Zippeedee

Just now, kirtihk said:

That’s correct.  Regarding Viking, free international air (especially, to far away destinations) might bring the total trip for a cruise so much down.  We did not have their cruises yet, but our friend (being flexible like you state) had a lot of them, and on many occasions he got free air and sometimes combined with a reduced price, too.  Hopefully, when we become flexible, we will follow that route (with any cruise line), too.

I’m on the Viking Ocean Star right now. I saw an offer and grabbed it. 33 nights, solo from Los Angeles to Hawaii, French Polynesia and back to LA for $1000 more than the 15 day Prima Iceland cruise I cancelled. There is so much included and the service is beyond amazing. Breakfast in the buffet area includes at least three servers making sure water, juice and coffee are on your table within minutes. There are 830 guests and 440 crew. Twice a day room cleaning and mini bar restocking (soda, chocolate and peanuts at my cabin level). Wine, beer and soda included with lunch and dinner. One shore excursion at each port. I have onboard credit and need to go shopping to use it. Keep watching for those sales!

Just now, Azulann said:

Never go to YouTube for any review or self promoters . 

There are lots of reliable cruise YouTube channels. Everyone needs “clickbait” titles to be seen. I like Emma Cruises, La Lido Loca and Tips For Travelers. Just find someone who has similar tastes.

If anyone is interested here is our route.

39 minutes ago, bmct said:

I'm still waiting to hear that he's been picked up.  The patient is one of my best friends.  

I was in the World Cafe around 8 pm when someone asked an officer who confirmed the patient had been picked up. We started moving soon after. I’m sorry for your friend, I hope they will be ok.

Just now, AZ_Tim said:

On board Viking Star, also. We don't have to be in U.S. waters, but we must be within range for the helicopter to make the trip to the ship and return. I understood the captain to say we should reach the rendezvous point around 5:45pm.

Thanks! I was in the Wintergarden and it was hard to hear.

I am onboard as well. I thought they said we just had to go back to US waters so the coast guard helicopter could pick them up.it may have already happened, I haven’t checked the tracker in the last few hours.

There is a toothbrush holder but I don’t think dentures would fit. Just get room service soup or gelato and keep the bowl. (I wish they had those lamb chops at the World Cafe!)

If you haven’t used it, cruisedeckplans.com has all of these details and more. 
I’m in 3045 on the Star right now. Near the forward elevators but close enough to the Atrium to make using either elevator easy.

22 minutes ago, duquephart said:

 

Compare apples to apples on pricing. You are paying for "everything that Viking includes." It's all baked in the cake. The fact that you're "stunned" is evidence that their marketing is working well.

Not at all. I am used to paying extra for a balcony cabin, WiFi, bottled water, specialty meals, the thermal spa etc. The price I paid for my upcoming 33 day Viking cruise is $2000 more than I paid for a 14 day cruise on NCL. 

I will board my first Viking cruise next week. I’ve sailed with Disney, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian. I am completely stunned by everything that Viking includes.

I used to work in HR for a very generous nonprofit foundation. We always said no one should join us for their first job. They wouldn’t truly appreciate what we offered and subsequent employers would be disappointing. 
Maybe Viking should require sailing with another brand as a prerequisite to booking? 😁

42 minutes ago, millybess said:

👎

I’ve done this on multiple cruise lines. As long as you are paying for the transfer and book it in advance they don’t care. I’ve arrived a day early and stayed in an airport hotel just to avoid flight delay issues.

5 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

I've been pleased with this one:

CLINE Travel Folding Trekking Hiking Pole with Carrying Case,Collapsible Cane Adjustable Walking Stick Portable Mobility Aid for Women Men Hikers Gift,Black https://a.co/d/cP3vGlq
 

Thanks Clay! I was planning to get hiking poles and didn’t know where to start. I just ordered a pair of these. Appreciate your help!

My first Viking cruise is in less than two months. As of now the only issue I would love to see addressed is the addition of steps in the pools and hot tubs. Thankful for the thermal spa but l would love to be able to use the outdoor pools as well.

Sorry if this is a bit off topic. I prefer iced coffee, black. Not the coffee shop 2000 calorie melted ice cream versions. Is it available anywhere on the ship? I suppose I can make it with the Nespresso machine if not. Just request ice delivery?

