Maybe live New York to Iceland on Saturn 30/08-13/09

[uktog]

After a night at our local airport hotel we are off!  

Two boomerang retirees (we stop, we are persuaded back to help, we stop, we are back - get the picture) who travel a lot. Over 80 cruises but this is just our second on Viking. Having been loyal to one line in recent years (Azamara) for various reasons we are also using others - mainly itinerary. Our first Viking In Search of Northern lights was a success although we did not get a real Viking experience (remember booking to use the spa pool, spitting in the tubes before a morning coffee, having to stay in your room for 6 hours after a pierside test etc). So very much looking forward to this full experience. 
 

We have our flights through Viking (couldn’t beat the price independently) but have done our own hotels and transfers. 

 

So we are sitting in the BA lounge at Heathrow about to board. First picture from our first flight down to London from Scotland. There are two air corridors into Heathrow- one goes right over Windsor Castle but if you’re lucky you get the city run. To appreciate it, sit on the right hand side as you face the nose (D-F on many planes). Isn’t it a cracking view. If you look closely it’s a Bank Holiday so Tower Bridge is up 😀

 

[Mackdogmolly]

Looking forward to following your journey!!

[BluebonnetTexan]

See you onboard soon!

[Azulann]

Love reading trip reports . Looking forward to your experience on a Viking cruise after the pandemic .

[Berlin Bear]

6 hours ago, uktog said:

After a night at our local airport hotel we are off!  

Two boomerang retirees (we stop, we are persuaded back to help, we stop, we are back - get the picture) who travel a lot. Over 80 cruises but this is just our second on Viking. Having been loyal to one line in recent years (Azamara) for various reasons we are also using others - mainly itinerary. Our first Viking In Search of Northern lights was a success although we did not get a real Viking experience (remember booking to use the spa pool, spitting in the tubes before a morning coffee, having to stay in your room for 6 hours after a pierside test etc). So very much looking forward to this full experience. 
 

We have our flights through Viking (couldn’t beat the price independently) but have done our own hotels and transfers. 

 

So we are sitting in the BA lounge at Heathrow about to board. First picture from our first flight down to London from Scotland. There are two air corridors into Heathrow- one goes right over Windsor Castle but if you’re lucky you get the city run. To appreciate it, sit on the right hand side as you face the nose (D-F on many planes). Isn’t it a cracking view. If you look closely it’s a Bank Holiday so Tower Bridge is up 😀

 

Did you manage to leave Heathrow before the air traffic control network failure? Keeping my fingers crossed for a safe departure and looking forward to following your travels!

[jkadventures]

Hi uktog, we recognize you from our Azamara days, and are currently on the Viking Saturn one day from NY. This was our first Viking experience and we have been blown away by the beautiful new ship and its incredible level of service.  We have already committed to another Viking voyage and now get the tremendous loyalty this brand has fostered. Enjoy!

[uktog]

5 hours ago, Berlin Bear said:

Did you manage to leave Heathrow before the air traffic control network failure? Keeping my fingers crossed for a safe departure and looking forward to following your travels!

We have been so lucky on this one. We took off just before the problem started. I feel so sorry for anyone from the UK travelling tomorrow and needing a domestic connection. It’s not looking good 

[Mackdogmolly]

1 hour ago, uktog said:

We have been so lucky on this one. We took off just before the problem started. I feel so sorry for anyone from the UK travelling tomorrow and needing a domestic connection. It’s not looking good 

Whew! So glad you made it!!

[Clay Clayton]

Have a great time, we certainly enjoyed our time on Saturn in July/August. 

[uktog]

So we made it to New York despite the challenges in UK airspace. I feel so sorry for those who are now struggling to get flights in time. 

We are always tired after a long flight (even though this time we had the fab new BA plane layout and great food) so we had set up our go to cruise transfer company Welcome Pickups rather than find a cab. As usual they were on time lovely car. We too were on time for the driver, the Immigration at JFK was one of the best US entries we’ve experienced. 

 

This trip having been to New York a few times and stayed around Times Square we decided to stay in the new Hotel Indigo on Trinity Street right opposite Trinity Church. So far it’s very good nice (smallish) room and a lovely view. 
 

 

We ventured out having made reservations in advance to eat at Trinity Street. I’m a Dunfermlime girl obsessed by anything Andrew Carnegie - after all he funded so much of all me and my peers education regardless of our backgrounds. Trinity Street is housed in the massive vault of the Safe Deposit company connected to Carnegies bank and you eat by this massive vault door - the food was pretty good and not unreasonable price. 

 

Now we head to see if we can sleep!  
 

[downsmead]

So glad to hear you managed to escape the U.K. on Monday with all the flight problems. Have a great cruise?

