Tips for New Viking Ocean Cruisers

[JF - retired RRT]

Newbie question: We've booked the Neptune out of San Pedro, CA. I've seen comments for other ports that "Viking" crew members collect luggage on arrival at the port.

We've sailed out of San Pedro many times and the port's luggage porters collect the luggage.

The question is: which is it in San Pedro? Port personnel or Viking?

[JF - retired RRT]

On 12/13/2022 at 4:47 PM, Cruisingin2223 said:

What is Viking's policy about CBD gummies? I take these for sleep sometimes. Any insight would be helpful. Traveling in may different countries. TIA

2 years too late, but thought I've tell you what I do for intermittent insomnia. Trazodone. It's legal and works great with no "hangover" that some sleep meds cause.

[Peregrina651]

1 hour ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Newbie question: We've booked the Neptune out of San Pedro, CA. I've seen comments for other ports that "Viking" crew members collect luggage on arrival at the port.

We've sailed out of San Pedro many times and the port's luggage porters collect the luggage.

The question is: which is it in San Pedro? Port personnel or Viking?

 

For most ports, shoreside services (porters, check in personnel, security, port transportation, etc) are handled by local providers and not by Viking personnel.

[JF - retired RRT]

Haven't seen this one...yet.

We prefer to not use the shore side luggage collection...had a previous BAD experience.

The cart that our luggage was loaded on (along with many others) was dumped into the water at the dock during loading. All of our clothes (shoes, evening wear, nighties) were soaked with filthy port water. The suitcases were ruined. The ship gave us free "overnight" return laundry privileges that took 3 days. For 3 days we were wearing the same clothes that we were wearing when we got on the ship. No OBC, no offer to buy something to wear in the ship's store...just an apology. 

Since then we've always dragged our suitcases with us.

Will we be alone?

[Ready to Sail!]

15 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Haven't seen this one...yet.

We prefer to not use the shore side luggage collection...had a previous BAD experience.

The cart that our luggage was loaded on (along with many others) was dumped into the water at the dock during loading. All of our clothes (shoes, evening wear, nighties) were soaked with filthy port water. The suitcases were ruined. The ship gave us free "overnight" return laundry privileges that took 3 days. For 3 days we were wearing the same clothes that we were wearing when we got on the ship. No OBC, no offer to buy something to wear in the ship's store...just an apology. 

Since then we've always dragged our suitcases with us.

Will we be alone?

We've never had a problem like that but once we left from the NYC port going north and there was another cruise ship in dock going south.  They put another couples luggage that was suppose to be on our ship on the other ship. So, yes, things can happen. We always travel with at least one change of cloths, undies and usually a extra pair of shoes in our carry ons.  

Edited June 24 by Ready to Sail!

[deec]

Yikes how terrible!  Did insurance cover new suitcases to get home?  I am surprised the laundry took 3 days!!  Was this with Viking?  One more thing for me to worry about....I thought once I had my suitcase at the airport I was lucky. I also usually send my carry on at this point will definitely never do that again...computer, medicines would definitely be ruined.  Do you know if hard-sided luggage faired any better than soft?

[JF - retired RRT]

39 minutes ago, deec said:

Yikes how terrible!  Did insurance cover new suitcases to get home?  I am surprised the laundry took 3 days!!  Was this with Viking?  One more thing for me to worry about....I thought once I had my suitcase at the airport I was lucky. I also usually send my carry on at this point will definitely never do that again...computer, medicines would definitely be ruined.  Do you know if hard-sided luggage faired any better than soft?

This was on Princess.

They "dried" our suitcases. When we got home we threw them away. The suitcases were "soft". Hard suitcases would likely have taken longer to sink and maybe not get as much water inside. Insurance paid for the things that were ruined, but it was a PITA. We had to track down receipts and document EVERYTHING.

