Value of Royal vs other Upscale Cruise Lines...

[Nunagoras]

23 hours ago, ronbe65 said:

Viking product is above a few best at sea #5 (after Cunard, top 2 HAL ships, top 2 TUI ships, and as a small addition - Haven on the NCL Bliss).

You'll find the most comprehensive Viking review here.

I have enjoyed Viking experience immensely.

However, the last thing I would associate with Viking is value for money.

They charge crazy prices, some itineraries are unique, some pretty mainstream, some pretty boring.

I am not happy to pay upfront for the things I don't need (excursions, table wine). on a good ship, I will be able to pay extra and get exactly what I want, exactly as much as I want, and the quality I want (better then Viking!)

Their ships are nearly best ships at sea, but value for money (for me) is from 2 of 5 to 4 of 5 (if the itinerary is unique).

Comparing cruise lines by scores is not unfair, it simply does not make sense.

At all.

That travel magazine does not have matter for comparison. 

To begin with, Viking ships are not large ships.  Mid-size ships are about 90 000GT +/-

Viking ships are 48000 - half the size of a mid-size ship.

This alone put their "rating" out of consideration.

Secondly, Viking fleet consists of sister ships. Whatever rating is given (let's assume it's real), it "works" for the "cruise line".

RCI scores 78.96. What is this for? Is it for the Majesty or for the Independence? Their "voted ratings" are just words with no physical sense.

What comparison has physical sense? Answer: ship to ship comparison.

 

Let's take a look at the cruises.

Viking Sky

14 days from May 30, 2021

Barcelona, Sete, Marseille, Monte Carlo, Livorno, Rome/Civitavecchia, Naples, Trapani, Crotone, Bari, Sibenik, Venice/Italy

Price (total, per cabin with double occupancy): from $14,000 for balcony cabin.

 

Most similar RCI cruise (ship size, itinerary, etc.)

Vision of the Seas

12 days from May 26, 2021

Barcelona, Nice, Livorno, Rome/Civitavecchia, Naples, Venice/Italy, Split, Kotor, Barcelona

Price: from $3,200 (inside cabin), from $5,800 (balcony).

 

Celebrity Constellation

13 days from May 4, 2021

Barcelona, Marseille, Monte Carlo, La Spezia, Rome/Civitavecchia, Naples, Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split, Koper, Venice/Italy

Price: from $2,800 (inside cabin), from $4,700 (balcony cabin)

 

14,000 - 2,800 = 11,200

How can I spend $11,200 on vacation in Europe.

O-ooooooooo!

OK, I will deduct what I pay for the included things (gratuities, useless excursions, pink elephant...) .. and still save $10.000

Well, the quality of Viking ships is far above the Connie, that's true, but.... that is a different story.

However, if we want to persuade ourselves that we pay "nearly the same money" for Viking.... Oh, please, please 🙂

From the other hand, what I find absolutely exciting in your plan, is an attempt to break through the cocoon of the same "preferred" cruise line. It's a good idea to find the most affordable cruise just to sample a cruise line.

Nothing in cruising limits our experience as badly as "one_cruise_line_loyalty".

 

Happy cruising!

 

 

TBHH: I can agree with you at certain extent... If it was some 5 years ago; I would say "ditto!" with a bright ear to ear smile on my face... But now things are becoming somewhat more complex to deal with...

 

As part of my business leisure, culture and free times program I used to be the "cruise adviser" of the group... Then it was an easy task to do: Basically I would ask a few question to the know the involved individuals preferences, and it was pretty much easy to find the best deals for them!... Oh!... And actual brochure prices gave basically such a good idea of what the cruise deal would eventually to be. I will put alone for the moment the language support thing for non English speaking passengers, and that here in Portugal was such a quite choice limitation subject to deal with, but at the end of the day that facilitated largely my work... Today the last thing I want is such a request that with time will prove to be on the "odd" ones, very time consuming and sometimes nearly inconclusive. First of all: Forget the brochure prices!... Forget also the first TA quote you might have... Oh!... And forget those very early or last minute "deals of once in a lifetime" we had in the past... Ah!... And last but not the least: If possible forget mid June to mid September sailings... Generally extremely expensive for what the real product is about, unless you have kids and you don't have alternative to go when schools are on holidays...

