Haqdeluxe

6 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Spent 3 months in a Deck 4 DV cabin above the lifeboats/tenders. In tender ports they start preparing the boats, which creates some noise, but we were awake and getting ready for breakfast.

 

You may also hear a small electric motor, which runs occasionally and is required to top up the boat launching accumulator system. I expect most pax don't even hear it and even less know what it is.

Are you sure it's the launching accumulator system? Could have swore it was the generator for the plutonium charger that tops off the tender's flux capacitor. 😁

18 minutes ago, puppymama1 said:

Looking for suggestions on the best way to get from the Bergen airport to our hotel which is the Clarion Hanveknotoret... Since we will have all our luggage, we are not interested in the tram.. Should we just get a taxi from the taxi line outside the airport or would it be better to use a prearranged transfer such as Welcome Pickups?  We will be arriving around 11 am on Wednesday August 14..  Thanks!

The Bergen airport bus service has stops right down town in front of the harbor. I believe one stop is over close to your hotel. Less than $20.00 usd per adult. 

49 minutes ago, shipboy said:

Seems strange that Viking’s policy for drinking alcohol is 21, when the majority of countries in the world is 18. Especially so when Norway’s minimum age is 18, albeit for spirits it’s 20

What percentage of Viking's customer demographic is in their twenties, much less under 21? I suspect not enough for this to ever be a concern, nor ever a big enough issue to result in a policy change. IMHO 🤔

13 minutes ago, puppymama1 said:

We are embarking on our British Isles cruise in Bergen in August.  We are staying at the Clarion Havnekontoret hotel the night before embarkation. We picked this hotel because we had previously read that we could walk to the ship from the hotel.  Can someone tell me which direction we would go when we come out the front door of the hotel and about how long of a walk it will be?  Thanks!

To the right, towards and past the Bergenhus Fortress. It isn't a far walk, maybe 15 minutes with luggage, but once at the port it gets fairly industrial. Careful of traffic. 

Windstar yachts are about 1/3rd the size of a Viking Ocean ship too. Can you really compare? 

2 minutes ago, capriccio said:

 

Maybe the same people who buy pieces at art auctions on cruise ships? 

Crazy right? 

Now scouping up that certified authentic $30K Rolex Oyster Presidential with no box or papers from that shady guy back on a dark side street for $5000... there is the vacation deal you don't pass up! 🤣

19 minutes ago, Messybill said:

@Heidi13 do you have any thoughts about why Viking might make this kind of change?  And what are your thoughts on Dutch Harbour?    Thanks.

From the Viking email: In this instance, we are unable to secure sufficient motor coaches in Dutch Harbor, Alaska.

3 minutes ago, DinnyClaire said:

Thanks for your response sharkster77. 

No, it is not available in the Amazon App store.  I was hoping someone found a way to load it through a 'backdoor' app.  Guess I will just have to use my phone!

There is rumored to be a way to install the Google play store app on the newer fire OS tablets. With that you would be able to get to the Viking voyager app. If you are willing to get your ultimate geek on, a quick google search for "Play Store on Fire tablet" should get you going.  😀 

Viking Ocean's promenade deck (deck 2) goes all the way around. 4 laps = 1 mile. 

Cheers 

I take Trulicity for my type 2 diabetes. My pens can stay in the the fridge (36-46°F) until the expiry date. They can stay at room temperature (59-86°F) for up to 14 days. This 14 days is cumulative. Meaning I could fly with them at 59-86°F (the cooler the better) for say 48 hrs, put them back in the fridge, and still have 12 days at room temperature left to use.

My Lantus insulin has a 28 day window... bonus! 😉

I went to my current travel solution after we retired and we started frequently traveling on trips longer than 14 days and after I ran into a hotel room with a cooler where one expects a fridge. 

8 minutes ago, millybess said:

Do injectables have to travel in checked luggage on a flight, or can they be in your carryon?

Been told to NOT put my type 2 medications in my checked luggage. Never had an issue getting through TSA and in fact my medication kit doesn't count towards my carry-on luggage limit. 

1 hour ago, CDNPolar said:

Not to be prying, but what medications?

 

I take 2 different injectables, and both are good at room temperature for up to 60 days.

 

Do they absolutely have to be constantly refrigerated?  So many do not today.

 

Have you talked to your pharmacist?

