DMCruiser

I'm so saddened by your loss!  I have followed you and Judy through your many travels, and hope someday you will get back on a cruise ship!  Love to you and your family,

Just finished your blog for this year's travel. You are an amazing writer and traveler!!!  Thanks for taking your time to share your travels with us!!!  Can't wait for next year's adventures!!!

Thanks for your help on this!!!  I will look for that as soon as we board!!

What is Cruise the Vineyards Package, is it the same as the Cheers package?  We are on the Horizon in April, and I cannot find that package listed for our ship?

Our first cruise was on the Sky Princess for our honeymoon in 1990. It was a wonderful trip and hooked us on cruising!

So excited to follow along again this year!!!!

Looking forward to the rest of your review. Your pictures are great!

We stayed at the Arts Hotel, years ago, and it was fabulous!

Great review of the CT and loved your pictures. We have done this dinner 3 times, Island, Emerald and Crown, all three were wonderful!

Thanks for a wonderful review! You are quite the writer and kept my interest the whole way. We took the cruise from LA to Hawaii and back on the Crown last October and loved every minute. We had been to Hawaii on many land trips so we only did those things that we love about Hawaii. Your review brought back many memories! Enjoy your next cruise and I will look for your review!!

Both my husband and I had one on the Crown in October, it was his first and he loved it. There was a small amount of "hard sell" but it's OK to just say no. The pedicure was great and lasted most of the 15 day cruise. Sorry, I don't remember the cost.

When I discussed the cancellation with the Viking agent, I was told that I would have had until a date in June to cancel the cruise and simply lose $100 per person even without insurance. After that date, I would have had to file through the insurance to get a refund. I have certainly learned my lesson, always book through a TA!!!

I understand that insurance is not refundable. However, my point, was that the Viking agent should have told me when the final date was that I could not get a full refund after. I really should not have purchased insurance until June even though full payment was due in September. If I had not purchased insurance I would not be out the costs of insurance and would still have gotten my full purchase refunded until June 2017.

Please, if you run into Anthony Completo in the bar service, tell him Bill and Diana McVey from California say Hi, and wish his congratulations from us! Thanks. We met him on the Emerald cruise to New England and he was fabulous!!!:p Thanks.

Very disappointed with Viking River Cruises. Last August we booked our first river cruise, after many ocean cruises with many cruise lines. The cruise was for October 2017. In late September, my husband was diagnosed with a serious, progressive disease and we had to cancel the cruise more than 300 days prior to sailing date but after final payment. At the time we booked the cruise we also purchased insurance. After much discussion with Viking, they only refunded our payment for the cruise but would not consider refunding the insurance amount. If I had not purchased insurance at the time of booking, I still would have received full payment refunded up until June 2017. In other words, I should not have purchased insurance until June 2017 and I would not have been out the $850. It seems like the Viking agent at time of booking, should have made that clear. This process is clearly different from ocean cruises. In addition, I did not use a TA for this booking....won't do that again.

We did the Chef's Table in 2015 on the Island and it was wonderful. We have done it three times, and each has been different but really great and worth the expense. We will always try to be selected on future cruises!:hearteyes:

PescadoAmarillo, you are an amazing writer and I love following your blog. I have been to the Vatican, the cathedral and Sistine chapel, and have never been able to put into words what I saw, but you certainly did! Thank you! So glad you are back on track for your cruises.

Diana:D

Can't wait to follow you again! You are a wonderful writer and an even more interesting traveler!!!:D

Norris, I just know we are in for a real treat! Always love your reviews!:D

Best wishes for continued success!! Thanks for your contribution to Cruise Critic!:D

UK Cruiser 2, you should join our Roll-Call, it is very active. We have lot's of plans for some great activities.:D

Yes, Pam does rock!! She has provided the best advice and comments! She is right on!:D

Jim, thanks for this wonderful review. I love your writing style and you are a magnificent photographer! We did the Alaska cruise on the Sapphire in 2006 and it was a great cruise, but like you, we haven't been back. Too many other itineraries to take. Thanks again for a great read! By the way, I'm an alum of Cal Poly, SLO!! What a great area you live in!

Very nice review! Now that your hubby had a great time, it's time to start planning the next one! There are lots of great itineraries out there! Enjoy!!

Thanks for the pictures. We are in this cabin on the Crown to Hawaii in October and cannot wait! This will be our first aft cabin, so excited!:D