SailorPaulH

22 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

If you like German beer and are flying Business, suggest checking out Lufthansa's business lounge in Frankfurt. At least before COVID they had a couple of self-service taps with draft beer. Few years ago, 4 of us were returning home from a business trip and spent a few hours in the lounge - heavenly.😁

Great info as always Heidi13. One interesting resource that I found that is close to the gates where Lufthansa flights from US arrive at Frankfurt is the transit hotel MyCloud - apparently you can book this by the hour (😏) - could be useful after an overnight flight with a 6-hour layover to follow. Anyone ever tried this? Startseite - MYCLOUD Hotel

I had an interesting development on my MVJ account. My flight itinerary was posted about 70 days before our first outbound flight - I was quite impressed by this as we had hastily booked this (substitute) cruise after we unfortunately had to cancel our intended cruise in July 2022. It involved an outbound flight from Newark, NJ to Frankfurt and then connecting to Stockholm (both on Lufthansa). The return flight was Bergen to Newark (United). Looked good - thought nothing more of it, and never really had the chance or felt the need to get Viking Air Plus. 10 days ago - the flight itinerary was removed and a message that begins: "Your flight information is currently unavailable due to changes made by the airline. These kinds of adjustments typically resolve themselves in 1-2 business days ....." etc., etc. Well it's been 10 days, and my inquiries with Viking have provided the answer ... and I paraphrase it, "Don't worry, it's just a flight adjustment and the details have yet to be posted."

I did my own digging on the Lufthansa and United websites using the booking codes that I had been provided by Viking and it turns out all the information is there - the only change is the connecting flight to Stockholm is a few hours later than the original (no big deal for me as I like German beer!). So it appears to be me that Viking is just slow to update individual MVJs in these situations.

I posted this as someone else may encounter the same situation close to cruise time - just remember to check the actual airline's site also to see if there is a significant issue or not.

Still, I will feel better when MVJ catches up (first flight is in 32 days).

Does anyone happen to know if they stock a range of Dale of Norway sweaters in the onboard shop? There are some ports we will be visiting with outlets also, but just wanted to see if there is a convenient onboard option. Thanks.

On 7/20/2022 at 6:35 PM, mhb1757 said:

Cruise is sold out so no option to upgrade. 😢

Keep checking - there may be cancellations in higher level cabins even this late in the game. Good luck.

12 minutes ago, mhb1757 said:

Apparently Viking could only book economy or business on that flight. I was wanting premium economy and they can’t book that on their contract.  business seats were not available on the long haul flight… those could potentially open up and I will watch but they will be ticketing the flights before long and then we won’t be able to upgrade. 

Did you find out if your cruise voucher balance was transferable? I thought vouchers that were issued due to Viking cancelling a cruise due to Covid were transferable - but don't take my word for it: I would definitely get an answer from a resource like tellus@vikingcruises.com (I believe that's the best email to reach out to).

2 hours ago, mhb1757 said:

We paid for an upcoming cruise with a voucher ( from a canceled cruise during COVID). I know the full value of the voucher must be used before we board or it is forfeited. I had planned to use the remainder to upgrade our airfare however that was only available for our outbound flights so there was quite a bit of credit left over.  I have prepaid gratuities and booked all the optional excursions we wanted and there is still some left. My DD and SIL are cruising with us in a different cabin. Does anyone know if Viking will let me use the remaining credit to book optional excursions for them?  
any other suggestions for using the remaining credit? (Not really interested in SSBP)?

Is there enough left over that you could justify upgrading your cabin?

On 7/12/2022 at 11:08 AM, Jim Avery said:

London is our fave city anywhere.  Imho, walk a couple of blocks in any direction and you will find something interesting.  🍺

This is so very true. As an ex-Brit, I have taken my US wife many times to London as it serves as a starting and focal point of various road-trips in England and Wales that we have taken.

We usually stay in hotels in the Kensington/Gloucester Road area as this is an easy ride on the Piccadilly line from Heathrow. And in the past we have always used the Oyster card to get around - the Underground is easy to use and makes London 'smaller'.

These are some places we have been over the years, and I have grouped them in proximity in a way that we did them.

• Kensington area and nearby - Science Museum, Natural History Museum, Victoria & Albert Museum, Royal Albert Hall, Hyde Park, Kensington Palace, The Tower House (you have to be Led Zeppelin fan to know this reference), Notting Hill, Portobello Market. 
• St. James Park area - National Gallery, National Portrait Gallery, Trafalgar Square, Admiralty Arch, The Mall, Buckingham Palace
• Whitehall - Household Cavalry Museum, Imperial War Museums, Churchill War Rooms, Palace of Westminster, Westminster Abbey, St. Margaret's Church.
• South Bank Walk - Westminster Bridge, London Eye, London Dungeons, Tate Modern, Shakespeare's Globe (seen numerous plays here including midnight showings), The Anchor Pub, HMS Belfast, Tower Bridge
• North Bank Walk - Tower of London (Crown Jewels collections, Fusilier Museum, Armory), St. Paul's Cathedral (make sure to go to top at the Whispering Gallery)
• Covent Garden area - Covent Garden, Royal Opera House, West End theater's (always good stuff - saw The Mouestrap at St. Martin's and Phantom of the Opera at Her Majesty's most recently)
• Baker Street area - Madame Tussauds, Sherlock Holmes Museum, Regent's Park, London Zoo
• Hampstead & Hampstead Heath
• Hampton Court Palace (you catch a train from Waterloo)

In London - you will never run out of things to do.
 

