JulieEscapes

Included wine and beer tips:

-The wines offered change every day – if you find one you like, the next day ask if they have any of the wine from yesterday – they always find a bottle.

- they come to the table with red or wine, but also have rose, just ask if they have an included rose.

-also if you don’t like the included wine after tasting, ask if they have another choice – they have always been accommodating

- before you leave lunch ask for a full glass and take it back to your cabin for later

-for Chef’s Table included wine – if you don’t like one of the wines ask if they have something else.  We didn’t like the “included” port and they ended up giving us the “upgraded” port.

-if you are in a PV cabin (you get a bottle in your refrigerator at boarding) -you can switch it out for another wine.

- best part you can bring whatever you want on board with no charge. 

-We love lemon drop martinis – upon boarding, we find a liquor store and get what we need. 

-You can mix the drink in your room and carry anywhere on the ship. 

-We asked our steward for two new glassed and a bucket of ice every day at 4:30, so we were ready for our 5 o’clock martini! 

-You have free access to the juice machines in the world café any time.  There were stewed plums at breakfast, we took back to the room and ended up making a “Sugar Plum” martini.

-Be creative, you can find all sort of “mixer” on board. 

-on our last two week cruise, we took our 5pm drink to the living room to listen to the music, the same waiter came over every day to see what we were drinking, ask about our day and give us snacks!

On 7/1/2023 at 1:20 PM, OneSixtyToOne said:

 

That is subject to change since the Hilton no longer exists. The hotel is closed and being converted into luxury condos & hotel and rebranded "Conrad."

 

Our trip this year also stated the Hilton but we ended up at the Intercontinental for our 4 day Classic Greece extension. Those on the 2 day Athens extension stayed at the Marriott near the port.

Doing the 4 Day Classic Greece extension at end of Empire of Med cruise leaving next week. We will be at the Intercontinental also. Any restaurant recommendations near Intercontinental Hotel or Athens? Any other tips for the 4 day extension?

The 6:30am excursion was the included Wildlife Boat Ride. The included Panoramic excursion, morning 8:30am, had some minor value - bus to outer areas of town beyond the city limits (can't go outside city without a gun for polar bear safety), viewed the Seed Vault, Mines, vast tundra.  The museum was ok for general information on the town/mining/wildlife.  Tour ends here. We didn't go back to ship, instead we took short walk to the "downtown" area and did some shopping (maybe a dozen stores: outdoor, gifts, grocery store).  Then took shuttle back to ship.

on our dogsled trip we did go outside the city and our guide had a high powered rifle on her back and two pistols for polar bear protections - we did not see a polar bear.

You can take the shuttle bus to town, but really can't go outside the city without transportation.  The bus portion was just "viewing" things, no stops. But did give nice overall picture of the area.

Other random thoughts:

We couldn't have asked for better weather, Sunny both days in Longyearbyen. The day we left the sea was like glass!  After departing the port, Viking cruised over to the glaciers - everyone was out on the bow taking their "holiday photos".

Along the coast of Norway, weather was mostly rainy.  High winds day of Lofoton, so couldn't dock. However we had extra time so Captain took us to Andenes for evening cruise to look for whales.  We saw multiple pods.

We only had two very rocky nights at sea, Bergen to Alesund (port replaced early on) and night before Isafjord. Otherwise not too bad. We came prepared with all sorts of pills, bands, ginger, etc. But didn't use a single thing. I did downloaded the windy app (used free) and kept an eye on the wind conditions.  Orange/Red bad; yellow/green ok, blue - excellent (we had blue in Longyearbyen).

At Nordkapp, don't rush to the Globe for pictures. when bus arrives everyone rushes to the Globe to take pictures,  Which I did also, But towards the end of our time there I looked out and there was not a single person at the Globe - should have waited and got pictures without the crowd.

 Tromso - if you are shopping, stop by The Northern lights Gift Shop - they have a free 14 minute film on Northern light - it was better than expected.

