Changes Needed?

[Jammy Bun]

55 minutes ago, molymoo said:

 

The whole concept of Mamsens is that of a Scandinavian deli ... featuring the recipes of Mamsen (the Hagen family matriarch).  They even duplicated the dishes that she used for serving her creations.  Love a good Macaron but they aren't Scandinavian.  

You're right of course, but I would still like a change!  Would Swedish Princess Cake be OK?  I really love that (and macarons 😉)

[friendlyfifer]

15 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

This is a great thread. A couple points really call out to me - 

 

Add varied/new ports to the Mediterranean itineraries, and soon. The bulk of the existing ports have been in play for several years, and as mentioned, there are so many that others go to which would really attract us. I would say this has been our biggest delay in booking- finding one that has enough ‘newness’. 
 

Included  excursions - for most reasons mentioned, we often use these as a way to get into a place to DIY and let the guide know we are doing so - and yes, we tip that guide in all fairness. So the idea Deec brought up to have one active and one more leisure included in each port would be very attractive. 
 

Silver Spirits Wines - some massaging of these offerings would be more than attractive. And past due. 
 

I think that Viking has the opportunity to really expand their port offerings outside of the Mediterranean with all the new ships coming. It would be very compelling to see less standard offerings in various parts of the world, and not just the far Northern Hemisphere. Outside of the new expedition ships, many seem pretty generic. 

I agree with you about new ports of call. On our most recent cruise over 70% of passengers had travelled with Viking before. And, as another commentator said, there are only so many times you want to visit Venice and Athens.
Hopefully Viking will read this thread and make some changes. After all, we all love Viking and don’t want to find ourselves choosing another cruise line.

[Vineyard View]

3 minutes ago, friendlyfifer said:

I agree with you about new ports of call. On our most recent cruise over 70% of passengers had travelled with Viking before. And, as another commentator said, there are only so many times you want to visit Venice and Athens.
Hopefully Viking will read this thread and make some changes. After all, we all love Viking and don’t want to find ourselves choosing another cruise line.

It is THE main reason I have been looking at others. It certainly isn’t because we don’t both love Viking. 

[Mitina]

1 hour ago, friendlyfifer said:

On our most recent cruise over 70% of passengers had travelled with Viking before.

The Past Guest Explorer Discount ($200) is nice, but better still to recognize higher levels of repeating customers.  5, 8, 10 prior cruises with higher rewards or recognition?  In the past, even token gifts were offered.  If you can't get new mailers with coupon codes, maybe reward existing customers with another type of offer or upgrade.

[Twitchly]

1 hour ago, Vineyard View said:

Silver Spirits Wines - some massaging of these offerings would be more than attractive. And past due.

Do you mean a new lineup of offerings? Such as …? 
 

We just bought the SS package for the first time and I’m wondering what to expect on the wine front — what’s offered, what’s lacking, etc. 

[junnipper]

8 hours ago, molymoo said:

One change I would like to see is more "real" information about the excursions.  Right now all you have to go on is a generic "easy", "moderate" or "demanding" and having taken ones in all of these categories they are not really useful in determining your ability to manage the trip.

I agree, the excursion descriptions aren't detailed enough. Such as with my future sailing and Venice where they have "At A Glance: St Mark's Square". Does this mean you glance at it as your are shuffled quickly passed by it or is it a tour that goes inside the Doge Palace? Not enough detail for my liking.

 

Also it is disappointing to hear that circumstances allow for persons who aren't fit enough to join a tour beyond their abilities. This disappointment goes both ways. I feel bad for persons who innocently join a tour which they can't enjoy due to their inability to keep up and feel bad for those who are able bodied and miss out on the full experience due to be being held back by the less able passengers. Of course able bodied persons can leave the group and go their own way but in my opinion this is unacceptable because we all pay for these excursions and expect to get what we paid for.

 

If Viking is reading this, I echo fellow passengers in calling for better excursion descriptions with an emphasis on clear language what exactly the activity entails.

 

 

[lackcreativity]

44 minutes ago, junnipper said:

I agree, the excursion descriptions aren't detailed enough. Such as with my future sailing and Venice where they have "At A Glance: St Mark's Square". Does this mean you glance at it as your are shuffled quickly passed by it or is it a tour that goes inside the Doge Palace? Not enough detail for my liking.

Did you know that there is more detailed information on each excursion if you click in each of the boxes? I know it took me a while before I realized that.

