May B

The Mississippi had its own unique challenges. I hope they’ve been sorted out. We found it easier to get a second Manfredi’s reservation than a third Restaurant reservation on Octantis. I think it was the first summer they were in the Great Lakes. Thoroughly enjoyable experience (our first Viking). It was clear from your post that you understand what’s on offer on the expedition ships.

Inform them what, exactly? You already know you’ll hear as soon as Crystal nails it down. This note didn't add anything to that knowledge.

You may find it just as easy and satisfying to pay as you go, for you. Nothing is outrageously priced. I suppose you might even surprise yourself and like the included wine at lunch or dinner … but I wouldn’t count on it.

When traveling with another couple, I get the other couple on speakerphone and we look, and book, together, each doing our own. Then follow instructions above to be sure you are on the same bus, in post #5. As soon as you get together on embarkation day, compare tour tickets, to be sure you are booked at same times.

I agree, we can never say this too often, when the topic of dinners is discussed. Before our Octantis in summer of 2022, I don’t think I had eaten more than one dinner at a buffet on a cruise ship, and that was b/c we wanted to go out to Tivoli Gardens after dinner. On Octantis, we dined twice in Manfredi’s, I think only twice in The Restaurant, and the other four at the World Cafe. After I got over the hurdle, I found, as do many Viking cruisers, that I could have a fine dinner at the World Cafe, and not feel deprived of good service. We also on occasion get some cold seafood at the WC to go with our own private happy hour. Best location is by the pool! Second best, aft outside. I would also be remiss if I didn’t tell you how much we enjoyed the fish at The Restaurant. Mr. B had halibut three times, snapper once and Chilean sea bass once. I had Dover sole and many other wonderful things. We were extremely happy with our food, and the service, on the ship. Except the first night’s wait staff at The Restaurant. We avoided them, very easily, after that. Luckily the team we got on the second night was outstanding!

Don’t forget to check out the pool grill for lunch. Burgers made to order are great but also a wonderful ahi tuna grilled to order. And two versions of hot dogs. IYKYK. Also a salad bar similar to what’s offered at the World Cafe. Bon voyage, jondfk!

Here’s one recent live thread.

Call for pricing and availability. That’s the only way I know. White night is an evening activity, in the Crystal Cove, actually in place of the evening activity. Cruisers sometimes post menus, which of course are subject to change, although not very often. Cruisers have also posted photos and even video clips from white night. I’ll find a thread to post you a great link.

Carol, thank you for replying! From 2015 when we first heard Jay, you lived in Naples, and perhaps even longer than that. Enjoy the kitties when you get home!

Wow, Dwight. I’m sure you don’t need us to say, be careful! Thank you for the public venues report!

Perhaps looks can be deceiving. But I guess now I know who it is, without looking.

The part of ryndam will be played by seasack. This is wonderful, and I, for one, love you for it. Mr B keeps saying, they have beef carpaccio every day. Of course he’s wrong. But yellow fin! That’s even better than octopus! Another difficult choice for me for the main, but I’ll let Mr B have the cioppino and I’ll have the liver. Maybe I’ll special order the redfish on another night. Bon voyage, seasack and Dwight et. al.

Dwght, thank you for this new thread. Glad you went to the Cove, lower and more midship, wise! And such a pleasant place to sit.

When we disembarked in Auckland (end of a cruise), a dog and his handler found an apple in a person’s carry-on and confiscated it.

We don’t have a sad button we can use to agree with you, Rob. Thanks for the absolutely wonderful reporting. Safe travels home to you both!

Bon voyage, CruisePfan! My brother lives in Rowayton.

I beg your pardon! Rob!!! I cannot tell Mr B what you said about Perry, as Mr B is every bit as much a Perry fan as I am. I was surprised when Mr B happily assumed positions, and he thoroughly enjoyed the whole shtick. He continues to quote Perry to this day, several years after we’ve been in the Avenue, or any place else, with Perry. Perry actually is a beautiful performer when he imparts sad news to us. Heartfelt and touching.

Welcome to cruise critic! My staterooms of choice are by the midship elevators. It’s as quiet as church and such a great location.

All true, but in post #7, Hanoi mentions the number of staterooms still available. I think in my mind I was answering that comment.

I think OP meant making a booking but not putting the deposit down until Feb. 1st will or won’t show a more favorable offer. That does sound undersold. I think you’re doing your best. It’ll be interesting to see what happens on Feb. 1st.

I have never been aware of a period of time prior to the travel date, only prior to the day trip insurance coverage is purchased. The quote given by tool worker doesn’t include the one I’ve seen in other policies, something about, or which might have caused a reasonable person to seek medical care.

Controlled on medication is fine, I think; but changing your medication dose (even changing to a lower one) during the lookback period can be a trigger for the insurance to deny coverage. Mr B often says, the devil is in the details.

Oh! I wasn’t paying close attention, that’s for sure!

FYI, I believe at least one of the popular trip insurance companies has a policy that will cover pre-existing, if you purchase coverage at time of final payment. The one unknown is, in between making your $25 deposit and making your final payment, what if a new pre-existing condition happens to you?! I believe the minimum you can cover is $500 pp. Sometimes I do that, at deposit time, and add the rest of the coverage later. I believe keeping the $500 pp coverage and not adding any more is kind of like self-insuring most of your trip costs, but having the benefit of the medical evacuation coverage, which I feel is a very important component, hardly ever needed but so nice to have, just in case. Also you have some travel delay and baggage protection. For the scenario the OP was so concerned about, I’m glad there was a workable solution. Oops, thx, kctwinmommy, it wasn’t the OP!

Your insurance will cover your cancellation FOR A COVERED REASON of your travel companion.