larry1365

5 hours ago, ellenw said:

Enjoying following the thread. And definitely look forward to your daily blog! Thank you so much. Have a fabulous trip.

So am I. I've bookmarked you blog and have printed out the itinerary and map. 

Hopefully the Viking 2022 WC continues west/southwest without much of a Covid impact. I Viking believe they will do the best they can with their onboard lab. But Omicron is invasive -- notably here in Southern California into our two families and my wife. It will depend what ports/countries allow entrance and what types of excursions. The onboard experience won't really be too much different than what we are experiencing here. Best wishes and I am looking forward to detailed WC passenger posts.

Regent today cancelled their world cruise. Will leave SFO and go to the Caribbean and Amazon for segments adding up to 120 days. Not aware that Viking has announced a final WC itinerary. 

Really not really unexpected, they had to change the itinerary to go west from SFO. Turned it into a return to Miami and then Caribbean round trips, ending with one to the Amazon in South America. 120 if folks take four options open. Will probably depend on how safe they can keep folks. 

On 12/27/2021 at 3:15 PM, Jim Avery said:

Thanks so much for setting this up.  Lots of avid lurkers here...🍸

Yes. Going to be an avid lurker. We were on the 2018 Inaugural WC.
 

Want to see where you go and how far. Have friends who were going to get on in LA and cancelled Tuesday. They were using funds rebated from the 2019 WC that only got as far as Dubai. 

Have there been itinerary changes announced for once you leave LA?

Larry

I read the book last week. I found it very interesting. It was probably a very harrowing for all onboard. Our only Viking experience was the 2018 Inaugural World Cruise. We loved the ship and crew.

34 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

Yes....it's (at least in significant part) about that memorable event!  I read some reviews as well as the sample preview - he writes very well. I'd say this could be considered a must read for anyone who was on that journey!  Being there as a travel writer primarily to record his experiences with hopefully seeing the Northern Lights, he goes on to provide a stirring account of the events leading up to and including 3/23/19. I definitely plan to buy it.  

 

Here is the book on Amazon....  

https://www.amazon.com/Passenger-Travel-Learned-Cruises-Sinking/dp/1567926975  

 

 

Ref the Moon's transAtlantic Nov. 8 cancellation: I got the previously quoted email directly from my TA at 5:35 a.m. on Tuesday, Sep 22. The TA's email from SS only listed the two options: 15% savings on a future cruise if booked by Sep 30 and a FCC of 110% to reserve a cruise within 2 years.

No mention of a cash refund. However my TA was on top of it and she immediately sent my request to Silversea for a cash refund.

Still surprised there hasn't been any direct communication from SS. Also surprised the line waited so long to "pull the plug" on the crossing. Hopefully the refund will be sooner than the 90 days my TA said it could take.

Not going anyplace until I see what the cruise lines are going to do in their-day-to day operations, what countries will allow entry by US citizens, how excursions will be handled, what tourist locations will be open, etc. It's going to take a while folks.

The Moon's first cruise is now a TransAtlantic on Nov 8 from Barcelona. Is anyone betting on this happening? Several cruise lines are cancelling the remainder of their 2020 cruises. Why move a ship to the Americas in 2020?

We returned home two years ago today from Viking's inaugural world cruise. Our 120-days on the Viking Sun were wonderful. Comfortable ship, great Captain Atle and crew, fun itinerary, and lots of new friends. So many fond memories and photos  Pleased we did it when we did, quarantine free.

On 4/15/2020 at 6:12 PM, Ragnar Danneskjold said:

Hi Larry1365,

 

We are doing long range planing on a WC.  We have sailed on Regent before, but not on Viking.  Could you please do a very short compare and contrast between Viking and Regent for WCs?  Assume same level of cabin.  We are considering both for a WC.

 

Thanks in advance from a fellow SoCal’er (San Clemente)!

 

Ragnar “World Bound” D.

Ragnar --

I am sorry, I was writing a detailed reply to your request for my opinions and comparative observations regarding our Regent World Cruises (in 2007 and 2010) and the Viking 2018 Inaugural World Cruise. I was in the midst of writing a detailed response, but was not smart enough to compose in Word instead of directly on the Board before posting. I lost that text.

