parkie

We were on the early June Viking Homeland tour; we were told that the tip was automatically added to your tab. I was not disposed to cooperate and thought that I would tip a lesser amount. After all, why does someone else (IE, a corporation) decide how much I should tip? However, once on board, we found the service to be so spectacular that I quickly decided to go ahead and pay the "suggested" amount. I did, however, tip our cabin steward extra due to his level of help. Still not wild about being told what to tip...

(BTW, I did not inquire as to whether or not I could opt for a lesser amount.)

I often take only my DLSR & iPhone6+, but on an upcoming Baltic cruise, I will also bring a back-up DLSR as well. In Europe, I usually think that because we have traveled there multiple times and have LOTS of photos, it would not be cataclysmic if something happened to my camera...could buy a replacement, or simply use the iPhone.

Now on the upcoming Baltic deal, I will take a backup DLSR for sake of peace of mind..... and several lenses.

Cameras:

Nikon D700, D300s, D90, D50 (primarily use D700)

Lenses:

Nikon 17-55mm f/2.8

Nikon 16-85mm f/3.5

Nikon 80-200mm f/2.8

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5

Nikon 70-300mm f/3.5

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5

Misc:

Nikon MB-10 battery grip

Manfrotto monopod

Need to buy some FX lenses, but haven't gotten around to it yet; probably start with a Nikon 24-70mm, but will also have a modified version of the holy trinity; after the 24-70 will make do with the 10-24mm & 80-200mm.

I realize that this is a cruise-oriented site, but I just got back from Amsterdam and Rome and only took one lens -- a Nikkor 17-55mm f/2.8 lens. It is heavy but with cropping, I got most of what I was looking for. The speed of the lens let me take a lot of interior shots without flash.

I use a Nikon 12-24mm on my DLSR for interior shots; 12mm is enough in most situations.

Here is what I take:

Nikon D300s

Nikkor 50mm 1.8

Nikkor 16-85mm

Sigma 18-250mm

SB600

Black Rapid strap

I have a Nikkor 80-200, but it is too big unless I was specifically shooting some wildlife. If I took it, would include a Manfrotto monopod.

I just received this email from Viking. They don't say if it will be available in the future for ocean cruises.

 

Thank you for your recent online enquiry.

 

At this time Custom Air is not available in conjunction with the tour you have booked for 2015.

 

If you have other questions please advise.

 

Regards,

 

Viking Cruises

 

 

 

 

Viking Cruises|vikingcruises.com

Viking Cruises: 1-855-338-4546 |Viking River Cruises: 1-800-760-1478 |Viking Ocean Cruises: 1-866-984-5464Representatives are available from 5:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday and 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Sunday (Pacific Time).

My TA told me this morning that Viking will not offer any custom air option on flights into Bergen. Said that it was his impression that in the past they used Lufthansa & SAS into Bergen. He did not comment regarding Stockholm, but I suppose that would also hold for leaving from there (reflecting a Bergen to Stockholm itinerary.)

Add us to the list...Duke & Merikay

By the way, we are on the 9/27/2014 trip; looking forward to it. We have been on several Viking (4) and one Avalon river cruises. This is a river we haven't been on and so as soon as we saw this offering, we began to make plans.

Thanks for the information you exoperienced on your Longship river cruise. We are really looking forward to our trip. Did you purchase the 'SILVER SPIRITS' beverage program? It sounds very expense on the face of things. Are the drinks at the bar & in the lounge pricey? Your thoughts please.

My wife and I enjoy wine, but with its' availability at lunch and dinner, I find that the beverage packages are a bit expensive. We were on a Viking trip once with friends; their children had bought one for them as a gift and their comment was that they themselves would not have gone to the expense. Just one person's opinion!