victory2020

I fly from LA to Europe & have always had good flights.

1 minute ago, gnome12 said:

You have to get up early because you have to be out of your cabine fairly early (usually 8 am). 

Getting out by 8 is OK, just don't want to have to leave the ship at 5 or 6.

10 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

Yeah - I have never done the switch.  We make our flight decisions pretty quickly based on certain rules we have created for ourselves.

 

Because we are flying out of Toronto, we are typically direct to the first major city in Europe and so we pick the flight where we like the departure/arrival time.  If this city is our final destination then we like to arrive around Noon.  If we are connecting in this city then we choose an arrival time much earlier to ensure that we can connect earlier and therefore make our final destination at a decent time.

 

Always a 2.5 hour connection time if we are connecting in a European country to the final destination to allow for passport control, security, and not having to rush in case our inbound flight is late.

 

We look, assess the options, and generally in 10-15 minutes of comparisons we make the decision and lock it in.  We fly a lot so we know what we like and what works for us.

They actually added another option for Virgin air but I think it's still too early (10:30). I'm looking at a 12:50 flight. How many shuttles does Viking have on debark? I don't want to get to the airport too early(I mean get up too early).

On 3/27/2024 at 7:59 AM, BrewsterNC said:

I bought on board credits to redeem this offer. When refund, will they write a check for me? Or only with cash?

I got cash last time when I didn't spend everything. 

I got the offer on both Blue every day cards, not on Delta business gold

1 hour ago, CDNPolar said:

 

I think you can change as many times as you want before ticketing, but if there are additional fees, I don't know how that works...  

Ok, I was thinking the same thing. I need to pay $67 more, other flight I'm looking at would be around $90. If I were to buy first & switch to second, maybe just paying the difference again?

16 hours ago, ciabelle said:

Does NCL book the absolute cheapest fare AKA basic economy, or do they book regular coach/main cabin? 

We're sailing out of Barcelona in November, so it's long before NCL will book our flights, but checking with Delta, the one-way fare difference between basic economy and main cabin is $100, while a checked bag is free in main cabin, but $150 in basic. Plus you can make changes or cancel without penalty with main, and choose your own seats to boot..  So going with basic economy seems penny wise and pound foolish. I'd rather pay NCL a couple hundred dollars up front than have to pay even more on the back-end. 

Don't know about Canada, but I have gotten very good flights to/from Europe from LA. I have gotten BETTER flights (more expensive but better timing) through NCL air. And I have always gotten free checked bag

On 4/12/2024 at 7:44 AM, CDNPolar said:

No, I don't believe that more options will appear as time goes on.  If you have used something like GoogleFlights and found alternates, you can add Air Plus and call and see if these are available, BUT you will pay $150 pp for this service.

 

There is no guarantee as to how much time you have before ticketing.  Even the reservations department say that flights can be ticketed at any time, but generally not before 75 days from departure.

 

If you are going to opt for one of the options on MVJ with an additional cost, then choose sooner rather than later.

Can I change more than once before ticketing? I'm pretty sure I know what I want but there is a second flight that may be slightly better timing - if I feel like getting a very early start

4 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

This is all about the contract rate.  I don't believe - others will correct me if I am wrong - that there is one class that Viking books under.  I have had flights that I could upgrade with Viking because of the class and flights that I could not upgrade because of the class.  Airline miles are based on fare class.  You won't know this until you book.

 

Same answer as above.  

 

Two ways to do air with Viking:

 

1) Wait until the air is selected for you and posted in MVJ - this is usually about 150 days from departure.  Now you have about 60 days to "play" with your air choices on MVJ until they ticket the air that is selected for you.  Once the air selections on MVJ are ticketed, then you are dealing with change fees potentially to both Viking and the airline.

 

2) Use Viking Air Plus from the start.  Pay for Viking Air Plus ($150pp) and research your flights and then call in and give the agent your preferred itinerary.  If your choices are available within Viking contract rates, they will book them for you and then you have your desired itinerary.  If not within contract rates, they will offer you a fee to pay for what you want, or an alternative.

 

You can also in option "1" move to Viking Air Plus once selected flights are in MVJ if you cannot modify them to your liking.

