CurlerRob

1 hour ago, Clay Clayton said:

For anyone considering whether to get a yellow fever vaccine or not:

https://www.cdc.gov/yellowfever/maps/africa.html

Thanks Clay. Folks should also read the FAQs from the document - the decision to vax over age 60, especially if it's the first time, warrants some research. 🍺🥌

Who should not get yellow fever vaccine?

Infants younger than 6 months of age should not get the vaccine. In addition, anyone with a severe allergy to any part of the vaccine, including eggs, chicken proteins, or gelatin should not get the vaccine. Anyone who has had a severe reaction to a previous dose of yellow fever vaccine should not be vaccinated again.

If you have any of the following conditions, your healthcare provider can help you decide whether you can safely receive the vaccine:

• HIV/AIDS or other disease that affects the immune system
• Weakened immune system as a result of cancer or other medical conditions, transplant, or drug treatment (such as steroids, chemotherapy, or others that affect immune function)
• Thymus disorder
• Adults 60 years of age and older
• Infants 6 – 8 months of age
• Pregnant women and nursing mothers

On 2/23/2024 at 9:44 AM, Heidi13 said:

 

I know they don't have any craft beers, but do any of the bars have any locally sourced beers, as of that lot, Guinness is the only one I will drink.

Andy, those are all actually "safety beers" - you can see your enemies coming through all of them (with the exception of your choice!). In my case, opaque beer is hazardous to my health - you are clearly universally beloved. 😈    🍺🥌

On 2/25/2024 at 5:00 PM, REOVA said:

 I thought 2019 was at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam but Pete can check. 

You are correct. 🍺🥌

44 minutes ago, Travel 25 said:

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We will be on Viking transatlantic cruise for 21 days and this package is $1050 for 2 people.  Do you feel this addition is worth the cost and how many of you usually buy it   You get wine and beer with your meals so you would have to drink at least 3 additional drinks per day to make it worth it, if my math is correct.  Are gratuities included on the drinks when you purchase this package?

 

Also, what specialty restaurants do you recommend?  This is our first Viking Ocean cruise so any tips and suggestions will be appreciated.

I suggest you do a search using "SSBP", as this topic has been discussed many times and you'll be able to see the variety of opinions that exist.

Long threads short: if you order 2-3 drinks per person per day (depending on your choices) outside of the included offerings the economics work; some pax simply like the feeling of convenience that comes with prepaying and don't worry about whether it's a $ win/loss; some pax like to experiment with new drinks and don't want to feel constrained. Lots of reasons and always unique to the person.

Note: the SSBP is only a way to prepay for drinks - all beverages on the ship are available to all pax, nothing is reserved.

There are two specialty restaurants. Both are included in your fare. Pax opinions appear split 50/50 as to favourites. Try them both and see how you like them. Bon Voyage. 🍺🥌

🍺🥌

3 hours ago, CTCruiser76 said:

Thanks for everyone that has responded so far.....we are going sleep on it tonight and watch more YouTube videos tomorrow on our day off. 

As far as trying other larger ships with Oceania, that is/was sort of our thought process for 2026, if we liked 'this' cruise/CruiseLine, then we would look for a different sailing on the Vista or another 1200 passenger ship in 2026 on Oceania. 

 

My DW had her mind set on Bermuda next year and typically 7 nights is about our limit for vacation days with work/dog sitting etc...so we are looking at 5 Nights on RCCL Liberty or 7 nights on Celebrity Silhouette or this 7 night on Oceania Insignia. 

 

If you are set on Bermuda (an excellent spot), you may find this review useful, written after our first O sail on Insignia in 2022. As always, just one couple's opinion. 🍺🥌

4 hours ago, millybess said:

Question for you Jim.  We will be in the area next year for the first time, so we don't know it at all.  You mentioned there is a shuttle boat.  Are you tendered in White Bay?

@millybess, Jim can clarify the details, but you dock (not tender) at the White Bay Cruise Terminal. When I was last there, the shuttle boat was operated by Captain Cook, and ran from a pier west of the cruise terminal -  about a 10 minute walk. The shuttle trip was about 15 minutes. My understanding is that Captain Cook is no more, so I'm not sure if the shuttle boat is Viking-provided, or by someone else ...

