LIVE from the Viking Neptune World Cruise includes FTL and LA

[LunaSeaRetreat]

39 minutes ago, outlawuk said:

Is it really the wind? Ok I'm on Queen Victoria and we cannot enter port until you leave! We had letters this morning about immigration Departure checks tomorrow our 2nd day and it all sounds like a deliberate spoiler by the authorities. This will be the worst port experience of our World Cruise so far. It's now 10.47 waiting out at sea, captain gave ETA arrive alongside noon to 1300. What a shame.

We haven't heard much.  Something about trying to work things out with immigration to let us off for awhile.  That was about 2 hours ago so I don't think that is going to happen. Cape Town had an accident in the wind about a week ago.  I think they are being over cautious. Some cargo ships have left and entered port but they are very narrow compared to us.

Good luck.

[outlawuk]

12.44 update: Captain Queen Victoria says Neptune is Refusing to leave port saying too windy and Neptune captain cannot be persuaded, even though we are stuck outside waiting for his berth. - I note that QM2 arrives tomorrow so that may be interesting!

[BobCatter]

52 minutes ago, outlawuk said:

12.44 update: Captain Queen Victoria says Neptune is Refusing to leave port saying too windy and Neptune captain cannot be persuaded, even though we are stuck outside waiting for his berth. - I note that QM2 arrives tomorrow so that may be interesting!

Neptune Captain is 'refusing' to leave as the ship cannot take the crosswinds. HIs announcement said it isn't feasible - much less safe - with as much windage as the ship has. We will miss Lüderitz, but probably make Walvis Bay.

Edited April 11 by BobCatter

[garandlev]

Just now, BobCatter said:

Neptune Captain is 'refusing' to leave as the ship cannot take the crosswinds. HIs announcement said it isn't feasible - much less safe - with as much windage as the ship has. 

This is the Queen Victoria. The seas are calm and if we have been circling Cape Town since 7 a.m., your captain could leave the port if he chooses. Your ship is comparable to ours. We are all p*ssed at Viking...universal opinion is no one will ever sail with Viking after this stunt. Queen Mary 2 arrives tomorrow and you will be outgunned by Cunard....

[BobCatter]

5 minutes ago, garandlev said:

This is the Queen Victoria. The seas are calm and if we have been circling Cape Town since 7 a.m., your captain could leave the port if he chooses. Your ship is comparable to ours. We are all p*ssed at Viking...universal opinion is no one will ever sail with Viking after this stunt. Queen Mary 2 arrives tomorrow and you will be outgunned by Cunard....

It's not the seas, it's the crosswinds at the very narrow harbor entrance. 

Stunt? OK. 

Edited April 11 by BobCatter

[DJVKN]

9 minutes ago, garandlev said:

This is the Queen Victoria. The seas are calm and if we have been circling Cape Town since 7 a.m., your captain could leave the port if he chooses. Your ship is comparable to ours. We are all p*ssed at Viking...universal opinion is no one will ever sail with Viking after this stunt. Queen Mary 2 arrives tomorrow and you will be outgunned by Cunard....

My goodness. You have no idea what we are dealing with in Cape Town. Sounds like you had time to poll all 1400 passengers and none will sail Viking. Well that is great news for us. We love Viking!!

[garandlev]

Just now, BobCatter said:

It's not the seas, it's the crosswinds at the very narrow harbor entrance. 

Stunt? OK. 

Looking at the previous posts on this Viking site, it appears that your ship has missed multiple ports, all seemingly for the same reason. Perhaps the ship's length and breadth is not conducive to the seas associated with the world cruise. We have had no problem docking at Port Elizabeth in the same rough seas that turned you away. 

[Charlie39]

29 minutes ago, BobCatter said:

Neptune Captain is 'refusing' to leave as the ship cannot take the crosswinds. HIs announcement said it isn't feasible - much less safe - with as much windage as the ship has. We will miss Lüderitz, but probably make Walvis Bay.

Silver seas left. There is room for Victoria.  Come on in. Why is you captain not coming in to take silver seas place 

[Gurley Cruiser]

33 minutes ago, garandlev said:

Looking at the previous posts on this Viking site, it appears that your ship has missed multiple ports, all seemingly for the same reason. Perhaps the ship's length and breadth is not conducive to the seas associated with the world cruise. We have had no problem docking at Port Elizabeth in the same rough seas that turned you away. 

Bad info, the only port we’ve missed was Port Richards. Let you hotel manager know your trucks are waiting for you to arrive. Hope the winds improve over the next few days.😎😎

[Heidi13]

3 hours ago, garandlev said:

This is the Queen Victoria. The seas are calm and if we have been circling Cape Town since 7 a.m., your captain could leave the port if he chooses. Your ship is comparable to ours. We are all p*ssed at Viking...universal opinion is no one will ever sail with Viking after this stunt. Queen Mary 2 arrives tomorrow and you will be outgunned by Cunard....

 

Sorry, but Queen Victoria and Viking Neptune aren't even close to being comparable vessels with respect to handling characteristics.