Alesund - this was early replacement for Geiranger - we did the steps up to the Aksla viewpoint.  We dropped off at end of included walking tour.  The 418 steps are not that bad.  There are benches and viewing platforms along the steps.  Lots of points to take great pics and rest.

Narvik - did War Museum with guide.  Then walked around town, not much to see. The chairlift was closed while we were there.

On two days in North Sea - some people saw multiple pods of whales.

Bergen - skipped the included tour and did Bergen Segway tour.  It was wonderful.  My mother (82) and I had never been on Segway - we both loved it!  Even though it was raining the entire time.  They provide training in their warehouse (on docks right near ship).  Then off we went.  We stopped along the way and the guide gave info. We went to the other side of the harbor, then up to the top overlook, then back down and around the city.  We leave for Empires of Med in two weeks and we are doing Segway in Athens!  Note: I have been to Bergen before and already did funicular and cable car.

I think Norway is absolutely stunting!  Enjoy!

It was!  I want to go back to Longyearbyen - I'll do the Captains Favorite's again!

Also, when we booked we selected a 'pick up" location, but the Catamaran is docked is right near the Viking ship. You'll see smaller boats on the left after exiting the Viking ship.  Short walk.

shuttles:

Narvik - drop off/pick up Town Hall

Lofoton - drop off/pick up Circle K (on Daily but we missed this port due to weather),

Longyearbyen - drop off/pick up Parking lot outside shop "Svalbardbutikken"

all other ports within walking distance

I was on the first cruise to Longyearbyen, June 1 & 2 and did both included excursions.  The second included boat trip opened up while on board May 31.  We were able to sign up for the boat trip for Day 2 and did the other included excursion on Day 1.

FYI - if you go on the boat trip bring binoculars.  I brought my own set and it was the only way to actually see the wildlife. A woman standing next to me didn't have binoculars.  She would ask Where are the Reindeer?  It's the white dots over there.  Where is the arctic fox?  See the snow by the cliff, it is walking in front of it now.  Even at the bird cliff, the birds were little black dots without binoculars. Saw one walrus, one arctic fox, many reindeer, many birds, a few puffins.

Also, did the excursion at 6:30am, dock area right next to Viking ship; one hour in they served "BBQ" food.  I didn't eat, 7:30am too early for BBQ.  Viking opened the World Cafe early that day for breakfast.

On Day 1, we did an independent boat tour with Hurtigruten "Captain's Favorites".  It wasn't free but way better.  On a Catamaran, with quiet electric as we got close to glaciers, wildlife.  Got right up to the ice field in front of glacier. Great commentary during entire trip. Provided binoculars.  They really tried to find a polar bear, but didn't.  Did see walrus, seals, Beluga whale, reindeer, etc.

Also Day 2, we did an independent dogsled with Svalbard Villmarkssenter.  half the cost of Viking optional excursion and more authentic.  We actually got to harness and unharness the teams to the sleds.  Great guide. We could tell they really loved their dogs.  And located just near the Polar Bear sign; before dropping us back at the ship, they took us to the sign for pictures. Pick up and drop off included. Musher for half day tour.

Thanks Clay for starting this ... it always boggled my mind why Viking would stop sending promos once you have booked a cruise.  I would booked another cruise if I got a great deal!

Also, thanks UWDawg for figuring out the web address format. I received this promotion thru a travel agent, but was able to find the web address using the formatting.  I did have to keep changing the date until I hit the correct posting date. 

ASIA SALE

Reduced Fares

FREE International Airfare

Complimentary Silver Spirits

Beverage Package

Offer ends Sep 14, 2022

Ask for Offer "FTA22"

https://www.viking.com/promotions/us/ocean/FTA22/20220902

We use www.visitacity.com to plan out our itinerary. For major cities you can create your own itinerary (use the Pisa Guides 1-2 days). You can then customize the itinerary: you can delete or add attractions, add your hotel/port, create your own stops, and create breaks. Set your dates and VAC will tell you what the best order is, times open or closed, travel time between sites and give a description/review of the attraction. You can download to the VAC app and use offline with maps. We use this whenever we travel even if not doing our own thing, just to see what’s available so we don’t miss anything. I'm using it for Athens next Saturday on our Jupiter cruise and planned 1 Packed day. It's all free.  Now, they do offer paid tours - but I have never signed up for one of those. Happy Planning!

