robinhood1

We have our insurance with Nationwide - as has already been said the subtleties of the policy wordings are interesting. It is clear that the policy does not cover Inadvised countries but no mention if I advised methods of travel! The Global Travel Task force report is interesting - it says that international cruising should restart in line with the traffic light policy - it is also due to report tomorrow ( 28/6). We shall have to see what they say. Viking must have a lot of bookings hanging on this - they have been selling Malta, Iceland and River Cruises from around the 20th July so. They must be expecting things to change.

3 hours ago, NeilP57 said:

It’s my refund plus the SS package for inconvenience. 
 

just checked and we can purchase it for £108/pp which equates to just below a $1.30 to £1 exchange rate. When the actual exchange rate is above 1.40. 
 

If it is not given as compensation I will be better off waiting until I am onboard and paying in dollars! 
 

 

 

 

Neil,

The excursion prices have now been corrected for our cruise on 24/7 . I think the exchange rate used is about $1.30 to  pound. I think that must be the rate that is being used looking at the Silver Spirits conversion. 

12 minutes ago, MarkTapley said:

Neil,

 

The Silver Spirits package is $139/pp.  So it may not be a great deal to take that as an exchange.

 

Jerry

I think Neil was hoping that might be offered as compensation for our distress as well as our refunds!! Good to know the US price for that too ….it is £108 for U.K. guests at the moment!! 

1 hour ago, Bejay219 said:

For tipping purposes...Is there one Room Attendant per suite/stateroom? Is is typical to tip the waitstaff in The Restaurant and specialty restaurants and bars?  Trying to figure out how much money to bring. 

Thanks! 

Usually the room attendants work in teams of two - one is more senior. Tips are shared on board but we usually tip both our room stewards a little extra at the end and any waiters who have served us regularly. 

2 hours ago, Dave W 10 said:

For UK passengers I just had a message from Viking (missed the phone call).

UK excursion prices are wrong, correct prices will be uploaded equivalent to US prices.

You're in for a hefty refund Neil 🤩

That is good to hear - shame that it happened in the first place given that it was a known problem. We too are about £1200 out of pocket - you would think they might communicate to all those affected by email and then follow up. I realise that it is a difficult time but that is really basic. 

4 minutes ago, robinhood1 said:

 

Hi Neil

 

I am not sure which cruise you are on but we are also on the UK with the same problem. The typical increase in price to UK customers is around 90%. The response from Viking so far is that it has been referred to Basel for an immediate resolution. Immediate to me is rather quicker that it seems to be taking. Several of us have raised this with Viking. It is a broader problem than just our cruise. The Scenic Shores cruisers have the same problem and have been only allowed to book excursions on board at the correct dollar price.  I suspect that it is a coding problem in MVJ and that instead of dividing the dollar price by the exchange rate it is multiplying. This is causing the 90% difference in pricing. I suspect the bigger problem is not admitting there is a problem but knowing how to reverse the incorrect charges! I am sure we will hear soon but it is unusual for Viking to take so long to recognise their mistake.

I should write to them right away and join the rest of us!! I would not cancel them until you get on board if that is the last resort, as others will snap up your bookings. I We are on the 24th July so it will be sorted I am sure before you go. Our charges are very similar to yours and we have some travelling companions in a similar place. I am not sure if you can send me a private message - if so I have some contact details at Viking you can use. I also have some of the prices which I can share with you. 

3 hours ago, NeilP57 said:

31/7 Departure Shore Excursion Update.

 

In the UK things went slightly different. I was able to log on to MVJ and see the excursions and times at 5:00pm (UK time).

 

However, i was told that online booking is currently not available and I was to ring Viking for assistance.

 

I got through reasonably quickly and after coming out of MVJ myself, a very helpful assistant (Geoff) was able to make all the booking I required and to take payment.

 

I was then able to see my Shore Excursions in the Calendar and the payment was only taken once.

