soundcruiser

Seumas, yes - all future cruises on the Passage to India (Athens to Mumbai) are showing "sold out" in all categories here in the US, though the cruise itself still appears on the website. I think the handwriting is on the wall. I was hesitant to call Viking less than transparent, but truly it appears that is the case.

Seumas20, that is really interesting! I had assumed ( you know what that can lead to !!) the cancellation was proactively dealing with the political situation in the Middle East, as so many other lines have already done. I will be following your experience with great interest - I sure hope you successfully complete this trip! We had been looking forward to the itinerary for quite some time. Maybe we can catch it in a few years.

I totally agree about the problems with vouchers. Cash is usually the better option. In our case, we had not reached the final payment date yet, so we only had our $50 in deposit in the game. We were going to cancel before that date unless an acceptable alternative itinerary was presented, and even then some of the very reasons we booked this itinerary in the first place (Israel, Suez Canal, Egypt) were not going to exist. So, we have now added the Bali-Bangkok leg to our already booked Bangkok-Hong Kong cruise April 2025! It is our hope that the Passage to India itinerary re-emerges when, hopefully, the Middle East can find peace.

For those of us booked on this cruise, i just received an email from Viking stating that the Saturn has been redeployed to the Mediterranean. For those that paid in full, they are offering a voucher for 110% of monies paid. You may instead request a refund of monies paid. Deposits will be refunded as well. A $250 pp shipboard credit will be given to those rebooking on one of Saturn's new voyages: (1) Empires of the Mediterranean, embarking 12/20/2024, from Athens to Venice. (2) Mediterranean Odyssey, embarking 1/8/2025, from Venice to Barcelona. (3) Malta, Morocco, and the Mediterranean, embarking 1/20/2025, round trip Barcelona. We are certainly disappointed but had been hoping to hear of the plans for Saturn as transit of the Red Sea and docking in Israel seem to be unlikely in the near future. Good job, Viking, to proactively plan some excellent alternatives.

Hello, friends, After reading of the hurried decision you all face around yellow fever vaccines, I spoke with my husband, who is a board-certified MD specializing in infectious diseases and who has worked in the University of Washington travel medicine clinic the past 10 years. He gave me some statistics that may help you to make a decision. Total risk for the two most serious complications of the vaccine is: 1/100,000 for those under 60 years of age 3.5/100,000 for those 60-70 6/100,000 for those over 70 The risk of getting yellow fever is about 50/100,000 if you are in an endemic area ( Senegal looks like the only one you'll visit) for two weeks at peak season, which in Senegal is July-December. The risk is probably lower if you stay in urban areas. So, you will be traveling outside the peak season and for just a day or two. Using lots of mosquito spray with as high a percentage of DEET as you can tolerate will be very protective, as will keeping your skin covered as much as is possible. My husband believes the actual risk of contracting YF will be < 7/100,000 if you use the above mosquito precautions, since you going at a non-peak time. My husband recommends malaria prophylaxis for those traveling in South Africa, Namibia, and Senegal. I hope this reaches you all in time to make an informed decision, and we wish you a wonderful adventure as you continue the world cruise!

Agree with Janet and Twitchly - we loved this excursion! We always enjoy learning about the flora and fauna of an area, and the domesticated fauna at the farm were adorable (sheep) and majestic (horses). The farm is in a beautiful setting, and their mission of outreach to various groups is compelling. As were the pastries baked by the owner!☺️

I second Twitchly's recommendations - we did both those excursions and they were some of the best we've done anywhere!

I have also noticed that it is not working, Janet. I hope it is something temporary like solar storms, but if not, I hope it can be repaired soon. We'll be boarding in Greenwich in a couple of weeks, and I hope it is up and running so our family and friends can "travel" along with us! Not to mention that I just love checking every day to see the ports, etc.!

We are planning to take the Clippers as well when we board in September! Thanks for all the helpful info, Twitchly, Jim, and CC!!

This has been so much fun to read! It's been cold and rainy here in the PNW this weekend and you gave me a nice taste of warmth and sunshine! Thanks for taking the time to share with us!

Thanks so much, Garry, for your wonderful blog, sense of humor, and attention to details both verbal and pictorial! And, also for your honesty about the things that weren't ideal - we all know that "ship happens," and sometimes it's nice to be reminded that a great attitude can conquer annoyances big and small. I'm so looking forward to our B2B in September, and you have helped whet my appetite! Shelly

Yes.

Those of us eagerly anticipating boarding one of Viking's three ships under construction can now see their progress at Fincantieri Shipyards in Acona, Italy. Viking Mars, due for her shakedown Chairman's cruise May 22, is currently moored in Ancona. By going to the Panomax site ( viking.panomax.com/mars) you can view Mars' two sister ships, Neptune and Saturn, as they are being built nearby. You can either wait until daylight in Italy for a live view, or go to the clock at the bottom of the screen and hit the back arrow to travel back to yesterday evening. I'm getting so excited for our embarkation on Mars in September!