In conclusion, all three were great fun. We found that shipboard life is almost as big a factor as the memorable places you visit. We were blessed with wonderful crews. They were led by the beloved Capt. Dag (and his serendipitous events) on both Regent WCs, with Jamie (CD) and Dana Logan. On the Viking WC, Capt. Atle Knudsen and Lara became good friends and Heather Clancy (CD) added so much to the trip in various ways – operatic concerts, atrium concerts, formation and performances of a passenger choir, and leading church services.

In 2018, I personally thought Regent had priced itself out of consideration and Viking added a number of incentives to join its inaugural cruise -- ending up being cheaper than either of the Regent cruises.

We are not ready for a full WC again; but, all being the same, I’d travel on either ship or line again. But all is not going to be the same. It’s going to take time to figure out what the "new normal" is going to be and our confidence level as travelers.

Stay safe and healthy.

Larry

Thanks for the inputs regarding compensation from those who were on the recent planned 245-day World Cruise. It sounds as if Viking is being more than generous...and I am not surprised! I have been reading the 65 pages of this thread and am aware of what great service the crew provided throughout and the Herculean efforts Viking took to seek out alternate ports, excursions and travel arrangements, etc, for passengers. My wife and I were on the inaugural Viking Sun 2018 WC (as well as two previous ones on Regent). We love the Viking ships and can't wait to travel on them again -- using in part the future cruise credits from our recent April 5-15 Amsterdam river cruise that was cancelled.

I am interesting in knowing if people on the full world cruise or some of its segments are pleased with the cash payments or future cruise credits that Viking is offering. Not asking for specific amounts, but just whether or not folks believe they have been treated fairly and in general how Viking is handling the issue. I know it will be a qualifier in any of our future Viking cruise plans. Thanks.

18 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

 

Jim, I understand your thoughts, but if everyone adopted the "live free or die" New Hampshire motto - which I can also understand - it will only serve to further the spread of what is not simply an epidemic, but a pandemic. I must admit to being sort of taken aback given your apparent implication that COVID-19 is merely just another 'one of those things' that defines our mortality in a given space and time. I believe an important thing you're ignoring here is that it's much bigger than just another means by which people might leave this earth. Comparing this to old age, heart disease, etc. falls far short of the mark relative to the large-scale ramifications. It is far more wide-reaching in that it is affecting at least the immediate future of - just to name a few  things - global commerce, business, education, economic stability, worldwide healthcare, and...yes...the travel industry - something near and dear to all of us here on CC especially. If we're not all willing to sacrifice some (or maybe even most) of our personal freedoms - that we all probably take for granted anyway - in the interest of maybe saving lives beyond that of our own, then it would seem that there is indeed an unfortunate self-serving motive at play. 

 

I admit to likely being a bit over-the-top in how I responded to Andy, since I suspect there was no harm or insult meant, but please understand that, here on land, we are living this right now - as you well know. So I guess it just hit me the wrong way reading such a 'life is great out here on the water' post and probably misconstrued. 

 

It's surely no secret to anyone here on CC that being on a cruise ship is a temporary and artificial environment compared to when the trip ends and we get back to "reality". THIS new reality - for however long it lasts - just seems to be getting more daunting in its scope and large-scale impact as each day progresses. If you don't wish to "give up everything enjoyable" and go about your usual way, that's totally your call, but I pray two things - 1) that you personally don't contract CV and, more importantly - 2) if you do and don't even realize it right away, that you don't wind up going around enjoying your usual freedoms while just possibly being a "super spreader" at worst, or just infecting others at the least. My prayers extend to all on the Sun, as well as those on any other ships that have not yet reached home, and I hope that all of you never have to worry about whether or not there is a health professional available, IF needed, to "save" you in the event that you become one of the close to 200k people who have CV. At such a point, you may well wish to be 'saved' more than you seem to be indicating. 

 

 "Death is a part of living. No-one gets out alive". Yes...absolutely true. We all owe a death. There are no exceptions, but you might feel a bit differently if someone close to you winds up suffering from the symptoms of the virus - especially if it could be determined that he/she got it by someone that chose to not observe recommended self-quarantine and instead decided to 'not give up' the usual liberties of going out and about at will and thus infected someone dear to you. 