 

However, I am very surprised by the discrepancy between the UK and US prices. The £ price was considerably greater than the $ price that was shown on the pdf of ShoreX that was published on the general thread a week or so ago.

 

Perhaps one of the US passengers on this cruise could tell me how much the following excursions are in $ when booked for this specific cruise ie 31st July departure. In that way when I raise the issue with Viking in London I can highlight the exact discrepancy between $ and £ for exactly the same excursion.

 

Day 2 - Golden Circle (£264)

Day 3 - Vigur Island (£159)

Day 4 - Northern Icelands Natural Treasures (£199) 

Day 6 - Ice Lagoon by Zodiac (£394)

Day 7 - Coastal Heimaey by RIB (£234)

 

From the PDF of ShoreX circulated previously the $ pricing was as follows but it would if these could be confirmed as the prices paid for this departure.

 

Day 2 - Golden Circle ($199)

Day 3 - Vigur Island ($119)

Day 4 - Northern Icelands Natural Treasures ($149) 

Day 6 - Ice Lagoon by Zodiac ($299)

Day 7 - Coastal Heimaey by RIB ($179)

 

Now my guess is that somebody in the UK has got confused when using their calculator and did the incorrect calculation for converting $ pricing into £ as the ratio for all of them is in the 1.31 to 1.34 range. Whilst the £ is a little stronger than that at the moment circa $1.4 to the £, it would not be unreasonable to use a 1.32 fx rate to convert the dollar ShoreX pricing.

 

If this is the case no doubt Viking will quickly agree the error and refund me the difference but before I write to them it would be good to have confirmation of the $ pricing for exactly the same excursions on the 31/7 departure.

 

Obviously if this is not an error and indeed Viking are charging UK customers 75% more for exactly the same excursion then there may be a very different conversation but to start with I will give Viking the benefit of the doubt and look to them to review the pricing and give a refund.

Hi Neil

I am not sure which cruise you are on but we are also on the UK with the same problem. The typical increase in price to UK customers is around 90%. The response from Viking so far is that it has been referred to Basel for an immediate resolution. Immediate to me is rather quicker that it seems to be taking. Several of us have raised this with Viking. It is a broader problem than just our cruise. The Scenic Shores cruisers have the same problem and have been only allowed to book excursions on board at the correct dollar price.  I suspect that it is a coding problem in MVJ and that instead of dividing the dollar price by the exchange rate it is multiplying. This is causing the 90% difference in pricing. I suspect the bigger problem is not admitting there is a problem but knowing how to reverse the incorrect charges! I am sure we will hear soon but it is unusual for Viking to take so long to recognise their mistake.

Hello Flashman 181

The first time we were on board we stayed in a Junior Suite - we really liked it - there was lots of space and we really liked being close to the Explorer lounge...

‘’However.... the last three times ( and the next 2) we have booked PV cabins. The cost differential as you point out is quite significant and we have found that we have more than enough space in our PV cabins. The sitting area is very comfortable and great for “patient waiting” in the morning for everyone to get ready and for room service breakfast!  We have always been able to book the exact excursions we have wanted every time so that is never a problem. We make our restaurant reservations and then as soon as we get on board we fire up our Explorer App and have always been able to make 2 or 3 more. We also have been able to get extra tables in the Chef’s table by being flexible On timing and just asking at the restaurant! ( Flexibility is the key point for extra speciality restaurant reservations). As for laundry we just send our stuff as we would had we been in the suite. It is very reasonably priced (IMO) and it cost us $200 US dollars or so for 4 weeks when we were in the far east last year. So....for me it is about the space and the upper decks that  makes difference in the Junior Suites. We never use the bathroom at the same time so the larger double sink bathroom was of no benefit to us! we would just get in each other’s way.  We are always happy in our PVs and like the savings to spend on excursions etc. However everyone has their own preferences and you may feel those benefits are worth the extra. ( By the way it is not an affordability issue for us ...we are fortunate in that respect) .

