JM0115

1 hour ago, farmecologist said:

Strange...it isn't working on any of our devices, apple or otherwise.

I wonder if the CrowdStrike issue has affected Viking? I cannot log in on any device currently.

Once you try Viking you won’t want to go back to the big ships!

7 minutes ago, lovetosew said:

I have not seen any information on room service from Manfredi's.  Is it possible or do we all need to wait like cattle for a reservation to the restaurant?

No room service from Manfredi’s but the spaghetti bolognese is excellent! Caesar salad too!

On 2/12/2024 at 9:19 PM, DaKahuna said:

I neglected earlier to post pictures of our ‘snacks’ in Galaxy Cafe.

 

My DW’s tempura udon

 

 

and my yakitori 

 

Does anyone have a menu for Galazy? What do things cost? Any discount for YC members?

20 minutes ago, DrKoob said:

Someone on my blog commented as to why we were eating dinner in The World Cafe instead of The Restaurant. Here's what I told them: 

 

We have switched to the buffet for our dinners for a couple of reasons. The Restaurant on Viking ships seems really LOUD to us! I think it's the low ceilings. We also find we eat a lot more when we go to the MDR. They bring bread, we eat it. They take our order, and we wait. We eat more bread, and they bring the appetizer. We eat it, and we wait for the entrée and eat more bread. And of course, we have to eat what they bring. So we eat more or less of something because we do or not not like because we don't want to waste it.

 

At the buffet (which on a Viking ship serves pretty much the same food as the MDR) we can take a little of this and a little of that.

 

And to be honest, I am past the dressing-up stage. If we were still on a ship that REALLY dressed up, I might be into that. It would be fun to get my tux out again. But here people just put on hard-soled shoes (which I hardly ever wear anymore) and better pants and shirts (I live in shorts and tee shirts) I will take a pass. We will still put on that stuff for the specialty restaurants but that's about it.

I agree 100%. On our World Cruise we literally ate over 400 meals in the World Cafe! I think we ate in The Restaurant only 4 or 5 times over the 150 days! We were in the minority though.

11 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

Last week I disembarked from Viking Mars and was quite curious about the rooms that face the elevator and stairs lobby.  This was because our room 5028 showed on the Viking Web Site deck plans as facing the elevator lobby.  Pleasantly surprised that it didn't!  Great room, great location.  Being the analytic person I am, and having an unexpected sea day due to ice flows from Greenland, I decided to chart out (with pictures) all the elevator lobbies forward & aft, and the aft stairs.  I did indeed find that the Viking web site deck plans are off, with respect to location vis a vis the lobbies.  (Notable incorrect diagram is deck 8 which sits exactly above deck 7 room by room and Explorers Lounge - somehow they shifted deck 8 on the plan quite a bit).

Pictures all show port side rooms (even numbered), but the same situation exists for corresponding starboard side rooms (odd numbered).

I hope that this helps people in their plans. 🙂

Viking Ocean Cabins Facing Elevators+Stairs.pdf 973.95 kB · 2 downloads Viking Ocean Cruises - Deck Plans 3-8.pdf 1.04 MB · 2 downloads

 

Nice analysis. Thank you.  Looks like I will be seeing you on the Hawaii Sojourn in Jan!

We will be doing the same in Jan.  Uber or Lyft.

3 minutes ago, Brookspw70 said:

New to Viking but trying to book asap for British Isles in 8/2025. 
 

I need help on abbreviations, ES1 vs ES2, etc.

 

What is the difference between DV1-6?  Same for PVs. 
 

Is a PV worth it for the extra room alone on a 15 day cruise? Or, what are the other benefits?

 

My non-educated opinion is that the higher the deck the better (for the view) but I’m not seeing that this is necessarily the case from reading the cabin review thread. 
 

What is the major difference between the experience aft, mid, or what we the front is called?

 

I sincerely appreciate your help. 

The numbers are just for relative and subjective location on the ship. All DVs are the same as are all PVs or any other class of stateroom. V and DV are the same room size and layout  just slightly different ammenities. Some people like the higher floors as they are closer to the pool, Explorer Lounge, and some people think the view is better (and the higher rooms are away from the life rafts). Some like lower levels for less waviness. Sane with mid ship- less movement. Worth it is subjective- PV has significantly more room and storage but DV is a very nice room. As you go up in category you getting more advanced booking for excursions and dining but many people say they got what they wanted regardless.

Just now, Mike07 said:

 

 

Just pulled the policy limits on my annual plan and it caps trips at 90 days. Fortunately, that's about 60-70 days more than I ever would need.

In that case I’m not sure what is possible other than Tripmate? When we went on a WC I believe we had to get Tripmate through Viking but not sure if this is still the case or not?

6 minutes ago, RlyLvn said:

We are considering the Viking Sky World Cruise from LA to London in January, 120 days. 
We cruise several times a year with 36 days being our longest cruise. 
 

Does anyone have any tips/resources for the best option for a World Cruise. 
 

Viking has Trip protection but I would like to compare that with other options and overall coverage amounts. 

Health coverage is priority as well as cancellation protection. 

Any feedback is welcome. 
 

Thanks a lot,

Dee

It's difficult to find travel insurance for that long a trip. One option is annual trip insurance. 

3 minutes ago, mnocket said:

Yeah, I always travel in a day or two early.  Since I'll be leaving DEN in January, I'm going 2-days early (I'm always surprised at how easily DIA is disrupted by light snow).  Nothing I can do about a snowstorm, but absent that, I'd hate to miss my connection because it was too tight.  Unfortunately, as things stand now, the alternatives are either hugely more expensive or result in a 6+ hr connection.

