Viking, can you please change the opening time to sign up for excursions?

Can't help but think majority of passengers are first time on VO and unless they're members of cc or other social media have no idea they should be waking at 3am. Rather than complaining, embrace early opening as an insiders edge.

Apparently SOME folks have trouble booking excursions. We waiting a month or so to book ours and had no problem. Guess we were lucky. And, as to dinner - I have no idea what mood I am going to be in 3 months from now. Heck, once we FINALLY picked a restaurant to go to last night, it still took 20 minutes for folks to make a dinner selection. LOL!

Woke up of my own free will today (just like last week when I did the excursions). Jogged to the gym, did all I needed to at the gym, jogged home. Then we did our dining stuff and had breakfast - nice routine.

However, we just can't settle to anything in the Chef's Table - mainly we simply selected Manfredi's and we'll duck and dive when we are on board for the rest.

However, I understand that there's no lunch in the mdr on embarkation, and no lunch in the mdr on a port day. We've obviously been spoilt in the past, with always a wonderful lunch on embarkation day in the restaurant, and always some form of afternoon tea available (either in the accommodation-specific lounge or in the suite). Well, it's always good to try something new, and so far this Viking cruise is full of new experiences for us.

Hope everyone else - on whatever cruise - get the dining and excursions of their choice.

Woke up of my own free will today (just like last week when I did the excursions). Jogged to the gym, did all I needed to at the gym, jogged home. Then we did our dining stuff and had breakfast - nice routine.

 

However, we just can't settle to anything in the Chef's Table - mainly we simply selected Manfredi's and we'll duck and dive when we are on board for the rest.

 

However, I understand that there's no lunch in the mdr on embarkation, and no lunch in the mdr on a port day. We've obviously been spoilt in the past, with always a wonderful lunch on embarkation day in the restaurant, and always some form of afternoon tea available (either in the accommodation-specific lounge or in the suite). Well, it's always good to try something new, and so far this Viking cruise is full of new experiences for us.

Hope everyone else - on whatever cruise - get the dining and excursions of their choice.

Viking does a very lovely afternoon tea in the Wintergarden daily.

Lunch in the World Cafe is equally lovely.

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Looking forward to all of it - we know it might be a little different from all our previous cruises; but we'll embrace the changes.

Vive la difference!

I'm not going to complain about times. I just have difficulty with the whole idea that the "upper classes" get first crack at the excursions. Most cruise lines do just fine with letting first come first serve even if you are in steerage. We have gotten all our excursions (we are "middle level") but were on a Viking Med cruise on which we met people who could not get any included tours in Algeria--and you could not get off the ship without a tour.

It would also be nice if we could prebook a restaurant reservation for four. We are a party of four but prebooking is limited to one table for two. Yes, we can usually book on board, but it does feel like a put down.

It is what it is, but I wish it were different.

Jay

I'm not going to complain about times. I just have difficulty with the whole idea that the "upper classes" get first crack at the excursions. Most cruise lines do just fine with letting first come first serve even if you are in steerage. We have gotten all our excursions (we are "middle level") but were on a Viking Med cruise on which we met people who could not get any included tours in Algeria--and you could not get off the ship without a tour.

It would also be nice if we could prebook a restaurant reservation for four. We are a party of four but prebooking is limited to one table for two. Yes, we can usually book on board, but it does feel like a put down.

It is what it is, but I wish it were different.

Jay

It's funny, this thread has certainly reminded me that we don't all see things the same way. We book the least expensive cabin, and don't object at all to the hierarchy for booking, only that I must get up at three in the morning to maximize my chances of getting an optional excursion!

We can not justify paying for a more expensive cabin, even if we lose out on an optional excursion. Once on board, everyone on a Viking ship is treated to the same wonderful experience, with access to all the same parts of the ship.

On your earlier Mediterranean cruise, whoever you heard claiming that they could not get an included excursion in Algiers was mistaken. Everyone is guaranteed a spot, and if all slots appear to be booked, then a call to Viking customer service will resolve the issue. If they waited until on board to try to fix such an error, then perhaps that could result in an inability to get a spot.

I'm not going to complain about times. I just have difficulty with the whole idea that the "upper classes" get first crack at the excursions. Most cruise lines do just fine with letting first come first serve even if you are in steerage. We have gotten all our excursions (we are "middle level") but were on a Viking Med cruise on which we met people who could not get any included tours in Algeria--and you could not get off the ship without a tour.

 

It would also be nice if we could prebook a restaurant reservation for four. We are a party of four but prebooking is limited to one table for two. Yes, we can usually book on board, but it does feel like a put down.

 

It is what it is, but I wish it were different.

 

Jay

You can now link your booking with another for dinner reservations. This is a recent change.

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Too bad Viking requires full payment so early. I'd prefer to know that my "essential" tours are available before I'm fully committed to go on the cruise.

Not sure I'm ready for that "leap of faith" as there is so much travel effort and money involved.

