Compare viking with Celebrity

[hobgoblin]

Has anyone been with Viking thats a seasoned Celebrity cruiser?

Have looked at some images of a ship and cabins and think Celebrity S class and Edge furnishings etc look just as good ,what's the big attraction apart from a smaller ship and less passengers with probably less facilities ?

My friends have been with them a few times and seem to pay extra for their drinks after the meals over , have paid in the fare  for excursions they often dont take ,they look like they have a smaller looking pool area, food looks like it might be a bit better .

Maybe its just that you dont have to think about your excursions ?

Is it really that much better to justify the cost being what we pay for 2 passengers ?

[Orator]

I have more than 100 cruises with Celebrity and took a Viking TA from Barcelona this year. This is subjective, but I found food, entertainment, speakers and the quality of fellow passengers superior on Viking. The officers were more friendly on Celebrity. The crew on both lines was exceptional. If you want a large ship experience, try Celebrity. If you want to go smaller ship experience, try Viking. I found Viking superior the Oceania. 

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[hobgoblin]

Thanks again Orator for your thoughts  ,Ive only ever cruised with Celebrity and am keen other what other ships are like in comparison.

[PROCRUISE]

26 minutes ago, Orator said:

I have more than 100 cruises with Celebrity and took a Viking TA from Barcelona this year. This is subjective, but I found food, entertainment, speakers and the quality of fellow passengers superior on Viking. The officers were more friendly on Celebrity. The crew on both lines was exceptional. If you want a large ship experience, try Celebrity. If you want to go smaller ship experience, try Viking. I found Viking superior the Oceania. 

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I concur. Am Elite with X and did the Caribbean out of San Juan with Viking Ocean. Have also done Viking riverboat.

Viking Ocean cabins are all balcony, staff immediately there to assist with any matter, meals were all outstanding, many fewer passengers so the ship never felt crowded.

Cons: final payment due WAY before the cruise, less entertainment at night but good time to just socialize with fellow passengers. I had a good experience on Viking but, next two cruises are booked with X.

Edited July 24, 2023 by PROCRUISE

[Orator]

If you decide to do a Viking ocean cruise don't miss the afternoon tea, it is exceptional. I'm waiting for reviews of the new Crystal. It was my favorite before the bankruptcy and I am interested in what the new owners have done with the food and service.

[basenji56]

27 minutes ago, Orator said:

If you decide to do a Viking ocean cruise don't miss the afternoon tea, it is exceptional. I'm waiting for reviews of the new Crystal. It was my favorite before the bankruptcy and I am interested in what the new owners have done with the food and service.

I booked with Crystal for next Christmas.  Looking forward to it.

 

Viking is a step up from Celebrity.  The Viking spa is exceptional.  Specialty dining is included.  One excursion per port is included.  I find the Viking buffet is superior to Celebrity.  Breakfast in the dining room on Viking is better than Celebrity.  Dinner is probably better but the difference is not as great.

 

[Emmauk]

I also found Viking is a step up from celebrity. Their staff to guest radio is better so is the square footage per passenger . It never feels crowded. I think the quality of the food is much better too. The included excursion tends to be a bus driving around for 2 hours, I am not keen on that. There is no children on Viking. The average age of travellers is probably older on Viking too.

Overall I prefer Viking but they are a bit more expensive.

[Lastdance]

Those of you who have also done Oceania, do you find O to be more comparable with Viking Ocean?

[39august]

Does Viking have casinos? If so, I assume they are non-smoking.

[zitsky]

Sorry I don't agree with the Viking cheerleaders.  I speak for myself (Viking is OK) and my husband (Viking no way!).  I have done Viking Ocean and River.

 

Viking has limited food options, one main restaurant.  I'm 56 and passengers were ALL older than me.  So imagine an excursion where you go at the pace of the slowest person, not the fastest.  My partner refuses to go back on Viking until he is in a wheelchair.

