MSEm

I have found the way to resolve a problem, before the cruise or especially on the cruise is to send an email to tellus@vikingcruises.com. Tellus are the problem solvers. I agree that Viking and other cruise line lost many competent employees during the Covid shut down. Cabin stewards have always been excellent. Having completed 4 cruises since Viking restarted cruises after the lockdown, service on the river and ocean cruises have improved. The cruise with the most service problems was the Viking Mississippi New Orleans to Memphis. I think Viking Mississippi will have continuing service problems since the wait staff are mostly college age people looking for a job and adventure. Some of these USA hired employee told me that the job was not the fun job they thought it would be. As Viking Mississippi continues to operate I am sure that the wait staff will always be improving. All on board staff on our March 2023 South American cruise were excellent. I am positive the staff on our Great Lakes cruise will also be excellent.

I agree that Viking Mississippi is not the best Viking cruise to begin with. I would suggest a European River cruise or an ocean cruise to an area they would like to explore. We have completed many Viking Ocean and Viking River cruises. Viking has entered the Mississippi River Cruise late. We found that the food on Viking Mississippi (Dec 2022) was below Viking River and Ocean cruises. Also Viking (unless just recently added) did not have the Story Tellers found on the American Queen Cruises. Viking Mississippi cabins are great with no noise from adjacent cabins.

Where is the Restaurant located on Polaris? Is it on Deck 5? Thanks

We did a pre-tour to Madrid with Viking. Excellent guide, especially for the Pardo museum. Guide was explained how the different colors (paints) used in a painting reflected the cost. Also pointed out a painting that Ruben's had "copied" and also Rubens true "style" of the "same" scene. Our high speed train was First Class with a hot meal. It was wonderful to watch the landscape as we traveled to Barcelona. Which ever you choose, enjoy your tours and cruise.

One of the" benefits" of the Penthouse suites or higher is "free" laundry. It is returned folded in a box or on hangers. You fill out the laundry form and place it in the bag with items to be washed. Decks 7 & 8 do not have the launderettes We always bring "Command" strips and hangers. Add a few to hang rain/wind breakers or light jackets and hats. Also put a small one on the door to hang face mask when we were required to wear those..

Correction to my earlier post. We did a B2B in May 2009 not 1999. Small ship R/T Athens.

Read the shore excursions. Have your list ready and book as soon as possible for tours and dining. We were able to change some after boarding. We always request a shared table and have always had wonderful table mates. We had a very knowledgeable naturalist on board. Bird and animal watching was held most mornings and afternoons. Check this board for a very large posting on Tips (Hints) for Viking Newbies. Have a wonderful cruise

Read the shore excursion carefully for the Falkland Island. We had signed up for Volunteer Point, 2 hrs in a 4 wheeler to reach the Point. Several complained about the long off road ride. We switched to the Bluff Cove excursion. Had King and Gentoo penguins. Can get very close. Nice home made refreshments and gift shop. Viking added many groups to this excursions. We also booked the pre tour to Iguazu Falls. We arrived about 2:30 pm and were able to book the wet book ride into the falls. Stayed in hotel inside the national park. Excellent tour.

We have used "WhatsApp". We have found the "connection" using "WhatsApp" to be faster than using text messaging. Remeber 1985's post : You need to make sure your phone is in airplane mode but with WiFi turned on, or your texts will be charged at the cellular at sea rate that your phone company uses.

I have read that with the luggage delivery service that luggage is placed in your cabin. Questions: 1. How far in advance of your boarding date will the luggage be picked up? 2. How is the luggage handled when you are leaving the ship to return home? We are considering using the delivery service for a longer overseas cruise. Thanks for any and all info on using this service.

We did a B2B in 1999(?). Unfortunately the New Acropolis Museum was not open. We did the National Archaeological Museum. Both museums should not be missed, There were NO English paper guides and No maps or the many exhibit rooms. Because of no written guides I would take the excursion or find a recommended guide. I would also purchase a guide book for the museums or area before you leave on the cruise. I would tour the New Acropolis Museum on the turn over day. If shuttles are not running , have the front desk call a taxi for you. Note where your ship is docked before you leave. There is also a small museum in the area the cruise ships will be dock. Enjoy your cruise

If you book your own flights it is very convenient to have Viking meet you upon arrival. Make sure you complete and send in the "Request for Transfer" form. You can choose only arrival transfer or departure transfer. We have found that Viking transfers pricing is in line with other methods of transfers. With a Viking arrival transfer it is very nice to be met at an early arrival and have a relaxing place to wait to go to the ship.If you book your own arrival transfer, you will be sitting in the cruise terminal until Viking begins the boarding process. Enjoy your cruise

I suggest you call Viking and request a brochure for the ocean cruises. There are brochures for locations and also a brochure that covers all the ocean cruises. Also there is a very good deck plan in the brochures.

We enjoy having room service for breakfast when we have an early morning tour. Also we have used room service several time when we boarded late in the afternoon and World Cafe is closed. Room service has also been great when we are doing 2 tours at a port. We have also enjoyed getting the cheese plate with fruit for an afternoon snack while sitting on our balcony.

They also removed my favorites: French Onion Soup and the Ruben. I understand the tomato soup was removed from the Manfredi's menu.

We did the "Holiday cruise" in Dec 2022. No problems in the Main Dining Room., great food and very good service. They were still working out the staffing of the buffet dining. New employees that need to be told what to do. Service in the buffet area improved during the cruise.

My DH has the same problem. Always complaining that I only mumble. Also I often need to "translate" any announcements.

Thanks for the replies. We may take the included carriage tour in the AM. We can rent bikes for the afternoon.

Bike tours are offered on Mackinac Island and Georgian Bay (Parry Sound). The sub dives are offered in Georgian Bay, Killarney, Frazer Bay, and Parry Sound.

Thanks azdrydock. We will not have to pay extra. Will book just for the sub experience. Also if you have any good or bad shore excursion info. Plan to do the Rock & Roll and Ford museums. Hear anything about the 2 bike rides? Read that the rides are 8 miles and hilly.

Thanks to all for the dive information. If you dive or hear anyone talking about their dive location, please post the mini review. Also please post any good or negative mini reviews on the other shore excursions. Question on the bicyle tours: Flat land or hilly? Also how long is the actualy ride?

We are are booked on the Sept 12, 2023 Great Lakes Cruise. Submarine Dives are offered in 4 locations. Thunder Bay, Silver Islet, Georgian Bay (Killarney), and Frazer Bay, This is the order of the ports for our cruise. I know the Submarine Dive is an expensive "tour. Which one of these "ports" would be the best for a "dive". I realize that weather can effect the viewing or result in cancellation of a dive. Any info on these dives or other shore tours is appreciated. Thanks for all the great info on this site.

Thank you. We are booked for a March 2024 cruise. I will start booking some of the excursions.

Can you book excursions before making final cruise payment?

wonderful trip.