TakingFlight

I returned my letter to Windstar the day after I received it.  It came back today labeled “no such address”. The address on my envelope is correct as instructed. Anyone else have this same issue? Guess I’ll need to get on the phone with Seattle and find out what happened. Seems so trivial to have to do this while others are struggling to rebook their cancelled cruises.

I am also curious about this. I have always booked directly with the cruise line, then I heard on Cruise Critic about extra perks to be had when booking with a TA. I got a recommendation from a fellow traveler for a great TA, but lo and behold, they do not book Windstar.  What’s up?

I’ve been on three Windstar cruises and five Viking river cruises. I’ve researched all the river cruise lines and have found them to be comparable in routes and service.  I’ve been tempted to try other river cruise lines, however price always draws me back to Viking. I’ve found that amenities that other river cruise lines offer can be had on Viking for an additional cost that usually ends up to be less than the fare for the other lines. I want to emphasize that this is an extremely subjective viewpoint based on my experience, and I am open to trying other cruise lines if we were joining friends or a particular wine club on the cruise. (As an aside, Viking decor is Scandinavian and rather understated.) Overall, river cruising Involves a limited number of passengers, usually 200 or less, and in this regard is quite similar to Windstar. Viking spoiled me for the small ship experience and Windstar complements that experience quite nicely.

Great article, Chris. It reinforces my decision to go with Windstar in 2020.  Really enjoying this year’s F1 season knowing that I’ll see a race in person next year.

I have sailed on the Star Breeze twice. No gift bag either time. Is the bag exclusive to the Wind Surf?

I’m interested in feedback, too. We’re booked for next year’s Monaco Grand Prix Cruise, Rome to Rome with a different, intriguing itinerary. It will be on the Wind Surf next year. Supposedly the ship docks in Monte Carlo right on the pier and you can easily walk into town with no tendering involved. We’ve only been to one Formula 1 race (in Austin) and If I only ever get to see one more race in person it’s got to be the Monaco Grand Prix! With the included tickets for Saturday and Sunday, it’s a no-brainer for me to go with Windstar vs Silversea, Crystal or trying to do it on my own.

On the Colon to Puerto Caldera itinerary which day was the onboard BBQ?

Unfortunately I’m not able to arrive for the cruise before embarkation day. The itinerary has changed so that we are in Avignon the first night, Arles the second and back to Avignon on the third night. I haven’t contacted Viking yet but I plan to. Not sure which day to do the CNDP chateau visit, I still have some research to do.  But first, I’m off to Panama and Costa Rica with Windstar. Thank you for your replies, I’ll let you know what I discover.

I’ve seen deals when the USA economy is sluggish, which is not the case now.  I think that everyone’s first cruise is the most memorable.  That being said, our second Viking cruise in Bordeaux was my favorite because I’m a wine aficianado.  This was Mr. TakingFlight’s least favorite cruise, however, out of the four we’ve done. Paris and Normandy is his favorite.  Our best offer from Viking was for a Danube Christmas Market cruise in December. Magical.

We are sailing Avignon to Lyon on October 8, 2019.  Our schedule has changed as Peregrina describes. Additionally, there is no optional tour to a Châteauneuf de Pape winery which would be one of the highlights of this cruise for me.  I contacted Viking who asked me to be patient (not my best trait) while they finalize some changes to the itinerary. If the optional CDP tour doesn’t materialize I will plan my own, however I’m not sure which day to do it and I want to be sure the ship is where we left it when we return!  I realize I have a lot of time before I have to make any decisions on this.  I hope you all will share as you receive more information about these changes.

Thanks for the fast response! I hesitate to change to a different cabin as there are no other veranda cabins available this week. I could save a little money and go to French Balcony (we are not getting any better deal on this room than any other balcony cabin would be), but we really wanted to treat ourselves to a veranda. Did you hear much noise from the public area above?

 

Patty

No noise from the public area above—and that’s without earplugs! Take the veranda!

Don’t worry, just bring some good ear plugs and you’ll sleep like a baby. The noise by no means affected our love for Viking. We’ve since taken another cruise and are booked for Provence next October.

We were in cabin 339 on one cruise and you could definitely hear engine noise (or some other loud banging noises) at night in our cabin. We got a great deal on that cruise and it was the last cabin available so I didn’t stress about it too much.

You never know about the weather. Last year in July we had a heat wave in the Alps and it was cool and rainy on the Rhine. It pays to be prepared for anything.

Can Viking-provided (not TA) on board credit be used for tips? I know there was some discussion of this being permitted on the Ocean forum but my invoice states it can be used for shore excursions and beverage package. Any recent experiences?

We are traveling with another couple on rhe June 23 sailing, both of us in V cabins. We were ready at midnight when our excursion window opened. We preferred morning times and every included excursion was sold out in the morning by the time we were able to book. The excursions in Lofoten were ALL sold out so I had to contact Viking to let them know. A few weeks later a few more were added for the afternoon. By checking every day we were able to move a few of the excursions to the morning, however in a couple of cases we couldn’t get the same tour time as our friends. I knew that we would get last choice given that we are in V cabins, but I’ve found the excursion process to be time consuming and frustrating. I know, we got what we were promised, an included excursion in every port. I am not complaining (well maybe a little bit!) just telling my story as it seems to be a different experience than most on this thread. That being said, I will not let the booking process put a damper on my anticipation of a wonderful cruise experience in an amazingly beautiful location.

Viking needs to do one more update—in My Journey the FAQs about the ship dress code still say “trousers” are acceptable for men. I had a rousing discussion with a friend about whether jeans were considered trousers. According to Wikipedia they are. I hope Viking modifies this FAQ section to match the general FAQs.

It appears that Viking has updated their dress code policy in the FAQs on the website: no jeans permitted in the evening at all dining venues except for the World Cafe.

Is there an address for the Greenwich port where we will collect our luggage after disembarkation? I am trying to book a car to take us to the Heathrow Sofitel and their website requires me to enter a street address. It doesn’t accept “Greenwich Port” as a location. Viking won’t provide transpo for us because we’re not flying out the same day. Seems bizarre to me as they just need to drop us off at T5 with everyone else who is flying that day.

If you like the sounds of birds, be sure to book 3008. Apparently the bathroom is directly over one of the deck 2 theater public restroom’s speaker so you get the birds chirping (at least some of them) in your bathroom!

 

 

Oh, boy. This is our cabin on our upcoming Into the Midnight Sun cruise. Can you hear any other noises from the theater below?

Are there any trekking poles available to borrow on board or do we need to bring our own?

"arguably" is right.

We're from California so I know what you mean. Could be the year for the Trojans!

Thanks for the speedy replies. I'll keep my fingers crossed for ESPN. Couldn't handle the smoke in Shooters.

We're sailing on the Star on 9/2 and as luck would have it one of the (arguably) most important college football games of the season is that night (Alabama vs. Florida St.). Will there be a lounge on board where we can watch the game? Will we be able to see it on TV in the cabin? Cruising newbies here so not familiar with the options.

Thanks to all for your replies to my post. Does anyone have any thoughts on whether good wine can be found onshore in Norway at all (or any) of the small towns along the coast (Into the Midnight Sun itinerary)?