Viking or Celebrity

[drlucy12]

Hello everyone,

My family and I are planning a Northern Europe cruise to replace a cancelled 2020 cruise.  Looking at 2021, possibly 2022.  
 

We have always cruised with Celebrity and have been pleased with them.  However we want to try a new cruise line.  A friend recommended Viking. 

 

I know the Viking ships are smaller and they offer a more inclusive package than other cruise lines.

 

Any other insight you can offer? 
 

Thank you very much. 
 

 

 

[Squawkman]

Most folks here that have cruises with major big boats prefer Viking. But not everyone. I suggest combing through the topics on the a Viking board. And if you didn’t do so, I would suggest posting the same question on the Celebrity board. 

[Heidi13]

Haven't cruised with Celebrity, as my only experience with them is having spent a day aboard a couple of their ships in Vancouver as a contractor.

 

In addition to the previous suggestion, you can also review travel blogs. We just completed a good part of the World Cruise and I completed a daily blog post. Lowe's Travels also posted from the World Cruise and Clay has posted on a few Viking cruises.

 

You can check out our blog at www.AndyandJudi.com  I have links on a couple of pages to the other blogs I mentioned.

[Peregrina651]

4 hours ago, drlucy12 said:

My family and I are planning a Northern Europe cruise to replace a cancelled 2020 cruise.  Looking at 2021, possibly 2022.  

 

Viking is a viable alternative for you only if all members of your traveling party are 18 years or older on embarkation day. Even then, note that cabins sleep only two people--no sleep sofas or cots, not even in the suites. 

 

If you have made it past the first paragraph and are still looking at Viking, then one place to start reading is in this older thread: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2381846-tell-me-why/.  You don't have to read the whole thread to get the gist of the Viking vibe. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[CILCIANRQTS]

A short summary:

930 pax

no casino

no kids

no photographers

no art auctions

no junk sales in the common areas

no charge for beer/wine at lunch/dinner

$20 per day beverage package (includes tips!)

no charge for alternative restaurants

no charge for wifi

no charge for launderettes

no charge to enter spa

no formal nights

no art auctions

no nickel and diming

well-travelled, sophisticated, unpretentious fellow passengers

 

[Clay Clayton]

We cruised both Viking Ocean and Celebrity last fall. It was our third Viking and our first cruise on X in at least 15 years. Our previous preferred line was Norwegian and with the decline we have seen in their service we were concerned that we would not enjoy Celebrity.

 

Instead, we were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed X.  While we didn’t find the specialty dining especially special (see how I did that!😊) and not nearly as good as either of Viking’s alternative dining venues, the MDR and the buffet were both on par with their counterparts on Viking.
 

We were in entry level balcony staterooms on both cruises. Millennium has been revolutionized so the decor was similar to Viking’s Scandinavian modern and was about the same size. The only real difference in the stateroom was the bathroom. Viking’s is much nicer, especially the shower. 
 

Service was a little more impersonal on X but that was mostly due to the number of passengers.  We were on an all but full Millennium so 2,100 passengers compared to 930 makes a big difference. Of course, we had a much more active CruiseCritic on X than one would ever have on Viking. 

 

The entertainment options were a little bigger on Celebrity but frankly the quality was pretty low in our opinion. We attempted to go to several shows over the 15 night cruise but never even made it to a seat after being late from dinner on the first night and watching for a couple of minutes from the door. After that, we never sat down until we heard the first number...unfortunately we were never enticed to find a seat. 
 

The good news for us was that if another Celebrity itinerary was interesting to us at the right price (we are definitely value cruisers) we would happily sail them again. That being said, if we were choosing between two similar cruises on Viking and Celebrity and Viking was anywhere close to the same price when considering all the included items that are important to you, we would pick Viking. 
 

For example, last year when we were planning our transatlantic for this spring (ended up getting turned around mid Atlantic and returned to Miami 😢), we were ready to book a Royal Caribbean sailing on a mega ship (mostly to try it out). But then Viking emailed us a promo.  After doing some crunching of numbers, we estimated  that the true cost for us was only $10 per person per day more to sail Viking. We decided that the extra benefits we would receive were well worth this amount. 

 

Good Luck with your planning!  The Baltic cruise is a great cruise, but be prepared to take a vacation when you get home.  It’s a very intense cruise!
 

