azamara cruises vs viking

• Viking Ocean

Viking vs Azamara?

By Snowcat1 , December 28, 2022 in Viking Ocean

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Trying to decide between 2 cruises for a cruise in the Greek Islands. Does anyone have experience sailing on both and what are the major difference between the 2 cruise companies? Thanks.

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We’ve only sailed Viking, but at the same time our brother sailed Azamara, similar itinerary. From conversations, the ports and time in port were about the same. The major difference was the shipboard experience. Viking has all inclusive dining, with a few venues requiring reservations, while Az had some dining options available for an up charge. Viking has free internet, and one included excursion per port. ( some of the included excursions are a city walk, some are a panoramic drive. We prefer the paid optional excursions, but usually take the included ones if we can fit them in also.) Viking night life is usually a short musical show with 4 singers and a small band, not big broadway caliber. There are guest lectures which we find interesting too.  Azamara has a big White Night dance party, and more formal dinner dress. Viking requires nighttime collared shirts on men and no jeans for all, unless dining in the buffet. Vikings cabin categories are fewer, and all passengers are treated the same regardless of category of stateroom or loyalty to the line. ( No special loyalty perks other than a small $100-200 discount.)  That’s a summary of differences based on our conversations. We like the quiet Viking cruise style. 

Both are nice.  Azamara includes beverages and tips in basic fare. Viking includes wine or beer with meals and excursions. Other things to consider are itineraries and accommodations.  Azamara ships are old, but nice. Most cabins are small. Bathrooms are very cozy.  Viking has larger cabins with verandas.  Azamara has Azamazing evening events . I have enjoyed them. They are often over the top events.  White night parties are fun.  Viking doesn’t have those events. Viking includes specialty restaurants. Azamara specialty has a surcharge for the specialty restaurants.  Either cruise is good.  

Vineyard View

Really glad to see this post. We are looking at 2024. Azamara has a Italy intensive that is attractive. Viking has pretty much the same Mediterranean itineraries for multiple years and not sure that one is really calling me after already experiencing quite a number of the same ports with Viking that we absolutely and thoroughly enjoyed. . I have compared all the costs of included and not included between the two. Depends on what is important to you. We love Viking,  but included excursions are not part of our decision. Promotions on Azamara often include beverage packages. Club Continent suites are similar size to PV on Viking with decent sized bathrooms and balconies, and pencil out well in comparison. We don’t need evening entertainment so White Nights isn’t a selling point for us.  I guess I don’t know what the answer is because we still haven’t decided. Go with what you know, or go with an itinerary that is better suiting your current goals with a company with a good reputation? But isn’t it lovely to have the choices?

I look forward to hearing more from others on this thread. 

Canberra601

4 hours ago, Vineyard View said: Really glad to see this post. We are looking at 2024. Azamara has a Italy intensive that is attractive. 

We have just booked the Azamara Italy Intensive cruise for October 2024 for the same reasoning.  It goes to ports that we have not been to, and are not included in Viking's med itineraries.  

I have done both and have cruises booked on both in the coming year. As you will see on these boards both lines have fierce blinkered loyalists - and if you go to other social media they’re even worse!   My view in the current climate - each line has their strengths which typically counter the others less good points. To name some:

Azamara includes all base drink all the time, however compared to Viking their included wines are really poor. Add on drinks packages cost about the same, but Azamara you can add just one guest and you can buy it prorated mid cruise. Vikings wine choice and quality on their packages is far superior. 

Food and service are about the same. My recent Azamara experience would be one cruise it was superior the other it was much inferior to Viking. Consistency is becoming an issue on Azamara. The Azamara speciality restaurants are fine, again inconsistent of late and at times the service can be OTT. There can also be issues getting bookings and you cannot make any arrangements before boarding. Manfredis has a better choice than Aqualina but doesn’t cost you $70. Azamara Chefs Table is a real fine dining experience not matched on Viking.   

Cabins on Viking are way better in terms of layout and functionality. The ships are more spacious and a big thing on Viking with the pool roof you keep the pool space and facilities regardless of the weather. There is no indoor spa pool or steam rooms available to all on Azamara (used to have free access to steam room and sauna but that’s now charged for apart from the top suites).   

Entertainment is a very personal thing. At times I think I like Azamara better at other times Viking. I think it depends on the entertainer. Azamara does focus on bringing local acts onboard and does have its once a cruise deck party and in most cruises a short special evening event and they are back to doing these ashore. These are good but lately we’ve felt so much crew attention goes to the set up and delivery of these events that other things suffer. For example you start losing precious pool space on a ship with less space from just after lunch on the day of the White Night Party. And because there’s no roof the party is really at the mercy of the weather gods. We’ve frozen on too many to get excited about them.   

Enrichment. This one there is absolutely no contest. Azamara is very weak here. The calibre and range of speakers is far far superior on Viking who have genuine experts with slick visual presentations. Azamara rely too much on a few rather elderly presenters who claim expertise in every part of the world and offer very poor visual presentations. One our last Viking cruise we had 4 real experts on Azamara 2 only one, a former “spy” was even remotely engaging.   

Excursions. We are currently of the view we like the Viking included trips for orientation and find their “to purchase” offerings a more realistic price. We choose based on where we are what we do.  Sometimes on Azamara we invest in the more high cost “exclusive” experiences some have been absolutely memorable for all the right reasons sadly a few have been for all the wrong reasons. Unfortunately unlike Viking whose excursions desk is staffed all day on Azamara they work very reduced hours so if you have issues or want advice it’s not that easy. Unlike Viking they do not offer daily short presentations on the next port. Their so called expert wraps that up in their presentation on the history and culture quality variable real advice lacking and on our last Azamara cruise due to scheduling issues (they’ve only one venue) two ports were covered AFTER they were visited!

We love that Viking offer tour departures throughout the day and at a more appropriate time for the activities. Azamara dispatches everyone 8-9.30 sometimes with other trips going at 1 so you can be wine tasting by 9 am - yuk. We also prefer the way Viking pre allocates your bus when the tickets are issued but will try and switch you if you want to make a group.   

Internet is a big consideration- currently Viking is free and pretty good allowing for location constraints Azamara was flakey and charged for unless you were at the highest loyalty or in s big suite. That may change Azamara have finally started moving to their new far more efficient service and the argument was always “we need a better service before we can give free access to all”. They seem to recognise that guests expect free WiFi but were probably very constrained by their former Royal Caribbean owners business model where IT was concerned.   

You might think I’m saying Viking is therefore better. Well there are areas Azamara are still well ahead. One is a big one for us. If there are issues with a port or weather challenges Azamara will pull out every stop and more to give you an alternative port. We again enjoyed that this summer where on the same day Viking also abandoned calling at the port but substituted a sea day. Azamara will still in many cases head to a port and try (within the boundaries of safety of course) and try - Viking do not. For example on our Norway cruise after we had left a port and still expecting two more Viking announced they wouldn’t be calling at any more ports for the cruise - cue 4 sea days the final day drifting at 5 knots to kill time and gobsmacked land tour guys welcoming other ships but having Viking no shows. That was a big turn off for us.   

You will hear also mention that Azamara officers are far more visible and engaged with guests than Viking. I think that one is changing- some of the staff who were the visible officers have left Azamara and the some of the new ones are not as interested in guest engagement whilst on Viking they are becoming more visible. However if being pandered to due to your loyalty or higher category of room and dining with officers is your thing Azamara is for you, if you want a ship fully open to all (subject to availability) a one class experience Viking is for you.   

And one final thing in our experience Viking advertise prices and generally stick to them but you have larger deposits and earlier payment dates. Azamara is constant sale sale sale it’s very hard to guess when to push the button but you’ll find much more late availability on Azamara than Viking   

Mrs Miggins

Mostly I agree with UK Tog.  However I think we have more Viking experience. We have been on both. Viking 5 times, Azamara 12 with several B2Bs.  We sailed both this year.

Dress code is similar on both however because Viking is almost all North American clients then our observation would be that in the evening most people are more casual.  

There is a greater mix of nationalities on Azamara with more from the UK, Australia, New Zealand.  To me it is one of its benefits.

In a CC suite there is no uncharge for the speciality restaurants, otherwise it is $30 extra with packages available.

The all inclusive Azamara policy means you can order included drinks and cocktails all day long.

There are 4 included wines which often change but the waiter will try to find your favourite from before.

This year food on Azamara was better than on Viking and service was superior. Usually I would mark them as similar.  Presentation on Azamara better except in Chefs Table.    We purchased the Silver Spirits package on Viking but often it took much longer to get our choice.

Service was better on Azamara this year.  On Viking Sky there were many new hires who seemed out of their depth particularly in the Main Dining Room.   Usually I would mark them as similar.

Viking's downside is their inflexibility as reported by UK tog.  We missed Monte Carlo this year which was important to many onboard.  Unusually I saw the Captain at the bar.  I said that on previous Azamara cruises in the Med alternative ports were quickly found.  (Genoa instead of Monaco for example)  He seemed to say it was all too difficult to arrange.  

We docked in Ravenna instead of Venice.  Azamara gave us an excellent Future Cruise Certificate.  Viking docked in Tarragona instead of Barcelona - no recompense.

Vikings main benefit is their beautiful ships. I love the Spa.

Azamara seem to get better docking positions.

Entertainment on Azamara has been better than Viking.   We had an awful magician/pick pocket on 2 nights in the Theatre.  One night a film.  Viking did bring onboard Azamara favourites the tenor David Righeschi and Maria Salvini.  Sadly the theatre was half empty.  We had a good Night under the Stars on Viking but it does not really compare with Azamara's White Night.

The guest lecturer onboard Viking was poor this year, perhaps not typical.

