NeilP57

I have no idea how this will work out in practice. In the UK the cruises have been marketed as "gratuities included" cruises, so later this year when I take part in an 'included' tour I would generally feel that gratuities are included in the basic cruise price I have paid. I am not sure that I should treat a tour guide any different to a member of the ships crew who provides a service that I feel has already been paid for. Obviously if a member of crew (or a tour guide) go above and beyond the normal level of service I will be happy to recognise this in a financial way but would not want to elevate tour guides above others providing any other service.

I am so looking forward to my cruise later this year and can't wait until we get some real feedback from the early cruisers on the maiden voyage.

I was in Stavanger a couple of years ago on the Queen Victoria on a short Fjords cruise from the UK. I pre-booked a tour by boat to Pulpit Rock with Rodne, this was very easy to do and the departure point was very close to the cruise ship birth (5 minutes walk).

Just a word of warning that low cloud on the day (we were there in the summer) prevented us from seeing Pulpit Rock from the boat. The trip was still worthwhile and is recommended and then if you can see Pulpit Rock then look upon this as a bonus.

I really feel sorry for you guys that will miss the cruise to Flam up the fjord as this was our destination the following day, the cruise in and out of Flam was fantastic, but well done to those of you getting the train so you can take the mountain railway down to Flam as this is a fantastic journey as well.

Neil

When I visited there was not an on-line option but I made sure I was off the ship first and made my way to the ticket office at a brisk pace ad purchased the tickets I needed and was booked on the next train to leave Flam. There is nothing much to do at the top (it joins with a main Norwegian railway line) so we then got back on the train to return to Flam.

Looking at the on-line option today, I would book this and select the time I would wish to travel and then i see it only offers you a return that leaves the station at the top about 11 mins later. I would not worry about that as I said there is not much to see there.

I do not have the price of the Viking excursion that includes the railway but I guess they will add something to the cost and possibly make a visit somewhere else as well. Whilst the pricing on the website is in NOK and the Viking will be in dollars it should be straightforward to compare and I would guess direct is best.

We were back at the ship for Lunch and had a leisurely afternoon on board ship in a magnificent location, soaking up the wonderful surroundings.

A couple of tips for the train journey - a) If you can sit on the right on the way up and left on the way back. b) if you are mobile consider departing the train on the way back ay Old Flam station and it is then a pleasant walk back to ship (all downhill of course)

Neil

Having been to Flam three years ago on Queen Victoria I can confirm that there is space for one ship at the Pier and then any other ships stay in the Fjord and tender passengers ashore. I see that the published Port schedule has already allocated a Costa ship to the pier that day, so it does look as if it will be a tender port. This should not really be a problem for most people as the ship is not very far away and the water should be smooth, although I accept for those with more limited mobility this could be an issue.

I know from my own invoice that Viking still seem to have some confusion about tender ports as only yesterday I received an updated invoice from them showing Athens as a tender port whilst Santorini is alongside a dock. I am pretty certain this will not be how it will be in reality.

Flam is a great place to visit, make sure you get up early to make the most of the transit up the fjord and then do take the railroad, even if all you do is get off and return straight back down again. Watch out for the maids in the mist!

Neil

There is another thread further down the page called "Dressing for Dinner" that has some responses on as well. If I was clever enough to provide the link automatically I would do but it should be easier enough to find.

It seems that there is going to be a mixture of informal, casual and more formal, all determined by the passengers rather than the cruise line. I think everybody is relaxed about it and will match what happens in most restaurants we go to at home.

Neil

Carol

Indeed I am on the Roll Call, I am even on your summary of current participants that you did back on October 12th. I wonder where are fellow passengers are hiding?

As for pricing, I think by the time we adjust your $800 per person headline savings for the fact that airfare and gratuities are included in the price I paid then you will still have better deal than myself but not as large as the headline number suggests.

Neil

Not sure it will be that easy to compare but just in case anybody else wishes to share their details this is what I have paid.

I am paying the brochure/website price as I booked it direct with Viking with a £500 per person early booking discount, bringing the headline price of a Penthouse Veranda Cabin (PV1) down from £4,146 per person down to £3,646. This is for the September 2015 departure from venice to Istanbul (9 night cruise). I then added the 3 night Italian Cities pre-cruise extension that cost a further £899 per person.

This includes return air fare from the UK initially to Rome and then back from Istanbul.

Other than the different treatment for gratuities, there is a different payment profile. I paid a deposit of 25% when I made the booking on October 2013, and the balance is not then due until July 2015.

Anybody from the US on this trip would like to share the $ costs? Or perhaps in the same cabin but on a different duration who can provide a per night equivalent. The Airfares are reasonably cheap, and including an amount for transfers would allow circa £300/person (max) for this item.

Also how much is the suggested gratuities?

I see that most US customers seen to book through a TA, previously I have been on two Cunard cruises and they do not offer any discounts to TA's so normally book direct with cruise line. At least in this way Viking will talk to me direct.

Neil

Carol

I guess that is why they offer Open Seating as well. I think with the number of dining options available this will not be a problem pleasing everybody, but I guess only time will tell.

Neil

In the UK the 2015 Viking Star season has always been marketed as including gratuities, initially if booked by a certain date (initially by January 2014) but this date just kept getting rolled forward and the offer is still being offered.

Thanks for the prompt response. Thought that may be the case as this is what you sometimes get in some top-end restaurants. I wonder whether the chefs will come out and explain each dish as often happens with such tables.

Neil

Most of us will have seen the following information regarding dining options:

Dining was offered to me as follows:

THE RESTAURANT

The Restaurant is the main onboard dining area for Viking Star. Please select from one of these three options:

1. Early Seating: Dining starts at 6:30 PM, with the same table and waiter each night

2. Late Seating: Dining starts at 8:30 PM, with the same table and waiter each night.

3.Open seating: Dining anytime between 6:30-10:30 PM (Tables subject to availability) Please note, even if you select Early or Late Seating, you can always opt for open seating that day.

