Dukefan

1 hour ago, Wander58 said:

Actually, I should re-phase, what happens when someone doesn't wear it?

If you don't wear it you are not very honorable because you acknowledged in your Viking documentation that you agreed to wear it.   It is up to each person to determine how honorable they are.   I think must people are honorable but I fully recognize that we have folks in this world whose word means nothing.

1 hour ago, kleibo said:

 

@EatSleepCruise stated that some of the crew was not fully vaccinated.  Also on the Viking website.

 

Our aim is to have all Viking crew vaccinated. We are doing everything we can to accelerate this process and meet that goal, and currently, the vast majority of our crew has already been vaccinated. Furthermore, our robust protocol includes frequent PCR testing of all guests and crew, making Viking even safer for all on board.

 

My understanding is it varies from ship to ship.   I was told on the Viking Sky that all crew had been vaccinated , several  just a few weeks before our cruise.   It may have been an Iceland Health requirement.

2 hours ago, Snit13 said:

Maybe skip the lunch and head directly to the ice cream stand.

No need to skip lunch.  After you finish your meal while other folks are getting coffee there is plenty of time to go to the ice cream shop.

2 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

LOVED IT! It was just what I was looking for -- a smattering of different bits of science and nature with plenty of time to enjoy them. Much, much better than the Reykjanes Peninsula tour which I though was a complete waste of time. It is a bit of a drive from the ship to the Myvatn area, but a beautiful one -- in that ruggedly Iceland kind of way.

 

Most everything was walkable. The only steps that I remember were at Skútustadir (the pseudo-craters) -- it was also our lunch stop (at the Sel Hotel), so if you didn't want to do the walk, you could check out the information center or go across the street and check out the souvenir shop next to the hotel until lunch was read.  We did a little of both.

 

BTW, there is an ice cream stand behind the hotel. I didn't know about it and did not leave enough time after lunch to check it out. Those who did said it was worth it.

 

With this tour, what you read is what you get -- although not necessarily in this order -- but everything is fairly close together so it doesn't matter if you start with Godafoss or end with it.

 

Godafoss Falls and Mývatn Lake

Discover the stunning landscape and natural treasures of northern Iceland.

Travel by motor coach along the coast of Eyjafjördur—Iceland’s longest fjord—and take in stunning views of Akureyri and the surrounding mountains. Journey through the Fnjóskadalur Valley to the majestic Godafoss waterfall, named after a pagan priest and chieftain who threw the statues of the pagan gods he once worshipped after converting to Christianity in the year 1000 AD. Your next stop is the Mývatn volcanic lake area, pausing by the impressive craters at Skútustadir along the way. You will also visit the towering lava castles and grottoes of the Dimmuborgir lava labyrinth, and experience the geothermal wonder of hot sulfuric mud springs and gurgling sulphur cauldrons at Námaskard. After a wonderful day in nature, return to your awaiting ship.

 

 

 

---

After our lunch on the July 10 cruise I visited the ice cream shop behind the hotel and had a cup of caramel latte ice cream.   It is made on site from the milk of the cows on site.  It was wonderful and I recomend it highly.  It was 800 ISK (About $6.50 US) for two large scoops.

7 minutes ago, NCbigred said:

Clay - We are from Cary NC and will be cruising on the Viking Sky embarking on August 14 (our 50th wedding anniversary!).  Can you share your bottom line summary opinion of the cruise?  Sounds like there have been some hiccups along the way.  We have visited Iceland briefly in past as layover on our way to Spain.  Thanks, Scott

We were on the Viking Sky July 10th cruise.   Everything did not go as planned especially the last three days.   That said, we would do this cruise again execately as it was without hesitation even with the hicups cause by our one positive Covid case and the confussion between various Iceland aurthorities on how to deal with the situation.   I believe everything has been now worked out between Viking and Icelandic aurthorities and would not expect a similiar situation on any of the future cruises unless their were multiple outreaks, which I beleive due to the Viking protocols is unlikely.

52 minutes ago, Snit13 said:

OK Doc who loves to travel, What is going on?  Why are cruisers testing positive day 3 or so of the cruise?  If everyone tested negative where are the spreaders...crew, bus drivers, guides,  passengers?  Been following Covid for year plus and have not heard anything like this reported.

From the timing of the cases it appears that the folks that are testing positive picked the virus up on their way to Iceland since folks don’t normally test positive until three to four days after contacting the virus.  This is why most countries that require tests for unvaccinated folks do two tests three to five days apart.  Everyone is tested at the ship on day one.  On our trip in, I was amazed at the number of travelers that I saw in the airports without masks or with them not fully covering their mouth and nose.  I witnessed one person asking another person to put on their mask and the other person replied that they didn’t need to mask because they were vaccinated.  Strange times!

32 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

I think you have to take a really hard look at the information that has been shared so far (because that is about all you are going to get) and decide if you are willing to go through what SKY is going through right now. 

 

There is no sense in trying to second guess what will happen on subsequent cruises. Either you are willing to put up with how things are being handled today or you aren't-- and if you aren't, then don't go.

