old biddy

1 hour ago, Nanna Fru said:

What dates were you on the Sineus? And I agree about the stairs, I am ok with stairs as a rule but had to hang on all the time, and even resorted to lifts, especially when carrying a cuppa or a glass of wine out to the sun deck. Our cruise started 14 Sept. 

Yes, we were on the same cruise as you. Yes, we enjoyed it, but don't know I'll be rushing back to the Ukraine. 

There are definite issues that need addressing, I'll say no more!

We came off Sineus in September. The construction of this ship is very different to the long ships. The stairs are incredibly steep, I would almost say dangerous. We are fairly agile and as a rule don't use lifts on cruises - it is a way of ensuring some degree of activity! However in Sineus we both had to hold onto a hand rail at all times to ensure our safety and as for going up or down with heeled shoes on - a nightmare. The lift doesn't go to the sun deck so if anybody has the slightest mobility issue that could be a real problem.

Help! I'm beginning to feel a burden of responsibility. Do I need to flee the country now? 

Seriously it was brilliant- enjoy.

Hi pmfne - it sounds like you are doing the 7 day extension by coach, as we did, but in reverse, we finished Vancouver.

What did we enjoy? We were a small select group of 12, ( 6 couples) who had never met before, yet we all got on famously. We had a 36 seater coach so we were able to spread out, no fighting for window seats. There were frequent stops at various sites. I feel we really did see most of the essential tourist hot spots. The scenery was spectacular. If anything of real interest appeared, eg Black bear, Grizzley bear, Long horn sheep, Bald eagle, etc the coach driver was able to stop for the obligatory photoshoot. Both our guide, who was with us for the whole week and our driver were very knowledgeable, and were happy to answer all our stupid questions, without making us feel stupid, very essential!

Having  watched a program on UK television, last night, about the Rocky Mountaineer we are really glad we did the coach option.

I must admit the miles covered between Jasper to Sun Peaks and then Sun Peaks to Vancouver were very long, 500k per day I seem to remember, it was a small price to pay in the greater complexion of things.

Would I do it again? In a heart beat, but there are other parts of the world to investigate first.

Just a thought. Viking got a bit of stick over 'anchor' ports on this cruise this year. Have these ports been dropped because there are lots of ships in on the particular day?  Honestly I don't know, but.......

We did this cruise in July. I could probably have missed Sitka and in retrospect not be too upset. However to miss Skagway and the Yukon train would have been awful!

You will love this cruise, it was fabulous. If you are doing the Rockies extension, wow, not to be missed.

We have recently returned from Alaska and the Inside Passage on Orion. I can confirm the journey from Seward to Anchorage, by coach, which Viking use, takes 2.30 to 3hrs depending on traffic. The coach was nothing outstanding, but I've been in far worse. We had a lovely driver who gave us commentary during the journey, he was very entertaining, which helped pass the time. Yes, the scenery is lovely and the chance to see wildlife is there, although we saw nothing, on that particular journey.

The journey certainly shouldn't be deal breaker. We were delivered to the airport about 2hrs before our flight, so quite an acceptable time. Our flight was at 2pm. The last coach left the ship at 10am-ish.

Sorry, just had a thought, other extension passengers (eg 2 day Vancouver) stayed at the Vancouver Hyatt, so it is possible that may be used. I have to say the Waterfront was lovely. Banff Springs lives on its reputation, the breakfast was probably the best of all of them but the hotel needed a bit of TLC. Jasper Lodges was fine if very different, Sun Peaks was ok nothing outstanding, but nothing for object to.

Obviously I can only tell you which hotels we stayed at, they could change year by year. The extension is actually subcontracted to a company called Jonview Canada. We stayed at Fairmont Banff Springs, Fairmont Jasper Lodges, SunPeaks Grand and Fairmont Waterfront, Vancouver. 

If you want any more info just post on here and I'll try and oblige. From what I can gather I seem to be the only one on here who has actually done this specific extension.

Getting the visas is easy, all done on line. Just make sure you go to the official site otherwise they cost a fortune. I can't remember the exact cost, I think it was about £40 for both of us for both Visas. It took about an hour for everything. Good luck.

