My wife and I just came back from a 2 week Mediterranean cruise with Viking, we added 4 days in Paris, France 🇫🇷 after the cruise for a total of 19 days away. We had to fly from the Pacific Northwest to Venice, Italy and Paris to Pacific Northwest back home. We chose the deluxe veranda room with Viking. All rooms have balcony’s and we felt it was very roomy. We chose to fly First Class through our trip. We spent about $31k but the airline was 1/3 of that and thought that would be better than a suite. So for people thinking of doing a Viking cruise I feel the standard room is more than adequate. Liked the video!

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

Thanks for the feedback and insight. It’s so nice to fly First on such a long flight. Instead of being tired from an exhausting trip, it’s something to look forward to. We hope to go on a Med cruise with Viking after Alaska. -K

I don’t get the anger or resentment towards this couple for spending big money to go on such a nice cruise. Everyone has their own budget and people are blessed in different ways. I’m happy for them and I enjoyed the video, well done! I’m interested in Viking and some of the smaller luxury cruise lines.

@ShaunaAndKevin

8 ай бұрын

Thanks! We are at the point in our lives where memories are more important than anything else and we will splurge on them. You will love Viking! It was by far the most expensive trip of our lives but also the best. Can’t wait for our next one. -K

Hey Guys, thanks for the comprehensive review. Thought it was reasonable, balanced and intelligently done. As you stated, expectation can often influence opinion. If your expectation is to be blown away by the food on Viking, you’re probably going to be disappointed. We’ve taken five cruises with them now and have loved the food each time…but we weren’t expecting gourmet. For that, you’ll need Oceania, Silver Seas, Regent Seven Seas or Seabourne. The food is, however, much better than most other ships, in our opinion. Oh, and concur about the beds. They are firm, it’s a European thing, but we got used to them. Can’t wait for your next review. Really appreciate your thoughtful approach.

@ShaunaAndKevin

5 ай бұрын

Thanks.

Nice video, thanks for providing a complete breakdown. It’s hard to sometimes get a detailed breakdown without talking to a travel agent or representative. Nice tips about the excursions, I’ve always booked directly from the cruise company. Other than a couple excursions you splurged on, most of the other excursions you did were quite inexpensive. I live in Central Florida and all the cruises I have done so far have been out of Florida ports so haven’t had to pay for flights when doing a cruise. I have had Deluxe Veranda rooms and inside interior rooms and for me personally my big tip would be to go for the inside interior rooms as they are often significantly less expensive and besides there are a million places on the ship if you want to look out over the water. $3,000 for pet sitting wow! You are generous.

@ShaunaAndKevin

2 ай бұрын

Thanks for watching. Glad it was helpful. Viking doesn’t have interior staterooms. We are the couple that likes to relax in their room so we always get a balcony. We would rather go on less trips but splurge on the ones we go on … if that makes sense.

We did the same trip in a penthouse veranda stateroom on Viking June 2022. We used the included shore excursions, and no drink package. We added the Bergan to Stockholm cruise of another 14 days for a total of 29 days. We did fly RT business class. We liked the trip so much we are doing the same trip in June of 2024. While not an inexpense trip there was real value on Viking.

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

That’s awesome. We loved Norway and Scotland. So many memories. -K

We're looking to book this tour for next year. Thanks for the video. It was informative and fun to watch.

@ShaunaAndKevin

7 ай бұрын

Thanks. Glad it was helpful. It was a trip of a lifetime. Stay at Hotel Norge in Bergen (pre or post cruise). The BEST hotel and most amazing (included!) breakfast we ever had. -K

I liked your excel chart to show the details. I just booked our first Viking cruise for next year. $7,000 for a 1 week trip in a Penthouse Veranda stateroom. I added the airfare which was listed as $999 for economy which increased my total by $2K. It seemed reasonable given most fares to Europe are at least $2,000 per ticket. I figured I will figure out how to upgrade next year closer to the flight date. Then I added $1,100 for the travel insurance since the trip is over 1 year away. One never knows. Total without private excursions, drinks, tips, international phone plan - is just a bit over $10,000. But, I will not be surprised if our total is about half of yours for maybe half the time. I am pretty sure we'll fly in a few days early, but I already checked and am planning to use points for the hotel upon arrival. The ships & staterooms look great, I hear the food is good and I just hope for decent weather. Thank you for sharing your trip costs.

