gramfrog

2 hours ago, bardstowntraveller said:

I am beginning to think that the reason that shore excursions are not showing up for our cruises is that Viking is having difficulty lining up vendors. It appears that cruises subsequent to the first 3 are sailing at much higher occupancy. Although they are guaranteeing access to their included excursions, they are not guaranteeing access to the optional tours. Ugh!

Possibly correct.  That is what happened to our June 15 Bermuda.  Viking admitted having problems with contracting vendors.  Bermuda has 300,000 less citizens (approx 64,000 vs approx 364,000) and the same size ship...  then again, VIking has put TWO ships in Iceland....  we (six staterooms) moved to the August 24 Iceland from the 15 June Bermuda, using the Risk Free offer, to give VIking a bit more time to figure this all out....

9 hours ago, NeilP57 said:

Last night I spotted on MVJ that Viking had posted my flights from London on BA arriving into KEF at 9:10am on 31/7  An early start but as it’s only a 3 hr flight from London it means we will be Iceland nice and early, which got me thinking. 
 

At what point do you join the Viking bubble? 
 

Could I get Viking to look after my luggage and transfer it to the ship, whilst I organised a full day Golden Circle private tour starting from KEF and was dropped off at the ship later that same day to be tested by Viking.

 

This would appear to be same situation as those organising there own air and arriving a few days earlier but would have the added advantage of somebody else looking after luggage. 

It is also dependent on Iceland’s entry rules are at the time but maybe by 31/7 proof of vaccination (tick) is all that will be needed to gain entry. 
 

Any thoughts welcome? 

 

 

Viking latest email stated that  you will have a spit test at the airport, and will need to stay with "the bubble" for five hours while tests are verified.  During this time, at this juncture at least, they are arranging a sightseeing tour around Reykjavik on buses for that time to keep us all together, per Iceland authority.  Once onboard, you will take a second spit test and results will be verified in the lab on the ship before you are allowed to move into your stateroom.  

9 hours ago, id4elizabeth said:

I got a call from a "supervisor" at Viking this evening by the name of Josh.  No good news to report. 

 

The new excuse / reason for ShoreX delays for mid-July and later sailings is no longer "world events in Europe" but "worldwide pandemic".  No logical reason for why the worldwide pandemic has been overcome for the 1st 3 sailings close to 4 weeks ago but not for later except he did say something that alarmed me.  That was that each sailing is different.  And that Viking absolutely stands by their one included excursion in each port.  Optional excursions were different and they were doing their very best to come up with them but they might be totally different than the 1st sailings.  This did not leave me with a great deal of comfort.

 

Next topic is number of passengers.  He told me all cabins were sold out.  Of course they could be holding some cabins back and showing sold out.  I pressed for a number of passengers on our particular sailing of 7/17.  He put me on hold for a while and came back with the number 900 or so.  So this (and my guess is subsequent) sailings will indeed be packed.  I'm trying to imagine tables farther apart in dining rooms, every other row in busses, missing lounge chairs, missing places to sit in the Wintergarten, etc with 900 + passengers on board.  This jibes with the 928 figure I was given earlier if there's been a few cancelations.

 

So, packed ship with few ShoreX so even more people onboard, no place to sit in public areas, awkward dining times due to spread out seating, inability to get into the public capacity controlled "spa" area - - not setting up to be a really fun trip so far.  Oh and not to forget wearing masks in public areas - that's if you can find a seat.

 

I've decided to give up contacting Viking as it's just too frustrating -- I'll just keep trying MVJ and if ShoreX become available and we get some decent ones, great -- otherwise we'll wait to the last minute and cancel.  That way the ship won't be so full for those that gut it out.

 

Elizabeth, yes, this is all so frustrating, but don't fret.  I'm not sure if you have been on a Viking Ocean cruise, but prior to the pandemic the Viking Ocean ships tended to run full.  We have been on five such; the Cuba cruise, for example, had not a cabin left, nor did A New Year's Turquoise Seas.

We never had any real problem with finding lounge chairs in Wintergarden, and just some difficulty around the infinity pool open air at Aft.  Certainly not like the craziness on larger commercial ships carrying three, four, and five times as many people.  

Dining is not a super difficulty when the ship is full; just be flexible. Most likely, table spacing will not be measurably different than 2019.  Not will the buses; after all, we are all vaccinated.  Be prepared for that.  The spa was never a problem with a full ship. There is simply more square ft. per passenger vs. other cruise lines when sailing Viking (and yes, it does cost more for those square feet).  

