oskidunker

If you are booking on a ship they usually give you 6 months

On 8/20/2023 at 7:12 PM, cmmaxwell03 said:

I appreciate the reposting of the rules. However, I would like someone who has been on an AK cruise this year to weigh in on the topic. I have read many times that AK cruises are much more casual so I believe the OP has a valid question. 

Alaska cruises are not more casual. 

3 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

What would surprise me is getting a casino offer from Viking. 🙂

 

Yes

28 minutes ago, ldtr said:

Thats strange everything is not included on my Oceania booking unless I choose one of the more inclusive booking options. A few more thing are included, but clearly not everything. That is at a rate a bit more than double what I pay on Princess for the same class room.

 

Over on the Oceania board you can read similar complaints above lower quality and now the change in booking terms increasing the amount of the non refundable administrative fee.

The new basic rate includes a credit for excursions and a basic drink package which includes some decent wines by the glass.i like smaller ships. You dont have to show up a half hour early to get a seat in theater.there is usually not much wait to get in the dining room and food is much better than Princess.Thebuffett is much better. The specialty restaurants are free.  The i e cream is better. Service is better. They haveSommeliers which is  helpful. You do not have to walk a mile to find something on the ship.

But if you like Princess and it works for you, thats great. It doesn't work for us anymore hate the crowds. 

22 hours ago, BlerkOne said:

So much negativity. I couldn't help but notice the letter mentions door hanger cards which apparently have not been discontinued.

 

When demand exceeds supply, change is inevitable.

The ships are too big. More passenger cabins with dining venues staying the same size. Wait for  everything including shows.  shows. After 25 Princess cruises, we switched to Viking and Oceania. Yes it costs more but they are like Princess used to be. 
 

why am I here? Just checking to see what changes are being made. None for the better.Everything is  included on Viking and Oceania. You might be surprised at the price comparison when you add all thebthings Princess now charges for. 

I assume mixed drinks not included?

Stock price is going down. I put in a buy at 13. Probably wont go that low. 

If Viking cancels the cruise and takes forever to refund,you can dispute the charge on a credit card and get the money sooner. Eft, no cigar. Get a good cash back credit card and use it. . I had an issue with Cunard did get money back via credit card dispute. I would never pay via eft . Wells Fargo has a card that gives 2% back on all charges. No limit. 

7 minutes ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

The strange part of this practice is that when I was growing up in the US I never saw olive oil with the bread in an Italian restaurant. It is something that starting appearing quite a few years ago, and then became almost a requirement. I wonder if part of the reason is to compensate for ordinary bread; if the bread is good enough... well, then it's enough.

 

Having said that, I'm a sucker for it! Especially if it has some spices (I know, another even worse departure). With ordinary bread, at least. 🙂

Give me butter. Not a fan of olive oil, truffles or the ever  present Kale. I mean it ruins a Cesar salad. Just why?

42 minutes ago, rbslos18 said:

Let’s tweak that to wide-eye or maybe both! That SJD and LindaS will hopefully agree with! With most reviews found online, the very happy and unhappy tend to post. I find the truth is usually somewhere in the middle. One of the interesting aspects of Viking is the large percent of devotees who are repeat cruisers. 

The Princess boards are full of repeat cruisers in full denial regarding bad food and poor service. I am not one of them. We loved our Princess cruises when the ships were smaller and the food was better. Now its Oceania and Viking. Butwilling tontry something else just not the mega ships 

27 minutes ago, Dwtlion said:

Today's edition of Cruise Industry News, in an article about NCL's efforts to increase margins, had the following comment:

"Mark Kempa, CEO, said cost reductions in the second quarter were driven by lower food costs and what he said were crew optimization efforts."

I will let readers form their own opinions on the relevance of the above review to Mr. Kempa's comment.

Less crew. Lesser quality food.

The worst food was the veal scaloppini picata

Oceania should drop the corkage fee since they now include wine by the glass. Viking has no corkage fee. 

On 8/1/2023 at 7:26 AM, SATaxman said:

Thanks. 

We were there in oct in 2019. Very crowded

I am on that Australian cruise in 2025.  There is only one cruise. Supply and demand maybe. Glad I booked a few months ago

18 minutes ago, LHT28 said:

 

California sparkling is NOT Champagne  whether it taste good or not

True.

1 hour ago, LHT28 said:

But that would not be Champagne  for those that like real Champagne 🙂

Ok if you   prefer Germaine. 

DomaineChandon is pretty large, especially considering low yields this year in France. But I see your  point. 
 

$17.99 currently at total wines in California.  

I am 75 and did this. Did not see any Northern lights from the ship. Wife went on late night excursions where she saw them. I dont like staying up late so did not go..

Why dont they just serve a California Sparkling wine half the cost of French and much better than Germaine. 

You can bring at least 6 bottles. Corkage fee of $25.00 applies if you drink in the dining room . Not worth it,,in my opinion unless you have some really high end wine. 

What is the champagne that is free?

Has anyone done the Mt Mount Gaza-hike and swim?

1 hour ago, Nashna said:

We have choices of a water taxi at $5.00 per trip, a taxi at $20.00, or a van that fills up passengers at the pier.  The cost for two chairs and one umbrella is $25.00.  I understand that there are restaurants and facilities at Grand Anse. I've learned that the access to the water taxi is via a steep decline, and the water taxis are small.  I think we will take a cab.  

$20 each way?

1 hour ago, oskidunker said:

Thats what I was thinking , Thanks. 

Are you going to take a taxi? The ship tour cost $89.00 to get there which includes an umbrella and a chair. Doesn't seem worth it.  Beach may be crowded. Some are recommending other beaches but they may not be close.