lackcreativity

This topic is of interest to me. We have only cruised five times, all with Viking, and have been very pleased with each experience. We have two more booked for 2023. The only reason I have even been looking at Oceania is their greater variety of ports in the Mediterranean, and it seems like a very good option. Price wise, the hardest comparison to make for me is the shore excursions. We have almost always used Viking's shore excursions, either the included or the optional ones. We would be comfortable using a shuttle to explore on our own, but a good guide can add so much to the experience. Private tours are an option, but that takes more research and time and while we are still working it's not really an option I want to explore yet. Prices for shore excursions for a cruise two years in the future aren't available for comparison between the two lines. The easiest solution, for me, is for Viking to add some new ports in the Mediterranean!

Just this week we received notice that our expected docking in Chioggia has been changed to Fusina for our cruise in October of 2023. While we were literally on the cruise in April of this year, our final port was changed from Fusina to Ravenna with just days to spare. So yes, there is a good chance things will change.

Our payment of the final balance is due this week, and I do plan to ask them. I see the distinction you have brought up, and I will be sure to mention that in my call!

The Mediterranean is my favorite, but we will travel elsewhere for an itinerary that appeals. There is the Southern Atlantic Crossing that does look interesting and had a March 2024 sailing already published. However, it is 22 days, and I am currently still working. It's a part-time job and I have very accommodating bosses, but three weeks might be stretching things a bit too far. We can use the vouchers on a river cruise. We have the Lyon and Provence one next year, so I could review the list of other options there. I guess this is a good problem to have!

Thanks for all the input. This is like found money in our case, since we did not expect it given the circumstances of the cruise. Never the less, I would hate to lose it. Right now, while there are a couple of itineraries that we could choose for 2024, there is nothing that I am really excited about. I know that I have brought this up before, but I am really hoping that some variety will be introduced in the Mediterranean. Should that happen before our April 2023 expiration date, my problem would be solved!

I am sorry to be asking a question about a topic that has been covered here in the past. I will admit that my search skills on Cruise Critic are poor and I didn't pay careful attention to the past discussions since we never had future cruise vouchers until now. When the voucher states that it can be used on a NEW cruise, does that exclude future cruises that were already booked but not paid in full? My reading skills lead me to believe that is the case, but my wishful thinking hopes otherwise. The vouchers are modest amounts that Viking awarded for a trip interruption not under their control, so we were happy to receive them at all. However, the cruise must be booked (not taken) by 4/27/2023. We already have two cruises booked for 2023. When does Viking typically post additional cruises for 2024? Thanks for any advice.

Some of those examples may actually be covered. In fact, if your house is made uninhabitable by flood or fire that is listed as a covered reason in my TripMate policy. (Not going to debate what exactly meets the standard of "uninhabitable", but you get my point.) Since many of us book cruises so far in advance, there are other non-emergency things that come up which might lead you to change your mind. We recently welcomed our first grandson at a time when we would have been on a Viking cruise. At the time we booked that cruise, that was not expected! Viking allowed us to move that cruise forward a year without actually having to use the insurance, but we would have taken the vouchers if that had not happened.

I have seen this in the Chef's Table on every one of visits there, even pre-Covid. I have never seen that restaurant full. I often wonder how many people book reservations there and then change their mind without bothering to cancel the reservation.

We have completed four Viking Ocean cruises sailing in the Veranda cabins, so we are the last to book in excursions and have no opportunity to book restaurant reservations at all before boarding. On each of our trips we have been able to visit Chef's Table and Manfredi's at least once and usually twice during a 15 day cruise. We have to be flexible with days and times, but for us that is not a problem. Based on our experience, I would suggest not to stress over that. Hopefully you will enjoy the Restaurant and World Cafe as much as we do, and then be pleased where ever you dine. Excursions can be a bit more of a problem in regard to the optional excursions. The included ones you are guaranteed a spot, and if the agents on the phone at Viking cannot get you booked on that one, then I recommend you email tellus@viking.com (hope I am remembering that correctly, and if not someone will correct me). Give them your booking number, date of travel, your specific cruise and explain the situation. They will call you back within a few days. For optional excursions, I will say staffing issues and a shortage of guides may limit the choices more than in the past. However, keep checking back on MVJ as Viking often adds an additional bus or people change their minds and spots open up. We have had surprisingly good luck securing spots on optional excursions even from our Veranda cabin time slot. Good luck.

It also can be what you order one time compared to what you select on another visit. Our first visit to Manfredi's was underwhelming, but we did give it one more try, chose other items, and were very pleased. Now we go there once or twice on every cruise. We love Chef's Table for the whole experience, but only try menus that sound appealing. A few courses have been misses, but far more have been enjoyable. I would say the Viking track record is by and large much better than what I fix for dinner on a nightly basis!

While I question your numerical analysis based on our cruise back in April, I do wholeheartedly agree with your sentiment. Our cruise was delightful as well, and I would do it again in a heartbeat. I don't let other people's behavior impact my enjoyment of a cruise. That doesn't mean I don't notice when things are out of the ordinary. And some things were out of the ordinary.

I know you make a good point, and I should examine my conscience as to whether I was being mean spirited. However, thanks to all you good people here on Cruise Critic, I learned very early on that one should never travel without at least a few changes of clothes in their carry-on. Personally, I cannot picture any scenario where I would find myself outside of my cabin in a bathrobe. Except perhaps if the Abandon Ship alarm went off while I was in the shower!

