1 MONTH Asia Viking Cruise | What’s it Like & Is it Worth It

[@AS1Donna]

We have been on two Viking world cruises, 2020 (which was aborted due to Covid) and 2023. We also took a Princess world cruise in 2019, and are currently booked on a Holland America world cruise in 2025. We love the long cruises for the very reasons you do not. It becomes our home for 4/5 months and we really never do get tired of the daily itinerary. No cleaning, no cooking, just sailing around on the oceans, visiting exotic ports of call and making new friends, are, for us, what cruising is all about. I am currently recuperating from hip replacement surgery and dreaming of my month long cruise, on Viking, from Bergen, Norway to NYC. With decent internet, it is so easy to stay in touch with family and friends during long cruises that we never feel isolated from home. A world cruise or grand cruise is a wonderful experience.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us! Hope you heal well and would love to hear about your world cruise. For sure it’s so nice with no cleaning, cooking, or worries about daily life. Holland America is a nice line. Would love to hear about it when you go. Happy new year, and hope you’re up and back from the surgery soon!!:)

[@Paul-GrnHil]

Great content. My wife and I did a 15 day S. American Viking cruise this past January and are about to embark on a 140 day Viking World Cruise. I agree that you settle into a rhythm on sea days much like we do at home. The big difference is the opportunity to meet fellow travelers, care free living and changing venues. We planned a number of our own excursions including 9 nights off the ship to visit Sri Lanka, India and Vietnam. We are looking forward to our trip and have learned that many people have taken a world cruise 1 or 2 times before. For us it was a retirement “bucket list” trip. We plan to do this once as it hits many locations that are difficult to visit due to distance and jet lag (many of the places you visited). Future possible trips include, a safari, the Rocky Mountaineer trip, and Galapagos and another Viking cruise to the Baltic region. I’ve had too many relatives have their travels curtailed because of age/illness. We want to travel while we are still able.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us! Congrats on the bucket list trip!!! It sounds amazing:). For sure getting to those hard to reach places is so much better on a cruise. Sounds like you’ve planned some wonderful excursions, and it’s cool you’re doing some stuff “your way”. Life is so precious, and time is so short. Kudos for making it happen:). Please let us know how it goes and your recommendations and learnings:)

[@glenncamp733]

Absolutely!!!

[@shellyvick6300]

We have done 14 Viking cruises, so we're pretty used to the procedure. Last February, we spent a month with Viking from pre-Madrid to post-Athens. By the last day, we were SO ready to get home. We've done a lot of cruising (including a month with 18 sea days on Celebrity during March 2020--not planned) and have decided 21 days is about perfect for us. Also, we are both 59, so by the time we finished the long Viking cruise we were pretty tired of the slow pace.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us! 14 Viking cruises makes you a Viking pro! It’s funny you experienced some of what we did. We agree that about 3 weeks is optimal, though we start thinking about coming back almost as soon as we get home:). Guess it’s really about variety and keeping it “special” so it doesn’t get mundane. As we get older we love the convenience of not packing and unpacking, moving all the time, etc., but then if it’s too much of a routine we then want to get back out there. Great problems to have, right?!

[@barbaralazier8352]

This trip looks fantastic, I love staying on the ship when others go out to their excursions

[@dchiddengems]

Hey, again, Barbara! We loved the trio. Going to places we’d have never seen otherwise. Isn’t having the ship to yourself great?!! Enjoy Christmas markets and hope you’ll keep coming along with us. Let us hear from you!!:)

[@perpetuummobile100]

this year we´re doing a world cruise of 128 days. we absolutely love cruises. this cruise line does what they call "slow cruising" so we get to spend 2 days in a lot of ports. it is expensive yes but the fact that we get to see so much without having to pack and unpack means a lot to us. I prefer a dynamic type of travel like a cruise rather than being in one place for a longer period of time. I get bored very easily. Bu that´s just me. Great video guys. Keep up the good work!

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! Thanks so much for the comment and coming along with us!! That sounds amazing!! Which cruise line? Getting that kind of time in port really does make a difference. We are doing a couple of monthlong Azamara cruises next year that includes overnights. When do you go? Hope you’ll let us know how it goes, and Bon voyage!!

