SJD117

Viking delivered the same cake to our room in July for my Big No. 70 birthday! I recognize the design and the frosting -- even the fruit on top. The best part: We didn't want to eat all of the cake, so we gave most of it to our two lovely room stewards. They reported back that the cake went into the crew mess or equivalent, where it was promptly devoured. So the Viking crew members have a sweet tooth just like ours!

We are confirmed tea drinkers (I’ve always detested coffee, just can’t drink it). Each time we begin a cruise we ask our stewards to bring a kettle to the room. They’re always happy to help — but I do wish the rooms were prestocked and that we didn’t have to ask.

I’ve been on land-based trips to all the South America countries on your list. I don’t recall getting vaccinations for any of them. But I started going to SA in 1990, when I was younger and more reckless, so I wouldn’t necessarily trust my memory (or do now what I did back then). Best to check current recommendations for each country you’re visiting.

I've done two of the three tracks I listed (Milford and Routeburn) along with the Abel Tasman Track on the South Island's north coast and the Tongariro Crossing on the North Island. Of course I was much younger and fitter back in 1981 and 1998 ... 😇

Better to do a driving trip in the Southern Alps in New Zealand. Still better, hike one of the famous South Island trails like the Routeburn Track, Milford Track, and Hollyford Track. The Alps are not at all like the Blue Ridge Mountains.

Clay, you clearly have reservations about Xuan's services. That's your prerogative, of course. All I will say in response is that Linda and I and the others who toured with him -- twice -- had a great time. Good luck with your tour planning.

When cruise passengers (including Viking cruise passengers) are in Mumbai and talking about the Taj, they are referring to the homage to love that they hope to visit, not a hotel chain.

Some questions come to mind: (1) Why did you decide to go with Viking Air Plus rather than booking flights on your own? (2) Either through Viking or on your own, did you identify other flight routes and times that would have allowed a longer connection than 75 minutes? (3) If you were sufficiently concerned to complain three times about the connection time, why didn't you pass on Viking Air Plus and look at other flight alternatives?

The Viking shuttle in HCMC ran all three days during our stop in November 2019. It wasn’t limited to overnighters; day trippers like us could and did use the shuttle to get into town. (We used it the second day.)

You know what I meant. When people refer to the Taj, they don’t mean a hotel chain.

There’s only one Taj, and it’s not a hotel. The real Taj is an homage to love.

Below is the description of the included tour on Le Truck which sounds similar but doesn't look like it includes stopping at the beach or being able to stop and have a drink at Bloody Mary's. (Of course according to their website they are currently closed for renovations so this may be a moot issue). But in case they reopen, did any of you do this included tour and advice? Ride an Open-Air Truck Through Paradise -- Take in the crystalline turquoise waters, lovely small villages and abundant mountains, and learn about it all from your local guide. There are many photo stops along the way as we drive to the district of Faanui and scenic Faanui Bay. Here, you will see the ancient ceremonial site of the Faanui marae, Bora Bora’s biggest Polynesian temple, with a typical raised ahu altar. Continue your scenic drive and pause for a photo stop at one of the island’s famed restaurants. Here, you will have a chance to strike a pose in front of Bloody Mary’s Bar & Restaurant. A longtime island favorite of Hollywood royalty, it is the quintessential tiki bar with its thatched roof, open sides, white-sand floor, wooden slab tables and stools made of coconut stumps. Bora Bora isn’t that big. Do what we did when we stayed there in 1987 — rent bicycles and ride around the island! It’s about 15 miles around as I recall. Great way to see the place.

Do not miss the Taj. A special event aboard the WC wouldn’t begin to compare.

Clay, I second what Linda said — you can’t go wrong with Xuan. Read the Tripadvisor reviews and get on his schedule! He was very flexible with our group on both tours we took with him (in HCMC and Hoi An) — they were tailored so we could see what we wanted to see. Xuan speaks great English and took us to nice atmospheric restaurants for lunch. Top notch in all respects. As to your Qs: We didn’t take the included tour, and there’s nothing of interest near the port.

Congratulations! Did you go for a port or starboard cabin?

Rick Steves says he travels for months at a time in Europe with just a carry-on bag/backpack. That philosophy wouldn’t set too well with much of the Viking crowd.

Thanks.

@chengkp75 Should crew members be harnessed in when securing a gangway from above a landing pier?

“Just recently” … Do you know whether double attachment harnesses are the standard now in the cruise industry? At Viking?

You can (and IMHO should) appreciate the deep significance of the site without a guide.

In addition, Viking includes a pdf of the contract with every booking confirmation or revision to that booking.

We were on the Saturn cruise right before Clay’s cruise. The outside deck adjacent to the Explorer’s Lounge (Deck 7) was open the entire time.

I don’t find the Viking contract tedious at all, frankly or otherwise. But then again, I’ve been a lawyer for 40+ years. The Viking contract is a piece of cake compared to some of the agreements I’ve written, interpreted, and litigated over the years. Disregard the “fine print” at your peril.

Several airlines fly nonstop from Seattle to London and return, including Virgin, Delta, Brit Air, and American.

I was just talking about this with Linda. You may have a better memory for food dishes and preparation than I do. In my case, and because we had last cruised 15 months before our Saturn experience, I simply didn’t have the bandwidth to remember whether the scones or other food items had changed during the interval. Perhaps they did, perhaps they didn’t. But a moot point, because I ate them too!