 

Below is the description of the included excursion in Venice. The tour lasts 90 minutes. Maybe it seems clear to me because I have been to Venice several times before, so perhaps I am reading into what is there. A ninety minute tour would not include enough time to tour the Doge's Palace, or St. Mark's Basilica. I suspect that the "return at leisure" means you can add time on your own after the tour is finished, so you might have enough time to do more after the tour ends.

 

 

"A SCENIC TRANSFER TO VENICE’S RENOWNED PIAZZA

View this  fabled city from the Venice Lagoon’s languid, stunning waters and explore legendary St. Mark’s Square. You will explore La Serenissima (the Most Serene) starting with a leisurely cruise, passing magnificent waterside palazzos and piazzas and peering down the lapping, narrow canals that weave their way into the city’s medieval corridors. Disembark at the landing pontoon next to Palazzo Cornoldi, meet your guide and take a short walk to beautiful St. Mark’s Square, crossing the four elegant bridges that link the waterfront. After a short orientation tour, enjoy free time to visit the splendid Gothic-Byzantine St. Mark’s Basilica and its grand Campanile bell tower and admire the Doge’s Palace and other nearby attractions. Enjoy a gelato here, sip an espresso or just soak in the medieval ambience. Return to your ship at leisure via a complimentary shuttle boat from the landing pontoon next to Palazzo Cornoldi."

Edited August 16, 2022 by lackcreativity

[longterm]

3 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

I'm asking about your favorite restaurant at home.

I don't understand why you're asking that; Viking ships are a different situation entirely. 

If I were to have shoddy service in a Viking ship restaurant (which I've never had), my next visit would be to guest services, where I'm sure they would do their best to resolve the situation.

If I have shoddy service in a restaurant on land, I give a smaller tip than I would otherwise, and, if it's a restaurant whose food I really love, I speak to a manager. If it's not a good restaurant, I simply don't return.

 

However, I've now had lots and lots of onboard meals on Viking ships, and I've *never* had bad service. I've had a few meals I wasn't crazy about, but that's different, and because of that, we rarely dine in the Chef's Table.

 

[longterm]

3 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

"We always pay gratuities up front"

Do you tip several months in advance of a meal at the restaurant?

With all due respect, that's a specious argument; you posted your snarky question twice, and I won't repeat myself, so please refer to the other for my response.

[junnipper]

22 minutes ago, lackcreativity said:

Did you know that there is more detailed information on each excursion if you click in each of the boxes? I know it took me a while before I realized that.

 

Below is the description of the included excursion in Venice. The tour lasts 90 minutes. Maybe it seems clear to me because I have been to Venice several times before, so perhaps I am reading into what is there. A ninety minute tour would not include enough time to tour the Doge's Palace, or St. Mark's Basilica. I suspect that the "return at leisure" means you can add time on your own after the tour is finished, so you might have enough time to do more after the tour ends.

 

 

"A SCENIC TRANSFER TO VENICE’S RENOWNED PIAZZA

View this  fabled city from the Venice Lagoon’s languid, stunning waters and explore legendary St. Mark’s Square. You will explore La Serenissima (the Most Serene) starting with a leisurely cruise, passing magnificent waterside palazzos and piazzas and peering down the lapping, narrow canals that weave their way into the city’s medieval corridors. Disembark at the landing pontoon next to Palazzo Cornoldi, meet your guide and take a short walk to beautiful St. Mark’s Square, crossing the four elegant bridges that link the waterfront. After a short orientation tour, enjoy free time to visit the splendid Gothic-Byzantine St. Mark’s Basilica and its grand Campanile bell tower and admire the Doge’s Palace and other nearby attractions. Enjoy a gelato here, sip an espresso or just soak in the medieval ambience. Return to your ship at leisure via a complimentary shuttle boat from the landing pontoon next to Palazzo Cornoldi."

Thank you for your kind reply lackcreativity. For the Mediterranean Odyssey cruise in November they have the following as the included tour: 

At a Glance: St. Mark’s Square

INCLUDED

Day 5 – Venice (Fusina), Italy

Tuesday, November 8

8:00 AM / 8:15 AM / VIEW ALL

4.25 Hours

 

MODERATE

 

UNESCO

 

SIGHTSEEING

 

View this fabled city from the Venice Lagoon’s languid, stunning waters and explore legendary St. Mark’s Square.