 

Quoting a cruise today requires inquiring about promotions... About local representatives in ou market... About the right TA whom deals well with said representatives... And to try to find such an advantageous "package" that will satisfy all our needs at the same time, including reliable insurance just in case... Fortunately for us at the language front we are now far better served than in the past... But we pay with the extra work to dig in those so many variables that make cruises on those so different companies to sometimes have prices that are the opposite to what we would expect them to be... And there is a reason to that: Mainstream new ships are being brochure priced higher year after year... And those prices alongside the real ones are approaching the premium and mid luxury lines pricing schemes... And; because of fixed availability and relatively reduced demand those premium to mid luxury lines cannot rise their prices too far away from where they are now... This is exactly where my "cruise adviser" nightmare really starts. Unless one really wants such an Oasis class ship experience in Europe, why not to go with a Celebrity S class ship for the same or below price? Or why not to pay one year in advance, but to enjoy those endless Viking travel 2 pay 1 promos they have in some markets (unfortunately not here for Portugal, at least for now on...)? TBHH: Because of the language support thing a few years ago, we were basically stuck with the likes of Costa or MSC brands... Now with the local representatives showing "special" itineraries where they will have a ship tour leader in those sailings, things are just becoming better. Companies are also translating their apps, menus, etc.... TBHH, me thinks, one should book what the best suits them... And if they have the time and the talent to find that "once in a lifetime" deal, why not to go for it?

 

This is my advice to the OP: Have you found that Viking deal of a lifetime? Do not hesitate!... It might not to repeat!...

 

Have a nice day and nice sailings!... 🙂 

Edited December 27, 2019 by Nunagoras

[HBE4]

2 minutes ago, Nunagoras said:

This is my advice to the OP: Have you found that Viking deal of a lifetime? Do not hesitate!... It might not to repeat!...

 

I was thinking the same thing. Even though it's not an apples-to-apples, identical sail date/itinerary comparison, it does seem like a smart way to try out a luxury Viking cruise for the price of a mass-market Royal cruise, even if the many "included" amenities are not utilized.

[CILCIANRQTS]

Viking ocean ships all have a max 930 pax, no casinos, no kids under 18, no photographers, no formal nights, no art auctions, free beer and wine with lunch and dinner, no charge for alternative restaurants, one free excursion in each port, no charge for WiFi, no charge for use of launderettes, no entrance fee for the spa, no inside staterooms, no junk sales in the atrium, and no nickel and dining.

I agree it’s difficult, if not impossible, to chart relative costs for different cruise lines, but Viking sure works for us!! 

[Clarea]

4 minutes ago, CILCIANRQTS said:

Viking ocean ships all have a max 930 pax, no casinos, no kids under 18, no photographers, no formal nights, no art auctions, free beer and wine with lunch and dinner, no charge for alternative restaurants, one free excursion in each port, no charge for WiFi, no charge for use of launderettes, no entrance fee for the spa, no inside staterooms, no junk sales in the atrium, and no nickel and dining.

I agree it’s difficult, if not impossible, to chart relative costs for different cruise lines, but Viking sure works for us!! 

 

Sounds great!

[LB_NJ]

Personally, we like Oceania and the QM2.  Oceania tends not to nickel and dime you as they include all non-alcoholic beverages (mocktails, cappuccinos, etc.), free wi-fi, specialty restaurants, etc.in the price.  We like the QM2 because of ambiance (although they tend to nickel and dime you too). 

 

You also have to look at other things.  For example the food on Oceania is way better than RCL. Not even a close comparison.

 

Comparing 2 cruise lines without looking at the quality is like comparing a Motel 6 with a Ritz Carlton.  Just doesn't work.

You have to decide if you want to eat at a McDonalds or a five star restaurant.

[sparks1093]

1 hour ago, LB_NJ said:

Personally, we like Oceania and the QM2.  Oceania tends not to nickel and dime you as they include all non-alcoholic beverages (mocktails, cappuccinos, etc.), free wi-fi, specialty restaurants, etc.in the price.  We like the QM2 because of ambiance (although they tend to nickel and dime you too). 

 

You also have to look at other things.  For example the food on Oceania is way better than RCL. Not even a close comparison.

 

Comparing 2 cruise lines without looking at the quality is like comparing a Motel 6 with a Ritz Carlton.  Just doesn't work.

You have to decide if you want to eat at a McDonalds or a five star restaurant.

For what Oceania charges I'm willing to be nickeled and dimed on a lesser line, that way I'm not paying for a bunch of stuff that doesn't do anything for me (free wifi, specialty restaurants, etc.). I'm perfectly fine with both Motel 6 and McDonalds but I rate Royal (and the other cruise lines that I've sailed) higher than either of them.