Viking Ocean Cruise Tips and Q&A with Michael Consoli | Viking | Cruise Addicts

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We cover some of your top questions Viking Ocean questions. Learn from the expert Michael Consoli. Michael has been a travel agent for over 18 years and has been recognized as Viking Top Global Producing agent.
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[@MsTweeter10]

On each floor there’s free washers/dryers/detergent -so you can wash clothes anytime during your cruise.

[@MsTweeter10]

*ocean cruises

[@DoggyMom3]

The soup.... it is the Split Pea Soup at night in Mamsem's up by the Explorer's Lounge. Deck 7.... we love it : )

[@cruiseaddicts]

We heard the same.

[@ruthstreet7830]

We LOVE Viking !! Twelve vacations so far. Coming up Panama, Eastern Europe and Alaska..... I didn't know about the discount when an optional excursion duplicates the included one

[@anthonykelley7734]

Are there mobility devices for handicapped people on excursions?

[@bobreynolds8111]

Great interview! Thanks

[@michelewright5355]

Thank you for your knowledge & tips.

[@user-qc3pw3iw7p]

If you have a walker and could have trouble keeping with the group with the excursions what happens

[@m.spencer3649]

Please explain tipping for shore excursions

[@bunnybass77]

On my prior trips when tipping, you hand your tip directly to the guide when leaving the tour. In Europe the typical tip was 5 euros. Sometimes more - depending on how long the excursion was. If it was all day, I would usually give 15-20 euros. It's at your discretion.

[@danhenderson8007]

Why doesn’t Viking offer a non-alcoholic drink package for people who don’t drink and for AA members? It would be very popular.

[@cruiseaddicts]

One thing about Viking is many drinks are included with Lunch and DInner. The ala' carte pricing is very affordable, so you may not need a drink package since the drink package charges more due to including the liquor. So you may do better by just ordering your favorite non-alcoholic beverage and still be much lower than the package deal. Especially since both occupants of the stateroom need to buy the package.

[@terrigodmother]

@@cruiseaddicts Also for Deluxe Veranda cabins and up the in cabin mini fridge is restocked with non-alcoholic drinks every day

[@rebeccawest398]

What do you think of the forward explorer suites

[@Kimmer]

Who in the world stays in the Owner's Suite? Looks wonderful, but a little out of most people's budgets. I guess there is rich and then there is really rich!

[@happytraveller2122]

Those suites usually sell out first. ( same with most cruise lines and river cruise lines )

[@kristiou2004]

how do I find out what the included excursions are for a Mediterranean cruise?

[@susankingcs]

I wish I would have seen this podcast before we booked the explorer suite in June 2022 Into the Midnight Sun. Is there anyway you can assist us with the rest of our excursions? Thank you kindly

[@robertweber3140]

I'm looking at an Exploror Suite. Did you have regrets?

[@poppjas]

@@robertweber3140

[@donnakoehler1010]

do they have a cloths line in the bathroom?

[@kathleenzeeck609]

Yes. It is in the shower.

[@wbrown2481]

Hi I have a European cruise planned. Is there a smoking area on the Viking Mars? Thank you

[@davidbach7003]

No formal nights. What is acceptable for evening dining?

[@jamesvokral4934]

Pretty casual. Avoid flip flops, ratty clothes, shorts and tee shirts. No jacket or tie ever expected and formal wear not necessary.

[@frankschell3186]

What do most men wear to dinner on the Alaskan Inner Passage raises?

[@suegordon6805]

Viking is pretty much casual. No need to dress up.

[@robertm.4916]

Hello. We noticed with Viking Sky the suites PV1, PV2 and PV3 which are the exact same size rooms with same amenities have a difference in prices. Why?? Is there something I’m not seeing?

[@42784rgb]

My last cruise was PV1 deck 6 in rear starboard and my next cruise is PV1 deck 6 in front starboard. I think those PV1 suites are out of the busier hallways and closer to the elevators and stairs. If you want to save a few hundred dollars then PV2 or PV3 will do cost less than PV1.

[@Speary74]

I've heard that Viking is always willing to accommodate vegetarians. I'm wondering what they'll do at the Chef's Table for a vegetarian.

[@cruiseaddicts]

Most cruise lines are very accommodating.

[@NeilPWilson]

Do they have areas for smokers?

[@bunnybass77]

The very back of the boat on the top deck, for the River Cruises. I'm not sure about the ocean cruises - they usually announce it. I don't smoke so I didn't really pay attention.

[@erics607]

@@bunnybass77 I remember the smoking area being on deck 8 of the ocean ship right above where the main pool is located.

[@gman6584]

Hello, My wife does not drink, can I get the silver spirit package with me only?

