eylarson

I reposted for this year's WC HERE.

Viking reps will be outside customs with a Viking sign.  On one occasion they handled the luggage, on the other we maneuvered bags to the ground transport a bus like the rental car agencies use.   All very efficient.  You will want to take a bio break before leaving.  Athens traffic can slow your arrival at the ship or hotel.  If I didn't have euros I would use an airport ATM to get euros and buy some mints or something to get some smaller bill/coins to tip driver and porter.  

I might be reading too much into some of the replies, but don't understand the "hostility" by some on this topic.  The pool screen uses wireless headsets and what someone watches in their room won't "bother" anyone.  It's been a great World Series.  It was a great World Cup with the UK surprising many.  I'm glad I got to see both.  Will be on the World Cruise for the Super Bowl, but in the Beagle Channel, so doubt availability of satellite coverage.  I figure this guarantees my favorite team will be playing.  (Oh the sacrifices I'm making.)  On the other hand--Glad the Jayhawks won.     

Not too surprised.  Baseball and American football not followed around the world like soccer or even cricket so games not on readily available and cheap satellite links. 

I figure we can restock as required at one of the Australia stops.  No language barrier (OK maybe a slight one), reasonable cost, and halfway through.  So maybe just 3 bottles purchased in Miami.  

When on the Sky in 2017 there was only one channel that played music, the bridge camera if I recall correctly. Have they added additional channels on the Sun?

Several articles in London Times with outlining issues about British passport control. They are adding agents, but it seems to be an issue at all ports of entry. No dates given for it to get any better.

Lived in Cairo for two years. Would not pay for dinner and Khan tour. You can do on your own with taxi service unless dinner is something special with some sort of show. Abu Simbel and the Philadelphia light show are not to be missed. An on ground tour in Luxor and side trip to Valley of the Kings would be of much more value to me, vs hot air balloon ride. The area either side of the Nile is green for about 15 miles, the rest is desert. Weather should be great 74F low 49F in Luxor. In the desert that can be chilling.

Does anyone know whether there are daily exercise eg yoga or stretching classes onboard? if there are is it complimentary?

On Barcelona,The Baltic & Beyond last year there was a self-directed group who met regularly in the fitness center.

Re: Luggage Shipment—Bottomline Up-Front—Doubt we will usethe luggage forwarding service. We did Barcelona,The Baltic & Beyond for 22 days aboard Viking Sky and with extensionsbefore and after for 26 days total departing 15 April with two regular suitcases and twocarry-ons. Itinerary included StPetersburg so we had heavy winter coats and sweater layers. (BTW- Temperatures for WC 2019 have low rangeof 41-53F in Ushuaia, Argentina to 69-89F in Walvis Bay, Namibia for our travelmonths and an average 9.5 inches of rain in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil) VO’son-board launderettes and three sea days kept us in clean clothes. We’re planning to hit CVS in Miami forconsumables, knowing that New Zealand and Australia are just past the halfwaypoint and we can restock there is required. Have already discussed prescription drugs with provider and insurancewho confirm a “vacation” order will be filled in advance of our departure.

The Jan 2019 World Cruise also had a price reduction, considerable as you might imagine. My response from Viking-

"Thank you for your recent email.

At this time we are not offering pricing promotions and or incentives to passengers whom are already booked under deposit.

If you have other general questions please advise.

Kind regards,

Viking Cruises"

"Tender Ports" can have many delays and Viking like most cruise lines give a priority to those on Viking tours. My experience has been that most private tour companies are aware of the delays and will wait. One even refunded our fees when we were delayed for hours due to rough seas that delayed all tender operations.

Many of the Viking Ocean included tours are most often bus tours that pass by points of interest (POI) with a local guide speaking over the PA system. At some points you get off and the guide uses the wireless system to provide info as you walk. Three problems-- One you are in a large group, often people near the guide ask enlightening questions, but you only hear the answers. Two-there are good guides and not so good guides. Some really know how to use the wireless and PA system and provide lots of info throughput the tour. Others remain silent in transit from one POI to the next. Three- It's at best a fly-by. You have to stay with your group and move at its pace. The tours do provide a good lay the land and in most ports Viking runs a free shuttle service to the port. At the tours conclusion you can backtrack or set off on your own to see passed over POIs using the shuttle service to return to the ship We've done both, included and private tours on Oceania and Viking depending on our interests.

Have enjoyed the updates from Role Call through the end. A GREAT help as we plan for WC 2019. Have a safe journey home. Hope al is weel with houses, pets, bills, relatives and friends. Thanks again

Have sailed Oceania twice Viking Ocean once. I think they are comparable, however the included tours (even the ride arounds) are a plus for Viking along with included wine and beer at lunch and dinner. Our last cruise on Riviera (February 2018) had a very, very good speaker for the lecture. On our Viking cruise both speakers were "flat," poor graphics, and relied way too much on their notes. Meals are comparable, hard to beat Red Ginger on the Riviera, but Chef's Table and Manifredi's do well. Cabins pretty much the same. I especially liked the daily newspapers in the Concierge Lounge on Riviera. A necessity since only one person in a cabin can have free internet access. Free for all on Viking. Crew on Viking are much more enthusiastic about taking care of passengers. Many stories in this thread about Viking personnel stepping up to meet a request. We didn't get the same vibe on Riviera. Lots of scooters on Riviera. I admire the courage of those with limited mobility to undertake a cruise. Our February 2018 cruise tendered at most ports and it made it hard for many passengers. The line is owned by Norwegian Cruise Lines and if a pier was a available there was a NCL ship docked there.

Another data point. During our Galley Tour on board the Sky, the Chef leading the tour could not have been more enthusiastic about Viking. he had just been promoted to a new position a promotion based on time and merit. I can't believe the pride in his accomplishment and joy in his presentation could have been faked for our tour and the one that followed that friends attended.

Here is the 2019 World Cruise

Curious- After the Viking Jacket gifts were withdrawn, some talk about "gifts" throughout the trip. Can anyone provide an update?