 

Some have suggested that Viking Air Plus is going away.  I don't believe that this is the case.  Adding the functionality on MVJ to modify your own air is the DIY'ers version of Viking Air Plus.  For others that want more help, you still have Viking Air Plus.

 

We have always used Viking Air Plus in the past and for the first time we are anxiously awaiting to see what flights will pop up for our next cruise.  The only downside to this is that we have generally always gotten the flights/seats that we want by booking as much as 270-300 days out with Viking Air Plus.  This is a trial for us.

I just booked for a July cruise. Perfect flight into Europe on carrier where I have mileage accounts, coming back I have really early flight & can change it for under $100. I have a choice of two carriers - if I don't accrue miles I will choose less expensive option on another carrier.

Will more options appear as time goes on? I'm thinking not, so I should choose sooner or later. How long can I keep looking at flights before they are ticketed?

1 hour ago, gnome12 said:

There are multiple fare classes in economy. Neither Basic nor Standard include free seat selection. You have to move up to Flex to get a free standard seat or to Latitude to get a free Preferred Seat.

Thanks. Do you happen to know what class Viking books when you get their standard fare? 

7 minutes ago, gnome12 said:

It depends on the fare class.

Regular economy, not basic

On 3/25/2024 at 3:00 AM, CDNPolar said:

 

Your best bet is to purchase Viking Air Plus and then do the research on the airlines, routes, connections, etc., that you want, and then call Air Plus.

 

Give Air Plus your first selection and see if it falls inside Viking contract rates.  They will tell you if it does or does not, and if not then you can give your second selection or ask for their recommendation.

 

We typically fly Air Canada, Lufthansa, or BA with Viking.  We recently gave a chose. itinerary to Viking that was AC both directions but the pricing did not include the AC flight that we wanted home, so we discussed and settled for BA home through LHR.  This was fine.  We were going to have to connect home anyway.

 

Looking for who is cheapest or looking at price is not the way to determine if maybe this would be an airline or itinerary that Viking would book for you.  This has been discussed before.  It is about contracts and contract pricing, not about what we see published on Google Flights or even the airline sites.

 

Note however that contract pricing may be available for your preferred routes but you may not have the option of upgrade to PE or Business.  This also depends on the contract pricing.  Does not mean that you cannot upgrade at the airport if open...  we recently were told that no upgrades were available for what Viking was booking for us but we were offered upgrades at checkin at the airport at reasonable cost.

 

So, the end message here is don't make assumptions about the cost that you are looking at.  Viking's goal is NOT to have you connecting multiple times but rather to get you there the most efficient way possible.  That is our experience anyway.

 

 

It looked like Air Canada charges you to choose seats even on transatlantic? Is that correct? 

I have a question regarding Viking air. I have my flights, first is perfect nonstop, return is at 9:10am out of Munich - 2 hours away from ship. I am looking at changing second for nominal fee so am looking at several options. Do you get airline flyer miles when Viking buys you flight? 

4 hours ago, pontac said:

 

Since you're using a travel agent, tell them. If it's their mistake they should sort it at no cost to you.

 

However if it's a set date you want the cruise to start it'll depend on there being vacancies on the boat that departs Amsterdam that day.

All fixed, Viking was easy to work with

How much are gratuities on Viking? I assume TA OBC can be used for them?

26 minutes ago, victory2020 said:

Thank you all. I have booked. The problem is I just woke up to my reservation.And my agent has to be flagged to budapest instead of absterdam which is where I wanted the deviation to be. Has anyone experienced having to change arrival cities with viking?

Sorry, talk to text mistakes. I wanted to fly in to Amsterdam but my agent has me flying in to Budapest. Can this be changed?

Thank you all. I have booked. The problem is I just woke up to my reservation.And my agent has to be flagged to budapest instead of absterdam which is where I wanted the deviation to be. Has anyone experienced having to change arrival cities with viking?

8 minutes ago, pontac said:

 

Be aware that Viking like to ensure guests are at airport check-in for international flights at least 3 hours before flight departure, plus they allow extra time for the journey.

