pask

We were docked in Tilbury recently. We didn’t pay attention to the excursions because we know the area.  We had a private car booked through Viator to take us into central London, we were staying there for a couple of weeks.  I would not recommend hiring a car, traffic is horrendous when you get close to London.
From the ship you can see Dover Castle on top of the white cliffs and this is well worth a tour.   Tilbury is across the river from where the ships docks.  You can take a ferry over and then take a train into London.
We had booked a walking tour of Tilbury and the guide was not very good.  

18 minutes ago, SusieO said:

We are in 10028 on Saturday. I will let you know. 🙂

Thank you!

Thank you Cruiser Bruce.  I did not see the replies but I will check them now. I’m new to this forum

We are booked in cabin 10006 for the Panama Canal cruise and I wondered if anybody had complaints about noise issues?

On 7/4/2021 at 10:26 AM, Djptcp said:

We've had 6 Neptune Suites and our very least favorite was on Deck 4 aft on the Oosterdam. Hated being  so far from the Neptune Lounge, theatre and casino. The suite was much smaller than the regular Neptunes on same deck as Neptune Lounge, but had same amount of furniture and we were always bumping into things. The larger deck didn't make up for the inconvenience at all. Our only Neptune Suite Guarantee (in order to get really cheap casino fare) and we won't be doing that again.

Have you stayed in a Neptune Suite above the gym? We are concerned about the noise?

On 7/4/2021 at 10:26 AM, Djptcp said:

We've had 6 Neptune Suites and our very least favorite was on Deck 4 aft on the Oosterdam. Hated being  so far from the Neptune Lounge, theatre and casino. The suite was much smaller than the regular Neptunes on same deck as Neptune Lounge, but had same amount of furniture and we were always bumping into things. The larger deck didn't make up for the inconvenience at all. Our only Neptune Suite Guarantee (in order to get really cheap casino fare) and we won't be doing that 

Just looked at my email and this  cruise is cancelled😂😂

Just wondering if this cruises is actually sailing!   It is not listed on MVJ and also not on the web site.  Viking say they are canceling through March 31st no mention of April cancellations! 

6 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

One thing I will share with you, though, check it through, don’t carry it on.  Mine was powder, and when they caught it I was all but strip searched.  I just kept apologizing to everyone, and my husband thought he might be spending the next 128 days alone!

Oh no!!   Mine is liquid so it will be in double plastic bags in my suitcase and hopefully makes the flight.

Thank you so much.  My hairdresser is sick so I cannot get it done before we leave on Saturday.  

19 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

Yes, I brought mine on the 2019 WC and they did a great job.  They also have color there, if you want to take your chances.  

I was wondering if anyone would know if the hair salon will do hair coloring if you bring your own colors?  
 

4 hours ago, Mitina said:

Trying to do some advance planning.  I can view the generic descriptions on the Viking website.  Does anybody have the specific pricing for the optional excursions on this itinerary?   We depart February 2020 and won't see this detail until closer to November/December.   Also any must do's (or don'ts).

 

Thanks

Mike

 

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

We are taking the World Cruise and received the ship tour list a couple of months ago. Most likely we are visiting most, if not all of the same ports.

 

Although I am arranging private tours in most ports, if any of the ship tours are of interest, please advise which ones and I can provide the price. Note - our pricing is all CAN $.

4 hours ago, Mitina said:

Trying to do some advance planning.  I can view the generic descriptions on the Viking website.  Does anybody have the specific pricing for the optional excursions on this itinerary?   We depart February 2020 and won't see this detail until closer to November/December.   Also any must do's (or don'ts).

 

Thanks

Mike

 

If you go to My Viking Journey and look at shore excursions they are all listed.  You can save the ones your are interest in on your wish list and then book them from there on your booking date.  

We just got off the Sun completing the last leg  of the 2019 World cruise and we had a great time.   While some of the world cruisers lived in their black world cruise jackets, even to breakfast, the ones we met were very friendly!   

We will be on part of next years world cruise and hopefully it will be as enjoyable as this years.

I refuse to call us segmenters and took offense at the person who gave us that label.

18 hours ago, Segmentersfloattheboat said:

OK first post, usually the DW posts on here and I am merely a “lurker” but I felt it was time to take up the mantle so to speak.

 

We booked this cruise several months ago, knowing full well it was offered as a segment of the world cruise, and clearly Viking made the business decision to offer segments as the world cruise as a whole was not selling as expected.  We made the booking direct with Viking and there was never any question of not knowing this cruise was part of the world cruise.  This gave us, and many others we are sure (414 embarked in Buenos Aires, over 40 are doing the 2 segments from Miami to Valparaiso, 410 are disembarking in Valparaiso and 345 boarding in Valparaiso, some are doing 2 segments from BA to Sydney), the opportunity to enjoy a sailing which we had often spoken about and wished to do. In our case we transferred our booking from another Viking cruise to take this one.  We did wonder how we would feel “joining in” as it were on only one segment of this world cruise.  Well, we need not have worried and we certainly did not feel we “were late to the party” and certainly the marathon days of most have been left behind many years ago!  We would not do a full WC due to having animals at home.