Is that AM or PM?😉 OopsI think my wee joke falls flat since mariners such as yourself would likely say 18:00 !

I have to hang on to my hopes, because in real life, I worry that things may get worse before they get better. The thing about vacation (and for us that means Viking) has been that it was never "real " life. It was better than real life. The places we went, the food we ate, and most of the people we met (most certainly the crew) seemed better than everyday living. I certainly hope that returns before our travel days are done. Sidenote: I wonder if the pajamas in the World Cafe thing is another side effect of the pandemic? If I can go to the "office" in my pajamas, why can't I go to breakfast that way? Sigh.

I brought this up in a thread in the spring after our (so far) only post covid cruise. We loved the cruise, but definitely saw a few eyebrow raisers. I prefer that guests follow Vikings suggested dress code, but don't usually let jeans in the dining venues diminish my experience. However, the morning I saw a woman in her bathrobe eating breakfast in the World Cafe I must admit to a disturbing distraction. It was worn over her visible pajamas, so not just someone on their way to the pool or spa, though I think that is over a line as well. We began our cruise under a number of covid restrictions, but some were relaxed midway. There were definitely some passengers who ignored and/or mocked those requirements. Masks were still required by Viking and the Italian authorities on busses, but like unruly teenagers there were those who put the masks on to get past the ones in charge, and then remove them when in their seats. One time, it actually came to "We are not moving this bus until everyone has their mask on!" It has been 40 years since I quit teaching, but it was deja vu all over again. Generally speaking, I thought more people than usual were cranky and irritable. From "the trip was ruined because we couldn't dock in Naples" to "the captain doesn't know what he is doing" (same person) to loud complaining about a restaurant having no open slots and demands for money back on an excursion because the lines were too long, it just seemed like some people forgot how to have fun during the pandemic. Maybe the pent up demand left some people with unrealistic expectations and they forgot how to play nice with others. Whatever it was, I do hope it is a short term phenomenon.

I want to support the theme that there are a variety of activities onboard, but perhaps missing many of the ones that people who have cruised mainstream lines are familiar with. We had never cruised before, and were never interested based on stories from family and friends. Depiction of those mega ships in commercials and movies never appealed, assuming those representations were accurate. Like others, we took one Viking river cruise and were introduced to the new Viking Ocean, so we booked and were hooked. We cruise primarily for the ports, but love the ships too. We enjoy the lectures, the musicians in various venues, and especially the chance to meet new people. Each trip has a unique personality, so to speak. Our last trip was 15 days, with no scheduled sea days. I don't think we went to a single show, nor lecture. We had the random good luck to be seated next to a couple from Australia in the Restaurant in the early part of the trip, and became instant friends. We spent many evenings hanging out with them, though we also became aquainted with another couple so there was variety of company too. Dinner pretty much could take up our whole evening, and I mean that in the best way. Other trips we have had other experiences. There is almost always some reading (so many great places to read), but never a cardigan

The CFAR only applies if the insurance is purchased within a short set time frame (do not recall the # of days) of booking. Also, as Heidi mentioned, there is only a refund if cancellation is for any of the listed covered reasons, as most insurance would cover. The For Any Reason coverage ( such as the birth of a grandchild or a family wedding) only provides a voucher for future cruise credit. We would be on board this moment if not for the beautiful baby boy asleep in the next room! We moved the trip forward a year with no problem.

I am usually stuck between the proverbial rock and a hard place on this topic. The Viking maps back in the day were not detailed enough for me, as I usually had specific places I wanted to find that didn't show up on their maps. Downloading Google maps with my places of interest starred so that I could use the map without Wi-Fi seemed a great idea, but the phone maps were too small to be of use. I tried the same thing with my tablet, which was more easily visible, but got heavy on a long day. I finally resorted to printing my own maps of specific areas at home before leaving. It's a good thing I book cruises so far in advance that I have time for all this research and preparation!

Ah, thanks for the explanation!

Oops, Somehow, my comments about Portsmouth disappeared. I guess I will get the hang of this one day. We really enjoyed that stop. The tour of the Victory was great. Having just started ocean cruising, to view the living quarters for the sailors back in those days was amazing. The comparison to the officers' quarters was really eye opening!

It is so important to read the full descriptions of the Viking excursions, both included and optional. There can be quite a difference between them, but then there is a difference between say Bergen (small but charming) and Barcelona (which is, after all, Barcelona!). The one thing you cannot tell from the descriptions is the guide. We have had some really exceptional guides on Viking, even for included excursions, most are satisfactory, and a few have been poor. Sadly, you can't tell that in advance. For us, a really great guide is a true bonus, but we try not to let a poor one ruin the experience. Enjoy your trip.

Hope that's not the same vacuum they use on my cabin carpet!😉

So, there have always been fluctuations within a given season and location, some of them extreme. And of course, weather patterns of the past are not quite as reliable for the present, and that can be extreme too. Sorry that is not a helpful answer, but it is true. As far as your question about whether things will be open on shore on those two days, I can't help but would also be interested in the answer.

We always stay in Veranda cabins, and we always enjoy Viking cruises. We get the same great service as everyone else both in our cabin and throughout the ship. The few things we give up (more reservations and later booking of excursions), are rarely a problem, and come at a considerable savings. Works for us! Welcome to Viking, xiphoid76, and enjoy your trip.