Viking Sea Review
Viking could be so much more if it simply tried a bit harder.
Review for the Caribbean Cruise on Viking Sea
Goodguys
First Time Cruiser • Age 50s
Rating by category
Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
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Entertainment
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Additional details
Sail Date: Feb 2018
Cabin: Explorer Suite with Balcony
My wife and I enjoyed this cruise for the most part, in spite of the numerous issues encountered, and were able to achieve our fundamental goals of relaxing and reconnecting during this much-anticipated, 25th wedding anniversary trip. However, much of this relaxation was achieved irrespective of Viking, and NOT because of them, and the experience was overpriced for what was delivered. This candid review is designed to assist others who are researching Viking Ocean cruises, are not biased, and are inclined to thoroughly research a vacation provider and weigh all available options prior to committing scarce leisure time and discretionary dollars to milestone events such as anniversaries. 'TIPS' for Viking corporate are interspersed throughout this review.
It is said one never gets a second chance to make a first impression, but this advice is perhaps lost on Viking, primarily due to its 'loyal following' of 'low-budget' travelers. So if you are new to Viking, you had better be prepared for some not-so-standard ways of doing things. Otherwise you will feel like you have been left out of a good thing. And you very likely will be, left out that is.
The first little discomfort occurred when we arrived at the airport in San Juan. We collected our luggage without delay or incident by the first of many 'red shirts', and then were directed to a motor coach for the included airport transfer (a result of paying for the Viking Air Plus). Because we wanted to have a carry on with us for when we arrived in our state room we had to travel on the motor coach with a very large carry on in our lap, as the motor coach driver made no attempt or offer to allow us to stow the carry on suitcase UNDER the bus, and there was no way anyone was going to fit a carry on in the overhead of the bus. We were not the only ones who had to do this. Hey Viking, there is really no excuse to treat a guest like this, and had we known how impersonal and uncomfortable this first experience would have been, we would have gladly paid for a private transfer. But it gets better ... read on.
Response from VikingS, Community Team
Dear Goodguys,
We appreciate you taking the time to review your journey. We’re sorry to hear that the service, itinerary, and the steak at Manfredi’s did not live up to your expectations,...
Port Reviews
San Juan
The shore excursion was cancelled. Bummer. And the Viking shore excursion staff had no idea or any suggestions on where to go for Monfongo. Yep, you read that right. Had we known that Viking was NOT committed to getting guests to sign up for shore excursions, we would have planned ALL of our shore time ourselves, IN ADVANCE of the trip, and had a much more wonderful and less expensive time at every port of call. Do not book Viking shore excursions. The excursion director is a witch and does not care about making guests happy.
St. Maarten
This port was cancelled. Viking cancelled the planned shore excursion which was a catamaran sail. They cancelled this several weeks before the cruise.
Antigua
Five stars only because we had to plan this ourselves on the run. Viking excursion staff did its best to mess up this day by telling us we should wait to take a shuttle bus at 8:30 a.m. which would have required waiting in a long line of hundreds of guests waiting to take one, 20-passenger shuttle bus, and they also told up no taxis were available unless we walked 1.5 miles to town, which proved to be 100% false. We quickly found a taxi and went to one of the only two beaches that day which were not impacted by the high winds and waves. Many thanks to our super friendly and knowledgable cab driver.
22 Helpful Votes
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