CCWineLover

7 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

I hope my 10,000 shares goes up...🍸

Jim - you are up $26,410 !!   Enough for another Viking Cruise 🙂

7 hours ago, SJD117 said:

That would explain how you can afford all the WCs!  😀

And they get more expensive each year!

Totally agree!  I would do Napoli.  So much there and to see as stated above!!

We were just there on a cruise and took the day to see Napoli - absolutely a fantastic experience.  

29 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3006002-explora-ambitions/#comment-67316865

 

 

Yes, I saw that after I posted.  But thanks.

In today's Cruise Industry News:

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/04/explora-journeys-sets-sights-on-luxury-dominance/

Nice article.  Will be interesting to read how people compare it to others such as Viking, Celebrity, Crystal (new), etc.

4 hours ago, May B said:

No preexisting NOW. 
 

And remember the trip insurance companies include a change in your meds as a potential preexisting, even LOWERING your blood pressure meds! Or so I’ve read.

Yes that is often true.  They'll get you even if you are "getting better' in life!

8 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

This promo is for those with a current booking.

This is what we got in April - same deal.

1 hour ago, dcsam said:

Just booked  a Viking cruise (through Viking - will transfer over to our TA) .  The cruise initially caught my attention because there were ADA cabins available, so I called.  But the Viking agent said he thought it was odd that it's considered a 'guarantee' since there are only 2 ADA cabins.  I booked an ADA guarantee, but is there a chance we might not end up in one? Our plans would change if that was the case. 

Thank you.

Why don't you ask Viking directly?   Tellus or a Chat

13 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

This is one reason I enjoy river cruising. It’s less about the ship and more about the destinations and view. Not a fan of sea days unless they involve scenic cruising like the Chilean fjords.

Joe - we agree on a lot but on this sadly we don't.  We will not do river cruising simply due to 1) the dining situation and 2) the inability to find a quiet place to get away from it all   Like you can on Ocean Ships.  To us that is more important than the need to see places easily, which we like better on river than ocean.  Of course, DW has hearing issues that make the mass eating a disaster for her, so I'm probably biased.  We so enjoy the World Cafe and CT and other places on Viking Ocean where those who don't want a mass loud eating experience can dine in a little peace.

It's sad, because we'd really like to go on more river cruises but it won't happen.

Personally, I'd wait to see how the market reacts to the IPO.  There might well be an opportunity to get a bargain if prices plummet a bit after the offering, which seems to happen to a lot of non-tech offerings.

And if you have SSBP, they'll take your order of a glass of SSBP wine, and your room number, then go most likely to the Aquavit Terrace, get your order, and bring it back to you.

This is also the case for the included sparkling wine and the included beer at meal times in the World Cafe.

On 4/23/2024 at 9:19 AM, Jim Avery said:

I have never, in a long "career" sailing on cruise ships, ever seen any cruise line stay the same.  Unfortunately they seem to all fall into the "bigger is better" mantra and move away from what originally made them so successful.  In 8 years sailing Viking we have seen notable changes in food and service.  Still good but not the Wow! of the first voyages.  Our next two bookings are on Explora Journeys and Scenic Ocean.  Both new lines with good reviews mostly.  But then back to Viking for a couple of river cruises.  As has been said many times before, the only constant in life is change.  We just go with what works at the time.🍸

Jim - have heard a lot of buzz lately about Explora.

Will enjoy hearing from you then on how they compare with the current Viking Ocean. 🙂

23 minutes ago, kahuna21 said:

What the heck is a “slider”?

Some cabins have "Sliding Doors" that exit to the Balcony and some have a "Door on a hinge with a door handle" that exits to the Balcony.   A slider is a "Sliding Door" to the Balcony.  They exist on all DV and V rooms plus exactly one half of the PV rooms.  

Search the forum for Sliding Doors and you will find a number of threads.

11 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

Just got back from Italy—Sorrento, Naples, Tuscany. Sad to say that Viking’s version of pizza would have the Neapolitans rioting in the streets…! 😹🍕

Well put Linda!   We just did in Feb/Mar Sorrento (1 week), Naples, and Umbria.  Died and gone to heaven.  Never had such great pizza!!   But I didn't like Viking pizza before either.

On 4/14/2024 at 2:50 PM, Jinn said:

For my September 8 cruise Reykjavik to Dover we are no longer going to the Isle of Lewis but instead to Oban about which I know nothing.  Anyone been there?  There are no shore execs listed yet even though there are plenty for the next cruise, Dover to Dover.  Thanks, Julia

Was there in September.  Cold and rainy, but a delightful place.

Yes, Glen Coe is a great place to visit.  Wonderful Natl Park and hike.

Another idea is taking the ferry to Mull and then Iona.

If those take too long, there's always the Distillery in town to visit and taste!  

2 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

I was in IT for 40 years. Do you know how many times I’ve heard that? 

Nothing is as simple as it seems, especially if you are dealing with a legacy system. 
 

Same experience here and same opinion...

Have heard that too many times.

1 minute ago, deec said:

WE canceled an optional excursion prior to the departure of our next cruise.  I was told a credit would be issued to the credit card I had used.  Watched the cc for a couple of weeks and no refund so I called and  I was told it would show up within 21 business days of the cancellation.  Never takes that long to charge me but OK.  Last week an envelope appeared in the mail from Viking.  It was a check for the cost of the excursion all the note said was "cc -refund by check".  no notation for WHAT it covered.  Strange but at least I received the refund! 

