SailorPaulH

How far from the ship do you think you need to be for this not to be a possibility? For example, if you are in a port and you may want to access a local cellular service.

It's the "Important - Viking Final E-Document" (one for each guest: PDF format) that is part of an e-mail package that get sent about two weeks before embarkation.

After having our 2021 Iceland's Majestic Landscapes cancelled (COVID) and then the same cancelled in 2022 (injury), we are now 5 days away from our outbound flight for a hastily rescheduled substitute Viking Homelands cruise - so this is the closest we have made it to our first VOC! Hopefully, there won't be a Lufthansa strike to screw it up this upcoming weekend (although I assume Viking has a contingency plan for things like that). Looking forward to being an official member of the VOC family!

I have seen questions similar to this asked before, but can't seem to find feedback on the boards, so forgive me for asking this again. Using cell phone on VOC in Europe (Viking Homelands) to text or call USA...... I have an Android, Verizon as provider and I have Travelpass (and my domestic plan includes unlimited talk and text). My question is what is the best way to use this - what should I turn on/off etc.? Use differently on ship or shore? Use Wi-fi (turn on/off what?) Any really simply explained instructions would be greatly appreciated!

Viking Saturn is projected to run rings round its older sister ships.

So I read that Viking Jupiter (and Orion) have planetariums, but can't find out anything about them - any input or a link would be appreciated. My basic questions: What kind of and how many shows are there? Is it easy to book them? I guess you have to wait until you are on board?

Once you get on board, are you able to see the wine list and drinks list for that cruise? If I see something I want to try I would be OK asking for it. The package is not for us, as my wife hardly drinks and I can't see myself drinking enough for the both of us to make it 'worthwhile' - so I am assuming you can charge a drink to your room and square up at end of cruise? Same would apply to shop purchases or expenses incurred in the spa, yes?

Great info as always Heidi13. One interesting resource that I found that is close to the gates where Lufthansa flights from US arrive at Frankfurt is the transit hotel MyCloud - apparently you can book this by the hour (😏) - could be useful after an overnight flight with a 6-hour layover to follow. Anyone ever tried this? Startseite - MYCLOUD Hotel

I had an interesting development on my MVJ account. My flight itinerary was posted about 70 days before our first outbound flight - I was quite impressed by this as we had hastily booked this (substitute) cruise after we unfortunately had to cancel our intended cruise in July 2022. It involved an outbound flight from Newark, NJ to Frankfurt and then connecting to Stockholm (both on Lufthansa). The return flight was Bergen to Newark (United). Looked good - thought nothing more of it, and never really had the chance or felt the need to get Viking Air Plus. 10 days ago - the flight itinerary was removed and a message that begins: "Your flight information is currently unavailable due to changes made by the airline. These kinds of adjustments typically resolve themselves in 1-2 business days ....." etc., etc. Well it's been 10 days, and my inquiries with Viking have provided the answer ... and I paraphrase it, "Don't worry, it's just a flight adjustment and the details have yet to be posted." I did my own digging on the Lufthansa and United websites using the booking codes that I had been provided by Viking and it turns out all the information is there - the only change is the connecting flight to Stockholm is a few hours later than the original (no big deal for me as I like German beer!). So it appears to be me that Viking is just slow to update individual MVJs in these situations. I posted this as someone else may encounter the same situation close to cruise time - just remember to check the actual airline's site also to see if there is a significant issue or not. Still, I will feel better when MVJ catches up (first flight is in 32 days).

Does anyone happen to know if they stock a range of Dale of Norway sweaters in the onboard shop? There are some ports we will be visiting with outlets also, but just wanted to see if there is a convenient onboard option. Thanks.

Keep checking - there may be cancellations in higher level cabins even this late in the game. Good luck.

Did you find out if your cruise voucher balance was transferable? I thought vouchers that were issued due to Viking cancelling a cruise due to Covid were transferable - but don't take my word for it: I would definitely get an answer from a resource like tellus@vikingcruises.com (I believe that's the best email to reach out to).

Is there enough left over that you could justify upgrading your cabin?

This is so very true. As an ex-Brit, I have taken my US wife many times to London as it serves as a starting and focal point of various road-trips in England and Wales that we have taken. We usually stay in hotels in the Kensington/Gloucester Road area as this is an easy ride on the Piccadilly line from Heathrow. And in the past we have always used the Oyster card to get around - the Underground is easy to use and makes London 'smaller'. These are some places we have been over the years, and I have grouped them in proximity in a way that we did them. Kensington area and nearby - Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, The Tower House (you have to be Led Zeppelin fan to know this reference), Notting Hill, Portobello Market. St. James Park area - National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch, The Mall, Buckingham Palace Whitehall - Household Cavalry Museum, Imperial War Museums, Churchill War Rooms, Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, St. Margaret's Church. South Bank Walk - Westminster Bridge, London Eye, London Dungeons, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe (seen numerous plays here including midnight showings), The Anchor Pub, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge North Bank Walk - Tower of London (Crown Jewels collections, Fusilier Museum, Armory), St. Paul's Cathedral (make sure to go to top at the Whispering Gallery) Covent Garden area - Covent Garden, Royal Opera House, West End theater's (always good stuff - saw The Mouestrap at St. Martin's and Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's most recently) Baker Street area - Madame Tussauds, Sherlock Holmes Museum, Regent's Park, London Zoo Hampstead & Hampstead Heath Hampton Court Palace (you catch a train from Waterloo) In London - you will never run out of things to do.

Damn! I remember that - my nun called her big ruler "Medicine" ----- "Paul, come up her now and take your 'Medicine'". Must have worked, because I turned out OK .... mostly.

I am always astonished and grossed out by the number of people who don't wash their hands after using public bathrooms. This is my main apprehension about becoming sick on a cruise: I hope "our demographic" has the common sense to eliminate this concern.

I saw something similar on upcoming Viking Homelands cruise: Bornholm (Ronne) - Viking Jupiter: September 15th, 12:00 - 18:00 (Guest Statement) - could not confirm this on port's website. Our shore excursion: Bornholm by Bike - 14:15 - 18:15, 4 hrs (Demanding) (MVJ). Eventually, I am sure there will be a simple explanation/remedy. OTOH, it does say the SE is 'demanding' - perhaps because the last part of it involves some strenuous swimming!!?

The last time I went - it was done as an add-on to an Icelandair package. We were on a Flybus about 15 minutes after we exited the airport. The trip I was supposed to go on this month (canceled), I booked it off Reykjavik Excursions for my bus ride TO the airport after a planned self post-extension so that you can narrow down to the specific time you want to be picked up. However, FROM the airport to the city, I I believe there is no set schedule and you just jump on the next Flybus that pulls up (I think the web-site has more info than that). If you get in to Reykjavik before the time you can check in to your hotel - the hotels are very cooperative on you leaving your bags and you can go off and do stuff.

In my experience, Reykjavik Excursions Flybus is excellent service. On our last trip to Iceland, they took us from Keflavik airport to BSI and then shuttled us to a bus stop close to our hotel. As for footwear, it depends what you plan to get up to - but in Iceland, I believe my hiking boots/shoes are my friend.