Viking Cruises took the world of ocean cruising by storm not long ago, not by ‘raising the bar’ on anything. That bar-raising focus has a limited shelf life as we have seen time and time again. Someone else always comes along to raise the bar a bit higher.  In what might appear to be Viking abruptly changing course, a planetarium was added to new Viking Orion and oh my goodness did readers notice.

 

Viking describes the new Explorers’ Dome feature as ‘a planetarium-like theater where guests can view special panoramic films about exploration’. Show titles like “Journey to Space” and “Life Under the Arctic Sky” are created in a fully immersive environment in what was previously the upper level of the popular Explorer’s Lounge. So here come the questions:

Wait, so now there IS a difference between the ships?  Should I consider that factor now?  With identical ships, this was not an item to investigate. -Roger C from Tulsa. 

Viking owes a ton of success in the ocean to an efficient and engaging river cruise operation. That reputation just opened the door though.  Viking Ocean Cruises made a name not by raising any bars but by creating a different bar. This planetarium-like theater is more of that.
Move along now.
You want more.

“It’s on this ship. It may or may not be on all other ships going forward,” Viking marketing chief Richard Marnell told USA TODAY.

We may have reached a point with the Viking brand where the unexpected is the expected.  I kind of like that thought. The base experience is solid.  What Viking adds to individualize ships is of little consequence. It’s not like they are adding a time-travel machine to just one ship, leaving everyone sailing other Viking ships stuck in the present.

You may not get excited about a planetarium-like theater but it’s a good fit. It works right along with thoughts openly expressed by Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen, shipbuilder, scientist, industry icon, etc.

Frankly, a planetarium/explorer-themed attraction makes sense. Basically, the entire ship is an exploring attraction anyway.  All staterooms have balconies. All balconies have unobstructed views. Multiple dining venues have huge sliding windows that open out to the ocean on a nice day.  To many Viking travelers, a planetarium represents a delicious addition, perhaps preferred entertainment over a vanilla stage show. Yes, more planetarium-like stuff, please.

Hagen’s eternal thoughts about time are appropriate to mention here.
There is a long game.
Patience, grasshopper.

OMG it looks like that flying ride at Disney World- do they strap in? Does it twirl around?  – Roberta, Orlando

Back in the comparatively docile world of the Viking river cruises, the success formula included the development of the basically identical Viking Longships. Those popular vessels have won all possible awards many times over and been the inspiration for a few new ones along the way.  Identical, save for art depicting the mythical Viking character for which each Viking longship is named.  Indeed, we have also talked about those identical Venice class ocean ships of the Viking fleet here and here and here and here and here and here.  That message was clear.  Absolutely identical. How many times are you going to say that Chris?

The attraction to that thought of all the ocean ships being exactly alike is that they could be positioned anywhere in the world.  It really did not matter which particular ship travelers were on.  Kind of like the ships of Princess Cruises until the launch of destination-specific Caribbean Princess.  It was odd for a blink or two when Caribbean Princess was not in, well, the Caribbean.  We got over it.

Attractions are a hot topic for fans of cruise ships with lots of top deck attractions.  But this is a topic that was not on the radar of anyone when it came to thoughts of Viking. Like casinos. Viking does not have those either. Now, the topic of ship-specific attractions is a factor to be compared when choosing a specific ship or itinerary. Now, Viking has them. Previous Viking ships had few features unique to one vessel over another. Those differences were more the expected evolutionary moves typical of a new cruise line.  Viking Orion changed that.

Attractions are also a topic that is important to those who are not fans of top deck attractions as well. More top deck attractions generally come along with more attractions inside too.  This is onboard programming movement in an unusual way for Viking only because of the different ship design.  Covering all the bases on topics of interest with travelers?  That’s just what they do. Seamlessly.

I feel like I should apologize for not highlighting this new scientific feature of new astro-oriented Viking Orion.  But no one knew.  What a great ship to have in so many places around the planet though, right?.  To add some after-the-odd-surprise detail, USAToday reports of the unique Viking Orion bonus feature “It’s the highest-definition 7K planetarium in the world,” Viking’s executive director operations for ocean Ralph de Klijn said during a demonstration.

Great! We have sailed that grand ocean liner Queen Mary 2 and enjoyed the planetarium – Betty Sue And Bob, Jacksonville

Well, now you have another ship to enjoy the stars on and for Viking, the sky is surely not the limit.

 

Abruptly changing course?

I understand the thought but that’s a rush to judgment.   Let’s not go down the MUTTS road again and start calling this anything other than what it is: a potentially engaging entertainment feature.

Pay attention to Viking with perhaps a bit more detailed and serious investigation?

You bet.  As cruise lines continue to differentiate themselves from one another, take nothing for granted. To do otherwise would not fulfill your most important travel-related loyalty: You and an obligation to be a good steward of your travel resources.

 

On The Horizon

That ‘being a good steward of your travel resources’ thought brings up a topic we have not addressed directly.  We talk about ways to find the best deal, considering buying the cruise the beginning of the process (not the end) and offered proven resources to help guide your decisions.  An upcoming post on this topic is filtered through the traditional viewpoint we grew up with, translated into the travel world of today.  Stay tuned.  For now, a Viking Video that fits right here: