SempreMare

Hello from beautiful Bergen Norway. Now day 2 of 4 of the “Best of Norway & Scenic Train” post cruise extension following the London to Bergen, British Isles Explorer cruise. Currently enjoying this view of Bergen from Mt Ulriken. I believe that’s the Viking Mars still down there in the harbor.

@Twitchly would you like anything from the World Cafe? it’s open for 45 more minutes. If you say no you’ll be depriving me of much-needed exercise. tip: a cute British comedy appropriate for our voyage available on Viking room TV: The Duke

Yes !!!

That’s a logical knee-jerk reaction to have. However, none of other 2 more significant questions / challenges I have could be solved by staff. example: I really want the 2 loud beeps that sound upon turning on the bathroom light to stop going off. Neither the •Room steward •Electrical maintenance person the room steward called know what is causing that or were able to fix that.

What is the process for asking the captain or officer a question? I have not seen any one who looks like a captain so far. (I have 3 different questions, not this one thanks to @Heidi13…)

exactly! Like your knee jerk reaction/thought , I also thought that as Plan B would work. think again… The day after I realized the room did not have a speaker, I looked around Greenwich. Nada. I thought maybe the pharmacy would have something inexpensive. Nope. with more time between that day’s excursion end time and last tender time back to the Mars, I’m sure a taxi somewhere would’ve made it possible.

If you are using luggage forward to ship your luggage, you absolutely are not supposed to include “electronics” this was not obvious to me until I received the FedEx packet that included the DHL shipping tags In that packet there Is a clear page of what can and cannot be shipped. I just figured I missed that detail someplace else along the way.

@CDR2001 Texting a central help queue takes a couple seconds easily 1/2- 1/4 the time vs making a phone call Once I experienced this at a hotel, I realized it’s almost always the best way ( where best = lowest time cost + certainty of resolution)

@FlyerTalker if there were a no camera rule, which completely makes sense to me, though I did not see one posted Do you think my post is in keeping with the spirit of the rule?

If I am somewhere on the ship outside of my room can I text message Housekeeping or room service With a question or to have something delivered to my room?

What is the white thing and blue thing in the spa?

My room is so quiet... (penthouse junior suite 7000) Plan a I had packed my old Bose bluetooth speaker “necklace” But that seems to have gone missing during the luggage forward shipment of my luggage. Granted, the rules did say “no electronics”, so I didn’t pack my iPad. But I was hoping a small Bluetooth speaker would not be a big deal. Plan B I miss the Bluetooth speaker amenity in the Holland America Neptune suite & in the hotel room I just left. Plan c I tried the room TV music available, but my phone playlists would be so much better. Plan d Has anyone had luck requesting a Bluetooth speaker? I’ll try that when I return to the ship

It sounded like a fog horn sequence, different tones, one at nine-ish and another time at 11-ish in the evening

What would cause the captain to sound the horn while moored in Greenwich? Is it because they see something near the ship?

If you happen to be at Borough Market & in the mood for something to go with wine in your hotel room before departure, find a shop called Brindisa. Brindisa specializes in a variety of meats and cheeses from Spain, including this one which is some of the best charcuterie I’ve ever had. One of the most knowledgeable experts behind the counter I’ve ever talked with me about five minutes about the chatcuterie you see in the picture.

Nope. They do take cash as a deposit. I have experienced the same thing throughout the day. 4 out of 5 businesses I’ve tried to use those old 20s have declined. even the post office declined it The only business who accepted one – the Freemason Hall museum store. But when I later try to use another 20 old note in the café downstairs, that person declined to take it. So The first cashier probably was not aware of their policy of not taking it. Does not seem right. If the currency still valid till September 30, When did the business except cash, they should take it.

Just arrived in London my hotel would not accept my old 20 and 50 bank notes as a deposit even though they’re not expired

Good grief! Now why didn't I think of that ?? I must be in the fog of packing...

The biggest advantage of making your hotel address = your Google Maps Home address When you search for restaurants, etc., Google Maps automatically shows you ”2 minutes from home” or ”30 minutes from home” without having to enter anything else

FYI for those on British Isles Explorer cruise extension and staying in Bergen Bors Hotel in Bergen. Google Maps gives Vagsallmenningen 1 as the address Apple Maps gives something else (Tor….) At first I thought maybe there were 2 locations of Bergen Bors in Bergen. But I don’t see a second Bergen Bors. From looking at street view, Google’s address, Vagsallmenningen 1, looks more correct, based on where the front door opens. Either address would probably work for a taxi. Could someone local or knowledgeable please confirm? (My experience: If Apple Maps and Google Maps disagree on a location address, trust Google Maps.) I only noticed this because I use Apple Maps —> Create New Contact to create local iPhone contacts for any hotel I stay in. I then use Google Maps to set either my Google Maps “Home” or “Work” location to that hotel. Time saving tip: When actually on location or even just planning, using your Hotel as a Google Maps Home or Google Maps Work address makes finding your way back home really fast since it will use those options for one-tap default. You don’t have to type in the hotel name each time. So right now my London hotel address = Home, my Bergen address = “Work” After I check out of London, I’ll make Oslo hotel my Home address. To do this, (it’s 4 levels deep, kinda tricky to find) open Google Maps app. Tap on your face picture (or your initial) on top right to get to your account settings Tap Settings scroll down… Account Settings Tap first option: Edit home or work Tap the TAB labeled, “Labeled” Home and Work options should appear at top

I always enjoy taking a quick walk through interesting grocery stores in cities in other countries. What would be good ones to check out in Bergen and Oslo? My Bergen hotel (chosen for me via the Viking extension package) is: Bergen Bors Hotel, Vagsallmenningen 1 My Oslo hotel (chosen for me via the Viking extension package) is: Thon Hotel Opera, Dronning Eugenia’s Gate 4 FYI: If you are on British Isles Explorer cruise and taking the after cruise extension soon, FYI: Both our Oslo and Bergen hotels changed recently. I almost didn’t notice that email from Viking.

Darn…

Yea I was wondering the same thing since I have a chase sapphire reserve. If they are consistent with what travel insurance plans do, then probably not. I hope I don’t need to find out Luggage forward has not return my call re purchasing insurance post payment

@LETMETRAVEL Thank you for such an excellent update! Is there anything you'd advise people packing for this trip to remember to bring?

Another FYI / lessons learned: Am using Luggage Forward for the first time. I purchased my usual trip insurance policy a while back from the wonderfully informative Steve Dasseos at the Trip Insurance Store @iamtrustworthy I later decided to use Luggage Forward to ship my luggage instead of checking it in I did not buy additional insurance beyond the $500 included through Luggage Forward when I signed up because I knew I already had purchased a trip insurance policy that covers lost luggage during travel. Then, I suddenly realize, Uh-oh... This is probably not considered "during travel" since I'm shipping the luggage in advance. A quick call to Deanna at Trip Insurance Store confirmed: travel insurance does not cover shipped luggage. Gah! Plan B: I tried to phone Luggage Forward to add on coverage. Only received a voicemail "our offices are now closed" Wonder why they have closed offices all day on a Tuesday? In any event, FYI on a lessons learned.