DeanD

15 minutes ago, 1025cruise said:

If you can't get to the splash screen to sign into the wifi, you aren't connecting. In addition, there's no guarantee the VPN will work.

Thanks.  Generally one can get to MOST initial splash screens, it's the ones that require an additional exchange to complete authentication that will be a problem.  If that doesn't work out there are 2 alternatives.  This is AK so he can use a wifi hot spot while in port assuming there is Verizon coverage plus I have a travel router I can lend him that he can connect and authenticate using his personal computer then connect his work computer to the travel router.  I just used the latter method on Celebrity, I didn't even fool with trying to connect directly so I don't have that experience to pull from plus it's a different company.  I was hoping someone had experience with AnyConnect on Princess to help him decide how to proceed.

I have a coworker who is going to AK on the Majestic Princess in May.  Our work computers use a VPN with no ability to get past an initial splash screen to authenticate.  Does anyone have experience using Cisco Anyconnect on Princess with system that's almost completely locked down.  We are not allowed to access the system any other way.

Thanks, leaning toward passing on it.  Blu would be the main reason for Aquaclass and at $250 PP X 2 I'm not seeing it worth the extra but wanted to get others thoughts as I realize you don't know what you don't know.  This is our fist time on Celebrity but Elite due to status matching.  

While I'm sure the question has been asked many times, I couldn't find a thread that gave me enough information.  We're currently booked in an E2 Cabin on the Beyond leaving in a few months.  Midship on deck 8 opposite the magic carpet suites.  For the MoveUP, I don't believe any of the suites are of sufficient value to justify even the lowest bid.  What I was considering was bidding the minimum on Concierge and/or Aquaclass.  I realize the chance of being successful is relatively low and I also know that the cabin location or view might be inferior.  The Spa access is not something we're particularly interested in but the rest of the amenities and options associated with each do add some value for us though not enough to go above the minimum.  I'm looking for thoughts about this situation.  Is it worth the location & view risk for the modest other options?

On 12/28/2022 at 4:54 PM, Villcruise said:

Do Edge Concierge cabins have electrical outlet next to the bed for CPAP ?

If not they will supply an approved extension as well as distilled water.

On 12/22/2022 at 6:37 AM, saintlytraveler said:

We want a refund but they say we will lose the $700 that we paid for travel insurance.  And they did not refund any money because they eliminated the three countries!  

Read your paperwork but I assume you'll find that they have the right to change or skip ports of call even if core to your wants/plans.  If so, you likely don't have much options other than possibly changing your dates.

Thanks Steve.  

Thanks Steve, I'll look at the other website.  The IMG plan I was looking at was the Patriot Intl Platinum over the Lite plan but maybe you can tell me if this is a reasonable choice. 

So if I'm understanding your post correctly, if anything happened medically in the interim but Geo Blue plan was bought 6 months out, there would be no problems?

I was able to book the trip that was the main reason I asked the question, it's 13 days and 2 years from now.  Thinking of getting a Medical policy only, not worried about the trip costs.  I think Geo Blue only will write for 6 months or under but I'd like to get something now if I'm going to do so.  Plus I assume they use Global Core and I'd like something outside that system to avoid confusion since that's what my primary Insurance uses.  I am an extremely well controlled type II Diabetic.  I did poke around your site but it's a little clunky and other than Geo Blue, didn't see much info on Medical Plans.  I'm OK with a higher deductible.  Your thoughts?  Do you write IMG's Medical Plans?

1 hour ago, iamtrustworthy said:

Hi DeanD,

 

Thank you for your kind words.

 

> I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve that offers some trip protection and I could handle the loss for a given trip.

 

Credit card plans don't cover pre-existing medical conditions for yourselves, traveling companions or non-traveling family members, but if you don't need this coverage, Chase will give you the basics of what you need.

 

> I'd also be interested in your recommendations for when to change over the an annual plan.

 

What State do you live in and what are your current ages?

 

Steve Dasseos

 

 

 

We are both 64 and in FL.  

Steve, you are a great resource for Cruise Critic, thanks.

I realize my situation is unique in some ways and common in others.  What I would like to ask about is recommendations for high level coverage for medical situation, not the trip itself.  Basically coverage for medical type events that are over say $5-10K.  Our situation is that our Medical insurance covers out of the Country through Blue Cross Global Core, I have the Chase Sapphire Reserve that offers some trip protection and I could handle the loss for a given trip.  In addition I do purchase a yearly plan through Marriott Vacation Club that covers all trips (US & otherwise) through MVC for up to 8 people because of the economy of scale.  We're talking 2-3 trips per year out of the country generally for 2 to 3 weeks per trip with 1 of these being with MVC.  Once retired we will likely travel more so an annual plan may be best then.  Our current plans over the next 2 years are an 11 day trip to Aruba (MVC), 12 day cruise to the Caribbean next Dec and an 11 day cruise/tour Dec 24.  

