molymoo

Perhaps "shame on that agent" but we all know that the "agents" people speak of are simply the poor soul who happens to get the call, not someone necessarily well versed in the "ins and outs" of the "vouchers game". Additionally, during "COVID times' the rules of the vouchers that were being given to those cancelling or being cancelled changed frequently and I'm not sure anyone would necessarily know the stipulations attached to anyone's particular circumstances. All too often people do not "read the fine print" and make themselves aware of the conditions of their vouchers and assume that "one size fits all" ... it doesn't and as consumers it is up to us to protect ourselves as best we can and not rely on the "agent" to look out for us.

Really?!? Seems like a serious overaction to this relatively isolated incident (not that you're alone in this) ... perhaps you were going to have to cancel anyway ?

Not all of them! We took the "Rural Shetland" excursion and got to meet a couple of lovely little ponies ... it was stressed that "unlike some others" they do not bite! They didn't despite some up close and personal petting from most members of the excursion! The dogs were wonderful as well!

Wow! An agent waiting at the gate with boarding passes sounds great! Saved a lot of legwork for you. Not sure I see your situation as an emergency … unless you were in danger of missing your cruise. Eight hours in Heathrow is a pretty minor inconvenience in today’s travel industry … far from an “emergency “.

Having been to Paris several times and travelled with my daughter who lived there for a college semester, I have pretty much done most of what has been discussed. FWIW (and probably not much, honestly) if I had only three days I would forego leaving the city for the likes of Versailles and Monet's gardens and enjoy one of the most wonderful cities in the world. Granted, my trips have been in May and June but personally, I hated Versailles and found it a waste of time and energy. It was hot and crowded and when all was said and done it, for me, was just another palace full of gold and mirrors. The gardens were better by far, but again the crowds and heat made it uncomfortable. Monet's home and gardens might have been lovely but it was, again, hot and VERY crowded. Whatever charm there may have been was lost to me. It might be less crowded in October, but it will also be less "lush" in vegetation ... it isn't open past the 31st of October. The last time we were in Paris we vowed to avoid the "big" sites and concentrate on lesser known (and less crowded) attractions. It was the nicest trip we ever had! We visited Musée Jacquemart-André; a smaller gallery housed in a former mansion. It was a short walk from our hotel, it was quiet and uncrowded, and it was lovely! We visited the Musée des Arts Décoratifs and happened upon a wonderful Gucci exhibition/retrospective (and I care little for fashion ... it was just beautifully curated)! We pre-ordered a Paris Picnic and enjoyed a wonderful spread in one of the beautiful parks (Picnics in Paris by Zia ... they have a website) and it was one of the most wonderful meals we have ever had in Paris! I still have the tote bag and it brings back wonderful memories every time I use it to tote my groceries from the neighborhood store! Enjoy your time in Paris and if it is your first trip, of course you must do some of the "signature" attractions. The Louvre is worth a visit but keep it short ... you cannot see everything in three WEEKS, so stick to the "basics". Musee D'Orsay is great, but again if your time is limited enjoy the unique setting and some of the works. L'Orangerie is worth a trip but, unless you are a Monet "freak" you need not spend a full day. The Eiffel Tower is lovely but, frankly the views from the middle lever are better than the top.

We were there in the summer and they had a shuttle that ran regularly from the ship to Merrion Square pretty regularly throughout the day. The drop off point is central and you can easily walk to many places you might wish to see from there.

We took th We took the "one with the dogs" last summer ... I don't remember what it was called then but it is now know as "Rural Shetland". We thoroughly enjoyed the excursion, despite the horrible weather! There were about 20 people and the drive was not noticeably long. We had lots of time to spend meeting the ponies, learning about the Shetland sheep (and their ponies do not bite) and watching the amazing dogs in action and learning how they are trained. The visit to the restaurant afterwards was lovely ... it was cozy and warm and the snacks (soup and bread) were delicious. It is one of our favorite Viking excursions.

We have had both massages and facials onboard several times. I have enjoyed most of them but there are differences depending on the therapist. I had two "Northern Stillness" treatments on two different cruises. One was delightful and the other left me wanting for more. I had two hydrofacials on two different cruises. The first was "okay" but the second was great. The only spa experience that we found unpleasant was a deep tissue massage ... worked out the kinks but hurt like heck!