[@bitterbeauty711]

Informative, witty and a beautiful looking video. A job well done

[@dchiddengems]

Hey!! Thanks so much for the comment and coming along with us!!:). Means a lot to us!! Please let us know anything you recommend to do better, and see you out there!!

[@cathyjaynes1710]

You guys are good at this! Enjoyed your video. Great on camera delivery as well. I have river cruised with Viking but this is my first Viking (mostly a HAL cruiser) ocean cruise to South America, Chilean fjords and Galapagos. I like to get a preview of what to expect which decreases time wasted onboard figuring things out so do appreciate your content. Thanks!

[@dchiddengems]

Hey, Cathy! Thanks so much:). Really glad you found us, and hope your cruise is wonderful! We’ve not done Galapagos. Did you enjoy it? We are looking at HAL for Alaska. Have you done that, by chance? Really appreciate your coming along g with us:). Enjoy your cruise and let us know how it goes!!:)

[@ericericson3535]

Great production values, first time viewer, will subscribe. Totally agree with the idea of too much of a good thing. Especially the fact that no matter how good the food is, after a while it gets repetitive and should I say "boring". We are of the age that we like slow, relaxing travel. Again great vlog, looking forward to the next one!

[@dchiddengems]

Hey, Eric! So glad you found us and so appreciate your subscribing!! We so agree with you on the “boring” and the gift that is slow traveling. We are excited to take you along with us, and appreciate your comments and feedback. See you soon!

[@annm.7176]

You two do a good job at a laid-back video too many of them try to get too much in. Thank you

[@dchiddengems]

Hey!! Thanks so much for the good words and coming along with us!! We are for sure always trying to balance enough content without too much, so you just made our day:). Please let us know anything you recommend we do to make things better!!

[@revkurkrieger]

Thanks Guys. We are 7 weeks out from our Viking Ocean World Cruise. You have given even more ideas and things to watch for. We are more excited than ever.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey!! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us!! Congrats on the World cruise! We’d love to hear about it!! Enjoy and so glad you found us!!

[@suegordon6805]

We’re leaving on our second Viking journey to Australia, New Zealand and Tasmania-15 days. I can’t wait. We needed visas for this trip. Our first trip was a 15 day Viking expedition ship to Antarctica. We needed a visa for Argentina since it left from Ushuaia. What amazing journey which even included a 6 person submarine. We got to go twice and saw so much. Lots of penguins, humpback whales and albatross. The staterooms are very roomy as is the bathroom. I also booked a massage which was amazing. It was extra but only $50 for an hour. My highest kudos to Viking for an amazing ship, all inclusive including great food including sushi and sashimi and wine, lovely entertainment including expert speakers who talk about the places we visit-animals, geology, customs, etc, excursions and food. Also some movies are offered which are a nice diversion. We are both retired and luckily my husband invested well so we can cruise every year.

[@dchiddengems]

Wow! Sounds amazing! So glad you loved your trips and excited to hear about your upcoming adventures. Let us know how they go, and thanks so much for coming along with us and your great comments!!!:)

[@martinbuchanan6312]

Perfect review and so much insight. Probably the best out there and so honest, my wife and I are planning similar and helped us to decide given the things you guys discussed so keep it up and all the great reviews.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey, Martin!! Thanks so much for the good words. It means a lot:). Hope you two get a great trip planned. We’d love to hear about it!! Really glad you found us!!:).