Below is our financial analysis-dont hesitate to ask if you have a questions:

Royal Caribbean 

Cruise $2007

Tips $348

Drinks $200

Specialty Dining $300

Total $2855 per day $238

 

Viking Ocean 

$3598 per day $257

OBC from Travel Agent covers grats + sufficient drinks. 

 

Difference

$19 per day or $10 per day per person

Included Benefits:wifi, spa, alternative dining, smaller ship, nicer bathroom

[drlucy12]

4 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

We cruised both Viking Ocean and Celebrity last fall. It was our third Viking and our first cruise on X in at least 15 years. Our previous preferred line was Norwegian and with the decline we have seen in their service we were concerned that we would not enjoy Celebrity.

 

Instead, we were pleasantly surprised at how much we enjoyed X.  While we didn’t find the specialty dining especially special (see how I did that!😊) and not nearly as good as either of Viking’s alternative dining venues, the MDR and the buffet were both on par with their counterparts on Viking.
 

We were in entry level balcony staterooms on both cruises. Millennium has been revolutionized so the decor was similar to Viking’s Scandinavian modern and was about the same size. The only real difference in the stateroom was the bathroom. Viking’s is much nicer, especially the shower. 
 

Service was a little more impersonal on X but that was mostly due to the number of passengers.  We were on an all but full Millennium so 2,100 passengers compared to 930 makes a big difference. Of course, we had a much more active CruiseCritic on X than one would ever have on Viking. 

 

The entertainment options were a little bigger on Celebrity but frankly the quality was pretty low in our opinion. We attempted to go to several shows over the 15 night cruise but never even made it to a seat after being late from dinner on the first night and watching for a couple of minutes from the door. After that, we never sat down until we heard the first number...unfortunately we were never enticed to find a seat. 
 

The good news for us was that if another Celebrity itinerary was interesting to us at the right price (we are definitely value cruisers) we would happily sail them again. That being said, if we were choosing between two similar cruises on Viking and Celebrity and Viking was anywhere close to the same price when considering all the included items that are important to you, we would pick Viking. 
 

For example, last year when we were planning our transatlantic for this spring (ended up getting turned around mid Atlantic and returned to Miami 😢), we were ready to book a Royal Caribbean sailing on a mega ship (mostly to try it out). But then Viking emailed us a promo.  After doing some crunching of numbers, we estimated  that the true cost for us was only $10 per person per day more to sail Viking. We decided that the extra benefits we would receive were well worth this amount. 

 

Good Luck with your planning!  The Baltic cruise is a great cruise, but be prepared to take a vacation when you get home.  It’s a very intense cruise!
 

Below is our financial analysis-dont hesitate to ask if you have a questions:

Royal Caribbean 

Cruise $2007

Tips $348

Drinks $200

Specialty Dining $300

Total $2855 per day $238

 

Viking Ocean 

$3598 per day $257

OBC from Travel Agent covers grats + sufficient drinks. 

 

Difference

$19 per day or $10 per day per person

Included Benefits:wifi, spa, alternative dining, smaller ship, nicer bathroom

Thanks for the information! Very helpful.  

 

We usually stay in a suite on Celebrity and have always found the service excellent.  We enjoy dining in Luminae.  

 

As you stated, it will be worth it to compare prices (what you actually get for your money) between the two cruise lines plus have a new experience on Viking.  

 

We have lots of time to think about it - probably 2022 for this cruise.

[Cienfuegos]

That's a good summary, and is consistent with our experience as Celebrity x 3, and Viking x 2.

 

Celebrity's arrangement with the Corning Glass Museum program has fascinated us. It was amazing that it drew us in most nights to watch skilled artists create works of art. It wasn't unusual to have a hundred people watching. 

[Clay Clayton]

13 minutes ago, drlucy12 said:

Thanks for the information! Very helpful.  

 

We usually stay in a suite on Celebrity and have always found the service excellent.  We enjoy dining in Luminae.  

 

As you stated, it will be worth it to compare prices (what you actually get for your money) between the two cruise lines plus have a new experience on Viking.  

 

We have lots of time to think about it - probably 2022 for this cruise.

