tobique33040

Always ready with a fun comment 😂

We always get to the Restaurant around 18:15 and the lines have disbursed a bit. We ask for a window seat so we at least have people on only one side. Sometimes they say no and we roll with it. Haven’t had too many unwanted conversations. At world Cafe we eat by the windows at the stern of the ship, next to the bar. Again, we only have people on one side of us, and often nobody is seated there. We are going on a river cruise at Christmas. Haven’t been on a Viking river in awhile. Before we could get tables for two but the last time there were large communal tables. Is that the norm now?

Ah interesting. I’ve seen adverts for them a few times but didn’t look further. Thank you. I will check them out.

I get a bit seasick so Windstar might not be right for me. Regent Seven Seas, Seaborne and Silversea seemed more expensive, but maybe I’m wrong. Oceania seems to have raised their prices. What other small lines do you recommend? We love Viking but almost did an Oceania so we are definitely open to trying other lines if the atmosphere and price are amenable.

My travel companion and I just turned 70. Our cruise last month had so many more what we consider younger people, than we have seen in past. My first cruise with my late husband was a river cruise in 2009, and we were not the youngest, but in the minority. Age made no difference. Also took my 38 yr old daughter on a cruise and she found plenty of active excursions in Norway. Plenty of hiking. So I think you will find plenty of «younger « people on the cruise. But I agree with above comment. We want an all adult, smaller ship. The other smaller ships seem to be more expensive than Viking in my research, and a bit froufrou for us. As you can see, whatever you want to know can generally be answered by the lovely people on this forum. There are so many regulars with amazing breadth of knowledge about Viking and cruises in general. You were smart to find this source of information.

Yes that would be a great cruise.Smart idea to take a cruise at that time of year because as you said, it’s essentially a Christmas cruise. But my travel companion doesn’t want to miss thanksgiving at home so we are just doing the 8 day. We are going on into the Midnight Sun. I did it two years ago with my daughter and loved it. So my friend and I will do it next year. The land tour I am going on in May is three weeks of Scandinavia. Lots of driving, but I love to be on the bus and look at the scenery. Btw, after the Midnight Sun two years ago, we took the train from Bergen to Oslo, which was lovely. Then, the overnight ferry to Copenhagen. The ferry was certainly downmarket from Viking, but the cruise through the islands out from Oslo was magnificent. Happy cruising to y’all.

Very true. Tauck has no single supplement on their aquarium class so I’ve done a few with them. Occasionally some of the other ocean lines will have a good deal. I’ve yet to try one, but I might next year. I know there are single cabins on the big cruise lines, but I’ve only sailed Viking Ocean, and I definitely won’t go on any larger ship, so I’ll look for deals on the smaller lines. Some have butlers, which is a bit much IMO, but lots of people love that. For now, we have a Christmas cruise this year and Scandinavia next, both Viking. And I have a land tour in May. Thanks again.

Thanks so much for your input and the hint about listening in when our TA calls Viking. I agree with you that once we are on the ship, we are really delighted with the cruise. We have two more Viking cruises booked, and I’d love to do more. My travel buddy isn’t up for as many trips as I am, and the single supplement on Viking, well it’s basically paying for two people so I go with Tauck occasionally. Thanks again for your great comments.

Well guess what. I got my travel agent to try to modify the cruise and though it is $500 less than when we booked, they won’t let us reduce the price. They said that the credits we got won’t work with this cruise even though they were used onboard. I dunno. I’m thinking of canceling and checking out some other lines even though I love Viking.

This is such good information. I thanks again 😊

I really appreciate this advice. We are deciding what we will but MODIFY will definitely begin the conversation with Viking. Thanks again all.

Thanks to everyone for the input. It sounds like others experiences mirror the ones we had last month. I wish we could have gone inside, so anyone who has an upcoming stop here can take advantage of the great information given about private tours that are available.

I had seen that someone said you don’t see La Sagrada Familia because the buses can’t stop. I just looked at the description of Iconic Barcelona, the included tour, and it doesn’t mention seeing La Sagrada Familia. It mentions a cathedral, which was probably the one we saw in the old town. I wonder if our guide went walkabout and just unilaterally took us to La Sagrada Familia. Perhaps someone else who has taken the included tour can weigh in. I just assumed it was a usual part of the tour.

