molymoo

12 hours ago, DrKoob said:

hey also really made a big deal of how we could NOT ask for any kind of refund for meals not eaten on board. That kind of cracked us up. We just aren't that cheap. 😜

Oh you can bet some people are!

As I recall we did receive email "reminders" from Viking as we neared our departure date ... specifically when there were more "requirements" in place throughout the world (ie: last summer / 2021).  That said, I would not rely solely on Viking to guide you along the way.  They do update things in MVJ regularly but you have a lot on the line ($$$) and should monitor things yourself as well.

8 hours ago, Jjg34219 said:

We just finished our Alaska cruise. We filled out a survey mid cruise and pointed out two minor areas that we felt could be improved/addressed in the World Cafe.

Two days later a Mgr sought us out in the World Cafe to discuss

 

 

Interesting!  We have completed several mid-cruise surveys but never had any sort of response.  Glad they are paying attention.

Have not stayed in this particular cabin but have been in others near the elevators and have never noticed a problem ... noise or otherwise.  

We got an upgrade on our first ocean cruise (with Viking) and were in this corridor.  It was wonderful!  Would book it in a heartbeat!  It is quiet and has an air of exclusivity to it as there are very few cabins on the 7th deck.  We loved the quick walk to the World Cafe and the proximity to the Explorers Lounge ... and Mamsen's!!

😋

23 hours ago, Haqdeluxe said:

Even # = Port side : Odd # = Starboard side.   Just saying 😌 

I knew that!  Just a "slip'.

We did the Midnight Sun cruise in 2019 and we were in a PV on the port side (4017).  I don't know what the view from the other side was, but I remember being very happy with our view at every point in the journey.  There is a lot of amazing scenery in Norway but they are very good at letting you know when the scenic sailing will be taking place.  There were times when the Captain would pass a special sight (eg; the Seven Sisters waterfalls) and turn the ship around so it could be seen from the other side.  There is also great 'sight-seeing' from the Explorer's Lounge and the upper decks.

On 8/1/2022 at 1:27 PM, Cruisenewbie63 said:

Hello. I’m hoping some of the Viking  members could advise for Christmas and New Years    Is it best to book the Restaurant? Or a specialty Restaurant?  Or is there a gala dinner / buffet as such for these two evening meals?   (Any suggestions appreciated.    ).  
 

also I know excursions are not listed as yet for December 22nd 2022  cruise from Miami to LA  on Viking Neptune     But do they become available so you can view them to try to help choose,  prior to becoming actually available to book?  
as I can see some excursions available to view for the same cruise in December 2023.  And wondered if they would be the same ?  Also are paid ( extra charge excursions available too?  
thank you 

We will be on this cruise as well and in accordance with our cabin category our excursions booking opens on October 6th, 77 days before we sail.  Traditionally Viking would post the excursions from which you may choose (included and optional) well before the first booking date, however, things have not been 'normal" for a long time.  I would watch MVJ daily as your booking date approaches and hope for the best.  We did well with our recent British Isles Explorer despite the fact that excursions weren't posted until quite a while past our booking date.  

We are still locked into the "school year" schedule so we have taken many cruises which have included Christmas and/or New Years.   There isn't generally a big fuss over the Christmas holiday but they have gone "all out' for New Years.  There may have been a "special dinner' at the restaurant on Christmas night (Americans make a bigger fuss over Christmas Eve more than other countries) but I really don't recall specifics.  I would assume that Manfredis and the Chef's Table would stick with their usual menus but again don't specifically recall. 

On 7/27/2022 at 9:04 PM, Karry66 said:

The Edinburgh Tattoo is in August if you enjoy large events.

We were there in 2018 when the Tattoo started and while it was great fun to see the excitement and hear the groups perform in the evenings (our hotel was right under Edinburgh Castle) the city was in a state of gridlock and very, very crowded.  Many in our group complained that the traffic and crowds made it difficult to enjoy their excursions ... both the walking ones and the driving ones.

I would also check your travel insurance to be sure you are covered while off the ship.

On 7/18/2022 at 2:41 PM, Clay Clayton said:

I wonder why?  We have been doing onboard when it was completely full (including the Owner’s Suite) and the only time it felt crowded was reboarding in a couple of Chinese ports but that was due to port security, not Viking. 

Not sure what the difference was but we have noticed that each cruise has it's own "vibe".  This one had a "everyone wants to do everything" vibe and I'm guessing that is has to do with the fact that for many (us included) it was the first significant trip "post-COVID".  The restaurant was hopping every night ... many nights the reception area was full and one night it took more than twenty minutes to get to the podium and then there was a wait after giving our name to the maitre d.  Thorshaven was hopping nearly every night and it was often a challenge to find a seat.  The world cafe was packed most mornings but this was the first time we had an occasion where we literally couldn't find any seating during our first "circle".  This was the first time we were not able to book Manfredis onboard.  There was no availability for two for any night, any time for the entire cruise!  

This is all mentioned not to complain ... we had a wonderful trip and the Viking quality of service was top notch in every way!  Just an observation that things did feel a bit different this time around.  

