Just finished our second Viking cruise. Our first was an expedition ship to Antarctica. It was over the top including a 6 person submarine. We loved taking a rib boat to the glaciers and viewing the penguins, orcas, humpback whales and more. Our last trip was on the Viking Orion to Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. It was also a great trip but I prefer the expedition experience. Less people, more adventure, no cities except to board the ship. I booked 2 Swedish massages which were amazing. Also no kids, no horrible shows. Just educational lectures. Exceptional food. We booked a dinner at Manfredi’s but were so tuckered out we missed it. We didn’t book the Chef’s table as both of us are vegetarians. The World Cafe was excellent including sushi and sashimi.
My parents were big fans of Viking. My mother passed away recently. She was excited to leave us a big credit on Viking as part of her wishes before her passing. Excited to relive her passion for travel and cruising with Viking, we spend months dreaming and planning around several itineraries. We later find out that Viking will not honor the transfer or refund the cash that she paid because she accepted a 25% voucher for a trip that Viking had canceled previously because of COVID. Rather than receive a refund, she was excited to look forward to more travels in the future and wait to book a future trip, but too late due to ailing health. After months of having their reservation specialists look into this, and because of the fine print in the acceptance of this voucher, they cannot honor a transfer to another name under any circumstance. This was a shocking blow to our family and not indicative of the experience she has had in the past. A week before her passing, and I don't remember the context of the conversation, but I overheard her say several times, "you don't worry at all, Viking will take good care of you!"
The comment below about vouchers is incorrect. I received 125% in a voucher. I am using the voucher and will be taking my cruise on Sept. 26, 2021. I have been on 2 other Viking cruises in the past. They are excellent. I will update you on whether the service, food, excursions and experience are as great as they were when I last sailed in 2019. I am taking my son and the rest of my family… 5 of us on the Italian Sojourn in a few weeks. There were some challenges in getting the full use of my voucher since they will not allow any of it to be used as an onboard credit. They can only be used for excursions, upgraded air, silver spirits package, prepaid gratuities and your stateroom cost. They cannot be used for spa or any of the shops onboard. The phone service was very challenging since Viking had a number of booking specialists leave for other jobs during Covid. I am hoping for a great cruise and will post again after the cruise.
Loved the video, especially the descriptive tour. Good to hear the many pros, with a few cons, but still makes me long for one of their cruises. Would love to have seen/heard about the Snow Grotto and Sauna.
What's the name of the Viking ship scheduled to do the Mumbai to Athens cruise in May 2023? It's called "Passage to India" but it should really be called "Passage from India" as it starts from Mumbai and ends in Athens. We are hoping to be on that cruise. Viking cancelled a similar cruise we had booked in April 2020.
I have never encountered a company less concerned with customer satisfaction than Viking. Beware! If your cruise gets canceled, do NOT accept the vouchers. No matter what happens after that point, you will never be able to get your money back. Viking can cancel indefinitely or change the conditions and requirements of travel without notice, but you will never see your money again. Get your refund - do not trust Viking vouchers!
One aspect of Viking cruises I feel not commented on enough are the wonderful people you meet. We are traveling on two upcoming Viking trips-one each ocean and river -with couples we previously met while cruising. Just the sweetest,light hearted, interesting, considerate, down-to-earth, comical…folks you ever met. We are both in our 70s, but mobile and healthy. Glad we found Viking!
Man. I am so glad Covid is over, and we don't need these protocols anymore. They were super annoying, and I for one am delighted that I can finally sneeze on my fellow man once more...
Loved my Viking Sky cruise! It was such a great experience. I’ve had 2 Viking cruises cancelled due to COVID. Viking provided a 125% voucher - which was awesome! I’m scheduled to go on a Viking River cruise in December (cross-fingers!) and another one in 2022. So excited!! The Viking experience is top notch.
I had a voucher for $6700.00 for a cancelled ocean cruise, but I was 14 days late to use it. So they gave me 50%. Love Viking, but so much for “Kindness, humility and hardworking..” They will rip you off.
@@atk8199 I'm sorry to hear of your experience - but as with anything in life, rules are rules. Using your vouchers on time is definitely recommended. PS my Viking River Cruise this past December 2021 was so awesome!!
14 days! Nina may you have a fruitful life, but it’s wisdom to understand when rules make sense and when to bend them. I’m not the first nor the last that this company will rip off on vouchers. Beware!
Husband and I adore Viking River (been on 4), but sadly both our Viking Ocean had been cancelled. Hoping we will be able to go soon. The best part of a Viking Cruise is that they are child free!
My in-laws want to take a cruise, we’re looking at Greece/turkey in spring 2023 and I’m in favor of the 8 day Viking cruise. Even if we’ll be the youngest people on board, probably!
We've done several Viking cruises, & have been on the Viking Sky a couple of times. Viking is absolutely fabulous. We've enjoyed both river & ocean cruises, & highly recommend both.
I traveled with Viking Orion Alaska Inside Passage in 2019 and loved all aspects of the itinerary, the ship and crew and the excursions. Top notch! I am now trying to identify one of the Glaciers that the ship brought us to. I believe we visited 2 Glaciers on the Orion. Can someone help me identify which ones were on the itinerary? I also have a photo.
