vegasjandk

I just randomly went on My Viking Journey, and to my surprise the previously unavailable specialty restaurant options were open for dates and times that work for us, so we booked.  We thought we would have to wait until we were onboard, so this was a pleasant surprise.  Our cruise leaves in 24 days.

On 11/9/2022 at 1:10 AM, SFtraveller said:

But...if Panamanian immigration gets all the passports and stamps, then Honduras will want the vac. (I don't think you could tell them not to stamp your passport.) Also, it isn't that you did not get off the ship. You are now surrounded by passengers who got off in a YF area. It may turn into a Spa week cruise. I would check to see if you can even embark on your cruise. 

 

We were told - unsupported documentation - that we could NOT even board our cruise unless we had the YF vac. We cancelled.

Very interesting.  As of now, we are on track to get the vaccine next week at our health dept, with our doctors blessing.  

We are on the Panama Canal cruise in December and have gotten confirmation from both our Viking rep and our TA that we must have the YF vaccination to disembark in Honduras after coming from Panama, and Honduras will NOT accept a waiver.  So if our physician recommends against the vaccine due to our ages and/or medical issues, we will stay onboard at that port.  Spa day?

3 hours ago, CurlerRob said:

 

Ours was a yellow card (which looked much like the then-current vaccine card - I suspect intentionally) which was signed off by the doctor at our Travel Clinic. I would expect the card/form to be different depending on jurisdictions - you may wish to call a travel clinic near you, or your doc.

Thanks for that info.  BTW, I have tried to call the Honduran Embassy in DC and several Consulates around the country.  The calls do not go through at any of the offices I've tried.  I guess we'll have to rely on info from Viking....

13 hours ago, CurlerRob said:

Do speak with your doctor prior to getting the YF vaccine. Depending on your age and/or health status, there can be contraindications for taking it. The option (that has existed for many years) is a physician certification that the risks outweigh the benefits - which we found was accepted by the cruise lines and most countries when we sailed to SA years ago.

 

As @Iloveketo's map indicates, Brazil was, and continues to be the highest risk area for contracting the disease. Less so in the other indicated countries. 🍺🥌

Is the waiver a special form or does a letter from your physician suffice?  If a form, where does one get this?

We got an email from Viking saying that the Yellow Fever vaccine is required by Honduras if traveling from Panama to Honduras.  This is the case for our cruise.  So far everything I've read shows that YF is not endemic throughout Panama.  I assume that Viking has confirmed the requirement, so plan to get the vaccine unless we learn otherwise.

13 hours ago, FlyerTalker said:

 

It completely depends on the fare rules for the ticket you have.  Some fares specifically prohibit upgrades, some allow cash upgrades, some allow mileage upgrades, some allow both.  But without knowing the exact fare rules for your ticket, no definitive answer can be given.

 

One general rule of thumb:  Bulk fare tickets sold by a cruiseline are often burdened by significantly restricted fare rules, compared to the published fare tickets you would buy from an airline directly.

 

 

Thanks for that info.  Will check with the airline.

9 hours ago, keokukjoe said:

I'll keep my fingers crossed that all works out well for you. Let us know. I wonder if this "big update" on MJV will affect our ability to make reservations for excursions and specialty restaurants, (9/17 and 9/24 respectively for us).  I've read that pax on recent voyages have had problems with that.

Our flights finally showed up on MVJ - 2 days later than we expected.  I was about to call Viking Air Plus, when I checked MVJ and found the info.  We were able to make the changes we wanted, so are pleased so far.  

We also wanted to upgrade, but Viking Air showed no upgrades available on our specific flights.  Does anyone know if we can do this through the airline?  Plan to give that a try.

16 hours ago, shadowlover said:

If you have flights included with a trip in December you definitely should see flights in MVJ at this point.  I would call to inquire.  The worst that will happen is that they will charge you the airplus fee.  If the flights show up in MVJ and you want to change them, apparently there will not be a fee for air plus if you make the changes yourself on the app but I have not tried this feature.  There are only so many included airlines and flights and you may not see the ones you want.  

Thanks.  I will call them.