 

The one positive to Viking Ocean is they have a nice spa.  Great hot tub but they have a snow room that you use for about 15 minutes.  One and done.

 

On the other hand Celebrity gives you a choice of different cabins and balcony types.  Several different restaurants to choose from.  Buffet or specialty restaurant.  I'll stick with Celebrity.

[basenji56]

29 minutes ago, Lastdance said:

Those of you who have also done Oceania, do you find O to be more comparable with Viking Ocean?

Yes.  And I prefer Oceania.  Although Viking Ocean is comparable and has a better spa.

[basenji56]

49 minutes ago, Emmauk said:

I also found Viking is a step up from celebrity. Their staff to guest radio is better so is the square footage per passenger . It never feels crowded. I think the quality of the food is much better too. The included excursion tends to be a bus driving around for 2 hours, I am not keen on that. There is no children on Viking. The average age of travellers is probably older on Viking too.

Overall I prefer Viking but they are a bit more expensive.

It comes down to the price point too.  In my experience, Viking Ocean is at least twice as expensive as Celebrity for a roughly equivalent veranda.  Maybe even more than that.  But it also includes some things that are not included on Celebrity since beer/wine at meals is included and you also get one included excursion in each port.  Internet is also included as is sparkling water and specialty coffees all day long.

Edited July 24, 2023 by basenji56

[Baron Barracuda]

31 minutes ago, basenji56 said:

It comes down to the price point too.  In my experience, Viking Ocean is at least twice as expensive as Celebrity for a roughly equivalent veranda..  Maybe even more than that.  But it also includes some things that are not included on Celebrity since beer/wine at meals is included and you also get one included excursion in each port.  Internet is also included as is sparkling water and specialty coffees all day long.

We began sailing with X 30 years ago.  Loved it until recently with all the cutbacks.  Looked for an alternative and took a Viking Ocean and a Viking River.  Won't be coming back to X anytime soon.  Have a 35 night Viking Polynesia sailing coming up and just booked Antarctica.  Very laid back atmosphere.  Smaller ships with friendly, outgoing passengers many of whom socialize at daily afternoon tea.  Customer base a tad older than X but we didn't see any wheelchairs or walkers.  We're in our 60's and felt right at home.  Beer & wine only included at meal times but bev pkg is a very reasonable $25/day.  Really enjoy the free specialty restaurants and cooked to order specialties at the buffet.  Smallest cabins are 270sf.  Pricing is typically a bit above an X verandah but equal or less than a SS.  Posted rates appear high but just watch for sales.  For our upcoming 32 night Hawaii / Polynesia there are still many cabins available around $250/night.  Stated fp date is too far in advance but we've always been able to negotiate for 6 months out.

[Oville]

6 hours ago, Lastdance said:

Those of you who have also done Oceania, do you find O to be more comparable with Viking Ocean?

We were much happier on Viking than Oceania.  O wasn’t something we will sail again on.  Viking doesn’t have a casino so that could be a negative.  We were able to dine in specialty restaurants on Viking most nights, much harder on Oceania.  Just loved the cabins vs O.

[j_anandu]

9 hours ago, basenji56 said:

I booked with Crystal for next Christmas.  Looking forward to it.

 

Viking is a step up from Celebrity.  The Viking spa is exceptional.  Specialty dining is included.  One excursion per port is included.  I find the Viking buffet is superior to Celebrity.  Breakfast in the dining room on Viking is better than Celebrity.  Dinner is probably better but the difference is not as great.

 

I’m booked on crystal for Christmas too on the serenity, Dec 23. Not sure if that’s the same one you’re on. Sorry to hijack a celebrity forum to discuss crystal 👀

[Silkroad]

7 hours ago, basenji56 said:

It comes down to the price point too.  In my experience, Viking Ocean is at least twice as expensive as Celebrity for a roughly equivalent veranda.  Maybe even more than that.  But it also includes some things that are not included on Celebrity since beer/wine at meals is included and you also get one included excursion in each port.  Internet is also included as is sparkling water and specialty coffees all day long.

