CDNPolar

I am happy if it curbs users. Quicker transit for the rest of us. Frankly we are at a point in life where if it is convenient, we pay for it. For those in the know, we have a HWY 407 Transponder but might only use it once a month. However, if we can get there via the 407 over the 401 you bet I am going to pay the toll.

With Viking we have always "engaged" with the Crew to a larger extent. With our Cabin Attendant(s) we try to engage with them on day one and then try to chat with them whenever we can. Same with the servers in the dining rooms, and the wine servers. When we find a team in the Restaurant we ask for them nightly by indicating this to the Host in The Restaurant and nightly we get to know them and again, engage with them. We find that we have a better experience when we actively engage them in conversation and generally interact with them. I know some don't want to engage in conversation with the Crew and that is okay too. For us any decline has been more in the menu and food side of things. Not a lot, but it is like "shrinkflation" you don't notice it blatantly but it is there if you look.

I agree with you on your points. We would likely cancel our future bookings and move to Oceana.

...and could you even hear the announcements? How many times have we been in busy airports all around the world and in most areas of the departure lounge you cannot hear anything that the gate agent is saying.

I may be a pessimist but I believe that nothing is free - today. I just got contacted on LinkedIn to attend a full day conference in Toronto. Looks like an amazing line up of speakers and topics. Could not find the price for the day anywhere, but assumed that it would be in the range of $600 to $800 for the day. Went back to the person inviting me - oh and she just connected with me on LinkedIn the day before, and she is from overseas - and she indicated that I would be her guest and that it would cost me nothing. Why me? You don't know me, so what value am I bringing? This would be an expensive event to put on. There is a scam of some kind tied up in this invitation. Nothing is free.

You are suggesting that the onboard booking bonus or credit was up to $2,000.00? We have booked a number of future cruises while onboard but never, never have we seen a credit that is this big. Generally it is a $400 pp past guest discount, 6 months payment (which we always get anyway) and an OBC of a couple hundred for the cruise we are on. This may add closer to $600 in savings over booking off the ship. Do you have more intel on this? Unless you are counting in Free Air but that is available to anyone booking on or off a ship? Like @Squawkman indicated, you can only do this on an Ocean Ship and not on River.

This is perhaps too personal of a question, but are you going to buy Viking when they IPO?

Curious what you want to suggest?

Yeah, it may be harder for your Mom but I have read that others have achieved the SSBP when their adult cabin mate did not drink. You should have organized the cabin occupancy (on paper) as you and your mom and your sister and stepdad. You would stay in your preferred way - you and your sister - but for the booking and the SSBP you would have no worries this way. The other way to look at it is that the SSBP is nothing special. You still have access to everything Viking sells in liquor, wine, and beer, you just pay for it as you go. Since you get free / included beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and if these are ok for you then you have to justify spending $25 per day above that in other drinks. A lot of Viking drinks are only $8.00 or less. Let us know how you make out.

Interesting YouTube on Viking's potential IPO and what it means for you and me. I don't necessarily support this opinion, but it is interesting to see this guy's opinion.

Be careful on expedition type cruises, and if there are any "high risk" activities. The typical - emphasis on typical - medical plan does not cover injury from zip lining, scuba diving, rock climbing, parasailing, etc. You can buy insurance for these, but the typical policy does not cover these types of activities.

Every insurance policy that I have seen for travel when it comes to medical, it is very explicit that YOU must call the insurance company at the first sign of illness and/or before treatment starts unless it is an accident that prevents you from calling... This would never be the role of the doctor, clinic, or hospital.

We did not do this excursion, but here is the full description when you get your final documents. Passau Salzburg Highlights Price: $385.00 CAD Duration: 9.50 Hours DEPASSEO04 Date: December 06, 2024 08:15 AM Available City of Mozart and “The Sound of Music” -- Drive with your guide past charming mountain villages, rolling hills and pristine lakes. Upon arrival in this glorious city, enjoy a guided walking tour of the Italianate Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its high-baroque architecture. Pass by the Hagenauer House at Getreidegasse 9, the birthplace of renowned classical composer Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Salzburg’s favorite son; today, it is one of Austria’s most visited museums. See the Domplatz, dominated by the 249-foot 17th-century Dom and St. Peter’s Abbey, where Mozart premiered the Great Mass in C Minor in 1783. Savor lunch in Austria’s oldest restaurant, named for the church, as classically trained singers and musicians regale you with songs in the spirit of the musical.

Sorry @gabelle9 as this discussion has gotten way off your original question. I hope you have your answer! Welcome to Cruise Critic!

Sorry - thought you were doing Antarctica~