jacketwatch

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5351

jacketwatch

A little more info as to their plans;

The 47,800-ton Viking Star is being billed as an upscale vessel that initially will sail in Northern Europe and the Mediterranean.(Photo: Viking Ocean Cruises)
Hagen also announced that Viking Ocean Cruises will offer a level of all-inclusive pricing that is relatively rare in the ocean cruising world. In addition to all on-board meals, fares will include shore excursions in every port of call; beer and wine with lunch and dinner; and even wi-fi access -- something that can cost up to 75 cents a minute at other lines.

Eschew

Larry, I saw that too and can't wait to see their price point and how they would compare.

This year (2013) is going to be a bargain year for European Cruises. There are so much capacity that everyone is having a clearance sale. We just booked a last minute Greek Isles (12 days) for under $800! (Okay, we paid a bit more than that as we don't want inside cabins) We are leaving mid-August.

For 2014, Carnival is pulling out of Europe. RCL will reduce their stake from 12 ships down to 8 and Princess is relocating ships as well. So next year would be a whole more expensive.

By the way, what was the name of the Hotel at Civitavecchia that you stayed at? And who did you use for airport transport from Rome to Civitavecchia? It is going to be the 2 of us so we are thinking either taking the train or the ship's transfer.

jacketwatch

Thats interesting E as I saw an intro price point of around $2900.00 for a 12 noc cruise which isn't bad considering all you get. I have noticed that most upscale cruise companies are giving price beaks on airfare as well as I saw they are offering airfare to Europe for $675.00 so all in all its competitive. However lets see how they transition from small volume river cruises to large volume ocean cruises. There has to be a learning curve.

You got a great deal for that cruise. what ship is it and what is your itinerary? I assume you are leaving out of Civi. The hotel we stayed at which I recommend is the Hotel San Giorgio. The service was very good, the staff friendly (two free limoncellos did not hurt ) and its price was decent. You can get a transfer to the ship from them for a nominal fee and as their car was a lttle late they served complimentary drinks and snacks. BTW if you like to bring wine on board (on Celebrity two bottles per cabin for in cabin use is free) you can buy it at the hotel. Two bottles plus a nice dinner for two the noc before came to about $100.00 so reasonable.

I can't recall who we use to transfer but it was 85 Euros for a shared ride which actually turned out to be private as no one else showed up.We used them to return to the airport and they were on time, no complaints. I will try to get the name of the company. Its on Fodors somewhere.

Hmmm. I wonder why there is a pull back from Europe. It has to be market driven but its very surprising as I always thought this market was a hot one.

jacketwatch

mailto:[email protected]

I can't find the website but this is their email.

Eschew

Larry: Ruby Princess, Greek Isles, Aug 16, 12 days, Rome, Naples, Santorini, Kusadasi, Mykonos, Athens, Katalolon, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Venice overnight and then disembark. Our per person cost is just under $1000 (with tax included). We decided to go cheap and just book oceanview rather than balcony as it is a big jump to $1500. I think we are paying very close to half price.

We have been on Ruby Princess twice before. The first time was the inaugural crusie in 2007. Second time was last October to Eastern Carribbean when we decided to have a "family" crusie and let my son's GF picked the cruise. (btw, they pay their own way)

We have been to most of the ports so we are just going to take it easy and maybe go to some secondary attractions. Have not decide what to do yet on each port so there are work to eb done. The price was just too good to pass up.

So, instead of taking our planned trip through the Rockies and hike in August, it is now 2 weeks in Europe. I think DW is happy about the change of plan.

The silly thing is, just a week prior to that Ruby Princess deal came up, we booked a cruise for Alaska (on a last minute deal) and we leave this weekend for Seattle, visit some family there before boarding. We are paying $750 (plus $150 tax) per person for a mid ship full blown suite with jacuzzi tub, walk-in closet, mini bar, daily fresh cut flowers, and the whole works. Regular price is well over $2K per person. The best we have ever scored was a mini suite (free upgarde) on a canal cruise. This will be our first time in a real suite.

Re Rome transfer, I heard Bob's Limo is pretty decent so I may check them out. Found your guy's web site. http://www.rome-private-transfer.com. The price looks good.

DW may want to stay at Rome rather than Civitavecchia. She thinks there is more to do in Rome and wanted to stay at the same hotel we stayed at 2 years ago. Taking the metro is a possibility from airport to Rome as hotel is 1 block from metro stop in the center of all the major Rome attractions. The downtown express will get us there.

The economy is still hurting so there are a lot less psx on European cruises. I knew they were hot for the last couple of years as there were no deals. The price is going to be crazy next year with so much less inventory. Might as well take advantage of the price break now and take a pass next year.

Shar

I have the brochure and a lowesst veranda suite is $5,000pp for a scandinavia/baltic cruise which includes stockholm, St. Petersburg, Poland, Germany 15 day trip. HOWEVER for 2015,and you want the previous cruise credit of $600.00, you need to pay in full by December 2013. that's a long time for them to hold your money. would be fun to be on an inauagural trip but wow, to come up for $10,000 by December 2013 when we haven't paid for 2014 yet might be a bit much for us. we did Viking in China and really loved it but it was a river and land excursions. No cost for shore excursions.....

jacketwatch

E that is a steal of a deal. The price is indeed too good to pass up as is the price for that Alaskan cruise on the suite. All I can say is WOW!!

