spangler

12 minutes ago, cruising denise said:

Hi!  We aren't doing the overnight trip however are interested in making the most of our time in Mumbai.  I'd love to have the name of your tour guide who gave you the great tour in Mumbai.  Thanks!

His name is Husain Tin, mobile number +91 80821 07352.  You can message or call him via What's App.  Tell him I said hi.  Thanks, Keith

39 minutes ago, DJVKN said:

This is what we are doing with a small group of 8. I did not organize it myself except to put the group together. Memphis Tours is our organizer to secure air, hotel and tours. 

We used Memphis Tours and they did a outstanding job.  We had no concerns during the entire planning and/or during the trip. The tour guide that provided escort service from the dock (gate entrance) to the airport in Mumbai and reverse when we returned was available on Monday to give 6 of us an outstanding tour of Mumbai.  I can provide his info if you are looking for something to do the day following your return from Agra.

20 hours ago, Dcsfuture said:

yes please share.  Somewhat leery of leaving for overnights in India but reading posts it seems to be quite easy and worth it for Taj Mahal.  We are on the Neptune 23/24

Understand concern of overnights and travel from the ship but we organized the trip to depart at noon on a Saturday as soon as Neptune docked and returned by midnight on Sunday.  That provided us a window of being able to return on Monday if any glitches as the ship did not depart until Monday afternoon.  There are numerous flights daily between Delhi and Mumbai which helped reduce the stress of returning on time.  Send me a DM or provide email address as I can provide our experience of organizing a tour that grew to 27 fellow passengers.  Our visit to the Taj Mahal was the highlight of the WC and so glad we made the trip.  

Just now, Margaretwelker said:

Please do share

Margaret. Provide me your email and I will send you a recap.

2 hours ago, mstadleraz said:

Viking has not offered any over land excursions. Not knowing if we will return to India, we decided to visit the Taj Mahal and Agra Fort. Several different groups left the ship at different ports and times while in India. Our group departed for the excursion upon the arrival in Mumbai. We flew to Delhi, drive to Agra. We awoke early to see sunrise at the Taj Mahal, returned to the hotel for breakfast, then went to visit Agra Fort. This was an overnight returning to the ship at midnight the next day. Memphis tours handled the excursion on our behalf.

To add to Mark's comments the tour was exceptional.  I wish to thank all the previous WCs that recommended Memphis Tours.  They were great to work with and did a excellent job pulling the tour together for the 27 that went on it.  I can share details of organizing the tour for a group if you have interest in doing the same on a future Viking WC.  

We have 4 open spots on a small group (max 16) going to Mont St Michel when we dock in La Havre, France.  If interested please contact me at kcsangelsloft@gmail.com

2 minutes ago, Mich3554 said:

Nope, no Viking excursions.  I called the WC desk to ask about this and got a totally unsatisfactory answer as to why they hadn’t scheduled it.  The poor girl on the phone I spoke to just seemed cluelessly illogical, so just shook my head and went my own way.

We had same experience.

5 hours ago, deec said:

Spangler...does viking still offer an overnight trip to the Taj Mahal or did you Have to plan one yourselves.  Missing the Taj Mahal was the only big regret  I had from the WC we were on.  Although whenever a group left the ship for overnight excursions they did bring back colds and coughs!!!

As mstalderaz mentioned Viking is not offering overland excursions for this WC even though they listed them prior to opening up excursions for booking.   They are listing overland excursions for the 23/24 WCs.  I imagine Viking will repeat for 23/24 and drop them just prior to opening excursions for bookings.  We worked with Memphis Tours for our excursion to the Taj Mahal.

For those on the WC, as you settle in and review your calendar I want to let you know we have openings for the overnight tour to the Taj Mahal on April 1 and 2.   If you are interested please let me know (include email address) and I will send you the details. 

We are on it now.  You can read a lot about cruise from a recent previous cruiser on the Viking Facebook page

2 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

It appears that Viking’s visa folks have finally realized there is an issue with what WAS on MVJ about Vietnam. Just happened to check this morning and realized it’s different than it was a week or so ago. I’m not sure when it changed but now for those of us on Ocean ships, it now says “the requirements are being confirmed and will be updated”. 
 

While not resolved at least it’s an improvement over posting something that is impossible to obtain!

 

Posted below is the original and the updated language paragraph. The yellow highlight is from MVJ-I didn’t add it. 
 

Glad I hadn’t paid GenVisa!

Yup that is a change for Viking Ocean voyage.  Good catch.

6 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

Yes, dealing with Viking pre-departure can be an utter "pain in the who struck John." Makes you want to tear your hair out.