Embark on a short drive to La Serenissima (the Most Serene), where you will join a leisurely cruise, passing magnificent waterside palazzos and piazzas and peering down the lapping, narrow canals that weave their way into the city’s medieval corridors. Disembark at the landing pontoon next to Palazzo Cornoldi, then set off on foot with your guide to the beautiful St. Mark’s Square, crossing the four elegant bridges that link the waterfront. Admire the views of the splendid Gothic-Byzantine St. Mark’s Basilica and its grand Campanile bell tower and see the Doge’s Palace and other nearby attractions. Napoleon Bonaparte allegedly referred to Piazza San Marco as “the drawing room of Europe,” cementing its reputation as one of the world’s most stunning squares.

  It states we "see" the Doge palace. Do I see the inside or the outside? 🤷‍♀️

[Vineyard View]

1 hour ago, Twitchly said:

Do you mean a new lineup of offerings? Such as …? 
 

We just bought the SS package for the first time and I’m wondering what to expect on the wine front — what’s offered, what’s lacking, etc. 

Without wanting to side rail this into a wine thread, we feel that The Silver Spirits package is well worth purchasing.  If you enjoy having a variety of wines, with choices at your meals, then I absolutely believe you will be happy that you did. I meant in my post that I would like to see a deeper offering of wines. Some of the wines in the package are truly budget wines, and a much smaller offering are what I might call medium value. That said, I admit to being particular with wine. Some people could care less and that is fine.
I would like to see Viking up their game in what they offer. Yes, with the package, you also get a discount on higher end wines that are available by the bottle only, but either a revamp of offerings, or maybe even a two tiered pricing offering that brings a different level of wines available (other cruise lines do this) might  be welcome by some passengers. 

[CCWineLover]

6 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

Without wanting to side rail this into a wine thread, we feel that The Silver Spirits package is well worth purchasing.  If you enjoy having a variety of wines, with choices at your meals, then I absolutely believe you will be happy that you did. I meant in my post that I would like to see a deeper offering of wines. Some of the wines in the package are truly budget wines, and a much smaller offering are what I might call medium value. That said, I admit to being particular with wine. Some people could care less and that is fine.
I would like to see Viking up their game in what they offer. Yes, with the package, you also get a discount on higher end wines that are available by the bottle only, but either a revamp of offerings, or maybe even a two tiered pricing offering that brings a different level of wines available (other cruise lines do this) might  be welcome by some passengers. 

I have to agree with you.  Living in another good California Wine Region (Paso Robles), we've developed an appreciation for some good wine, and also have become sometimes particular.

As I said earlier, I think they need to revamp the SSP wine list with at least some different ones than the standards offered over the past several years (thinking of Coppola Zin for example). 

I do like your idea of having for purchase a couple different levels - and also think that would be welcome.

[lackcreativity]

36 minutes ago, junnipper said:

Thank you for your kind reply lackcreativity. For the Mediterranean Odyssey cruise in November they have the following as the included tour: 

At a Glance: St. Mark’s Square

INCLUDED

Day 5 – Venice (Fusina), Italy

Tuesday, November 8

8:00 AM / 8:15 AM / VIEW ALL

4.25 Hours

  It states we "see" the Doge palace. Do I see the inside or the outside? 🤷‍♀️

In my experience, "see" almost always means from the outside, sometimes even "from a distance".  

"Visit" or better yet "Go inside" or "Tour with your guide" usually means an interior visit. Several years of escorted land tours followed by five Viking cruises have taught me the translations for the key phases that works pretty well. 

 

My posted version of the description of the At a Glance included excursion (1.5 hours) was from the old days when docking in Venice was allowed. Your version (at 4.25 hours) will include the longer commute from Fusina, so I can't really tell how long you will have in Venice. Your updated version doesn't mention "return at your leisure" which implies you will not have the option to remain after the tour ends.

[Socky Sunshine]

My husband and I recently returned from our third Viking cruise.  We both said we wished the menus in the restaurants, especially Manfredi's would change so we could have more variety.

[Twitchly]

1 hour ago, Vineyard View said:

Without wanting to side rail this into a wine thread, we feel that The Silver Spirits package is well worth purchasing.  If you enjoy having a variety of wines, with choices at your meals, then I absolutely believe you will be happy that you did. 

