Omax4

On 11/19/2023 at 12:34 PM, CPT Trips said:

 

Did you have this conversation with an actual pharmacist? In a lot of the chain pharmacies, the techs handle most, if not all, of the patient interactions because the pharmacist is too overworked. 

If a pharmacy tech is discussing drug interactions with customers that is beyond their scope and illegal 

I read an article about this on CNN today. They interviewed people who sold their homes  and were stuck in Istanbul waiting for the cruise to start. I feel sorry for them but I don’t understand why you would sell you homes and travel when the company doesn’t have a ship yet and the company has no prior history of making this work yet. Makes no sense.

1 minute ago, Meander Ingwa said:

your friend best be prepared with oral medication to help.  Ginger candy, green apples are two benign treatments.  Meclizine is an oral medication over the counter ( grocery /drug store and Amazon) that can be taken once a day.  I dont get any side effects with it.  Scopolamine patches are pretty heavy duty and have more potential side effects.  She will need to talk to her doctor about it.  It is contraindicated with certain medical conditions

 

There is a popular You Tube person who is a dedicated cruiser, a TA and very prone to motion sickness, even in cars.  She has talked about getting seasick, even  on the large ships.  It really more depends on sensitivity and the sailing conditions.  low center room will help

I agree with this as retired pharmacist. Scopolamine does indeed has many side effects. I would stay with oral meds. If your friend has a hard time they can always go to the medical center and get a shot of an anti-enmetic in the butt worse case scenario 

50 minutes ago, duquephart said:

 

Which, of course, has nothing to do with my comment.

It doesn’t? If they are doing so well financially they probably aren’t likely to feel like they need to change. 

Not sure when you booked but I think this may be a case of the fact that it’s May 2023 and I’m assuming this is for a Jan 2024 World Cruise? I think most of the OBC and promotions are for when they first go on sale. 

On 5/27/2023 at 6:02 AM, duquephart said:

Has Viking gotten what we used to call "too big for their britches?"

I believe this indeed partially true. However, they keep experiencing record sales every quarter so their bottom line doesn’t appear to be suffering. 

On 5/26/2023 at 10:26 AM, Heidi13 said:

 

Our TA voices a similar opinion, Viking L/A Office is by far the worst cruise line they deal with. We are not her only pax that have moved on due to the booking process.

I’m a travel agent and I completely agree

Looks like this already failed miserably.

I don’t understand the people mentioned in this article who sold their house and their possessions when this was a new idea that has never been done before. I also don’t understand why I would want to be on a 19000 gross ton ship with 1000 people.
 

https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/three-year-cruise-crisis

I am not surprised to to hear this. I think Viking delivers an excellent product but think they can be extremely difficult to deal with. Their demand for full payment in full so much further in advance then others really bothers me.
 

I have an Great Lakes expedition cruise coming up with them in June with my mother, but just to get it booked was such a bad experience I’m not sure I’ll sail them again. 

1 minute ago, LindaS272 said:

But that’s not what @Heidi13 said. He says he uses TripAdvisor to find individual tour providers and review them. That’s what we do too. But we don’t book through TripAdvisor.

Misunderstood. I’m sorry. 

9 hours ago, CCWineLover said:

Viator is merely a travel consolidator.  They contract with individual tours.  

So it is hard to "rate" Viator itself.

We usually use Trip Advisor to find individual tour providers, read their reviews, go to the tour operator's websites, learn more about them.  Have had wonderful success that way.

 

Travel Agents who are experienced in a specific area such as Douro Portugal would also be a help.

 

Regarding the Viking cruise itself, you can certainly book through Viking.  You can also use a Travel Agent to do so (or book through Viking and transfer the booking to a Travel Agent within 30 days).  Many Travel Agents do provide you OBC's (Onboard Credits), some up to the limit that Viking allows depending on cruise length.  There are a number of threads that discuss the pros and cons of this.

 

We personally have a favorite Viking agent and often book the cruise with them and then transfer to our favorite Travel Agent.  That way they both get compensated.  The benefit is that the Viking agents have real-time access to all cabins available (unlike the Viking website which just lists a few per category).

Viator and TripAdvisor are the same company. If you book with one you are booking with both. 
 

18 minutes ago, DrKoob said:

Identifying yourself as a TA on Cruise Critic can get you banned. Better be careful. I only mentioned this because my TA says she makes more booking Viking on one cruise than she does on multiple cruises on most other lines. And she finds Viking very easy to deal with. They always answer their phones. No waiting on hold for hours and hours...or so she says.

‘I’m not posting my agency information or recruiting business. That is what gets you banned. Not worried at all.

This is copied from the Forum Guidelines so you don’t worry about me.

Participation of Travel Agents

Travel agents (and their associates, employees or designated representative) are encouraged to participate in the discussions on the Cruise Board and establish themselves as experts on a particular topic by responding to members' inquiries with useful answers. You are welcome to sign your first name and note your professional business as long as you comply with the following:

• You may not use your business name as your Cruise Critic user name.
• You may sign your posts with your first name only.
• You may include your company name in your signature.
• No phone numbers, business location (city or state), web site address, contact info or e-mail address are allowed either in signatures or your Cruise Critic profile.
• Responding to member's inquiries on the boards with an ad for your services is not allowed.
• Only items of a general nature may be discussed on the forums by any travel agent.
• Travel agents are not allowed to solicit for tours on Roll Calls.

