JeriGail

2 hours ago, vslparis said:

I saw that there is to be a Mexican themed dinner in Aquavit so I just ordered my Valarita  ( my version of a Margarita with 2 shots of tequila, 1 shot of triple sec, freshly squeezed 1/2  lime  and a small shot of Grand Marnier on top,no salt )  here in the Explorer's Lounge to get in the mood . Can I get one for anyone else ?

 

Valerie

Me!  I also do Margaritas with no salt so your recipe sounds great.

4 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

I stopped by this morning and no one was around.  I am an early riser normally and live in Atlantic time so you all were still snoozing.  I had a coffee while watching a lovely sunrise at sea.  It's now 5:30 pm and no matter your time zone, it IS 5 o'clock somewhere - here.  So I raise my glass (Proseco) to a happy, safe and healthy holiday week.  

Since I haven't been on a Viking cruise yet, I've enjoyed reading these posts and imagining myself meeting my soon-to-be friends at the bar for a drink. I can't wait to meet you for real next November on the Sea!

When Viking announced the PCR lab on the Star, they also said it would sail to Oslo in mid-November where it would demonstrate the lab plus the additional protocols.  The Star did move from Rostock to Kristiansand, so I wonder if they were testing the lab at sea at that time.

26 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Is it hard to learn?  Maybe I need to take some classes!

Me too!  🙂  I was a medical technologist who specialized in Microbiology, so testing procedures were a huge part of my job.  That's how I could join the World Cruise.

12 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Morning all!   Came up for a cup of coffee and a waffle (no brown cheese please).   Join me if you’d like.  
 

I’ve decided that in addition to all the other issues we face because of Lady Corona’s visit (doesn’t she know a proper guest doesn’t stay this long) I am upset because these boards aren’t just active enough anymore.  
 

Back in the old days, I could keep my sanity Between cruises by living vicariously through other people’s cruises or relive my good memories by sharing tips and hints for folks headed to places we have visited.  Now, all we have is the occasional post about a refund (and even those have slowed to a trickle since most have been paid I presume).  
 

So instead of enjoying my time on CruiseCritic, I find myself obsessing over the upcoming election. Thank goodness I can at least volunteer to assist with that effort but it’s not exactly as fun or relaxing as obsessing over Viking’s newest itinerary! LOL

  

Clay - you should check out the very active Roll Call for the Viking Sea November 2021 Barcelona to San Juan cruise:

Viking Sea - November 29, 2021 - Barcelona to San Juan - Page 7 - Viking Sea Roll Calls - Cruise Critic Community

I think you've cruised this one in the opposite direction, right?  Several of us are coming in 3 or 4 days early and are looking for restaurant and hotel recommendations.

9 minutes ago, Dukefan said:

Trieste is near Venice isn't it?    Why would she be headed there? 

Fincantieri is in Trieste, isn't it?

For the last several days, the Sun has been going back and forth between Mukran and Sassnitz anchorage.

Holland America's Noordam and Zuiderdam have preceded Viking Orion in to the Read Sea.  Island Princess seems to be following Orion in to the Rea Sea too.

The Sun has anchored at the Goteborg anchorage, but still has Mukran as its destination.

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

The "Special Survey" is the survey done every 5 years, so the 1st Special is just the first 5 year drydocking inspection.  There are a number of inspections and certificates that are issued at each survey, some annually, some at the mid-period of the 5 year Special Survey interval (Intermediate Certificates), and some at the 5 year period.  Some of the 5 year certificates require the same inspections regardless of how old the ship is, but the Special Surveys increase in detail the older the ship gets.  The 3rd Special is a turning point, as after this, the ship can no longer use an underwater (diver) survey in lieu of the intermediate drydocking, and the ship will need to dock twice in 5 years, and the amount of ultrasonic and x-ray testing of structural steel and welds goes way up.

I was wondering what date they use for the initial point in the five years - launch date?  Maiden voyage date?  Sea's launch date is June 2015, but the first voyage was April 2016.

Do senior Viking staff such as the executive chef tend to stay on the same ship, or do they move around?

48 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Sea was launched in March(?), 2016 and as I understand it, not due for her first mandatory dry-dock until 2021

Right now the Sea has itineraries all through 2021 and until September 2022, so I wonder when they'll do the drydock?