We also find that there is no difference in PV categories really - we have been in each and the price difference now is very narrow. We do like the ones with the large sliding door configuration rather than the opening door. It is worth asking about that when you book. The difference is to do with the structure of the ship....but there are about equal numbers of each. If you have an opening door ...it can be inconvenient to keep it open and sit out at the same time.

Yes it was a challenge....the first entry into Kagoshima was quite straight forward - photocopies of passports were taken by Viking and they were sufficient for there and Nagasaki. We were told that we had to go through immigration by 9.30am whatever we were doing. It did not take too long. After Nagasaki ( no problems) we  went to Busan and on the return to Hiroshima it was very difficult. Japanese immigration came on board at Midday - they set up in Manfredi's.  We went through as soon as they opened as we were heading off independently that afternoon. We only waited 15 minutes. Those on an organised tour went through based on excursion departure time. It  was a nightmare and took some people 2 hours plus  to get off the ship. Some excursion groups were kept waiting for over two hours in the Star Theatre - they even had an impromptu concert from one of the vocalists!! 

There was little that Viking could do - there were about 10 immigration stations set up and they were very thorough. They also fingerprinted everyone!!  Just do the Maths - 930 people ...2 minutes per person .....10 stations equals a very long time! At every Japanese port after that there were bag searches only and passport "glances" so no problems .  

The afternoon tours that day were continually being rescheduled.  We were very lucky! We went on  the included tour the second morning, We took the shuttle bus that afternoon on our own to the Shukkei En garden and Hiroshima Castle. It cost us about $10!!! We knew nothing of the problems until we got back! We also had our port visit shortened because of the Golden Week celebrations and were just there for 24 hours from Midday. That also gave Viking some other rescheduling challenges. 

Having  just returned  from Orion flexibility is the name of the game. We had two advanced reservations in each restaurant but were able to eat all the Chef’s Table menus and several times in Manfredi’s on our first leg of two.  My approach was to make our reservations early in the cruise - then use the phone app to top up and then talk to the head waiters. Keep looking on the phone app as tables come available regularly as people change their plans. Tips were refused by the head waiters - only offered as a thanks not as a bribe!! - and once when we had booked  a table in Manfredis for four and asked at very short notice to change to six ( for our trivia team dinner!!!) we were offered the private dining room which was free that night ( very special treat!) .  The phone app seems to have a limit on your reservations but as you use them up the slots free up again. On our second leg the World Cafe station was assigned the job of sorting out reservations for continuing travellers before the end of the first leg and booked us four in each!!!! As someone said there is no precise way of sorting things out - on lobster night in the main restaurant there were 50 no shows in the Chefs Table and 25 in Manfredi’s - so tables were very available at very short notice! Also eating later helps...tables after 8.00 are relatively easy to get too. 

Hello everyone 

We are just back from a 28 day journey from Bangkok to Tokyo - it was an amazing trip. I wrote an almost daily blog of the trip covering every port of the Viking River And Ocean Cruises Friends - Facebook page . You will need to join that group and then if you search for one of the ports you should find my post and can then search on my name as you will know who I am! I have posted full instructions on the forum for the cruise we were on....so I guess if you search my posts on cruise critic you should find the instructions!! Hope that it helps.

Were are on board now. The wine list is now to be found on an IPad so it is difficult to copy. However there are around 80 wines on board - the majority priced at around $25 a bottle with a few premium selections at $65 a bottle. We have the silver spirits package as a promotional item so have enjoyed upgrading our wine. All bottles at $25 are included in the silver spirits package by the glass. There is plenty of choice. We have enjoyed the wine selection very much but have settled now on a selection that we like very much! We tend to have two different choices with each evening meal. The included wines are not too bad of course too and they too are upgraded anyway in the two alternative restaurants without charge.

