Expected more from Viking

Viking Star Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 30

Overall rating:

3.2 out of 5
Verified Review
Viking Star

14 Night Panama Canal & Central America (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: October 14, 2022

Ship: Viking Star

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: 4061

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Overall we were disappointed in our first Viking cruise. For this price point their competitors offer a much better experience. More inclusive (tips and liquor), much better food and friendlier staff.

Embarkation

4 out of 5
About a 15 minute line to check in then walked on to ship with no wait

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

2 out of 5
Food and drink were very disappointing. Aside from two good dinners the food was much less than expected at this price point. Poor quality meats and seafood, poor selection in the buffet for breakfast (same food every single day). Chefs table was awful, food and service very poor.

Onboard Activities

2 out of 5
Not much to do on Viking. Port days nothing was scheduled until the evening so if you stayed on board you were on your own.

Entertainment

4 out of 5
Entertainment was better than expected. Singers and dancers and two excellent shows, two guest entertainers and the cruise director did his own show. No complaints.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5
Very hit and miss. Many new and poorly trained staff and some good crew who have been with Viking many years. Shore excursion staff and pursers staff not helpful.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
The Star was spotless and meticulously maintained. Crew were constantly cleaning the ship at all hours, it even smelled fresh. Viking is very “homey” and clean in decor.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
The cabin was small with very little storage. It was not designed well with a small closet extremely close to the bedside. Would not get this room again.

Ship tip

Lower your expectations.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

5 out of 5

Cozumel, Mexico

4 out of 5

Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

3 out of 5

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

2 out of 5

Colon, Panama

1 out of 5
Extremely poor and run down city. Would never visit here again.

Panama Canal (Cruise Into Canal)

5 out of 5
Fascinating

Montego Bay, Jamaica

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
Was supposed to start at 7:00. Very few announcements made with lots of crowding at the exit area. Not a good way to end the cruise. Did not start disembarking until 7:50
Was this review helpful? 30

6 Comments

SuperDav3    2 years ago

Thanks for sharing. We will be on this ship in a few months so taking note of your thoughts.

byhisgrace    2 years ago

Thanks for your review

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

Interesting

AuntPinkie    2 years ago

Sorry you were disappointed.

CruzeFan    2 years ago

Thanks for the review. I’m always curious when people complain about the same food at the breakfast buffet every day. Most have multiple types of eggs, bacon, sausage, ham, pancakes, waffles, several types of pastries, Toast, bagels, hot & cold cereals, Hashbrowns, yogurt, fruit, cold cuts, cheeses, etc. I’m not sure what else people expect for breakfast.

javawoody    2 years ago

Thanks for the review