Comparing Viking Ocean Cruise vs Celebrity Cruises Which Way To Go?

[@charlescook4248]

No contest. Viking has loads of space everywhere. No crowds. Never had any problem dining whenever we wanted. And they do not nickel and dime you for all the extras. And they have at least one shore excursion at no cost (we found they were some of the best). No formal nights, casino or children, praise the lord!

[@robertahall4960]

Been on two Viking Ocean cruises, so far, another one next year. They are the best!

[@edtravelbug]

Great review, and I must stay. I like both cruise lines. I wish someone would do an updated review comparing Celebrity Edge Class ships vs Viking. I did one for Celebrity Ascent vs Viking Venus and both 7-day Med-Europe cool itineraries in 2025. When you purchase a balcony on Celebrity and then include basic alcohol/coffee/water/wifi and include tips and 5 times eating at a specialty restaurant and upgrading wifi to full and finally using the spa area 3 times in the 7 days, you come up with $ 6300 for two people. The Viking was $ 8100, so when compared today, Viking is $ 1800 more for two or $ 900 per person. So, with that said, my personal choice is Celebrity Edge, but only when itineraries are very similar. Anytime Viking offers a better itinerary (which, IMO is at least a third of the time I want to cruise), I will still choose Viking even though it is more expensive. I still see Viking as a huge value compared to the other ultra-high-spending cruise ships.

[@jeannieinns7795]

Enjoyed your comparison of ships. We have only been on Viking Ocean, the Homelands tour in Scandinavia and a repositioning tour Puerto Rico to Barcelona, Spain. We love the ship! One item that is included with Viking is everyone has a balcony room!!! No interior rooms on Viking. Also, there are free tours in every port.

[@dandsworldtravel3404]

Wow!!! Viking sounds like a dream come true. Have to start saving for that. Right now my budget is pushing me to Princess.

[@texasboy5680]

Love Celbrity, been wanting to take an Azmara cruise, but received a Viking brochure last week, and now it's on my radar. Beautiful ships and the itineraries look great, can't want to try them out.

[@lovecruiselife]

I'd be happy as a clam with either line!

[@trainattendant5810]

I've been cruising 30 years & personally don't care for Celebrity at all. At the end of the day their business model is all about revenue production with the constant drum beat of up sell & nickle & diming. I've always felt that Celebrity is more hype than what they deliver. Of the four Celebrity cruises I've been on they were ok at best, I never felt wowed. Viking Ocean on the other hand is sublime all the way. The ships are mellow & relaxing in a Zen way. Never boring, but smoothly dignified. An air of crisply calibrated attention to detail in food, service, & the ships themselves is apparent everywhere onboard. The absence of casinos, children, art auctions, smoking & loud music poolside create a sophisticated scene, yet never stuffy. Viking Ocean never designates itself as luxury, but the experience feels like being at your rich Scandinavian favorite aunts house.

[@janet1717]

2 trips with Viking. Taking our third in two weeks. No casinos, no kids, all inclusive, even afternoon tea. We’ve looked at a lot of cruises, Viking wins. Oh yes and no kids, did I mention that?

[@abcxyz6606]

Wow viking sounds so much better, classier and relaxed

[@coolbreeze253]

In 13 months I did Celebrity Aqua class in SE Asia, Viking Penthouse Veranda in the Med. Celebrity was good, but Viking was great. The nearly all inclusive aspect of Viking was worthwhile, but little things included like an excursion in every port, self-serve laundries and include wi-fi made it exceptional. I'll be back.

[@TravellingwithBruce]

Thanks for watching my video Shin Diggio, Viking is a winner for sure.

[@Hootymae]

Shin Diggio b

[@peterchen8868]

@@TravellingwithBruce And NO photographers pestering around, especially during dinner.

[@carolmcelheney7152]

Viking is all included, ans NO KIDS! No casino, no peddling art, photos, etc.

[@vuzzler1]

Celebrity use to give free perks were one can use them for drinks packages etc which was a good deal

[@thejokerspeaks]

Was a big fan of Celebrity until our last cruise in April 2019, the food was definitely slipping. Viking Ocean is too expensive for us, except the transpacific sailings. When you factor in free tours, air, and wifi, it is the same price as Holland America. I'll take upgrades where I can!

[@reggieandherman4251]

Enjoy these kind of videos, Bruce.

[@TravellingwithBruce]

Thanks Reggie!

[@cruisecrazy7066]

Pool area shots are FAKE, and contrived. You show Celebrity with full passengers, and Viking EMPTY. REALLY? Is that what I can expect on Viking when busy??

[@davidrollins4272]

An excursion at every port is included in the Viking fare.

