Segmentersfloattheboat

Haha the dark brown head board is my DW blanked out!!! She is on deck 8.  From memory I think only deck 8 has the “smaller verandah” cabins in between the two vista suites.  We didn’t hear any noise coming through, the connecting  door  is by the dining table in that Vista Suite.  We also had a look at deck 9 and that suite had pillars right in the middle of the living room behind the console table.  That’s one of the reasons we prefer deck 8 - no pillars.  
 

We’ve also been in deck 12 (for a visit) and that I think is the smallest indoor space with the largest balcony - quite a good bit of balcony around the side with ample room for table and chairs and loungers. You do have a great view from inside the suite but you have got the solid rail on all the front vistas, so best view always you have to go outside.  And stand! Actually the solid rail cut the wind down when using the loungers whilst underway. I will look out some more photos and post them.  

This is the Marina but the Riviera is exactly the same layout.  We've been on deck 8 port and starboard side on both ships, and that is our preferred deck.  As you can see the outside balconies on 9 and 10 have more space as they go around to the side, which if you like being out there while underway may give you a bit more shelter from the wind.  The trade off with the larger balcony is a slightly smaller inside space and slightly different layouts.  The round window to the right of the photo is the window in the master ensuite bathroom, so that gives you an idea of how much more balcony space you have around to the side.  

A bit late to reply - no no announcements in the cabin - other than the captain - but we must have had a speaker right outside our door as it was very intrusive!

On our recent Riviera cruise, the only thing we did ask for, as we had a reservation at one of the specialities on the birthday, was for a window table, requested directly to the Maitre D' a day or so before. And I warn you if the birthday boy or girl would be totally embarrassed by a very loud "happy birthday" singalong by the staff, then ask for no fuss - they will then just discretely bring you a birthday cake before dessert and wish you happy birthday.  Imagine our surprise when we returned from dinner the room was all decorated with balloons etc.  We hadn't mentioned the birthday to anyone else or requested any special  fuss.  

We discovered on the Cruise Director's "TV news channel" I think it is called "Riviera Today" (?) that they put up a list of folk's birthdays and special anniversaries with their names - on the actual day of birthday, anniversary - so coming from the Concierge/Purser/Reception?   I discovered it quite by accident.  I imagine that's where the stateroom decorations came from.

Actually we were among the very few who DID mask up at all times unless eating and even then we chose most of the time to dine outside on the back deck of the Terrace Cafe and kept ourselves pretty much to ourselves.  Quite a few staff wore masks as well.  Even taking all the precautions we did, we have both tested positive since we returned home.  There was lots of coughing (hacking) and sneezing going on, we were quite shocked by the behaviour of many.  Sad to say I would like to say a few behaved like this, but no.  llhillman I am sorry you missed most of the cruise.  

I say the following with some trepedation as I fear some on these boards will simply not get it, but the last week from Rome to Barcelona was simply not what we were used to on an Oceania ship.  Even the crew and staff were saying this.  Apparently, and I wish we had known this before we had booked the cruise (made up of a 12 night plus a 7 night) that the 7 night cruises attract a totally different crowd.  Even the onboard Cruise consultant dreaded that her first cruise back was a 7 nighter!  Never again for us.  However, the rude behaviour by some was evident on both segments - I mean, how desperate are you for ice-cream to shove in front of folk waiting patiently in the queue?   

I would like to add here that the service we received on board was very good to excellent;  from the waiting staff, serving staff (who put up with such rudeness and bad manners from some guests who should know better in the Terrace Cafe), to our lovely stateroom attendants.   Officers non existent (usual for O) and the most annoying cruise director - I suppose since we were last on Oceania (2016) we have been on other cruise lines where we are treated as adults and don't need that day's currents read out to us line by line every morning just after 0800!  So if you plan a lie in, forget it!   

Hope you're feeling better llhillman!  

les37b - beautiful video.  Thank you for posting as I had no idea what this part of coastline looked like.

You probably know this but if not, BA will book your seats free of charge at time of booking if you require them for disability reasons (including any hidden disabilities eg IBS/IBD) - very handy if you don't have status or are booking a class which doesn't offer free seat selection at time of booking which I think these days is only First.  I have always found the disability line very helpful.  

LOL at the "aviation anorak"!  

4 hours ago, les37b said:

 

What do you mean?

Poor attempt at a bit of humour (playing on a quote from Hamlet) at asking if you were successful in obtaining a magnifying mirror on board (if required or asked for).   

Les37b - to magnify or not to magnify, that is the question young man! 

We have flown with Wideroe - short direct 1 hour flight from Scotland to Norway.  We took a cruise only fare (fare less discount for not using the included flight, can't really call it a "credit") and booked our own flights as at the time I don't think Wideroe were on Viking's list.  We were on the Bergen-London Midnight cruise and as such the only flight included was to Norway as we disembarked in the UK, so we were on our own anyway for the return flight up from London.