For the Greek Islands I would choose Azamara.   They are more flexible.  Their ships are a little smaller.

The itinerary for Azamara 11 days in May 23 is better than the Viking 11 days in May 23 in my  opinion

There have been numerous threads on this subject.  All of our plus points will be different.  We all want slightly different things.  Whichever you choose you will have a wonderful time, especially if you have not visited this lovely region before.

Azamara speciality restaurants are now $35 pp.without a package and on three recent Azamara cruises in different parts of the world (not that I’m bothered what people wear) I would say Azamara was much much less dressier than in the past. Can’t remember when it changed but jeans are now permitted at dinner in the main dining room.  I think service now very much depends which vessel you are on and what point in the crew rotation and training cycle you are at. Having increased capacity by 25% Azamara openly admit they’ve struggled to recruit to their previous standards. There’s a lot of vacancies and there have been some very strange promotion decisions. Our recent Onward cruise was post transatlantic where 200 staff had to be replaced because of US visa issues. Service was not up to the usual standard and the galley really struggled to get hot food out.  Probably for now you have to focus on the hard differences and not the soft ones dependent on individual attitudes and competence. 

Thanks to both uktog and Mrs Miggins for very thorough and even-handed information presented! As has been stated, we all have our criteria for choosing, and you both described many of the intangibles which are often hard to come by. Thanks again for the rational discourse.

Another consideration is ownership. Azamara was started by RCCL about 12 yrs ago. Earlier this year they sold the brand and ships to a private equity firm - Sycamore Partners, who have no prior cruise ship experience.

While only time will tell if this is a positive or negative move for the brand, history dictates that quality doesn't increase when equity/investment firms own a cruise line.

Thank you so much to everyone that contributed to answering my questions. But one think I am not clear about, do Azamara allow children on their cruises?

1 minute ago, Snowcat1 said: Thank you so much to everyone that contributed to answering my questions. But one think I am not clear about, do Azamara allow children on their cruises?

They do, although you do not often see children on board other than the officers little ones

montythecat

On a very fine balance I would recommend Viking but would agree

100% with uktog that Viking are happy to miss a port and 

substitute a sea day without making any effort to maintain the

published itinerary or find an alternative port. They are also inclined

to provide ridiculous excuses for such changes. Azamara seem to

try and avoid such alterations. This might be worth bearing in mind

when booking your cruise.

44 minutes ago, montythecat said: On a very fine balance I would recommend Viking but would agree 100% with uktog that Viking are happy to miss a port and  substitute a sea day without making any effort to maintain the published itinerary or find an alternative port. They are also inclined to provide ridiculous excuses for such changes. Azamara seem to try and avoid such alterations. This might be worth bearing in mind when booking your cruise.  

On our British Isles cruise in September, when Viking determined conditions were unfavorable for us to go to the Shetlands, they took us instead to Stavanger, Norway. So sometimes they do find alternatives.

We picked up 4 different ports last winter when we lost several ports due to countries not letting us dock.  So YMMV.

Nippy Sweetie

On our last cruise on Azamara we often found ourselves wishing we were on a Viking ship. Not quite sure why though. The staff were all pleasant and the stateroom was nice. The food was fine. 

Somehow it didn't all hang together. On Viking there is a coherent feel that goes beyond the decor. Having no extras to pay is good. Free WiFi is a boon. Also the in room TV system is excellent. Films and TV programmes on demand. On Azamara it felt positively antediluvian to have to wait for the start of the film to come round. 

All in all Azamara Onward was OK apart from their shore side communication which was dire. However, we're scuttling straight back to Viking for our next ocean cruise and definitely planning more river cruises as their river cruise ships are just perfect for us. 

All a matter of taste of course. I'm sure you'd be fine on either.

I am watching mostly four different lines - Viking, which is familiar and that we have thoroughly loved. Seabourn,  we will experience due to itinerary in 2023. I would say that all four are having threads of service issues with new/less experienced crew - - and that it does in fact depend on the crew rotation and not just the ship. I guess only time will help rectify that or not. Actual fully compared daily Costs - seem to be up and down based on promotions, but these categories of sailing lines must watch one another closely, and therefore it depends on the current offerings as to which one truly pencils out best. In my opinion, they all seem to fall within the same ‘ranges’, but attract the same/similar market of customers. I have wondered about the ownership of the different lines, and how moving forward post start up that will affect these smaller ship entities. Is it better to know the financial concerns of a reported corporation, or not to know the finances of a privately held company that does not need to disclose that?  I do not know. Maybe sometimes it really does boil down to itinerary to make the final decision. I do know we will not rule out Viking in the future. 

15 hours ago, Vineyard View said: I am watching mostly four different lines - Viking, which is familiar and that we have thoroughly loved. Seabourn,  we will experience due to itinerary in 2023. I would say that all four are having threads of service issues with new/less experienced crew - - and that it does in fact depend on the crew rotation and not just the ship. I guess only time will help rectify that or not. Actual fully compared daily Costs - seem to be up and down based on promotions, but these categories of sailing lines must watch one another closely, and therefore it depends on the current offerings as to which one truly pencils out best. In my opinion, they all seem to fall within the same ‘ranges’, but attract the same/similar market of customers. I have wondered about the ownership of the different lines, and how moving forward post start up that will affect these smaller ship entities. Is it better to know the financial concerns of a reported corporation, or not to know the finances of a privately held company that does not need to disclose that?  I do not know. Maybe sometimes it really does boil down to itinerary to make the final decision. I do know we will not rule out Viking in the future. 

What a great thought provoking post.

With respect to ownership, this is definitely one of the criteria we use in picking a cruise line. However, rather than being concerned with financial risks, which we mitigate with travel insurance, my concern is the Corporate culture.

Since you mentioned Seabourn, I can provide some information on them. They are owned by Carnival and are part of the Holland America Group, which comprises - HAL, Princess, P&O Australia and Seabourn. All 4 separate brands share management staff.

In addition to considering the quality of onboard service, which varies significantly with these 4 brands, I research how they respond to issues. 

HAL - similar to Viking, the 2020 World Cruise was terminated early, upon arrival Freemantle. All pax using HAL Air were provided flights home, while a number of pax, not using HAL Air, posted they were disembarked having to make their own flight arrangements, which was no easy feat at that time. I believe they were also responsible for any hotel costs while waiting for flights. Compare that to our experience, when Viking terminated the cruise in Dubai. They provided flights for all pax and for 8 of us that couldn't get flights, kept us aboard for free and flew us home at the earliest opportunity.

Seabourn - This "Luxury" line has a current issue with their newest ship, which is based in Ushuaia. On the current cruise, shortly after departure, the Master advised the stabalisers weren't fully operational and they would be missing South Georgia. Many pax demanded to disembark, so they returned to port. Pax were advised they would get zero refund and had to make their own arrangements home from BA. Seabourn have advised pax that stabalisers are non-essential and that most of the time they aren't used. That isn't my experience with 7 yrs on cruise ships. They have stated they will time crossings across Drake Passage to minimise movement. In addition to missing South Georgia, they are returning from Antarctica a day early, to miss a storm. I believe they are offering $1K compensation and a 15% FCV. Prior to crossing Drake Passage, pax were advised to stow all loose items and take seasickness medications. Hardly what I consider a "Luxury" experience.

Princess - After our 2015 WC, Princess refused to address any of the issues and offer any meaningful compensation.

P&O Australia - don't follow them closely, but our son sailed with them on his last Princess contract. He couldn't get off the ship fast enough, requesting he not return to P&O Australia. They would not follow his wishes, so he found another job from onboard, tendering his resignation to the Captain.

How the 3 brands dealt with issues, in my opinion, was not effective. Hence the reason I research the Corporate culture and will never sail with a Carnival brand again. 

It's not looking good for P&O UK, their new ship maiden voyage seems to be somewhat of a cluster. 

Some passengers didn't manage to get Christmas Dinner despite having booked a table. (source The Times and CC boards) 

My wife and I have  been on 3 Azamara cruises (including 1 since they were sold) and 4 Viking Ocean cruises. We enjoyed every one of them. We have 2 cruises booked on Azamara in 2023 and 1 booked on Viking Ocean in 2024. Both lines have done a good job handling my wife’s food allergies (she’s a celiac, plus has allergies to dairy and soy, and is picky about a lot of other food), but overall we like the food on Azamara a little better. We prefer the main dining room on Azamara - it’s more elegant and spacious. The Restaurant on Viking reminds us of a cafeteria, and if you’re seated at the aft end you have to navigate the obstacle course of chairs half blocking the aisles when you exit. We like the theater on Viking better - nicer seating, better sight lines, not as crowded as the Cabernet setup on Azamara. I like the lounges on the outside lower deck of Azamara (deck 4, I think), because it’s quiet and the ocean is right over the railing. My wife prefers the lounge chairs on Viking’s deck 7 by the pool, because it’s livelier and it’s easier to get drinks and food. One thing we now focus on is the itinerary; whichever line has an itinerary that pops will get our deposit. That puts Azamara ahead because they seem to do more adventurous and varied itineraries than Viking. But we also have upcoming cruises on Silversea and Regent for the first time because of unique itineraries, and a 2024 cruise with Oceania (we cruised with them once, 8 years ago) because of an exciting itinerary. 

SoBaycruiser

On 12/29/2022 at 12:17 AM, uktog said:   You will hear also mention that Azamara officers are far more visible and engaged with guests than Viking. I think that one is changing- some of the staff who were the visible officers have left Azamara and the some of the new ones are not as interested in guest engagement whilst on Viking they are becoming more visible. However if being pandered to due to your loyalty or higher category of room and dining with officers is your thing Azamara is for you, if you want a ship fully open to all (subject to availability) a one class experience Viking is for you.      

