bgtraveler2

We attended the crossing ceremony before.  Definitely recommend you go to it!  

Curious who your Cruise Director is.  Have a great time!!

We were on the 2017-18 WC and we took the included tour at Puntarenas.  Not our favorite but the guide was great.  My thought would be that you are going to visit soooo many awesome places and you may want to weigh which ports you really want to spend your $$ on.  If you don't really have a strong desire for any of the excursions or this port was not at/near the top of your list, then take the included one.  That's just my opinion, of course!  Have a great time!!

We have been on O and V cruises.  We are now loyal Vikings!  Remember, Viking includes an excursion at every port.  We also like that there are no kids and no casino. 

On 7/13/2021 at 9:48 AM, lattefun said:

So excited to start this trip today ONLY to receive a text at 2:00 am that our Inited flight leaving at 7:00 am was cancelled and rescheduled for 7/14.  This resulted in our PCR test being ineligible to enter Bermuda.  Spoke with Viking and our trip was then cancelled.  I highly recommend not flying through Newark.  We just received notice from United that tomorrow’s flight would most likely be cancelled.  What a major disappointment this has been☹️

So sorry for you. We just returned home yesterday. We were notified on Monday that our flight from Newark to our home town was cancelled. United was nice enough to rebook us on a flight to Chicago...a 6 hour drive from our home!! Really?? Guest Services was amazing making all changes with Viking Air for us and we came back on Delta instead. Suggest everyone check your texts and ensure your return flights don't get cancelled!!

13 hours ago, Azulann said:

The view from our aft stateroom in Hamilton. LOL

Unpacked . Plenty of drawers for both of us. On Orion there is a set of 4 drawers in the closet plus a set in hallway. Had the coffee maker & tray removed for more storage for us. 
Ronnie and Indra are our room stewards . They explained the saliva tubes. Spit , spit some more , to the 2m line. We did this upon arriving in our room. Do it each morning before 11. Wear a tracing device on a lanyard either around your neck or in your pocket. It must be on your person outside your room. Temp taking once a day , face recognition scanner outside the restaurant , world cafe. Sanitizer machines all over the ship. Feel totally safe and appreciate Viking health protocols .

Many  first time Viking cruisers , some have done river cruisers but first time on Ocean cruise. 
Easy to make appointments for spa , fitness or change add excursions for us. Sister going to gym at 6 am everyday. I will have a facial on second sea day after we have our hour in the thermal spa. The snow grotto is not working😟

We changed our excursion for today. We are going to Art museum botanical gardens in morning and the Famous Homes and Hideway cruise in mid afternoon. 
Had dinner in Restaurant , window table . They have a category called destination menu. Had the blackened grouper, cab cake soufflé, steamed veggies and rum raisin ice cream. We were in bed by 10 .

 

We were on last week and did those 2 excursions. They were wonderful! Enjoy!  After a long travel day the black grouper in the Restaurant at a window table was exactly what we needed! We thought it was a fun, great week. We were spoiled by fewer passengers on the ship and very accommodating crew!

Whew, what a process this has been getting all the required documents in order!  While everything has gone super smoothly so far, I have made sure to have hard copies and online copies of everything. Can't wait to board Viking Orion tomorrow!!  Will definitely enjoy a Swizzle or two!  We are thinking it would make sense to "go around" (the island) twice since we worked so hard to get ready to go! 

Yes, thank you CCWineLover for the vital information.  We will be onboard next week, too, molymoo!  Thanks for posting the Viking Daily!  So helpful!  Keep the news coming!

18 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

Our expectations are no ports for 50+ sea days, so if a miracle happens and we get ashore - bonus. Otherwise, we are thoroughly enjoying this marvelous ship and if we get ashore before May 2nd, it will be a bonus.

 

On board, we also have to queue, as we waited about 30 seconds at the wash basins in the World Cafe this morning. 😊 Another few seconds and this amazing crew would have been opening the bubbly. Life aboard is really tough 😁😁🍻

3 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

You have got it right, slow steaming saves tons of fuel and anchoring also saves port fees.

