M.Travels

Not at all, not that I can recall anyway … the ease of the cruise combines with the layout of the boat so that it’s rare that everyone is in the same place at the same time.

We boarded the ship last year on December 27, having spent Christmas on another cruise line. The passengers who continued on to a second cruise on Windstar talked about their Christmas experience positively, but I cannot remember any details. I can say that the NYE experience was really wonderful. They gave us all funny hats and had a series of events and parties throughout the night, and we great enjoyed dancing with new friends. I would do NYE on a Windstar again anytime!

The Viking home base in Prague is the Hilton Prague hotel, which is a large modern hotel and very wheelchair friendly. The Viking desk is on the first floor and they are happy to book you on Viking tours but they flat-out refused to help with any other city info, even recommendations between Uber and Bolt. This was our experience with the Viking desk in Berlin as well so I am under the impression it’s some sort of corporate change (sadly). If anyone else has a different experience from the past few weeks please post. We found Prague beautiful but we were shocked at how difficult and dangerous the city was for anyone with mobility challenges, and that was true of most of the older cities in Germany as well. “Gorgeous but slippery” was the term often used by our market cruise friends. In our small group of 100 we had four serious falls that required hospitalization and/or immediate return to the US for surgery. Granted this was in December when it rained the whole time, but those old stone stairs and cobblestones are not to be underestimated. The buses used by Viking in Europe are all very nice but they do have steep stairs to get on and off each time.

Just wanted to say thanks to everyone who posted helpful information, especially about the walking excursions on AMA … we did a Viking this year and are glad we went but would never do another Viking River. It was simultaneously exhausting and too sedentary, even for my mom. We would like something with more walking and more choices next time and are thinking Emerald or AMA.

Yes this is correct. You use the same form you use for the pressing.

Yes, I think we all knew what website it was as soon as you said there were only 2 categories of cabins. My question to you is why are you saying “bad on you Windstar” and “buyer beware” when Windstar’s information is transparent? You booked with an agency and the agency did not give you all the information, which is frustrating sure … but your blame seems mis-aimed here. Luckily it’s Windstar so you will likely still have a wonderful time!

Maybe that is the discrepancy, because we sailed on the Viking Sea in December and our deck had three large, combination washer/dryer units (not four).

The “no extra charge” DIY laundry is in the middle of the ship on decks 4,5, and ? (there is at least one more, I think it is 3 but it could be 6). It is on the starboard side and there are three larger-than-average washers and dryers in there. Supplies are provided, and there is also an ironing board available for general use as well as a small couch, television, and remote if you want to entertain yourself while you wait. But most people did not wait … they left their clothes and came back right when the machines were done. It’s Viking so no one needs to steal your clothes, and the machine will tell you how many minutes until it is done with the cycle so you can set an alarm on your phone and come back. If you come back later you might find someone has removed your clothes and put it in a provided laundry basket. This happened to us once, we were really enjoying talking to someone and came back about five minutes after the cycle was done and someone had put our stuff in a basket and put it on the couch.

Understandable! The warm options are the most popular for very good reasons … and warm feels so good!! Someone told me once they like the cold pool, bucket, etc. more on the cold voyages because they are used to the temps outside and I thought that was an interesting way to ponder people’s preferences.

This is my MO too! Although I really like using the bucket on the first day onboard, it is good for getting the circulation going a bit after travel … and then I get back in the warm water :).

Yes! Luxury to me is the individualized attention, and the ability to get what you want/need without feeling like a bother. Along with that comes the power to make individual choices, such as what to wear. If someone wants to wear a tux, great, and if someone else does not, great too. When we all have to do the same thing at the same time it stops feeling like “luxury” and more like one of the galas we go to for work … but I understand others may feel very differently.

I used to wait tables back in the day, so I confess I might be guilty of this … We do the grat that is added and then I will tip extra for our steward team and maybe a couple folks who are really good, but that is a “cash in a handshake” situation.

Yes, definitely quarantined. You could still order anything you wanted from room service and they would bring it to you and leave it on a tray outside the door, and then you call and they come pick it up when you are done. But no more activities or interactions or housekeeping or anything else (obviously).

I think you may be right! I remember those tube tops … what were we thinking??? 🙂 And I did once see someone wearing one of these things as a top while hiking in Utah, so that is probably it.

We were in the old section, on the fourth deck, and were very comfortable the whole time.