OKCowboy

We always ask to be seated in a quiet area of the restaurant and have had little noise problems. My wife wears hearing aid and cochlear device with a mike that I wear.

Marilyn-

We are on this cruise so I hope you sign up for the Roll Call. 

Cornbread in the Main Dining Room and pecan roll in the WC are great!

While on a Panama Canal cruise with Silver Spirits, I developed a throat infection requiring antibiotics prescribed by the ship doctor. I had to stop drinking alcohol halfway through the cruise. Given the reasonable cost of drinks and wine/beer at meals, I don't recommend even though it's cheaper than many other cruise lines drink packages.

Bought the SS package a year ago on a Western Caribbean/Panama Canal cruise. Halfway through the cruise I developed throat infection and ship doctor put me on antibiotics. No more alcohol from that point, so be prepared if any events on the cruise stop you from enjoying the SS package benefits. We only buy by the rink now and bring spirits on board.

We had the Silver Spirits on our Western Caribbean-Panama Canal cruise last Fall. Bought it to use up credit for a previously cancelled cruise. Halfway through the cruise I came down with a throat infection and ship's doctor put me on an antibiotic. Needless to say, the balance of the cruise was alcohol free. I don't recommend the SS unless you're a heavy drinker. unable to get sick, and don't mind the increased price. We only charge what we drink and save $$.

Had the SSP during recent Panama Canal cruise and developed throat infection halfway through the cruise. Ship doctor put me on an antibiotic and thus my consumption of the SSP came to a halt. My wife couldn't consume my share for some reason!

We just returned from our second Viking Ocean cruise where we found the on board store inventories very deleted. I've wanted to purchased Viking logo polos, fleece, etc. and found it only available in size small, if at all. Inventory of pewter and silver was significantly reduced. Some Georg Jensen pieces had only one piece available for sale.I don't think management appreciates the marketing value of cruisers who wear logo clothing. You would think this would be a profit center, but lack of stock precludes any 'profit'. In the past we have booked our next cruise to take advantage of the additional on-board credit but there was little we could spend it on.

23 hours ago, Symmes99 said:

I will be on the Madrid pre-cruise extension in three days for our Viking Jupiter Barcelona-to Buenos Aries crossing. I received an email from Viking on October 11th with details. Here is what it said about the itinerary: 

Your Extension Itinerary
Day 1: Your Viking representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your first-class hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Madrid at your leisure. Your Viking host will be available to help you plan your time in Madrid so you can make the most of your visit.

Day 2: After breakfast, embark on your comprehensive Madrid Tour. During a panoramic drive, see the lush Botanical Garden and the Royal Palace of Madrid. Later, disembark from your motor coach to enjoy a walking tour through the Madrid of the Hapsburgs and visit the Prado Museum. In the evening, enjoy dinner on your own, or opt to enjoy an evening of traditional tapas. Contact your Viking host for further details.

Day 3: After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer by high-speed train to Barcelona to embark on your cruise. Your Viking host will provide you with your reserved train tickets and accompany you on the train. The train ride from Madrid to Barcelona leaves at 10:30 AM and arrives in Barcelona at approximately 1:15 PM (approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes). Your luggage will be sent separately and will be delivered to your stateroom on board. (Train times are subject to change at any time without notice)

Upon arrival in Barcelona, you will be transferred to the pier for embarkation.

 

We’re looking forward to this trip!

 

We had a similar experience on our pre-Madrid Tour. Highly recommend especially Prado and high speed train.

6 hours ago, Twitchly said:

You can pre-pay the standard staff gratuities.

We've already paid them. While vouchers always sound appealing, cash is king.

Well I spent some voucher $$ on Silver Spirits, extension, and excursions, but still have some left. Can't spend on Spa so there are relatively few options available. Oh well, I'll drink well. 

We booked all excursions, gratuities, and silver spirits; however, we still have $$$ available as vouchers. When I check out the outstanding amounts it indicates they must be used prior to boarding the ship. It states only credits can be transferred to on board accounts. Is this true? We were hoping to spend some on board for haircuts and pedicures/manicures.

We made our reservations at the specialty restaurants and want to invite other cruisers to dine with us. They are in a lower cabin class so we couldn't add them when we reserved our table. Do we wait until we're on board? 

Was hoping to book the Kitchen Table that was tentatively listed when I booked my November cruise. I now see it no longer offered. Has Viking dropped Kitchen Table on its many cruises?

14 minutes ago, GKTV32162 said:

World Cruise Day 159/163 Scenic Scandinavia - Rønne, Bornholm, Denmark - we're Born(holm) again tourists


https://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/05/world-cruise-day-159163-scenic.html

I have thoroughly enjoyed your World Cruise blog. I was particularly interested in the wifi and toilet issues since we're in room 5090 Viking Star Panama Canal & Central America departing November 17. I printed extra copies of the toilet paper only poster to put up near our room. Thanks again!

Starting this topic to share information on the port alternatives to the scheduled St. Petersburg stops on the Viking Baltic cruises. Will this entail more overnights in Finland, Sweden, Denmark, Estonia,  etc.? Or new ports?

Does anyone know the dry dock schedule for all Viking Ocean ships? Also interested in finding out the nature of retrofits and any new major changes on board.

My father told me shrouds have no pockets.

I appreciate all of your suggestions. Looks like we'll book optional excursions outside the 30 day window. We'll probably do some but may cancel others.

We used a cancelled cruise voucher to rebook a cruise this fall. We added pre-embarkation package, Silver Spirits, and pre-paid gratuities. We still have a balance left that our TA indicated could be used to pay for non-included excursions up to 30 days prior to embarkation. I wonder why Viking doesn't allow the credit on board so we could use for shopping, etc. Seems very restrictive. Or am I missing something?

16 hours ago, GKTV32162 said:

Hi all - Arlona accidentally left her 30-ounce black Yeti cup with a purple handle and black steel straw in the Star Theater after completing her Chilean mobility pass. She went back and it was gone. Nobody there, at the nearby bar, nor lost & found had it.

 

If anyone finds it, please give us a buzz in 5090.

 

Thanks!

We are booked into this stateroom on  future cruise. I hope all is up to your standards now.

I always book on board prior to the pandemic and have my TA handle it when we return. Always good to check out the cruise and price before meeting on board. 

How many passengers are on Orion now?

20 hours ago, Mich3554 said:

I know the location, I just have seen nothing in the Viking Daily about a session, as I’d be all over it like white on rice.  I’ve already lost 2 excursions which included cooking in Morocco and cooking in Uruguay.  

My wife did the cooking in Morocco and she indicated it was one of the best experiences. Was held at a cooking school Blue Door.

Any recent experiences with The Kitchen Table cooking school? Have an upcoming cruise and wonder if Viking is still having them in this time of Covid. If so, how does one register?