pete_coach

How profound, so be it. Ha Ha

It astounds me that so many feel a need to comment because of my opinion that 20% is a sufficient tip. As I also said, of the many cruises we have been on, I have never seen anyone tip cash (stealthy or not) and I have always gotten excellent service. I stand by my comments and if you choose to disagree, so be it. LOL

Why? In all my cruises I have never gotten anything but great service. Tipping is not an "investment". I get as good service with the mandated gratuity. In my opinion, the 20% tips automatically added to all drinks is sufficient tip, as is the cabin gratuity. Do you tip more than 20% anywhere else? When you get a 20% service charge in a restaurant, do you add another tip on top of that? If so, bully for you. I tip but do not tip excessively.

Well, the worst thing that can happen to a bartender or server is get a complaint about bad service so, I do not think it is funny, I think they serve everyone equally well. I am with the other poster that has never seen cash tips at the bar, and I have sat at many, for long periods of time. To be quite honest, I rarely, if ever see any cash on the ship. LOL

Oh? Are you insinuating tips not be reported as income?

In my experience, all drinks already have a 18 to 20% tip added to the drink charge if paying for drinks. On a drink package the tip is also paid when you pay for the cruise. On our Panama Canal cruise we had "Fee at Sea" package but had to pay the service charges (tips) for the beverages and specialty resturaunts up front. So, I do not tip extra for a drink.

Bottom line is that she is 15 and kids menu is for 10 and under. Are you saying that the other specialty restaurants onboard allowed her to eat off the kids menu?? If they did, they were wrong. Are you insinuating that the 15 year old sits in the restaurant with you and eats portions of your plate so you don't have to buy her meal?

NCL does decline cc payments. The card companies do. NCL just inputs your numbers and waits for approval form your cc company.

We always stay at the Intercontinental. It is across from Bayfront Park with lots of places to shop and eat and things to do. It is also across the street from the MetroMover, the free above ground rail transit. Many other things within walking distance and a $12 ride to the port.

Great for you. That was certainly not our "standard pour". Our was half a glass at best. An inch or more below your level. 😞

Sorry for tagging on to this thread but we are new to Viking as well (new as in trying to determine if to book or not). I see things that are included and the information about not being able to reserve specialty dining rooms is interesting. Also, what is NOT included? TIps? Fees? Gratuities?? Drinks (coffee, waters, soft drinks, alcohol included only during lunch and dinner? Do we have to pay for coffee, tea, or sodas in between meals?

Yes, it tells you to log off or it will log off the other user when you log on. This is the same for regular internet of premium. The $24.99 is for "premium" and in our experience, it is really not much better than regular. It is "spotty" in the mornings and when people get back on ship on port days and after dinner as that is when most users are on.

It is very important to know what time it is at the port you are at. During a cruise, you do change time zones. Before you get off the ship, make sure your watch is on the same time as the ship LOL (do not rely on your phone time as it may not automatically change)

This past summer. Same cruise as you but different dates as You I think? Nice to Lyon on the Rhone. (Actually the ship was in Tarascon but they bused us from Nice to Tarascon)

On our Scenic cruises there were always 3 options from vigorous to normal to gentle walkers.

Yes, Pickleball can be played. Paddle ball is similar (and been around a lot longer). The difference is the ball. It is a fully enclosed court.

It is an hour drive at the best of times from Civitavecchia to Leonardo da Vinci Airport (FCO). Rome airport is a zoo normally and it depends on what day you are travelling it could be worse. In my opinion, there will be very little chance of you making your flight at 11:00. We have always stayed the extra day in Civitavecchia. We have stayed at Hotel San Georgio many times. Leave the next day about 6 AM and that gives you enough time to check in and get through security in the prescribed times

You are correct but, the chances are slim as Buckingham Palace is being prepped for the coronation and is now residence of the new King. We were fortunate and were able to tour it but, as of late, it has been closed, even when the Queen was not in residence.

Been to London many times. In my experience, London is very safe as are it's trains and public transport. I mys tell you, that is a long list. Tower of London is 2 to 3 hours minimum. (strongly suggest you get a pre arranged time ticket as there can be long lines) London Bridge is at least an hour as is Westminister Abby, You probably cannot get into Buckingham Palace so, a look at the building through the gates is what you get. Piccadilly and Trafalgar are about 1/2 hr walking between them and how much time you spend looking is up to you. You will not have time for the Riverside walk and nether the Burrough market (although it is a great place for lunch). Then there is transport between all the places you wish to see. It is aa big city and lots of traffic. Plus the 1 hour train ride, if you make the right connections. In my opinion, you will need to parse your expectations.

We just got the new booklet from Scenic. I realize costs have gone up for everyone but just Wow, have the prices ever gone up on Scenic. We have done 2 Scenic European cruises and were contemplating another for later this year but will unfortunately not use Scenic. We love Scenic, and still do but I think they out priced themselves.

When looking at the cruse you want, there is a tab that says Ports and Excursions. There will be a list of excursions doe every port. As an example :https://www.oceaniacruises.com/panama-canal-cruises/los-angeles-to-miami-VIS231103/port-san-diego-SAN/?voyageday=2&sr=%2fcruise-finder%23time_frame%3d2023-11%26marketing_region%3dpanamacanal%26sort%3dfeatured%3adesc%26page%3d1%26pageSize%3d10#all

Left it in the cabin. Nice gesture but I think most do not drink it.

I do not have a photo but my Wife and I were disappointment at the redesign. To us, it took away that French bistro look to just another restaurant anywhere in the world look. It did not seem as bright and light as before. Don't get me wrong, it looks nice and of course the service and food were excellent but, it did not look or feel "French".

Maybe they are anticipating another increase in prices??

You are correct , drop off could be anywhere but I suspect it would be either Victoria Station or Fenchurch near the Tower of London. There are bus stations there. First of all, I love London. Been there many times. One of my favourite, if not my favourite city in the world. London DYI is an overwhelming question. There is so much and it is spread out so far, it would be very difficult to get the most out of a port visit there. As much as I hate to say this but I highly recommend a private escorted tour or even the ship offered excursion. That way you skip some line ups for entry and you get a personal guided tour with explanations and will at least see the major sites. For instance, the Tower of London alone can be a 1 hour line to get in and then to see the place you can easily spend 3 hours.