linrodhag

Thank you all. We will definitely board in 14 days (not that I'm counting :) ) armed with the information for our next cruise.

Happy sailing.

Yes, that is exactly what I am asking. Viking (and others) tend to change their offerings each year, so we are wondering what the latest offer is (and IF there is really any benefit to it). We have done Viking twice before and are going again in a couple of weeks...thinking of booking a 2020 while on-board if they make it worth our while.

Meet you at the bar?

Can anyone who has recently sailed share what the "next cruise" offering is from Viking Ocean if you book while on-board? :D

Thanks

Looking forward to your review. Like trinicruisegyal, we are considering booking "Empires", Venice to Athens, for 2020 including a pre-cruise extension in Venice. We're doing Viking Homelands, Stockholm to Bergen, in 62 days (not that I'm counting :) ) and hope to book our 2020 while on-board.

Thank you all and stay in touch trinicruisegyal, perhaps we'll see you in Venice.

Thanks for the info. Will repost per your suggestion.

How do I delete this thread?

Need feedback on taking the included excursion from Le Havre to Paris. I'm afraid that this will be several hours on a coach and then a whirlwind tour of Paris and then several more hours on the coach to return to the ship. I've been to Paris (many years ago) but hubby hasn't been. Comments please.

Grill's is very family friendly (high chairs and boosters) and they have a kids menu. Best place for local seafood. They have recently expanded the restaurant too. So Grill's is still great for b'fast/lunch/dinner.

My other recommendation would be Kelsey's Pizza (next to the Radisson not far from the Residence Inn). Family friendly too. They have the best pizza! The Greek salad for two actually feeds 4 (lots of feta cheese too).

Visit the new "Exploration Tower" if you have time. There is a entrance fee but it has great displays devoted to local stuff...Space Program, surfing, fishing, cruising etc. You can go to the top deck and watch the ships leave. Reminder: the ships don't leave at the time listed on the web sites. They leave after the muster station drills. Sometimes they leave late due to restocking/weather/Homeland Security etc.

Have fun and THANK YOU for choosing Port Canaveral! We love our visitors! (no, I don't work for the cruise lines!)

I know they enforce the "long pants rule" for adults but don't know about kids. Just tell them you didn't pack any. Make sure the shorts are not "athletic/gyms shorts".

My suggestion, feed the kids in the Windjammer first and then you and the hubby go for a nice quiet dinner alone in the dining room. With six kids, you deserve it! :)

I am local to Port Canaveral. Try having breakfast at Grill's restaurant at the Port. It's a fabulous easy going local restaurant located right on the water (you can see the cruise ship). The breakfast menu is great (don't eat at the hotel just because it's free). This breakfast will hold you until lunch and maybe early afternoon!

Also, if you need dinner suggestions for the night before, give me a shout...I know all the best local places (and the ones to avoid).

The shower has a shampoo and conditioner dispenser and there is a bar of soap (1 for sink 1 for shower). I don't know the quality of the hair products cuz I bring my own. The small travel size is perfect and you can finish it all and not have to repack it. They have blow dryers. Plenty of closet and drawer space.

Just got off the Explorer today. Yes, they have the "freestyle" Coke machines but they can only be used with the "beverage package" which costs approx $19 a day. The machines were in working order and they have several around the ship. Here's a big tip: you can only fill your cup every 20 minutes (there is a microchip in the cup) so to get soda more frequently take your cup to any bar for refills. You can bring your cup into the dining room and they will fill it for you at dinner.

Another tip for non soda drinkers: Bring your own Tervis cup (aka adult sippy cup) and then you can pour their free ice tea/lemonade/fruit juice/water and carry that around the ship.

Another tip for coffee drinkers: Bring your own travel coffee cup so you can take your cuppa joe with you around the ship. Also, if you are addicted to flavored creamer, bring your own.