It might also leave from the Balmain East ferry terminal, but that's a 45 minute walk / 10 minute taxi, so doesn't sound as if that's the case. In any event, a shuttle boat that drops you in Darling Harbour is very convenient. You can walk from DH to Circular Quay in about 20 minutes - right through the CBD. 🍺🥌

1 hour ago, Commasense said:

We are looking at a Viking Ocean cruise one of whose terminal ports we are not interested in. (Been there, too expensive.) So we'd prefer either to board at the second port, or if we take the reverse itinerary, disembark at the next-to-last port. 

 

Does Viking allow that? Although they wouldn't lose anything (we'd be paying the full fare, or course), I can imagine they might have some rule or objection to the practice that I'm not aware of. Of course, we could falsely claim that some emergency required us to do it, but I'd prefer to be above board. 

 

Anyone know? 

As stated by previous posters, there is no blanket answer. Visas can be one issue, as can customs facilities at your penultimate stop and/or simple bureaucratic rules - even in the EU.

You'll need to seek confirmation from Viking prior to making your decision. Of interest, if your concern is expense levels in the terminal port, could you not avoid those by taking the reverse route,  disembarking there and flying home? Clearly that doesn't work for embarkation in the same place if you arrive early. 🍺🥌

12 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

We had a low turnout for our informal pub crawl-just four of us, but it was great to experience both Fortune of War and Glenmore Hotel. Unfortunately, Carnival blocked the view from the rooftop bar.  After visiting both, we returned to the ferry shuttle and then back to the ship.  Hot, worn out, and sweaty but glad we had the extra day last week in Sydney and that the forecasted rain never materialized!

You chose ... wisely! 🍺🥌

Be calm. The news reports suggest an IPO of $500M - far, far less than that required to control the company.

As a different example, Tesla is fully public, but some guy (what's his name?) owns 20% and, last time I looked, ran the show. 🍺🥌

24 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

IPOs often indicate that the owners want to cash out, usually when there is high valuation.

Possible, but in this case I suspect not the motivation. Tor has been in the business his entire working life and family is poised to continue on running it. I would think that if this happens, it's more about being able to reduce the cost of the debt.

Slightly torn on it, as it's a great investment for CPPIB (one of the two investors)! 🍺🥌

On 2/11/2024 at 5:05 PM, RuthC said:

I'm especially appreciative of those who keep the public restrooms sparkling and well stocked. 

 Hear hear! I have always felt that the worst job on the ship was being assigned to latrine duty on disembarkation day. Nonstop toil ... 🍺🥌

1 hour ago, phillipahain said:

Currently on Viking Mars ....and whilst the ship is perfectly kept and public space is huge etc...cabins are compact to say the least and food is hardly spectacular 

 

What really gets me is its takes over 30 mins to get a drink served in Voyager Lounge before dinner ...the guitarist there between 5 and 6pm is truly awful and  can't sing and hopeless, shows are  OK but all produced at full pitch deafening decibels , food is OK but nothing spectacular 

 

Yes there's some nice pieces of furniture and other features but honestly cannot work out who or how it's rated No 1

Two pragmatic suggestions that may improve your experience:

1. Slow service in the Explorer's Lounge - sometimes a function of new staff and training levels. Go to the bar and order. The bartenders will clearly recognize that you have been waiting and they will coach the staff to be more responsive to you. Usually only takes one or two visits to fix the issue - and you get your drink when you want it.

2. Your guitarist sounds frighteningly like ours on our December Hawaii cruise - she was abysmal, to the point that (at least for me) she was destroying the atmosphere in my favourite ship location. I provided guest services with polite, written feedback, suggesting that she be offered some 'time off' on alternate days. I suspect I was not the only one, as we received a thank you call from the CD and the performer's hours were curtailed. 🍺🥌 

26 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

Just for information, I was reading a news feed with a USA Today article about the Love Boat TV series.  In this article were quotes and references to our own Heidi 13, Judi and Andy.  Proud to know such celebrities .  😎

At Philip Island Australia today.  Tendered in to find out the power is out all over.  Managed to find a pub with a generator and get a good local pint.🍺  Hope the Penguin Parade comes off tonight.

