Sunflower & The Scientist

Yeah thanks....I did understand what mystery car meant, it just hits me kind of funny.  When there are 4 of you with luggage, you just don't want to end up in a Smart Fortwo! 🤣  I also avoid anything in a restaurant that says mystery meat. But now I'm really off topic....

On 3/9/2022 at 6:08 PM, FlyerTalker said:

Just an FYI - hope everyone is ready for sticker shock on Alaska rentals.  Expect $200+ per day for your car.

 

An additional FYI....book a car ASAP we're flying into Anchorage in May (not for a cruise) and most car rentals do not have any cars available, and yes you'll be paying a premium price for what you are able to get.  The words "mystery car" kind of makes me nervous! 

My husband enjoys ping pong and gave it a try on Orion.  The only problem was when the ship was moving it was impossible to play as the ball took off with the wind.  There wasn't time to play when the ship wasn't moving, so he found the table rather useless.  

We are on for the end of July.  I'll be happy to post what information I can.  For us this will be our third try also and we are hoping for success this time.  As for excursions, I'm not sure that information before this summer will be an accurate reflection of what we will find, as things are changing.  We are hoping that everything will be open by then.  I am keeping my eye on Norway as I think it could be a bit more restrictive than other countries.  

We too only watched them on the TV.  I wish we could view them BEFORE we book excursions!  We really found them helpful. 

We haven't really used room service, but thinking we likely will on our next cruise, even if only to get some extra fruit and milk.  We're tipping? And now much? 

Thanks...

You can find a list of the airlines on Viking website, however, I have found not all of those are available.  It all depends on what Viking has at that time.  We always pay the $50 to get more choice.  With even the best planning, unfortunately things change, Viking can change your flights.  We still book with Viking Air, even with it being a bit frustrating at times, because it is all on their backs and we don't have to take responsibility if we book and the flight gets messed up.  

1 hour ago, toolworker said:

Add Viking Air Plus?

We have it....

16 hours ago, BlueWillowSimba said:

You said my main concern in a nutshell. Omnicron is super easy to get and numbers are super high where we are going (Norway). We've done everything we can to not get it, but our fear of getting kicked off the boat almost made us cancel. Fingers crossed!

We're on the same wave length.....we are on for British Isles and I'm also concerned about Norway, and our concern is waving goodbye to the boat as we're being hauled off in a van to who knows where.  We aren't on until July so we aren't making any decisions yet, but we are in communication with our TA regarding these issues.  We have already received major flight changes (booked through Viking Air) that weren't good, which isn't good as our other ones were great. Our TA said that Viking is doing flight changes early and they will continue to change.  

4 minutes ago, aungrl said:

I can't make the link work, but if you find the "Viking Jupiter, December 22, 2021" thread, the situation is described in detail in multiple posts from the couple's daughter.

Thanks I'll try to find that.  I thought where you go in those countries was likely out of Vikings hands.  However, I would have thought Norway would be a little better than a hostel.  

On 2/8/2022 at 3:50 PM, Moonlion said:

She said they were put in "youth hostel" type accommodations in Bergen and the provisions were not that great; she was in contact with Viking to try to improve their conditions.

Ok...you got my attention with this statement.  We aren't booked until July for Bergen, but...I have never stayed in a hostel type accommodation, nor do I ever plan on staying in one.  We don't cruise with Viking to end up staying in a hostel.  Does anyone have any first hand information on this.  Seriously if indeed Viking is putting people in those type of accommodations that is not acceptable. 

We found Viking to be the best line for healthy food and watching your weight.  My husband typically will lose a pound or two.  As others have said we found the WC to be really great.  Their seafood choices make it easy to eat healthy, yet enjoy a lovely meal.  I love the different assortment of side dishes, and being able to take just a bit of them, not dealing with large portions.  

However one word of caution....do not order eggs benedict.  I would have lost weight also if it hadn't been for those.  I heard another passenger state that as well. They are dangerous, don't get started.  

Thanks everyone....I'm going to continue to cruise, and pay for insurance to be air lifted...and hope for the best!  

On another forum someone was talking about friends who lost a member of their family on a cruise in the Pacific out from Hawaii.  Evidently the person had a heart attack and they were unable due to location, to airlift the person to a hospital, so they kept the person comfortable until she died. 

I understand the risk of being onboard a ship where being airlifted off the ship is hampered by weather or some other emergency situation, but being a day or so out into the Pacific off the coast of Hawaii and not being able to be removed from the ship and taken to a hospital, was not something I had imagined.  This was not on Viking.  

Can anyone shed light on this? Are there locations where you cannot be air lifted off the ship?  

Thanks....

If we cancel...exactly how do we do that.  I've not had success in getting HAL on the phone recently, or on a chat.  How do we notify them? Any hints about things we should not forget to do besides cancel air?  This is new territory for us...

10 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I feel they were lax on the koningsdam as well.  I only ever heard one person asking an older teen to put a mask on and he refused.  People often “forgot “ to put their mask on when going in the hallway until they saw me with mine on. It’s automatic for me because I have to have it on at work and pretty much everywhere we’re I live.  A lot of people in the casino weren’t wearing them or doing the chin mask.  I didn’t go to any shows or bars at night so I can’t comment on that.  I just want to keep my exposure to covid to a minimum where I can do that,

I've seen conflicting information in news articles.  One said that there were unvaccinated children onboard.  Other articles said everyone was vaccinated.  I am concerned about what I am hearing, I felt pretty confident leaving on out cruise this week, but now I have growing concerns.  I have cancer, and am in good shape, but need to be a bit more cautious. 

I ordered on Wednesday and they were on our doorstep first thing this morning.  

56 minutes ago, cirquskid said:

We just used this kit on the Mardi Gras in November. I bought the 2 pack but only needed 1 test for me and wife. following the instructions on the kit, you must create an account for each person, two separate APPs. When you are done you sign out and then you start all over with the next person. Good luck.  

Okkkk.....so we do that at AFTER we get the kit? 

When I ordered online it is a two pack...(ordered by clicking 'here' on HAL) it only asked information about one person, not two.  But we want to use the two pack for both husband and wife. The test have not been delivered yet....should be here in two days. 

So my question is, even though they only have my information, can we still use it for my husband?

I ordered the two pack rapid antigen....and they asked information about one person....DOB, work environment, symptoms, etc.  But they did not ask questions about the second person who will be using the other test in the two pack.  Will this be a problem, do they take that information when we go online?

Thanks....

9 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’m pretty sure the koningsdam was in yellow for a least some of the time I was on it in November.  Never heard a peep.  I’m not sure why they would say anything unless it was a large outbreak such as on the rc ship.

Sorry to ask this, and tell me if I am out of line, but did RC not require everyone to be vaccinated? 

I see...so they didn't require everyone to be vaccinated and had specific areas where vaccinated people could be but not unvaccinated? 

Thanks....I just need to get this clear in my mind to see what will be different on cruises now.

Can anyone tell me if Symphony required 100% vaccination?  Also what about masking, did they require masking?  I want to make an educated decision...

Hopefully this is the last question from me on this thread.....we have appointments for testing at 10:30 and 10:45 two days prior to our cruise.  Our boarding time is at noon.  For those of you who have been there and done this....those times are okay correct?  It does not need to be 48 hours, it can be two days as anytime two days prior.  Know I'm just getting paranoid....but it would be good to hear from someone who was just over 48 hours, yet two days prior.  

We board FLL on the 30th.  We had a boarding time on our boarding pass the day it came up.  But our friends boarding time was not on theirs.  They finally got a notice last week that it had been added.  We got a notice the same day that our time had changed.  

All to say...you'll know when you know!