Staffordshirecruiser

Taunton, Amelia and Ansun, I think you have all said you are new to Viking, is there anything else you would like to check with one of us who were on the Venus sailing?

Jammybun, it must be really tough knowing how good Viking is but assessing the timing isn’t right for you just yet.

Hi Osprey, it is really well organised and they have a really good process. You follow the signs that take to to the entry to the car park,  you are ticked off on their list and shown which way to go to park.  Once parked your bags are taken away by the porters and your car is photographed, and then you have a short walk to the port building of no more than a couple of minutes.  I am sure the porters will lift your bags out of the car and look after you.  Just ask if there is anything else you are uncertain of?

Hi Alsun, I don’t know if you have watched Gary on Tips for Travelers, he was on our cruise and did a great video on Venus and Viking in a Covid world which explains how he found the experience.  Ben and David wee also on board and  did a video which could give you another fun viewpoint.

Hi Alsun, we took the June cruise asa a test cruise in much the same way are you are.  We enjoyed it so much we have booked a back to back in August.  It is a real haven in these tricky times.  I hope you find it the same?

Hi, really happy to be sailing on ex UK Viking cruise this summer - but it’s unlikely they will lay them on for the winter, so which of the following would you recommend - Saga,  Virgin, or Cunard who are all offering sailings?

Hi, we were the last off in June at 8:30, and people were just starting to enter the terminal to start their cruise, so it all worked seamlessly.  It’s certainly quite a treck from Falmouth.

I am not sure how bookings are going?  Cunard cancelled a sailing on 6 Aug, so a number of people may choose to give Viking a try.

Hi, I didn’t read anywhere on the letter that the PCR test would be done before getting on board? Have I misread?

Mancunian, Glendale, the email I received today advised that optional excursions would be bootable on board.

Les37B that must have been so frustrating.  I had a couple of hours over the phone as well.  I even started looking into whether I should be recording the call at my end as well, because I had nothing in writing. 
 

Hi Quennie, thankyou, we have gone round in similar circles with Malta, but have transferred to a UK itinerary instead.   I was amazed how much reassurance fellow travellers and I were given by the travel insurance companies, only to find out when pressing for the information in writing that we were not actually covered.  With all the protection around selling insurance products I am amazed that they cannot be held to account.  Anyway, hope you enjoy whatever you elect to do instead.

Maybe Stars crew are going to Iceland for their second vaccination?

Star is due in Portsmouth on 6 Aug, for embarkation only on 7 Aug, so there must be a plan for the intervening period?

There was always a bit of a time gap between Star leaving Malta and arriving in Portsmouth, so it may be this is a planned deviation for operational purposes?

Blusea, do you mean the Viking site, I’ve just been on and it would have allowed me to book Scenic Shores on 7 Aug?

The Portsmouth port cruise schedule has Star down as arriving on 6th Aug, and departing on 7 Aug with passengers embarking only.

Hi Canberra, yes I and others have been locked out, but some of us are able to access again now, so I think it is some system maintenance?

Hi Stu, a number of us have tried, and have initially been told that purchasing an FCDO extension for countries also covers cruising, but when we’ve asked for this in writing, and they have needed to check with underwriters they have come back and said they cannot cover us.  If you do find one please let us know?

I’m wondering whether Viking may be able to get specific underwriting for its cruises under their health and safety protocol because of their onboard labs etc, rather than a blanket cover for all international cruises.  

Hi Les. I cancelled as I was within 14 days. I have transferred the booking to a UK cruise so will get fresh insurance for that.  I remain concerned that they gave so much reassurance and it took 3 hours of calls to discover the real situation.  The insurance industry is regulated so I don’t understand how they can avoid being held to account.  No matter, just looking forward to the cruise I can goon now.

Hi Downsmead, hope you enjoy the Viking alternative to Cunard.  
 

Further to my recent entry about insurance. Although the call I had with the sales team confirmed I was covered for international cruises such as those to Malta and Iceland, and a follow up call confirmed it again, I have now been advised by the Customer Services team that I am not.  They have apologised.

Yes, give them a call. I spoke to them yesterday on another matter and the were super helpful.

Hi Canberra, Arlowood, Glendale, Mancunian, think you are all on 14 Aug along with us.  Look forward to seeing you on board.  What did you decide Jammy Bun?  Crossed fingers for another sailing on 28 Aug for Royallondon.

Jammy Bunn and Glendale, hope you decide to join us on Star in August.  I am also weighing up a couple of Saga options for later in the year. Regrettably they don’t seem to have an active blog to find out any more. 

Just as the UK has to say  goodbye to Viking Venus, we hear that Viking Star is to visit in August to undertake two Scenic Shores cruises which mirror the route Venus took. A number of ex Venus travellers including ourselves have booked already.  Let’s hope Viking decide to operate UK round trips in future years!!!