For any other "Heidis" who want to read the article ...

https://www.crossroadstoday.com/lifestyle/the-love-boat-how-a-tv-show-transformed-the-cruise-industry/article_85244ac4-5415-5d1c-9ad2-ac32915c0f8b.html

We bask in reflected glory 😎   🍺🥌

6 minutes ago, LissaKay said:

We're booked on the March 18 Transatlantic cruise, followed by the April 1 Mediterranean Odyssey. We will have three days in Barcelona, the second of which is when the pax not continuing on disembark, and the Mediterranean Odyssey folks embark. Do those of us staying on have to disembark as well, and go through customs and security? Or do we just treat it like any other port day? There are no excursions scheduled that day, so we'll probably do something on our own.  

On turnover day you may or may not be required to disembark the ship for a period of time - it's called a 'zero count' and is required by some countries. I don't know if Spain requires this. Whether or not you are required to go ashore, it will operate like any other port day for those of you on the B2B.

Viking will announce some shore excursions for that day, but not until you are onboard for leg 1. Check with guest services if you don't see anything a few days into that leg. The shore ex offerings will vary, but at a minimum usually include one free excursion and one optional - there may be more, subject to vendor availability. 🍺🥌

On 2/10/2024 at 4:35 AM, welshfamily said:

Our issue is finding a company to take us from the airport to the hotel as although we have been told the taxis queue at the airport moves swiftly we prefer to be met. ( any recommendations gratefully received ) 

We have used Blacklane extensively in Europe. Not inexpensive, but always excellent service. In September/23, airport to Serras Hotel (couple of klicks SE of Plaza Catalunya) was EUR 97. 🍺🥌

5 hours ago, mklions said:

Thanks for most of the replies, we are sailing on the Viking Sea ( San Juan - Manaus) in three week time.

Booked a PH suite so it comes with included alcohol which I believe is replenished daily. I only drink beer and wine at meals and my wife wine at dinner and a G&T one or two max a evening.

 

So I guess a drinks package is not really worth it. 

 

Not bothered either way if they decide to charge me for a beer or not at the bars during lunch and dinner times, but I just inquisitive to know if during the lunch and dinner dinning hours the ships bars charge for a beer even if you are not dinning.

 

Your PH suite will have the mini-fridge replenished daily. If you want a different selection of items, just ask your steward - they are happy to assist (I swap out the liquor for a few more beers).

The drinks package discussion is one of those that comes up frequently and always appears close to a religious debate. People seem to buy the drinks package for one of three reasons - they do the math and determine that it suits their particular level of consumption and/or price of preferred drink; they just like the convenience of not worrying about individual drink pricing, or feeling free to experiment without losing money if they don't like the choice; and, some mistakenly believe that the package provides access to drinks that the rest of the pax can't have (this is incorrect, the package is just a way of paying for your drinks). Approach 1 or 2 can make perfect sense for individuals.

Please report back on your experiences with the dining-area bars - my guess is that you will have the same result that I described earlier, i.e. no issue with having a drink during mealtimes. Enjoy your trip! 🍺🥌

9 hours ago, PeabodyMa said:

See Page 2 “Viking Polaris to be repaired soon” for Dec 2023 Report on window reinforcement recommendations.

 

Somewhere else, I read Polaris would have work done in Spring 2024, but I don’t recall where I read it. 

 

 

 

 

That thread can easily be confusing, as it was started in January 2023, following the wave incident. The Polaris damage was repaired shortly thereafter (hence the thread title).

The thread was restarted recently, when the Chief posted information from a report on the incident. The report makes various recommendations, but there are no mandated additional repairs in it. As well, in my brief review, Polaris' schedule from now through the summer does not appear to have any gaps. 🍺🥌

15 hours ago, PeabodyMa said:

@CharTrav  Do you know when Viking Polaris will be out of service for repairs, and when in April 2024 Polaris is expected to re-start cruises?

Is 2024 a typo? Polaris is active in Antarctica right now and appears fully scheduled through the summer in the Great Lakes.

I'm unaware of any withdrawal for repairs - are you perhaps reacting to the past rogue wave incident (for which the repairs are long completed)? 🍺🥌

2 hours ago, mklions said:

I am aware that during lunch and dinner beer and wine are included in the cost of the holiday.

My question is do you need to be at a restaurant to obtain these drinks or are they available at any bar during the opening hours of lunch and dinner?

