rudychance

15 hours ago, Iloveketo said:

I can’t figure out how to PM you, so I will try to tell you about French Polynesia in a nutshell. We did it in January of 2022. Originally it was supposed to include Hawaii, but Hawaii wasn’t opened yet. Many cruisers canceled when Hawaii was no longer on the schedule. We only had about 550 passengers on the cruise. We were the first foreign ship in French Polynesia since the shutdown. Many sea days! I was afraid we would have rough seas in the South Pacific, but we didn’t. Maybe 7/8 days to get there, if I remember correctly.
So many fantastic lecturers! We and 4 other people went on an excursion into the mountains in Tahiti with one of the lectures, who did more theater type talks. The waterfalls were beautiful! The lecturer was just one of us, not a guide or anything. 

Another time I was swimming in the middle pool and ended up talking to the woman, who was a marine biologist. I told her that after listening to her lectures, I got up the nerve to swim with stingrays and little sharks. 
At dinner out on the aquavit terrace we got into a conversation with the woman from the Smithsonian, who did many interesting lectures. 
So many other lecturers, but what I found so nice was being able to just have an unscheduled conversation with them. 
We felt very safe just wandering around Papeete, Tahiti. 
The islands were beautiful!

Our favorite excursion was a Waverunner tour around Moorea. 
We did some boat rides, too. 
Plus, they had a ceremony for crossing the equator and we all got certificates suitable for framing with the exact location of our crossing. 
It is a place we definitely want to go back to!

Thanks SO much for taking the time; it sounds amazing! We also love to strike up conversations with the many interesting fellow cruisers we've met casually on our five VO adventures.   I tried to PM you to express appreciation,  but it said ( by the little envelope) that the feature was disabled 🤔 .  Fingers crossed that we can take this dream vacation.   

I would LOVE to hear about your French Polynesian cruise and was thinking about writing you a PM 😃. We're ( casually because of house and pets) looking at this 33 day itinerary on Neptune in 2024.  It would be more than twice as long as any cruise we've been on since our 3 and 4 day cruising in the 80's !

AWW, I always feel sad for those who feel they have to put down other cruisers. We've enjoyed fraction of the price, yet SO much fun and excitement in younger days!  Speaking from over 30 years of twice yearly, mainstream cruises; some fantastic, all great - now older; 5 VO cruises.  Just not into this; we met wonderful friends through the years. 

4 hours ago, Sunflower & The Scientist said:

On Viking? Are you sure you weren't on Carnival? It's bad enough seeing at 25 year old like that, but a 70 year old.....

Ugh, this thread is so depressing - we paid over 15K this year - oh, to go next year, partially use a Viking voucher for Empires of the Mediterranean. When the pandemic is over, (years?, good grief).  All of this testing,  masking nonsense is in place because of those who will not let go and obviously need to stay home for their piece of mind.  Why, oh why, do the minority alarmists not think most others are on expensive vacations 🤔 and would actually want to enjoy meeting people, enjoy ports, NOT wear masks, spit in tubes before 8 AM daily?  We'll lose the $, go to pool,  lake, great restaurants and have a much better time if restrictions go back.

Oh, gosh, we've gone on so many cruises since our mid 30's.- beautiful places,  great time meeting people, fun times.  Now, married over 45 years and booked on our 5th VO cruise, I just can't imagine Viking in our 20's.  Wonderful ships, great food and service, but not.a demographic for young honeymooners.  All the best !

YES ! If you go early to Restaurant,  either Specialty venue - you will get a window table for two 😉

Oops,  Transatlantic,  Sea 3/21/22

1 hour ago, rudychance said:

I've been under the impression that after March 1st, Viking passengers will be able to explore on our own,  as long as we conform to country's requirements.  However, I haven't read a thing on Viking boards nor received any updated info by email .  Anyone know, albeit the few ports - can we go exploring on our own for this Transatlantic 🤔.   Thanks much 

Maureen and Joe 

I've been under the impression that after March 1st, Viking passengers will be able to explore on our own,  as long as we conform to country's requirements.  However, I haven't read a thing on Viking boards nor received any updated info by email .  Anyone know, albeit the few ports - can we go exploring on our own for this Transatlantic 🤔.   Thanks much 

Maureen and Joe 

31 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

I agree with Andy.  Ship dynamics mean anyone higher up will have exaggerated perceptions of any motion.  For the most part Viking Captains change course to minimize discomfort as much as possible.  If I could have any cabin I wanted on Viking ships I would choose an Explorer Suite aft on 4 or 5 deck.  The Lottery Fairy can't avoid me forever can she???🍺

OMGOSH,  we were SO tempted to book one of these years ago, but decided on a PV.  Take the eight !

You have a slider,  Linda.  We've had both with PV's and much prefer the slider to the  door.   You'll love your location, too.  We had 5029 for the Mediterranean Odyssey and just went out and up/down the stairs,  elevator.   It was wonderful and totally quiet.  Enjoy 😉

6 hours ago, Selion said:

I've decided to pay for "priority" PCR tests for our March cruise that have a turnaround time of less than 24 hours.  Don't want to gamble my vacation (and paid fares) because the lab couldn't get the results in time.  I used samedayhealth.com since they have a location 5 minutes away from me.  That's one less hoop I have to worry about.