We also recently flew with Loganair to/from Southampton (yes to go on a Viking UK cruise! 😁) and we rather liked that airline as well.  These smaller airlines do seem to cost a bit more than BA but hey for the convenience, well worth it.  And you can choose your seat when you book for free!  

Just now, les37b said:

Many thanks... I will pass on the info and she can make her own mind.

Don't they always! 🤣

On 9/15/2021 at 8:58 AM, les37b said:

My wife asked me to ask this for her to potentially save on packing.

 

In Deluxe Balcony rooms, is there a magnified makeup mirror? I cant see it listed and cant see it in any photo's or the 360's - but I can see there is a wall mounted one in the explorer suite 360. Stand alone is fine. 

 

Something she can avoid packing hopefully if there is one or available if requested.

Hi Les

Definitely no magnifying mirror in the stateroom or shower-room.  The one under the desk is not magnified and the DW says it is as much use as a chocolate teapot for putting makeup on - its just at the wrong angle - for her anyway!  And we've usually got stuff on the top of the desk as well, so thats a bit of a nuisance too.  So she brings her own.  (We've been on Sky, Sun and Star in DV's and recently a PJS, none in any of those staterooms.) 

We have been told that you can ask for one, but DW always brings her own, easier that way!

Enjoy your cruise - it will be worth all the hoops you've jumped through to get there!  

Just a quick update - we received our refund today.  That was a relief to not have to wait 10-12 weeks!  

Thinking we may well stay shore based for a holiday this year - but that thought process may well change if we hear the early cruises are going well.  That's if we can sneak on last minute!  😀

Thanks Tring for your replies and help.  

July morning - hope you managed to sort something out.

Hi Tring

We booked direct with FO - it was one of their agents who told us this news last Saturday about them "looking into these cruises".  Shame we weren't aware of this the day before when we made final payment which was actually due by/on the 2nd May - so we were ahead of ourselves by 2 days but I doubt if we had held back till the 2nd it would have made any difference as the FO agent I spoke to today said the first "they" heard of it was today, but clearly something was circulating last week!   I still think its poor show by FO to have taken payment knowing full well they were reviewing these cruises.  

Especially now I read that you know someone was told to hold off paying the balance on their cruise. 

All the cruise lines want cash flow right now and are hoping that folk will transfer to another cruise or accept the 10% future cruise credit but quite honestly they forget that they are affecting our cash flow!!!   

We will just have to be patient and see what happens.   

Oh I know exactly how you feel!  Cruising from Scotland with a not too far drive to the port - it would have been a safe first cruise back.   It was a nice dream while it lasted! 😊

Received an email from Fred Olsen at noon today to advise that our cruise 31st July 5 nights Norwegian Fjords has been cancelled.  On phone to rep told all cruises out of Rosyth cancelled due to Scottish Government's lack of any clear way forward to cruising in and out of Scotland.  Disappointing day for all those booked and especially for those who like us was to be our first venture onto Fred Olsen.  
 
We only made full and final payment last week and when we called FO last Saturday to book parking was told to hold off as they were at that time "looking at this cruise".  When I asked what that meant, was told couldn't tell us anything but it was quite obvious from what was not said that something was up and we were told we would receive an email later this week.  I think it was disingenuous of them to take final payment for these cruises (and in fact it was still possible to book these online yesterday) when they were already "looking" at them at that time!  Doesn't really bode well for our interest for FO in the future but the final blow was 10-12 weeks for refund!   I realise that they will have to process many refunds - 10% future cruise credit doesn't really entice us very much - but it always amazes us how companies can take payments literally in seconds but take so long to process refunds!  
 

See other thread

8 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

@swansong,

 

For a 14 night cruise, the following are the penalties according to the RSSC "Cancellation & Refund policy for UK onboard bookings" (full copy attached below):

• From date of deposit to 121 days prior to vacation date: £50pp administrative fee. This administrative fee may be converted to a Future Cruise Credit redeemable on bookings made up to 12 months after cancellation and for travel at any time
• 120-91 days prior to vacation date: loss of deposit

So it appears that either your TA or the RSSC rep to whom they spoke are applying the rules with undue rigour (11 December to 06 April is 116 days). Since you booked this 14 night cruise while on board and had you cancelled earlier last week you would have been outside the 120 day penalty period and would have received a refund of your deposit less £50pp (the £50pp being made available for your use as a FCC until December 2021).

It is probably worth contacting Regent direct on Monday, speaking to a senior advisor, and ask them to reconsider.

 

 

 

 

We were also booked on this Tokyo-Tokyo cruise but Regent cancelled our booking at the same time as they cancelled the previous segment. We had the two segments under the same booking number and Regent simply cancelled the complete booking on 2nd December without giving us the option to retain the 6th April segment. We are expecting our deposit to be refunded soon, but are still very disappointed to have missed this long awaited trip to the Far East.

 

 

 

 

 

Ah ok Flossie - didn't know the different rules re the "booking on board" as we have not done this.  Sorry Swansong my comments regarding our change of date for final payment to 60 days was not for an onboard booking,  but you never know "they" might be a tad more flexible with you.  Fingers crossed!  But thanks Flossie for the info, that's good to know as that is a very flexible way of putting down a deposit for a future booking whilst on board especially if you change your mind once you're off the ship.   

