Tsunami74

Viking has a more modern look.

 The wifi on Viking s much superior.

Included shore excursions  on Viking are pretty minimal so expect to pay for the upgraded better ones - sometimes quite a few dollars more - for at least some of the ports.

Included alcohol (wine or beer) only at dinner or lunch. Cocktails and non "eating" times are extra.

Food on Viking is good, but not memorable. They do not seem to promote sharing tables (even before Co-vid)

Service on both excellent.

In general, I agree Oceania entertainment was so-so.

However, we were on one of the last pre-covid cruises: late February 2020 on Riviera Miami to Miami, and the entertainment on this cruise was outstanding!  The  core entertainers and the pianist were incredible.

We were hoping that this is what is to come!  However, basically nothing was to come (with several cancelled cruises.)

We continue to book.......

5 hours ago, JVilleGal said:

I think the Viking Nile trip is going to be a trip for 2023 - January. Need to really check out the weather situation looking for 70’s and not 100’s f .... 

We went on an excellent Uniworld Nile trip in January 2018.  Often it was quite cold and windy!  Actually dug my winter coat out of my suitcase.

Thanks again!

15 minutes ago, SM77 said:

Today we were in Puerto Montt - with lots of rain.  We did the included tour up to Puerto Varas.  It was not the best day but it was interesting to learn that the Pan American Highway ended in Puerto Montt & that we were traveling on it to get to Puerto Varas.  Puerto Montt is pretty grim & industrial.  Traffic is heavy.  Puerto Varas is much nicer but not pretty on a rainy day.  Our guide did tell us that it rains over 200 days out of the year in this region.  I’m glad that we did the included tour & that it was brief.  Hopefully the next group will have better weather here.  When we were sailing out of Puerto Montt, the skies cleared and we’ve had sunshine!  Tonight Heather hopefully will be performing, she’s been fighting a chest cold.  I did learn from her that she is going home Jan 8th. Tomorrow is another sea day and then we will be in Valparaiso.  It’s been a really great experience sailing around the tip of South America and I think Viking has done a great job.  Considering that this was a new itinerary for Viking, things seemed to have run pretty smoothly.  I know that Manuel Sarmiento, the Shore Excursion manager, was setting a low bar for the guides & buses, but we had excellent guides with the exception of one and the buses & bus drivers have been fine.  In fact, I think the bus drivers we have had have been very helpful with passengers getting off the buses.  

Thank you for your updates.

Any talk of deviating from Valparaiso or Santiago?

I saw on Trip Advisor forum that Celebrity Cruises deviated from Chile due to the protests and violence.

3 hours ago, Pat FT said:

Thank you for all your great posts.  We are boarding on Jan 7th and I am finding all your posts to be extremely helpful in planning our trip.  

We are boarding January 7th also!

Can anyone tell me how the library is on the Jupiter? I am one of those old fashioned gals who still likes books in hand.

Many recommend taking a taxi to Anse Vai Beach or Lemon Bay - how does one get BACK to the cruse ship?? Do buses or taxis go by frequently to just catch one??

Also, with regard to taxis in New Celedonia (and other South Pacific Islands) - is it reasonable for 4 medium to large adults to share one?