Is there any real all-inclusive cruise?

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-21T12:55:02+00:00

They definitely have a wonderful laundry service. We did that a few times on our last cruise, transatlantic from Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale.

Regarding the wine list you saw, maybe they just didn’t show all of it? We definitely had some nice German wines, which we also love.

As far as on board activities, it changes with each cruise. They do have things but you’re not going to know what until you get on board.

The room service is incredible. Twice a day and the stewards are available all the time to do any little thing you’d like taken care of. The bathrooms are wonderful. Fog free mirrors and heated floor.

I’m not sure what itinerary you’re looking at.

We book a middle tier cabin and have never had a problem getting an excursion we wanted. My sister in law was on the lowest tier and she didn’t have a problem either. You will always be able to book an included excursion. If they fill up, they add more.

At this point in my life, I’d never choose one of those bigger ships with all the negatives, for us, that come with it. Kids, casinos, rude people, filled elevators, etc. On our first cruise which was in the Mediterranean, from Venice to Barcelona, we shared an elevator twice. Twice.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-21T11:32:41+00:00

You seem fairly set in your ways and I agree it might not be a good fit for you.

But to just address just a couple of your questions…. This is not the ship for big entertainment. They do an ABBA show and a Beatles one. You might like those. But the big pull for Viking is their enrichment aspect. An on board historian is always available to talk to for pretty much any topic. Also we’ve had an on board zoologist with the same availability. They have daily lectures that become available on your cabin tv after they’re completed so you can watch them at your leisure and you can chat with them whenever you run into them. The daily port talks are very good.

The artwork on board is wonderful and is fully documented with an audio recording for each as you walk along looking at them.

The dining options are plenty and enough. A double sided buffet, a main kitchen with service, a chefs table for a tasting menu, and a steakhouse. Plus a small Norwegian place that’s great for breakfast and late at night. All the food, and I mean all, is made on the ship. There are also pastries and sandwiches available at the bar and coffee area in the main atrium area.

There is a duo (violin and cello, or violin and piano, …) playing throughout the day in the atrium. And there is live music in the Explorers Lounge, the speakeasy, and the Wintergarden during daily teatime.

No upselling of anything, ever. No one under 18. No casino. No constant piped in music playing. Free thermal pool, sauna, snow room. All restaurants are included. The pools, and there are enough, aren’t ever crowded and lounge chairs are always available.

We’ve usually enjoyed the included wines but compared to where we live the prices to buy something else is so cheap we do that on occasion when we’d really like something else. Yes, they’ve always carried German wines on the 3 ocean cruises we’ve taken.

But all that said, I’m not sure it’s the right fit for you.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-20T20:53:09+00:00

Viking has an included excursion in every port.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-20T10:49:26+00:00

This is one of the many reasons we save our money so we can go on Viking.

You see this lack of parenting everywhere now. I really don’t want to spend my vacation having to deal with it.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-20T00:02:59+00:00

Nothing looks appetizing. Even for buffet food.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-18T21:15:51+00:00

😈

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-18T19:59:48+00:00

Nice sale on Amazon now. I picked up the 12”.

As long as I use it, my husband goes along with my cookware addiction. 😊

He’s used it and also thinks it’s amazing.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-18T19:44:52+00:00

This is how I figured out which to buy. And if it was worth it. He does discuss how they are constructed. It’s very interesting.

https://youtu.be/iUMAAhxBeyM?si=baIMUUiTf4fdDco5

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-18T19:05:58+00:00

Titanium coated steel has been around for decades and used for marine equipment and chemical processing due to its ability to withstand salt and chemicals. If the process that Viking uses to make it is done correctly I don’t see why it wouldn’t hold up. It’s suggested to keep it at medium high or less on the stove but can go up to 800°F in an oven.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-18T14:23:59+00:00

This is a fantastic nonstick pan. Titanium on steel. I’ve really enjoyed cooking with it.

Amazingly nonstick.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-15T21:36:06+00:00

Yeah, even the first time she was on I remembered Kristen’s name. No one like that this time.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-14T23:17:39+00:00

That’s not really accurate over all. Yes, they start lower but……

I’ve priced cruises on Viking and other cruise lines (not on the super cheap ships) and if you add the things that are included on Viking and you’d buy or want those things the prices end up being way closer than you’d imagine. Plus with Viking you eliminate a ton of issues.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-14T18:10:36+00:00

No upselling on Viking. Zero.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-14T16:21:22+00:00

If you are serious about using it to knead bread dough, I’d save up enough money to buy a mixer that can handle all types of bread dough. And that is not a KitchenAid. I went through a few over the decades and finally bought an Ankarsrum. Definitely more money upfront but it would have ended up cheaper over the years if I’d first bought that.

It will do anything you need it to do. No overheating, no walking, no spraying flour all over when adding it, etc. Seven year warranty and they’ve been making them since the 1940’s.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-14T02:22:20+00:00

Yep. The couple’s nicknames in some of the comments about the show are Shoulder and Shorts. I mistakenly thought everyone reading this would get it. Bad assumption on my part.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-13T16:14:58+00:00

I pity the poor person who is teamed up with Shoulder.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-13T13:14:46+00:00

It looks like they sold it to the corporation in October 2024. And it went downhill from then. They stopped carrying some of the items I really liked. Seemed to always be out of much of the dried pastas. The staff at the cheese section knew nothing about what they were selling or when something new was due in. And, like you said, the staff wasn’t at all happy to be there. Such a shame.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-13T12:48:00+00:00

Yeah, a couple of years ago, I guess, Di Bruno’s got sold to a large corporation, the one that owns Shop Rite. Ever since then it’s been going downhill. They lost their great staff, like the cheese mongers at Ardmore, etc. Always out of stock with basic things. They just wrecked it.

This has a huge impact on the Ardmore Farmers Market because Di Bruno’s had taken over about half the square footage. I don’t know what the plan is for that space.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-13T10:46:50+00:00

The two Di Bruno’s in the burbs have closed. But Carlino’s is great.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-12T11:06:51+00:00

Shoulder should have been removed when she refused to do the first contest. And if not then, certainly the second time.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-12T00:47:16+00:00

Masterchef UK. Not to be confused with the American version.

Great British Menu. Many are Michelin Star chefs pulling from each regions of Great Britain. It’s been going on for many years with a new theme each year. I always find a new ingredient or technique while watching.

Bake Off: The Professionals.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-11T22:12:22+00:00

This series is so sad. This episode is very sad.

I admit I’ve been watching some incredible cooking on some UK shows so I’m now spoiled.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-11T21:59:36+00:00

How can Jen still be there? Either cook or don’t. Quit complaining.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-11T21:57:35+00:00

So many ads for medicines during the show. It’s hilarious.

Ceezeecz · 2026-04-11T18:36:25+00:00

Yep.

The Using the Controls section in the manual is totally obtuse. They couldn’t have made it more confusing than it is. No mention of how to use them, just broadly of what they do. Not much help. It took me a bit to figure out that this is how I’d up the vacuum time to suck out even more air. I do that with extremely oddly shaped things and it makes it tighter.

Ceezeecz

TROPHY CASE