[@KSguitarmusic]

Great video. I was on the maiden voyage of the Mars in May of '22 during the "Chairman's cruise", offered exclusively to those who were on the Sky during the March '19 incident. It was a great experience being that Torstein, Karine, her husband, and the Viking dogs were also onboard! Our most recent Viking cruise was on their Mississippi ship. Definitely recommend that one. The ship is beautiful. Unfortunately, we didn't get to many ports due to the very low water levels and excessive barge traffic. Since you asked for input: I like your thoughts on the 30-day versus longer (let alone world) cruises. For me, 2 to 3 weeks works best. A month is probably stretching it a bit. I can't even imagine being on a ship for 4-5 months, and would probably be ready to jump overboard after the first month or else book a flight home from the next port! It takes me weeks to even absorb and reflect on all that I've seen after a 2-week trip that visited a good many places, so to just keep going and going for weeks on end would be overkill. Just my humble opinion though. I simply couldn't stand being on a ship that long, and would get tired of the routine be it excursions or sea days. As much as I like traveling, I like to get back home after a several-week trip, unwind, get caught up with everything at home, go through all the pics and video, etc. and then, a few months later get back on the road (or sea) again.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey there! That sounds like an amazing and quite special experience!! Congrats:). We really get your feedback on longer trips and the need for both variety and getting home to reset. We are so happy to have you coming along with us!!:). Thanks much for your great comments and thoughts!!

[@wesssavorn9018]

Your saying 30 day cruise is $30.000, 1000 per day wow abit expensive for me . But awesome video luv you both ❤️

[@dchiddengems]

Hey!! Thanks so much!! We love you, too!! Glad you’re coming along with us. Yes, Viking is an “investment”:). We enjoyed it, but as we mentioned, it can be a lot after you’re on the ship a while, so we are thinking 12-21 days is probably our sweet spot to cut down the cost and make sure we don’t get tired if it. Thanks again for your support!!

[@helenhall3705]

I’m currently on an extended ( way more than 30 days) cruise. Whilst I agree with many of the things you’ve said, I’d like to add that longer cruises also allow you to see things that should be being done but aren’t. A second comment I’d make relates to being treated like I’m a “segment” guest rather than an extended period guest. Staff are not able to make changes to my personal booking if it’s outside the current sector. Not life changing but still a bit frustrating.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey Helen! Wow, sounds like quite a trip!! Yes, we noticed and didn’t love how each segment was separate and there was no recognition of the longer cruise. We were pleased with several of the staff who made it special for us. How long are cruising? Where? Enjoy and thanks for coming along with us. We’d love to hear how it goes:)

[@kevinweber5129]

I have always been impressed with the professionalism of Viking (from video reviews) but I find that the 1 day in each port of call itineraries unappealing. I think I would prefer some of the bigger cities to be two days so that you could eat out one evening and enjoy a little night life. Would love to do Spain via a month cruise but with time in each place Barcelona (3 days), Tarrgona(1 day), Majorca (1 day), Ibiza (2 days), Valencia (2 days), Alicante (1 day), Cartegna and Murcia (2 days), Malaga/Granada/Rondo (3 days), Gilbralter (1 day), Cadiz and Seville (3 days), Lisbon (2 Days), Porto (1 day), Santiago de Compestelo (1 day), Bilbao (2 Days)

[@dchiddengems]

Hey, Kevin!! Thanks for your comment and coming along with us. We get it. Having more time in the larger ports is important to us, too, and overnights help with feeling comfortable to stay out longer. We've recently been on Azamara, which has longer, more intensive port stays. Check them out! Glad you found us!!

[@loumello8813]

We generally do 15 to 20 day cruises with Viking, Oceania and Celebrity (Edge class) and find that is a very good fit for us. You get into a good routine and have the time to enjoy all aspects of the ship and get to know the crew and fellow passengers.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us. Really agree with you on that being a sweet spot duration. Much less and it’s too fast, too much more and we lose our appreciation for all the awesome things offered. We’ve not done Edge yet. Do you recommend? Hope 2024 is great for you. Happy new year!!

[@pwatsonascc]

Best cruse video ever

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! What a wonderful comment to get. Thank you so much! Glad you’re coming along with us:). You just made our day. Where are you heading next?

