larry1365

Can someone explain what the four, tall, dark posts are on either side of the aft infinity pool.?They appear in only some of the various Viking Ocean photos?

Thanks, Peregrina, You are correct. I didn't post a link to USA Today; didn't realize one could.

Yes, the link below my signature is to my 2010 Regent World Cruise journal.

USA Today's Feb 29 website Travel section has a "First look: Inside Viking Ocean Cruises' new Viking Sky," with 109 photos by Gene Sloan. If you tap the first photo you can read the captions. Folks who have cruised on the Sky's two sister ships may notice some subtle differences. The only ones noted by Sloan are a smaller hair salon (due to lighter than expected customer usage) and a larger fitness center.

Ooops! This is from today's online edition, March 1.

USA Today's Feb 29 website Travel section has a "First look: Inside Viking Ocean Cruises' new Viking Sky," with 109 photos by Gene Sloan. If you tap the first photo you can read the captions. Folks who have cruised on the Sky's two sister ships may notice some subtle differences. The only ones noted by Sloan are a smaller hair salon (due to lighter than expected customer usage) and a larger fitness center.

All sounds good to me for our Viking Sun 2018 World Cruise....maybe even more by then.

Sorry...I meant to post the good news this board also, re: required visas for the WC being paid by Viking> A great perk and less hassle.

Thanks. A complete review.

Lindblad's National Geo Explorer is certainly not a "trawler." Our 23-day Antarctica trip included visits to South Georgia and The Falklands.It was a life-changing experience. The naturalists, Zodiac landings and open bridge really added to the experience. I would highly recommend it...and it enabled us to add our seventh continent.

When the Navigator left here last week it was a few hours late even though it had been here overnight. Yes, there was rain on Friday and briefly on Saturday morning. But the reason given was delayed provisioning.

In 2010, the Voyager World Cruise started here in San Diego. The ship also left late due to provisioning. In that instance, the longshoremen left at the end of their shift at 5pm. Everyone had to scramble to get some to come in to complete the provisioning. We left 4-5 hours late. The Captain said he would never start a cruise from here again.

Your pictures were beautiful. What type of camera? What lens was used to get the dramatic panorama shots? Thanks.

Anyone blogging from this cruise? I always enjoy reading them. Thanks.

I hope to do one. We embark from LA on Jan 5, 2018. Still more than a year away!

True, but there are timing issue. A Chinese visa cannot be applied for more than 3 months before the date of entry into the country. If they wait for that three months window to kick in, they might not have their passports back in time to board the ship. They don't reach Shanghai until Day 83 of the cruise (Day 62, leaving from LA). Even if they go to the consulate personally, it takes two visits--one to deliver the paperwork and passport and another a few days later to pick up the passport. Working by mail can take 3 weeks.

 

BTW, somebody started an "all things world cruise" thread in this forum and this sounds like just the topic that should be brought up in that thread.

FYI, I took Peregina' suggestion and updated what I know about visas on the the "All Things Viking World Cruise" thread.

On another Viking thread (in Dec 2016) folks were wondering about Visas for the WC, paticularly China and India due to the timing of when one can apply and alleviate the worry that passports would not be returned before departure.

I discussed needed visas with my TA couple months ago. I suggested that Viking consider the obtaining of visas as an included amenity such as Regent did for our 2 WCs with them.

Most of the group entry docs will be obtained by the ship's purser in individual ports. In a couple countries we had to show up in person in the theater soon after docking.

For the 2-3 countries that required actual visas in individual passports, Regent paid for us to use their selected passport agency to obtain them. We had the passports back in plenty of time for our 111- and 119-day WCs.

My TA in Oct said that Viking was unsure of which countries would require individual visa and how they would be handled. I will be asking my TA again to ask the questions in January and to encourage Viking to include it as an amenity.

We've been on 2 world cruises, both with Regent (2007 and 2010). Wonderful experiences.

On the first one we though about all the ports we would visit and had not really thought about shipboard life. And that was a great part of the trip. It was excellent. After 111 days and 119 days, we made some really good friends -- going to lectures, on excursions, cocktails and dining together. It was basically all inclusive, as will be the first Viking World Cruise in 2018.

The Regent Voyager is a 700 pax ship and had about 600-650 onboard each of its 5 segments, about 235-250 who went all the way.

I understand that the 930 pax Sun is already pretty much sold out except for the 3 mid-to-lower categories. We signed up last May for the yet-to-be built Viking Sun's 120-day version of the 2018 WC from LA to London. Can't wait!

We are also looking at the 11 day from San Juan, for either Jan/Feb of 2017. We didn't even know Viking had ocean ships and got their latest catalog and wow, this itinerary looks amazing!

 

After researching the ship I'm blown away...we've always sailed mainstream lines but this is a 20th anniversary for us so we want it to be special! (Side question- we are mid 40's and hoping there will be some young-at-heart folks on this cruise...)