Hi All, We have stayed in both PV slider and window/door rooms.  We also preferred the PV slider room.  While onboard last cruise, I was booking a cruise for 2020 and asked the onboard consultant which PV rooms were sliders, so I could book the right room.  He gave me a list of the PV slider rooms - i''m attaching the list.  Even rooms on port side/Odd rooms on starboard side.

Of course, we just got an upgrade DV4 to PV1 for Jupiter cruise next Saturday Feb 16 and the PV room is window/door - but it's an upgrade so I'll take it!

Viking PV slider rooms.pdf

We will be boarding the Jupiter next Saturday Feb 16th,  can't wait!!!

if you are interested in a Viking Mississippi cruise you can log your interest on Viking's website here

https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/contact/mississippi-cruises-form.html

Viking signed a port deal to visit Mark Twain's home town

https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Port-deal-shows-Viking-US-plans-are-progressing

this article indicates cruise will not start until 2021 or 2022

Hi All, Back in the fall of 2016 and early 2017 I received two surveys from Viking. One was for a Mississippi cruise and the other for an Antarctica cruise.  The surveys showed possible itineraries, room design, ship design and prices and of course asked my opinion on all.  The Antarctica ship was a pretty cool design.  After I finished with the surveys I was so mad that I didn't screen shot the pages!  Every time I go on a Viking cruise I always ask about both the Mississippi and Antarctica.  This past October the Cruise Consultant on my ship said that both were in the works.

I don't believe they serve the same lobster dishes in the World Cafe.  I've been on several 15 day viking cruises. on both, the first week we had the whole lobster dinner and the second week we had lobster thermidor. I enjoyed both. I do remember eating both in the main dining room.  They do offer some items from the main dining room in the World Cafe but not everything. Now they did offer Lobster "something" in the World Cafe one night, but I can't remember what it was and as a lobster  expert ... if I can't remember it, then it wasn't that good!  

Ok. I guess my decision is made..

Hi Nicnoll,

We did it! We were on the Homelands cruise last September and hiked to Pulpit Rock – it was amazing! Yes, the time in port is very tight but it is doable if everything goes as planned. That is the key – have a plan, know your turn around time! And hope the weather cooperates. The weather on our day was questionable but we went anyway and it cleared up some later in the day and we had great views at the rock.

We planned out and timed every aspect: ferry, bus, hike, time at top, hike back, bus back and ferry back. If at any time we were not on schedule, we had already agreed we would have to turn around. Although we also had a plan in case we missed the ship, which meant we would have missed the next stop and have to go to Bergen as not much options from Stavanger.

We arrived in port at 10am and we were down at the disembarkment location ready to exit the ship. We were the first off at 10:15. We went straight to the ferry, which was departing at 10:40. There was a company at the ferry selling tickets for both ferry and buses on other end, but because we didn’t know how our time would work out, we choose not to pre-book any tickets. We purchased our ferry ticket while on board the ferry (just walk on board and someone comes around to check your ticket or we will sell you a ticket). We only purchased the single ticket for that trip, not a return ticket (we purchased the return ticket on the return ferry). When we arrived at Tau there were buses waiting to go to the Pulpit Rock parking lot. We walked up to one of the buses and purchased our ticket at the bus (they take credit cards). Check out the different bus companies online and look at their time tables; on the way back we took a green bus. Of course, it was not crowded when we went so we didn’t have to worry about the bus being full and having to wait for the next bus, which would have made us off our time schedule. If it will be crowded then I would have pre-booked the bus ticket.

