Europe 2021 Viking or Celebrity?

[gerelmx]

Uncertain of which one to choose, I have always traveled with RCCL and lately with Celebrity, my plans for 2021 is a cruise through the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Greek islands, it will be my first time in this part of the world, which Cruise Company would you choose and why?

[hubofhockey]

17 minutes ago, gerelmx said:

Uncertain of which one to choose, I have always traveled with RCCL and lately with Celebrity, my plans for 2021 is a cruise through the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Greek islands, it will be my first time in this part of the world, which Cruise Company would you choose and why?

 

There is going to be a tremendous price difference.  Also, you may want to consider Azamara as well (sister line to Celebrity).  

[cruisestitch]

What do the reviews tell you?

 

what things do you value in a cruise? Smoking policies? Casinos? Ambiance? Food?  It’s hard to make recommendations without knowing anything about you.

Edited July 16, 2019 by cruisestitch

[mom says]

Do the itineraries, and more particularly the amount of time in each port differ significantly? That would be the more important determinant for us.

[gerelmx]

30 minutes ago, hubofhockey said:

 

There is going to be a tremendous price difference.  Also, you may want to consider Azamara as well (sister line to Celebrity).  

 

The prices of a X Concierge vs a V Veranda V2 are similar

[gerelmx]

24 minutes ago, mom says said:

Do the itineraries, and more particularly the amount of time in each port differ significantly? That would be the more important determinant for us.

 

Browsing the Viking site I like the Itinerary Barcelona to Istanbul (28 nights)

[gerelmx]

29 minutes ago, cruisestitch said:

What do the reviews tell you?

 

what things do you value in a cruise? Smoking policies? Casinos? Ambiance? Food?  It’s hard to make recommendations without knowing anything about you.

 

Don't smoke, don't play the casino, No formal nights, I'm interested in the itinerary , the ship's food, the entertainment on board and the shore excursions.

[Happy Cruiser 6143]

In the Med, I would choose based on the itinerary I want.  You don't spend that much time on the ship.

[hiccups]

If you're considering Viking, I'd also look at Azamara (as suggested earlier) and Oceania as well.  They both have very nice itineraries in the Mediterranean.

[nekzaadvakil]

15 hours ago, gerelmx said:

Uncertain of which one to choose, I have always traveled with RCCL and lately with Celebrity, my plans for 2021 is a cruise through the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Greek islands, it will be my first time in this part of the world, which Cruise Company would you choose and why?

 

As you may see from my signature below, we also cruise only with RCCL and Celebrity. We were very happy with Royal Caribbean, but we tried Celebrity cruises who are known for the European/ Med cruises! Celebrity has her best ships in the Med, Adriatic and Greek Islands. Their S class ships and now Edge class ships are there in the summer. 

 

If it were me, I'd stick to Celebrity. 

 

Cheers!

 

Nick

[ipeeinthepool]

If the OP can find a Veranda price on Viking for the same cost as a Veranda on Celebrity, for a similar cruise I would go for it.  However, since there is nothing of value for most people for Concierge over Veranda on Celebrity, I think that a Veranda should be the basis of comparison.  Perhaps the OP finds value in Concierge class.  However I do know that Viking would be a lot cheaper if they did not send me a color brochure every week.  As I look at my latest brochure, the Viking prices seem a lot higher.  For 22 days Rome to Istanbul the cheapest price in my booklet is $9297.  I think I could do 3 weeks on Celebrity for less than $9k before fees and taxes.  The cheapest I see on Viking is 8 days from Barcelona to Rome for $2999.  This would be in November to December.  Again, not exhaustive research on my part but I think the Viking prices are a lot higher, at least based on my current brochure.  However if the OP really finds something comparable, I think he/she should give it a try to experience something different.

[PelicanLvr]

I think a key difference is the included shore excursions on Viking.  Do you want to be in that group setting or do you want to "do your own thing".   

 

In Europe, the itineraries are port intensive, since visiting them is perhaps the most important features of your trip.  Since it's OP's first time in this area, they may want to comfort and convenience of included group excursions.  Others will not want to be part of that.  