We have only sailed Azamara and are booked on a Viking NL trip in March, so I can only compare the pre sailing experience.   I have to disagree with Uktog’s comment that Viking is one class.  To me, money speaks.  If you’ve paid for a more expensive room you get first choice at the excursions.  Some are totally sold out before DV passengers even have a chance to book.  And then there is the specialty restaurant reservations.  Higher paying customers have been known to book many reservations so they have the “option to choose” and cancel later.  Again leaving the “lower class” passengers without reservations until they board the ship.  To me, there should be a limit on how many reservations can be prebooked.  It wouldn’t bother me if higher cost rooms were given two reservations and DV And V rooms 1.  Let everyone get at least one reservation and the remainder can then be up for grabs.  That to me is a one class experience.

We have been big fans of the R ships because of their size and our love for the lounge on deck 10 because we have opted more for scenic oriented cruises rather than port intensive.  It was Viking’s two story lounge which enticed us to try them.  We really want to love Viking.  We’ve heard great things about it.  But so far the experience has been much more stressful than with Azamara.

22 hours ago, Heidi13 said:   What a great thought provoking post.   With respect to ownership, this is definitely one of the criteria we use in picking a cruise line. However, rather than being concerned with financial risks, which we mitigate with travel insurance, my concern is the Corporate culture.   Since you mentioned Seabourn, I can provide some information on them. They are owned by Carnival and are part of the Holland America Group, which comprises - HAL, Princess, P&O Australia and Seabourn. All 4 separate brands share management staff.   In addition to considering the quality of onboard service, which varies significantly with these 4 brands, I research how they respond to issues.    HAL - similar to Viking, the 2020 World Cruise was terminated early, upon arrival Freemantle. All pax using HAL Air were provided flights home, while a number of pax, not using HAL Air, posted they were disembarked having to make their own flight arrangements, which was no easy feat at that time. I believe they were also responsible for any hotel costs while waiting for flights. Compare that to our experience, when Viking terminated the cruise in Dubai. They provided flights for all pax and for 8 of us that couldn't get flights, kept us aboard for free and flew us home at the earliest opportunity.   Seabourn - This "Luxury" line has a current issue with their newest ship, which is based in Ushuaia. On the current cruise, shortly after departure, the Master advised the stabalisers weren't fully operational and they would be missing South Georgia. Many pax demanded to disembark, so they returned to port. Pax were advised they would get zero refund and had to make their own arrangements home from BA. Seabourn have advised pax that stabalisers are non-essential and that most of the time they aren't used. That isn't my experience with 7 yrs on cruise ships. They have stated they will time crossings across Drake Passage to minimise movement. In addition to missing South Georgia, they are returning from Antarctica a day early, to miss a storm. I believe they are offering $1K compensation and a 15% FCV. Prior to crossing Drake Passage, pax were advised to stow all loose items and take seasickness medications. Hardly what I consider a "Luxury" experience.   Princess - After our 2015 WC, Princess refused to address any of the issues and offer any meaningful compensation.   P&O Australia - don't follow them closely, but our son sailed with them on his last Princess contract. He couldn't get off the ship fast enough, requesting he not return to P&O Australia. They would not follow his wishes, so he found another job from onboard, tendering his resignation to the Captain.   How the 3 brands dealt with issues, in my opinion, was not effective. Hence the reason I research the Corporate culture and will never sail with a Carnival brand again. 

I always appreciate and respect your honesty and knowledgeable feedback and input. These are certainly things to consider. We have sailed Princes, and never will again for a variety of reasons. We sailed HAL years ago, and really have nothing bad to say. They handled a couple of very stressful situations in two ports we visited in Egypt very impressively, but they are not in my site lines right now for future cruises as their smaller ships are mostly sold, and those remaining do not have itineraries that draw me. I have no experience with P&O. .  We will experience Seabourn for the first time this year, and yes, I have seen the threads on their new expedition ship that you are referring to. Seems like that part of our world can cause serious sailing issues regardless of line, but I surely cannot comment on the expertise you have with respect to ship functions, nor how they are handling the situation compared to others in that sailing region.    

After a lot of reading time on these boards, I find myself, as mentioned before, narrowed down to a handful of lines that I am perusing. I can surmise that each of those lines will offer their strengths and weaknesses. The impression I have formed is that they seem worth a try, and based on itinerary,  will likely draw me towards that line. It could turn out that I may find after experience any of them,  that it was a ‘one and done’ so to speak!

I wish Viking would start expanding their Mediterranean itineraries to more varied ports than the same ones that they have had for years now, because I do truly appreciate and enjoy their product, and will sail them again without hesitation. In  2024 I hope that will occur, but I doubt we will see much change by then based on current listings, but with continued expansion of ships, that could change - or when I am ready to get away from the Med in ‘25 then there are several Viking itineraries that are catching my eye. 

3 hours ago, SoBaycruiser said:   To me, there should be a limit on how many reservations can be prebooked.  It wouldn’t bother me if higher cost rooms were given two reservations and DV And V rooms 1.  Let everyone get at least one reservation and the remainder can then be up for grabs.  That to me is a one class experience.

That is the case, explorer class get 3 per speciality restaurant. Owners suite get 4. Only lowest get none. In practice lots who have travelled with Viking before (us included, in explorer) don't bother booking in advance. Still leaves 3 options without booking

5 hours ago, SoBaycruiser said: And then there is the specialty restaurant reservations.  Higher paying customers have been known to book many reservations so they have the “option to choose” and cancel later.  Again leaving the “lower class” passengers without reservations until they board the ship.

You are right that the passengers who pay more for their stateroom have the option to book 1 or 2 more specialty restaurant reservations. Yes, there are some cancellations once those passengers board. IMO, one of the ways this could be mitigated is to post the menus of the Chefs Table in advance as they have done in the past. We enjoy dining in Manfredis and our reservations there probably won’t change.

I don’t agree with your use of the term “lower class passengers”. It doesn’t apply to Viking cruises. We have found that once you’re on board a Viking ship, your cabin class is never an issue unlike most cruise lines. That’s the main reason we cruise with Viking. 

Since this thread is Viking or Azamara, I have not found any differential treatment on Azamara, apart from the speciality restaurant upcharge if you are not in a 'suite'.  

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The ultimate guide to Azamara cruise ships and itineraries

Azamara Cruises is interesting. Although it includes more in its fares -- gratuities, basic alcohol and some shore excursions -- than most cruise lines, it's not full-on luxury . However it's not mainstream, like Carnival or Royal Caribbean, either.

It has carved out an industry niche that caters to affluent, well-traveled cruisers who enjoy smaller vessels, a country house ambiance and itineraries that focus on destination immersion.

The ships in its four-vessel fleet are nearly identical, all belonging to the R Class, which was originally developed for now-defunct line Renaissance Cruises. Azamara prides itself on bringing its passengers familiarity and onboard experiences that are similar from ship to ship. You won't find waterslides or roller coasters, and that's exactly how the line's demographic likes it.

One of the line's most notable hallmarks is its focus on longer, later stays in port. Coupled with its AzAmazing Evenings program, which takes cruisers ashore to experience cultural performances in jaw-dropping locations, the experience is a little less superficial-feeling than other cruise excursions.

Here, you'll find a rundown of all the crucial information you'll need to decide if an Azamara sailing is right for you.

For more cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter.

3 things TPG loves about Azamara Cruises

• Its ships' smaller size and rich history.
• Later port calls that allow passengers to experience nightlife in several destinations.
• Its upscale yet homey onboard ambiance.

What we could do without

• Its lack of accommodations for solo cruisers.

The Azamara Cruises fleet

Azamara Cruises is one of the cruise industry's smallest lines, with just four ships -- Azamara Quest, Azamara Journey, Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Onward -- at the time of publication. All of Azamara's vessels are R-Class ships, originally built for now-defunct Renaissance Cruises, which folded in 2001, just a couple of years after the vessels debuted.

Azamara has rounded up the ships -- including the most recent, which it acquired from Princess Cruises during the pandemic -- over the years and refurbished them to add the line's signature upscale furnishings. In fact, it did such an impressive job that you'd hardly be able to guess that the vessels are more than 20 years old.

Each of the ships has the capacity for about 700 passengers, which places them in the midsize range -- large enough to provide a laundry list of amenities, but small enough that passengers can still enjoy calls on a number of ports that larger ships can't access.

At just a little more than 30,000 gross registered tons apiece, the ships are about an eighth of the size of Royal Caribbean's Wonder of the Seas, which is the largest cruise ship in the world.

During 2020's industrywide pandemic shutdown, Royal Caribbean Group, which previously owned Azamara, sold the line to private equity firm Sycamore Partners. Azamara's president, Carol Cabezas, told TPG that the firm has plans for expansion. Although Cabezas didn't elaborate, Azamara fans anticipate that new hardware could be in the line's future .

Destinations and itineraries

Azamara's ships sail in several regions, including Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Australia, New Zealand and Europe, with an emphasis on the Mediterranean, Baltic Sea, Western Europe, British Isles and Greece.

"They cannot get enough of Croatia, Italy, Greece," Cabezas said. "Those are the kinds of places that people want to sail in, so we've dedicated a lot of the deployment into those country-intensives. That and Black Sea."

Azamara prides itself on being destination-immersive, which includes staying late in port -- often until 10 p.m. or even overnight -- to allow passengers more time to soak in the heritage. On most sailings, the line also offers its signature AzAmazing Evenings, which take cruisers ashore to iconic venues where they can experience local cultural performances. (At the time of publication, the line was offering cultural performances onboard , rather than ashore, due to COVID-19.)

Most itineraries range from a week to two weeks in length, but the line has also offered itineraries lasting more than 100 days, calling on more than 60 ports in more than two dozen countries.

