Dave W 10

We are sailing on SoA in June from Dover. What time does boarding start? I've looked all over but can't find the answer.

Thanks all for the very helpful replies. We are a UK couple so gratuities not an issue.

Sailing from and back to UK port (Dover in this case) certainly appeals having missed 2 days of a river cruise this summer due to BA flight cancellation. Do I recall correctly that you have the option of free parking at the port rather than the chauffeur?

Long term Viking cruiser considering Saga Midnight Sun cruise in June 23 because the itinerary is just right. How do the two lines compare? They look very similar but am I in for any surprises?

It is a new route. It was presumably created specially for the chairman's cruise rather than the usual Rome Barcelona route that some will have done already. Some people would be grateful for the consideration rather than continually moaning.

Hi Neil

I knew you'd been and was hoping you would respond. Sounds like usual plan, 2 hours plus before flight should be fine.

For what it's worth we actually fly on the 4th not the 5th.

Dave

Flying from Heathrow at 7.05 on 5th September for Iceland Spain cruise. Can anyone who has already travelled advise what Heathrow was like and how early you should arrive?

1 hour ago, arlowood said:

High Guys. Just logged into the CPS website and noticed that Viking is now listed as an option for the 3 cruises in August. They are quoting £77 for the weeks' parking which is a saving on the £91 if you park directly with the Cruise Terminal Parking website. However as I stated earlier, Viking did negotiate a cheaper deal with them in June (£55) so I am hoping that might appear.

In June cheaper deal was Apcoa not CPS. Same car park. We booked with Apcoa and dropped luggage at terminal before parking, although I think CPS were collecting all luggage from car park regardless.

Current Apcoa price is £104. Maybe same deal will turn up again.

20 hours ago, Queenie1603 said:

Thanks for raising FCO advise. . I contacted our insurers and found out that the policy is invalid if the FCO guidance remains the same. only U.K. only cruising is considered OK. I could wait and see what happens but decided to find another insurer. There are insurers out there.   

Is it the SURE insurance company referred to above?

We were on the second Venus UK cruise and enjoyed it so much we booked the last minute fourth cruise while we were on board.

We chose Iceland to avoid the amber countries not realising that the cruise itself would be an issue.

The joys of being retired!

5 minutes ago, JessM66 said:

If you STAY around, I’m SURE it will be ok won’t it??

Very good. I could have saved my time searching if I had waited!

28 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

 

Hi Dave, I’m not sure if I’m allowed?  The administrator on the book of faces gave me permission, but not sure how to get it for here?

 

Assuming you're Heather, I've found your information on the book of faces. It's actually who I had already looked at. I'm awaiting an answer to an email I sent to confirm they cover international cruising which you already have covered.

If anyone is wondering the extra cost for the FCDO extension was £5 for a couple so far from prohibitive.

19 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

All sorted.  I rang one of the specialist insurance companies today, and they arranged cruise insurance for travel against FCO advice, so we are good to go!  I took an annual policy to give lots of flexibility.

Could you let me know what company. I think we're sorted but an alternative would be handy.

Thanks Dave

Iceland cruise booked 24th July from UK.

UK govt currently advise against international cruising in which case travel insurance is invalid. Any thoughts? Is this due to change on 19th July.

I know Iceland is on the green list but international cruising is still not advised.

I will ask Viking but that is not easy at present so wondering whether anyone had an answer already.

52 minutes ago, arlowood said:

Malta now added to the Green List for UK travelers so the returning quarantine issue has been removed for the time being at least

This is incorrect. Since the cruise goes to amber list countries quarantine still required.

Neil

Viking accepted NHS app or card. Foreign Office advice states Iceland accepts NHS app.  We printed certificates from app.

Dave

32 minutes ago, Marmaduke said:

Does the glitch that appears to affect the pre booking of restaurants also apply to pre booked tours, be they the included ones or optional extras.  Do you need to check on board that your tour reservations still stand,  if not have people been able to get their first choice of timings ?

We were on the second cruise. All included excursions came through fine, tickets in the cabins. Optional excursions could only be booked on board.

Neil

I posted somewhere else but just to reassure, we were on the Viking Venus last week (probably passed you on Tresco) and it was pretty much the full Viking experience, so good in fact that we booked for next week as well!

Neil

It was me that told you this morning that US prices would apply. Nothing since then.

Yes we booked direct. We have made restaurant bookings and booked included excursions on MVJ. Had to phone Viking for optional excursions, I think because there is no way to pay on MVJ.

For UK passengers I just had a message from Viking (missed the phone call).

UK excursion prices are wrong, correct prices will be uploaded equivalent to US prices.

You're in for a hefty refund Neil 🤩

Neil

Same problem on 24th July sailing. I spoke to Viking on Monday, not aware of error. I followed up with email and still waiting for reply.

We had exactly the same on Viking Venus UK cruise last week. When we got on board where prices are quoted in dollars, they were nearly half prices on MVJ. They were aware of this on the ship but seem to have made the same mistake again!

For those yet to travel on the UK cruise, the excursion prices on Myvikingjourney are incorrect. Maritime city of Liverpool which shows as £79 each on MVY is $59 when booked on board (around £42). There is a similar discrepancy on all tours so considerably cheaper than expected. Viking are aware but seem unable to correct.

The cruise last week was fantastic by the way.

Passport is only for Viking check in so would not think 6 months would be a problem.

5 hours ago, Glenndale said:

I’ve been told only 50% of passenger capacity on these cruises so presumably it’s easy to book the specialities?

It’s a brand new ship too so everything will be pristine.

I understand that we’ll have to provide saliva samples each morning, are you finding the Covid restrictions ok?

Is there sharing at meal times or do you have to have a 2 top?

We booked 12th June sailing while on Viking Venus last week. Wonderful as ever and too cheap to refuse. Only 274 on our sailing. Cruise consultant on board expecting 200 or so next week due to short notice.

Covid restrictions no problem, masks while moving around inside but not when seated. 2ml saliva sample each morning ( which is a lot of saliva) and simple 4 question health questionnaire. Only allowed off for Viking excursions.

Tables for 4 and 6 available, sharing no problem.

No handicrafts, plenty of lectures if that's your thing (not mine).

Mamsens same as ever.

1 hour ago, timbloom said:

many didn't seem to want to tour at all.

Tim

We sail on Saturday so fascinated by your reports.

I suspect the lack of interest in the tours is due to the prices. £79 each for a 3 hour walk seems extremely expensive.

Thanks again and do keep reporting.

Dave

8 hours ago, Janet&David said:

Today Viking Venus appears to be en route to Falmouth via the Channel Isles - perhaps they could include this detour on our cruise.

Perhaps that will be the scenic cruising on Friday. Not far from Portland to Portsmouth, I was wondering where we would go!