 

Finally, 2021 is still a long way off and I believe OP will get a much cheaper price on X if they are patient.  

 

  

 

 

Edited July 17, 2019 by PelicanLvr

[Alan2504]

I guess you are thinking about the Viking "Mediterranean's Iconic Shores"?

 

It looks a really comprehensive intinerary, just about covers all the stops in the Med and then more!

 

So for that alone I think Celebrity would be hard pressed to offer anything matching even doing B2B's

 

Our experience with Viking Cruises was last fall in China, it was our first Viking. I have to admit I found it quite different

from Celebrity, the atmosphere on the ship is more "homely", obviously the ship is smaller, which contributes to this, but its

also the way you feel like you're treated as an "adult", very few announcements, you are expected to make your own way to catch your excursion, no nickel and diming, just makes for a tranquil feeling around the ship, just no hassle, which we really appreciated.

 

Entertainment was pretty low key,  consistently good. The included excursions were mixed, some very good and others verging on mediocre.( having said that, this is more a reflection our chinese guides level of english not the content.)

 

The food (I know, very subjective) was consistently good to very good, generally a very pleasant dining experience. (probably edges the MDR on Celebrity but not quite at a Murano experience)

 

All in all we had a really good experience on Viking. 

 

Looking at the cruise  Barcelona to Istanbul I would be tempted especially for the itinerary alone.

 

It might be very worthwhile  you looking at a Viking cruise as an alternative.

 

 

[slewis7]

I have taken only one cruise on Viking (and quite a few on Celebrity) and I found Viking to be far superior in a number of ways: less crowded, nicer ship, better food,  better service, and no up-selling onboard.  Also beer and wine is included with meals as are decent (but minimal) excursions at every port.  However, Viking is more expensive and usually requires much earlier payment.  If cost is not a driver, no contest I would select Viking every time.  On the other hand, I find Celebrity is very acceptable but over time it does seem to be getting less so for me.

[Fogfog]

Viking is going to be more inclusive-- kid free, smokeless, etc and there is an excursion for each port, etc

Pretty different from Celebrity

 

FWIW We'd choose based on itinerary...and then price (trying to compare what getting Cel cabin + bev + one excursion etc is) to what Viking offers.  Check the Viking boards too

 

 

 

[dgraham]

I just wish Viking was more accessible and friendly for full time wheelchair users. Maybe they make more money in not providing  well for these individuals. If you doubt my comment, read reviews on this and look at how few accessible rooms they provide.

[boykin]

I know that Viking River Cruises require payment in full 30 days after making your deposit. Not sure if that applies to ocean cruises also.  Just a FYI

[Pushka]

I posted to your question on the Viking Boards. We did Viking in Alaska,  it was not the best experience and while there were no kids, no casinos, no photographers, and included excursions, we are going back to Celebrity. They had numerous significant service failures. Beautiful ships though. And we didn’t go on any of the included excursions. You will likely have to pay in full as soon as you book. You cannot book any of their excursions until 99 days out for suites and 77 days out for Deluxe verandahs. You cannot even see the excursions until around 120 days out. 

 

Our impression was that they think that people want to just let the cruise line do all the thinking. But in our Alaska cruise as a first itinerary for them, they didn’t get it right at all. Tenders were not handled well causing 90 minute delays. We had to tender four times while every other ship was berthed. They didn’t even tell us until the night before if the port was a tenders creating issues for private booked excursions as there was a delay of 90 minutes for non ship guests. 

[jimzgoldfinch]

On 7/16/2019 at 7:29 PM, gerelmx said:

 

The prices of a X Concierge vs a V Veranda V2 are similar

 

Celebrity have not released itineraries for 2021 in the Med yet! 

[gerelmx]

4 hours ago, jimzgoldfinch said:

 

Celebrity have not released itineraries for 2021 in the Med yet! 

 

I know it I compare with the 2020 Med Prices, Viking 2021 is selling fast some categories are sold out.

[alwaysonaship]

Look at Seabourn. I won’t book Viking because they want payment in full at time of booking, or very shortly thereafter.