LindaS272

1 hour ago, royallondon said:

Please bear in mind it’s as much to do with “choice” as it is “quantity” and drinking into oblivion.  Only Beer and wine is the standard offering.  
We too are moderate drinkers but on Holiday my wife likes a pre dinner cocktail and myself a post dinner glass of port with the cheese board.  We both enjoy an Irish coffee to conclude an evening of good food and company.   
I appreciate and respect that for some, the package is of no benefit.

 

Regards

 

We have a different definition of moderate drinking. An occasional nip outside of meals can still be done a la carte and be well below the cost of the SS package.

Live poster here. As Dave said a bit ago, we have not encountered any pay WCs. We have seen some from a distance, but not when we were in need. With a car, we’ve only used the WCs in the N1 gas stations, and most tiny towns let you use the facilities at the local coffee shop.

Just looked it up—Ireland not part of Schengen. But it was a different airline to get there, too.

22 minutes ago, LindaS272 said:

We always pick up our bags when connecting in a Schengen country. Maybe because we seldom fly the same airline on the connection? Not going to chance a lost bag when connecting. It’s happened!

 

Most recent example I can think of was flying Icelandair from Seattle to Amsterdam, then Aer Lingus to Dublin (okay, granted, we didn’t pick up bags at the connection in Reykjavik, because it was the same airline and only a one hour connection). We picked up our bags in Amsterdam, went to the domestic terminal and rechecked for Ireland on Aer Lingus. So this was a final destination in Schengen, but different airline.

2 hours ago, PasadenaDave said:

Having grown up in Maine, other than Lobster Bisque, I don’t eat lobster south of Cape Cod or more than 25 miles west of I-95.

Give me Dungeness crab! (They have had it on occasion.)

3 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Agree with you about coming into the US but Linda said “in any country”. What Linda described which hasn’t been our experience in countries that are part of Schengen. 

We always pick up our bags when connecting in a Schengen country. Maybe because we seldom fly the same airline on the connection? Not going to chance a lost bag when connecting. It’s happened!

7 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:

Ok world and formerly frequent travelers, I have a customs/immigration question.  It will be lenghty so please pay attention.

 

My experience when coming BACK into the US is that we clear in at the first US location (we use Mobil Passport), then we collect our luggage, deposit it at a baggage drop for next flight, go through Security and find our next gate.  This scenario has been with American in Miami where domestic and international flights use the same terminal.

 

What happens at JFK, for example, when your International carrier arrives at one terminal and your Domestic carrier (another airline even though a code share) departs from a different terminal?  Is your luggage checked through or do you need to clear in (Mobil Passport etc.), collect your luggage, find your way to new terminal, deposit your baggage, go through Security and find your next gate.  (Whew, I am tired already.)  I understand that we will have to change terminals and go through Security no matter what but if we need to deal with luggage it will take longer. 

 

Ok next test.  What about flying to Europe with a connection inside the EU (say Amsterdam)  to elsewhere within the EU. OR how about within the same country in which the first flight lands (such as Madrid as first stop with final destination of Barcelona)?  Will clearing in be in Amsterdam or final destination?  Will luggage go through to final destination?  In the case of Spain, would the clearing in be Madrid or final destination of Barcelona?  Would our luggage go through to Barcelona or would we need to collect and recheck it?

 

I know, this is a bit much to contemplate with an AM Bloody Mary or a cocktail/glass of wine, but please draw on your experiences and do your best.  Thank you so much for your help.

Your luggage may be checked through to your final destination when on the same airline or codeshare booking, but when clearing Customs in any country, they want to see your luggage. So you will have to pick it up, then deposit with the same airline, or if a different airline, go to next terminal to check in.

How do they even police this stuff?

Just now, Clay Clayton said:

Don’t waste your time doing that.  I’ll go with the duty free and youtubers.  If I can’t drink it then not a big deal

Okay—good luck!

4 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Linda

Where did you a post saying you can’t consume in Iceland? After comparing prices and brands at BOS and KEF dutyfree, my plan has been to buy samples of Iceland gin and vodka to try while aboard and then buy stock for home on the way out of Iceland. 