 

We had to wait until our time to book excursions but we got everything we wanted, including the “included” excursions.  Making reservations for the alternative dining venues - they are not called “speciality” as many refer to them, but “alternative” - the “Hagen view” is why would any dining venue be more special than the other!  A typical Norwegian approach and one which we like.  Everyone is treated the same around the ship and being returning Viking guests, we have been warmly welcomed back by officers and crew whom we have met on prior voyages.  With regard to Manfredi’s and Chefs table, there seems to be ample opportunity to book extra reservations and if you book a couple of days out, most times seem to be available and tables for 2,4 or 6.

 

We have been warmly welcomed by WC guests and only had one slightly disgruntled comment made, not at the segmenters joining but at the chanegover of some of the crew after one segment.  The guests remarked and I quote “we’re quite put out at having to get to know the names of the crew all over again”!  It is a hard life.  Some have said already they love the change and the different energies brought to the party!  Not that there is much partying going on!  Quite an older crowd - if you are in your 60’s, or even early 70’s, you will definitely bring the average age down considerably.  But that is to be expected on a world cruise.  Anyway, age is just a number but some on here would do well to really adjust their expectations for tours etc.

 

Wendy, you asked about sea day activities - well the usual stuff: trivia once a day, lectures 3 or 4 a day, “learn to knit” and a knitting group, bridge, crafting group, movie in the afternoon, live music around the ship - currently listening to the guitarist in the Explorer’s Lounge.  There are lots of lovely spots to sit on this ship and read (and lots of very good book choices not just the dog-eared leftovers from past guests) or simply just stare out to sea and daydream and wonder where your next morsel of deliciousness is going to come from!

 

Today is an interesting day, we have winds of 40 knots and the ship is bouncing around a tad, most outside decks are closed. We are having an unplanned sea day as we had to leave the Falklands yesterday evening due to the weather forecast of these strong winds which would have made tender operations impossible today at Stanley.  Captain Lars Kjeldsen came on around 8pm to announce that we would be leaving as soon as the last guests had returned to the ship but it was not long after that that we left. So disappointing, however, we left the Falklands with a beautiful sunset and we totally understand and appreciate Captain Lars’ decision.  We went ashore yesterday and enjoyed looking around Stanley and as Brits it was rather a poignant visit. We had planned to do another excursion today.  Some folk didn’t go ashore yesterday, so they really lost out.  Captain Lars made special mention and praised the tender crew for their efforts yesterday as although it seemed a wee bit rocky to us, their skill kept it from being a much less pleasant tender ride.  We will arrive in Ushuaia 12noon tomorrow and have an overnight there.  We have been told the sail in will be spectacular so looking forward to that.

 

The food and choice of food remains excellent and we are spoilt for choice.

 

A couple of slight irritations, people are reserving the loungers on the pool deck - the ones facing out to sea - and not returning for ages (to us this is just plain selfish) and why do grown ups think it is acceptable to put their feet up (with shoes on) on coffee tables - where people then place their drinks and food - and on the beautiful leather and fabric sofas?

Thank you for the great review.

39 minutes ago, Wendy The Wanderer said:

 

Not sure what you're trying to say here, about full WCers versus segmenters?  Should they be treated differently?  How is Viking's focus blurred?  By having segmenters arriving and departing?  

 

It's completely normal to have a mix on these trips, and quite an aberration to have an entire ship going the whole trip.  I would state that people who book such a segment know darned well how much money they have to spend, and how much vacation time to spend it.  Not everybody can possibly afford a WC in terms of money or time.

 

I myself have been a segmenter on Grand Voyages and been quite happy.  And I would expect Viking to treat all these people well, including making sure they could get excursions booked when they're on the last segment--why is it humorous that they can't?

We are booked on the last segment, Durban to London.   We had asked Viking way back if the WC would ever be split into segments and were told it was doubtful.  Several months later our Viking rep called us and said that there was going to be segments so we quickly booked the one we wanted.

It has nothing to do with cost , we have visited most of the other countries that the WC is visiting and we really wanted to go to South Africa.  

We booked our shore excursions this morning and only one was sold out so we are happy and looking forward to a great cruise.

We are doing the pre trip to Krueger National Park and we have no idea when we will arrive in Durban and I can’t seem to find that information so we won’t be able to see much either.  

On 1/6/2019 at 7:32 PM, 2rinnh said:

 

We will likely be boarding quite late as our flight doesn't get into Durban until 10:20 PM on the 13th. We tried to move it up a day but Viking Air would only do that if we made a hotel reservation for the night of the 12th. We won't see much of Durban I'm afraid. I believe we should have a "meet and mingle" on board so perhaps we'll meet you there! 

On 1/3/2019 at 7:40 PM, 2rinnh said:

 

I was so hoping you were correct! We will be boarding in Durban as well and I would love not to have to wait so long.

