Emptynesters38

15 hours ago, Emptynesters38 said:

We are on the Cappadocia pre-cruise extension in April of 2024.  I am hoping that we can leave some of our luggage with Viking to be delivered to the ship when we board like the OP was able to do in 2022. Has anybody done it more recently or have any up to date information on this?

I just spoke to someone at Viking who confirmed that we would be able to leave some luggage with Viking at the Hotel and that they would deliver it to the sh8ip.

On 10/29/2022 at 4:18 AM, portisheadblue said:

Here we are sat in Athens awaiting our flight home and we are at the other end of the cruise having completed the Cappadocia extension - which went very well on the whole.

 

… on arrival we checked into our hotel, Carlton Hilton, where we spent 9 hours….. arrived at 7pm and up and out by 4am to catch scheduled flight with Turkish Airlines

… first surprise was to be told on arrival that we could leave our luggage with Viking and they would look after it and it would be on our bus from IST to the ship … a nice surprise that generated a rapid re-packing

…. Second surprise was to be told we had until 2pm next day to confirm or decline a booking for the ballon ride the next day … we opted to do the ballon ride but it was cancelled due to wind speed. Had it gone ahead it was 290 USD per person charged to your room on the ship and nothing to pay if it doesn’t go ahead

.. third surprise was that there were about 150 of us doing the pre extension

.. we stayed at a “cave” hotel but none of them have 75 caves so don’t be disappointed if, like us, you got a “normal” room

 

Well worth the effort and lack of sleep to visit Cappadocia especially in the good hands of Viking.

We are on the Cappadocia pre-cruise extension in April of 2024.  I am hoping that we can leave some of our luggage with Viking to be delivered to the ship when we board like the OP was able to do in 2022. Has anybody done it more recently or have any up to date information on this?

I believe if you buy insurance with Viking and you cancel you will forfeit the entire insurance premium. We have purchased insurance via Trip Insurance Store.com for our current cruise and you can pay at a later date for most of the policy depending on when the cancellation charges go into effect.

I have seen some posts on Cruise Critic from people who were upset when they cancelled and lost the insurance premium.

Sorry for your problems. I usually book my flights myself unless Viking or another cruise line  has a great deal on flights.  I am not an expert on airlines but I fly Delta frequently and I noticed that the OP said “Delta Airlines would not allow me to use my Sky Miles to upgrade my basic economy seat to any higher class including Economy Plus.”

Perhaps the problem is that Viking bought Basic Economy which is the least expensive ticket.

The Delta website states that Basic Economy  “***Not eligible for MQM, MQS or MQD earn, paid or complimentary access or upgrades to premium seats, including to Delta Comfort+® or Preferred Seats; and no paid access to Priority Boarding.”

I would see how much it would cost me to buy a Main Cabin ticket and use miles to upgrade or fly another carrier.

Good luck.

My wife and I stayed in 6099 for a two week cruise from Japan to Hong Kong and loved it. I believe it  is identical to 6098 but on the other side of the ship.  We never heard any noise from the pool or anywhere else.  I do not remember ever seeing anyone in the pool from our balcony that wrapped around the stern.  We liked our cabin so much we have booked it again for a cruise in 2024.  The only very slight downside is the long walk down the hall to the stern of the boat.  That helped offset the delicious gelato  in the World Café!

The free self-service laundry is another reason I appreciate Viking’s almost  all inclusive policy.  When we were on cruises when we used the self-service  laundry, I would constantly stop by the laundry room  and although it was often full, I was always able to eventually find an open washing machine and dryer. It just took patience and perseverance. 

Some readers may not be aware that some cabins (Penthouse Junior, Explorer and Owner’s Suites) come with free laundry and dry cleaning.  On Viking Ocean cruises, they place a small label with your cabin number on each item of closing.  (On River cruises they did not label the clothes). Even years later, when we wear something we have not worn for a while, my wife and I will find a label with our cabin number in an uncomfortable place which serves as a fond reminder of our Homelands Cruise.  We are taking the Ancient Mediterranean Treasures cruise next year and have booked the same cabin to avoid having our laundry delivered to the wrong cabin.

They leave a small label with your suite number on each item of clothing. I am still finding 6099 on some clothes 3 months after my cruise bringing back memories!

