hutch1994

6 hours ago, FetaCheese said:

 

Should not expect to have to find your stateroom in poor condition after paying good money for the cruise.  Ripped arms, worn carpets are totally unacceptable.

23 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

This is a good way to get rumors started and I’m somewhat dismayed at this. 
 

We were on the Sea in March/April and it was in top shape.

I would be more dismayed if after spending  big money for a room to find it not in tip top shape.

15 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Someone just reposted the following on that group which was originally posted to another group. I make no claims to its validity but it appears to be genuine. 

And guess what?  It is now gone from that site.  There last evening.  The head of that group doesn't like postings that are anti Viking.

On 7/23/2022 at 11:12 AM, Denny01 said:

I realize this forum is for Viking Ocean cruises, but there is only a Viking River Roll Call forum that is more limited to specific itineraries, so I’ll post this here to inform the general Viking community. And hope the monitors don't see this as incorrect.

 

The Viking Mississippi ship launch has slid - again. Earlier, Mississippi itineraries had been canceled in June/July, and I just got an email that our 6 Aug cruise New Orleans to St Paul was canceled. This is barely 2 weeks prior. At least 2 more following cruises are also canceled. More to follow? No idea.

 

Offered a 110% voucher, but I’ve been through this too many times so will minimize leaving funds with Viking. I understand the Pandemic ‘20 and ‘21 cancelations, and I’d used those vouchers to book a Great Lakes B2B on the new Expedition ship. Months+ after booking, I read on CruiseCritic that this was considered a cruise from a Canadian port ending in Canada, not allowed, even though one itinerary needed and the next started in Milwaukee. I contacted Viking and they said yup, my 2 cruises weren’t allowed. They didn’t contact me, I informed them. So I moved over to the Mississippi itinerary using Lots of Voucher money.

 

 

And here it ends. I’m taking all the refund I can get, and will get a voucher for what was tied up prior. My TA worked it and helped out.

 

But you all realize what is impacted with a cancelation just 2 weeks prior.

 

I fully understand losing a Euro River cruise in ‘20 and an Ocean cruise in ’21, but booking a B2B that is not allowed, followed by a months-long build slide and canceling this one 2 weeks prior, I’ll use the Vouchers and then find another Line.

 

We had enjoyed our Viking cruises in the past and am not the type to complain, but there are too many other Lines, river and ocean that provide similar services, and maybe understand basic itinerary rules, and don’t set up bookings close to apparent high risk build dates that can adversely impact customers’ vacations.

 

Enough complaining. I’ll probably find a nice wine cruise of an established itinerary in France for next year and that will be that.

 

Den

Take the money and run.  Don't get caught up in the voucher trap.

On 7/19/2022 at 10:15 AM, MarkTapley said:

Disagree.  In my experience of flying in and out of ORD for 45+ years (and over 4 million flight miles on United alone), summer thunderstorms have a much bigger overall impact on flight schedules in Chicago than snowstorms.  Just my opinion. YMMV.

Still a relatively easy airport to fly in and out of.

19 hours ago, WNcruiser said:

Den,

 

while the “usuals” will defend Viking right or wrong, I definitely sympathize with you. There is no way you should be allowed to book a cruise that is illegal and violates the PVSA. That is on Viking. 
 

Yes, the building of the ship is out of control of Viking. Cancelling two weeks before departure is not acceptable and they must have known it wasn’t going to happen. I don’t blame you one bit for your rant. Viking is supposed to better than this. 

Viking should have been aware of the in's and out's of sailing on the North American waterways.  No excuse for not knowing and you better believe they knew their schedule was slipping on these summer cruises.

On 7/15/2022 at 9:32 AM, Carraig said:

I flew through Chicago from LHR a few weeks ago.  Global entry took a minute or two.  There were perhaps 10 kiosks, and given that all you need to do now is stand still for a picture and grab your receipt, I was at the baggage claim in minutes.  Of course, you then need to wait for bags for 30 minutes.

The only time that Chicago can be a problem is in the dead of winter with heavy snow and icing conditions.  Otherwise easy airport.

On 7/2/2022 at 6:25 AM, hutch1994 said:

And given all the people who insist they be  photographed with Viking personnel sans their masks, not wonder they have had an outbreak on Mars and a general uptick in Covid.  Have to feel sorry for the employees who are put in this position.  See it on all the other major Viking sites with major followers and posters.i

What I meant are  the passengers who insist on being photographed without wearing a mask with the masked Viking employees.  Puts the employees in an awkward position.

