Sunflower & The Scientist

1 hour ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

 

 

If you haven't paid the fee, pay it.

Agreed.....you can then request no SAS.  

Unfortunately I'm hearing this across the board...flights regardless if you book them, or using Viking Air, are vulnerable to changes.  Viking is trying to keep ahead of the airline nightmares.  

I'm surprised that people didn't make comments to people coughing without covering.  We have moved before and will again if that happens.....but it would be hard to walk by them without giving them the stink eye. 

11 hours ago, Frenchberet said:

 

Not trying to start anything, just curious.  Is there a medical condition that requires a person to wear jeans to dinner?

Yes.....and not just to dinner, and yes it's really hot during the summer, and yes it's a real bummer when you have to try to explain to people, which I'm not going to do in this forum.  The thing that makes me sad is when a person ask a question not being snarky, but for legitimate reasons, and this is the kind of stuff they get back.  A woman kindly answered my question on another thread....and gave me the information I needed.  I KNOW Viking well...we are devoted cruisers with Viking...I can read, I can understand....I simply wanted to know if Octantis being a different type of cruise was going to be a bit different in that regard.  

Just an FYI to Cruise Critic members....be kind to each other.  We're all just wanting to have a communication forum, and people will ask questions, or make comments that you don't understand...but what does it hurt really to just be kind to them. End of rant...

10 minutes ago, janetcbl said:

At dinner tonight the young woman in front of us was wearing some very nice jeans. The woman manning the reservation desk very politely took her aside and requested she change to something else. She went back to her cabin and returned wearing a nice pair of slacks.

 

.

THANKS Janetcbl!!! That is exactly the information I was looking for!  Thanks for responding...and doing it nicely! 

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

OMG!!! not again. Here is the FAQ from the Expeditions Cruises

 

During the day, dress is casual—slacks or jeans and comfortable shoes/boots that are appropriate for excursions/landing or enjoying the ship. Swimsuits, brief shorts, cover-ups and exercise attire should be reserved for the Fitness Center and pool areas. There are no “formal nights” in the evening; evening dress is “elegant casual” for all dining venues, performances and special events. On these occasions, required attire for ladies includes a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional; jeans are not permitted. The evening dress excludes the World Café, where the dress remains casual, including jeans and boots, after 6:00 PM.

 

The Viking "Rig of the Day" is self-explanatory. If you don't wish to dress appropriately for dinner, you can go to the World Cafe.

 

Otherwise, Carnival & NCL, etc will happily accept your custom.

The reason I said please don't stone me is because I was simply asking IF anyone was seeing anything different on Octantis, not to get a reaction or flames back.  We are devoted Viking ocean cruisers and not ones that wear robes to World Cafe, or shorts to a restaurant. I see your post frequently and enjoy reading them...but please know some people ask for specific reasons due to medical conditions and feel bad when it's assumed we cannot read or are stupid.  

2 hours ago, longterm said:

Shorts in the dining room--oh the horror.

 

Is that any worse than some of the jungle-themed shirts men wear, or the obnoxious outfits I've seen women wear? For that matter, is there an appropriate dress length, outside of which is somehow not acceptable?

On our cruise from Rome to Athens, our bags made it to the ship, but it took forever for stewards to deliver them to our stateroom. As a result, we went to Chef's Table wearing what we'd traveled in from Rome to Civitavecchia--my wife and I in t-shirts and long pants. I explained our situation to the maitre d' and was graciously shown to our table. 

.




 

I've asked this question on the expeditions thread but it's not terribly active right now, so I'll ask here as well.  Octantis looks like it is a bit more relaxed so I am wondering if someone who has actually been on it, (not well meaning clothing police who have not been on an expeditions cruise) could weigh in on whether nice black jeans would be acceptable for dinner.  

There are still ships (although less and less I think) where you can dress to the hilt...and y'all go for it and pack the tux and cocktail dress....but more and more there are those of us who don't want to sit next to a guy in his Carhartt bib overalls, but think it is reasonable to be on vacation and dressed as longterm has described.   

So....black jeans on Octantis or not.....

I've tried to follow as much of this thread as I could, but please excuse me if I have missed this information.  

Please don't stone me....I know there are STRONG feelings on this, just wondering! 

It seems like there is a more relaxed setting on Octantis and I'm wondering about men in nice black jeans at dinner rather than dress slacks, (with a nice shirt of course)  or are they consistent with other ship dress standards.  

I'm meeting up with my cousins as well....will there be easy parking parking at the terminal for them? 

No worries about the process of getting on the boat, they are always good about lending you a hand and making sure you are steady on your feet.  

I wear a jacket or sweatshirt the whole time onboard even in the summer.  

How about July?  What are our chances of missing ports? 

Thanks CurlerRob.....I missed the click on "here" when I looked and posted this thread.  When I went back there today and clicked on "here" I got all the clarification.  I'm hoping by Aug. we'll see that dropped, otherwise we'll probably opt for one of the home test they suggest as I'm hearing wait times to be tested in person are crazy locally at this time.  

.....but long around 10:30 you'll have the ship to yourself! 

Really if you want to have people your age and a lively crowd, go elsewhere.  If you want to enjoy some good excursions, a beautiful verandah, lovely uncrowded spaces, being waited on, and a whole lot of great advice from people who have been successfully married for decades, Viking would be your ship.  It's all about what you are looking for.  Personally on a honeymoon I would choose a resort hotel over a Super 8, and that's what you'll get on Viking.  

