Dukefan
-
Posts
843 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Posts posted by Dukefan
-
-
You can leave the ship in almost any port that I have been on with Viking as soon as they are cleared by local authorities (this can range any where from 15 minutes to an hour depending on the arrival time and the port). Since Stockholm does not require a tender, I believe you would be safe to assume you can leave the ship withina half an hour.
If I am remembering correctly from my last trip there on Viking, Viking offers shuttle buses from the port to the Opera House which is across from the Royal Palace on Gamla Stan. From there to the Vasa Museum is about a 30 minute walk.
I would recommend taking the Hop-on Hop-off boat which costs about $30/person for 24 hours and get you around to most of the sites on the water which we found to be more fun than the hop-on hop-off bus (we have done both on various trips to Stockholm). You can also use public transportation but it often requires several changes to get better the various sites.
The sites we found most interesting and return to everytime in Stockholm are the Vasa Museum, the Royal Palace, the City Hall and the Nobel Museum.
Hope this helps.
-
3 hours ago, ro156542 said:
And after landing in Barcelona, we got nasal tested at the cruise terminal, then walked to our room where we took a saliva test before leaving our room (both within an hour of each other)
Where at the Cruise Terminal did you get tested?
-
On 4/11/2022 at 5:41 AM, edinburgher said:
But I do feel bad for those for whom this may be a bucket list trip (not a short hop from some parts of the globe) and who don't realize the limitations of being in Carrara when one wants to visit the iconic Florence, for example....
When sailing more international cruise lines and in areas outwith Europe, we have sometimes been asked by fellow pax (usually N. American) about the merit of doing these Livorno/Florence, Civi/Rome le Havre/Paris, Naples(too many choices here) itineraries for first timers with a bucket list.
We have always explained the minimal sightseeing time v. the amount of travel time, and suggested that, instead of booking a 14 night "Med cruise" , they instead consider a 14 night land stay, perhaps combining two cities so they get much more "value" sightseeing time. Although hitting two large cities for a week each could be exhausting, there are other possibilities, such as(just one example) combining several days in Rome with a stay of a week or8/9 days somewhere like Sorrento, where they could explore the archaeological sights, beautiful towns and views, and Capri and Ischia at leisure. That sort of mixed stay would also give more flexibility for flights and days off work etc. With Europe being quite tiny in comparison compared to their own countries,and mostly well linked by train, buses, flights and ferries, the permutations are endless.
Odd how few cruise pax had considered that suggestion before we made it.
One day cruise stays serve two purposes as far as my wife and I are concerned: 1) Give you an overview of a spot you have never been to determine if you would like to come back for a longer stay. and 2) To provide an opportunity to visit some of your favorite places in port you have visited before. For example, our fitst cruise visit to Florence told us we wanted to come back for a longer stay. As a result two years later, we booked a week in Florence on a Tuscany three week vacation. This year we will be visiting Florence on a cruise for on day to revisit some of our favorite spots. Port cities that we went back to for longer stays after visiting them on cruises include Barcelona, Florence, Rome, Athens, Copenhagen, Stockholm, St. Petersburg, and Oslo. Cruises are a wonderful way to meet a place and a wonderful way to visit a place you love.
-
1
-
-
15 hours ago, Pegct said:
Will be sailing the September 28th Mediterranean Odessy and looked at my itinerary and saw we arrive in Naples port at 12 noon. Just wondering for anyone on earlier cruises if they can comment on all day optional excursions offered and amount of time allotted in Naples and scheduled port arrival in Naples I have tentatively arranged for a private tour for our group to see Pompeii, Sorrento and Positano but assumed we arrived early in morning like 8am. Not sure how 4 hr time difference will affect sightseeing plans that day.
We are on this same cruise embarking in Barcelona on May 25th. We are faced with the same challenge. Since we have done both Pompeii and the total Amalfi Coast on a previous cruise, we decided to focus just on Pompeii this time. Since one of the things that makes the Amalfi Coast so beuatiful are the views as you drive it and these views would be missed if you drive it in the evening you would need to do it first. Pompeii closes at 7:30 pm so it would be nearly impossible to do it after the Amalfi Coast Tour, therefore I believe you will need to chose one or the other. That said, it may be possible I believe to do Pompeii and Sorrento but it would be so rushed that I don't believe it would be worth the effort.
-
1
-
-
2 hours ago, seprout93 said:
Have they allowed independent exploration without an excursion in any of the Italian ports at all? We are supposed to sail in May and are trying to pay close attention to this as it will determine whether we make the trip or not.
Which Mediterranean Odyssey cruise are you on in May? My wife and I are on the one leaving Barcelona on May 25th.