The cruise we're looking at is to see the Northern Lights -- where tourist accommodations are probably limited, and we're only there for one purpose, to get to see the Lights. If the most advantageous tours were unavailable, I would not be a happy camper!

Our date for payment for our cruises is about 80 days roughly before departure, so we can’t grumble. We prefer paying after the excursions are published so we’re happy.

Having visited Iceland several times, there is plenty of accommodation available; we usually go February or March. Beware there’s no guarantee of seeing the lights; and there’s no point paying out for special excursions to see them. We’ve known people pay for such excursions and fail. However we’ve been lucky. We don’t go to Iceland because of the lights; just love it there.

Our date for payment for our cruises is about 80 days roughly before departure, so we can’t grumble. We prefer paying after the excursions are published so we’re happy.

Having visited Iceland several times, there is plenty of accommodation available; we usually go February or March. Beware there’s no guarantee of seeing the lights; and there’s no point paying out for special excursions to see them. We’ve known people pay for such excursions and fail. However we’ve been lucky. We don’t go to Iceland because of the lights; just love it there.

How did you manage that? From everything I have read the best you can do is payment due 6 months before departure. That 6 month pre-payment is what has kept me from booking yet. My next cruise will be with Viking, but I’m holding off because of that.

We are used to Celebrity payment (85 days out), but the last couple of years our cruises with them have disappointed.

How did you manage that? From everything I have read the best you can do is payment due 6 months before departure. That 6 month pre-payment is what has kept me from booking yet. My next cruise will be with Viking, but I’m holding off because of that.

We are used to Celebrity payment (85 days out), but the last couple of years our cruises with them have disappointed.

She's in the UK where that is the normal final payment time. 70 days. I just counted it! ;)

Probably by simply booking direct. I do know however, that some folk in the UK use travel agents, and that they have to pay quite some time before departure.

We're very happy with the situation for us - and we get to see what the excursions are before we pay the final balance.

We don't like doing things through a travel agent, and have built up some nice relationships with cruise line reservations people.

We are in the UK and do use a TA. Payment is 10 weeks out. I suppose it is what it is - In the US do you have to pay for 'other' types of holidays more than 10 weeks out or is it just a Viking anomaly?

Viking anomaly

Having just been to Iceland last year to see the northern lights, a few things.

• As someone else noted, as a natural phenomenon, you cannot guarantee you’ll see them.
  
• Iceland is flooded with companies that offer northern lights tours. Book yourself.
  
• Depending on your type, book for every night you’re there (a mini-coach/coach usually rebooks if they cancel your original date because of weather/you don’t see them. Smaller excursions that include something else do not (see next bullet)
  
• I recommend a couple of the small group options. Of the three I did, one was mini coach, one was a private SUV tour (fabulous driver + 3-4 passengers that included dinner at a wonderful fresh seafood restaurant in Vik) and one North Atlantic small yacht (could hold about 15-20 people, we had crew + 5 passengers) while I saw lights on the mini coach tour, there were 40+ of us, which made it crowded and rushed, they weren’t as accomodating
  
• Know that the lights can be very subtle in the sky. You’ll get wonderful long exposure photos with a tripod but it is not vivid to the naked eye in many circumstances
  
• You *can* sometimes see them within Reykjavik if you get away from the city center but that is hit or miss
  
• Finally, there are a ton of great hotels in the city. Standard big names and cool little boutique ones. I stayed at a boutique one, while small, nicely appointed and I could walk everywhere in town in 10-29 min, about 30 minto the harbor
  

Too bad Viking requires full payment so early. I'd prefer to know that my "essential" tours are available before I'm fully committed to go on the cruise.

 

Not sure I'm ready for that "leap of faith" as there is so much travel effort and money involved.

 

The cruise we're looking at is to see the Northern Lights -- where tourist accommodations are probably limited, and we're only there for one purpose, to get to see the Lights. If the most advantageous tours were unavailable, I would not be a happy camper!

As the original poster, I though I should share some information about our booking experience for our October sailing of Trade Routes of the Middle Ages. We are booking from a Veranda cabin, so last to book, and I knew that going in, so I was prepared to be flexible.

My one concern was that, ages ago,when we booked the cruise, Bruges was shown as the included excursion from Zeebruge. Shortly afterwards, it was changed to an optional excursion. This was at the top of our list of places we wanted to see, so even though they had several optionals to include Bruges, I did feel some pressure to get up at opening time ( 3 AM on the east coast). As it turned out, none of the excursions to Bruges sold out, but then there is no way to know that in advance. Now I just need to hope weather issues don't prevent us from docking!

The overall booking was satisfactory, even though there were several optional excursions to other ports I might have chosen, but they were sold out before our time came. However, as I have seen suggested by others, I did keep checking back and Viking either added extra slots or there were cancellations. I have been able to add two excursions that were on my original wish list.

