Twitchly

What about Liverpool? That’s the port I’m most at loose ends about. We’re not Beatles fans, so that’s out. Other Viking excursions include Knowsley Hall or Arley Hall, which I’m not familiar with. Thoughts? We’re open to doing a non-Viking tour, or just doing our own thing if we had some idea where to go. Part of me is thinking this might make a nice sea day since we have only one during the cruise. Recommendations welcome.

We liked the Chef’s Table best of the three main restaurants, but it depended on the evening’s menu, which changes. Check ahead when onboard and swap nights if necessary to get a menu that appeals to you (it’s posted in advance). We loved the World Buffet. Casual and surprisingly good. We also enjoyed having breakfast in our room most mornings via room service, which was extremely prompt. We usually had early excursions, so it was great to be able to have breakfast delivered beforehand.

We’re going to Highgate Cemetery, a major London highlight for me when I was there long ago. It’s basically the perfect cemetery. Unfortunately I hear they’ve cleaned it up quite a bit since then. It was quite wild and beautifully neglected when I saw it.

There it is!!! HOORAY!!!!!!!!!!

The website briefly updated last night and then reverted to its original text. But over on the other cruise discussion site, many current passengers are posting pictures of letters like this one. So it looks like Viking will make an announcement soon.

Yes, I’m seeing these letters now posted on TheOtherSite for River ships as well. I would not have guessed that Viking’s test policy was so tightly coupled with the CDC’s requirement. Or maybe it was just a great excuse to stop. Either way, hallelujah!!

Seen briefly on MVJ about an hour ago before it disappeared. Captured by several people on another cruise board. Not quite ready for prime time apparently. But it does sound like we’re nearly there!

Last night we had gin and tonics made with muddled strawberries and mint. We decided to chalk them up to our servings of fruit for the day. 🍓

Welcome! DV1 minibar is included, but your alcohol will not be replenished daily. I believe that’s just for PV rooms and up. The mini whisky bottles on our cruise were Dewar’s.

Hooray!! 🎉

I’m still unclear on this. Couldn’t one try that broader variety even without the SSBP by paying as you go? Is there any wine you can only get via the SSBP?

In the site that must not be named, there’s a discussion going on about this. The word there is that supply-chain issues prevented the ship from being ready.

Definitely. DH got it at the very beginning (he works in a hospital). He didn’t isolate from me at home (except for sleeping), and this was when they were telling us not to wear masks so there weren’t any around. I didn’t get it from him. Who knows why? Two years later, last month we both attend a bunch of events with the same people, and about 30 of us got Covid, including me. Not DH. Then DH doesn’t isolate from me at all, including bed (his choice), and he still doesn’t get it. We are both vaccinated and boosted (along with nearly all 30 of the rest of our friends), so I imagine his additional natural immunity is what protected him. I wonder how many people have developed natural immunity without ever knowing they had Covid.

PCR is a type of NAAT test.

I have one, but I will miss Viking’s 90-day window by a couple of weeks. If they followed Canada and Austria (among other countries), I’d be good for 6 months. But nope.

I wouldn’t sweat it. I’ve yet to hear of anyone unable to board because they took the wrong test in the wrong time frame. Viking just tests you again regardless. That said, we plan to get a PCR/NAAT test rather than antigen before we go. When I had COVID last month, my first two antigen tests (24 hours apart) came up negative. I then took a PCR test because I was pretty sure they were wrong, and sure enough, they were. The antigen test didn’t read positive until my symptoms were pronounced. So I’ll take a PCR test when the time comes to see if I’m still testing positive. No point in going if I am.

How is testing being handled on your tour? I’ve been wondering how land tours are doing it.

I just showed this to my husband. He’s been trying to find a cinnamon bun with raisins for years. He’s over the moon!

Love Hampstead Heath! If you like old, interesting cemeteries, I highly recommend visiting nearby Highgate.

Somehow we completely missed the Living Room bar. Sounds like we need to remedy that. Do they make decaf, too?

Ditto. Well, maybe not the evening Abba shows. And the piped-in Muzak in certain locations. But except for those small issues, we loved our Viking cruise. I imagine we’ll love our upcoming one, too, if we don’t end up in chokey.

I’m sorry to hear this. I hope you have a full recovery.

Wow. That’s seriously impressive. I think we’ll check out Rick Steves.

So I’d like to ask a question, not for argument’s sake or to change minds since we’re way past that. I’m genuinely interested in what people think about this. I promise not to argue in response. (I may ask for clarification if I’m unclear or interested in hearing more but will try not to do it in a loaded way.) The question: For those of you who feel Viking should continue daily COVID testing, at what point would you be fine with their discontinuing the practice? What would need to happen for you to be comfortable/OK with that? (Or do you think this should be Viking’s new normal from now on?) OK, that’s 3 questions, sort of. Thanks in advance for all civil responses.

The included excursions are often “panoramic” tours, which translates to riding around in a bus to take in the sights. We took these when we wanted an intro to a place before exploring it on our own, or when we had a second excursion afterward. Some included excursions were walking tours, which were more to our liking. Other than that, we tended to book other excursions, including some not run by Viking.