Live Trip Report "Bermuda Escape" July 13,2021

[Azulann]

"Bermuda has been paradise but one had to go through hell to get there."  -Mark Twain

 

So excited to be  cruising again ,  getting on plane  for the first time in 14 months, to reach my destination.

This is my second Viking cruise, having had sailed many times on Celebrity ships. I always go in at least a day early  to home port and stay a day later after any cruise. 

I rarely use  the cruise line air.

 But this time , I am using Viking Air. Having been bumped from a Delta flight back in May a number of us  were rerouted on United  to EWR a day early, being put up at the Marriott and flying to Bermuda from EWR on July13.

Morning coffee in hand, my  United flight from MSP  to EWR today is delayed .Got a nice text from United on my phone.

 So now I can finish my whole pot of coffee. I am of Danish heritage, and my Bestamor told me that coffee is our life blood.

I  agree.

 

I invite any  of our  roll call cruisers, a real chatty  and creative bunch, to add to this trip report. 

Hope to  have pictures of our cruise days on ship and on land. 

 

 Rechecking  all my documents :  COVID vaccination card, Pre Covid test  lab report, BTA green form signed with bar code, 

 I have made two copies of each for the entry  into Bermuda. 

Have my iPhone for pictures and my new MacAir , two books, two copies of the New Yorker , and red licorice in my carry on.

Am checking one  25 in bag., 

Cheers! 

Patti

 

 

 

 

[gailellen12]

Have a wonderful trip Patti. I still hope to make my Aug 3 sailing but am now awaiting the return of my renewed passport whch was sent in expedited several weeks ago. I also must admit I am still intimidated about doing Bermuda form.  If not Bermuda this summer eyeing a lovely river cruise using my cruise credit. Thanks again for your positive tips and uplifting spirit. Gailellen12

[Frenchberet]

Hi Patti, sounds like you’re ready to roll!  Can’t wait to read all about your trip, have fun!

[bafinegan]

Hubbs and I leave for Atlanta this afternoon.  We decided to spend the night there because our flight from Atlanta to Charlotte ( routing thru to Bermuda) leaves at 630 am.  First hotel shuttle is 420, but it is only 2 miles to the airport.  

 

We also have made several copies of the BTA, Covid PCR test, Covid vaccination card, trip itinerary etc.  Everything that was on Vikings checklist.  Hubbs has his copies, I have mine, third set in carry one luggage and photo copies on my phone😉.  Hubbs keeps moaning about all the hoops and i just tell him to think how much he will appreciate this cruise once there!😁

 

See ya'll tomorrow night!  Safe travels.

[bluesea777]

3 hours ago, gailellen12 said:

Have a wonderful trip Patti. I still hope to make my Aug 3 sailing but am now awaiting the return of my renewed passport whch was sent in expedited several weeks ago. I also must admit I am still intimidated about doing Bermuda form.  If not Bermuda this summer eyeing a lovely river cruise using my cruise credit. Thanks again for your positive tips and uplifting spirit. Gailellen12

 

I don't know if you have read that Viking has extended Bermuda Escape cruise season with 6 extra sailings and they will go Friday to Friday (rather than Tues to Tues currently) and resume on Aug 13 with final sailing on Sept 17.

 

 

[BlufftonCruisers]

Patti, thank you for starting a posting about our cruise leaving tomorrow. This is our first time on Viking and your posts along with all the others have been so informative and a lifesaver for us in preparation for this fabulous vacation. We look forward to meeting you onboard and making new friends.  Thank you again.

 

Terry & Dave

 

[MarkBearSF]

All set. Our red-eye to Atlanta leaves tonight. SOOOO looking forward to this trip. 

Edited July 12, 2021 by MarkBearSF

[molymoo]

As I start packing for the trip home 😢 I would like to extend good wishes to those of you who will be enjoying this wonderful ship and it’s fabulous crew next week!  This was one of our best cruises and it was largely due to the wonderful young people here making our every day special!  
 

A couple of recommendations and reminders as you embark on your journey  …

Don’t over schedule yourselves.  Most of our excursions went over the allotted time ( one significantly! ) so you might miss something if you book things too tightly.  We had some people very worried about possibly missing spa appointments and it made for some anxious moments.  This should be a relaxing trip!  
 

Be patient with the spa staff!  We have probably all seen them calmly manning the desk and escorting passengers to their various treatments but the new COVID protocols have them hopping!  They make and manage the appointments for the thermal suite, the fitness center, and of course they are still doing massages and facials, etc.  They will escort people to the suite if they are new, hand out towels and bottles of water (the water in the suite is not currently available).  While I waited for a facial one “gentleman” told the poor harried girl at the desk that she was going to have to show him how to use the treadmill!  If you want to use the suite book early and give them a please and thank you!  It’s surprising how many people forget that simple courtesy!

