For those of you that think of moving on to Viking

[sandancer]

We never get a photo taken either, but I’ve found that I have to keep repeating no several times, with less and less of a smile, as they try to persuade us for the boarding photo and other photos on the first couple of days. After that, they will usually just ask once and then give up, which is fine.

 

 

We have also tried that tactic but now we just let them take the photo. We NEVER buy them.

 

 

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[robinlynn]

Having gone on two Viking Ocean cruises and three Celebrity cruises, I feel that comparing the two is kind of like comparing apples and oranges. They have been two week or more on all but one to Europe.

Viking has a better business model IMHO, with a great web site, ( which doesn’t keep messing up like Celebrity), very few hidden expenses like Celebrity, and the most gorgeous ships, more serene and elegant, with a more relaxing vibe in the public area.

I love that because of its size, their ships seem to get better dockage, and we hardly ever had to tender. And in the rare times we had to, no long tendering lines.

There were maybe a few more older people, but no kids, which to me is a trade off.

No glitz, just very classy, no photo hawkers, no casino,no art auctions.

Shows a bit better on Celebrity, and a greater variety of entertainment.

I do miss the Martini Bar on Viking , but am really annoyed that on my upcoming Celebrity cruise next month, the premium beverage package costs for two is exactly half of what the entire 15 day cruise cost! This will limit my enjoyment of the Martini Bar, since this will be my first Celebrity cruise where I won’t have the premium package.

In the end, I enjoy both lines, so it will really come down to itineraries

offered by both. I wish both would consider more overnights , which would allow more time in one spot than the usual 5-7 hour visit.

Personally, I would rather have a few less ports with longer visits in some that deserve longer.

Looking forward to my upcoming Celebrity cruise, while also looking forward to hopefully booking another Viking as well.

[wombatjoey]

Love your quote and your opinions. We have cancelled the Edge in favor of a South America/ Carib itinerary on the Viking. It will be our first.

 

What led to this decision is our poor experience with the food in MDR, separate venues for different classes and the increase in prices on all Celeb products.

 

Our Viking cruise is less expensive than the balcony on the Edge and we are getting so much more included with the Viking all inclusive approach.

 

So for those of you who think Viking O is more expensive than Celeb. you are mistaken. Perhaps at first glance, but then Air is included, specialty restaurants, tours in all ports, all coffees, sodas, spas, etc. There is no separation of classes. All have access to the areas of the ships.

 

I am not saying I will never sail Celeb again, but my expectations will be different. I will be aware that if I dont book a suite, I will need to eat every night in the Buffet where the food was good. I will need to get used to bigger crowds again as the Viking ships hold 930 passengers.

[Silkroad]

Wombatjoey, which size cabin did you book on Viking? Are you comparing Veranda cabins of similar size?

[wombatjoey]

Wombatjoey, which size cabin did you book on Viking? Are you comparing Veranda cabins of similar size?

 

We booked V2...it is 270 sq ft., veranda size is not that important to us, but good food and all that is included is.

[ebtrip]

All Standard or Deluxe veranda cabins are 270sq.ft. Including balcony..

Penthouse Veranda 338 sq.ft.

Jr. Suite 405 sq.ft.

Explorer suite 757 sq.ft.

[Silkroad]

We booked V2...it is 270 sq ft., veranda size is not that important to us, but good food and all that is included is.

Thanks, I find your cost comparison more helpful now that I know you’re comparing similar cabins:). I’m following this thread with great interest because, though we’re still happy with Celebrity, we’re considering Viking for one of their unique itineraries.

 

I certainly hope you’ll post a review comparing the two lines once you’ve taken your Viking cruise. One of the sticking points for us is the quality & size of the included excursions. For some time, we’ve mostly explored ports on our own or joined small groups of friends or fellow CC members. Since the higher cost for a Viking cruise includes basic excursions, we would like to think we’d find them worthwhile.

