May B

I’m glad to see Patty did the count. The cost of the veranda vs the window is so little, those veranda cabins sell quickly. I was fortunate to snag a midship one when I booked as soon as itineraries were posted. Since you have almost a year, though, it seems like you could clear any time. I am guessing you’re fine with a forward location! 

Besides the veranda vs. not having one, there are three differences you might not think of until you’re actually cruising. Being on deck seven is nice when you’re going to library, computer room, and the rest of the things back there. Also, even though you don’t have a veranda, you can dash outside easily b/c you’re on deck seven. In the veranda cabin, you’re n a sea of aquamarines, so your jr. butler may not think of you on equal footing as the aquamarines. 

Keith, did your waitlist actually CLEAR on embarkation day?

16 hours ago, SusieQft said:

Just make sure you don't need to board a day early instead.  😉

I sure hope not, as I’m onboard until July 2nd!

1 hour ago, SandyKnits said:

We just booked a 2018 Aquamarine suite on Serenity and now I am considering changing to a classic suite after reading all the comments here.  Does the classic suite have updated outlets/USB ports near each side of the bed?  Thanks for any info.

….Sandy

Enjoy, Sandy!

I chose classic to have the bathtub. I was very happy to see ryndam say he prefers the classic’s layout.

Thanks you, AS!

I hope you’re having a wonderful time.

16 hours ago, millybess said:

I have always thought the bits of the fruit flesh were called pulp.  So what then, is pulp?

Fruit pulp is the most basic product created by the processing of fresh fruit. It contains both the juice and the pulp, which is the stringy fibre which is often removed from fruit juice. Fruit pulps can be processed and stored for long periods of time without losing their colour, flavour or texture.

18 hours ago, KBs mum said:

I once encountered fresh squeezed made from concentrate! The concentrate was made from freshly squeezed fruit, apparently. 

I gave up on it as a bad idea 

Well, concentrate is certainly made from fresh-squeezed. Where else would they get it?

It’s not what we’re looking for, when we request fresh-squeezed.

11 minutes ago, KBs mum said:

I knew about powdered, it's an ingredient in some cheap drinks. It's dried pulp or juice, similar idea as powdered milk. Long life is the juice in cartons, a brand name in the UK is tropicana, but most stores do own brand. 'Bits' are the bits of the fruit flesh that are in non filtered juice, they aren't bits of pulp

I don’t even know about filtered vs. non filtered!

I guess the answer is, I’m asking for fresh-squeezed and if they don’t have it, I’ll switch to V-8!

On 3/3/2024 at 11:43 PM, minka34 said:

Thank you for your review. 
We often sit on floor 2 or 3 above the atrium if we want quiet to listen to the music.  There are no guarantees, but it seems to be a more peaceful space to listen in comparison to right around the bar on the same floor as the musicians.  
We are heading for our first experience on an expedition ship in about 2 weeks.  It won't be the usual familiar Ocean ship layout, but hope that we will find the same Viking quality that we have appreciated so much in the past.  Excited to experience an expedition ship!

Our first Viking was on Octantis in the Great Lakes. We loved it!

There were two bars, with the duo playing in one or the other before dinner. Lovely ambiance. Aft of the World Cafe, we’d take some of the shrimp/crab legs/sushi from the WC, to go with a drink. 
 

Bon voyage to you.

23 minutes ago, KBs mum said:

Had a nasty experience with powdered on Venus. Hadn't occurred to us that it was a possibility. Even the long life with bits in cartons would have been comparatively OK

I’m only 77 y.o., but I’ve never heard of, nor been subjected to, powdered o.j. When I googled, I found it, by mail order. I also found Tang, which of course isn’t juice.

I don’t know what “long life with bits” refers to, either. Do you mean bits of pulp?

On 3/3/2024 at 12:19 PM, Missmelisk said:

Hello fellow drinkers!
Does anyone have input on the price of "non-alcoholic" beverages that so I can include that in determining if I would like to buy the SSBP? 
Specifically, what is the going cost for a cappuccino or latte? 
And is anything other than coffee/tea offered with breakfast? For example, if I wanted a glass of orange juice, is that extra? 

thanks much - I tried searching and failed! 

On 3/3/2024 at 12:19 PM, Missmelisk said:

Hello fellow drinkers!
Does anyone have input on the price of "non-alcoholic" beverages that so I can include that in determining if I would like to buy the SSBP? 
Specifically, what is the going cost for a cappuccino or latte? 
And is anything other than coffee/tea offered with breakfast? For example, if I wanted a glass of orange juice, is that extra? 

thanks much - I tried searching and failed! 

Be sure to specify fresh-squeezed o.j., if that’s your preference.

Sometimes it takes a few minutes extra for them to get it, but it’s so worth it, to me.

If it were I, I’d arrive at 1 pm, have a nice lunch, as you already are planning, then go to the location for the maitre d (it’ll be listed in Reflections) and reconfirm the specialty restaurant reservations you have already made. Then go to the library and get magic show tickets. Then go to the computer lounge, if your stateroom isn’t available, and get your devices into the Crystal app.

Then wander the ship, or go to the pool deck and have a drink and chill out! If you like looking at menus, this will be a good time to do that!

Have a blast!