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

I’m so excited for you! Viking is not cheap but we feel that nothing is more important than memories. You will have so many great memories from your trip. -K

Great tips but I would add that unless you really feel you need to be in a suite, book the cheapest veranda cabin available. They are all the same size and have the same amenities. The only downside is that you have last priority to pick excursions and specialty dining. If you are booking non Viking excursions, as advised, the excursion priority is not an issue and we found we had no trouble booking multiple nights of specialty dining on or 15 day cruise. The location of these cabins are on lower decks but near the heart of the ship where you will likely spend most of your evenings and sea days.

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

Thanks. -K

We found the main restaurant crowded and tables close together. Had to wait to get in several times. The included excursions were either coach or walking tours. In the Caribbean, we found the included wine choices quite poor. Lovely ships and cabins, though.

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

Great point on the wine! Even with the Silver Spirits package, the wine choices were poor - all bottles under $20, most under $15. I guess I understand because if they had really good red wine, they would have lost money on us. The ship and cabins did blow away any expectations we had. They are so well designed and luxurious. -K

Thank you.

@ShaunaAndKevin

19 күн бұрын

You’re welcome.

Just to point out instead of the beverage package, Viking allows you to bring your own wine or spirits on board with you and any stateroom above the plain veranda provides free soft drinks re-stocked every day in your mini-fridge. This would save quite a bit. In addition if you keep an eye out, Viking will sometimes offer free airfare on select cruises. There is free do-it-yourself laundry. In each port there is one included excursion at no extra charge. Gratuities would be the only extra you need to factor in. You probably don't even need a special cell phone plan as the wi-fi on board is excellent and both calls and texts can be sent over wi-fi. Definitely less money can be spent!

@ShaunaAndKevin

3 ай бұрын

Thanks

Any tips on private tours/excursions for Svalbard, Norway...early July?

@ShaunaAndKevin

3 ай бұрын

I’m so sorry. Our itinerary didn’t take us there. If yours takes you to Orkney Islands, Scotland … you must, and I mean MUST, book a private excursion with JPOrkney.co.uk. The highlight of our trip!

Excellent and informative vid for those who intend going on a Viking Cruise.

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

Thanks. Glad you found it helpful. -K

I probably missed this in the chat but did you build the excel spreadsheet or did you find somewhere? If you found could you share the link wanted to start planning a d Budgeting for a possible trip in 2025

@ShaunaAndKevin

3 ай бұрын

I built it. Excel and Numbers have templates that you could use. That’s where I usually start, then tweak as needed. -K

Viking has unlimited wine and beer included at lunch and dinner without the Silver Spirits package. Unless you need to drink a lot the package may not be worth it. Drinks are reasonably priced if you don't want a lot of alcohol. All speciality coffees are available to all guests all day at no additional cost.

@ShaunaAndKevin

4 ай бұрын

Thanks

One thing that you did not say, is that if you sailed with Viking before, you get a per person discount

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

You are correct. They also have different promos they will run that could save a little money.

We're doing a similar Viking cruise in a few months "Search of the Northern Lights". London to Bergen and a lot of the same stops, only in winter. We booked everything thru Viking: flights (premium economy), pre and post 3 day extensions, and excursions. We don't drink much so we don't do the drink package, and we opted for a DV4 cabin, total cost excluding tips was right around $20k. The only thing I don't book thru Viking is the trip insurance. We have done about 8 cruises overall, but we tried Viking for the first time 2 years ago (Mediterranean) and I am hooked, don't think I will ever do a large ship cruise again. If I could only afford 1 Viking cruise every two years instead of 2 mass market cruises per year I will stick with Viking.

@ShaunaAndKevin

6 ай бұрын

We couldn’t agree more. Quality is more important than quantity when it comes to cruising. Viking is our #1 but we plan to try some others … starting with NCL Bliss for Alaska. It’s larger (about 4x larger than Viking) but has a breakaway class called The Haven. We are hoping the Haven provides a similar intimate experience to Viking but on a larger ship. -K

@rarelycares8416

6 ай бұрын

@@ShaunaAndKevin I hope you have better luck with NCL than we did. We took an Alaskan Cruise with NCL about 12 years ago and it was the worst cruise line we have ever been on. Holland America and Celebrity were both pretty good for us, but I think we are staying with Viking for now. May try an ultra luxury line like Seaborn someday.

@dteitsma

3 ай бұрын

@@rarelycares8416 NCL is a lot different on their newer ships including the Bliss. Your feelings from 12 years ago with NCL are common. On the newer ships like the Bliss, they are a much better experience.

