Uniworld vs. Viking

I have done river cruises with three different cruise companies: Uniworld, Viking, and CroisiEurope.  Each has its own characteristics / brand. 

CroisiEurope is a French company that caters to a primarily European clientele.  Its boats are smaller, tours and talks are conducted primarily in French, but they cater to English, German, & Spanish easily.  Some North Americans might not like certain components of the trip: for example, instead of a menu of multiple choices offered at each meal, there is a set menu posted in the morning for lunch & dinner and that’s what everyone has (they are very accommodating for individuals with dietary restrictions).  All the Europeans simply accept that, and for me, it meant I was having truly local cuisine made at a very high level. It is a specific experience for a specific target market and I would travel with them again, recognizing they’re not for everyone.  So, on to the big boys:

Viking is known as the master of the rivers.  They are not the most expensive, but they are everywhere, and I think they may have the most boats on European rivers.  I have taken at least a half dozen Viking cruises in at least a dozen countries.

Uniworld is considered a step above Viking.  It is more expensive and thought to be more upmarket.  This is my second Uniworld cruise: the first was in Vietnam and can’t really be compared to European cruises.

So, of the two, which is better?  Someone the other night said, Once you leave Viking for Uniworld, you will never go back.  Hmm, let’s see.  The upfront cost for Uniworld is definitely higher, but it does include gratuities (which do mount up), and the spirits package (which is important to me).  So that really does narrow the price gap.  It is an opulent-looking boat and it has amenities that the Viking ships don’t have: a spa/gym with dedicated masseuse/fitness expert; a pool (a v small one); self-serve laundry room; and a second, smaller bar (nice for nights when you don’t want to listen to the entertainment in the main lounge).

Viking has a much cleaner, lighter, Scandinavian look.  The staterooms are smaller, but for me, I truly don’t care about that, never have. The evening entertainment is both less intrusive (shorter, less in-your-face), and more regionally specific, which I really like.  I’ll take a 45 minute glass blowing demonstration over an evening of live pop music any day.  I think there is greater selection on the in-room TVs on Viking, but don’t quote me on that.

Both lines have very good tours and excursions, mostly included, with the occasional fee-based option.  No real difference there.

Two things really matter to me on a trip: food and staff.  The meals on this trip have been good.  Not exceptional, but definitely good (except last night’s bone-dry cod – I do think putting fish on a buffet when you don’t know when the bulk of the passengers are arriving home is not bright).  Interestingly, almost everyone I met on this boat felt that the author of any of Uniworld’s ‘signature’ dishes’ recipes, Bea Tollman, needs to hang up her apron (their words, not mine).  But I have to say the food on Viking is much better.  As well as the safe & standard dishes, they have far more regional choices, and I really think the quality of the food is better.  Viking wins that round, hands down.

And as for the staffing: again, everyone on this boat has been very nice.  When a small error was made in my room, it was fixed immediately, and a box of Valhrona chocolates was delivered to my room. Work is done efficiently and well.  But it just not the same vibe as Viking.  On Viking, the staff knows my name (and I usually know several of theirs), everyone is friendlier, the mood is lighter, there is a sense of all together-ness.  Here, the staff are pleasant and attentive.  But, when I sat at the captain’s table for breakfast (how was I to know the bell on the table wasn’t some sort of nautical decoration instead of a “Reserved for Senior Staff” sign?), I was very passive-aggressively made aware of my faux-pas.  And not only by wait staff, but later by a member of the senior sailing team.  Okaaaay.

Oh yes, I did just remember another issue: on both of my Uniworld cruises, the pick-up at the airport was very catch-as-catch-can.  One staff member acknowledged that even though they booked our flights, they had no way of knowing if a flight had been delayed, or if a guest was stuck at a baggage carousel. After much hemming and hawing on the part of the welcome rep as she made call after call, we eventually just left the airport one person short – I have no idea how she fared?

On the whole, I would say the experience on both cruise lines is exceptional. Neither one would be a mistake for anyone.  But to that woman’s comment about ‘never going back to Viking’, I disagree.  I far prefer Viking: the people, the food, the décor – in fact, the whole Viking experience, and I will be sticking with them going forward.

** NOTE: I have added photos to the previous cruise posts and will be uploading more to the Gallery later this week.