wildcat68

My understanding is that TAs will rebate back some portion of their commissions. They do seem to know,or should know, about promotions and which questions to ask. I’ve booked both ways with Windstar and would use a TA who’s familiar with the line.

I just booked two weeks ago and was not happy to see the new bonus offers. They said there would be a penalty to cancel and rebook. The prices have not gone up but they are offering the beverage package and $200 OBCpp on our one week cruise. I'm used to Princess/RC/ Celebrity etc and not having final payment till 70 or so days before the cruise date. I'm used to being able to cancel or take advantage of price drops. I don't understand why final payment is so soon after booking.

After seeing this thread I checked and found we could cancel, then rebook and get the promo. It cost me $200 to gain the SSBP for 23 days and a $500 OBC. Made me really happy we didn’t book the SSBP when we booked the cruise. Altogether I figured I got a$1416 benefit for $200. We probably wouldn’t have bought the package and would not have drank that much $$$ so the benefits are “sliding”. Maybe I should really try to maximize the opportunity at the bar!

Meclizine is the active ingredient in Bonine. When I was a scuba diver it was the only approved medicine for motion sickness for diving as it doesn't make you AS drowsy. I bought it at a local chain for about $5 for 100 tabs. You usually need to ask at the pharmacy counter and they will get it from their mysterious back room. Works ok and nearly a lifetime supply for a couple bucks.

Nippy you are lucky you are in Scotland! 8 AM! I got up at 1 AM to do mine...but did get the included times I wanted. Didn't book any extra charge ones (this was last year).

A point of clarification please, our first Viking trip. Are the times for the “included” excursions staggered with a friendly competition for more coveted start times? Or, are the bookings you are discussing for additional excursions?

Ahhh, ok. I didn't read the original thread I guess. I certainly understand.

This is in conjunction with about 4 different threads so you wouldn't have known the "rest of the story".

We originally thought the silver spirits package would be a good decision but given the poor choices of wine by the glass, we decided to cancel 12 days later and more than six weeks before our cruise. I called Viking this morning because I hadn’t seen any refund. They told me it was processed the same day we canceled!

 

Then just today, a “pending refund” was posted but for less than we paid. Has anyone had this happen? We paid $558 but the refund is for $537.59!

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Exactly why I've been so "anal" about discovering what is and is not included in SSBP. I think, in concept, it sounds like a good deal. When you look at what you, as a consumer would actually enjoy, it sometimes changes. I have decided not to get the package. We could meet or exceed $40 per day on one or two days, so, why pay it every day? If the selection of good single malt scotch was more comprehensive it would inspire me to try different tastes, but with two selections I'd only want a glass or so occasionally. We don't do mojitos, or cosmos or such.

We would like the additional wine selections if they were not limited to those few being offered by the glass. Perhaps we'll get on board and decide, after viewing the selection in person, to buy the package. Not saying it's a bad deal, just not for us now that we understand it better.

Alcohol isn't our priority no matter what cruise line. My husband prefers Pepsi but they don't serve it. We can't expect them to carry every brand name on a ship so we just buy Pepsi in port. I was just offering an alternative if they don't have your brand.

This discussion (for me and some others) started with the Silver Spirit Beverage Package. If one opts to purchase said package, then discovers they don’t have the selection you want, then it would be better to not purchase the package. If your husband paid for a Pepsi package but they only served Coke, he would probably wish he had checked into it. There are many opinions on this subject that are 180 apart. They can’t both be right.

It’s not a volume thing but a selection that’s important for some.

I’v decided to carry it on and book Seabourn the next time. JMHO

I've done two Viking River cruises. Thinking about doing an ocean cruise in 2019. From reading in this forum, seems to me that the alcohol list is much better on the River ships than on the Ocean ships. For example, Scotch list is much better on river. Anyone else see this?

I agree, but have no experience! On one post here was a bar menu which contained some very nice single malts. On the sample menu and on one posted by a current Ocean cruiser the list was very mundane. I hope that when I get aboard in December that I'll find the selection better than expected.

To get a decent selection of single malt scotch, on a premium line, you shouldn't have to bring it along.

If you weren’t dragging luggage it’s an easy walk to train station. Frequent trains 🚂 to Rome.

Thanks for your help with these. Helps me decide.

Here are snaps of the wine list. Any wine by the glass is available with the silver spirits package.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

This clears the wine 🍷 confusion. Many wines simply not offered by the glass and therefore, not on the SSBP. It’s not the quality, or price, but whether they are offered by the glass. Quite a selection if you just buy your wine by the bottle.

But is it cheaper? Do you get more or less perks for booking that way? And why one over the other?

Cheaper if you get an upgrade, cheaper because all V rooms were only available that way. To have taken a cabin assignment we would have had to book a higher category for about $1000-1500 more.

