Strangford

It is stated in the general FAQ section on the website which covers all Viking cruises.  'Wheelchairs must not exceed 22" in width. For details regarding bringing a wheelchair on board, guests must complete the Accessibility Form and return to Viking no later than 30 days prior to departure.'

Going by the deck plans they are outside fhe atrium windows on deck 3- and above your head when walking on the promenade- deck 2.

UK version

https://cms-assets.viking.com/mar_content/global-brand-identity/Onboard_GuestFacing/UK_CORP_SilverSpirits-AllProduct-2023-A4-R02.pdf

Would someone with a more mathematical mind than mine take a look at those 2 Silver Spirit boxes above. Using xe.com 5 mins ago, I get the daily rate of AU$37 as £19.24 - close enough to the UK£20. The US$ daily rate converts to £20.58.  The 30% discount on premium beverages works out within a £ or two between the different currencies - but there is no currency conversion for the 'any drink up to' - it's US$18, AU$18, £18.  Who is getting the better deal here?

UK version

Same thing happened to us when reservations opened for our 10th September cruise.  After continuous checking one available reservation showed up - 6pm on the 11th - so we took it.  Arrived at Manfredi's - no reservation could be found on the booking system - we were asked had we booked online - and got the impression from the gentleman on the desk that this was not unusual. We were shown to a table and enjoyed our meal. On our way out we showed the gentleman the booking confirmation on my husband's phone.  He told us that if we'd like a further reservation to come and see him and in hindsight we should have just decided on a day and time there and then, as we didn't get another reservation.   Go to guest services or the desk at restaurant when you get on board - even if, by some fluke, you are able to make an online booking, and try and sort it there.

6 hours ago, Pegct said:

I had return flight booked on British Air from Venice to Belfast connnecting in LHR scheduled in October and scheduled  flight to Belfast cancelled so next available flight results in 6+ hour layover at LHR. At least I hope the reduced capacity at LHR will result in less bags being lost!

We were booked on 9.25am BHD/LHR in September and our 1.20pm LHR/VCE was cancelled. Next Venice flight is 5.20pm so we got our Belfast flight changed today to an Aer Lingus operated flight at 1.10pm.  Is there an Aer Lingus flight during those 6 hours that you could ask to be moved to?

2 minutes ago, cruisinchrissy said:

We chose to go in two days earlier. They could only offer us a flight arriving at 2.00am next day.

Instead of the 9.25am Belfast/Heathrow we've been changed to 1.10pm and to the 5.20pm to Venice.  I doubt we'll be onboard before l0pm.  Our only alternative would have been to fly to Heathrow on the Friday evening for the 7.25am Saturday flight.  It'll be a long day but as long as we - and our luggage - get there we'll cope.

1 hour ago, cruisinchrissy said:

BA are having to cancel flights now because Heathrow airport have reduced passenger capacity.

They have just cancelled our flight to Rome and we’ve had to re schedule the day we fly.

Did Viking reschedule you to the previous day?  We were scheduled to fly Belfast-Heathrow-Venice in September.  Our Belfast flight is still showing but the 1320 to Venice is gone. DH is going to phone them shortly.

1 hour ago, jjs217 said:

I have not been on Viking.........yet.   What kind of alcohol is in the mini-fridge?  It is included, correct?  Thank you.

Not in V or DV cabins- only in PV and above.

6 hours ago, CharTrav said:

did you notice my post earlier today? I've been hunting thru the VE site to find where it states that even tho each port stop lists multiple excursions all labeled "Included" -- you really can only pick one of them as your "included" excursion. That the policy is to offer one included excursion in each port is "the" policy whether on VR, VO, or VE. When I wrote up the consolidated report for Arctic Expeditions and posted it to DropBox (https://www.dropbox.com/s/fq74xmo3cegnw0b/Arctic Adventure %26 Undiscovered Iceland Rev 0.pdf?dl=0) a year ago, I included the following note: "Unless indicated otherwise, all Shore Excursions are included with the “pick-one-per-port” caveat ".  I can't remember why I knew or how I learned that was the policy - did I ask my Viking TA about this? I may have. In any case, I wasn't even aware at the time that one could choose more than one excursion in a day or what the policy was if you did. 

