Heidi13

Can't comment on cancelling Newcastle, but have given some thought to the change of port for Brisbane and how Viking could refer to it as "New" regulations. Little Monte posted a few days ago that the Port of Brisbane has been very successful in moving most of the cruise ships from the original Portside berths to the new cruise terminal and by next year, expect all ships to use the new berths. It sounds like they are effectively banning cruise ships from cruising down river to Portside. At the entrance to the river, adjacent to the airport, it is an excellent location for a TAR port, but being 12 miles from the centre of Brisbane and with nothing locally, it isn't a great location for "In Transit" pax. It isn't even very scenic, with the airport on 1 side and a container terminal across the river. If taking a shore-ex it isn't a huge impact, but you can't walk off the ship and explore locally, as it is about 8 miles to the outer suburbs. Brisbane is a long arrival, with the waters of Moreton Bay and north of Moreton Island being fairly shallow. The initial approach to Brisbane starts well north of Moreton Island at Currimundi/Caloundra, where you follow the coast initially then circle around Moreton Bay for the approach to the river. Until passing the airport it isn't exactly scenic cruising, taking at least 4 hrs. If the Port Authority is banning cruise ships from using Portside, Viking may have determined they are better going to Mooloolaba, which is 60 miles to Brisbane, but at least you have places to wander ashore. Mooloolaba is less than 10 miles north of the entrance to the Brisbane approaches.

So true, I've seen the berth change after bringing the pilot onboard.

Guilty as charged😁

Determining if Glacier Bay is a "must-see" is highly subjective and depends on what you want to experience in Alaska. I completed 2 full seasons cruising to Alaska, plus numerous additional cruises as a pax, so I've been to all the glaciers. With respect to Glacier Bay, I've lost count at the number of times I've been in the Bay - well over a couple of dozen. Even with that number of visits, I'm still one of the first pax out on deck for the sail-in. Does Glacier Bay have the most impressive glacier - in my experience and opinion No. However, regardless of the weather - rain, wind, fog, etc. I have never missed getting into Glacier Bay and seeing at least 1 glacier. In addition, the Park Rangers provide exceptional commentary and even having heard it many times, I often pick up new information. You also have multiple sightings of wildlife. On a bright sunny day, Glacier Bay is a spectacular experience. On a cold, wet and windy day, it is still impressive, as the ship is almost guaranteed to see a glacier. Hubbard is the largest and, in my opinion, the most impressive glacier. However, the entrance channel can be icebound, preventing the ship from sailing up to the glacier. I have missed Hubbard Glacier a few times. Tracy Arm is spectacular scenic cruising, especially if the ship navigates down to the glacier. However, even getting into Tracy Arm can be challenging. Of all my cruises to Alaska, I have only been on one, that made it down to the glacier. Most couldn't even enter the Arm.

On the 2020 WC we didn't get any "Football" on the TV, only highlights on Sky Sports. The GM mentioned that Viking didn't have a licence to broadcast any English Premier matches. They did show the US version of football in the Star Theatre. I believe they showed the semi-finals and final of the Super Cup matches.

While I don't know what "New Regulations" could include, it highly unlikely that the reason is "Port Fees", especially in Brisbane. "Port Fees" are inclusive of berth charges, which are normally assessed per foot of ship length, pilotage fees (which are expensive), longshoremen, tugs, navigation services, environmental charges, etc. Docking at the new cruise terminal in Brisbane, the pilotage fees would be a fraction of those required to head down river to Portside, and the ship would also use thousands of dollars less fuel, since the new terminal is at the river entrance. If ships cancel a port and replace with a sea day, the overall financial impact on the ship is negative. Yes, they save money on all port related fees, but the ship now spends a day at sea: - burning extra fuel, which is the largest cost factor - loss of revenue from shore-ex, which is often the largest revenue generator for a cruise ship - additional meal costs, as no pax/crew are eating ashore

It varies depending on the size of bus, or other mode of transport. However, we have not taken a Viking shore-ex and had the bus filled to capacity. Always had a number of empty seats.

This is where it pays to be an informed consumer. Personally, I don't book anything without reading and understanding the cancellation terms. If the financial risk is higher than our Visa travel insurance coverage, I purchase separate travel insurance.

We use a local, full-service TA, who provides OBC, as permitted by our preferred cruise line.

When in UK or the Continent, we switch our home plan to the minimum to keep the number, then when we arrive in Europe, we purchase a local SIM card, for DW's unlocked phone. If purchased in Spain, you should have service in all EU countries. We get a service provider that has local calling/text and calling/text back to Canada.

Have travelled the world extensively for 45+ yrs and don't speak any foreign language, other than a few commands in Hindi, which was the most common crew language. Never required any translators and have always survived. So don't worry, just go and enjoy the experience.

First cruise was 3.5 months on SS Uganda in 1976 - Malta to Falmouth.

Sorry, don't have any info on when the next WC will be released.

Please see answers to your questions in red

Anything is possible. We had to cancel # 3, so maybe in a couple of years. You may want to search for World Cruise itineraries. I recall a number of months ago we discussed itineraries, with a list of ports of interest. I even threw together a quick itinerary. Unfortunately, I can't recall the name of the thread.

