Dark Avenger

Viking Homelands 8/13 seriously considering canceling - Mid April.  Prepaid Business Class airline tickets, no insurance (my situation).  While an extended offer to cancel for credit is a step in the right direction - a two year, non-transferable credit, coupled with a one year airline credit is just too risky.  Too many "life related" things can happen and get into the way to discount the true value of that credit.    I am not as worried about the ship related health risk, as I am about canceled ports and excursions.  For example - what if Viking is forced to cancel St. Petersburg?   Certain key ports make, or break a good experience.  Been planning this trip for 2 years - that's what I get for booking early!    I understand Viking's plight - but we each need to make the best personal economic decision with the best information at hand.   The have had the use of my full cruise fare since last summer.  My other option is to convert the vacation into a Northern European land trip.  When I have asked the "what-if" questions regarding possible port cancellations - I get the "we don't know" answer - but as you all know - Viking can cancel, or amend the itinerary at will and at any time.   I have communicated, in witting, to the highest level in VO's management - response pending.    I generally don't think this way - but you could even re-book later and use the cash (not the credit) - might even make up for the change fee in a lower fare and I bet cabins will be available.   You have the Italy issue with your cruise (we loved it, by the way), but that's pretty real right now.   Nothing beats optionality,  and that what cash always gives you.   No more booking way early for me.  

We are on a Baltic cruise in August with a pre-trip to Berlin.  Our plan is to fly direct Denver to Frankfurt and then take the ICE DB train to Berlin.  There is a discount plan called the Rail&Fly program - has anyone taken advantage of it?   How about this train?  

Sounds like the ICE train station is next to the Frankfurt Main airport.  Wonder how long is prudent to schedule between flight arrival and getting on the Berlin train?   Sounds like due to the popularity of this train, it's important to have a seat and ticket prior to arrival, even though they run hourly. 

We are on the Homelands Aug 13th Star Cruise with a pre-trip to Berlin.  Our plan is to fly direct Denver to Frankfurt and then take the ICE DB train to Berlin.  There is a discount plan called the Rail&Fly program - has anyone taken advantage of it?   How about this train?  

Sounds like the ICE train station is next to the Frankfurt Main airport.  Wonder how long is prudent to schedule between flight arrival and getting on the Berlin train?   Sounds like due to the popularity of this train, it's important to have a seat and ticket prior to arrival, even though they run hourly. 

Piggy backing on the topic - where do I find my election (sign-up) date for excursions?  

PV-1 Penthouse Veranda and the Homelands departure date is August 7th / Stockholm

Just booked my airfare and I will probably do some private tours this time around.  Does that make me a little anal retentive?  On a related note:  How early is too early for signing up for say St. Petersburg with someone like Alla?    Have not taken the deep dive yet into all the analysis, but I need to prior to the Viking excursion sign up deadline for my cabin class. 

I always like that old saying, "if you aren't flying first class, your children will" .  Same applies to premium economy, which always sounded like an oxymoronic term.   My new goal is to try business class on my next long distance flight to Europe.  

First time on this board.  Planning airfare for a cruise next August - Starts in Stockholm ends in Oslo.  Berlin (on our own) is first stay.  

Start (leave) from Denver.  Like Lusitania/United and the Denver Frankfurt route is a good one for us.  I'd like to avoid the east coast and Heathrow.  Cheap business class tickets(2) on the 787 Dreamliner for the long leg of the trip would be the dream. 

Some time in my life I would like to fly business class before I die, but don't want to take out a second mortgage to do it.   I am tempted by the business class fares advertised the the "consolidators" for lack of a better definition.  Can I name names?  Can anyone recommend specific companies, or T/A's and stay within CC rules?   Our preferences might make it hard for these types of ticket / re-sellers to offer us the most attractive monetary terms. 

Any sage advice, recommendations, or shared experiences (positive, or negative) for us?  

Trying to plan our airfare and total vacation for a Homelands cruise starting in Stockholm next August (have the Viking part nailed down).  I've read somewhere that the Stockholm portion is quite limited time wise - I think the sail out time (day two) is around 2:30 in the afternoon and part of the first day is of course oriented around boarding.   We will be coming from a couple of days in Berlin and I am thinking about adding a day or two in Stockholm - thoughts?  Just time and money right?  

On another matter - I'd love to fly business class on vacation one time in my life and wondered what experiences people have had with the ticket broker/consolidators that advertise business class fares?   Prices seem tempting.  On the major long leg we would like to go from Denver (home) to Frankfurt direct, short hop to Berlin (2 days) then Stockholm with the return departing Oslo back to Denver at the end.  Lufthansa is a good option and we've flown it before and liked it.  They co-partner with United out of Denver also.  I'd really like to take the Dreamliner (787) all the way, which United flies.  Prefer to avoid the east coast and Heathrow.  Norwegian Air and Icelandic Air scare me a bit for reliability reasons.  I also like to stick with one carrier all the way.    Maybe all those restrictions will eliminate a T/A, or broker from getting me the best monetary deal. 

