Zippeedee

5 minutes ago, FetaCheese said:

Birds still on Star. Have also heard ocean waves.

 

Will now listen for the boar and anything else they are adding.

There was a very confused but helpful man on the Star in November who sought out a crew member to report he had searched everywhere and could not find the source of the water leak in the men’s room.

1 hour ago, FetaCheese said:

Had the opportunity to chat with CD at Explorer's party.  Ask if he would be having "coffee chats" (none so far).  

 

Said they will no longer be offered, along with no Captain's Q&A.  He wanted to schedule them, but was told not to anymore.  

That’s sad. I really enjoyed the CD’s coffee chats with Kate. On the Star in November Captain Olav seemed a bit impatient and gave Kate the “wrap it up” signal a few times. Maybe he just doesn’t enjoy them.

11 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Breakfast of Champions-grilled lamb chops, eggs, mushrooms, hash browns and a side of hollandaise at The Restaurant. 

Has anyone had luck getting those lamb chops for dinner? Maybe in the World Cafe? I love them but can’t handle that much food for breakfast.

I will miss the Gnocco Frito but if it doesn’t come back it will force me to make other choices. It was so good I’ve ordered it every time I’ve been to Manfredi’s.

Shorts “If it is warm”? Will grandma send you back to your cabin if you wear shorts on a cold day? So very silly.

5 hours ago, formernuke said:

NOt quite the same, but the shows are also available some time later on the room TV's.

The theater shows, port talks etc were broadcast live and then available for later viewing on the Star in November. Very relaxing. 

6 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

Do we care what happens after it closes?

I care. If opening the spa and gym to crew members after 8pm helps them be happier, healthier employees, that benefits everyone.

On 2/20/2024 at 12:34 PM, LostFan#1 said:

Someone mentioned tonic water above. If I wanted sparkling water (i.e. Perrier) stocked, would I request tonic water? Perrier by name? We're in a DV, so our minibar does not include alcohol (in case Perrier is considered "premium").

 

Thank you!

You can get a carafe of sparkling water every day along with the still water. I asked in multiple places for mineral water, happy to pay for it, but they could never find any on the Star.

7 hours ago, WanderingBrit said:

It looks as if the Gnocchi is back to a more traditional recipe rather than the Polenta patties we had last summer? Quite a disappointment after how good the Gnocchi had been previously.

That is not polenta, it is Roman Gnocchi, made with semolina. We make it every Christmas. I much prefer to the other gnocchi varieties.

4 hours ago, FoggyEthan said:

I'm on a Sixthman charter, "The Broadway Cruise", and so we're not eligible for Free at Sea. Or lots of other things. NCL is truly terrible. But I'm on a ship with ten or more Broadway singers, most with Tony awards or nominations, plus professional bands and pianists, so I just have to remember why I'm there 

Oh! It will be worth it. The cruiseline is definitely secondary to that event. Enjoy!

11 hours ago, FoggyEthan said:

 

It's actually quite acidic, but Americans seem to like it.

 

I'm currently debating whether to buy the drink package (God help me) on a Norwegian NCL cruise. You're all debating about $25/day. Their basic package is $87/day. The premium package is $122/day, and it includes your basic non-vintage Veuve. I'm trying to decide if I can drink enough Veuve to make it worthwhile. 8-) And, to see how NCL operates, the $87/day doesn't include anything from the Starbucks nor bottled water. Admittedly it also includes fairly expensive wines and liquors, too.

Are you not eligible for the Free at Sea offer with $20 a day drink package? That is all I could barely justify on NCL. 
After sailing on Viking Ocean I don’t think they should be anyone’s first cruise. You have to get thoroughly “nickled and dimed” on a mainstream line to really appreciate the Viking way.

On the Nov/Dec Hawaii and French Polynesia I asked for sparkling wine at lunch on the first day and received it. The next time I asked they said they would have to go and find it. I never got it. Same with bottled mineral water. They never found it I guess. 
I did get two glasses of decent champagne with my birthday dinner at Manfredi’s.

Back on topic…I just read a post in another group from someone who went to a presentation by a Viking Rep who said independent travel agents gave access to “hidden codes” (about six right now) that are not released to the public. Another good reason to check with a good TA before booking.

Can someone explain why it is not optimal to book a “leg” of a longer cruise? Other than being jealous that I have to debark while others board or stay onboard, I’m not seeing a downside. Thanks. 

46 minutes ago, CurlerRob said:

Somehow, Viking's advanced PIF dates seem to generate much more angst than is warranted IMO. Here's an easy way to consider the effect.

 

Many other cruise lines will require PIF 3 or 4 months before sailing. So, Viking wants your money ~8 months sooner than others. Pick an interest rate you feel appropriate and do the math. For example, if 3% / year makes sense and the cruise is $15K, the effect is a 'price increase' of 2% - or $300.

