Squawkman

I had the chicken parm exactly 4 weeks ago on the Venus. Excellent as it always has been.

We might have to get used to paying more for air. I checked a few Viking Ocean Europe itineraries and noticed that air was increased this month. Med Odyssey and British Isles went from $1,299 to $1,499; Iceland’s Natural Beauty increased from $999 to $1,299; and there are probably more.

Got this one today: Discover Europe’s Christmas markets http://static.cdn.responsys.net/i2/responsysimages/vrc/contentlibrary/2023_campaigns/june_2023/230624_vrc_rjc23/hero.jpg Reduced International Airfare & FREE Silver Spirits Beverage Package ASK FOR OFFER: RJC BOOK NOW Gaze out over brightly lit Cologne from atop its famous Ferris wheel. Enjoy a cup of glühwein in the shadow of the Swiss Alps. Or browse colorful stalls full of unique ornaments and handicrafts in Vienna. There is still time to plan a voyage to visit Europe’s festive Christmas markets this holiday season. Join us as we journey to brilliantly decorated cities and charming villages, where you can sample freshly baked local delicacies and partake in beloved holiday traditions. Book now and enjoy reduced international airfare and a FREE Silver Spirits Beverage Package on a journey full of good cheer. FEATURED HOLIDAY RIVER VOYAGES http://static.cdn.responsys.net/i2/responsysimages/vrc/contentlibrary/2023_campaigns/june_2023/230624_vrc_rjc23/itin_03.jpg NEW ITINERARY Danube Christmas Delights Budapest to Passau Reduced International Airfare & FREE Silver Spirits Beverage Package Departures: Nov & Dec 2023 8 DAYS 6 TOURS $2,299* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD http://static.cdn.responsys.net/i2/responsysimages/vrc/contentlibrary/2023_campaigns/june_2023/230624_vrc_rjc23/itin_02.jpg NEW ITINERARY Christmas on the Seine Paris to Paris Reduced International Airfare & FREE Silver Spirits Beverage Package Departures: Dec 2023 8 DAYS 6 TOURS $2,699* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD http://static.cdn.responsys.net/i2/responsysimages/vrc/contentlibrary/2023_campaigns/june_2023/230624_vrc_rjc23/itin_01.jpg NEW ITINERARY Christmas on the Main & Moselle  Prague to Paris Reduced International Airfare & FREE Silver Spirits Beverage Package Departures: Nov & Dec 2023 12 DAYS 10 TOURS $3,299* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD http://static.cdn.responsys.net/i2/responsysimages/vrc/contentlibrary/2023_campaigns/june_2023/230624_vrc_rjc23/itin_04.jpg NEW ITINERARY Christmas on the Rhine & Moselle  Paris to Zürich Reduced International Airfare & FREE Silver Spirits Beverage Package Departures: Nov & Dec 2023 12 DAYS 10 TOURS $3,499* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD

All DV6s are on Deck 3; DV1s can be facing he back or on Decks 7 and 8. Other DVs are on other decks. It’s only location.

We bought vouchers this past April and it was very clear that they can be used on new bookings only. The cruise director stated that plus - if I remember correctly - it was listed on the screen at the director’s presentation.

I’m with Sharkster. Earlier PIF alone is not a strong enough reason to blow off Viking. Plus those of us who like Viking usually have a cruise booked before booking another which entitles you to PIF 6 months before embarkation (if you ask for it). Viking flash sales and promo codes most often cover way more than lost bank interest. Everything about both Viking ocean and river cruises works for us. And anytime we had an issue, Viking customer relations has made good to provide credit. Friends of ours didn’t watch dates on a voucher and lost a lot of money - unfortunate, but the policy was clear - this was not arrogance. And I’m certainly glad we declined the invitation to join other friends on a Vantage river cruise.

Jim - Did you write about your HAL experience on CC?

CDN - when you applied vouchers to cruises booked but not paid, did you use a travel agent or Viking agent?

CDN - maybe ok for Canadians? Please let the us know what you find out.

Just got back from a 2 week cruise on the Venus. The internet was very limited. While we were able to text, email and use WiFi calling with no issues, sending images and accessing most web pages were at best slow and usually timed out. In some cases, I would text a picture and get a message it wasn’t sent - when in fact the person did receive it. This was our 10th Viking cruise, and while I had intermittent problems on the other 9, I didn’t experience this kind of limitation as I did on the Venus in every port and at sea. Anyone else experience this?

No and no since any cruise is more than $200pp.

Many important emails - including one from Viking a few months ago - have wound up in my junk box. Good chance that’s where they first landed.

I’m not quarreling - Baron B did not state the specifics which make sense - another reader here viewed this as a quarrel. I was only trying to let readers know Viking does in fact provide nonstop NY to LA.

Your original post said: You didn’t specify a time period or business class in your original post. you clearly stated Viking has no contracts for nonstops. We are flying nonstop EWR - LA economy outside your time window- which is our original assigned flight (no air+).

Point of information - Viking’s tulip cruise is 9 nights (not 7).

Viking does have direct flights between LAX and EWR (Newark) on United.

You didn’t mention that not requiring Covid vaccination becomes effective November 1. So if this upsets anyone to the point they don’t want to travel, there’s time to get your money back.

The gratuity charge doesn’t include bar staff as their tips are included in the purchase price of individual drinks and/or the Silver Spirits drink package.

From the Viking website: “This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide your cruise experience, including the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, buffet stewards, galley staff, laundry staff and others. Please note this charge excludes bar gratuity; a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs. Should you wish to make changes to the gratuity amounts or pay in cash, stop by Guest Services at any time. You may also wish to tip your local excursion guides and/or drivers; we suggest doing so in cash at the end of each tour. For your convenience, you can pre-purchase gratuities at our standard recommended rate in My Viking Journey. This charge will be shared among the onboard staff who helped support and provide for your cruise experience, including your Program Director, waitstaff, stateroom stewards, galley staff, nautical staff and others.” That should answer your question.

Glad your Viking agent got with the program. I meant to add to my previous response that when I asked the Viking agent on board if I can transfer to another Viking agent, she replied yes, you can transfer the booking to your travel agent (purposely not saying “Viking agent”). That was almost 5 years ago and I have been using the welcome back credit ever since.

No. If you book on board, you can’t transfer to a land based Viking agent. I tried and failed in 2018. I was misled by the on board cruise consultant that I could do that.

I took advantage of the category bump. I’m 99% sure if you booked a PV1 or PV2, you paid the PV3 price. I booked a DV1 for the price of a V2. I just tried it with price and build, and you are correct. I agree the offer is misleading as it doesn’t mention the PV exclusions. BTW, no V2s we’re available, but I could’ve booked a DV2 for the price of a V1. I’d write to Tellus about this.

Maybe for MSC Med cruises - but I never heard of changing the length of Med cruises on other lines.

Got it. I thought your headline meant just the 10 day Rhine itinerary.

Please continue what you’re doing - mistakes always happen typing on a phone - especially dealing with the crowd conditions on MSC. I was criticizing the person who “graded” you.