[wombatjoey]

We have done Celeb for a long time and are elite plus but this last time on the Eclipse we really got angry when night after night, it was the same menu we have had for numerous sailings but the quality of the food had deteriorated to such a degree that we gave up and ate in the Buffet.

 

Once we got home, we decided to see what else we could do for our money. Yes the suites on Celeb offer a wonderful dining experience in Luminae but regular balconies offer you only MDR and that is no longer acceptable to us.

 

That brought us to Viking. We are paying less than we would have for a balcony on the new Edge. The Viking Sea is also a new ship, two years old. So we will see. I will definitely let you know, but it is not till next Feb. a long time off.

[wombatjoey]

As for tours...I have organized many on my own, some very small , some not so small. We rarely do ships tours because of the cost and lack of control over the itinerary. The Viking O included tours are your very basic, walking or panoramic tours. Not my fave, but since included we will do them. Our cruise is South America and the Carib. We have done most of the ports so not much to see.

 

I still think, doing a private tour is the best way to go over ANY ships tours even if included. But have found on cruises where tours are included, it is difficult to find others to join you on private tours and the roll calls are almost non existent.

[Silkroad]

We have done Celeb for a long time and are elite plus but this last time on the Eclipse we really got angry when night after night, it was the same menu we have had for numerous sailings but the quality of the food had deteriorated to such a degree that we gave up and ate in the Buffet.

 

Once we got home, we decided to see what else we could do for our money. Yes the suites on Celeb offer a wonderful dining experience in Luminae but regular balconies offer you only MDR and that is no longer acceptable to us.

 

That brought us to Viking. We are paying less than we would have for a balcony on the new Edge. The Viking Sea is also a new ship, two years old. So we will see. I will definitely let you know, but it is not till next Feb. a long time off.

So you’re thinking you’ll have a Veranda cabin on Viking paired with food that is Murano or Luminae quality? That would certainly be appealing to me.

 

We can compare notes next year:). I will sail on Edge (Infinite Veranda) next April.

[wombatjoey]

So you’re thinking you’ll have a Veranda cabin on Viking paired with food that is Murano or Luminae quality? That would certainly be appealing to me.

 

We can compare notes next year:). I will sail on Edge (Infinite Veranda) next April.

 

I have read the reviews for dining on the Viking and they have been outstanding. Yes will certainly want to know what kind of inclusive dining you will do on the Edge. Sounds like a plan. Let me know if you wish for me to leave my email contact.

[DaKa2002]

Please, it’s not like that. Tonight there was quite a group dancing to the band on the pool deck, and some great music choices. Unfortunately it ended at 10:30. I just read so many comments about people wanting to move up to Viking, and wanted to share my opinion, especially since the cost difference was pretty significant.

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Thank you for sharing! We appreciate that very much. We have gotten a little 'tired' of Celebrity - watch sales, photographers in your face everywhere, etc. Celebrity seems to be leaning toward a much younger audience (CCL); not necassarily bad, but not our cup of tea.

 

We are moving on to Oceania and will definitely be considering Viking based upon your recommendations and those of others.

[cruiserchuck]

Thank you for sharing! We appreciate that very much. We have gotten a little 'tired' of Celebrity - watch sales, photographers in your face everywhere, etc. Celebrity seems to be leaning toward a much younger audience (CCL); not necassarily bad, but not our cup of tea.

 

We are moving on to Oceania and will definitely be considering Viking based upon your recommendations and those of others.

 

We have done numerous cruises with Celebrity, and one with Oceania. We cruise in Aqua class lately, so we eat in Blu. For what we pay on Celebrity vs. Oceania, we thought Celebrity was a much better deal. The food on Oceania was better, especially in the speciality restaurants. However, since we were in one of the lower cost veranda cabins, we were only able to get reservations for one night each in the speciality restaurants.

[wombatjoey]

Since you eat in Blu, you may not be aware of how poor the MDR is on Celeb ships. The buffet in Oceanview Cafe is excellent. If we do Celeb again, we will totally skip the MDR.

 

We have done one Oceania, the food was wonderful everywhere. Had no problem also getting reservations in Specialty dining which is included. We were in a regular balcony.

