helenandfrank

56 minutes ago, Flashman181 said:

As it does seem wise to book very early just wanted to ask a couple of questions in a new thread about room choice before doing so. Like the look of PV but tempted by Junior Suite although about $3000 more each (AUD) . Looks like a bigger room obviously and some earlier access to bookings and confirmed reservations. Perhaps the biggest attraction is laundry service:) As a newbie not sure how difficult access to laundries on board are or whether the extra guaranteed dinner reservations and early access justify the expense of almost $200 extra each day? I know at end of day these are personal choices but would appreciate feedback from experienced cruisers on these points. As will likely settle on the PV option I assume PV1 is the preferred choice given it is more expensive ?

hello Flashman

We have now completed 4 Viking Ocean cruises with a 5th booked for late next year. All have been / will be in the Junior Suite category. My wife's approach to cabins is the same as her approach to hotel rooms - book the most expensive one you can afford.

More seriously .. whether you can justify the extra cost depends on perspectives. Don't fret about restaurant bookings - yes it is handy to be able to book a couple of dates prior to boarding before just about anyone else can - but you will almost always get want you want after you board if you are flexible with times etc. The laundry perk in the Junior Suite is very nice - just place your washing on the bed in the morning (inside the laundry bag provided, with paperwork completed) and it is returned the next afternoon (ie around 30 hours later) all gift wrapped in a very nice box or hanging in the wardrobe on hangers. However if you don't have included laundry the on-board self-serve laundry is easy to use and if you go early AM or late PM you are almost always able to secure a washer and / or a dryer (the day before disembarkation is often very busy so you need to be aware of these sorts of issues). You can of course take a Verandah Suite and pay for laundry - if you search this Forum you will probably find a price list or other comments on this option.

We take the Junior Suite because we love the extra space in the cabin and we love the locations (we have been in 8019 three times and 7002 once - and we have 7002 booked for next year). Deck 8 v Deck 7 is an interesting comparison. I prefer 7002 due to its location near the Explorers Lounge (access is via a door next to 7000) but my wife prefers 8019 as you can walk out the door, turn left and be out in the open air in just a few steps. How these locations compare to deck 6, 5, 4 etc I can't say. I can however highly recommend that you read as many of the topics as you can in this wonderful Forum. Obviously you have to view things through your own filter and obviously not everyone agrees with everyone else's point of view every time - but you get a good balance if you take all comments into perspective.

I'm not sure if you will book directly with Viking in Sydney or via a travel agent. There is lots of discussion re this comparison in the Forum if you do a search. We book directly.

After our first cruise I started asking the Agent for a little extra incentive from her when I rang to book another  - twice she has thrown in a complimentary Silver Spirits Package for us (she might have done that for everyone else as well - I don't know - but I do know this is a great [and valuable] perk for us). So ... don't be shy, ask if there is anything special they can offer you if you book directly.

So to answer your original question .. from a simple financial perspective it is hard to justify the extra cost, but when you take into account the space, comfort and other benefits which the Junior Suite provides we are convinced it is the best cabin for us.

I have cut back on my contributions in the Forum simply because of time constraints but if I think of anything else you might find useful I will post it.

There is an excellent overview of just about every cabin on each Viking ship somewhere in this Forum - if I can find it I will post that as well.

Please feel free to ask any questions.

Cheers from the Redcliffe Peninsula

They lost in 2017, then had a partial win on appeal in 2018. I'm not sure what happened next, but there is an article dated 2019 which indicates the matter is now being considered by the High Court of Australia - so it is on-going.

The only winners would be the law firms involved.

https://cruisepassenger.com.au/scenic-could-face-payout-worth-millions-after-losing-appeal-over-floods/

Edit later .. I have found a more recent article. The matter is still before the High Court - which is being asked to rule on several issues (below). The matter was adjourned and there is no indication of a final outcome as yet.

