HUNKY

I've always been interested in this trip.  Sorry that Viking doesn't offer it.  At least HAL does!

Keith - you mentioned earlier your ship is visiting Amsterdam.  Is that correct, or are you docking in Ijmuiden?

ChrisB - NO tote bags.  😟

If we all start bringing our tote bags from other cruise lines, maybe Viking will get the hint!

I love my canvas Celebrity bag, even the cheap Princess/HAL ones hold up pretty well.

Mich - I do the same.  When I find a shirt/shorts/pants/jeans/shoes that I like, I buy multiples of the same thing.  I have three suits (for work) that are exactly the same.  I even keep duplicates between two houses.

Drives me nuts when I find clothes that I like and they stop selling them before I can stock up.  Thankfully, men's clothes really don't change that much decade to decade.

I'm giving you the stink eye Jockey.com

Viking Ocean has “real” balconies on every ship for not much more than Celebrity!

I miss Celebrity Century.

I wish Viking would offer shore excursions on embarkation and departure day!

I will add that to my comments on our upcoming Panama Canal cruise.

Yes, VIKING serves mocktails. They are $5.50 as of last summer.

Seems to me that the Chef’s Table kitchen staff is not up to the task.
 

I work for a restaurant that has two single seating dining rooms, which seat a total of 64 people.  Most nights, meals are four courses, or 256 plates.

There is one chef and one assistant.

I truly wish Viking would charge for dining at Manfredi’s and the Chef Table.  A reasonable charge would raise the food quality and eliminate no shows.

I’ve found that Viking tour activity levels might be based on people who live in cities, frequently walk longer distances and do not use private transportation on a regular basis.

Compared to many of us, myself included, whose furthest daily walk is out to the garage to get into the car!

Uber allows you to pick class of vehicle and size.

For two people and a few pieces of luggage Uber Black works well.

Taxi’s - no thank you!

Viking River doesn't even usually cruise the Nile in July, ostensibly due to the heat.

It's the hottest ticket of 2024, the opening of our new seabound Casino de Monte-Carlo. We will be spinning the wheels for the first time on this special cruise, joined by two leading lights of the world of travel, Manfredi Lefebvre D’Ovidio, Executive Chairman of A&K Travel Group, and Geoffrey Kent, Founder and Chairman Emeritus of Abercrombie & Kent. 
 

from today’s email

On board Chrystal Symphony

VENICE to PIRAEUS (ATHENS)

Nov. 14-24, 2024

Deec/sonnycruises - when in Bergen be sure to visit the Arven gold and silversmith.  You can watch while they work, and of course there are things to buy, including vintage pieces.

It is a quick 8 minute walk from the port, at Sandbrogaten 11.

In ĺsafjördur we did the Vigur Island paid shorex.  $179 per person.  Very interesting and Puffins galore!

Cruise lines should adopt best practices from each other.

Holland America serves bar nuts/snacks in smaller containers for each party.  You sprinkle them into your hand without touching them first. 
 

Disney Cruise has adult only (18 and up) dining venues.

My visit on Viking to Ijmuiden was cut short.  So, 10 to 15 buses toured the countryside for three hours.  Has Amsterdam considered the pollution created by the large number of buses, taxis and Uber/Lyft that will be used for cruise tourists?  Versus a ship docking in town and tourists walking or using existing public transport to see the sites?

The bus between Civitavecchia and Vatican City is about one hour and fifteen minutes.

Mjmagee - the app will not allow you to book excursions. You can access myVikingjourney on your phone to book your excursions.

Airfares fluctuate daily.  Track a flight over several months.  Yes, the last few days/weeks before departure they rise.

I know my future travel plans about a year in advance.  If I booked a flight to Orlando from NC 140 days ago the fare was $1,800, yesterday it was $1,416. Likewise my flight to Germany this summer has had a $1,500 price difference over the past five months. 

We used the “07000 Taxi” app.

$60 USD from the airport to town.  (You add your credit card in the app).

Helped with luggage too!

Used them to get to the port too.

Second seating or main dining is at 7:30PM.

No fee Blue Everyday - $300 back after $750 spend.

No HAL offers on my Delta Reserve.

For the past ten years or so, EVERY  child has either their phone or Airpad with them.   Quiet, blissful peace. 
 

Unless, they lose their internet connection!

No overwhelming need to pay for internet access.  Other than a few minutes here and there I’ve had cellular service.  T-Mobile btw

Yes.  Elemis products in wall mounted dispensers.