I would like opinions on best kids program for 8 and 10 year olds for 2023. Just came off Mariner of the Seas and the kids program was disappointing as they combined the 6-8 and 9-11 year olds into one large group. Activities were not age appropriate for 6 and 11 year olds. With such a large group sign-in/out was always a long line, 10-20 minutes. 7 year old enjoyed the activities but 9 year old decided not to go back after first night, regardless cruise was enjoyed by all. The great duck hunt (unofficial activity) and duck crane machine were a real hit.

Traveled last week with 9 yer old granddaughter for her first cruise. First morning she woke up and was seasick. Had kid Dramamine but went to the shop on the ship

and bought a wristband and drops you put behind the ears, don't have the name but a search will give you options. Between the three things she was fine the rest of the cruise. Buying the things on the ship was pricey so bring them from home but was worth it as she was able to enjoy the rest of the cruise with no problem.

Does having The Key give you any priority in disembarkation for those with a birth certificate but no passport? Thank you.

We are experienced cruisers but first time in years on RCCL and also cruising with grandchildren, ages 8 and 7. Any information on the kids club would be appreciated or any kidstips for the cruise. How is departing with only birth certificates as adults have passports but the children do not. Thank you.

What is the appropriate attire for 7 and 9 yer old girls for dinner?  We are frequent cruisers but have not cruised with our granddaughters before and never paid attention to children at dinner. We will be on a summer Caribbean cruise. Thank you.

Thank you for the recommendation. Those rooms are under the seawall, is there any issue with privacy from those looking down from the seawallk? 

6 hours ago, arrice2 said:

At the moment this discussion is moot.  Deck 9, Dolphin is completely quarantined.  I booked one of the premium deluxe balconies and they moved me to a mini suite with a completely uncovered mini balcony.

Sorry to hear the they changed your cabin to a less desirable one, that happened to us on a Baltic cruise, they "upgraded" us to what we considered a bad cabin location and it is very disappointing when you go through a lot to select a specific cabin/location. Hope you can still enjoy your cruise. The cruise we are looking at is over a year away so I would still be interested in getting feedback on the balcony.

Do D711-D725 have covered or partially covered balconies or are they totally uncovered? Thank  you.

Looking forward to your tips and review as we will be on this cruise in July. We are experienced cruisers but only did one RCCL and it was years ago. Traveling with 3 generations, youngest are 7 and 9. One junior suite and 2 connecting promenade rooms. Thank you.

1 hour ago, Wander58 said:

I totally agree. We are sitting in airport heading to Newark and will catch the United flight to KEF  tonight. We'll be on the Jupiter tomorrow and I'll do my best to report actual news.

 

 

Thank you for your offer to share actual news, that's what is helpful. We fly Newark to KEF later in the month so any feedback on travel would be appreciated. Wishing you safe and enjoyable travels.

6 minutes ago, KarNog said:

Is it too late for you to change to the 8/21 Sky with BarbRN and me? We're gonna have fun, COVID be damned! Seriously, if I have to sit on my balcony and drink for seven days, that means I'll never have to get out of my jammies. Look at all the laundry I won't have to do when I get home.

Darn, too late to change cruises. If we are quarantined in our room we just hope that we can get room service from the bar and gelato! I think I'll learn from this and in the future and pick a cruise with the fun and positive people! Enjoy your cruise, looking forward to hearing of your experience. 

25 minutes ago, KarNog said:

So, I'm almost on my way to sail 8/21 on the beautiful Sky! I almost have a Covid test nailed down, I found my bug net that I ordered weeks ago and lost, I got my nails did.

I know y'all are all worried and for good reason, but I'm so excited I'm about to pee my pants.

Is it time to start worrying about plane crashes and missed connections? (aka more crap we cannot control)

Safe travels, everybody!

You sound like the kind of people we like to cruise with, having a positive attitude and looking at the good of the trip. Too many posts on here are so negative and I certainly hope their negative attitude towards this trip doesn't extend to the actual trip itself as they would be miserable and make those around them miserable. We are going with eyes wide open about challenges of this trip and as bad as being sent home after 2 or 3 days would be my biggest fear is having to quarantine for 14 days after the cruise but I do know that's possible. We aren't in the group that go on 10 or so cruises/trips a year but we do and have traveled so that this isn't the trip of a lifetime for us but it is a financial commitment so we do want all to go well so we can enjoy everything about Jupiter and Iceland. I hope my shipmates are the positive ones and all have a good time and no covid issues to deal with.

Everyone knew Viking's testing policy when they signed up for the Welcome Back cruises, good or bad idea it's not new news. Go or not but it is what it is and constant complaining on this site isn't helpful but it is adding to the stress level of all we need to do to go. Perhaps this is an unpopular view but let the posts be helpful.

1 hour ago, sleepybobo said:

Doubtful. Based on my experience dealing with Viking booking department, they are not flexible. I hope they are willing to be more accommodating dealing such trying time. 

