Jbeam151

As a follow-up to the above post.  We did indeed go on the Scotland-Boston cruise.  We've been on over 30 cruises and this was the worst by far. We were previously booked on an October 2020 Douro River cruise. When that was cancelled in May 2020, and Vantage  wouldn't give us a refund and only offered future credit.  We chose this cruise because we wanted to go to Greenland, the Labrador sea and the St Lawrence River (original itinerary).  They cancelled Canada and Greenland, adding 4 more stops in Iceland.  We tried to cancel this when Greenland was canceled but Vantage refused.   We received $500 in shipboard credit for our inconvenience.  Only useable at the bar and a poorly stocked shop.  Couldn't use it for gratuities. The ship was a shakedown cruise and the punch list got longer every day.  The coffee machine broke in the library and couldn't be fixed.  Water poured into our cabin thought the unsealed threshold on our balcony door.  So much water came into the dining room that the carpet started to mold and smelled terrible.  The ship had a swimming pool and two hot tubs.  They were never opened.  Reasons given:  1.  The chlorinator was broken. 2. water sloshing in the pool effected the stability of the ship (the pool was really small). and 3.  The ph was wrong in the water. The bar by the swimming pool had some sort of explosion and was pretty much destroyed.  The TV system only had a BBC channel and Al Jazeera.  This, on a cruise that had 100% American passengers.  We had a 6 day North Atlantic crossing with no TV because two days in to the cruise there was no TV at all.  Once in Boston, there was still no TV for the 3 days we sat in port waiting to disembark.

Perhaps the most egregious part of this cruise is we paid $11,000 each for a mid level cabin.  We then found out that at least 9 passengers had been on the previous week's cruise around the British Isles and they were offered the same cruise for $2500 each.   

Before posting this, I wrote to Henry Lewis, Vantage founder, as well as other executives. I have received no response.  There were at least 79 the passengers on this cruise who were angry as well.  I will never book another trip with Vantage and I'm sure most of them feel the same.  

RE:  Route of the Vikings Cruise, leaving Sept.4.  The Canada portion of this trip was cancelled several months ago. Couldn't be helped and I understand that. But now, 48 hours before departure, Vantage tells us that we probably won't be going to Greenland and you will substitute 4 additional Iceland ports. The primary reason I chose this trip was to visit Greenland. Ive been to Scotland and Iceland. In addition , we now have 6 consecutive sea days sailing from Iceland to Boston.   This is not acceptable. A $500 cabin credit is insulting. I'm not asking for a refund. Let us cancel this and get a future credit.  Pres Talley

Yesterday the CDC issued the following warning.  Since this Scotland to Boston trip includes 3 stops in Iceland, I think it would be foolish and reckless for Vantage to continue this cruise.  If you don't plan to cancel, please allow us to cancel this journey and apply the credit to another trip.

Yes on corkage fee if you bring your own wine.  No on corkage for distilled spirits in  the bars.   However, Ive walked around the ship many times with a self sourced drink in my hand.  Nobody will stop and ask you. 

Oceana allows you to bring as much alcohol as you want on board.  We have sailed with them 7 times and have enjoyed every cruise immensely.  Looking forward to this trip since we've gone no where for almost 2 years.  

Thank you for your response .  I do have another question that I can't find an answer to on your website. I know beer and wine are included in the cruise.  Will you have an option to upgrade to include cocktails and if so how much will it cost?  Also, can we bring a bottle on board to enjoy in our cabin?  Since we are departing from Scotland , I would like to enjoy a single malt of my choice!

We are booked on the Ocean Explorer sailing "Route of The Vikings" on September 4, 2021.  I was told by one of your customer service reps that this sailing would require 100% Covid vaccinations for crew and passengers.  However, nothing has been posted on your web site nor in the "My Portfolio" section confirming this. Since we are now only 47 days from departure, why has this not been updated? Some of the vaccinations require the second dose to be 4 weeks after the first dose.  How do you plan to let your guests know of your requirement?  Are you going to require each passenger to provide a copy of the vaccination card before we leave the U.S.?  If not, what will happen if a passenger shows up in Edinburgh without his/her vaccination card?

In addition, will we be required to stay in the "bubble" on excursions or will we be allowed to disembark on our own?  While on board, will  masks be required?

 My wife and I are in our mid-70's and do not wish to travel on a ship without a 100% vaccination policy.  We all realize that the situation is very fluid right now and changes occur daily.  However, we all spent a lot of money for this cruise and we should have updates as things change. Your last update on the Travel Health Advisory was March 8.  I feel you  owe us more information.

Any recommendations on which cigar factory to visit?

 

 

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Go to the Partagas factory on Calle Industrial, in Havana. When I was there last year they were producing all the major bands: Cohiba, Montcristo etc. The official cigar store in the building is the best place in town to buy. Other venues often sell fakes. Note: The building is not air conditioned and has no elevator. Can get very hot most days.

Must be a CC record for misstpellings and grammir.

Now we know why the Wifi was so darn slow! LOL.

I will be sailing next year on Nautica, Dubai to Cape Town. Since it requires a special license to purchase alcohol in Dubai, does anyone know the process of buying alcohol at the Dubai Duty Free upon entering the country? Most duty free shops require an outbound ticket to purchase but it appears from the Dubai Airport website that it is possible to buy when you arrive and then just walk out with it.

Has anyone here had experience with this?