Ack—I’m not good at keeping track of previous posts, but I think it was an older gent with gramps (?) in the title. He said when they were there in either early 2019 or 2020, that they were told you could not consume alcohol in Iceland that you bought in Duty Free. He conceded that things could have changed since. I’ll see if I can find it. His icon is a photo of a white-haired gent.

11 hours ago, vslparis said:

We plan to pick some up at Duty Free in Newark ; although I need to check about brining it into Iceland.  

I wouldn’t risk getting busted in Iceland. You will probably have to declare it and I’m sure there are strict limits. I note however that a poster here says if you buy in duty free at KEF on the way in you are not allowed to consume it in Iceland! So damned if you do, damned if you don’t. Good luck!

29 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

And related to that, will we have time to open our luggage and pull out and on sweaters and raincoats before going outside to get tested.  Or is it a mass, herded exit?  

Iceland doesn’t have much in the way of herds 😉 . But yes, you’ll have time to put on warm clothing to go outside 🙂 

9 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

To change the subject a bit—I do believe that tomorrow is the day that a new thread will be started for those going on the Iceland to report on what they are finding, seeing, and doing.  If so, those going early for our June 26 trip, I would like to know the order of things at the airport.  Do we really have to get our luggage before going outside to be tested.  Then, do we come back inside to get the Viking transfers?  Thanks in advance, and can’t wait to get that thread going!

Probably won’t know about Viking transfers until the day folks arrive on the 26th—unless Viking tells you in advance. Yes, when we arrived on the 14th, we had to get our luggage before leaving the immigration/customs area. The document check for testing is outside the arrivals area, so you wouldn’t be able to go back in. Documents checked, you proceed outside to be tested. FWIW, the testing building is outside next to a big parking lot where some of the shuttle transfers to car rentals are. My guess is Viking transfers will be right there. It is not a big airport.

7 hours ago, temerarious said:

Does anyone know if Viking has non-alcoholic wine available onboard?

They usually do. Probably depends on where they get supplies.

Sorry—don’t know why the second two loaded upside down!

The glacier lagoon where y’all will be cruising in a couple of weeks

Moon over Myvantn tonight:

3 minutes ago, Dukefan said:

For the information from Tor that the Viking Crew were being vaccinated, read Clay's post at the top of this thread.

See—I knew it was here somewhere weeks ago! And only a few posts back on this thread! Who knew? 🙂 Thanks, Dukefan.

15 minutes ago, Queenie1603 said:

Harrison Ford has been filming in that area for the next Indiana Jones film.

Geezer version, no doubt ;-). I will keep an eye out—love those films, and the Scottish landscape. Thanks for the Farnes info. I think it’s in my near future!

38 minutes ago, FLGators#1 said:

Has anyone else been under the assumption that the entire crew would be vaccinated? Because according to a posting elsewhere (look it up as it’s a long post) tellus told her that the crew and excursion drivers are not required to be vaccinated, but must wear masks and social distance. She has posted more info that she received from tellus but the non-vaccination is very concerning.  I would have sworn I had read that the crew was to be vaccinated. Feeling stupid as to my ASSumption and a little duped. 

I wouldn’t believe what TellUs told the FB poster. This is, at best, third hand information. We read, or were told by Tor in a video, that all Viking crew would be vaccinated, as a requirement from the government in the countries Viking will be visiting. I wish I could point you to the source on this, but it’s way back in the threads from weeks ago. It would make no sense whatsoever for Viking to require pax be vaccinated and not the crew. So yes, we are under the assumption, from prior information, that the crew has been vaccinated. We’ve had completely bogus information from TellUs in the past, even when they swore up and down that their information was correct.

3 hours ago, Azulann said:

So happy to see  guests leaving the ship ( Bermuda webcam)this morning  to explore Bermuda for the day.

After 56 pages  on the general Bermuda thread, I  am starting this one for specific  details...

 

Is the pool roof open?

Are folks out in the infinity pool and hot tub?

Is there trivia?

Who is the resident Historian ?  What are the topics, port talks etc? 

Does Viking provide  walking  maps of the port towns? 

How are the excursions you have done? 