I totally agree with you that their inside sales and the supervisors on the phone could VASTLY improve; since I need to speak to them several times a week (my career) I note the name of any particular agent and ask if they wouldn't mind sharing their four digit extension   if I have follow-up questions.  And yes, VIking keeps voluminous notes on anything you say, both to your gain and to your detriment. Just saying.  Use it to your advantage.

3 minutes ago, madrone said:

I have to truthfully say...  If I had known what all of the unknowns were going to be regarding airports/regulations/48 hr. covid tests/connecting flight airports possibly requiring quarantine/difficulty in getting half way convenient flights....  I'm not so sure I would have jumped in as quickly as I did.  Everything that is Viking related I was ready for - I knew they could be relied on and that was basis for the jumping at the chance for the cruise.  What I'm going through airlines/airport wise right now is giving me lots of anxiety. 

… and that’s the reason twelve of us bailed on the first-ever Viking Bermuda cruise leaving in two weeks… it was getting nerve wracking jumping through hoops and wondering if we’d get there on time. To say nothing of Viking changing our flights FOUR TIMES… we are all now going on the Viking Iceland cruise August 24….

8 minutes ago, bobchico said:

We have Air Plus and are flying UA from ORD non-stop to KEV July 12

thanks.  We will check on this!!!!  I have six people coming out of ORD.

11 minutes ago, FLORIDA FLOUNDER said:

We're on the 7/3 cruise, out of Orlando and using Delta. We have one connection outbound in Minneapolis and one connection in Boston on the return. Hope this helps.😃 

That's terrific news, thanks!  The Orlando crew wanted to go Delta.

55 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

If you are concerned on what your flights will be, why not just pay the AirPlus fee and choose your flights now? That way, you can chose the non-stop flight from Chicago, choose your seats (before everybody else does) and know exactly what you flight plan will be.

 

Thanks-- I have, of course, put AirPlus on the six reservations just booked.  Planning on looking into booking air on Tuesday.  I was looking for a head's up.

We are on the August 24 sailing, so reading all this is so helpful.  Has anyone who is leaving in July/August been ticketed from Chicago r/t to Reykjavik ?  What airlines is Viking putting you on, and is it one stop, two stop, nonstop?  Same for Orlando people-- how and which airlines are your flights? thanks

6 minutes ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

The rest of us just need patience.  I wish people would be more positive.  It will be fine, and even if it isn't, we'll be cruising again (and earlier than most people), in a wonderful, beautiful country on a fabulous ship.  If I had wanted perfection, I would have booked a 2022 trip or planned a road trip around Iceland.  And even if we're just cruising down a fjord doing nothing, hopefully the scenery will make up for anything that may not be perfect. 

 

-Cheerleader Ruth

 

I like your style ❤️

52 minutes ago, FLORIDA FLOUNDER said:

What ever happened to the nice fabric zippered tote Viking sent with cruise documentation, tags and stickers? Everything is now sent in a throw away paper envelope?? ☹️👎🏻

I know!  SOOOOO disappointing!  No free random gifts, either...

14 minutes ago, id4elizabeth said:

Dress / Fashion Musings

 

It's dinner time and we have reservations at Manfredi's let's say.  The dress is "resort casual".  It's around 45 F degrees out, but it's the end of July.  Do I wear long pants and wool sweater in navy blue according to the temperature outside (winter)?  Or do I go with turquoise Capri pants, sleeveless tank top with sheer floral overblouse (summer)?  (I only want to pack one of these ensembles.)

It’s comfortable on the ship. HOWEVER, do layers.. you may feel the chill from outside as doors slide open and closed (but not in Manfredis. I’d say a tank top with a wool cardigan. 

2 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

Really enjoyed watching this.  It really got me in the mood.  And raised a question:  is anyone taking hiking sticks?  All of our excursions are only moderate, so can’t decide.

Nope.  We bought them for the Galapagos and just dragged them around.  When we went to Iceland, we said no way.  They haven't been used in years.

1 hour ago, SteelCity Cruiser said:

We're on the 24th sailing, and I'm torn between the Golden Circle or the Iceland through the Lens.  Anyone have any insight to the photography excursion and where they go on that?

We are on the August 24th also.  Since we've done the Golden Circle (a must do!) twice before, I believe my husband will choose the photography excursion.  We did one in Alaska and it was super informative and helpful.

