SJD117

I’ll get you the name of the youth hostel where I stayed in 1983. I’m sure you’ll want to squeeze that in during 3 days and nights in Tokyo. Why stay on the ship when you can experience local color?

I lived in Alaska for 10 years. Not even Viking can make the Last Frontier go away.

I spent six weeks in China in 1983, just as the country was starting to welcome foreign tourists. Hostels and dorms were my accommodations — I was studying Chinese — and the idea of seeing China via a luxe cruise ship was the furthest thing from my mind. But, that was then and now is now. I’ve been back to China twice since 1983, and I continue to be astounded by the country’s economic evolution and political devolution. Yes, we do live in “interesting times.”

The lushes on the ship can always — always — find a place to drink.

I saw the warriors on-site (in Xian) back in 1983. They were a highlight of my six weeks in China.

I’d be hesitant about thanking Elon for anything these days.

When Linda and I visited Brazil in 2000, we arrived in the country in a rather interesting way -- we walked. First we flew to the Argentine side of Iguacu falls, toured around, and spent the night. The next day, we took a taxi to the border crossing so we could walk across and visit the Brazilian side of the falls. From there we flew to Rio.

This will a tough route to sell to new passengers given the current environment. Just a couple of months ago, i.e., before October 7, the Egypt sailings were sold out through 2024 and beyond. Now there are openings on every sailing.

I love hard beds and I hate (most) YouTube videos. And you definitely don't want to hear about my food tastes. Don't sail with me! 🙃🙃🙃

We’re doing the same cruise next October. Looking forward to your reports!

Turkey’s Erdogan declared Israel a “terror state” today. FYI — no editorial comment, just a statement of fact to consider for those traveling in the region.

The week after the Sacred Valley, our little group decamped to Cusco itself, at 11,000 feet (whew), where we feasted on roast cuy (guinea pig) and drank still more bottles of wine. Those details are all I remember from that inebriated evening.

Speaking of South American winos: Back in 2005, some friends and I got together in Peru’s Sacred Valley (near Cusco) and quickly became hammered with bottles of nice Chilean wine. The locals said the Peruvian wine wasn’t nearly as good, so we took them at their word. Of course, at an altitude close to 10,000 feet, we weren’t thinking too much about the relative merits of Chilean vs. Peruvian wine by the time the evening was over. In fact, it was a wonder we could still think at all! 😁😁😁

I’ve never understood why people book an ocean cruise and then worry about spending an entire day on the ocean.

One of our favorite DIY trips was via the Greek ferry system, to the islands of Santorini, Paros, Mykonos, Delos, Samos, and Patmos, and then on to Kusadasi and Istanbul in Turkey. We gave ourselves up to the ferry schedule and had a blast along the way.

If I didn’t choose Viking, what would it be? I might go back to doing DIY trips exclusively, just as I did for 38 years before starting with Viking in 2019. It’s great fun to explore a new town or city on one’s own, to sample the local dining, and to stay awhile if a particular region strike’s one’s fancy. Cruising is fun, too, but it can be a bit formulaic. Right now Linda and I like the balance we’ve achieved by alternating Viking cruises with DIY travel. And, we’re comfortable with the Viking ethos. So if Viking went by the wayside, I’m not sure we’d seek out a replacement line. It’s certainly possible, but by no means a given.

My takeaway: Never get between a Viking passenger and his or her bubbly, no matter what you call it. 😄😄😄

I agree with your assessments of Haifa, Jerusalem, and the Dead Sea (Masada). Mixed feelings about Bethlehem in the West Bank, but still glad I visited (just to ponder the animosity on display toward nearby Israeli settlements).

Perhaps you haven’t read the terms and conditions for your cruise. Viking can alter the itinerary whenever and however it wants, at its sole discretion. You agreed to that when you signed up. BTW, I’ve been to Israel and the West Bank on my own. Take it from me — you’ll have a more enjoyable trip elsewhere.

I suspect that off-ship entertainment means singers, dancers, etc. that aren’t part of Viking’s staff, but are brought on the ship to do one or more specialty performances that are geared toward the particular region.

I’ve been to Israel and the West Bank on a DIY trip. I would happily visit Malta and Cypus rather than travel to Israel again.

I flew exclusively on LAN (LATAM’s predecessor) during my six-week trip to Chile, Argentina, and Brazil in 2000. The service in economy class was quite nice. But that experience was 23 years ago — I haven’t flown on either airline since, so I can’t opine on their current track records and reputation.

You should have had coffee with us instead!

Your post #107, made a few hours ago, suggested you were still booked on the November 22 cruise rather than “long done.” You wrote that you asked Viking for a full refund, not that you had canceled.

If you truly believe that the revised cruise itinerary is unsafe, and that people arguing otherwise are “delusional,” then you might consider taking the initiative and canceling your own booking rather than waiting for Viking to cancel the entire cruise. Presumably you have insurance to cover any cancelation cost. And even if you have to absorb a financial hit, isn’t that a small price to pay in return for peace of mind?