[oskidunker]

On 8/9/2023 at 7:00 PM, 1985rz1 said:

Who wears pajamas, nowadays? 🤔

I do. Have 4 pair

[Lilyskittymom]

1 hour ago, deec said:

Yikes how terrible!  Did insurance cover new suitcases to get home?  I am surprised the laundry took 3 days!!  Was this with Viking?  One more thing for me to worry about....I thought once I had my suitcase at the airport I was lucky. I also usually send my carry on at this point will definitely never do that again...computer, medicines would definitely be ruined.  Do you know if hard-sided luggage faired any better than soft?

We flew into Hong Kong a day early on our Hong Kong to Tokyo cruise with Viking last year.  Because of a route change, due to a volcano erupting in Russia, our luggage never made it onto the connecting flight from Seoul to Hong Kong.  It did show up a day later, and Viking arranged for it to make it to the ship.  In the meantime, they gave us amenity kits and overnight laundry service and we had clean clothes in the morning.  Like you, we had a change of clothes with us and stopped in the Uniqlo store in HK for a couple shirts and pants, just in case.

 

Maria

[OneSixtyToOne]

2 minutes ago, Lilyskittymom said:

We flew into Hong Kong a day early on our Hong Kong to Tokyo cruise with Viking last year.  Because of a route change, due to a volcano erupting in Russia, our luggage never made it onto the connecting flight from Seoul to Hong Kong.  It did show up a day later, and Viking arranged for it to make it to the ship.  In the meantime, they gave us amenity kits and overnight laundry service and we had clean clothes in the morning.  Like you, we had a change of clothes with us and stopped in the Uniqlo store in HK for a couple shirts and pants, just in case.

 

Maria

Not only is it wise to have a change of clothes in your carryon, it is also wise to cross-pack with your traveling companion in case only one suitcase is delivered.

[millybess]

3 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Not only is it wise to have a change of clothes in your carryon, it is also wise to cross-pack with your traveling companion in case only one suitcase is delivered.

Definitely.  We do that all the time.  Very good advice.

[deec]

Yes always cross pack!

[Peregrina651]

3 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Haven't seen this one...yet.

We prefer to not use the shore side luggage collection...had a previous BAD experience.

The cart that our luggage was loaded on (along with many others) was dumped into the water at the dock during loading. All of our clothes (shoes, evening wear, nighties) were soaked with filthy port water. The suitcases were ruined. The ship gave us free "overnight" return laundry privileges that took 3 days. For 3 days we were wearing the same clothes that we were wearing when we got on the ship. No OBC, no offer to buy something to wear in the ship's store...just an apology. 

Since then we've always dragged our suitcases with us.

Will we be alone?

 

Once burned...

As good a reason as any not to want to turn your luggage over to anyone.  

 

However, with Viking, if your suitcases are too big to fit through the scanners on the gangway, you may have to be separated from your luggage. Better to find out before you pack your bags what you are dealing with. In orher words, you need more info than we can provide; I don't think any of us can tell you the maximum size suitcase a scanner can handle or even if it differs from ship to ship.

I suggest contacting Viking directly.  Use this address, not the call center or chat, tellus@vikingcruises.com.  include your booking number and your phone number. "TellUs" is a higher level of customer service; if they don't have an answer for you, they know who does and will get you an answer. 

[JF - retired RRT]

46 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Once burned...

As good a reason as any not to want to turn your luggage over to anyone.  

 

However, with Viking, if your suitcases are too big to fit through the scanners on the gangway, you may have to be separated from your luggage. Better to find out before you pack your bags what you are dealing with. In orher words, you need more info than we can provide; I don't think any of us can tell you the maximum size suitcase a scanner can handle or even if it differs from ship to ship.

I suggest contacting Viking directly.  Use this address, not the call center or chat, tellus@vikingcruises.com.  include your booking number and your phone number. "TellUs" is a higher level of customer service; if they don't have an answer for you, they know who does and will get you an answer. 

Never had suitcases scanned on the gangway.