 

If you absolutely do need to keep cold, there are tubes that have ice packs that you can buy that will keep cold, but flights and hotels....  who knows how long.

 

Also it has been commented on that many fridges are not refrigerators but "coolers" and cannot be relied upon for constant or specific temperature.

 

There is also recommendations that many medications - like insulin - are not in and out of the fridge.  Once it has come to room temp, leave it at that.

 

All of this said, your medication may have different needs.

https://4allfamily.com/products/portable-medical-fridge-usb-insulin-medicines?tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_source=google&tw_adid=&tw_campaign=18066227747&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwkuqvBhAQEiwA65XxQPETa8Y05erpQrEiPdNjUHH1DzwTnoRRIPy5t4pzfkc9zexkEJM40BoCwWgQAvD_BwE

I have 2 of these and love them. As long as you have power they will maintain temp forever. Just on the gelpak they will hold a safe temp for 12-14 hours. TSA recognize them and pass them through quickly without issue. 

5 minutes ago, Tinyrn said:

New topic after all this time. As I have said, way back , I am traveling solo this May to Alaska. My question is about making the dinner reservations (my time to do the online thing is coming up pretty soon) for Manfredi's and the Chef's Table. Are there shared table's there? Or am I doomed to eat alone those nights? 

I know I can ask for a shared table at The Restaurant, once on board.

Yes, but...

I would visit the reservation desk once on board to make it is clear as to why you want a shared table. The wife and I typically ask to share a table in Manfredi's but have found that if it is slow we will end up at a two-top.

1 hour ago, jsn55 said:

I became a TV watcher during the virus disaster.  I recently saw a promo for a show abut women who gave birth without knowing they were pregnant.  I find this both hilarious and downright scary.

I really don't think it is healthy to stay that high for that long, especially while pregnant. 🤪

Austria and Germany are both on the Euro. Hungary however is not. I seem to recall it taking a 200 Forint coin or two when there was a charge. The 200 Forint coin is the largest coin Hungary has and is roughly .50 cents US.

Have not seen your planned shorts being a problem in the Explorer Lounge at any time. Long pants (other than jeans) are the norm when dining in the MDR and either specialty restaurant.

Cheers 

12 minutes ago, millybess said:

A&W Diet Root Beer is caffeine free.  

Let me try this again... Barq's Root Beer is the only brand I know of where caffeine is added to what otherwise is naturally a caffeine free soft drink. I too drink A&W for this very reason, no caffeine.  You can also get it sugar free.

3 hours ago, Shalandara said:

Actually not all root beer is caffeine free.  I forget which brand(s) but there are some that do add caffeine for some unknown reason.  (And I know this as caffeine is verboten with certain medications and there was a time I was on one of them).

Barq's Root Beer has caffeine added.

13 hours ago, gnome12 said:

 

Croatia is on the Euro since January 2023. Otherwise, I agree with @Haqdeluxe.

My mistake. Croatia was still on their Kuna when we last visited in the fall of 2022. I recall now that there was discussion of the coming change over by the locals.

Every country on this cruise has their own currency, none are on the euro. However... there will be very few places where you card won't work and euros will work in a pinch. Dollars... not going to fly.

56 minutes ago, farmecologist said:

 

Us either!  We are currently using Sofi Bank, earning 4.6%.  

 

I'll have to look into Bread saving accounts.  Never heard of them!

 

 

I believe they pay out your earnings in either multi-grain or rye. 

1 hour ago, FatBoy20 said:

In Alta you are usually docked next to the Airport. The Captain has to get clearance from Air Traffic Control before docking!.

Additionally, the airport and docks are on the other side of the harbor from town. We did have bus shuttle service provided every time we've been in Alta. It really isn't walkable, especially in winter. 

2 hours ago, PennyNC said:

Thank you for the replies.  I will remember to report back here after our sailing to let others know what our experience is.  Hoping for the best in terms of weather, aurora sightings and getting back onboard in Alta! 😊

Please, strand me in Alta Norway... Please! 😁

I would assume the pilisters are found in the same cabins across the Viking fleet so not seeing a need to call out the ship.

Anyway, wasn't there a list floating around much like the door list for the PV cabins? 

The Barge Colibri carries 4 passengers in 2 cabins. I understand it to be very  upscale.