May B

I’ve never been on Viking River. When I first looked for a river cruise, I chose AMA. Out of seven nights, I believe we ate with one couple, whom we actually liked very much, twice. Once we ate with one other couple and they were fine. Three of the other nights we dined alone. One night we dined at the special restaurant, special menu, all 12 guests, iirc, at the same table. It was a nice experience … private room. We liked the couple we dined with, twice, so much that we saw them once when they were in our neck of the woods with some extra time before their flight home. Did another AMA for the tulip cruise, great fun. I don’t remember dining with anybody! We did a Uniworld with two friends, but actually dined at a table of eight most nights. It was ok, but we generally prefer dining alone, or with our own travel companions. Last night we dined, just the four of us. Heck, I never thought I’d opt to dine at a buffet for dinner, but Octantis broke me of that opinion. If we take a Viking River, we’ll just deal with it. The most important part is we’ll be together, and if we have to laugh about the experience, later, so be it.

I believe on other lines such as AMA, Uniworld, probably Scenic and Tauck, you’re not always required to dine with others.

Hi Sailing12Away, I’m with you! Funny take on the cooking class. I think somebody on our roll call thread will post when the excursions get posted. You and I already chatted about this there! Clearly Celebrity has done it all before, which you may have already read about. The excursions for parade-viewing sounded wonderful to me! The one complaint was that the bus had to change its pick-up location from what the driver had planned. I’ve seen the NOLA police in action for traffic control, and they are happy to change plans at any time if they deem it necessary. Or something akin to necessary. I’m sure the bus driver wished he could follow his original plan! The tour guide led the pax to the new pick-up point.

I predict a lovely buffet in the Crystal Cove area in front of reception will welcome you back. Have a wonderful time.

No preexisting NOW. And remember the trip insurance companies include a change in your meds as a potential preexisting, even LOWERING your blood pressure meds! Or so I’ve read.

I believe Jim and Iain are on Solstice.

My recollection is “this summer”.

So are we on that cruise. We have a nice little roll call thread, if you care to stop by.

The inside of Eden is gorgeous, too! There are many unusual things about the Edge ships. Personally, I love them.

1. I suppose so, but the price might be higher than it is now. I think you should book what you want, when you book the cruise. 2. Concierge class might have a separate boarding line, and it might be quicker. I believe afternoon snacks are in concierge, around 4 pm. It’s just small but we like them, with a drink in our stateroom. We go to a bar and bring it back. Not even sure that’s still “a thing”, as perks have been shifting lately. The boarding day lunch is good, but if you board late, that perk is gone. Cruisers who love buffet breakfast and lunch don’t even think that’s much of a perk. 3. I don’t think so. It’s called infinite, not infinity. 4. It depends where the sun is in relation to the side of the ship you’re on. If your side is facing west and it’s late afternoon, you’ll have sun. When the ship is moving, it’s unpredictable. You’re not really “sitting out”. You’re sitting next to a huge open window. If you really want to “sit out”, either book a sunset veranda stateroom or an M or S class ship, not Edge class. Or go to the pool deck or higher, or other areas with lounge chairs. On Edge class, you can sometimes get full sun outside Eden. Usually nice quiet location. Have fun!

Frustrating!

Rob, if you chose not to take the OBC, could the fare reduction be applied to a FUTURE cruise?

People sometimes say you shouldn’t compare. We like to laugh about the comparisons. As long as a cruise meets our expectations, we’re happy. If it exceeds, that’s even better. And when we call a location on one cruise line by the name of another, we … just laugh! Laughter is good!

Hey dude. I wonder if I know you. 😁

At least you’re 90 minutes closer to Apex than we are! Checking the acct. is one of the things Mr B likes, and I’m the one who likes the navigation channel. I don’t think either one of us knew we could watch onboard lectures. Have done that on Crystal and Viking. He also likes to watch ESPN. 😁

I agree!

T.V. is meaningless to me, though Mr B does comment, usually once/cruise. Port of Tampa, YES YES YES. We’re booked for January and March of 2025. Well, we live 3.5 miles from the dock!

Yes, and I think the category you’re paying for has to be available so they can get the pricing right. If there are two categories of Aqua class or Concierge, the upgrade would go from the less expensive to the more, within that category. It’s not much money but what the heck … money is money!

I’m late to this party, but I’ll try to catch up! I trust you are having an appropriately wonderful blast.

Have a wonderful trip! Bon voyage. Rome is a wonderful city, as you have by now already figured out!

I could open all the photos on my iPad. I love them! Thank you for posting, and keep enjoying. Pretty amazing, how long you’ve known a few of the staff.

Make that three out of four. Mine also shows black tie optional. Mr B won’t pack his tux for just one night. I’m glad you will!

I will also add that entertainment all the way around, as well as enrichment, seems to have continued to be outstanding after Crystal returned to service about nine months ago. I do think they have pre/post land, perhaps not as many as they will when we’re further out from the restart. Shore excursions are never included and seem to be getting a fifty/fifty thumbs up/thumbs down reaction. On my November cruise on Serenity, one was wonderful, one terrible. We were refunded for some or all of the terrible one (which was not 100% terrible). I’m scheduled to take two in June and I expect them to both be fine, as one is in the US and one in Canada.

I’m not a smoker but I think I’m qualified to answer. For indoors, there’s a place called the Connoisseur Club, which is devoted to smokers, including cigar. Outdoors, smoking is allowed on one side of the pool deck, as well as aft on some of the decks, and I believe on port side of the promenade deck. In reality, there are rarely any smokers outside at all. The most are on the one side of the pool deck. Perhaps somebody can verify my recollection.

No, I don’t. I meant to direct that comment to the OP. I do have a strong DNA match in Canada, but he hasn’t answered my messages.