OKCowboy

Viking has two ships with planetarians-Jupiter and Orion. We sailed on the Jupiter and saw two shows. As we are scheduled for the Orion in 2022, I wonder if anyone has experiences to share regarding the shows? Have they been updated? Any shows to avoid? 

We were on the Western Mediterranean reposition cruise and opted for the pre-Madrid portion. Viking met us at the airport and transported us to the hotel. After breakfast on the second day, we took the bus trip and walking tour. I opted for the leg to the Prado and enjoyed the quick tour there (it was raining so the museum was packed with visitors). Some opted to remain at the Prado for a longer visit and made their way back to the hotel via taxi or walking. I returned on the Viking bus. On the third day we had breakfast and Viking transported us to the train station where we got on the high speed train to Barcelona. Fantastic ride! When we arrived there we were transported directly to the ship with minimal viewing of the city. Viking took care of our luggage after we left the hotel and we didn't see it in our stateroom until later in the afternoon. If your comfortable with making your own travel and hotel arrangements, you could save some $$$; however, we found them to be very helpful. I believe the Madrid hotel was the Intercontinental.

We have an upcoming Viking Ocean cruise and I note there are some unsold PV and higher staterooms above our DV level. We're two weeks away and I wonder if anyone has had experience in getting a stateroom upgrade by paying Viking. While I understand Viking might hold off hoping to sell the stateroom until sailing, it would make financial sense to offer higher staterooms at a cost significant less than the advertised difference between the two stateroom categories.

We were on the Viking Star shortly after her maiden voyage. There were lots of Viking executives on board and I expect there were similar high ranking personnel on board the Jupiter at the time of this accident. I anticipate Viking will make appropriate accommodations and hopefully will not cancel but one or two upcoming cruises. We're on board for the April 25 cruise and I encourage all booked passengers to sign up for the Meet and Mingle, where you can get more insights into this incident from the officers.

It sure would be nice if Viking cruisers could buy some of the Viking logo items sold on board. Does anyone know if Viking has a website to purchase items, particularly now that they've discontinued the pre-cruise mailed gifts as well?

Well that seems high. We paid a lot less but it was around Christmas. Use Trip Advisor to see the room rates at other properties. Viator may have cost estimates for pickup and delivery to your hotel. Venice can be expensive.

We did a pre-cruise package in Venice for two nights Christmas 2016. They met us at the airport, put us on a bus to Venice, where we transferred to a motor boat for a cruise to the Hilton Molino Stucky that was on an island. There were no included tours but you have all of Venice in front of you. There was a boat that would take us over to St. Marks. Breakfast was included but the rest of the meals are up to you. We wandered the back streets of Venice and had a great time even though it was our first visit there. On the day of embarkation you will take a motor boat to the cruise terminal. If you forego the pre-cruise you'll have to negotiate the transportation on your own.

The alternative is to have dinner on the ship on the day of arrival and transfer to an airport hotel. While this avoids getting up at an ungodly hour, it would be the best option IMO.

We are also booked on Viking Jupiter April 25th, Along Europe's Western Coast, Barcelona to Copenhagen. We've signed up for the Roll Call but can't access the Meet and Mingle as Jupiter hasn't been added to the list of ships. I e-mailed the Cruise Critic meet and mingle yesterday but haven't heard anything from them.

We are doing the pre-cruise in Madrid and plan on staying in Copenhagen for an extra 6 nights. Looking forward to our fourth Viking Ocean cruise on a new ship.

Thanks for the responses. I hope they have more programs in the Planetarium and maybe even a telescope on board.

We are signed up for a cruise on Viking Jupiter next Spring. Does anyone know of any changes in ship configuration from earlier Viking Ships on which we have cruised?

We are also on the Jupiter in March, and couldn’t find a roll call either; would be nice. Would OKCowboy be referring to OSU? If so, fellow 🤠.

 

 

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OKState alumni from. Bartlesville.

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My husband & I will also be on this cruise. Have you heard from any other people traveling on this cruise?

There is a roll call. Sign up.

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When will Cruise Critic initiate the Meet and Mingles for Viking Jupiter?

I recently booked a future ocean cruise with the onboard cruise consultant I didn't realize until too late that he indicated I didn't accept the insurance so I had to forego the section A coverage. I don't recall the insurance being offered at the time. I wish Viking would institute a form which one could signi indicating the insurance was declined. It would spell out the consequences.

I attended the afternoon movie-Dunkirk. Great movie but had drownings and sinking ships. Wonder if Titanic is the next movie?

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My wife loves the breakfast room service and would have it every day if she could. The only complication is her hearing loss and she doesn't always hear the knock at the door. I wonder if we could have the room service attendant call before the delivery? Has anyone tried that?

We have a stateroom assigned on our upcoming cruise. I see there are still unsold staterooms and wonder if anyone has ever received an upgraded stateroom upon boarding. I note on other threads that some who have guaranteed reservations might get an upgrade.

I highly recommend the Artemide Hotel as well. We used a taxi from the airport to the hotel. I think the next time we'll book a limo through Viator.

I used FaceTime on a Christmas cruise on viking Sea in the Mediterranean and was able to give a tour of the ship using the wifi.

Our M&M during our December cruise out of Venice was fantastic. As we had complications forcing embarkation in Trieste attendees (10 or so) receive an executive briefing from the officers about the closure of the Venice port and embarkation in Trieste. There were cocktails and nice appetizers. I recommend reschedule your dinner to attend. Our M&M took place on level 2 of the Explorer's Lounge. On past non-Viking cruises the M&M was not as well attended and hosted so Viking has established a new standard.

We first cruised on HAL and have switched over to Viking. Our last two cruises on the Eurodam were in the top suite categories but we found the rooms very worn. We also do not like the casino (although I played out of boredom), fake art auctions, sidewalk sales, and photographers. Viking won over our allegiance and I highly recommend, particularly the food and culture.

We previously use HAL but were tired of the casinos, "art" auctions, photographers, children and constant upselling. We fell in love with Viking Oceans and the support Viking provides to travelers. Last trip on HAL Eurodam was in their top suite, which was very worn and tired looking. You'll find Viking clean and very Scandinavian. Highly recommend Viking Ocean. Tip-use Viking Air and deviate from the schedule for a small additional charge. For example, you could fly into Rome four days ahead of departure on your own schedule, meeting up with the ship at the normal time.

Am looking forward to this trip departing from Amsterdam on September 18. Very interested in the discussion, particularly weather, as I understand it has been hot and water levels are low.

I've sailed or booked four Viking Ocean and River Cruises. I made a downpayment on another Viking Ocean cruise with my usual American credit card and my credit card invoice has a foreign trans fee levied by Viking. This is my first time with this fee but it was followed by another fee when I paid for an excursion with the same card. Both charges were in $$ and the bill was in $$. My TA contacted Viking who indicated they could refund the charge with documentation as the transaction went through Switzerland.

Anyone else have this issue and does it reflect a policy change by Viking?