 

Also have a November cruise booked on Oceania, in a lowly inside but will eat in all the same venues as all others.

 

The only down side for us is we dont drink wine or hardly any other alcoholic beverages, so with Viking all inclusive, we are really paying for others. Thats ok, we will make up for it in sodas.

[Lastdance]

I think Viking has a very nice product and I am sure that I will try it in the next 3-5 years. I was told by several people that Viking River is a real downgrade from AMA. However, I have a friend who did AMA and went right back to Celebrity. When I am unable to find another great cruise on Celebrity, with an itinerary that I haven't done, Viking will be my choice. It take a lot of planning and reading reviews to understand the culture of a cruise line, so I am cheerfully doing my homework and learning my next strategies.

 

I want to take a longer cruise, in a few years, and if the ship is right, I may try Oceania in a suite, on a newer ship, as anything lower does not appeal to me for the duration. It is so nice to have a variety of companies and ships to choose from when finding that perfect cruise. I also think that cruising takes on many different choices as you age...I am excited for the Edge TA a year from April in a suite, but the ship within a ship does not really appeal to me, but I will see. Finally, I am ready for my Reflection cruise at the end of April in Europe, even though I have done the same itinerary quite a few years ago...

Edited March 4, 2018 by Lastdance

[wombatjoey]

Please dont confuse Viking River with Viking Ocean, they are totally different ships and products.

 

Cruising Viking O, has nothing to do with aging and everything to do with spending our money wisely. Getting the best for our dollar.

[cruiserchuck]

Since you eat in Blu, you may not be aware of how poor the MDR is on Celeb ships. The buffet in Oceanview Cafe is excellent. If we do Celeb again, we will totally skip the MDR.

 

We have done one Oceania, the food was wonderful everywhere. Had no problem also getting reservations in Specialty dining which is included. We were in a regular balcony.

 

Also have a November cruise booked on Oceania, in a lowly inside but will eat in all the same venues as all others.

 

The only down side for us is we dont drink wine or hardly any other alcoholic beverages, so with Viking all inclusive, we are really paying for others. Thats ok, we will make up for it in sodas.

 

The food was real bad in the MDR on our last pre-Aqua cruise in 2009. That is why we switched to Aqua. The food is Blu, as of last October, has remained very good.

[wombatjoey]

yes I agree with you.

[amusea]

Having sailed on Oceania and Viking Ocean as well as being elite plus on Celebrity I think there is quite a difference between the first two with regard to the dining experience. Viking Ocean uses quality ingredients and the food is excellent but they do not try to create haute cuisine. Not that Oceania always reaches the goal to which they aspire but we look for dishes that we don't create at home or that can't be found in our hometown restaurants. Oceania's menus are always interesting and unique with a decidedly french emphasis and sometimes they achieve their goal. The last thing we look for on a menu is a steak. However, I realize that steak is probably the most ordered entree.

We are returning to Celebrity next month in Aqua after a haitus of several years and I hope that our meals will live up to past memories. We are also hoping that menus on our October Viking Ocean cruise might be a little more adventurous but the food is never less than good and the buffet sometimes offers superior cuisine at night. I distinctly remember wonderful soft shell crabs one night so it is always good to check the buffet before going to the main restaurant.

[DaKa2002]

...We are returning to Celebrity next month in Aqua after a haitus of several years and I hope that our meals will live up to past memories. We are also hoping that menus on our October Viking Ocean cruise might be a little more adventurous but the food is never less than good and the buffet sometimes offers superior cuisine at night. I distinctly remember wonderful soft shell crabs one night so it is always good to check the buffet before going to the main restaurant.

 

For us, after years of Aqua and Blu, we found the new menu not really to our liking, and the service a bit rushed (staff reduction?) in Blu last month (Solstice, Feb '18) during our cruise; we ate mostly in the buffet and/or the specialty restaurants. So we will be experimenting by moving on...

 

I hope for you that Aqua and Blu meet your expectations and that you enjoy your cruise experience on Celebrity.