[@bunnybass77]

Unfortunately, no. Reason is all drinks are charged to your room, not your name. So there is no way to tell who is ordering the drink in the room. However, I will tell you the Silver Spirit Package will pay for itself usually with on person alone - the amount of people I see with "sticker shock" at the end of these cruises is always a confirmation I made the right choice - even though my travel partner doesn't drink (but with this package she can get mocktails, juices and sodas whenever she wants to).

[@lindaparker1823]

Do you offer any perks or special offers if we book a Viking cruise with you rather than using another travel agent? Also can you please explain Viking airfare offers. How do they work?

[@bunnybass77]

I've gone with Viking on several trips now and I always book directly through them. When you book through Viking, you can get the opportunity for a discount on your next cruise towards the end of your trip. Which I have taken advantage of each time. When you book your air through Viking, they take care of EVERYTHING. You do need to tell them if you want Comfort / Business class (as it will be extra). Once your flights are booked, you can change your seat on the website. There are many cruises that offer free airfare when you book through Viking. Viking associates will meet you at the airport and transfer your bags to the ship for you. If one of your flights gets canceled - they take care of rebooking you. NOTE: be sure to check your flight info a couple times the night before your trip ends. On my last cruise, one if my connecting flights was canceled and rebooked for a different departure time. I didn't get any notification from Viking on this, I just happened to notice when I went to check in the night before. They handle all transfers to and from the airport when you book with them. They will try to book on your preferred carrier - sometimes they aren't able to (and they will enter your member number if you have one). As for discounts...Viking offers many different discounts all the time online. I've used the 2 for 1 deals twice! Saved so much! Check their website often for deals and sign up for the newsletter they send, too. All in all - I highly recommend booking through Viking for your cruise. It takes the guessing and everything else out of the trip. Oh - one more thing - some people will ship their baggage to the ship early. It's costly but from what I understand it's quite a great service. Travel with Viking - you will not be sorry!!

[@doughoepper6942]

Received an email promotion from Viking but into looking into it it was only for USA Residents not us here in Australia. WHY?

[@cruiseaddicts]

Cruise Line's often have different territories. You may be able to take advantage of a similar promotion you can purchase from a Viking (Australia) agent or directly. The US promotion can only be sold to US residents, etc. The same would be true for UK residents.

[@glgardener4972]

Why do I have to prepay gratuities??? I like to give a tip to them personally. I have heard that the employees do not actually see that forced tip money. Your comments?

[@cruiseaddicts]

This has been debated for many years in the past. I recall getting the envelopes and trying to get the proper cash to fill them.. then trying to find the actual crew member to properly tip them. Today, with modern ships have thousands of crew members and passengers I use the automatic gratuities. Why? Because I know the crew members rely on this for their income and for me it's part of the price of the cruise. It's very difficult to get the proper amount of cash and realistically hand out the tips for all of the crew and team members who serve you throughout your cruise. Unfortunately many guests will line up and try to remove the automatic gratuities from their onboard accounts and I have also seen guests NOT SHOW UP on the last night when tips were customarily handed-out. Some cruise line's have a "no tipping policy". Use that line or else please tip the expected amount.

[@roxydog2250]

Pre-paid gratuities go to EVERYONE on the ship that contribute to your wonderful Viking experience ... including the people that you never see, like the dishwashers, the deck crew, etc. There are dozens of people behind the scenes that you never see. We always purchase the gratuity package ... and then ALSO give additional money in envelopes to those who personally made our voyage special ... like our cabin steward, special servers and bartenders. It just seems like the right thing to do.

[@jamesvokral4934]

Gratuities are mandatory and fixed, so its either pay before the cruise or later at the end of the cruise. Additional gratuities/tips can be given to your favorite crew members but it is not expected.

[@bunnybass77]

On my last Viking cruise, they gave us envelopes for tips we wanted to give to specific crew members. You could turn them in and they would pass them out. I gave my tips directly to the crew myself at the end of the cruise.

[@richardhadley7867]

Is there ever a discount for solo travelers?

[@cruiseaddicts]

Not normally, however you may see special promotions. Some cruise line's like NCL have cabins made for solo cruisers.

[@eunicerofsky2089]

Can we take any spirits aboard the ship?

[@o0sprawler0o6]

Yes, and there’s no corkage fee 👍🏼

[@cruiseaddicts]

The Silver Spirits package is definitely something to consider on an ocean voyage.

[@bobreynolds8111]

Too much chatter

[@atk8199]

Fabulous cruise line. But do not accept vouchers for cancellation. They are a scam artist at fine print. I lost $3700 because I was 11 days late in rebooking. Is that fair? Considering our past two years I feel they could respond with kindness, honesty and hardwork. But the people who work with Viking are top notch. On fortunately the family is not living up to their advertisements. Yes I’m paying extra to cruise solo.