I've traveled w/Viking before, both Ocean & River, and liked it, but just returned from In Search of the Northern Lights Jan '22 cruise on the Venus, and it downright sucked. They just skipped the first five stops so had all that time at sea. When they did stop at a port, you HAD to do their excursion or you couldn't get off the ship at all. They said it was the countries (UK, Belgium, and Norway) but that was FALSE. Such restrictions were NOT country restrictions, but Viking's.They offered no consideration for all the things they skipped or cancelled, either! Stuck on board watching their kabuki Covid theater, unable to get off, jailed in their "guilded" ship like a Covid leper even though I never ever tested POS+! (Tested daily.) Ridiculous! What a GD waste of $$! My 2nd time on Venus, which is a nice ship, but not if you can't get off! Unless and until they change their OWN Covid restrictions, don't waste your time or $$.
Being one who has celiac...the dining options can be very frustrating. The food is a huge reason a lot of people choose to cruise for a vacation. I really wish they would come up with more options for us. It's not that hard.
Have you sailed with a luxury cruise line? Leave us a comment below with your experiences.
Just finished our second Viking cruise. Our first was an expedition ship to Antarctica. It was over the top including a 6 person submarine. We loved taking a rib boat to the glaciers and viewing the penguins, orcas, humpback whales and more. Our last trip was on the Viking Orion to Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania. It was also a great trip but I prefer the expedition experience. Less people, more adventure, no cities except to board the ship. I booked 2 Swedish massages which were amazing. Also no kids, no horrible shows. Just educational lectures. Exceptional food. We booked a dinner at Manfredi’s but were so tuckered out we missed it. We didn’t book the Chef’s table as both of us are vegetarians. The World Cafe was excellent including sushi and sashimi.
Awesome. When is your next cruise?
My parents were big fans of Viking. My mother passed away recently. She was excited to leave us a big credit on Viking as part of her wishes before her passing. Excited to relive her passion for travel and cruising with Viking, we spend months dreaming and planning around several itineraries. We later find out that Viking will not honor the transfer or refund the cash that she paid because she accepted a 25% voucher for a trip that Viking had canceled previously because of COVID. Rather than receive a refund, she was excited to look forward to more travels in the future and wait to book a future trip, but too late due to ailing health. After months of having their reservation specialists look into this, and because of the fine print in the acceptance of this voucher, they cannot honor a transfer to another name under any circumstance. This was a shocking blow to our family and not indicative of the experience she has had in the past. A week before her passing, and I don't remember the context of the conversation, but I overheard her say several times, "you don't worry at all, Viking will take good care of you!"
The comment below about vouchers is incorrect. I received 125% in a voucher. I am using the voucher and will be taking my cruise on Sept. 26, 2021. I have been on 2 other Viking cruises in the past. They are excellent. I will update you on whether the service, food, excursions and experience are as great as they were when I last sailed in 2019. I am taking my son and the rest of my family… 5 of us on the Italian Sojourn in a few weeks. There were some challenges in getting the full use of my voucher since they will not allow any of it to be used as an onboard credit. They can only be used for excursions, upgraded air, silver spirits package, prepaid gratuities and your stateroom cost. They cannot be used for spa or any of the shops onboard. The phone service was very challenging since Viking had a number of booking specialists leave for other jobs during Covid. I am hoping for a great cruise and will post again after the cruise.
So?? How was it?!
Loved the video, especially the descriptive tour. Good to hear the many pros, with a few cons, but still makes me long for one of their cruises. Would love to have seen/heard about the Snow Grotto and Sauna.
Glad you found the video helpful and informative. Happy cruising!
I find the Main dining room cramped with tables too close together.
What's the name of the Viking ship scheduled to do the Mumbai to Athens cruise in May 2023? It's called "Passage to India" but it should really be called "Passage from India" as it starts from Mumbai and ends in Athens. We are hoping to be on that cruise. Viking cancelled a similar cruise we had booked in April 2020.
Viking Mars
I have never encountered a company less concerned with customer satisfaction than Viking. Beware! If your cruise gets canceled, do NOT accept the vouchers. No matter what happens after that point, you will never be able to get your money back. Viking can cancel indefinitely or change the conditions and requirements of travel without notice, but you will never see your money again. Get your refund - do not trust Viking vouchers!
Good heavens. Sounds ominous
Our 2020 cruise was cancelled and we got 125% credit for the river river we got back from last week. We only owed about $200 a piece.
Don’t believe. Not true.
Quite statement can you prove what you say?
Viking gave us our money back after cancelled three times. We had a voucher. Very good company
Above statement is not true
One aspect of Viking cruises I feel not commented on enough are the wonderful people you meet. We are traveling on two upcoming Viking trips-one each ocean and river -with couples we previously met while cruising. Just the sweetest,light hearted, interesting, considerate, down-to-earth, comical…folks you ever met.
We are both in our 70s, but mobile and healthy. Glad we found Viking!
Man. I am so glad Covid is over, and we don't need these protocols anymore. They were super annoying, and I for one am delighted that I can finally sneeze on my fellow man once more...