We have just returned from Viking Orion, from Alaska and the Inside Passage, less than 2 weeks ago. The whole trip including the extension through the Rockies, by coach, not the Rocky Mountaineer, was amazing. There definitely is no bias against UK travellers, we were warmly included in everything. 

On our extension there were 12 of us, 8 Brits and 4 US residents, we had a wonderful time and made some truly lovely friends. We went by coach, as when we booked the Rocky Mountaineer wasn't offered by Viking, that came later. We had a 36 seater coach for 12, so loads of room to spread out, no fighting for window seats. We saw things I never thought I'd see in my life time; Grizzly bear and cub, Black Bear, Elk, Long Horn Sheep, and more, the bonus of being on the coach was that the driver could stop at the road side so we could get a better view, wonderful. The extension was 7 nights, it wasn't cheap but worth every penny. 2 nights in Banff, 2 in Jasper, 1 in Sun Peaks and 2 in Vancouver.

The cruise itself was fabulous. The 2 ports we tendered at, Juneau and Icy Strait Point, were well handled. We didn't find any issues with getting onto a tender at all. Yes we had one very disappointing trip, in Valdez, which we reported to the Excursions Manager and a 50% refund is being processed, I can't ask for more.

It might be Viking's 1st season in Alaska, I know there have been complaints, either Viking have learned incredibly quickly or people had unrealistic expectations. Before anybody suggests we are novice cruisers and don't know what to expect, wrong, we have done about 20 ocean cruises with several lines and 8 river. We expect value for our money, Alaska is not cheap but it was worth every penny. For the bonus of small ships, no children etc. etc. Viking fulfil my requirements.

I can only say Go, Enjoy, we did!

Perhaps the conclusion to this thread is that river cruising isn't for you, oceans52, leave it to those of us who love it. And yes, we have done a cruise where the sun deck is shut for long periods. Not a problem, it's for the safety and well being of all passengers and crew.

32 minutes ago, old biddy said:

In a heart beat I'd be there. I've been following this thread since it first started on Saturday. Viking have too much to loose in not doing the repairs correctly. I'm sure they will be checking with a virtual 'magnifying glass' for oil leaks.  We have 3 viking cruises booked for this year, a river cruise starting next week, Alaska in July and the Ukraine on the Dneiper in September. 

Life is to short to think with a glass half empty. Believe me I am of a cautious nature- drives my OH mad at times, but hey ho that's how I am. But categorically I'd be off to Copenhagen. We've previously done 3 Viking Oceans and loved every minute.

 

 

 

4 minutes ago, Bubbalikesme said:

So what does this all of this mean for those of us on the next sailing. On Viking Sky We are scheduled for April 6 Copenhagen to Amsterdam. Is it safe to be on the Viking sky.

i am still concern d about repairs done it the right way. How do they know there was not an oil leak that caused the low oil.

Any comments on whether you would be on the next sailing.

thank you

In a heart beat I'd be there. I've been following this thread since it first started on Saturday. Viking have too much to lose in not doing the repairs correctly. I'm sure they will be checking with a magnifying glass for oil leaks.  We have 3 viking cruises booked for this year, a river cruise starting next week, Alaska in July and the Ukraine on the Dneiper in September. 

Life is to short to think with a glass half full. Believe me I am of a cautious nature- drives my OH mad at times, but hey ho that's how I am. But categorically I'd be off to Copenhagen. We've previously done 3 Viking Oceans and loved every minute.

5 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

Where did you get this information?  I cannot find any confirmation of this statement online.

6 hours ago, old biddy said:

I think you will find the secret passage is closed for restoration until 2020. I may be wrong but I would check first before making any firm plans.

Sorry didn't attach quotes!

It was on a travel program aired in the UK. I can't remember the exact details which is why I said you would need to check it out.

I think you will find the secret passage is closed for restoration until 2020. I may be wrong but I would check first before making any firm plans.

