OnTheJourney

I wouldn't bother with that. But if you really want to, I believe Viking rents out winter wear. Just take a bunch of layers along. When we were on the bus to go out the evening of a northern lights search, it would have been WAY too warm to wear a heavy coat. Here's a good thread on all that:

Wow! Didn't expect there'd be that many.

Interesting. How many cruise lines go in and out of Boston?

Agreed on lots to do in Boston, but I can do that as part of the CA / NE cruise out of Bayonne or Baltimore, without having to start or end a cruise in Boston. At the least, X should alternate years or at least every few years return the itineraries to being roundtrip Bayonne - just to be fair. It comes down to whatever makes the most $ for them.

So there'd be nothing stopping them from doing one-way Bayonne to Quebec, right? I believe that RCL has offered that at times, allowing for a B2B for those who like RT out of Bayonne.

Yeah those are nice enough - 9 days. We've done that, only not on the Liberty. Yep...same for us in PA Definitely. Those 2-week trips were great.

Ah yes...forgot about that ruling! Good catch. I would have thought Quebec would qualify but then came across this from a previous CC thread.. "A distant foreign port is defined as any port not in Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Islands of the Caribbean (ABC Islands excluded), the Bahamas and Bermuda." Jones act, etc. Oh well...it was a nice thought. So that's why this itinerary is ok...starts in CA and ends in US.

Amen!!!! Hope someone at X reads this thread. No reason they can't do both - continue to offer (roundtrip) itineraries out of both ports OR possibly even one-way between Boston and Bayonne - that would provide a convenient opportunity of doing B2B for people who are closer to either.

Conversely, my exact feelings regarding traveling to Boston! No interest. It's sort of a less critical issue for you anyway being in BC. Curious...where did you go on this one: "Caribbean Princess - Atlantic Canada/New England b2b - Sep 2023" ?

Yep..especially nice for me since there is no flying involved. 2.5 hour drive (at the most) to Bayonne.

Some of our favorite cruises are the CA/ NE and especially some of the 2-week itineraries that used to be offered. That all ended the other year. Nothing anymore out of Bayonne. Have to wonder if Boston is a better market? I have no interest in either driving or flying to Boston to do the cruise.

Interesting. Any idea when it went into drydock and came back out?

For anyone that was on the northbound 9/30/23 sailing, and also did the post-extension in St. Paul, I took some screen shots this evening relative to the annular eclipse that took place on 10/14 as we were traveling into St. Paul following disembarkation. I just thought it a cool thing to add to an overall picture collection from the trip. So after cropping the shots, I then had to adjust the date so that they show up at the correct place chronologically in an album. In St. Paul we reached around 47%.

Just as good! Must be a 'thing' to do in arctic or antarctic climates.

Based on what supporting information? Not saying you're wrong, just interested being that I was on the Sept. 30 sailing northbound that had lots of trouble with water level issues. I read that the river is kept dredged to a level of 9 feet, if possible. I also find info stating that 90% of the tow boat fleet on the river requires drafts of at least 9 feet, which is what the Viking ship reportedly draws. This is a subject worthy of further investigation given the likelihood of more droughts in the future. I've posted a link to this thread in another one where the issue of low water levels was discussed.

That is all great info. Thanks so much! Maybe, if we get there - at least by cruise ship - I'll book a tour with Viator that at least includes a stop at the parc. It'd be interesting to see some of the city, since, at 11 years old the last time I was there, if we even saw much or any of it I have zero recollection! I suspect we spent most of our time in the Expo areas. I don't remember a thing about a hotel, etc.

Thanks. I had come across this same information elsewhere. I don't think I'd attempt to walk it. Saw a really good walking tour on youtube of St. Helene. It would be interesting to visit the Biosphere.

Judging from our cruise back in October, I'd say they have things running pretty smoothly. Problem is with the river (low water level / barge traffic), not Viking. Only thing was not enough turnover time between disembarking / embarkation. Trying to get to lunch that first day was a nightmare. You could wind up standing in line for over an hour. Part of the dining room wasn't open either. Ship is beautiful though.

Venturing to say probably bad. I did the cruise. Loved it (other than not getting to many of the ports) but, quite expensive.

lol....with a bunch of sauce and melted cheese on top.

Wow...so it hasn't improved! They're not investing much money on that entree. It really reminded me of a frozen patty. We make those at home in the microwave for a quick supper 😁

As far as I'm concerned, they can take it off. I love the food we've had there - except for the one time with chicken parm. It was more like a big chicken pattie (like you'd buy in the frozen grocery section) with sauce and cheese on top. Not at all what I expected. I never got it again since. Glad to hear it has apparently improved.

I had a different experience with this, thinking that the dance / singing corps was quite good and performed enthusiastically. Thanks for mentioning the strings. Often it's a cello and violin duo. I will add this, however, which goes along with my comment about having gone a bit more mainstream: The one resident pianist, who plays astoundingly well in her classical repertoire, seemed to have shifted more to arrangements of pop/show music from various time periods. Somehow it just didn't seem an ideal 'fit'' for her style and surely underutilized her talents. I deem it highly possible that some guests, over recent years - being used to pop music on other ships - may have commented that Viking tends too much to a primarily classical format in the live music, and so a change was made. That's pure conjecture on my part however. Somehow never expected a rousing chorus in the theater of "Sweet Caroline" on Viking, but, nothing stays the same.

To my recollection, there is some form of entertainment in the theater most nights. Viking has gotten to be just a tad more mainstream in that regard being that there is a group of quite talented singers / dancers who put on more of a production-style show similar to what RCL or X does but on a smaller scale. In comparison, our first Viking cruise featured more solo / duet entertainment. The resident pianist plays in the atrium area every evening and other times during the day. Other venues, like the lounges, also will have evening entertainment. Can't speak to it being every night since we don't really attend much of that. Then, there's usually a resident guitarist who also shows up at various times and venues. I'm sure you'll enjoy your first ocean experience. Similar to what you refer to about river cruising, you'll find Viking ocean to indeed be a more laid-back, relaxing and quiet environment than a larger ship where there's alot going on most all the time. We love it for that. Lots of nice places to just sit and read as well.

Even more interesting. I usually access CC on my macbook. Rarely with my iPhone. Sure...I'd love to take a peek at your signature. I'm as nosey as the next person about other peoples' travel adventures! I went sorta crazy with mine, listing all the car trips. We really haven't done all that many cruises - only got into it starting in 2011.