avonglen

I see you're on Empires, as I am, although perhaps the reverse itinerary of my cruise? No "Empires" itinerary rolls around again until my cruise in late September, but if it helps any, I'll tell you what I did and thought about and experienced. You may have already done and thought about this stuff, but if so, just pretend it's new info!

Many thanks for your input roothy123. I look forward to your experiences on "Empires". Although I'm actually one of the crazies doing the "Viking Empire" from Istanbul to Stockholm for 50 days, I value any info from your experiences you can provide - every little bit helps. Even though I'm still over 200 days out, I'm excited about the prospect of undertaking such a journey. Have a feeling the closer I get, the more the sleepless nights will increase. I never have a good night's sleep the night before departure o/s anyway!!!

Ours appeared about 4 or 4 1/2 months pre-cruise. I would be surprised if Viking issues anything, especially with prices, until at LEAST 6 months out, based on experience with other lines. What I do is try to find the same or similar cruise for the current year and see what that cruise offers, if it's possible to see that information. I just did that with a cruise I'm watching for next year on another line. While the content, time and cost could easily change between now and summer of 2016, it at least gets me closer to the information I need.

Thanks Roothy123. In fact, I have done just that, off several of Viking's web sites & used the info to set up a spread sheet & word doc. So unless Viking radically changes the excursions, all I'll need to do is, in effect, a cut & paste into my Wish List. However, until that becomes available, I have come to a grinding halt - very frustrating for one who, like you, is a passionate forward planner:D

Can anyone advise as to how many days before departure the Wish List is accessible on MVJ? Having booked on Viking Star "Empire" departing 27 March 2016, I have been able to set up MVJ since February 2015 but excursions are still not listed anywhere. I am still 276 days out. Thanks in advance.:)

My review of the 50-day cruise just posted under the "Cruise Reviews" section. It's pretty long and detailed. Hope it's useful to future cruisers.

Many, many thanks for your review & yes, it will be of great use to me (& others) when undertaking the 50 day Viking Empire in March next year. However, my greatest hope is that Viking Management not only takes the time to read your review, & takes it on board but actually is proactive in rectifying all the matters you have taken the time to point out. I know you have recommended DIY as far as shore excursions are concerned because Viking falls far short of fulfilling expectations. I find this aspect very disappointing. One of the main reasons I booked the 50 days was to take the hassle out of organising on shore experiences. That Viking's description of all of the included & paid excursions is in such glowing terms was the major reason I had no hesitation in booking, particularly after experience with river cruises in Russia & China. Even though I have been to many of the cities on the itinerary, I still found excursions on offer that excited my interest. Now, thanks to Viking's poor planning, it would seem that I am going to have to laboriously organise on shore excursions online for almost 50 ports!!!:(

That said, I sincerely ask Viking Management to fulfil the promises made on their web sites AND GET THEIR ACT TOGETHER lest their sojourn into ocean cruising be a dismal failure. A cruise is not viable when there are no passengers!

Still hoping to hear of more Aussies undertaking this cruise in 2016 on the Viking Star.

Many thanks for your words of encouragement Roothy123. Having accepted that changes happen, I have, as you say, found other things on the cruise to look forward to!

Rest assured, none of the for/against comments on CC about the maiden voyage of the "Star" have deterred me from looking forward to my 50 dayer from Istanbul to Stockholm next year with great excitement. I know it will be an awesome experience! However, to quote Paquebot:

"When you pay in full two years in advance, you hope for an honest accounting of the adventure that awaits so you can make an informed decision."

I do feel let down by Viking as far as the itinerary is concerned. Rather than visiting Malaga, Cadiz, Porto and A Corona as shown on the Viking Empire website when I booked (and these ports were what influenced me to happily spend the money so far in advance), I now find via "My Viking Journey" that these ports have been omitted from the itinerary and the cruise will go Barcelona, Gibraltar, Lisbon, Bordeaux. Like Paquebot, I had hopes for an honest accounting of the adventure that awaits. While I am philosophical enough to accept that a port here or there may need to be omitted for various reasons, surely not so many in the one cruise!

