Shipshape54

I was also drinking the Ste Michelle, they substituted the Tarapaca for me when they ran out. Normally the Tarapaca is by the bottle.  They did get Barton & Guestier merlot & cabernet in one of the ports, which the steward recommended, and was good. However, as I said, unless you saw them pour it, you wouldn't know it was available.

Hubby And I bought the SSP on the Star Christmas/New Years cruise.  I understand the need for an increase in price, still reasonable compared to other lines.  My problem is with the lack of inventory.  When we signed up there were 5 red wines listed, I ordered one..out of stock, on one day 1 of a 2 week cruise.  They also didn't have the white my husband ordered. Within a week they ran out of the white I was drinking.  To their credit they substituted a nicer white that was usually sold by the bottle.  About 8 days into the cruise the wine steward told me they had gotten new stock, a merlot (among other wines) I would like.  These new wines were never added to any of the wine lists and guests only found out about it if they saw it being poured at the bar.  Upshot...for the price, Viking should list what is available and have what they list.  House wine was still 5, other by the glass 8.

On 7/7/2021 at 3:47 AM, DJVKN said:

Gym is open by appointment for 45 minutes per person I believe. I friend of ours is going daily and most times no one is manning the desk and no one is  in the gym so he just goes in and works out.

Thanks for the info.

Is the gym open?  Do you need to reserve time/machine?  Always enjoy walking the treadmill while pulling into a port

One of the benefits listed for platinum plus is a discount on spa treatments on port days.  Generally, the spa discounts massages, etc. on port days.   Can you combine the discounted massages/treatments (available to everyone) with the platinum discounts?  If not, what spa discounts are available to the platinum/platinum plus members that are different from those offered to first time cruisers? 

Thanks to all for the info.

The $25 (x 6 days=150) is for the ship's staff including the tour director.  The $10 (x 12 days=120) is for the escort on the land portion.   Suggested tipping for local guides and bus drivers is the same as in Europe $2 and $1.  I agree with Peregina651 that the tips should just be included into the cruise cost.  

Another issue that came up from a prior sailing was that the land tips could not be charged on the ship and folks were going to ATMs to get tip money for the escort's tip at the end of the trip.  I'm hoping that since "prepayment" of tips is now available that we can charge the land tips to our ship's account/OBC.

I'll be going on this tour in September and wondered about the "suggested" tipping.  I've taken a number of Viking River cruises in Europe and a couple of their ocean cruises as well.  I know tipping is a very personal thing, but I'm just curious about the amounts suggested.  In Europe, on a Viking cruise this past May (2019) the suggestion was $18 (US) per person per day on board and  2 and 1 euro pp for an on land tour guide and bus driver.  The Viking China booklet suggests $25 pp per day (US) on board and $10 pp per day (US) on land,  $270 pp if you prepay the gratuities.  Given that there is no tipping in China (in fact it is considered an insult to leave a tip according to the travel books) I confused as to why the amounts are so much higher than in Europe.  I realize that I can adjust the tip amounts but I usually tip the suggested amount as well as some additional tips to people who go above and beyond.  I am just curious if any knows the rational behind the substantially higher amount in a country with a no tipping culture and a lower cost of living.