The Other Tom

Beautiful pictures!  Thanks for taking us along.  

3 hours ago, KBs mum said:

A gentleman never wears his hat indoors 

Unless there's a medical reason.  Some people wear hats for medical reasons. 

Get the Rick Steves book on Rome and do a self tour.  He has recommendations for hotels, restaurants, etc.  

It'll be on an information handout in your cabin after you board.  Sorry, I didn't make a copy of it.

We always choose anytime dining because we don't like to be tied to a schedule, but some people like to eat with the same people every night and be served by the same wait staff, so they go with fixed dining.

Unfortunately, Viking hasn't communicated anything to the people who are supposed to disembark on the 12th.  Nothing.  Zero.  Nada.  Very poor on Viking's part. 

People on the ship are posting that they've been told they will arrive early morning on Feb. 14th, making it a 48-hour delay.

I wish Viking would alert the Feb. 12th cruisers that there is an issue, and they are working on it.  We don't have to have all the details now since they probably haven't been settled anyway.  But to say nothing is unacceptable. 

The free at sea perks are guaranteed and not subject to availability.  It's just a marketing term.  Don't overthink it. 

I noticed she hasn't updated her blog in about a month.  I hope she's out of the hospital by now and has a treatment plan.  

No worries.  At worst it will take you a few minutes longer to check in.  But if most people check in online then the wait should be near zero.

1.  Yes

2.  Inflexible.  But Air + , which you pay extra for, is flexible.  Within reason, you can pick your flights.  I have my flights in mind, and a backup, before I call.

3.  Yes, but as others have said, the higher (more expensive) cabins get first dibs at excursions and dinner reservations.   If you "miss out", you can *usually* book what you want once you are on board.

Thanks Jim.  I figured as much as well.

On 1/15/2023 at 2:39 AM, SoBaycruiser said:

May I ask a delicate question?  I understand the private chasing tours usually have no toilet facilities.  Do people just find a tree to step behind.. and what do women do?    Finally, do the people have to stand around when not traveling around in a vehicle?  Is there any place to sit?  We have very small foldable camp seats that fit in a backpack.  We’d rather not bring them, but our back starts talking to us after we’ve been standing for a while.

This company advertises they have restrooms on board their bus.

Northern Lights Big Bus Chase | Chasing Lights

We're on the Northern Lights cruise in February, but not using Viking air (if that makes a difference).  Anyway, it seems like Verifly would duplicate info that I already have.  Is there a reason I should do it?

Thanks

16 minutes ago, WCB said:

Other activities today included pickleball for beginners.  We have heard this sport can be a source of injuries, so following the activity in the Daily Program, were pain management and hot stone massage, both promotional features.  Is there a method to their madness perhaps?

Yes, there probably is.  Had to chuckle at this one.  

2 hours ago, oskidunker said:

Being quoted 8,500 k

More than likely that's for the whole bus.  

1 hour ago, ropomo said:

There is an area in the "My Viking Journey" website that allows you to enter them. As I recall, its in "On board experiences", "Preferences" and then "dietary restrictions"

Found it!  Thanks!

We'll be sailing on the Venus soon and I don't see a way on our passenger info form to enter a food allergy.  I assume that the best way is to tell our server before ordering but I was wondering if anyone else had a better idea. We do not have reservations at any of the restaurants so I don't know what good it would do to tell them beforehand anyway. 

11 hours ago, EngrJones said:

Who are "they?"

Any staff that worked on the ship

16 hours ago, gfkcruiser said:

That is something I would like to do.  As it is a large station, do you recall where this tour desk was located?

I seem to remember it was near the check in desk, in the lobby.  Facing check in, it was on the left, toward the back of the hotel.  You can probably ask as you check in and they will direct you.

46 minutes ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I've been on many NCL cruises.  I've read this many times on CC.  Nobody has EVER tried to direct me anywhere for lunch.  It is an internet urban legend.  It simply has never happened.

I've been on many NCL cruises as well, and they always try to steer me to the buffet.

On 1/7/2023 at 1:36 PM, NCteacherlovescruising said:

My husband and I have booked a cruise from Barcelona to Rome for June, 2024

Used to be (and probably still is), if a Norwegian cruise stops in Rome, you can embark/disembark from there.  We booked a western Med cruise that starts/ends in Barcelona but includes Rome as a stop.  We flew from CLT to Rome and spent a few days there, then boarded our cruise.  There were only a few people doing this since most people started in Barcelona.

You might want to call your travel agent and see if you can do this as well. (Or you might want to talk to someone at NCL who knows the rules). You'll probably have to cancel your current cruise and rebook.  I assume you haven't paid in full yet and maybe you can transfer your deposit to the new cruise.  Even if you lose your deposit, it still may be cheaper to do it that way.

Rent a car in Vancouver and drive to Seattle? 

I think most people take the train.

Vancouver to Seattle - 3 ways to travel via train, car, tram, and plane (rome2rio.com)

Kathi just updated her blog.

Seven Months Seeing the World (2022-2023hal.blogspot.com)

Prayers for Kathi.🙏

@CurlerRob gave good advice.

I'm not trying to sway you one way or the other, but one detail that you may not know is that Viking typically requires payment in full soon after you book.