Little Monty

On 1/26/2019 at 1:33 PM, Kiwi Kruzer said:

The luxurious Viking Orion is at Tauranga today. 

Does anyone  know if many locals are on board as passengers or would she mainly be European passengers ?

Found this bit of trivia about her on Wiki ...

Viking Cruise Line debuted their newest ocean ship, Viking Orion, in Livorno, Italy in June 2018. It holds 930 passengers, and the ship's godmother is former NASA astronaut Anna Fisher. The ship's name is partially inspired by the Orion space exploration vehicle and the ship has its own onboard planetarium

I'm a bit late coming to the party .. I just found this Forum / this Post (I usually lurk in the Viking Ocean Forum).

We were on-board Orion for the return journey Auckland - Sydney which departed Auckland on 30 December.

Of the 900 or so passengers for our cruise there were 35 Australians, a similar number of Kiwis, about 150 from UK / Europe and the remainder (the great majority) from the US.

That was our second cruise with Viking. We did Bergen - Stockholm via St Petersburg in July 2017 - which was fantastic - and we are going Bergen - Reykjavic in May this year and Venice - Athens in June.

We are new to cruising but love what we have experienced with Viking so far and would not consider any other cruise line.

Cheers, LM

14 minutes ago, Hockeyump said:

You can now book straight from your wish list.� If I recall correctly there is a button to press that takes you straight from your wish list entry to the booking screen.� Worked well.

Thank you 👍 

2 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

Monty - similar to the Tasman, the North Atlantic can be somewhat unpredictable, but in May/June it should be reasonable.

 

All of my Atlantic transits, bar 1 were Westbound, so we went South to avoid the Gulf Stream. Only Eastbound, when we followed the Gulf Stream, was December and it was rather snotty.

 

In 2015, our WC sailed from Glasgow to Iceland and we experienced about 25 kt winds most of the way. I have no issues with weather, but DW applied her patch and was very comfortable. Only a gentle rocking, so nothing like you experienced last month.

 

Hoping you experience smooth seas and following winds. Enjoy.

Thank you - most appreciated

3 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

Monty - looking forward to your reports from Iceland, as this is an area on our wish list.

Thanks Heidi13 .. yep, I look forward to reporting.

While I have you .. may I ask, any idea from your experience what we might expect on the crossing/s Norway - Faroe Islands and Faroe Islands - Iceland in May / June (compared say to that nasty Tasman Sea last month 😪).

I know there is a discussion around this topic in the 'Tips for New Viking Ocean Cruisers' thread .. but this is not so much a tip as an FYI.

We are 134 days out from our Empires of the Med cruise in May. The shore excursions (Included and Optional) dropped into My Viking Journey today. When I tried to log into MVJ this morning I got a 'your account is being updated - try again later' message.

The actual reason I went into MVJ this morning was to check if our Iceland excursions are able to be viewed. We are 112 days out from the Iceland cruise, but still nothing in 'excursions'.

In any case, I went back 30 minutes later and the Empires excursions were available to view.

I assume … Empires of the Med has been running for a couple of years (multiple times each year) and no doubt they have the excursions down pat, so why not release the details.

Conversely … I assume … the Iceland cruise is the first for this specific itinerary (4 ports in Iceland) so they are likely still finalising the excursions. No dramas, we can't book Iceland excursions till early March and Empires excursions in late March.

I assume every pax on the Empires of the Med cruise will be able to view the excursions today - but they can't book anything till it is their turn (in terms of stateroom category).

And also … I have always assumed excursions become viewable between 100 and 120 days prior to cruise departure - but as I learned today - even this can vary.

And finally .. except for Venice all ports of call on the Empires cruise are new to us. We have selected a mix of optional and included tours and are quite happy with what has been offered (assuming the tour turns out to be exactly or close to what is described in MVJ). 

CC members please remind me .. is there any point using the Wish List option ?