We just returned from a cruise and on our floor there were at least three cabins whose guests were obviously being quarantined in their original cabins (we were on the 8th floor).  The occupants never left the room, could be heard coughing on the balconies, and their empty food trays were left in the corridors inside red bags for pick-up.  One on our floor was probably in there for ten days ... the others apparently started quarantine later; within a few days of the end of the cruise.  Didn't see any "evidence' of quarantining cruisers on other floors ... but had no reason to be there.  I'm guessing that those in quarantine voluntarily tested ... there was a lot of coughing, sneezing and nose flowing as the trip progressed.  We opted for masks most of the time on excursions ... especially on busses.

Just back from British Isles Explorer and the captain, in his welcome comments, mentioned 860+ passengers.  Ship was full and in almost  ten ocean cruises I must admit it was the first one that at times felt crowded.

10 minutes ago, kcpvwill said:

Molymoo, congratulations on your upgrade.  We are on the same cruise and this is our 10th Ocean cruise with Viking and we’ve never been surprised with an upgrade on boarding.  What category were you originally in?  I hope you enjoy all the amenities on this lovely ship.  

We were originally booked in a PV.  This really is a lovely ship and we are planning to try to schedule enough time to enjoy it!  

Embarked yesterday evening for our British Isles cruise after a lovely pre-extension in Oslo.  Our flights were on time, our luggage arrived right away, we were the first to finish checking in from our rather large group, we were upgraded to a PJS, and the sun is shining in Bergen!  Grateful as heck but waiting for the other shoe to drop!!

23 hours ago, janetcbl said:

Norway in a Nutshell

Walking tour of Bergen

Floyen to the top, look around and hike down

I would suggest the Hanseatic Museum/walk, but I believe it is permanently closed.

Wandering the Fish Market

And check out the reindeer sausages at Trekroneren ( 3-Kroneren ) … just past the McDonalds … which by the way is one of the cutest McD’s I’ve seen!

It is my understanding that it is not mandatory … just a way to “jump start” the boarding process.  The only thing you do is verify the passport info and download a picture … all of which can be done in person when you arrive.

It is simple and safe and crew members are there to assist at every part of the process.  I’m not as steady as I used to be and even my clumsy self can manage to not humiliate myself in the process! 😆

We will be on this extension in a few days and the description of the included (sounds like half-day) tour includes Akershus Fortress, Parliament, the National Theater and of course the Viking Ship Museum.  Being that the museum is closed, I’m not sure what they will do as that would have been a highlight.  There are other similar museums (Kon Tiki and Fram) but they’re not nearly the highlight the ship museum would have been.  We have been to Oslo before and covered most of what there was to see but somehow we missed the Ship Museum … guess that’s their way of keeping us coming!

5 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

We have always had to sign up in advance, using a link here on Cruise Critic. That is what makes it so embarrassing: people signing up then not bothering to show up. Viking wasn't guessing how many would attend; they had a list of names to work from.

 

Invitations were delivered to our cabins (with date, time and location). As a private party, the M&M was never listed in the Dailies, so the only way to know when and where was via the invitation.

On two occasions we signed up for M&M but never received an invitation so assumed they had been canceled for some reason.  Did go to guest services the first time and the young lady there was trying to be helpful but had no idea what I was talking about.  Please know that in some cases it wasn’t a matter of “not bothering to show up”.  

We stayed in a room overlooking the main entrance and the train station.  Downside was sunlight and the afternoon heat which was pretty intense on the two very sunny days we were there. The AC couldn’t keep up.   It helped to open the windows as the temps outside were nice but then the bright light well into the evening kept us up late … not to mention the traffic and other street noise.  Would have loved a courtyard room!  

We stayed at Petite Palace Plaza Mayor for a couple of nights on an “independent” extension in 2018.  Small and a little quirky but relatively inexpensive and the location was great.  We had a huge bathroom and a nice terrace too.  

Viking does not hide their policies and have always been upfront about everything.  What you see is what you get ... and you are free to decide accordingly.  I'm glad you are looking out for  "future Viking cruisers" but your warning is really not necessary.  People can read and decide for themselves, but thank you for your concern.

I get it … and I did cringe a bit when I saw the dreaded dress code was up again.  I am not going to get into that topic except to point out the fact that sometimes “inappropriate “ attire might mean (especially in the early days of the journey) that luggage has been delayed getting to the ship.  The airlines are struggling now and handling luggage seems more an afterthought than an essential service.  We’ve canceled Chefs Table reservations when our bags were late getting to us on embarkation day … and that was just Viking handling the bags!  Some unfortunate souls have been without their bags for the entire cruise!  I would relax and not make assumptions and enjoy the cruise.  

You will find that the majority of the people on Viking cruises will be the age of your parents … maybe grandparents but that might be a bit of a stretch … 50’s, 60’s, and 70’s.  That said, most are pretty active and interesting people; well read and experienced travelers.  My daughter travels with me and she was in her early 30’s when we started.  She was the sociable one; conversing easily with our fellow passengers and enjoying their company.  There are usually some “youngsters” aboard … often during the summer and holidays when families take trips together.