Symmes99

My wife and I have been on 3 Azamara cruises (including 1 since they were sold) and 4 Viking Ocean cruises. We enjoyed every one of them. We have 2 cruises booked on Azamara in 2023 and 1 booked on Viking Ocean in 2024. Both lines have done a good job handling my wife’s food allergies (she’s a celiac, plus has allergies to dairy and soy, and is picky about a lot of other food), but overall we like the food on Azamara a little better. We prefer the main dining room on Azamara - it’s more elegant and spacious. The Restaurant on Viking reminds us of a cafeteria, and if you’re seated at the aft end you have to navigate the obstacle course of chairs half blocking the aisles when you exit. We like the theater on Viking better - nicer seating, better sight lines, not as crowded as the Cabernet setup on Azamara. I like the lounges on the outside lower deck of Azamara (deck 4, I think), because it’s quiet and the ocean is right over the railing. My wife prefers the lounge chairs on Viking’s deck 7 by the pool, because it’s livelier and it’s easier to get drinks and food. One thing we now focus on is the itinerary; whichever line has an itinerary that pops will get our deposit. That puts Azamara ahead because they seem to do more adventurous and varied itineraries than Viking. But we also have upcoming cruises on Silversea and Regent for the first time because of unique itineraries, and a 2024 cruise with Oceania (we cruised with them once, 8 years ago) because of an exciting itinerary.

Embarkation was simple. Show docs at terminal then board straight away. No pre-cruise testing required. Wasn’t until we got to cabin and saw the spit tubes that we realized testing onboard was being done. The Travel Requirements on MVJ indicated that we’d be notified not email before the cruise if testing would be required. But never got an email. I spoke with the General Manager onboard and showed him the pre-cruise info on MVJ. He was surprised and unaware that shoreside operations were saying that no testing would be required. His marching orders were to test everyone every day.

We got off Jupiter yesterday morning after the crossing from Barcelona. We were required to do spit tests each of the 21 days even though none of the countries we visited required testing of vaccinated cruise ship passengers.

More or less. They do wear masks but some pull them down when speaking with you or for a photo. And many noses are uncovered. It’s good to see faces again!

Senegal was scratched well before the cruise, something about issues at the port. Apparently this happens often. Nothing to do with Covid. Passengers are over their unhappiness with daily testing, they’re just doing it as required and enjoying the cruise. I showed the General Manager the pre-cruise documentation I had which seemed to indicate no testing would be required. He was surprised and unaware that shoreside operations were telling passengers this, while at the same time telling the ship to do testing. He and the crew were caught in the middle. But as I said, displeasure passed quickly, gone after the first few drinks.

Also, none of the countries on this itinerary require testing of vaccinated cruise ship passengers. Viking seems to have done this on its own. The Travel Requirements on MVJ changed as the cruise approached, from no testing requirements, to daily testing will be required, to frequent testing will be required, to frequent testing may be required, to “you’ll get an email 14 days before your cruise if testing is required.” No email came. So I was surprised to see spit tubes in my cabin when I boarded, along with a letter explaining that daily testing is required. Many unhappy passengers! My wife and I were expecting a test-free cruise, like the Viking Danube cruise we did in September. Oh well.

I was told that Morocco said our vax cards must indicate lot or batch number for each dose of vaccine. Viking told Morocco they couldn’t produce that for all passengers, so Morocco then wanted Viking to submit test results as part of a health assessment. The tests exceeded the 1% positivity rate supposedly needed for entry. Not sure how much higher than 1% was found, but it didn’t seem rampant (just 14 cases would give 1%). Now it’s less than 0.5% and falling. I’m not convinced this is the real story. Other ships visit Morocco and they don’t do daily PCR tests and I doubt all vax cards are in order. But that’s the way it was explained to me.

Was on the ship (I am on this cruise). Present rate is below 1% - only 4 pax and 2 crew out of about 1,350 total onboard.

Wow, your Madrid extension seemed so disorganized. I hope they’ve learned from that and improved the product. Thanks for sharing. I’ll lower my expectations just a bit.

I will be on the Madrid pre-cruise extension in three days for our Viking Jupiter Barcelona-to Buenos Aries crossing. I received an email from Viking on October 11th with details. Here is what it said about the itinerary: Your Extension Itinerary Day 1: Your Viking representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your first-class hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Madrid at your leisure. Your Viking host will be available to help you plan your time in Madrid so you can make the most of your visit. Day 2: After breakfast, embark on your comprehensive Madrid Tour. During a panoramic drive, see the lush Botanical Garden and the Royal Palace of Madrid. Later, disembark from your motor coach to enjoy a walking tour through the Madrid of the Hapsburgs and visit the Prado Museum. In the evening, enjoy dinner on your own, or opt to enjoy an evening of traditional tapas. Contact your Viking host for further details. Day 3: After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer by high-speed train to Barcelona to embark on your cruise. Your Viking host will provide you with your reserved train tickets and accompany you on the train. The train ride from Madrid to Barcelona leaves at 10:30 AM and arrives in Barcelona at approximately 1:15 PM (approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes). Your luggage will be sent separately and will be delivered to your stateroom on board. (Train times are subject to change at any time without notice) Upon arrival in Barcelona, you will be transferred to the pier for embarkation. We’re looking forward to this trip!

My wife and I just completed a Viking River cruise that included a 5-day/4-night pre-cruise extension. The guidance for tipping was $2/day/person for the Tour Director and $1/day/person for the bus driver. That amounts to $20 for the TD and $10 for the bus driver. I don't remember if that guidance came from Viking or elsewhere, but we used that as a starting point. The Tour Director helped us make arrangements for a cabin upgrade on the ship, so we gave her extra. Hope this helps.