Who sails Azamara Cruises?

Due to its price point, popularity in Europe and lack of short voyages, Azamara appeals to older, more affluent travelers with a surplus of vacation time. The average age can fluctuate from sailing to sailing, but it's common to find most passengers in their 60s and 70s.

The line's demographic is largely well traveled and port savvy, with many passengers forgoing shore excursions in favor of independent exploration.

Azamara also draws a large number of repeat cruisers, many having sailed with the line numerous times.

Cabins and suites

All of Azamara's staterooms , regardless of type or category, include at least one queen bed that can convert to two twins, a desk/vanity with a phone, nightstands with reading lamps, at least one TV that's a minimum of 40 inches, outlets and USB charging ports, a minibar, individual climate controls, closets, a safe, a hair dryer, robes, slippers, umbrellas and fresh flowers.

Each cabin has its own bathroom with towels, bath products, a shower, sink/vanity, storage shelves and a toilet. Additionally, all rooms include daily make-up and turndown services, as well as 24-hour room service, a tote bag, a daily bulletin of activities and turndown treats.

All suites come with complimentary butler service for their occupants.

Accommodations on Azamara's ships come in four types: insides (no natural light, 158 square feet), outsides (windows that don't open, 143 square feet), balconies (small outdoor deck areas with sliding glass doors) and suites (like balcony cabins but larger and with more perks). There are several options within each category, including seven cabins on each ship that allow access for passengers in wheelchairs and scooters.

Options within the balcony and suite categories are:

Club Veranda: This basic balcony-style cabin offers 175 square feet, plus a 40-square-foot veranda with two upright chairs and a small table.

Club Veranda Plus: The same size and general layout as regular Club Verandas, these rooms factor in passengers' loyalty status to determine the level of benefits occupants will receive during their sailing. All passengers booked in Club Veranda Plus accommodations are entitled to complimentary Wi-Fi minutes, one free bag of laundry every seven days, one complimentary meal for two in a for-fee restaurant every seven days, priority embarkation and disembarkation and free in-cabin alcohol.

Club Continent Suites: The smallest of the line's suite accommodations, Club Continent Suites are 266 square feet with 60-square-foot balconies. They include all of the amenities mentioned above, as well as a large seating area with a 55-inch flat-screen TV. Besides the TV and the increased square footage, some Club Continent Suite bathrooms also have bathtubs instead of only a stand-up shower.

Club Spa Suites: These suites are located near the Sanctum Spa on each vessel. In addition to soothing decor, cruisers booked in these rooms can expect healthy snacks to be delivered daily. They can also enjoy in-cabin spa music and their own glass-enclosed soaking bathtub. Additionally, Club Spa Suites have rain showerheads and all of the amenities afforded to veranda cabins but with a larger (55-inch) TV and 414 square feet of space, plus a 60-square-foot balcony.

Club Ocean Suites: These 478-square-foot luxury digs come with 173-square-foot verandas, a separate living room and bedroom setup (each room with a 55-inch TV), marble shower-only bathrooms (except on Journey and Quest, which have bathtubs), dressing rooms with vanities and additional closet space. Further, passengers staying in these suites have access to all of the perks to which those in balcony cabins are entitled.

Club World Owner's Suites: The Club World Owner's Suites are Azamara's most lavish, offering everything afforded to those booked in Club Ocean Suites but with significantly more space — 603 square feet with 233-square-foot balconies. They have marble bathrooms (with bathtubs on Journey and Quest) and separate living room and bedroom areas, each with its own television (55 inches in the former and 40 inches in the latter).

At this time, the line does not offer any cabins for solo cruisers, which means the already pricey fares for Azamara's sailings double if you're traveling alone.

Restaurants and dining

Azamara's dining options, although few, are impressive. Steak and seafood are often in the spotlight, and the quality is outstanding.

The line's ships each have one main dining room, Discoveries Restaurant, that allows passengers to dine at any time during set hours for complimentary breakfast, lunch and dinner. The waiter-served menu there changes daily, and you should plan on spending at least 90 minutes for dinner, especially if you're having dessert.

Windows Cafe is the line's free buffet venue, which appears on all ships and is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Previously a self-serve eatery, thanks to the pandemic passengers now simply point to what they would like and a crew member doles it out. For dinner, cruisers are seated and given menus -- which change nightly to highlight differing cuisines, such as Mexican, German and Greek -- and order from a waiter. Although it's sit-down table service, it's still faster than the main dining room. Outdoor seating at the ship's aft offers fantastic views, weather permitting.

Prime C is the fleet's for-fee steakhouse restaurant. Its menu includes several meaty options like steak, chicken, duck and lamb, plus soups and salads. Dining there costs $30 per person, and reservations are recommended.

Aqualina is where passengers will find extra-fee seafood, Italian and French cuisine in a light, airy atmosphere. The menu might feature items like lobster, seared tuna and the catch of the day. Reservations are recommended, and the cost is $30 per person. (Note: At the time of publication, the venue was temporarily closed due to COVID-19-related capacity restrictions, but diners can still order from Aqualina's menu while dining in Prime C.)

Azamara also offers themed Explorer's Dinners for $65 per person, focusing on a different cuisine -- think French and Italian -- each time. Chef's Table is another option. For $95 per person, cruisers can enjoy a seven-course meal paired with wines. During the experience, the chef explains each dish, and the ship's onboard sommeliers go over the wine selections.

The Patio, a gratis poolside venue, puts on a waiter-served spread during lunch hours each day. The menu stays the same throughout each sailing and might include items like spring rolls, nachos, burgers and chicken fingers.

Mosaic Cafe is the cafe found on each vessel in the fleet. It offers free finger sandwiches, cookies and pastries, as well as a variety of specialty coffees, most of which are complimentary. It's a nice place to go if you're feeling a little peckish between meals.

Those passengers who don't feel quite up to a full meal for dinner can head to The Living Room, a bar and lounge area that doubles as the nightclub on each ship. There, sandwiches and pastries are offered in the afternoons, and tapas are available during dinner hours.

For anyone who missed dinner or who finds themselves hungry in the middle of the night, room service is a free option, 24 hours a day. The menu is considerable, providing pizza, burgers, sandwiches, salads and a plethora of other options.

Entertainment and activities

Entertainment on Azamara is engaging and fun, but not nearly as extensive as what you'll find on ships in larger fleets. You're likely to encounter musicians in bars, lounges and nightclubs, and song-and-dance numbers in the theater, along with an occasional comedian or magician. What you won't find are huge LED screens, acrobatic performances or shows with high production value -- and that's exactly how the line's target audience likes it.

Theaters and shows

During the evenings, there's a piano player in The Den lounge, and the ship's band plays in The Living Room nightclub before a DJ starts spinning dance tunes there late into the night.

As far as theater happenings, you might spot a movie screening on the daily schedule or turn up after dinner to find that there's a boy band performing Justin Bieber hits while dressing like they're part of a doo-wop group. Overall, it's low-key but enjoyable.

Other interior attractions and activities

Hosted activities run the gamut from added-fee wine tastings, scavenger hunts and complimentary deck walks and water aerobics to destination enrichment lectures, dance classes and shore excursion presentations. Also spotted on some daily schedules are coloring, word search challenges and Q&A sessions with officers.

However, one of the most frequent and popular onboard pastimes is trivia. There are multiple rounds offered each day, and they focus on subjects that are often tied to the destinations the ships visit. (Think Greek gods and goddesses or ABBA on Greek Isles itineraries.) Each person receives a grid sheet for stamps, with one stamp given for simply participating and two stamps given to the members of the winning team for each round. At the end of the sailing, passengers tally their stamps to collect Azamara logo prizes.

There's also a number of unhosted activities, such as ping-pong, darts, crossword and sudoku puzzles, board games, book swaps, knitting get-togethers, shuffleboard and LGBTQ, singles and Friends of Bill W. (Alcoholics Anonymous) meetups.

Additionally, one of Azamara's signature activities is its White Night Party, usually found once on each voyage. Passengers are encouraged to dress in white for an evening of dining and entertainment under the stars.

Top-deck attractions

Apart from shuffleboard and a jogging track, there's not much on the outer decks of Azamara's vessels if you're not a sun-worshipper. There's ample deck space with loungers, and a main pool with two hot tubs where passengers can go to cool off -- or warm up. There's a second pool for thalassotherapy near the Sanctum Spa, but it's open only to cruisers staying in suites or those who book passes to use it.

Another one of Azamara's signature offerings is AzAmazing Evenings -- a series of complimentary nighttime shore excursions that take passengers to famous landmarks, such as Ephesus in Turkey or the Russian Ballet, for culturally immersive performances. Currently, due to COVID-19 restrictions, AzAmazing Evenings have been replaced by Destination Celebrations , which involve the ship staying late in port and bringing local talent onboard to perform outdoors.

Children's programs

Although children are welcome onboard, there are no kids clubs on Azamara's ships, and there is no special programming for young cruisers.

What to know before you go

Required documents

You will need a passport for most of Azamara Cruises' sailings. The only ones for which the combination of a birth certificate and photo ID (such as a driver's license) will suffice is on a closed-loop cruise -- one that leaves from and returns to the same U.S. port and visits places that include Alaska, Hawaii, Bermuda, Canada and the Caribbean.

Passports should be valid for at least six months after your travel concludes.

Gratuities are included in all of Azamara's fares. Passengers can choose to leave extra if they wish. Spa services will automatically have an 18% gratuity added.

Azamara's Wi-Fi is some of the worst we've experienced at sea. In addition to being pricey ($19.95 for 60 minutes, $29.95 for full-day access or $19.95 per day for unlimited access for the duration of the voyage), it's spotty at best, especially when the ships are at sea. Azamara officials say the line is planning tech upgrades in the coming years, which hopefully will include a stronger connection.