On 17 May 2019, special leave applications for both Scenic Tours and Moore were listed for hearing.  The issues before the High Court were:

1. Did the Civil Liability Act apply to the assessment of damages for disappointment and distress?
2. Did the Civil Liability Act have extra territorial application?
3. What was the scope of the services that Scenic Tours had agreed to provide the plaintiffs?

A local news report ;

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-01/scenic-tours-river-cruise-passengers-planning-class-action/11560730

The article is FYI - I am not involved, and don't have a view one way or the other.

Found this photo in another website .. repeat World Cruisers presently on Viking Sun.

Anyone recognise anyone ? Anyone prepared to ID themselves 😁

We have been in 8019 (3 times) and 7002 (once).

Both excellent locations. 7002 is closer to Explorers Lounge etc, 8019 is closer to the open area above the pool (good for photo opportunities etc).

A couple of times we have heard some noise above 8019 from people playing on the sports deck (during the day), but the sports area on Deck 9 is closed at night so it is not a problem in the evening.

We have booked 7002 for South America next year, simply because it is a little less expensive. 💰

One final thought SabreSailor .. comments above relate to the 'included' laundry service.

On the last full day on-board (ie when no included service available) I believe you can pay extra for same day return of laundry .. which we have never done.

A couple of times we have used the laundry machines to do a quick wash / dry in the evening prior to disembarking.

Apologies .. yes of course millybess is correct.

Your underwear / socks etc will be in the box but your shirts / trousers etc will be on hangers in the wardrobe.

Never used dry cleaning service .. but if you leave your laundry bag and laundry form on the bed by mid morning it will be collected - and returned the next afternoon (all nicely folded and wrapped, inside a cute box).

This means no laundry service on your last full day on-board as you disembark early the next day.

We  have completed 4 Viking Ocean cruises in Penthouse Junior Suites and love the laundry service perk.

Enjoy.

Excellent - thank you 

hello to all on board, and to all who are watching from afar.

We haven't posted on CC for over 12 months, but we do still read posts from time to time and we heard the latest Viking WC is underway - so we couldn't resist a quick hello.

We have now completed 4 Viking ocean cruises (all great) and have South America (BA - Santiago) booked with Viking for late next year. We will obviously be very interested in reports on that section of the cruise.

Best wishes for a safe journey.

G'day Mark.

We are pre-registered for Basel - Amsterdam with Scenic for 2021. This goes on sale in Jan / Feb 2020, so we can't actually answer your question.

But we will be interested in the thoughts of others with more experience on this issue - and we will be very interested in following your Budapest - Amsterdam adventure (your thoughts about cabin, food, tours, on-board experience etc). So please feel free to post your thoughts from time to time.

We did Budapest - Amsterdam with APT some years ago and had a great time (perfect weather, perfect water levels) so we hope you have an equally great time.

Cheers from Qld

hello

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2664442&highlight=payment+for+excursions

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/showthread.php?t=2661550&highlight=payment+for+excursions

hello Jad. As suggested by Heidi13 - Rydges Sydney Airport Hotel is perfect if you just want to stopover close to the airport (it is inside the airport boundary and is literally 2 minutes walk to the front door of the international terminal). We have stayed there twice and can recommend it.

Just be aware it is nowhere near the city / the harbour and there is nothing much to see (unless you like watching flights arrive and depart). If you prefer to stay in the city / Circular Quay area we can recommend the Holiday Inn Old Sydney Town (mid range, walking distance to Circular Quay, Opera House etc). This is however some distance from the airport.

G'day again Jim - good to know Viking set up the water taxi for the World Cruise and hopefully they will repeat this as it is a much more pleasant journey by water than by road. Also good to know you may visit us again one day.

hello Sunflower ... Sydney to Blue Mountains and return in an afternoon would not be very enjoyable. By the time you disembark and get out through western Sydney and into the mountains area it would be time to go back to the ship. It is a lovely area but I am not sure a rushed trip would be worthwhile. I had a quick look at Viator and their Blue Mountain tours are all-day affairs. Whatever you decide, I hope you enjoy Sydney.

hello imcpa ... you are going to be busy. I'm sure you already know, but do remember Cairns in January will be hot and humid. If you are accustomed to this weather no problems, if not I encourage you to be prepared. Melbourne Park (for the tennis) is a comfortable walk from the centre of Melbourne and should be a great experience.