 

Queen Victoria has 2 Azimuthing thrusters, which are commonly called Azipods, whereas the Viking ships have fixed bladed props with non-high lift rudders. Any vessel with Azipod type propulsion is considerably more manoeuvrable than a vessel with conventional rudders & props.

 

Also consider the installed horsepower, with Queen Victoria having almost triple the installed power than Viking ships.

 

Masters are also required to operate the vessel in accordance with the company's Safety Management System, with the latest SMS providing Master's with limiting wind conditions. The Master cannot sail, as that would be a serious non-conformity. The only option provided to the Master in these circumstances is the ISM Code 5.2, where the Master has overriding authority to take any action required for the safety of the vessel. This would only apply if the Master deemed the risks of staying alongside were greater than the risks of departing.

 

Having spent almost 30 yrs in command of pax vessels, I have made similar decisions many times. If you believe the Master can sail, please advise regarding your professional experience in making this determination?

 

BTW - gotta love the "Armchair Experts"

[Heidi13]

3 hours ago, garandlev said:

Looking at the previous posts on this Viking site, it appears that your ship has missed multiple ports, all seemingly for the same reason. Perhaps the ship's length and breadth is not conducive to the seas associated with the world cruise. We have had no problem docking at Port Elizabeth in the same rough seas that turned you away. 

 

The breadth of a ship is actually known as the "Beam". Length and beam have totally zero impact in a ship's ability to manoeuvre in wind.

 

The ability to dock has nothing to do with sea and all to do with wind speed and the resultant force applied to the ship's windage.

[Clay Clayton]

So Neptune have you left yet? If you haven’t already booked an excursion, folks enjoyed the included but we really loved the Dunes to the Ocean.  Video on the Sky thread.  
 

oh and how many are onboard now? We are reportedly 555

[DJVKN]

10 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

So Neptune have you left yet? If you haven’t already booked an excursion, folks enjoyed the included but we really loved the Dunes to the Ocean.  Video on the Sky thread.  
 

oh and how many are onboard now? We are reportedly 555

Hi Clay, we have not left yet. We are scheduled for that included one in Wavis Bay. Glad to hear it is a good one. 

I’ll ask tomorrow and let you know what I hear on the numbers.

[Azulann]

I have wondered what is happening on the Neptune. Glad to hear from you!

A little port drama from some passenger on another cruise ship posting on this wonderful thread.  WOW🤣

   

[Heidi13]

7 hours ago, Azulann said:

I have wondered what is happening on the Neptune. Glad to hear from you!

A little port drama from some passenger on another cruise ship posting on this wonderful thread.  WOW🤣

   

 

Just checked Marine traffic and they have departed.

[BobCatter]

Very disappointed to only get 1/2 a day in Namibia. It was the country I had most been looking forward to after the itinerary change. 
 

[DJVKN]

8 minutes ago, BobCatter said:

Very disappointed to only get 1/2 a day in Namibia. It was the country I had most been looking forward to after the itinerary change. 
 

It is getting a tad ridiculous isn’t it? It won’t be a 1/2 day. It’s 8 hours and that includes immigration. Sunset is 6:50 so about 3 hours of daylight IF we are of the ship by 4.

[BobCatter]

2 hours ago, DJVKN said:

It is getting a tad ridiculous isn’t it? It won’t be a 1/2 day. It’s 8 hours and that includes immigration. Sunset is 6:50 so about 3 hours of daylight IF we are of the ship by 4.

And what (if any) excursions will there be? I signed up for the dunes - which as a photographer I have been desperate to see - and I just don't know how that is going to happen. yay. bus tour.

[DJVKN]

39 minutes ago, BobCatter said:

And what (if any) excursions will there be? I signed up for the dunes - which as a photographer I have been desperate to see - and I just don't know how that is going to happen. yay. bus tour.

Africa overall as far as the cruise goes has been a bust. So far we have been to two ports since we left Mauritius on April 2nd. Not much of a world cruise for 1/4 of the trip. I know Viking can’t control the weather but it is a shame to spend all this money and time and basically sail around Africa. I really thought once we got to Cape Town it would get better. I realize the Captain tried to get us off the ship yesterday but it was still disappointing to be held captive when we could have been exploring. 
I agree I don’t think there will be anything more than a bus ride tomorrow. And then yea 7 more sea days. 

[BobCatter]

19 minutes ago, DJVKN said:

Africa overall as far as the cruise goes has been a bust. So far we have been to two ports since we left Mauritius on April 2nd. Not much of a world cruise for 1/4 of the trip. I know Viking can’t control the weather but it is a shame to spend all this money and time and basically sail around Africa. I really thought once we got to Cape Town it would get better. I realize the Captain tried to get us off the ship yesterday but it was still disappointing to be held captive when we could have been exploring. 
I agree I don’t think there will be anything more than a bus ride tomorrow. And then yea 7 more sea days. 

With 7 sea days to follow, it seems that (if the berth was available) we could overnight in Walvis Bay, with excursions in the morning, and then make up that time ate sea by putting a little of sea. I understand they don't control the weather, but they also don't try to compensate for the big misses. 