9 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

 

This sounds like such a fun group on this cruise (Barcelona to San Juan)!   Makes us want to take it.  Would be our 5th VOC.  I'm still a little concerned that fall 2021 is a little early, but this cruise sure has a fantastic itinerary (except they don't go to Lisbon!).  The wife doesn't want to be in masks the whole trip!  And don't know how long that will be in effect when Viking opens up again.

 

On the other hand, We're so anxious to get back out to sea again!  Even if we had to take all the Viking Excursions that would be fine!  Who knows how long we all have anyways.   We enjoy joining you all.  May have to call our TA before August 31.  That free air is  a big deal for sure.  May also have to do that trick people talked about to see what cabins are available by pretending to book a room on the Viking site 🙂

 

I hope that before Aug 31 it is still a "risk-free" booking.... 

So loved Barcelona  and San Juan as well when we were the on 2 separate cruises in 2019.  Gosh, that seems so long ago!

I know Viking is not like other cruise lines, but I'm comforted somewhat by what other lines are proposing for COVID cruising - wearing masks when distancing isn't possible such as embarkation or when on elevators, but using distancing in most cases.

1 hour ago, CTBob said:

Thank you, thank you, thank you!  CTBob

Bob - did you see the post nearer to the top of this page about using the "Book Now" button on the web page for this cruise to look and see which other cabins are available for a certain category?  You can use it to look for DV cabins on the port side or ones that more aft.

Another CC post about cabins over Torshavn:

3 hours ago, CTBob said:

I was considering booking a DV6 but noticed that the one I have on hold is directly over Torshaven and might be affected by noise from below.  Has anyone found that to be a problem?  CTBob

Bob - I originally booked 3055 for the Sun's cancelled December 2020 cruise and found several posts on CC specifically referencing that cabin and several next to it as being very loud from Torshavn.

This is maybe a little off topic, but has Viking Sea had its first drydock since its launch?  Since the Sea, Sky, and Sun are still in Belfast, I was wondering if the work being done is any more significant than the minor repairs that was first mentioned.

1 hour ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Although not all of the cruise lines have suspended enrollment. So who knows what will happen.

It seems like those lines that have cancelled their entire 2020 season, like Viking, don't have registration, but those lines that do have some 2020 cruises do have registration.

6 hours ago, tine-tine said:

Has anyone in the UK had success with a dummy booking? I tried the above and all I could get was "request a quote" where I had to fill in my details and the contact for the quote being a choice of email or phone.

 

Do you see the "Book Now" button?  I see both the "Book Now" button and "Request a Quote."  I wonder if the reason that doesn't work for you is that UK clients get different things from Viking.

I went to register for the Meet & Mingle for my new cruise and found that CC has suspended registration for several cruise lines' M&Ms, including Viking.

That was easy!  I was very surprised at how many cabins are already gone for a cruise that's so far in the future.

1 minute ago, moatenote said:

Go to the Viking Cruises web page showing your cruise and the date.  Click on the red "Book Now" tab at the upper right.  Fill in Guest Information items, then click Next.  Select a date and the Cruise Direction on the next page.  2. is Select a Stateroom Category-- click on the one you're interested in.  3. "Select a Stateroom Number"- the available room numbers will appear in this box.  When you're done, just close the page.

Thanks!  I wondered about the "Book Now" tab but was afraid I'd end up with two bookings!  🙂

Our original Viking transatlantic December 2020 cruise was cancelled, so I've now booked a November 29, 2021 (so far away!) transatlantic from Barcelona to San Juan on the Viking Sea.  I was checking the Viking boards on cabin recommendations and saw advice about checking the Viking web site for changes to available cabins.  Where do you go to see that?

10 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

Hey, hey, there is no virus in the Virtual Explorer's Lounge.  Plenty of time to speak of such things on those nasty other threads.  Don't be coming in here and harshing everyone's mellow.  Another Martini please Ralf. 🍸

Sorry - you're right.

Can I have a chocolate martini?

I'm wondering if a different crew member was an asymptomatic carrier?  All 36 crew on the Hurtigruten ship who tested positive were asymptomatic.