Lornaburg

On 12/2/2022 at 10:01 AM, gramwold said:

HI all,   has anyone passed through security at terminal 2 at Manchester Airport recently.    we are trying to gauge the time we should arrive at the airport (we are due to cruise from Barbados on Marella Discovery  soon.)   Tui  have sent an  Email check in opens for long haul flights  at least 3 and  a half hours before take off.  Are they still experiencing long delays at security or is it better now.  Any info on this would be appreciated.   Many thanks

 

Graham

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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We passed through Manchester in September,  not very long queue.

11 minutes ago, Rob1966 said:

 

I have been ordered to take my Tux hahaha - I would have objected but as it's Christmas maybe more people will wear them?

A tux and a couple of evening dresses weigh quite a lot.  Maybe I'll pack then see how much weight allowance we've got left. 

I had to go to A&E in Paris and had to pay on the spot then claim from insurance later.   Wasn't given a choice. 

 Would like to know this too.   Not taking tux because of the weight but my partner will wear smart trousers and a proper shirt. On P&O we dressed to the nines and so did everyone else but that sailed from Southampton.

On 1/15/2022 at 5:07 AM, KBs mum said:

Viking accept UK covid vaccination proof, Norway have their own version and reciprocal agreements with us and the EU, it's verify that's the problem. It will accept vaccine appointment cards as proof, making it pointless for UK people. 

Following up on this......

Did you eventually get to upload your UK proof of vaccination to Verify?  What did you do?   Scan the QR code? 

If not,  what did you do? 

Thanks

On 2/20/2022 at 12:48 AM, eel said:

 

 

We are also on the same cruise!

I had an online chat session with customer service today and after doing some checking, she seemed to think that specialty dining had not really opened up yet for our sailing. I can see one reservation at Chef's Table  available at 9 PM so that seems odd. She said we should just book on board. So I asked how we do that and she really did not know! She suggested we just ask someone in the dining area. Not very specific! 

 

If anyone can suggest how we can book specialty dining on board, that would be appreciated.

 

 

 

 

 

You just walk up to the desk in the entrance to the restaurant and book a table. 

On 3/3/2022 at 2:09 PM, cruisesoon said:

We just had an update for requirements for our cruise on March 19th.  Greece no longer requires testing before arrival but Viking seems too but now I can't find where it says we must be tested 24 hours hours (antigen) test before getting on the ship since we will be doing an independent stay for 2 nights.  I had contacted Viking and they said the test 24 hours before getting on the ship was fine and could follow the Greece rules so no testing before leaving.  So confusing!!!  Anyone know what is required?

You'll find the information has moved from an alert into the "Before you go" section. 

I am shaking my head at the moaning and groaning I'm still seeing over the loss of Tunis and Algiers. They're Mediterranean countries!! Interesting? Yes of course. Loaded with history? Yes of course. But are they really that much different than the Mediterranean countries that straddle the European side of the Sea? Uh, no, they're not. At least not as different as much as the teeth gnashing I see on this forum would warrant. I'm glad we saw these two countries when we were on our cruise but frankly, I value Viking's concern for my safety more and if they feel, based on their information, that a port cancellation is necessary, I'm not going to go all sour grapes about it.

 

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Woah, quit the attacking please.

My post was simply expressing my disappointment at not visiting north Africa which was something I've not done before. Note the word I used in my post "disappointment" which I think is an emotion we've all had. No sour grapes involved whatsoever.

I didn't criticise Viking, merely agreed that it became just another med cruise for me. I agree with their reasoning and am very thankful for it but that doesn't stop me being disappointed. I'm going on another Viking cruise for goodness sake so l haven't fallen out with them.

Good on anyone who has already been to north Africa, but I haven't and I was looking forward to it.

Now, can we get back to being civil to each other and use this board as we are meant to, being freely able to express our opinions, without judgement, in the hope that they help others.

Remember, everyone is different.

So I guess we're now going on a typical Mediterranean cruise, including some repeats for us, that costs a lot of money. I wish I had done more research BEFORE we booked. I know itineraries change sometimes, but this sounds like deliberate bait and switch.

Exactly what I thought. I was disappointed because I thought Algiers and Tunis would be a bit more interesting than your typical med cruise. I'm in the UK so I've done a lot of Europe already. As for Palma, been there before and it was Christmas so nothing open. Naples was nice, the ship docks right in the city so it was very easy to walk to, just one road to cross.

I was looking forward to northern Africa as it would be open as usual over Christmas. They told us that the change was because of tension in the country due to things that had happened in the USA. I assume these things are still happening, the warnings are still on the government website so why keep putting them on the itinerary?

