CDNPolar

My understanding is that these shows - specifically Beatles and ABBA - are driven by corporate decisions. Makes sense that the Beatles would be done on the British Isles cruise. I also understood that corporate was replacing these?

Perhaps the case, but North American TA's may only be able to sell in CAD or USD. TA's are regulated as are the public from booking outside of their domains.

We have to consider WHY Viking is not allowing this and it could be: Limited Space: The medical center on a cruise ship typically has limited refrigeration space, which must be reserved for emergency medical supplies and medications required for immediate treatment on board. Liability Concerns: Storing personal medication may raise liability issues if something goes wrong, such as improper storage leading to spoilage or loss. The cruise line may not want to assume responsibility for medications that are critical to a passenger's health. Security and Access Control: Medications need to be stored securely, and access must be controlled to prevent misuse or theft. Allowing passengers to store their medications in the medical center could complicate this process. I firmly believe that Viking has its reasons for this and I do not believe that any cruise lines allow storage in their medical refrigeration units, and likely for the reasons above.

Hope you love Viking as much as we do! Generally speaking when we first arrive at our cabin we unpack. During this process the Cabin Steward(s) normally knock and introduce... This is when we ask for robes and slippers (if not there) the water we want, extra hangers if not enough, etc. The sparkling is in-house made so delivered to the cabin I still find it ok... Also ask for ice to be brought daily if you want the water cold.

Every day! You can ask for one of each or two of each. The Cabin Stewards aim to please.

On Viking you will walk into a cabin with one carafe of still water. You can also ask for Sparkling water - made on the ship - and we ask for 2 sparkling waters each day and no still. I don't think that they will supply you with bottled water to your cabin like they give when leaving the ship. You can get the ship made sparkling water with meals or anytime during the day too.

If you reference my post again, you will see that you missed the line after that... There has been discussion about whether you boarded a cruise ship outside of the Schengen countries but are docking in Schengen countries whether it will be YOUR responsibility or the Cruise Lines responsibilities to get the ETIAS in advance. "I am a fan of the popular vote that it will be YOUR responsibility to have this in advance." There is and has been discussion about this in other threads. I was just merely stating that this has been brought up before and discussed. I however am a firm believer as stated that it would be the travellers responsibility.

I am NOT confusing EES with ETIAS. I fully know what both are. I think you are confusing what I am responding to.

There has been discussion about whether you boarded a cruise ship outside of the Schengen countries but are docking in Schengen countries whether it will be YOUR responsibility or the Cruise Lines responsibilities to get the ETIAS in advance. I am a fan of the popular vote that it will be YOUR responsibility to have this in advance. Again, with this proposed ETIAS system, if you fly to the UK you don't have to apply, but if you are subsequently entering a Schengen country after entering the UK whether by land, water, or air, you would have to have the ETIAS. Put a note in your calendar to start to follow this at the beginning of 2025 to see when it comes into play and just keep checking. The link in post #20 is the best to follow. If you use a Travel Advisor for your cruises or travels, then it is - In Canada anyway - their responsibility to make you aware of Visa or ETIAS requirements. Not to apply for you, but to at least point you in the direction of the need. My travel advisor already has notes on their communications / invoices warning that the ETIAS is coming.

You have "done your time". Here is hoping that my next renewal will not need an interview either!

Hoping for a full and speedy recovery.

Well, from my understanding and I have read everything I can, it will be a seamless process like what I had to do as a Canadian for Australia. The ETIAS system for Australia was simple and I believe that my approval was almost instantaneous. This system is not trying to keep anyone out - not that you were saying that - it is about tracking your time in the EU and entry / exits to the EU.

Interesting... Agree with your thoughts on Jamaica, and would never travel there for a holiday, but if it is a port you cannot avoid it other than not disembarking. I have friends that love Holland America, but I have never sailed with them. What about your experience with Silversea was homophobic?

Yeah - it will be interesting to see what happens. If you were JUST flying to London, perhaps you would not be denied boarding, but if you were transiting through LHR to a Schengen country then the airline would have the responsibility to make sure you had the ETIAS for your destination country. If you were only flying to London and then boarding a cruise ship, then the airline would be off the hook, but you still would have to ensure that you had the necessary entry requirements satisfied if the cruise ship was to make stops in Schengen countries. If not, then the cruise ship would likely deny you boarding.

Cruising is ALWAYS a good vacation choice. That budget is there regardless of how much money the business makes!

You must interview TA's to find out. Don't expect that a TA will give a flat rate on every cruise because for one, the cost and the commissions of each cruise and cruise line differs. Some cruise lines also limit the OBC that can be given to a guest and that can be dependent on the length of the cruise. I found that my TA told me that they can let me know after I let them know what cruise line, what specific itinerary, etc.

Just stick close to the EES and ETIAS official sites and watch them as you get closer to your travel. The EES requires nothing of you upfront, this will happen when you enter the EU. The ETIAS will require you to register online, and pay for, in advance of travel to get the ETIAS authorization but that will happen quickly - probably in minutes - unless you have some reason for further inspection... BUT, you will not get on the airplane if the requirement is in place and you have not received your ETIAS.

This is entirely fine. You walk on your cabin's deck to the elevators outside the Spa. You don't walk through the Living Room, or go to the WC. We most often book deck 3 and tend to book mid-ship aft cabins, which means that we must walk through the Deck 3 Atrium area and be seen by those in the Living Room if they are looking up... Sorry.

Your Viking Invoice tells you where the tags are going. My invoice this is on Page 4 "Shipping Address - Final Documents" This will tell you for sure where the information is being sent. For your information, in the future, you can ask your TA to change that to your home address and everything will come to you directly.

With our bags in Viking safe keeping, if the opportunity presents, we are going to let ourselves loose on the city / town. After an overnight flight I don't want to rest or sleep, I want to explore and stay awake until at least 8pm or 9pm local time and then crash. The more sightseeing we can fit in the better. That is what we are there for.

Thanks for sharing!

Many things can happen here....! Viking will arrange - in our experience - a very timely transfer from the airport. You should not wait long, if at all, once you have your luggage. If you are arriving that early, so are others... Viking will take you to a hotel conference room where there will be refreshments. You will keep what you want in carryon luggage and the rest of the luggage will go directly to the ship. We have also been hosted in a building right beside the ship. Not exactly the cruise port building, but beside that. It could be a reception area in the cruise port building. Once you can start your embarkation at 11am then you can go to the World Cafe for lunch. Your cabins still may not be ready.

What port is this?

Are we helping? Probably not. We are likely going to sway back and forth. I personally have spent more time in Montreal than Quebec City. However, that being said, if I were planning a trip to both, I would spend more time in Quebec City. History, ambiance, people, food.... Be warned however that Quebec City is much more French speaking than Montreal. In Montreal you can get away with English mostly downtown, but in Quebec City when I most recently visited there were restaurants where the Servers did not speak English. Shops the same. Go with the intent to practice your French. This is not a negative, it is kind of like visiting parts of France and Paris.

We are famous for straying....