I know Viking has been strict with the 14 days but considering the recent issue with a whole bus in Iceland and that the Bermuda cruises have so few passengers it might be worth contacting Viking for those within 14 days and very worried about the Iceland cruise. It seems reasonable for Viking to allow the change with an almost empty Bermuda ship and create good will with cruisers.

23 minutes ago, BarbRN said:

That’s my gripe. Who can help?

Perhaps you could convince Viking to change you to a Bermuda cruise as I've seen reports that as few as 100 on a recent sailing. Things are much clearer in Bermuda with no need for long bus trips and the ability to venture out on your own.

We are signed up for the Vigur Island excursion based on many outstanding reviews from the early cruises. By the end of August it seems that the puffins will be gone. Also the early excursions were noted to have about 20 people per boat and now they are putting 30 people per boat. Based on the experiences of those that have taken the excursion do you think it will be worth it with no puffins and a crowded boat? Thank you.

We are signed up for the Vigur Island excursion based on many outstanding reviews from the early cruises. By the end of August it seems that the puffins will be gone. Also the early excursions were noted to have about 20 people per boat and now they are putting 30 people per boat. Based on the experiences of those that have taken the excursion do you think it will be worth it with no puffins and a crowded boat? Thank you.

Ask that Viking cruisers flying on United from Newark to Iceland after July 27th post their experience with what the airline representatives require to board, will they accept the antigen test or will they require the PCR test. Thank you.

I found a lab that does PCR testing that is open Saturday mornings. They have locations in Northern Virginia, Florida, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. https://www.ionscientific.com I called the lab I would visit and seems that it will meet the PCR requirement and timeline for departing on a Monday evening flight. 

Thank you for the information though now have more preparation for the trip. We fly out on a Monday evening so test cannot be earlier than Friday evening. We live in Delaware and per the state covid website there are no rapid testing sites open on the weekend. We have CVS but they don't do the rapid tests in DE, it must be by state. I'll be on the phone tomorrow checking for nearby options otherwise I guess we'll be making a trip out of state for our tests and that's hoping we can get them in another state. Entering Iceland seemed so easy compared to Bermuda and Malta but with the changes in the covid rates they are being more cautious. I am so looking forward to this trip and now I just hope we are able to satisfy the requirements and are able to go.

Thank you for the information though now have more preparation for the trip. We fly out on a Monday evening so test cannot be earlier than Friday evening. We live in Delaware and per the state covid website there are no rapid testing sites open on the weekend. We have CVS but they don't do the rapid tests in DE, it must be by state. I'll be on the phone tomorrow checking for nearby options otherwise I guess we'll be making a trip out of state for our tests and that's hoping we can get them in another state. Entering Iceland seemed so easy compared to Bermuda and Malta but with the changes in the covid rates they are being more cautious. I am so looking forward to this trip and now I just hope we are able to satisfy the requirements and are able to go.
 

5 hours ago, firefox33 said:

This was issued today, July 19, by the Ministry of Health of Iceland,

Effective July 27
COVID-19 in Iceland: All Travellers Required to Present Negative Test Before Departure to Iceland 

This includes vaccinated travelers 

 

Here’s the link;

https://www.government.is/ministries/ministry-of-health/

It is good that Viking and the Bermuda government were able to work together to satisfactorily resolve Steve and Sally's ( per other site) testing/quarantine situation so they are able to complete their cruise. At this point it seems that they received special treatment but as it's the first case it's hard to know. Let's hope that any future Viking passengers that have the same situation are given the outcome Steve and Sally received and they will also be able to remain on the ship and not be required to quarantine in Bermuda for 14 days. Time will tell just how Viking will take care of all their valuable passengers.

We are booked for the Iceland cruise at the end of the summer and when we booked we knew that this would not be the usual experience. I feel everyone's frustrations about booking dining and excursions and understand that the cruise is costly and everyone has certain expectations based on cost. I also think that those that are not able to be flexible and expect (in some cases seems demand) the same experience or they will cancel, should cancel. You don't want to be on a vacation that doesn't meet your expectations and fellow passengers don't want you on the cruise being miserable. If you don't get your way or feel Viking is not providing the value you expect please cancel. Those that are willing to be flexible and take the opportunity to finally get to travel will enjoy to the experience. I'm tired of so many being negative on this site, don't go but don't make everyone else miserable. Yes this is a site to share experience but limit it to your experience and leave out "if I don't get what I want I'll cancel", just comes off as a spoiled child.

We cruised on Paul Gauguin last fall and took the early flight on French Bee. We arranged our own taxi service which picked us up at 4:30am. The excursion staff will make the taxi arrangements for you and for us they confirmed our taxi arrangements.  They did try to change them to 5:30am but we had them switch it back and they did so. It was really plenty early and I would say 5:00am would also be on the early side. I was worried about French Bee but we had no problems except the seats are very narrow and spaced pretty close together so tight fit but doable for the price and wanting to leave early in the day rather than on the ATN midnight flight. The taxi was $40 plus tip which our driver really appreciated.