 

Finally (she said getting up on her soapbox) follow the protocols!  Wear a mask when you are supposed to and try to practice social distancing.  By and large most passengers on this cruise were compliant and cooperative but there were a few who were openly defiant and very vocal about the “stupid” rules.  Thankfully they were in a small minority but put some of the lovely young people working on the ship in difficult positions.  
 

Have a wonderful cruise!  Enjoy the amazing crew and the beautiful island of Bermuda!

[Azulann]

Being in  an airport for the first time since 2019 seemed like I was back in the 70"s.  It was not very busy. Easy to get through TSA.  had a nice sit down breakfast, walked the main mall at terminal 1. MSP is a lovely airport , super clean and lots of remodelling a couple of years ago. 

Flight was uneventful. But love the Dutch cookie United gives as  a real snack!. 

EWR on the other hand , especially  baggage is a very lonely place if you are looking for anyone who know which carousal.

I am now at the Marriott Hotel.  Sitting in the bar/gill having  my first G& T.  Wondering which  people here are going to be on the  cruise tomorrow. I did met two gentlemen who were on our flight , staying at hotel and going on the cruise.

Waiting for a couple from our roll call who are driving down from PA to spend night here. Hope to meet them  later.  

Thank you all for your well wishes.

Molymoo,  than you for the tips about don't over doing, and the spa staff. 

Cheers,

Patti

[njhorseman]

10 hours ago, Azulann said:

 So now I can finish my whole pot of coffee. I am of Danish heritage, and my Bestamor told me that coffee is our life blood.

I  agree.

Is coffee the source of Denmark's famous hygge? 😉

[Britcnm]

15 hours ago, Azulann said:

"Bermuda has been paradise but one had to go through hell to get there."  -Mark Twain

 

So excited to be  cruising again ,  getting on plane  for the first time in 14 months, to reach my destination.

This is my second Viking cruise, having had sailed many times on Celebrity ships. I always go in at least a day early  to home port and stay a day later after any cruise. 

I rarely use  the cruise line air.

 But this time , I am using Viking Air. Having been bumped from a Delta flight back in May a number of us  were rerouted on United  to EWR a day early, being put up at the Marriott and flying to Bermuda from EWR on July13.

Morning coffee in hand, my  United flight from MSP  to EWR today is delayed .Got a nice text from United on my phone.

 So now I can finish my whole pot of coffee. I am of Danish heritage, and my Bestamor told me that coffee is our life blood.

I  agree.

 

I invite any  of our  roll call cruisers, a real chatty  and creative bunch, to add to this trip report. 

Hope to  have pictures of our cruise days on ship and on land. 

 

 Rechecking  all my documents :  COVID vaccination card, Pre Covid test  lab report, BTA green form signed with bar code, 

 I have made two copies of each for the entry  into Bermuda. 

Have my iPhone for pictures and my new MacAir , two books, two copies of the New Yorker , and red licorice in my carry on.

Am checking one  25 in bag., 

Cheers! 

Patti

 

 

 

 

Have a wonderful trip. Looking forward to your reports

[bluesea777]

Patti, safe flight to Bermuda, and hope all goes well for you all the way to your stateroom!

 

I do have a couple of favours to ask you ..... 

 

1. Chef's Table - what rotation is on the week of July 13-20? So I can figure out what's on when during the week of our cruise Aug 3-10. Somebody else already gave the choices for week June 29-July 5.

 

2. On board shops - do they sell duty free spirits? If so, do they sell bottles of Aquavit?? I'm half Danish (hej, hallo!!) and our Akvavit stock is nearly dried up so hope to be able to stock it up when we are on the cruise in 3 weeks' time! We're meant to go to DK next month but thanks to Rona we're not going.

 

Looking forward to your reports!

 

ENJOY!!

 

 

[Azulann]

4 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

Patti, safe flight to Bermuda, and hope all goes well for you all the way to your stateroom!

 

I do have a couple of favours to ask you ..... 

 

1. Chef's Table - what rotation is on the week of July 13-20? So I can figure out what's on when during the week of our cruise Aug 3-10. Somebody else already gave the choices for week June 29-July 5.

 

2. On board shops - do they sell duty free spirits? If so, do they sell bottles of Aquavit?? I'm half Danish (hej, hallo!!) and our Akvavit stock is nearly dried up so hope to be able to stock it up when we are on the cruise in 3 weeks' time! We're meant to go to DK next month but thanks to Rona we're not going.

