CDNPolar

Viking has water at disembarkation that is included in your fare. There is no extra charge for the water. Sometimes the bus has water too, but not always. Always get the water on the ship before you tap off the ship. Regarding the USB chargers, I have seen new busses with this but generally no. You will have to count on your charge and a battery backup.

I don't have the same extent of medical concerns as you do, but I had some "stuff" happen to me about a year ago now, that made getting insurance questionable. Here is what I found and hope that it is helpful... A lot of what the insurance company is looking at is not the condition but the stability of the condition. How long has the condition been stable. How long since an addition - or subtraction - of medication. Increase or decrease in medication as well. I did not think my medical condition was that significant, but Manulife turned me down flat out. I filled out an extensive questionnaire with Manulife feeling very exposed by the detail that I had to provide and weeks later I got a letter in the mail saying I was not insurable. I managed my Mother's medical insurance (as a Canadian) going to Florida as a snowbird for years and many of her friends used the same company and got insurance so I knew that I could get insurance somewhere. I finally found that CAA has the best options for me. First, you can do it on the phone with CAA and get an answer immediately. The guy that I talked to was very frank but reasonable. At the time that I called because my "event" was within 6 months it would mean higher rates. My trip was not for months yet, so he suggested calling back and doing the questions again after 6 months and my rates would fall. I contacted 4-5 insurance firms and for me CAA was the best option. Hope this helps.

We were on Viking Homelands in the Baltic Sea on Canada Day and that night was a special dancing under the stars evening on the pool deck with the pool roof open. The Cruise Director wished us a Happy Canada Day and there was a special drink that was red and white. It was nice that we were recognized as there was an even larger celebration and recognition for the 4th of July.

We have often left the guided excursion. As others say, just ensure that you tell the guide that you are leaving and ensure that you know the back onboard time and don't miss it.

I hope that this does not violate the new Covid discussion policy. In fact this is not about Covid, but pure manners and decency for your fellow traveller. We just came off a 14 day ocean cruise, and I admit that we are likely more hyper vigilant when we hear someone cough because of the past couple of years, but please, please, please, if you are going to cough, cover your mouth. I cannot tell you how many times we moved away from someone in the theatre or in the World Cafe because they were coughing and not even attempting to cover their mouth. They would be in the buffet line or serving themselves and coughing without covering their mouth. They were sitting at a table and coughing and not covering their mouth. They were walking anywhere on the ship and coughing and not covering their mouth. They were on a bus and coughing and not covering their mouth. Have we not learned anything over the last couple of years? Did we not grow up hearing our parents tell us to cover our mouths when we cough of sneeze? This was not a single isolated person or incident - this was all over the place. What has become of us? Forget Covid, I don't want your Flu or your Cold either. Please cover your mouth if you cough or sneeze.

On our most recent cruise, the shows were (if there were two shows) 6:30pm and 9:15pm. If there was only one show it was always at 9:15pm. The Star Theatre will open the doors at 8:45pm and some nights if you want a good seat, you should be there between 8:45pm and 9:00pm. We always have dinner (reservation at specialty or walk in at The Restaurant) at 6:30pm and this gets us out by 8:30pm. We just came off a 14 day cruise, and we ate all 5 menus at the Chef's Table and always sat at 6:30pm. Some nights we were out as early as 8pm but most of the time it was closer to 8:30pm. Hope this helps.

Make sure that you know the terms of the RFG as these terms have changed by date of booking. The original RFG was up to 24 hours before. Our last cruise we booked was 14 days before sailing. I also believe that RFG's are potentially different based not just on when you book but where in the world you book from.

I don't think that there is a way to see the projected full year itinerary of the ship, but you can see where it is now and the past sailing information. Go to: https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Viking-Mars-2199?tab=itinerary#itinerary

At anchor, ships are affected by external forces, the type and weight of the anchor, the nature of the sea bottom, the holding power of the anchor and other factors. This can result in a ship at anchorage dragging the anchor, which can result in grounding or a collision.

We are in the process of booking our first experience on Hurtigruten and it is an Antarctica cruise. Does anyone recommend the optional liquor package? Does anyone have pictures of the beverage menu and prices if we opt not to take the liquor package? Thank you.