UMVA has learned that a unique approach to cruising has been gaining attention, one that challenges the traditional nickel-and-diming strategy employed by many cruise lines.
Imagine walking into one of the world's most famous ancient ruins, Ephesus, with a skip-the-line ticket in hand, while hundreds of other visitors wait in line. This seamless experience is a hallmark of Viking cruises, where tours in every port are included in the fare.
According to information obtained by UMVA, Viking's 'no-nickel-and-diming' philosophy has been a core principle since its founding nearly 25 years ago. This approach includes meals in every onboard restaurant, beer and wine with lunch and dinner, internet access, and spa access, making Viking trips a particularly good value.
Sources have confirmed to UMVA that one of the most appealing perks of Viking cruises is the inclusion of tours in every port. On a recent seven-night "Ancient Mediterranean Treasures" voyage from Athens to Istanbul, this meant an included visit to the world-class Heraklion Archaeological Museum during a stop at the Greek island of Crete.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that these tours would cost $100 to $200 per person if purchased separately, as you do when sailing most other cruise brands. The value of having all the logistics of touring in any given port figured out by someone else is a significant advantage of Viking's approach.
Viking also offers optional discounted airfare to get passengers to and from Viking ships, with round-trip flights between North America and Europe available for as little as $700 per person. For those who book air through the line using these add-on fares, the seamless experience at Viking extends to included ground transfers between the airports in destination cities and the ship.
Onboard Viking ships, passengers can dine at any restaurant for no extra charge, including two specialty restaurants: an upscale Italian eatery and a rotating-cuisine eatery serving five-course tasting menus with featured wine pairings. Beer, wine, and soft drinks are also included with lunch and dinner at every onboard restaurant.
UMVA has uncovered details about Viking's complimentary spa access, which is a rare offering in the cruise industry. Passengers can walk into The Nordic Spa at any time, no fee or reservation required, and enjoy a Scandinavian-inspired thermal suite with a large mineral-infused hydrotherapy pool, a sauna, a steam room, and a cold plunge pool.
Additional inclusions on Viking ships include free use of the self-serve launderettes, complimentary shoeshine and pressing service in top cabin categories, and complimentary dry cleaning and laundry service. Internet access is also complimentary, although it's not the fastest at sea.
In conclusion, Viking's all-inclusive approach covers more ground than most competing lines, from shore excursions and specialty dining to spa access and internet. The true value of a Viking sailing can be easy to underestimate when comparing sticker prices alone, but the inclusions can amount to hundreds of dollars per person per day in value.