We came off 'Sun' in Civitavecchia in December. We got a taxi from the port to the train station, 20 euros, yes, a bit expensive but I really wouldn't want to have navigated it myself, even though Google Maps  makes it look doable! ( There is a shuttle bus available but I'm not sure where it drops you.) Train to termini station takes an hour, but you get to see the countryside, only 4.60 euros pp.  bargain! Change trains onto Leonardo Express to airport, 14 euros pp. this journey takes 40 mins. So if you have time it is a good way to go. 

We actually stayed a couple of days in Rome,  hence our reason to travel this way.

We have just come off 'Sun'. We were considering booking another cruise whilst on board, the fact that we didn't is irrelevant. I asked the Future Cruises person if we would lose our UK perks (for want of a better description) and he assured me no, but we would get the various extras discounts; double Explorer discount and an additional discount of £400 on a cruise. Also the calculations would be done in pounds not dollars - quite important. 

As I said we didn't actually test it out so the reality may be slightly different.

I very much doubt you will get a reply. How about phoning the Sri Lankan embassy in London, they can only say no, but they may help. Nothing ventured ............! Might be better then either being refused embarkation, or problems on arrival in Sri Lanka. Far be it from me to tell somebody who has done lots of travel to that part of the world, what to do, but just throwing out an idea.

In 2017, we were supposed to be flying in to Sri Lanka, transferring to Voyages of Discovery 'Voyager' have a day in Sri Lanka then sail out. So less than 48hrs on the island. Like 'tallahcruiser' I went onto the embassy website, which I found very confusing, applied for and got the transit Visa. I then had a panic and thought I may have got the wrong one, emailed the embassy, but to this day have never received a reply. Unfortunately our cruise didn't happen, as 'Voyages' went bust 2 months before we were due to go.  Whilst this is of no help whatsoever, just wanted to say, yes the embassy website is very confusing.

If you are based in the UK and are taking a European cruise, from, for example, Rome, do you get a discount off the cruise fare if you choose to make your own flight arrangements leaving Viking out of the equation?

 

 

Sent from the magic box!

Simple answer is 'YES'. We are flying into Barcelona and home from Rome in November. We decided we would add on an extra couple of days in Rome. We didn't want to do the Viking Rome extension, we know a lovely hotel near the main station and wanted 'to do our own thing'. I researched suitable flights, then rang Viking and asked if they would give us a discount for arranging our own flights, expecting the answer to be no. Joy of joys, they allowed us £150 each and I had priced the flights at just over £100 each.

Yes we will have to sort our won transfers out, but it is very easy in Barcelona, aerobus from the airport then a taxi to the port. In Civitavechia a taxi to the station then train to Rome.

Obviously if there is a delay in the outward flight we are a bit on our own, but as the ship is in port over night I can't see there being too much of a problem.

A cheaper option would be 'Aerobus' from Barcelona airport to Place de Catalunya, 5.90 euros each, then taxi to the port, it wont be much as it is literally 10 minutes away. The bus runs every 10 minutes and is really efficient, no extra charge for luggage. This is what we will be doing in November as we have arranged our own flights. it is a walkable distance to the port, but dragging suitcases may make it not enjoyable!

We've just come off Kvasir, on the Rhine and I can assure you that Aquavit is set up as more casual dining, using same menu as main dining room. It was lovely to sit on the back deck having our evening meal, so peaceful.

We did the Rodne Pulpit Rock tour last year, starting at 10am and were back on board for a 1.30 departure. I was apprehensive before we went, but the Rodne agent on the dock side assured me the trip would take exactly 3hrs and we would be back in time, and we were almost, to the second!

If you are really worried use the ship trip, if disaster strikes the ship will wait for them.

We've just come off Delling, Lyon to Avignon.

The Manfredi's option on Aquavit terrace had very mixed reception. I have to confess we didn't dine there as the menu really did not inspire us. However speaking to others they were very disappointed with the menu. It is nothing like the Ocean ships which is really good. Portions were really quite small, more a tasting menu than anything. There was no pre booking it was literally a case of first come first served, I believe to was 20 diners per night.

Apparently it is on a trial basis at the moment to be reviewed at some point. So it may be a case of 'watch this space'.