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If your cruise doesn’t include the south coast (which is not to be missed), it’s easy enough to rent a car in Reykjavik and drive yourself. I would suggest giving yourself a couple of days (and booking your hotels ahead of time). That will get you as far as the glacier lagoon (Jökulsárlón). There’s a hotel nearby (Fosshotel) that’s quite nice and allows you to see the lagoon early or late in the day when the crowds have gone. We arrived there at dusk and had the place largely to ourselves (in September). Allow time to stop along the way at waterfalls and take in the Black Beach (Reynisfjara) at Vik. The whole drive is just spectacular. Otherworldly.

That’s the question for us as well. We just got back from a 12-day land tour (pilgrimage) of Israel, Palestine, and Jordan. It was unforgettable and wonderful, but it was not peaceful or comfortable. It was intense and strenuous. We’re already thinking our next trip will be another cruise. Maybe that’s what ultimately works best for us — alternating in-depth experiences with relaxing, lightweight samplers.

I’d never leave the house if I thought social media was an accurate reflection of the real world. People are rarely their best selves when hiding behind pixels.

It had probably just passed through a hot water cycle in the Caribbean.

Yeah, our TA really dropped the ball — or rather her office did. She was away when her office received our tags and documents; we never got them. Turns out her office didn’t put adequate postage on them and they were returned. We have not yet figured out what benefit TAs provide.

This. We have often felt that Viking Onboard and Viking Onshore are two completely different companies. Viking Onshore has been an unpleasant obstacle course one has to tolerate in order to reach the lovely Viking Onboard. I don’t know any TA who says they enjoy dealing with Viking Onshore. You’re right; it’s a tremendous disservice to the wonderful onboard folks who work so hard and do such a great job. And it’s not sustainable in the long term; there’s a lot of competition out there.

Or what if Viking got rid of its in-house people and instead featured local talent? I suppose that would take a good deal more coordination, but I would absolutely love it. Imagine listening to Irish bands when docked in Ireland, Spanish performers when in Spain, etc.

Too recent. Maybe some nice Johnny Rotten & the Sex Pistols. Their rousing version of “God Save the Queen” in honor of the upcoming coronation, perhaps? 👑 Sadly, it’ll probably be something like Billy Joel and Neil Diamond instead.

This. We went to Jökulsárlón (just a few miles past Fjallsárlón) on our own when we were in Iceland a few years back, and the drive there was breathtaking. Otherworldly and magical. We arrived in the mist at dusk so had the place largely to ourselves. Highly recommended. I can only imagine what it would be like to take a Zodiac up close to these.

Definitely my favorite discussion group on this forum. I have a hard time staying on topic, so this thread is perfect!

We book PVs, and we have been able to book most but not all of the excursions we wanted. If you can’t initially book something, however, all hope is not lost. Let Viking know, and they may add more times or capacity for a tour. You can call or email them prior to your cruise, and you can also see the customer service folks after you board and ask to be put on a waiting list. We did that our last cruise, and Viking ended up adding us to a second group for the tour. We didn’t find out until a couple days before the excursion, so you have to stay flexible.

I just made the mistake of Googling “dog in a thong.” Now I REALLY need a drink.

So. Should service dogs wear socks with their thongs? 😳 (For distant future readers, see the “Dogs on the Ship” thread, which did some fascinating subject creep.)

Ah, so that’s how it works.

That’s too bad. I spent some time there in my youth, and it was a fascinating place.

I’m trying to imagine wearing socks with flip flops. Wouldn’t the sock get all bunched up between your toes? Now, Birkenstocks with socks, that’s my basic winter footwear around the house — wool socks with loud patterns because they cheer me up. And because I don’t look dorky enough already. In the summer I lose the socks but keep the Birkies. Hey, when your feet are as flat as mine, you wear whatever works. Surely somehow we can work dogs back into this discussion …

Many docs in the US take this approach, too. Mine did. I didn’t get the drug.

Yes. My dog allergy isn’t life-threatening, but it sure would make me miserable if I slept in a room formerly occupied by a dog. I don’t care how thoroughly they vacuum. Been there, done that, and it’s no fun. If Viking is intent on allowing dogs onboard, set aside special cabins for them so the rest of us don’t sneeze and drip and hack (and get dirty looks from passengers who think we have COVID). And definitely keep them off the furniture in public spaces. 🤧

I think you’re onto something here.

Having a dog on a Viking cruise ship automatically discloses that its owner has a medical issue or disability. Otherwise it wouldn’t be there. Or that’s the theory, anyway.

So basically it’s all based on the honor system. If I say Pookie-Ookums is a service dog, Viking has to accept that she is.

“Look, honey, dogs on Viking! Let’s bring Pookie-Ookums!”

I wonder how many of these passengers are bringing dogs because of Viking featuring the owner’s daughter’s dog in promotional materials, on Facebook, and on Viking TV. It’s certainly gives the impression that Viking is dog friendly.

Just wanted to see this bit of sanity again.

The Peninsula was the first place I ever had afternoon tea. Very grand indeed. My friend and I later went to afternoon tea at the Mandarin hotel, also in Hong Kong, and made complete asses of ourselves when one of our (many) desserts fell off our little mezzanine table — and down into the lobby one floor below. Unfortunately the earth didn’t open up and swallow us right there and then.