CCWineLover

4 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

Also get to know the Shore Excursion (Shorex) manager by meeting with them after port talks... this person will likely be the most help to you.

 

We do the exact same thing!  We've learned so much from that manager.  We try to attend the very first port talk so that we can talk afterwards.  They are happy to discuss any of the future excursions with details.  We had such a nice man the last cruise on Saturn (from S.Africa).  Easy to talk with, easy to understand English wise, and very detailed in providing difficulty assessments, number of steps, angle of inclines, standing time, walking time, bathroom time and just about anything.

Based on that, we've often changed/cancelled excursions on board (ahead of the 48 hours) rather than wait for the later port talks.

The crew is all more than happy to engage with you all!  Especially if your are professional, courteous, polite.  (Not like some passengers we've observed who are just the opposite - what the staff must have to be subjected to is unbelievable).   Just be articulate and nice!

Everyone be aware - different people have different sensitivities to noise and loud sounds.  Some, like my wife, can now simply not deal with it - so that is one major reason we go to the WC.   This doesn't mean that some of you will say you have no noise problem with MDR.

For us, it is, as said by many, other reasons too.  Time to eat, relaxation, sampling of foods, ordering items cooked to order like steaks, mahi mahi, grilled shrimp, Asian bar, along with the sushi and fish selections.  We don't even think of it as a "buffet" like the old days.  I guess we just like to sample and graze.  As I said before, each to his own, and certainly we not trying to "scare" people away from the MDR.  Only you know what you tolerate and don't.  That's why it is so great to have so many choices on Viking Ocean.

4 hours ago, DrKoob said:

Wore exactly what you are talking about on our Viking Ocean cruise. But after three meals in the loudest dining room I have ever been in, with strange and inconsistent service we ate the rest of the 21 night cruise either in the buffet, room service (we were quarantined for four days) or the specialty restaurants. 

Agree with you about the noise.  We used to go to the restaurant dining room, but as my wife now has hearing issues, it has become unbearable from a noise point of view, such that it is not even a pleasant place anymore.  Add in the often 2-2.5 hours to get through a meal without being able to hear ourselves or any people we've eaten with, and we've come to the conclusion - why?  And the World Cafe has nearly all the same selections - plus you can try all kinds of things to see what you like ....   AND it has the best view around.  Often if the weather is nice, we eat out on the fantail too.  Wonderful time had by all.    But each to his own.  Some don't appear to be bothered by the cacophony.   It's nice to have choices so everyone has what they want!

1 hour ago, bkalmans said:

I know there are many topics on this but looked and couldn't find an answer to this.  I know in the dining room in the evenings jeans are not permitted.  What about khaki style jeans (I call them my dress jeans) for men.  Would that still apply and it is required to wear slacks?  Have no issues either way just want to make sure I pack correctly.

You probably need to be more specific and include a picture.

Rather than asking here, where you'll likely get opinions across the board, you probably should just ask Viking directly by sending them a picture with your question.  Send to tellus@Vikingcruises.com

23 minutes ago, DogSaysStayHome said:

Agree, love reading the posts and the Neptune seems to be MIA. This roll call is just about to hit 1000 posts!

Much of that thanks to Clay's wonderful posts helping us all live vicariously!

3 hours ago, kenexx said:

Would anyone have any recommendations for somewhere for 2 weeks.  Something larger than a hotel room with the ability to self cater at times.  Not necessarily central London as we are happy to use transport to get to places.  Thanks in advance! 🙂

Likely your best bet is to check on VRBO or Airbnb - a quick search shows numerous properties that you could choose from - mostly apartments, that would allow you to self cater.  We've done that for a week in London before and thoroughly enjoyed it - staying in Kensington.  You might find some decent prices outside London however.  Hope this helps!

Happy Birthday Clay!  Have been following your exploits these many months, and living vicariously by them and your pictures.  So much appreciated.  What an amazing trip.

Wishing you the best in your "re-entry" and assimilation back into the real world, such as it is.

See you and Mike next spring!

6 minutes ago, Breckski said:

If you are objecting to make a point, simply book on another line.  I don't think your objection will change Viking's policy, nor will it change your perceived quality of their representatives.    

Excellent Point.

I may object to things, but with the $25 deposit only at risk, I'm willing to "place some bets" as options in case I want something later.

Too many complain about Viking but then don't go to other cruise lines.  I guess it's just human nature.

Agreed - and that's also if you don't plan to leave your room/balcony.

We love to go up top in Explorers Lounge, outside in front of the Lounge, or on Deck 8, or the fantail for great views on either side when we sail into/out of port.  In between, there isn't usually much to see as the shipping lanes tend to be further from shore.   And it seems like Viking always transits Gibalatar in the middle of the night.

5 hours ago, m2inor said:

Just finished a call with Princess for CCL military benefit. The good news, after a very long wait as the agent waited for a superior to intervene, it was properly credited for my August cruise.

While on the call with Princess, I logged into my brokerage account to see how my order for VIK shares was doing. It was rather dormant for much of the day, with no action. Finally started trading around 12:45pm and I got my shares at 2:21pm.

Offering was prices at $24, it opened at $26.15, and I got my shares somewhere in between. We will have to see what is next for shareholders.

