Richard2

Some have mentioned that food was brought to their tables, others have said that it did not work that way. I would expect that pandemic procedures would at least eliminate all self-service utensils at all stations. Is that correct?

JM: Thanks for the information. Were only 350 onboard because Viking is limiting capacity? Have they removed any tables to increase spacing between them?

Can recent cruisers describe how the World Cafe is operating now? Have selections changed compared with the range of offerings before Covid? 

Ok. Sorry. Now I understand. I am in the same situation as you. When I logon to MVJ, the front page has a message saying:

Coming Soon

My Viking Journey is currently unavailable for Mississippi river cruises as we put the finishing touches on these distinctive voyages. We will notify you as soon as it is ready for you to view cruise & flight details, manage reservations & more.

For more information, or to talk with a Viking Specialist, call 1-855-706-2326.
 

Perhaps I am misunderstanding the question, but why would you be looking at My Viking Journey for upcoming cruises you have not booked? The Viking River homepage, www.vikingrivercruises.com, has had the Mississippi options open for several weeks, and some are sold out. 

7 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

Viking is scrambling. Our next cruise (June 2021 re-booked from June 2020) is already $600 cheaper for the cabin category with an offer of "up to $1,000 shipboard credit" available. I'm guessing they'll want everything paid for immediately. Viking's business plan has always seemed to include borrowing $$$ from their customers via way early full payment. Proceed with caution.

There is nothing new about these price reductions and it is not evidence of "scrambling." A few years ago, I booked a cruise onboard, and nine months later rebooked it for $500 less per person, even after losing some of the onboard booking discounts. They have vast amounts of data about how and when cruises sell and they have always adjusted prices accordingly.  

I really find it odd that all the doom and gloom talk does not take into account the fact that Viking is Norwegian flagged. It is a great source of pride to Norway, a key long-term source of tourism, and Torstein Hagen is extremely well-positioned in Norwegian politics and banking. This is not an American company dealing the the politics of "bail-outs." No way Viking is disappearing. 

7 hours ago, Captain_Morgan said:

Viking has carved its own niche in appealing to a seemingly more mature demographic who aren't interested in the 'bells and whistles'.  When you factor in the costs to operate at a seemingly higher standard with the current and future restrictions on cruising (i.e. latest CDC directive mentioning a further 100 day cessation of cruising) and its not going to land at the feet of some lines (Viking included) with a soft touch, but more of a resounding thud!

"Those who have knowledge, don't predict. Those who predict, don't have knowledge"
Ancient Chinese proverb

I could make an argument for the exact opposite conclusion about Viking, one that is equally worthless. Viking has a large percentage of retirees. Retirees have not lost jobs. As a retiree who remembers the 1970's oil crisis, early 1980's inflation, Black Monday, the Dot-Com bubble, and the Great Recession, my retirement income is well-positioned for our current situation. I expect many others are in the same position, at least among the lucky percentage of our population with the assets to take Viking cruises. The Viking demographic will be back long before the Carnival demographic.

Pick whichever story helps you sleep at night.

"Risk Free Cancellation" with a statement to "Call for Details" remains prominent on the Viking homepage. 

3 hours ago, tmk1941 said:

How does Viking Ocean compare with Celebrity Sky Suite? The MDR seems to have mainly table for 4-6. I saw no tables for two, our strong preference. Also I can’t seem to find a sample wine list or dinner menus. 

We are in the process of deciding between Viking and our usual Celebrity for an Alaska Cruise. 
Any comments comparing the two lines will be helpful

 

 

I think if you Google "Viking Ocean Dinner Menus" you can find a great deal  of information. In addition to Manfredi's and Chef's Table menus, here's one with all dinner menus for a 14 night cruise:

https://eatsleepcruise.com/2019/11/viking-ocean-cruises-restaurant-guide/

We once sat near a couple who came into the Chef's Table without understanding anything about it. The woman looked at the menu and said she wanted a caesar salad and grilled salmon, and that is what they served her. I don't advise going in with this plan, but they will accommodate you. Even with fixed menus, they are always prepared to accommodate dietary restrictions. 

As for the wine, it's all about the wine for people who want it to be all about the wine. I can't drink red wine (I get severe headaches), so whatever the wine pairings are, I ask for white wine only, and that has never been a problem.

If you look at the Oslo-Bergen train schedule, there are only two possibilities, 8:25 AM to 2:57 PM or 12:03 PM to 6:56 PM. It's almost certainly going to be 8:25.

The dress codes do not change. Jeans in the dining room or specialty restaurants will generate the same issues (whatever those might be) as on a Mediterranean cruise. Styles change. For example, on our cruise out of Miami to the Panama Canal, there were a lot of colorful Tommy Bahama shirts on men in the evenings. You won't see those on the Northern Lights. As for temperature on the ship, I've found polo shirts comfortable during the day with both the warmest and coldest outdoor itineraries on VO.

Of the items on the "What Viking is Not" list, the only two that are not entirely accurate are the No Smoking and the No Waiting on Lines. I've never smelled smoke anywhere, so as a practical consequence, there is no smoking. Those who do not smoke are seeing an accurate description of the environment. The concern should be by those who do smoke. They might think there is literally no where they can go. Of course, no waiting on lines is not true. There is a line to get into the Dining Room at 6 PM, there are lines at several stations in the World Cafe, there are lines waiting to talk to staff about excursions for the first few days.

However, the idea that the list is "confusing" or "tricky??"  Really now. Yes, it's a double negative. But is anyone really confused about what is being described about accommodations on the ship? 

16 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

I believe that they have discontinued the premium economy and now offer a few extra-legroom seats for a fee.

I believe it continues to run at peak times. It's called Delta Premium Select. Seating is 2 X 2. Try DL260 from MSP to KEF in June 2020.