There is very little difference in price between the three categories - Viking reduced the differential two years ago significantly. For us in the U.K. the difference is £50 a category. We have been in all three and have been happy in all three! We like to be close to the front or the back as they are the quietest. We are not affected by the motion at all. On this cruise we are the back of deck 5 and have booked it again. We have the opening instead of sliding door. We are very happy here and have a great view of the sea from the bed on a sea day!!!

We are currently on Orion - travelling from Bangkok to Tokyo - I have posted on the largest Viking customer Facebook site my reflections on each port. Another poster also posted her reflections on the previous occasions Viking visited these ports. I decided to use that site as it is a little more user friendly that Cruise Critic ( it seems to me!) . I hope that is helpful if of course you are a Facebook user. If you start on that site by searching for the pots eg Sihanoukville you can then pick up the names of the posters and follow the blogs.

Being organised and flexible is the key - Manfredis is definitely a little more challenging to get reservations but they are obtainable. One of the best tools is the phone app which is constantly being updated with availability and as people have said just walk up and ask! We are happy to eat at 8.00 and usually pitch up slightly early to get seated. We have had 4 reservations in each alternative restaurant on this cruise - we like them both very much.

This is a problem for Viking I am sure - lots of tours means it is difficult for them to try to have groups of “gentle walkers”. We were in Hoi An yesterday and it was a nightmare mixing fit walkers with those who should have been either on another tour or in “gentle walker “ groups. Our guide found it impossible to control the group ( which was also too big) and a one hour tour took almost 2 and thus freetime in a beautiful city was almost non existent. I am not sure what the answer is - many moderate rated tours are beyond many mobility challenges guests here in Asia as it is so hot and humid.

The wine pairings do change - we had the Lotus menu last night on Orion ( it is amazing by the way) and our wine flight was completely different! I am getting used to the wines on board now - many of the Chef’s Table wines are selections that are available all the time from the list available to those with the silver package. Our wine waiter in the Chef’s Table will happily substitute if we would prefer something else instead of the selected wine.

Yes we did Snapshots of Rome - we have been to Rome twice so had seen all of the big sites before ( we are from the UK). We did it in the afternoon - we were not hugely impressed. It was 90 minutes from the ship to Rome and over two hours back in the rush hour. It was fine as an afternoon time filler! We were quite frustrated by the time we got to the Vatican - we would have preferred just to have been dropped off there on arrival and be picked up later - we would have then have at least had time to go in the basilica which is stunning! The traffic in Rome was horrendous. I would not recommend this tour if you really want to see some of the highlights of Rome - you will just see the outside of the Basilica and the other photo stop as mentioned.  Other alternatives would be advisable. 

We had a very similar experience on our cruise in September. Our neighbours were very noisy the first few  nights - the male guest was a very heavy drinker and came back very late ( early hours) banging the doors, raising his voice and putting on the TV. We spoke with them when we got to the point of  “no more tolerance” and his partner was clearly very embarrassed indeed - it did mostly solve the problem. Although it didn’t stop him coming back late I am sure his wife had made it clear to him that she wasn’t happy. He used to sleep in very late, she often breakfasted on her own. We saw him regularly in the Explorers Lounge drinking with a friend  -unfortunately we had found as a neighbour one  of the very few irresponsible drinkers on board who was determined to get the very most out of his silver spirits package. We have cruised three times now with Viking and have only heard low level TV - the rooms are very well soundproofed. If our discussion had not worked we would have definitely gone to guest services and I am sure they would have acted. Maybe the bartenders need to be a little more assertive with very heavy drinkers??? !! ( Controversial!!) . Can I say I am sure this is an extremely rare problem1

There are several ways to make a reservation on the ship. Before you go download the Viking Explorers App to your phone. As soon as you get on board log in to the system and make extra reservations over those you have already! Next you can make them on the television system in your room.  It is also possible to make reservations by telephone to guest services, at the restaurants themselves, and each day at breakfast time at the entry to the World Cafe on the right side of the ship someone is standing by to make and change reservations! We usually manage to get 2 extra in each when we get on board, and then if we wish to go again , especially if there are menus we haven't tried at the chef's table we speak to the Head Waiter who sorts things out! We have always been able to get as many reservations as we have wanted. Sometimes you may need to be flexible on time and some days they get lots of cancellations ( not sea days!) when people are tired from a full day of activities or lobster is on the menu in the main restaurant!  We have found after we have got 4 reservations in each speciality restaurant the system will not let us have others electronically (we are usually in a PV cabin with automatic access to two). The only way to overcome that is through the head waiters in the restaurants themselves until late in the cruise when the "system" seems to open up again.