Most of our cruises have been out of San Pedro, CA and the scanners are at security before you get to the waiting area and then to the gangway and onto the ship.

Guess I'll contact "TellUs".

[Mike07]

5 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Not only is it wise to have a change of clothes in your carryon, it is also wise to cross-pack with your traveling companion in case only one suitcase is delivered.

 

 

Agreed.... ask me how I know to do that now.

[ssawjo]

6 hours ago, Ready to Sail! said:

We've never had a problem like that but once we left from the NYC port going north and there was another cruise ship in dock going south.  They put another couples luggage that was suppose to be on our ship on the other ship. So, yes, things can happen. We always travel with at least one change of cloths, undies and usually a extra pair of shoes in our carry ons.  

Happened in San Pedro with Princess.  One lady's taxi driver dropped her off at the wrong ship and she gave the porters her luggage.  She then checked in for the correct ship (really not sure how that happened) but then found out, because she didn't get her luggage, that her luggage was bound for Hawaii and we were headed for the Panama Canal.  Our first stop was Cabo and she went shopping.  I don't know what happened later.

[Mike07]

5 minutes ago, ssawjo said:

Happened in San Pedro with Princess.  One lady's taxi driver dropped her off at the wrong ship and she gave the porters her luggage.  She then checked in for the correct ship (really not sure how that happened) but then found out, because she didn't get her luggage, that her luggage was bound for Hawaii and we were headed for the Panama Canal.  Our first stop was Cabo and she went shopping.  I don't know what happened later.

 

 

Oh my....

[Peregrina651]

2 hours ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Never had suitcases scanned on the gangway.

Most of our cruises have been out of San Pedro, CA and the scanners are at security before you get to the waiting area and then to the gangway and onto the ship.

Guess I'll contact "TellUs".

 

Every time we board the ship, any bags we carry onto the ship are scanned as we board. In Greenwich a few weeks ago, the scanners were on the dock before we climbed the gangway but the rest of the trip, they were on the ship -- tap your boarding card, drop your bags on the belt and walk through the arches.

 

Now, I could be wrong (and heavens knows I've been wrong before) and maybe they will accept a shore side scan at San Pedro -- but isn't it wise to be prepared just in case I am right? Your concern is keeping your bags with you.  The more information you have, the less stress.

[KBs mum]

Our cases are fairly waterproof, but we pack everything in bin bags (trash can liners) in case of rain or other aquatic misadventure, or escaping toiletries. The bags also seperate clean from dirty if required, or wet coats and shoes. 

Can be reused for their intended purpose when back home

[CKspring]

Apologies if these questions have been answered earlier:

 

We are new to Viking Ocean and haven't been on a cruise for 20 years. We have booked Journey To Antiquities (Athens to Rome) this coming February with Viking Air from JFK.

 

Does Viking book direct flights when available?

 

Our cruise starts in Athens - do we have a full day in Athens or is most of the day spent arriving and embarkation?

 

Our cruise ends in Rome. How are the excursions in Rome handled? Luggage transfers? What time would our return flight be booked?

 

And finally: We are in our early 60's and are pretty active. What age mix can we expect on board? 

[CILCIANRQTS]

On 6/24/2024 at 11:41 AM, deec said:

Yikes how terrible!  Did insurance cover new suitcases to get home?  I am surprised the laundry took 3 days!!  Was this with Viking?  One more thing for me to worry about....I thought once I had my suitcase at the airport I was lucky. I also usually send my carry on at this point will definitely never do that again...computer, medicines would definitely be ruined.  Do you know if hard-sided luggage faired any better than soft?

I once handed over my carry on for BUS transportation to the post-cruise hotel and it got “lost”. Only after I told them it contained my heart medication did they search hard enough to find it. We think it was still in the bus luggage compartment but the driver was too lazy to crawl in to find it.

Never again!

[Peregrina651]

3 hours ago, CKspring said:

Does Viking book direct flights when available?

