the money?

[caribe traveller]

A resounding YES! The price includes at least one included tour at each stop, wine or beer with lunch and dinner, friendly staff and crew, plus free laundry facilities. The cabins are quite nice. Viking, since they save their own stock and want to support the local economies, are fine with your bringing beverages back from your excursions. They even bring glasses, a corkscrew, and an ice bucket at no charge to your room. Or open your bottle at the table. The lecturers and pre-port information are available in person or on your cabin TV afterwards. Rivers or Oceans, a relaxing choice. No. I do not work for them.

[Cyber Kat]

I thought Viking was 'all inclusive':)

 

Sorry, but what does "all inclusive" have to do with the problem of a solo traveler. Most times those traveling alone have to pay a single supplement - which is what that post was about - not what was or was not included.

 

To address that, I certainly never thought of Viking as ALL inclusive - but a lot included. Big difference.

[Fpacifico]

Sorry, but what does "all inclusive" have to do with the problem of a solo traveler. Most times those traveling alone have to pay a single supplement - which is what that post was about - not what was or was not included.

 

To address that, I certainly never thought of Viking as ALL inclusive - but a lot included. Big difference.

Even at Sandals, an all inclusive resort, there are items that you must pay for. Items that are included in Viking. So in a sense it is all inclusive but certain amenities require a fee.

[Fpacifico]

Sorry, but what does "all inclusive" have to do with the problem of a solo traveler. Most times those traveling alone have to pay a single supplement - which is what that post was about - not what was or was not included.

 

To address that, I certainly never thought of Viking as ALL inclusive - but a lot included. Big difference.

The topic is wheather viking is worth the money

[Cyber Kat]

To answer the original question - value is very subjective, as others have said.

 

I felt we got good value for the money on our Viking river cruise, so we booked an ocean cruise with them. There are a lot of things that Viking does and offers that I find worth the money, but someone elses mileage may vary.

 

I like that their ships only hold 930 passengers. I do not like the huge floating hotel/theme park/shopping malls other cruise lines seem determined to have and outdo each other with bells and whistles. I need a ship, the sea, some nice areas to view that sea, good food and interesting ports - pretty much in that order. I do not want to compete with 4000 or 5000 thousand people for any of that :)

 

I like that all the cabins on the Viking ships have a veranda/balcony so if I want to book the lowest price cabin, I'm not stuck in some airless little room in the basement ;p

 

I love the clean Nordic decor of their ships. I loved the Viking experience we had on our river cruise - how they great you when you return from an excursion, how they take care of you on those excursions, how everyone knows you after a brief time on board (though I expect a bit less of that on the ocean ships.). I like not having to pay extra for optional dining venues. I like having beer and wine included, though if I feel like something else, I can pay for it. I like having the option of doing an excursion or not - but not having to allot extra money for just a look see at a port.

 

I really like that they don't have a constant stream of activities going on all the time. I don't need bingo, or casinos or hairy chest contests or gold by the inch - and I especially don't need a stream of announcements about said activities.

 

So for this and probably other reasons, I've forgotten or don't know about yet (river vs ocean) - for me and my husband - yes, a Viking cruise is worth the money. Completely subjective.

[Cyber Kat]

The topic is wheather viking is worth the money

 

But English Voyagers comment about "all inclusive" was attached to a post from someone commenting on how to avoid paying a single supplement by finding a companion- which is a different topic. Has nothing to do if Viking is worth the money. Apples and pasta, to steal an analogy.

[Fpacifico]

But English Voyagers comment about "all inclusive" was attached to a post from someone commenting on how to avoid paying a single supplement by finding a companion- which is a different topic. Has nothing to do if Viking is worth the money. Apples and pasta, to steal an analogy.

 

 

Not disagreeing, lol

[Cyber Kat]

Not disagreeing, lol

 

Just some confusion ;) Definitely worth the money, but perhaps not to a single cruiser!

[Cyber Kat]

The meaning was: a roommate "included" as well, i.e. provided by the cruise line as a part of "all inclusive" product. :)

 

LOL - sorry, I didn't get the joke - DUH! Thus my confusion. To quote Emily Litella (and the late, great Gilda Radner) NEVERMIND!

[jiminyC_fan]

To answer the original question - value is very subjective, as others have said.

 

I felt we got good value for the money on our Viking river cruise, so we booked an ocean cruise with them. There are a lot of things that Viking does and offers that I find worth the money, but someone elses mileage may vary.

 

I like that their ships only hold 930 passengers. I do not like the huge floating hotel/theme park/shopping malls other cruise lines seem determined to have and outdo each other with bells and whistles. I need a ship, the sea, some nice areas to view that sea, good food and interesting ports - pretty much in that order. I do not want to compete with 4000 or 5000 thousand people for any of that :)

 

I like that all the cabins on the Viking ships have a veranda/balcony so if I want to book the lowest price cabin, I'm not stuck in some airless little room in the basement ;p

 

I love the clean Nordic decor of their ships. I loved the Viking experience we had on our river cruise - how they great you when you return from an excursion, how they take care of you on those excursions, how everyone knows you after a brief time on board (though I expect a bit less of that on the ocean ships.). I like not having to pay extra for optional dining venues. I like having beer and wine included, though if I feel like something else, I can pay for it. I like having the option of doing an excursion or not - but not having to allot extra money for just a look see at a port.