Dee - we had a similar but bizarre one.  We had "bought" an excursion ahead of going on a recent cruise, and it used $300 OBC from our agent, plus the few remaining dollars on Credit Card.

When we cancelled, we got a auto checking deposit back from Viking for $290.10.  (plus a credit card credit for the few dollars).  I was stumped until I realized that they had given us the TA OBC back in checking account discount dollars instead of real dollars.  (290.10 is 96.7% of 300.00)  I spoke with them and they were all confused and admitted their accounting systems are sort of a complicated mess.  It wasn't worth the time and hassle over $8.90  but something to remember.

2 hours ago, carolinetodd said:

Yep, tough and bland.  I really wanted to like it, tried a couple times, but no.  Just no.

Agreed!  and I can get pizza at home.  I stuck to the good stuff!!  Only so much room 🙂

52 minutes ago, mwhm said:

Recently on a back to back on the Star the "lobster night" was on the next to last night of each leg of the cruise.  Makes sense.  They want you to leave the ship with a good impression of Viking, and people are to busy packing on the last night to have it then.

the last couple cruises we did in the past year had "lobster night" unscheduled, but they appeared on random nights in the middle of the cruise, perhaps coincidentally the evening of a day in port where they restocked supplies.

1 hour ago, Ready to Sail! said:

Sorry, I guess my wording wasn't very clear.  Yes, my understanding is that this cabin has a door, not a slider.  We have never had a door so would like to try.  Choices (very few) on port side are all further forward.  There is only port side cabins left on all decks.  I like the land side to better see approach to the ports when its early in the moring.  No big deal really, and I'm sure location is find. (and yes, I know I can see on TV)  We were in 3041 last cruise which is really close to elevators and no noise issues. When I said we moved up I meant we did when we took 5031, from a DV on deck 3.  

OK.  We did this cruise on Jupiter a few years ago.  We had a port room.  However, on entering the various ports, we would go topside (Explorer's Lounge or deck 8  )  and were able to see everything from there.  But yes, if you just wish to stay in your room, you might prefer one side over the other.   I personally think you'll be OK in 5031.  You are quick access up to the Explorer's Lounge.  Inside and outside it really was a great place to watch the beautiful scenery.  Expecially if you can get up early to see the Beagle Channel and the Chilean Fjords.

Enjoy!  This cruise was one of our favorites!!

2 hours ago, TravelerTeacherRetired said:

We are in DV3 and booked the 2specialty restaurants. Not sure I really want the later 8:30 one but don’t want to cancel and then have nothing.

Are there any chances of getting a second visit to one of the restaurants when we are on board? 

Many threads on this discussion, but short answer:

Yes - 100 % chance you'll find a 2nd reservation when you get onboard.  Likely the one you want.  Read my post just above the one you wrote.

8 minutes ago, Ready to Sail! said:

We just switched our sailing for next February SA cruise.  There were very few cabins left on starboard which we wanted so not much choice.  We are in 5031.  We do like being near the elevators but usually choose a cabin a few doors away.  From the deckplan it looks like 5031 is directly across from the entry into the ellevators/stairs.  Probably not much we can do if we want to stay on starboard but just curious.  Otherwise, happy to move up and try a PV and a door instead of a slider as we have never had one, only sliders. My husband thinks I worry too much abouth trivial matters and he's right but what can I do? It's me!  Thanks for any input.

What are your options on the port side?   I'm a bit confused as you said you are in 5031, which I don't believe is a slider.  It is across from the elevator which may/may not make a difference.  You say you'd "move up" and try a PV with a door - but isn't that what you have?   We've done 5028 on port side and been just fine (slider).  IMHO on the SA cruise it does not really matter if you are port or starboard.  When there is good viewing (Beagle Channel and more) you will likely be up on top looking anyways.  Much of the time the ships cruise too far from land to really see much.

3 hours ago, Mike07 said:

 

 

Loose lips sink ships.

 

If you do get a specialty dish, it's in your best interest to not advertise it. The reason being, is that the cook staff aren't going to be able to handle hundreds of individual and specialized orders. Then, you pit Viking guests versus Viking staff and "Well, you made this special dish for _____________ so WHY CAN'T I HAVE SOMETHING SPECIAL, TOO???" It's an awful position to put Viking in.

Thanks!  Agree!  Wasn't thinking.  Clay - keep you mouth quiet or don't post please.

Clay - you are likely now the most famous person on Viking Ships!  I would think everyone knows you by now.  Keep asking for specialty dishes!!  We want to see the photos and salivate as we sit at home and live by your trip vicariously.  🙂

15 hours ago, rjp50 said:

Thanks.  I was a bit surprised how many of the reservations were already taken.  We have a PV so have priority over most of the ship and on the first day that the reservation window opened and within the first half hour, there were some nights that nothing was available in either specialty restaurant until 8 or 8:30.  With that being the case I wonder if there will be any options available if we wait until we are onboard and just a few days away from the night that we want.  Is it possible that they hold a batch of tables each night for reservations made while onboard?

You will not have an issue.  Viking withholds 50-60 % of the tables at the specialty restaurants for booking on the ship.  So on the day you board, immediately check availability and make the reservations you wish at Manfredi's and/or Chef's Table.  Plus, then you will know what menu is on what day at CT, as well as have a better idea of your personal schedules.  I would, however, not wait beyond the first few hours of being on board, as many of the veteran Viking Cruisers I know, including us, use this strategy.