I have a $400 referral coupon for someone who is taking a cruise between now and September, 2020.  Contatc me at rlehrberg at hotmail.com  and provide me with the following information

We are about to  book a two week tour in Suite 8001 on the Sky.  Any input on that room? The only other Penthouse Junior Suite is a PS3 which is $800 less but is on Floor 6 near the elevators in the bow. Any advice?

Mikeh58  We LOVED Suite 6099.  The veranda was a little narrower than the suites below but it winds around half the stern and is a great space. There is a double lounge chair and a single lounge chair and a table and two chairs outside. It is very restful to read and relax while the ship is at sea and you do not need to worry about getting a lounge chair around the pool.  The rooms in the suite are spacious and the location on the 6th floor is convenient. In our two week Asian cruise we only heard noise above us only two times when the staff was moving chairs and each time was for less than 5 minutes.  The shower leaked into the bathroom a few times. We never used the tub but there is a tv above the tub you can watch while you take a bath or shower   The staff is very attentive and on a longer cruise the laundry service is very helpful.  I still find tiny 6099 tags in some of my clothing!  I would consider choosing an Explorer Suite again depending on the itinerary, cruise duration and extra cost.

Enjoy your trip.

Roger   

Thanks.  We board in two days.

My wife and I will be on the Orion for a cruise. We will be in Explorer Suite 6099. It looks like a great suite.  It is located  at the stern of the ship below the Aquavit Terrace. Has anyone stayed in either Suite 6098 or 6099 and if so was there a lot of noise coming from above or can you give us any information about this cabin? 

Under the Cruise Contract for U.S. travelers (I am not sure about other countries), Viking can change the ports

"Advanced, Cancelled or Delayed: Viking reserves the right to withdraw and/or cancel a tour or to make changes in the itinerary and hotel accommodations whenever, in its sole judgment, or in the judgment of the Carrier conditions warrant it. In the event of charters of the vessels, adverse weather or water conditions, mechanical or other issues with the vessel, docking issues, government or other authority actions, truces, lockouts, riots or stoppage of labor from whatever cause or for any other reason whatsoever, the Carrier may, at any time, cancel, advance, alter, substitute or postpone any scheduled tour and may, but is not obliged to, substitute another vessel or itinerary and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of any such cancellation, advancement or postponement except as specifically set forth in the Carrier’s Passenger Ticket Contract Terms and Conditions."

I am on the November 1 Far Eastern Horizons Cruise and was looking forward to visiting So. Korea but a change of port is a risk you take on any cruise. I am more concerned about being able to fly out of Hong Kong on November 15.

On our first VO cruise we started in a Deluxe Veranda  room (270 sq. ft,)  but there was a problem with the room so after a few days they moved us to a Penthouse Veranda (338 sq. ft,)  .  In my opinion there was a noticeable difference and that was without factoring in the ability to make excursion and restaurant reservations earlier and in greater number than with a DV since we moved during the cruise. The added size of the cabin was significant and made for a more enjoyable trip.  We did not take advantage of the pressing and shoe shines and I do not drink so the daily Mini-bar with alcoholic beverages replenishment were not a big deal to me but they may be to someone else. On our next cruise which was two weeks long we stayed in a VS and to me it was worth the added expense.  The added expense is not that great as a percentage when you factor in all of the costs of a vacation, both monetary and in terms of time and effort to get away for a trip.  On our next trip, also for 2 weeks, we are staying in a Penthouse Junior Suite (405 sq. ft,) .  The PV was fine but I figured YOLO so  I told my wife it was because a PJS includes  laundry and dry cleaning but she saw through that as I am not usually an active participant in those endeavors but I have helped with the laundry on prior cruises.  Maybe next time I can talk her into an Explorer Suite but in  reality any size cabin on a Viking Ocean Cruise is acceptable. One of the things I like about Viking is that they go out of their way to treat everyone equally and no one knows what size cabin you are in or how many cruises you have been on. 