Even so, I remain very positive about the "adventure that awaits" and as the days slowly tick by until my departure, my excitement proportionally increases - only 293 days to go!!!:)

I wouldn't be deterred at all! You will have an epic experience and create a lot of great memories in some amazing places in the world.

Many thanks for all your input VV. I know this is CC with the emphasis on "Critic" but criticism doesn't necessarily mean that it should always be done in the negative. The time & effort you have put into your contributions is little short of magnificent, given that you ARE on vacation & should be spending ALL of your time enjoying yourself, rather than counteracting the whingers!!

It just proves the old adage:

" You can't satisfy all of the people all of the time - just some of the people some of the time"

However, I agree that those who have an axe to grind should address their problems to the right quarter i.e. management - not other passengers! Regrettably some people are born whingers & all they need is an audience! I also find it extremely abhorrent that any person could be so rudely demanding as to treat another, irrespective of their status on board in such a way as described by Vineyard View. (Bet they wouldn't have spoken to the Captain like that!) Perhaps they don't realise that such actions only reflect badly on themselves.

Still hasn't deterred me from looking forward to my 50 day Viking Empire in 2016 on the Star. (Given that Viking Sea will be undertaking its maiden voyage in April 2016, it will be interesting to compare comments re the Star's maiden voyage.)

Totally agree PopsA. It was pleasure to be a part of the Maiden Voyage. It is a beautiful ship. Even the Veranda rooms were spacious. We had no coffee pot but room service delivered coffee within 5 minutes of our phone request every morning. The open spaces never seemed crowded. We were sitted immediately when we entered The Resturant. There was never a shortage of seating in the dining venues.

We were able to make reservations in Manfredi's upon boarding and were able to eat there as many times a s we liked.

Wine and beer is definitely free flow. Bar prices are very reasonable, food was incredible.

This was a fabluous way to see the Baltics. We stayed on board and watched the Christening from the ship and is was a thrill to be a part of the festivities. People who cancelled based on reviews they read on this website and have cancelled the trip of a lifetime.

Good to read something positive for a change - restored my faith in humanity!!Would love to hear more about the Christening (maybe photos??) as viewed from the Star.

I also heard that the Gallipoli extension prior to boarding in Istanbul was a disaster. Whether you do it on your own or with Viking, be prepared for LONG days. I would stay in Istanbul!! It was the first time we were there and we loved our three pre-cruise nights that we did on our own.

Depends on your perspective, LadyVol. Because Gallipoli is so very special to we Aussies & Kiwis, the LONG days are worth it. This year is the 100th anniversary of the landing at Anzac Cove by Aussies & Kiwis (ANZACs - Australia and New Zealand Army Corps). ANZAC DAY is celebrated every year in both countries & to have the opportunity to go to Gallipoli is very special as it is regarded as a place of pilgrimage. Having been there before, I had no hesitation in signing up for this pre cruise trip. The place has an eerie atmosphere that cannot be explained - so many young Aussies & Kiwis fought & died there. Gallipoli to us is as sacred as the cemeteries at the Normandy Beaches are to Americans & thus worth the LONG days to go there.

"Or you can do it the European way and hold the door for someone coming out of a pay toilet and then go in."

GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!! Many of the pay toilets in Europe are set up so that a coin in the slot opens the cubicle door only twice - once when you go in & once when you come out. If you beak that cycle you will end up being locked in - permanently - unless some kind soul comes along & puts a coin in the slot for you. I had to rescue an American lady in Paris who had gone into a cubicle in the way described above. No thanks though when I explained what had happened. Instead she asked what country I was from & when I said "Australia" her only comment was: "My! You speak English well for a second language".

I was so flabbergasted that I omitted to ask her what my first language was supposed to be!!! (She didn't offer to reimburse me either!!!)

We are in New Zealand and paid a fixed deposit of $1700 each about 5 months ago for a cruise in March 2016, the rest of the money, about $6500, is due mid-December 2015 .. Sounds like we have the best deal, it also applies in Australia as well I believe. We decided against Viking Air as it meant we had to pay up-front at time of booking, for the total airfares and we also did not want to wait so long to find out when our flights were as we both work afternoons/ evenings and prefer to fly overnight.

