Observations and Thanks

[rbslos18]

16 minutes ago, Cienfuegos said:

Viking Ocean seems to focus on consistency and reliability, at least from my perspective.  By eliminating irritations like the casino, shipboard photographers, formal night, assigned seating, nickel and dime charges, even room food and beverage, they let the guest enjoy the trip. Even with onboard selections of excursions, they've come in at or below my target expense for the cruise

 

That's not to say a $20 tip for great service isn't welcome, it is. But, it's not expected.

 

 

Thanks. We are excited!

[Peregrina651]

On 11/21/2019 at 5:04 PM, Dauntless said:

People that major in the minors

 

Love it! Perfect description.

 

 

[Homosassa]

I also think a big difference in Viking from other tier cruise lines is that Viking cruisers have more travel sophistication and can better adapt to those times  when "ship" happens.

 

 

[Peregrina651]

46 minutes ago, Homosassa said:

I also think a big difference in Viking from other tier cruise lines is that Viking cruisers have more travel sophistication and can better adapt to those times  when "ship" happens.

 

 

 

And ship does happen!  We were on the Viking Sea for NYE, when an hour after departing our embarkation port, there was a major electrical problem in propulsion system turning our 13 day cruise into a 24 hour cruise and another 10 days docked in Barcelona (and enjoying a free vacation on a 5 star waterfront resort). A year later we did the same cruise and ran smack into folks who had been there the prior year and who were still complaining about it!  Debbie and Doug Downer! We avoided them for the rest of the cruises.

 

DH and I have an agreement. If were are ever stuck at a dinner table with folks who are intolerable, one of us will excuse ourselves from the table and head straight to the Maitre'D to explain the situation and ask to be re-seated on the other side of dining room. We don't want to make a scene and at the same time we don't feel that we have to put up with boorish behavior. Fortunately, we have yet to resort to this plan.

[lackcreativity]

1 hour ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

And ship does happen!  We were on the Viking Sea for NYE, when an hour after departing our embarkation port, there was a major electrical problem in propulsion system turning our 13 day cruise into a 24 hour cruise and another 10 days docked in Barcelona (and enjoying a free vacation on a 5 star waterfront resort). A year later we did the same cruise and ran smack into folks who had been there the prior year and who were still complaining about it!  Debbie and Doug Downer! We avoided them for the rest of the cruises.

 

I have always thought I would like to spend an extended stay in one of our favorite locations, but always opt for the "want to see as much of the world as we can" vacations instead. If I accidentally ended up spending ten days in Barcelona on a Viking ship for free, I would like to think I would enjoy that quite a bit. After reading so many of your posts here over the years, I am not surprised that you made the best of it.

[Homosassa]

I have found over the years that it is the unexpected happening in travel that can sometimes lead to the most interesting and enjoyable alternatives.

 

[just_dont]

HaHa! Classic competing interests. We are hoping for the days to pass quickly, while you're hoping for them to go slowly.

 

Yep, check MVJ daily and today the front page announced 44 days, so only 43 days until we meet up in the Whale & Ale[emoji3][emoji481]

You two (@Jim Avery) crack me up. I continue to be amused by your banter - and occasionally educated by your experience.

Thank you both for keeping it interesting.

 

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

 

 

[SargassoPirate]

After trying a couple of the giant floating amusement parks, She Who Must Be Obeyed and I found VO when invited along on a cruise with some friends. We loved their ships that feel like ships, no feral children running loose, and the relaxed atmosphere without being nickel and dimed at every turn.

 

While we don't cruise exclusively with any one line, we have gravitated to lines that offer a more traditional cruising experience, among those are VO, HAL, Cunard, and the smaller ships of Celebrity and Royal.  When the promenades that go all the way around the ship disappear, so do we.

[Canadian Sunset]

On 11/21/2019 at 3:24 PM, Peregrina651 said:

 

I would not have given you the address if I did not think that they would respond.

The responses to my email to tellus have always been met by a phone call the same day.  We love Viking for that reason.

[Canadian Sunset]

On 11/21/2019 at 3:24 PM, Peregrina651 said:

 

I would not have given you the address if I did not think that they would respond.

 

Edited November 28, 2019 by Canadian Sunset
Double post.

[rbslos18]

1 hour ago, SargassoPirate said:

After trying a couple of the giant floating amusement parks, She Who Must Be Obeyed and I found VO when invited along on a cruise with some friends. We loved their ships that feel like ships, no feral children running loose, and the relaxed atmosphere without being nickel and dimed at every turn.

 

While we don't cruise exclusively with any one line, we have gravitated to lines that offer a more traditional cruising experience, among those are VO, HAL, Cunard, and the smaller ships of Celebrity and Royal.  When the promenades that go all the way around the ship disappear, so do we.

+1!
This was exactly our journey to VO ten days ago when we booked our first cruise.  It has become harder and harder to find DW’s required wrap-around promenade deck. 
Happy Thanksgiving

[SargassoPirate]

37 minutes ago, rbslos18 said:

+1!
This was exactly our journey to VO ten days ago when we booked our first cruise.  It has become harder and harder to find DW’s required wrap-around promenade deck. 
Happy Thanksgiving

And Happy Thanksgiving to you.

 

The wrap around promenade is to the point of being a deal breaker.  Besides walking around it in the mornings, I love sitting on a comfy deck chair with a good book and whiling away the afternoon watching the sea go by.