We generally pay ahead for SSBP and have paid ahead for gratuities once ... we had a voucher ... if you pay ahead and use the electronic transfer you do get a discount. Charges onboard are by credit card only. We paid ahead for the SSBP for our Spring and Summer Cruises and got the electronic transfer discount and paid the $19.95 / pppd price rather than the new $25.00 / pppd. Not a huge deal but every little bit helps!

We booked a cruise for 2024 and paid to upgrade our air to premium economy. Everything is paid for but now we are rethinking, and as the two flights are: Chicago to NYC (where cruise starts) and Reykjavic to Chicago (coming home). These are (relatively) short flights and the upgrade was very $$$ so we want to cancel the upgrade. When we do, how will the "refund" be paid? I'm assuming that this far out they will simply refund in the manner in which we paid (e-check). Is this correct? I would hate to see it become an "onboard credit" ... but that seems to be happening more and more these days.

Why would you assume that? By all accounts Viking is VERY accommodating with special diets for WHATEVER reason.

FWIW ... on the ocean cruises in the PV (and up) there is a bottle of "bubbly" in the fridge already. It is for you to enjoy, but unlike the small bottles of spirits, it won't be replaced. They used to stock a "sparkling wine" but on our most recent cruise it was Champange.

There may be any number of reasons for dropping Belfast. Was it dropped from ALL BIE cruises or just one? If it was just one it probably falls into the "stuff happens" category and you may never know. I have done the BIE twice and missed popular ports both times. The first in 2018 they did not stop in Liverpool and substituted Glasgow instead. We missed Ullapool for weather reasons and had another sea day. No compensation was offered ... and frankly I wouldn't have expected it. The last BIE we missed Orkney ... again, weather and no compensation was offered but I'm guessing someone asked as they issued an email after the cruise stating that "things happen" and they did not feel compensation was warranted ... I agree. That is a cruise that is busy and "port heavy". I was thrilled to have an extra sea day to rest and recoup for the rest of the trip! I honestly don't understand the clamouring for "compensation" for every little thing that seems so prevalent nowadays.

We are recently back from a 18 day cruise aboard Neptune. We found the food as good as ever in all of the dining venues. We ate at Chef's Table twice and Manfredi's once. We prefer the Restaurant to the World Cafe for dinners but did do dinner in the WC three times. Did not note any significant changes anywhere.

I guess the experience depends on when you go and who are your tour escorts. We have done this extension twice; once in 2018 and just this last summer. The 2018 trip was a post and the one last summer was a pre. On the first (2018) the seats were comfortable enough, not luxurious but good enough. We got a voucher for food from the dining car and could eat what we wanted, when we wanted. The tour escorts checked in on us periodically and answered any questions, but largely left us to our own devices. This last summer we received "sack lunches" shortly after we boarded the train. The seats were the same as our first trip and the views from either side were great. The tour escorts stayed in the cars with their "groups" and gave us a running commentary on what we were seeing; including history, geology, culture, and current events. It was a far more interesting trip than our trip in 2018 but apparently not all tour escorts do the same.

Ouch!

We are just back from the Panama Canal Holiday cruise that was the first leg of the current world cruise on Neptune. The majority of the cruisers were there for the long haul but we have disembarked and I have had to make my own bed and cook dinner for the last two days! 😒 By and large our fellow passengers were polite, friendly, and fun to meet and get to know. We saw no signs of "chair hoggery" and the only place we encountered crowds was cocktail hour at the living room bar. There were, however three passengers who may be a lot to contend with on a four month cruise; the first was a lady who literally shoved my daughter out of the way in the line to check in for excursions at one of the ports. She had been told that she had to wait to check in until her entire party was present. We reached the head of the line, handed over our excursion cards when apparently her group was finally assembled. She swooped in, pushed my daughter aside (rather aggressively, I might add) and announced that "we were here first" and plunked her group's cards onto the clipboard, burying ours in the process. The girl checking us in looked at us sheepishly and apologized as I tried to pull our cards out of the pile. We checked in after with another crew member. Another was a "gentleman" who was in the theater waiting for excursions and had a number of questions and proceded to whistle and snap his fingers to get the attention of the crew member announcing each excursion and giving instructions for exiting the ship. That will get old very quickly on a four month cruise. The last night we were seated in the restaurant near a couple who were travelling on the WC. The "gentleman" had a voice that projected well and he began commenting on people passing in the aisle being seated or leaving the area. The comments were insulting and derogatory and his wife repeatedly asked him to stop to which he replied "just having a little fun". He additionally made an insulting remark about his wife to one of the servers as he ordered four appetizers and two entrees and schooled the wine steward on the proper temperature at which to serve the wine. I hope he and his wife have a very large cabin! As I said, most of our fellow passengers were great ... but it doesn't take too many to cause problems.

