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We’re also doing Trade Routes of the Middle Ages, but we’re going in April and it’s not sold out. I’m guessing most people would prefer to see Europe in warmer weather! :)

Well, you made me Read my contract. I wonder if Viking did do the following to the letter, what the overall results would be.

" Cancellation by Viking: VIKING reserves the right to withdraw and/or cancel a cruise or to make changes in the itinerary involving any travel services and accommodations whenever, in its sole judgment, conditions warrant. In the event of charters of the vessels, lockouts, riots or stoppage of labor from whatever cause or for any other reason whatsoever, the Owner or Operator of the cruises identified in the Viking Advertising may, at any time, cancel, advance or postpone any scheduled cruise and may, but is not obliged to, substitute another facility or itinerary and VIKING shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to guests by reason of any such cancellation, advancement or postponement.

 

VIKING shall not be required to refund any amount paid by any cruise guest who must leave the cruise prematurely for any reason, nor shall VIKING or the owners or operators of the cruise identified in any Viking Advertising be responsible for lodging, meals, return transportation or other expenses incurred by such guest. "

The second paragraph seems completely valid to me.

As for the first, I imagine if Viking enacted this with any frequency and started cancelling cruises and itinerary stops without excellent reasons, their market share would take a nose dive. The cruise business is extremely competitive, and many of its customers are repeat cruisers. It’s just good business sense to keep them as happy as possible.

Bergen is lovely and very easy to get around the centre by the way. If you are there a day or two early you can easily take the funicular and walk down on your own - it is also possible to do on a free afternoon. You don’t need to pay Viking to take you up there if you have the time. ( It is a stunning view by the way) . The central area is also very easy to walk around. The area around the port and the fish market is very atmospheric. We have been to Bergen three times now - Grieg’s House is very good and it is always interesting to see a stave Church.

Thanks for the great info. We were seriously debating the visit to the fish farm, which is expensive — after reading your comments above, I’m so glad we opted for Grieg’s House instead. We also added a visit to a local farm, booking 2 excursions for that day.

We’ve got the Bergen / Oslo extension at the end, so we’ll get to see a bit of Bergen as well on the day we disembark. I’m really looking forward to the train ride to Oslo the day after that!

Is it possible to change larger Euro bills for smaller ones onboard? Wondering how else to get those 1 Euro coins or bills with which to tip people.

Great info. Hubby will be thrilled to know he can get his pretzelizing fix. Thanks!

We’re first-time cruisers, taking the Trade Routes Cruise this April on the Viking Sky. Very excited!

My husband loves yoga and wonders if there will be classes on board, how often, what type, what time of day, etc. Any info will be appreciated.

We are on the Barcelona to Rome itinerary departing March 17. This is our first experience with Viking - Amawaterways for a couple of river cruises and a few other ocean cruise lines in Alaska / Caribbean. With AMA we booked our air independently however I was enticed by Vikings low airfare -may regret though. Our itinerary has us only with a 1 hour 5 minute layover in Detroit upon our return and we are booked on the last flight out of Detroit to KC that night (Sat). I have loads of Southwest points due to lots of business travel so I am going to be defensive and book an early flight from Detroit to KC for Sun morning and make backup plans with the house sitter for Sat evening. When I called Viking expressing my concern on the tight connection she assured me we would find fine because the layover guideline was 1 hour. Hope she is right ;).

I’m very familiar with the Detroit airport. One hour should work if you’re staying in one terminal. (There are two main terminals, connected by shuttle.) Do you know what airlines you will be flying in and out of Detroit on?

Just wanted to thank you for bringing our ship over to Barcelona so we can board it in April! :D

I use the same handbag on a cruise that I would use at home. I mean, if it works for me at home why shouldn't it work for me on vacation? I also wear the same clothing and jewelry that I wear at home. I don't buy into the idea that I need specialty items just because I'm away.

Traveling presents some interesting differences, at least for me. For example, at home I don’t usually carry a water bottle or umbrella while trying to keep my hands free to take pictures. I’m also less likely to carry my phone in an unsecured outer pocket of my purse while in busy, pickpocket-friendly ports like Barcelona.

Travelon Anti-Theft Bag, excellent quality and now they have more attractive bags

I’ve been looking at those online. Which one do you carry?

Probably more for the ladies ... what purse/handbag/etc. do you carry while on shore? What works for you and why?

Very cool about the WiFi calling. That will save us a bundle of money. Thanks!

How much is laundry service for those of us who would rather not do our own?

Also, do they offer dry cleaning? Cost?

We’re in our mid-50s and are about to take our first cruise (on Viking Sky). We’re sticks in the mud, though — especially with early excursions booked most days. I find age is not always a good determinant of late-night social stamina! :)

Does anyone know if the main pool is open during colder cruises? We’re doing the Trade Routes cruise up the coast of Western Europe in April. My husband is an avid swimmer and is wondering if he’ll be able to swim laps to work off all that great food.

Also, at the other end of the fitness spectrum, do the in-room bathrobes fit plus-sized women? :)

Just got back from a Viking Baltic cruise. I purchased some sort of ATT international plan just in case, like I always do, but I never wound up using it. The internet on the Viking Star was relatively good, and since I had already enabled free ATT wifi calling on my iPhone, every call I placed was free.

 

Forums

You just saved us a bundle of money. I didn’t know about the option to place calls over a WiFi connection. We won’t need the international calling plan after all. THANK YOU!

Our room (Penthouse Veranda) includes alcohol and soft drinks replenished daily in our mini-fridge. I assume we can take that alcohol anywhere on the ship?

Thanks for the tip!

Since our itinerary (Trade Routes of the Middle Ages) includes most of Western Europe, our film list is quite extensive! We'll have fun digging through it.

I’ve never learned Lightroom. I started using Photoshop long ago and am reasonably comfortable with it. Am I missing anything by not using Lightroom?

Robinhood1, which Bergen tour were you disappointed with? We’re going to be there in a couple of months and are wondering which ones to take or avoid.

We’re cruising up the Western European coast on the Viking Sky this spring and greatly looking forward to it! My husband needs to keep in touch with his elderly mom while we’re away; she greatly appreciates his daily calls. We had no problem doing this during land trips to Iceland and the Bahamas (using AT&T’s international roaming program) but have never tried calling from sea. Those of you who have used your phones on Viking Ocean Cruises, how did that go? Any tips or advice?