THR

1 hour ago, richardbohn said:

Next year, we will do doing our first ocean cruise on Viking. After seeing the new menu at Manfredi’s we are not thrilled with it. Does The Restaurant offer many tables for 2? I understand reservations are not available. This being said, are tables for 2 hard to get? In addition, can you order room service for dinner from The Restaurant menu?

We had a table of two three times on our recent cruise and quite private each time. 

My partner had something that resembled chicken parmigiana on our just completed cruise one night? I can’t recall what was it was on the menu but have included a photo. 

We went to Manfredi’s three times in the fourteen day cruise; was our favourite. 

11 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Don't blame the ship or the equipment. That is the way it that far north. The satellites are over the equator and need an unobstructed straight line to the receiver in order to function. That far north, hills and mountains can block the signal.

I didn’t but it was patchy everywhere, including in London and Bergen. I wasn’t complaining, just noting; it was as I expected and used my own coverage whenever possible. 

Good summary. This was our first Viking cruise and I thought all of the food was excellent, with the exception of the Chefs Table (we went there on the first night, so it might have just been first night issues).

(Unsure why they count the amuse bouche and the palate cleanser as a course, nor who makes a palate cleanser out of shaved ice and chilli.) 

We went to Manfredi’s three times and it was excellent each time (except for the desserts). 

We enjoyed all of the food at the restaurant, world cafe and pool grill. 
 

Found the service excellent throughout. 
 

We mostly did the included excursions, except for Honningsvag, where we did a great tour via separate company Blue Puffin (will review that on Google/Trip Advisor separately and might repost here once done). 
 

Didn’t participate in the shows much; thought the magic show was average at best. Viking band was quite repetitive. But the onboard singer, Cheryl-Maria was excellent. 
 

Ship was impeccably clean, always. 
 

Support all of the comments stated above re the ports. We particularly enjoyed Norway, especially Lofoten and Geiranger. Tromso and Bergen also enjoyable. 
 

One rather rough day/night travelling to Honningsvag but glad we made it and that port wasn’t cancelled. 
 

We were also delayed out of London due to winds, departing the next morning instead of the planned night departure, but that didn’t have any major impact. 
 

Also good news for those that attended the captain Q&A, the passenger that was evacuated (with his spouse) by helicopter has made a good recovery. 

Internet was indeed patchy and not generally usable except for the basics, with patience. Fortunately when in port or close to shore I generally had mobile coverage. 
 

I don’t have pre or during COVID experiences to compare to but given some of the negative comments, can also confirm it was an enjoyable cruise with overall good food and service. 

Heineken is a very standard lager. Nothing special.
 

On Venus now and they have Carlsberg draft at the pool bar (or bottle/can at other bars/restaurants), Brooklyn Lager (haven’t tried), and a Norwegian pilsner (similar to a lager). They also have Corona. 

As a data point, ours was $500 AUD per person, although that might have increased. Non refundable. 

All I can say is I read a lot of negative posts prior to this cruise we are currently on. Again, I have no historical points of comparison, but we are pretty discerning with our food in particular. 
 

We have found it to be pretty good, and glad we didn’t listen to a lot of the negativity and cancel. Taken a lot of photos and will post a separate review when we have better internet. 

10 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Access to your stateroom is whenever it is ready and many are ready long before the brochure time. Don't hang around killing time until 2pm, check as soon as you board. Viking only announces when all of the cabins are ready for occupancy.

 

Launderettes are only on Decks 3 though 6 and are located on the port(even) side of the ship, in an interior space, opposite the cabins.

 

Midnight Sun is sometimes joined with another itinerary to make Baltic Jewels & the Midnight Sun which will sail twice in July, 2023 and one in May, 2024.

Very informative, thanks. We won’t rush to get there - check out of accommodation at 11 and by the time we make our way I’m sure it’ll be 12 or so + whatever time check in takes. 

32 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

The ship is open for you to explore and use. However you might not be the only person with that idea. If your cruise is a leg of a back to back cruise there will already be passengers onboard. 

Good point. It’s Into the Midnight Sun on Saturday; not sure if that’s a continuation of one. Can only try.

We are on deck 8; not sure if that has a laundry (the plans say they all do?), but given most of the rooms on that floor won’t use them given they have laundry included, we might be in for a better chance.

Question: We don’t have access to our state room until 2pm.
 

