duquephart

Often enough, negative reviews are at least authentic. Planted positive/glowing reviews are the scourge of the system. Check out car dealer reviews sometime if you are a bit short on belly laughs. John (George, Bill, Aaron, Tom/Dick/Harry) was soooo patient, knowlegeable, up to date, informative, balh, blah, blah. He took us through the process, answered all our questions, never applied any pressure, blah, blah, blah.

Underwhelming seems to be the common denominator.

I quit as soon as they got to fertility issues.

Clickbait that could have been done in one third the time.

"Viking" and "Michelin Star rated" should never appear in the same sentence. Food on Viking ships can be, and often is, quite good. Michelin Star is an entirely different level.

Train ride to and bus ride into both spectacular if you're into pristine wilderness. Talkeetna is a pretty neat town - go visit Aurora Dora.

Denali ext. is very nice. Just don't plan on seeing Denali.

It does seem that Viking should be willing to sell you a transfer regardless of when you plan to arrive so long as you agree to be at a given place at a given time as though you had just arrived. The fact that you have not very recently stepped off an airplane should not matter.

Did you point out that you have post extension?

We arranged our own air on our next cruise, which includes pre and post extensions and thus "free" transfers. My understanding is that we just need to inform Viking of our arrival and departure circumstances - where and when to find us upon arrival for the pre and where/when to take us for departure. Presumably we will be on the same flights as those who had Viking arrange things anyway.

Welcome to Viking Cruises.

And in this corner ---------------------

Apples to apples stateroom level? Three grand is a big drop.

A guy I once knew went out to a nice place on Easter and, without thinking, ordered Hasenpfeffer.

I've heard it's quite tasty and would try it. You don't want to be on your death bed thinking "Gee, I wish I had tried that when I had the chance."

Will they be back by the time needed for early morning lamb chops?

Does anyone know if small bowls are provided in the bathrooms of Viking Ocean ships? The kind one could use to store choppers in overnight? Sorry but I don't have a picture of one.

You never "have to spend more if I don't want to" regardless of the cruise line.

More likely restricted by a TA who doesn't want to decrease their commission.

It's all relative. Compare apples to apples on price per night. Beer & wine on Viking are not "free" - neither is included excursions. I'd be unhappy about the corkage if I was so inclined and anyone bugging me about sales gets told what I think of that.

Always wondered what you look like.

Then we'll do bourbon vs. Tennessee whiskey.

With any luck you might find a 50ml bottle to try.

Rumplemintz is not the sweet/candy schnapps you might be familiar with. It is no-nonsense German peppermint schnapps. Bracing!

Is motion an issue? If so the lower and closer to midships the better. That makes 4035 the best bet although some may advise staying away from stairs/lifts.