JeriGail

The Sun is visible in the Wirral cam

3 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Viking Sun now about 5 to 6 miles from the Mersey Bar Pilot Station, then it is a long pilotage of 15 to 20 miles into Liverpool. Probably another 90 - 120 mins before we know where she is docking.

Does the Sun take on a local pilot there?

The new Liverpool ETA is 20:00.

1 hour ago, BigAl94 said:

Surely no need to refit a three year old cruise ship?

It could be COVID mods.  I was reading about the changes that Norwegian is making, specifically around the medical center.  They are adding isolation rooms and greatly expanding their supplies around testing, vaccines, oxygen equipment, etc.  They are also adding a new position, public health officer, who will be oversee the new training and monitoring efforts.

I let Tom McLean Positive Belfast (the guy who filmed the 3 Viking ships in Belfast) know that the Sun may be coming in to Belfast tomorrow morning, so we may see more video.

The Sun appears to have stopped near Bangor and it's destination is listed as Belfast ANCH - I'm assuming that means anchor.

3 hours ago, photopro2 said:

It is good to have a wish list but it seems very unlikely anything will be done beyond what is strictly necessary. As @Jerigail pointed out, the news is that that work will be limited to minor repairs and "upgrade work" which could describe installing whatever physical measures are needed for mitigation of virus transmission. So looking on the bright side (from your point of view) little to no chance of new planetariums 🪐 .....though I would not mind giving one a go myself 🙂 

I have to agree with @deec about the planetariums - they take up too much of the Explorer's Lounge.  I haven't cruise on Viking yet, but was really looking forward to the Lounge.  For me, the Sun seems to be the ideal Viking ship since it has the extra drawer storage in the closet, yet doesn't have a planetarium.

It will be interesting to see where the Sun goes when she returns on Friday.

2 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Cruise Mapper is notorious for inaccurate tracks, mostly when ships divert from their published itineraries.  Use Marine Traffic or Vessel Finder for better information, including the next port of call.  My suspicion is that the ship needs to get outside of territorial waters and be 12 miles offshore to make some water, and possibly discharge treated bilge water (has to be underway to do these), before heading for a long term berth, so its heading down the Irish Sea for a few more hours and then back to Man, at current speed, she can cover about 100 miles and still make her estimated arrival.

Thanks - both Cruise Mapper and Vessel Finder show the Sun making a turn away from Dublin and heading East, so it looks like it is circling Man.

9 minutes ago, Dukefan said:

Its destination is shown as Douglas, Isle of Man with an ETA of 7 am on July 2nd but it sure looks like it's headed toward Dublin. 

Maybe it's taking a long loop South and then will circle back around to Douglas?

Where do you find the destination information?  I'm using Cruise Mapper for the location.

Now it looks like the Sun is headed to Dublin.

Another news story published today - https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/23168-cruise-ship-repairs-start-at-harland-wolff-yard-eyes-newbuilds.html  It still references the 3 Viking ships, but does say that the 3 Viking vessels are there for "minor repairs and upgrade work".

9 minutes ago, deec said:

I wonder what "re-fitted" means...or is that just the always used word for typical drydock?  Deep cleaning etc no significant changes?

 

I'm guessing if Harland and Wolff are doing the refit, it's more than deep cleaning.  If the Sun goes in to the dry dock area after the Stena ferry departs, that would be another clue

I just discovered this article this morning:

https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/business/northern-ireland/harland-and-wolff-hard-at-work-as-ferry-and-cruise-firms-use-coronavirus-shutdown-to-dock-in-belfast-for-maintenance-39319655.html

It says, "Instead of sailing around the world, three ships from Viking Cruises - affectionately called the "three sisters" - are being refitted by H&W staff."