SailorPaulH

I have a cruise in July 2024, where our shore excursion booking reservation time was moved from 87 to 127 days prior to embarkation. I asked this question in a chat session when inquiring about something else, and the agent said they estimated shore excursions would be available to view about 150 days out (around about the time OS can make reservations).

Maybe this was already noted here, but today I saw for the first time that if you "Price & Build" a VOC on the web-site, you are now able to select exactly what cabin you want (if available) whereas you could only choose from a short list determined by Viking in the past. This mirrors how the River cruises have been bookable for a while.

"Drying laundry" may just be a cover story 😉

So the date for reserving excursions has been advanced (for cruises after 6/1/124), but can you select excursions before that .... drop them in a 'wish bucket' for example and pay for them in one swoop: is that a thing?

Or it could be to overcome increased competition for local guide/tour operator resources!?

One of the excursions that is listed for cruises that pass through Bergen, Norway is 'Dale of Norway: A Living Museum'. Does anyone know if this factory visit allows you to score worthwhile discounts at its shop over the retail outlets (in Oslo or Bergen, for example)? Thanks.

Is that still at the Skarfabakki Harbour location?

I am curious. How is this situation currently addressed?

I posted this on our Roll Call (Viking Venus, July 2024): "For our self-designed Iceland post extension, we have successfully set up our hotel and (non-Viking) excursions: Center Hotels Arnarhvoll (across the street from Harpa) Golden Circle and Waterfalls, with Fridheimar Farm and Kerid in small group Thingvellir Oxararfoss Efstidalur farm Gullfoss Geysir/Strokkur Fridheimar farm Kerid crater Whale Watching tour from Reykjavik Kollafjodur Videy Island Faxafloi Bay South Coast day tour in a small group Seljalandsfoss Gljufrabui Skogafoss Solheimajokull Reynisfjara Snaefellsnes Peninsula in a small group tour with home-cooked meal included Berserkjahraun Kirkjufell Djupalonssandur Arnastapi Budakirkja" The Small Group tours are by EastWest (we used them before in 2021 and like them). The Whale Watching is by Reykjavik Sailors.

We have booked a small group tour for Snæfellsnes for one of our days on our self-directed post-extension on our 2024 IML cruise - definitely looks like a must see region.

And you can do and see a lot on that full day in Bergen. Here is an example of what we got up to - see posts 57 and 58: If you plan to take the Floibanen funicular railway and/or Ulriken cable car, I suggest self-booking online (Floibanen) or at bus-stop (for Ulriken) - much less $$ than a Viking excursion.

Haven't seen this mentioned on the boards. An extra piece of red tape to deal with for US, Canada, Australia and NZ travelers. Cost about US$8 pp. The title of the article is a little over the top: Major Change for U.S. Tourists: EU to Require Visas in 2024 | Entrepreneur

I hiked this area (the related Fagradalsfjall eruption) in 2021. Unlikely to be any disruption to flights as this Reykjanes system is a lava producer with minimal ash. Main concern with wind direction will be toxic gas so the authorities may have some controls in place for tourists and excursions.

Received mailing for 2024 & 2025 VRC. Pharaohs & Pyramids (12 days) Standard $6,499 Veranda $8,499 -> $7,999 Veranda Suite $10,999 -> $9,999 Explorer Suite $13,999 -> $12,999 Based on select Aug 2025 depatures Air Fare $1,899 -> $1,299 pp (for Aug Sep 2025 departures) Ask for EBD (expires 7/31/2023)

We arrived at our ship at about 5:30 pm local time in Stockholm last year (with a next day sail-away). It took 15 minutes from the time we boarded to go to our life-jacket talk at the theater and then escorted to our cabin. Our bags were already there (last time we had seen them was when Viking staff loaded them on the coach at Arlanda airport).

Not a bad idea at all - a small investment that may safeguard a much bigger one. My packing list just grew by another item.

Hey everyone - we are 'The Elder Economy' https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/06/16/viking-chairman-we-appeal-to-thinking-person-which-has-been-very-favorable-for-us.html

Good idea. The cruise is too far way to know that yet, but I looked at my cancelled cruise documents from 2021 and Viking did schedule their excursions at 8:30 am.

Thank you for your travel reports and photos!

While I am aware that a Port Arrival time is not guaranteed, I was hoping to get some clarification as to what Port Arrival time means in Viking Ocean's world. Specifically, a future cruise of mine has a (cruise document indicated) Port Arrival time of 8:00 AM in Reykjavik (for an overnight and next day disembark). Previous port would be Isafjordur. Is that 8:00 AM time when passengers can exit the ship or is it the time they are throwing the ropes over the side to pull in? I am trying to determine if an 8:30 AM pick up at the Reykjavik Cruise terminal for a semi-private (non-VOC) tour is feasible!? Any insight from previous Reykjavik cruise arrival veterans is appreciated.

CCF_000007.pdfSummer Sale mailing received (Double Past Guest Discount) expires 6/30/23

Just received in the mail: Viking Expeditions Antarctic Explorer Buenos Aires to Ushuaia - 13 days Nov/Dec 2023 & Jan/Feb 2024 $25 Deposit NB: $14,995 reduced to $9,995 DNB: $15,295 reduced to $10,295 NP: $18,995 reduced to $13,995 NJS: $20,995 reduced to $14,995 ES: $28,995 reduced to $25,995 OS: $38,995 recuced to $37,995 Free Air Fare Ask for EAN23 (expires 6/30/2023 Antarctica & South Georgia Island Buenos Aires to Ushuaia - 19 days Oct 2023 (additional 2024 dates and prices available; see website or call for details) NB: $20,495 reduced to $19,995 DNB: $21,495 reduced to $20,495 NP: $27,995 reduced to $25,995 NJS: $30,995 reduced to $27,995 ES: $43,995 reduced to $39,995 OS: $58,995 recuced to $52,995 Free Air Fare Ask for EAN23 (expires 6/30/2023

As fleet size increases, there could be potential for new itineraries. But from a pure business point of view, Viking may have reached a level of itineraries that is sufficient to cater to the window of opportunity (to travel with VOC) for their demographic - and as the next generation of potential travelers replaces us everything becomes new again.

I read somewhere this design was a result of incorporating a new hydrogen propulsion system - requiring a greater size - so that VO could maintain ships that would be allowed into UNESCO listed fjords in Norway when the new regulations come into effect. The same propulsion system is being tested on a smaller scale in the original design Viking Neptune. But, yes, it does seem they took advantage of this design change to pack a few more people in.

Direct mail pieces work - that's why they do them .... a lot