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We are waiting to book “ In the Wake of the Vikings” from Bergen to Montreal. It has sailed in September at least the last couple years. Still no sign of it in 2025.

On Beyond, Panama Canal, sailing January 29th. Group of 9 seniors. Ship appears to be fully booked. Tried to make reservations for specialty restaurants over this weekend (100 days out). It appears that the Steakhouse and the roof top restaurant that we tried to book are completely sold out for all sea days and days 4, 8, and 9. Are we out of luck? Will we have a chance to reserve once we board.

In 5071 for two week Viking Homelands, absolutely no problems of any kind. Loved it and would book again

On Beyond, Panama Canal, sailing January 29th. Group of 9 seniors. Ship appears to be fully booked. Tried to make reservations for specialty restaurants over this weekend. It appears that the Steakhouse and the other roof top restaurants that we tried to book are completely sold out for all sea days and days 4, 8, and 9. Are we out of luck? Will we have a chance to reserve once we board.

Very interested in taking Bergen to Montreal in 2025. Any idea when this cruise will be open for booking?

Well I have not fallen overboard but been very busy. Sea day was great. Slept in, Mamsens for waffles, booked future river cruise for fall of 24, lobster Thermidor for dinner, and good show in theater. Got $400/pp off price, $25 deposit, $400 on board credit for this cruise which payed for most of purchases, and $150 on board credit for future cruise from our TA. Never know this far out if health will stay good but with only $25 at risk why not. One disappointment was could not book a September 2025 ocean cruise while onboard. Not available yet. Was told that you can not book ocean cruise while on river cruise as so few people that they do not have a travel person on board.

In answer to Onesixtytoone. No, like typical guy I only read instructions as a last resort. Was depending on CC and should have gone to the source. Live and learn by at 74 this one has not sunk in yet.

Day 9- Gdansk. This was a big pleasant surprise today. We booked a private tour through Tours by Locals. Isabella was a great guide. Good English, funny, informative, prompt, and adaptable to my wife’s reduced mobility. Went first to Malbock Castle. One hour drive from Gdansk. Very impressive castle that has been almost completely restored. Exception is little to no furniture. Largest brick castle in the world. Only down side was cobblestones and stairs for Mary. We got to great chapter room which was very representative of rest of castle and she was had to wait there as other three toured rest of castle for a little over an hour. For those of you considering private vs ship tour this is a good comparison. Viking offered same excursion ( castle and old town Gdansk) for $200/pp including lunch on 40+ bus). Our private tour was $135. We bought our own lunch at a restaurant in old town that was perfect with outdoor seating on main tourist street. Asked guide to stop at a Starbucks as one person collects mugs. Took us to independent bookstore as Mary wanted to buy children’s books. Tour of Gdansk included St. Mary’s church, green and gold gates, street between the gates, and detailed history lesson of Poland. I have been impressed with Vikings optional tours but will admit that I usually do private and would consider doing more when we book with Viking again. Which I did today to take advantage of $25 deposit, $200 OBC, $500 reduction in price, and final payment at 6 mo. So all in all great day. Sea day tomorrow

Well we took Berlin on your own tour. First a few comments about this tour from the planning stages. I never got an accurate description of the tour. I knew it was approximately two and a half hour train ride each way. That left something like 6+ hours in Berlin. So I booked a private tour. When we got there I found out there was an hour long bus tour of the highlights. Only stop was at Brandenburg Gate. We took this tour but it ended near TV Tower not back at train station so we never connected with our guide. Money wasted! We were then on our own until 3:40 PM. We had reservations for the dome at the Reishstag dome. So up Ave. of Lindens towards Brandenburg Gate. Stopped for lunch a a cute German restaurant. Enjoyed Wiener schnitzel and a German Pilsner. Took audio tour of dome. No cost but you must have reservations and your passport for identification. Significant security. Very impressive structure and great views but Berlin in my view not a beautiful city. Back to bus pickup location near TV Tower in pretty little park. Then short bus ride back to train. Viking kept us hydrated and fed both ways. Mary skipped this tour and probably wise move as we missed our tour with driver. Four the three of us very nice long day. Just wish I could have known in advance what all was included in Viking on your one tour.

Well with no sea days I have gotten behind. Day six brought the first alteration of schedule. We skipped Aaland because of weather and docking issues. To me this was a great turn of events because we arrived in Copenhagen at noon of day six. After being there for the first time I really question why Viking does not do two full days in Copenhagen now that we are not going to Russia. It is a beautiful city! We took the provided shuttle bus into town after lunch on board. All we did this day was wander the mile long pedestrian shopping area. Unfortunately we found the Pandora store and added to my wife’s charm collection. I have never seen as many bicycles anywhere. Between the bikes and all the walking the Danes do I have developed my profile of the typical young danish woman. She is blond, slender, small breasted, and athletic. I might have moved to Denmark 55 years ago if I had know. My wife is just as attractive as the average 70 something Dane. On day seven we had two tours. A two hour plus walking tour of Copenhagen my wife was wise to skip this one. Lots of cobblestones and a few stairs that could not be bypassed. In general Scandinavia is not in compliance with ADA rules. In the afternoon we took tour to Christborg palace and Tivoli gardens. The palace again was a bit of a challenge for Mary as there were many steps and the elevator service was slow. She did get to take the same elevator as the prime minister but they had to find someone authorized to run it. Tivoli was much better. Largely flat and well paved. The Lego store is right next door so a few gifts for grandkids. Then back to the ship. We have become used to our table and staff at “our” table. We have enjoyed World Cafe for lunch and breakfast. Mamsen’s for late breakfast a couple of times. The pool Grill for lunch twice. Tonight we ate at Manfrieds for dinner. I had the ribeye and I thought it was great. I have had better but it was great. It was a little more done than requested but not bad. We have decided to skip Chefs Table because none of the three menus appealed to us. On to Berlin.