6 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

Or the nun with the big ruler.

Damn! I remember that - my nun called her big ruler "Medicine" ----- "Paul, come up her now and take your 'Medicine'". Must have worked, because I turned out OK .... mostly.

22 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

I am constantly amazed how much we "older generation" have un-learned.  I know my Momma told me to cover my mouth, take of hats indoors, etc. etc.  Everyone I knew growing up was also trained in manners.  Now it seems everyone is special and does not have to consider others.  Where is the Coach with the paddle when we need him???

I am always astonished and grossed out by the number of people who don't wash their hands after using public bathrooms. This is my main apprehension about becoming sick on a cruise: I hope "our demographic" has the common sense to eliminate this concern.

I saw something similar on upcoming Viking Homelands cruise:

Bornholm (Ronne) - Viking Jupiter: September 15th, 12:00 - 18:00 (Guest Statement) - could not confirm this on port's website.

Our shore excursion: Bornholm by Bike - 14:15 - 18:15, 4 hrs (Demanding) (MVJ).

Eventually, I am sure there will be a simple explanation/remedy. OTOH, it does say the SE is 'demanding' - perhaps because the last part of it involves some strenuous swimming!!?

8 hours ago, czrunner said:

Thanks for the fast response.  Did you reserve the Flybus ahead of time?  If so, how much time did you give yourself after landing? 

The last time I went - it was done as an add-on to an Icelandair package. We were on a Flybus about 15 minutes after we exited the airport. The trip I was supposed to go on this month (canceled), I booked it off Reykjavik Excursions for my bus ride TO the airport after a planned self post-extension so that you can narrow down to the specific time you want to be picked up.

However, FROM the airport to the city, I I believe there is no set schedule and you just jump on the next Flybus that pulls up (I think the web-site has more info than that).

If you get in to Reykjavik before the time you can check in to your hotel - the hotels are very cooperative on you leaving your bags and you can go off and do stuff.

In my experience, Reykjavik Excursions Flybus is excellent service. On our last trip to Iceland, they took us from Keflavik airport to BSI and then shuttled us to a bus stop close to our hotel.

As for footwear, it depends what you plan to get up to - but in Iceland, I believe my hiking boots/shoes are my friend.

3 hours ago, Cienfuegos said:

 

Viking placed my wife and me in a smallish, but comfortable room on the inside of the U at Thon Opera. a few stories above the courtyard. Comfortable, and quiet.

 

I'm guessing that some rooms overlook the rail sheds and yard / station plaza, while others may overlook the harbor

That hotel may have lost a significant part of its harbor view. Over the last few years there has been extensive construction in the neighborhood and the new library is just across the road from the hotel.

Sorry if this has been clarified elsewhere, but I can't find it if it was.

I just tried to create an entry for our (replacement) September 2022 cruise in Verifly - and I was unable to do so (no choice of Viking Cruises in menu). Is Verifly no longer required by Viking?

One more question, sorry. I have seen some posters saying they sometimes had to finish up purchases with credits or vouchers(?) while onboard. I can't find the posts now.

So if I am unable to consume all my voucher balance after booking my replacement cruise (+ excursions, gratuities ...), does any balance carry over to be used on board?

If so, I can find a way to put it to use 🍺🍺

1 minute ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

 

Because you already have a cruise on the books, the one for Sep 10 -- and a good agent who booked the two cruises in the right order so that you could get the later Final payment date.

 

The perk is that if you already have a future cruise booked, then you can ask for and receive a final payment date of 6 months prior to the cruise. 

 

When you book a second cruise, make sure that the offer that Viking sends clearly states when the final payment is due and if it isn't correct, don't pay the deposit until it is (and you see a corrected copy of the offer). Once your deposit is made, Viking will not budge on any change in terms of the contract.

 

 

All done just the way you described, and she actually said I should book the first cruise first as it would be advantageous to extend payment (I didn't think to ask by how much ... duhhh). But all OK, and I like the VH itinerary .... so here we go ... let's try again to get my feet wet!

Update on my own situation. We cancelled today, however everything went to satisfaction. Our 125% value voucher we used towards Viking Homeland cruise (Sept 10, 2022 on Jupiter: Stockholm -> Bergen) and we have some voucher left over for excursions. Our 100% voucher we used against Iceland's Majestic Landscapes for July 2024 (They extended payment in full on this to Jan 2024 - not sure why, but I will take it. Very happy camper (cruiser!?) right now!

