Maggie Mae

I agree, in the past, we have purchased vouchers and applied to a future cruise that we had a deposit on.  Now, my travel agent said you can’t. I am having her call and pursue this as we are traveling in Nov. and my plan was to buy vouchers for an upcoming deposited cruise. 
I understand Vikings thinking, but they shouldn’t be going back on policy without warning buyers about the fine print. I know we should read it, but we don’t always when you we are used to something.

According to my travel agent Viking has also taken away what I’ll call the small group discount.  We have taken several cruises with 13 plus friends and received the one fare back, we have also taken some with only 6-8 and our agent was able to get us a small discount.  I don’t think they really advertise this but they have done it quite a few times for us.  Viking no longer gives the group discount unless you book together as a group.  That is fine for large families or clubs, but I sometimes find something I like, book it and then send out a notice to friends to see if they want to join in, they do the same for me; sometimes we get 6, sometimes over 30.  I’m not checking with all my friends and family to see if they want to go on a trip I like, then form the travel group - it’s hard enough as it is to get the date and cabin you want on these small vessels.  
Sorry for venting, I don’t see Viking changing policy, but I won’t be buying anymore vouchers.

Betty

Just now, Maggie Mae said:

I don’t know what happened to earlier message, but I checked out the gondola lessons and think that would be a great thing to do.  Thank you for the info.

On 2/26/2021 at 5:06 PM, Clay Clayton said:

If you have time in Venice, I highly recommend learning to gondolier.  It was half the price for just a gondola ride, lasted twice as long and was way more memorable. That’s Mike steering below. 

Gondola shipyard sounds interesting!  I guess I’ll just have to wait to get my documents to see which port we use, we have just under a year to figure it out.  I have done the Venice bridges with luggage, I think those days are gone.  It is a wonderful city to get lost in, but best without the luggage.

1 hour ago, MarkTapley said:

Main cruise terminal was used in 2018 when we embarked on Orion.  There’s a nice shuttle train within walking distance of the ship that will take you to Piazzale Roma where you can pick up the various water transports.

Thank you.

I’m wondering if anyone has taken a Viking cruise out of Venice and knows which port they use? Thank you.

40 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

 

Well. . . it is on to Baltimore.  The Captain just announced that we would not be stopping in St Kitts.  So we are headed back.  He did not have any details about our return.  He said we would get those as soon as he had them. 

 

I did not hear the first part of the announcement. My one negative comment is that when the Captain makes an important announcement like this that he should come on the intercom INTO the cabins.  You can only hear what he is saying in the hallway.  Since it was 7:30 in the morning I was still in my nightgown and needed my robe to do that.  So I missed most of the announcement.  

 

 

I always say I love sea days.  I will have had 10 of them by the time we return.  😊 

 

Sorry your trip is cut short but hope you have a safe journey home.

1 minute ago, dixieva said:

Royal has just suspended sailings for 30 days.  Article on social media.

 

Didn't say if we get refunds or future cruise credit.

I thought if they cancelled they had to refund?  I know I would use FCC, but would be nice to get the cash back.

Enjoy your day!

35 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

Yes!!! Here we are in beautiful Dominica.  They only place that is willing to take a chance on us. 😀

 

We do not have an excursion booked here.  3/4 of the excursion listed from the ship were "adventure" excursion.  [i.e hiking, 4x4, etc]  We are not really up for that.  They all urge you to take along insect repellant.  I brought that with me thank goodness. Here are a couple of pictures from the port area which is right in town.  Roseau is said to be the smallest capital in the Caribbean.

 

 

There is an open air market right by the pier.  We will need to spend some money here to make it worth their while to welcome us.  

 

 

It is great to be going ashore.

 

 

We are going ashore so we will talk to you later.

45 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

The only people that got off the ship were a lady in a critical medical emergency and an elderly gentleman.  I assume he was her husband.  The rest of us stayed onboard.  We were there maybe 45 minutes at the pier.  It was long enough for all of us to turn our phones on and call our family since we were in the US.

I misunderstood, I thought you might be able to just go on the pier.  Well, good luck with future ports.

At least you could get on dry land for a bit.  Good luck getting to Dominica.

10 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

Yes, such a shame.  We were so close. . . and yet so far. 😕

10 minutes ago, DragonOfTheSeas said:

Yes, such a shame.  We were so close. . . and yet so far. 😕

I so hope you get to go to Dominica.  I envy your positivity, I would be going crazy if I couldn’t get off a ship after 3 days, never mind 5 or 6!  Good luck!

Sorry, I just heard from a friend on board.  Now you are missing St Thomas too!  She said the seas were somewhat calmer and she is enjoying the sun.  Hope you are able to do the same.🌞

 

We just returned Saturday night from this cruise, this was my 5th river cruise and the 4th with Viking. This was the best one yet. I am posting a link to my pictures, there are menus included in them. i always try to take a picture of them so i can remember what I ate.

Thank you! We leave in 6 weeks for this trip. Between your photos and info from beanpittsburgh we are getting very excited for this trip.

I sent them. Let me know if you don't get them. (Your email has a lot of spaces in it -- should they be there?)

I have been away, but you know I received the dailies and appreciate all the other info you passed along. Counting the days.

I can scan them and post them to email. The times of course will be different for you in the fall because of the tides.

I understand, just gives us an idea of what will be happening.

Thank you,

Betty radicchi @ sbcglobal .net

All of them if you don't mind. If you can scan, that would be ideal. I haven't checked, but is there a PM facility on CC? I'll check while I wait to hear from you.

I will be on the 10/31 sailing and would also love to read the itinerary sheets if possible. I don't know the easiest way to do this, but can provide my email if that is easiest.

Thank you,

Bette

I just finished reading all these posts! I don't know if you still check in on this thread, but I want to thank you all for the information. I am looking forward to this trip & your tips will be very helpful. It will be my 7th RC, 4th with Viking and I have had good experiences on all of them. I must admit, I was a bit jealous of the person with the wonderful upgrade - On the previous cruises I have introduced a total of over 30 people to Viking & I love those credits, but an upgrade would be lovely! At least when we brought 10 people on AMA we were invited to sit with the captain one evening, plus received the credits. Love those perks.!

We will have a great time even our little Cat E cabin!

Thanks again

We just booked 10/31 cruise, looking forward to going back and reading posts.

Mimmy,

We are leaving for the Rhine Getaway on Monday. We have an extension in Lucerne & I was wondering about the Mt Titlis & boat ride you took. Was that all one tour? Did you do it on your own, or was it a Viking optional?

Any help you can give - your review has already been very helpful.

Thank you,

Bette

I never ate in the lounge, but I think all you had to do was go to the bar and request wine, so maybe more of a do-it-yourself thing. One day after lunch I went up to the lounge to buy a Coke to take onto the top deck. I wasn't charged because it was still considered lunch time. And the bartender insisted on carrying it up to the top deck for me. Probably for safety reasons, but still made me feel special.

Thank you,

Crew sounds very attentative.

Thank you so much for your wonderful review & photos. I leave in three weeks and you are definitely adding to my excitement!

One question, if you have lunch or dinner in the lounge do they serve wine, or is that just in the dining room?

Can't wait to read the next installment.

Jerry,

Thank you for your comprehensive review and fabulous photos. I leave in three weeks for the Rhine and your information helped us make some choices about the itinerary.

One question, if you choose to eat at the Aquavit are you still served wine & beer, or is that only in the dining room?

Thank you again, you made us even more eager for this trip.

Bette