emileg

We are just off the Viking Neptune, our first Viking Ocean Cruise. While on board we book a new expedition itinerary called Into the Northwest Passage, round trip from Nuuk, Greenland on August 12, 2026 on the Polaris. Is anyone else planning on taking this itinerary, way into the arctic circle and then through the very northern part of Canada. Anyone else plan on taking this expedition?

As indicated many pages back, Viking puts us in a fake Hard Rock Cafe until it is time for check-in. It is crowded with mostly long tables, the food is just okay, and the wine and beer are decent. Do not expect a real Hard Rock Cafe experience. It does not even have restrooms. You have to go down a level to find one. Once past EZE security, the best lounge we could find is the American Express Centurion Lounge, if you have the appropriate credit card. It is a beautiful spot with decent food. We were unable to get into the Priority Pass lounge, as it was full. Actually, there was a sign in the Priority Pass lounge advertising the Centurion Lounge. The staff at Priority were delighted to give us directions.

I was going to respond, but then read that the question was answered. Yes, the Octantis staff brought the flag to land for photo ops.

We were on the Octantis in February. The glasses of wine that were available for the Silver Spirits Package (SSP) were ALL priced at $8.00 a glass. Even though the package allows for more expensive wines by the glass, the better wines are only sold by the bottle. Some of these $8 wines were good, none were great and most were mediocre. In fact, some of the "house wines" that are available to everyone were as good as if not better than the wines priced by the glass. We had the SSP included in our fare, which also allowed for bar drinks. However, if we had to do it over again and it was not included in a promotion, we would skip the SSP on future cruises. We also found that once you found some house wines you like, the staff was happy to get it for you, even on a day that it is not being officially served.

The only issue we had with Cabin 3000 on the Octantis was the noise and vibration from the bow thrusters. We were not disturbed by noise of people going to the bow. Of course, being so far forward, you certainly feel the ship's movement more, especially yaw.

thank you for your input on cabins 3000 and 3001. When did the Octantis go into dry dock? Do you know what they were supposed to work on during dry dock. I was hoping they would install stair rails on the Aula, as they have on the Polaris. We board the ship in 16 days and counting!

I chose Cabin 3000 on the Octantis precisely because it is next door to the Shelter, in order to get outside quickly in case of a sighting.

According to expeditioners who are on that sailing, as they reported on the other social media site, the decision was made to return a day early to Ushuaia due to anticipated weather. Passengers were to be provided with tours for their extra day in Ushuaia.

I would suggest that if you tip the crew above and beyond the prepaid gratuities, you will need cash for that. Because of the extremely high inflation rate in Argentina, use either U.S. dollars or a credit card. I would not bother with pesos at this time. I would probably take about $500 with us, whether we use it or not. Have a wonderful expedition and safe travels.

I copied this post from another social media site's Antarctic Photography Group. From Oceanwide Expeditions: As of October 26, South Georgia authorities have received reports of bird flu cases at Hound Bay. Due to its proximity to our usual landing sites at St. Andrews Bay and Ocean Harbour, these sites are temporarily closed for further testing. As of October 30, South Georgia authorities have also temporarily closed all of Royal Bay to landings pending further investigation. This announcement is from another expedition company, but I imagine Viking will have to follow similar rules. https://oceanwide-expeditions.com/page/bird-flu-safety-protocols?fbclid=IwAR0U0XwUeTuDbb2-iye_bDG2qiClZJod-Otv9xKW47814_ciyLJ6szF5cAU

That's true. I posted some information at the other place regarding the bird flu on South Georgia Island and its effects on expedition landings. While not removed, it was turned off for comments, as they don't permit speculation. In my next post, I am re-posting here what I posted there.

I tried to post this picture on the other social media's Viking Antarctic Expeditions group, but it was taken down because it was considered irrelevant to the group's purpose. We don't have such rigid rules. Enjoy. This work was painted by my eight and half year-old granddaughter Lilah. She said it represents Antarctica "with Northern Lights." I call it the picture "Southern Lights." I have Lilah's permission to share it.

You are in good company. The non-recognition of medical form submission appears to be an ongoing problem for Viking expedition passengers, including two years ago when we were supposed to take the Octantis to Antarctica, but were quarantined in Miami due to a false positive Covid test. From other social media sites, I hear the problem is widespread.

Yes, thanks for sharing this information here. I have been thinking about it. Even if we are not permitted to go on land, I figure the most we would be losing is four hours, assuming an hour a day on shore for four days. We are on the South Georgia Island expedition that spends four days instead of seven in Antarctica. Thus, most of our activities would be on the ship anyway. Time will tell. But what is most important is protecting wildlife.

Oh boy! I can see the pounds now gained from the ice cream, but lost from trekking on land!

We were supposed to be on an Antarctic expedition in February 2022, but due to one of us getting a false positive covid test, we were quarantined in Miami. For that cruise, we booked the Penthouse Verandah. However, for our upcoming South Georgia Island, Falklands and Antarctic expedition, we decided to book a DN6, where you have the same priority bookings as a DN1. We are saving $12,000 by not booking the penthouse verandahs. In 2022, the prices for the penthouse were only a couple of thousand more.

For people on expeditions that leave from Argentina, you might be interested in a PBS program called "Great Performances". This season there is a show called NOW HEAR THIS that explores the life and music of Argentina's greatest composer, Astor Piazzolla, and the music behind the Tango. Well worth watching and can help one appreciate Buenos Aires even more so. This program can be streamed for those who have PBS Passport. If you don't have this marvelous app that gives you access to decades of programming, you can get a one-year subscription by donating at least $60 to your local PBS station. https://www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/now-hear-this-piazzollas-history-with-tango-about/14573/

I thought I would revive this thread as the last post was on January 22. I have noticed other more detailed expedition threads have emerged, showing there is still interest. I still wish that Cruise Critic would set up a separate forum for Viking Expeditions instead of including the topic under Viking Ocean.

We had a very vibrant thread here, up to 29 pages. Not sure why it has gone dark for almost two months. I understand there is another very active discussion taking place on other social media. Yet, I do believe there is still room for discussion on Cruise Critic, especially with the delivery of the Polaris and another Antarctic season under way. One interesting itinerary includes not only Antarctica, but also the Falkland Islands and South Georgia Island. There are 17 nights on the Octantis. Dates are 29 October, 2023 and 31 January, 2024. We booked the latter date.