 

Looking forward to your reports!

 

ENJOY!!

 

 

Good morning ! 
yes , I will post the chef table schedule for this week. Also check about buying spirits on board in any shop . I do not remember all they had in the shops. 

 

 

[njhorseman]

9 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

On board shops - do they sell duty free spirits?

Since the ship will be in Bermuda for the entire time I think the duty free shop will be closed...unless perhaps the ship ventures far enough offshore on its "at sea" days.

[lattefun]

So excited to start this trip today ONLY to receive a text at 2:00 am that our Inited flight leaving at 7:00 am was cancelled and rescheduled for 7/14.  This resulted in our PCR test being ineligible to enter Bermuda.  Spoke with Viking and our trip was then cancelled.  I highly recommend not flying through Newark.  We just received notice from United that tomorrow’s flight would most likely be cancelled.  What a major disappointment this has been☹️

[Azulann]

2 minutes ago, lattefun said:

So excited to start this trip today ONLY to receive a text at 2:00 am that our Inited flight leaving at 7:00 am was cancelled and rescheduled for 7/14.  This resulted in our PCR test being ineligible to enter Bermuda.  Spoke with Viking and our trip was then cancelled.  I highly recommend not flying through Newark.  We just received notice from United that tomorrow’s flight would most likely be cancelled.  What a major disappointment this has been☹️

OMG , don’t know when your first UA flight was coming from?  I am so sorry this happened to you . It is my worst nightmare flying the day of a cruise. 
I am sitting at C95 in EWR  waiting to board the flight to Bermuda. 

[ohiojohn]

based on the seat map for the EWR to BDA this morning, there are over 30 open seats

[molymoo]

10 hours ago, bluesea777 said:

Patti, safe flight to Bermuda, and hope all goes well for you all the way to your stateroom!

 

I do have a couple of favours to ask you ..... 

 

1. Chef's Table - what rotation is on the week of July 13-20? So I can figure out what's on when during the week of our cruise Aug 3-10. Somebody else already gave the choices for week June 29-July 5.

 

2. On board shops - do they sell duty free spirits? If so, do they sell bottles of Aquavit?? I'm half Danish (hej, hallo!!) and our Akvavit stock is nearly dried up so hope to be able to stock it up when we are on the cruise in 3 weeks' time! We're meant to go to DK next month but thanks to Rona we're not going.

 

Looking forward to your reports!

 

ENJOY!!

 

 

There is a limited selection of spirits available for purchase in one of the shops … there is a whiskey and of course aquavit!  The shops are only open while the ship is at sea.  Got this info from my daughter the ninja shopper! 😉

[stace11]

1 hour ago, lattefun said:

So excited to start this trip today ONLY to receive a text at 2:00 am that our Inited flight leaving at 7:00 am was cancelled and rescheduled for 7/14.  This resulted in our PCR test being ineligible to enter Bermuda.  Spoke with Viking and our trip was then cancelled.  I highly recommend not flying through Newark.  We just received notice from United that tomorrow’s flight would most likely be cancelled.  What a major disappointment this has been☹️

Same thing happened to me. The Detroit - Newark leg canceled in the middle of the night and they rebooked me for tomorrow. So frustrating after the hoops we jumped through only to be thwarted by a stupid weather delay. I should’ve trusted my gut to change to another carrier a couple months ago when I heard the news that Newark would be doing major runway construction starting last week, but prices had gone way up and seats were limited. 
 

Hope those of you who make it to the ship today have a fabulous trip!

[aungrl]

4 hours ago, lattefun said:

So excited to start this trip today ONLY to receive a text at 2:00 am that our Inited flight leaving at 7:00 am was cancelled and rescheduled for 7/14.  This resulted in our PCR test being ineligible to enter Bermuda.  Spoke with Viking and our trip was then cancelled.  I highly recommend not flying through Newark.  We just received notice from United that tomorrow’s flight would most likely be cancelled.  What a major disappointment this has been☹️

I am so, so sorry to hear this.  Heartbreaking, I know.  

[bluesea777]

@Azulannhaven't heard from you since early this morning ... hope all went well and you're on the ship!

 

 

[Azulann]

The view from our aft stateroom in Hamilton. LOL

Unpacked . Plenty of drawers for both of us. On Orion there is a set of 4 drawers in the closet plus a set in hallway. Had the coffee maker & tray removed for more storage for us. 
Ronnie and Indra are our room stewards . They explained the saliva tubes. Spit , spit some more , to the 2m line. We did this upon arriving in our room. Do it each morning before 11. Wear a tracing device on a lanyard either around your neck or in your pocket. It must be on your person outside your room. Temp taking once a day , face recognition scanner outside the restaurant , world cafe. Sanitizer machines all over the ship. Feel totally safe and appreciate Viking health protocols .

