Heidi13

They do use the smaller machine for pax laundry, but the capacity is still substantial, sorry it's been 2-years since we did the tour and can't recall the actual number. Your items are washed with others; however, we found the laundry staff extremely responsive to any specific requests. If unable to comply, or unsure, we received a call from the laundry supervisor to clarify.

Wow - that significantly increases the stress on the fabric, especially at the diffuser. The average age of US rafts must be a few years less than SOLAS rafts. When I managed our service station, the average age of our smaller 25 DL/TO's was over 20 years, with some closing in on 30 years. Really ticked off the OEM's who wanted them condemned about 15 - 18 yrs old, so they could sell replacements.

My ships had 4 RIB's and yes, we filled them with a foot pump, not compressed air. The rapid inflation with compressed air also puts additional stress on the fabric. Not such an issue with liferafts, as they are designed for single use and for annual testing only receive gas inflations every 5-yrs. Another consideration is the ship's SMS. If the SMS includes boilerplate text regarding compliance with OEM manuals, if the OEM recommends a foot pump, use of compressed air is a non-compliance.

Jim, Pressure reduction due to cooling is a concern, but I expect the temperature in the garage is close to ambient temperature, as the shell door and stern door are open for launch and recovery. This can also be addressed in the SMS, with the collars re-checked once in the water and topped-up. The fabric should never be inflated to 3x working pressure, so they should rarely, if ever need to be deflated. Affirmative on low pressure, which is why I previously posted that I could understand how a bladder failure caused an explosive release. I have seen the techs cut the bladders that fail the annual test. They stick a knife in and they just deflate.

Clay - Thanks for posting this. Inflating tubes that don't have pressure relief valves with compressed air is downright dangerous. I used RIB's for > 20 yrs and never used compressed air, only the provided foot pump. Having the tube pressure at almost 3 x OEM recommended working pressure is a significant error. It's many years since I managed the service station, so memory is hazy, I recall we only inflated to about 2x WP during the annual recertification. A competent operator should have identified this during the pre-trip inspection. Although we didn't use a pressure gauge, we checked the tubes on entering the boat, topping up when soft and bleeding air, if too hard. Since other boats were found with similar pressures, I question the contents of Viking's safety management system regarding the preparation, maintenance and operation of the RIB's. If the OEM recommended filling with foot pump and working pressure were included in the SMS, this incident resulted from culpable human error, as the requirements of the SMS should be followed. If this is not included in the SMS, I question the ship managers in developing a comprehensive SMS, especially as RIB's are routinely used by pax.

I haven't tendered in Monaco, but they have 2 options for cruise ships - the main harbour or the smaller boat harbour west of the rock. Haven't heard of Niceville, but the city of Nice is 10 - 12 mls west of Monaco. Both are interesting places to wander independently.

Not wanting to hijack the OP's thread, but I really enjoy discussions on ship's stability. which I learned from the same source as MBP&O2/0 - Derretts Stability for Masters & Mates, the Stability Bible. In addition, my almost 30 yrs in command of pax vessels, confirm my previous post that size of ship does not greatly influence sea keeping ability in heavy weather.

As Azulann posted, please check the itinerary on your pax statement, as Monaco/Monte Carlo has a number of docking/tendering options. If berthing in Monaco, it does have a berth, which is on the inner side of the breakwater. Probably about a mile to the train station. Only 1 ship can dock alongside, so you can also tender into Monaco, but I'm not sure where they land. Another tendering option is Villefranche-sur-Mer, which is a sheltered bay just east of Nice.

Here's the link to the investigation, which is still ongoing. https://havarikommisjonen.no/Sjofart/Undersokelser/19-262

Affirmative, the AIBN should publish their findings. Their website doesn't have an update since March 2022.

If it costs $8 billion to build a small/medium ship, you would get minimal repair, regulatory and refurbishment work on existing tonnage for $200 million. Regardless of price, the fact remains that as tonnage ages, it requires more frequent inspections and maintenance. Older tonnage also has the increased potential for schedule disruptions, and when in maintenance periods, greater arisings that were not evident when the scope of work was developed. Arisings are significantly more expensive, at times up to 9x more than planned work. You also must consider the potential for regulatory changes and the cost of upgrading existing tonnage, if not grandfathered. Therefore, as tonnage ages beyond the normal sell by date, risk tolerance and many other factors are significant considerations.

Nobody can provide a definitive answer on when disembarkation will commence due to the number of variables, most of which are outside the control of the cruise line. The 06:15 ETA is "Estimated" time of arrival and while on turnaround day, Masters endeavour to arrive earlier, lots of reasons can cause arrival delays. Once alongside, you have the time taken to clear the ship, which can vary depending on ports of call and any issues, then you have to clear US Customs & Border patrol, which can vary depending on potential staff shortages. The clearance times also vary based on pax nationality, as all non-US & Canadian pax require finger-prints & photos, which slows the process at the booths. Yes, we have experienced this a number of times. Although only about 20 miles from the port, L/A traffic can be horrendous, so it could take anywhere from 1 to 2 hrs from San Pedro to LAX, especially early morning. Last time we did this trip it was LAX to San Pedro, departing LAX about 12:30 and it took almost 1 hr with moderate traffic. Personally, 14:00 to 15:00 is the earliest we would book a flight out of LAX on day of arrival. If your flight is earlier, unless you have high risk tolerance and ready access to alternative flights, you may want to consider changing your flight.

