Just back from the Octantis Caribbean Connections. A wordy review.

[Blackduck59]

@coconut thunder I took a moment to peruse the thread by a CC editor and clearly she didn't miss out on anything, including the submarine. Interesting the display of fine beef in the cold case. I didn't see anything like that on Orion even in Manfredi's.

This sort of illustrates why some people have a great time and others not so much. I wonder if the member on the other thread had trouble getting their reservations for dinner? Was she covering her voyage anonymously as a paying customer or covering as a guest of Viking with Viking's full knowledge they would be posting on CC? 

[shadowlover]

12 hours ago, coconut thunder said:

@shadowlover We were on another expedition ship in December 2021 for an Antarctic cruise on the Crystal Endeavor and it was flawless.  Outside of Covid precautions like a travel bubble chartered flight from MIA to USH, a battery of nasal swabs and crew wearing masks, you would not have known there was a pandemic.  
With this Viking cruise we were sold something we didn’t get. While I would be inclined to cut slack for Covid related issues, the shortfalls on this cruise seemed to be extremely poor planning as well as leaving us feeling mislead.  I don’t want to sound like I’m just here to bash Viking, it was a pleasant cruise. It just wasn’t the one I paid for.

That is upsetting to not get what you paid for.  I think comparing a caribbean cruise to an antarctic cruise even if within the same line though is just not fair.   It is just really tough to make a caribbean trip that exciting but again I acknowledge the lack of service found by some on board recent viking trips.  

[coconut thunder]

12 minutes ago, shadowlover said:

That is upsetting to not get what you paid for.  I think comparing a caribbean cruise to an antarctic cruise even if within the same line though is just not fair.   It is just really tough to make a caribbean trip that exciting but again I acknowledge the lack of service found by some on board recent viking trips.  

That's a big part of my issue and where I won't cut any slack.  This was supposed to be sailing the Caribbean on an expedition ship with all of the toys included.  If it had been advertised as a standard Caribbean cruise we would've chosen a different trip. The fact that people who were on board for free got to use all of the stuff that I paid for makes me extremely angry.   When it comes to food and wine, that could be subjective and differ from person to person. Same with the design elements on board (like that tiny couch and terrible excuse for a "balcony"), but not getting what was paid for is 100% Viking's fault and leaves a bad taste behind.  I now know that that is their standard and I'm way less likely to invest in them again. 

[coconut thunder]

11 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

@coconut thunder I took a moment to peruse the thread by a CC editor and clearly she didn't miss out on anything, including the submarine. Interesting the display of fine beef in the cold case. I didn't see anything like that on Orion even in Manfredi's.

This sort of illustrates why some people have a great time and others not so much. I wonder if the member on the other thread had trouble getting their reservations for dinner? Was she covering her voyage anonymously as a paying customer or covering as a guest of Viking with Viking's full knowledge they would be posting on CC? 

While I didn't speak to the CC editor directly so I don't want to accuse her of being biased, I can tell you, without a doubt, that there were many on board at Viking's invite who have a smaller subscription base than the editor's husband on Youtube and they were riding for free.  I know this because they were discussing it across the bar from one another in the Explorers lounge (not next to one another, across the bar!).  A similar conversation was had down in the Hide, again from one side to the other, between two different "media" folks.  She may not have ID'd herself as a CC editor but there is no doubt there were miles between what my bill looked like vs. others.  There were also several passengers on board who mentioned that Cruise Critic was on board so if they knew I'm pretty sure the crew knew.

I am certainly not casting blame on Viking for inviting people on board to spread the word.  Not at all. It's good marketing.  I am fulling blaming them for providing those folks with the experience that I and a few other passengers, some Viking regulars, had paid for and didn't get.

[Commodore Stubing]

4 hours ago, coconut thunder said:

I am certainly not casting blame on Viking for inviting people on board to spread the word.  Not at all. It's good marketing.  