Interestingly, the Viking TA said that if for some reason I have to cancel the VH cruise and cannot use the voucher I could still get refund of monies paid by requesting after 12/31/22 if I could not use the vouchers ..... as the vouchers originated from a cruise that Viking canceled. Nevertheless, I will do the VH 🤞 and not tempt fate.

I want to thank everyone who helped out on my questions in this thread - I appreciate it a lot.

19 minutes ago, SailorPaulH said:

You are correct. I spoke last night with a more knowledgeable agent and we decided instead to cancel under the RFG and take the vouchers - only recourse. We will look for an alternate in 2022 as that is how the main voucher can be used. A smaller one from money spent on add-ons we can use for beyond 2022.

I always look on the bright side - now I get to go on 2 cruises - the one I want (in 2024 probably) and something unexpected this year (now to do some research).

1 hour ago, Topflitemolitor2 said:

Hi all,

I just spoke with 2 different Viking agents and a TripMate agent as well. We were issued vouchers from Viking when they canceled our Ocean cruise over a year ago.. We rebooked for this September and are excited that it will be here soon!!!!

. However, in talking to both Viking and TripMate, if we canceled within 14 days before our cruise, we lose EVERYTHING. No reissue of vouchers.  It is in the RFG for Viking. And...Tripmate doesn't honor vouchers, so according to them, we are out of luck!!! No monetary reimbursement, not even our original monies paid for the cruise.....and the TripMate agent said that goes for trip interruption, etc. No coverage because Viking issued vouchers.  We feel we have no recourse at all. TripMate is now worthless for coverage within that 14 days of our cruise if we have to cancel. What a mess and Viking pockets the money if we have a serious reason to cancel that is beyond our control within that 14 days.

Granted, you will get vouchers to use in the next 2 years if you cancel BEFORE that 14 days.......

So much for trip insurance.....I pray no one ever ends up in that situation.

And yes, it was in the fine print but during all that mess with the pandemic, canceling us, and rebooking, it was a big oversight on our part. Sigh....

Good luck and I pray you get to take your cruise!!!!!

You are correct. I spoke last night with a more knowledgeable agent and we decided instead to cancel under the RFG and take the vouchers - only recourse. We will look for an alternate in 2022 as that is how the main voucher can be used. A smaller one from money spent on add-ons we can use for beyond 2022.

10 minutes ago, zalusky said:

I understand if you make a Tripmate claim you lose the premium.  However I was referring to the Risk Free route where you get vouchers and that the vouchers should include the Tripmate premiums.

I was told by Viking the voucher RF route would re-voucher the full 125% voucher amount, but only for use until end-2022 (we decided not to go that way if we do have to cancel). So yes it would include the original premium. It's reasonable if you have a back-up cruise plan at short notice and the time set aside but we don't.

7 minutes ago, zalusky said:

One thing that does not seem to be explicitly stated in the Risk Free policy is Tripmate.  They say the voucher covers all money paid to Viking.  Am I right to assume that includes Tripmate and that you can/will use the voucher to also pay for Tripmate on the subsequent travel?

 

I also assume that if Viking raises fares you are on the hook for that.

When you recover the money through Tripmate - the cost of the premium is deducted.

As for fare increases: c'est la vie. 

I still think there is about a 30% chance we won't have to cancel. Will know for sure in about 10-12 days. 🤞

The updated "Important Pre-Departure Information - Travel Requirements' document that is supposed to happen today is sure going to look a LOT simpler!

29 minutes ago, duquephart said:

Suggested tip in regard to excursion guides and drivers are well known but how about the folks who get you to/from the airport, etc. Are there suggestions for those people?

When we arrived in Amsterdam very early morning one Sunday in 2019 for a VRC (our first VC trip), we were picked up in a limo at Schipol and we were the only two being picked up at that time. That was the last time we touched our luggage until we saw them in our cabin later that day. As we drove in to the city and the docking area, the driver gave us a sightseeing experience replete with historical accounts. It was a very good first impression, that was for sure.

I remember not having smaller denomination Euros, and we asked if he was OK with USD for a tip and I think we gave him a 20. Turns out, he was very happy with USD as his daughter was an exchange student in USA and he was sending his US tips to her.

59 minutes ago, shadowlover said:

Where in Wales?  My family is from Port Talbot and Cefn Cribw (near Bridgend).

Cardiff. I used to do a lot of hiking in my college days in the Ogmore-by-Sea and Southerndown areas (only a few miles from Bridgend). 

28 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:

SailorPaul I see you are from NJ.  We lived in Red Bank for 18 years.  Had a sailboat on Toms River/Barnegat Bay for years.  Then had one at Atlantic Highlands Yacht Club before we sailed it to PR.  Are you a sailor?

A long, long time ago when I lived in my original home country in Wales I did some sailing.

But now, I can only put a claim on that if or when I get on Viking Jupiter next month, LOL.

P.S. Red Bank is a nice town - eclectic, nice restaurants, etc. I am near Toms River.