 

I gave up years ago talking with the people manning the front-line customer service. When I have a problem or question, I address it to tellus@vikingcruises.com. I used to have a "go-to" person in the department, but she left the company last December.

 

I'm not trying to make excuses for Viking; they have never gotten the pre-departure customer service part of the business right. BUT...

 

The pandemic has only made things worse for those answering the phones and those working in the the Air department. 

• The airlines are canceling or changing flights left right and center. It doesn't matter if you are a travel purveyor or John Q. Public, dealing with the airlines is a disaster.
• Shoreside infrastructure (port services and tour providers) fell apart during the pandemic; dock personnel, tour guides and bus drivers left the industry during the pandemic. They needed to pay the rent and put food on the table.
• For over a year, the CSAs had to deal with Covid protocols that seemed to change everyday and differed  from itinerary to itinerary.
• And that is just for starters.

 

BOTTOM-LINE: We are ready to return to cruising but the industry is not ready for us to return and it is going to be a while before things return to the way they were pre-pandemic -- if they ever do.

 

STILL, as your TA has said, the on-board experience is worth the pre-cruise CSA hassles, even as Viking rushes to train new staff and crew.

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you.  We understand the post covid challenges the cruise lines are facing and agree that the  pre departure business operations needs attention for Viking.  Air travel challenges is definitely not Viking fault.  The reference that it will all be good once you board was from a Viking representative not our TA.  

55 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Well per the embassy, they are only issuing eVisas. The only way to get a multiple entry visa is to have multiple eVisas.  This is the issue I have brought to Viking’s attention and as of yet they have not addressed the incorrect direction in MVJ.  You might want to reach out to your Viking representative since Vietnam isn’t issuing the visa that Viking says we have to have. 
 

Please post if you get any additional  information. 

If you look at Viking visa requirements by country for Vietnam, it allows Australians to get a multiple entry visa upon arrival at the airport when they land.  I asked if we as US citizens could do the same and Viking said no with no explanation and stated we must use GenVisa as eVisas were not acceptable.  We did not want to risk any issues arriving in Vietnam.   We recently sent our visa applications to GenVisa .  Will let you know If the visas they return are eVisa or not. I think the business side of Viking is horrific.  This is one of numerous issues we have had with Viking for this cruise and the upcoming WC.  A Viking agent said it will be better when you board the ship.  Basically acknowledging the issues with business side.  So much for good customer relations.  Sorry for the rant. 

1 hour ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

However, once you make a claim against the insurance, it can't be rolled over to another cruise -- and the insurance probably costs more than the visas.

 

If you bought the insurance from Viking, I believe policy is canceled and the premium is refunded; therefore, there will be no insurance in force to claim against. That is another point for Viking to clarify.

 

It is very complicated and it seems that whatever you do, you will be out of pocket, either for the insurance or for the cost visa or for both.

Good to know we might receive a refund for the insurance.  But as you mentioned it is complicated.  It is better than nothing in some way.  Thanks for the response.  

4 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Thanks for the response.  Did you get an eVisa or a visa in your passport?

Per Viking, the eVisa is not acceptable for the Mekong Cruise.  We need a multiple visit visa as we transit in and out of Vietnam a couple times by boat and air.  eVisa does not permit for that.  

11 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

I am pretty sure the answer is no but has anyone paid for (so all you WCers don’t need to read any further!😂) GenVisa and later had a cruise canceled? If so, were you able to get a refund for the cost of GenVisa’s services?  
 

They want $300+pp for visas for Vietnam and Cambodia which is more than I want to pay (at least double if I could DIY but Viking isn’t providing the paperwork needed) but I really hate to pay it given the cruise first stops in Japan and those guests are having similar issues in finding out how to get a visa for Japan.  Plus Hong Kong where we are to board still currently requires a week of isolation so I’m not convinced the cruise is actually going to go…at least not on its advertised itinerary. Would hate to spend $600 for something I have no use for. 
 

TIA

Clay - we asked Viking the same question as we are scheduled for the Magnificent Mekong in September (new Viking Saigon has not launched).  We were told no they would not reimburse but insurance would.  We contacted TripMate and they said no.  We took the risk and will try to get reimbursed if canceled as you probably know the answer you get from Viking reps is not necessarily accurate. 

Cabin reports on this thread have been compiled into a spreadsheet that can be read online or downloaded to Excel for further review and research. The date of the spreadsheet reflects the last update.

 

 

Thanks for your contribution.

 

 

Google Spreadsheet

 

 

Please use this format for posting your cabin reviews. Feel free to add photos or links to photos also.

