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2 hours ago, Vonnie's Girl said:

Definitely not expecting any perks, different size or benefits - while new to Viking, I am not that naive.  When booking,  we speculated that we would enjoy using the nearby public spaces as an “extension” of our stateroom, thus compensating for the lack of space in the DV.

Yes, I know that people will say where you are on the ship makes no difference - you just go and enjoy whatever space you want, but it appeals to me to have the spaces like the Explorer’s Lounge, Pool and Lanai basically outside my door. 

Now that excitement and anticipation is really mounting (booked in Feb 2018 for our Dec 2019 cruise), I was simply hoping that someone out there in CC land had stayed in one of these DVs and could share their experience with me.

The close location to Explorer lounge is exactly why we have always stayed in 7012 or 7014. Also the room stewards are the same as for the Owner's Suite.  I don't know that they are more experienced or better trained, but ours have always been most helpful, i.e. a hot water thermos always refreshed so I can have tea whenever (no coffee taste from the "cup" brewer), our fridge was never not stocked or missed, room make-up was always immaculate.  Straight down to the gym on deck one, straight back to the World Cafe and pool.  We were there for the last World Cruise.  Don't let anyone else know what a great location this is!!

Enjoyed the trip report since we are doing the same cruise in reverse.  

We were on the entire WC.  There was a period when many, not all, had a hacking cough in spite of announcements to wash hands frequently and cover mouths.  My wife and I both had it and like most colds it went away after 7 to 10 days with no medication.  (There is no cure for the common cold) I am not aware of any norovirus illness with Nausea, Vomiting, Abdominal pain or cramps, Watery or loose diarrhea, Malaise, Low-grade fever, and/or Muscle pain suffered by anyone on the entire WC. 

I suspect the cold came from the plane trip to Miami, not anything on board the Viking Sun.  

You'll have a wonderful time.  I know we did!

Concur with Jammy Bun.  Staff of 10 runs the ALL the laundry and dry cleaning service for pax and crew to include performer costumes.  Amazing processes to insure sanitation of all items, health of all.  The ships linen "closet" alone is worth the tour,    

CCWineLover experience same as ours

They do when they can.  On the most recent WC we had reception most of the time, except when in fringe areas of satellite coverage and in some ports with nearby mountain peaks.  Pre-loaded podcasts had the fill in when that happened.  

Have never ever had USD refused as a tip anywhere we have been in the world.  

Concur   Good list Peregrinia651.  

They hit the return times most of the time.  On the World Cruise (large sample size) there were misses, a bus breakdown and a traffic jam.  Another time the guide miscounted and we waited for a person that was never there to begin with.  Hey--It happens.  If they are late, have no doubt your money would be credited.  

You can also get wait-listed once on board for a desired tour.  We always got what we wanted either through others cancellations or Viking added a tour.  

Viking Sun 2019 World Cruise--Sun has adjustable floor temp, 3 room gym, drawers in DV closet, dimmers for sconces over the bed and a pool brunch for at least each segment of the most recent World Cruise.  Laundry instructions in both pictograph and English.  No chocolate buffet through, hard enough to maintain weight during 4.5 months at sea.  Manfredi's menu changed slightly throughout the World Cruise.  Smaller portions than I remember from Sky in 2017, for which I'm thankful.  We had sparkling and still water on tap in the World Cafe, but ice machine only on port side coffee bar.  We also had the new quietVox sets.  

On 5/12/2019 at 1:26 AM, Cyber Kat said:

 

We found talking to the person at the reception desk for each restaurant best. There is a table for making reservations in the World Cafe, but they seemed to have more restrictions. 

Just off of  the World Cruise on Viking Sun.  World Cafe hostess always seemed able to get us a reservation at the time we wanted.  Often said not to worry about the time that showed on our schedule, but to show at the time we wanted and a table would be available.  Never waited and always got a warm welcome by all of the staff.  

7 hours ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

So how's the cruise going now?

Great in my opinion.  We missed Luderitz today, a tender port, due to rough seas.  On to our next port.   

On 3/14/2019 at 2:32 PM, just_dont said:

All I meant is that you have to manually disable wifi on your phone to force (i.e. cause) it to disconnect.  It won't do it on it's own after all.  And certainly not confusing "forcibly" with "forcefully."

It's clearly inconvenient, and having to keep switching between which one device is connected, leads to frustration.  Not something you want while on vacation, nor expect from Viking.

 

(and seriously, eight question marks?)

The switch from one device to the other requires no action to disconnect the first device.  When you sign in the new one, it disconnects the first.  The interface asks which person in the cabin is taking the action, so don't disconnect your significant other's device by mistake.  Or else...

7 hours ago, NorskyGal said:

Being an organizational freak, I’m interested in getting the actual measurements (length, width, & height) of the drawers and above drawer bins in a DV stateroom on the Viking Sky.  It will help me decide which packing cubes and boxes I will bring on board.  Given the limited storage in this size of stateroom, I’d like to maximize my storage potential.  And yes, I realize that I’m being a tad obsessive. 

Drawers are 15" front to back, 3'' Deep (Although you can have them slightly "overflowing.") and 20'' wide.  There are seven of them.  The place where the coffee maker goes (We had it removed) is 18.5 front to back, 23" high and 20 " wide.  There is a shelf above that is 6.5" high.  There is also space above the 4 drawer set in the closet, if you don't mind having your pants/shirts brushing what ever you place there.  Finally, there is a shelf on the other half of the closet that is 18" front to back, 26.5" wide and 6.5 ' high.  All these measurements from Viking Sun, DV3 room.  