 

Yes, they try to. Does JFK have non-stops to both Rome and Athens? If having direct flights is important to you, then, I suggest paying the Custom Air fee and having a say in choosing your flights. Do your homework before you call. Go to one of the big travel booking sights and check out what they are offering.

 

Keep in mind that the price Viking quotes for airfare is not for any flight plan you want but for the flight plan(s) they offer on airlines with whom they have contracts. They will book any flights that they have access to but some may incur an add-on from the airline.

 

Also, keep in mind that if you choose now, you will have more choices than if you wait for Viking to assign flights.

 

Consider buying your own flights (if this is a viable option). Even if you are paid in full, August/September is not too late to cancel your Viking air and purchase your own flights, if you can get a (significantly) better price than Viking is offering. Viking will sell you transfers if you land at the airport on embarkation day and/or take off on disembarkation day. This is only if you are comfortable making your own arrangements; there are many who are happy to leave the arrangements to Viking.

 

Something else to consider. It is February in the Northeast and there is always a possibility of weather delaying your departure. Consider arriving a couple of nights early (which will incur a deviation fee and loss of transfers at least on arrival). You will be on your own getting to the ship but limos are available.

 

There are pros and cons to everything I have  suggested but the bottom line is that you have to do what is right for you.

Edited July 26 by Peregrina651

[OneSixtyToOne]

3 hours ago, CKspring said:

We have booked Journey To Antiquities (Athens to Rome) this coming February

We were on this itinerary in the winter last year. Although we had extensions on both ends, you might find my review of the cruise helpful.

 

[Peregrina651]

4 hours ago, CKspring said:

Our cruise starts in Athens - do we have a full day in Athens or is most of the day spent arriving and embarkation?

 

Most of your day will be spent arriving and embarking, especially if you end up connecting through a city in Europe (in which case you won't land in Athens before noon). The port of Athens is an hour or so from the city (and from the airport).

 

Consider a Viking pre-cruise extension in Athens. @kctwinmommy reviews the Classical Greece extension at the start of her review (keep reading because she may also cover some of your ports). Mediterranean & Adriatic Sojourn Cruise review (4/20-5/11/2024) with Classical Greek 4 day pre-cruise extension)  Or, consider arriving early and exploring on your own.

 

5 hours ago, CKspring said:

Our cruise ends in Rome. How are the excursions in Rome handled? Luggage transfers? What time would our return flight be booked?

 

Upon disembarkation, the normal routine is to retrieve your luggage from the holding area and to walk it to the transfer bus you have been assigned for transfer to the airport or for a post-cruise extension.

 

Viking does not offer tours for disembarking guests. Once you get your flights you can figure out if you have enough time to hire a company for a transfer to airport with tour of Rome

 

They will try to get you on the earliest departure possible (figure 3 hours at the airport plus 1 hour travel time to the airport plus unknown amount of time for the ship to be cleared for disembarkation after arrival in port).  Since you are not overnight in Civitavecchia, do not expect a flight before noon. At the same time, expect that you will have to vacate your cabin before 8am (they keep changing the exact time) and all departing guests will be gone before 10 am.

 

 

 

5 hours ago, CKspring said:

We are in our early 60's and are pretty active. What age mix can we expect on board? 

 

Viking markets heavily to its 5 million name mailing list of retirees and those approaching retirement touting its "destination focused and culturally enriching" experience. The age range is definitely skewed to older travelers, but not necessarily to less active travelers. While the majority of guest are from the US and Canada, Viking markets in Australia, New Zealand and UK as well. Read more here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/why-viking/the-viking-difference.html

 

 

[CKspring]

2 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Viking does not offer tours for disembarking guests. Once you get your flights you can figure out if you have enough time to hire a company for a transfer to airport with tour of Rome

 

 

Well, that is disappointing.

We would like to spend a full day in Rome.

Considering using a travel agent.

Any recommendations?