It certainly wasn't perfect.  Viking was not the known Viking consistent product we've come to trust.  A few things were wrong, notably in the IT area (huge miss here for Viking).

As to 'Media' types aboard, many were no doubt invited, and one has to take any of those reviews with the appropriate side view (Edward R. Murrow or Walter Cronkite would have an issue with non-disclosure).  In Britain, Vloggers are required to say when they've been gifted a trip.  That said, not all media are the same, but some, without a doubt never mention the sun occasionally does not shine.

Past that, there are a few folks who are simply on vacation, who love to film cruising.  Zero corporate affiliation; just self-paid tourism with a passion for cinematography.  Like us.
 

 

 

Edited April 24, 2022 by Commodore Stubing

[coconut thunder]

1 hour ago, Commodore Stubing said:

Past that, there are a few folks who are simply on vacation, who love to film cruising.  Zero corporate affiliation; just self-paid tourism with a passion for cinematography.  Like us.
 

Very true. I had my GoPro with me too for no other reason than to record our adventures and general silliness. Cameras are important on vacation and it's great to see the product of someone who is skilled at cinematography and /or editing.  

[Azulann]

Cruise critic editor was  Octantis .

Another was on the  Siversea Dawn inaugural sailing  this month too.

 CC editors are on these new ships to report back to Cruise Critic.

 One of CC editors will be on the Great Lakes Viking  sailing to this summer. 

 

[Sunflower & The Scientist]

21 hours ago, coconut thunder said:

While I didn't speak to the CC editor directly so I don't want to accuse her of being biased, I can tell you, without a doubt, that there were many on board at Viking's invite who have a smaller subscription base than the editor's husband on Youtube and they were riding for free.  I know this because they were discussing it across the bar from one another in the Explorers lounge (not next to one another, across the bar!).  A similar conversation was had down in the Hide, again from one side to the other, between two different "media" folks.  She may not have ID'd herself as a CC editor but there is no doubt there were miles between what my bill looked like vs. others.  There were also several passengers on board who mentioned that Cruise Critic was on board so if they knew I'm pretty sure the crew knew.

I am certainly not casting blame on Viking for inviting people on board to spread the word.  Not at all. It's good marketing.  I am fulling blaming them for providing those folks with the experience that I and a few other passengers, some Viking regulars, had paid for and didn't get.

I was gobbling up all the info I could get as we are booked on one of the Great Lakes cruises.  I did not think through that there is a distinct possibility these reviews (on CC as well as all the recent ones on youtube) were likely free promotional trips.  I totally agree that if they are getting a free trip (which is fine, I don't have a problem with that) they should disclose that info.  Most other media forums disclose when they receive free products they are promoting.  I also feel very bad for others who paid ( A LOT!) for the same cruise but were treated differently...that is unacceptable.  

[Kentishincanada]

Very disappointed to hear these comments as I fear they may echo our experiences.  Our first cruise with Viking 2016 Athens to Venice was wonderful.  Without exception the meals were memorable - the Tuscan steak in Manfredis melted in the mouth.  We took our second cruise Southern Atlantic Crossing in 2019 prior to Covid problems.  We noticed a big change in the food quality, same Tuscan steak was grisly, dover soles small and dry and most of the fish dishes served cold and rather overcooked.  Chef’s table was always good.  The excursions were also below par.   I did write to Viking on our return and had a long conversation with them about my perceived shortcomings. 
 

However, I love the ships, the spa, the staterooms and,  on both of the cruises the staff.  We have booked again with them for October this year Istanbul to Athens.  I do hope they can sort themselves out or we also will look for another line.  
 

I have been following the blogs from the world cruise passengers and Viking seem to pulling out all the stops for them, justifiably.  Perhaps Viking could also offer some of the delicious looking destination cuisine and some good spicy curries etc., instead of the nursery food.  Seems like they are offering interesting mass excursions for them i.e. the Greek experience (something like the Azamara) evenings which would be a little more exciting than Abba.