Yes they do answer the phones quickly. And they don’t outsource their call center overseas which is a huge plus. But there are other things that make them difficult. And again the only thing that makes your TA make more in one cruise than multiple others is because of the price. Not knocking their prices. They are a premium cruise line. It’s a good product. 

8 hours ago, DrKoob said:

It's not a "markup" because you can't get a lower price from the cruise line. They pay the commission to the TA and then they don't have to deal with a customer who may or may not have a clue as to what questions to ask. 

Completely agree with this. Most of the time a good TA can be very valuable.

7 hours ago, DrKoob said:

Something to keep in mind about booking with other cruise lines: not a single other cruise line pays commission as Viking does. I can't think of one other that pays commission on everything, even at a different rate. Most only pay on the cruise itself. So don't think your TA has made that much on other bookings. TAs love Viking because they pay on everything. Many of the other lines have a bunch of charges called NCF (Non-commissionable fees), and they can really be high numbers. 

Booking a Viking cruise, your TA can make some decent money, but (for instance) a TA can book a Carnival cruise and make $50. It depends on the cruise line's policies.

I am a travel agent and this is complete nonsense. TA’s don’t love Viking any more or less than any other cruise lines. As a matter of fact my agency finds them a little difficult to deal with.

Of course we would rather have clients book Viking then Carnival because yes the commission is much higher because the prices are higher. Most of the money we make is on the cruise. We aren’t making that much on air or anything else from Viking.

I was in Florida a few years ago and spoke to some of the Royal Caribbean employees who worked in the cruise terminal in Miami. They told me there is usually people who show up too late to board the cruise either they are stupid by being late or because the airlines messed up. In the case of them just being late Royal Caribbean instructs them to stay and try to help the people find a hotel or flights or both. Not at Royal’s expense, but just helping out for customer service. That’s something that Cunard should be doing here. I’m not saying they should be financially responsible. Stuff happens and people should have travel insurance if they feel they need to. But it just a decent thing for Cunard to do. It’s why I generally don’t like the Carnival brand in general. 

13 minutes ago, mdavid17 said:

 

Speaking as a thirty-something who was lukewarm to cruising in the first place, they will have to do better than that to make me consider giving them another shot. I get cruising is about the voyage getting there, but at least if an airline cancels my flight same-say due to technical issues they will at least *attempt* to get me to my destination promptly, not leave me to my own devices with a single form letter. 

 

As far as I'm concerned they can take their 20% and pump it into the ballast tanks.

The airlines are heavily regulated by Government and are required to. Cruise lines? Not so much. Not saying I agree with it. But that’s the way it is.

30 minutes ago, Joe33472 said:

 

It doesn't seem like a refund of the cruise fare and 20% FCC is really sufficient consideration for cancelling a cruise the morning of the cruise.  Especially since some people have had these plans for years.   I feel so badly for the passengers.   

 

Has me thinking about what our "backup" plan would be if something like this happens next year for our TA.   We purchased travel insurance, but it looks like the delay coverage is only $2,000 pp.   That doesn't seem like a lot.  

Unfortunately most of the time I hear about canceled cruises, 20% FCC is the standard. I don’t think the cruise company takes into consideration when you book the cruise or when they cancel it.  Hopefully Cunard will do more to help but I dunno if they will.

I’m going on my first Viking cruise in June and I don’t drink. I have the Silver Spirits package only because it was included in a promotion so thanks for this. Nice to see some mocktail options 

When it was announced I said I don’t think it would ever happen and I still don’t 

I have not seen a hard copy catalog from Azamara in years. 

10 minutes ago, SempreMare said:

Turbulent Seas "RunBook" V1.0 

=== Before the Cruise ===
 

You can book a cabin that it is as close to midship and on a lower deck. The further you are from the ship's centre of gravity, the more movement. Therefore, ship movement increases the further fwd or aft you move from the middle of the ship and is multiplied by going to higher decks. -- via Heidi13

 

=== Situation Normal === 

 

--- Each day after excursions, I will check these websites

 

Windy, recommended from FrenchBeret and Heidi    13
https://windy.app/forecast2/spot/28740/Bergen+Norway

 

MarineTraffic, via CurlerRob
For wind conditions, MarineTraffic.com has a good overlay of wind that can provide some guidance as to the degree of sea conditions.

 

OceanWeather,  via Omax4
oceanweather.com

 

=== Situation Yellow - Red === 

 

If the Windy app's colors show Yellow-Red, I will consider taking / doing the following

 

*** Meds to consider / What to drink ***

- Take that evening:   Ginger pills or Dramamine

- Drink that evening:  Lemon Ginger Tea

 

-  Maybe Apply a Scopolamine patch, now available only via prescription (I found some expired ones)
Known side effects:  Makes your pupils huge and can effect your ability to read. And makes you have dry mouth.  I spoke to a physician once on Royal Caribbean and he said they don’t like to recommend them to people. But it may have been just one doctor’s opinion. It was a while ago.  -- via Omax4

 

If I do become very nauseous or vomit, I will consider taking:
- maybe Meclizine? 