I love Viking! Many more cruises ahead. Just was on Viking Egypt cruise and Jordan extension. Best time of my life on a cruise.

Sounds good!  We'll have to wait and see.  I suppose it was better today than dropping below the IPO price.

Also - the Villages must be huge!  Seems we meet someone from there on every single cruise we've been on!  You are all well represented.

7 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

I hope my 10,000 shares goes up...🍸

Jim - you are up $26,410 !!   Enough for another Viking Cruise 🙂

7 hours ago, SJD117 said:

That would explain how you can afford all the WCs!  😀

And they get more expensive each year!

Totally agree!  I would do Napoli.  So much there and to see as stated above!!

We were just there on a cruise and took the day to see Napoli - absolutely a fantastic experience.  

29 minutes ago, Beamafar said:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3006002-explora-ambitions/#comment-67316865

 

 

Yes, I saw that after I posted.  But thanks.

In today's Cruise Industry News:

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2024/04/explora-journeys-sets-sights-on-luxury-dominance/

Nice article.  Will be interesting to read how people compare it to others such as Viking, Celebrity, Crystal (new), etc.

4 hours ago, May B said:

No preexisting NOW. 
 

And remember the trip insurance companies include a change in your meds as a potential preexisting, even LOWERING your blood pressure meds! Or so I’ve read.

Yes that is often true.  They'll get you even if you are "getting better' in life!

8 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

This promo is for those with a current booking.

This is what we got in April - same deal.

1 hour ago, dcsam said:

Just booked  a Viking cruise (through Viking - will transfer over to our TA) .  The cruise initially caught my attention because there were ADA cabins available, so I called.  But the Viking agent said he thought it was odd that it's considered a 'guarantee' since there are only 2 ADA cabins.  I booked an ADA guarantee, but is there a chance we might not end up in one? Our plans would change if that was the case. 

Thank you.

Why don't you ask Viking directly?   Tellus or a Chat

13 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

This is one reason I enjoy river cruising. It’s less about the ship and more about the destinations and view. Not a fan of sea days unless they involve scenic cruising like the Chilean fjords.

Joe - we agree on a lot but on this sadly we don't.  We will not do river cruising simply due to 1) the dining situation and 2) the inability to find a quiet place to get away from it all   Like you can on Ocean Ships.  To us that is more important than the need to see places easily, which we like better on river than ocean.  Of course, DW has hearing issues that make the mass eating a disaster for her, so I'm probably biased.  We so enjoy the World Cafe and CT and other places on Viking Ocean where those who don't want a mass loud eating experience can dine in a little peace.

It's sad, because we'd really like to go on more river cruises but it won't happen.

Personally, I'd wait to see how the market reacts to the IPO.  There might well be an opportunity to get a bargain if prices plummet a bit after the offering, which seems to happen to a lot of non-tech offerings.

And if you have SSBP, they'll take your order of a glass of SSBP wine, and your room number, then go most likely to the Aquavit Terrace, get your order, and bring it back to you.

This is also the case for the included sparkling wine and the included beer at meal times in the World Cafe.

On 4/23/2024 at 9:19 AM, Jim Avery said:

I have never, in a long "career" sailing on cruise ships, ever seen any cruise line stay the same.  Unfortunately they seem to all fall into the "bigger is better" mantra and move away from what originally made them so successful.  In 8 years sailing Viking we have seen notable changes in food and service.  Still good but not the Wow! of the first voyages.  Our next two bookings are on Explora Journeys and Scenic Ocean.  Both new lines with good reviews mostly.  But then back to Viking for a couple of river cruises.  As has been said many times before, the only constant in life is change.  We just go with what works at the time.🍸

Jim - have heard a lot of buzz lately about Explora.

Will enjoy hearing from you then on how they compare with the current Viking Ocean. 🙂

23 minutes ago, kahuna21 said:

What the heck is a “slider”?

Some cabins have "Sliding Doors" that exit to the Balcony and some have a "Door on a hinge with a door handle" that exits to the Balcony.   A slider is a "Sliding Door" to the Balcony.  They exist on all DV and V rooms plus exactly one half of the PV rooms.  

Search the forum for Sliding Doors and you will find a number of threads.

11 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

Just got back from Italy—Sorrento, Naples, Tuscany. Sad to say that Viking’s version of pizza would have the Neapolitans rioting in the streets…! 😹🍕

Well put Linda!   We just did in Feb/Mar Sorrento (1 week), Naples, and Umbria.  Died and gone to heaven.  Never had such great pizza!!   But I didn't like Viking pizza before either.

On 4/14/2024 at 2:50 PM, Jinn said:

For my September 8 cruise Reykjavik to Dover we are no longer going to the Isle of Lewis but instead to Oban about which I know nothing.  Anyone been there?  There are no shore execs listed yet even though there are plenty for the next cruise, Dover to Dover.  Thanks, Julia

Was there in September.  Cold and rainy, but a delightful place.

Yes, Glen Coe is a great place to visit.  Wonderful Natl Park and hike.

Another idea is taking the ferry to Mull and then Iona.

If those take too long, there's always the Distillery in town to visit and taste!