-
1 hour ago, millybess said:
What a fun story Garry. Kudos to Viking once again! 👍
I drink my gin martini's with a few drops of orange bitters. On our first Viking Ocean cruise when I ordered a martini, I was told that they don't have any orange bitters. The next evening, when I arrived at the Explorers Lounge, I was ask if I wanted a martini with orange bitters - they had picked some up while we were in port that day. It is funny since then I have never been on a Viking ship that didn't have orange bitters in the Explorers Lounge. Viking's customer service has always amazed me!
-
6
-
-
Too bad you didn't stay in the Dubrovnik after dark - it is magical at night!
-
3
-
-
16 hours ago, dwlmg said:
Along with the port changes comes a $250 per person onboard cruise credit and a voucher for 10% of cruise fare paid to be emailed after we return home..
That seems very fair to me.
-
1
-
-
How about we get back to sharing what's going on with the world cruise!
-
5
-
3
-
-
We often arrange our own travel and then purchase a Viking Transfer for our flight. They have always arranged to get us to the airport in plently of time for our flight. Under "Viking Air " of your "My Viking Journey" print out the "Transfer Request Form" and send it to Viking. You can also arrange this transfer after you get on board.
-
3
-
-
We generally try and book a PS suite but if not available have booked a PV suite. Both are great cabins. The advantage of the PS suites are:
- 3 priority reservations (vs. 2 in PV) at both Manfredi's and Chef's Table.
- Booking excursions at 87 days (vs. 77 in PV).
- Booking Spa and Specialty Restaurants at 80 days (vs. 70 in PV).
- Free Laundry and Dry Cleaning.
- Larger cabin (405 sq. ft. in PS vs. 338 sq. ft. in PV).
- Larger Bath with double sink in PS.
- 11 AM Stateroom Access (vs. 1 PM in PV).
- You can close a curtain and close off sitting area in PS (something useful if one of you wants to stay up later).
- An extra TV in the sitting area.
- Often times with a PS cabins we have been able to get special fares for Business Class Air from Viking Air in the past that are not available for those in PV cabins.
- We like the location of the PS Cabins since they are all near the Explorer Lounge at the front of the ship.
The big question is how do you value these differences. For some folks, it is not worth the extra cost just like a PV cabin to some folks is not worth the extra cost to them over a DV Cabin. The reason ships have various cabin categories is so that each customer can find their best cost/value cabin.
Hope this helps. You can't go wrong with either cabin.
'
-
3
-
-
23 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:
Yes...very nice but most disappointing that it's this year and not next. I already have a (rebooked) cruise for May that falls during the Invitational, so that would have to be moved (again). The itinerary does not thrill me near as much as what was offered on the Venus. Then, the other thing is I have little interest in flying to Europe for only 8 days and surely won't fly long haul anymore economy class. So I looked at what could be butterflied with this cruise, and the only thing possible (since it appears there is nothing before the 21st on the Mars) is to do the 15-day "Trade Routes of the Middle Ages" which begins in Barcelona on 5/28 and ends in Bergen on June 11. That makes it a very nice trip and offers the chance to visit Normandy since the cruise calls at Le Havre. You can see the Mars schedule by scrolling down on this page: https://www.globaljourneys.com/ship/viking-cruises-viking-mars
All the above said, the timeframe is not to my liking especially ending in mid-June. This is not the best time to be away from my house and property for several reasons. Then, of course, there is the issue of the conflict with my already booked cruise. I will mull this over but suspect I will not be going. I was really hoping they would do something next year. The November '20 letter indicated that, once rescheduled, plenty of advance notice will be given to book whatever they come up with. Now, however, it's only 3 months notice.
Fantastic that they remembered us, but I'm thinking this particularly trip will sail without me. 😟
If you don't mind spending a week in Barcelona (who wouldn't since it is such a great international city). You can cruise on Viking to Istanbul, or to Athens, or to Venice, or even back to Rome going a different route than the Chairman's Cruise from Rome to Barcelona. All these cruises depart from Bacelona on June 4th.
-
2
-
-
We have sailed on Viking Ocean several times and have found the food to be very good. We like it's meals better than Regent Seven Seas, Celebrity, Princess and Carnival which we cruised on in the past. All cruise ship buffets are dependent largely on when you dine there and what you select. If you are dinning late, and the food has been out a while I would stay away from foods that tend to get dried out or soggy. I am therefore very surprised you got soggy crab legs at 5:30. With regard to our eperience with the crab legs at the world cafe, we have never found them to be soggy but most of the times we have had them is when we go there early like at 5:30 for crab legs and sushi to take back to our cabins to enjoy with wine or cocktails to tide us over when we have a late dinner scheduled at Manfredi's or the Chef's Table. With regards to Costco, we love their frozen shrimp, scallops, and crab legs. We have purchased their chilean sea bass a couple of times but have been disappointed. That is probably because we divide it into a couple of meals, freezing one for later. Since most of their chilean sea bass has been previous frozen, freezing it the second time reduces the flavor signifantly.
