CHuntMD

We had 5100 and 5102 on the Orion last month in Alaska. Great cabins and placement. East to walk the stairs even for my folks. Laundry is on that side midship. CEH in MD

1) Use the untapp'd app see what others think. 2) Every brewery I've rated since 2015 have flights, 2-4ozs 3+glasses. No issue if a taster is mostly full. 3) Know what you like, I detest sours, smoked/tobacco flavors but you have me a Belgium any day. As for the cruise, never had any rain! More sun than clouds, warmer weather than expected. Delay in luggage availability and a medical situation (EMS) made the disembarkation at Vancouver a $h1tshow.

Just got back from the Orion (Alaska, southbound). I'm at approx 2800 unique beers on untappd. On-board beer, decent for meals. What I like is either finding a local brewery (every port except Icey Straight) and/or a local adult beverage store and pick up a 4-pack local brews. CEH in MD

Super easy, all about 5seconds

Well I just got off the phone (1.5hrs) with Viking Air. Since 15 Jan we have had 5 changes, all on the return flight. We were scheduled to leave Tuesday from DCA and get to ANC at 7:57PM (via ORD). We were meeting my folks (Vietnam Vet) at ORD. FYSA: It's 120miles from ANC to Seward. Was told in April that the tickets were booked/paid and absolutely "NO CHANGES". Now today 3:30PM get #6 flight change email. We now leave a day earlier and get to ANC at 2AM. Then you wait until enough folks arrive to fill a bus to take the 3hr trip to Seward (port). So I called and was told 7:57pm "was to late", guessing you arrive at the ship at midnight. ok I can under stand this...but then why did they book this 4 months ago????? Problem #2: The return flight kept changing until April 3 when they change departure at YVR to 9am. need to be at airport at 7am-ish, airport is 30 miles from port or so, ok its going to be early day. Problem is the ship does not dock until 0700. Not sure if that changed but why would they book a flight for the same time the ship docked. Did not get an answer. Now we are leaving at 9:30PM (redeye) to Toronto (5am saturday) get to DCA at 8:30am. They had not contacted my folks yet or updated their myvikingjourney.com. Last I spoke they were working on some other flights w/different carriers. My mistake a year ago was answering DCA is my closest airport. IAD or BWI have way more options but they won't change that. They mention leaving Monday and putting us in a hotel @ Seattle then onto ANC tuesday. Will find out tomorrow. CEH in MD

Well our first use of Viking Air is a big THUMBS DOWN. Here is why: Jan 1 - First notice of our flight itinerary. Return flight 2pm from Vancouver, CA (YVR) to DCA (Regan National DC) was 1 stop in Chicago then on to DCA. Between 1 Jan and 3 Apr have received 6 flight changes. Now we have a 7am flight to SanFran, then to Chicago then to DCA. Here is what they don't tell you. At approximately the 65 day mark (we are at 49) the tickets are "paid" and no changes can be made. Well you could pay a $350 "fee" per person and then any additional flight cost changes. Checked the United www site and 1-stop flight from YVR to DCA (economy) at 8:35, 8:40 and 9:00am. CEH in MD

Frankfort is the EU version of Atlanta 😉 The terminal/jetways for the huge Airbus A380 was crazy back in 2016.

Are you having to go through customs? You never know how long but the last time I was there in 2016 to/from IAD it was not bad. CEH in MD

And things change again, my folk's bucket list has the 15 Grand Tour (river) on it and they want to go in 2024. I need find a better CC for travel, I used to get 3% back on anything travel/hotel but it's now 2%. Will be onboard the end of May, hopefully the boat they picked is not sold out. CEH in MD

We are on our 2nd VO to Alaska in 89 days. Thinking about a 2025 VO. Better to wait until on board, after or just check the WWW site? CEH in MD

I could not change seats via Viking Air www site for my May/June Alaska cruise. I was able to upgrade to exit isle seats via my United Airline App. My 85yo parents did the same after spending 45 mins on the phone with Viking Air trying to upgrade from row 35 (back of plane) to econ+. CEH in MD

Check out the area around "The Landing Beach Bar at Cane Bay" on the north side west. We spent 2 weeks \over on the east side years ago in the May/June months and had a great time.

There should be a roll call for the current trip and almost all of the upcoming trips. CEH in MD

The question is what is the downside? My folks first Viking was June 2017 the weekend British Air had a IT fiasco, flights were mixed up and luggage never made it until 4 days or so after the cruise started in Bergen No. They did not book that one via Viking and had issues contacting the TA.