dreamercruise

I remember that outside of Prague Airport, there was a bus stand to take you downtown. The bus was similar to Viking tour buses, but with luggage rack in front. Our hotel was within steps to the bus stop. The amazing part is that the bus fare was only $2USD per person! The comfort, convenience, and wait time are no different than taking a taxi (taxi stand adjacent). Just make sure you get local currency at the airport first.

Agree that Prague is amazing. Both Prague and Budapest can easily be done by yourselves (especially for convenience tailored to your desire and degree of fatigue): by walking and public transportations such as trams and buses (we took Uber as well, but not sure if Uber is still available). Years ago, we took a Grand European river cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam. Since there were more flights (and less expensive) to/from Prague than Budapest (guess the rive cruise guests took up all available flight slots), we flew to Prague first to spend 5 days there, then boarded a train (comfortable first class available for booking online) to Budapest, where we spend extra nights before boarding the ship. We took time doing all the local points of interests, combined with multiple free walking tours (just book online and pay good tips. Best tours ever, and sometimes better than Viking’s). We googled for best restaurants, tried all variations of beer, and had a great time.

Availability of some popular excursions can be a problem, as WC guests have first pick.

I do not understand how the OP’s original intent of comparing between two #1 rated cruise lines has turned into a debate of how Viking should name and charge guests for the “gratuities”. The way I look at the charge is that it is a part of the cruise fare. I trust that Viking pays their staff well according to their position/responsibility (fair). The “gratuities”, split in a fixed way among all staff (again,fair), are like extras (similar to overtime pay) that vary with the number of guests onboard (more people => more work => more pay). Any additional tips that I pay to specific staff is discretionary (my choice, my judgement, fair or not). So, Viking, keep adding the “gratuities” to my onboard account at end of cruise, thereby saving me the trouble of tracking one more thing to do. Back to the original topic - thank you, OP, for your thoughts about the two cruise lines. Think I am more convinced that Viking is a better choice for me.

My choice would be Scenic for Iceland. I have sailed Scenic strictly for expedition cruises to Antarctic and Arctic, and shall be taking the Greenland route (with 2 stops in Iceland) soon. I have also sailed three Viking’s non-expedition, regular ocean cruises (including a world cruise). When it comes to expedition cruises to polar regions, Iceland, Greenland, and exotic islands, I would no doubt choose Scenic over Viking for the luxury, itinerary, food, and full experience. The availability of helicopter ride (unfortunately prohibited in Arctic) is also a plus for Scenic. In terms of price, luxury line Scenic is not that much more expensive than premium line Viking. Sometimes, occasional promotions from Scenic and/or lack of such from Viking may close the price gap a little. A more important factor for my next choice of expedition cruise line is itinerary/availability. The next Scenic cruise I am eyeing for is one of those segments to the exotic islands. The only Viking expedition cruise I shall consider is the Great Lakes (15-day). As for regular ocean cruises, my vote would no doubt be Viking due to more affordable price for its great value and excellent design of ship space (public area with open view of ocean and comfortable, relaxing, convenient, and homey feel of public space). Both lines have superb customer service.

If you stay until Capetown, will you be able to do a safari and possibly stay in Capetown vicinity for a few more days to see Victoria Falls?

Try contacting tellus@vikingcruises.com. They have sympathetic ears, and may give you some discounts towards a future cruise; and if they do, you may request the discounts be applied to your current sailing as shipboard credits (to pay for gratuities, shore excursions, silver spirits, and other onboard expenses). I hope they can do more for you, so you can enjoy your Egypt cruise without any negative thoughts hanging over your head. It would be a shame if your frustration would stop you from coming back, because Viking cruise is a good product.

I prefer authentic sticky rice wrapped in lotus leaves (steamed with uncooked sticky rice grains stuffed with meat or steamed with fried sticky rice mixed with meat inside leaves) over regular fried rice (not sticky rice). The lotus leaves give special flavor to the rice,

Added photos

Clay, Your photo of the mango cream desert confirms my earlier conclusion that the food in Chef Table varies a little, subject to interpretation of the chef at the time. The first and best ever mango desert that I tasted from Chef Table was on first day of last year’s World Cruise. Your looks like the filling is mixed with tapioca, so I suspect the presence of tapioca would make the filling drier, more fluffy, and less smooth. Mine was more like creamy and smooth egg custard filling in typical Portuguese egg custard tart but without the overly rich taste. Our Chef added a thin fruit jam layer, which enhanced the refreshing taste without making it too sweet. The outside shell in mine looks more crisp, I think. Any way, I think the Chef Table’s mango cream desert is one of the best Viking desert, especially that my most favorite fruit is mango.

After having been to Chef Table numerous times, I have concluded that the menu does not mean a whole lot (unless it contains lamb which I cannot tolerate). I find that for the same menu, the meals, in terms of taste, texture, presentation, and etc. are subject to each chef’s interpretation. Sometimes, they are very different than typical expectation (oh, whatever). It is like rolling a dice, 1/3 wow hit, 1/3 meh, and 1/3 acceptable. Still, it is an acceptable and welcoming alternative.

I would use Uber or Lyft to get me to JFK or EWR. You may want to google how long the ride takes and cushion time for unexpected traffic (big variable) crossing the tunnel from NYC to New Jersey. If you disembark at 8AM, there should be no problem making a 12:30 pm flight from EWR with 3+ hrs to spare. If you want to eliminate the risk of tunnel traffic, you may taxi or Uber to Grand Central Station to board a train (NJ coast line) directly (fare includes a connecting monorail) to EWR. Train ride is about 30 minutes total. The only traffic, in this case, is the relatively short, local NYC ride from cruise terminal to Grand Central Station. Above comment is based on the assumption that that your cruise terminal is in Manhattan and not somewhere in New Jersey.

Not many people can take such a far away trip last minute. If I were to take the trouble (shots, flight, and other logistics) of visiting South Africa, I would want the opportunity to do safari and Victoria Falls as well, but I doubt these land tours would be possible last minute.

Would someone know the amount of discounts for booking a 7-14 days cruise while onboard a Viking ship? I know the discounts are $500 per person for a cruise of 15 days or longer.

Try FV23 when booking cruise over phone, onboard ship, or through your travel agent. Cannot book with code online. I know code works for ocean cruises.