austinetc

We’ve booked our first Viking pre-cruise extension. How helpful is the Viking Host? Can I get examples of what they’re done (and not done)? Our extension includes no excursion options.

On VIking's "Updates on Current Sailings", it says that currently open 2024 sailings to Russia are also being replaced.

2 hours ago, PRH said:

Embarked on the Sea today in Venice.  Saliva test in cabin then free to roam ship masked.  Still no test result at 8:45pm.  Sister arrived at check in with “out of date” PCR test and was given an antigen test at the port before being allowed to check in.  We used the eMed proctored antigen test and no problem.  You are supposed to mask until negative pcr test result.

Interesting. FYI, the Viking Sky, scheduled to dock in Fusina next Friday, has announced that she will instead dock in Ravenna, about 90 miles south. Something about the harbor being closed for environmental studies. Some tours canceled. Credit and future cruise vouchers are being given.

Regarding payment schedule, you should absolutely try to negotiate. I paid my last cruise "only" six months before embarking, down from their desired full year.

I think a key question about cabin placement is how much time do you plan to be in it. Viking doesn't have the traditional distractions of casinos, discos, etc., so you may be spending more time in it. Or not. Viking tends to spend more time in ports, so you may be in it less. I enjoy watching the ship enter/exit ports, so I select the upper decks.

I suspect a big deal for some would be the lack of a coffee maker in V. Another issue is that V is situated in the forward and aft sections of the ship. This presents a chance of larger ship movements in high seas, though being low in the ship would compensate. Otherwise, as others have mentioned, DV gives you more viewing choices.

What did the email say? Was it direccted at only your cruise? We leave next week on an Adriatic Ocean cruise and haven't seen any changes. Masks became optional on board after 3/31.

We fortunately live 5 minutes from a CVS that does antigen tests. We're getting tested, though I really don't think we need to given our particular situation. But I'd rather take the time to get tested than spend 14 hours in a plane worrying about the consequences of not getting tested.

Also; I could call Viking for clarification, but the person on the phone won't be the person who checks my documentation on the ship. I know from experience that land-based Viking and ship-based Viking does not communicate.

57 minutes ago, eddieg07410 said:

Does Viking ever upgrade cabins. We are booked into a deluxe balcony but was curious if Viking ever offers free upgrades. It would seem in this post covid world cancelations have become a way of life. And consequently was wondering if Viking might upgrade us at some point. And under what circumstances do they offer upgrades?

We were upgraded last August on a river cruise. First from the worst level of stateroom to the second worst. But upon boarding we found ourselves moved from the main deck to the second deck. This was probably entirely due to Covid. The ship was 60% full and I was told that the main deck's rooms were used by the crew for distancing purposes.

We've used CVS twice for the PCR test. Results came back in about 30 hours. We have appointments for Antigen tests next week with CVS. Getting reservations was a non-problem. Lots of open time slots.

15 hours ago, kkapaldo said:

I don't know if what I did was acceptable but no one said anything to me.  We were at the pool for a while, then went to "tea time" in the Wintergarden afterwards.  I had a swim coverup on over my swimsuit but the coverup was somewhat see thru.  No one said a word.

I try very hard not to be negative on the boards, but personally I congratulate those who didn't say a word. I would have been polite about it too, but your attire would have been talked about at dinner and for several days after. I think Wintergarden Tea deserves elegant casual wear, even to a greater extent than dinner. This is something that's talked about on other threads. That said, I hope you had a great time on the cruise!

I try to buy consumables. Wine, candy, biscuits, olive oil, etc.  A question always asked is whether food items can be brought back. Because the answer varies, it's best to just ask the store. They know. (Yes, yes, of course, you'd have to trust them to be honest!) Usually, if what you're holding isn't allowed, they'll have an alternative that is. It mostly depends on the packaging. 

How late did the shuttle buses operate?

It looks like most of the key sites within Athens are reachable on foot by people who enjoy walking. Is this the case?

23 hours ago, Pegct said:

Will be sailing the September 28th Mediterranean Odessy and looked at my itinerary and saw we arrive in Naples port at 12 noon. Just wondering for anyone on earlier cruises if they can comment on all day optional excursions offered and amount of time allotted in Naples and scheduled port arrival in Naples   I have tentatively arranged for a private tour for our group to see Pompeii, Sorrento and Positano but assumed we arrived early in morning like 8am. Not sure how 4 hr time difference will affect sightseeing plans that day.