2 hours ago, ryc1547 said:

My gf and I have been laughing at the tunnel email. We are local to Boston, and just for the record, the sumner tunnel has been reopened since August 31. Anyway, we too are waiting for some communication from NCL on whatever changes they decide to make. Did anyone else have Canadian Hurricane on their 2023 bingo card? We sure didn’t….

Almost…

Periodic weekend closures of the Sumner Tunnel resume from Fall 2023 to Summer 2024. During this time, the tunnel will close on Fridays at 11:00 p.m. and re-open to traffic on Mondays at 5:00 a.m. Traffic will be diverted through signed detour routes. Through the end of 2023, the tunnel will be closed the following weekends:

• Weekend of September 15
• Weekend of September 22
• Weekend of September 29
• Weekend of October 20
• Weekend of October 27
• Weekend of November 3
• Weekend of November 10

Probably an unpopular opinion but I love the spa on the Epic. It all the way aft with an outdoor balcony area. Great views and fresh air.

Thank you Clay. I really appreciate your clear explanation and photos.

Do the hot tubs have ladders too? I guess I’ll be spending more time in the spa.

1 hour ago, Pitzel said:

I stand corrected. I was under the assumption that it would be ok since there isn't really any standing water in the splash pad to sit or swim in (unlike on other ships that have a wading area), but alas you are right 😞

Something like this would probably be pretty portable and could work on the balcony. It could even double as a bathtub, if your cabin doesn't have one.

Just wondering how one fills and empties that pool on a balcony? I don’t want to be on the balcony below.

2 hours ago, uneamie said:

This is a link to all the info about this "dry dock" rehab. Looks like 24 added balcony cabins and added thermal spa balcony cabins. https://www.cruisecritic.com/news/norwegian-cruise-line-announces-extensive-refurbishment-for-norwegian-joy

Is it just me or is anyone else uncomfortable with a spa employee inserting an IV? Yikes! “Other additions include a new Biostation with IV Drip Therapy; four-senses loungers for for deep relaxation; and Kneipp haptic foot therapy, which massages feet as guests walk across the pebbled moving stream that alternates between hot and cold foot baths”

The post I saw was from an NCL Ambassador who sails constantly. He doesn’t report rumors.

I’m thrilled to finally see an adult-oriented ship. I’ve avoided the Joy because of the lack of a spa so this is great news.

6 hours ago, SeekingKillerWhales! said:

I recall someone on a thread mentioning that their insurance paid them $500 for cancelled ports, but I can't remember the thread, and I'm not sure that's a common insurance coverage. I wouldn't want to pay the premiums on a policy that covered that because I think it would be a very expensive policy. And, partially thanks to discussions like this, I will never book a cruise for somewhere I am dying to go, nor one where a single port being cancelled would destroy my cruise. Also, credit cards might offer some protection, but many others on here will be a lot more knowledgeable than I am.

 

I do think you should get a % of your port taxes and fees back for every cancelled/non-replaced port, however. 

That may have been me. I had cruise insurance purchased through Insure My Trip on both 2018 and 2019 transatlantics. Both had port changes and I filed claims with the NCL letter as proof. I got $500 each time. I think they were  Nationwide policies but 2019 seems like a different lifetime now.

I don’t do mornings at home, never mind on vacation. I was the last person skidding into the Local at 10:55 to get a pastry basket and coffee. I don’t eat lunch and stop by the buffet around 3 for a snack. My way isn’t your way but that doesn’t mean your way is the only way.

12 hours ago, The Traveling Man said:

Usually NCL would simply plug along with the announced changes in an itinerary.  My point was that on this occasion they actually did respond to feedback from their customers.  More to the point, some folks at NCL worked through the Easter weekend to reschedule the ports of call.  It was a less than a completely desirable result, to be sure, but I do tip my hat to them for at least trying to make lemonade out of a pile of lemons.  I choose to cut them some slack.

I agree with you but I would have been happier if they kept Ponta Delgado. Switching to the northern route was COLD! I walked outside from the spa to the buffet one morning and my wet hair froze!

I took the guided tour and river cruise a few years ago with the Breakaway. I’d been to Paris a few times so this tour was a nice refresher. You get a good view of the Eiffel Tower from both the bus and the river. The river cruise included a superb lunch with wine flowing. I thought it was worth the cost.

You might want to take a look at the Ports board for more recent reviews.