Many  first time Viking cruisers , some have done river cruisers but first time on Ocean cruise. 
Easy to make appointments for spa , fitness or change add excursions for us. Sister going to gym at 6 am everyday. I will have a facial on second sea day after we have our hour in the thermal spa. The snow grotto is not working😟

We changed our excursion for today. We are going to Art museum botanical gardens in morning and the Famous Homes and Hideway cruise in mid afternoon. 
Had dinner in Restaurant , window table . They have a category called destination menu. Had the blackened grouper, cab cake soufflé, steamed veggies and rum raisin ice cream. We were in bed by 10 .

 

Edited July 14, 2021 by Azulann

[molymoo]

1 hour ago, Azulann said:

The view from our aft stateroom in Hamilton. LOL

Unpacked . Plenty of drawers for both of us. On Orion there is a set of 4 drawers in the closet plus a set in hallway. Had the coffee maker & tray removed for more storage for us. 
Ronnie and Indra are our room stewards . They explained the saliva tubes. Spit , spit some more , to the 2m line. We did this upon arriving in our room. Do it each morning before 11. Wear a tracing device on a lanyard either around your neck or in your pocket. It must be on your person outside your room. Temp taking once a day , face recognition scanner outside the restaurant , world cafe. Sanitizer machines all over the ship. Feel totally safe and appreciate Viking health protocols .

Many  first time Viking cruisers , some have done river cruisers but first time on Ocean cruise. 
Easy to make appointments for spa , fitness or change add excursions for us. Sister going to gym at 6 am everyday. I will have a facial on second sea day after we have our hour in the thermal spa. The snow grotto is not working😟

We changed our excursion for today. We are going to Art museum botanical gardens in morning and the Famous Homes and Hideway cruise in mid afternoon. 
Had dinner in Restaurant , window table . They have a category called destination menu. Had the blackened grouper, cab cake soufflé, steamed veggies and rum raisin ice cream. We were in bed by 10 .

 

So glad you are settled in!  We’re home and already missing the ship and wonderful crew!  (I’m still waiting for someone to come make my bed!!) Have a wonderful cruise, eat fabulous food (Maria in The Restaurant is a rare and wonderful treasure!!!) and soak it all in.  You’ve run the gauntlet to get there and earned a bit of life’s bliss!!

[doggfan7]

2 hours ago, Azulann said:

The view from our aft stateroom in Hamilton. LOL

Unpacked . Plenty of drawers for both of us. On Orion there is a set of 4 drawers in the closet plus a set in hallway. Had the coffee maker & tray removed for more storage for us. 
Ronnie and Indra are our room stewards . They explained the saliva tubes. Spit , spit some more , to the 2m line. We did this upon arriving in our room. Do it each morning before 11. Wear a tracing device on a lanyard either around your neck or in your pocket. It must be on your person outside your room. Temp taking once a day , face recognition scanner outside the restaurant , world cafe. Sanitizer machines all over the ship. Feel totally safe and appreciate Viking health protocols .

Many  first time Viking cruisers , some have done river cruisers but first time on Ocean cruise. 
Easy to make appointments for spa , fitness or change add excursions for us. Sister going to gym at 6 am everyday. I will have a facial on second sea day after we have our hour in the thermal spa. The snow grotto is not working😟

We changed our excursion for today. We are going to Art museum botanical gardens in morning and the Famous Homes and Hideway cruise in mid afternoon. 
Had dinner in Restaurant , window table . They have a category called destination menu. Had the blackened grouper, cab cake soufflé, steamed veggies and rum raisin ice cream. We were in bed by 10 .

 

 

Thank you, @Azulann for blogging your trip. On the August 3rd sailing, we'll be sailing aft in 5111, so nice to see the "view" welcoming us in Hamilton :). Did you hear anything more about the snow grotto? Hoping it is fixed soon for you to enjoy at some point this cruise, and for our cruise as we were looking forward to it!

[Azulann]

17 minutes ago, doggfan7 said:

 

Thank you, @Azulann for blogging your trip. On the August 3rd sailing, we'll be sailing aft in 5111, so nice to see the "view" welcoming us in Hamilton :). Did you hear anything more about the snow grotto? Hoping it is fixed soon for you to enjoy at some point this cruise, and for our cruise as we were looking forward to it!

I just talked to my sister, the snow grotto is cold  and working, just not falling snow. I misspoke earlier.