I'd also be interested in your recommendations for when to change over the an annual plan.  TIA.

On 11/21/2022 at 10:52 AM, JennysUncle said:

Viking advertises a really nice breakfast buffet, but without details.  Does anyone recall if they have oatmeal ?

We were on a Viking River Ship for 2 weeks this summer.  IMO, breakfast was the best meal overall.  The only slight complaint one might have was there was limited variability though this would be less of an issue on a shorter cruise.  Eggs to order, omelets, potatoes, meats, oatmeal, fruit, cheese, salmon, breads/pastry, etc.  

21 minutes ago, Steelers0854 said:

 

Sorry to be a little off topic, but we have booked a Christmas Market Viking cruise for 2024 on the Danube and added the Prague and Budapest pre/post options.  I was curious what’s your thoughts were.  The costs are definitely not cheap, but we are also the ones that generally book cruise line excursions for convenience and protection from missing the ship etc.  Prague is 3.5 hours from Passat (embarkation) and the extension covers transfers etc.  This is our first river cruise and our first to these cities so we felt more comfortable with the added costs to have someone take the hard work out for us and have that extra convenience and protection on the front end of the cruise.  Appreciate your insights and thanks for the slight thread hijack!

Our Grande European trip in Sept was our first time to Europe and our first River Cruise so I felt more comfortable limiting uncertainties and booked everything through Viking.  I ended up booking this trip the same as well or at least that's where we'll be tomorrow or Tuesday once the TA gets it booked (waiting on a replacement CC).  But the reasons are different.  I now plan to book the air and pre extension with Viking to lock in costs.  Then I'm going to keep an eye on discounts and specials as we go along.  Then once I can book air myself, I plan to reevaluate my options.  If I end up booking air separately, there's a good chance I'll alter my pre/post choices as well.  

I think we've decided on Passau to Budapest we may forego the extra time in Vienna for now.  We'll do the pre extension for Munich and Salzburg but none post since we're in Budapest for 2 nights on the ship and we feel we've seen Budapest from a non Christmas standpoint.  It was a difficult decision and the main reasons we made this choice was our investigation suggested Vienna and Budapest were 2 of the highest rated markets and there are 2 stops we did not see on our Grande European Cruise.  I'm sure all 3 choices (alternates Regensburg-Budapest or Amsterdam to Basel) would have been great.  

Now I have to decide whether to take the train back to Vienna and do flights on our own or put Vienna off for another trip.  I'm going to add the Viking Air for now so lock in the price and review as we get closer and can compare booking independently.  

On 12/1/2022 at 3:52 AM, Canal archive said:

Whoops my bad but CPT is right as in it’s safer to use Credit rather than Debit cards in an open situation as on line, you just make sure to pay them off immediately. You can also have an Amex debit card, or you could it might have changed.

In the US one can use a Debit card AS a CC and have the same protections and risk.  Is this not true in Europe?

7 minutes ago, steamboats said:

Yes, the have a shallower draft than the classic longships. But anyway they are drawing too much water. And during the summer season they are usully stationary and used as floating hotel.

 

BTW the number of decks is not necessarily connected with the depth of the draft.

 

steamboats

Thanks.  I do realize there are other variables but I would think it likely a shorter ship with less decks is lighter and would have a more shallow draft.  I expected that was the entire reason to make them smaller though I suppose it could be bridge issues as well. This itinerary is intriguing to me but even without the possibility of river issues, I'd decided against it due to the bus and land portion plus I was looking at the post trip options that are another 2 days of busses. 

I'm going to try to find out more about specifics on the timing of itineraries.  That was a good point to make sure one would actually be able to see the Christmas markets during an appropriate time.  

6 hours ago, steamboats said:

 

Yes, I know that the problems mainly occur during summer. But actually we´re talking about Viking and their ships are not really buildt for the Elbe river... (except that they are a bit shorter than those on the Rhine/Main/Danube rivers). They always are running into problems.

 

If we were talking about CroisiEurope I say go for the Elbe river but not with Viking.

 

steamboats

I'm not questioning but I am confused.  The Viking ships on the Elbe are only 2 decks instead of 3 in addition to being shorter.  I assumed that meant they'd have a more shallow draft.  

After reviewing Vikings options for the Danube, there are 2.  One is Regensburg to Budapest (Pre/Post option for Prague or Nuremberg/Prague) and the other Passau to Budapest (Pre/Post Munich/Salzburg).  The latter adds Linz and Bratislava but drops Regensburg.  Since we did not see Linz or Bratislava on our previous trip and didn't enjoy Regensburg (partly due to water level issues), that is where I am leaning (skipping Regensburg).  The other question is which direction to go but inclined to go South ending in Budapest.  We'd love to get a couple of extra days in Vienna which might make going North a better option..