Any sage advice for us?  

On the August 13, 2020 Homelands / Star Cruise  

Wondering what the boarding time will be on the front end - Stockholm and the disembark time on the final day - Bergen, with a Viking  2 day Oslo train extension 

Cabin type is Penthouse Veranda

About ready to book an early August 2020 Stockholm to Bergen Homelands cruise - PV1  Any part of that deck, or any suites on that deck less desirable, or more desirable?  

Close but not too close to the laundry room?  Same for elevators?  Port / Starboard?  Much too anal retentive?  Get a life?  

At least all the ships are the same.  

Trying to decide if I want to "spring the trap" on a June 2020 Homelands Cruise.  Viking wants full payment August 31st which seems extreme to me.  Think I have read about TA's offering shorter final payment dates on this very site. 

Also, current promotion is the Explorer's Club deal, but they won't guarantee to match any future pricing promotions (reductions).   The "early committers" are disadvantaged under that kind of policy.   They claim I am also getting the return customer $800/person discount. 

How common I wonder is it to get the opportunity to do a cabin upgrade at a reduced price closer to sailing date?  

Based on Viking's recent PR problems I would think they would have to start being more price/terms competitive. 

Any comments, or shared experiences out there in cyber land related to these issues?   

Contemplating Viking Homelands next June/July – thinking about “pulling the pin” soon.  2^nd cruise on Oceans for us.  Will be traveling from Denver and prefer to avoid US east coast connections.  Thinking about 3 days on the front end in Berlin.  Perhaps a couple of extra days on the back end (Stockholm, or Bergen, or Oslo).   Lufthansa flies out of Denver to Frankfurt and Munich and we like them.  Icelandic Air does also as does Norwegian.   Heard mixed reviews on both.  United flies to Europe, but we’ve had bad experiences with Heathrow.  Not married to one carrier. 

Questions – Which sailing direction would be better?  Anyone have any experience with Berlin to Stockholm, or Bergen (or Oslo) connections?   We could take the 7-hour train ride from Oslo and catch the ship in Bergen on the front end (or back end).   Trying to avoid the Bergen / US connection problem.

Viking Custom Air might be an option if we can save money on better seats and if Viking lets you make ticket plans days before and after ship arrival, or departure dates.  I like to pick my airline and seats in advance.

Any advice and suggestions would be appreciated

We did Viking Mediterranean Odyssey two years ago as a very last minute decision and loved it, one of our best vacations.   Did a pre-cruise Venice and post cruise Barcelona add-on independent of Viking.   Booked everything myself, which I really enjoy.  Thinking about doing the Baltic next summer (Homelands) to go visit "my people" since I am about 50% Swedish and much of the balance German.  What better cruise line for a Viking than Viking?  Few questions for whomever would like to advise us:

• Best month/week of the year for this part of the world?  Optimum weather the key I guess, with a second variable being fewest crowds.  I've read that this part of the world is much less crowed than Italy / France, etc. 
• Best route - east / west, or visa versa?  Pros / cons? 
• How little can I put down and what is the least I can pay  for the balance as close to sail as possible?  - just for trip risk management purposes, struggling with elderly parents, etc.  We will have trip insurance for that very reason.  
• Best add on before/after cruise stay  Scandinavian city(s) - does not have to be on the route, but close via train, etc.  Berlin maybe?  Some city where one, or two days is not enough and connections are good.   Coming from Denver and like the direct flights that Luftansia has to Franfurt and Munich.  Would like to avoid Heathrow.  Would consider Icelandic Air. 
• Flight / Airline advice for this part of Northern Europe?  Never been north of Amsterdam 
• Best independent non/Viking excursion provider companies, want to explore those options more than on our first cruise.  Alla, etc. 

• Travel agent - yes/no  If it can save us money, I like the hands on control of doing it myself, but if a experienced TA can save us money, I'd like to research that option
• Just generally stuff you all have learned on the planning side of a trip like this.  This cruise, or other Viking, or even non-Viking cruises
• Happy to correspond offline, if I can figure out how to do that

Any helpful advice will be most appreciated - this is a great board.   Sorry for the volume - just thought I would get it all out there at once and before I commit to Viking. 

That's like Ginger, or Maryann

I have always shared a similar frustration - I fired my last T/A because I was doing all the work and I perceived that there was just not enough incentive in the deal for her - I get that. Being very hands-on and loving the planning part, I am not a very desirable client.

What it all comes down to is transparency - either Viking offers T/A's a certain commission that they can share, or not. I've read that the compensation they offer has either been greatly diminished on Ocean, or eliminated altogether. The River cruises are more competitive and I think there is a real incentive for Viking to keep up a competitive commission structure there.

Just let me have the best deal - or the same deal everyone else gets is what I want. I am quite happy dealing directly - I prefer it actually, but let me have the same deal that some T/A's offer.

Yes to Dinner. One of the best excursions we had in Venice. We made the city part of a 3 day pre-stay on the front end of the cruise.