 

 

We are on the July 10 Viking Sky cruise and would do this cruise again just as it is in a New York Minute!  It has had some missed opportunities but I believe everyone on board except maybe the passenger that tested positive has had a wondetful cruise. Viking and its crew has done their best to make the best onan unfortnate situation and in my opinion has succeeded.  Is there anyone on this cruise that disagrees??

2 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

No update on whether we will be able to go ashore today when we arrive in Reykjavik in a couple of hours.  I’m hoping so since we didn’t get to explore before embarking.  
 

At the noon announcement Jenna informed everyone that General Manager Camiel opened his bar tab to all passengers.  So lots of happier passengers (most -maybe all? I’ve spoken with are like us and surprised by the generosity of the future cruise voucher) but I suspect the bartenders and bar waiters aren’t as happy. 
 

The problem with the open bar right now is that the ship is rocking in rough seas and as you pass folks on deck it is hard to tell if they are drunk or staggering because of the seas😀

15 minutes ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

True.

 

Also true, and more worrisome for thinking about cruising in the age of COVID is that the CDC doesn’t recommend testing of vaccinated, unsymptomatic people really at all, as is being done on Viking and other cruise lines.  So, the percentage of unvaccinated people who will turn up as a “breakthrough case” on board a ship with testing every day will be much greater than the .003% reported (since most vaccinated people with COVID are never tested and therefore never count as a “breakthrough case”). Here are some of the CDC testing guidelines for the vaccinated, from the CDC site:

 

• Refrain from testing before leaving the United States for international travel (unless required by the destination) and refrain from self-quarantine after arriving back in the United States
• Refrain from testing following a known exposure, if asymptomatic, with some exceptions for specific settings
• Refrain from quarantine following a known exposure if asymptomatic
• Refrain from routine screening testing if feasible

There is a major difference between doing the right thing and what is most convenient  for yourself.  In trying to prevent the spread of Covid the right thing is doing exactly what Viking is doing -  daily testing, requiring masks and their  other protocols.  Yes, this causes cases that would otherwise be not discovered to be found, but it provents the spread if Covid.  I personally congratulate Viking for doing the right thing even though it costs them in some cases.  It demonstrates to me what a class company Viking is!!!!!

As another of the passengers on board the July 10 Cruise, I have to say even with the port cancelations for the final three days that this cruise has exceeded our expectations. Sure it was disappointing to miss the tours on these last three ports, but the activities,  lectures, entertainment and meals has been wonderful.  It has been two great “sea days” since the port cancelations.  I fully expect another great “sea day” tomorrow.  Like Clay, I feel I got my money’s worth on this cruise and the 50% FCV was not necessary but an unexpected delight that we will use.  As always, Viking has exceeded our expectations!!!

9 minutes ago, Donaghadee said:

We have negative tests in hand right now and aren't allowed ashore.

I do not know for sure but believe it is likely that after we received the approvals to go on shore today that some folks in the little town of Djupivogur ( pop about 400) complained about the risk of letting cruise ship passengers in their town.  The town today and the town yesterday (pop less than 700) are both very small and relatively isolated.  They may have had no cases of Covid in their communities and as you might expect are concerned what might happen.  I believe if we were visiting larger communities with the situation that now exists aboard  the Viking Sky there would be less concern and a different outcome.

6 minutes ago, VI_Lounger said:

So happy for all of you and glad to see you got the same beautiful weather we had in this port last week. Enjoy your day!

We have been blessed with beautiful weather every day of the cruise except for a brief sprinkle on day 3 and yesterday, day 5, when we were kept on board because of the single Covid positive test and experienced a brief shower.  Today is beautiful.  The interesting thing about weather here is the forecasts even for the next day are not always very accurate.  It is almost best to not prepare until right before you leave the ship.

Just arrived at KEF about two hours ago.  I can no longer recommend Airport Direct.  We prepaid for Airport Direct Premium which was to provide direct service to our hotel.  We also paid for an option that said Airport Direct would monitor our fly and be here if our flight is delayed.  Well our flight was delayed and we are waiting for an hour for an Airport Direct Premium driver who will be picking us up as well as several other folks to make stops at several places along the way.  Not as advertised!  Also it was the agent at KEF second day and he said he didn’t know how the option that we paid for worked - neither did our Premium driver who said it was his forth day. Based on our experience I would definitely not book Airport Direct in the future.  I’ll post later how they deal with our claim for a refund  of services not delivered as promised!

30 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Not aboard yet….but here is the California Menu we had while docked in Shanghai in October 2019.  We even had our favorite server Walter!  The meal was fine but it didn’t live up to our favorite menu, Lotus. We did find it strange there was only one Californian wine offered. One of us had the premium selections (OBC we needed to use up) and one had the included. My blog says we found most of the premium selections better to our taste “but not all”.  I think that was in reference to the Uby #4 which I really liked. YMMV

 

Thanks Clay, the menu looks great! Looking forward to trying it Saturday night.