Who is the Captain

Who is the Cruise Director? 

How are various music venues around the ship? 

Chef Table menu schedules? 

Best drink you have had on the ship?

I assume the food is as good as always, everywhere on ship.

 

Enjoy your breakfast  the balcony, Explorer Lounge, Viking Bar and Living room, Wintergarden , you are indeed Trail Blazers.

The rest of us will be along in the coming weeks...

Cheers,

Patti

 

 

 

The cruise director is Brian Rodriguez—the fabulous Broadway-style singer. My husband showed me a FB posting of the staff—and there he was! Brian was the cruise director on our Nov. 2019 SE Asia cruise on the Orion. He was ass’t. CD in July 2019 on the Sky. Sorry I can’t help beyond that.

2 hours ago, Harrietq said:

Hooray!
As of  yesterday per visit Malta dot com, 38 US states are moved to the “amber” list. Here’s the abbreviated info; please check the website for full info. My humble opinion and hope that the 12 outlier states will be included soon.

 

In addition, with effect from Thursday, 1st July 2021,  passengers arriving from EU countries on the 'Amber List', who are in possession of a vaccination certificate, and a vaccine recognised and approved by the Superintendent of Public Health may travel to the Maltese Islands, namely, (a. ) Pfizer-BioNTech, (b. ) Moderna, (c. ) AstraZeneca, and (d. ) Johnson & Johnson, can travel to and from Malta without the need of a negative COVID-19 PCR Swab Test.

Passengers arriving from non-EU countries on the 'Amber List' below are required to submit a negative COVID-19 PCR test certificate before boarding flights to Malta. This swab test would need to have been carried out up to 72 hours (maximum) prior to arrival in Malta. If a negative PCR test is not presented, a swab test on arrival or a 14-day quarantine period is mandatory on arrival.

• United States of America but only limited to the following states: Washington, Oregon, Louisiana, Arizona, West Virginia, Colorado, North Dakota, Indiana, Georgia, Texas, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Tennessee, Iowa, Nebraska, Ohio, South Carolina, New Mexico, Florida, Virginia, Maine, South Dakota, Michigan, Illinois, Delaware, Wisconsin, Puerto Rico, Hawaii, New Jersey, Minnesota, Connecticut, Alaska, New Hampshire, Maryland, New York, Rhode Island, District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Vermont, California.

 

 

Thanks for this alert. I’m hopeful that by the time our cruise sails (Sept. 12), Malta will recognize U.S. vaccinations. The EU claims they are trying to make their digital certificate available to U.S. travelers. I don’t know why Malta can’t recognize CDC cards, just as Iceland does.

Received an email yesterday that ShoreEx would be available today for Sept. 12, Malta/Adriatic at 12:00 pm PT. Despite the specificity, none were available from 12:00 to about 12:30. We called Viking and they said times are tough and keep checking. Irritated, we went to eat (in Iceland right now so a 7 hour time difference—dinner time). About 1:30 pm PT (8:30 pm Iceland) I checked while at dinner and they were posted. Spent the next hour booking everything while my meal got cold—but I wanted those excursions darn it! We got everything we wanted, surprisingly, except for a couple of minor items when there were time conflicts or tours only offered at specific times.

1 hour ago, CharTrav said:

If your cabin has a coffee maker - it can be used to just dispense hot water to make tea (herbal and regular). If all you want is tea just tell your cabin stewards and they will supply you with just tea bags and the kind you want.  Also - the coffee/tea station in the World Cafe has a large selection of teas you can make. And.. lest I forget - tea (various kinds) are served at the Viking Bar on Deck 1. You can also bring your own tea bags and then use the hot water dispenser in the world cafe or in your cabin. 

 

Coffe brewers are In PV cabins and above;  however, I'm quite sure that if you're in a DV or V, your steward will get one for you if you ask. 😉

Every VO cruise we’ve been on, the first thing we do when we get to our cabin is ask our stewards to ditch the nespresso machine and give us a proper electric kettle. Then we ask them (or room service) to bring us a small pitcher of milk to stash in the fridge. Can’t beat the comforts of home (& then some) on a Viking ship!