I'll suggest it is irrelevant when they send the reminders, as surely you completed due diligence and researched all the requirements prior to making the full payment. Since PIF is probably well before the cancellation fees cut in (120 days for short cruises and 6 months for >35 days), you can still get all your money back, less the $100 pp or $1,000 pp.

We were also surprised at how small the dressing room and storage room is. Also, how tight it is behind the screen when they have to cross from 1 side to the other behind the screen.

Personally, I put little faith in the accuracy of Cruisemapper and the other 3rd party websites. My preference is always to research the port website for the docking schedule. Failing that, I track previous arrivals using the AIS info on MarineTraffic.

I'll suggest the last 3 WC's are a COVID anomaly. Viking started World Cruising in 2017/18, with an itinerary that followed the same general path as the current WC, but with a number of different ports, especially in the Pacific. It had more SE Asia ports and less in the Meddy. The 2018/19 WC was completely different, crossing the Indian Ocean, round Cape of Good Hope and up the coast of Africa Ultimate 245-day WC was 2019/20, consisting of the "Ultimate" and 2 shorter World Cruises. 2020/21 - Was similar to the 2nd half of the Ultimate, but had more Meddy ports. This cruise was cancelled 2021/22 - Similar to the 20/21 which was fully booked, but was cancelled. This cruise did sail, but had a severely modified itinerary 2022/23 - Similar to 22/23, but with a few new ports 2023/24 - An exact copy of 22/23, which I'll suggest permitted Viking to get it published quickly, since their resources were used in reworking itineraries for other cruises. They have 2 ships on the same itinerary, which are well sold. Once 2025 is published, I expect to see more changes from the previous 3 years.

If the Discretionary Service Charge is not included in the fare, we will normally pre-pay that amount just prior to the cruise. On board we do not tip anyone until the final evening. In the MDR, we endeavour to sit in the same section and even the same table for dinner, so we tip each of the waiters/waitresses on that team. We also tip our cabin stewards. If we have received great service from any of the bar staff, we will also tip them. We do not tip for room service, unless they really go above and beyond.

Chief - It is very similar in Canada. We had some exceptional Flag Inspectors, of similar calibre to those I experienced in UK. When they retired, we received new ones that came to Canada from other countries and knew nothing about passenger ships. Once my crew completed servicing, testing and any repairs, I would call them for an inspection. At the start of the day, I asked how they would like to proceed, which was usually met by a blank look. Basically, I had to walk them through the entire process for each system, explain what was required and how we test. Since they all had Engineering backgrounds the Bridge charts & publications inspection was teaching them basic chart and publication corrections. Prior to my retirement, we spent considerable money & resources on enhanced Bridge/Engine Room procedures and communication, implementing standardised procedures and a closed-loop communications. At the completion of a refit, the Flag Inspector was aboard to review the final crew drill, for which he requested an Engine Room fire. When the simulated fire was out of control, the Chief Engineer advised the Master and requested CO2 discharge, all using proper closed-loop communication. It was completed perfectly. At the debrief, the Flag Inspector was critical of the Bridge/Engine Room communications, as being too long winded. I just smiled and thanked him for his comments. Transport Canada off-loaded commercial ship inspection to Class, even before I retired 10 yrs ago. The Class Surveyors were also at various levels of experience. The Lloyd's chaps were excellent with both the Engineering and Deck requirements, but the ABS chaps had limited knowledge of the Deck operation. However, I found them willing and quick to learn. During my last drydocking, I had one with me most days, as my crew serviced most of the systems. Spent a day on the Bridge showing him the chart/publications and how to do corrections.

Yellow fever is a serious vaccine and in many countries is only provided in specialised clinics. Personally, I would not be going to a pharmacy for this vaccination. Yellow Fever is a live vaccine and is not recommended for people over 60 yrs of age and those with existing medical conditions. Hopefully, Costco explained the potential severe risks of this vaccine and thoroughly reviewed your medical history, prior to administering the vaccine. Personally, I have received yellow fever 3 times in my life, as it was only good for 10-years, but now being over 60 yrs of age, I would not get it again. Even my first dose when I was 17, I recall the doctor discussing the risks and checking my medical history.

The USA's CDC is not an International Health Organisation and has no jurisdiction, since Viking is a Norwegian company, with a Head Office in Switzerland. As passengers, as outlined in the Terms & Conditions, it is our responsibility to know all the requirements prior to travel. Any info provided by the cruise lines is simply a reminder.

If through age of existing medical conditions, your doctor determines it is unsafe for you to receive the yellow fever vaccine, which is a live vaccine, then the doctor should write a letter. Note - for many years, yellow fever vaccine only lasted 10-years, although now it is lifetime. Therefore, anyone who has had yellow fever at any time, should discuss with their doctor, if it is still valid. You would then need to find those records.

We had it on Viking Sun on 3 nights. First 2 nights were crew and the final night was 3 passengers. Brilliant evenings.