Migrating to Viking from HAL for the first time-I have questions

[PasadenaDave]

On 7/21/2024 at 10:34 AM, Bxianesq said:

I did not know that you could bring your own wine on board.  Sounds like we need to fly into Auckland early to visit some wineries 🙂

We did a winery tour at one stop in New Zealand and two couples joined forces to buy a case to take back to the ship.  They said that would be part of their alcohol consumption for the rest of the journey!  Purchasing by the case lowered their shipboard purchases considerably.

 

I will add that the Sprits package is very expensive since both cabin passengers need to purchase and that given the carry on alcohol policy the package isn't in my opinion worth the price.  Having said that, Your mileage may vary.

[2cruisecats]

On 7/20/2024 at 3:17 PM, Bxianesq said:

Hi-we are trying out one of Viking's ocean cruises for the first time.  We booked a 2026 cruise that circumnavigates Australia with a few stops in Indonesia. We've added another Viking Cruise that sails from Auckland to Sydney on the same ship immediately prior to the Australia cruise.  We chose Viking because of the variety of ports available on the Australia/Indonesia portions of the cruise.  We have not been on any of their river cruises. 

 

Another former HAL cruiser here.  We tried out Viking pre-Covid for their Homelands cruise.  It allowed us more time in St Petersburg over the HAL option. Plus, the no kids, no casino, no photographers, no up-chargers for specialty dining, and smaller ships called out to us.  We have never gone back to larger ships. We are taking our 5th Ocean next week & just booked our 2nd River for next year.  Must admit, way prefer Ocean to River but the itinerary called to my DH.

 

We did the Sydney to Auckland last December.  We spent 3 weeks doing a self-drive tour in NZ, mostly South Island, before heading to Sydney for a few days and boarding our ship.  Great cruise.  Enjoy!

[Clay Clayton]

On 7/23/2024 at 12:39 PM, 2cruisecats said:

Another former HAL cruiser here.  We tried out Viking pre-Covid for their Homelands cruise.  It allowed us more time in St Petersburg over the HAL option. Plus, the no kids, no casino, no photographers, no up-chargers for specialty dining, and smaller ships called out to us.  We have never gone back to larger ships. We are taking our 5th Ocean next week & just booked our 2nd River for next year.  Must admit, way prefer Ocean to River but the itinerary called to my DH.

 

We did the Sydney to Auckland last December.  We spent 3 weeks doing a self-drive tour in NZ, mostly South Island, before heading to Sydney for a few days and boarding our ship.  Great cruise.  Enjoy!

How easy and expensive did you find the self driving tour. Would love to do that but when I’ve looked at the price of accommodations, we have been scared away. 

[friendlyfifer]

On 7/20/2024 at 9:42 PM, JF - retired RRT said:

Do you have to go back to Manfredi's or will the MDR or buffet heat it up for you?

Clearly you are American. Why oh why would you have leftover steak reheated the following day?  Order a half portion instead. 

 

 

[SoCray4Cruz]

On 7/31/2024 at 8:49 AM, Clay Clayton said:

How easy and expensive did you find the self driving tour. Would love to do that but when I’ve looked at the price of accommodations, we have been scared away. 

Sorry to hijack the thread, but, Clay Clayton, for our 3 week land tour we used a group called New Zealand self Drive Tours.  They did an amazing job handling all of our requests, organizing the whole tour, and for a reasonable price.  Detailed instructions, easy to navigate, and help was a simple phone call away.  Highly recommend!

[Clay Clayton]

19 hours ago, SoCray4Cruz said:

Sorry to hijack the thread, but, Clay Clayton, for our 3 week land tour we used a group called New Zealand self Drive Tours.  They did an amazing job handling all of our requests, organizing the whole tour, and for a reasonable price.  Detailed instructions, easy to navigate, and help was a simple phone call away.  Highly recommend!

Thanks!

[2cruisecats]

On 7/31/2024 at 9:49 AM, Clay Clayton said:

How easy and expensive did you find the self driving tour. Would love to do that but when I’ve looked at the price of accommodations, we have been scared away. 

Sorry for the delay in replying but we've been in Iceland for 3 weeks, just back today.  We did another self-drive & cruise there.  A v different experience from NZ!! (Long response as my brain is sleep deprived & I need more coffee).

 

We used First Light Travel in NZ, based on a recommendation from a Kiwi friend,  to arrange our drive portion.  They are so good.  They listen to what you want & not a top 10 thing.  Our initial contact was via email & then our assigned rep, Danielle,  arranged a time to call and chat & get to know us & our likes, dislikes, etc. After a few more email exchanges & calls, she provided an initial tour based on our likes and you go from there, make changes if needed, etc.  They booked all our hotels/cabins based on our requirements & arranged the car.  They also arranged some excursions for us (ballon ride, Milford Sound trip from Queenstown - bus down & flight back in a v small plane) and suggested others (wine tastings, trail walks, etc).  Initially we had a week in Australia as well but decided we wanted to be home before year end.

 

We stayed 2 days in Auckland & then flew to the South Island to pick up our car. (We did our own flights from Auckland to Nelson & Christchurch to Sydney).  Driving was easy & the roads are good and well signed, particularly in the south where they paint directional arrows on the road! There were some interesting roundabouts. Gas was $$ even for we Canadians.

 

Accommodation is based on want you want B&Bs, cottages, 5* hotels.  Our favourite -- our "tree house" in the rain forest. It was great to have all the accommodation arranged (and know it was safe) so you could take your time getting from A to B without worry. Yes, NZ is expensive compared to US & Canada.  Meals work out about the same as there is no tipping. 

 

Besides self-drive tours, they do coach, small group tours and private tours, adventure tours, etc. We have a friend who is joining a small group tour next month in NZ followed by Australia. 

Edited August 18 by 2cruisecats