I seem to recall they now allow you to use that Wish List to book when the time comes (as opposed to our first experience in 2017 when that Wish List was next to useless as it didn't allow you to book anything directly from the list - I don't think we used the Wish List in 2018 which is why I am a little confused).

Thank you

Thank you Segmentersfloatttheboat from me as well.

We are doing BA - Santiago next year and your reports are really helpful / interesting / enjoyable to read. 

I think I can answer my own question 

https://viking.panomax.com/orion

The webcam on Orion shows them in Lyttleton (click on 'Overview Map' for confirmation)

23 hours ago, Port Power said:

Cruise ships have never docked at Christchurch, it is an inland city.   Since Lyttleton was destroyed by the earthquakes, ships have been going into Akaroa.  It is a 90 minute bus drive each way to Christchurch from Akaroa.  In December (last month) we were updated on the rebuilding of Lyttleton, but I wasn't aware any passenger vessels are able to use it yet.  Very strong winds might have kept your ship out of Akaroa because it might not have been safe to lower the tenders.  We missed Bay of Islands because winds were too strong to safely lower the tenders.  

 

 

Hello Port Power ... I missed your post and am just catching up.

Our itinerary said Christchurch / Lyttleton and the Captain spoke about Lyttleton so I assume that was where we were heading and where the high wind problem was. There was no suggestion we were ever heading to Akaroa. I seem to recall someone saying larger ships have no option but to use Akaroa.

I think Jim A above confirmed the World Cruise berthed in Lyttleton last year but I would be interested if anyone on-board Orion now could confirm where they are right now (Orion is in 'Christchurch' today).

This is from cruisemapper website for the location of Viking Orion ...

Christchurch (Lyttelton, New Zealand)

I am aware a number of CC Forum members are looking forward to cruising Australia - Bali - Bangkok and beyond on the Orion over coming weeks.

Some time ago there was a discussion in this forum about the likely weather in northern Australia in January compared to the likely weather in March - and obviously every year is different and the weather is unpredictable and ever changing - but I thought those who are travelling this year (or thinking about next year or the year after) may be interested in the current weather pattern.

Northern Australia (especially Far North Queensland / Cairns / Great Barrier Reef areas) is currently under the influence of an intense monsoon system. Many areas have received more than 30 inches of rain over the past week and flooding is widespread. More rain (much more !) is predicted.  

The news report below may be of interest - hopefully the link works !

My hope for those of you who are on the Orion this year is the monsoon pattern will be long gone by the time you arrive and conditions will be perfect, but it is worth noting areas of north Queensland, Thursday Island across to Darwin and up towards Indonesia are hot and wet during our summer months.

You very likely already know all of this, but you do need to be prepared for very wet weather this time of the year (and likely into February, possibly into March ..but again I am no weather expert and every year is different). But back to my original point, as a general rule the weather in March will be better than January / February - but not every year 😁

Please also be aware .. following these monsoon events mosquitoes and malaria will be an increased risk, so please take precautions.

Please don't be alarmed and I hope I am not putting anybody off coming to visit us, but please do be aware of the possible weather patterns you may face and please be aware of some of the side effects (eg the mozzies).

As an aside, I just watched our evening news and saw the absolutely freezing conditions across much of USA and Canada and I wish those of you who are affected all the best in dealing with the cold - and in my eyes wet and warm is always better than wet and cold so please do come for a visit.

Please let me know if you need to clarify anything.

Regards, LM

https://www.cairnspost.com.au/news/cairns/cairns-weather-rainfall-totals-of-more-than-750mm-recorded-in-fnq-in-a-week/news-story/5e68832037057cafea03065684e77699

10 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

Glad to see you knew I was just having a bit of fun.  Have always got on well with Aussies no matter where met.  Yes, we have seen people taking enough stuff off ships that they could set up a shop.  We love local food.  Even survived Cambodian street food.  Can't see why anyone wants to take leftovers off a ship.......Says the guy that ate at McDonalds in Wellington, NZ.  And Saigon..... And Porto, Portugal.  There is just no accounting for taste.😎🍸

... and Mexican in Auckland ? I read the 2018 WC forum updates every day last year and I seem to recall one guy who found a Mexican restaurant in Auckland.