I saw some reviews for Bob's limo and I think they are a good bet. You should be fine. I just wonder how an italian limo company came to be called "Bob's"

Have you been to the village of Sirince in Kusadasi? It a nice place, very relaxed.

Shar those prices are pretty high. Does that include any portion of the air, shore excursions, or any other perks?

Eschew

Larry, what sounds better for us North Americans: "Roberto's luxury airport cruise port city shuttle service" or "Bob's Limo"?

Only been to Kusadasi once and went staright to Ephesus and the Terrace houses. The remaining time was spent at the Bazzar and sidewalk cafe (people watching) drinking apple tea and turkish coffee. Where is the village of Sirince? We haven't decide what to do with a lot of the port stops yet.

Shar, I don't mind paying a deposit but paid in full by Decemebr 2013? for a cruise in 2015? That's way too early!

I think they wanted a committemnt but that's ridiculous. I don't know if anyone is doing that so Vikings may run into problem (as in not too many people booking). I certainly wouldn't want to book and paid that much $$ that early in advance. That's almost 2 years!

Eschew

Just checked the Viking Star itinerary. Every cabin has a balcony. No inside or window cabins. Airfare is not included. Wine and beer included with lunch and dinner. Free soft drinks and wi-fi through out. They are offering 2 for 1 deal plus $1000 off air.

There is a shore excursison included for each port but if you want to do anything else other than the one included (usually a walking tour), it is extra.

I guess the concept would be like Silversea except with a much bigger ship with almost 1000 passengers. Their target market would be the higher end and not us poor saps.

jacketwatch

Sirince is roughly about the same distance from the port as Ephesus is, give or take so its close by. Its a quaint village which makes a lot of thinks including tons of local wine which they had in abundance during out Oct. visit. There was a sign there by one of the shops which said "browse without being pestered." I liked that though some shop owners were a little push but not terribly so. They did get the idea and left you alone. Its a nice place to see, a different world from our hustle and bustle. You can also see the home of Mary too as its close by. I highly recommend the restaurant I linked below. Its a home owned Turkish place with a lunch buffet of alt least 20 fresh made ethnic dishes. Its amazing. The link shows the address at the bottom. I met the owner twice and I think she's coming to Chicago later this summer or fall for a Turkish festival. She's very nice and the food was great.

http://www.bizimevhanimeli.com/

Jim_Tardio

I went ahead and booked the 10 day Istanbul to Venice cruise.

I balked at the total payment due by Dec. 31, 2013, but you can get all but $100.00 back if you cancel within 120 days of sailing...so really there's not much to lose.

I liked this cruise because it originates in Istanbul, where other cruises just stop there in the middle of their itinerary. I'd rather arrive a few days early. Istanbul has been on my destination list and this will give me the opportunity to arrive a few days in advance to see the city.

And ending in Venice...perfect. Plus it's in April which is a delightful time to travel in this area.

Eschew

Thanks Larry, I'll check out teh restaurant. We have lots of time unless we want to go abck to EPhesus again. I heard that they may hve restored more of the Terrace houses since we were there last.

Blackhawks won. So it's my Briuns vs your Blackhawks. I need to catch some zzz as I have an early flight to catch heading to Seattle early in the mroning.

jacketwatch

And I'm up now after too little sleep as this game went way past my bedtime and work awaits.

Should be a great series.

Take care E.

patandhank

Wow - interesting news on Viking - thanks for posting.

Jim_Tardio - did you check out Oceania Cruises? They offer some Istanbul starting and stopping itineraries. Agree with you that Istanbul is worth spending some time in. We enjoyed it.

Jim_Tardio

Yes, I looked at the Oceania offerings. But I like that the Viking cruise I booked is sailing in April, which is a perfect time of year to visit this area...not hot & not crowded.

I'm also lured by the fact that this is a brand new ship (being built now), with every room having a balcony. And, the Viking cruise is substantially cheaper.

Oceania does have some nice itineraries, however.

luvtotravel

I booked the Mediterranean Odyssey on the Viking Star. It stung a bit to learn we had to pay in full by the end of this year, but I'm doing it. We were able to book the lowest price category and locked in air at $795 from LAX. The lowest price category is now gone on all the Mediterranean Odyssey cruise dates and they've increased the air to $1,295, so I'm glad we booked when we did. All cabins have balconies and will share the majority of incentives. The only difference I can see (other than size of cabin) is that those who pay the most get to reserve restaurants and tours first. Being in the lowest category, we will get last choosings. There is no reservation fee for optional restaurants.

My experience to date is two cruises on Carnival -- the first one in 1980 and I said I'd never take another cruise. Took the second Carnival cruise this spring with friends (obviously their choice) and had a great time. I just didn't like the loud music everywhere. I have high expectations on this "luxury" cruise in 2015.

Mickeyfin

We are going on the Regent Seven seas Voyager from Venice to Istanbul in Nov. regent is not cheap but is ALL inclusive. No tips, no excursion fees, all liquor included and great food. The cabins all have balconies and are very spacious. no obnoxious music and very few children, as it is expensive. It is a very classy ship. We have been on her before from Rio to Miami.