xiphoid76

2 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

 

Just curious why you even answered the call?  We at Pirate Manor don't pick up any call unless that number is already in our contacts.  If it's important and legit, they'll leave a message.  99% of them don't.

Yeah, that was my mistake...I am on call this week for the hospital so answering everything...so I don't miss something important, but coming from a toll free number I should have known better 🙂

Just received a phone call from a toll free number stating they are my "new personal Princess planner" and they have been assigned to handle my current and any future reservations.  They went on to state "I see you have cruised to Alaska" in the past which is true but they did not know that I had one current reservation currently for 2025...it all seemed so scammy.  I told them I only deal online and don't want a personal planner and they said well you have been assigned me and will have to deal with me for all future changes...I then hung up on her.  Anyone else get a call like this?  Legit? I booked my current cruise online, no agent involved.

Super excited to be on our first Viking cruise on the Sky in just over 60 days...woohoo!  Been waiting 2 years for this trip and can not wait.  Any advice on first things to do when we get on board appreciated 🙂  

Thank you so much!!

Hi there,

Does anyone know of a way to look up the specific address of the Ports for Istanbul and Athens?  Going on this cruise later this year and trying to book my transportation to and from the cruise, but can't seem to find the specific address of the ports.  Appreciate any help.  Thank you!!

I am 50 now and totally remember the "Friends of Dorothy" groups as a kid.  My mom's name is Dorothy (actually my mother-in-laws name is Dorothy as well).  I always thought it was so odd that on each cruise we went on Dorothy and Bill W always had all these friends on board.  Is it still called FOD or just LGBT meet up now?  

I love dress code threads...they are always exciting to read 🙂  

Sometimes it is nice to escape the real world and enjoy a thread about jeans and short-sleeved shirts. 

14 hours ago, Kiwi Brenda said:

@xiphoid76which cruise have you booked? We’ve just booked Seabourn Venture June 30-July 25 2024 and like you a bit nervous about how expensive it is. However, it is a once in a lifetime adventure (another one 😉) and we did Alaska last year with Seabourn and loved it! 

We are doing September 2024 - long time from now I know, but it is fun to  plan ahead 🙂

18 hours ago, phillipahain said:

Please do not bank on SB doing your dream itinery or the tours 

 

Some on this forum do not like my negative comments about our much changed 65 day Grand Pacific cruise but we can only bitterly regret trusting SB and hoping for the best ...our previous SB cruise was great but this was sadly one issue after another cobbled together by a total lack of planning or research by an inept Seabourn HQ .

 

 

True, I understand itineraries  can and will change.  By dream itinerary - I meant the  area - Greenland/Arctic.  We have no real need to see any particular towns or animals or excursions as we have already done them on another Safari - this is just a nice luxury way of going back to the area and now relax and take the scenery in 🙂 Last time we were on a tent kind of   roughing it - at least I know this will be nicer 🙂 

6 hours ago, highplanesdrifters said:

Care to share some of the details from your Narwhal Safari.  Sounds interesting. 

It was from Arctic Kingdom and it was an amazing experience. Saw polar bears and narwhal and stayed on a tent on the ice for a week. Would never do it again 🙂 But glad we did it once. It cost a lot and was hard to get up to Nunavut but have such awesome memories. That’s why we are excited about this cruise - will be in the same general areas and we know how beautiful they are. Plus it takes away any of the stress you have hoping to see polar bears, narwhals, belugas as we already have had an experience with them so this trip would be purely for scenery and if an animal comes out to say hi - all the better 🙂

17 minutes ago, MWillow said:

I just emailed you

Responded 🙂  Thank you.

Hi there,

I booked yesterday for a cruise in September 2024.  If this referral OBC is still available, please let me know.  First time cruiser on Seabourn.  Thanks. I am at xiphoid76@gmail"dot"com.  Not sure how the process works, appreciate the help.  Thanks.

This itinerary was exactly our dream - I know - whose dream includes Greenland and Pond Inlet Canada - but it does for us 🙂 We went to Pond Inlet on a narwhal safari in 2019 and this is a great way to get back to that area and what better way to see Greenland. The timing is also perfect with my retirement.  The hard part was the money - but you only live once! 

OK, I booked.  With it being refundable, decided to bite the bullet and look forward to the trip without worrying too much about the price.  Got the cabin we wanted and now get to look forward to the cruise 🙂

...Hi there,

Going to book my first Seabourn cruise today.  Was hoping there would be some del (The Suite Life Deal which just ended was not available for my expedition cruise we want).  The price is very high, I understand than, but this is a once in a life time thing for us.  I need a little nudge to finally put down the deposit.  Was wondering if we do put down the 7,000 USD + today for the deposit...is that money refundable? It appears so from my reading of the policy as long as it is more than 120 days before the cruise. (I don't want it to be converted to a future cruise credit, I would like a refund if we so choose).  