And the Viking social media influencers won't acknowledge the presence of covid outbreak on current cruises either.  They actually applaud the lack of mask wearing ordinance.

And yet the site manager who is mentioned above, maintains a head in the sand position concerning covid on this cruise.  Just wants to declare how happy he is that he doesn't have to wear a mask now and doesn't want to mention covid cases on the Orion or people who are sick but still show up in the lounge or group gatherings.

7 hours ago, janetcbl said:

A K95 mask will keep 95% of COVID viruses from reaching you according to various medical websites. A K95 means it was made in the US(?), a KN95 means it was made elsewhere but meets US standards. We are on a Viking ship; maybe 10-15% of the passengers are wearing masks; 100% of the crew are. 

And you have to feel sorry for the crew that are put in the awkward position of unmasked people  wanting to have their pictures taken with them.  

5 hours ago, longterm said:

I know it's not for everyone, but watching the Tour de France is an annual treat for me; this year Viking is a major sponsor, and it's great to see all the shots of one of the river ships making its way down what I'm guessing is the Rhine.

 

The crowds are definitely back; not a mask in sight and thousands of people lining the roads. I would love to be on the side of the road as the pelaton goes by, if I could then magically get transported back to a Viking ship, a nice dinner, and a great mid-afternoon nap. 

Vive le Tour!

Also a big fan of the Tour.  Actually got to see the finish in Paris when Floyd Landis won it.

On 6/29/2022 at 5:45 PM, hutch1994 said:

Also found that he completely ignores questions about friends on this cruise that have become under the weather. Like it has never happened.

Just been deleted by the site manager on that site for mentioning that the Viking employees are put in a poor position by having to be photographed with unmasked passengers while they still have to wear masks to protect themselves.  Very selfish on the part of the passengers as those employees are trying to work a whole season without coming down with covid.

14 hours ago, AnyWayIsGood said:

Wow....bummer. Given the apparent uptick in covid, it wouldn't surprise me if the ol' spit tubes reappear fairly soon, especially if cases are showing up. 

And given all the people who insist they be  photographed with Viking personnel sans their masks, not wonder they have had an outbreak on Mars and a general uptick in Covid.  Have to feel sorry for the employees who are put in this position.  See it on all the other major Viking sites with major followers and posters.i

On 6/28/2022 at 9:27 AM, Hockeyump said:

Or delete them!

Also found that he completely ignores questions about friends on this cruise that have become under the weather. Like it has never happened.

20 minutes ago, hutch1994 said:

Those are some strange looking claws on that lobster.

Actually think that is a large langoustine.  They have those long thin type claws instead of the shorter, fatter ones that are found on lobsters.

On 6/22/2021 at 7:17 AM, Clay Clayton said:

I don’t think you can get the lobster anytime. On our recent cruises it has been replaced with Lobster Thermador which some like more but for my husband (Lobster isn’t really my thing-give me a Chesapeake bay blue crab any day) is overkill and he says overwhelms the flavor of a good lobster. When his Mom sailed with us, she was disappointed when we didn’t see the whole split lobster on the menu. We mentioned it to the Restaurant Manager. He came up to us later and said Chef had found one for her, what night would we like it. So the next evening, she was very pleased!  I will say we were seated at the very back of the restaurant and no one around us.  So I do think they weren’t prepared to serve anymore. 
 

We also enjoyed the British menu in the Chef’s Table. I keep hoping for the Sweet and Salty but so far haven’t been lucky to have it while aboard. We haven’t had a bad menu there, just ones we like better than others. 

Those are some strange looking claws on that lobster.

On 6/22/2021 at 6:13 PM, eylarson said:

On World Cruise 2019 after departing Robinson Crusoe Island we had lobster for two days running. 

 

Definitely spiny lobsters.  Prefer cold water types with claws.

20 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

If he follows his usual protocols, he is unlikely to mention it unless he is asked or the situation becomes dire. 

He most definitely will not mention it because he doesn't want to tarnish the Viking image.  Tends to gloss over the negative postings by other people.

Wonder if Viking does test everyone on their cruises or do they make exceptions for special people (influencers, etc.) so that those chosen few don't get isolation, or taken off the ship.  Would be very curious about this.

Guess Tor hasn't been following all those positive covid cases on his river boats and people being taken off said boats.

Wouldn't expect him to say anything less.  He's running a business for to make money.  Not going to discourage people from cruising.

On 4/7/2022 at 3:01 PM, 20Cruise20 said:

Time to Catch Up!