When we were on board in September  there were 5 menus ( Chinese, Asian, Scandinavian, Venetian and Tastes of the World)  over the 14 days - each was on for two days - that meant that the first menu (Scandinavian) came round twice. There are other menus so I think it impossible to predict what is coming until you can log on and book. We are on Orion in April and our reservation dates for  the restaurant are in 10 days time so we will know then! When you go to book on line the menu for the day is shown to you so you can decide if you are happy. They will make changes for dietary and allergy reasons but basically it is fine dining and no choice. We like it very much but we recognise it is not for everyone.  We were told last time that the formula of rapid menu change had meant increased covers in the Chef's Table. People seem to either love it or don't! The fans like us try every menu and are very happy!! I am always willing to try something new and although the portions can be on the small side you will never go hungry on a Viking ship!   I hope that helps. 

That's a good question! We have never managed to eat lobster in three cruises! We have always  been eating in one of the speciality restaurants that night! I think they move it around and keep it quiet!! I do know that when it is on, spaces open up in both Manfredis and the Chefs Table as a result of cancellations! So...off we go to one of those!

We have been on three sea cruises and Mamsen's was open every day at lunchtime - it does have slightly strange opening hours but was always open for breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and late evening. The Explorers Lounge Bar was always open - from mid morning. At breakfast time coffee and juice is served from the bar as soon as Mamsen's opens. Just occasionally it can be very busy if "scenic cruising" is on the menu!

Hello Wendy ,

We have stayed in a PV cabin ( Twice) and been very happy - there is loads of storage space in the wardrobes, shelves, drawers, by the bed and under the bed! Last time we were on board we had several empty drawers and my lovely wife does not travel light!  The bathroom has masses of space for your essentials. We have not stayed in a DV cabin but my understanding is that there is less space due to the way the cabin is laid out but that generally speaking again there is ample space for most requirements. We started out on our first trip in a Junior Suite for a special celebration but quickly decided thar the extra cost was just not worth it!! It was lovely to be up on the 8th floor but the PV cabins seem to us to have that great balance of early bookings, space to relax , and amenities that we value. We have been happiest on the 4th floor as we can then walk everywhere without the lift!  There used to be a big difference in the price of PV cabins between the categories but this is now almost non existent. I guess those who like them have worked out that there is little benefit in being on a higher floor. We like to be towards the front of deck 4 (away from the lift) which are the cheaper ones and in our opinion the best sited!! I think you would be very happy in one of these for a world cruise - we are going to Asia in April for 28 days and that is what we have booked ( although we could only get a 5th floor at the back as the whole cruise was sold out when we booked a year ago and we took a cancellation) .

We went with Alla for two days and they were excellent. We went to the Faberge as part of the trip which Viking were not offering at the time and we had plenty of time there. We did not feel rushed at all over the two days and were delighted with their service. I would be reassured by all these comments - you will be much less rushed in the Alla small group and I am sure overall will see more.

As far as the Chef’s Table is concerned you can probably get as many reservations as you like on board - they will try to fit you in - Manfredi’s is a different matter - download the Viking App to your phone and as soon as you get on board make extra reservations before most people know what is going on! If your friends make them at the same time or within half an hour you can then get the head waiters to merge them! We managed to get 4 Manfredis reservations and ate each time the menu changed in the chef’s table which was 6!! You just need to work the system!

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