I'm writing this from my penthouse balcony cabin on board Viking Cruises' first ocean ship, Viking Star – not that I want you to feel jealous or anything! (And by the way, every cabin, or stateroom as everyone describes them these days, has a balcony on this ship.)
As we sail across the slightly rocky North Sea towards Bergen in Norway, I'm enjoying a complimentary vodka and tonic from the minibar and looking at the many inclusions Viking Cruises has built into its fares , and how this compares with other cruise lines.
Starting with drinks, the minibars in three of the five cabin categories on Viking Star are restocked daily with free soft and alcoholic beverages; wine, beer and soft drinks are served with lunch and dinner; and coffee, tea and other non-alcoholic drinks are available free of charge at any time all over the ship.
Free WiFi is another big plus – it can be slow at times but it's a major bonus for both passengers and crew. We met one Filippino crew member who said free WiFi was the main reason he took the job with Viking, so he can talk to his family more often when he's at sea.
Viking has taken the most popular included features from its river cruises and applied them to its new ocean-going ship and by doing so, is giving other cruise lines something of a wake-up call. Free WiFi is a case in point. Royal Caribbean has pioneered the fastest internet connections at sea by investing in its own satellite system, but you still have to pay for it; other cruise lines are offering WiFi packages that are cheaper than a couple of years ago, or free for top-priced suite passengers, but free WiFi for everyone is usually only offered on river cruises.
A shore excursion in every port is included in Viking Star's fares, along with a choice of for-fee tours. Luxury lines such as Crystal Cruises, Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn include shore excursions, and Azamara Club Cruises even invented a name for its (free) "behind the scenes" type tours – AzAmazing Evenings. However, Viking is not selling itself as a luxury line, and the fares reflect this.
There's also no charge to while away a few hours in Viking Star's spa, which comprises a sauna, "snow grotto", thermal pool, hot tub and heated loungers. On most ships that offer thermal suites, you pay for a day pass; even the yoga and pilates classes in the fitness centre are free. Long may it last!
MEET THE CREW
NAME Greg Welch, from California, USA
POSITION Assistant shore excursion manager, Carnival Legend
MY JOB I help facilitate bookings for our guests so they can join guided tours in our beautiful ports of call. I book guests on everything from Hawaiian luaus to Alaskan dog-sledding and Vanuatu fire-walking.
MY TYPICAL DAY Days at sea usually see me at my desk helping guests to organise their tours before we arrive in port. During my time off I enjoy reading, and also running on the open-air track.
FAVOURITE CRUISE MOMENT Obtaining my dive certification in Cozumel, Mexico. It has allowed me to dive all over the world.
MY FAVOURITE CRUISE PORT Skagway, Alaska has the most beautiful scenic mountains, and the local breweries are not too shabby either. I also like Puerto Vallarta, Mexico for the beautiful beaches and delicious tacos.
INSIDER TIP Don't miss out on the exclusive ship's tour of crew areas such as the engine control room, galley and the navigational bridge.
TIP
Are you a solo cruiser looking for good deals? Check ocean and river cruise lines' websites for their online solo clubs and join up for regular updates. Cruise Express' Solo Zone website features special offers for singles as well as helpful articles and tips. cruiseexpress.com.au/solo-cruising
NEWS
Antarctica to Africa
Ponant's 2016-17 Antarctica program includes a new 22-day itinerary between Tierra del Fuego and South Africa, visiting the Falkland Islands and South Georgia en route. Ponant's recently launched Le Lyrial will sail from Ushuaia on March 4 and highlights of the expedition cruise include three of the most isolated islands in the world: Tristan da Cunha, a volcanic and mountainous land remarkable for its 2000-metre peak; Gough Island, home to one of the world's largest seabird colonies and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site; and Nightingale Island, a refuge for penguins. ponant.com
Pandora at sea
P&O Cruises is opening five Pandora jewellery shops across its fleet, starting appropriately with Pacific Jewel in June. The shops will be added to the other four ships, Pacific Dawn, Pacific Pearl, Pacific Aria and Pacific Eden, over the next few months. The popular Pandora range, including the collectable charms, will be on sale at duty-free prices at sea. Aria and Eden, which both carry 1500 passengers, are due to set sail in November, and on November 25 all five ships will stage a grand parade on Sydney Harbour.
Extended river journeys
Travelmarvel's 2016 Europe river cruising brochure is out now and includes nine new extended itineraries plus earlybird booking deals. The company will be offering its popular 15-day European Gems and Rhine and Rhone cruises, as well as extending them to 22 and 27 days with extra land trips. For example, the 27-day itinerary takes in seven countries. You start in London, visit Scotland, the Lake District and Bath, then take two seven-night river cruises from Amsterdam to the South of France. Another new trip is an ocean-river cruise combo, featuring a six-night Norwegian coastal cruise and a 15-day river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. travelmarvel.com.au
DEAL OF THE WEEK
Enjoy the magnificent architecture and cuisines of Spain and Italy on Cruise 1st's new 11-night Mediterranean cruise-stay-fly package. The Barcelona round-trip cruise on the activity packed, 4200-passenger Norwegian Epic departs on November 8 and fares start from $2199. Phone 1300 596 345, see cruise1st.com.au.
MORE DEALS
PRINCESS CRUISES is offering big savings on select cruises. For example, Diamond Princess' five-night, round-trip from Tokyo (Yokohama), visiting Busan (South Korea), and Nagasaki (Japan), starts at $699 and departs July 3. Phone 13 24 88, see princess.com.
SILVERSEA Book a voyage with the Silver Select promotion by June 30 and you can choose one of the luxury line's three special offers: a two-category suite upgrade, 50 per cent savings on a second suite or a US$1000 shipboard credit. 1300 306 872, silversea.com.
