NeilP57

Just a quick reminder that the Hagia Sophia is closed on the Monday, which is the day we arrive into Instanbul. I think this is why Viking have substituted the waterways tour for the original included tour which was meant to include the Hagia Sophia.

I am sure you will have seen that Viking also offer an optional tour that includes The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace and the Grand Bazaar which on my UK site is priced at £39 per person.

Neil

Saba2009

I read your post with interest, what is the source of your information? It would be helpful to understand the source (and its accuracy) so I can assess how it impacts on what I do on my upcoming cruise.

Neil

I have all three and I don't sail until September 3rd..I hope????

Thats three more coins that the UK customers have received. Unless I start to see them appear on auction sites I don't think I will worry too much about missing out.

Neil

It is good to hear that the wives are trying to maintain some dress standards in the main restaurants but it would be good if Viking improved the dress code as published in the FAQ's on the website and then made some attempt at enforcing it. It currently suggests that day wear (including shorts) is acceptable in the main Restaurant.

I am so looking forward to being aboard later this year in September and I so hope we do not have to share a dinner table with somebody wearing shorts and a t-shirt I have no big issue with denim jeans as long as they are smart and paired with a nice shirt (even better with a jacket) but maybe I am just an old fashioned (but still a relatively young) Brit!

Leo

Thanks for the "heads up" on the pillows, but I am intrigued by the upgrade to the Explorer Suite. What was the story on the upgrades?

Neil

Hopefully you will be able follow this you tube link, but I picked this up via twitter and it has the best video of the inside of the Star I have seen to date.

Cant wait for our turn to embark later this year.

Neil

Terrier1

There are some bottled beer products on the price list, they even seem to be stocking a beer from the Brooklyn Brewery so that should make you feel at home.

Neil

I do agree that the prices look very reasonable and about 30% less than equivalent drinks on board Queen Victoria (Cunard) of which I have some experience. However, it is fair to say that the range of drinks appears to be very limited by comparison.

If anybody could comment on whether the range of drinks is greater in the Explorer Lounge than the Living Room bar list posted that would be appreciated.

Neil

I am on a September 2015 departure from Venice to Istanbul, so will be able to help you later this year. When are you sailing?

I am not sure there are many non US travellers at the moment but no doubt we will see. I think from previous replies I have seen that the My Viking Journey web portal allows you to book different times for the included tours as I have seen references to some in the morning and some in the afternoon.

Neil

This is staggering. How many times can Viking get something so simple so wrong. I really think some explanation and a commitment to new actions from Viking is long overdue.

I originally felt that by September 15 when I am boarding it will all be sorted and the problems of the past 5 weeks would be fully resolved wherever physically possible, but I am having my doubts. I have only paid my deposit so far (UK customers get different payment terms) but I will pay the outstanding balance and still look forward to my cruise (plus a 3 night tour of Italy beforehand) but I will go with lower expectations that I expected and hopefully they will be exceeded.

Neil

Ingra Tor

If you could drop me an email on neildpreston57 at gmail dot com that would be appreciated.

Regards

Neil

Sorry to let the facts get in the way of a good story but in the UK a King Size bed is 60" wide, and according to Wikipedia continental Europe King Size is 63". I accept the ship has been heavily marketed in the US but it is clearly a European ship and therefore I think with a a bed 66" wide then we should acknowledge that Viking has exceeding their promise on this issue.

Neil

Ingra Tor

Perhaps you could share with me the contact details of the customer services manager here in the UK. I have raised a number of issues myself with the customer service staff and most have been resolved satisfactorily but it is always good to have details of a manager in case I have a problem in the future.

Thanks

Neil

Great news, its often the small things that make for a great experience. So pleased to read this whilst Viking work on other issues raised by many of our CC friends.

Sorry to hear about the rain, it looks as if you have had great weather so far.

Neil

I am having the same feeling about my 3 night Italian Cities tour ahead of boarding the Star in Venice in September 2015. I guess only time will tell.

I am on the Venice to Istanbul sailing in September 2015 and have booked the pre-tour of Rome, Florence, Bologna and Verona ahead of boarding in Venice. I would be very interested to hear if anybody who is on the current segment did this tour and any feedback would be most appreciated.

Neil

Cool Cruiser,

Thanks for the menus, it has been great fun this past 10 days receiving a live commentary from this maiden voyage from the many posters on CC, it is becoming quite addictive and I am not sure I will be able to stop until I board in Venice in September.

I was interested in the term Market Price below the caviar on the MDR menu, would I be right in assuming that they charge extra for this item?

Neil

Or even shore excursions?

Neil

Please help me to understand why your DH requires a knife for shore extractions.?