At Bars-I will check at Torshavn tonight to see if they have any others

Glenfiddich Single Malt. $8

Aberlour, Single Malt, 10 yr. $8

 

Beer. All $5 except the last three

Carlsburg Draft

Budweiser

Light Beer

Corona

Grimberger Double Dark

Carnegie Porter

Brooklyn Lager

Kronenburg 1664

Peroni

Warsteiner

Ringnes Pilsner

AEgir Rallare Amber Ale

Boyle Blonde Ale

AEgir India Pale Ale

 

 

I think Torshavn is where the better stuff is. Which single malt scotch are under $15.00 per pour? A Torshavn bar menu would be great to see.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Torshavn bar menu is what I would like to see.

Back to back is different than ours. We could book it BtoB but it is an itinerary unto itself which also happens to the same number of days and itinerary. That’s why I’m sure not to need to change rooms.

Thanks,

I'm hoping that they might offer me an amazing upgrade for one half of the cruise if I'm will to switch cabins. :D

 

Cynthia

I hope you’re thrilled with what you get. I always hope but usually it’s a mid level. You just have to wait until just a few weeks before sailing to know your assignment. Small inconvenience for the savings.

I’m aboard Sky as I type, what are the specific liquors you want to know about?

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The selection of single malt scotch ie, Auchentatian(spelling), Dalmore King Alexander, Aberlour 12, Highland Park, Laphoig. I appreciate your help.

There has been a lot of discussion about wines in the SS package, but not much else. I have reviewed the bar menu provided a few posts back and do not see anything about premium spirits. We prefer Bourbon (premium) but the only bourbon on the menu is Jim Beam - which is definitely not premium. Yet, when I look at the River cruises bar menu they actually have premium spirits in a different section of the menu and do include some premium bourbons. Does anyone know anything about what kind of "spirits" are considered premium.......

I have a similar question. Premium spirits, specifically single malt scotch, questions are seemingly never answered. The sample menu that only has Glenfiddich and Aberlour 10 do not offer much help. Where is a good answer to what’s offered?

Harbourside, my “My Trip” section on Viking’s website designates cabin assignment as Gty. When I booked my TA said the V2 were not available. Viking’s web page showed available. I sent her back and she said they were only available as guarantee. You’re right, Viking doesn’t show a GTY but they do sell them. I’ve used GTY with several other lines including Seabourn and have been pleased. Key is ,be OKAY with the no upgrade possibilities and you won’t be disappointed.

Did Viking tell you this? I'm in the same position --2 cruises booked as one. The double cruise is sold out and we're still a year out! I assumed Viking might have us move mid cruise. I was happy to get a guarantee and didn't question when I booked.

Thanks,

Cynthia

They did not and I didn’t ask. It is its own separate itinerary so cabin assignment is for the duration. It just throws an additional factor in determining assignments.

I wlll be on the TA starting March 27, it is now sold out up to the PV1 category, with 5 upper stateroom still available. The V2 caterogy is waitlisted.

the TA sailing that left on March 4 was also basically sold out by the time they sailed accordign to their roll call. I would not count on the TA you will be on having lots of cabins left open when you sail.

Good luck with your guarantee and hope you get a nice location for your cabin.

Actually we will be just fine with a V2. I wouldn’t book a guaranteed and get upset if I get what I paid for. Just asking because it covers two cruises and they will not give us separate cabins for the two legs. It seems more difficult for them this way. They need some V2s for the lowest advertised fare. My guess would be a small upgrade or none at all. Lower decks ride better ;p

As long as we’re discussing guarantee cabins! We are doing the Rome to Miami crossing in December. This is total 23 nights, but actually encompasses two itineraries, Rome to Lisbon, and Lisbon to Miami. It is its own 23 night itinerary but some passengers will be on for shorter time. We have booked a guaranteed cabin.

I know it all depends, but, does the fact that other itineraries are booked for the same time period make a difference in cabin upgrade likelihood? It seems some cabins will be booked for the first trip but TAs are often not sold out. Any thoughts?

You are writing tongue in cheek, right? It's no secret at all. Room numbers include the deck level as the first digit. [emoji849]

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

TIC, you figured me out! I was on a cruise with a group once. The group leader (AAA) wanted participants to put (leave) the sign so contact with group members was easier. We took ours off but this could be a reason. Once we figured out the “secret “ code, everything thing was simple, except, you do have to be on the correct level 😳

Appreciate your DH looking into it. Happy your seas are calming somewhat. Never like to have sea swells to the rails. Enjoy

We stayed 6 nights in an apartment in the Baixia area of Lisbon after a TA on Silversea several years ago. We feel it was good value as it allowed us to stretch out and enjoy ourselves, eating a leisurely breakfast and resting after day of sightseeing. We had friends we met onboard who spent more on two nights in hotel than we spent for the 6 nights. Excursions were between doing it totally on our own and using a tour company. Both were very good. Lisbon is a friendly, lovely city that we would enjoy again. Not everyone enjoys the same experiences. Use your level of enjoyment to decide. Nobody ever gave us room service, but we loved our experience there.

Sunbrookgal, I’d be happy if you could post a current shot of th Single Malt Scotch offering with their prices. After a great deal of discussion we still aren’t sure about the SSBP. I know you were involved in that thread.

Much appreciated in advance.