duquephart

"Lobster Night" on a Viking cruise is no big deal - unless one thinks frozen lobster of unknown orign is a big deal.

1 hour ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

We visited the coop on our way back from Ephesus. The factory stores are literally across the street from the cruise terminal. Viking also provided a list of vendors that had been approved and included home delivery. We were told that the factory store employees do not work on commission. The government subsidizes the industry in order to train and employ the Kurds and keep the traditional hand weaving industry alive.

Convenient. How did that happen? 😃

7 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

During the demo the salesman  explained the process of making that blue silk rug and how many hours it took to hand weave. He then asked “How much do you think it costs?” DW shouted “$70,000” to which the salesman said “If you pay that, I’ll personally deliver it to your house.” 😆

You have to wonder if it's really machine made. How many have been sold?

"Go to the coop demo on the Viking tour in Kuşadası."

Which tour is that?

I've read on other threads that tour guides get an attractive kick-back for delivering cruise tourists  (who often turn into buyers).

40 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Go to the coop demo on the Viking tour in Kuşadası. They put on quite a show and will do the convincing for you. Low pressure, good prices, and it’s delivered to your door. 

We are booked on the "Wonders of the Ancient World" excursion. I wonder if that will include a "demonstration" in Kusadasi.

6 hours ago, Azulann said:

It is 5’7”x4’.

Have fun finding a rug for yourself in Istanbul. Have a great cruise and do post here if you have time 

Cheers!

Patti

Thanks! Now all I have to do is convince the other half that obtaining a rug is a good idea.

Thank you! What size is the one shown? Stunning!

On 1/27/2024 at 8:18 AM, Azulann said:

Give me a couple of days and I will  talk to my friend  who now lives in AZ. It was her cousin who  lived in Istanbul  as a teacher and they bought  many rugs from this dealer. My other  source I will check out is my neighbor in my condo building. He is from Istanbul and in fact his parents are here visiting. I will also ask him  too for a name.  Stay tuned... 

BTW when is your  Viking cruise? 

Were you able to dig out the names of the dealers? Leaving in three days.

We have asked if a riesling is available. Never denied.

53 minutes ago, millybess said:

Our cruise will be ending in Vancouver. We tip out-front staff at the end. Given our disembarkation location, should we tip in Canadian $, U.S. $?

I can't imagine it would matter much. Are you talking over and above mandatory "gratuities?"

26 minutes ago, PGI GUY said:

The resident astronomer was on deck 9 last night doing the Star watch and it was well attended. It was also the first night of the cruise that was not clouded over.

Always a plus when it comes to star watching.

Great example would be what Viking calls bisteca. Someone should be thrown in jail for that one.

Calling something something does not make that something what they call it.

Enough of local currency to offer suggested tips to local guides and drivers and maybe small incidentals. We're calling it equivalent of $10 per day.

14 days at room temp tops.

How does one keep injecter type medications cold enough on the way? From our door to the room refrigerator (assuming they have one) in the pre-extension hotel is going to be probably sixteen hours + or -.

A better difficulty rating system would be welcome - "moderate" ranges from bus ride to forced march.

53 minutes ago, millybess said:

Same when we were on Jupiter.  I was doing some research and came across an article that said Saturn, Mars and Neptune also have planetariums, but I didn't think that was the case.  

Sour info I believe.

The one on Jupiter was not being used when we were aboard.

Starts in Barcelona - ends in Istanbul. Four segments.

Late afternoon. Helpful if you can overlook the hustle/sales pitch.

1 hour ago, longterm said:

Nice.

I wear t-shirts a lot (not white ones but those I've picked up here and there on my travels), especially when I'm relaxing on board. If someone doesn't like it, they should feel free to give me wide berth, leaving more room on board for me to enjoy myself.

For dinner I wear button shirts and slacks; certainly wouldn't want to cause another traveler to get angina.

 

Or they can go sail Cunard.

 

I'm with you. I buy t-shirts everywhere I go and have lots of what I consider to be nice ones. One of my favorites is a Minnesota Kicks (tried to get soccer going in the late 70's) which reads "It Takes Leather Balls to Play Soccer."

Has anyone here had any luck getting the mini-bar included beer swapped out for something else on the list?

17 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

You might want to consider the Viking Grand European River Tour in your future. Many port calls offered a tour that features a stop at local watering hole. Each has its own favorite regional beer. Bamberg is the home of a famous smoked beer.

 

 

At the Ratskeller in Regensburg I was drinking a dunkel that the monks at Kloster Weltenburg have been brewing for over a thousand years. That part of the world is heaven to a beer drinker.

Note the "special instructions" area om yjr form.