Carry-on drinks policy

You can bring your own drinks -- including wine, beer and liquor -- on Azamara's ships for private consumption in your stateroom. If you wish to drink them in public areas or dining venues, you'll be charged a $10 corkage fee.

Smoking policy

Generally, Azamara's vessels are nonsmoking, except for clearly designated areas on the forward port ( left, when facing the front of the ship ) side of the pool deck. Passengers are not permitted to smoke in other public areas or in their cabins, including on their balconies.

All Azamara ships have self-service laundry rooms onboard. They're free to use and include complimentary detergent. The vessels also offer send-out wash-and-fold service, as well as dry cleaning and pressing, all for an added fee.

Electrical outlets

Outlets in each cabin consist of a mix of North American and U.K. options. Standard balcony cabins have two of each at the vanity, and two additional North American outlets can be found just above the minifridge (although one of them is used to plug it in).

Additionally, the line has added USB ports near the beds so you can charge your devices as you're curled up in bed scanning Instagram reels or catching up on the latest episode of "Stranger Things" (Wi-Fi permitting, of course).

The currency onboard is U.S. dollars. Passengers will each link a credit card to their onboard account (or put up a set amount of cash), as all onboard charges are cashless. The room key each cruiser is issued at embarkation serves as a room key, charge card and ID card when disembarking and reboarding the ship in port.

Drinking age

On all sailings -- except for those departing from North America, where the drinking age is 21 -- the legal minimum age for alcohol consumption is 18.

Azamara recommends a "resort casual" style of dress, which prohibits bare feet, baseball caps, tank tops, torn or distressed jeans, bathing suits and shorts in the main dining room and all specialty restaurants. More casual wear is allowed in the Windows Cafe buffet, but shoes are required, and cruisers must wear cover-ups over their bathing suits.

There are no scheduled formal nights onboard, but passengers are welcome to dress up. They are also advised to bring a white outfit for the line's signature White Night Party, held once per voyage.

Azamara Cruises' loyalty program

Azamara's loyalty program, Azamara Circle , has five tiers for passengers to reach, based on the number of points they earn each time they sail. With each new tier, they unlock additional benefits, such as free Wi-Fi minutes, complimentary laundry service and discounts on spa treatments and future cruise bookings.

• Adventurer (1-149 points).
• Explorer (150-299 points).
• Discoverer (300-749 points).
• Discoverer Plus (750-2,999).
• Discoverer Platinum (3,000-plus points).

How much does an Azamara Cruise cost?

Azamara sailings are on the pricier side, with fares for weeklong sailings stretching into the thousands per person, especially for higher-end accommodations. Fluctuations occur based on cruise length, cabin type, itinerary and time of year.

At the time of publication, the least-expensive booking we found was $1,459 per person (not including taxes and port fees), based on double occupancy, for an outside cabin on a seven-night Western Mediterranean voyage from Rome's Civitavecchia. The price for a suite on the same sailing was $3,349 per person.

However, you'll find less nickel-and-diming on Azamara voyages than you will with mainstream brands, as gratuities and basic beverages -- soda, bottled water, coffee, a couple of daily house wine selections, beer and standard liquor -- are included in the price of the cruise. AzAmazing Evenings are also rolled into the fares.

Passengers can expect to shell out extra for top-shelf spirits, spa treatments, shore excursions, professional photos, Wi-Fi and send-out laundry and dry cleaning services (assuming they don't receive them for free, based on loyalty status).

How to book

Cruisers can book Azamara voyages directly through Azamara, either on the line's website or by calling 833-292-2292; virtually through a third-party online travel agent; or by calling a travel advisor, who can help with all the details for a commission that's usually covered by the cruise line.

Most cruise lines have their own cobranded credit cards, but unfortunately, Azamara is no longer one of them. Passengers used to be able to use cobranded Celebrity Cruises or Royal Caribbean International credit cards to book Azamara voyages, but it's unclear whether that is still possible, given Azamara's split from Royal Caribbean Group.

To maximize your spending when you book, use a card -- like the The Platinum Card® from American Express -- that will earn you additional points on travel.

Bottom line

Azamara cruises are a good option if you're looking for an upscale line that offers excellent food and service at the lower end of the luxury price spectrum. You'll also receive a more destination-focused experience, with longer stays in port that allow you to take in the local nightlife.

The ships across the fleet will be familiar to you after just a sailing or two, and their elegant-but-relaxed vibe will leave you feeling like you're simply enjoying a drink in a friend's living room.

The ultimate guide to Viking cruise ships and itineraries

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Some cruise lines try to be all things to all people. Viking isn’t one of them.

Since its founding in 1997, the upscale cruise brand has carved out a niche catering to a certain type of thoughtful, inquisitive, generally older traveler looking to explore the world and learn a thing or two along the way.

Most Viking customers are approaching their retirement years — or are already there — and they’re eager to finally see all the places they didn’t have time to visit when raising kids and establishing careers in their younger years.

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For this subset of travelers, Viking offers a wide range of both ocean and river cruise itineraries that have a heavy focus on the destinations visited. These aren’t cruises where it’s all about the ship.

Viking voyages bring a lot of extended stays in ports where passengers get more time to explore historical sites and experience the local culture than is typical on cruises. Unlike most lines, Viking offers included-in-the-fare tours in every port, allowing every passenger on board to get a guided experience during stops without having to pay extra. (In general, Viking voyages are highly inclusive, in keeping with its “no nickel-and-diming” philosophy.)

On board, Viking’s programming revolves heavily around what the line calls “cultural enrichment” — lectures by experts on topics related to the places its ships visit, as well as cultural and culinary offerings that often have a local tie-in.

What Viking ships don’t offer is a lot of onboard amusements aimed at families and younger travelers. In fact, the line doesn’t even allow children under the age of 18 on its ships. It’s one of the only major cruise brands in the world with such a rule.

Viking ships also don’t cater to the party crowd. If it’s a floating celebration you’re looking for in a vacation, this isn’t the line for you.

As Viking founder Torstein Hagen likes to say, a Viking cruise is the “thinking person’s cruise, not the drinking person’s cruise.”

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

3 things TPG loves about Viking

• Its focus is on destinations and enrichment.
• The elegant, Scandinavian-influenced design of its ships.
• Its “no nickel-and-diming” philosophy.

What we could do without

• The lack of fitness centers on Viking river ships.

The Viking fleet

Viking has more ships than any other major cruise brand in the world, more than 90 in all. It also has both ocean ships and river ships — something that is unusual among major lines. Despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

That’s because the vast majority of Viking’s ocean vessels are carbon copies of each other. If you’ve seen one, you’ve seen them all. Ditto for the line’s river vessels.

Viking currently operates 11 ocean ships, nine of which are nearly identical. The exceptions are two recently unveiled Viking ocean vessels specifically designed for expedition cruising — a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft.

The nine nearly identical ocean ships — Viking Saturn, Viking Neptune, Viking Mars, Viking Venus, Viking Jupiter, Viking Orion, Viking Sky, Viking Sea and Viking Star — began rolling out in 2015. Each has the capacity for 930 passengers. Six more nearly identical vessels are scheduled to debut between 2024 and 2028, and Viking has options with a shipyard to order four more of the ships for delivery in 2029 and 2030.

At 47,800 tons, these ocean ships are less than a fourth the size of the giant megaships being built by the likes of Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, in keeping with Viking’s focus on intimate, upscale voyages. Big floating resorts, they aren’t.

Note that there is one more vessel in this same series, called Zhao Shang Yi Dun, that has been permanently transferred to a joint venture that operates for the China market. When it debuted in 2017, it originally catered to the North American market and was called Viking Sun.

Viking’s two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, are smaller than the above vessels, as is typical for expedition ships, and carry 378 passengers at maximum occupancy.

Then there are the river ships. At last count, Viking had 80 river ships in its fleet — an astounding number that is the result of blistering growth over the past decade. (As recently as 2012, the line operated just 29 river ships.)

As noted above, almost all of Viking’s river ships are of the same basic design and are known as the Longships — a reference to the historic vessels used by Vikings in the Middle Ages.

Most Viking Longships are 443 feet long, the perfect length to fit into the locks on many of Europe’s rivers. Viking has also built slightly shorter versions of the Longships measuring 262 feet, 361 feet or 410 feet in length specifically to sail on rivers where lock sizes or other navigational factors require a smaller vessel. The 410-foot-long versions of the vessels, for instance, were specifically built to be able to sail into the heart of Paris on the Seine River.

While most Viking river ships are Longships, there are a few exceptions in the Viking river fleet. Viking operates several smaller, purpose-built vessels on the Nile River in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. It also has several older river vessels that predate the Longships that operated in Russia and Ukraine until recently. (For now, river cruise itineraries in both countries are on hold due to the Ukraine war.)

Viking also recently began sailings on the Mississippi River  with a new ship specifically designed for the river and its tributaries.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

Destinations and itineraries

Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line, mostly due to the fact that it operates both ocean cruises and river cruises.

Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note.

You’ll find Viking river ships operating on the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also operated cruises on the Volga in Russia and the Dnieper in Ukraine. (As noted above, sailings on the latter two rivers are on hold due to the war in Ukraine and may not resume for many years.)

Viking also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, and it recently began trips on the Mississippi River.

The line’s ocean ships can be found in nearly every ocean and sea around the world, from North America to Europe and Asia.

Viking’s ocean ships have a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which the line considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) It’s also a big player in the Mediterranean. You’ll find Viking’s ocean ships in other key cruise destinations as well, such as Alaska, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, Canada and New England, South America, Asia and Australia.

