Jazmyn49

My heating pad did not make it through but it was returned at the end of the cruise.

Slide the tab into the slot, folding if necessary.  Or just tape it together, not a problem.

My waterpik worked just fine plugged into the bathroom outlet.

I found it very difficult to see into the stateroom from the balcony during daylight hours.  The steward was cleaning and I was checking to see if he had finished but couldn't tell.  We like leaving the curtains open but have been bothered at night with a neighbor leaving the balcony light on 24/7.

Luggage Forward is great with good customer service on the phone.  Just be careful reading what is not allowed in the suitcases and don't lock them because they will check and remove liquids, electronics, drugs, etc.  I think those are returned to your home.  Once our luggage was picked up a day earlier than scheduled (we were ready!) and once they came in the morning instead of the afternoon.  You can track where your luggage is once it's picked up.  We found that for our return home that it was less expensive to purchase on the ship instead of before the cruise.  

Different stroke department here.  We went on one Silversea cruise because of the itinerary and were very, very disappointed.  It was stuffy, the staff standoffish and sometimes downright unhelpful, the passengers not friendly to newbies.  The lectures were far below Viking in quality with most of them delivered in heavy accents, difficult to understand.  The cabins were smaller, the food repetitive, and we had a difficult time disputing 2 hefty charges on our final bill before we disembarked.  We ran back to Viking as fast as we could.  The things we dislike about Viking are:  Zero, nada, zilch.

Checked bag.  Also on another cruise Luggage Forward would not allow a heating pad and said it would be removed.

My heating pad was taken away and given back the last day aboard.  I protested as it was for treating dry eye.  No joy, no heating pads, period.  At least it was returned though it took a LONG time for them to find it.

With socks, of course....😛

Only booked the one for this year but never say never for next time.  We still have voucher money left.

I can almost imagine what you called them.  Big Ugly would be kind.  We plan to be on the Star in 129 days, itinerary TBD.  It could be another Magical Mystery Cruise.

Hey Andy!  Box Boat makes perfect sense.  But what do you call a car carrier?

The laundry tour is even better than the kitchen or bridge tour.  Ask at the Customer Service desk to join it.  The crew will have their picture taken with you and have it delivered to your cabin.  They do an amazing job and deserve kudos and thanks.

I put in a business card and the next time I looked, our steward had put in a plain white plastic card.

Does Viking provide masks or do I need to bring my own?  

We split one of the huge Viking Burgers at the Pool Grill.  Just tell them to put it on 2 plates.  We must save room for ice cream, especially if Pinky is serving.  She's a gem.

One thing that can be offensive to many is men with ball caps in the dining room or World Cafe.  Taking them off and laying them on the table is not appropriate either.  On our first ocean cruise, one man somehow always sat in front of us in the theater (though we learned to move when he approached).  His head must have itched under the ball cap as he continually removed it, scratching his head as he waved the ball cap in the air.  We politely asked him not to do this and his reply was that since nobody else complained, he'd do as he pleased.  Otherwise most everyone displayed common sense in how they dressed for dinner, nice but still casual.  In lieu of a sport coat, my husband took a tie but never wore it after the first time at the Chef's Table.

We pack insulated cups with handles and tight lids.  That way we can take coffee from the World Cafe or the Viking Bar and not worry about spilling.  I can even grab handrails and open the cabin door with the 2 cups in one hand.  DH wants to awaken to what he considers the best coffee on the ship and that's from the Viking Bar.  And yes, there are reciprocal paybacks later from my getting 2 cups from there early in the morning and putting them plus a munchie on the bedside table.

Please do cancel your included excursion if you cannot go.  Once we had an afternoon paid excursion planned and decided too late that we also wanted the morning included one.  Luckily a few people had cancelled and we were able to enjoy both morning and afternoon, followed by the Explorers Lounge, of course.  We also learned that booking the first included excursion of the day was not the best plan as it was always the most crowded.  Not every seat was taken but later in the morning, we had smaller groups and more room to spread out. 

Specialty dining reservations CAN be had last minute with dining tables open on port days for walk-up guests, though not so often on sea days.

We were delighted with Carrot's Tours out of Stanley.  He had access to some private lands with more penguins and a smoother track for his vehicle, plus we didn't have to drive all the way to Volunteer Point.  His email is online if you Google Carrot's Tours Falkland Islands.  Highly recommended at great prices.

Any chance the original card expired between your deposit and now?  Happened to us once on Viking when our card was rejected at the end of the cruise.  We never thought to check the expiration date and didn't use this card ashore during the cruise.  It doesn't sound like this would apply to you but may help someone else who gave a credit card far in advance of final payment or the end of a cruise.

I put a clothes rack in the bedroom and hang all the possibles on it, then put half back in the closet.  Traveling light equals freedom for us.  Shout color catchers work well in the laundry machines, stain remover spray, some black tape to cover the night light outside the bathroom, puffs for the shower, extra Ziploc bags, travel mugs, small gifts for special crew members, small US bills for tips, your own binoculars, small umbrellas, my Water Pik, a little flashlight, an extra foldable bag in case you need more room on the way home.  We bring home less as all the consumables are gone and some clothing and shoes will be retired and left in the laundry room for Viking donations.  I'm sure there are lots more items, and I'll be adding to The List on a pad on the desk.

Those umbrella drinks are available, just no umbrella.  We tried our hardest to get through the entire bar menu in the Explorers' Lounge but with the last cruise ending abruptly in Dubai, we weren't successful.  Oh well, next time.  And if you don't care for the standard way they make certain cocktails, they will customize it with a smile and remember the next time you imbibe.  Cheers!

And please no ball caps on the men indoors, especially in the dining venues and The Theater.  

The service was free at the beginning but not when we disembarked.  It could be booked onboard before the end of the World Cruise.  Be very sure to read what can't be in the luggage and don't lock the bags.  When picking up the bags, Luggage Forward once came a day early and once a few hours early so be ready.  Pickup was about 12 days prior to the cruise.  They are very customer friendly when called on the phone.