Once we arrived at the Pulpit Rock parking lot, we stopped for the restroom and started the hike. Yes, all information says the hike takes 2 hours up and back. However, we knew we had to do it in 1 ½ hours up and back with only ½ hour at the top. We did make it in 1 ½ hours up and 1 ½ hours back! You have to keep moving with only short stops for photos, which is hard because there are so many beautiful spots. It is a strenuous hike at that pace, there is a lot of vertical to climb but it is completely doable in 1 ½ hours if you are in decent shape. There is a clear path with mile/meter markers along the way. If you ever feel lost, look ahead to the next marker. There was 1 other person from the ship trying to make the climb (so there were 3 of us out of 930). We started out hiking together but we kept on our pace and soon left him behind (we saw him back on the ship and he did make it also).

When we arrived at the top we only had ½ hours to enjoy the amazing views. There was a line to get a picture on the corner. Best vantage point would be one person waits in the line to sit on the corner and the other person is across from the rock (on the trail coming up) so you can see the magnitude of the drop. Have you seen the Mission Impossible movie – we sat right were Tom Cruse was hanging on the edge! I can’t state how breathtaking it was!!! Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to hike up farther -where you can look down on Pulpit rock.

After ½ hour we started down. Goal was 1 ½ hours down. Even going down we kept moving to make the time schedule. We brought sandwiches to eat on the way down; at this point we knew we had some extra time so we stopped for 15 mins to eat. Also bring plenty of water; there are no bathrooms except in the parking lot at bottom. We made it down in 1 ½ hours with 10 minutes to spare before the bus left back to the ferry. The green bus was waiting in the parking lot near the bathrooms. We purchased our return bus ticket right on the bus. We made the ferry at 4:00 back to Stavanger (I was worried riding the bus back but it did make it to the ferry in 15 mins). We were back to Stavanger by 4:40pm with time to walk around town as we made our way back to the ship.

Here was our time schedule:

10:40 Ferry from Stavanger to Tau

11:20 Bus from Tau to Pulpit Rock parking

11:45 Arrive at Pulpit Rock parking - start hike

1:15 Arrive at top

1:45 Start hike back down

3:15 arrive at Parking lot - we got back at 3:35; we stopped to eat on the hike down

3:45 Bus back to Ferry

4:00 Ferry back to Stavanger

Our back up was the next ferry which left Tau at 4:40pm

Know your turn around time! If you aren’t going to make the time schedule turn around and go back. We knew we had 40-minute leeway if we took the 4:40 ferry but we didn’t want to chance it.

Also note: trying to make the hike in 1 /12 hours each way is strenuous. There are very steep parts to the hike which take a lot of leg strength. Both my partner and the other guy who went, their legs were hurting the next day. Both couldn’t take the stairs for several days. I exercise regularly and I didn’t have any pain or soreness. My partner said he would not do it again; he was really in pain. I on the other hand would do it in a second!! And I can’t wait to go back again, with more time to spend on the hike and at the top.

We are leaving on Oct 21 for Viking cruise to China and we are planning a similar hike when we are in Qingdao port for 8 hours and trying to go hike Mt. Laoshan – another tight turnaround. Again, we have a plan and if at any point we will not make our time schedule, we will turn around and go back. Also, weather dependent.

I'm happy to answer any questions. This was great to relive the hike!

Good Luck Julie

We have made our Chef's Table reservations. I have been able to view the menus for all of the dinners except one--Mexico. Does anyone have the menu for that dinner? Also, is it possible to make substitutions for any items on the menu? I don't eat fish or seafood. Thanks!

Hi I could see the menu on MVJ go to Dining then select the Chef Table. it lists the Menus.

It says ...

Mexico

Amuse Bouche

Tostadas De Pulpo

First Course

Tamalito De Pollo

salsa verde

Granité

Nopales Con Limon

Main Course

Short Rib

mole, pure de camote, miel de agave

Dessert

Chocolate En Texturas

mousse, bisco

We are booked on the Homelands Cruise on the Viking Sea in May 2018. We will be flying in and out of Seattle and are trying to decide if we should use Viking Air.

 

Has anyone used Viking Air for this cruise from Seattle? Did you make your own arrangements or did you leave it up to Viking?

 

Thank you.