Well with no reason to worry about days of the week I got confused and Oslo were days five and six.

Day four and five Oslo Two beautiful days in Oslo. Temps in high 70sF to mid 80s and sunny, guides all said it was an unusual heat wave. Day four we had two excursions. The first was Viking Explorers and it was a great excursion with a retired teacher as guide, funny and informative. Great tour for my wife as everything was close together and either ramps or elevators for access. A lot of information about Con Tiki, Ra 1, and Ra 2 in first building. Other two buildings had info on Artic . and Antarctic explorers. All three had either the actual ships or full size replicas. Very worth while! The second excursion was an overview of city by bus. We had stops at the park with all the sculptures. It was tough on my wife. You start at one end and finish at the other. Last third of tour is up hill and steep for someone on a knee scooter. We made it but she was very tired by the end. Then on to ski jump. What a view! Our tour started at 5:00 PM. When we got to ski hill all attractions were closed so no chance to buy anything or use restrooms. Disappointed because son was ski instructor in Colorado and would have liked something from here. All in all a good included excursion but hard for Mary. On day five we got of ship and went a hundred yards to souvenir tent. Main reason was to get VAT refund from earlier purchases. Spent rest of day on ship around pool. Cocktails cost $9.50 and we thought that was very reasonable. Pool grill had BIG hotdogs and burgers. Both were very good. Dinner in Restaurant for fifth night in a row. The meal and service have been fantastic.

Day three Stavenger Today’s excursion was through Viking. We took a Rodne boat to Pulpit Rock. I had tried to book this independently but they said they had no tours scheduled that would meet our in port times. We were only cruise ship in Stavenger this day and they had two boats available for Viking, ours at about 7:30 and another at 8:30, plus their scheduled ones at 10:00 and 2:00. There were only Viking people on our excursion. I think there maybe again be some connections between the two companies that forced Viking cruisers to pay double the price to do this tour. Having said that. The trip to Pulpit Rock was great. We saw, fish farms, a waterfall that we got a drink from, goats that met the boat, the cave of the Gypsies, Pulpit Rock, and a stop for great waffles with sour cream and strawberry jam. What more could you ask for on a three hour cruise? Maryanne or Ginger maybe. By taking early excursion slot we ended up with an hour to explore Stavenger which was nice. So book the earliest time you can. Back on board time was 12:30. Plenty of time for a nap and Tea in the Winter Garden. Done mis out on the scones. Huge selection of teas and some coffees. A word about entertainment. For most part you make your own. Plenty of board games around ship, books are everywhere ( even a few in pool), trivia every day, small shows in theater every night ( but not big production numbers). Last there were the four singers doing movie and stage play music. They were excellent but not a Vegas type show.. I like the more relaxed vibe of the ship. That’s all for now. Any questions please feel free to ask.

Day Three Eidefjord Well the entire day was the Flam Rail excursion. Scenic bus ride to Flam. With a stop at a restaurant for either a late breakfast or early lunch. The itinerary online said we would ride train then lunch in Voss. So a surprise. Would have skipped breakfast on boat. Then a stop at a beautiful waterfall complete with music and a dancing nymph in red. Got to Flam just in time to board train. It is a spectacular rail journey. In my opinion the train in Alaska up to the White Pass is just as good or better but this was certainly worth doing. Got to Myrdal just in time to catch train to Voss. Got off train and immediately on to bus for trip back to ship. As far as mobility issues this was a hard day. Tour people were great. Bus driver put scooter underneath bus and out for us at every stop. Different heights and steps were made it hard for wife. We made it with no mishaps. We bought a stocking hat at Dale of Norway. Prices were discounted about 40%. My stocking hat cost $49 down from $88. Sweaters were running between $189 and $300 with discount. Opinions about Flam Rail is there was little or no time in any of the towns to explore. If I had it to do again I would have flown into Oslo taken two days on train to Bergen. With overnight in Voss.

Day Two: Had two excursions for today. The first was private tour with Tours by Locals. Met our guide at 8:30 right on time. Walked for half an hour through old wharf area ( a world heritage site) to funicular station. No line at all as Tommy our guide had gotten tickets in advance and led us to front car which had disabled entry and up to the top we went. Views were spectacular. Spent about 40 minutes on top then back down, again in the accessible last car. Funicular is a must do. Tommy called taxi large enough for the five of us and Mary’s scooter. Waited only five minutes for cab. Drove to stave church outside Bergen. Very impressive beautiful structure in a nice setting. Did not go inside due to long line and need to get back back to ship for second excursion. Word to wise ( from someone how is obviously not) don’t try to pack too much into one day, go a day earlier. Back at ship in time for Viking excursion to Historic Dale. Tour was one hour bus ride to Dale, tour of Dale of Norway factory ( tour guide there was great), shopping at outlet at factory, and hour ride back. Comments on tours. First tour the guide was exceptional BUT I ended up paying for cab as his car was unavailable and too small for all of us. I think he should have paid for cab and will take it up with TbL office. Viking tour I believe was overpriced for what we got. Dale of Norway should have been subsidizing tour! Live and learn but still enjoyed both tours and scooter was no problem other than requiring larger cab. Looking forward to leaving Bergen on Viking Mars.