-
37 minutes ago, covergirl1300 said:
Thank you! nice to hear from you, we did the Viking Homelands with you and you shared our table at Manfredi's, Gary and Kelly...
I loved the Vikings Homeland cruise. It was one of my favorites. A lot of what makes a cruise great is the people you meet. Wish you folks were on our Iceland cruise. It was fun trip. Iceland's nature beauty is truly awesome and the people we met there before the cruise were wonderful. Have fun!!
-
4 hours ago, covergirl1300 said:
one more question for those of you that went before or stayed after the cruise.
We are looking for a couple of nice places for dinner. Any suggestions? We have 2 nights before boarding Jupiter. Will ask our hotel to make reservations for us once we arrive. TIA!
We enjoyed a dinner at Hofnin. It was recommended by a couple of friends that visit Iceland last February. The food was excellent. I would recommend reservations since after about 7:30 it was realy packed.
-
1
-
-
1 hour ago, Nickb701 said:
I believe there have been 2 instances where multiple people from the same bus have been quarantined/went home. 20+ on the Jupiter and 11 on the Sky. I believe the Jupiter instance was traced back to a bus on the ‘Golden Circle’ tour. Does anyone know what tour the Sky incident was traced to? Thanks for any info you can provide
If the situation you are talking about with regards to the Viking Sky was the July 10th sailing, I believe no one left the ship until we returned to Reykjavik. I was on that cruise and one person tested positive on the forth day. About 11 folks wre contact traced to that person. The positive person was put in quarantine on the ship. The 11 folks were quarantined I believe for about a day until that had two negetive tests. Iceland didn't know quite how to deal with the situation so we basically missed our last three ports. When folks got off to tour, they were called back at two of the final three ports and we skipped the last one. As far as I know, everyone when home as scheduled except the one positive case and their cabin mate. That is my best recall of what happened. If anyone heard anything different, jump in and correct me.
As to where the case started, the best guess is that it probably happen on the trip to Iceland, but took four days to show positive.
-
1
-
-
8 minutes ago, muggo11 said:
It was and then some! We opted for the a la carte vs the tasting menu. Spectacular. Just
9A8E71D5-01BC-4724-A82A-8382F3213E13.MOV to get 9A8E71D5-01BC-4724-A82A-8382F3213E13.MOV reservations!
Looks like you had a great night both weatherwise and foodwise. Glad you enjoyed it. I am looking forward to going back in May. From the photos the food looks as great as it always has. Thanks for sharing!
-
2 minutes ago, DaveSJ711 said:
I understand your personal feelings about testing. It's your right to have those feelings. What I don't understand, however, is your belief that hospitals don't follow best practices when they don't require daily testing. That's a different issue altogether -- and why I asked about the basis for your belief about the hospital approach.
Are you saying testing every one every day is not a better practice than not testing anyone until they show signs of Covid. "Best practices" is an interesting term. Hospitals are managed by the same rules as a lot of businesses. They do the very best they can with the resources that they have. They do not have the resources to test everyone everyday.
As an aside I believe you were a great travel journalist when you were going around Iceland before we took our cruise around Iceland. Your comments on each of the sites was very useful. I think I offered to buy you and Linda a drink on any future cruise we are on together. The offer stll exists even though I think you are a much better travel journalist than you are as an expert on Medical Best Practices 🙂 .
-
3
-
-
9 minutes ago, DaveSJ711 said:
You said, quote, "I really have trouble understanding the complaints about daily testing." I gave you the medical reason, i.e., that this frequency of testing is medically unnecessary. I assume hospitals know something about what is medically necessary and what is not.
As to your questions: I would be fine with an initial test, upon boarding, that shows I don't have Covid. That information and my vaccinated status would give me peace of mind. After that, I don't need to know, day in and day out, whether the guy in the cabin next to mine has Covid. He's fully vaccinated, too; he tested negative, too; and he and I will wear masks and socially distance around each other.
Every one of the folks that tested positive fro Covid on a Viking Cruise tested negitive when they boarded. The fact that they tested positive later shows why daily testing is good. The fact that there has been no evidence of a positive person starting a Covid cluster on a Viking ship I believe demonstrates the advantage of contact tracing and quaranrine. With regard to hospitals doing daily testing, I believe it is more a question of staffing and other resources instead of it being a best practice. I will explore this more with some of my friends that are senior folks at the Duke Universary Medical Center.