 

You also need to factor into the equation - maintenance. We see this on a daily basis aboard the Viking Sun. Viking are completing as much maintenance and deep cleaning as possible. This is an excellent opportunity to get non-drydock work completed, which will reduce future capital/operational costs. Empty cabins are being deep cleaned, painted and repairs completed. MDR decks are being refinished. This is just a few of the tasks being completed in our first few days.

 

With this many ships laid-up, the owners will be scrambling to try and find drydock space, if ships have an upcoming docking scheduled. If they get approval from Class and can find space, they will reschedule dry-dockings during this lay-up.

 

Unfortunately, other than Star, the Viking ships aren't due for their first dockings. 

I think I've lost count of the number of times over the past week or so that I said I would be perfectly happy on your WC right now (in the "bubble" away from the news and closures and panic at the grocery stores). Most people think I'm crazy, but they haven't experienced life on a Viking WC! Sounds like you're keeping a great attitude. 👍👍🍷

Suggest you call Viking or your travel agent about any additional Visa requirements. 

59 minutes ago, planterx2 said:

I have so much sympathy for the crew on board who were looking forward to seeing their families.  Several of the crew are from the Philippines and from having spoken with them on past cruises, those who are working on ships that travel to their home area are thrilled beyond belief to have the opportunity to see family members while the ship is docked there.  Now that opportunity no longer exists and they must carry on until their contract ends.  So for the passengers affected, please accept the changes and remember that you are traveling on a Viking cruise with a loved one.  What could be better?  Enjoy yourselves no matter where you travel.

We remember from the first WC that Viking had a hotel for family members who came to visit crew members in Manila.  Most family have never been on a cruise ship, so it was such a treat to see the crew giving their family members a tour of the ship.  It will be a disappointment for sure.  As for whining passengers, there are always those who look for a reason to complain.  So annoying considering this is a trip most people will never take in their lifetime.  Personally, I would love the extra ports and time in Australia; some of the ports in other countries that you'll miss were not our favorites anyway (except for Singapore, which was wonderful and worth a separate trip sometime!).  Rest assured Viking will keep you entertained and pampered the entire way no matter where you go!!

We like Polynesia, too, on the first WC.  Liked that Nuku Hiva was rather undeveloped and enjoyed the 4x4 tour in Tahiti.  The General Manager said that Bora Bora was the "passenger favorite" of the entire WC.  Enjoy!

1 hour ago, NY Nick said:

Good morning Andy.  Here’s my .02 worth. From arriving, to this morning, we find everything exceptional.  You have to remember, this cruise is just not for us. As far as just showing the LA/Sydney segment in the Viking Daily, well, that’s what’s next. No need for sensory overload for the next 119 days.  Can you imagine trying to select all your tours, dinner reservations, flights, hotels and transportation for this cruise all in one day.?.  Let’s sum it up in two words... Vacation baby, 

If one thing you're referring to is the list/schedule of excursions and the excursion tickets you got in your stateroom, you get only one segment at a time. That was the same practice as the inaugural WC when we were all on for the whole thing. Enjoy!!

58 minutes ago, deec said:

Jim...I will miss your thoughtful reports and insights.  I think as first Viking WC ers we were very lucky in all things we discovered but maybe most importantly the same bridge officers and Heather for the entire cruise and same passengers once we joined in LA!  It will be 120 days that are certainly a highlight reel in our lives!

I totally agree with you, deec. We were on the first WC and first segment of the Jan 2019 WC.  The first WC was so memorable for us.  The first segment in 2019 had a lot of the same officers, including Sujith and Heather, which was very special.  We're signed up for the WC departing Miami Dec. 2020.  Hoping the segments and staff turnover are not too disruptive. 

I hope those of you on the second half of this WC will continue to post your experiences!  Thanks, Jim, and the rest of you for your interesting posts thus far! 

On 9/26/2019 at 6:03 PM, MadMarine said:

Well done, Mr. Avery.  Your diligence shall not go unrewarded.  Please have another on me. 🥃.  Nice pic, too.

We found that Torshavn had the finest liquor selection on the ship!