In addition, in early 2022, the line began its first cruises to Antarctica with its first expedition ship, Viking Octantis. That summer, the same vessel launched the line’s first voyages in the Great Lakes — a destination that only a handful of cruise operators visit.

You’ll find everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages among the line’s voyages.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship

Who sails Viking

Most Viking passengers are North Americans who are approaching retirement age or already retired. The company’s core market is people who range in age from 55 to 75 years, although it does draw some passengers who are younger or older.

In general, it’s an educated crowd, with many passengers coming from professional backgrounds or a life of running their own businesses. They’re often people who have spent years focused on work and building up savings for retirement, and they’re finally ready to start enjoying the fruits of their labor by spending some of the savings on travel to places they’ve long put off visiting.

They’re also people who can afford a relatively high-end vacation experience. While Viking doesn’t market itself as a luxury line, some would call it that. Viking vessels are full of luxury touches, with the pricing to match (see more on what Viking trips cost at the bottom of this story).

In general, you’ll find a lot of couples on Viking ships and some solo travelers. You’ll also find the occasional multigenerational group — a retired couple traveling with their working-age adult children, for instance.

However, unlike nearly every other cruise brand, what you won’t find are families with young kids. As noted above, Viking doesn’t allow passengers under the age of 18 on its ships — a key differentiator for the brand as compared to other cruise lines.

Cabins and suites

Is a balcony something you can’t live without when staying in a cabin on a cruise ship? Viking could be your line.

Viking is one of the only cruise brands in the world that offers a balcony with every cabin on every ocean ship it operates — even the least expensive, smallest cabins. That’s something that even the most upscale of Viking’s ocean cruise rivals including Oceania Cruises , Azamara , Seabourn , Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises can’t say.

Viking’s ocean ships also offer a large number of suites, many of which are quite spacious. Even the smallest cabins on Viking’s ocean ships are large by cruise ship standards at 270 square feet, and the largest suites measure nearly 1,500 square feet.

If you’re looking for a big open room on an ocean cruise (and are willing to pay for it), Viking offers you plenty of options.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking cabins and suites

Viking also offers lots of balcony cabins and suites on its river ships, something that isn’t always the case in the river cruise business, where space on vessels is at a premium. Unlike its ocean ships, Viking’s river ships aren’t all-balcony-cabin vessels.

Designwise, Viking cabins and suites across all categories are modern and elegant in an understated sort of way, with Scandinavian-influenced furnishings and decor that tie to the Norwegian heritage of the company’s founder.

You’ll find beds topped with crisp, white duvets and Scandinavian throws, comfortable contemporary sofas and chairs in neutral tones, and light-wood desks and side tables that combine to offer a residential feel in bedroom areas. Soothing, minimalist colors — think creams, grays and lighter blues — are the order of the day.

Bathrooms in Viking cabins are serene, modernist escapes with luxurious travertine-lined walls, Scandinavian-influenced wood-veneered vanities, shiny white sinks and chrome fixtures.

In keeping with the high-end nature of the brand, Viking cabins and suites have a lot of upscale touches, from sumptuous bedding that envelops you to heated floors in bathrooms. The rooms aren’t overly flashy, though.

What they are is eminently functional, with storage in all the right places, lots of outlets for charging your devices and lighting right where you need it. We love the reading lights built into the fabric headboards, which are in addition to the lamps on bedside tables. You won’t have trouble seeing the pages of the Viking Daily activity newsletter while lying in a Viking cabin bed.

Other little touches in Viking cabins that show a line thinking about functionality as much as decor include the large and clear lettering on the Freyja toiletries that you’ll find in every Viking cabin bathroom. The toiletries were specifically designed with bigger and clearer lettering than is common for toiletries on cruise ships and at hotels so that the line’s older customers would have no trouble differentiating the body wash from the body lotion and shampoo.

Restaurants and dining

The number of restaurants and other dining options that you’ll find on Viking ships will vary greatly depending on whether you are sailing on an ocean or a river ship.

All of Viking’s oceangoing ships, which are much bigger than its river ships, have at least four and usually more outlets serving food of some sort.

Every one of the line’s 930-passenger ocean ships has a main restaurant (called, simply, The Restaurant) with rotating menus that include dishes that tie to the destination where the vessel is sailing. There also are casual buffet eateries called World Cafe on every vessel. You’ll probably eat most of your meals in one of these eateries.

The main restaurants on these ships are notable for their walls of glass that can slide open to create al fresco dining, something that is unusual in the cruise world.

Each of the 930-passenger ocean ships also has two smaller restaurants with specialized cuisine: Manfredi’s, a high-end Italian eatery, and The Chef’s Table, which offers a five-course tasting menu themed around a specific cuisine that changes every few days.

There’s no extra charge for dining in the smaller restaurants, but reservations are required. Each passenger is only allowed to make one to three reservations per cruise at the eateries, depending on which category of cabin they have booked.

Viking’s bigger ocean ships also have poolside grills that serve made-to-order gourmet hamburgers and other grill items. Passengers can grab a snack — with a Norwegian twist — at the forward-facing lounges atop the ships, which are home to a small food counter called Mamsen’s. Named after Viking founder Torstein Hagen’s mother (Ragnhild “Mamsen” Hagen), it offers authentic tastes of Norway such as traditional heart-shaped waffles, specialty cakes and the brown goat cheese that is found around the country.

Passengers will also find finger sandwiches, scones and teas in the afternoon at the glass-topped Wintergarden lounge at the top of every vessel.

The line’s smaller expedition ocean ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, offer four of the above venues: The Restaurant, World Cafe, Manfredi’s and Mamsen’s.

Viking’s river ships, by contrast, typically offer just two eateries: a main restaurant where passengers eat most of their meals and a smaller, casual buffet with indoor and outdoor seating.

Fun fact: The Manfredi’s restaurants on Viking ocean ships are named after former Silversea Cruises owner Manfredi Lefebvre d’Ovidio, a friend of Viking founder Torstein Hagen. Some Silversea ships, in turn, have lounge areas named after Hagen.

Entertainment and activities

Many of the activities on board Viking’s ocean ships revolve around “cultural enrichment,” to use a phrase often used by Viking executives. On any given day, you might find an expert on one of the destinations you’re visiting lecturing in the theater, or a classical musician performing in the central atrium, known as The Living Room. The ships also offer some traditional entertainment, including production shows with singers and dancers.

On the line’s river ships, you’ll also find onboard lectures, usually related to the destinations the ships are visiting, as well as destination-related demonstrations and tastings. (On a Seine River voyage, you might have a tasting of local French cheeses or French wines, for instance).

You’ll also find live piano music in the evenings in river ship lounges.

Theaters, lounges and shows

Each of the line’s ocean ships has a theater at its front that is home to production shows, movie showings (with fresh popcorn available) and enrichment lecturers.

In keeping with Viking’s focus on cultural immersion, lecturers often have expertise related to the places you’ll be visiting on your sailing. The line also draws a wide range of interesting and accomplished people from all walks of life to serve as guest lecturers, including well-known academics, diplomats and even astronauts.

In addition to the theater, a secondary lounge space on the ships called Torshavn is home to musical entertainment at night. It’s also known for an extensive collection of Armagnacs, with one from almost every year of the past eight decades. (A fun game is to try the Armagnac from your birth year. Just be careful — some years are far more expensive than others.)

You’ll also find musicians including pianists and guitar players performing at times in the Viking Living Room — a three-deck-high, atrium-like space at the center of the ship. Filled with comfortable seating areas and home to a bar, the Viking Living Room serves as a central meeting point for passengers throughout the day and night. It’s also home to the ship’s Explorers’ Desk — the equivalent of a guest relations area on other ships.

There’s also live music at night in the Explorers’ Lounge, a two-deck-high observation lounge and bar area at the very top of the ship. The Explorers’ Lounge also is home to Mamsen’s, the food counter serving tastes of Norway mentioned above.

The pool deck and other venues

The centerpiece of the top deck of each of Viking’s ocean ships is the main pool area, which is home to a pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, as well as comfortable seating areas.

The entire main pool area is covered with a glass magrodome that can be opened on short notice on warm and sunny days — or closed if the ship encounters inclement weather.

Just behind the main pool area on each of the ocean ships is a lovely, glass-topped lounge with comfortable seating called the Wintergarden that is home to afternoon tea. A den of serenity, it’s one of our favorite places on these vessels.

A secondary pool area with an infinity pool is at the back of each of the ships.

Other interior spaces that are part of the ocean ships include a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels) and a fitness center.

Note that Viking river ships do not have fitness centers, which is relatively unusual for river ships. Viking has long argued that few of its customers use fitness centers and the space that would be devoted to one is better used for other things. However, if you’re fitness-obsessed, Viking river ships may not be the best choice for your river trip.

Related:  The 12 cruise ships with the most spectacular attractions at sea  

Children’s program

Viking does not allow children under the age of 18 on its vessels and thus has no children’s programs on any of its vessels.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

Viking operates international itineraries where a passport is required. Passports must be valid for at least six months. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Viking adds an automatic service gratuity (which it calls a “hotel and dining charge”) of $17 per person per day to final bills, depending on your cabin category. If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount before disembarking at the Explorers’ Desk. (You can also increase the tip amount if so desired.) Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars and for drinks at restaurants.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship  

As part of Viking’s “no nickel-and-diming” philosophy, the line offers free Wi-Fi service to passengers on all its ships throughout sailings. Note that internet service can be slow at times of heavy use, as is typical on cruise vessels. In addition, in order to ensure fair usage for all, the line limits some heavy-bandwidth applications, downloads and software upgrades.