Thanks, great to know that the Christmas Markets on the Rhine trip will be "younger".  I'd read good things about Strasbourg but that's why I wanted to get input from the group.  We were thinking starting a few days into Dec timing weekends to minimize days off, that should avoid any issues with markets not being open.  I'll be nearing retirement but likely not be quite there by then.  I am more concerned with seeing the best markets which is why I wanted a reality check from those with knowledge and experience.  

I truly appreciate the input.  To be honest, the 2 of you were ones that came to mind when I said "There are many others as well".  You were both so helpful when planning our Sept Grand European Cruise.  

I've just read through the thread by https://boards.cruisecritic.com/profile/1037642-notamermaid/ and found it helpful but did not address my main question.  What a resource notamermaid is.  So knowledgeable and always willing to share.  There are many others as well, really too many to mention by name.  I've explored other thread's as well.

We are planning a Christmas Market Cruise for 2 years from now and trying to decide what route is best.  While we are seasoned cruisers, we only have one river cruise under our belt, the Grand European by Viking this past summer.  As a result of some issues then we have a substantial amount of cruise credit to use toward another cruise ($1300).  I think this will "force" me to chose viking again which we're fine with.  Thinking around a week to week and a half.  Our main choices are whether to do the Rhine, Danube or Elbe.  Leaning to the Rhine (Amsterdam to Basel) since it covers areas we didn't see before even though there is some overlap and it seems that Strasbourg is one of the better locations for Christmas markets.  I realize we don't know what we don't know and this is a completely different trip from a September Cruise Amsterdam to Budapest so all opinions are welcome.  On our previous cruise Vienna was our Favorite stop with Bamburg and Passau also places we wouldn't mind revisiting.  The Elbe sounds very intriguing but the land and bus rides don't sound very appealing.  

Last time we did a pre and post trip with Viking and Viking Air.  Now that we have more experience, thinking of doing the air and any pre or post on our own likely with one extra night before and after, possibly 2 or even 3 days post depending on whether it's somewhere we haven't explored on our previous Viking cruise.  

So my questions are what locations do people feel have the best Christmas markets (I know opinions vary) and with the above info in mind, what recommendations would the group have for route choices?  And if we do chose the Rhine ending in Basel, what are opinions on the amount of time to spend and where?  Thanks in Advance.

19 minutes ago, KathyK13 said:

I just read on a Facebook post that a Tauck ship traveling Amsterdam to Basel was able to sail through the middle Rhine to Mannheim this morning.  An additional captain with experience with low water levels was brought on to assist the ship's captain and they were able to make it through and expect to continue the cruise without interruptions.  Kudos to Tauck for making it happen!

 

I'm no expert but I've been told in he past that the Tauck ships have a more shallow draft than the viking ships, around 1.2 Meters.  Still good news though.

1 hour ago, mafig said:

Does Royal still give a free photo?

Yes, for Diamond it's 1 free 8 by 10 per member, not per cabin.  There are some other perks that aren't in the usual online lists like internet, wine, casino and laundry options to name a few.

Thanks again, just trying to get a feel for how this fits in for us.  I did join and it shows as elite on X so we're good there.  

Thanks all, I'll get with my TA.  I just hated to bother her at this point, she's had so much to do with FCC and multiple cancelations (not us but outside factors like weather, Covid, Crane crashed into the ship), etc.  I need one premium wifi and one soda package.  Do they ever have a combo of upgraded internet and drink package like RCL does?

I've spent some time searching and reading thread's that seem applicable but I'm sure there's a lot of information I didn't find that is discussed a lot so please forgive some basic and repetitive questions.  

We have a no perks fare for 11 nights on the Beyond late next year.  The no perks fare was cheap enough in our situation as to be roughly $400-500 less than the Always included fare.  We are Diamond Plus on RCL and thus Elite by reciprocity on X.  I've read through the listed perks but I'm unclear how to access some including the 30% discounted internet and the discounted drink packages.  Will this automatically happen with booking such add ons, must I wait until embarkation or is there another way to secure the discounts. I also see reference to breakfast in Tuscany, is this something you just show up for or is a reservation needed, is it every day?

I found this pdf, https://secure.viewer.zmags.com/publication/a54eb4aa#/a54eb4aa/1 .  Is this currently applicable?  If not, is there a full updated list?  I realize I don't know what I don't know so I'd appreciate any info, esp if it's not strait forward.  Thanks for any info and for your indulgence.