Newbie question:  This is our first cruise with Viking Ocean.  Our cruise in this December.  We are supposed to get our itinerary today, but so far there is nothing on MVJ.  Once we get the info, if we want to make changes, do we have to use Air Plus to do that?  The info on MVJ seems to indicate that we can do it all online there without the extra fee.

When we find flights that work for us it sounds like we should get ticketed right away - correct?  And what happens if we have to cancel the cruise?  Am I correct that any extra fees for flight adjustments (current promo is "free" air) should be covered by our travel insurance?

Any other hints would be appreciated.   Thanks.  

On 9/8/2022 at 10:42 AM, CCWineLover said:

We are on the Classic Panama cruise in December.

I do suggest that you visit the excursion desk on the ship when you board and ask them specifically about whether there are any excursion groups designed for those less mobile.   For this particular cruise they might have.  I've already examined all the excursions in our MyVikingJourney.  There appear to be some that are just bus rides and some that look like some more difficult walking and standing that might not work as well.  But confirming with Viking will be your best bet!  They will be very helpful.  You may even try giving them a call ahead of time.  Hoping you enjoy the cruise!

We checked the excursions too, and will follow up with Viking.  DH bought a pair of trekking poles at REI today.  He thinks they will be very helpful.

CCWineLover:  We love Paso wines, too!  Which of the December cruises will you be on?

1 hour ago, TayanaLorna said:

We never took your scheduled cruise but have found that most Viking Ocean included and optional excursions are 1) a panoramic bus tour with 2-3 photo stops 2) a combination scenic bus ride to specific stops where you are given "x" amount of time to explore at your own pace and return to the bus 3) a more adventurous tour for hiking, kayaking, snorkeling and 4) a walking tour of 2-3 hours.  All tours are described and will give level of difficulty and time duration.  I am sure if you read the descriptions closely you will find suitable excursions.  The pure walking/standing ones are the most difficult but even on those you can stop halfway through and take a taxi back to the ship or leave the group and walk back at your own pace.  Just tell the guide that you are leaving the group.  

Thanks for the detailed info.  I do think we will find an appropriate excursion.

3 hours ago, Mich3554 said:

Agree about the Gentle walkers group.  On our last river cruise, one woman we were traveling with was slated for a new knee when we got home.  She and her husband went with that group instead of with us.  
As with others, I don’t remember there being a comparable group on ocean excursions.

This all seems to track with what I was told in the chat with Viking.  We certainly don't want to slow others down, so will inquire at the shore excursion desk when we get on board.  

And we'll check out the hiking poles at our local REI.

Any other newbie tips are appreciated!

Just did a chat with Viking.  Answer was that arrangements for slower guests are usually made onboard.  Since we will be on the Star, I am hoping that CDR2001's experience will hold.

32 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:

We have never known of a group for those slower folks on Ocean - only River.

Thanks.  Will check with Viking, as there seems to be some difference of opinion on this.  

2 minutes ago, Camden lady said:

My sister also has mobility issues and what we have found is if she takes a walking tour and can't go the distance...we find out where the meet up place is and wander to that taking it slow for her.  There have been times also that she has gotten off the bus and just wandered around close to the bus and let the others go ahead.   We have also found that having two trekking poles helps her to walk farther than without them.   As mentioned above, some of the tours are geared for people with mobility issues and is ver slow paced for them.   Go...have a great cruise and enjoy as the Panama canal cruise is well worth it.   You will love Viking.  

We've been thinking about the trekking poles - thanks for that idea.  And thanks for the encouragement.

Helpful to know.  Thanks so much! 

We are new to Viking Ocean, having done one river cruise a few years ago.  My question is related shore excursions.  We are booked on the Classic Panama Canal for December.  In looking at the shore excursions, I am a bit concerned about the suitability for DH, who has mobility issues.  He walks with a cane and may have trouble keeping up with a group.  Getting into and out of a small boat for some of the excursions might also be a challenge.  We'd be happy to DIY at some ports, esp. with others on our cruise.  As of now, there is little to no activity on our roll call.  We've been looking forward to cruising with Viking Ocean, but maybe this is not the best itinerary for us?  Payment is due in days, so any advice would be appreciated. 