Regards to all.

hello Jim, deec (Eaches, if you are still out there !) and others who we exchanged messages with whilst you were on your World Cruise.

Helen and I still reflect upon and remember all of your adventures. We would love to share some time with you one day in the future (our VO bookings are NZ - Aust after Christmas 2018, Norway - Iceland in May 2019 and Empires of the Med in June 2019 if you have any spare time and cash ). And Jim ... it's good to know you are signed up for London / LA. Please start a day by day chat for that one as well so we can follow you again. Regards to all CC members. Cheers from 27°28′04″ S, 153°01′41″ E, Frank

Hey, Helenfrank, when are you doing the Iceland trip? We’re booked for August 13, 2019.

😀 May 2019, from Bergen

We are fairly new to both ocean and river. River in 2012 and 2016 - both not with Viking. Ocean in 2014 and 2017 - 2017 with Viking. I wasn’t convinced either ocean or rivers were right for me till after Homelands last year. I loved Homelands and I loved being onboard the Star. We now have 3 more booked with Viking, but for us it is all about the itinerary. NZ - Aust, Iceland, and Empires of the Med. Obviously all ocean not river. The only river we have in mind is Portugal in the future. That doesn’t mean we think one is better than the other, just that the Ocean itineraries suit us better for the next couple of years. Best regards, Frank

And thank you Twitchly for your contributions .. I hope we get to share some time in the Explorers Lounge together one day.:)

sorry wrong thread and can’t delete whole post

Enjoying a last sea day for a while. A beautiful calm, sunny, and cooler day. Tomorrow begins a tough stretch of 10-12-13 hour days. Aqaba to Petra, Safaga port to Luxor, Sharm el Sheik, transiting the Suez Canal, and Alexandria to Luxor and Memphis. Then a sure to be welcome Sea day. But we knew this job was tough when we took it.🎉😎

G’day Jim, yes a tough job but luckily the right guy is on duty. Also good to know Aussie security is keeping an eye on the situation. Cheers to all on board. Regards, Frank

So is 135,000 pp ! Plus Excursions . The whole cruise is great for someone who wasn’t able to be a part of the 1st WC . We are doing the 127 day London to La . Then we are done !

 

 

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Excellent Eaches .. I am looking forward to your 2020 photos already. Any Viking cruises in 2019 for you ?

Under the Sun's listing of "Itineraries This Ship Sails" it shows the World Cruise starting on 31 August 2019 in London and concluding in London on 2 May 2020.

 

The LA to London leg commences 4 January 2020.

Well spotted pudgey. 245 days - split into 2 halves. Wow, 245 is mind blowing. ;p

We are booked on the Homeland tour in May. Very disappointed that the Ultimate 2 Day tour is not even an option on our Viking excursions. Not sure why, but wish it was! What month is your cruise? We’ve chosen a few separate excursions to fill up the 2 days in port. We’re not usually fans of trusting independent tour companies, especially in certain countries. Have been on a few cruises where independent tours were late and missed the sail away.

SantaFe1 is right ... check out Alla Tours and TJ Tours. We used Alla in St P last year. Max group of 16 compared to 40 or more on Viking Tour (which is important in crowded places) and half the price. Obviously I can't compare as I didn't do both ... from from conversations on board we (ie the Alla group) saw more / did more over the 2 days. The Alla guides are in constant contact by radio and are aware of traffic incidents etc, they will not let you miss the ship. I encourage you to at least consider the option. It was a fantastic 2 days in an amazing city. Enjoy.

Thank you Eaches 👍

G’day Jim. I am continuing to follow all posts and am not surprised you enjoyed Hong Kong and Singapore as they are wonderful places to visit. Distance issues with Bangkok and other places have makes it more difficult to enjoy on short stopovers. And Eaches, yes please - more photos. Cheers to all from me. Regards, Frank