Depending on your Captain’s Club level on X, some of Viking’s included perks may be worthless in your comparison. Since I presume you get free happy hour which isn’t the case on Viking (of course cocktails are much more reasonably priced on Viking). Don’t know what other perks come with a suite in X. But if a butler is important to you, please note that there are none on Viking. Generally speaking, there is no difference in service levels between a V2 (lowest category) and the Explorer Suites (highest category other than the Owmer's Suite) . The higher the stateroom level, there are some In room perks-booze, pressing at the Penthouse and laundry at levels above that. 
 

From what I could tell, dining in Viking’s The Restaurant (MDR) is comparable to Luminae but with perhaps a greater selection. 

[Roger88]

I would go for Celebrity. Its been in business way longer, they got a more reliable customer service and they have a modern history of good refund policy in the current situation. It was also my first cruise ever and it left me with only positive emotions. So yes, I would go with Celebrity 

[drlucy12]

1 minute ago, Clay Clayton said:

Depending on your Captain’s Club level on X, some of Viking’s included perks may be worthless in your comparison. Since I presume you get free happy hour which isn’t the case on Viking (of course cocktails are much more reasonably priced on Viking). Don’t know what other perks come with a suite in X. But if a butler is important to you, please note that there are none on Viking. Generally speaking, there is no difference in service levels between a V2 (lowest category) and the Explorer Suites (highest category other than the Owmer's Suite) . The higher the stateroom level, there are some In room perks-booze, pressing at the Penthouse and laundry at levels above that. 
 

From what I could tell, dining in Viking’s The Restaurant (MDR) is comparable to Luminae but with perhaps a greater selection. 

Thanks so much.  My parents are Elite plus captains club members and I am an elite member.  We have traveled together in the past and shared a suite and it was a good deal.  We have stayed with Celebrity because of the captains club and they have always treated us well.  Tried a few other cruise lines - Carnival...Never again.  However, we did like Norwegian.

 

 

[Clay Clayton]

Not knowing the pricing difference for one suite with three passengers on Celebrity vs. two staterooms on Viking (can’t have more than two in a cabin) it will be hard for anyone but you to determine what is the best overall value. If you aren’t sharing your room with someone, you will be charged a supplement. Typically 100% of a single passenger, though on a recent promo that my DMIL took advantage of, it was only 50%. 
 

If you want to increase the overall value of the Viking cruise, consider booking through a Travel Agent who provides the maximum OBC allowed by Viking.  This typically pays for our gratuities and leaves enough to cover any pre-dinner or pool side cocktails. 

[Redtravel]

What kind of group are you traveling with?  Multiple ages, pick Celebrity. Just a couple, Viking.

[Baron Barracuda]

Our first cruise was with X back in '93.  Have done a dozen more with them since.  In the last few years though have noticed a distinct falloff in food quality and service.   Their current president adopted a strategy of emphasizing their suite experience to the detriment of everyone else.  Many of the little niceties we enjoyed for years gradually disappeared.  You sail in suites so may not have been as visible to you.  Took our first VO cruise a little over a year ago and really enjoyed it.  Large staterooms, great food, wonderful service.  Had another one booked for this summer that we will re-schedule for next year.  

[zitsky]

We've been in 1 Viking Ocean cruise deluxe Veranda and 1 in Celebrity in Aqua.  We enjoyed both and have another Celebrity cruise in December.  Viking seems expensive to me but I enjoy it.

Edited May 5, 2020 by zitsky

[mazza]

We have always cruised Celebrity, since 2004. We booked our first Viking Cruise late last year for February 2021. Our main reason was that we both felt it was time for a change, even though we reached Elite Plus on our last cruise. And the itinerary (Northern Lights) was not one that Celebrity offered. So far, I've been impressed in terms of communication, which is all I have to go on at the moment. I am, however, still quite doubtful that we will be cruising by February next year. Australians won't be able to fly out of the country until 2021, so I think we may be cutting it a bit fine in the end. 

[slewis7]

Celebrity and Viking are our favorites.  Celebrity offers more varieties in itineraries, but if both lines have a similar itinerary that we want, we would choose Viking.  We prefer the lower passenger density and the reduced commercialism, the better food, the superior spa, the better service, etc.; it is worth the extra costs. The one clear advantage Celebrity has is better entertainment and more activities, but these are minor factors for us.