I still personally find it difficult to deal with a middle of the night booking time. If I hadn't been concerned about missing out on Bruges, I would not have bothered. In the end, all is well.

As the original poster, I though I should share some information about our booking experience for our October sailing of Trade Routes of the Middle Ages. We are booking from a Veranda cabin, so last to book, and I knew that going in, so I was prepared to be flexible.

 

My one concern was that, ages ago,when we booked the cruise, Bruges was shown as the included excursion from Zeebruge. Shortly afterwards, it was changed to an optional excursion. This was at the top of our list of places we wanted to see, so even though they had several optionals to include Bruges, I did feel some pressure to get up at opening time ( 3 AM on the east coast). As it turned out, none of the excursions to Bruges sold out, but then there is no way to know that in advance. Now I just need to hope weather issues don't prevent us from docking!

 

The overall booking was satisfactory, even though there were several optional excursions to other ports I might have chosen, but they were sold out before our time came. However, as I have seen suggested by others, I did keep checking back and Viking either added extra slots or there were cancellations. I have been able to add two excursions that were on my original wish list.

 

I still personally find it difficult to deal with a middle of the night booking time. If I hadn't been concerned about missing out on Bruges, I would not have bothered. In the end, all is well.

We cancelled lots of pre booked excursions due to “bus fatigue “ almost every place you go will have private car service to where you want to go. Get there before the busses, leave when you want. All at a price near or cheaper than the optional bus tours. Just a suggestion.

We cancelled lots of pre booked excursions due to “bus fatigue “ almost every place you go will have private car service to where you want to go. Get there before the busses, leave when you want. All at a price near or cheaper than the optional bus tours. Just a suggestion.��

Thanks, I do know that is a very good option, but we honestly don't mind buses. Our first five trips to Europe were escorted bus tours (I know, not everyone's cup of tea), and we have fond memories of those trips. We have some experience with outings on our own during those trips, but never when a ship would potentially be leaving us behind! This is just our second cruise, and I still prefer the security of a ship's excursion.

Now, next year, we will be in St. Petersburg with Viking for three days, and will be taking our first private tours. But even then, with Alla Tours, everything is pretty much in their hands, though it will be a smaller group. Maybe if I ever make it to the World Cruise, I will have your independence!

. Maybe if I ever make it to the World Cruise, I will have your independence!

Haha, Yes, I was ruined early for too much organization in my life. My English Grandfather took me all over England way back when I was a little kid and I spent the Summer of '69 backpacking all over Europe alone. Busses give me the willies.....:eek::cool:

Now, next year, we will be in St. Petersburg with Viking for three days, and will be taking our first private tours. But even then, with Alla Tours, everything is pretty much in their hands, though it will be a smaller group. Maybe if I ever make it to the World Cruise, I will have your independence!

Excellent choice for a tour company in SPB. Yes, you are in their hands, but in our experience we had about 20 from the ship. All would have fit in 1 mini bus, but they supplied 2 buses, so our group was only 10. We also departed long before the ship's tours.

Excellent choice for a tour company in SPB. Yes, you are in their hands, but in our experience we had about 20 from the ship. All would have fit in 1 mini bus, but they supplied 2 buses, so our group was only 10. We also departed long before the ship's tours.

Every review I have seen here about Alla has been terrific. I really look forward to seeing St. Petersburg with them, and the small groups will be a pleasure.

Viking is in business to serve its customers. If they fail in that regard, they go out of business. Since their overwhelming demographic comes from US and Canada, why not make it more convenient for them by opening excursion & restaurant booking at sometime between 9AM to noon Eastern time? Western Europe would also be awake at that time.

This arrangement, however would be a MAJOR inconvenience to those who are working in the 9 to 5 world. A one size fits all is just not a realistic possibility. Frankly we have taken three VO cruises and two river cruises which now have optional excursions and have never logged on to make my selections in the wee hours. I have always made a note of the date and will generally log on sometime that day when it is convenient for me ... often later in the evening! Never had a problem with getting the excursions I wanted at the times I wanted.

Frankly I think that the "wee hours rituals" are more about feeding the excitement of the planning of the trip than any serious issue of availability. After all, booking a Viking Cruise doesn't leave a lot for planning freaks (I know, I travel with one!) to really sink their teeth into. Booking excursions takes on a greater level of importance.

Does anyone know if it is possible to see the wish lists for both people traveling in one place and that only one of us is in charge of booking? We do not want to do the same excursions on all days but I can only seem to see my own wishlist.

Does anyone know if it is possible to see the wish lists for both people traveling in one place and that only one of us is in charge of booking? We do not want to do the same excursions on all days but I can only seem to see my own wishlist.

I think that it is possible to view the calendar for the cruise, and that will show what has been arranged for the passengers on your reservation.

However, it all happened so quickly for us that I didn't really bother with a wishlist. Having said that though, it isn't the first time we will have done our particular current itinerary.

Good luck.