Jazmyn49

We have done this before though not in Alaska.  Had dinner and a shower, then off to the airport for a midnight flight from Singapore to the States.

Some who have found the room fridge not cold enough have added bowls or bags of ice that the steward will bring and replenish.

In South America we opted for a full day excursion with drop off at the airport, not through Viking.  It worked out so well that we did it again on another cruise where our homeward bound flight wasn't until evening.  10 hour waits with limited uncomfortable seating??  You made the right choice to head to the airport, especially with poor weather for venturing out.

Some have found it works to add a bowl or bag of ice in the chiller/cooler.  Then again, when returning from a long excursion, the cooler was wide open and everything at room temperature.  I have never heard of that happening before or since.  Then again, again, our steward had a multitude of problems which even the head housekeeper did not fix.  That was on World Cruise #4 for us and the first time we have ever had anything but high praise for our stewards.  We spent much time from Bali to London being frustrated and annoyed.  Why would someone think we wanted only one drinking glass or no body wash or our stuff moved around???  Rant over.  We leave in a month for another Viking cruise.

We have experienced this after a very long excursion, such as one to Paris, Berlin, the Blue Mountains or Luxor.  Having the crew smiling and handing out drinks as we stumbled off the bus to head to the gangway made us smile.  They sang "We are Family" and danced, seeming happy to have us back after a day with an almost empty ship. We've never heard anyone complain about it before but to each his own.

As for the bike, we lived on a boat and had them to take to shore in various countries.  We learned that some countries require a license on the bicycles which added to the difficulty.  We did see rental bikes on the World Cruise, the first in Bora Bora where we circumnavigated the island, then often in various ports.

There have been many posts from those who tried to use Zoom this year.  They had no joy unless using it off the ship.

We had our travel agent arrange our Taj trip as we sure weren't going to India without seeing it.  A driver picked up 4 of us at the ship in Mumbai, did a short tour of the city, then to the airport to fly to Delhi.  Another driver met us to drive to Agra and the hotel.  The next morning we were at the Taj at sunrise, an incredible experience.  We spent a few hours there, then back to the airport and the ship.  It was well worth it and was quite inexpensive.  We were too jazzed to be tired. 

So sorry to hear of your problems and decision.  We enjoyed the Magical Mystery Cruise with you so very much, and all the info you give on these forums is outstanding.  We just got home from World Cruise #4 and were fortunate enough to have zero real problems and only a couple of annoyances, so minor that we've forgotten what they were about.  We're missing you already.

Wonderful new stainless step stools have appeared in the laundry room.  Now I won't have to hunt for that sock in the orphan sock bin in the corner.

Good news!  And thank you for staying in quarantine and not infecting others who might suffer much more than a day.  It's tough when you feel ok but still might be contagious.  Hope DH is still well.  Enjoy Barcelona!

Officials believing that the joking photo of the masks was indicative of a COVID outbreak.  The ship had to leave the country and had great difficulty finding anywhere that would accept us.  The outbreak was NOT on our ship but other cruises did have many cases.

We well remember the repercussions from the posting of mask wearing passengers in the tender at Komodo.  Think before you post photos.

Water is always available at the gangway, except in India which has banned single use plastic bottles.  Viking gives out reusable bottles put in each stateroom.  Just one weirdness to report:  DH always brings a water tester (Amazon about $15).  The carafe water tested excellent, same for the tap water in the bathroom sink.  The only time water has been undrinkable was a sealed bottle from a supermarket in Vietnam.  

The Neptune now has closed captions on the TV.  Thanks, Viking!

We also had our required TSA locks removed as well as the zipper tab holding them on.  Luggage Forward said they do not/will not cover that loss, despite that the suitcase cannot be opened without a tool of some kind.  This is very annoying so we'll not be using them for the return home.

Double check with your TA about Luggage Forward and air from Hawaii.  On an earlier World Cruise, a Hawaiian passenger told us the rules and services are different for those in Hawaii and Alaska.  The Crowne Plaza was close to the port and in a good area.  We booked a transfer from Expedia for a bit over $50 with pickup right at the door. The next morning we walked to the ship as we had only one carry-on and beautiful weather.  Andy arranged for Viking to do a free transfer from the hotel to the port.  The hotel was supposed to tell him that we walked but forgot.  Sorry, Andy.

Exactly, Peregrina.  The time of the scheduled landing is NOT the time you deplane and the time of departure is NOT the latest you can board.  You just might make it, then again......what's the downside?

Nicaragua was cancelled last year, too, COVID reasoning as I recall.

Be aware that Viking transfers for those arranging their own flights must be booked well in advance.  I think it's a month but with the way things are changing.......check, check, check.

A couple doing many world cruises on a different line brings their own topper from home.  They must use a compression bag but it seems to work for them.

We had one of those sofas with the arm looking like a tiger clawed it (a PV1 cabin).  This was the 21-22 World Cruise on the Star.  When talking to different passengers, they mentioned the same thing.  Before the end of the cruise, we had a brand new sofa delivered as did many others.  There were also dozens and dozens of new mattresses on the dock in one port as crew removed the old ones, filling many dumpsters.  At least one stateroom was having the bathroom redone, all flooring removed as well as fixtures.  All carpeting appeared new. Viking keeps things looking good.  And then there was the Octantis......WOW!!!

What a ship.  Perfection.

We did the test one day in advance at Walgreen's while still in Florida.  It was checked very carefully at the tent where we embarked.  I accidentally handed them my vax paperwork instead of test results and they caught it immediately.  DUH. This was in Toronto for an Octantis sailing last month.  GREAT cruise!

Just be aware that if the winds aloft are too strong, balloons are not permitted to lift off.  That's what happened to us.....and it was a 3:45 AM wake up call.  We stayed at the venue until 8, hoping conditions would improve but were disappointed.  When we tried to book for the following day, they told us they were booked up for weeks in advance.  We were bummed but managed a safari balloon ride in Africa while on a World Cruise (with Viking, of course!).  FANTABULOUS!

We got our second booster in February while on the Viking Star.  Viking brought in a dozen med techs and paid for the vaccine, too!  Bravo.