 

So just pretend the Viking price is + $300 and factor that into your decision. I suspect it won't be a major issue for most pax. 🍺🥌

Yes, and if you pay with a bank transfer you get 3% back. Many credit cards have at least 2-3% back in rewards, plus other travel benefits.

The other point is that the payment due date is not the date the cancellation penalties begin like it is with other cruise lines.

58 minutes ago, formernuke said:

Have even recently seen from some cruise news U-tubers that some lines actually are charging MORE than 100% as a single supplement, as they are trying to make up for the potential lost revenue from what they expect the average second person would spend on board!

Yes, they are selling out cruises now, but the tide always turns. There was a time when MSC online booking would default to “sold out” when 1 passenger was entered. Some of us haven’t forgotten and take our business where we are wanted. Celebrity has never interested me and now never will. Plus I am so pleased with Viking I’d rather cruise less often than settle for less.

14 hours ago, ekkc10753 said:

I’ve finally been able to sign back in.
Thank you for all your support and helpful suggestions. I’ve followed up on them all, so far crickets chirping from Viking.

 

I’m currently on the Viking World Journey from LA to London. Live TV is kaput and has been since we boarded in LA  (so no Iowa caucuses or play-off games)  Viking is “working on it” but we’re a week into the cruise and leaving American waters with no resolution.

Several washing machines and dryers on each deck are out of order and were reported by the passengers boarding in Florida. Leaving the land of Home Depot and Lowe’s today so getting them fixed seems unlikely before our next port in 5 days in French Polynesia 

 So, bottom line, I don’t know what’s going on here. The voucher issue is not going to change it would seem.

But things here on this journey seem to be slipping a bit ☹️ and that’s worrisome given the political situation in several of our future ports

 

I was on the Star in November and we didn’t have live tv for most of the 33 days. It would appear for a few days then disappear again. Supposed to be a satellite issue. Most people didn’t care, we had news on our phones if the real world needed to intrude for a bit.

8 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

Did you obtain the transfer because you had Viking air, or did you purchase it on the ship?  I ask because we did our own air, but I am hoping to purchase an airport transfer with Viking while onboard.  Our flight leaves at 2:20, so glad to hear you can stay on the ship until 10.  I am surprised the restaurant was closed.  Our disembarkation day next month falls on my birthday, and I was hoping for a decadent breakfast in the restaurant.  

I was on the Star in November. I booked my own air but my travel agent included the transfer purchase with my booking. I was booked on a red-eye leaving at 10pm. They put me on a bus at 9:30. All good, my friend picked me up at the airport and I spent the day with him.

5 minutes ago, FetaCheese said:

Thanks @millybess, on our Oceania Alaska cruise this past September, the had the photo scavenger hunt.  Lots of fun.  Had not seen it on Viking until this cruise.

They started it on the Star on the November 10 cruise. It was a lot of fun.

My trip insurance (Nationwide Luxury Cruise) pays for missed ports. I’ve only received compensation from the cruise line (not Viking) when the decision was not weather related -they decided to go into dry dock early.

They sent around an invitation to participate in a focus group discussing these new itineraries two weeks ago on the Star. Not personally excited about flying that long so I didn’t volunteer. Interested to see how they turn out.

This is a huge change from the ship I stepped off three days ago. Important to note that 150 crew members, including the Executive Chef, disembarked on Tuesday. There has to be a learning curve as everyone gets used to working together. 
I guess one of the benefits of being new to Viking was that Manfredi’s was my favorite restaurant, my ribeye was thick and perfectly cooked and I enjoyed the burgers at the pool grill. I also heard people raving about the tuna made there. 
I hope your experience improves. 

I was very concerned about “fitting in”, mostly because of a few social media snobs and bullies. Just about everyone I’ve met on board is wonderful . Make the leap! 

Just now, graphicguy said:

Good on you.  Viking hasn't come any closer than 2X fare of my Haven cruises...and they were charges for airfare that they were still going to charge extra for.  But if you found tat fare, you're quite the shopper!

It showed up on my fb page. I thought it was a scam until I checked with a travel agent. Yesterday I saw Antarctica for $7999!

Just now, Daruma said:

 

WOW!!

 

Without wanting to be too nosy, can you say approximately how much something like that costs, please? 

 

Thank you. 

This was a ridiculous deal, no one wants 21 sea days! I got free airfare Boston/LA and a DV6 cabin which is the lowest level deluxe. It was $11,600. The price dropped twice after I booked but I was happy! Just having the thermal spa, refilled ice and still & sparking water twice a day and free laundry rooms (with soap!) all included has spoiled me for life.