AroundWithMAPTravels

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?

Deleted

1 hour ago, kochleffel said:

 

USGS: magnitude 4.7 at 10:23 a.m. EST, 7 km NNE of Whitehouse Station, New Jersey.

Yes.  Epicenter less than 10 miles from me.  Initial “boom “ was unnerving, followed by about 20 seconds of house rattling 

County sent out “yes that was an earthquake, please stop calling 911” message 

thankfully everything seems to be fine . 
we were just in Bergen in February (have been there before as well). One day was warm (by winter standards) and many restaurants and bars opened up their outdoor dining (yes in Feb).  They were also having the annual seafood festival   This year the fishing industry is trying to promote bycatch as a sustainable food .  Also, the fogbow was interesting  

We end in Nashville, and have been there.  We love hanging out and wandering there.   And of course Eating!  Last time we were there did a “tasting “ walk.  Yum.  Also got to the Ryman very early on what was our Anniversary… instead of the customary tourist photo onstage I asked if my husband could sing onstage. Since there was nobody else to be seen, wish granted.  Great anniversary memory!  If you do know any “local “ haunts we may be interested.  Have been to several studios and museum.  Off the beaten path stuff sounds awesome.

…with maybe a quick trip to lido afterwards fir a “spoonful” of bread pudding (for science)?🤪

Down to less than a month before our trip. (Sigh…. Still a MONTH?)

thanks to everyone who answered here, it’s been a huge help.

if anyone has any other random Sea Cloud thoughts, feel free to share!

Seems like every week there is a new, more “incentivized “ offer

I received this todsy as well

Last week was 7% at 365 days.
My scheduled trip is not until June 2025. Maybe by then the OBC offer will be 50%😁

On 3/22/2024 at 8:24 PM, bluedevilnjfl said:

Is it worth $3000 to upgrade from Deluxe Veranda to Penthouse veranda?

That depends on your point of view (literally). Viking upgraded us from DV to PV (both on deck 6) on our recent Northern Lights trip.   The extra room was nice, although even with the all of the extra heavy “woolies” needed for winter trip still found that we did not use much of the extra storage space.   We did not use the pressing service, although we knew it was available.   
We loved the cabin and its location (a bit more aft from our original cabin).   However, the extra overhang from the flare for Deck 7 obstructed our view “up”.  Since NL trips involve looking “up”, we were a bit disappointed…. And would have rathered our original cabin, which was not affected by the flare.

As I told my TA, overall was very thankful for the upgrade (this was our 11th Viking trip, and first time we ever got upgraded), for us it it not worth paying the extra $ for the PV, and will stick with our DV choice going forward.YMMV

New to HX, some random questions (have July Iceland/Greenland expedition scheduled) (note, not new to expedition cruising, have traveled with at least 3 others).

1. I see that there is no “baggage handling” included… does this mean that you just go to port with your bags, and both you and your bags get screened, after which you just roll/carry your bags to cabin?
2. Normal embarkation time in Reykjavik?   Is there a buffet lunch on embarkation day?

3. how are items labeled on menus/buffet regarding gluten free, vegetarian, etc?  Also in Lindstrom restaurant?

4. Disembarking in Reykjavik,   Assuming that we will need to disembark by around 0900, with flight not until 1700… are there excursions offered onboard for disembarkation day that include a tour plus drop off at Keflavik to “pass the time”?   I have found some 3rd party excursions that include blue lagoon and transfer to Keflavik, but given the current situation with volcano and last minute closures, do not want to caught with last minute cancellation and have to scramble to find another way to airport.   What options have people found ?

5.  Overall impressions on how included excursions are handled? If/ When options like kayak are offered, how are they handled (nothing listed for our itinerary, so I am assuming that like other expedition trips, they are not “scheduled “ as such, and will only be announced based on itinerary?   Included in cost or extra  - if so, approximate cost)?
6. Things that HX does best😄 (for those of you that have done expeditions with others)?

Since we are on topic of dry skin remedies:   My doctor recommended taking Evening Primrose Oil gelcaps.   Helps to moisturize and soften from within.   I only need it in winter when the air gets really dry, but it does help the itchiness and bumps.

Paul Wyman is definitely worth going to listen to😄

hope you all have a great voyage

19 hours ago, miami mama said:

I also don't eat gluten if I can help it (just sensitive not Celiac's). Wondering what you mean by advance notice on the noodles AroundWithMAP Travels? Do you have to call ahead of time (or notify them at lunch what you will need for dinner) or do you just have be prepared to wait a few minutes for the order at your table?

If you just go to counter and ask, they can have some ready in about 10 minutes.  Or, if you know that you are going to want some at lunch or dinner just let them know at prior meal and they will make them ahead , saving that 10 minute wait. (In my experience on Venus, two times they had some ready-had mentioned at prior meal;  one time had the 10 minute wait-I chose other items instead that day)

i too am not celiac, but am wheat intolerant , so I have not had issues with the noodles here (would love to see this added to original ships….3 times on Star, no noodles 🥲)

same story with gluten free pizza ask and it may appear. (although this does take more advanced notice, definitely needs to be made ahead; they keep dough frozen once made).  
And as mentioned, if celiac-ask, ask,ask!

Recently on Venus (after 3 Star voyages, no Asian corner)…. My husband got breakfast there many times, as well as lunch and/or dinner.

they will also make, with some advance notice, rice noodles fir the Dan Dan.   I cannot eat wheat pasta, so this was awesome!   I, too, visited several times!

the other lunch and dinner offerings varied, but were always yummy!

it was a real “addition “😄

All look yummy!    Were there any that anyone saw listed as gluten free? 
 

5 hours ago, puppycanducruise said:

@ger_77  I'm Magic McNaughty and hubby is Jovial Pot O Gold. 😁

I’ve gotta know… I am a Melanie too,  and also Magic McNaughty… what day of the month is your birthday?   (The day you joined Cc had me intrigued, as that day is my birthday)…

😁

Not sure, but apparently my sailing (2025 6/30 Baltic Inensive) is included, as this was part of an email I received today.

worth asking….

Change in offer today… if over 365 days… 7% in obc…?

10 minutes ago, millybess said:

We stayed in 6090 once and I agree that the location is not great.  For us, the issue was the Aquavit overhang.  It definitely inhibited the ability for taking photos.  

 

I think 6028 looks good!  All that is above you is the lanai which shouldn't be too noisy.  

Having recently been on Venus, I agree 100%.  We were booked in 6048(dv), but somehow got upgraded to 6080 (PV).   Since it was a northern lights trip, the coveted view is “up “ , but the overhang prevented that.   Despite the nice category upgrade, we both would have rathered the original cabin, with no overhang.

Will be in an AAR in June.  Will let you know how it goes.

have river cruised before, but this will be first time with ACL … will also let you know how that goes 

Not normally a meme person, but this one got my attention…

🙏 to all