As a matter of reference, the reason that I took three Covid tests over a five day period was that one Covid test, may not demostrate whether you have Covid or not depending on where you are in the virus cycle.
I know the ship has all vacinated passengers but unfortunately the communities the passengers visit have children in them too young to get the vacine. I personally would not want to have Covid and spread it to a child.
-
5
-
1
-
-
I really having trouble understanding the complaints about daily testing. We were on the Viking Sky July 10th Cruise that had to miss it's last 3 ports because of one Covid positive case on-board. I can tell you that we loved the cruise including the last three unplanned "Sea Days". Being tested everyday was no big deal. In fact, it made both of us feel a lot saver to know we and the other passengers were being tested especially after we had our positive case. Why wouldn't you want to know if you had Covid? Why wouldn't you want to know that other passengers you were with tested negative for that day? A few weeks ago I got the chills, had aches and felt fatigued - I thought I might have Covid and got tested three times each a couple of days apart to make sure I did not have Covid. During this time I quarantined at home in a different room than my wife and we both wore masks. It was not a very fun five days but it was much better than giving it to my wife or anyone else if I did have Covid. The good news is that I didn't have it and was just feeling bad for another reason that my doctor has been unable to identify.
The bottom line is that if you take this cruise most likely nothing Covid related will happen to you. You probably have a much greater chance of something Covid related happening at home. In the unlikely event you happen to be on a bus or contact traced to someone who tests positive, that is unfortunate but Viking will do their best to see you are feed well and you will experience some truly remarkable scenery from your deck. I would have much prefered my five days of quarantine on Viking week before last than in a bedroom at home. If in the worst case, you get Covid, that is truly unfortunate, but it can happen at home as well. So far as I know on all the Viking Wellcome Back cruises there has been less than 5 positive cases in total with over 5000 passengers. The vast marority of these passengers have truly loved their cruise. If you are really concerned, don't go. If you are going to go, don't worry - be happy!
-
8
-
2
-
-
3 hours ago, muggo11 said:
Knowing that a fellow Blue Devil had a good time will help my husband (class of 74) pay the steep bill at 360 this week! 🤞🤞
Let me know if it is still as good as I remember. I am planning a return trip this May.
-
On 8/1/2021 at 12:20 PM, muggo11 said:
While waiting to cruise again, we have been living in Srebreno, south of Dubrovnik for a month with another month to go.
I echo much of what has been said earlier. Options.
*the cable car to Mt. Srd is a must. Go to War Museum up there and make reservations at Panorama to eat. It would be a shame to visit and not get a feel for the Croatian War for Independence.
*if you are a foodie, go to 360, a Michelin-starred restaurant with a terraced bird’s eye view. Reservations open 30 days in advance on their website.
*a water taxi (1 hour or so from the Old City Docks) to Cavtat is a wonderful way to see the coast and visit an ancient Roman city. The climb to the Racic Family Mauseleum designed by famous sculptor,Ivan Mestrevic is spectacular. And Bugenvilea, a restaurant on the water is spectacular. The cab stand to head back is right in front if you are worried about time.
Good luck and enjoy!360 is a great restaurant with some wonderful views. A great spot to have a romantic dinner for two!!! The food was terrific and worth the price. We were staying at the Hilton and walking through the walled city with no crowds after dinner going back to our hotel was lovely!
-
12 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:
I don’t normally like the guitarists much but Paolo changed my mind! I think he may be the best all around entertainer I’ve seen onboard a Viking ship.
I agree - Paolo was great!!!!!
-
3
-
-
40 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:
I thought there was a bit of inconsistency. Making us do Restaurant reservations and then not using them and packing the Restaurant during busy times. Allowing only 8 people in the thermal suite...it's a huge space! Yet still using the Star Theater for shows, lectures and excursion meeting places. Removing some of the two forward facing Explorer Lounge chairs, yet still having the 4 person seating areas. Go figure. I also think the staff and guides could easily and politely remind us to wear a mask if they see us on the ship without one or if we return to the bus not wearing one. Sometimes we do forget. They remind us to wash our hands, use the sanitation stations at every turn and don't even let you into the WC in the morning without a temperature check. Go figure.
When we sailed on the July 10th cruise, only 6 people at a time were allowed in the Thermal Suite so if it is 6 now they are opening it up a little.