Same for us across the ditch, Pukekolive. Note that you are on the Star in March 2016. I am too, doing the 50 dayer "Empire" starting in Istanbul (& also the precruise to Gallipoli). Just wondering what you have booked???

Many thanks PopsA for an absolutely brilliant report on your experiences & an obviously fabulous time, despite the little hiccup in London. It was very good of you to take the time & effort to do so & very much appreciated by one who is to do "Viking Empire" at roughly this time next year. It is a very well balanced commentary on your experiences - funny too!!!

Just Google "Viking Oceans Viking Empire Istanbul to Stockholm 50 days" & it will bring up lots of info including being able to books segments of the total cruise.:)

This thread refers to the 50 day Viking Empire cruise sailing on the Viking Star which departs Istanbul on 27 March 2016. I believe that there is a similar cruise departing early in April 2016 but the ship is the Viking Sea(?)and that this cruise will be a maiden voyage. Fingers crossed that things will be better organised on this particular maiden voyage than has been the case on the maiden voyage of the "Star"!

I don't know how similar the service is on Viking Ocean compared to the Viking River Cruises, but on previous river cruises when we told the maître d' that my wife needed to be gluten free, they really went all out for her - even bringing her gluten free appetizers and toast in the mornings. Of course the river ships are much smaller so perhaps easier to get such personal attention.

Agreed, bobinnv, really well looked after on the Viking river cruises I have undertaken, both on board and on the shore excursions that involved meals. Communication between Viking admin, cruise staff and tour guides worked very well in ensuring my need to avoid olive oil.:)

Many thanks everybody for the advice given above. I guess the maître d' will get to know me pretty well on the 50 days I'm aboard the Star and the other staff at the other food outlets as well. I can only keep my fingers crossed that it all works out and I shall certainly hit the Restaurant's maître d' the very first meal on board. Mind you, if I can spend 3 months travelling in the Middle East without any dramas, surely I can manage to avoid the dreaded olive oil for 50 days!! Strangely, I can eat olives "till the cows come home" without any problems, just so long as they have been soaked in brine first. Apparently my allergy is caused by a chemical in the seed which gets crushed along with the flesh when they press olives to make the oil.

Hi Cool Cruiser, Thanks for that interesting and revealing comment on the 50 day Viking cruise. We too have booked on that cruise only the one departing April 3rd. 2016 and are looking forward to it. We chose Viking because we had also been on their river trips in 2014. Would appreciate any comments you would like to make whilst on your trip. Again we have had to book two cabins as we are a family of 3. As you say Viking make no allowance for solo cabins.

Wishing you a great holiday and hoping to hear what to do and what not to do. Regards, Quilter Extraordinary.

Hi QE. I'm a little perplexed as to which cruise you are on that departs 3 April 2016. Are you doing Viking Empire from Istanbul to Stockholm on the Viking Star or some other itinerary...maybe on the Viking Sea?? If it is the latter, I'd be interested to know if the itinerary on your "My Viking Journey" is the same as mine is for the Viking Star as I have described above.

We are sailing on Viking on June 27th. How is Viking dealing with passengers with food allergies? I have a severe allergy to garlic and have made Viking aware of this through our TA and with numerous phone calls, from the time we made our initial reservation. Each time I have been told, "yes, that's been noted in our records and will be accommodated". After reading several posts about the inconsistencies in the dining areas I'm getting really worried. Garlic is a hidden ingredient in so many dishes I don't know how I'll be able to safely eat anything. On past cruises (on other lines) I've been well taken care of by the maitre'd and the wait staff. I've always made it a point to use fixed dining so I would always have the same staff. I was told that would be the case on Viking, but it doesn't sound at all that this is what will happen in reality.

Can those of you currently on board give me some idea of what I should expect? Is there anybody in particular I should speak to when we board? Any advice? "Thank you!