 

That said, are Viking cruises only booked through Viking? I know TA's can't be named, but I haven't been able to find many online TA's that list these new cruises. Are there any savings to be had looking for a TA, or is it best just to book through Viking?

 

Thanks in advance!

In my experience, it is always best to book thru a TA. Haven't found one yet where you can't get a discount or included credits, perks, etc.

Jim -- Thank you so much for this intelligent, thoughtful, video review. It sure whets our appetite for the 120-day World Cruise on the Viking Sun in Jan 2018.

One suggestion...don't miss St. Giles Cathedral -- and its beautifully carved Thistle Chapel. (The mother church of Presbyterianism -- John Knox is buried out back -- now a plaque in a parking lot!)

There is another Viking Ocean thread that might be of interest:

All Things Viking World Cruise.

Just read thru all you posts and they increased my enthusiasm for Viking Ocean. Thanks. I have really enjoyed the looks of the ships that I have seen online. I expect the Sun to be very similar except for some artwork, rugs, etc.

We truly did love our Viking cruise and no, they did not have any sea days on this itinerary. As far as trusting that they can handle the multiple sea days involved in a world cruise, we would not be willing to do that. 141 days is very long time to be wrong. We know that certain people at Viking are fighting to add what we believe is necessary for us to feel comfortable on that long of a cruise. Having previously done a world cruise, we have a pretty good idea of the type of things we would like to see. We certainly don't expect them all and even know that some will not be included, but we will be watching to see what activities Viking adds. We may decide to wait until after they have done their first one before we make the plunge. In the meantime I am sure we will find other itineraries on Viking that work for us.

We have taken two Regent World Cruises (2007 and 2010) and loved them so much that we have signed on to the Viking Sun's 2018 120-day WC (starting from LA, not Fla., because we didn't want to be away for Christmas). Though Regent didn't have a lot of sea day "activities" -- we both enjoyed fine lectures, I played water volleyball and my wife participated in social bridge. I am confident that Viking will do a good job on the lectures and has enough relaxing areas to enjoy the sea days.

Aaron Sanders does such a good job. Looking forward to his continuing reports.

Yes, Jason, I apologize for getting your first name wrong. Trying to listen to TV and not paying enough attention! Enjoyed our conversations last year. Congratulations on the new pub and the changes to the Seven Seas Society.

Received mine today. Nice effort. Congratulations to Sean O'Keefe, manager of the Seven Seas Society. A good way to touch base with past cruisers. Hopefully Regent can cut back on the multitude of weekly mailings. (No, the correct TA wasn't beside the the mailing address, but no problem. Our current Society status was printed inside the cover. Nice touch.)

We are on that crossing. Quite surprised to read that after all your posts regarding Regent the past couple of years that you would consider returning to her. Sorry to read that you do feel that "things are lower quality than the touted luxury". Having just been on the Explorer, IMO, it could not be more "luxury" (despite what some feel about included excursions).

 

Larry, not sure what your post implies. Anyone can feel the way they want to about Regent. Sometimes, however, I do question why people that have not cruised on Regent for a few years bother to post about how their experiences on Regent when they sailed in the past. I would certainly not suggest that you would change your mind if you sailed on Regent today. However, I hope that people that left Regent for whatever reason years ago may consider giving her another chance (again, despite how you may feel about included excursions.)

 

While I understand that per diems on some other cruise lines may be less than on Regent, we feel that Regent (especially the Explorer) is worth every penny. While the per diems are high, I would rather take fewer cruises than save a few dollars and end on a cruise line of lesser quality. IMO, Regent has raised the bar for all luxury cruise lines. And, I can't help but wonder what Silversea's new "Muse" will look like - especially after the owner was onboard the Explorer for the Christening.

 

In any case, to each his/her own. We started with Regent -- tried two other cruise lines and are happy to be "home".

Our last Regent cruise was 2-1/2 yrs ago. And I thought I was fairly clear. To each his own. I just thought Del Rio's crowing about highest per diems needed a comment. I agree, to each his own. That's why there are umpteen choices of ice cream.

And don't worry, Travelcat, I won't be commenting on the Regent board very often -- though I do look forward to hearing about my friends' Explorer inaugural season cruises and the 2017 Nav WC.

Yes - she goes into dry dock in Sept./October (forget the exact dates). She should look amazing! I believe that the fabulous new Compass Rose menu will be rolled out and perhaps Chartreuse (replacing Signatures).

I know not to argue with Travelcat. But the higher per diems, such as the $1,000 per day per person for a week-long Alaskan cruise, just put Regent out of our league. There are people who can afford that, and that's fine.

After 4 very enjoyable Regent cruises, we have signed up for Viking Ocean's 120-day World Cruise. Yes, the ship is larger (930 vs. 700) than our previous experiences on two Voyager WC's, but by signing up early the Viking perks and TA discounts were substantial. (Plus, it includes business airfare home from London.) And the total cost is less than our 2007 and 2010 Regent WC's of 111 and 119 days. Viking Ocean, which has received lots of accolades, markets itself as "Premium," though some say it should be "Luxury." We shall see.