The Herculaneum is marginally closer to the Naples harbor and a more compact site. I think Viator offers 3 hour tours. I've been to it and Pompeii and consider it a more illuminating piece of history. 

27 minutes ago, ErwinSchrodinger said:

I just placed a deposit on a western Caribbean and partial canal transit for 2/23. Of course it is far from being able to place reservations but I noticed there is a place for reservations at The Restaurant as well as Manfredi’s and The Chefs Table. My last two cruises on Viking were pre COVID and The Restaurant was show up and we will seat you. Is this a new, post COVID protocol, do I have to make reservations at The Restaurant?

This is just to get an estimated head count of how many two-person tables they’ll need set up. The norm is for tables with four or more seats. 

Thank you for these terrific updates!

Question: Viking used to offer a “Kitchen Table” event, whereby a few passengers interacted with the chef by shopping for ingredients ashore, etc. Was it offered during your cruise?

1 hour ago, PasadenaDave said:

May 4 we fly LAX to Istanbul then sleep 

We'll be getting off the ship as you get on!

To get back on track, how wrong would it be to bring a drink to the Wintergarden tea? A Gimlet, or sparkling wine? While I enjoy the atmosphere of tea time, I honestly don't really enjoy tea (or coffee). I will if it's essential, but I don't think a bar drink is too much out of line. It's not a bathrobe. Seeking hospitable responses.

14 days, 157 days, and 404 days.

On 4/4/2022 at 5:34 PM, rbslos18 said:

Have those who have used Viking Air Plus recently seen improvement in Customer Service?

In the past month:

1) The computer AI (I say that as a joke) initially had us booked Istanbul-Frankfurt-LAX-San Diego, with a 7 hour layover at LAX. Since LAX is actually only 90 minutes from home (SAN is 45 minutes), I called Viking Air to just ditch the last leg, making LAX the final destination. But the representative went one step further and checked what was available at that moment. He found a nonstop Istanbul-LAX! Lovely. 

2) We decided to book a precruise extension, but Viking's rep said we'd waited too late to avoid a $350 each charge to change flights. But the rep suggested that Viking Air might waive the charge, if asked. He transferred the call to Air and I asked to waive the charge. After a one minute hold, the charges were waived.

So, to answer your question, I think Viking Air Plus's customer service is terrific. Their computerized scheduling system needs work, as do all airline scheduling systems.

About 16 hours.

Can anyone shed light on why Viking dropped port calls in Finland and Estonia? I'm thrilled that Russia was dropped. 

I had decided to skip the package for our next cruise (Venice to Istanbul), but have changed my mind. It occurred to me that one option is to taste whatever whiskey is on the shelf and if I don't like it, get something else without penalty. Same scenario applies at dinner. This will pay great dividends when I return to my hometown liquor store. Though in my fading years, I still have evolving likes and dislikes. The ship will be a grand 14 day tasting event. 

I emphasize that I'm not suggesting that anyone follow my lead. Buy the package, don't buy the package. Use your judgement. All I'm doing is presenting one point of view. If you find this thread distasteful (pun intended), please don't read it.

We loved tea time. The experience was the height of extravagant living for us. 

The sight of some passengers attending the event in bathrobes was a real downer though. Not very posh.

38 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

But, for those who are still dithering, you don't have to buy the drinks package to have access to the premium wines; they can all be purchased by the glass.

I'm wondering about this statement. My recollection is that they'll sell a premium glass of wine if the bottle is open, but they won't open a new bottle unless it's for someone with the package. I'm not arguing the point, just wondering.  I strongly suspect that the specific policy could vary with the ship and/or the bottle in question.

By the way, I discovered on the last Viking cruise that their menu doesn't alway keep up with the on board inventory. I ordered a 2016 bottle and they poured a 2019 version before I realized the difference. Being a fan of aged wine, it was disappointing. The rest of the story, though, is that they didn't charge me for that bottle AND the next day offered a better aged wine at a discounted price.

11 minutes ago, Sapphire_07 said:

Just a suggestion....Viator may be an option to get tickets for La Sagrada Familia.  

Persistence is good too. Back in 2015 we didn't realize that reservations were needed until the night before (novices! at the time). We were able to go online that night and get tickets for the next day. Good luck!