[Heidi13]

14 minutes ago, DJVKN said:

Africa overall as far as the cruise goes has been a bust. So far we have been to two ports since we left Mauritius on April 2nd. Not much of a world cruise for 1/4 of the trip. I know Viking can’t control the weather but it is a shame to spend all this money and time and basically sail around Africa. I really thought once we got to Cape Town it would get better. I realize the Captain tried to get us off the ship yesterday but it was still disappointing to be held captive when we could have been exploring. 
I agree I don’t think there will be anything more than a bus ride tomorrow. And then yea 7 more sea days. 

 

I can relate to the disappointment.

 

While Viking can't control the weather, they can build ships that can be handled safely in higher wind speeds. Based on the fixed props, basics rudders, installed HP and thrusters, my best guess is the Master can comfortably hold the ship against a sustained 25kt beam wind, possibly as high as say 28 kts. I would be surprised if they can comfortably handle a sustained 30 kt beam wind.

 

My last command was comfortable up to 33 kts and I have seen cruise ships handle 40 kts. I suspect the Queen Victoria, waiting outside Cape Town could handle 40 kts.

 

The Viking ships are well designed to handle ocean seas, but not so much for docking in winds. This is becoming more evident, as I am seeing increasing instances where Viking ships miss ports due to wind, while other ships are docked safely. Some may be due to the respective Master's risk tolerance, but it happens too frequently, to only involve risk tolerance.

 

I'll suggest the Viking ships need high-lift rudders and double/triple the HP in stern thrusters and a little more thruster capacity at the bow. This would require an additional DG in each E/R. Even with high lift rudders, they require more power on each shaft, as they have about the same as my last command, which was about 1/2 the gross tonnage and 200' shorter. 

 

[Clay Clayton]

I thought y’all were scheduled to overnight in Walvis Bay?  Did that get canned due to the late Cape Town departure also?

 

FWIW-immigration was a breeze for us-we went to Star Theatre 5 min before our scheduled excursion time (9:15am for us), got our group number in the hallway as usual, scanned our key card, walked up on stage, Viking put a sticker on our card, one of the four?five immigration officers looked at our passport, stamped it twice and filled in info by hand, we walked down the other side of the stairs, gave our passport to Viking folks, and headed to our excursion. 

I hope it will be as smooth for y’all as it was for us. Hate hearing yall aren’t getting to see as much as us. 

[BobCatter]

Just listened to the port talk for Walvis Bay.
 

Pros: We get to go into the desert. Special performances.

Cons: 500-600 people all trying to clear immigration and get on a bus at the same time. That worked great in Port Elizabeth. Not staying for sunset.

[Heidi13]

28 minutes ago, BobCatter said:

With 7 sea days to follow, it seems that (if the berth was available) we could overnight in Walvis Bay, with excursions in the morning, and then make up that time ate sea by putting a little of sea. I understand they don't control the weather, but they also don't try to compensate for the big misses. 

 

Unfortunately, the Master has a number of additional factors to consider in addition to berth availability and weather.

 

Currents are also a concern, with the current favourable until you reach the Equator and then you are bucking the current.

 

Delaying departure by a day means the speed required is the key factor. I'll suggest that if the vessel departs on time, if the speed required is over 15.5 to 16 kts, you have a risk of being late at the next port.

 

Using 16 kts, the vessel steams 384 miles in a day, discounting any cloxs, as the voyage is predominantly Northerly. If you delay departure by a day, those 384 miles must be steamed on the now only 6 available days, so each day requires and additional 64 miles, or an additional 2.7 kts.

 

If the original speed was 16 kts, to delay departure, the new speed is 18.7 kts, which would place a significant risk of being late for the next port, if you encountered any weather.

[BobCatter]

23 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

I can relate to the disappointment.

 

While Viking can't control the weather, they can build ships that can be handled safely in higher wind speeds. Based on the fixed props, basics rudders, installed HP and thrusters, my best guess is the Master can comfortably hold the ship against a sustained 25kt beam wind, possibly as high as say 28 kts. I would be surprised if they can comfortably handle a sustained 30 kt beam wind.

 

My last command was comfortable up to 33 kts and I have seen cruise ships handle 40 kts. I suspect the Queen Victoria, waiting outside Cape Town could handle 40 kts.

 

The Viking ships are well designed to handle ocean seas, but not so much for docking in winds. This is becoming more evident, as I am seeing increasing instances where Viking ships miss ports due to wind, while other ships are docked safely. Some may be due to the respective Master's risk tolerance, but it happens too frequently, to only involve risk tolerance.

 

I'll suggest the Viking ships need high-lift rudders and double/triple the HP in stern thrusters and a little more thruster capacity at the bow. This would require an additional DG in each E/R. Even with high lift rudders, they require more power on each shaft, as they have about the same as my last command, which was about 1/2 the gross tonnage and 200' shorter. 

 

Yes to this. On each of our ocean cruises with Viking we have missed ports that other ships make. I know things are weather dependent, but we missed ports in the North Atlantic due to winds, and one because the ship 'couldn't process cold water.'  Why are you taking this ship into the North Atlantic? On this particular trip, we missed 25% of our ports. 

Edited April 12 by BobCatter