We usually use Viking Air Plus but couldn't with the Bergen departure. We did leave it up to Viking. We are leaving this Friday Aug 25th for Homelands cruise but from Washington DC not Seattle. We fly United from DC to Stockholm with connection in Munich. Flight home is Bergen to London, then London to DC on British Airways. Not too bad without Viking Air Plus. Viking Air Plus is $50 more per person and you can choose your flights - we have done this for four other Viking cruises. Sorry we couldn't for this one.

You can ask your travel agent to ticket your flight early (Viking usually does not ticket your flight until 75 days out). We usually ticket early so we can select our seats and or upgrade our seats.

What are your best mini bar hacks / recipes?

 

For example... Can one (ahem... me) make a mock Tom Collins if the mini bar is stocked with gin and club soda, and we find some lemons onboard?

 

What other concoctions have you made, using the mini bar and items found onboard?

We took some cranberry juice from the World Café, stopped by the Pool Bar for a tall glass of ice. Back in the room we took vodka or rum, added Sprite and a splash of cranberry juice! Enjoy!

We are not buffet people, we don't like mass produced food but that is NOT the World Cafe on Viking - they put out smaller portions and replenish frequently. We noticed them replacing a half full tray - so the food is always fresh. We did look at both sides of the World Cafe, although the main section is the same on both sides: one side has the pizza section, one side the sushi section and one side the gelato - the gelato selections change daily, so good! Each night in the middle section there are "made to order" items - they make it fresh for you!

You can tell them what you want. We only wanted vodka and rum, so we left a note and got two small bottles of vodka and two small bottles of rum everyday. They only replenish four small bottles a day, so if you only drink three of the four, you only three get replenished. Some evenings we removed what we didn't drink and the next day they replaced all four - so we had extra stock for other days.

In addition, the PV room gets one bottle of champagne - if you want a bottle of wine instead just ask your steward on the first day and they will replace the bottle of champagne with a bottle of wine (only one bottle for the whole cruise).

You can also request what soda you get. We only wanted Diet, so we got only diet soda. I don't remember what type of beer (didn't drink that), but I'm sure if you ask your cabin steward they will replenish with your request if available.

You get two very small candy bars and one bag of potato chips (not sure why only one bag with two people in the room). They will replenish whatever is missing! Enjoy!

Viking does offer GTY rooms in the PV category. I contacted Viking directly to inquire about a Mediterranean cruise, the agent offered me a PV1 GTY; I put a hold on this and still have a copy of the booking. I didn't book this cruise but went with a different Med cruise and booked at V2 GTY.

My impression with the GTY option is: if there are cabins available in higher categories Viking will offer GTYs to entice people to book the cruise at the lower price just to fill the ship. For the PV1 GTY I mention above, there were no cabin available in lower categories but there were cabins in all the Suite categories. I believe if we had booked this cruise and Viking didn't sell those suites we would have moved up.

Go online and look at what is still available on your cruise in higher cabins - that will give you an idea of your chance of an upgrade. Also note Viking sells multiple levels of GTYs on the same cruise. On our Med V2 GTY we met a couple who booked at a DV GTY. So my impression is all GTYs would move up depending on which GTY level you are booked in: PV GTYs would get access to suites if available and then DV GTYS would get access to PV, etc. The DV GTY couple got a PV1 room and we got a PV3 room (our cruise was not full I think there were 750 on board).

Of course watch out, once you are in a PV room on Viking with all the drawer space, extra room size and mini fridge liquor restocked daily - it's hard to think about going back to a lower room! We did book our next cruise in a PV room, heading out in two weeks!

We were on the Viking Sea in March in a penthouse veranda with the small binoculars. We didn't bring our own binoculars because there was a pair in the cabin. We were so disappointed with the quality of the Viking provided small binoculars. We are traveling on the Viking Sky in August in a PV room again and we will bring our own binoculars this time.

Returned from Med Odyssey March 5th and half way thru the cruise Viking delivered a letter to staterooms with a price list of the items; just in case one of them found their way into your luggage for the trip home. Didn't keep a copy of the letter, but the bathroom soap dish or tissue holder was $245!