We even had to take out more expensive travel insurance as it wouldn't have been covered with our normal European cover, we had to get worldwide cover, so money down the drain there too. Having had a moan about that can't fault Viking really. Lovely ship, lovely people, sad to disembark.

Tunis was canceled on "Southern Med Discovery" cruise in December as well. We are going to Naples instead - disappointing, but at least they're able to substitute something rather than just do a day at sea - and I've never been to Naples.

 

I am hoping, hoping, hoping that Algiers doesn't get canceled.

 

Be awake for the sail-in into Valletta - I agree it's amazing, especially if the sun is shining. Have your camera ready.

We did your cruise last December, both Algiers and Tunis were cancelled. We got Naples and Palma, Majorca instead.

Tunisia was cancelled on the Inaugural World Cruise as well. Frankly I was expecting Algeria to be cancelled too but we did stop there, with many restrictions.

Both Tunisia and Algeria were cancelled on our Viking cruise last December. I wonder why they continue to include these ports in their itineraries. It would be interesting to know how many times they've advertised these ports then cancelled them.

On the plus side, I love Malta and you will be so close to Valletta town (a short walk) which is beautiful. Be sure to visit St John's Co-Cathedral.

We are going on the Star in mid February and were wondering if there was any dancing on the ship. We especially like ballroom and swing dancing. Thanks

I suppose it depends on what the entertainment team put on on each cruise but there wasn't any ballroom or swing on the Star on the Christmas cruise. No dance lessons either. There is a small "disco" tucked away for late night dancing.

Lorna

My apologies if this question has already been asked and answered but I would like to know how close the ship was able to dock to the various towns on the itinerary. In which cases can you walk into town? where would it be best to take a bus or taxi? and are there any ports where it would be absolutely mandatory to take the ship's excursion if you want to get in and out of town? Thanks for any help you can offer.

These are my views, but remember, if you are not with the ship's excursion and you are late they will go without you.

Rome - we took free excursion into Rome, did coach tour then left the walking tour at Vatican City, walked around Rome, saw loads, took train back to Citiveccia (booked online and got an e ticket on my phone, I think it was €6 each for seniors) and got taxi to ship (€5 each). Leave plenty of time to find platform at Rome railway station because it's as far away as you can get in the station).

Naples - you could walk easily but we took free excursion then left them at the top of the hill (Naples is built on a hillside) and took leisurely walk back down through the city.

Sicily - walkable

Sardinia - walkable

Palma - free shuttle bus, not walkable

Valencia - we did included tour, veryy good. Can't remember how far away from dock it was.

Barcelona - we were supposed to fly home straight after shipped docked but we ditched the included flight and bought a cheap Ryanair flight for same evening (£50). disembarked ship, collected suitcases, taxi into central Barcelona, left cases at LockerBarcelona (€11), toured Barcelona on HoHo bus, saw Sagrada Familia interior with pre booked tickets included with Hobo bus (luckily as there were no tickets left for pay at the door), retrieved luggage and jumped on pre-purchased airport shuttle bus (€11 for two). All very stress free.

It's a bit far to walk from ship to city, might be best to use a taxi.

The first post in this thread announcing the change to the itinerary was dated Dec. 15, 2017. Just one week earlier, protests by thousands of people broke out in the streets in several cities in Tunisia after the US announced its support for Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal.

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel-tunisia/thousands-of-tunisians-protest-against-trumps-jerusalem-decision-idUSKBN1E1300

 

This means that in the course of a week, Viking evaluated the situation, made the decision to cancel the stops in Tunis and Algiers, and scheduled a revised itinerary with Naples and Palma de Mallorca. To me, that seems like a quite reasonable and even prompt response on the part of Viking.

I agree, I don't think they did it "just for a laugh". Better safe than sorry.

I was on last week's cruise, a little disappointed, yes, but they must have done it for good reason. They wouldn't have put themselves through such a logistical nightmare for no good reason. Can you imagine changing ports, buses, tour guides etc? The staff coped with the short notice change wonderfully and everything ran smoothly.

Anyway, Naples and Majorca were both good. Weather was lovely. I've been to Palma before but no problem, there's always something new to see.

Beautiful cruise, absolutely loved it. It is what you make it. Just go with a positive mind.

If you set off with a negative mind you are more likely to spoil it for yourself.

I'd go with Viking again in a flash and I couldn't give a toss that we had classy tumblers instead of wine glasses with stems with some meals

as some people are having a whinge about. They suited the style of the table setting and the wine still tasted nice.

