geffric

In response to your question about level of stateroom and excursion selection, we have been in a V stateroom and a DV. both rooms are indentical  but difference is location.  I  never had an issue with shore excursion selection. But I have always booked exact moment I could, I did not delay a day or two. Word of caution, the rooms over the theater are very noisy..especially during rehearsals..

"Will we fit in with the typical Viking customer? In other words, who is the typical Viking customer?" 

 I'll take a stab at answering some questions..

think your parents...active, interested in life, curious folk but a bit more mature..

Shore excursions - I have done many private excursions.. always made it back to the ship on time.. I prefer more stops, smaller group.. more active!

Missing a port - we explored South America last year - Barcelona to Santiago - we had beautiful weather, never missed a port ..the cruise before ours missed several due to weather and so did the cruise after ours.  one never knows!

We were in Viking Homelands mid May - weather was 70s..our friends were on the same cruise in June and had 60s and below..so weather is weather...it may be nice or not..

I see the gratuity  as covering not just dinners but room service, guest services, accounting, musicians, performers, tech etc any one that is Viking.. so I tip the suggested amount plus for the excellent service and attention we get.  

Great question. I too would love to know the answer. On the other hand I carry with me a large supply of medications from aspirin to inhalers..

When we were on Homelands, the guides in Russia told us they prefer US $ or euros as they are more stable than local currency. 

6 hours ago, grimsbybud said:

Our concern is, from other posters, that the access to the funicular is often VERY busy and that booked tours get ahead in the question. We won't be coming bak this was (not planned, anyway as we have several others we must get to before one, or more of us can't-74 and 70) 

There may be a huge line in the morning for the Funicular but by the afternoon it is walk on..also they have a discount for senior citizens

Trade Routes September 15, 2020

The invoice says:

Sept 16 - Bergen departing 6 pm

Sept 17 at sea

Sept 18 Amsterdam - 8 am to 6 pm

Sept 19 Bruges 8 am - 5pm

Sept 20 Le Havre (Paris) 8 am - 8 pm

Sept 21 Portsmouth  7 am - 6 pm

Sept 22 Falmouth 8 am - 6:30 pm

Sept 23  At sea

Sept 24 Porto 8 am - 6 pm

Sept 25 at sea

Sept 26 Granada  8 am - 6 pm

Sept 27 Cartagena 8 am - 6 pm

Sept 28 Barcelona arrive 1 pm

Sept 29 disembark

Depends... are you ocean or river? What itinary? 

On ocean,  we found some  included tours were panorama tours or bus drive by tours.

In this case we have opted for small private tour usually these are 6 to 12 people tours.

On river, most are wonderful walking tours and have been fantastic. 

I use my Viking lanyard every cruise I take!

Guest services will punch a hole in the card for you to attach the keycard  to your lanyard.

A few years ago, Viking Ocean ( when it was very new) sold lanyards. Since then they do not. I have had both other guests and Viking crew ask me where I got it so they can get one too.. I have suggested to Viking that they sell them again as well as reusable water bottles and holders but so far no response..

47 minutes ago, Coventry417 said:

Due to the terrible fires in Australia and how that can affect this trip, would Viking consider a refund. Australia is a huge part of the reason for the trip and I just read this morning that the Opera House was almost indistinguishable. 

when are you going on the trip?  

Maybe you can ask Viking and see what they say? ..many on the various  Australia/New Zealand threads are wondering the same thing...

I'll chime in too.. I did do historic Berlin with Viking. The tour was ok, our guide was not wonderful but we did get a feel of the city. In Finland, I thought the included tour was meh.. will do an optional if I do it again.

In Stavenger , we did Pulpit Rock with NORLED..again right be the pier,  wonderful tour and we even had time to have lunch and then go on the last included tour..great day!  We really enjoyed our tour with TJ in St Petersburg. 

In Bergen, the included was fine and then we explored ..the funicular to the top of Mt Floyen is amazing.. and so is the Mt.( not a real mountain but a ski bump) anyway, in the afternoon, there is no line! and they offer a senior citizen discount.

4 hours ago, orchestrapal said:

 

Which ship was that?

Orion..

We docked right by the little mermaid statues.. great location to explore- 

We have coordinated with  4 couples and it was easy. We all used the same travel agent and she booked us all together for both dining and excursions.  That being said we had many calls and emails to figure out excursions,  time, etc. We all determined first and second choices then agreed on one.. I did a spreadsheet with dates, ports, etc so we could share the sheet and determine which ones. If for some reason one can't get all the times coordinated then guest services onboard will take care of the issue. 

We were all DV and had no issue..

I did that crossing few years ago..it was warm, sunny and smooth sailing.. 

On 12/10/2019 at 6:48 PM, Kathryn Ham said:

Hello ... we are excited to be joining the world cruise in Mumbai for the last leg. I think Viking did this leg a year or so ago. Anyone reading have any info or hints to share? Or can you point me to another message board?  Haven’t been able to find it.

 

Many thanks for all these posts. Lovely to see all that we will find onboard. 

 

Regards,

Kathryn Hamilton

I was on the Athens to Mumbai part of the cruise. 

In Mumbai we booked a fantastic tour called Mumbai magic it was a local tour by locals. By Magic Tours of India. Contact was Parveen Shaikh at parveen@magictoursofindia.com

Any other ports I can help with?

I dk if I am qualified to answer  but we traveled Stockholm to Bergan and it was perfect! 

I want to do Homelands again and will definitely do this way again. I will go into Stockholm early to visit many places I missed, ending in Bergan was magical to me..of course I booked a future cruise that starts in Bergan so that may influence my decision. 

Our room was odd side and worked out fine.

Thank you ..it brings back so many wonderful memories.

On our SA trip last  year, I also took rain pants..lots of layers..be prepared for rain in some southern ports and wind..

we booked with wines and views in Napier  http://www.vinesandviewswinetours.co.nz/

very cold in there. Bring sweater or shawl.

I have not had an issue at all. 

I informed that staff on my arrival.  I did let them know when I booked and confirmed about 3 months before boarding.although  the may be a disconnect between the main office and the ship. So I emailed both 3 month before.  Reminding them again 1 week before.

Found on board was wonderful..I filled out a menu for the next day's meals.  Including Mamsen and chef's table and Manfredi's.  Everything was made gf for me. 

Viking even has gf scones for tea time, Mamsen waffles and Manfredi's choices! I even had a gf birthday cake! 

Lots of great comments..I do agree with them. Please add the ABBA museum in Stockholm to your list..

I made the mistake to be over the theater once..never again. 

It was okay to hear the theater shows as i was usually in the theater for the show but during rehearsals 😱.the noise was unbearable..forget taking an afternoon nap or trying to talk to your spouse or enjoying the balcony..even the room steward complained..