5 hours ago, DJVKN said:

The Chef’s Table menus for the July 3 cruise are in order: Xiang, Great Britain, California Something (I can’t remember the full name and I had never done VO before). We had the Xiang and it was very good. We are doing the California on Friday night. Hope this helps. 

Thanks for posting this.   We have had nine different Chef's Table menus on previsious Viking cruises but have never had a California one.  Would you be so kind as to post a copy of the menu when you can?  Likely, it will be the menu we will see on Saturday Evening when we eat there on our first night of the cruise.

17 hours ago, Lil Puppy Dog said:

Can someone let us know which are the three Chef Tables for this second cruise?

This has been asked a couple of times with no answer yet by the current Viking Sky Cruisers.  Let me ask it another way.   Are the Chef's Table menus on the second Iceland cruise the same as on the first Iceland cruise:  Xiang, Great Britian,  and Asian Panaroma - yes or no?

1 hour ago, VI_Lounger said:

There are pages and pages of wines. Do you prefer white or red? We just got caymus for the same price as we pay at costco so shocking to us as usually huge markups on board. Bad signal but will try some attachments. 

You are my hero!   Thanks.

I don't believe there were any wine drinkers on the first cruise.   If there are any on the second cruise, please take a second while looking at the list to take a picture and post if so those of us following you will have an idea of the wines that are available.   Thanks.

1 hour ago, Clay Clayton said:

Hard to say.  Seems it just pops up sometimes.  I’d try swiping up and down and going back and forth to the menu like you are looking for something. 

The Chat box is a small red box that appears on the right side of MVJ.   Since it is not there all the time I think it only appears when a Chat Person is available because I have used it 4-5 times and never had to wait for a person.  Each time I have used it, I have found the folks very helpful.

Would someone currently on the Sky be kind enough to take a photo of the current wine list in the ship.   Thanks.

1 minute ago, jmfdr said:

Okay, we will soon be on our first Viking cruise.  i am now somewhat confused about wines and mini bars.

 

question 1. We have a DV category cabin and did not think that any alcoholic beverages would be provided nor replaced in the mini bar?

 

question 2.  We are not wine snobs but—- i am a bit concerned hearing that the regular wine offerings and maybe even the upgraded SS package does not include great choices. Is it possible to find a wine list of what Viking offers?

 

question 3.  Is it acceptable for passengers to bring wine onboard at embarkation or from any ports?

thanks all,

Jan

1)  Alcholic Beverages are only included in the mini-bars on PV rooms and above.  These are the only rooms my comments are relevent to.  

2)  I have found the wine lists varies year to year and ship to ship.   You generally only really know what wines are available on your cruise when you get onboard.  That said, if you have reasonable knowledge on wines and are not driven by wine critics ratings you can almost always find some gems on their list, often adding some to by cellar when I get home (if my wine shop can get them).

3)You can bring any and all alcohol you want on a Viking ship.    If you have a special occasion and want to bring a first growth bordeaux - no problem, if you find a wine you like at a local wine store - no problem.   Viking has the best alcohol policy of any cruise line.

Hope this helps.

25 minutes ago, gskimmel said:

I asked about the July 27th sailing this morning and was told we are still restricted to Viking only excursions and cannot explore on our own.  Hope this changes by the time we sail.

I believe Viking is trying not to commit to anything they can't deliver.   That said, as long as Iceland rules remain as they are today and Viking exeriences no Covid problems, I believe they will allow exploring on your on own and annouce it to each cruise as they start to cruise.

2 minutes ago, FoggyEthan said:

Wow, so you can take the free wine from your room anywhere on the ship and they'll serve it? That definitely seems like a workaround for the "free wine only with meals" rule.

If you have a cabin with a mini bar you can take that drink any where on the ship.   I have never tried to leave my cabin with more than a glass of wine.   I believe if you took the whole bottle they give you out of your room and ask them to serve it to you, you would be taking advantage of Viking's hospitality.

1 hour ago, FoggyEthan said:

What are my options when asking them to fill the fridge? I'm guessing you mean a wine that you brought, rather than them putting a complementary bottle of their wine?

When I get into my room I put a note in the min-bar that says, "please adjust the mini bar to include 2 Scotch, 2 Gin, 2 cans of tonic (sugar free if available)b2 cans of club soda, 2 cans of Coke-Cola Light, 2 Bitter Lemon and 1 bottle of white wine instead of the beer."  Later that day or the next, the mini bar is set up as I requested.    If I don't particularly like the wine that put in the mini-bar, I leave it out with a note telling them that I did not like it and request they provide me with something else.  If I find a wine that I like on their list that id available by the glass, I request it.   Whenever, the bottle gets empty they give me another bottle.  Yes, it has always been complementary if you are in a room with a mini-bar.

50 minutes ago, Twitchly said:

Good advice. Do you remember if the in-room fridge is big enough to hold a bottle of wine? 

We always have them remove the beer in the mini-bar and replace it with wine.  A couple of 750 ml bottles with some soda cans fits with no problem.