OnTheJourney

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.

Just checked...it's toggled to see them. So, for whatever reason yours doesn't show up on my browser. As you can see from the screen shot, I see the + quote but no signature. No usual "expand signature" to click on. Weird. This has me curious...so, on your end, do you see a signature on everybody's post? Like I said, for me, some have them and some don't.

Good to know, although I'm not able to find an email. I don't see a signature (?) No problem, though, at least for the present. With DW still in recovery mode, won't be doing any significant travel anytime soon, and will likely start out quite simply and not too far away when we do. Interesting that one of your favorite destinations is nearly 3,000 miles from where you live! I really don't recall anything of the city, nor was it likely that we saw much if any of it. Probably got the driving directions to where we needed to be for the Expo and didn't venture much beyond the confines of it. I have no recollection of any sort of hotel either. While it was a unique experience and one I'm admittedly quite proud of, it sort of gets blurred due to how many 'gigs' I was doing back then. The music store where I took lessons used to send their better students all over the place, locally, to provide amateur entertainment for various functions. I suspect the Expo opportunity came about that way as well. Probably had to submit some sort of demo tape. Out of curiosity I looked this up and was amazed to see that it's still being used. Did you see this in your visits there? I remember, as a kid, thinking it was pretty amazing - the 'housing of the future' : https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/revolutionary-montreal-icon-habitat-67 We never tried Oceania. Used to get lots of brochures from them but I suppose they gave up on us after us not booking anything. Most of our cruising has been with RCL or Celebrity. First Viking was the Northern Lights. But that's all on my signature info.

Yeah, it was pretty heady stuff for an 11-year old. Besides my parents, my grandparents went along also. I think we were there for about a week. Since I was part of the entertainment corps, we had access to the VIP lounge, so that was pretty cool. I WISH I had some videos with sound of what I played. I couldn't tell you anymore. Solo guitar and vocals. My grandfather's movie camera (like many back in the day), only did color video but no sound, so I have that, but would love to hear the music. I did like 3-4 shows a day, and the rest of the time we could explore. It was a pretty amazing world's fair. Quite innovative for it's time I believe. What cruise was that when you could see the Parc? Presumably docked in Montreal. I really should make it a point to get back. I had bought several of the old "viewmaster" slides! Talk about retro! 😁 Come to think of it, no idea where any of that stuff is at this point.

Try these.... https://www.ethelm.com/ Neat place to visit also (Henderson, NV). They have a cactus garden that's really nice.

I see it...flood control project. Looks pretty large.

What lake??

Winter here in Berks County, PA

I dislike dynasties in any sport and so typically pull for the underdog. Yep...got tired of Brady too! Glad to see him go. Guess I might not live long enough to see Mahomes exit the game, though I'm tired of him too. I was pulling for the Ravens and Lions to get in the SB. Chiefs and Niners? Same old...boring. Chiefs got there this year thru the mishaps of other teams near the end of a few games. As for Taylor, I have great respect for her accomplishments and her many acts of benevolence. The thing with her is, she grew up in a town (Wyomissing) only 30 minutes from me and so virtually everything she has ever said or done has been in our local newspaper since she was like 6 years old or whatever. Sort of got pretty old after awhile. I'm admittedly not a fan of her music. Superlative entertainer and gifted songwriter for sure. The actual musical content and quality, not so highly rated in my book. Beatles songs might still play 100 years from now. TS? Not so sure on that one. Be neat to be around to find out. And, she had EVERY advantage growing up in a very wealthy family. Dad had connections (and money) that could open doors for her. There are likely thousands of kids out there with the talent, personality, and drive but simply not the means, and so will likely never receive great recognition, let alone big time, nor, obviously, TS's level of superstardom. She is a cultural force to be sure, which I find astounding.

I sort of doubt it....😉

Never heard of it...Celebrity Summit. We like to sail her out of Bayonne. No flying needed.

It is. Seems like the mother will be ok, but what a tragedy. So you live near the Watch Hill property?

OK...confirming my suspicions of who owns it! You're pulling my leg on the "invitations" though 😁 LOL on the "football boy toy". See how long it lasts. I've decided to not watch the KC Chiefs anymore. Tired of them, and now even worse that the focus is on Swift. Speaking of her, though, just came across this: https://www.1news.co.nz/2024/02/18/teen-girl-dies-in-horror-crash-on-drive-to-taylor-swift-concert/