Viking v Celebrity

[oskidunker]

Looks terrible. Like Princess yet the mega ships say bookings are off the charts. That 7000  person monstrosity is heavily booked, so they say, even though it  wont sail  for 7 months.

 

so what are people looking for? Water slides and Disneyland on water? No one cruising mass market lines care about all the cut backs? My guess is after all these first timers and returnees experience the new normal book-ins in 2024 will tank. But what do I know?

Edited February 12, 2023 by oskidunker

[bassethounddog]

39 minutes ago, ebtrip said:

 

What is on your plate. Doesn’t look like lobster.

Lobster tail …. I saw the waiter pull the lobster meat from the shell. I have not even taken a bite yet. It was tasty, but only 2 large bites or 3 small ones. The first lobster tail is free. The second one is $16.99. 

[madmedic]

Well that's confused me even more. There's so much to weigh up. The dining and room service charge on X are a big deal for us. That lobster tail is an insult!

[bassethounddog]

I would like to mention that I chose a standard balcony cabin. This pricing is much lower than Viking.  If you select Aqua class or a Suite Retreat on Celebrity, the pricing is closer to Viking. Both Aqua and the suites have their own perks and dining rooms. They may also have more dinner entree options than the main dining room. I have been told that the Celebrity changes started in January. 

[Pushka]

2 hours ago, madmedic said:

Well that's confused me even more. There's so much to weigh up. The dining and room service charge on X are a big deal for us. That lobster tail is an insult!

You need to compare the various room types on celebrity. Aqua has its own restaurant as do the suites. Aqua restaurant has upgraded food and very personal service. A small venue so not at all crowded or noisy. 

[oskidunker]

I thought the food in the main dining room was better than aqua on my 2021 cruise.

[Squawkman]

7 hours ago, bassethounddog said:

Lobster tail …. I saw the waiter pull the lobster meat from the shell. I have not even taken a bite yet. It was tasty, but only 2 large bites or 3 small ones. The first lobster tail is free. The second one is $16.99. 

On our last Viking Ocean (October 2022), cold water lobster tails were available surf and turf night in the World Cafe. You could take as many as you wanted.

[LibertyBella]

I compare the small ship to the large ship to staying in a luxurious British B&B vs. going to a large Las Vegas casino resort hotel. Both have their pluses and minuses, and the choice may just depend on mood, budget, location, etc.

 

I wish I could say that the cabin and the food are my priority on cruises, but they are always secondary. Itinerary and just being on the water are why we book cruises. We have always had great service on all our cruises, but then, we are not too fussy or demanding.

 

I like the small cruise experience, but only in small bites (could never do more than two weeks).  It is a way to relax and focus on the immediate experience.  However, we still like the thrill and the high energy of larger ships.  Yes, we still really like to dress up for formal nights, we always use the photography studio, we go to the nightclubs and dance at least twice per week. We like the big production shows, the many on-board activities, the all day rigorous shore excursions, and the many decks to explore. We also do not mind that children are on board. Cunard is also one of our favorites--when else do tuxedos and ballgowns get to come out and play?

 

I really like Celebrity cruises--they have a layer of sophistication that is great for those who have outgrown RC & Carnival.  I also like that Viking markets itself as the thinking person's cruise. But  I would not hesitate to sail on practically any line if other family or friends invited me to join them and I was available. Every ship line has its fans and its unique style--and a smorgasbord of experiences are great for the soul!

[Pushka]

4 hours ago, oskidunker said:

I thought the food in the main dining room was better than aqua on my 2021 cruise.

We said to our wait staff that we were desperate for some Indian food which we could get in the buffet of course but wanted it in a restaurant. The next night they gave us a full on Indian banquet. It was fabulous and everyone around tried looking for it in the menu! 

[Ranger Mom]

36 minutes ago, LibertyBella said:

I compare the small ship to the large ship to staying in a luxurious British B&B vs. going to a large Las Vegas casino resort hotel. Both have their pluses and minuses, and the choice may just depend on mood, budget, location, etc.

 

I wish I could say that the cabin and the food are my priority on cruises, but they are always secondary. Itinerary and just being on the water are why we book cruises. We have always had great service on all our cruises, but then, we are not too fussy or demanding.

 

I like the small cruise experience, but only in small bites (could never do more than two weeks).  It is a way to relax and focus on the immediate experience.  However, we still like the thrill and the high energy of larger ships.  Yes, we still really like to dress up for formal nights, we always use the photography studio, we go to the nightclubs and dance at least twice per week. We like the big production shows, the many on-board activities, the all day rigorous shore excursions, and the many decks to explore. We also do not mind that children are on board. Cunard is also one of our favorites--when else do tuxedos and ballgowns get to come out and play?

