HUNKY

My Alaska cruise October 1st out of Vancouver dropped testing as of 7PM Eastern!

How much did I pay for a seven day Alaska? Port charges/taxes/fees only $205.00 per person. The verandah cabin was free, this was offered in a June 2022 email. Currently selling for $999.00 per person. I've booked two shorex through HAL, one transfer, and we will eat a few times in the specialty restaurants. Only I drink alcohol, and not much. We DO hit the Gelato place many times! IF there are video poker or blackjack machines I'll contribute $40 or so. No more, no less onboard spending than usual.

Once onboard speak with the dining room manager, they should be at the main entrance of whichever dining room is open (not the buffet). That person has the authority and ability to make the change. BTW it is referred to as Main Dining, not "late".

If you are flexible, booking after final payment is an excellent choice! As per the post above, paying $39.50 for the Signature Beverage Package is a DEAL. As long as you were going to buy a shorex, wifi and dine in a specialty anyways.

BBK should offer a way to submit requests prior to boarding, same for the classical quartet. Just like arranging your dining preferences.

Packing and bringing dirty laundry would certainly save time at home!

We depart Vancouver on Saturday, October 1st. I'm still planning on scheduling my medically observed testing, but will cancel if HAL pulls the requirement. Might just use a free government test to bring peace of mind.

I'm onboard the next week. Are masks in the cruise terminal required or suggested? Guess I'll fill out the VeriFLY!

FYI - you can't even wear your $1,950 Balmain jeans to the MDR on "Dressy" night. UGH! Guess I'll have to bring some black Dockers...

"I ordered a Chop Chop and NOT ONE person knew what it was or how to make it." Thankfully, the items in the salad are listed on the board - so you can have it customized! As a steakhouse waiter, it reminds me of my guests who order a Caesar salad with RANCH dressing. 🙄

Let's hope Canada removes the testing for cruises too!

My pre-cruise ritual is to buy a bar of L'Occitane Shea Verbena Extra-Gentle Soap, for the shower. The scent tells my brain I'm on vacation. Since I usually buy the large bar, I take it back home when the cruise is over. REALLY don't like any kind of shower gel.

Is the testing requirement for cruises out of Canada coming from the cruise lines or from the Canadian government?

NOTICE: Cart checkout is currently unavailable and purchases have been temporarily disabled. We are working to remedy the issue & apologize for the inconvenience. UGH! I will try again tomorrow...

Logical would mean that booking directly with Viking, without a travel agent, would always give you the best price. I'm using a travel agent for my first Viking cruise - for the OBC she offered, but haven't used one since 1989. (I'm just slightly control oriented)

Can I make an online reservation for a table of four if the two of us are in a DV cabin and they are in a V1?

Time for a new phone Flyer...they are waterproof now. It would be great if a moderator would set up a Viking Ocean FAQ sticky. Then all these random questions could be answered.

Viking just seems to be getting in line with other cruise lines. I know Princess allows you to choose your flights online and you can choose to arrive early or depart a few days later. At no additional cost.

DWLMG "If" Viking tickets you on Delta thru Atlanta on your way to Anchorage, try to get on the nonstop flight on the 767-300. THAT wide body, two aisle, plane has lie flat seating in first. There is no "business class" on that Delta airplane. Delta has Comfort +, more legroom, but no wider seats. This might be called premium economy on other airlines.

I need to book some shore excursions. Are any credit cards currently offering promotions on HAL?

Does HAL offer CANS of soda in the mini-bar and at dining venues? I much prefer cans over fountain. Maybe I'll just throw caution to the wind and risk taking a 12 pack of Coke onboard in Vancouver...

Just off Royal Caribbean Voyager - half page laminated card in the bathroom "You will be charged $100 for flushing anything other than toilet paper."

I'd pick 6006 or 6008 - nice verandah!

Please say hello to Irene from Scott and Robert cabin 1292, from the last cruise. She’s AWESOME!

I’m currently on board, hopefully Irene will be your cabin attendant. She is wonderful! We are in the Valencia suite. I don’t know where you were from but as a we are from the southern US we appreciate the wonderful air conditioning. Just a hint try to avoid the pepperoni pizza it is bad. In Riga, go tour the House of the Black Heads. It is walking distance from the complementary shuttle. You can pre-book a tour for €30.