Peregrina651

YES, PLEASE!!!!! 🎉

WOW!!! GREAT PHOTOS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Thanks for sharing them.

Viking uses SOLD OUT as a place holder. I can mean what it says or it can mean that the tour is not being offered on your sailing. You don't know what it means until you click on the tour to see what is going on. Since you are in a PV, unless the tour is super-limited capacity, it is unlike that the tour is sold out and much more likely that it isn't being offered. Viking does not keep a waiting-list. You just have to keep going back to the website to see if seats have become available -- and they just might. People change their mind. People have to cancel last minute. Viking adds more capacity. It all happens without announcement and seats are sold first-come-first-served. In the meantime, while you are checking the website every day, dash off an e-mail (tellus@vikingcruises.com) to Viking telling them how disappointed you are that the tour you so much wanted is sold out. Ask them if they will be adding more capacity. Since they don't keep a waiting list, they have no way of knowing if they need more space. Include your booking number and a phone number where they can reach you.

Ask your MD what is appropriate for your medical status. Make sure that you meet the vaccination requirements of each of the countries you are visiting. Remember that the words "They told me on Cruise Critic..." mean nothing to border officials.

I agree with @Azulann. Every sailing has its own vibe -- and its own eccentric. Some of the vibe is determined by the people on board and some by the nature of the itinerary -- and it is rarely predictable in advance. Glad to hear that you are planning a next time.

It doesn't matter which direction you travel. I know that the May 9, 2024 sailing will not be docking in Dublin from my invoice: MON MAY 13, 2024 Dublin (Dun Laoghaire), Ireland 08:00 AM 11:00 PM. There may be other sailings that also dock there, rather than in Dublin. Even then, docking locations are never set in stone. With a call to Viking, you should be able to find our which sailings are scheduled to dock in Dun Laoghaire. According to the Viking website, these are the London accommodations. Note the fine print. Your Accommodations Conrad London St. James Conveniently located in the heart of the city, the hotel is just minutes away from some of London’s most renowned landmarks. Savor traditional British fare in the Blue Boar restaurant or relax with a themed afternoon tea in Emmeline’s Lounge. Contemporary guest rooms are spacious and reflect the hotel’s sleek design. ALL THIS IS INCLUDED: 2 hotel nights in London (as shown or similar) 2 meals: 2 breakfasts Services of a Viking Host All transfers Fine print: Extension is not available on all departure dates; confirm availability & seasonal pricing when booking. Pricing may vary by departure or activity date. Activity order may vary. Accommodations are subject to change depending on availability; if advertised hotel is not available, a similar hotel will be confirmed. If you haven't found them yet, here are links to a couple of threads here that may be of help: Random thoughts about our British Isles cruise British Isles Explorer Cruise excursions https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2862566-viking-british-isles-cruise-tips-for-others-going-on-this-cruise/page/6/#comment-64571383 British Isles Explorer Past Cruisers - Questions British Isles Explorer Cruise Favorite British Isles Explorer port souvenirs Live thread: Onboard Neptune now - British Isles Explorer See especially posts #132 and 136

I wouldn't think so since the third party is not taking over the management of the community. The online-- access it through a browser -- is still the core of the boards. All of that stuff still has be taken care of. Moreover, CC has already partnered with other third parties to get the job done. The CC boards are run on a third party platform. Sometimes it is cheaper and easier to hire a contractor than to do it yourself.

Some people, especially younger people, like apps (I don't; I don't trust them). CC used to have an app that made it easier to read the forums on a phone or mobile device; it was just for reading forums, nothing fancy. When CC moved to new platform a few years ago that app was not compatible. The new platform was necessary as CC had outgrown the old one. If I wanted to be really snide, I would say that the point of using apps is so that the developer can make money selling your data and pushing advertising. For the record and so that I don't get sued for libel, this particular app says that it does not sell/give data to third parties. This new app is more than a forums reader. It is also sales and advertising -- 'everything users need to plan (and book?) their next cruise' kind of thing. In the meantime, mobile browsing has gotten better. So, I'll stick with the browser, the TA and the search & organize system I already have in place. Fortunately, using the app is optional -- because I don't trust apps or their developers and I don't want to be a beta tester for one either. Moreover, there is no version for my desktop, where I see and type much better than on mobile devices. On the other hand, if other people using this app is a money maker for Cruise Critic, then I am not going complain (as long as using the app is not mandatory). It costs money to run a website like this and if we aren't paying to participate then there has to be some other source of income to keep the doors open.

Not quite that bad, I think. According to the e-mail, CC has actively partnered with "My Kind of Cruise," so it is not like material is being stolen from CC. Whether CC had a hand in the app design is unclear. Whether this is the only version of the app is also unclear. This is a very new app in the app store, with only 10K+ downloads and no reviews so far. The old app was nothing more than a forums reader (I didn't use it). When CC changed platforms, the old reader was not compatible and was discontinued. The new app is full of flourishes and furbelows that some people will love and others will hate. It is clear that it is much less a forums reader than it is a sales and advertising tool.

I took the app for a spin. I am an app curmudgeon. I could not log into CC and gave up trying to get around it. It is not a dedicated app and it is not owned or operated by CC. I feel safer using my browser and going directly to the CC website. I don't need the added layer of uncertainty.

Most definitely there have been changes. What used to be a a booklet is now a pdf file sent via e-mail. Reading lists and films are on the Viking Oceans website, on the itinerary page, under the RESOURCES tab.They are not on MVJ (that I could find) and remember that your current sailing is not available on MVJ once the trip begins. Save anything there that you want to save for future reference before you leave home.

