CDR2001

Regarding Viking Ocean food…it certainly is subjective. Hubby is a meat and potatoes guy, and his complaint about Viking dining is it’s TOO upscale! ….Though he does love the omelets at breakfast and the desserts!   LOL! 

This information is correct as of Oct2023. We disembarked a few weeks ago in Venice, with the ship docked at Fusina. The Venezia Passenger Terminal is the place to check in before the cruise, and it is where we claimed our luggage after disembarking. Viking busses all passengers to this terminal from the ship, whether from Fusina or Chioggia. In your case, take the people mover (cost is a few Euros,) from Piazzale Roma to the Venezia passenger terminal for check in and transfer to the ship by Viking bus. …….However….since your trip is in 2025, I’d not worry about this until a few months before your cruise! Things can certainly change! 

Yes, Duque, we’ve done this but the transfer form posted above needs to be completed. I also kept the confirmation on the updated invoice we received by email. No problems! 

We have stayed near the forward stairs on 3 cruises, and that’s perfect for us. We like the quick elevator access and it’s fairly convenient to the launderette. I’d choose 4035, we’ve been in 4033 before. 

If you eat dinner in the World Cafe, you can wear the same attire that you wear on excursions, no dress code for the Cafe in the evenings. 

A note on passenger age on Saturn, Empires of Med now. I see a lot more family groups including some with 3 generations onboard. I also see more middle aged couples, and groups of friends. We’re active seniors and I’m assuming the folks onboard realize that the excursions require lots of walking amid ruins. Third VO and this crowd has a younger vibe in my opinion. 

We did Icelands Natural Beauty this July. Yes, there was a photographer tour and my husband thought it was great! The stops are based on current weather and conditions. See here, day 2.  https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/baltic/icelands-natural-beauty/index.html#itineraryday/2

Snooki, you or TA can call Viking Air plus and select your preferred flights and seats from the options on the Viking air contract. That’s what you’re paying for with plus. Don’t wait for flights to appear on MVJ, talk to a rep. We have our flights for next April all set… unless the airline makes a change. We will request early ticketing. Fingers crossed! 

On our July cruise, we were advised that the standard gratuity amount would be added a day prior to disembarking. Guests could adjust the amount up or down (or eliminate it) by stopping at guest services before that date. I’m onboard Saturn now, I’ll ask and post what I learn. 

No experience on this itinerary, but I do have extension hotel insight. Sometimes Viking uses two hotels in an area. For the accurate information, you may have to wait closer to your cruise. We also had a closed hotel listed online as the extension location, but later it was corrected. I think the website is sometimes not updated, (sigh). Our hotel has been listed on our invoice, and when changed, we’ve received an email from Viking with new invoice. Note that in the extension information online, it does state “Hotel XXX or similar. “

BoredWok, if your flights have been ticketed, you might confirm seats with the airline, maybe for a fee as stated above. The airline will clearly state that seats are not guaranteed and can be changed by them… whenever! 😐

We have independently booked flights for our cruise next week. A few days ago I learned our flight home was cancelled, so I scrambled with airline messaging to get an acceptable option. Of course now we must take whatever seats are assigned on the new flight. Such are the air travel adventures of today! 

Viking laundry facilities are available to all guests, no charge including free soap. Read the discussion here, including the other links included. We are DV, and use the launderette so we can pack lighter! ( I usually do not check a bag.

If you book flights independently and arrive on Day 1 and depart on Day last, you can purchase Viking transfers for about $50pp, per transfer.  Transfers are included with pre and post Viking hotel extensions, again arrive on Day 1 of extension and depart on Day last.  If your independent flight arrives on cruise Day1, request the transfer to the ship on the form below. Viking will get you from the ship to the post extension hotel, and then to the airport for no fee, but again the form must be completed since you wouldn’t have Viking Air.  We requested a transfer via the form, and received email confirmation, and it is noted on a revised invoice. Call Viking Air for clarification and payment. We use Viking Air when the price is right, otherwise we book our own flights for more control. 
 https://docs.vikingcruises.com/legacy-assets/PDF/transfer_request_form_20130701.pdf

 We have a butterfly, and will need to train travel from Paris to London on our extra day. We meet Viking for a London extension, so I’m booking the first night at the hotel we will be in the next few days. Our advantage with one booking number is we saved $ on the combined Viking Air vs booking 2 cruises with one way air each.
@Island Lady, You might ask your Viking booking agent which hotel Viking’s extension will use prior to the Orion cruise, and book it for your extra overnight. Enjoy your 2 cruises! 