 

 

Listed under 'Why Viking' - 'The Viking difference' - 'Viking Inclusive Value' - 

WE INCLUDE MORE FEATURES & SERVICES THAN OTHERS:

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Get an anti-fog cloth.  Try local opticians or Amazon. I have an AB mask, reusable up to 1000 times and it lasts for approx 48hrs each use. Wash and dry glasses,  breathe to fog each lens and wipe each lens before fog disappears. Currently £5.48 on Amazon UK.

Search on Youtube for Viking Sky Stateroom Cabin 4123 - that's next door on the deck above. 

2 hours ago, les37b said:

Thank you.... And I will be sure to post if the process was any different to normal.

 

Just a bit concerned goal posts don't get moved again re entry to Malta. At the moment it's double vaccination only and no need for a PCR test to get it. Fingers crossed our rates don't increased and we get lockeJustd out.

 

If I'd seen those Scilly isles cruises, I'd have been on one. This will be my first time on Viking and certainly impressed with the YT videos I saw.

 

 

Just in case you weren't aware - Only certificates showing the vaccine used is one approved by the European Medicines Agency will be accepted. Those arriving having had vaccinations not EMA approved will be required to quarantine for 14 days. Entry will not be allowed if the vaccine batch on your certificate is from one of the following: 4120Z001, 4120Z002, 4120Z003. We are clarifying with the Maltese authorities why these have been deemed not valid for entry.   From the gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malta page

14 minutes ago, Mav&Rowdy said:

Thank you for that information.  I guess then that it is not some additional form that needs be obtained before arrival. 

See post #1637 - and click on the link. You'll find info there about what's needed.

If you know the cabin number you could google it - you might find a review or a youtube tour.

1 hour ago, bafinegan said:

There have been unsubstantiated reports of a couple who tested covid positive on this cruise.  They and 2 couples who were close to them ( according to contact tracing) have been removed and are in quarantine.  Have you heard anything?  It's one of those "I heard"/"someone posted" things.  I posted that unless/until I see more proof I am treating this as a rumor intended to stir up people.

 

This won't change my mind about my upcoming Bermuda cruise with Viking, but has made me glad I have insurance that covers covid.  

There are news reports about the Celebrity Millennium- 2 passengers tested positive and 7 others who were in close contact while on a tour have been quarantined to cabins while they await PCR test results.  thepointsguy.co.uk is on the ship and has a report on his website.

Searching on TripAdvisor- by traveller ranking - there are 4 Premier Inns in the top 20 - out of 121 places to stay.  Southsea number 10, North Harbour number 12, City Centre number 14 and Port Solent number 18.  I know a lot of people don't rate TripAdvisor but it's the first place I look when researching for a holiday - mostly for restaurants as we prefer self catering accommodation to hotels. For one night - look on the map for the nearest to where the ship will likely be docked - and then check it out on TripAdvisor. We have stayed in 6 or 7 around the country and have been quite happy in each.

22 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

UK friends.  What is your favorite gin or what you think the best?

Thumbs up here for Jawbox gin from Echlinville distillery - about 14 miles from us on the Ards Peninsula.  Echlinville won 2 double golds, 1 gold and a silver for their Irish Whiskeys and a gold for Weavers Gin at the 2021 San Francisco World Spirits Competition. 

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

This is the link from the Canadian site, hopefully the UK has a similar program.

 

https://www.vikingcruisescanada.com/about-us/referral-rewards.html

No Referral Awards tab on the About Us page on UK site. Just the History, Careers, Explorer Society and Awards tabs.

On ocean cruises, The Spa will remain open to all guests by appointment only to ensure proper distancing and all spa staff will wear face masks during treatments. 

Will all depend when you're cruising too.  I'm hoping by the time of our first Viking cruise next September, that it will be a totally different experience than for the folks sailing in the next few months.

Sorry Neil, wasn't inferring you were ignoring us - our health boards here use a different site again from the rest.  All I can do online is order prescriptions. It's time they were all singing from the same hymn sheet especially with regard to vaccination records.

4 hours ago, NeilP57 said:

NHS App works shows our vaccination status as well  Just need it to work for our Scottish friends as well! 

And Northern Ireland.

2 hours ago, portisheadblue said:

Re UK residents … the NHS app (not the NHS COVID app) has proof positive of all your immunisation - and much more.

 

Simple to download and set up.

Play Store says 'Access NHS services in England'.