Related:  Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board  

Carry-on drinks policy

Unlike many lines, Viking allows you to bring your own wine, Champagne, beer and liquor onto ships at embarkation with no limits. The line also doesn’t charge a corkage fee.

Smoking policy

On all ships, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. It’s forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Some Viking ships, including all of the line’s ocean vessels (including its one expedition vessel), have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. The launderettes are stocked with detergent for the washing machines that, unlike on many cruise ships with launderettes, do not come with an extra cost.

In addition, most Viking vessels offer laundry and pressing services. Such services are complimentary for passengers staying in certain categories of cabins. Otherwise, fees are comparable to what you’ll pay cleaners at home. Dry cleaning is available on the line’s ocean ships but not on Viking river ships.

Viking’s recently unveiled Mississippi River ship offers self-service launderettes but no send-out laundry and pressing service.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

All of the line’s vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets and USB ports in cabins.

The currency used on Viking ships is U.S. dollars.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on Viking ships.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it’s a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you’re bound for the top deck, a short-sleeve shirt and shorts are just fine.

Evenings have an official dress code, but it’s not too formal. The line asks passengers to keep things “elegant casual” when heading to any of the ship’s dining venues, performances or special events. To Viking, that means a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women, and trousers and a collared shirt for men. A tie and jacket for men are optional. Jeans are not permitted.

This evening dress code is not enforced at the casual World Cafe eateries on Viking ocean ships, where passengers can go even more casual in the evenings.

Related:  Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Viking cruise loyalty program

Viking doesn’t have a loyalty program in the traditional sense — one where passengers earn points every time they travel with the brand and progress through multiple tiers that bring an ever-expanding array of perks. However, it does offer a few basic perks for past guests.

Once you travel with the brand for the first time, you will automatically be enrolled in the Viking Explorer Society. As part of this society, you will receive:

• A credit of $200 per passenger anytime you book a Viking voyage within one year of your last Viking voyage. If you reserve within two years, you receive a $100 credit.
• An invitation to a members-only Viking Explorer Society cocktail party when sailing on Viking ships.
• Early word by email or regular mail on new Viking Cruises itineraries and new ships, as well as special limited-time offers.

Note that the credits mentioned above cannot always be combined with promotions the line offers.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s cruise loyalty program

How much does a Viking cruise cost?

Viking sailings aren’t inexpensive. Ten-night “Greek Odyssey” voyages to the Greek Islands start at $3,999 per person. That works out to roughly $800 per day for a couple sharing a room. Some of the line’s more exotic sailings, such as its expedition trips to Antarctica, cost even more. Fourteen-night Antarctica trips start at $13,995 per person — about $2,000 per day for a couple.

Related: 6 ways to travel to Antarctica in luxury and style

Still, as is typical for cruise lines at the high end, Viking includes a lot in its base price. In addition to a room on board and all meals, the fares include beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; specialty coffees, teas and bottled water around the clock; shipboard Wi-Fi; and (perhaps most notably) a shore excursion in every port. The latter is something relatively few lines roll into their base fares, and shore excursions can be expensive.

Viking also includes access to the thermal areas of its spa in its base fares. Such access almost always comes with an extra charge on cruise vessels.

Viking fares do include port taxes and fees, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per sailing. Most other lines do not include port taxes and fees in their base fares and add them later in the booking process.

Note that Viking does charge extra for two key things that many luxury lines such as Silversea, Seabourn and Regent do not: alcoholic drinks at bars and gratuities. This is one reason some cruisers do not consider Viking at quite the same level as those other brands.

How to book

If you’re sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to Viking.com and book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we always recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. An agent can also help you if something goes wrong  before, during or after your voyage.

If you’re sure that Viking is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all of the line’s many itineraries in detail and, preferably, has sailed on or at least inspected some of the line’s vessels, too, to understand the various cabin types and onboard amenities.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles  

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card spending when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There’s also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card, which offers 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel (and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining).

Bottom line

Viking can be defined as much by what it isn’t as what it is. It’s not a line for families with young children. It’s not a line that offers megaships topped with every sort of amusement known to humans. And it’s not a line for the party crowd.

What it is is a line that has focused very specifically on “thinking person’s cruises” that offer a deeper dive into the destinations that its ships visit than is typical at many lines. It’s all about exploring the world and doing so in comfort.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

SPONSORED:  With states reopening, enjoying a meal from a restaurant no longer just means curbside pickup.

And when you do spend on dining, you should use a credit card that will maximize your rewards and potentially even score special discounts. Thanks to temporary card bonuses and changes due to coronavirus, you may even be able to score a meal at your favorite restaurant for free. 

These are the best credit cards for dining out, taking out, and ordering in to maximize every meal purchase.

Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Azamara Club Cruises vs Viking River Cruises

Tour companies compared.

Azamara Club Cruises

4.1   Great  

Viking River Cruises

4.7   Excellent  

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Reviews & Ratings

4.1   Great 35 reviews  

4.7   Excellent 41 reviews  

Recent Reviews

We love the Azamara Quest!

We love the Azamara Quest! Very friendly and Great food!

Viking River Cruise Capitals of Eastern Europe

Most of the people on this 17-day river cruise was quite elderly and infirm. Therefore the complimentary excursions were painfully slow walking. Local guides mostl...

Operator Overview

Travelers age

global Company

Trip prices

$1,899 - $3,599

Service level

Tour languages

$1,699 - $9,802

• Group Tours
• Small Ship & Expedition Cruises

• River Cruises
• North America
• Central America & Caribbean
• Australia & Pacific
• Middle East & North Africa
• Rivers & Seas

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About Azamara Club Cruises

The voyage for those who love travel.

At Azamara Club Cruises®, the world is your oyster—and this oyster comes with internationally acclaimed ships ready to take you to some of the amazing destinations in the world. Our 690-guest club-like ships also take you to ports where larger ships won’t fit, like in the heart of Marseille, Amalfi, and Crete, or even to the doorstep of Bangkok (while other large cruise lines dock a few hours away).

About Viking River Cruises

Inspiring destinations, thoughtfully designed itineraries, immersive cultural explorations, state-of-the-art ships, fine cuisine, excellent service and remarkable value. All created with personal attention to every detail.

Best Azamara Cruises

Read Best Cruises Methodology

Find Cruises

Call to plan a cruise: 1-833-468-6732

with a cruise advisor

Azamara Quest

Like its sister ship, the  Azamara Journey , Quest appeals to travelers seeking an intimate, relaxed atmosphere. According to recent cruisers, the 702-passenger vessel is small enough to provide individualized service (thanks to its excellent crew-to-passenger ratio) but large enough to offer seven dining venues, including two specialty restaurants. The ship underwent a refurbishment in 2021; the remodel added modern amenities, furnishings and European linens. There are now a number of large staterooms and suites with verandas, so guests can get picturesque views while sailing.

The ship's staterooms include flat-screen TVs, minibars and 24-hour room service. Suites offer additional perks, such as 240 free internet minutes and complimentary seating at the ship's specialty dining restaurants. Cruisers can also spend time at the spa and fitness facilities, which previous passengers described as modern and comfortable.

Onboard entertainment includes seminars and wine tastings, among other enrichment programs. At night, passengers can sip cocktails in The Den lounge. On top of all that, itineraries that are seven or more nights include a complimentary night experiencing local culture in a port, known as AzAmazing Evenings.

Azamara Quest's itineraries feature stops across the Mediterranean, Europe, Africa and South America. 

Azamara Journey

The 702-passenger Azamara Journey   attracts travelers who like large-ship amenities and enriching onboard programs (think a guest lecture series, culinary demonstrations and sommelier-led wine tastings) without the crowds. Plus, with 408 crew members on board, Journey offers a higher level of personalization than a megaship. While staterooms are appointed with minibars, flat-screen TVs and modern decor, suites include extras such as 240 free internet minutes and complimentary seating in the ship's specialty dining restaurants. 

Cruisers have plenty of food options to choose from, including seven restaurants, cafes and lounges – all of which recent guests praise. Journey also offers a vegan menu for passengers who follow a plant-based diet. The ship offers a complimentary cultural immersion program on sailings of seven or more nights (known as AzAmazing Evenings), entertainment options like live theatre shorts and Broadway entertainment, a spa and a fitness center. Journey was revitalized in early 2016 to include updated technology and a refreshed interior. 

Azamara Journey sails to multiple ports across the world, from the Middle East to Europe to the Caribbean.

U.S. News Insider Tip: Discover a variety of ports of call on the Azamara Journey, which creates a destination immersion experience. Itineraries include famous destinations combined with stops at lesser-known ports, often with an overnight stay along the way. – Angela Minor, Contributor

Azamara Pursuit

Comparable in size and available amenities to its older sister ships,  Azamara Quest and Azamara Journey , Azamara Pursuit launched in August 2018 and was last refurbished in 2021. With a maximum capacity of 702 guests and 408 crew members, Azamara Pursuit maintains a low crew-to-passenger ratio, guaranteeing individualized service for travelers.

Pursuit boasts plenty of dining variety across its seven restaurants and cafes, from an Italian-inspired specialty restaurant to an alfresco grill with a grab-and-go frozen yogurt station. Other onboard features include a pool, a spa, a fitness center, a library, multiple lounges and retail shops.

The ship's staterooms are equipped with flat-screen TVs, minibars and 24-hour room service, plus extra perks, such as welcome fruit baskets and turndown treats. Meanwhile, suite guests enjoy even more extras, including 240 minutes of free internet access, complimentary seating in the ship's specialty restaurants and butler service.

No matter the cabin class, all Azamara passengers on cruises lasting seven or more nights receive complimentary access to one cultural experience in port, known as AzAmazing Evenings.