 

I really like that they don't have a constant stream of activities going on all the time. I don't need bingo, or casinos or hairy chest contests or gold by the inch - and I especially don't need a stream of announcements about said activities.

 

So for this and probably other reasons, I've forgotten or don't know about yet (river vs ocean) - for me and my husband - yes, a Viking cruise is worth the money. Completely subjective.

 

If I didn't know better, I could have written that. I agree with you.

[Azulann]

The meaning was: a roommate "included" as well, i.e. provided by the cruise line as a part of "all inclusive" product. :)

LOL, when you have to explain the joke it does not work.

I will try better next time...... I am the "someone" who responded to English traveller about solo supplement expense: He had a great great reply!

The thread seemed to move in a different direction for awhile.

I am really liking all of these Viking Threads.:*

[Host Jazzbeau]

The meaning was: a roommate "included" as well, i.e. provided by the cruise line as a part of "all inclusive" product. :)

 

That was "The Love Boat" ;p

[Peregrina651]

LOL - sorry, I didn't get the joke - DUH! Thus my confusion. To quote Emily Litella (and the late, great Gilda Radner) NEVERMIND!

 

Not entirely your fault. Azulann and English Voyager had been going back and forth for a couple posts and it was just happenstance that they came to the zinger just as we got to the top of the new page. Very confusing. I didn't quite get it at first and had to go back a few posts to see what they had been saying.

 

 

I really like that they don't have a constant stream of activities going on all the time. I don't need bingo, or casinos or hairy chest contests or gold by the inch - and I especially don't need a stream of announcements about said activities.

 

And thank you for the addition to the list of reasons why to try Viking. No one has mentioned either of these yet.

[ronrick1943]

But really only you can say if its worth it or not----you'll have to cruise the line-then you'll know. You'll love it or leave for another line.

[Brad1185]

I got so sick and tired of all the extra charges Celebrity, RCI and the other major lines keep adding on or the included things they keep taking away I could not cruise with them any more.

 

I just booked my first Viking cruise. I am really looking forward to not being nickeled and dimmed to death. From what I have researched it appears Viking offers a level of quality that has been lacking from the major lines. I will gladly pay more for a better experience.

[lackcreativity]

I just booked my first Viking cruise. I am really looking forward to not being nickeled and dimmed to death. From what I have researched it appears Viking offers a level of quality that has been lacking from the major lines. I will gladly pay more for a better experience.

 

We have just returned from our first ever ocean cruise with Viking. It was absolutely delightful, and we can't wait to do it again. I do recommend reading the descriptions of the included and optional tours carefully. A "panoramic" tour is mostly a drive to see the sights. Depending on the location, that may be all you need, or you may wish to pay for an optional tour in some locations. We did a mix of both, and it was just right.

[lackcreativity]

I do recommend reading the descriptions of the included and optional tours carefully. A "panoramic" tour is mostly a drive to see the sights. Depending on the location, that may be all you need, or you may wish to pay for an optional tour in some locations. We did a mix of both, and it was just right.

 

Just for further clarification, the included excursions are not all just panoramic tours. Many include walking tours and other combinations of activities. It is just important to know exactly what you are signing up for when you make your decisions.

[Solent Richard]

We have sailed several times on Celebrity (Aqua cabin ) and Princess ( mini suite) and usually book last minute to get the best prices. We are considering booking a Viking Ocean cruise from Bergen to London in June, the itinerary looks great but the cost is triple the price when compared to comparable cabins on Princess and Celebrity. We are looking for a different experience, as we do not care for a lot of the glitz, the focus on shopping , extra costs for specialty coffee and wine and the large crowds. We would love to have more healthy food choices as well. The design of the ship and especially the spa area looks very appealing but I do have some concern about the ship being a little too quiet. But the key question is the high price tag.....I have no qualms about spending money but just wondering if others have felt like they got their moneys worth on the Viking Ocean cruises. Also airfare is included but since we are flying from San Francisco to Europe I normally use my points to upgrade to business and they do not offer a deduction if you don't book your flight with them. Thanks for your comments, Linda

 

 

Like you I have sailed with many lines and love to try new products.

 

I do not mind paying a fair price for any cruise, particularly when I'm keen to grab a decent cabin/suite.

 

With regard to Viking my philosophy of you get what you pay for rings very true.

 

You may like to read the review I wrote of my time on Viking Star...

 

https://solentrichardscruiseblog.com/2015/12/28/viking-star-a-taste-of-something-different/

 

 

[Azulann]

Thank you for providing the link to your most excellant review of the Viking Star.

Loved looking at some of the menues.

I am smitten with the Viking Ocean ships .

So looking forward to my first Viking cruise in March 2018. Six glorious sea day to enjoy the Viking Sea as we cruise across the Atlantic Ocean.

I have enjoyed reading your posts on other forums on CC.