I sometimes like a beer at lunchtime but don’t necessarily want to eat food.

Thanks.

Mklions.

I have never encountered a problem ordering a drink without food at mealtimes in the Aquavit Terrace, World Cafe, Pool Grill or Explorer's Lounge. All of them have adjacent food areas and I've never been questioned. I sometime have a drink, then eat later on.

I have no experience doing this in either the Restaurant (it would be fairly obvious you didn't intend to eat) or in the Living Room bar, although it always has snacks. 🍺🥌

19 minutes ago, FoggyEthan said:

The catch is that I need to buy the excursions in advance -- it's competitive out there! 😎 -- before I'll know what the tickets have to say.

 

Thanks for your advice on Longyearbyen! I'm looking forward to it. And as you say, packing a lunch and carrying it with me is always an option. I'll be sure to bring some ziplocs with me for flexibility.

You may be able to work off of excursion lengths - for a tender port, I would always estimate a 4-hour excursion as consuming at least 6 hours. That assumes the massing and tendering is additional to the excursion elapsed time. I have never experienced a tour that included "return to ship time", whether walking/boarding or tendering in their elapsed times.

When I last called in Norwegian ports, they did not have restrictions on taking food ashore, but be sure to check before you do so in case that changes. You likely know that there are many countries that strictly prohibit that. 🍺🥌

5 hours ago, FoggyEthan said:

In Longyearbyen proper getting food should be great, like you say! But the port is 20-30 minutes walk from town, and if my returning excursion brings me to the port and the next one departs from the port, then that's a lot of lost time and I'd might as well just tender back to the ship.

Your excursion tickets should state the meeting time and place - ship, dock, etc.

The dock area is quite spartan - I do not recall any options for food there. Unless Norway has imposed  food restrictions (bringing stuff off the ship), you may be able to request or put together a box lunch and stash it with the team at the tender dock. (If they eat it, is wasn't my idea 🙄).

If you are the only ship, I'm surprised you are tendering unless there is construction at the dock (which my failing memory suggests may be the case). I can't comment on a shuttle, as my visit was not with Viking.

Enjoy one of the most fascinating places in the world - you will be farther north than most of humanity can dream of! 🍺🥌

11 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

We’ve used Airalo on our iPhones for the last two years without any issues. Configuration is key. We disable the main eSIM of our carrier when we arrive in the foreign country. Otherwise SMS texts will attempt to use your phone plan. We found this out the hard way when our first text popped up with a $10 charge by Verizon.

 

Curious - are you purchasing Airalo eSims that include voice/SMS? All the ones that I've seen that include voice are listed under the "Global" offerings. They are a bit more expensive but that's for the voice/SMS.

The data-only offerings do not support SMS (or voice of course). I presume your reference to configuration is that you are "pointing" your home cell number at the Airalo eSim data for use with Apple iMsg?

If it's otherwise, I'll be very pleased! 🍺🥌

5 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Our views as we entered Sydney Harbour this morning about 2:35am.  

Fantastic shots Clay/Mike! One of the best harbour entrances in the world, no matter the time of day or night. 🍺🥌

3 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

I think some time ago there was a thread on this question but I can’t find it.  So, here is my question.  We have a cruise in the fall that it appears, for many reasons, we aren’t going to be able to take.  We got the $25 pp deposit offer, so $50 is all we have down.  Final payment is May 6.  The cancellation table of $100 pp up to 120 days out was clearly intended for the regular $500pp down payment.  So if we just skip the final payment, is Viking going to come after us for another $150.  And if so how are they going to get it?  Thanks for any help.

A real-life, recent example. We had a placeholder cruise booked for August 2024 with the $25 deposit. I proactively cancelled it in early January/24 (PIF was early March). I immediately received a cancellation 'invoice' - no further requests for additional payments. This was all through my TA.

Pragmatically, the cost to Viking to try and chase down $75 would be vastly more - and that's before the pax discontent kicked in! Frankly, if they had sent me a bill for the extra $75, I would have paid it - that was the agreement and I would have honoured it, but I had zero expectation that they would do so. Most other lines offering el cheapo deposits are operating the same way.

I would go ahead and cancel - that opens the slot for someone else, rather than delaying until PIF and just not paying. 🍺🥌