SantaFe1

We have done the same, many times. I’ve even shipped hairspray, regular mouthwash, and a wooden bowl from Africa. But, as Jim says, there is always a first time.

You are lucky to be able to see these six months in advance. Pre-covid they were only available 3-4 months in advance. Nothing is up yet for our Mediterranean Antiquities cruise in mid-February.

We embark in Athens in mid-Feb. this is from MVJ, (last updated August 12). We will be on Viking’s pre-excursion, so they will do the test for us, it appears. Greece requires: PCR test taken within 72 hours before embarkation, or - Antigen test taken within 48 hours before embarkation. - Note: If you are on a pre-extension, you will be provided with the necessary tests to meet Greece’s testing requirement before you boardthe ship

I have been holding back on this. But what I would really like is a better description of the easy, moderate, demanding designation of the shore ex. I have worried about some of the difficult shore ex only to find them easy. I almost didn’t book them. The descriptions are too generic. I mean I did the many, many steps to the Christ the Redeemer statute in Rio. It was hard, but do-able. So, i think sometimes they mark these things too hard!

Yes! These were our favorite on our 2019 WC and also on the first segment, FLL to LA of the 2021-22 WC. We only went to performances in the Star Theater that were destination focused. I think the regular star theater performances need to be revamped. OK, one ABBA and one Beatles under the stars, but we just found the star theater performances on regular cruises boring.

I have three cruises booked and just got an email promo for free flights on Ocean cruises. AFA22

Yes! This happened to us last year before our Panama cruise. Stupidest thing I ever heard of. I now have my TA get the OBC applied the day before our shore ex open for booking at day 67. It took s weeks for “ it all to come out in the wash”.

On my invoice, I have two booking numbers, one for United and one for Lufthansa. Maybe you have that too. I am starting to think there are as many Viking Air stories as there are Viking Air customers!

In the Air section of MVJ, up at the top in a red box, it tells me the date my itinerary will appear. Like you, I already have an email showing my flights and seats. But also, I am able to use the conformation number / booking number provided on the email and go into the airline website and change my seats, both on United and on Lufthansa.

This was our experience also. And I now ask that it be posted to our Viking account in time to use it to book shore ex.

We have Med. Antiquities cruise on Feb. 17 with a pre-cruise extension in Athens, so flights needed on Feb. 14. When my TA first called, they said no booking until October. So, I called and said I wasn’t going to pay the final payment if I didn’t have flights. So the Viking Air + person told me what I had been assigned (they do placeholder flights right away) and I said those flights weren’t acceptable. I asked for some others and they were not available to Viking. I had My TA call again the next week, and she got the exact flights I had asked for. And that was about three weeks ago. So yes, I think you can get flights now for a January cruise. I think you just have to be persistent! Good luck.

Yes, they had about four designs, but many, many sizes. We bought red and navy blue ones with our phony money from trivia (that was on a WC. Don’t know if they do that with only a few trivia days).

She has two dogs now. Finse and Charlie. Lots of licks!!

I do hope they got some things fixed up. We love Viking ships and we’re so disappointed in our stateroom last time.

We were on the Star in Dec.-Jan. In my opinion it was definitely showing it’s age. In our PV1 stateroom, the sofa had ripped arms and the carpet was really worn. When we got home I called Viking to complain and sent pictures. They apologized and gave us $1000 voucher for a future cruise.

Actually, I checked this morning and that sentence is now gone from the pre cruise requirements. (New document dated Aug. 2). As we have a five day pre cruise extension, I really don’t know what we will do. But a lot can happen between now and next summer!

We have used Viking Air Plus on about half our cruises. We have had everything from beyond belief excellent to not really very good. The extremes were when VA+ flew us out a day early because we were between two blizzards. They called us, said get ready to leave in 18 hours. We were on the WC so that was a challenge. But great service. Then last summer when we were on the inaugural Iceland cruise, they could not find us a single flight! We booked our own. But we have been booked on Delta flights when we asked. Most recently, for our Mediterranean Antiquities cruise, I called with the flights I wanted at 207 days out. They didn’t have those flights, but told me to keep checking. The next week I had my TA call at 200 days out, and she got those same flights and the seats we wanted. So I think things do sometimes open up that were closed before. And using VA+ saved us almost $2000 pp for those business class flights!

It is all so strange, and without rhyme or reason. We have three cruises booked. One has a final payment of 11 months out, one of 6 months, and one of 4 1/2 months. We have many Viking cruises under out belts, and always another booked when we book the next one. My advice, just ask for what you want. You will probably get it up to six months.

We are doing Mediterranean Antiquities, ending in Barcelona in March. But we overnight in Barcelona, so those on our cruise can book any flights they want. We are staying on in Barcelona on our own for a few days, so it’s a moot point for us. I do know from many past cruises with Viking, that they will always take you to the airport 3-4 hours before your flight. Sorry I can’t be of more help. Good luck with your flights!

If there are restrictions on times to schedule flights, Viking will list them on your invoice, after the itinerary. Here, for example, is what they say about our Alaska trip: Message for Embarkation/Disembarkation Due to the cruise schedule for this itinerary there are limitations on flight times. If you are arranging your own flights, please be aware of the restrictions below and ensure the criteria is met. Departure: Departure flights out of Vancouver, Canada (YVR) must depart no earlier than 11:00 AM on the day of June 9, 2023.

And on that same day on a different ship, we had this guy: a chocolate deer.

Here is our cruise

We were to have had two days in the Falklands. We had one. The night after that first day, the winds were so bad the tenders could not go. The captain actually sent runners into all the pubs in port Stanley and rounded us all up, and we left about 9 pm. That gave us an extra day in Ushuaia. That was great. Going around the horn, the Captain woke us all up to tell us it was happening. But it was completely fogged in. And completely calm! No other bad weather in those parts. Three really bad days on that WC: , after BoraBora, in the Bight of Australia, and in the Indian Ocean. But three out of 148 days, I’d do it again in a minute!!!

We did the 2019 WC which went around both Capes. It was wonderful, and my husband, a lifelong sailor, not professional, was in heaven. We had a smooth sailing around Cape Horn, and spent a day in the Falklands. It was just a wonderful experience!

Oh, what a shame. But best wishes for all good health and happiness in the future. And another WC!