Good to hear. We mostly bought the package because we had to burn through voucher money prior to boarding. But we’re looking forward to being able to choose something other than the house wines, which didn’t shiver our timbers in the past.

 

I’m assuming we can order wine at the bars after dinner as well? 

[Vineyard View]

4 minutes ago, Twitchly said:

Good to hear. We mostly bought the package because we had to burn through voucher money prior to boarding. But we’re looking forward to being able to choose something other than the house wines, which didn’t shiver our timbers in the past.

 

I’m assuming we can order wine at the bars after dinner as well? 

You can order alcohol of all varieties at any time of day with the package!  There are some decent liquors included. On a sea day a morning mimosa or bloody isn’t all bad either! 

Edited August 17, 2022 by Vineyard View

[SantaFe1]

I have been holding back on this.  But what I would really like is a better description of the easy, moderate, demanding designation of the shore ex.  I have worried about some of the difficult shore ex only to find them easy.  I almost didn’t book them.  The descriptions are too generic.  I mean I did the many, many steps to the Christ the Redeemer statute in Rio.  It was hard, but do-able.  So, i think sometimes they mark these things too hard! 

[duquephart]

4 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

You can order alcohol of all varieties at any time of day with the package!  There are some decent liquors included. On a sea day a morning mimosa or bloody isn’t all bad either! 

 

"You can order alcohol of all varieties at any time of day with the package!"

You can do likewise without the package. Why is that so many here think the package opens some special door for them? 

[junnipper]

10 hours ago, lackcreativity said:

Your version (at 4.25 hours) will include the longer commute from Fusina, so I can't really tell how long you will have in Venice.

Oh my, I never even thought about the added commute time! Thank you so much once again. I so appreciate the kind help. ☺️

[molymoo]

14 hours ago, Mitina said:

The Past Guest Explorer Discount ($200) is nice, but better still to recognize higher levels of repeating customers.  5, 8, 10 prior cruises with higher rewards or recognition?  In the past, even token gifts were offered.  If you can't get new mailers with coupon codes, maybe reward existing customers with another type of offer or upgrade.

 

6 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

"You can order alcohol of all varieties at any time of day with the package!"

You can do likewise without the package. Why is that so many here think the package opens some special door for them? 

This seems to be a "thing" for you and as one who almost always gets the package I will say that having the package is more of a convenience than anything else.  I hawk our account while we are cruising.  For some reason we seem to accrue a lot of charges while onboard and have found many, many mistakes along the way.  It pays to watch and having the SSBP takes one thing off the list of things to monitor.  No special doors .... just simpler bookkeeping.

[duquephart]

25 minutes ago, molymoo said:

 

This seems to be a "thing" for you and as one who almost always gets the package I will say that having the package is more of a convenience than anything else.  I hawk our account while we are cruising.  For some reason we seem to accrue a lot of charges while onboard and have found many, many mistakes along the way.  It pays to watch and having the SSBP takes one thing off the list of things to monitor.  No special doors .... just simpler bookkeeping.

 

I appreciate that. My point is that the package is but a means of payment and does not include items unavailable to those who choose to pay as they go.

[Mrs Miggins]

I think everyone understands that you can buy whatever drink you like with your onboard account.  I don't think it is a complicated system.  Most of us can do the maths to decide whether the SS package is going to work in our favour.  I also agree with Molymoo that it simplifies the account. it also allows me to sample a wide variety of drinks that I can discard if not to my liking.

59 minutes ago, duquephart said:

 

I appreciate that. My point is that the package is but a means of payment and does not include items unavailable to those who choose to pay as they go.

 Thank you for your continued vigilance on this subject.

[TERRIER1]

I would like to see Viking post port times prior to invoicing. I prefer cruises with longer port times and late embarkations. We do our own thing in ports and you can't plan or determine if a specific cruise will work if there are no port time posting. I am aware port times can fluctuate all the time but posting them provides a framework to work with. All other cruise lines do so.

[dd57]

If you do a booking hold, with no deposit yet, you receive an invoice with the port times.  You have a few days to decide whether you want to go on the trip before a deposit is due.

[TERRIER1]

3 minutes ago, dd57 said:

If you do a booking hold, with no deposit yet, you receive an invoice with the port times.  You have a few days to decide whether you want to go on the trip before a deposit is due.

That's a lot of work if you are in the reviewing phase of choosing an itinerary on various cruise lines. I really don't inderstand why a potential customer has to go through that.