dd57

If you arrive the first day of the Viking pre-cruise extension, there is no deviation fee. Done it several times.

You can check the schedules for each port here: https://claalaska.com/?page_id=1250 It's a two step process. Download the Berth code sheet first. Then go to each port and download those schedules. In each schedule look at the day you will be there and get the berth code then look it up in the berth code list. You can figure out whether you are docked or tendering. For example the Juneau schedule shows that you will be docked. These schedules are set up each year between the local authority and all cruise lines. HOWEVER, things change, like the rockslide in Skagway last year and schedules are not cast in concrete. When I was on this cruise several years ago, the Viking invoice said we would tender at most of the ports but we docked at every one. Maybe someone with more experience in Alaska can chime in on how reliable these schedules are.

So what I am saying is buried in the conversion rate is Visa's fee. So if your bank says there are no foreign transaction fees, they mean that the bank does not add any on top of Visa's.

Visa adds a foreign transaction fee on top of whatever the bank charges. This doesn't explain all of what you are seeing, but it is part. https://www.valuepenguin.com/credit-card-foreign-transaction-fees#:~:text=Visa and Mastercard both charge,fee%2C usually around 2%.

We have taken 2 Viking Ocean cruises: Alaska in 2018 and Majestic Iceland in 2022. We loved the ship, service, excursions, but the food was hit or miss. At Chef's Table, a piece if fish could have been used as a doorstop (how did they do that!). The server saw I wasn't happy, and they immediately replaced it, but that shouldn't have happened. But we were still impressed with Viking. That was our 30th cruise across 6 cruise lines. The food last August was really good. I think the chef makes a lot of difference. We are doing Alaska again this summer on Viking, our 4th cruise to Alaska. It will be interesting to see how the food is.

We have replaced the little liquor bottles for wine - no problem. Just leave a note inside the fridge with what you want done. Replacements/refills are not done by your room steward; someone comes around daily to do it.

I was on the Mars last August in a PV room. No beep when turning on the light. It must have something to do with the differences in the bathroom. No heated towel bars in a PV, so maybe it's that?

Yes, but IF the routes are fairly stable ones, from major airport to major airport, you are more likely to end up with something you want. Rather than being switched from a non-stop to a 3 hop because you aren't ticketed as happened to us. The original flight's schedule wasn't changed but all the seats were sold out. There are pluses and minuses to both ways. Staying on top of your flights is needed no matter which way you go.

I just got this hat in light blue. What a great hat! Thanks for the recommendation.

If you pay for Air plus, you can choose your flights as soon as the airlines publish them, usually 300 days out. You can also ask that they be ticketed whenever you want, so you are assured of actually having the flights. I'm not saying it is necessarily the right choice for you, just supplying information. You need to do the research like CCwinelover said.

Strangely, I had a bad reaction after taking Benadryl and the doctors weren't sure of the cause so told me to stay away from it. I discovered Alavert when I couldn't take Benadryl. PS: Nope. I just made up the name.

I have an anaphylaxis reaction to mold (in the air, blue cheese, etc). Alavert makes a fast dissolving tablet you leave on your tongue. It is lortadine, a different antihistamine from Benadryl. I carry them with me and use them when as a first step when anaphylaxis starts. If my exposure is little, it can be enough. I use the Epi pen when it is bad. YMMV.

We had a DV 4 guarantee a few years ago booked directly with Viking and didn’t get our cabin assignment until check in at the dock. We were able to make reservations when they opened up for DVs. The only slight issue was it took a little longer to get our luggage since our tags said GTY and someone had to look up the cabin number.

We have been faced with very long lines at passport control in Munich. I'm sure it varies with time of day. But last time I noticed that the automated machines would take a US passport , the kind that has a biometric chip in it. If on the front of your passport there is a gold rectangle with a circle in the middle, it will work. The dirty scanner couldn't read my face clearly so I ended up seeing an agent anyway, but there is a dedicated agent to handle that. So if you are faced with a long line, check for a sign with that same rectangle/circle or a sign that talks about e-passport at the automated lines. Also, if you use mobility assist services in Munich, they take you to a fast access spot, basically at the front of the line.

I went by myself once and got half that amount. I would think for 2 you could ask for a tray for one and an extra tea.

Some of the DV cabins have a post in the wall so that the space at the end of the bed is even narrower. We had one of those cabins. We had to turn sideways to get past the post. I would guess that even without that post it would be really tight.

Everyone's definition of comfortable varies. The train seats you get on the Viking excursion are padded, like airplane domestic flight seats. There is a lot of legroom, and they are fairly wide. For the price I paid I was expecting something more comfortable like on Amtrak long distance trains and they weren't that comfortable. But we were OK for the long trip. Even though you already booked it, you could probably cancel the extension, get your money back, and DIY. We did enjoy the included excursions and there is something to be said for having Viking take care of everything. Could your husband take a travel pillow for his back?

I am by no means recommending the Oslo-Bergen Viking post-cruise extension, but for future reference it is important to note that when you do a pre or post cruise extension with them, Viking air includes leaving from wherever the extension ends (or starts for a pre-cruise). So if you take the Bergen-Oslo extension with Viking, they will fly you out of Oslo without paying for a deviation. Having been on that extension, I would recommend doing it on your own. We have enjoyed other extensions.

Also be aware that the first half to 2/3 is very scenic, but the last part isn't. So being in more comfy surroundings would be more satisfying. But, boy that first part is awesome.

We did this extension in August 2022. I don't know what class it was, but the windows were small and the seats not very well padded. What I would expect from a Metrolink vs Amtrak or european regional train vs TGV. Better than all of the subways I have been on all over the world. The Viking reps came around twice during the long trip, once to explain they would be handing out a sack lunch and once to hand it out. They never said anything about the trip. It was clear that most of the people in the car were commuters. I don't think there was an option to upgrade. The scenery was beautiful.

They have white bread and a variety of rolls. The whole wheat ones are the best. They also have English muffins. All of these are not baked on board. I saw the package once; it was either Udi's or Schar's, I can't remember which. The GF items that are baked on board are really good. They can make GF waffles at Mamsen's and they bake a variety of cookies and muffins available everywhere. And sometimes cakes. If you ask the day before, the Atrium bar will have GF muffins for you in the morning. The World Cafe has them every morning. I don’t eat breakfast in the restaurant. They will bring you a 3 tier tray of GF goodies at tea in the Wintergarden. Just ask when they come around I have never looked for pizza or pretzels so I don't know about them.

My husband has mobility assist in airports. The "associated support" we got in Paris was the Viking rep that met us at the airport after our cruise walked us to the ticket counter, walked us to where the "golf cart" picked us up, and rode with us up to security.

The outlet in the bathroom will not power a hairdryer.

We found the included walking tour in Seydisfjordur (population about 330) very interesting. The guide grew up there and spoke about the town's history, how they early on had to order houses from Norway in kit form, what life is like now. She said, when I asked, that life there is fairly accurately portrayed in the TV series Trapped that was filmed there. We went on several excursions to the amazing sites in Iceland, but I wanted to put in a plug for this smaller excursion.

They booked us in Business class for the within Europe leg of our return flight. Normally you get economy within Europe connecting to business class for the overseas part. I did check, for us the Saga plus both return legs in business was better than what I could do on our own. I think it totally depends on the airports involved and the luck of when you book the air.