Never had US Dollars refused for a tip.  Use bank ATMs for local currency if required, but a credit card works in most places.  Certainly in Sweden and Denmark.  On WC now and no way would pay fees for all the different currencies required.  ATMs in Rio de Janeiro were out of cash on a Sunday, but a Money Exchange filled the bill.   

First bad sea day on 3 March.  Reduced speed to 6 knots with wind gusts to 60.  Delayed crossing of International Dateline which is not at 180 in this part of the world.  Announcement by Captain explaining weather pattern and expected return to normal, along with a caution to use hand rails.  One person was injured with a finger caught is a closing door.  We saw another taken to the Med Center after a fall, but everyone seems to be handling it well.  Today, 4 March, seas are still filled with swells and there is an occasional dip or a roll.  Pools and outside decks are opened, my gauge for the severity of ocean conditions.  Finally crossed the dateline, have yet to make 180.  

Just now, Pushka said:

I have a query as to how Viking manages the tender process. It seems that at least three of our ports in Alaska in May will be tenders and I suspect at least one more. Viking make no mention of tenders in the MVJ and this info has been obtained from tour operators and port schedules. 

 

I’m in one of the last groups to have access to Viking Excursions and a couple of the ones I’d want have very limited spaces so suspect they will be sold out before I can book them. So I’m preparing on my own. But it’s hard to organise times when Viking don’t provide this information upfront. And of course I know things can change but that seems very unlikely that a ship will not arrive into port when others have unless there are mechanical issues. 

 

So, I’d appreciate an idea of how quickly Viking gets people off the ship with tenders. From past experiences on other lines it can take a couple of hours and their excursions get preferences. 

 

So an approximate time would be helpful - is Viking efficient at this? Should I allow an hour, two hours after arrival to get to shore?

Viking has independent tourists report to the atrium and works them in with scheduled tours.  When we book independent tours we expect the operators to take into account tender operations.  So far that has always worked, except for a tour in New Zealand.  Rough seas delayed tendering and the tour departed without us.  The operator refunded all fees.  Some have a nonrefundable deposit like independent operators on Easter Island.  Those that had booked tours with those operators on our stop there 19 Feb 2019 lost that deposit.  You pay your money and you take your chances. 

 

My impression of Rio, based on our admittedly cursory experience, is that either the city gets a bad rap or they have made substantial progress since hosting the Olympics.

The city still shows considerable contrast of wealth, but the people appear to be busy, relatively happy, and proud of their town and country. 

Throngs of Brazilians crowd the famed Copacabana and Ipenema beaches and tourist-friendly Corcovada and Sugarloaf peaks. As crowded as they were, I observed no rudeness or anger - everyone was happy, hot, and enjoying the Brazilian summer.

The ship hosted a wonderful local Samba school performance onboard on the overnight evening, followed by a festive sailaway party midday on Day 2.

Last night night the party continued with a Brazilian-themed feast at the World Cafe and a deck party on the mercifully cooler open deck under a glorious full moon. Yes, the NFL games were also available.

After a dodgy Salvador de Bahia experience, the port calls to beautiful Buzios and exciting, vibrant Rio left this traveler thoroughly appreciative and fortunate to experience a little bit of Brazil.

We shared a lunch table with this couple from Sao Paulo blocks from Copacabana Beach.  She learned English serving on a cargo ship.  Bill for all our meals, and drinks--$17.  Note the portions of wonderful food.  What fun!  Viking provided free bus service between the ship's pier and the beach. 

Spoke to the Shore Excursion reps today about our guide in Armacao Dos Buzios.  She was not familiar with the the capabilities of the Quietvox systems.  Long periods with no narration and few details when she did speak.  Have had this happen on previous Viking tours.  I expect part of this is English as a second language, but tour guides hired by Viking need to learn that they can talk and walk, even if all they are commenting on is the weather, where they are from, how they learned English, whatever.  It was a great day we really enjoyed the town.   

One improvement made after our Barcelona to Stockholm cruise two years ago is a music menu on the room TVs and no music in the main dining room.  It is still a noisy place, but at least without starting with a piped in music base, it doesn't get so loud so fast.  

On 10/27/2018 at 6:46 AM, H2Otstr said:

There was a man on our cruise who demanded that his coffee machine be removed and replaced with a kettle. You can always ask to see if that is possible. 

On our Viking cruise, they room steward regularly placed a thermos carafe with very hot water and replenished tea bags so that I could have hot tea morning, noon or night.  While it wasn't boiling, I was always able to brew tea ( I like mine very strong) no matter the time of day.  BTW-  The carafe was apparently used for hot water only.  No coffee after taste as is often the case.   

Test to see if I can post pics.  Luggage Forward shipment.  Believe I have the secret.  See you all on board.  Merry Christmas!

All waste water is stored on the ship, ocean or river.  

We stayed in 7012 and booked same for the upcoming round the world cruise.  Never heard anything from the lounge and used the the entrance to the lounge by your cabin.  If I recall correctly, it has a "vestibule" entrance with the door out to our deck opening to a small vestibule and another door to the lounge.  There is a piano and some entertainment at cocktail hour, but I don't recall any late evening events.  The nice thing is the morning coffee service set in the lounge each morning.  Just a short walk for a caffeine hit.