We are glad this is all over too.
Can we bring alcohol with us to consume in our room?
Yes. Viking let’s you bring alcohol onboard.
Can you smoke in the ship?
Loved my Viking Sky cruise! It was such a great experience. I’ve had 2 Viking cruises cancelled due to COVID. Viking provided a 125% voucher - which was awesome! I’m scheduled to go on a Viking River cruise in December (cross-fingers!) and another one in 2022. So excited!! The Viking experience is top notch.
Thanks for sharing!
I had a voucher for $6700.00 for a cancelled ocean cruise, but I was 14 days late to use it. So they gave me 50%. Love Viking, but so much for “Kindness, humility and hardworking..” They will rip you off.
@@atk8199 I'm sorry to hear of your experience - but as with anything in life, rules are rules. Using your vouchers on time is definitely recommended. PS my Viking River Cruise this past December 2021 was so awesome!!
14 days! Nina may you have a fruitful life, but it’s wisdom to understand when rules make sense and when to bend them. I’m not the first nor the last that this company will rip off on vouchers. Beware!
@@atk8199 You either have rules or you don't, they do and you didn't abide by them, your choice, so don't blame Viking for "ripping" you off!!!
Husband and I adore Viking River (been on 4), but sadly both our Viking Ocean had been cancelled. Hoping we will be able to go soon.
The best part of a Viking Cruise is that they are child free!
What cruises were cancelled? I am considering an October trip, but maybe not...
@@barbmiller9285 One was our Italian Sojourn cruise this past June to celebrate my 60th birthday, and there was one last April. So all in the past
and no casino. food and service are beyond outstanding. been on five and will not sail any other cruise line.
I’m honestly loving the Covid protocols. Seems like they thought of everything.
I wish they had family cabins. My family is my parents and I but it costs a lot for s single cruiser in one room.
My in-laws want to take a cruise, we’re looking at Greece/turkey in spring 2023 and I’m in favor of the 8 day Viking cruise. Even if we’ll be the youngest people on board, probably!
We've done several Viking cruises, & have been on the Viking Sky a couple of times. Viking is absolutely fabulous. We've enjoyed both river & ocean cruises, & highly recommend both.
So would you recommend Oceania or Viking Ocean cruises for an anniversary trip to the Mediterranean? Thx!
I traveled with Viking Orion Alaska Inside Passage in 2019 and loved all aspects of the itinerary, the ship and crew and the excursions. Top notch! I am now trying to identify one of the Glaciers that the ship brought us to. I believe we visited 2 Glaciers on the Orion. Can someone help me identify which ones were on the itinerary? I also have a photo.
Hey Steven, has anyone helped you identify the glacier, or do you still require identification?
@@gavinchau7721 thanks! I did receive a reply
Thank you for a stunning video.
Have you cruises Celebrity in a suite. If so, hos would you compare the experience?
Amazing cruise review
Thanks. Glad you enjoyed it.
New Orleans cruise , not worth the money not really much to do or see and not enough time on port to manny complains to mention .sorry
Are reservations required for The Restaurant?
No. You can make reservations if you want, but most of the time you can just walk in and be seated fairly quickly.
Great review of our favourite cruise line. 😀
Thanks so much!
I've traveled w/Viking before, both Ocean & River, and liked it, but just returned from In Search of the Northern Lights Jan '22 cruise on the Venus, and it downright sucked. They just skipped the first five stops so had all that time at sea. When they did stop at a port, you HAD to do their excursion or you couldn't get off the ship at all. They said it was the countries (UK, Belgium, and Norway) but that was FALSE. Such restrictions were NOT country restrictions, but Viking's.They offered no consideration for all the things they skipped or cancelled, either! Stuck on board watching their kabuki Covid theater, unable to get off, jailed in their "guilded" ship like a Covid leper even though I never ever tested POS+! (Tested daily.) Ridiculous! What a GD waste of $$! My 2nd time on Venus, which is a nice ship, but not if you can't get off! Unless and until they change their OWN Covid restrictions, don't waste your time or $$.
Thanks, really enjoyed the video. Never been of Viking, but have two trips booked. One to the Mediterranean and the other to Norway and Iceland.
Glad you enjoyed it! You will love Viking, they do a fantastic job. Amazing food and service.
thank u cruising with us
Looks like a proper snooze cruise. Another floating retirement home on the sea. No thanks.
Hi edb
We are scheduled for our first Viking cruise feb 2023.
That is when we are going on our first Viking cruise as well! I can hardly wait .
How was your cruise. I’m looking at this as well. Thanks
@@wbrown2481 while we enjoyed the food and the service I did not feel it was worth double the price of celebrity. My opinion only
What a sad looking ship!
Being one who has celiac...the dining options can be very frustrating. The food is a huge reason a lot of people choose to cruise for a vacation. I really wish they would come up with more options for us. It's not that hard.
I’m vegetarian- hopefully there will be options for me
Why did you have an unexpected sea day?
We had to miss a port due to Icelandic government restrictions.
It’s official. Were how cattle aboard these ships…
What did you mean? Your sentence doesn’t make sense?
Maybe Jman is 3 months old not made 3 months ago