We've had two cruises end in Bergen. After an exhausting 3-flight trip home the first time, the second time we did the Bergen to Oslo 2-day extension and flew directly to the US from Oslo. In general, I find Viking pre- and post-cruise extensions overpriced compared with doing it on your own, but this was well worth it. The train ride to Oslo is long, but we found the train, the seating, and the scenery much more enjoyable than the Flam train excursion. Viking treats the train ride itself as an excursion, with a tour guide giving information all along the way. Oslo has the best city-to-airport train we have ever seen. Do not take a taxi or private car. The Flytoget Express train is excellent and simple, departs in each direction every 10 or 20 minutes, and takes you from the main train terminal directly into the airport. The main train terminal is near the new Opera House, which is where you want to stay in Oslo. 

For flights between the US and Reykjavik, take a look at the nonstop on Delta from Minneapolis. They have a premium economy that made it possible to sleep. 

You get a complete daily itinerary (always subject to change) with port times and whether the ship is in port or using tenders when you have a contract for a cruise, even if you are booking two years in advance. That indicates that somewhere in the system, they have the times.

It is very common for the first excursions getting off the ship to be at 8 AM (pending delays for clearance), and departures are most often 5 or 6 PM, unless the ship is staying overnight. On our Mediterranean Odyssey cruise, there was a very late departure from Monte Carlo, so that guests could do evening activities on their own, such as visiting the casinos. That was quite unusual. If the ship is using tenders, you may not be able to exit on the earliest departures to do something on your own, as the seats may be reserved for paid optional excursions. 

We did Lisbon-Miami last year. The only difference from other VO cruises was an increase in the number of daily lectures. These were excellent and entertaining. Sometimes 3, sometimes 4 lectures each sea day. Otherwise, everything geffric describes are the activities available on all VO cruises. Plan for stress free relaxation. Bring books.

We were on a Panama canal itinerary out of Miami in Dec 2018 that included Christmas Day and New Year's Day.  As best as I can remember, the only decoration was a large nonsectarian display (a gingerbread house or something like that) behind the piano in the atrium. It was very nicely done.  I do not remember any "Christmas" trees or wreaths. 

Yes.  Go to cruisemapper.com.  
In the blue band across the top, select "Ships"
A bit down on that page, you will see a link for "Seach Ship by Name" and one for "All Cruise Companies"
Use the "All Cruise Companies" drop down menu to select "Viking Ocean"
That will open a page with each VO ship listed
Click on the ship you want and then click on Itineraries

57 minutes ago, Liz Masterson said:

It looks like very easy access from the train station.  You should be able to get a train from the airport there easily if you're not already being transported by Viking. 

 

We will be there next summer on our pre-excusrion.  I hope you'll post a review when you get back! We'd love to know what you think and any tips you have. 

 

Which pre-extension are you doing? 

 

 

Have a marvelous time!

Yes. The Flytoget airport express train runs from Oslo Central Station, literally out the back door of the hotel, directly into the airport. The signs in the airport are clear. The train runs every 10 or 20 minutes like clockwork. You buy tickets from a simple-to-use machine. The trains are designed for passengers with luggage. A taxi to or from the airport will take 2-3 times as long and cost much more. The walk from the tracks for Flytoget in the Central Station is about as close to the Thon Opera Hotel as the Explorer's Lounge is to the World Cafe on a VO ship.

It's a large business hotel. Rooms are adequate in size but extremely well insulated for noise. Location is fantastic for walking to major sites. 

I don't understand the question. All the PV cabins are fore and aft. None are mid-ship. Viking has placed DV cabins mid-ship on decks 4, 5, and 6.  Are you concerned about the difference between something like cabin 6072 and 6092? You won't notice anything different. As for movement, all the suites - the most expensive cabins on the ship - are extremely fore or or aft.

On 7/25/2019 at 5:22 PM, Liz Masterson said:

This thread has some good information on the 2 day Oslo and Bergen rail package.

 

 

 

I was concerned with the comfort of the seats but it turns out they are the same as in comfort class... I was envisioning those board like seats on some tour trains.  To me it looks like Viking is the way to go.  I'm looking forward to having them manage the luggage and I think having someone to host in our 'private' car will be nice.  And it's a chance to get t know some folks who we will be cruising with!

We did Bergen to Oslo as a post-cruise extension and can confirm that the standard class seats are fine.  They are comfortable, two across on both sides and with plenty of leg room. This is something I am fussy about, and I have no complaints. The Viking hosts provide coffee, snacks, meal vouchers, and they were good tour guides on what was a very scenic trip. We had an excellent city tour in Oslo the first morning after arrival, and not dealing with luggage at either end of the train trip made the cost of the excursion, which I usually find overpriced, to be well worth it.  

I think the general consensus is that the laundry room and elevators are not a problem, other than that it is perhaps best not to be directly across from either one. Two rooms away and there are no issues.  As for port/starboard, that depends on the itinerary. When at sea, the ship is often too far from land for it to make a difference, but you never know. When it appears that one side will have more views of land, we take that side.

As for PV1 and deck 6, I think the questions are why PV1 rather than PV2 or PV3, and why deck 6 rather than deck 5 or deck 4. All PVs are identical in space and benefits. Whether you want to be fore or aft is entirely personal. It might depend on how easily you want to get to the Spa or to the Explorer's Lounge, but otherwise, it is arbitrary. Unless there are mobility issues, which might lead to being very strategic about your location relative to fore/aft public facilities, it is not a mega ship, and all walks are easy. We don't take Deck 6 because we don't want a public space above us. 

The difference between PV cabins that may be of interest is that they have two different designs for access to the veranda. One design has a sliding door, the other a window and a hinged door with a solid wall between them. Most prefer the sliding door for a better view.