Safari-Wom

Thank you so much. I’m so pleased with the Cruise Critic community. I’m seriously reconsidering using Viking Air, after I have another look for the posts that alarmed me. It seems that if I have them set up my flights, I’ll be more likely get the escort in Buenos Aires. In my old age, I’m really not confident with dealing with that kind of thing in a country where I may not easily find English speaking assistance.

Thank you for this information. I really appreciate it. Are they going to have a Viking rep meet you at the BA airport? I haven’t yet made a firm decision regarding cruise lines. However, regarding your comment about Viking Air, I read a number of horrible stories about dealing with them so I’m leary about trusting them with this task. I’ll reconsider that as well. I’m on the other coast from New York, so I won’t find a non-stop flight and I’d be nervous handing over the logistics of planning this with lay-over time etc. to Viking. I hope you have a wonderful trip! And I love your dog picture…..

I’m currently researching Antarctic cruises for 2025. I’m a senior and will be traveling alone so I’m especially interested in making travel to and from the ship’s port as easy and uncomplicated as possible. The Viking cruises begin in Ushuaia and they appear to offer escorted chartered flights from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and the reverse upon return. This is important to me as getting to Ushuaia is tricky and not accessible with major airlines. I don’t want to arrive in Buenos Aires to try to make my own way there. I’d love to see any reviews of cruisers’ experiences on the Viking Antarctic cruises including Viking handling of the guests’ pre embarkation & post debarkation experience as well as the on board experience. I am looking at the Viking Polaris cruises so reviews of this ship would be great! I will so appreciate any input I can get from the Cruise Critic community.

Looks like my experiences with this have been unique. I’m amazed. So, we can close this topic.

Does anyone understand why the waiters push alcohol, e.g. wine at meals? Even when the wine at meals is complementary, I and my friend have felt harassed about refusing a drink and then our nonalcoholic drink order never appears. We have endured rude and pushy treatment over this and it draws everyone’s attention to you. It’s not like you’re avoiding costs because with all the beverage packages and complimentary drinks included with my bookings, I would not be charged for the drink. I do not disapprove of drinking. I certainly did my fair share in the past and I envy rather than disapprove. I cannot drink anymore and this issue has made me very uncomfortable on past cruises and I’m hoping it won’t be an issue on my upcoming Celebrity cruise. Anybody have any idea on how to shut these people down?

I just faux booked a Retreat sky suite for 2 people June 2025 = $7321 or $3661 per person. I went back in and booked Retreat Sky Suite for 1 = $10542 before taxes. So, I’m not much at math and not sure how others were figuring the percent difference but I see that my half of the suite for two would be $3661 and I would pay, as a solo $10542. The cost as single is not double the total cost of the suite for 2. Any way you look at it, solo cruising is expensive.

I posted the original question about cruising solo and I’m no longer very nervous about the solo part (thanks to the kindness of the folks responding), but am increasingly incensed about Celebrity pricing with this string of posts. I’m just going to vent…at length…sorry. I paid a ridiculous sum for solo because I’m used to traveling at least twice a year and haven’t been able to for a couple years due to my and my friend’s age & health. I got itchy feet and decided that I could handle a cruise by myself, especially since I can embark close to home without exhausting air travel. And I figured that I had saved a significant amount of money by not traveling and could splurge on the Retreat class of cruise….even solo. Now, I’ve just realized that having paid thousands of dollars for the cruise & three excursions, I didn’t get an OBC & possibly didn’t get what I thought was the “included” drinks package and upgraded wi-fi…. I think I fouled up with the confusing ‘check out’. Maybe the later is my fault but I’m blaming Celebrity 🙂 ANYWAY, I saw the post about Norwegian and MSC (?) not charging the single supplement so I checked out Norwegian and found that to be true. I could have booked a suite in their comparable (to the Retreat) ‘Haven’ for less than half what I paid Celebrity and with all the bells & whistles. Not expecting sympathy because many would probably think I was foolish to pay that exorbitant fee in the first place when I could have paid lots less for a solo cabin, but part of the cruise experience for me is to relax on my cabin veranda and to enjoy my own surroundings….especially solo. It’s too late & costly to cancel now but I’m through with Celebrity (always been my favorite). Im not wealthy & am currently on a pretty ‘fixed income’ but I didn’t go into debt for this & after sleeping on it, I’ve decided to just go head with the trip and enjoy it. I will meet with the Retreat concierge when on board about the OBC and other perks I thought I was getting but, regardless of their response, I’m going to just ‘get over it’ and enjoy beautiful Alaska at this point. I’m new to the Cruise Critic forum but enjoy the camaraderie of fellow cruise enthusiasts. My trip isn’t until June 21, but I’ll post about my solo experience during or after.

I’m about to go on my first solo cruise: a 7 night Alaska trip. My usual & favorite travel companion is unable to go due to health issues (we are both 76 yo so not surprising I guess) and nobody else I know is interested. I’m going on Celebrity Edge & have splurged on a Retreat level Sky Suite so I’ll have access to the Retreat Lounge, Pool Deck & my own balcony so I’ll only have to deal with 300ish cruisers opposed to 3000 which makes me feel more comfortable. I was wondering if anyone has recent experience with solo on a cruise ship they’d be willing to share. I’ll have access to Luminae specialty restaurant for meals and I can use room service w/o paying the ridiculous fee for that with Retreat. I’m used to doing many things comfortably on my own and love to read and play games on my IPad which will help & I’ve booked several small group excursions. Please share any tips or experiences with me.