“Viking Daily” Needs More Port Info

[PlanoTim]

I was on the San Juan 2/5 South American and Caribbean cruise on th Viking Sea that returned last Thursday. In three ports we used beach towels that were piled near the exit, easy to miss if you weren’t looking. There were no beach towels left in the cabin.

We were on the Viking Sea cruise right before yours and our cabin steward left beach towels on the bed for us each evening before our beach/snorkel excursions. In fact they would leave them even if we already had a couple still folded & unused in our cabin. I guess it depends on the cabin steward team.

[jiminyC_fan]

The towel "issue" seems nit picking to me.

[Cyber Kat]

While I certainly agree that it’s nice to be given information, there is one thing I have learned is that a rather large portion of the population either doesn’t read or they have poor reading comprehension skills (social media is a prime example). I’m one of those annoying people who prefers to do research and ask questions.

 

I thought about towels, so I asked and will double check with our steward. We got maps and port guides on our river cruise, so I will be asking onboard about them for our ocean cruise. We also headed the advice to attend the port talks. On the river cruise that was easy. It was during happy hour in the lounge, so a natural [emoji12]

 

I take to heart, the maxim “If you want something done right, do it, yourself.” [emoji16]. There is also “Live and learn.” I will continue to operate this way, even if Viking includes the Encyclopedia Brittanica in the Viking Daily [emoji41]

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Eaches]

The towel "issue" seems nit picking to me.

 

 

 

It is !

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[Mrs Miggins]

We did pick up the Viking Maps on our previous cruises. However, in my opinion they are not very detailed, and whilst points of interest are marked there is very little other information. Of course it does mark the shuttle bus location which is very important. Most times there is a Tourist Information booth when you disembark and I would recommend getting the maps from them.

I am also a researcher. I do not understand why anyone would travel half way across the world without doing some preliminary research about the ports we are visiting. Google maps and tourist bureau sites are easily available online.

It seemed to me that those who have done least research are those that have previously been on Viking river cruises and were new to Ocean Cruises, so were expecting the same level of input. River and Ocean cruising are not the same. Many had absolutely no idea where the port was located in relation to the places they wanted to see.

[Cyber Kat]

We did pick up the Viking Maps on our previous cruises. However, in my opinion they are not very detailed, and whilst points of interest are marked there is very little other information. Of course it does mark the shuttle bus location which is very important. Most times there is a Tourist Information booth when you disembark and I would recommend getting the maps from them.

 

I am also a researcher. I do not understand why anyone would travel half way across the world without doing some preliminary research about the ports we are visiting. Google maps and tourist bureau sites are easily available online.

 

It seemed to me that those who have done least research are those that have previously been on Viking river cruises and were new to Ocean Cruises, so were expecting the same level of input. River and Ocean cruising are not the same. Many had absolutely no idea where the port was located in relation to the places they wanted to see.

 

 

 

Even for my river cruise, I had Google maps and directions downloaded to my iPad. I had key phrases in the languages we would encounter (where are the toilets? being the most important, in addition to please and thank you [emoji16] ). I looked up all the places we wanted to see in our free time.

 

I think you can’t depend on a cruise line to know exactly what each of their passengers are going to want to see and do. I’m grateful that Viking includes the highlights in their tours. And that they provide the shuttle information - that’s the important thing. I don’t need them to tell me where the beaches are. Google is your friend [emoji16]

 

You are so right that river and ocean cruises are not the same. I keep saying that the only thing they have in common is water and a ship/boat.

 

But people really need to do the background work to get the most out of their trip. At least check the Rick Steves guides. And Viking has lots of port Info and recommended reading on their website. You are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t, IMO.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[14thmed]

I prefer it in printed form too. That way I can read it quick, get the details, then decide if I need to go listen to someone talk forever.

[Geosez]

 

But people really need to do the background work to get the most out of their trip. At least check the Rick Steves guides. And Viking has lots of port Info and recommended reading on their website. You are doing yourself a disservice if you don’t, IMO.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

 

In my not-so-humble opinion too, CK. That should apply to any trip unless all you want is a boat ride and to be waited on hand and foot - and admittedly, for this much money one might reasonably expect that.

 

However, as Chmn. Hagen says, it’s the “thinking man’s cruise”. Just sayin’.