Like you, SeattleBB, I have a severe allergic reaction to two items, red wine and olive oil which I have advised to Viking on the Guest Information Form for my 50 Day cruise in March 2016. Reaction to red wine is easily avoided, but, as with the garlic, olive oil is a hidden ingredient. On past river cruises with Viking the maître d' would meet me at the restaurant door with menu in hand showing which meals were either cooked in or contained olive oil. Thus not once did I suffer a reaction to spoil the cruise.

Unfortunately, because Manfredi's is an Italian Restaurant in which use of olive oil is synonymous, it is off my culinary agenda and I accept that as a fact of life. But I need to have the confidence that any other food on the menu in any other of the restaurants is olive oil free....fingers crossed that the maître d' is up to speed with the info I have provided on the GFI and that Viking's communication skills improve manifold.

We are sailing on Viking on June 27th. How is Viking dealing with passengers with food allergies? I have a severe allergy to garlic and have made Viking aware of this through our TA and with numerous phone calls, from the time we made our initial reservation. Each time I have been told, "yes, that's been noted in our records and will be accommodated". After reading several posts about the inconsistencies in the dining areas I'm getting really worried. Garlic is a hidden ingredient in so many dishes I don't know how I'll be able to safely eat anything. On past cruises (on other lines) I've been well taken care of by the maitre'd and the wait staff. I've always made it a point to use fixed dining so I would always have the same staff. I was told that would be the case on Viking, but it doesn't sound at all that this is what will happen in reality.

 

Can those of you currently on board give me some idea of what I should expect? Is there anybody in particular I should speak to when we board? Any advice?

 

Thank you!

Like you, I have a severe allergic reaction to two items, red wine and olive oil which I have advised to Viking on the Guest Information Form for my 50 Day cruise in March 2016. Reaction to red wine is easily avoided, but, as with the garlic, olive oil is a hidden ingredient. On past river cruises with Viking the maître d' would meet me at the restaurant door with menu in hand showing which meals were either cooked in or contained olive oil. Thus not once did I suffer a reaction to spoil the cruise.

Unfortunately, because Manfredi's is an Italian Restaurant in which use of olive oil is synonymous, it is off my culinary agenda and I accept that as a fact of life. But I need to have the confidence that any other food on the menu in any other of the restaurants is olive oil free....fingers crossed that the maître d' is up to speed with the info I have provided on the GFI and that Viking's communication skills improve manifold.

Could you please provide a link to the particular cruise?

Just Google "Viking Oceans Viking Empire Istanbul to Stockholm 50 days" & it will bring up lots of info including being able to books segments of the total cruise.:)

Haven't heard from any more Aussies doing this cruise - just thought I 'd bring it to the fore, just in case anyone's looking

I know this probably belongs on the Roll Call boards, but I don't think anyone who is on board is still monitoring those, so I'm posting here. We have a private full-day tour planned which takes us from the port in Cadiz and takes us to Seville. We have a couple openings still left if anyone is interested. It is €97 and leaves between 8:15 and 8:30 or as soon as possible after we get off the ship, depending on when we can get off. It is similar to the Viking offering, BUT this tour will go inside the Alcazar, which the Viking tour does not - PLUS we are a small group of 10 instead of 40 and we will be travelling in an A/C van. If you interested, please call Elizabeth in cabin 8019 pronto.

As I will be doing this on Viking Empire next year, am curious as to who you have booked this tour with. Have been to the Alcazar before but would love to see inside again!

Pls add Avonglen: Viking Star "Viking Empire" 27 March 2016 Istanbul to Stockholm-50days

I had to break these into several days, because of the size limitations of the attachments on CC.

 

Becki

Many thanks for taking the trouble to post the daily activity sheets - very informative indeed! Have just compared the tours on offer with those I have chosen from the 2016 Viking Empire (50days) only to find that many of the excursions I have selected (& researched) have not been included on your 2015 itinerary. Am keeping my fingers crossed that this will change for 2016 & that I will be able to undertake the ones I would dearly love to do. Did you find that, because of the modified list of excursions actually on offer, you had to amend your plans after setting up your wish list/booking/ boarding? If so, when were you advised of this?