 

For our 11:40 flight from Amsterdam, a journey that took 20 minutes to the airport, we had to put our bags outside the room at 06:30 and the coach was scheduled to leave at 07:45.

 

So, they'll probably allow 2.5hrs for the journey to Munich airport, so if you had a midday flight your coach would leave at 06:00 or 06:30

I guess they like to be safe than sorry.  I can sleep on the plane. I'm just hoping it will be direct flight to LA. 

I will most likely be taking the Viking transfer from Passau to the airport. So I.m assuming it Munich approx. 3 hours away?

Thank you. What airport do you fly out of in Passau? Is there public transportation from Budapest airport to city center? How far is the airport?

Hello, trying to make a quick decision on weather to do Viking in July from either Budapest or Passau. I will probably stay one or two nights pre cruise & fly home the day I depart. Which city would you fly in to &stay & why? I am solo female & like old, basic historical type hotels & use public transportation

On 3/2/2024 at 6:05 PM, trivia addict said:

We took the Basel to Amsterdam Viking Cruise last July.

 We were very happy with the entire week.

Three things stand out.
First the day long cruise down the Rhine, with narration from the onboard cruise director.
Second, the bus trip to Strasburg, which was an included excursion. Highlight of that was the astronomical clock at the Cathedral. Hard to fathom  how ancient people could mathematically be so exact.

Third was the Viking excursion that took us to a dairy farm and then the windmills. The windmills can be seen on your own since the ship docks next to them, but do take the excursion, you will learn so much about this World Heritage site and the mechanics of environmental water control.

Finally  if you are a wine drinker or a cocktail maven, do take the silver package.

I had wines that I could only dream about here in the States and my husband had scotches  and cocktails that kept him happy all week!

What is the drink package? I can't find any details. Also, did you do their air? I am told the Basel airport is not always where you fly in to?

38 minutes ago, Roz said:

@victory2020, unless you're "married" to Viking, take a look at other lines for better solo pricing.  I agree 100% with what @gnome12 posted. 

 

I've sailed both Uniworld and Tauck as a solo, with either no single supplement or a reduced supplement, making it less expensive than Viking's 200% supplement.  Friends have reported good solo pricing on Grand Circle and Gate 1.

Thanks. I found a flash sale with free air & premium drink package for $4525,00 in July for 7 nights. I will check out others before I book.

On 3/25/2024 at 3:46 PM, CDNPolar said:

 

Deviation is $100 per person and on each side of the trip.  So if you are going in early and staying later then you will be $200 per person extra for the deviation.  UNLESS you are purchasing the Viking extensions on one or both sides.  If you purchase the Viking extension there is no deviation charge.

 

You should see your flights soon for a July cruise.  If you go to MyVikingJourney, set up your account and register your booking number and then look at the air tab, it will tell you when your flights will be posted.

 

You can work with the flights they give you on MVJ and look at alternate schedules and select seats yourself, or make a decision to add Air Plus and talk to a Viking Air rep to customize your flights.  Adding Viking Air Plus is generally now $150 per person - just a one time charge, not for both ways.  With Viking Air Plus you can research and choose flights that you might prefer and if they fall under Viking contract rates, you can get them under the free air.  If the flights you prefer fall outside of the Viking contact rates, you may have to pay more for those particular flights.

 

For this to work with your deviations, you must alert them in advance that you are going in early and staying later especially if you are not purchasing your pre and post through Viking.  Otherwise you will have flight choices that fly the day before the cruise and the day the cruise disembarks. 

 

Hope all this makes sense.

If you get their air, they will fly you in the day before cruise with no air deviation? How do the transfers work then? They wouldn't pick you up at your hotel, would they?

I'm looking at the Amsterdam to Basel River cruise this summer and will be travelling alone. How is Viking for solo travelers?  Do they have tables for dinner where you can join others? 

21 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

Last year Oceania created Simply More cruise fares that added tour only credits and a beer/wine package at lunch & dinner.
 

We don’t want those add ons however since they eliminated standard fares we likely won’t sail with them again. Of course prices increased by adding those things that we don’t want & I don’t want to see Princess to do something similar.
 

Same with us. Won't book again unless they have a Really good deal.