 

 

[Twitchly]

On 4/23/2022 at 12:31 PM, photopro2 said:

We find much of the music played on the Viking ocean ships to be far too old-fashioned and aimed at our parents generation, even though we ourselves are in our 60s!!!

When we last cruised about 4 years ago, the shows featured Broadway tunes and songs by Abba and the Beatles. I’m not sure which generation those were geared to, but it wasn’t ours. Our fellow passengers seemed to enjoy them. We spent our evenings happily listening to the various other musicians on the ship, mostly classical and jazz.

 

To be honest, I don’t really want to listen to Bruce Springsteen or Coldplay onboard, either. I enjoy their music but rarely when covered by others. Not sure why. 
 

 

Edited April 25, 2022 by Twitchly

[eylarson]

Agree with photopro2 about Dani and James. They are great!!! I think part of the blame lies with shore agents.  Perhaps COVID caused many to leave the business, but those that are left do not seem to understand Viking's guest's expectation.  Tours from New York on have been very good.  They are so excited to see us as we are the first cruise ship in two years. (Sept-Iles, Quebec below.)    But there are still avoidable glitches Ticket says Quietvox, Daily doesn't.  Written descriptions differ from oral brief the night before differ from the actual trip.  Viking escort sometimes, sometimes not.  Sometimes the escort is way too intrusive telling the guide what we are capable of and generally in the way.   

[PasadenaDave]

7 minutes ago, eylarson said:

Agree with photopro2 about Dani and James. They are great!!! I think part of the blame lies with shore agents.  Perhaps COVID caused many to leave the business, but those that are left do not seem to understand Viking's guest's expectation.  Tours from New York on have been very good.  They are so excited to see us as we are the first cruise ship in two years. (Sept-Iles, Quebec below.)    But there are still avoidable glitches Ticket says Quietvox, Daily doesn't.  Written descriptions differ from oral brief the night before differ from the actual trip.  Viking escort sometimes, sometimes not.  Sometimes the escort is way too intrusive telling the guide what we are capable of and generally in the way.   

The horror of you having to use a school bus, that from a thread on the most popular social media site that society utilizes.  Insert sarcastic emogi here.

[Jim Avery]

A school bus happens from time to time in strange places.  Even school bus rides better than the infamous Le Truck on Bora Bora.   😱

[SJD117]

4 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

A school bus happens from time to time in strange places.  Even school bus rides better than the infamous Le Truck on Bora Bora.   😱

I took an overnight bus once on the main island of Fiji. Midway through the trip, the bus crashed into an oncoming car. While passengers stewed in the tropical heat, the drivers of the two vehicles got out and argued furiously. This went on for about an hour until money changed hands and our now-mangled bus continued on its way.

 

My South Pacific bus story.

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, Jim Avery said:

A school bus happens from time to time in strange places.  Even school bus rides better than the infamous Le Truck on Bora Bora.   😱

 

That's the first one I thought of. A school bus would be luxury compared to Le Truck.😁

[lsuskybird]

On 4/23/2022 at 8:39 PM, coconut thunder said:

@shadowlover We were on another expedition ship in December 2021 for an Antarctic cruise on the Crystal Endeavor and it was flawless.  Outside of Covid precautions like a travel bubble chartered flight from MIA to USH, a battery of nasal swabs and crew wearing masks, you would not have known there was a pandemic.  
With this Viking cruise we were sold something we didn’t get. While I would be inclined to cut slack for Covid related issues, the shortfalls on this cruise seemed to be extremely poor planning as well as leaving us feeling mislead.  I don’t want to sound like I’m just here to bash Viking, it was a pleasant cruise. It just wasn’t the one I paid for.