Good move! Anything can happen in CO! 

1 minute ago, mnocket said:

In my case, not really domestic travel, but a domestic connection leading to an international flight.  Specifically, departing Denver and traveling to Buenos Aires with a connection in either Dallas or Miami. The connection times are about 1hr15m.  Since fixing a missed connection on this itinerary isn't easy, I'm worried this connection is too tight. Thoughts on this specific case and connection times in general?

I’d be nervous with 1 hr but as long as you are going to the cruise embarkation city at least 1 day if not 2-3 days early it probably would be ok to have only the 1 hr connection time.

Just now, Zach1213 said:

I'm really curious what sources you were finding that say you do need one, because I would recommend people stay away from whatever the hell website that is. Not only do you not need one, but it's not even a transit in an immigration sense...you are entering the Schengen Zone in Frankfurt, which covers both Germany and Norway. Transit visas usually apply when you're going from Country A to Country C via Country B...in this case, as far as immigration is concerned, you're going from Country A to Country B via Country B. 

 

 

In most cases, true. And in OP's case (for tourism or for business), true. But sometimes US citizens do need visas to go to the Schengen Zone (which is different than the EU). For example, if you plan to work there, or study there for an extended period, or spend more than the allotted visa-free time. Like I said, these don't apply to OP, but there are cases where US citizens would need a true visa (not just an ETIAS) to go to EU and/or Schengen. 

Yes you are right. I was just referring to tourists less than 90 days.

You do not need any visa if you are a US citizen anywhere in the EU.

3 minutes ago, mjmagee said:

Is there any way to print my cruise itinerary with the ship arrival and departure times?  I found one itinerary but it only lists the day and the port, not the actual hours in port.  Times would be very helpful for excursion planning.  Thx in advance for any assistance. 

 

Marilyn

The invoice page 2 or 3 should list the itinerary with times and whether tendered or docked.

Yep. There is nothing in Tilbury. 

22 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Is it just me (or maybe it’s only happening on Sky) but is anyone else missing the chirping birds (or ocean sounds) in the public restrooms onboard?  Sky now has several different sounds-one set might be whales, but there is another that sounds like rutting boar!😳

 

There is another than sounds like it might be some tribal sounds-but it’s mostly children it seems so a bit disturbing at best. 
 

no bird sounds?!? 😞

6 minutes ago, Deb922 said:

I’ve been looking into an ocean cruise for late fall 2025. 
 

Venice to Athens, there are 2, one 10 day and one 8 days in duration. 
 

The price Viking is showing for air from Detroit is $1599 for economy and $1000 more for premium  economy. 
 

At what point would you think that the price offered is not a value and would book on your own? 
 

Especially seeing all the complaints about Viking Air and that I would definitely add air plus for an additional cost. 

If you have points you can use you may want to do that. Otherwise look at the prices online and compare and see what makes sense to you. I would definitely add Viking Air Plus so you can pick your flights - it is now $150 pp additional. Prices right now for this fall (I know you said 2025) are around $1000 RT for economy and $2500 for Premium Economy so it looks like a good deal in premium economy.

5 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Enjoyed the new (at least to us) Menu at Manfredi’s last night.  The asparagus appetizer is delicious as was the vitello tonato.   The steak while not as thick as in the before times is better than the very thin ones we had just two weeks ago on the previous menu.  The osso bucco is still very tasty though the portion seems smaller which is ok with us as it always was a bit overwhelming before. Friends have said the lasagna isn’t as good as the previous version-may try that next week when we go back.  The Carmelo dessert is tasty but VERY sweet-they pour the caramel sauce at the table so will probably try it without next time. The Millefolgie was light and tasty. 

Love the asparagus!

5 hours ago, cidymom said:

Unfortunately I left it late to book shore excursions for a snorkeling with rays and sharks for this coming April in Bora Bora.  The excursion offered through the ship is sold out and Viator doesn't have much available either.  Does anyone recall if they saw any tour companies at the Bora Bora dock when you arrive from a cruise ship.  I read they have it in Moorea but just wondering about Bora Bora.  Thank you for any input.

We really liked a company called Bora Bora H2O.

1 hour ago, Travel Lady in CT said:

I've decided to take a WC.  How do I choose?  Does anyone have a spreadsheet of criteria that they've used?  It's rather overwhelming with Cruise lines, ships ports, incentives, etc.   I'm thinking around 4 1/2 months, probably in 2026 with a balcony cabin.

Would love to hear how others have narrowed down the choices. Thanks!

We loved ours on Viking! 

2 minutes ago, Jewelly said:

Can anyone recommend a pre cruise hotel stay in London? 

CitizenM Tower of London

Just now, NCteacherlovescruising said:

Thanks!  We will definitely have checked luggage.  

If you stick yo one alliance, like Star Alliance (United, Lufthansa) you MAY be able to check the bags all the way through.

1 minute ago, NCteacherlovescruising said:

We booked a direct flight from Charlotte to Munich with miles. We need to book a connecting flight (is that the proper term?) to either Florence or Rome. How much time should we allow between flights? 

I’d say 2-3 hrs. Especially if checking bags as you will have to retrieve them in Munich.

3 minutes ago, Mad-39 said:

Any suggestions as to which excursions are worth my while? Going in May 2024 from Bergon to Stockholm 

Pulpit Rock cruise.