PeabodyMa

9 hours ago, eylarson said:

As of 5 April only one location from here north will permit Viking Submersible operations.  New sub crew is eager to best the number of previous dives in Antarctica.   We'll see.  

eylarson, where is the one location that will permit Viking submersible operations north of your April 5 location?

53 minutes ago, eylarson said:

As of 5 April only one location from here north will permit Viking Submersible operations.  New sub crew is eager to best the number of previous dives in Antarctica.   We'll see.  

What is one location?

1 hour ago, CharTrav said:

I have a question for those who've done the Antarctic trips. We are doing Arctic Adventure this Summer and I'm trying to plan for the medical form that needs to be signed by our doctor. The Viking site provides no information about it at all beyond saying we'll get it shortly before our departure date. What I'd like to know is what is the nature of this form?  If it involves making an appointment with our doctor will this be simply to get it signed - no physical exam - or will this form require an actual physical exam? If the latter, would like to be able to plan for the appointment now rather than getting one on short notice. Thanks!

 

The medical form pdf is on page 10, post # 229.

Thank you! I think Manfredi's on the Octantis is one room, not two rooms as the Ocean ships.

4 hours ago, GKTV32162 said:

World Cruise Day 67/152 - Funchal, Madeira (Portugal, sort of) - We put the FUN in Funchal!

 

ttps://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/02/world-cruise-day-67152-funchal-madeira.html

Funchal is now on my Wish List. Thank you for sharing. Absolutely beautiful. Your blog is outstanding. 

Is the layout of Manfredi's the same as the ocean Manfredi's? How does it differ?

8 hours ago, GKTV32162 said:

World Cruise Day 63/152 - Mindelo, São Vicente, Cape Verde Islands - Land Ho!

 

 

https://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/02/world-cruise-day-63152-mindelo-sao.html

Your blog is remarkable. Looking forward to the 62/152 blog whenever it is ready. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible journey!

On 2/6/2022 at 3:44 PM, Hazard10 said:

No one ended up in the water.

 

The bays we did the kayaking in, it would be impossible to fall out of the ones we used unless you deliberately wanted to fall in. We also wore special suits.

They are custom made and extremely steady. 

 

You use pedals by your feet to move forward and back and a dial to your left to turn. This keeps your hands free to take photos and enjoy the scenery.

The staff who come out with you use traditional kayaks.

 

I have lots of kayaking photos of interested.

Hazard10, thank you. Your info is very helpful.

Are the kayak pedals a push pedal system that you push up and down with both your feet? Or are they rotational  pedals, like a bicycle? 

Do the pedal kayaks also have paddles available to use?

2 hours ago, brosen1 said:

Just read on FB that the submersibles are defective and sent back to manufacturer.

When are submersibles expected back on Octantis?

When kayaking, did anyone end up in the water, even briefly?

7 hours ago, GKTV32162 said:

Per the cruise director, all of them had to go through multiple tests before they were allowed to board. No details were given other than that. Given how strict Viking is, I'm sure they were heavily vetted for compliance to Viking's standards before they were booked to perform.

 

As for the saliva test, I usually am up earlier for a...let's call it comfort visit...and do mine then. Then, I get Arlona up just before 8, she does hers, we put them on a magnet clip and slap it on the outside of the door and climb back in bed for another 30 minutes or so.  We've seen several rooms that put them out before they go to bed. You just can't eat or drink anything nor brush your teeth 30 minutes before doing the test.

Nice. Did Viking provide the magnet clip?

4 hours ago, prunderw said:

Captain just reported positive covid case, 12 days without any covid cases.  Close contacts and positive case has been isolated.  No impact currently on tomorrow's port call in Nuku Hiva.

Great open and transparent communication from our Captain and Viking.

Thank you for telling us. Yes, open communication and transparency is important. 

20 hours ago, GKTV32162 said:

World Cruise day 31/152 - Puntarenas, Costa Rica again - one month in, and it's a croc!

 

https://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/01/world-cruise-day-31152-puntarenas-costa.html

I love your blog: your descriptions, photos and sense of humor! Thank you for sharing with us. Thank you again for removing the black background. I appreciate your thoughtfulness. Enjoy every moment. I look forward to more postings!

