NewLondonNed

Inform your room Steward of your nip bottles preference and s/he will see to it as well as mixers preference.  I though drink prices quite reasonable at the bars throughout ship - would have to drink quite a bit each day to meet the costs of the SS package.

Chef's Table was a disappointment on our Homelands Cruise - while creative, the various plates were just not that appetizing as a gourmand experience - it needs to be reworked IMO.  We are cruising again in August and probably wont even make a res

As for booking priority, the higher your room category, the earlier you will have to book excursions.  This sometimes makes a difference for smaller group excursions like flightseeing.

IMO - 8 hours not enough time - plus weather can be quite variable and fog or clouds may substantially limit visibility - it did when we visited - never saw Pulpit Rock and anyone up there would never have see the fjord

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I practiced law representing insurance companies for many years - insurers resist claims and the pre-existing condition exclusion may be construed quite broadly if a medical claim arose and you required medevac - imagine the worry that you could be on the hook for a medevac costing tens of thousands - that pre-existing condition waiver is important!

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Cocktails are around $7-8 US (wine likely in that range), fancy ones may be a bit more - so by East Coast standards very reasonable. So doing the math will tell you whether package which you both must purchase (not just one) is worth it. Also at meal's end, you can always get you glass refilled and take it with you wherever - we saw it done and staff are very customer centered. Of course, Viking style is you can bring whatever bottles or cans you want onboard in all ports. So many choices.

Lucky you - that's great! I understand that for you, that's the norm. On our next cruise the tips are included, but for safety's sake we will double check after embarkation, and again just prior to the end of the cruise.

 

It's pretty much akin to the way we think; additional tipping is at our discretion - which makes good sense.

 

 

 

We once went on an excursion where the tour guide obviously didn't know what he was talking about (which included World War ll and the D Day landings), in which we were told with gravitas and authority that the Battle of the Atlantic was fought in the sea! On another separate excursion an old ship was pointed out to us, which allegedly had taken part in the Battle of Rutland! Both of these tour guides stood outside the coach at the end of the tour expecting tips! From me each tour guide had a tip from me - which was to learn your stuff before you start the tour!

 

 

 

I think that mainly some people who make such a fuss about giving a tip think that either they are part of the landed gentry or the nouveau riche - which they patently usually aren't.

Battle of the Atlantic was fought on the Atlantic

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We stayed at the Hilton - which is within walking distance to the Viking embarkation dock and close to Gamla Stan and all the sites - great breakfast buffet and on concierge level - great hospitality room with generous offerings and free drinks - liquor, etc.

For cruises we always use TA - get perks of two weeks free airport parking, etc. - well worth it. But that does not mean you shouldn't keep your eye on deals being offered and ask you TA to get them for you.

Think carefully about it ... Drink prices are very reasonable on Viking so you would have to drink a lot to spend the per diem cost of the Silver Spirit package. Moreover, if in the PV class or above, you receive 4 mini bottles of spirits (your choice - tell room steward your preference) plus beer and wine in you room fridge daily and refilled daily. You can take your drinks wherever you want. Further, you can bring any bottle, anytime on board.

I put together a CC group on our 9/2017 Homelands cruise in St. Pete - Alla gave us CC discount and it was a fabulous small group - max 16 - experience, cheaper and with added sites plus small group (vox earphone system used as well so "easy listening" and nothing missed) - guide was excellent - met us at dock on other side of customs so very easy - very responsive to email inquiries and res are easy

Go with Alla or some other recommended tour company - much cheaper and better than what's offered via ship. I would not recommend touring on your own - St. Pete has some unsafe features like experienced pick pockets, scammers, etc. which your Russian Tour Guide will point out at various sites - actually amusing to see when you are not the target (once pointed out they move on rather quickly)

Wife plugged her curling iron into Viking cabin 110 v socket at desk. We travel with converter/transformer for pre and post hotel stays and small multi plug outlet strip - all purchased on Amazon - be prepared as the Scouts say.

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You pay for those nips as part of theJr Suite higher fare -

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If you take out the supply each day it will be fully replenished - you may have extra on days you entertain

Just booked Viking's new itinerary for North Pacific Passage, Vancouver to Tokyo for Aug. 2019. Is anyone else booked this yet?

I do not think distilled water is available onboard. I have bought it throughout Europe and Scandinavia - sometimes in grocery store and sometimes in pharmacy (Green Cross) without difficulty

Already mentioned is Vikng Ocean's Homeland cruise which covers the Baltic (St. Petersburg. etc.) and fyords as one of their premier

itineraries.

You may want to consider obtaining Visa that does not charge foreign transaction fees - especially if you plan on doing more international travel and cruising - there are several great Visa companies that do not have such fees

May I suggest slacks that have zippered off legs which converts them to Bermuda length shorts - I have several pair and lightweight as well

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Banks also charge a foreign transaction fee for each ATM withdrawal - not the same as the fee for use of another bank's ATM. You may want to check to consider. Obtaining Euros from Banks or AAA these days is easy.

Forgot to mention the CruiseCritic forum for Northern Europe ports will have information posts on your ports of call with loads of info from CC members

You may want to read others' plans and experiences in the ports you will visit on tripadvisor - many times you can arrange tours on your own via websites that are completely reliable, coordinate with your ship's arrival and departure and cost much less for the same or better experience and with a smaller group. You may find you enjoy the reading and planning as much as I do in anticipation. Good luck!

Does any Viking experienced cruiser know what time Viking will commence its Bergen shuttle (if it has one) on the first day in port? We will be trying to get to the train station to commence the NIN with the Bergen to Voss train dep 8:43 AM - train station looks to be some distance (20 min walk) from port (Hurtigruten - Bergen Port) or is it better to walk it?

Thanks for the review and tips - all in great CC spirit

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