Morning Swansong - your post makes very disappointing reading of how Regent UK are dealing with your booking for next April.

We are booked on the Tokyo to Vancouver cruise and agree there is no way this is going to happen either and have been considering what to do re transferring our deposit to another cruise in the future but might just wait it out and see what happens as we have had our final payment date moved to 8th February which is approx 60 days prior (advised by our TA by email early November), so I would certainly question this with your TA.  If this cruise is not cancelled by Regent by this final payment date, we will decide then what to do but I doubt very much we will be going! 

An important fact that they seem to be overlooking is that we (UK) cannot get visas for Japan currently in addition to the required 14 day quarantine on arrival (if you can get a visa that is!).  I have read on CC somewhere that Japan will not be opening to general tourism at that time (Spring 2021), rather very small groups as they want to keep their country "safe" for the Olympics, if indeed they go ahead.  

Then we throw into the mix the Canadian and USA restrictions! 

We too are quite bereft about the lack of cruising this year but are lucky we are well - the virus seems to be rampant through a few care homes here which is all very sad.  We are now waiting patiently for the vaccine to roll out which for us might be mid-2021, so that's another "no go" reason!  

Stay safe.

16 hours ago, cruisinchrissy said:

 

We don’t get these offers in UK but if I was offered this, I would definitely  go for it. 

 

We do!  And we have!  Our first Viking Ocean cruise, we chose a DV2 on deck 5.  Second cruise booked "GTY" - this was booked fairly last minute (within a month) and we were offered a DV6 "GTY" at a special price - I remember our TA telling me not to phone her (to moan! 😉 HAHA!) if we landed up in a stateroom we didn't like as she told me quite clearly we could be anywhere on the ship but definitely not a lower category!   This was the first time we ever booked a GTY.  I was aware at the time that there are a few staterooms on deck 3 where noise seeps upwards.  However, we ended up with a DV2 on deck 5.  Wonder if sometimes, your previous stateroom choice has anything to do with allocating a "GTY".  I say this as last year we booked a Seabourn cruise on a GTY basis and we again received a nice upgrade and interestingly enough it was to the same category we had booked on our one and only SB cruise several years ago.   Next year, if we sail, we have booked a GTY on Regent - it was all that was left when we booked other than the Regent Suite and that is way above our budget!  We have sailed with them once before, so it will be interesting to see what happens.  

GOARMY - please carry on.  Enjoying all your posts and stories.  Hoping we might (will!) meet you on the April Tokyo-YVR next year.  

Just to add re clothes - on the TA from Puerto Rico to Barcelona in 2018, many folks arrived on the ship without their luggage (it was the time of the "Beast from the East" in the UK and also bad storms over Canada/NE US and many flights were delayed, diverted etc etc.  The folks that sailed from PR without luggage were told bags would catch up with them at St Maarten but sadly we sailed right on by ..... rough seas prevented docking.   Even worse was the 30 or so folk who missed the ship's departure in PR but were flown by Viking to St Maarten to join the ship ......... 

We met a couple we knew on board and she had her luggage but he didn't have any of his but Viking kitted him out from a "wardrobe" they keep.  So I presume this is where some of the clothes "abandoned" in the laundry room end up.  He was happy enough - well you don't need much on sea days!  

UK based

Cruise sail date 7 August 2020

Cancelled by Seabourn 7 May 2020

Cancelled by us online via their link in the cancellation email 7 May 2020

Refund Received 23 July 2020

Days to refund 77

Received today -  UK. This is a copy of the email.  Addressed to me by my first name  - maybe it is a targeted email?   Who knows!  Looks like anyone can register on the Covid Science Summit website. Link below in email.

QUOTE:

Dear XXXX

We invite you to join us for our upcoming Global Scientific Summit on COVID-19, in collaboration with the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC), from 10 AM EDT to 1:30PM on July 28, as a live webcast

The Summit is a great opportunity to become better informed on COVID-19’s impact on society, including travel and tourism. More importantly, the Summit will consider practices from world-leading scientists and health experts for mitigating the spread of the virus and living in a world with COVID-19.

The Summit, open to the public, will share the very best thinking from across all fields of knowledge in the public and private sectors. Speakers and panelists represent a diverse range of science, research, clinical, academic and business backgrounds, including amongst others, members of Scientists to Stop COVID-19, who have volunteered to participate.

Throughout our pause in our guest operations, we have been consulting with the best minds in medical science, public health and infectious disease control and we are grateful to bring together a select group of science and medical experts who bring such relevant insight into COVID-19 for the public to hear.

To register for the Summit, please go to: CovidScienceSummit.com

Participants will be invited to submit questions in advance and during the online event. We look forward to having you join us for the important forum.

Kind regards,

    
Josh Leibowitz
President

END QUOTE
 
 

Aaah lovely = happy memories!  

Stay safe everyone ....