 

[lsuskybird]

On 4/23/2022 at 8:39 PM, coconut thunder said:

@shadowlover We were on another expedition ship in December 2021 for an Antarctic cruise on the Crystal Endeavor and it was flawless.  Outside of Covid precautions like a travel bubble chartered flight from MIA to USH, a battery of nasal swabs and crew wearing masks, you would not have known there was a pandemic.  
With this Viking cruise we were sold something we didn’t get. While I would be inclined to cut slack for Covid related issues, the shortfalls on this cruise seemed to be extremely poor planning as well as leaving us feeling mislead.  I don’t want to sound like I’m just here to bash Viking, it was a pleasant cruise. It just wasn’t the one I paid for.

 

[lsuskybird]

Just now, lsuskybird said:

 

Totally agree with your comments.

[lsuskybird]

On 4/23/2022 at 10:01 PM, Blackduck59 said:

@coconut thunder I took a moment to peruse the thread by a CC editor and clearly she didn't miss out on anything, including the submarine. Interesting the display of fine beef in the cold case. I didn't see anything like that on Orion even in Manfredi's.

This sort of illustrates why some people have a great time and others not so much. I wonder if the member on the other thread had trouble getting their reservations for dinner? Was she covering her voyage anonymously as a paying customer or covering as a guest of Viking with Viking's full knowledge they would be posting on CC? 

 

[Iloveketo]

On 4/23/2022 at 8:28 PM, RD64 said:

TKS - I don’t recall if your itinerary will be passing through the Soo locks, but if you are - I will be waving as you pass.

We are booked on the first Viking cruise to go through the Soo locks going from Georgian Bay to Thunder Bay. I believe it is scheduled for May 26th. 

[lsuskybird]

Just now, lsuskybird said:

 

Here is another review Viking Octantis Cruise Review - Eat Sleep Cruise. I hope that it is inserted correctly. My review along with many others would be very different - definitely not as positive. 

 

 

[Blackduck59]

@lsuskybird I see you tried to quote me but didn't add your own comment. Looks like you are new to CC and are maybe having trouble getting your comments posted as you would like. To quote a member and comment on the quote; just click on "Quote" and the post will appear in a new window. Just add your comments below then "Submit Reply"

I have had instances where I thought I posted a reply and it has shown up later as a "draft" in the comment box.

Welcome to CC.

[lsuskybird]

5 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

@lsuskybird I see you tried to quote me but didn't add your own comment. Looks like you are new to CC and are maybe having trouble getting your comments posted as you would like. To quote a member and comment on the quote; just click on "Quote" and the post will appear in a new window. Just add your comments below then "Submit Reply"

I have had instances where I thought I posted a reply and it has shown up later as a "draft" in the comment box.

Welcome to CC.

 

[Blackduck59]

23 minutes ago, lsuskybird said:

Here is another review Viking Octantis Cruise Review - Eat Sleep Cruise. I hope that it is inserted correctly. My review along with many others would be very different - definitely not as positive. 

 

 

 

I didn't take the time to read all of the "Eat Sleep Cruise" review I did notice that the "author" was "a guest" of Viking. From comments by other members it seems there were quite a few "guests" who had a very different experience to the paying customers.

Edited May 2, 2022 by Blackduck59

[May B]

On 4/25/2022 at 2:37 PM, eylarson said:

Agree with photopro2 about Dani and James. They are great!!! I think part of the blame lies with shore agents.  Perhaps COVID caused many to leave the business, but those that are left do not seem to understand Viking's guest's expectation.  Tours from New York on have been very good.  They are so excited to see us as we are the first cruise ship in two years. (Sept-Iles, Quebec below.)    But there are still avoidable glitches Ticket says Quietvox, Daily doesn't.  Written descriptions differ from oral brief the night before differ from the actual trip.  Viking escort sometimes, sometimes not.  Sometimes the escort is way too intrusive telling the guide what we are capable of and generally in the way.   

I was reading your blog but now I’ve lost it! Can you please post the link?

 

or email me at msa1289 at yahoo dot com