My other hesitation is I am waiting for a better deal (or any deal) to come out...wishing for something that may never come.  Do they ever offer deals on these expedition cruises (Arctic?) or is that a pipe-dream?  free airfare? And if they somehow do offer a deal, could I cancel and rebook?  

OK, thank you for listening to my nervous rant this morning, just hurts to out down so much money...but the room we want is available and this is a dream trip.  Thanks for any advice 🙂

I don't know what this is about, but we are thinking of booking our first Seabourn cruise on the Venture 9/12/24.  Long time off I know, but looking for any discounts.  The Suite Life sale did not apply to this cruise unfortunately so looking for other options for discounts.  Thanks!

8 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

Whiskey is a cocktail? In Tennessee?

I live in Knoxville, Tennessee - how did you guess 🙂

Original poster here. I have so much appreciated all the comments. We are going to go on the cruise and we are going to have fun! Everyone is so right about these threads - we will take them for what they are worth.  I don’t want to miss out on anything as a first timer on Viking but I also don’t want to worry about missing out on stuff. If we just go with an open mind I am sure we will have a blast. We booked an explorer suite on the Sky and can not wait!   We also got the Silver Spirits package only because we don’t drink wine or beer but do enjoy cocktails like martinis and whiskey 🙂

Hi there,

Maybe I am just over-reacting to these boards...but it seems that there are lots of complaints recently about Viking Ocean.  From the food being below par, to the staging, bedding, service, etc...

We are huge cruisers but have sailed mostly with Disney - 19 cruises with them.  10 on RCCL, 12 on Carnival, 2 on HAL and NCL.  We thought post-Covid that Disney was certainly lacking in their usual excellent service and care; and overall were looking at more luxurious lines.  Viking is consistently ranked number one it seems and they have a rabid following...so I thought until I read these boards 🙂  Has it changed a lot post-Covid?  Maybe that has just affected everyone in  the travel industry?  Or would I not even notice anything bad with Viking as I have nothing to compare them to as I haven't sailed with them pre-Covid?  

Just wondering now if we made a mistake in booking Viking and should we consider another luxury line?  We still have time to cancel.  Just a heads up on us - we are a couple in our 50's, no kids, don't really drink, not foodies at all (we would both eat off the kid's menu for all meals if possible).  Looking for a quiet cruise, with stellar service.  Want to be excited about Viking, but worried that the price we are paying will not be worth it...

3 hours ago, Mr Luxury said:

Well done Koob.

A very well done review.

Would I cruise with Viking now?

It's a big No from me.

You loved the room that you had but to me it was bland and a very small bathroom with only one basin.

Food inside the restaurants was obviously way below par but seemed better in the casual outside options.

In a nutshell too many guests and not much luxury on the ship.

Never do included tours as you are much better doing your own and at your own pace.

Viking now crossed off the list.

I'll stick to Seabourn 

We are sailing first time with Viking, can you elaborate more on why you won't sail with them again...will we notice any of this if we have never sailed on them before?  Appreciate your advice as we still have tie to cancel if needed.  We have sailed multiple times with Carnival, RCCL, NCL, HAL and too many with Disney so we are trying to find another line that is a little nicer 🙂

Hi there,

This forum has been a wealth of information and I appreciate it.  We will be sailing on Viking Sky next year - I booked a 50th birthday cruise for my husband.  The first night of the cruise he turns 50.  Is there anything special I can order - a birthday cake or balloons for the room?  I wish it wasn't the very first night of the cruise, if it was another night I would have more time to prepare, but this will be the first night of our first time on Viking.  Any help or guidance is appreciated?  Hope everyone has a great day!

2 hours ago, LAgator said:

For Gala night.... I plan to wear the following as I do for business meetings, weddings, church, etc..

 

Black dress shoes

Nice, pressed dark dress Jean's

white starched shirt

black sports coat

 

Having said that, is this acceptable?  This is a very normal way to dress in today's time for many occasions.... 

 

So lets hear it-

That sounds nicer than what I plan on wearing - nice blue jeans and a button down shirt for me.  I don't own dress pants or a sports coat.

On 4/10/2019 at 7:59 AM, hubbard53 said:

Just off the NS last week - had two gala nights. I think anyone can get away with wearing anything for gala nights. The first night seemed to "feel" more formal while the 2nd was less so - I wore full suit first night and just dark jeans, white shirt, black blazer for 2nd night - I didnt feel underdressed AT ALL. 

Nice to know.  I do not plan on bringing a second set of dress pants for one night, but I will have nice jeans that I can wear with a button shirt/nice sneakers.  No way am I dressing up for vacation :)