[wombatjoey]

I have now written about our poor experience in MDR several times. It prompted a cancellation for the Edge next winter and a booking on the Viking Ocean. The Edge will be a visual masterpiece but I am not sure about quality and variety of food. Especially if you are not in a Suite or Aqua.

[ABoatNerd]

Thanks wombatjoey for your assessment.

Having tried Oceania, a key message to folks who have cruised the mass lines, is that the premium lines like Viking, Oceania, Azamara etc are very different products.

Premium lines strive to be different, sometimes very different, from the mass lines. Smaller ships, less las vegas overall, higher standard of food and service for all guests, guests are expected to self entertain themselves to a greater degree, much less class segregation (all guests enjoy the restaurants), no ship in a ship arrangement, little to no nickle and diming, little to no shrilling for sales, focus on the ocean with exterior and interior viewing areas, easy on and easy off in ports, itineraries can be quite different than the mass lines.

The difference is dramatic.

 

It is important not to focus on price exclusively, because that discounts the vast difference in the product provided by the mass lines versus the premium.

Having tried Oceania, I am very satisfied and pleased beyond words.

Variety is the spice of life, people should try different cruise lines and see for themselves.

[wombatjoey]

Thanks wombatjoey for your assessment.

Having tried Oceania, a key message to folks who have cruised the mass lines, is that the premium lines like Viking, Oceania, Azamara etc are very different products.

Premium lines strive to be different, sometimes very different, from the mass lines. Smaller ships, less las vegas overall, higher standard of food and service for all guests, guests are expected to self entertain themselves to a greater degree, much less class segregation (all guests enjoy the restaurants), no ship in a ship arrangement, little to no nickle and diming, little to no shrilling for sales, focus on the ocean with exterior and interior viewing areas, easy on and easy off in ports, itineraries can be quite different than the mass lines.

The difference is dramatic.

 

It is important not to focus on price exclusively, because that discounts the vast difference in the product provided by the mass lines versus the premium.

Having tried Oceania, I am very satisfied and pleased beyond words.

Variety is the spice of life, people should try different cruise lines and see for themselves.

 

 

I have tried to say exactly that but you knew how to do it so well. Thank you.

 

It saddens me, we have done Celebrity for so many years. Have put our loyalty all into one basket. Now we no longer find is satisfactory. I still have Silhouette booked for the Carib for 2020, but 3 Ocenia and one Viking Ocean in between. Really dont know how I will go back.

[wombatjoey]

I have started a roll call for our first Viking O sailing for Feb 7, 2019 South America/Carib. If anyone else is doing this sailing, please join me there so we can share and look forward to meeting on the ship.

[SouthernBelles]

We have 5 star taste but not the budget so I spend a huge amount of time choosing our holidays - whether water or land based. We have cruised on different cruise lines in different grades of cabin. We prefer Oceania but can't always afford it and are booked on Celebrity in Aqua next year as we enjoyed eating in Blu last time. Would we like to cruise on Viking? Yes, of course. But it really is a lot more expensive so we can't at the moment. Simples. We would also like to try Silversea, Regent or Crystal. Maybe one day. We see our current price "level" as Oceania or Celeb Aqua. I suppose we could try Azamara but not sure it would be any better. As the saying goes "you pay your money and your make your choice".

 

 

 

We have cruised on Viking Star last fall’Cities of Antiquities’. We are cruising Celebrity Reflection 10/1/18.

We have been on 20 cruises of various lines and Viking is the best. Booked on the Viking Homelands tour May 2019. I am closely comparing those cruises to the Celebrity Reflection. They are pretty close. The Viking ships are in the embarkation ports for 2

Days you do not have to pay hotel to arrive a day early, the airfare is usually included, no children, no casinos, no photographer, the tours are included tours are excellent,of course they have tours to purchase. 5* service. I have traveled the world and Viking is the very best. All balcony cabins, free self laundromat. Book early,now that word is out, there ships sell out quickly! Thanks

 

 

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