[@texasboy5117]

My wife and I were looking at a world cruise on Viking. Last year we booked a 29-day cruise to see how we felt after 30 days, and after about 25 days we were ready to come home. We book a minimum of 14 days for a cruise and up to one month which is all we want. We like getting home and enjoying our home for a few months then back on the water. We do about 90 days a year cruising in total.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! We really hear you. We so enjoy cruises, and especially Viking, but we’ve discovered our sweet spot is more than 14 but less than 30 days before we di t get the same enjoyment and value. We are putting cruises and land together and that’s working for us. Where are you heading next?! So appreciate your comments and coming along with us!!:)

[@fiona2912]

The coolest ship I've ever seen..wish to travel with you soon

[@dchiddengems]

Hey there! Thanks so much. We loved the ship and found it to be so comfortable and elegant. Are you traveling soon? Really glad you’re coming along with us!!:)

[@suryandari1902]

Sungguh bagus kapalnya..mudah" an putra saya fi terima di kapal pesiar viking ini...🙏🙏🙏

[@dsr8223]

We are looking at doing three consecutive Viking ocean cruises, all on the same ship and in the same cabin, transitioning from the Mediterranean up to the top of Norway. It will last over a month, but I think we'll enjoy the low-key vibe of Viking. We spent a month in the UK and France on our own, and I was stressed by the packing/unpacking, driving on the "wrong" side of the road, negotiating the train station and buses, etc. Viking sounds ideal. This plan will be very pricey, but we saved for decades. At 67, we're running out of time to spend our money, 😆.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey!! Sounds like a wonderful trip. We know you’re going to love it!! Sounds like a great itinerary. For sure the ease and low stress travel , especially on Viking, is a real luxury. Let us hear more about your adventures, and spend away-you’ve earned it!:)

[@TheMrmicroman123]

We are 70+ days away from doing the exact same thing, but from Stockholm to Venice. You wrote your note 5 months ago. Have you done your cruise or is it still to come? If you done it - HOW WAS IT?

[@kathywest7205]

Excellent video! I think 30 days may be too long for me too, although I love cruising and Viking! Going on a 2 week to Iceland/Greenland/Canada next summer, I think that may be just right 👍

[@dchiddengems]

Hey, Kathy! Thanks for the comment and for coming along with us!:). Sounds like a great trip!! We want to get to Iceland soon. Let us know how it goes, and ENJOY!!!!!

[@user-lh1cx9wr1z]

I like it

[@dchiddengems]

Thanks for the comment. We loved it too!! Glad you’re coming along with us!

[@katewalsh3786]

I am thinking about doing a 30day cruise for my 40th. My friend went for a long voyage she said it was good but tiring.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey!! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us. We bet you'll enjoy it...as we mentioned, some of the things seem a little less "special" and get somewhat predictable, but what we learned was that we didn't have to do it all everyday, and settled into not feeling FOMO if we skipped the dining room and had a salad for dinner, as an example. One thing you'll get is the ease of doing things as you wish, but of course you must plan it out based on the itinerary. Sea days, if any, help, and we've found that some ports are really ok to skip or take it easy. We found that to help us stay fresh and enjoy. Hope you do it, and good luck!

[@jackirungu6519]

😮

[@RebeccaKwarteng-o8e]

The trip look romantic

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! It really is. It’s really nice to have the time and luxury of not having to focus on much more than enjoying time together. Glad you’re coming along with us!!

[@erinaustin9968]

Thanks for this. We are scheduled for a 27 day cruise out of Buenos Aires via Brazil to Portugal next year. It’s on Norwegian so it will not be as aesthetically nice as the brand new Viking ship. Nonetheless we are looking forward to the experience. We have never cruised before 😮 so who knows! We view the cruise as a vacation from our full time land travel so expectations are low. Have you read the “Psychology of Travel”. It’s not a KZbin suggestion per se but I would be interested in your perspectives.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey Erin!! Thanks as always for the comment. Your cruise sounds really cool! That’s a big cruise for your first time. Congrats! We love cruises for exactly what you said: it’s a great change from land and a nice break that we really enjoy. We have not read PoT but are ordering it now! Thanks for the referral!! We love having you with us, as a menee of our OG!:)

[@klvinasena6929]

Comfy ship

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us. It was VERY comfy:). And lots of room, too. We never felt crowded and loved all the space to relax. Thanks again!!!