Azamara Pursuit's itineraries feature stops across Europe, South America and the Mediterranean. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: If relaxing with a good book is part of your cruise fun, the Azamara Pursuit’s Drawing Room is the destination. Bring your own reading material or browse the onboard library collection. Enjoy comfortable seating in a cozy atmosphere at this quiet refuge aboard the ship. – Angela Minor, Contributor

Azamara Onward

Formerly Princess Cruises ' Pacific Princess, Azamara Onward made its debut under the Azamara  brand in May 2022 after an extensive refurbishment. With a maximum capacity of 684 passengers and 408 crew members, the ship has a low crew-to-passenger ratio. Past passengers have said the ship provides great service thanks to the ample amount of staff on board. 

Onward features five dining venues – including two specialty eateries – offering cruisers a variety of dining options, from vegetarian cuisines to steak and seafood. The ship also boasts several bars and lounges, including Atlas Bar, which is exclusive to Onward. Atlas Bar offers artisanal cocktails inspired by the destinations the ship visits. Onward also features retail shops, a fitness center and a spa. 

As far as accommodations go, staterooms are equipped with 40-inch flat-screen TVs, 24-hour room service and USB ports to charge your devices. Past cruisers have mentioned they wish the staterooms were a little more spacious.  Suite guests receive extra perks such as 240 minutes of complimentary internet access, English butler service and complimentary in-room spirits. 

No matter the cabin class, all Azamara passengers on cruises lasting seven or more nights can enjoy one complimentary cultural experience in port, known as AzAmazing Evenings. Through this program, travelers can visit the ruins of Pompeii on a Mediterranean cruise or learn the importance of biblical sites on a tour of Galilee and the town of Nazareth. 

Azamara Onward's itineraries feature stops across the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, the Mediterranean, the Panama Canal, the South Pacific and Australia.   

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Royal Caribbean vs Azamara

Sunday, May 19th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Royal Caribbean
• Best for guests of all ages
• 27 ships in the fleet
• Some of the largest ships in the cruise industry: from 2,400 to 6,000+ passengers
• Exciting onboard activities can include rock climbing, ice skating, escape rooms, FlowRider and waterslides, and much more
• 300+ ports of call
• Two private islands: CocoCay (Bahamas) and Perfect Day (Labadee, Haiti)
• Great last-minute cruise deals
• Excellent safety record

Royal Caribbean International is a cruise line headquartered in Miami, Florida, operating a fleet of 27 ships that sail to destinations worldwide, including the Caribbean, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Alaska. The company offers innovative onboard experiences, such as Broadway-style shows, the Bionic Bar, and Virtual Balcony cabins, as well as a wide range of activities like ice skating and rock climbing while at sea. Royal Caribbean is suitable for guests of all ages and is well known for having some of the largest ships in the cruise industry, 300+ ports of call, and two private islands: CocoCay and Perfect Day. The company is also known for great last-minute cruise deals and having an excellent safety record. We recommend Royal Caribbean as one of the first places to search for your next cruise.

• Best for luxury sailing to smaller ports with immersive experiences ashore and onboard
• About 700 guests per ship
• Destinations throughout the world
• Complimentary wine, beer, and spirits with meals
• Gratuities not included

Azamara is a luxury cruise line that focuses on destination immersion, offering a variety of shore excursions and longer stays in port. The ships have a capacity of around 700 guests each, providing a more personalized experience with exceptional service. Dining is a highlight of the Azamara experience, with a focus on fresh and locally-sourced ingredients, and complimentary wine, beer, and spirits with meals. Although this isn't an all-inclusive cruise line, Azamara offers unique destinations not served by larger cruise ships, and is a good option for those who enjoy exploring cultures in their ports of call.

More Cruise Line Reviews

• Disney Cruise Line

• Celebrity Cruises

• Virgin Voyages

• Viking Cruises

• Regent Seven Seas

• Norwegian Cruise Line

• Princess Cruises

• Holland America

• MSC Cruises

• Carnival Cruises

The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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• Viking Ocean

Viking vs Oceania, and Viking vs Azamara

By Cahpek , October 5, 2017 in Viking Ocean

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We have been “fans” of Oceania and have cruised with thema number of times on both their “O” and “R” class ships – lovely accommodationand wonderful cuisine. We have also tried Azamara and liked them too, especially their “Azamazing”evenings and friendly Captains and senior managers.

Recently, we have booked with Viking Ocean on a two-weekcruise . We tried to look for threads on the boards of Cruise Critic thatcompares Viking vs Oceania, but we couldnot find them.

Can readers here on CruiseCritic who have had experiencetravelling with both Viking and Oceania give us some idea what to expect whencomparing these cruise lines? Also those who have been on Azamara and Viking,perhaps you could give us you your opinion of your experience comparing betweenthese two cruise companies?

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I have only sailed on Viking so I am not in a position to answer your questions. There is; however a thread comparing Viking with Oceania that is fairly recent:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2345680

Erica@cruisecritic

Here are our editorial team's articles on these topics:

Viking vs Oceania https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2620

Azamara vs Viking https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2258

Hope they're useful to you!

Hi,   We have been “fans” of Oceania and have cruised with thema number of times on both their “O” and “R” class ships – lovely accommodationand wonderful cuisine. We have also tried Azamara and liked them too, especially their “Azamazing”evenings and friendly Captains and senior managers.   Recently, we have booked with Viking Ocean on a two-weekcruise . We tried to look for threads on the boards of Cruise Critic thatcompares Viking vs Oceania, but we couldnot find them.   Can readers here on CruiseCritic who have had experiencetravelling with both Viking and Oceania give us some idea what to expect whencomparing these cruise lines? Also those who have been on Azamara and Viking,perhaps you could give us you your opinion of your experience comparing betweenthese two cruise companies?

We sailed once on Viking and once on Azamara and 10 times on Oceania's R and O ships. I liked the cabin and ship design best on Viking. I am not a fan of Scandanavian modern but the design was clean and efficient and I was surprised. We do not stay in the penthouse suites but regular verandah and Viking had the best cabins in that category of the 3 lines.

Viking includes wine and beer with lunch and dinner. We are not particular so the quality for us was adequate. You can also bring your own bottle and not get charge corkage. I enjoyed the food on Viking. It doesn't have the fancy names and presentations but we felt the quality was better than Oceania. We used the included tours which are basic and supplemented them with private tours such as in St Petersburg. We also enjoyed their evening entertainment. There is no casino but we don't gamble.

Azamara was the most fun. They include wine and spirits all the time. I like their late port hours. However, they seem to be pricing themselves out of their niche market. The verandah cabins are fine but you do have a very small bathroom with a shower curtain. We booked another cruise while on board but Azamara cancelled it and chartered out the ship. I will not book far out with them since they seem to do that more often than not.

We are silver on Oceania so get some benefits with that status. We find Oceania has changed since we first sailed in 2008. The food is still very good but not as good. Their excursion costs are insanely expensive and so are their drinks. You can bring spirits on board for consumption in your cabin and the corkage fee is $25. The verandah cabin on the R ships are the same as Azamara. Oceania offers an Olife package that may or may not be of value which includes some excursions, internet and other choices. Oceania offers nice itneraries.

One of these days I want to try Windstar since they have great itineraries.

Here are our editorial team's articles on these topics:   Viking vs Oceania https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2620 Azamara vs Viking https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=2258   Hope they're useful to you!

Great articles. Thank you! Will be sailing Viking soon for the first time. Was not aware of the scarce salad bar selections!

Will be starting a new thread with a question about restricted reservations for specialty dining and included excursions.

Great articles. Thank you! Will be sailing Viking soon for the first time. Was not aware of the scarce salad bar selections!   Will be starting a new thread with a question about restricted reservations for specialty dining and included excursions.

You don't have scarce salad bar selections and if you want something extra, they are great at getting it for you

That's not true! They have a lovely salad selection in the World Cafe at lunch and dinner! In fact quite a bit in both of these articles could do with, em, updating!!!

We were in a DV and could pre-book our allocated number of speciality restaurants but when on board we could have booked any number of additional days, so fear not. We also were able to change and add included excursions on board.

Having been on a few Oceania cruises where we did really enjoy the foodm we found the food offerings much more varied and quality superior on Viking Ocean. I think some of the issue, for us, with Oceania is that their speciality restaurant menus have not changed for years, so same old same old. I could probably recite the menus to you!

Thanks for this thread and the links offered! While we have sailed O and AZ a number of times I have wanted to try Viking Ocean (we have done 1 river cruise with them years ago at Xmas and loved it) and it is great to read about the differences and/or similarities! TBH it will need to be a T/A or T/P since the "regular" cruise price is too out of reach for us! LuAnn

orchestrapal

We were in a DV and could pre-book our allocated number of speciality restaurants but when on board we could have booked any number of additional days, so fear not. We also were able to change and add included excursions on board. Having been on a few Oceania cruises where we did really enjoy the foodm we found the food offerings much more varied and quality superior on Viking Ocean. I think some of the issue, for us, with Oceania is that their speciality restaurant menus have not changed for years, so same old same old. I could probably recite the menus to you!

Love your comparison and thank you.

We had 13 cruises on O and switched to Crystal which we love and find to be several grades above O. Unfortunately they do not have any cruises out of NY next year that are long enough for us so we booked Viking and are greatly looking forward to try them.

We also have sailed on all 3 companies- Viking most recently. I find all 3 similar, each with things better than the others. Bathrooms on Viking are the best ever (same with the eggs benedict). Also very fast free wifi. We usually arrange our own shore excursions. the Viking included ones are pretty basic but ok. Viking has expanded so fast, I think they are spread a little thin for experienced service staff. Azamara is best for beverages and atmosphere. We have done more with Oceania so we get some benefits. We usually go for the itinerary first, then the ship - as long as it is small.

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