Very much enjoying your reports! Thanks for taking the time to share your experience. We are doing the B2B in February, originating in Barcelona, and it's our first VO cruise, so this is all very helpful.

 

Just curious, about how many people are in a single group on the included tours?

There are 3 or 4 large coaches full for the included tours. They are staggered so everyone isn't rushing at once. All very well managed.

I've uploaded some photos of the new excursions but could only do it as a review. I don't think it's available yet as it needs to be approved by a moderator of Cruise Critic.

I'll post the link once approved.

The finance person told us yesterday that the ship was full but nearly 100 people have cancelled due to the change.

He didn't say whether they got a refund but surely no one would cancel if you didn't, would they????

Good to hear your feedback .

 

I was talking to an American passenger on this cruise just a moment ago and she too was disappointed with the free/included excursion (Naples Highlights). She was on coach no. 11. After the group was dropped in the city centre, and were informed that they would be picked up later, they waited to be picked up and no one came.

 

Fortunately, the ship was only a few minutes from where they were left off . Even so, walking back was not too easy as there was construction here and there near the castle, and there was no proper walkway. Cars and motorcycles were rushing around the corner and one had to try to avoid being hit by them.

 

Needless to say, this American lady, she was not impressed by the excursion.

Yes, agree, not impressed at all with the included excursion but it was a means to an end, took us into town.

Noisy place, had to take my hearing aids out, it was all too much!😅

Good cafes for coffee and a bun ,€2, amazing.

I'll photograph the new excursions soon and post them on here if I can find out how.

I agree with all of the comments above.

Just to add, for information, that we did the inclusive tours in Rome and Naples.

Rome - we did the inclusive coach tour then when we stopped at the Vatican we told the tour guide that we were leaving and would make our own way back. This was about 11.15am. We had to be back on the ship at 5pm. We then had a leisurely walk around the Vatican city, pantheon, colesseum, trevi fountain etc and easily made our way to the railway station for the 15.12 train back to Citivecchetiva. Take note that the platform is as far away as you can get so don't leave it to the last minute. I booked the ticket on my phone through trainline.eu. Paid with paypal and got an electronic ticket on my phone €5. Got a taxi from the railway station to the ship €5. Arrived at the ship 16.45. Perfect.

Naples - again did the inclusive coach tour which was only short, then again informed the guide that we would make our own way back. Walked for over half an hour to reach the "magnificent" Christmas market (not worth the hike) then meandered back to the ship. I recommend the tour because Naples is on the side of a hill. Use the included tour as it drops you up the hill then it's an easy walk back down to the cruise terminal taking in the shops and the cafes and the atmosphere on the way.

Ps the cars and scooters are mad, be careful.

Lorna

When you go to the Viking updates on current sailing, it appears as

 

" Updated Itineraries

 

All Viking itineraries are currently sailing on schedule."

 

Unless we missed it, we could not find any news there to say that the Dec 21st cruise has cancelled stops in Algeria and in Tunisia.

 

However, when we logged in into "My Viking Journey", it showed that the schedule has indeed changed, and NOT identical to the original schedule. So how can they say that all itineraries are currently sailing on schedule?

 

It seems like the webmaster on the Viking website needs to improve the information.

 

This is not the first time where the information there is somewhat confusing.

 

In the FAQ on gratuities and tips, it indicates and give the impression that gratuities on board are not included for everybody. What they did not say is that for most/all (?) customers who are UK residents, gratuities are included in the fares, but for US residents , they are not included. Why did they not just be more clear about that? Now does that not lead to more confusion?

 

However, we did call Viking directly and spoke to their rep. and were informed that the two stops has indeed been cancelled.

I'm in the UK, sailing from Rome tomorrow.

Regarding gratuities...

If you book direct with Viking or an agency and aren't getting any free extras you will have to pay gratuities, both the general gratuities and the bar gratuities, they are not included in the cost of the cruise.

If your travel agent is offering free incentives you may not need to pay them. My agent is offering free gratuities, free Silver Spirit package and some free on board spend (not a lot). Flights are included in the cost of the cruise. You need to shop around agents for the best deal.

See you all tomorrow.

PS It's actually warmer in the UK today than in Rome - hope it improves.

Lorna

We've never had a drinks package before. When you "buy" a drink at the bar do you have to tell them you have a package or does your card tell them automatically?

What about in the restaurant? Because everyone gets wine included how do the waiters know you have a drinks package and require upgraded wine?