AroundWithMAPTravels

Restaurant is where they do the “gustation” ( small plate /tasting /10 course) menu that each guest will be invited to once during sailing.

lovely presentation. Delicious.  But if that’s not your “thing” you do not need to go.   You will get invitations in cabin for your “turn”.   
same experience at a land based restaurant would be in $$$$ range, but you need to know what to expect.

small portions but with “very elevated” presentation and taste

we Loved it (have done once on endurance and once on resolution… would do more if allowed). (Others were not thrilled and headed to main restaurant)

during the day, I think lighter fare lunch ( have not done, so hope others will chime in)

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

That is beautiful!! DH is a big fan of pecan pie - I'm sure he would love it. Job well done!!

When is CC fixing the smell-o-vision feature? It's sure needed here😊

Smell-o-vision would be good,  it taste-o-vision would be better 

looks delicious.  My DH is a pecan pie lover, and said he wanted a piece!
😁👏

1 hour ago, AroundWithMAPTravels said:

Adventures by Disney uses Ponant… and caters to the younger crowd.   I know some people who did this (they do not have young kids, but do love the Disney way, had a fabulous time)

I may have answered a bit prematurely … it appears that adventures by Disney may not be doing to Antarctica any time soon (no longer listed on their site).  I did notice that their minimum age is 10 on most/all their trips 

that being said, someone else mentioned Lindblad/NatGeo… we have traveled with them frequently- they have no minimum age.  While they don’t specifically have “kids” programs they do have some sailings specifically aimed at families.  No matter what, they have always found stuff to keep the kids engaged.  On our Antarctica trip last year there was one 12 year old.  They always found something to keep her occupied.  We have also had months-old kids on other trips, along with several others in the 7-10 range on same sailing (Baja-whales).  As has been mentioned, if kids are not enthralled by nature, may not be right (although it may be just the “different “ thing to get them there-it’s hard Not to be awed by icebergs and penguins, but there is a fair amount of time traveling too)

I know some people who did Antarctica on Polaris… while they did not have young kids, they did mention there were some.  Not sure what ages not whether the kids were fully engaged. One thing to consider is “gear”.  Boots are required and some companies provide them, not sure whether they carry kids sizes or if you would need to supply them. 

5 hours ago, Frenchberet said:

Ponant advertises Antarctica cruises with kids.

Adventures by Disney uses Ponant… and caters to the younger crowd.   I know some people who did this (they do not have young kids, but do love the Disney way, had a fabulous time)

Will be on Symphony in a few weeks. It’s going to be hot. Curious if there are water bottle refill stations onboard 

if not, what is onboard protocol for “water to go”?

I found a G- rated photo of the donkeys in the moat from our trip in 2016.  Ajaccio is everything Napoleon (his birthplace).

there were several beautiful churches that we went into.

🙏 to all

Area is mostly flat, with well marked cross walks.  We did the walk from Radisson blu ( just a block or so farther than your hotel) in February with luggage.  About a 10-15 minute walk.  As I said, flat.  Sidewalk or open pavement, no cars

Probably same distance as between connecting flights( international to Shengan) Frankfurt or other major airport.   If you can normally do that trek, you can do the walk to ship in Bergen.   Taxis were readily available, and we saw many people at Radisson who were taking them to same ship.

it’s mostly a matter of if you think you can walk … it’s not a strenuous walk, just more than one block.

10 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

We work hard to not spend time in our cabin.  If one of us is showered and ready and the other is still in the process, the one ready is gone to the deck or a wander around the ship.  

 

I can never say that there has never been a nap from 4-6 before dinner, but that is even rare.  

 

I guess you could say that we take every advantage of being on the ship to not be in the cabin.

 

We are the couple on the top deck - river or ocean - for the sail away and for the docking.  We rarely miss sailing under a major bridge and are on deck for that.  We never miss a lock unless it is at 2am, but if it is at 5am we are on deck.  These are things we never grow tired of.

We have been on deck for those 2am locks.   It used to be “never miss anything “, but after :many years (first Viking trip was 2010), it has now tempered to TRY not to miss anything.  Sometimes we succeed, sometimes sleep wins.

we normally book V or DV depending on sailing and availability,   Recently upgraded to PV (gasp! Never happened before).   Cabin had way MORE room than we could use, and we spread out as much as we needed,  loved the upgrade and extra room, but nothing we would pay for (at this time in our lives anyway).

29 minutes ago, DrKoob said:

If you decide to make your own private transfer, try Welcome Pickups (www.welcomepickups.com). They are my new go-to for transfers. They are in most major cities in Europe and the Americas, as well as some in Asia. They meet you inside the airport or right outside the cruise port with your name on a sign. They help take your bags to the car. When we got to the airport, they got our bags out and, in one case, walked us into where we checked our luggage. Another time, we were going from airport to hotel, and the hotel was on a pedestrian street. The driver walked us all the way into the hotel, which was halfway down the block. 