Would you say the included beer/wine is very good or only adequate? Is still water also included? I’ve not seen anyone raving about the quality of the included excursions. Did you find them compelling?

[Turtles06]

7 hours ago, Baron Barracuda said:

Stated fp date is too far in advance but we've always been able to negotiate for 6 months out.

 
You’ve been fortunate. In the Viking forums here on CC, lots of folks are reporting that Viking has not budged on requiring final payment 22 months in advance. That’s a ridiculous interest free loan to be giving them.  

[Turtles06]

My wife and I have been considering Viking, and I began reading the Viking Ocean forum to get a “sense” of things. I was absolutely surprised to learn that Viking has a mandatory dress code after 6pm thst prohibits guests from wearing jeans (of any color or quality) not only to dinner in all venues (except the buffet) but also to performances and special events. Posters in that forum confirmed that a dressy pair of black jeans with a dressy top, shirt, etc. was prohibited and that one should not count on the dress code not being enforced. 
 

I really was surprised by this policy and found it very off-putting. 

[Purplsmurf]

Although it sounds nice, we have never been on Viking. They don’t have casinos so that’s a dealbreaker for us.

[Cruise Prolific]

We have done many Celebrity Cruises on S class ships and took a Viking Ocean cruise in the Med (Venice to Athens) this time last year, the ships are smaller and feel more intimate, and never feel crowded in the lounges or in most public areas, the staff are very attentive (they always know your name - facial recognition technology???), however, we found the lack of choice and general quality of the food on our Viking cruise to be disappointing when compared to Celebrity especially on their buffets, and the main dining room was often noisy and felt quite crowded at times. Their specialty restaurants were complimentary, they were quieter and had a much nicer feel to them, however, managing to book one of them and a lack of availability throughout our cruise was very frustrating.  

[basenji56]

6 hours ago, Turtles06 said:

 
You’ve been fortunate. In the Viking forums here on CC, lots of folks are reporting that Viking has not budged on requiring final payment 22 months in advance. That’s a ridiculous interest free loan to be giving them.  

If you have a second cruise booked, you are said to be able to reduce the final payment date to six months. But, I agree--final payment more than six months in advance is ridiculous. As long as people accept it, Viking will require it.

 

[basenji56]

8 hours ago, Silkroad said:

Would you say the included beer/wine is very good or only adequate? Is still water also included? I’ve not seen anyone raving about the quality of the included excursions. Did you find them compelling?

I don't drink alcohol so couldn't tell you.  Sparkling and still water is included.  On Viking River, I thought the included excursions were very good.  On Viking Ocean, the included excursions in the Caribbean were often mediocre--panoramic bus tours with one or two stops.  

[Kitekat]

We have sailed mainly Celebrity with some Azamara and P&O before we sailed Viking Ocean. We would not rush back to Viking - we would describe it as bland. The food was of good quality but spoiled on one occasion with stale oil. Breakfast was limited choice with Celebrity options being far superior. The afternoon tea can be good but we had dried sandwiches on one of few occasions we tried it. 

As this was a cruise in Feb '22, we were confined to the ship unless we were on a tour so we were able to test all the furniture and found much of it to be uncomfortable. 

If you do not book a suite, many of the tours can be full by the time they open for regular cabins. You can go on a wait list but you do need to monitor availability and contact them directly to book the excursion.

We had a great time ashore and saw the northern lights. But we would not rush back to Viking...

[Baron Barracuda]

7 hours ago, Kitekat said:

 

If you do not book a suite, many of the tours can be full by the time they open for regular cabins. You can go on a wait list but you do need to monitor availability and contact them directly to book the excursion.