 

Stay healthy. No offense intended, really. Please accept that emotions are running, shall we say, a bit 'high' of late. I had to cancel my cruise that was to start this week. I've been looking forward to it for months - so, again, reading a 'having a great time on our cruise' -type post just didn't sit well. I don't begrudge the experience on the Sky, but perhaps a bit more humility would serve Andy better at times like this?  I have not been involved in any sort of previous epidemics, etc. so perhaps have a different take on all this than you do as well.  

An excellent reply to Jim Avery's mindset. Over 75, with a wife with underlying lung issues. We have self-quarantined, except for long walks on the Southern California seashore. Our daughter and two grandkids delivered groceries today to our condo doorway and stood outside for a chat. Our Brooklyn daughter is in the midst of a hotspot and is also taking extreme precautions, but is terribly worried about us. Yes, American life has shut down, and should,  as we and more and more Americans and communities are beginning to realize. People with opposing attitudes don't help.

Understandably some passengers are upset with the changes to the current WC itinerary and are complaining loudly about Viking. Our friends, Norma and Gary Hirsh, feel differently and sent a complimentary email to Viking regarding their handling of the situation. They boarded the ship n LA and are traveling thru to London. Neither of them are on Cruise Critic, but Norma asked that I share their positive thoughts on this thread. They were also impressed that Viking Customer Service called to thank them for expressing their appreciation:

   "Just received a personal thank you phone call from Viking Customer Service. They are truly appreciative of our support and sympathy.

    "I feel they are doing their absolute best effort to keep us safe, provide excellent service and experiences in spite of the world health catastrophe. As you know they have to instantaneously change our course , supplies, staff arrangements, port approvals, excursions , entertainment, departure flights for departing guests, and consider weather patterns each day."

On our Viking Sun 2018 WC some 60 of us were stranded at the airport in Siem Reap when our flights to Sihanoukville were delayed/cancelled. The ship kept to schedule and moved on to Bangkok. Viking had find lodging and meals for another night in Siem Reap and then airline tickets for the next morning to Bangkok. Corporate, the Sun's general manager, Viking's excursion rep who was with us, and the local vendor worked quickly and efficiently to make the new arrangements. The current WC situation is categorically much more complicated. So give them a break and your thanks.

I agree with Jim. It's great and is on a board over my wife's desk in our MBR. We also brought our own larger, more detailed World map on the 2018 WC. Had marked the entire planned route in red and then marked it in black as we went along. Held it up in the cabin using powerful small magnets.

Bon Voyage!

Know several friends joining you. We haven't cruised with HAL yet, so that will make your thread even more interesting.

I hope Heidi13 and others will continue AND take up the primary mantle from Jim Avery keep this threat alive.

We had friends Norma and Gary Hirsh, from San Diego, get on today in LA. They are first-time Viking Ocean cruisers and will be going all the way through to London. They live in our condo complex in La Jolla. We were so enthused about our experiences on Viking's Inaugural World Cruise in 2018, that they decided join you on the second half of this WC adventure. However, they are not members of Cruise Critic. Maybe someone could invite them to a CC Meet & Greet and they might see why they should join.

Bon Voyage!

We were on the 120-day inaugural Sun World Cruise in a PV1 cabin forward #6012...just as we requested. A perfect location, forward of the elevators. Never had any motion problems.

WesW asked ne tochime in on the comparison of Regent and Viking Ocean, since I have traveled onboth. We were on Voyager’s 2007 (111 day) and 2010 (118 day) World Cruises.This year we were on Viking Ocean’s inaugural WC. We were on the Sun for 120days in a Penthouse Veranda 1 cabin, on deck 6

.

The 338 sq ft cabin, including veranda, was very comfortableand about the size of ours on the Voyager No walk-in closet, but we had plentyof closet hanging space and had a couple drawers we never used. Obviously, Ihaven’t been on the Explorer, nor on the renovated Mariner and Voyager which itseems were made to look more like the Explorer. From the photos, they appear tome to be a bit over the top. But that is just personal appeal, just like food.

I believe the coordinated, clean Scandinavian design of the VOships (they are all basically alike) is beautiful. I particularly liked the personalnooks and crannies throughout the ship, the completely protected Deck 5 walkingand jogging track (out of the windy experience on Voyager), the beautifuloutdoor furniture on the forward sports Deck 9 behind glass wind screens, thetwo-deck observation lounge, one with an accessible area forward, and all typesof individual and small group entertainment throughout the ship. The ship hasmore floor to ceiling glass than any ship we’ve been on. The lectures andvaried evening entertainment were excellent.