Not sure, but it might have been a guy from Arizona ? I might be wrong of course.

I see the PGA golf is in Phoenix this week.

This is Jonnie Miller's last every week as an analyst with NBC. He had great success on 'desert' courses.

I try to watch the PGA golf every week ....  I have learned a lot about the US from Dan Hicks and Jim Nance 

4 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

Right you are LM.  We never tried to take food into OZ.  At every Aussie port we brought goodies back aboard.  One of our enjoyments of foreign travel is food.  Eating in restaurants, street vendor, or junk food is always interesting.  As far as food laws in OZ, well, you really would not want introduction of any strange species or dangerous things into Australia.......  Just sayin'......... 😳

ha ha Jim .. yes we already have enough strange / dangerous things (and strange people of course !!).

Does a packaged breakfast bar present a real threat to our bio security ?

Probably not, but I think there have been so many breaches of more serious foods being brought in it was just easier for local authorities to ban everything.

Going the other way (ie buying something local and taking it on board) is usually less of an issue - but there are some products which shouldn't cross borders (even across Australian state borders - some fruit comes to mind, ie fruit purchased in Melbourne where there is a particular disease evident can't - or at least shouldn't - be taken into Queensland where the disease does not exist). 

Honey as well can be an issue .. although I can't remember the rules on honey (I used to work at an international airport, but those memories are fading).

Again, without being an alarmist - please everybody just be aware, the rules do vary from country to country and even from location to location within the same country.

Do some research, listen to on-board announcements, ask the cruise line before departure if you are not sure. If in doubt, declare what you have and let the authorities decide (ie don't try to hide anything in the hope it will be ok).

Welcome to Australia 😁

33 minutes ago, cruisenfreak said:

We always carry packaged snacks - breakfast bars, nuts, cheese crackers, hard candy, etc. I think these are okay everywhere.

Not in Australia or New Zealand. On arrival into each port the Cruise Director makes repeated announcements - no food off the ship, no food of any kind. Bottled water is the only thing you can take with you.

If caught with food you will be fined and in the case of serious or repeated breaches you may be detained (eg taken into custody to appear in Court). Serious breaches of bio security laws may lead to jail time.

Just sayin ... every country is different.

Those who have medical or other issues which require specific food types during the day need to take this up with the cruise line before commencement of the cruise. There are of course shops in every port of call in Australia / NZ to buy nuts candy, cheese etc.

Local authorities take these matters very seriously and I encourage everyone to do the same.

17 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

So Monty, can we expect to see you boarding the Viking Sun on Jan 4th 2020, after visiting Hawaii.

That would be nice .. but LA - Sydney is 38 days and might be a stretch on the budget.

We have 2 VO booked for this year and South America in late 2020 ... so sadly maybe we will have to wait till 2021 to add to the list.

I look forward to reading about your WC adventures when the time arrives (are you on WC later this year, or are you on the Jan 2020 departure ?).

Thanks again Ready to Sail !

This is from the NCL website :

Only Norwegian Cruise Line allows you to see four islands with two overnight stays in seven days. Our award-winning itinerary gives you the most time in port - nearly 100 hours - so you can capture the spirit and soul of Hawaii as you visit Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island.

Sounds very attractive.

16 minutes ago, Ready to Sail! said:

 You know what they say about variety...........

Very true. Thanks again.

Thank you VJMAZZ

NCL are doing a lot of advertising in Australia at present and I have seen that cruise in their offerings. As you say, not Viking but another option worth considering.

Thank you Ready to Sail! .. and thank you Peregrina651 - that does sound like a good (more affordable !!) plan.

Thanks again for all comments and suggestions.

