Cruiseceruleanweasel

On 6/14/2024 at 12:19 PM, millybess said:

Decaf coffee pods to use with the in-room coffee maker are replenished every day by the room steward.

Does anyone know what soft drinks are available? (Thinking about ones that don’t have caffeine). 

On 6/13/2024 at 8:41 AM, OneSixtyToOne said:

Non-alcoholic coffee drinks are included.

Max SSBP drink price is $18, which covers almost everything except some champagne.

Does anyone know how much availability there is for decaf drinks? We have a member of our party who can't do caffeine for health reasons and I'd love to tell her what to expect.

23 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

And?? What did they say? Did you get what you needed?

 

BTW, the CC veterans are not surprised that you got a phone call. Much faster than days of e-mails back and forth.

I had already called before (see above). I was specially told here that calling wasn’t what I should have done and that emailing would get me better information. I was reporting back as people said they were interested - an email had the exact same effect as a phone call. It’s a phone call either way. 

On 6/3/2024 at 6:49 PM, aungrl said:

Unfortunately, if you call instead of sending an email to tellus@vikingcruises.com, you're likely to get the answer you got.  The customer service representatives who respond to emails at this address are more knowledgeable, (much) more consistent, and generally able to actually help you.  Even though you've called, I'd still suggest sending an email, as per @Peregrina651's suggestion.

I emailed at your suggestion. Instead of responding by email, they called me 😂

13 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

 

IMHO, discuss this with Viking before you go. Contact them at tellus@vikingcruises.com. Be sure to include your booking number and a phone number where they can reach you. They will be able to answer all of your questions in regard to buying the drinks package for just one person in the cabin.

 

In the meantime, you may want to think about about if the package is really right for you -- unless, you aren't worried about breaking even.

 

Keep in mind:

• All coffees (except those made with spirits), tea and hot chocolate are free 24/7.

• The contents of your minibar is yours to consume. DV and above is replenished daily; V cabins may purchase additional contents.

• All soft drinks (sodas, bottled water, fruit juices at breakfast) and specific wines and beers are complimentary at meals, but are on you the rest of the time.

• Viking has a liberal BYO policy, no corkage fee in the bars or dining rooms and may be consumed anywhere on the ship (they will even supply glasses, ice and water).

 

• The drinks package does not include everything -- but it does cover soft drinks:

Ocean & Expedition: This Silver Spirits beverage package includes premium wines by the glass, house champagne by the glass, cocktails, aperitifs, and any drink up to $18, throughout the day and anywhere on the ship; The Chef’s Table premium wine pairing; 30% discount on premium beverages above $50 USD, and 50% discount for premium tasting events

 

 

I called and Viking’s response was the exact advice offered by CDNPolar above. They cannot do anything in advance on it. I’m supposed to go on the ship and talk to the bursar/beverage folks and see if it can be bought for one person since the other person is under 21. Viking said there was no guarantee that this would be allowed.

3 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

Or to become a policy in the first place?

The only thing I can think of is they want to have a consistent policy across ships since they have some ports in the US. They should make it easier to add the SSBP to rooms with only one person who can buy it though (since the other person is "underage") - I can't think of any reason not to allow that. 

5 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Under 21 can not drink on a Viking Ship.

 

We have a friend that we travelled with and she brought her granddaughter who was 18.  Grandma wanted the SSBP but could not buy in advance because online and through reservations she was not old enough to drink and both in the cabin must purchase.

 

Once on the ship Grandma appealed to the Guest Services and F&B Manager and was granted the permission to buy for just herself.  If you really want the package you are going to have to attempt to get this on the ship, but there is no promise that you will get it.

 

I would say that if you go about it the right way - which is after boarding, and have the underage with you for the meeting with the F&B Manager that you will likely get it.

Thanks. We will try this. 

5 hours ago, KBs mum said:

See what non alcoholic drinks are included only with meals, might be worth the SSP. Or let the 18+person enjoy a few drinks while on holiday. 

The 21+ limit is for the US customers in case they only want to buy the SSP for one person because of your social/legal situation. 

The rest of us can buy alcohol at 18 and Viking allow (unless policy has changed recently) all guests to drink alcohol

Thanks. They don't allow under 21 to drink. It's a European cruise so it is a weird policy. 

On 5/29/2024 at 5:52 AM, CDNPolar said:

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Viking include house wines and beer with lunch and dinner and are generous.

 

Everything available in the beverage package is available to you to purchase above the included beer and wine, without the beverage package.

 

The beverage package is currently $25 per person per night on Viking and both in the cabin have to purchase.  This would mean that you must be committed to spending $50 bucks per day above what is included.

 

If you really want to drink cocktails, then the beverage package is for you.  If you are a lighter drinker and the included is enough, then don't buy the package.

 

I may be called out for this, but I have never seen "Champagne" from Champagne region included in the SSBP.  That will be an additional charge.

 

Included in the SSBP and the included wines will be a Prosecco.

 

There has been discussion before where some folks clump anything with bubbles under "champagne" but from how you were asking, I figured that you are looking for authentic champagne.

I am going on a Viking Cruise in the fall and will be taking a child who is under 21 (I guess technically an adult but not for the drinking age). How do they handle that with the beverage package? Do they make the cabin pay for 2 for the package? - I know they use the US drinking age.