[@atupelesonko38]

Nice

[@dchiddengems]

Hey!! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us!! It was such a great trip. Hope 2024 is wonderful for you. Happy new year!!:)

[@sctexan5392]

Even on a 15 day cruise, I get tired of eating. We took the Viking Australian cruise and we actually lost weight.

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! Thanks for the comment and coming along with us! Yes, it can become too much of a good thing after a while. Nice that you lost weight! We find we are walking so much it keeps us in check for the most part. Where are you heading next?!

[@sctexan5392]

@@dchiddengems 2025 Vikings Homeland: CIE tour of Ireland is up in this coming spring

[@dchiddengems]

Nice! We are heading on a British Isles with Azamara in ‘24. The homelands is supposed to be great. Enjoy! We’d love to hear about them!!:)

[@alexxfaur8239]

Nice Video. What camera do you use ?

[@dchiddengems]

@alexxfaur8239 thanks very much. We only use our iPhone, although it’s an iPhone Pro 13 Max and it has a wonderful camera. The best part is that we always have it with us. If you are interested in cameras for vlogging I’ll give you a heads up about something to watch out for. We just got a 360 camera that will add some wonderful dimension in the future and hopefully take things up a notch to really let viewers feel like they are there and part of the fun. Look out for that in coming months.

[@BIGDAVE5352]

I like the prisons in Indonesia.

[@dchiddengems]

You speak from experience?!

[@revkurkrieger]

A question to you and other Viking cruisers. I've seen several ship reviews talk about Cinema 1 and 2 contained within the Theater on Level 1. Are the movies played there different than the movie choices in the room? I'm assuming there might be many about our destinations but are there also some theatrical releases that are shown here?

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! Thanks for the comment. Yes, the movies shown in the theatre, which does separate from the larger production theatre, are different from the TV in room. They are generally pretty current films and are detailed in the daily program on board. Thanks for coming along with us!! Are you considering a cruise?

[@sheilamandl4447]

I have been on 5 Viking cruises and have never seen the cinemas used. The movies are always in the main theater.

[@revkurkrieger]

Tonight's movie on the Neptune is in the main theater

[@jennykimball4457]

@@revkurkrieger I"ll be joining your cruise next week in Los Angeles - can't wait! Anything tips, like things you wish you'd packed but didn't?

[@user-uq2ul8mh4p]

I'm booked on the Viking Sky for 13 day's. Has anyone here traveled on the Sky?

[@dchiddengems]

Hey! Thanks for the comment! We’ve not done the Sky, but all Viking ships are similar, and in our opinion, wonderful! When are you going? We think you’ll live it!!:). Let us know!

[@KSguitarmusic]

Yep....the infamous journey of March '19 - Northern Lights. Then we were on her again last year for the "Cities of Antiquities and the Holy Land" cruise, which is an amazing itinerary.

[@ruthhofland7744]

We've been on the Viking Sky twice. It's a beautiful ship, with excellent service & accommodations.

[@user-uq2ul8mh4p]

Thank you all for your replies.

[@leanneneville2431]

We were on a three week Med cruise last year, looking at doing a British Isles and Trade Routes cruise in 2026, so we’ll wait and see, appreciate the video.luv from Aus🦘🤗

[@grahamshadeer]

🫶😎

[@dchiddengems]

Hey!! Thanks so much!! Really glad you’re coming along with us, Graham!!:)

[@ConanNYC]

Are pets allowed on a cruise?

[@dchiddengems]

Hey. No, don’t think so.

[@orenwolfe6506]

Please learn the difference between a Boat and a Ship: In the Viking context, a Boat can be carried on a Ship. (Unless the Boat is a US Navy submarine).

[@dchiddengems]

Thanks much! We are on it!:)

[@livenbelieve4819]

Not necessarily improper - our dear friend is a ship captain who will often fondly refer to the vessel it as his boat. 🥹

[@zerenamafdet]

This was EXCELLENT! Thank you guys for sharing! 💓💯

[@dchiddengems]

Thanks so much! We really enjoyed it, and are so glad you’re coming along with us!!:)

[@jezyben9128]

😮

[@dchiddengems]

Thank you!! So happy to have you come along with us!!!!