Thank you twodjs 

Thank you for all the replies ... and yes I understand a cruise would barely scratch the surface - I was being a bit lazy asking for Viking to arrange everything for me.

We do have direct flights from East Coast Australia, so no excuses.  

I do have some understanding of the great variety of scenery and other attractions - I never miss the PGA golf telecasts from Kapalua and Waialee in January each year as the host broadcasters always show great vision from around the islands.

So here is a plan ... fly Sydney - Hawaii and stay a week or so. Then fly Hawaii - LA and cruise back to Sydney as part of the WC (as suggested by Jim).

Now that would really test the budget, but never say never  

It is a beautiful blue sky day in mid summer where we live and DW and I have just had a lovely lunch on the waterfront. After lunch I looked out over the water and asked the obvious question .. why would you want to be anywhere else today ? 

Her reply .. we have never been to Hawaii, I'd like to be in Hawaii.

So that got me thinking about a cruise - but as far as I can see Viking does not visit Hawaii (not even the world cruise/s - not that we would be considering a world cruise at this stage).

So if you are reading this TellUs@VikingCruises ... my wife wants to go to Hawaii and I was hoping you might be able to help me out with this sometime in the future.

Hopefully there are other CC members who might join us.

LM 

hello zitsky  ... I can't speak for others but as we have been to NZ many times we weren't too upset about missing Christchurch. I was however disappointed for all of those who had not. We have skied a number of areas in the south island, including Mt Hutt not far from Christchurch.

Christchurch did of course suffer greatly in the 2011 earthquake and it has never fully recovered - although the city does have lovely botanical gardens etc and the area around Lyttleton Harbour is quite nice.

Other areas nearby Christchurch are quite lovely. One fond memory I have was standing on a beach just north of Christchurch (in spring) years ago watching the dolphins playing just 50 yards or so offshore - and then turning around to see snow-capped mountains against a clear blue sky in the distance. It was magical - and that is the sort of experience I think first time visitors would have enjoyed.

2 hours ago, imcpa said:

Safe travels in the future.

Same to you LM.  I will always wonder if we met on the cruise.

Same here - and I wonder about several of the other forum contributors who I knew were onboard. Perhaps we all need a CC Forum name-tag.

If you happen to be going to Iceland in May or Empires of the Med in June (or South America in Nov 2020) let me know and I will reveal myself.

Kind regards again, LM

We are 120 days out from Bergen - Reykjavic in May and no tours posted for us as yet. From previous discussions in this forum it seems tours are posted between 100 and 120 days prior to departure. 

Well said imcpa ... I forgot to mention Jane Cho in my summary - yes she was very good.

Safe travels in the future.

Regards, Monty

In addition to the previous option .. If you can’t get a reservation go to Manfredis front desk at 6pm and let them know you would like to eat there that night. 

If you ask for a table for 2 at a specific time, probably no chance. But if you are flexible with time and prepared to share you will get in more often than not.

10 hours ago, Mrs Miggins said:

Hi Little Monty,

I am sure the weather in the Med in June will be wonderful !  Especially since we will be there too, but on our other favourite, Azamara.  We are 10 days from the 28th May - Rome to Venice, down the wonderful Amalfi coast to Sicily then up to Montenegro and Croatia.

We have cruised the Med with several different cruise lines many times over the past 20 years, and of course we have had land trips as well since we are only a short flight away in the UK.

I am sure we will both have a wonderful cruise.

Kind regards

 

Sounds wonderful .. and yes, your proximity to the Med from UK is a real bonus. We are using frequent flyer points to travel to Scandinavia and home from Athens this year and because of (lack of) seat availability and disjointed flight connections it takes us 2 days each way. First world problem I know !  We board in Bergen on 27 May and after Reykjavic have a week in Rome and Venice before Empires of the Med in mid June. If you have any insider tips for Rome, Venice, or any of the Empires ports please feel free to share. Cheers, LM