I have been following this thread since it started.  I appreciate the input of those with actual maritime experience and knowledge and people who were on the Sky during this incident.  It is unfortunate that some took this as an opportunity to bring up complaints about past treatment by Viking.  I was on the Sky on one of its first cruises and am pleased that casualties were kept to a minimum and am sorry for those people who were injured or suffered during the ordeal. I have great respect for Viking Cruise line and have confidence that they will do their best to address any issues raised by this incident.  I thought it was appropriate for Viking to offer refunds and a free cruise to the passengers. Some people have complained that this is an effort by Viking to avoid lawsuits. However, I have not heard anyone suggest that Viking required passengers to sign a release in order to receive the refund or free cruise. As a lawyer, I do not believe any passenger accepting those benefits without a signed release is giving anything up and is a good move on the part of Viking. Also, the Cruise Contracts make it difficult to sue and win.  I assume there will be a law firm or firms attempting to file a class action which could succeed depending on the cause of the engine failure and whether Viking or its agents were negligent but that will be sometime in the future.  I am showing my confidence in Viking by making a payment of almost US$20K on Thursday for a cruise in November without considering cancelling.  This situation reminds me of a flight my wife and I took on Swiss Air in 1998 from Boston to Zurich. The day before our flight an identical aircraft crashed with all souls aboard on a trip from NY to Zurich.  We decided to go ahead with our flight despite the crash perhaps falsely assuming  that whatever the issue was would not happen again. In fact, the cause was not determined for a long time but fortunately there was never another similar catastrophe.  At least here Viking has seven months to review this situation before our cruise and make appropriate changes and I do not feel we are placing ourselves in a dangerous situation.

Free Wife?

 

Sent from my SM-G955F using Forums mobile app

I should spend the money on a proof reader. My wife is more reliable than the wifi and I would not trade her for unlimited high speed internet!

I was on Ovation in June and wifi was acceptable. However the cost of $399 for the two week cruise was not. I do not drink and use wifi. The free wife, and more options for cabin size, are two main reasons why I would pick Viking Ocean over Seabourn if the itineraries and costs are similar.

Is there a way to convert currency on the ship?

 

 

No. They state that they do not convert currency on the ship. I always get a little local currency but have found over the past few years that other than for rest room access ashore or a few other small items, credit cards are readily acceptable.

There is a small fridge in the gym for water but no towels.

Can you tell me about the gym? What type of classes are there? Do they have spin bikes?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I tried to upload some pictures. They do not have spin bikes. The classes were more like movement and things like that but I did not really pay attention to that. 8 treadmills. About 6 bikes (3 regular and 3 recumbent) and 4 elliptical. About 6 or 7 technogym machines for various body parts and a multi-functional machines. Also dumbells etc. They do not have any equipment I use with my trainer at home like exercise balls, resistance bands etc. It is located in the spa on the stern of deck 10 with great views. Each cardio station has a tv and they supply headphones. It is interesting that there is only 1 scale on board that has to be shared between the men's and ladies changing rooms. It was never crowded. I usually went in late afternoon so I do not know how it was in the morning. Have a great trip.

I just finished a two week cruise on the Ovation. On a number of days I finished working out in the gym after 6:00 PM and went to the Observation Bar to pick up the special cocktail of the day for my wife while still in the gym clothes and never felt it was a problem. I would not worry about it at all.

I had a great time on this cruise. The crew was fantastic. I thank NJBelle for this post. We had the pleasure of dining with her and she is CHARMING (I promised her I would write that). I was surprised that I really liked Earth & Ocean at The Patio although that depended on the menu which changed every day and was limited to 2 or 3 menu choices. Even though Ovation has about 1/3 more passengers than Quest and similar ships, it did not seem more crowded and had larger public spaces. Well Done Seabourn

I also just left the Ovation on June 9 and had a great time. The wifi was adequate for my limited purpose of sending emails and downloading documents. However, I did not make a deposit for another cruise and one major factor was due to the high cost of wifi. I realize the internet cost is insignificant when you factor in the cost of the cruise but it really does have an effect on me.

We arrived in Lisbon yesterday and went to Sintra today. Looking forward to joining you on the Ovation on Saturday. Hope we can avoid the rain.

We embark on a two week cruise on Ovation on May 26, 2018. I see from the deck plan as confirmed in a few posts on Cruise Critic that there is a laundry facility on Deck 5. My question to anyone who is on board this new ship is how many sets of washing machines and dryers are there and are they usually in use or available. Also, any other pointers or comments on any new or improved facilities would be appreciated. Looking forward to our upcoming trip.