mjmagee

I have booked my first Viking cruise for this Oct.  I am a fairly experienced cruiser and when booking with a new cruise line, I always look for the "Tips for New Cruisers" thread on CC.  I have now read through all 96 pages and many if not all of my questions have been answered.  But I will think of more as the time for my cruise approaches.  On other cruise line boards, this type of thread is pinned to the first page.  Why is this one not pinned? 96 pages and something like 7 years of experience needs to be preserved and kept available to new Viking cruisers, IMHO.

Marilyn

When booking the cruise my TA asked if I wanted the airfare.  I said I would like only the air from ship to home.  That is what she requested and that is what I got.  No question.  Of course the cruise ends in Ft. Laud but the flight departs from Miami so I assume they are busing me and many others to Miami as transfers are included.  I am happy.

Marilyn

Much thanks!  I found the statement as an attachment to an email my TA forwarded to me from Viking!  Just what I was looking for.

Marilyn

Is there any way to print my cruise itinerary with the ship arrival and departure times?  I found one itinerary but it only lists the day and the port, not the actual hours in port.  Times would be very helpful for excursion planning.  Thx in advance for any assistance. 

Marilyn

Thank you for your thorough review!

Marilyn

Thank you for all this great information!

Marilyn

I am considering a Viking Can/NE cruise this Oct.  I will be attending a family wedding in Vermont and can make my way to Montreal on my own.  If I accept the free Viking Air, can I choose to use only the return flight from Fort Lauderdale home to Tampa as I do not need the initial flight to Montreal?

Thx in advance.

Marilyn

Thank you, thank you for your replies and pix.  Had a great meal at the sushi bar on the Breakaway and this looks like the same menu.  Very excitied!

Marilyn

I will be on the Oct. 9 Can/NE cruise on the Sky.  This is my first time on this ship.  Recently while searching all things Sky I saw a reference to the Pinnacle Bar and Sushi.  Going to the NCL website I see it on the deck plans but there is no mention of it under specialty dining. Does anyone have a copy of a sample menu for this venue?  Not a lot of specialty dining on this ship so I was excited to see what they are offering.  Thx.  Marilyn

13 minutes ago, Saint Greg said:

Enjoy the cruise. I’m on Carnival Spirit now. We just missed Bimini today with 52mph winds. Hopefully better luck tomorrow in Freeport.

 

 

 

 

Good luck! We had lovely weather in the gulf today.

Thx to all for every tip in this thread. On NCL Breakaway now after 1 night stay at Hilton Riverside. Followed all instructions and boarding went beautifully. Would like to add that both sets of escalators in the outlet mall were not working. However I was relieved to find an elevator near or beside each escalator. Stopped at food court for a bite then went down in the elevator at 12:10 with a 12:30 boarding time. Could have gone earlier. No one seemed to care. Soon as elevator door opened, a porter was right there asking for my bags. Walked across the driveway, into the terminal and 25-30 minutes later I was on board looking for a drink. Effortless. Thx again.

Following and enjoying!

10 hours ago, KSSS2013 said:

 This morning we did our final pack up and had a nice leisurely breakfast. Taste was not busy at all. I tried over easy eggs, pancakes, and some amazing crispy bacon. Also had my final fruit plate of the week. 
 We hung around in the atrium until 9:30 and pretty much walked off with no delays. Snagged a cab ($36) and headed to the airport. 
  Just a note. At less for Delta you can’t check luggage until 4 hours before your flight. 
  I’ll post my final thoughts and notes tomorrow sometime. Overall it was a very nice cruise. 
 

 

Did you do self assist disembark? What did you do with your luggage when you went to the dining room? Can you leave your bags in your room, go eat and then get them and leave?  Thx.  Marilyn

Thanks for this review.  Will be boarding 2/18!

Got a very good price at Blue Horizon Hotel on Robson last summer.  Great walking neighborhood with lots of restaurants and shopping.  Not too far from the port and Stanley Park.  Stayed one night post cruise and found a tour company that gave us a deal on port pick-up (indluding luggage) tour of Vancouver and drop off at hotel.  Next day pick up (with our luggage) North Shore tour (Capilano, etc.) then airport drop off.  Very convenient, very good price.  Excellent 2 days in Vancouver.

Marilyn

Will the fill a bag offer happen even on a 7 day cruise?

Marilyn

Following and joining you!

Marilyn

Following.  Always love your live reviews!  Marilyn

7 hours ago, KAKcruiser said:

Well, if the Neptune Suite doesn't work out, at least you'll have the CO benefits including the tote bag!

Sailed this past summer on Koningsdam with CO.  While enjoyed an upgraded balcony, CO dining room and preferred check-in, one of my favorite benefits was the CO line at Guest Services.  Often the line for Guest Services went down the hallway and I could walk up and be no later than 2nd in the CO line!  Valuable perk!

Marilyn

Following!

11 minutes ago, djneph said:

Hey everyone, Thanks for the help.  I called Celebrity this morning and the agent quoted me the price and it went way up. The agent said that even though I paid double as a solo, when you add someone to the booking, go from solo to double, the room is repriced to current rates.  

 

Is this correct?  Should I try another agent? 

This was my experience when I did the same thing on Azamara.    Mariyn

On Koningsdam this past July.  No Half Moon bar.  No Pinnacle Bar in the Pinnacle Grill.  Ocean Bar closest to CO DR.  Very busy at prime time.  Get there early or late to get a drink quickly.  No live pre-dinner music anywhere on the ship that I could find.  There was a piano in the Ocean Bar but it was mainly used by photographers as a prop.  Personal experience on HAL and Celebrity ships is that it is smart to get a cocktail or wine and take it to the dining room with you if you want to be certain to have a drink with your starter.

I have always used   Cruise Timetables | Cruise Schedules | Cruise Ship Schedules

You can search by ship or port.

Marilyn

Beautiful ship!

After clearing cookies and using Chrome I was able to get in and look at flights.  Ended up booking elsewhere as choices were limited but thank you to all for advice on how to manage the issue.

Marilyn