18 hours ago, cruisingxpert said:

Riviera and Marina have Concierge Lounges.  The smaller ships don't have a Concierge Lounge but you do get to book your specialty dining sooner than the B,C and Insides.  You can also have a hot breakfast to your cabin which you can't get with the B and lower.  You also have access to the Spa Deck which you would have to pay for if you were in B and below..  Other than that the cabins are the same size.

Another question re: cabin categories from a first-time Oceania cruiser:  We are booked for Oct 2022 in an A3 on deck 7.  We wanted that deck so there are only staterooms above and below - to minimize possible noise from public areas.  If I am reading the deck plan correctly, it looks like deck 7 is all concierge, except the very forward and aft cabins.  Is this correct?  Any other suggestions for a quiet stateroom location?

1 hour ago, mauibabes said:

Oceania newbies. If you are already booked on a cruise, say that A-1 and Hoping for that PH to magically open up, if you are in the teens on the list, keep 🙏🙏 because that is a big jump, especially if it is a 2021 trip. Into 2022, keep 🙏 and just maybe it will happen but you ought to Waitlist all PH categories, not just the PH -1. If I understood your post, you are booked and deposited, you just want to Upgrade, correct?
The question about depositing or not depositing, YOU WANT THE PRIORITY WAITLIST position, DEPOSIT. A cruise 14 days or less would require a $750 pp deposit. If a longer cruise or a Back 2 Back, it is $1500 pp. The suggestion from your TA is a Deposit work around to save you some money initially to establish a booking at a stateroom level for a Single person (payment) and you can always add a second person to your booking. 
 

There are lots of knowledgeable Oceania cruise veterans, 10, 20, 30, 40+ on this post so ask any questions anytime.  
Gerry and Bonnie

Thanks to everyone for the good info.  The waitlist we are thinking about is for a 20 day cruise, therefore, the $1500 deposit.  All this info was given to us by an Oceania rep. This cruise is in 2022.  I'm sure we'll have more questions going forward!

1 hour ago, Norseh2o said:

I have the same question.  We have been waitlisted for over a year on a May, 2022 trip. Sure hope that we don't pay >$40,000 before the final payment date & then learn that no cabins become available.  😒

We are also considering a deposit for a waitlisted cruise.  We were told that we Must put down a deposit of $1,500 for at least one passenger, but then can add the second passenger if a stateroom becomes available.  

I'm a bit confused about your statement re: final payment.  Can you clarify?  This would be our first Oceania cruise, so any helpful hints would be appreciated.

Kathryn and Jack

On 6/27/2020 at 11:32 AM, RockyMountainMoma said:

We love the DV6 cabins. We had 3061 and it was so convenient to elevators and stairs, also for getting off the ship. We never heard any noise outside in the hall. Our next cruise is “Ancient Adriatic Treasures” on October 3-17, 2021. It is almost sold out so choices were few. We booked a DV5 just to get a reservation but it was in the far rear of the ship. I kept watching and when a DV6 showed up on the website I moved to 3047. More to the center and between elevators. Sometimes you have to take what you can get. The cabins are very soundproof so I wouldn’t worry about noise as much as location.

So, it sounds like it is not difficult to change cabins, when something more suitable comes along.  Is that right?  What about if prices drop for your current cabin?  Are cost adjustments available?

Thanks, all, for the helpful input.  Waiting to hear back from our TA with some additional info.

Hello,

We have done one Viking River cruise and have a reservation for the North Pacific Passage with Viking Ocean in August 2021.  We booked that cruise with a special promo from Viking that gave us a reduced deposit and final payment date 6 months before departure.  We are now thinking of changing this to the same cruise in 2022 (other direction), but the base cost would increase and final payment would be 1 year in advance.  We are on the fence about making the change now and wonder if we should hold out for a better "deal." 

So the question is:  how often does Viking run promotions like the one we used for our original booking?  And do prices generally increase closer to departure?  Just wondering what your experience has been with Viking offers.  Any info would be appreciated!