TayanaLorna

We never took your scheduled cruise but have found that most Viking Ocean included and optional excursions are 1) a panoramic bus tour with 2-3 photo stops 2) a combination scenic bus ride to specific stops where you are given "x" amount of time to explore at your own pace and return to the bus 3) a more adventurous tour for hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and 4) a walking tour of 2-3 hours. All tours are described and will give level of difficulty and time duration. I am sure if you read the descriptions closely you will find suitable excursions. The pure walking/standing ones are the most difficult but even on those you can stop halfway through and take a taxi back to the ship or leave the group and walk back at your own pace. Just tell the guide that you are leaving the group.

There are also Ted Talks and episodes of TV series. Cannot connect any device to the TV and there is no Bluetooth for headphones which can be problematic if you want to watch a movie in the evening and your neighbor is home. We got complaints when we were trying to watch the Star Theatre show live and we did not have the TV volume anywhere near full.

We have never known of a group for those slower folks on Ocean - only River.

I believe it was on the CDC website under cruise ships section.

Thank you. I did see this CDC report after we were home. On board everyone was guessing - norovirus or food poisoning? Closing down self serve and the spa with locker rooms indicated a virus spread by touch and close contact. However then a survey went out asking anyone who was sick to report what they ate and we heard that the common food reported was lobster roll at the WC for lunch.

We have had the PV with a slider and one with a window and hinged door. We prefer the window and door vs a slider. We place the chair on the wall between the two and bring magnetic hooks and lanyards to capture the drapes to one side and the other. It really opened for the view and light.

I too am so sorry you have been treated this way. Cases of food poisoning certainly must be reported to the CDC. On our TA, no one could confirm at the time if the GI issues on board were norovirus or food poisoning. The spouse/roommate was not isolated, only the sick person. And from the people we talked to or reported on our Roll Call, their partner was so sick that they voluntarily quarantined. We did not know for sure which GI issue it was until we saw it on the CDC site. I believe it was 120 or so passengers and crew who got sick. This is troublesome since we already have reports of people coughing, sneezing and obviously sick saying that they won't request a Covid test because they don't want to miss ports. Now we will have people afraid to report possible food poisoning or norovirus symptoms for fear of quarantine.

Dr. Koob, So sorry your wife got sick on board. Do tell and restaurant manager as well as the medical staff. They can check who else had the swordfish and if anyone else reported getting ill. On our 2021 TA people began having GI issues and not knowing why Viking eliminated all self serving and closed the Spa and hot tubs thinking it might be norovirus. It turned out it was food poisoning from the lobster roll as the common consumption.

This was a big discussion thread a while back. People reported from no tips to $1.00 each time and as high as $10 if they ordered a lot of food. The server does not linger expecting a tip so each to their own.

An upcoming cruise of ours shows between 1 and 15 excursions available in each port. Go figure.

We have made spa appointments through MVJ but changed and added once on board. So if times are sold out, don't give up and stop by the spa desk once on board.

Exactly. We did this from home just to test what we could do. We got our email through WiFi, could use our Internet bookmarks for weather, FB, CC etc but did not get texts because they are cellular. Some people say they get their texts but our cellular plan does not do WiFi texts. Instead we would use What'sApp or Messenger to communinicate with people back home or friends on board.

Ah bless you. My DH was a computer tech, support and otherwise and wants nothing to do with a "help" desk in retirement.

We have not been able to use two different devices to book excursions ever. Only 1 person is able to log in at one time.

Ah yes, carry the "stroller" into the Restaurant. The house wine of the day is the first offered. We usually look at the wine by the glass menu when in the bar and decide on which one we want and order it right away rather then wait for the somalier.

The only dining that must or can be reserved is Manfredi's and Chefs Table.

On Deck 7 aft is the Aquavit Terrace with tables serviced by the World Cafe and the Aquavit Bar. Breakfast, lunch and dinner. You serve yourself. Some tables are under an overhang and sheltered from the rain and sun. If the weather is nice, more tables are set going forward from the Terrace along both the port and starboard sides. The Pool Grill (lunch) can have outdoor seating in nice weather also. We have seen tables set outside on the portside deck. The pool area is also al fresco dining if the retractable roof is open.

We usually take two hours for dinner with friends but it us lingering over wine, food and conversation not waiting for the wine and food. And she said I don't have the time to go over the wine list? Unacceptable. Do you have the Silver Spirit Package?

Our Viking agent told us we could save the Air Plus fee by waiting until Viking reserved our flights and then use MVJ to change them if we didn't like. Doing a deviation to fly back 3 days later so had to pay anyways.

Never charged mine either. Maybe Canadian, British etc credit cards would charge a foreign transaction fee but apparently not US cards.

Was just counting out of Hawaii to first port.

So they did it! Are you? Thirteen days at sea sounds heavenly.

A really good explanation. Thx.

I would take 3039 for its easy access to forward elevators and stairs.

Iconicbuenosaires.com Elizabet Jeckle and her daughter run very nice tours. We found and booked her through Tours By Locals in 2020 but she has her own business now. We took an all day tour and loved it. She also has a FB page.