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Higher level cabins do get to book shore excursions and make specialty dining reservations first (after all they are paying the highest fares).  Suites make up 10% of cabins and they can book excursions 87 days before sailing.  Penthouse Verandahs are 25% of cabins and they can book 77 days out.  Deluxe Verandahs are 65% and they can book 65 days out.  Remaining 10% are Verandah cabins with lowest priority.  Everyone is guaranteed an included tour in each port but higher level cabins pick time slots first.  Paid excursions can fill up early.

[ptcflyer]

My wife and I have sailed on the 2022 Viking World Cruise for 135 days plus a transatlantic just before for 14 days.    We have cruised 56 Days on Celebrity and getting set for a 86 day jaunt from Seattle to Sydney and then Rome to Sydney on the Solstice and Edge starting in September.     Comparing long term trips...  Viking cannot be beat.   We enjoyed a small cruise culture with Bible Study, made life long friends, and felt the Cruise line catered to our entire travel experience with shore excursions and endless intellectual "talks".     On shorter cruises, they are really are not too different....  other than big ship vs small ship.    Occupancy really plays a difference.   When we did our World Cruise, the ship was only 1/2 full.     We have done several Post Covid Cruises on Celebrity that were 1/3 full.    When the ships are lightly booked...  all ships are great!    Viking's conducting a world cruise during the Omicron phase of Covid was amazing and annoying at the same time.   Daily testing was conducted.... and some individual "lockdowns" were forced even symptom free.  But kudos to Viking for pulling it off.   

 

Internet.  Free on Viking, but is not good at all.        Expensive on Celebrity, but excellent.

Food.   Very good on Viking.  Exceptional on World Cruise.      Very good on Celebrity.... and great if you budget for specialty restaurants.   Celebrity is formulaic and the same most everywhere.    Viking has a very Euro theme to the food.  But the Chef on the World Cruise was very talented to offer a range of dining experiences based on where we were in the world.     During the World Cruise....I would have killed for a ChicFila.   Rooms are nicely thought out on Viking, but small.   Upgrades are expensive and limited.     I prefer rooms on Edge class ships over Viking.    We use Accessible cabins... which are not provided on Viking without a huge upgrade charge, but are offered at no additional charge on Celebrity.    Big nod to Celebrity!

 

Attention to Detail:  Viking is amazingly superior.    The managers really work with the staff to provide that next notch level of detail.   The World Cruise showcases this like no other cruise!    The finance manager greeted every passenger by name as we departed the ship!    When it was my birthday on board...  most of the crew members said Happy Birthday to me.   We were able to reserve rooms and hold parties.  They are incentivized to study the passenger lists and memorize names!    Truly amazing.    On normal cruises, it is not that way... but the attention to detail remains amazing.   

 

The back deck (deck 7)  on Viking is just a great place to hang out and enjoy the pool,  food, and drink.   No place more special on any cruise ship.    We really enjoy the quiet on Viking.   No loud music anywhere.   No gambling.   No kids.     The clientele on Viking is more "refined"....  if not "snobbish" for many.    We had to search carefully to  find more "red pilled" friends on Viking.     I wish they offered scheduled gatherings on the Daily ....  "Friends of Donald T" or "Friends of Nancy P" to help you find like minded people.     (Only frequent cruises will get that).  

 

Cost:   You can typically travel in Celebrity suites for a similar cost of a normal Viking room!    Budget $1000 per day per couple on Viking normal cruise.....to $850 per day for World Cruise.      You can do much better on Celebrity verandah for similar itineraries.   We are doing 70 days with Blue Chip free cruises and big discounts.  (split between Verandah and Aqua Class)  Our total 70 days will average well under $200 per day for both of us including port fees,  tips, limited drinks with Elite Status, several shore excursions, and 3 night specialty dining package per 2 weeks.   I do not spend too much in the Casino, but have been blessed with many free Blue Chip Cruises due to Covid.  

 

We have cruised Princess, Carnival, Royal, and others.    I think that Celebrity and Viking are a great, comparable balance for big ship / small ship experience.    Would not hesitate to book with either to get the itinerary you want.    
   

Edited July 25, 2023 by ptcflyer