Choose your cruise

A bit of marketing collateral that landed in my mailbox recently caused me to reflect on our cruises to date, and what we’d prefer when and if we embark on another.

When we travel, each of us has our preferences. Some of us like more upscale surroundings while others prefer more casual venues. To that precise point, my wife and I compared and contrasted our cruise experience aboard Princess Cruises to our experience aboard Holland America. Between the two, Holland America Lines is our clear preference.

But that piece of collateral material I mentioned brought another contender into our sphere: Viking Ocean Cruises.

Viking Star being christened

Why?

We prefer more up-market surroundings, whether in our hotel or on our cruise ship. We love kids, including our grandchildren, but when we travel we prefer to be with other adults. And we absolutely HATE being nickel-and-dimed. So one page in the pamphlet struck a resounding chord. It read,

“What Viking Is Not”

The line unapologetically stated, “We do not try to be all things to all people,” and went on to take a gentle jab at others in the cruise space with, “When most cruise lines are building bigger and more over-the-top ships … we provide you will all that you need, and nothing you don’t.”

So … did their idea of our needs match our idea? It did!

Here’s what Viking said it did NOT offer:

• No casinos 
• No children under 18 
• No umbrella drinks 
• No photography sales 
• No art auctions 
• No charge for beer & wine with lunch & dinner 
• No charge for alternative restaurants 
• No charge for Wi-Fi 
• No charge for the use of launderettes 
• No entrance fee for The Spa 
• No spa sales pressure 
• No inside staterooms 
• No smoking 
• No waiting in lines 
• No formal nights, butlers or white gloves 
• No nickel and diming 

I readily admit it sounds like our dream scenario. Certainly, you pay for what you get (read our article, “Counting the Cost of a Cruise”) but Viking seems to tick all the boxes.

When we start planning our next vacation, I’m certain Viking will be in the mix.

@VikingCruises

Visit my main page at TheTravelPro.us for more news, reviews, and personal observations on the world of upmarket travel.

Photo provided by Viking
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