Jim Avery

Ok, short version. We were in 4054 just above the bow of tender 2. The bump out in our cabin hides a structural steel member and also has, one deck below, the steel landing notch which receives the steel knuckle on the boat. When the ship had some motion on it a steady bang came up the steel member. I had a good idea what it was from boat drills on my old ships. So, after calls to the guest services produced no relief, went down to three deck at 3 am and went through the crew only door in the atrium. The boat was stowed with the mechanical davits but the locking ratchet had not snugged the last quarter inch or so. About 6 good pulls on the ratchet and bingo, no more noise. Later that day the GM stopped by us in the bar and asked if things were better and I said they were. Told him I fixed it and how. His eyes widened and he said show me. So I took him out there and showed him how to finish the securing. He said he would see that the deck crew were retrained. He then said "please do not do that again". We had no more problem...

Chief I am sure you read my story about the life boat.

Hope we looked as good as yall did.

Where is everyone?? Ok, I have to report that Lois and I are departing Neptune in Singapore. All things considered it works best for us. Viking has been very generous with forward cruise credits and with rearranging air. If we hadn't just had a fabulous land tour in Africa last summer we would be going for the ones Viking worked out. Anyway, loved meeting so many of my Cruise Critic pals and now it is up to BobCatter, Wavetripper and everyone else who has participated in this WC thread. I look forward to keeping up with the rest of the cruise.

Hi Peregrina, Never tried in Europe cruise but on third WC now and only $ been on offer so far on all 3. No matter which country, Euro or otherwise.

Only change USD onboard. Can break a $100 for smaller.

On Neptune WC have seen everything from wifebeaters to bib overalls. No standards enforced at all. Nor its it at home in restaurants so I guess the new norm. I need to wear out all my decent clothes so I can update my wardrobe...🥃

I hear they are allowed to steal up to 900 pair a day before they get caged.,,...(rim shot emoji??)

Clay, last August we did just that, a 15 day small group (12) land tour in Africa and we consider it one of the very best trips ever. No way Viking excursions can meet our very high level expectations as to game safaris. One point, the small aircraft used to access most remote game camps are very small and cramped. I am 6' 3" 220lbs. Barely fit. Hope that helps a bit. Like you we plan to do the best of the day trips. Btw, we don't get Reunion I don't think. #skygetsitall??

I agree with your assessment of Viking comms. Shoreside. Onboard we have always had straight answers as much as they are told. We are awaiting the total amount of possible credits to leave in Singapore and they are offering very generous travel home arrangements. Pick our flights, build in stopovers, still in biz. Not saying we are leaving,. just exploring available options. On a better note, Bali has been, as usual, hot and sweaty during the day. We had an evening tour first day involving a bus to the Hyatt Regency Resort and traditional dance show. Nice venue, average food and show. Next day was to a couple of unpronounceable temples where at one we witnessed monkeys jumping on people stealing glasses, hats, and at least one cell phone. The temple guides managed to get most back for the owners by bargaining with the monkeys with food. Seems a great way to train monkeys to steal stuff. We managed to hold on to our glasses, hats, and cell phones so a good day.

Agree with you completely

If this helps, our last WC circumnavigated South America including over a week up the Amazon. being 60* we did not get either treatment. More recently, last August, an overland 15 day trip to inland parts of Africa, again no yf or malaria treatments. So far so good. Are we just lucky? Sort of like saying we drove cross country and didn't get a flat tire...

90 minutes away, or so I am told.😳

Good job Wavetripper.🍸

I have seen the former an aspire to join the latter at Explorers watering hole.🥃🍸😎

Dress code??? there's a dress code...?????🤠🥸🤡

Best to avoid the two mile jungle hike and go directly to the watering hole behind the sell you junk building. All the lizards hang out around the water hole anyway.

Another beautiful sea day. Just got up. Ok, kidding. Been to the gym, had brekkie, lunch, and planning out dinner. Hard work. Spoke with one of the Explorer Desk crew about new excursions booking and was told we would all receive booking info March 1st. Am sure Sky will be a day or two before. #skyisalwaysfirst. Also told several couples leaving in Bali and more in Singapore. Don’t want all the sea days I guess. There’s a lot of them for sure. One stretch of 8 in a row. On another note, am enjoying all the Cruise Critic folks on board, posters and lurkers alike. Lots of fun.🍸😎🚢

We were in Africa last August and had no vaccinations. Still here.🍸

Another nice sea day, good thing we like them. Staying aboard in Komodo as we have plenty of dragon pix. Up to Wavetripper to avoid getting eaten and get some great shots. Maybe a selfie or two.😳 Haven’t heard too much talk about leaving early, seems most share our opinion that Viking has done a good job all things considered.🥃😎

You can get very close but we were told that they bite.😳

Nothing wrong with going home if this is not to your liking. interestingly this is almost identical to the one Heidi13 posted weeks ago.

A beautiful if hot sea day after a rainy off and on in Cairns. Viking gave us a video presentation of upcoming changes and officially we have joined the rest of the cruise world in skipping the Red Sea in favor of around the Cape of Good Hope (not the Horn of Africa). Waiting for written info to give our updates. We are actually excited for the new to us ports coming up. But then we have already seen all the missed ports except Israel. If we hadn't had the opportunity already we would probably be pretty annoyed. All in the mood seems to be upbeat and relieved here onboard. We shall see how many leave. More to come.

Sorry Clay. Mr Hagen and his team were very well prepared and it was a professional show. I want to thank Viking for finally letting us know what's up. It really looks like a good itinerary and they seem to be upping the level of included tours as promising all onboard a "safari trip". The option to leave was briefly discussed and will be given credits case by case. They offered to help as much as possible to assist flight arrangements and made mention of Luggage Forward coming onboard in Singapore to assist with baggage. We are on for the duration and looking forward to the several stops that will be new to us. Glad the Sky is a couple of days ahead as it the pirates get yall in Senegal we can make other plans. #Neptunegetsitall...... Again thanks to Viking. I willl post more about this as we get the printed info and will post future installments on the Viking Neptune WC thread..🍸

News break. Our Captain just came on the PA even in the cabins. That's usually never good. But, this time he announced a live tv stream at 10:am (its 9/04am now) which will concern upcoming changes to our itinerary. Guess Mr. Hagen is telling us directly. Will report back after the video.