JosieCat-MN

I appreciate your honesty. I took a domestic cruise on American Cruise lines a few years ago, and that was my main complaint. I don't always want to sit down for a 2-hour meal - not for 7 nights in a row. So I will look into the tray option and also the alternate seating. I don't care where I sit. Thanks again!!!

You are SO helpful! Thank you!!! Well, that's a bit disappointing. I know you don't have to "dress up" for dinner, but just really didn't want the whole "dining room" experience for all 7 nights. I was really looking forward to there being an alternative.

I hope the OP doesn't mind me piggy backing in a question. I have searched and not had good results. I'm trying to figure out what a Viking privileged access excursion is. Of course, that's the only excursion that really interests me. How does one get to be privileged? Thanks,

I read that they have an alternate area, more casual, for some of the dining. Was this just for breakfast and lunch, or was it available for dinner too? I'm a solo traveler, and don't want to necessarily do a big dinner every night? Thanks!!!

Thanks everyone for your help. I did book my flights. No upgrades available, but when I looked at what Comfort + got you over main, I didn't really need it. Don't really need extra legroom, don't really needs snacks/drinks and I'm checking luggage, so no real motivation to board early - or get off early as I have a 3-hour layover. They agreed that a one-hour layover wasn't enough time. I consider that first day a travel day anyway. Still get in at 1:45 p.m. But I got the flight I wanted and the window seat I wanted, so I'm good - and it's DONE! One less thing to worry about. I had to pay the $100 for the Viking Air + and a $253 air differential - or whatever they call it. Again - thanks all!!!

Thank you! I didn't realize I could do the Air Plus early. I thought I had to wait until July. One last question. Are flight upgrades available using the Air Plus. I would at least like the next higher level up from the main cabin. Obviously, I would pay for the upgrade.

Wow, many comments since the last time I checked in. New question, probably a stupid idea. I'm heading to Zurich 4 days before my cruise. I did pay for flights through Viking, but am getting impatient as apparently they won't book them until July (my cruise is October 4). Is it stupid to book a flight you like, that can be cancelled, just in case. I found a flight that I like – 4:35 p.m. – arriving in Zurich at 10:25 a.m. This has a 1 hour 15 minute layover in CDG. First question. Is that enough time, and how easy is that airport to navigate. I picked this flight for the short layover, but also because they are offering the Comfort+ Economy for $1,090 where all the other flights are in the $1,400 range. I would also spend another $125 to make it refundable. This way if I actually end up with decent flights through Viking I could cancel. My plan is to let Viking book my flight home, as I don’t really care on that one.

I did call Viking and this is what I was told. How accurate it is - is anyone's guess. Once your Viking form is finished (mine isn't as I'm still waiting for my passport renewal), at any point, they can assign you to flights - which they will e-mail you. Once you are 300 days out, then you can use the Air Plus to try to improve on those. At 150 days out, those will show up on your My Viking Journey and you can make changes directly in there. But I was told that even after that point, if I absolutely hate them, I can cancel the flight portion and get that portion credited back (minus the Air Plus fee) and book my own. Thanks everyone!

So that translates to me being completely screwed? I guess I booked my cruise too early. My final payment date is the end of next month, when I'm not even sure flights for October of 2024 will be available. Right now, Delta for example, is only showing dates going through July. So it stands to reason that at best, next month they may go through August. Nifty!

I do realize that they are different. It just didn't seem to be relevant to the questions I needed answered so I didn't make an issue of it. I am going to be flying into Zurich, and then taking the train to Lucerne where I will spend the next 3 days.

So, when do I have to decide? I’m assuming I can still cancel Viking air at this point – or any point up to when I make my final payment which is the end of September – without have to worry about getting a credit. Can I change my mind and book my own flights AFTER I see the flights they’ve given me. I’m assuming that’s also when you would get Air Plus involved – if you don’t like the flights you’ve been assigned? I get that booking Viking air offers a bit of protection in case of flight changes. I’m just trying to make sure I know what my options are. Thanks everyone!!!

@sharkster77@gnome12 Yes, I've checked several dates and I don't see any non-stops from Minneapolis/St. Paul. One stop is fine. I don't personally have a preference on whether the stop is in the US or not. I'm really just looking at the total number of hours, hoping for something like the first one the list and not the second one.

Thanks @CastleCritic and @sharkster77 for your very helpful feedback. I'll have to give it some thought. As I said, it's far too early for flights to show up for October of 2024. $100-$150 for the Air Plus service seems pretty reasonable if it allows you to be able to have more say in your flights. All I really care about is being able to get a window seat, and NOT having a 10 hour layover somewhere. I'm not going to deny that it concerns me that them knowing they don't have to get me there at a particular time to board the boat, means they're going to stick me on the 30-hour journey flight. 😂 Transfers aren't that big of a deal as I'm going early. On the flight home I would be able to take advantage of that. Thanks again!

This is probably a stupid question, but as I've said, I've never flown to Europe. You don't have to use Viking's flights, right? So what are the advantages of doing that? Cheaper? I'm way too early to check flights for my trip for comparison, but with the air discount, and addition of the deviation fee - they are charging me $800 for air. When I pick random dates, the flight prices are like $1,500-$1,600 for a decent flight and add on $200 if you want to pick your seat. Do most people just book their own airfare?

I'll look into it. Thanks!