SPECIALTY RESTAURANTS

Depending on your stateroom category, you may be able to make one or more reservations at our specialty restaurants, The Chef’s Table and Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant prior to arriving. Your Customer Service Representative will confirm the number of reservations you can make prior to arrival on board.

The Chef’s Table offers a pre-set menu for a multi-course dining experience.

You will be asked to select:

Table for 2 or Shared Table

and Dining time: 6:00 PM OR 8:30 PM

Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant features Italian and Tuscan specialties.

You will be asked to select:

Table for 2 OR Shared Table

Dining time (available in 30 minute increments from 6:30 to 10:30 PM)

From the Viking website The Restaurant is on Deck 2, and the Chef's Table and the Italian Restaurant are on Deck 1, but does anybody have any idea what the dining option is provided by Kitchen Table, also shown on the Viking website on Deck 1?

Is this a separate menu or just a "special table" that is surrounded by the kitchen area, any thoughts welcome until we receive the facts from our maiden cruisers.

Neil

Maybe its a Brit thing, but I for one will normally be wearing a jacket for dinner, even in the main restaurant, although it will probably end up on the back of the chair if acridness too warm. As for Mrs P, who am I to suggest what a woman will wear from day to day!

Thanks Kathy for this, much appreciated.

Even here in the UK the site is working and I was able to register and see my booking (September 2015 departure).

Tours are not yet loaded but the rest of the information re dining arrangements etc are there. I see they have also expanded the FAQ's.

Glad I have been able to source tour information from various postings on CC for the maiden cruise visiting the same ports as we are visiting in September.

It will be interesting to see how it works out in practice but for bookings made here in the UK, tips are included in the price! Although I assume there is differential pricing for different markets.

Neil

There has been a few posts (myself included) where port arrival and departure times have been provided on updated invoices issued by Viking. Suggest you request an updated invoice and the information you desire should be on there. Hope this works.

Interestingly the website as viewed from the UK (it automatically redirects to a .co.uk extension) does not yet have tour prices available. No doubt it will catch up soon.

But it does confirm that Viking know the times even if they will not share them with you!

I have just booked my flights through the Viking office in the UK and on the updated invoice they have provided the following information regarding arrival and departure times that I thought you may all be interested in. These relate to the September 2015 departure of the Empires of the Meditteranean from Venice to Instanbul

Venice Depart 11:59pm

Pula Arrival 8:00am Depart 4:00pm (tender)

Dubrovnik Arrival 8:00am Depart 11:59pm

Kotor Arrival 7:00am Depart 6:00pm

Santorini Arrival 7:00am Depart 6:00pm

Athens Arrival 7:00am Depart 6:00pm (tender)

Ephesus Arrival 7:00am Depart 2:00pm

Istanbul Arrival 1:00pm (overnight in port)

Hopefully this is useful for you all. The departure from Ephesus seems early and I am glad that I have booked an extra couple of nights in a hotel in Istanbul otherwise there would not be time to see all the great sites that city has to offer.

Apologies for the formatting but despite putting it in columns CC reformats it like this.

Neil

__________________

It took a nudge to my Viking sales consultant but after booking my September 2015 departure on the Empires of the Mediterranean cruise more than 2 years in advance and flights being open for booking for over two months I have just had a call from the flight team at Viking here in the UK and flights have now been booked and my e-tickets issued. Process was smooth and efficient, just a pity it was not a couple of months ago. I guess all's well that ends well. The bonus is that updated invoice issued with the e-ticket also contained details of port arrival and departure times.

I am booked on the Empires of the Sun departure from Venice to Istanbul in September 2015, plus the 3 night Italian pre-cruise extension. Despite booking over 16 months ago, and flights both from London to Rome and back to London from Istanbul now being bookable, I am being told I have to wait in the queue until the air booking team get to my booking. I guess not many 2015 River Cruises were booked so far in advance so I guess it must be on departure date order.

I am feeling a little bit unloved as a UK customer, as I have neither had a holiday card or an invitation to take part in a survey regarding excursions.

I am sure it will all be okay in the end and a great holiday but I bit more contact from Viking would be appreciated.

Can't believe I just found this. We have sailed on Azamara, Silversea, and Seabourn and love the smaller ships and prefer Veranda suites. Just today, I got a pop up and decided to check it out. My wife and I are going to have a discussion tonight. One that looks intriguing to me so far is the Venice to Istanbul itinerary.

 

Prices and offers look pretty attractive. A little disappointed that tips were not included, but hey, we realize it all comes down to dollars and cents in the total overall cruise fare.

 

Who knows, maybe a new cruise line in our future.

In the UK the cruises are being offered including tips if booked by the end of 2013. I have already booked the same cruise as you are considering for a September 2015 departure and I agree the pricing/offer looks attractive. If you believe the website it seems to be selling well!

???

I have booked on the Empires of the Mediterranean cruise from Venice to Istanbul in Sept 2015. Viking have only just released booking to Uk customers in the past few weeks. I was wondering if any of the contributors who may have booked this cruise are aware how the extension bookings are going. I am interested in the Italian Cities 3 night extension pre-cruise as well as the two night Istanbul extension post cruise but I have not yet booked them. The delay in booking is a mixture of a) to limit the amount paid so far in advance and b) I may possibly travel on the Orient Express from London but the train operator have not released their 2015 Timetable yet (no surprise!). I don't wish to leave it too late to book and find the extensions fully booked as I have read elsewhere for earlier cruises in this maiden season. All comments welcome.