Heidi13

Today you mentioned that the Vasa is the World's only preserved warship. HM Dockyard in Portsmouth has the HMS Mary Rose in a similar climate-controlled building. She was the pride of King Henry VIII, but sank in the Solent, after 30+ yrs of sterling service. After 400+ yrs, she was brought to the surface in the 1980's and housed in a special building constructed in one of the smaller graving docks. She isn't 98% original, but she is also a restored warship, similar to Vasa. The HM Dockyard also has HMS Victory and HMS Warrior.

Sent our cases down to San Pedro without issue. I believe that anyone that wants into a suitcase, will get in, whether it's locked, or not. Hence the reason we weren't concerned.

You're braver than us. The ships are just way too big for us, so our 2015 WC was our last ever on Princess. Totally sad, as I have many great memories of time aboard P&O/Princess ships over 40 yrs, both working and cruising with them.

Hoping it is also on the Jupiter, as we may have more brekkies in the World Cafe, rather than the restaurant.

Thanks for the great review. Maybe a little generous on the Princess rating😁😁

Visited London many times and always travel by Tube or river ferry. If in Greenwich, take the adjacent ferry to Tower Hill and then jump on the Tube, visiting all of the sights you wish to see. If at Tilbury, take a cab to the train station and train into London Fenchurch Station and again jump on the Tube. You can use your Visa card, but I prefer to purchase an Oyster card, which is refundable at the end.

Although cruise ships are continuously renovated by the onboard crew, the capital projects are completed by shipyards and owner's contractors during the special survey dry-dockings, which are required by Flag/Class, every 5-yrs (newer ships), or 2 drydocks every 5 yrs (older ships). The Viking Star completed her first special survey drydocking in Genoa in December 2019, just prior to the COVID shutdown, when they completed some hotel projects, although most of the work was mechanical, painting and regulatory. Prior to the World Cruise, I recall her spending a few days at Grand Bahamas Shipyard, where they did some additional hotel work for the World Cruise. Not aware of any of the Viking ships drydocking during the COVID shutdown, so any refurbishment was completed by onboard crew, or owner's contractors. The Orion's Planetarium was installed during the newbuild and a Planetarium also installed on the next ship Jupiter. It was not included on Venus.

Best guess is maintaining reduced capacity, for both providing quarantine cabins and enhancing social distancing, although we have never experienced crowding issues, even with the ship at capacity. Can't comment on other premium/luxury cruise line's operational policies, as we haven't cruised with them, so have no previous experience to compare. If you check the 22/23 WC, you'll find the cabin's being cancelled at PIF date, are quickly loaded onto the website for resale.