geffric

Me too..booked on Trade Routes September 15 2020..😎🥂  looking forward to it..

13 minutes ago, Beachvue said:

Thanks to all for the wonderful comments and recommendations.   We were originally thinking of only one penguin tour but now we will do more! 

Good idea..your cruise may miss a port or two so best to book lots of penquins 

Book penquins every chance you get,. Faulklands was incredible..not to be missed..we did private with estancia..

We also did Punto Tombo.. incredible..

So incredible we are not going to New Zealand to see more penquins 

I'll chime in too..

Tallin walking tour was great really enjoyed it and it left us a lot of time to explore on our own. 

I used TJ Travel in St Petersburg..wonderful tour 12 people max .. they have the Visa included in the price. The tour was equal to Viking but 1/2 the price. 

In Stavenger we did a pulpit rock tour with Norled and had time for the included walking tour too..

Go to the restaurant and ask for the private room for specialty dining for 8.

In the MDR easy to get a table for 8..

I am looking at transatlantics too.. a few years ago I booked 2 one East and 1 west so I had roundtrip airfare..  Barcelona to Chicago and Chicago to Barcelona..

I am looking at 2021 to see if I can do this..

Highly recommend a private tour.. it included much more than the Viking tour at 1/2 the cost. Meals were unbelievably wonderful..I am so glad we did a tour with TJ travel..

One is so busy on a crossing that the days fly by.

Trivia, lectures, star gazing, whale watching, cooking classes, puzzles,  tours of galley and bridge, tea at 4 , spa, exercise classes,  etc..

On 6/16/2019 at 1:54 PM, sleepybobo said:

 

I understand Viking has a steep learning curve on new markets, such as Alaska and Cuba. Viking still needs to fine tune onshore excursion arrangements. But why would dinning staff service on Orion be subpar? I’m quite puzzled. Orion is no longer a brand new ship. So the staff on the ship should already have plenty of experience working on the ship together. 

 

I was on the Sun’s maiden voyage in 2017 and came back from Jupiter in May. Both ships had fewer sailings than Orion now has when I cruised on them. I experienced no service issue. 

 

In general, Orion seems to have more average/negative reviews than her sister ships. I noted Orion tends to sail in “newer” markets, such as Asia and Alaska. Hopefully all the issues noted will get sorted out as Viking gets more experience in those markets. 

Oh I was on the Orion last August/September and experienced many problems.  I  had hoped the issues were resolved..I am so sorry to hear that even now things are not up to Viking standards. 

1 hour ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

The River cruise division offers a US version and a Commonwealth version of the Normandy Beaches. I wonder why they didn't do the same for Ocean?

I was thinking that too..

I am following with great interest as I am on this cruise  next year at this time..

In addition to the for mentioned cities,we had a fabulous tour in MUMBAI. The guides were fantastic and really gave us more more than we expected.  

I agree with above poster.. not walkable..please take a ship tour or a private tour..

On 8/25/2019 at 2:26 PM, maryrichardson said:

We will be taking this cruise on the Jupiter in February 2020.  A friend is worried about seasickness around Cape Horn.  Could someone who has taken this cruise please comment on their experience ?

I brought the pressure wrist bands and never need them. But on our March sailing it was beautiful calm waters, very light wind, sun and no rain but the cruise before us had rough seas, lots of rain and missed ports due to wind, seas, etc..

So I was prepared for the worst and lucked out.. bring hiking boots, warm weather coat and be prepared for rain and wind..

Yes NCL offered shore excursions at all ports. I did this in March..fabulous itinary..penquins in Stanley are a must do..We also did penquins in Port Madryn..

Any questions?  Let me know..

13 hours ago, CCWineLover said:

 

Thank you Geffric.  Were you on Viking when you found it easy to be one the first tender?  or another ship?

I was on another ship, but I have  been on Viking Sea and Orion and had early private tours and it worked just fine.. meet on 1st floor and as soon as the ship has been given the all clear, one can get off. I was very nervous about this and spoke to the cruise director and this is what I was told.. worked well for me..

Also, if you are seeing penquins in Stanley wear closed toed shoes.. lots of stuff on the ground.. I wore my hiking boots.. and rain pants, gloves and hat..

I did this cruise last year..while the Punto Tomba are amazing..one is on  boardwalk.. in Stanley..the penquins are walking around you.. unbelievable experience..one NOT to be missed.. in my limited experience..they did wait for you. But it is not the difficult to be one the first tender.. people line  at early but the tender portal.. the advantage of being early is first one to the penquins..plus easier to drive on the Pete moss..

On our last Ocean cruise, Viking placed in your room on your birthday a cake and a bottle of wine..

8 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

I can buy Mexican vanilla online from my favorite provider of herbs and spices for a whole lot less than booking a cruise.

 

 

So true but booking a cruise is so much more fun..and makes a great story 

8 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Never say , "Never"!!

 

One cruise we were on, maybe our first NYE in the Med cruise,  looked like folks were lining up for the early bird special. By 6pm the line was out the door. 

 

 

 

But did you get Champagne? 

When I went on Viking over my birthday,  I ask my TA to get me The private dining room at Manfredi for a certain time.. it did not count toward my allotment..the only catch is you need about 8 people for the room..but it was no problem..I filled it up with folks from the roll call..and my TA got s cake and the waiters sang.. great memory 

The only reason to go go Cozumel,  IMHO, is to buy Vanilla..

Without Silver Spirits..the wine was wonderful..I did mention that the were some I didn't like and they substituted a different wine for me..

2 hours ago, zitsky said:

I'm going to Mediterranean Odyssey.  New to ocean so yes many questions.  I try to search first.

 

I hope it's possible to get into the MDR at a decent time 6 or 6.30??

Mdr is open seating.. never a line to get in..although I did see a line after a lecture/port talk get out and it seemed like the whole theater emptied in the MDR..there  was a line so Viking handed out champagne for those that had to wait a few minutes..

🥂🥂

I don't remember which day it was.. check the menu outside the restaurant or ask at guest services...I was given a whole lobster.. it was fantastic..