I’m not certain but I think our tour was 8:40 am. We drove into the city and then parked and walked to La Sagrada Familia. I I think it was around 9:30 when we stopped. We were there awhile and then hopped back on the bus to visit an old part of the town. We walked quite a bit and saw some other churches and the beautiful train station. Our guide was very informative. Tour was about four hours total I believe. I don’t know specifically, but I think if you alert your guide that you are leaving the tour, they will note that and you are responsible for finding your way back to the ship on time. You can always ask at the excursions desk in the ship. Also, you can ask if there are any cancellations to allow you an earlier time. We have lucked out before occasionally, but the early tours are most popular so it’s often a no. Still it can’t hurt to try. But if you have chosen to take the tour which brings you inside the cathedral, that will all be organized for you by the tour company. Good luck.

I agree about the dress code. Geez, they aren’t asking us to come in formal wear. But is it so difficult to at least take your joggers off and put a pair of decent slacks on? We saw a number of people who looked like they just crawled out of bed. I guess some of us are rules followers and others are egocentric, so only what they want matters. I observe, but it doesn’t ruin my holiday thankfully.

We just did the Athens to Barcelona cruise. We did not go inside La Sagrada Familia, but we walked over there. This was our included tour, so while they apparently cannot stop in front, the bus dropped us a few blocks away and we walked over, had commentary from the guide and then walked and did more sightseeing. It was a really great included tour IMO. Obviously the guides vary, but the tour description includes La Sagrada Familia stop. My bestie is Spanish, from Castilla though, so had never seen inside La Sagrada Familia. She thought it was unbelievable. Well worth a visit so great you will go inside.

Oh golly, this is why I love these boards. So many people are really kind and are ready to help. Thanks so much.

I’ve seen this question asked several times but I looked and can’t find the exact answer I need. It’s seems like if I rebook the same cruise to another date, I lose the on board booking discount. I am interested in another date and direction so I’m curious if it’s a hard and fast rule or on a case by case basis. I know Viking is not very flexible. Thanks for any input.

I’ve only done Viking ocean. Don’t most or all of the other lines have lots of added costs when you board. So you «are done paying for the cruise » until you board and then pay for so many extras: specialty dining, drinks, excursions and on. I think Viking is close to all inclusive. I agree they should include gratuity though, and just raise the price a bit. Makes it easier, imho.

Are we to assume that you prefer to never leave tips? Many are getting fed up tipping absolutely everyone that didn’t previously ask for tips. Counter service for example. Or do you think Viking should include the tips and charge more? I think I’d prefer that. We leave extra tips anyway, on top of the billed ones, if we are extra happy with the service from a particular person.

Oi! That looks unpleasant. I have Meclazine prescription which is probably the same as Bonine (?) so I’m hoping I’m good to go. I guess this is travel, eh? I love cruising so much I’ll just have to stick to certain routes, and realize that even those can be unexpectedly rough occasionally. Love river cruises too, but after my three Viking ocean I’m hooked. Thanks so very much for that information.

Oh golly! That is good information. I’m prone to seasickness and plan to avoid the routes most commonly affected by rough seas. It’s good to hear from people who have been on various itineraries and to get their impressions. We are booked on a Mediterranean cruise Athens to Barcelona end of January. I understand the Mediterranean can occasionally be rough in winter, but I guess I thought as we are essentially hugging the coast it would be ok.

Have only done three ocean cruises and loved all. BUT Into the Midnight Sun was fantastic. I want to do it again. Tromso, the Lofoten Islands, Fjords, North Cape…And after ending in Bergen, we took the train to Oslo, which was a magnificent ride. And Oslo is delightful. I agree with others that it depends on what your interests are. Midnight Sun was special because it really was light at Midnight. And other than Bergen, which isn’t really a large city, and London where we began, there were mainly smaller towns and many opportunities for hikes and being in the beautiful countryside. Norway is so very scenic. The only places which I found similar were in the South Island New Zealand in Fjordland.

Aha! The Big city😃My Mum was born in Plaster Rock and I still have cousins there. I’d love to get back up there one of these days.