uktog

Last year we did the Northern Lights cruise in March. To sum up what we thought and what happened * it wasn’t the cold that bothered us it was the icy conditions underfoot as it was at the stage of weather where you had partial thaw then refreeze * We went on two evening excursions they were interesting but the lights didn’t show * Excursions to ride with huskies got cancelled we even added in another booking but it went too * They cancelled two ports so we ended up with four straight sea days * We sure did bounce around on those four days * We had to cope with the daily testing so no wake up coffee to gently ease us out of bed Were we disappointed absolutely………. not. Here’s why • It was the most scenic beautiful cruise we have ever taken * The lights did show whilst we were at sea and what happy memories of Alex rounding up guests in the Explorer Bar saying get out get out then bringing us blankets. My iPhone took the most perfect photo without a tripod I still look at to cheer me up * Our day with the Sami including our sleigh ride was the most beautiful cosy blue sky trip such a perfect day * Despite covid restrictions we loved the food and the low key but enjoyable entertainment wherever we chose to go * The guest speakers were true experts and absolutely made out trip We possibly expected to be one and done with Viking- absolutely not, we will return to explore Greenland with them this year and possibly make another booking onboard. Our Northern Lights cruise created such beautiful memories, not necessarily the ones we set out to create but memories we will treasure. Please keep it on bucket lists but go prepared for changes and grab the opportunity to see whatever beauty there is. You will not be disappointed

@Drebay your posts are just wonderful and so informative for those of us planning this route next year, thank you. I needed structure and succinct explanations like you give. Just so helpful

The website is still a mess so there are bugs everywhere until it’s sorted . The other thing is the from price is based on an inside cabin but when you click through they are sold out so the start price is an ocean view

It was bottled on Onward. You can drink it out of the bottle if that’s your style or have it poured

Really? Maybe in your circle but most Brits are delighted to have one holiday a year and for many even that is a dream. Add to that the challenges and costs that some parts have in getting flights and as a result it is often an "in the sun" trip because that is where the charter/cheaper flights go. Nothing wrong with "in the sun" - we do that for the winter just as the US have their snowbirds. That said, we have been to Hawaii. There is absolutely no reason that the shirt @MadMarine showed is borderline due to its collar. It is a beautiful shirt. Sorry - my husband will be wearing shirts like that many evenings on Viking, they are Ralph Lauren, Burberry and Paul Smith so I hope they meet your standards. However we know they totally meet Vikings standards and that is all that matters.

I would leave it, its a known problem, others have reported boarding no problem despite what the website said and all their OBC and loyalty status was correctly there

I think there was a view that the one on Azamara was not a support dog although there was some paperwork signed by a medical professional that said it was.

Nothing showing here

I have seen both working dogs for those with sight difficulties and emotional support dogs on Azamara. The majority are absolutely no issue (wish other guests would realise they are working, ok you are missing your doggie back home but you do not go and pat those dogs!). Unfortunately there was one lady with an emotional support dog that gave issues as she appeared not to need support all the time so the dog stayed in the room some nights whilst she was in the bar and it barked a lot. She also fed it at the table I believe the hotel director dealt very firmly with the issue. I believe in this era of the requirements for adaptations for disabled travellers and the availability of pet passports you will see a lot more emotional support animals onboard. I read (may be an urban myth though my source was good) someone had a comfort parrot on RCI. Personally I fancy a comfort monkey as it will blend in nicely

Interesting. It certainly doesn’t enter into my head whether it’s luxury or not based on the “hidden extras”. Maybe we are back to that debate from once before of your “cultural upbringing” - was it absolutely drummed into you take what’s been offered and be grateful or did you see others seeking something different and pattern that behaviour? Anyway my personal preference is sushi available on several lunch days for everyone and/or added to the “tapas” selection in the living room early evening

Depending on when your cruise lands in Edinburgh you may have another options to travel from Newhaven to the centre of town. The long awaited tram extension is now being tested. There is not a launch date yet but keep an eye on this link. There is a good chance they might start around mid May. This will be the fastest way into town https://edinburghtrams.com/plan-journey/trams-newhaven

Unfortunately it’s an online operation but if you look at the thread on the website you will see there are problems. It’s no issue if you haven’t done it before arriving at the Port

You would certainly get good conditioner in Singapore. You should find brands like Elemis there and there are branches of Sephora. I have long hair but I take my own conditioner. I pop the tubes into a ziplock bag and pop it inside a shoe for travelling - never had an issue and I have many years of long haul flights on business With regular trips I have used Ishop chiangi where you can collect preordered items on arrival. Here is the list of conditioners you can get https://www.ishopchangi.com/en/category/beauty/hair-care/conditioner

They are separate but I’d take my own. The conditioner in particular isn’t great

Unfortunately nowhere for now as far as I can see

And maybe that should not be a surprise to many of us given what we know has gone on before. Hopefully Azamara has some useful clauses in their exit deal to cover for that as it was almost an inevitable

Thanks my point is it should not be special order. There is too much these days that used to be available to all that is now special order. Many people do not want to go on a holiday where they have to ask to be made special - make everyone special which is what Azamara was so well known for

If your previous port was also in the EU it’s highly unlikely Azamara would still be holding your passport

Sounds like it was similar to what we got for our 2023 cancellation - certainly set our opinions of Explora up way high up. Glad you too had a positive outcome

If you treat it as fun Progressive Trivia certainly is fun - its those who take it seriously that come unstuck

I would speak to the Hotel Director or Chief Housekeeper @cavaaller about the vibration issue in case it is something that has loosened (although unfortunately aft rooms on Azamara ships are prone to vibration issues

I’m thinking @KBs mum is Jacob Rees-Mogg in disguise 😂😂 (US readers Google him, a UK politician often called the Minister for the 19th century). Evening attire has never meant black tie in parts of the UK, speaking from the part of the world where a kilt is equally the appropriate attire at a sports game or a wedding. The phrase black tie more often is used to refer to funeral dress than evening dress. However, as they usually want the last word, I’m sure they will be back to disagree based on the lense they look at the world through 😜 I don’t think what people are wearing in a venue at a moment in times tells you much about them, it tells me as much about the prevailing climate as it does the individual. I like to see book em Danno patch me through to McGarrit shirts at dinner on a cruise, often they are smarter than the old collared golf shirts some wear however to be honest, I don’t care what anyone other than my other half is wearing at dinner, it has zero impact on my enjoyment.

When they had to cancel early sailings for this June our cruise was paid in full. They looked after everyone very very well imho. I hope you are the same.

Nor are the vast majority in the UK

I love sea days and I love port days. I like my seadays to come in pairs so I can get into a different rhythm just for a break. I enjoy talks but often do them on catch up because on sea days I try and ignore clocks and watches and just go with what my body and brain want at that moment. They usually involve some of the day curling up with a book that caught my attention on the shelf on Day 1, maybe an afternoon tea or a leisurely lunch somewhere, chatting to people, an indoor or outdoor walk etc etc. But one thing I always get off saying oh I meant to do xxxx on one of the sea days but did not get round to it