You are fortunate-we have nothing of that kind anywhere nearby.  If the same PCR RESULT requirements are in place for March,  we'll have to cancel.  At this point....

21 hours ago, Crockett&Darla said:

Viking will sometimes offer a "light", or less strenuous version of the walking tour of the day. With that said, I can't tell you how to learn about that beforehand. 

Yes, Viking walking tours are awesome for the majority of cruisers.   If  you're not blessed with good feet, and can't keep up - the slower pace or a panoramic tour works well.  

56 minutes ago, rizello said:

Hello, I am new to all this and we haven't actually booked this cruise yet (potentially August 13).  Of course, it may be too late by now, but we were waiting to see what happens with the first cruise and with the Malta regulations.

 

We are from the US and in one of the hopefully accepted states (CA) with a vaccination certificate.  We aren't sure though about the insurance.  I assume that insurance is required for these cruises.  Is that the case?  Do people use the Viking insurance or purchase their own?

 

Anyway, it is good to hear the updates and I remain hopeful that things will all go well with cruising this summer.

Don't!

No to shorts or jeans; collared polo shirts fine.  It's air conditioned and very cool onboard.

32 minutes ago, CLBSC said:

This is our first Viking Cruise. Looking at the extreme July-August temperatures in Malta and all along the Adriatic Coast, we are wondering if men are allowed to wear dress type Bermuda shorts and Polo type shirts at dinner? I do see where jeans are not allowed.....

I'm so sorry,  FTFreddy, and I hope that you're able to get a fair price 😞 These Malta sailings are a trip in themselves, believe it 🤔

2 hours ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

Could someone please explain to me what's currently happening to Viking's Malta cruises?  I'm not looking for any political comment, just a brief summary of what's happening.  Are certain cruisers (vaccinated or unvaccinated) having their cruises cancelled because they live in areas identified by Malta as "red" for Covid, or is Viking currently cancelling entire Malta cruises, or what?  

Well, we're currently booked and paid in full for Venus 9/2/21;  Greek Isles.  We moved from the Sea sailing 8/20/21 since it seemed to be so close and our flights there were horrendous through Frankford.  Our PCR test will be challenging and expensive since we don't have a guaranteed turnaround lab nearby.

Today, we booked and paid for our excursions (after spending $800 on 8/20 cruise,  which apparently take 21 days to be credited back?) It was disconcerting to see both the Croatia itinerary excursions and the Greek for sale.

So, sadly, we currently don't know and can't explain what is happening on Malta cruises. Cheers, IWANTTOLIVEOVERTHESEA 🤔

1 hour ago, bbtondo said:

Just looked.  Not my cruise, but it doesn't show those sailings sold out.    Where did you see that?

This morning for several hours on Viking site, the 8/30 and 9/9 Sea showed sold out.  Now just the 9/9/21 with, of course, the back to back sold out also.  So, hopefully, it is and all is well and they mistakenly showed 8/30 sold out as it's available now 

42 minutes ago, bbtondo said:

I wasn't aware of Italy making you quarantine for 5 days regardless of vaccine.  Is this just for citizens of the United Kingdom?

42 minutes ago, bbtondo said:

I wasn't aware of Italy making you quarantine for 5 days regardless of vaccine.  Is this just for citizens of the United Kingdom?

I just noticed the Sea was showing "Sold Out" for 8/ 30 and 9/9/21 sailings ....

Yes, I hear you, MickeyB - this is meant to be fun and exciting to look forward to a fantastic vacation.   We're booked for August 20th from Malta on the Sea; it's been stressful; a nice local restaurant is looking good for Dh 70th Birthday. 

11 minutes ago, MRGACRUZR said:

So glad we cancelled the August 13th Adriatic Jewels cruise. There were too many unknowns and kept getting the "trust us" from Viking. Now this. I hope Viking is respectful enough of their customers that don't want to do Greece. 

Yes, I  certainly understand.   Now, the Venus  on 8/13/21 and 9/2/21 is completely open for Greek Isles itinerary as was posted earlier today.   ?!?

24 minutes ago, LindaS272 said:

Very weird. I feel sorry for people who booked these hoping for a different experience! And I hope I don’t have to feel sorry for myself soon!

Now they're showing sold out - almost all categories were available a few hours ago 🙄

2 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

Disturbing news on the Venus, Malta/Adriatic cruise for Sept. 22, 2021. “Blackbelt” just posted on the roll call that that cruise is now doing Malta/Greece instead of the Adriatic. We are on the Venus Sept. 12 Malta/Adriatic cruise. Yikes! Musical chairs on these cruises is becoming a circus! If I recall July 1 Malta/Adriatic cruise was cancelled. What now, Viking?

I just looked this morning and the Venus 8/13 & 9/2 Sailings had been changed from the Italy ports to Greece itinerary.