Similar to the pax on board, I'm eagerly awaiting the final report, so hoping it is published soon.

There are a number of seasickness remedies available before suggesting pax use the Scopolamine transdermal patch, which I believe in UK, similar to Canada, is/was available over the counter. Only in USA is it a prescription medication. However, many pax have significant side affects with this medication. Wrist bands, ginger, gravol, etc are highly recommended before getting into the patch. With respect to ships, the size of a ship has very little bearing on the sea keeping abilities in seas. Stabilisers are also only effective against transverse motion, as they have no effect on longitudinal or pitching. Having worked on the great British liners of the 60's & 70's, I would much rather be on SS Oriana, SS Canberra or SS QE2 rather than any of the modern mega ships in rough seas.

Credit Card v's eTransfer - From a purely financial perspective, Viking offer 3.3% discount if you use the eTransfer. This initially seems to be a significant saving over using a credit card. However, you need to compare the 3.3% eTransfer savings with any benefits you receive from your credit card. When I did the comparison, although the credit card rewards are < 3%, when I receive credit card points, then convert them to airline miles, when they offer a premium, I can make significantly more savings on flights by using the credit card. To quantify, the eTransfer savings on a World Cruise didn't provide sufficient cash for a single first/business flight to Europe, but using my credit card, then converting points to airlines miles, I received sufficient points for 2 r/t first/business flights to Europe. Obviously this is based on your needs and credit card terms. Credit Card insurance - you need to carefully read the terms & conditions of your credit card regarding what reasons are eligible for disputing a charge and if your card carries any trip interruption/medical insurance, and what are the max coverage and exclusions. Similar process for understanding what is covered and not covered with 3rd party insurance. With insurance, every policy is great value until you make a claim. it also pays to know the claim reporting procedure and time lines.

Unfortunately she hasn't moved and the sea trials destination has been removed from the AIS, so they could have been testing/inspecting it when I checked earlier today.

Clay, Although she is currently still alongside, the AIS now shows her heading out for sea trials, so possibly departing later today.

After the 2020 World Cruise we also received a cheque for the refundable OBC. Arrived about 6 weeks after we disembarked.

Clay, Affirmative, the AIS still has her at Ancona and flying the Italian flag, so not yet handed over to the owners. She left the berth back in December, but only for a short period, so not sure if she has completed sea trials.

On a westbound cruise from North America to Australia, the cloxs are put back on multiple nights. On this type of cruise, most changes are 1 hr per night. The objective is to keep Meridian Altitude, when the sun is at the highest point, close to Noon (ship's time). Most cruise lines also endeavour to have the ship at the correct local time in each port. When cloxs go back, my experience is the change is always implemented at 02:00. Depending on ports of call, you may cross the International Date Line (IDL) multiple times, but they usually only adjust the ship's date once. Westbound you miss a day, putting cloxs ahead by 24 hrs. When sailing eastbound from Australia to North America, the cloxs are put ahead on multiple dates. The same objectives, as per westbound sailings, drive the time changes. However, some Masters will adjust the cloxs at Noon, or close to Noon, rather than the more traditional 02:00. While this has a pax benefit of not losing sleep, it is primarily to assist with managing the mandated crew hours of rest. Crossing the IDL, you gain a day, so cloxs are put back by 24 hrs, so you experience the same date twice.

Whether you are booked on a 7-day or 121-day cruise, the process for being referred to shore medical facilities is the same, in any given port. However, the assistance provided can vary depending on your issue and whether Viking have permanent staff at that port. As per the previous response, whether you have Viking insurance, or a 3rd party policy, makes no difference to any ship assistance you may receive. If hospitalised, once picked up from the ship by ambulance, the insurance coverage, provided your claim is accepted, is responsible for your treatment and repatriation. In some ports, if Viking has a staff presence, you may receive some visits, but I certainly wouldn't expect that service. You can also receive assistance from your country's consulate. When the ship's doctor recommends treatment and/or tests ashore, the ship may arrange transportation (taxi) to the medical facility where they booked the appointment. The taxi may be at your expense and the treatment/test will also be at your expense. Again, it is best to ensure you are covered by the insurance. Will the ship send a crew member with you to assist - possibly, but in reality probably unlikely. In summary, plan to be on your own and depending on which port and the ship's staff, you may get some assistance. As with any insurance policy, please ensure you have read it thoroughly, knowing what is covered and what is NOT covered (exclusions). It is also critical to know the reporting a claim procedure and the time limits. Late reporting can be reason to deny a claim.

Since you used a US travel agent, they do not have the same consumer protections, as are available in the UK. As wowzz mentioned, your only recourse to getting money back may be through your credit card. When you use a US based TA, you are accepting the higher risks.

Totally agree. After suffering with a cell phone 24/7/365, I haven't had one since I retired 10 years ago. Been around the World 3 times, a couple of African safaris, 5 months in UK and many thousands of miles in the RV and never needed a phone. Never missed the darn thing.

Haven't experience that before. I believe most will accept bookings until the day before departure. Haven't tried that ourselves, but have met pax that booked day before.

Unfortunately, determining wave heights, especially from a Bridge about 80' above the water is little more than an educated guess. At least in my days, some of the officers may have embellished information provided to pax and then waited for the inevitable laundry rumours to start circling around the ship. Although you don't see the Deck Officers around the ship too often, these days, similar situations could possibly still occur.