6 minutes ago, DaveSJ711 said:

Notice how the temperatures are warming up, too. They look positively toasty for Reykjavik. Who needs Bermuda for fun in the sun when you have Iceland!

Amen!!  I just transferred all but one of the June Bermuda reservations to Iceland’s August 24 Jupiter sailing. It was getting exhausting jumping through moving hoops for everyone. There will be 11 of us onboard!  

1 hour ago, cfgrandma said:

Thanks for the recommendation of selecting and paying.  Golden Circle and Northern Iceland our first choices for our July 20th cruise.

Golden circle is awesome. We've been there a few times. But try pronouncing the national park where it's at, Thingvillir or whatever hahaha.

5 minutes ago, Azulann said:

Gramfrog, 

It sounds like a better fit for your group.

 I remember you on the our first sailing on the Viking Sea, Puerto Rico to Barcelona Transatlantic.That was such a great cruise and a fab roll call, with two meet and greets!

 You gave me your card... I should have called you to book my Bermuda cruise. But I did this all in 24 hrs, once I got the email from Viking. The July 13 saling was the only week my sister could go. She is still teaching summer school.

 My former  roommate Louise is on the Iceland cruise  July 3 withher husband and friends of ours.   They  is really excited in spite of the bumps in the road since they booked. 

Enjoy your new cruise in late August. maybe we will nmeet again on a Viking ship.

 

Patti

I would love that. I remember you too. Safe travels! ( and contact me whenever!!)

26 minutes ago, Cruzinbabz said:

Gramfrog, thanks so much for all the TA expert and  helpful information you have posted here and on the roll call.  Yes, we were on the fence and just made our decision to cancel our booking.  We feel like there are so many uncertainties around testing and restrictions (like not going ashore except on a Viking excursion) that we will sit this one out and wait a bit longer until there is a little less friction around international travel.  BTW, we were cruising the Panama Canal when Covid emerged in early March 2020, and experienced some of the issues (ship being turned away from a port, etc.) and just made it back into the US as everything in California was locking down.  It wasn't a lot of fun.

Oh poor you!  I had several clients on the Disney Wonder 2020 Panama Canal, and the stories about being turned away from ports… frightening…

10 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

On the fence.

We might replace this cruise with one to Malta later in the summer when things are better worked out.  Also, very disappointed in our cruise's excursions.  Except for some bizarre ones, everything has been sold out since the moment they became available - even the basic walking tours.  St. George's is sold out for 2 days straight   Didn't want to go to Bermuda just to sit on the ship. 

We just transferred all five staterooms to Iceland late August....

34 minutes ago, MRGACRUZR said:

One of many articles about 50% capacity. Read and enjoy.

https://www.royalgazette.com/tourism/news/article/20210523/viking-orion-anchors-off-dockyard/

So I just spoke to Viking as a TA with six rooms onboard, and Viking said they are at 90-100% capacity of the ship already, around 900 passengers on the Bermuda Cruises, and 100% on the Iceland cruises at 930 pax through mid August; they added a second ship, Jupiter (or Sky, can't remember which, from the Bergen itineraries they canceled--- both Jupiter and Sky will be doing Iceland, so twice a week sailings there) and have availability mid to late August on the Iceland itinerary.  I asked about the 50% being thrown around, and they said no..... and laughed.  

30 minutes ago, Stempy said:

Where did the information come from that the June 15th cruise is at 450 passenger max capacity?

Viking assured TAs that they could book to the 900 max. Did you get this second-/third hand  or get it directly from Viking?

Still not sure about the hoops to be jumped through… we all have until May 31 to take the Risk Free voucher…. Anyone else on the fence??

3 hours ago, Respbj said:

On May 19 the government changed test date from 3 to 4 days go to “gotobermuda.com” as it spells it out. As of June 6 PCR testing is 4 days so more time than the 3 day but it is not 5 days. 

I spoke directly to the Bermuda Covid office, as a USTravel Advisor on May 17, and let them know that changing the reporting dates from five days to three days after June 6 wasn’t going to fly. I explained the “three days over a weekend” lab mentality in even a big city like Chicago was not going to get PCR tests results  done in time. They said they’d consider that three day position by the meeting the next day (Tuesday). On Wednesday Bermuda changed to four day test results.  Let’s hope they move it back to five. BTW, Viking’s Iceland cruise, same time: Iceland accepts Vaccine Card as proof enough. No PCR tests or other hurdles.