On embarkation day, even before rooms are available, are we able to use the laundry. I would take some as carry on so we can start it before we get access to our room. (We’ve been travelling for 10 days already.)

I wonder if we got them because we are first timers and they know that (as we got a discount for it); but perhaps Australia still has lots of stock 

You were all correct! How exciting. After years waiting for our first cruise (due to delays) it’s not far now. 

3 hours ago, THR said:

So I just got a notification from Australia Post that I’m expecting a parcel from Viking. We are going on the midnight sun in a month. 
 

It won’t arrive for a couple of days but I don’t like surprises and also am excited in anticipation. What would they post to us?

 Sorry to quote myself as I don’t seem to be able to edit: if it’s just ticket related I’ll be a little annoyed with the local office who haven’t had any contact with us since 2022 - as it will just arrive before we depart Australia. 

So I just got a notification from Australia Post that I’m expecting a parcel from Viking. We are going on the midnight sun in a month. 
 

It won’t arrive for a couple of days but I don’t like surprises and also am excited in anticipation. What would they post to us?

14 minutes ago, CILCIANRQTS said:

BUT…we’re talking about cruise ship staff, who have no protection regarding their pay and conditions of employment.

That’s why cruise lines register their ships in such unexpected countries - because they don’t require even minimal protection for the staff.

 

AND…when I choose to tip, it’s between me and the staff member only. I don’t make a big display of it.

 

AND…who determines when it’s “too early” to tip or else it will be classified as a “bribe”. I tip very early, to show the staff member how much I appreciate their efforts from day 1.

 

Cruise staff work for, and appreciate, tips folks!! It amazes me how hard CC posters work to justify no or last day tips. And please don’t lecture me on when or how much I should tip. Everyone says it’s a personal decision - until another tipping thread starts…🙄🙄

I think you’re missing the point that for some markets, tips are advertised as included and not additional. Why should we pay higher fares AND be* expected to tip like your culture? Any tips are optional/discretionary and on the basis of performance. 

4 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

In other words ------ we don't tip but we do tip. Got it.

No need to be obnoxious. Anyone else would understand the point that is being made. 

As an Australian (and I think it's the same for UK), all of our gratuities are included in the fare. I expect staff know that; it's not in our culture.

That said, we will leave a tip at the end for staff we really appreciated.

So it includes house champagne now and not just Prosecco? I assume even if you booked on the old pricing that would be included?

I assume each ship is priced in USD?

Thank you all four your feedback - will check into those options 🙂

Hi all,

Sorry if there is a thread on this topic; I couldn't seem to find it. And this one is quite gigantic so I didn't want to go through every page.

I believe we are the true definition of new cruisers. We are on the Midnight Sun in June and not only is our first viking cruise, it is our first ever cruise.

We're a little lost on the subject of excursions and I would love to seek

advice and views on the excursion options.

I note that opinions on the included excursions are fairly divisive, so we were wondering whether the consensus is to:

• Book the extra cost ones
• Book your own via local operators
• Just do your own thing on shore.

I note that the Viking ones seem to be a lot more expensive than the book your own local options; but I am not sure whether the additional expense is justified as it is more convenient (due to Viking arranging, not having to work out where to meet the operators, ensuring you're back on time, etc.).

We won't necessarily do extra cost at every port as some included might be okay; and I guess we won't necessarily want to do an excursion at each port either.

Thanks for any advice 🙂

This thread is very timely. I hadn’t considered much warm gear for our Into the Midnight Sun (late June). Not many of the things people have raised. 

Also, it’s not the kind of dish you ask for well done. 

6 hours ago, CurlerRob said:

 

It strikes me as two extremely heavy travel days. Early disembarkation in order to catch the 0815 train; best part of 7 hours on the trip to Oslo; limited time in Oslo depending on your flight to AMS; transfer from Oslo to the airport; then the overnight in AMS and flight home.

 

Only you know you and can assess your preferences ... best of luck! 🍺🥌

You're right, it's too much. We will stick to the direct flight to AMS and less stressful amount of travel.

Wondering if this is a dumb idea.

We disembark on Saturday 8 July and have a flight home from AMS on the 9th. Currently booked to fly to AMS at around 2pm from BGO. 
 

I note there is an early train to Oslo - so that gives option to train and fly from Oslo to AMS in the evening. Really like the idea of the train but thinking it might just be too much travel and we won’t get much (or any) time to see Oslo. Any opinions?

Leaning towards skipping the train and keeping current plans.