1 hour ago, GKTV32162 said:

World Cruise Day 29/152 - Sea Day - Bridge over untroubled waters

 

https://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/01/world-cruise-day-29152-sea-day-bridge.html

Your blog is so much easier to read now and the photos are better too. Thank you for removing the black background, which made reading very difficult.

i really appreciate all you do.

Kolbs Blog is fascinating, but removing the black background would be so much better.

27 minutes ago, Diveloonie said:

I am loving all the WC blogs and following along!  I am having a harder time reading the kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com because of the background.  

I agree re: kolbs blog. Maybe the kolbs can get rid of the black background.

2 hours ago, JM0115 said:

Update from the Star. FYI. We cannot make any dining room reservations past the 10th even at the dining reservations desk which is when this segment ends. The systems do not go past this date. Viking Voyager also ends on the 10th.

Of course! Nothing is wrong. The FLL-LA cruises/segment ends on the 1/10. Many lectures will also disappear from the TV. 

12 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Unable to comment on your blog, so may I suggest a few corrections to your post regarding the Panama Canal operation.

 

Locks - You mentioned that both Pedro Migual & Miraflores have a single lock, stepping down to the Pacific. The last locks (Miraflores) are actually a double set of locks. These are the locks with the Visitor Centre observation platform. The original Canal has a total of 6 locks - 3 up and 3 down.

 

Pilot Boarding - As a Norwegian Flag ship, she most definitely follows OSH requirements, which are outlined in the Ship's Safety Management System Manual, as required by the ISM Code. When the pilot launch is about the same height as the Shell Door, the boat pushes alongside the ship and holds position. The Pilot then steps onboard, and is flanked by a crew member on each side to steady him. If at a different height than the Shell Door the Pilot steps on a ladder, while the boat pulls away as the Pilot climbs the ladder. If the Pilot falls he lands in the water, where he is hauled out, rather than hitting the boat.

 

Pilot - while the ship has a Pilot, in the Panama Canal, the Master/Pilot relationship is the exact opposite of other ports or channels. In other places, the Pilot provides advice to the Master, but in the Canal, the Pilot assume responsibility for the navigation of the vessel from the Master.

 

Mules - the number of Mules depend on the ship's size. On Panamax sized cruise ships, we used 8 mules.

 

Charges River - you only spend a brief period in the river, as after passing Gamboa you enter the Gaillard Cut, which was the portion of the Canal that was dug out.

 

Tug Assistance - on cruise ships, the tugs are not supplied for steering assistance, as the transit speed is above the ship's minimum steerage. As in many ports, they are provided to assist in stopping the ship in the event of a propulsion/steering failure.

 

 

Heidi13, Thank you for sharing your expertise. I learn a lot from your posts.

15 minutes ago, TERRIER1 said:

Didn't that world cruise leave from Miami?

Thank you, Terrier!. Yes, of course. 2017-18 World Cruise left from Miami. I apologize for typing LA, instead of Miami.

Thank you for kindly pointing out my error.

My apologies to all. I stand corrected.

2017-18 WC Corrected Itinerary

12/15 MIAMI

1 hour ago, PeabodyMa said:

Njhorseman- FYI, WC itinerary you found is incorrect.

 

2017-18 World Cruise final itinerary

12/15  LA (San Pedro)

12/16  At Sea

12/17  Cienfuegos, Cuba

12/18  Cienfuegos, Cuba

12/19  Cienfuegos, Cuba

12/20  Ocho Rios, Jamaica

12/21  At Sea

12/22  Puerto Limon (San Jose), Costa Rica  

Corrected Itinerary

12/15 MIAMI

End of Cuba conversation.

13 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

@PeabodyMa, there's no way the itinerary you listed in post #66 is correct.

I was there

Njhorseman- FYI, WC itinerary you found is incorrect.

2017-18 World Cruise final itinerary

2 hours ago, njhorseman said:

 

 

Cuba and Jamaica  aren't  distant  foreign ports. Did it call on any of the ABC islands ?

No ABC Islands., I expect Viking was well-prepared to pay $800 per pax disembarking in LA. No fine on pax continuing on the World Cruise.