zalusky

We took the offer on our Italy sailing. How could you not? They are basically giving you a free cruise. You get a complete refund of all moneys paid. If airfare was included they match(economy/business) that on your subsequent sailing choice. The complimentary cruise fare means that you choose a new sailing sometime in the next two years and they discount the price of that sailing by your refunded amount. On our case we had $31K invested in an Italy sailing for the both of us. A week before we got a similar offer. We then looked on the calendar and chose the same sailing in 2025. We then talked to the stateroom upgrade agent and she then locked us into the date we chose and we discussed the room. We got a category upgrade and since we were in a PV room they would gives us a Junior Suite if available which is why we picked 2025 over 2024. She then priced it as a PV booking. She then discounted the sailing by the amount of our refund. This essentially made it free since the pricing was the same. Had we picked a different sailing with more days we would have to pay the difference. She also threw in gratuities, and Silver Spirits for free. We got the refund in about 2 weeks or so back to the original cards. The offer does not directly include the extensions but what they do is deduct the extension cost from the refund and apply it to the new booking if so desired. The insurance on the new sailing was even cheaper because you are only covering the medical and don't have to cover the travel expenses assuming you are using Tripmate. I think its an amazing offer that nobody else comes close to matching.

We just took a move over offer from Viking. They completely refunded our fare including cruise sponsored affair. They then let us pick any sailing 15 days or less in the next two years. They offered a category upgrade and tips/booze package. The kicker is they discounted the new sailing by the amount of the refund effectively giving us a free sailing. A very good deal so it’s interesting to see what a higher end line is doing and it does not measure up.

Just because you don't see the people and you don't get a smile or name acknowledgement does not mean they are not working hard. Don't discriminate by only giving to a room steward, waiter, or a favorite bartender.

We did the Aussie circumnavigation in January and just felt things were limited. I really wanted to see more food ethnicities. On this cruise it felt like it was mostly limited to a few regions. So I am interested to follow the thread to see how Regatta is is progressing. I don’t expect to sail on her again as the O class and Vista is much more my style.

That's not important to me. Everybody should get their fair share. There are plenty of people doing stuff for me site unseen. That is why I believe in the onboard account approach if not upfront.

I don't object to tips although I think they should be billed up front. I don't like giving tips directly to people. I much prefer they receive anonymously and not know from whom they received them.

We should be on a Viking Med cruise right now but they offered us a move notice with a weeks notice: Full refund including airfare on current cruise Discount on next cruise within two years matching dollars spent on this cruise Free Upgrade to the next cabin category Match current airfare purchased through Viking (Business in our case) Drink package You can bet we took it! We are looking at some Princess deals with the refund.

Is this a porting list or actual embarkation?

Yea but you would have to sail on Regatta.

Here is the deal offered to me which can change based upon their current needs. I don't know if this was custom for our sailing. The Viking agent indicated it was specifically a problem with our stateroom category. Complete refund of existing cruise Move booking to new sailing does not have to be same itinerary but in my case had to be less than 18 days. We picked the same itinerary. They discount the new sailing by the amount of the refund. So if you currently have a 14 day and replace with an 18 day or more expensive sailing it might cost a little more. New Tripmate Insurance was less because they are only insuring medical and very little dollar amount. New stateroom is in the next higher category if available: PV1 to PS1 in our case Silver Spirits package included If you previously booked air with Viking they match that on new sailing IE: Business to Business

I just got one of these offers on my Italy cruise. Incredible!!! We are now rebooked for 2025. Now to find something maybe non-cruise to do this year.

I think the concept goes back to slavery where you get nothing unless you step it up. Businesses love it because they can advertise an artificial price. Lately with technology and the credit card readers you are seeing it in places you have never seen before because why not. It creates a guilt mechanism when the reader starts throwing up the tip prompts. You have to explicitly say no. There are restaurants near me that pay their people a decent wage and do not have the tip prompts on their readers (which is a business choice) and I love to give them business. The more we tip the more we enable businesses to continue this second class behavior. These are in fact salaries and should be paid in advance like every other job.

I don't know how this will affect Alaska weather but I saw on the news the other they are expecting a very strong El Nino for this coming winter. Usually that means more southerly weather but it could also mean more early weather. Sometimes it also means Alaska is drier.

It's private and yes people should not see you leaving money or how much! Make assumptions all you want but its PRIVATE!

Except people are talking about it. So we now know you tip thats just as bad as flashing the money. It's a private thing IMHO.

It's not so much the language. Much if not most of the time I can't even understand what they are saying. I don't care if they swear up a storm. I just can't stand the musical beat to Rap and Hip Hop.

Rap and Hip Hop are the two genres that would make me leave the room.

Do they bounce you if you have poly stretch pants that look like jeans but aren’t:

I am trying to avoid cash if possible. I assume Uber and WelcomePickups you can prepay and I assume the taxis require cash. Is that a correct assumption?

How did you get to the Hotel? Did you ask them before arriving at the airport to get you a car service?

We are cruising in May starting in Athens. We arrive at night and will stay in a hotel near the Plaka. We will enjoy a day walking around and then head to the ship the following morning. I know Uber is different in Athens in that it basically dispatches Taxis. So my question for those with experience is Uber the way to go for the airport to hotel, and hotel to ship? Are prearranged car services better? I have done some searching and seen various opinions but thought I would ask for fresh answers.

On our Regatta cruise in January we felt that Toscana was better. The prime rib in Polo was too big and tough. To be fair we did not hit either of them very much and probably should have to compare some of the other entrees.

I personally know one of the people killed on the overturn incident but other than condolences I have gone no where near asking questions about the incident. I can only say given my wife has some mobility issues we are going nowhere near Antarctica.

My definition of luxury is much more simple. Individual attention. They all know you and accommodate your needs quickly almost without asking. Dressing up and the various inclusions very so much with each of the supposed lines I just don't look at it that way anymore.

I swear that some people will look for a way to tip extra even if the billed gratuity was $100/day.