[uktog]

In December 2000 we made our first ever visit to New York and spent a lovely morning up the Twin Towers. Our hearts were broken so soon after and in 2014 we came to see the Museum and memorial. Today we paused again 

and then enjoyed the future of the One World Observatory. We had pre booked tickets so no lines - as we arrived they offered us a rebooking for another day due to poor visibility due to weather. As we didn’t have another day we went ahead anyway. Not perfect but pretty good visibility we thought. Surprised they were offering date swaps. 

Spotted our location for tomorrow 😀 and loved the info IPads they really worked so often gadgets don’t. 
 

In the afternoon we did something we’ve always wanted- a tour of the UN. It’s something you have to prebook and there’s a few security and ID checks but a senior ticket is just an unbelievable $18. The tour lasts an hour, the docents are outstanding and you get to go right into The Security Council 

The Economic Council 

snd the General Council 

We learned a lot, a thought provoking day and we’d thoroughly recommend the UN tour in particular. 
 

As we’ve hit +20k steps and we are supposed to be taking it easy look out for two people suffering in the morning who will struggle to get out of the sofas in the evening 

[photopro2]

Enjoying your report so far and looking forward to your impressions of the ship. You should be boarding anytime now ,,,,, 🙂

[uktog]

2 hours ago, photopro2 said:

Enjoying your report so far and looking forward to your impressions of the ship. You should be boarding anytime now ,,,,, 🙂

Thank you. We are safely onboard despite traffic chaos en route. Staff all very engaged and enthusiastic and about to enjoy our first glass of package wine. 
 

Zero problems getting an extra chefs table slot with a perfect menu and time for us. DH allergies correctly were on the system

 

Small group life jacket explanation in the theatre with a glass of bubbles in hand. Very civilised 😀😀

[uktog]

1 hour ago, uktog said:

Thank you. We are safely onboard despite traffic chaos en route. Staff all very engaged and enthusiastic and about to enjoy our first glass of package wine. 
 

Zero problems getting an extra chefs table slot with a perfect menu and time for us. DH allergies correctly were on the system

 

Small group life jacket explanation in the theatre with a glass of bubbles in hand. Very civilised 😀😀

Rooms ready at 1330 for everyone! 

[Mackdogmolly]

What cabin class are you in and what chef’s table menu do you have?

[May B]

2 hours ago, uktog said:

Thank you. We are safely onboard despite traffic chaos en route. Staff all very engaged and enthusiastic and about to enjoy our first glass of package wine. 
 

Zero problems getting an extra chefs table slot with a perfect menu and time for us. DH allergies correctly were on the system

 

Small group life jacket explanation in the theatre with a glass of bubbles in hand. Very civilised 😀😀

Exactly as I’d expected. Love it when they meet expectations!

[uktog]

1 hour ago, Mackdogmolly said:

What cabin class are you in and what chef’s table menu do you have?

We are in a DV. It’s more spacious than an Azamara verandah much more drawer space and of course the bathroom is a dream. 
We had a penthouse veranda last time. Identical bathroom but even more space akin to an Azamara club continental. 
 

The four chef’s table are Scandinavian Asian Indochine and California- we did all 4 last time. We want to try the main dining room more this time so have opted for Scandinavian and California but we might change plans. We also have one night in the Italian Manfredi - could easily have had more just for now going for one. Lots of time options offered including 1930 something we can’t get on Azamara without  calling in a favour which we don’t like doing 

[uktog]

Todays dailies

 

[Mackdogmolly]

We are in a DV too for our upcoming cruise, but were only offered one chef’s table 

[May B]

1 minute ago, Mackdogmolly said:

We are in a DV too for our upcoming cruise, but were only offered one chef’s table 

And then when you board, you go to the reservation desk and make more.

[FetaCheese]

Perhaps the Captain will sail near/around the Statue of Liberty.  

 

Captain Kate on X Summit did on our last X cruise.

 

Very impressive when seen from the river.

 

Yes, the bathroom is outstanding.  Best we've ever experienced on some 45 cruises!

Edited August 30, 2023 by FetaCheese
Addl info

[May B]

1 minute ago, FetaCheese said:

Perhaps the Captain will sail near/around the Statue of Liberty.  

 

Captain Kate on X Summit did on our last X cruise.

 

Very impressive when seen from the river.

When leaving from a Manhattan dock, I think it’s rather impossible to avoid it!

 

Or shall I say “her”, rather than “it”.

Edited August 30, 2023 by May B

[Mackdogmolly]

Just now, May B said:

And then when you board, you go to the reservation desk and make more.

I’ll try that, but our cruise is full, so may not be an option 

[millybess]

13 minutes ago, Mackdogmolly said:

I’ll try that, but our cruise is full, so may not be an option 

So many people change their minds once onboard -- as uktog mentioned above.  I'm sure you will have no problem.