The Cruise Critic PM function is disabled. It seems available because it is part of the third-party platform that hosts this community but has been disabled for all members. PM has never been a Cruise Critic feature.

But note that once your trip begins, the booking disappears from MVJ. Anything that you want to save from MVJ has to be saved before your trip begins. So, thank you, @formernuke for the heads up and I am off to download those documents. On the other hand, 14 voyages with Viking and I have never been asked to see it.

There are two deliveries from Viking that you have to watch out for. One comes via the postal service about 45 days before you sail and contains your personalized luggage tags that will get your bags from dockside to your cabin (do not attach them until after your flights), red Viking luggage tags to attach immediately with your personal information (and so that other Viking voyagers will recognize you at the airport) and transfer badges so that the ground personal will recognize you. Sometimes, this package goes to your TA to be forwarded to you. None of this is required to get on the airplane or the ship, so don't freak out if they aren't delivered. The other comes via e-mail to you or your travel agent or to both of you 14 days prior to departure. It is a summary of your booking and your shorex and information about all of the tours available on your sailing. If it only goes to your TA, then it is up to the TA to forward it to you -- and may take some nagging on your part to get it from your TA. Again, there is nothing in these documents that is required to board the ship. It is annoying but nothing to panic over; you are still going on your trip. In the last month before the sailing, Viking will also send a series of e-mails announcing pre-trip deadlines. Viking will take any photos that they need with cameras that are connected to the ship's computer system. If you do need photos in advance then it is itinerary specific and Viking should warn you about it well in advance.

I believe that the folks who do check-in are third-party providers and they are told only what they need to know to check you in. If they are told to collect passports, that is what they do. They aren't necessarily told why and then have to make up some prattle on the fly to answer questions. FWIW, I don't bother with comfort check-in. I haven't found that it gets me on the ship any faster so why bother producing another piece of paper that I have to keep track of. I also don't supply a credit card in advance, because it is just another of personal data to be taken when the system is hacked.

Once you have gone through all the boarding formalities, regardless of your cabin category, check to see if your cabin is ready. If you see a steward near by, ask if you can leave your hand luggage in the closet even if the cabin isn't completely ready. If the cabin is not ready, don't wait for the announcement to check again, because Viking doesn't announce until all of the cabins are ready. Your steward will want to give you a guided tour of your cabin, showing you where all the important buttons and switches are and giving you a chance to express any needs (more hangers, ice for afternoon cocktails, sparkling water instead of or in addition to still, extra towels, special pillows, what you would prefer in your mini-bar, etc). Do it now or make a date for later in the afternoon.

I do believe in ESP.

Really, there is only response to this announcement!

Getting answers here is all about getting the people with answers to see your question. Have you asked on the Expeditions thread? Viking Expeditions Thread. Or maybe even better is starting a new thread in this forum (Viking Oceans), one that clearly states in the title that it is an Expeditions question, so that you attract the attention of folks with Expeditions experience.

There is a ramp into the Wintergarden on the starboard side. I don't use the portside enough to remember if there is one over there as well.

On MVJ, under "Manage My Air" https://www.viking.com/myjourney/air Make sure that Viking Air has been removed from your booking, else you will not see on MVJ what I have copied below. I highlighted the relevant part of the text. Copying MVJ: Contact our reservations department at 1-877-523-0580 to take advantage of the many inclusive benefits that Viking Air offers. Transfers to & from the airport to your hotel or ship Access to our special rates Arrival and departure times coordinated with your cruise Include possible stopovers before or after your journey Reservation management To purchase transfers from the airport to your ship or hotel because you have arranged your own air travel, please complete and submit the Transfer Request Form.

Even the merchant marines who haunt this forum, will agree with you on this one.

There is no such thing as "for sure" when it comes to docking (or anything else involved in operating a cruise vacation; just read the contracts). The Harbormaster is in charge and the Captain docks the ship wherever the Harbormaster tells him -- and at whatever time he tells him. Sometimes Viking knows well in advance of a change and sometimes they don't know until they are pulling into the harbor. The companies that provide shore side services to the cruise ships are used to this and know how to deal with last minute changes. Bob, I'm just the opposite. I'm convinced that Viking is going to get me to the airport on time, whether it is paid or complimentary, regardless of where the ship docks. Viking and their providers know how long it takes to get to the airport from whatever berth they are assigned. They are moving 100s of guests at disembarkation and the last thing they want is 100s of guests missing flights.

All that gorgeous scenery and the one thing that catches my attention is a guy who could be a cousin! The guy in the prussian blue jacket and gray sneakers.

Not necessarily so. Let me clarify for all those who are reading here. Booking your own air does not automatically disqualify you purchasing Viking transfers; what disqualifies you is the timing of those flights. If you are landing on Day 1 of your Viking adventure and/or taking off on the last (that includes pre- and post-cruise extensions), you are eligible to purchase transfers; those are the days that Viking does transfers. Your flight has to land or take-off on those days. If you land or take-off on a day when transfers are not available, even if you make your arrangements through Viking, you are not eligible for transfers either complimentary or paid. Example: Our cruise was RT out of LA. In order to spend time with our son, we arrived in LA a few days early. But since it was still Covid and son did not want to be near us once we had hobnobbed with the multitudes, we chose to fly home on the last day of the cruise. We rented a car when we landed to get to our hotel and then to the port but for the end of the trip, we paid for a Viking transfer from the port to the airport. Transfers for those eligible can be purchased on MVJ or arranged through your travel agent. You can buy transfers for just arrival or just departure.