We first booked with a small local TA and he wasn't there for us during it all. Our last one we booked with an online TA that I got from someone here and we got a huge discount and unbelievable service. We will only use them from now on. It does get a bit frustrating when you want to do something with your reservations but they won't help you. It must go through your TA but that is the case with all cruise lines. It's unfortunate that we can't give the name of the agency on here.

JiminyC - I live in Lakewood and use to live in Littleton, Can you share the name of your online TA contact with me? I was quite disappointed with my local TA last time and dropped them mid process and just took it over myself.

wilsco303@msn.com

We did the same cruise in April with a three day add-on in Venice and Barcelona. Our B&B was right over one of the main Gondola arteries, so we watched them out our bedroom window every morning and evening. To be honest, I was a tad put off by watching a virtual traffic jam of Gondola / Gondoliers and everyone all jammed up in a slow moving line. I am sure if you really know what your doing you might arrange a more "authentic experience", or perhaps that is just a myth anyway these days.

My two cents - take a water taxi around the grand canal and down a couple of the smaller canals. Share it with another couple or two, if you desire. I loved the "classic CrissCraft style" speedboats. We did not incorporate a tour with our ride, but that might be the best of both worlds.

Damn, now I just want to go back.

We did the Med. Odyssey in early April with a Venice and Barcelona add-on front and back and loved it. Booked three months in advance and had to really struggle to get a cabin. Thinking about doing the Baltic cruise (Viking Homelands) - being part of the "still working world" with the usual complications that brings, we are not the kind to book way in advance, which always brings uncertainty. So a few questions:

1. Best time/sailing to visit the Baltic? Which is the optimal date/sailing based on weather and crowds?
   
2. When you book in advance with Viking, when is the money actually due?
   
3. The Homelands cruise seems pretty Norway heavy - is that a negative?
   
4. Is that long train trip to Berlin worth it?
   
5. How does one stagger travel insurance to limit the exposure (payments)? Booking in advance is more acceptable if I can hedge my cancellation risk as the money is paid out (including the insurance fee). I usually book myself, rather than go thru a travel agent.
   
6. Can a travel agent actually save me money - how often do they kick back some of their commission. I know this site does not permit the recommendation of travel agents - would that be possible "off line"? We live in Denver and my last agent was a disappointment - I am pretty hands-on and just took over the process - She offered no perceived value gain from my perspective.
   
7. They keep sending those damn brochures and running commercials on PBS, it's not fair
   

Thanks in advance

We are on the M. Odyssey / Star cruise and arrive Barcelona 4/22. We'd like to evaluate options of things to do before we check into our apartment in the Exiampla Area (corner of ‘La esquina de la carrer de Roger de Flor y la carrer de Mallorca’).at 3:00 PM, but will need to do something with our luggage. I assume we disembark the Star at about 9:30? (please confirm if you know). We could take one of the tours where they hold your luggage for you and drop you off later to your hotel, etc., but we kind of wanted to just explore on our own - El Born, Barri Gotic area, Tapas on the fly, etc.

Any suggestions? We will be schlepping one large suite case and two carry-ons.

In April we are headed from Denver to Frankfurt (FRA) on Lufthansa then on to Venice also on Lufthansa (not a partner) both Terminal 1. We have 1.5 hours between flights and will have checked 2 bags in Denver. I assume we will have a immigration passport check, but the bags will just flow through without our carrying them and re-checking them. Anyone have experience with this type of US international connection - is 90 minutes enough time? Barring flight delays should we be alright? Any reason to expect another security check to slow us down?

A customs check will happen at Marco Polo - correct?

Comments / suggestions? Thanks in advance.

In April we are on the Viking Star - Venice to Barcelona. We arrive a few days early in Venice and made our own airfare plans via Lufthansa. So it will be Denver to Frankfurt with a 1.5 hour layover connecting to another Lufthansa flight (not a partner) to Venice - tickets say both are Terminal 1. Will I be pressed to make the next flight and get through security / immigration check. etc. in 90 minutes? Guessing I won't have to handle my checked bag and it will just flow through from my FRA flight to Venice / Marco Polo.

Anyone out there with personal experience related to this?

Just gotta ask - I can't be the only one thinking this - how about a lime, or two?

Lynn, When you booked RomeinLimo, did the fee include the driver and a guide, or did you have to find a guide? Or, did they hook up with a guide? We would like to do the Vatican/Museum/St. Marks (guided) and perhaps also the Borghese (on our own) and maybe cull out some of the "drive by / walk by" traditional sites we have already seen.

Perhaps with a few other fellow cruisers.

Searched but could not find comments on this topic. I will have like $450 worth of Viking shipboard credit and wonder what we can use it for.

Prebooked excursions? Spa services (also probably prebooked)? Custom drinks? Gift shop stuff?

Any suggestions? Any nasty prohibitions that they don't really spell out?

Thanks Cyber Kat - very informative and on point response.