JDincalif

Clarifying that travel insurance covered the voucher amounts when these were applied to a subsequent cruise; uncertain whether any insurers provide coverage against 'use it or lose it' voucher expiration deadlines. When in doubt, a cash refund seems to be the prudent course.

We too (in the US) were able to insure voucher amounts through TravelGuard/AIG, and were reimbursed without issues when covered events interrupted our cruise.

Maybe contact tellus@vikingcruises.com for information, or to see if one can be purchased directly from Viking and shipped to you?

We purchased the blanket in May while we were on the Viking Mars.The label reveals the name and web address for a New Zealand (!) company.

Andy, we presume we speak for many fellow March 2019 Viking Sky passengers when we thank you once again for your expertise and insights. You helped us to understand what happened and to heal following those 20-something hours on the Viking Sky. Our experience: Hearing the GES after hours of ship rocking/rolling/shuddering/slamming, we were worried yet reassured by the fact that we thought we knew what to do and what to expect: dress warmly, proceed downstairs to our assigned muster station, probably wait there for a while until the situation settled. When the captain announced that 'mayday' had been called, our concern deepened. Then when the captain announced the order to abandon ship *but* that the lifeboats could not be used, we became truly alarmed - no muster drill had prepared us for this. We recount this with deep and abiding gratitude for all those on the ship and beyond who worked tirelessly to see us to safety.

Costa Concordia gave us pause at the time, but we easily resumed carefree optimism until the 2019 Viking Sky emergency. It's difficult to predict how passengers will respond one way or the other in an actual emergency based on muster drill behavior. During the Viking Sky drill, we observed the usual passenger grumbling (one person, drink in hand, maneuvering the stairs without difficulty, complaining all the way down several decks that she wasn't allowed to use the elevator) and obliviousness (attempting to take a seat in the MDR muster station, we were told by a fellow passenger "You can't sit here, these seats are saved"🙄). Yet when the actual emergency commenced, we were impressed by the reasonably calm compliance and cooperation we observed among our fellow passengers. On cruises since then we've been a bit more organized, making sure that any vital items are ready for grab and go if needed. Yet our pleasure in cruising remains undininished.

While reservations were somewhat limited prior to embarkation, we had no issues reserving acceptable dining times and excursions once onboard.

We were on the Chairman's Invitational Cruise from Rome to Barcelona, the second group to sail on the Mars immediately following the Chairman's Naming Voyage from Valletta to Rome. We enjoyed the serene elegant uncrowded spaces, the unpretentious relaxed atmosphere and the attentive service that characterize the Viking Ocean voyages.

We enjoyed our stay at the H10 Marina Barcelona - reasonably close to the cruise port and with easy access - walking and other transportation - to the many pleasures of Barcelona.

On the Viking Mars we accidentally found that one of the closet clothes bars came off surprisingly easily and just might work for your purposes if you don't mind rehanging your clothes each time.

Just got off Regatta in Seattle and saw roughly 19 passengers (some of whom may have been uninfected traveling companions) transported to a hotel to complete the CDC recommended 5 days isolation. The problem with estimating the number of passengers quarantined as a measure of potential risk is that it's skewed by the fact that only those passengers who test themselves and fess up or those who report to the medical center with symptoms are subject to quarantine.

We were fortunate to have Viking arrange a meet and mingle for 15 or so of us on the recent Viking Mars Chairman's Invitational Cruise. Although we'd contacted Viking via tellus a couple of times before sailing, it was only after meeting with Guest Services at embarkation that approval and arrangements were confirmed. Everyone who showed interest showed up!

Welcome to Cruise Critic. It can be a little daunting to navigate the many nooks and crannies here but there's a wealth of information (such as the Canada & New England forum) and some helpful people who share tips and opinions across the boards. While you search, here's one Bar Harbor option if the town attractions or shops aren't open: an excursion to Acadia National Park.

Here's what was provided to us prior to our May voyage: VIKING MARS +1 213 583 2500 viking.mars@vikingcruises.com * Additionally, from US and Canada: 1-855-884-5464

Our Flight 001 cubes, probably close to a decade old, are made of heavy duty nylon with quality zippers. The set weighs approximately 3 pounds per our luggage scale. They are of excellent quality and great, as crystalspin wrote, ... but when luggage weight is an issue J, having traveled frequently for business, is well versed in efficient packing techniques, but in retirement for pleasure travel enjoys having the option to pack a bit more expansively for spontaneous or unexpected adventures Thank dog we all have freedom of choice in packing techniques: cube/roll/fold/plastic bags/any combination/none of the above😉 and hope that OP flamingos has found some useful information among all the responses. 🧳

There may not be many of us (J is the guilty one here), but for those who pack bags right up to airline baggage weight limits packing cubes can be the items that push luggage into overweight. They do make packing and unpacking easier, though.

As of June 6, 2022, Cunard requires both testing and vaccination for all guests age 16 years and older https://www.cunard.com/en-us/the-cunard-experience/sailing-with-confidence/our-assurance-to-you

Misquoted: "What may have been 'really sick' following four shots may have been 'dead' without them" -.illustrating facts: "No* vaccine for *any* disease provides 100% immuniry" and "Covid vaccines are intended to reduce the numbers of severe illness and death" (citations readily available on rudimentary web search)

*No* vaccine for *any* disease provides 100% immuniry. Covid vaccines are intended to reduce the numbers of severe illness and death. What may have been "really sick" following four shots may have been "dead" without them.

Neon colored Post-It notes are useful to alert the cabin steward about specific requests or flag items needing specific attention.

+1 SJD - hoping that you'll feel supported and sustained by the good wishes of all of us here

Our single previous Viking cruise was the March 2019 Sky voyage. Our acceptance and approval of the testing protocol is based on our own assessments of information and personal risk. * There's that humorous saying: "The risk that I took was calculated, but man am I bad at math"😉

Based on our recent experience, a positive test in an asymptomatic patient led to five days isolation, followed by return to original stateroom with masking and distancing in public spaces. Uncertain whether positive test in a symptomatic case is handled differently. Hoping that your son and DIL finally have a delightful cruise honeymoon!

Response was directed to

Honorable people honor the honor system.