 

I really like Celebrity cruises--they have a layer of sophistication that is great for those who have outgrown RC & Carnival.  I also like that Viking markets itself as the thinking person's cruise. But  I would not hesitate to sail on practically any line if other family or friends invited me to join them and I was available. Every ship line has its fans and its unique style--and a smorgasbord of experiences are great for the soul!

I love your attitude!

[rmalbers]

On 2/11/2023 at 4:19 PM, basenji56 said:

I enjoy both cruise lines but Viking is very limited in the Caribbean compared to Celebrity.  Particularly out of Florida.  

 

 

I have to say VO was at several ports at the same time as the X cruise on EQ I was on last week (and before).  I was surprised, I need to look into that.  

[basenji56]

37 minutes ago, rmalbers said:

I have to say VO was at several ports at the same time as the X cruise on EQ I was on last week (and before).  I was surprised, I need to look into that.  

Yes, do a search of Viking Caribbean cruises.  Many of them are out of San Juan so you will see the ships in the Eastern Carribean.  I counted 24 Viking cruises out of Florida during the next TWO years. (And 24 out of San Juan).

 

All of them more ten days or longer.  If I am incorrect, I will stand corrected.

 

[rmalbers]

6 minutes ago, basenji56 said:

Yes, do a search of Viking Caribbean cruises.  Many of them are out of San Juan so you will see the ships in the Eastern Carribean.  I counted 24 Viking cruises out of Florida during the next TWO years. (And 24 out of San Juan).

 

All of them more ten days or longer.  If I am incorrect, I will stand corrected.

 

No sorry, I didn't mean at all you were wrong at all.  I've just never checked out VO in the Caribbean, in fact I really never planned to cruise in the Caribbean until I did it on X, then noticed VO was there. 

[basenji56]

19 minutes ago, rmalbers said:

No sorry, I didn't mean at all you were wrong at all.  I've just never checked out VO in the Caribbean, in fact I really never planned to cruise in the Caribbean until I did it on X, then noticed VO was there. 

I have sailed on Viking Ocean twice in the Caribbean.  Both times out of San Juan.  Wonderful cruises.  But my point is that Viking is not really a competitor to Celebrity in the Caribbean.  Celebrity has multiple ships sailing out of South Florida every week during the season--and even at least one every week during the summer.

 

Edited February 13, 2023 by basenji56

[shadowlover]

I have been asked this question from friends who know I have been on several cruises with multiple cruise lines.  This is my opinion.  I think that viking river in Europe is a wonderful experience with a really good included tour in each port.  The ocean cruises that I think are the best value with Viking are not the caribbean because the tours are probably "panoramic" or similar.  Great if you're less mobile but not much to see there.  I think picking a viking cruise with a really interesting itinerary is the best value for the money and the best experience.  This is speaking from someone who doesn't just cruise for the ship experience so keep that in mind.  On celebrity you would need to book the retreat or aqua class to get a comparable included value so price is similar.  Celebrity would include all drinks and tips in retreat class but no excursions.   A good sale on viking includes air, drinks and sometimes gratuity but always special dining beer and wine.  Spa included in viking.    Entertainment much better on celebrity.  No crowds on viking, and never a problem to find a wonderful place to sit.

[Cienfuegos]

On 2/14/2023 at 8:08 AM, shadowlover said:

I have been asked this question from friends who know I have been on several cruises with multiple cruise lines.  This is my opinion.  I think that viking river in Europe is a wonderful experience with a really good included tour in each port.  The ocean cruises that I think are the best value with Viking are not the caribbean because the tours are probably "panoramic" or similar.  Great if you're less mobile but not much to see there.  I think picking a viking cruise with a really interesting itinerary is the best value for the money and the best experience.  This is speaking from someone who doesn't just cruise for the ship experience so keep that in mind.  On celebrity you would need to book the retreat or aqua class to get a comparable included value so price is similar.  Celebrity would include all drinks and tips in retreat class but no excursions.   A good sale on viking includes air, drinks and sometimes gratuity but always special dining beer and wine.  Spa included in viking.    Entertainment much better on celebrity.  No crowds on viking, and never a problem to find a wonderful place to sit.

Viking Ocean places a lot of weight on the intellectual aspect of a cruise. The learning experience, historical context, etc.  While the Caribbean nations have an extensive and sometimes tragic history, I'm not sure many guests take Caribbean cruises for the intellectual aspect.

 

That might be a market to develop, but I suspect that many guests who select these cruises are looking for the best beaches, friendliest people, warmest sun, etc.

[Baron Barracuda]

Some ports such as Key West and Bar Harbor are now banning large ships.   Sub-1k passenger VO ships are still welcome.  In Bermuda aboard the Sky we were able to dock in downtown Hamilton.  Larger ships must dock across the bay at the Royal Navy Dockyard forcing passengers to take a bus or water taxi into town.