[@brontewcat]

I am not sure this a fair comparison. You did not mention anything where I understand Celebrity is better than Viking. For example everything I have heard about ship lines is that Celebrity has the best dining in the premium line class of cruises. I think that the main dining room offers meals that are equivalent to many other lines’ specialty dining. I also believe that some of what you are saying no longer applies. Celebrity now includes drinks, gratuities and WiFI in its fare. Further the grassed area is accessible for all passengers now. The only parts of Celebrity ships only accessible to the suites are two restaurants and the Retreat, which is a comparatively small area of the ship. Celebrity also does not have rock climbing and the other things you mentioned at the end of the video. So this seemed more like an ad for Viking than a true comparison.

[@DavidGonzalez-61shamy]

We had a great time on the Star. Barcelona to Venice in 2018

[@maxsilent2833]

I am not exactly sure why Bruce did this video the way he did. Every picture shown on Celebrity was either crowded or probably not the best shot overall, however every picture on Viking looked like professional shots right out of the catalog (no people, Pristine). What I don't understand is why, I don't think you need this kind of comparison to demonstrate the value each line brings. Maybe he has never been on Viking and doesn't have any stock pictures? If you are a couple or with friends but no kids and you want excellent service, quiet cruise and want free simple short excursions at each port, no question Viking is the way to go. Viking is not all inclusive, but it has a lot more things included then Celebrity. However I will say that almost every cruise I've taken with Celebrity has included at least 3 free things such as free Beverage package, free gratuities and some internet package and $200-300 OBC. If you push to suite class you get 4 with an upgraded beverage package, plus, Luminare Specialty dining, Retreat Lounge and Retreat Sundeck. It brings the quiet intimate setting inside a bigger ship, but you still get to enjoy the big ship activities. With the Revolution upgrades on their Infinity class ships they are being included there as well. The Infinity Class ships are about 2,200 people and the upgrades have really revitalized the smaller ships. The Revolution upgrade will also come to the Solstice class as well in 2019-2020. The upgrades look similar to the new Edge class ships and are in my opinion a refreshing upgrade to the entire line.

[@JDied1]

Thanks Max for bringing this up. The pool area pictures on Celebrity is a sea day, and the Viking pool area is a port day (you can see city in background). When ships are in port 90% of the people get off; therefore, ship is empty. On a sea day-there is no where to go so the pools are packed with people. Viking is on our to-do list long before this video.

[@pumpkin462]

Celebrity even all included is cheaper than viking. Viking you are paying for the small ship. Celebrity you have more activities and entertainment than viking.

[@jimbellomo]

Way to go. You figured out Celebrity’s castes system. Having done 20+ X cruises we are done with them.

[@1stmoviefan]

Does viking have shows in evening?

[@davidpayne6504]

Is Viking good for solo travelers?

[@greggbatchelor4070]

Blu is an uncharge venue open to all but complementary for Aqua class, you're correct about Luminie and Michael's club which is part of your suite but, it's really only those small venues. I was really referring to is how MSC Yacht club that you have to pay to attend or NCL Haven which sections off entire parts of the ship. I really hope Celebrity doesn't go that direction or I'll move on to Viking and Crystal.

[@TravellingwithBruce]

Thanks Gregg for your comment on this upcharge topic. I am live Monday to Friday at 5pm et and Saturdays at 2pm et drop by my channel and say hi we talk about cruise ships and cruise holidays all the time. Bruce

[@beradogs922]

You can’t compare these two. Viking is 300 pounds a night more expensive on average.

[@cruisecrazy7066]

So Celebrity has First Class....And Steerage. Sounds like Ocean liners around 1900 Outdated.

[@carolmcelheney7152]

Viking kicked me of to a hospital for being sick, but I imagine Celebrity would as well.

[@denise.w3855]

Viking looks lovely but are they not a lot more expensive than celebrity ? I have cruised with celebrity but have yet to find a viking cruise I could afford.

[@TravellingwithBruce]

I know what you mean denise. But if you get the balcony and all the extras on Celebrity it starts to get close in price to Viking.

[@mlitsonata]

Try to book as soon as the sailings are released and you'll usually get the lowest fairs. Also consider that while you might pay more upfront for Viking, it is almost all inclusive. A free shore excursion at every port; wine, beer, and soft drinks are free at lunch and dinner (drink package is only $20 a day for all drinks included), the spa is free (only special services like a facial or massage are extra), free wifi for everyone, every stateroom has a balcony, etc, etc. It's much better value in the end.

[@greggbatchelor4070]

You give some erroneous info, Celebrity is open ship to as all except Michael's Club for suite passengers

[@TravellingwithBruce]

Thanks for kepping me straight Gregg!

[@texasboy5680]

You kinda forgot some other venues , bleu and luminaie...so basicly Bruce is right, it is NOT an open ship since suite class have their own lounges and restaurants, also like to point out that this video prolly has taken the Edge remodel into consideration which is going on now to add private sun decks for suite passengers on all ships. Private restaurants, lounges and sun decks sounds like a closed ship to me.

[@lburan]

so......Celebrity has first class...and sterage…….Viking it is....no brainer.

[@MrRamyon74]

Viking please....