We’re on Neptune now, although we’re leaving in LA. We saw the snowman “contest” in the Viking daily but really weren’t particularly interested. Didn’t realize it was going to be such a big to do. Never heard anything about boats … maybe that was part of the trans-Atlantic segment … several of the WC’s have been since then (and before). I agree that activities like these and “The Marriage Game” are not typical of Viking, I assumed they were trying to come up with activities to keep the word cruisers occupied. This ls a lively and social group! I’m guessing (and hoping) that shorter itineraries will be more like what we’re used to.

We’re on what is currently the 2022 world cruise … sadly we’re getting off in LA. Every lunch and dinner menu has at least one vegetarian option … sometimes tow. Here’s a picture of tonight’s selection.

Certainly wouldn't be worth the risk for me. There are enough headaches associated with travel nowadays ... why risk another?

Don't often partake in the entertainment. We are early to bed people and after 9:00 (generally) the only thing I am looking at is the inside of my eyelids. I did, however, catch a post on another site from someone on the Neptune crossing the Atlantic. He/she (I was killing time in the vet's office so not sure and can't find the post again) claimed that they had changed the entertainment and there were no ABBA or Beatles shows! What!?!?! I have seen each once or twice and, although perhaps a bit hokey, enjoyed them. We board Neptune in three days so I can find out for myself! Stay tuned.

Engebret Cafe is lovely. It is a short (relatively) walk from the Thon Opera and depending on the time of year they have a lovely outdoor seating area. It is authentic Norwegian fare and the service is wonderful. It is a bit pricey (you can check out the menu online) but worth every kroner! We made reservations online prior to our trip but it seemed as though (especially with the outdoor seating area open) they were able to easily accommodate walk-ins. They will be sure to give you a waitress/waiter who speaks English, but frankly most Norwegians speak English better than most Americans!

I don't believe you are ever "required" to use Viking Air. I have heard that you can "purchase" transfer services but I think the opportunities are limited.

I have a couple of (perhaps silly, but whatever …) questions for those of you fortunate enough to be able to “cruise the world” with Viking, either in the near future or in the relatively recent past. We will be joining the first leg of the 2022-23 world cruise that leaves from Fort Lauderdale on the 22nd of this month. This is a cruise with a lot of “firsts” for us … first winter warm weather itinerary, first with more than one or two sea days (there will be ten!), and the first that will be with “world cruisers”. We will enjoy the warmth as we are having some unusually early very cold weather in Chicago and we generally love sea days so we will soon get to see how much we really do love them, but the WC component is a mystery. Will we even be aware of who is and is not a world cruiser? Do you wear special tee shirts or jackets? Do you have a secret handshake? Will there be sea day activities reserved only for those on a world cruise? I wonder, too if there aren’t some legs of your journey that will have only world cruisers on them … I can’t find Viking itineraries that match every leg of the journey, but who knows. Do you have any idea how many world cruisers are on the ship … is there a “common” percentage they shoot for when selling WC’s? Just curiosity … and maybe a little bit of jealousy. We are still bound to the “school year” calendar so extended cruises can’t extend beyond the length of the summer recess … but maybe someday (she ponders wistfully). At any rate, we look forward to joining you soon!

Keep in mind that the package includes non-alcoholic beverages as well. I almost never drink soda at home but love an occasional cold Diet Coke from the fountain some afternoons! You will have to pay for any cold/iced beverage served to you outside of the lunch and dinner hours Just one more … wine or other spirits tastings (a great sea day activity) are often included if you have the package. The occasional “premium” tastings might incur a charge but the ssbp will get you a discount.