 

Going forward, the smaller ships on Viking with much less crowding will be critical.  Finally we on Viking in early March and after the US announced the emergency, Viking turned our ship around and returned to a US port.  Their actions seemed very customer-centric.  I trust Viking to do the right thing in a crisis more then Celebrity.

[ABoatNerd]

I had cruised Celebrity since 1992. I ended sailing with them in 2018 for many of the reasons Baron Barracuda mentioned. The Celebrity creation of an overt class system on their ships is not something I support, not withstanding I can pay for it. 

 

Further, Celebrity's new ships have totally eliminated the forward viewing area a top the ship. Some of the S class have had the viewing area reduced by 1/2 or so.

 

Let me see, I am on a ship. I wish to see where I am going and to see islands and ports rise from the ocean (ie see the approach to Venice for example). 

 

The new Celebrity with its shrilling for sales, downgraded food and service for everyone not in a suite, declining entertainment - while posting high per diems is a turnoff.

 

My travel companions have also stopped purchasing Celebrity due to its over promising and under delivering.

 

I have not been on Viking and will not until their pay in full well in advance requirement is adjusted.

 

Everyone has a different set of needs so it is up to you.

 

 

 

 

[zitsky]

3 hours ago, ABoatNerd said:

I had cruised Celebrity since 1992. I ended sailing with them in 2018 for many of the reasons Baron Barracuda mentioned. The Celebrity creation of an overt class system on their ships is not something I support, not withstanding I can pay for it. 

 

Further, Celebrity's new ships have totally eliminated the forward viewing area a top the ship. Some of the S class have had the viewing area reduced by 1/2 or so.

 

Let me see, I am on a ship. I wish to see where I am going and to see islands and ports rise from the ocean (ie see the approach to Venice for example). 

 

The new Celebrity with its shrilling for sales, downgraded food and service for everyone not in a suite, declining entertainment - while posting high per diems is a turnoff.

 

My travel companions have also stopped purchasing Celebrity due to its over promising and under delivering.

 

I have not been on Viking and will not until their pay in full well in advance requirement is adjusted.

 

Everyone has a different set of needs so it is up to you.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So what cruise lines do you sail on?

[zalusky]

Celebrity along most mainstream lines have changed a lot in 10 years.  I remember the midnight buffets and the wandering acapella singers.  The specialty restaurant was definitely a touch higher than it is now.  There is a definitely lot more pay for more options now.

 

It's not bad now just not memorable.

[drlucy12]

Thanks for the information everyone.  We have been loyal to Celebrity for a long time and still really like them.  However, the coronavirus may change things for ALL the cruise lines, unfortunately.  We are going to wait and book in 2021 or 2022.  My parents and I usually travel together and split the cost so that is the biggest issue I see with Viking - two people per cabin.  

Edited May 7, 2020 by drlucy12

[Baron Barracuda]

49 minutes ago, zalusky said:

 

 

It's not bad now just not memorable.

 

My standard description when asked about X:

 

Never had a bad X cruise, but each one now seems a little less special than the one before.

[drlucy12]

2 minutes ago, Baron Barracuda said:

 

My standard description when asked about X:

 

Never had a bad X cruise, but each one now seems a little less special than the one before.

Unfortunately, that seems to be the case for all the main stream cruise lines.  We have sailed Holland, Norwegian, Carnival, Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.  Of those lines, Celebrity was by far the best.  However, as you stated, Celebrity has changed over the years.  We usually stay in a suite but it is $$$$.   We can sail Viking for almost the same price. 

[zitsky]

Viking is nice but you pay a premium.  X seems like a bargain.

[prim8keeper]

We have been cruising with X since 2011 and have now booked with Viking. While I know its not necessarily reflective of the on board product, as I can't speak to that for Viking yet, we feel like Viking has been heads and tails above X in regards to the issues around COVID. We are still waiting on refunds for two canceled X cruises and their policy around bookings is just starting to look like what Viking offered us for a sailing in 2022 months ago! Viking appeared to be proactive in regards to the situation where X was almost reactive/wasn't going to stop cruising until they were told too. Needless to say, it's left a bad taste in our mouth and we wont be venturing back over to X right away. Though I will say on X we cruised in suites so the pricing isn't necessarily dramatically different which helped make our decision easier.