We are boarding in Durban also!   

We did a private group tour in Jerusalem this past month with -http://www.guidedtoursisrael.com/. It was a great tour with Mickie and we would highly recommend them.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Is the cruise director Oliver the tall chap with dark hair and glasses (german) who was a ballroom dancer previously?

Yes, that’s him. We thought he was very good .

Sent from my iPad using Forums

As to the toilets, even in China Viking managed to find Western-style toilets for us no matter where we went, so I am a bit surprised to hear that you didn't encounter the same. In Ukraine, our buses had toilets and the drivers did a good job of keeping them clean.

Yes the buses all had western style toilets and they were very clean.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Hi

 

 

 

Just come back off this cruise (Kiev to Odessa). I would give it 5 out of 10 compared to other cruises we have been on.

 

 

 

Restaurant staff are friendly and helpful but could do with more training e.g. don’t bring out second course before passengers have finished the first. Very good at topping up alcoholic drinks but if you don’t drink alcohol you would rarely get asked if you wanted a top up. Their lack of understanding of English could cause confusion at times.

 

 

 

Food was OK, they did good soups and fish dishes. Main meat dishes were a bit mixed. Also if you just wanted a basic steak there seemed to be an inability to cook it as you liked (medium rare, medium etc.). A chef’s recommendation was Veal and sphagetti in tomato sauce, which I did not think was a good combination. Anything with gelatine in had much too much, therefore chocolate mouse was like chocolate rubber, similarily cheescakes were rubbery. A dessert described as a Saucher Torte was not a Saucher Torte. The toaster (which several people complained about and seemed was like a long term issue) took at least 3 tries before it browned bread, so don’t bother having toast for breakfast!

 

 

 

Evening enertainment was poor. We had 1 good music quiz, another night had quiz that lasted 20min and on another night a local group who because of the design of the sky bar only the first 2 rows could see what was going on. That was it for the evening entertainment.

 

 

 

The tour guides had good English, for us Lena was the best. For some of the others their “delivery” was a bit stilted, but much better than my Ukrainian would ever be!

 

 

 

Kiev and Odessa were obviously the best stops, with mixed Quality in between. The Cossack museum and show were very good. Ackerman Fort was good but too short there to look around . The journey each way is 2-2.5hrs. In the middle you have a 30min tour but then only 20min to walk around. Didn’t do any of the add on tours, so can’t comment on those but people seemed to enjoy the visit to the opera house.

 

 

 

Beware public toilets are of the the hole in the ground type, so not very pleasant.

 

 

 

If you have mobility issues the lift on the ship is unreliable, it broke down at least 3 times.

 

 

 

Everyone was friendly and welcoming and the interior of the ship has been refitted well and everything was well organised. Oliver, the cruise director was entertaining.

I’m sorry but I have to disagree with you. We would give it 9 out if 10. The staff went out of there way to make sure everyone was happy. The Restaurant staff we had were great, Dasha went out of her way to make sure we enjoyed our meals. The steak I ordered was cooked just as I ordered and I thought the chocolate mouse was delicious.

I agree the sachet torte was not as it should be but I did manage to finish mine! The Maitre’d came round to the tables every evening to make sure we were happy.

The toilets were what we expected for that part of the world and if you don’t like it then don’t travel out of your comfort zone.

It was a river cruise so we did not expect a lot of entertainment and we were at the back when the local group played but we really enjoyed their music even though we could not see them. We really enjoyed the two quiz nights.

The night at the opera house was great! Oliver got us great seats right close to the front.

Sent from my iPad using Forums

There is a change of plans for our trip to the opera. Not sure of the reason but we cannot go to the Opera on the 13th instead we are going to a ballet at the opera House on the 12th.

The cruise has been great so far. The crew are very friendly and all speak English, some better than others. We have enjoyed all the excursions and on a couple they gave us the option to walk instead of taking the bus. Viking is listening to the comments and making changes where possible.

The weather has been great.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Just returned from the opera and our seats were 7 rows front the front, couldn’t have asked for better! It was a great night !

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thank you Kathy. It looks like you will be getting off in Odessa August 15th, the same day we get on. ;p I really appreciate you taking the time to respond to this. We only have a few days left to make changes before the cruise. So your recommendation is to keep the "pre booked Opera House"? I guess you won't know for sure until the 13th, but it sounds like they are booking better seats for the pre-booked than on earlier cruises. Hope you have a wonderful trip!! :cool:

 

Thanks so much for the updates :D Sydney

There is a change of plans for our trip to the opera. Not sure of the reason but we cannot go to the Opera on the 13th instead we are going to a ballet at the opera House on the 12th.

The cruise has been great so far. The crew are very friendly and all speak English, some better than others. We have enjoyed all the excursions and on a couple they gave us the option to walk instead of taking the bus. Viking is listening to the comments and making changes where possible.

The weather has been great.

Sent from my iPad using Forums