 

I love that they contact us a week ahead to verify, and then the day before (we fly to Europe tomorrow, and I just got the e-mail), they send us the driver's name, type of car and license plate number. They verify the address, and they give you the driver's contact number. 

 

On this trip, we are using them all over England, especially in London. The traffic is too much there to watch a cab's meter go up and up and up...

We used wecomepickups twice in Malta very recently.   Seamless. Comforting. Comfortable (one of the pickups was 3am in a city known for the party gang, which we are NOT).  Still felt safe.   I am looking for other places that I am traveling that I can use this service.

👍

And some who fought for our freedom 

Some of the locals who gave all 

We visited local cemeteries today, as we do occasionally on Memorial Day… 

This is from the American cemetery in Luxembourg…fitting for Memorial Day.

That was from a river cruise (Zurich to Paris)

we visited local cemeteries today.  Found graves from locals from various wars dating back to Revolutionary War (there is a DAR cemetery a few miles away, and several others with tributes to those who served and gave the ultimate sacrifice).

May post some of those later

On 5/25/2024 at 5:39 AM, CDNPolar said:

Like others have said we pack as many in a day as possible.  We are not on the ship - river or ocean - to relax during the day.  We will go until we drop.

 

Sometimes however you may sacrifice lunch, or have a severely short lunch period.  We have literally scoffed down a small plate of food in the WC in 15 minutes to turn around to the next excursion.

Ditto

its not a true “vacation “ unless you need a “vacation from your vacation “ when t

you return home.   
this policy has gotten stricter over the years…. In 2016 we were allowed to do two in several ports (one being an “on your own” trip by bus to a different town that was relatively empty).   Since then, we have been limited to one included excursion per port.

7 minutes ago, RedneckBob said:

The Aftershock! Is this only served in California? Best served with music such as “I’m all Shook up.”

It could also be served here in NJ, with “there’s a whole lot of shakin’ going on”

🤪

🙏to all

FWIW… there were several days that the high winds did have the court closed.

(Boston to Montreal sailing).

1 hour ago, POA1 said:

That's what cross winds on sea days are for. 😉

Agreed!   The crosswinds do present a real good challenge!
there were several people who were regular/ advanced players.   They brought their  own equipment and played regularly when the courts were open.  
they were also great “sports” during tournaments, giving us newbies pointers and had patience with our fumbles.

it made for a great experience for me. (and I hope did not detract from their experience)

this was on Zaandam (one court).

I am in the “I played pickleball for the first time on a BHB” club.

the sports director gave some instructions and then rotation play, including a tournament.   People of all levels were there, and they were a great help to us newbies.   Nothing to be worried about !
I am sure that the play was more intense during the individual-scheduled times,  it during the “lessons” , the level of the attendees dictated the level of play.

it was tons of fun, and I was glad it was available 

now if I could only get myself to join one of the local groups and play again…..

I know we had sky sports on a Viking ship, and I have seen that they and  HAL had made special arrangements for Super Bowl coverage…. So was hopeful, knowing that it is all satellite coverage.   
I just had no idea what programming is available on an HX ship on a normal basis.

Thanks!

We will be on Fridgtjof Nansen during the Paris Olympics…. Just curious if there may be programming onboard in cabin to watch (Sky sports, perhaps? Other?)

not sure what is available normally, and if in the past, if special arrangements were made for special events…

A pass on meal and drink.   Not sure about wine.   Was to Gaspe in June 2017 aboard Ocean Endeavour.   Canada was then preparing to celebrate its 150th birthday a few days later.  Great day at Forillon National park and amongst the cliffs.  

Great wildlife watching that day, too (porcupines in the trees at Forillon, birds, seals, spring flowers).

My first year without Mom (she passed on Mother’s Day last year….( She was begging for gods help all day due to terrible pain. My brothers and I were happy that she got her wish.  Oddly, we were all together, which was not the norm, as we are all in different states. All agree that it was the “perfect ending “).

japan is on the “to do” list.

meal and wine are “maybe”.

Happy Mother’s Day to all who celebrate!

🙏 to all

have been away, just catching up now with a few weeks of missed dailies ( was on a ship parked next to Oosterdam in Valletta a few days ago). Many good ports, meals and drinks on the daily lists to catch up with!

13 hours ago, Musigurl said:

Thanks -- that's what I thought -- frustrating that they are claiming otherwise.

 

I'm hoping someone can tell me about 3331/3332

We were in 3337 in sep 2023.  Shower only, glass doors.  

Anyone else joining us next week?

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