Feedback on Odansetron / Zofran via Omax4, a retired pharmacist
Ondansetron:  a great drug for general nausea and vomiting.  
However, for motion sickness, it's not as good.  It attacks different brain receptors.  
Alternate Names:  brand name is Zofran

 

- feedback from Heidi13
For motion of the ocean remedies, DW uses a layered approach. Once at sea she normally applies her pressure wrist bands and provided they are positioned correctly, work well for most conditions.  As the motion increases, she starts with gravol, then if heavy weather is expected, she applies a patch about 6 HOURS prior. 

Fortunately she doesn't experience the known issues with the patch, which was available over the counter in Canada. Sadly, it is no longer available for sale, so not sure what she will do once her current supply is expired.

*** Room Prep  for Situation Yellow - Red **

 

Control Room Furniture or Item Movement, paraphrased from beach bunnie

• Use walking sticks*  to block the closet doors closed.  This prevents them from slamming open and closed.
• Use slippers to keep the coffee shelf from opening.  
• Put water bottle in the fridge. 
• Check bathroom for items that may fall.

 

*** Do's and Don'ts ***
 

Don't:  Drink if seas are going to be rocky.  It doesn’t help. -- via Omax4

 

Don't:  Do "cabin" work like packing, or reading, that causes you not to be able to look outside, or not close your eyes. If you can, focus on the horizon or lie down and keep your eyes closed. -- via CurlerRob

 

Avoid: 

When in rough seas, avoid Explorer's Lounge - the Living Room on Deck 1 is a better option, as are seats closer to the ship's centre line rather that seats at the windows. 
Avoid the World Cafe, favouring the main restaurant, and request a table close to the entrance. 
Tables further aft get more movement. -- via Heidi13

 

*** Questions 

@Omax4, what do you think about Meclizine? 
 I thought Meclizine was synonymous with Odansetron.  
Looks like they are different.

Meclizine:  
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Meclizine
"sold under the brand names Bonine, Bonamine, Antivert, Postafen, Sea Legs, and Dramamine II (Less Drowsy Formulation)."

 

@beach bunnie

1) If I don't have a walking stick, would the Viking room umbrella fit through the closet handles ? 

2) I am trying to visualize how you are using the room slippers to keep the coffee shelf from opening. Are you referring to the drawer beneath the shelf or the shelf itself? 

Meclizine is a completely different drug than ondansetron. Meclizine is an antihistamine that is now OTC that was developed in the 1950’s. It is usally the generic of Bonnie. It is used all the time for motion sickness.

Ondansetron is prescription only. The brand is Zofran and was delevoped in the 1990’s for chemotherapy and radiotherapy nausea and vomiting. Later it was found to be helpful in general nausea and vomiting, especially with morning sickness due to pregnancy.

Because ondansetron has no sedation or sleepiness with it, lots of people try to take it with all types of nausea and vomiting. But unfortunately like I said before, it does not work with motion sickness.

7 hours ago, CDR2001 said:

I like the patch and I just checked with my pharmacy as we have 2 cruises in 2023. . It’s available with a prescription. 

The patch works great for seasickness but it has side effects which is why it isn’t usally available OTC anymore. Makes your pupils huge and can effect your ability to read. And makes you have dry mouth. I spoke to a physician once on Royal Caribbean and he said they don’t like to recommend them to people. But it may have been just one doctor’s opinion. It was a while ago. 

8 hours ago, Frenchberet said:

I don’t like the strong taste of ginger candies either.  I brought a few Lemon Ginger teabags and had a cup in the evening.  I don’t know if it helped but figured it couldn’t hurt!

‘If the ship is rocking and rolling have some ginger candies available. You may not be crazy about the taste, but they really do work! 

8 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

Since the discussion is centred on nautical stuff, it looks like I may have enjoyed an IPA this morning, rather than a cup of tea,

 

The typo in the last paragraph of my previous post should read 6 hours, not 6 yrs. DW applies the patch 6 hours before the ship start rocking, so the medication can build in her system and replaces the patch after 3-days.

I knew you meant 6 hours. LOL. But I’m glad you clarified. 

1 minute ago, SempreMare said:

 

Wow, so cool to hear your thoughts given you are a (retired) pharmacist! 

 

Those 3 things I do have packed.  (though the Dramamine is 6 month expired...)

 

 

Agreed.   

 

Question about that - Where could I check to see if the seas are going to be rocky? 

 

I wish I had asked the Viking's ship officer about turbulence data that night.  Then I would know a benchmark for "this is what affects me".   When I was on HAL, several people at dinner said they were affected by that day's conditions that didn't bother me at all.

 

@Clay Clayton or @Peregrina651 would you know where to look for this? 

 

 

 

 

I wouldn’t worry about the Dramamine being expired by 6 months. Expired meds still work for a long time after the expiration date.

Use oceanweather.com to check for ocean conditions.