Cons: the side pool deck loungers didn’t have enough cross-ventilation,even when the roof was open. The “included” excursion in each port were manytimes just panoramic city tours with a couple stops. However, being its inauguralWC, Viking included a very large sum of on-board credits to purchase optional toursand shipboard expenses.

Viking also included first/business class air fares, additionalluggage shipment to the embarkation port, laundry service, visa service,medical service, the premium beverage package, wi-fi and taxes & gratuities.Making it basically all inclusive like RSSC.

I’m not sure about the reference in this thread about thehorrors of the Viking Sun WC. We had a grand time. Is it different than the Regentexperience? Yes, but that’s not a criticism. Both lines were fun. But I believeRSSC has priced itself out of our league. Cost to does and value do matter tous And I understand Viking is not offering generous perks on subsequent worldcruises. Will we travel with Viking again? Certainly?

We were there and I don't want to recount all the details. Let me just say that it was a disapointment, particularly after the buildup.

I believe the tourist vs. traveler statements have more to do with our reactions to differing cultures. Don’t react imprudently to things that are different from your “home” area. Treat others with respect and accept differences. It has nothing to do with elitism.

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The Easter visit to Chennai was great to a certain extent and failed in other ways. We were able to enter the St. Thomas Basilica during mass. Plus visit the apostle’s tomb. The women were dressed in beautiful saris and many had garlands of jasmine in the hair. Kids were dressed up too. Our greetings of Happy Easter were met with smiles and double handshakes. And we went early before it was very hot and humid. The visit to the small Hindu temple was very interesting from a people watching standpoint, particularly the couple blocks to it through a jam-packed narrow street with tuk tuks, scooters, people and vendor stalls. The visit to Fort St George (a dump) and its St. Mary’s Church (closed ) and Museum was not worthwhile — and the heat and humidity were all encompassing.

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This is beyond understanding....I probably would be on the next flight home. This is not a case of ship happens, and for many pax this is a once in a lifetime cruise.

 

 

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Yes this could be a once in a live time cruise, but what did we miss? Yes, we had several hours of frustration and a late arrival at a hotel and an early morning airplane ride. However, we had a wonderful visit to a interesting country with an intriguing past.

And for this hiccup today — a delayed flight — you’d be on the first flight home??? And miss all the interest g parts and countries coming up?

Larry

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This is all all BS. We are on the excursion. It was a group of 100 peassengers. The group was on two flights to Sihanoukville — 40 minutes apart. The first flight with approx 1/3 of the group made it to Sihanoukville in time to make the ship.

We had been at the airport for awhile, before the notice was posted that the second flight was delayed 4:00 hrs, until 8: pm. One issue was that the guides from local tour agencies are not allowed in the terminal. But they were around outside trying to help.

So the Excursions rep on the excursion and the ship’s GM explored several alternatives to book us other flights directly to Bangkok and find hotel there for approx 66 of us.

We walked a short distance from the domestic to the international terminal. All the efforts to book flights tonight to Bangkok came up dry. Two heroic passengers have help relay info in booming voice info currently known to the rest of us. The excursion rep was bombard with multiple questions as she was trying to stay in touch with the ship. The ship ultimately had to move on to Bangkok.

The hotels in Siem Rep were heavily book, since high season is just ending. Final arrangements were made for us to return to the original hotel for dinner while rooms were obtained. Some rooms were found at that hotel and other of us were bused 5-10 minutes to a very nice Raffles Hotel. We won’t be here long since the entire group of approx the 65 of us are now booked on a flight to Bangkok,arriving at 1045 Wednesday — even before the ship’s planned arrival at 1230 Wednesday.

Now, Viking folks are working on the planned excursions for every one.

Yes, it wasn’t pretty. Siem Reap is just a small airport. Food services are just a Starbucks and a small Korean eatery. Yes, it’s been a frustrating day and everyone is tired. But,IMO, these are the vagaries of world travel. Viking has done a good job with a bad situation. I would caution folks to wait and see how it all turns out before venting so strongly.

Larry McCracken

1:15 Wed a.m.

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