patrickmoran

The key for us was getting on Viking's mailing list for offers so that I would recognize a good deal when it came along. This year I have added my name to more river cruise lines based on comments on this board. For ocean cruise, I use a number of cruise lines because they don't all offer what I want or deals will vary from time to time.

We have done many ocean cruises and 2 river cruises, both on Viking. We enjoyed the river cruises. Our 1st was the Romantic Danube over Christmas. We really enjoyed the Christmas markets and Budapest, a great city and very affordable. Last fall we did the Seine River cruise from Paris and had a great trip.

We like seeing alot of different places on our vacation. So cruising works well since you generally unpack once and travel at night to a new city to explore.

For me, the free airfare was critical. The fares to Europe are ridiculous from southern Florida. We are retired and have flexibility in our schedule .We generally travel in the offseason to save $$s. Our next river cruise is Bordeaux and airfare through Viking was $100 pp. Great price, probably saves us 0ver $1000 pp plus transfers are included which would easily cost $100 pp if we did our own air. I have never used Viking's flex air but you can customize your travel for what seems a reasonable up charge. Some people have had great success with it while others complain bitterly. Me, I go with the flow and leave the scheduling to Viking. It has worked well for us. Your at the mercy of the airlines and, realistically, there is not much Viking can do once your on your way.

Where does the ship dock? Close to Rosseau? Thanks

I take it there were no vibration issues despite being so far aft?

Thanks to both of you.

What time was the Platinum/Elite cocktail hour in the evening?

We'll be aboard in late March. A recent review of the Regal Princess mentioned that on several nights there were ribs at the Grill. Is this on the Royal also?

Also, do you recall the times for the shows in the evening? I'm particularly interested in the production shows and the magician. Thanks

We paid by e-check in December. We got 3% off the total bill. We did it by phone. We gave the rep our checking account info. Very easy. The deduction showed on our account the next day.

A balcony is not necessary. You will want to be out on deck and take advantage of different perspectives of going through the locks. Go out front on Caribe deck to the "secret" viewing area. Get there early (maybe 5:15am) to get the full experience of entering the 1st lock. As you enter the 2nd lock, go to the promenade deck to get ground level feel. For the 3rd lock, go to Lido deck at the rear to get the perspective of leaving the locks and see how high you have risen. A balcony is nice if you do a full transit, then you sit on the balcony while the ship sails through the Cut.

I highly recommend a book to read before you go "The Path Between the Seas."

Unlike ocean cruise, there is no x-raying of luggage or metal detectors for getting on the ship. It is not an issue bringing your own booze on board. I think if you took a bottle into the bar and started making your own drinks, that the server would ask that you refrain from that. But making a drink in your cabin and taking it into the dining room or the bar would not be a problem. I have gotten glasses from the bartender in the past.

Started reading different threads and got mixed signals about this? :confused:Did the Coral go into dry dock? Is it getting all of the changes that the Island did? Seems like the plumbing needs a major overhaul.

Thanks

Viking's website states that the offer is good through January 31st. It has rolled over once already so it may be extended.

I do agree that once you decide to go inland, you may as well travel by road and/or rail and give up the idea of cruising altogether. But this is Cruise Critic, after all… :p

No, No, No. We're booked for a Bordeaux river cruise. The "hotel" moves around the area and, yeah, you take some buses but otherwise you have to drive yourself. This way you can indulge and leave the driving to others!

We did Viking's Normandy cruise in October and had a great cruise. You can find my blog of the trip on this thread.

One thing you may want to consider, is spending extra time in Paris if you haven't been there before. The savings on Viking may cover that added cost.

In either case, you will have a great experience.

I'm getting a headache trying to figure out why would you need insurance if you have this waiver? Do only certain people get the waiver because there is no mention of it on the Viking website

I have the waiver and have studied Viking's trip insurance and bought trip insurance in the past for ocean cruises. Trip insurance covers more than just trip cancellation. The policies include lost luggage coverage, trip delay and interruption, medical expenses, and medical evacuation. The free waiver does not, in my opinion, cover these expenses. Many travel credit cards have started covering some or all of them when the trip is paid using the card. I have certain cards just for that purpose and almost never purchase trip insurance any more. Any way, with the free waiver, one then has to decide if you want coverage for these emergencies and how to get it. It's easy to only get medical trip insurance.

For my trip, I paid with echeck (getting additional discount) and did not purchasing any trip insurance. Cost/reward/probability didn't seem cost effective.

We used Safe Cruise Parking and it was half the price and convenient. They shuttle you to and from the lot, maybe 15 minutes.

Up to the day before? It makes no sense.

I agree, I think someone in Marketing got crazy and got their way!:eek:

I was going to book the Bordeaux cruise anyway and jumped on this as soon as I got it. I don't expect to use it but you never know.

Also check the fine print to see how you get your money back. Most "any reason" policies sold by cruise lines only give a voucher for a future cruise, not cash.

Interestingly, mine had almost no additional fine print, just letting you know you could combine this offer with other offers.

I got my email in mid-December and the offer expired on December 31,2015. I jumped on i, I was pretty happy to book the cruise.t the next for a Bordeaux cruise. It was so new I had to contact my vacation planner at Viking to get the invoice to reflect the risk free cancellation waiver.

With the waiver and airfare costing $100 pp Orlando to and from Bordeaux, France

Were there any Christmas markets in the cities or villages?

The Roman amphitheatre just outside Naples at Pozzuoli actually has a MUCH more impressive underground area -- quite a bit easier to see how things worked "down below" there... It's amusing that so few people visit it.

How did you get there? Easy to do on your own?

cruisemom42, pleaase send your notes to patrickmoran150 at gmail dot com.

Thank you

What shows were in the theater?

Appetizers, Soup & Salad

Cocktail de Crevettes et Avocat (shrimp cocktail)

Escargots a la Provencale (very good escargot but different)

Salad de Roquette aux Pois Chiche Grilles

Soupe de Tomate au Curry

Entrees

Poulet Roti au Thym

Filet de Mahi Mahi & Sauce Pomme et Noix

Courgette Farcie au Fromage de Chevre et Tomate (stuffed zuchini)

Desserts

Tarte Croustillante au Chocalat Noir de Valrhona

Creme Glacee stracciatella

Sorbet lemon

Gateaux aux Framboises

Fruit

The Good bye Dinner - quite good

1st Course

Salad Portulac

or

Cassoulet de Poulet Parfume a la Truffle (chicken cassoulet)

2nd course

Bisque de Homards et Crevettes (Lobster & shrimp bisque)

3rd Course

Trou Normand (apple sorbet)

4th Course

Deconstructed Beef Wellington

or

Noix de Saint Jacques Caramelisee (sea scallops)

5th Course

Crepes Suzette & Creme Brulee

Appetizers, Soup & Salad

Avocat et Veau en Tartare (avocado & veal tartar)

Cuisses de Grenouille Provencales (frog legs)

Laitue aux Trois Pois

Soupe a l'Oignon (onion soup)

Entees

Boeuf Bourguignon (very good)

Sandre Marine et Grille, Beurre Noisette au Balsamique (perch)

Cannellonis Gratines

Desserts

Clafoutis aux Pruneaux

Creme Glacee rum raisin

Sorbet rasberry

Crumble aux Pommes et Noisettes (apple crumble, very good)

Fruit