SantaFe1

I’m really flummoxed by this. Why aren’t the captains allowing the roof to be open? Last year in the Med., we had Captain Fredrick also on the Sky like this WC. It was so hot, and he only allowed a few feet of open roof. On our WC captains Lars and Olaf always had the roof open when reasonable. On our Alaska cruise last summer, it really wasn’t an issue.

We also overnighted in Papeete. We got in around 5 pm after thirteen days crossing the Pacific from Santiago, because we had to miss Easter Island. Everyone, everyone, from the captain to the passengers, to the crew got off and walked over to that little bar, just to get our feet on the ground. Lots of music, good food, drinks and just general merry-making! People bought flowers and I bought pearls. The next day, we took a wonderful optional excursions to gardens with a sacred site (can’t remember the name, someone can help out with this, I’m sure). No matter what you do, you’ll have fun.

I’d call that a bad meal. I remember the mushroom soup in Manfredis that was so thick and creamy that I had to add a little white wine to thin it down. On our WC the chef, Thomas, was German. We had lots of German meals. Not quite my cup of tea. But I will say, that went we did the inaugural welcome back to Iceland in 2021, our chef was just in awe that we had chef Thomas. He insisted on carrying every plate to our table himself, it was quite embarrassing. I really liked him and his food, but can’t remember his name.

Oh boy, I hate eggplant, even when it’s called aubergine.

I am so sorry to hear this, especially because we are on Neptune after you, I have said this several times before on different threads, but when you mention that something is amiss to the waiter, they send out the chef (I always want to climb under the table.). And every single time, the chef has said, “ I know how to make X, but Viking wants me to make it this way. Come again and I will make X properly for just you.” Viking, are you listening??

Well, if butlers are what you like, then O is for you! Viking specifically advertises that they DO NOT have butlers or white gloves. We, personally, would rather die than have a butler hovering around. But to each their own.

No, we only had two days. We went to the cape of Good hope and to Kirstenbosch gardens, which we loved. We walked through the company gardens, and have a fun picture driving through Bo Cape. I would go back in a heartbeat. If I had this option on the two WCs going now, I would take it and not fly home from Mumbai.

Cape Town was wonderful and I’m so glad we got to do it. But again it is a lesson in Colonialism. I remember saying to a guide that I thought it looked liked a wonderful place to live. But he responded that it was a better place to visit than live. They had severe water rationing at the time. But sailing in under Table mountain was even better than sailing into Rio. .

We were on this cruise, too, I I would have to agree.

Yikes!

Absolutely agree. Viking has some weird recipes. I once asked the chef about the Peking duck at Chef’s Table that wasn’t. He said he knew how to make Peking duck and to come back. He then made it perfectly for us !

Our fav too

Yes , but we are going the other way it seems. From the ship to LAX. And the transfer doesn’t have to deal with LAXIT, I don’t think.

I’m so glad you mentioned this. I booked my transfer this afternoon—day 31 before departure! All set.

One of my favorites, too. Also loved the Osso Buco that Manfredis used to do. I hope they bring it back!

Whew! Back to planned decadent birthday breakfast!

I would have to disagree. On our two cruises in 2023, for example, neither B2B, we ate breakfast in the restaurant.

Did you obtain the transfer because you had Viking air, or did you purchase it on the ship? I ask because we did our own air, but I am hoping to purchase an airport transfer with Viking while onboard. Our flight leaves at 2:20, so glad to hear you can stay on the ship until 10. I am surprised the restaurant was closed. Our disembarkation day next month falls on my birthday, and I was hoping for a decadent breakfast in the restaurant.

Yes, and the atrocities. I won’t ruin it for you, but there are some really terrible scenes. Now I sometimes skip over them. I wish he would write more. But it has been some time and he hasn’t.

I think Garden of Evening Mists is even harder to read. But just lovely. I try to read these books in tandem every five years or so.

His next book, Gardens of the Evenings Mists, is also wonderful. He is just such a lyrical writer. Although there are some terrible atrocities in these books.

Yep, on our 2019 WC these are the things we did going around both capes (on purpose). Cape Town was wonderful. Loved Madagascar. Namibia and Dakar not so much. N. Africa is a big draw. Loved the Canary Islands. I’d say there is plenty to keep you busy. And some have been clamoring for a re-do of our 2019 cruise for some time. The World is your oyster and lemons to Lemonade!.

We were there March 2023. Yes, it is the Colon statute.

There are many, many still wines by the glass. Most $8. They will always have one sparkling wine by the glass. Some I have had were French Champagne, some Prosecco, some Spanish Cava. Very different. But they will bend over backwards, in our experience, to make you happy!

We are on that cruise, too. The wines aren’t great, even with SSBP, but they do try hard, and will fetch a bottle not on the list and reserve it for you if they don’t have enough stock to list it. It pays to get to know the beverage manager.