53 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

Come to think about it I think you’re right - it’s been too many coffee laces for me in the last year or two. But I’m pretty sure they actually gutted the bistros and did a complete rebuild (could be wrong though) 

I was not sure about that part. Maybe it was just the casino area that was gutted? I think the shops stayed the same, except for the new one between the ex-casino space and the deck six exit area.

3 minutes ago, travelberlin said:

Recommended or required I could not make them online. I guess it would have to be done after we board. I am more interested now on Tastes due to the cooperation with the Beefbar.

I predict that the procedure for Beefbar will not match the procedure for Tastes.

What signature dish from Tastes do we think they’re keeping at Beefbar?

7 hours ago, Lena11033 said:

Thanks everyone.

 

Long day yesterday coming home, I used the mask the butler gave me for getting breakfast yesterday but there was no way I could spend all day wearing it as I was struggling to breath so at the airport grabbed another KN95 mask which allowed me to breath better. I was fine on the flight, I don't think the woman next to me was happy but hey I did what I could with a mask and sanitizing. Other people on the flight were coughing and sneezing with no mask.

 

Once in Detroit it took a while to get the luggage, after that it was the drive home across the border which was straight forward just tiring. I slept for about 10 hours last night.

I had forgotten you had to drive yourself home! Wow, you really needed that good night’s sleep.

Well done on your part, trying to keep your fellow travelers safe.

17 hours ago, Stickman1990 said:

It was totally gutted back to bare metal so it’s all new and therefore redecorated - main impact was the serving area / bar was pushed back to be flat across the back giving a little more usable space for seating 

Terry, I was thinking you’re on Serenity, which always had the serving area flat across the inside wall. It’s Symphony that has it in the middle of the room.

I could be wrong. Heck, I hope to live to be wrong many more times in my lifetime.

As I understand it, the wallpaper, the light sconces, and the table ware are new.

Feel better soon! I hope you weren’t too uncomfortable on the flight home. Are you now the proud possessor of a Lightning or a Buc or a Ray mask?

On another cruise line, we took the (included tour) train into Berlin, dedicated train just for our group (of many hundreds, but it was handled beautifully). Then a bus ride with guide pointing out sites, then c. three hours on our own. We followed a Rick Steves walking tour and included a lunch stop. After the train ride back to the ship, about half the crew welcomed us back! They were lined up as we got to the half way point as we walked over to the ship. Wonderful experience! We’d do it all over again but see different sites on our own. 
 

A few people skipped the bus tour and just made sure they knew where to meet the bus for the return to the train. 

4 hours ago, TRIPACIAN said:

Has anyone tried to book any of the new segments?  We plan on booking the Las Palmas to Miami crossing when it is available.  We were booked on the Athens to Miami cruises.

I think they may not be available to book until Monday. 

23 minutes ago, May B said:

Many of us don’t give a Flying Spaghetti Monster re other cruise lines. I’m sure we all know how to comparison shop, should it interest us. Thank you very much and have a nice day.

Wait! I got here too late to edit.

I should have said, I for one don’t … many may have been a mild exaggeration.

🙃

On 2/15/2024 at 6:24 PM, OnTheJourney said:

Then you should try the ocean ships. I think you'd like that as well.

Actually, our second Viking was an ocean, on the Jupiter last June. Very enjoyable!

Mr B, who says you only have one chance to make a first impression, actually gave them a second chance, thank goodness.

We have the triple M booked for Dec. 1st of this year.

I have my eye on a river, but it would be in 2025 and we can’t decide what date to do. What a life! Very fortunate to be able to do all that we do.

2 hours ago, ak1004 said:

I checked the website, the prices were up 10-15% compared to last time I checked, so they raised prices first and now the discounts are applied to the new elevated prices. 

 

So now the prices for European cruises are in the $650-700 USD range for a 210 sqft cabin with no veranda, and you get a whopping 10% discount, or 20% for a full payment. SB has many sailings under $500, SS under $600 including excursions. And their entry level cabins are 50% larger.

 

Just a slightly different perspective, I know I will be crucified by the cheerleaders..

Many of us don’t give a Flying Spaghetti Monster re other cruise lines. I’m sure we all know how to comparison shop, should it interest us. Thank you very much and have a nice day.

2 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

I know, but thanks for mentioning anyway. Thanks for all that great info! Sounds really nice. We wound up eating dinner at WC the latter part of the cruise on the Mississippi. Most other times, on ocean ships we were in the restaurant. I think we'll have to try the Great Lakes for the expedition ship experience.

The Mississippi had its own unique challenges. I hope they’ve been sorted out.

We found it easier to get a second Manfredi’s reservation than a third Restaurant reservation on Octantis. I think it was the first summer they were in the Great Lakes. Thoroughly enjoyable experience (our first Viking).

It was clear from your post that you understand what’s on offer on the expedition ships.

8 minutes ago, mogilevk9 said:

It would have been courteous to have informed the affected guests first, instead of them having to find out this information on a public forum.

Inform them what, exactly? You already know you’ll hear as soon as Crystal nails it down. This note didn't add anything to that knowledge.

You may find it just as easy and satisfying to pay as you go, for you. Nothing is outrageously priced.

I suppose you might even surprise yourself and like the included wine at lunch or dinner … but I wouldn’t count on it. 

When traveling with another couple, I get the other couple on speakerphone and we look, and book, together, each doing our own.

Then follow instructions above to be sure you are on the same bus, in post #5. As soon as you get together on embarkation day, compare tour tickets, to be sure you are booked at same times.