Neil

Viking Star - Sept 2015

EaglesWin,

Never hurts to say thank you, I am sure greekgoddess was trying to help.

Neil

I found another article about this incident again in the Bosnian language that has been translated by Google Translate. The full article is repeated below:

Kusovac about the incident with the old Viking: We have reports, so we'll see

Comments (1) A A A

Director of the Port of Kotor Basil Kusovac said that the company have reports about the incident with the cruise ship Norwegian company "Viking Star", a ship's captain to your quality system.

*Viking Star

The situation that occurred in Kotor port, on his first trip cruise ships Norwegian company "Viking Star", jeopardizes the safety of ships in the Bay of Kotor.

Cruiser that was two days ago arrived in the Port of Kotor due to strong north winds, almost not stranded. Neither the anchor could not prevent the movement of the ship to Kotor Park freedoms.

How strong wind carried the boat toward shore by the fact that he tore spearfishing marking the sandbar at the mouth of the river Škurda.

The disaster, however, prevented thanks to maximal engagement standing who managed to reach full power and thus stop further movement of the ship to the shore.

The commander of the Norwegian cruise ship captain Gjulik Svalastog announced it would invest so. sea ​​protest or official application of maritime accidents.

Director Luke Basil Kusovac said for Radio Antena M that the company would not prejudge anything.

"First we'll wait and see what happens. We have our own reports, the captain has the quality system your report and we will see, "said Kusovac.

President of the Tourist Organization of Kotor Krcic Mirza said that the situation with the cruise ship "Viking Star" warns.

"The incident occurred due to weather conditions, the anchor is dragged along the ground and there was to it. What matters to me now known Luke does not have any information about possible cancellations. We have a job as a state to think about the security services to be adequately equipped. Service maritime security, tugboats in the Bay of Kotor, "he added.

This is not the first such case. The prestigious cruise company "Royal Caribbean", but asked that the mandatory set buoys, as a similar situation would not happen and to safety was in accordance with international standards governing this field. Kusovac says the Port of Kotor in October trying to solve this problem.

"Tender procedure showed that it was not possible to complete before the season. All in Montenegro little late but we hope that we will provide it. We were willing to provide the money and technical documentation, find the best performer but that's the procedure was a problem. After some complaints and procedures, the Public Procurement Commission has decided that the project could not be completed because there are deficiencies in procedti. To me as a manager wrong as it has not been previously reported but are waiting for the start of the season, "he stressed.

Cruiser 227 meters long was transferred to anchor in goodness.

Not a perfect translation but clearly something happened, I guess time will tell what the implications (if any) are.

Neil

It is interesting to note that the latest Viking Star picture is showing that she is now registered in Bergen, whereas some earlier pictures on Marine Traffic dated December 2014 during its sea trials showed that she was registered in Valletta in Malta. I wonder if she will change back again after her ceremony in Bergen?

It will be interesting to see how this all works out in practice. My guess is that those in cabins other than the lowest category will book a 6:30 slot as this is like buying a free option for a dining preference. It will automatically be released for those nights they have booked into a speciality restaurant but for all the reasons stated above by Ruth (roothy123) and I can think of a few more they may not show at 6:30 and there will be plenty of room. Such passengers can still show up later and get fed by joining the line (or queue as we Brits call it) for open dining so there is no real disadvantage in taking a fixed 6:30 booking. Then if they wish to eat early they are certain of a table at 6:30, hence the free option.

I guess at 6:45pm there will be a quite a few people waiting for the 6:30 'no shows' but my view is that they will all be found seats, but in the coming weeks, once we start to get real feedback all this speculating will be replaced by solid feedback.

I wonder if I will be able to smuggle a neck tie on board. I would hate to be 'outed' by the style police if I chose to wear both a tie and jacket for dinner.

I find the FAQ's on the Viking website somewhat confusing (amongst many other things). It says:

For evenings, while there are no “formal nights,” the recommended dress is elegant casual for most restaurants, performances or other special events. Suggested attire for ladies includes a dress, or a sweater or blouse worn with a skirt or slacks; for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional, but not required. Dinner in The Restaurant remains casual, with daytime dress deemed appropriate.

Whilst "daytime dress"is not clearly defined the FAQ's does state the following:

During the day on board and ashore, dress is casual including shorts, jeans and comfortable shoes for walking tours.

I find this answer very confusing but I am sure we will all have a great time and I am relaxed about what my fellow passengers are wearing to dinner as long as we are all elegant as requested.

Neil (an Englishman abroad)

Indeed it would be great homework for the US based cruisers to study Eurovision, and remember that Celine Dion not only represented Switzerland but actually won the contest back in 1988.