@dteitsma

3 ай бұрын

​@@ShaunaAndKevinI was on the Bliss in Alaska in 2019. It was a great experience. You'll love it. I have good memories watching whales and the scenario from the deck with the floor to ceiling windows. Some areas were super busy but some areas like the observation deck weren't as busy.

When did you find out the cost of the excursions? I looked on their site and others have told me that those prices are not revealed until you are paid in full Have you considered Regent? International air is included. Business class

@ShaunaAndKevin

8 ай бұрын

It was about 100 days out when they showed what the excursions are and their prices. It’s long after you pay for the cruise in full. Viking has plenty of excursions to choose from, so there will definitely be something for you. -K

Okay this is the video I wanted to understand

@ShaunaAndKevin

3 ай бұрын

Great

We've just recently signed up for our first Viking river cruise. I'm wondering if you missed, or didn't get travel insurance?

@ShaunaAndKevin

3 ай бұрын

We always pay a little extra for insurance or make sure they have a 24-48 hour cancellation policy in case we can get to port for some reason (weather).

Your tip number 3 at the end of the video is to book your excursions directly and not with Viking...how would I do that? Thank you.

@ShaunaAndKevin

3 ай бұрын

With a Google search. Just find a tour operator at your port for the excursion you want to do. Consider the refund policy though in the event you can’t get to port for some reason.

How far in advance did you have to make payment in full?

@ShaunaAndKevin

8 ай бұрын

1 year. -K

@jamesvokral4934

4 ай бұрын

@@ShaunaAndKevin Believe it is 6 months. I have a payment coming up in April for an October departure.. Also love the $25 deposit Viking has instituted.

@DaveM-FFB

3 ай бұрын

If you're new to Viking it's 1 year in advance. If you've sailed Viking before and made a deposit while on a ship, it's 6 months. I guess that's how they figure if you're serious.

Travel Insurance costs were?

@ShaunaAndKevin

2 ай бұрын

We didn’t add travel insurance.

I appreciate your diligence in recording all your costs. I will take issue with a part of your analysis. I think it would have been more objective if you would have disclosed the actual costs and the optional costs you decided to incuur. Viking includes an excursion in every port as a part of the cruise fare. If you choose not to take that tour, you would incur an additional fee for booking something else. Including 1 night before and after the cruse would be reasonable (+ the related expenses). I am not sure that this is a fair representation of the actual costs of a Viking Cruise since it includes a significant amount of optional expenses. You did have some very timely travel tips. I would also add make sure that you have an international calling plan if you want to take your phones/iPads. Overall-nice job.

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

Thanks. Not sure you saw all the expenses as the International Phone Plan was one of the many expenses itemized. The expenses will be different for everyone based on budget and preferences. My hope is that this gives viewers an idea of additional expenses outside of the main cruise. -K

So much for all inclusive. That was like a $20k increase? May as well do Carnival.

@ShaunaAndKevin

7 ай бұрын

Carnival is nothing like Viking. VERY different experiences. Not sure where you are getting $20k. It was an extra $10k above the cruise expense but that included 8 nights in hotels, flights, food on our own, Ubers, etc. -K

Your giving a unfair cost, anyone taking a cruise will not be doing all this. Should be just the cruise.

@ShaunaAndKevin

2 ай бұрын

Good news is … it’s all itemized and you can take what you want from it. Also, the cost to go on a cruise doesn’t only include the cost of the cruise. You still have to get there and you likely want to have some activities while at port.

Far cheaper if you travel on your own and go to where the locals frequent.

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

Maybe but not the same experience. -K

This is ridiculous. If you can afford 35k on a 22 day adventure then you obviously are not worried about money. That is your business of course. Thought you were going in another direction entirely. You can count me as one that hopes to Viking one day, but have no interest in your channel going foward. You don't need the money anyway.

@ShaunaAndKevin

9 ай бұрын

Yes, we are very fortunate to have been able to go on this incredible trip. -K

@chinabluewho

9 ай бұрын

I can feel the anger in your comment , as someone who lived in his car for years so he could save up enough money from his min wage fast food jobs I am shocked by the amounts they spent but as someone who has watched friends and family constantly pass away before they are even 30, I understand that life is for the living and our time is limited to experience it.

@rvtalltales9327

9 ай бұрын

You should not be angry that the blogger can afford the trip, he is just trying to provide information. Some people spend their money on houses, cars, gambling, jewelry, he chose vacations so good luck to him.

@Paul-GrnHil

9 ай бұрын

Life is short. Travel as much as you can within whatever budget you have whether that be tenting at a nearby state park or a luxury Viking cruise.

@asteroidstrike8880

8 ай бұрын

You need anger management.