Thanks for the info....yes we are on Octantis....I was really hoping for no testing just because it's such a hassle.  I did not see that in the health and safety tab, so will take a look at that.  I'm hoping that possibly they may change that by August, but I'm not holding my breath.  

Our information was updated on Viking except the specific country information.  

From Viking

Proof of negative COVID-19 test (laboratory-certified) - PCR test taken within 72 hours of your scheduled ship boarding time, or - Antigen test taken within 2 days of your scheduled ship boarding time. - And/or Proof of Recovery: If you have recovered from a COVID-19 infection (within 10–180 days prior to departure) ensure you carry proof of a positive PCR test result from the time of infection. - Note: If you are on a pre-extension, you will be provided with the necessary tests to meet Canada’s testing requirement.

But this is what Canada says....

Government of Canada temporarily suspending mandatory random arrival testing at all airports

As part of the structured plan to move COVID-19 testing out of airports, from June 11 at 12:01 a.m. (EDT) to June 30, 2022, the Government of Canada is temporarily suspending mandatory random arrival testing at all airports for travellers who qualify as fully vaccinated.

Anyone actually arrived in Canada that has seen that testing is not required?

19 hours ago, deec said:

I would like eating in WC if all things were served!  I have seen too many passengers doing silly things in the lines!!  The omlet station works for me at breakfast and for lunch I gan get a Caesar Salad or soup and grilled shrimp handed to me.  Otherwise I wash my hands AGAIN before I eat after touching serving spoons!  

I'm hearing you on the touching serving spoon issue....we're more than happy when the server is the only one handling the serving spoon.  We always carry hand wipes and 'wash up' after serving our food. (and in restaurants after handling the menu) I confess we're a little OCD.  Not having children on board does make it a little better.  I do like the place mats, but like others wonder how those are cleaned effectively.  

On 6/12/2022 at 4:21 PM, Twitchly said:

What about Liverpool? That’s the port I’m most at loose ends about. We’re not Beatles fans, so that’s out.

We will also be in Liverpool....and are not Beatles fans.  I have cousins there so we will meet up with them and I asked what would be a good thing to do.  They suggested setting off on foot and exploring, so that is what we are planning on.  We will include two things, a good coffee shop, and I've already bought an engraved love lock as I hear there is a good place along the wharf for that.  

Some of the most memorable times we've had are at ports where we did not have plans and set off on foot.  

Hummm most romantic place on board to have a private celebration....I'd say your veranda.  My husband and I have celebrated an anniversary on board and either bringing what you want to consume back to your room, or ordering via room service, seems like the most logical place to me.  

As far as dinning, food is so subjective.  One common thought I read however, the World Cafe is always a win. They are willing to do what you need right there.  I don't like rare meat, and that's no problem, they throw it on the grill for me.  For food like you want it...World Cafe is a good choice.  Manfredi's, the bread basket...it's got to be experienced.  As others have said, you'll want to head for the Living Room for coffee.  Not only is it the best coffee on board, having those roving waiters come by saying, "Madame, may I get you anything," is worth the price of the cruise! 

6 hours ago, keokukjoe said:

Where did you hear that? The website states that PV have free ironing only, still have to use the on board laundromat to wash and dry your clothes.

You kinda missed something there....I was responding to the post about the extra gelato scoop!!  I don't think PV qualifies for an extra scoop of laundry.

On 3/8/2021 at 4:02 PM, pineapple1176 said:

Totally worth it! The tours in Oslo were great. The train ride was amazing! It was first class. Ours included  a meal from the cafe car, beer/wine and the most amazing views. There was a Viking representative with us and Viking had the entire car reserved. It was a wonderful beginning to our Viking Homelands cruise.

We will be doing this through Viking....am I understanding you to say that the Viking car was first class seats?  My husband has back issues and we've been a little concerned about what seats you get if you book through Viking.  

2 hours ago, duquephart said:

We also qualify for more than "One complimentary scoop of gelato."

They have now extended that to PV, and I was able to request additional chocolate syrup as well.  🤣

Can anyone confirm what this letter states? 

The information I am reading on the website states "Depending on your dates of travel and conditions for your sailing, Viking may require up to daily PCR testing throughout your itinerary."  

Wow this is very interesting!  We were specifically told that if we lived within a one day flight distance, we could not do that.  I am wondering since you are in AZ, and that flight would obviously be a longer distance, they are doing that.  We are only an hour + flight from Chicago, and then a straight through to Toronto, but they have us leaving at 6 AM and arriving after 4 PM.  That means leaving our home by 3:30 AM, and then who knows what time we will get to board due to needing to clear at a hotel first.  We're going to be exhausted, and rather go in a day early and not have all that stress and exhaustion on boarding day.  

"Lots of time to get laundry done before we collapse! "  No, no...you've got Viking confused with those other cruise lines.  On Viking you go home with all clean clothes rather than mounds of dirty laundry.  You slip into the laundry room while starting to organize packing to go home, get it all done there...and arrive home only to put them away.  

Thanks for your responses.  Yes we are aware of the deviation fee, we've done that.  

Viking has us arriving at 4:05 PM on Air Canada.  I am interested in the comment questioning if Viking has a charter from Toronto to Thunder Bay.....this could explain things if that is true.  We've received an email telling us that we will be taken from the airport to a hotel where we will be checking in (tested, but they didn't say that) and then taken to the ship.  So it would kind of make sense to be bringing people in more at the same time to do this.  We arrive in Toronto at 12:34, and leave for Thunder Bay at 2:00.  I am thinking that most locations in the US would be able to arrive  in Toronto prior to 2 PM to be flown to Thunder Bay, more as a group, or a few groups.