bluesplayer

Since my future cruise was booked prior embarking specific information on another booking was not provided. Perhaps the very large amounts offered were for world cruises or expeditions. Since I was unaware of onboard booking my intent was to inform others that it is offered. May be worth waiting to book onboard. Thanks @Squawkman for the information about booking directly post cruise. This is only my second Viking cruise.

It depended on the length of the cruise and the amount you spend. Up to $2,000. Since I was deemed "ineligible" he did not get into specifics other than I could not cancel and rebook. Just an FYI if you are thinking of booking another cruise and have an upcoming one. May wait to book onboard. WHO KNEW???

I have only taken a river cruise prior to my Ocean cruise last week. I was unaware that Viking offered an Onboard Booking bonus on booking another cruise (Ocean or river). I booked an additional river cruise for 2026 a few weeks prior to departure. You cannot take advantage of the program, nor can you cancel and rebook. I was told they would take the Onboard booking credits away from your reservation. Wish I would have known this program was available, as it was not on the river cruise. Major disappointment. Wait until you are onboard to book. Seems the credits were quite nice.

Reporting back.. we are sea in Viking Saturn and have the Silver beverage package. I agree that the wines are disappointing offers for an “upgrade”. The liquor offerings are decent. We have a PV and they do stock your room with either the lowest priced liquor option OR a bottle of house wine.. daily.

Thank you!! Some of the newer ships you cannot punch the cards at all. It's hip cruise jewelry!!

Very disappointing!! Ugh.. Heading out in a few days with the beverage package. In my case for upgraded wines. Maybe a mistake..

Are you able to get your room key punched and use a lanyard on Saturn Ocean? Thank you!!!

Have taken 2 cruises with X pre Covid. Both were 14 days or longer. Agree the HA food is better. Seems HA has more ethnic entrees available and better fish options. The room service breakfast menu on X was a major disappointment. The HA crew always makes me feel welcomed and wanted. Did not get that feeling on X. Think I would not like the new Juliet balconies. I rarely look at their offerings now.

They have bread pudding for breakfast and not fruit crisp??? INJUSTICE…. I say!! #teamfruitcrisp

Thank you for your information. From both responses sound like the risk does not increase or decrease seasonally. Thank you both!! Last river cruise was May.. no issues. This one October and looking forward to some fall colors (maybe). The rivers are beautiful

We sailed on her last year to South America and loved the ship! The Captain would always refer to the ship as "the lovely elegant Oosterdam"!! We totally agreed with that. Lovely art work all around the ship. We really enjoyed the Gallery Bar, the bartenders were so fun!! Never had a bad meal and the ship was spotless!

Planning an October cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Would anyone know of this has a higher risk of transferring to another ship due to the river being too low or too high? I have read about that occurring.. not fun. Thank you!!

No Gallery bar.. like it's sister ships 😞

Since I specifically asked about room service being available on embarkation, they added a sentence to their canned response. NO, room service is not available. Glad so many are voicing their displeasure. Wonder if people on the ships could voice their disapproval of this? Seems the folks on the ship are much more concerned. I will certainly leave a note on my next cruise at the front desk. Maybe a sit in at the MDR doors? Response from HA: Dear Laura, We thank you for your correspondence with Holland America Line regarding the Mariner Society embarkation lunch. We understand that the embarkation luncheon was a popular activity with many of our guests. Unfortunately, the embarkation lunch has been discontinued as of March 1, 2024. Room Service is also not available for Lunch on Embarkation Day. We apologize for any disappointment this has caused. We thank you for sharing your thoughts, our guest’s comments and concerns are important to us. Please let us know if we can be of further assistance. We have forwarded your email to our management team for consideration. Please let us know if you have any questions. We hope to welcome you back onboard with us soon. Kind Regards, Garrett Mariner Society Holland America Line 800-547-9139 206-626-7359 Monday-Friday 8:00am – 5:00pm PST

Another letter to the Mariner Society: I have been reading the Main Dining room will no longer be open for lunch on Embarkation Day fleet wide. Can you verify if that is true? That would be a major disappointment after a hectic morning boarding. That was one of my favorite HA things to enjoy. Heading to the Lido with more lines is not a great experience to begin a relaxing cruise. If the MDR will indeed be closed, will room service be available for lunch? I have never ordered room service on Embarkation lunch as I understand the staff is extremely busy. Would like clarification if that option is available.