52 minutes ago, miami mama said:

CurlerRob, thanks so much. 

 

CDR2001, I felt a little shy asking for them since we weren't traveling this year. But you're right, I could ask for this year's as an example. Of course, doesn't look like I will need to with what CurlerRob was able to post. 

I get the little bit shy feeling, but Viking agents “usually” try to please, so I ask away! I’ve asked for cruises not yet booked, stating it’s needed to help with my decision of itinerary. Glad you have the list from CurlerRob. 

I’ve always received an excursion PDF from Viking via the chat function. Ask for excursions for a recent cruise, and state that you know the prices and offerings for future cruises can change. Only once has the agent not known how to send this to me…if you get push back, log off and try again. 

Here is a long thread where folks have been posting the Promo codes as they find them. Have a look at the end for the most recent offers. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2863068-post-viking-promos/page/38/#comment-66092365

People also report that you can book directly with Viking, then transfer to a travel agency and receive any OBC offered by the TA. 

Yes, if seats are available in your category, you can select different seats in My Viking Journey. However, we usually select (and sometimes upgrade) via the airline website or App. Some airlines require that the flights be ticketed first, some don’t. You can request early ticketing from Viking Air, sometimes you will get push back, but I’ve always received it around 120 days prior to the flight. 

I agree with the above posters, Air Plus is the only way we book with Viking. Another point, last year we had Air Plus with reserved flights, (not yet ticketed)…but decided to change our travel days and book air independently. All Air and Air Plus fees were refunded…this was prior to the 120 days before the cruise date, but after full payment. I’ve also heard people had no trouble cancelling the air+ prior to the final payment date. Ask when you call just to be sure of the options. 

I’ve not done a long cruise, but we’ve had mail forwarded to our local daughter’s home when gone for over 30 days. She takes care of any bills that aren’t paid digitally by us. 

We stayed at the Grandi, and there are a number of food options nearby, about 5 minutes walk.  Ask the friendly desk staff how to get to the Maritime museum, lots of food places near that. There are a few nicer places, but we were so busy with our tours that we ate quick late meals most nights. There is a nice Food hall on that same street with many good choices. Our friends ate two meals in the restaurant attached to the Grandi and liked it. We liked the location, as we could also walk to the wharf where the whale watching boats depart. There are many more food places  by the wharf, but we didn’t try them. They all looked popular, with menus on the windows. Enjoy! 

I would email tellus@vikingcruises.com

This is customer service that is above the phone agents, and you should get a return phone call to answer your concerns. It is rare for an included excursion to book up in the first week of booking. Good luck.

LissaKay,

I notice that you are using the price and build internet function, which is probably programmed for the usual overseas flights most people take. I wouldn’t book online since you have questions. I’d call a Viking rep ( or a Travel Advisor) and talk about your concerns. You can also call Viking Air plus, the line for booking specific flights instead of waiting for Viking Air to select a flight without your input. They charge a fee for the service, around $100pp but they may answer your question for no charge, or refer you to regular Viking Air department.     877 523 0580

Good luck. 

I agree with Lew. Not knowing the price you’re paying for Viking Air, I’d certainly book for myself, and look for a better price with flights on my schedule.

You won’t find zip lines or white water. Other than Reykjavik and Akureyri, the ports are very small with few tour options locally. If you can spend extra time in Reykjavik, you might find adventure tours here. https://adventures.is/  We booked several tours through them for our 4 extra days. 
Viking offers kayak tours and some ATV tours and horse riding in some ports. We did not do any of these, we were more into waterfalls and hiking.