 

SHIP:

CABIN #:

DECK #:

CLASS:

AREA:

BED NEAR:

QUIET?:

BALCONY VIEW:

BALCONY SIZE:

WIND A PROBLEM?:

SOOT A PROBLEM?:

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS:

SHIP: Eclipse

CABIN #: 9261

DECK #: 9

CLASS: C1

AREA: Port

BED NEAR: Bathroom

QUIET?: Yes

BALCONY VIEW: Nice view

BALCONY SIZE: Average

WIND A PROBLEM?: No

SOOT A PROBLEM?: NO

PROBLEMS/COMMENTS: Extreme vibration at desk, couch and bed. Occurs at all times (underway or docked)

What cabin number are you in? Hope you're managing to get some sleep and that this isn't ruining your cruise.

The cabin we were in was 9261.

Do they know or disclose what is causing the vibration?

 

Would have expected more issues for M Class, but S class having issues is concerning.

They likely know the cause but are not disclosing it. If you ask you get it could be this or that or that....

We are currently on the Eclipse and have been experiencing vibration in our cabin the entire cruise. We are the 9th deck port side just aft of the push out. We talked to the concierge about the vibration and he stated there is a known problem in a number of state rooms. Ship is full so no chance of changing cabins.

He offered compensation for the inconvenience and after a few days wait he said corporate would only approve a 10% or $300 per person compensation. Not sure how they came up with that amount considering guy999 compensation.

Seems the vibration is a known problem with no resolution in the near future. TA’s should be made aware of this problem to allow guests to avoid these room when booking. It is unlikely that will happen as it will hurt sales / bottom line.

I asked on board if they would be selling segments for this cruise and was told that they are 60% sold out and at this point don't anticipate selling segments and if they do it won't happen until 6 months prior to the trip. We can't do a WC but would love to do Australia with Viking.

They may offer segments in future year WC's. Thinking sense this is Viking first go at a WC there will be many lessons learned and it might change future WC options.

Many cabins sold within the first few weeks it opened. Anticipate many may cancel as we get closer and the final payment or other factors come into play.

The 2017 Viking World Cruise is a first for them to include it occurring on a new ship “Sun”. This thread will allow for an open exchange by CC members that have completed a world cruise, have cruised on Viking Ocean ships or those planning on going on the Viking World Cruise. A more specific roll call will likely be initiated in the future after CC establishes a roll call section for “Viking Sun” that cruisers going on the cruise to socialize.

As a start if there were an FAQ page for the World Cruise, what questions would you like it to answer?

So why doesn't someone start an "All Things Viking World Cruise" thread here in the Viking Oceans forum?? There aren't any rules against it; members can start threads on any topic they wish. Moreover, there are times that folks want information about a topic without necessarily wanting to participate in a roll call. Moreover, having a general thread here does not mean there can't also be a roll call. A general thread, especially at this point in time when there aren't a huge number of general participants in this forum, will mean that you may get answers from folks who have already sailed with Viking or even people who have done world cruises--just the people you want to get answers from. A roll call sometimes limits your audience to just those on the cruise--the blind leading the blind. IMHO, sometimes you need both a general thread for gathering information from a broad-base of CCers and a roll call for more social interactions and tour sharing (which can't be done on a general thread). The idea of a general thread in the wide open VO forum is to have a larger audience to share their experiences and to help answer questions; it is information gathering more than socializing.

 

I would not try to turn this particular thread into the general thread because the title is misleading and if I were on the World Cruise, I would be starting the thread myself instead of suggesting that someone else should do it. The first question I would ask would be, and I would lead off with a question, "If there were an FAQ page for the World Cruise, what questions would you like it to answer?" Something pithy and very open ended to get the conversational ball rolling.

Great suggestion. Thanks

There doesn't seem to be A roll call yet for the Vikings Sun world cruise in December 2017 but in the meantime I have a question on the closet space on the Viking ocean ships.

 

Looking at the pictures and floorplans the closet seems to be extremely small, especially for a 141 day cruise.

 

Could someone please comment on the size of the closets as this is one aspect of the beautiful cruise that worries me.

 

PS we will have a penthouse for veranda, if that makes a difference.

EeezyCruiser

We asked CC "Help Jenn" if a forum for Viking Sun Roll Call can be established so a roll call can be started for the World Cruise. She said she would but it has not occurred yet. We also asked Viking about establishing a FAQ for the World Cruise but they indicated to send them all questions and they will provide a response separately.

We also have a questions with regards to the World Cruise and having a forum would be nice. Good thing we have 519 days to plan.