 

Livorno: Woke up to no hot water on Tuesday. Yikes! Mid-day hot water had returned. Healthsurveys ended. Since we only had a brief window of time between the time Italy opened for independent  exploration and our arrival, we weren't able to pull together my "perfect day" in Florence. So, we stuck with Plan B and enjoyed the included incursion to Pisa. The cathedral was simply stunning. What an unexpected cultural treasure. The cathedral is absolutely worth visiting! The leaning tower was simply fun on a beautiful sunny day. Another fabulous dinner at The Restaurant, too! 

 

Nice, Eze, and Monte Carlo: Warning! This post might strike the wrong cord with some. Beautiful places, but, this tour wasn't what we expected. A short bus ride to Eze, lots of climbing, beautiful views, followed by about an hour of free time in a few little shops and a cafe or two. (It was way too early in the day/tour for this much free time to shop.)

 

Another short bus ride to Nice. A brief walking tour followed by almost two hours of free time for lunch or to shop. 

 

Another short bus ride to Monaco, a walking tour in a portion of Monoco, and more free time to shop. Finally, the last bus ride to Monte Carlo, including a minute or so drive on the Grand Prix road, and a brief walk to the Monte Carlo Casino. About 30 minutes of free time in the Casino area.

 

We expected more time touring, either walking or via bus, and much, much less time in the shopping areas. I'm a shopper, but, this wasn't my cup of tea. If you want to see a little bit of the French coast, have lots of time in repetitive shops or enjoy a coffee, this tour will not dissapoint you. I do plan to include comments in my feedback to Viking that it would help to align expectations if a tentative timeline could be provided with tours of this nature. Happy to answer more specific questions, if it's helpful.

 

Viking Sea was also in port. Another night with a delightful dinner in The Restaurant. 

 

        

 

 

I'm in total agreement.  Want to see interesting sites, not to go shopping for souvenirs.  Never buy any souvenirs on any of our trips.

14 hours ago, UWDawg said:

Revised itinerary as of 9 January 2022:

 

LA (3 days)
Cabo San Lucas, MX
Puerto Vallarta, MX
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) Costa Rica
Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama
Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile
Puerto Montt, Chile
Amalia Glacier, Chile [Day 27-28 @ sea]
Punta Arenas, Chile
Cape Horn, Chile [Day 30-34]
Montevideo, Uruguay
Punta del Este, Uruguay
Mindelo, San Vicente Island, Cape Verde
Madeira (Fuchal), Portugal
Seville (Cadiz), Spain
Strait of Gibraltar
Granada (Malaga), Spain
Pulma de Mallorca, Spain
Sardinia (Cagliari), Italy
Valletta, Malta
Corfu, Greece
Kotor, Montenegro
Split, Croatia
Venice (Fusina), Italy [2 days]
Zadar, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Olympia (Katokolon), Greece
Nafplio, Greece
Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Suez Canal
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

[the following remains the same as the 26 Nov 2021 revision to the itinerary]
Jeddah – Wednesday, March 30
Yanbu al-Bahr – Thursday, March 31
Yanbu al-Bahr – Friday, April 1
Aqaba, Jordan – Sunday, April 3
Aqaba, Jordan – Monday, April 4
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt – Tuesday, April 5
Alexandria, Egypt – Saturday, April 9
Cairo, Egypt – Sunday, April 10
Jerusalem, Israel – Monday, April 11
Haifa, Israel – Tuesday, April 12
Haifa, Israel – Wednesday, April 13
Rhodes, Greece – Friday, April 15
Ephesus (Kuşadasi), Turkey – Saturday, April 16
Istanbul, Turkey – Monday, April 18
Istanbul, Turkey – Tuesday, April 19
Athens (Piraeus), Greece – Thursday, April 21
Athens (Piraeus), Greece – Friday, April 22
Sicily (Messina), Italy – Sunday, April 24
Naples, Italy – Monday, April 25
Monte Carlo, Monaco – Wednesday, April 27
Barcelona, Spain – Friday, April 29
Barcelona, Spain – Saturday, April 30
Murcia (Cartagena), Spain – Sunday, May 1
Portsmouth, England – Friday, May 6
London (Tilbury), England – Sunday, May 8
London (Tilbury), England – Monday, May 9
 

Thought that Israel's borders are closed due to Covid.

On 9/23/2021 at 8:00 PM, LindaS272 said:

And masking on the ship except in state room and when eating or drinking. Plus social distancing to the extent possible. I haven’t been on a ship yet this year but have been reading thousands of posts!

Might want to check the pictures that have been posted on other Viking facebook sites (not a lot of social distancing or mask wearing) while on board on on excursions.