Peregrina651

Try refreshing the page. I just got in but I had to press refresh a couple of times. Took about a minute. I've used this technique a couple of time recently.

So, I have to tell you, for laughs of course. Doris turned up on my online book group's feed this week. The puns are lost and the focus is on the Vikings themselves -- one of who looks like Terry Pratchett and another who looks like John Rhys-Davies in some movie. My immediate reaction was how quickly it made it to our little backwater.

Have fun. I'm following your Live-ish thread.

I'm on the same sailing as SantaFe1. I might not wait until I get home. Depending on my mood a year from now, I might start a "Live" thread and report as I go along.

Ditto! But then again, it's @Clay Clayton and he shares. Maybe if we are lucky he will do a "live" thread (hint, hint😉).

All tours listed on the website are not necessarily offered on all sailings. There is a caveat on the website to that effect. I wanted to copy it here but I'm working on a tablet and have no idea how to do it.

Yes, once onboard, all prices are in USD.

Even though it cost more than public transportation, we used the HOHO for our day in Edinburgh. We got off near to our first stop of the day (the Scottish National Gallery; best fish & chips ever in the Gallery restaurant). We wandered around town until we exhausted ourselves and then grabbed the HOHO for a scenic ride back to Newhaven. The bus stop was right at Newhaven: keep the water to your right as you walk along the edge of the harbor, at the street turn right and walk along the water until you get to the bus stop. (Remember, North Americans, the bus will be coming from the right.) We wanted to see Holyrood Palace but it was closed for the Holyrood celebrations at the end of June. (Currently closed: Saturday, 6 May 2023 - Palace closed; 18 - 27 May 2023 - Palace closed; and 29 June – 7 July 2023 - Palace closed). We will try again 2024.

We did Edinburgh in 2016 (with Midnight Sun). We did not take the included tour but did wander on our own inside the Castle, which is a series of building enclosed by a wall. If you don't go inside the gates of the Castle, there isn't much to see. If the walking tour doesn't take you into the Castle it may take you as far as the front gate and talk about the Castle. As we walked up to the Castle from the Scottish National Gallery Inside the grounds

We aren't bashing extra tips for those who have gone above and beyond. We are bashing the custom of walking up to the bar and throwing down $$$ before ever being served the first drink hoping that it will buy better service from the bartender with the unspoken message of "there is more where that came from if you treat me right."

NOTES for the NEWBIES: Shipboard currency on all Oceans is USD. Currency on rivers differs depending on the destination (euro in Europe, Egyptian pound in Egypt, etc.) so check the FAQ for your cruise. The tip pool covers tips for the hotel staff -- the ones you see from day to day and the ones who work behind the scenes (prep chefs, dishwashers, laundry, etc.). You may pay this in advance on MVJ (or as part of cruise fare for guests in AUS, NZ and UK) or it will be added to your shipboard bill at the end of the cruise. Bar prices include a 15% gratuity. Drinks package includes gratuities. Spa prices (for services) including the salon include a 15% gratuity. (Use of the spa facilities is included in your cruise fare). • There maybe a line for tips on the bill but it is there for the convenience of those who wish to tip in addition to the 15%. The downside is that it gives impression that something is expected; it is not. (File it under "damned if they do, damned if they don't). It is not necessary to slip the bartenders a tip at the start of the cruise to insure prompt service. If you are a regular, they will get to know you quickly enough. If you are not regular, you will be treated as if you were. Shorex do not include tips. Viking will say something about the recommended amount for guides and drivers in the e-doc that are sent out 14 days prior to departure. Pre- and post-cruise extensions are not included in the shipboard tip pool and tips are not included in the price of the package. Sounds like a staffing problem -- and tipping more won't fix that, even in the short run of a cruise.

Perhaps it has something to do with control of water usage.

LOL, Not really. I have a couple of items that are double tagged.

And here, all this time, I have been avoiding this project because I didn't want to haul out the iron and the ironing board. Time to get it over with! Thank you, Jim.

Or an iron with a towel between the tag and the iron so as not to damage the sweater. Wool can take a higher iron temp than then acrylic. If there is rayon in the blend it may need an even lower temp.

Wow. I can even see the little blighters in your photo!! We were there in early July and never needed anything (even though we did come prepared). I wonder if it is an early summer vs late summer thing? Nor did we need any of our rain gear, which my brother had told me was an absolute must. He still isn't talking to me; it was sideways rain the whole time he was there following their Midnight Sun adventure. Take the rain gear, take the bug repellent!!!! It's the only win-win!

In 2021(we were on the second sailing of those "welcome back" sailings), everything was limited because of infrastructure issues (i.e., guides and drivers). I would expect that now, with two seasons of recuperation under its belt, that Iceland is in much better shape to offer a variety of tours even in Djupivogur. Personally, I loved the bus ride. I was fascinated by the geology and landscape of the country and thought that the getting anywhere was part of the experience of seeing the country. I'm also a fool for glaciers and this was a once in a lifetime chance for me to get up-close-and-personal. Bring the sticks!!! It is about a 10 minute walk to the loading area. There are a couple of places where it is steeper that what is shown here but they aren't very long stretches. I was worried about getting in and out of the boat but it was not as difficult as expected. Sit down, swing your legs over. There are no benches; you sit on the side.

I don't think it has ever worked the way described in the FAQ. The being able to see the shorex in MVJ as soon as you sign up part that is.

Oh, dear! That may be what they wrote in the FAQ but that isn't how it really works. Operations tend not to load the shore excursions into MVJ until about 120 days prior to sailing. The booking schedule is correct The date that shorex booking opens for you is listed on your Viking invoice, probably towards the end of the document.

Everybody reacts differently to the seas and everybody reacts differently to the remedies that are available. I think that it is a matter of trial and error until you find what works for you.

The church website said that they used 400 year old trees for the reconstruction. I wonder if that has something to do with it.

Best bet is to talk with the chef when you board and ask which of the menus they are serving can best be adapted to your diet. It will give the kitchen a chance to shine because they will have time to properly prepare dishes using the flavors and ingredients of the menu rather than just substitute a piece of fish for the main course.

I had heard this but then I worry that one of these days, they are going to go back to the old system.

While it is cool that it is mentioned on the AO website (but not in the second edition of the book sitting by my desk☹️), it is not a big secret. Google "Fantoft" and it comes up in the suggested searches. The first line of the Wikipedia article and the church website both tell that it has been reconstructed. Just the idea that they were able to reconstruct the building is amazing enough for me to add it to my "I have got to see this!" list. BTW, the church website also says that it is open to the public May 15 to Sep 15.

Anything but double vision!