-
1
-
21 Chef’s Table Menus?
in Viking Ocean
Posted
Here are the eleven Chef's Table menus that we have enjoyed on Viking:
Xiang
Amuse Bouche
Hot & Sour Soup - cantonese style
First Course
Fried Prawns - crispy garlic & chili
Granité
Coconut Granité - lemongrass & ginger infused
Main Course
Wok-Fried Beef - black pepper sauce, rice in lotus leaf
Dessert
Chilled Mango Cream - pomelo and sago
Asian Panorama
Amuse Bouche
Chilled King Crab - coconut foam & curry
First Course
Lobster & Chicken Shu Mai - Shanghai style
Granité
Lemongrass & Red Chili Granité - lychee foam
Main Course
Peking Duck - crispy skin, Mandarin pancake, hoisin sauce
Dessert
Asian Trilogy - spring roll, crème brûlée & cheesecake
Mexico
Amuse Bouche
Tostadas De Pulpo
First Course
Tamalito De Pollo - salsa verde
Granité
Nopales Con Limon
Main Course
Short Rib - mole, pure de camote, miel de agave
Dessert
Chocolate En Texturas - mousse, biscocho, crumble
La Route Des Indes
Amuse Bouche
Carrot & Cardamon Cream - orange & star anise foam
First Course
Spicy Tuna Tataki - Szechuan peppercorns, coriander & sesame oil; pickled vegetables
Granité
Ginger & Tarragon Granité - infused vodka, lemon foam
Main Course
Beef Tenderloin With Four Warm Spices - vitelotte mousseline, mushrooms, jus
Dessert
Apple Délice Facon Tarte Tatin - butterscotch calvados sauce
Erling's Scandinavian Bistro
Amuse Bouche
Reindeer Consommé - handmade ravioli
First Course
Salmon Déclinaison - herb crusted poached loin, aquavit infused gravlax, lingonberry infused tartare, caviar; pickled cucumber
Granité
Lappland Delight Granité
Main Course
Lamb Får-i-kål - façon chef’s table
Dessert
Cloudberry Soup, Vanilla - white chocolate panna cotta; sesame ice cream and goro (wafer)
Lotus
Amuse Bouche
Goan Potato Chop – semolina crusted potato, vegetable & cheese cake; sambal spinach
First Course
Chili Soft Shell Crab – crispy crab, tomato-chili gravy
Granité
Red Lotus – lychee & guava, cranberry juice, lychee liquor
Main Course
Thai Spiced Rack of Lamb – stir fried purple eggplant; sweet chili, baby corn
Dessert
Yuzu Cheesecake – green tea tuile, sake-marinated plum
Venice Carnival
Amuse Bouche
Roasted Pepper & Tomato Jelly – goat chesse latte foam
First Course
Beef Carpaccio – fig & mustard vinaigrette
Granité
Bellini – peach juice foam
Main Course
Cod Fillet – Jerusalem artichoke risotto, latte di tartufo
Dessert
Mascarpone Passion – mascarpone mousse & passion fruit cremeux
A Gastronomic Journey Through Time
Amuse Bouche
Roman Empire Delicacy – romaine & cucumber, goat cheese mousse
First Course
Gallic Oxtail Consomme – julienned vegetables
Granité
Medieval “Black & Blue” - vodka, mint & mixed berries
Main Course
Renaissance-Style Lamb Filet – sweet potato mash, glazed carrot medley, quintessential ju
Dessert
21st Century Nut Brownie – pecan & walnut, chocolate mirror glaze; pistachio ice cream
Sweet and Salty
Amuse Bouche
Tomato & Watermelon Gazpacho
First Course
Grilled Scallop with Beet root and passion fruit
Granité
Procciutto & Melon
Main Course
Veal Tenderloin with pumpkin & red onion marmalade
Dessert
Strawberry & Basil Delight with Grand Marnier Cream, basil jelly and black Hawaiian lava salt
Great Britain: Cuisine from an Island Nation
Amuse Bouche
Quail Scotch Eggs – quick pickle, edible flowers, dressed baby salad leaves
First Course
Beer-Battered Fish & Chips – vinegar salt, minted pea puree, tartar sauce
Granité
Gin & Tonic – lemon twist
Main Course
Mini Yorkshire Pudding & Slow Braised Brisket – rich beef gravy, garden vegetables with chive butter
Dessert
Whim-Wham – Scittish Regency trifle with raspberries, oranges & whipped cream
California
Amuse Bouche
Sweet Potato Chip with apple, rosemary, crème fraiche
First Course
Crab Cake with avocado, orange, fennel, shallot, dill & blood orange
Granité
Moscow Mule with vodka, ginger beer & lime juice
Main Course
Seared Halibut with California olive, herb vinaigrette, crumbled roasted cauliflower, buttered panko
Dessert
Ojai Mandarin Parfait with candied ginger