Heidi13

If you have concerns regarding the driver, these should be addressed with the Shore-ex Manager, as Viking always encourage shore-ex feedback. Discounting the driver, with respect to the tour description, you experienced exactly what I expected, based on my research regarding this tour. While the specific location of the seal colony isn't named, they did mention a lighthouse, so I quickly determined it was a Cape Pallister, which my notes indicate is about 75 miles from the port. The tour description mentions crossing Remutaka Mountain, so when I checked Google Maps, it showed a 2-lane mountainous road with lots of turns. Based on Wellington traffic and the mountain road, I figured at least 2 - 3 hrs to the Seal Colony. Since the tour is listed as 7 hrs, I figured about 45 mins at each of the seal colony and the winery. About 5 hrs city and mountain driving didn't seem worthwhile to get about 1.5 - 2 hrs at the tour highlights. For this reason we did not consider this tour. Although it doesn't include a winery, the Tongue Point tour, based on tour descriptions, seemed a better option for viewing seals.

Viking Ocean - if you don't want anything from the regular cabin service menu, they will bring whatever you request from the Main Dining Room or a specialty restaurant. All included in the base fare and available to all cabins.

Can't compare World Cruises from HAL & Princess, as we have used Princess (20215) and Viking (2020). If you are interested in those comparisons, please check our travel blog andyandjudi.com After spending 40 years both working and cruising with Princess, the 2015 World Cruise was our last. It may have gone around the World, but in reality it was no more than multiple segments and to fill cabins around Australia, they even sold mini-coastal segments, some of which were 2 nights. On departure, less than 600 of 2,200 were doing the entire cruise. In 2020, most World Cruises were curtailed. Our Viking cruise stopped in Dubai, where Viking made arrangements for every pax to fly home, and paid for the flights. Once the flights stopped they still had 8 Canadian pax who couldn't get flights. We were 2 of the 8 and were kept on board for 3 more weeks until they could find a country willing to accept us and fly us home. This was completely free. HAL stopped their WC in Freemantle. All pax with HAL Air got their flights home arranged and paid for. Those without HAL Air were disembarked to try and find their own flights and hotel.

Probably best to call them directly - (800) 845-8968

That hasn't been our experience when comparing brand-name, generic and OTC medications between Canada and UK since the 1980's. It also wasn't out experience when purchasing medications in Dubai in 2015, compared to medication names in Canada. We found Dubai closely resembled those used in UK.

Good question and unfortunately not one I can answer, as whenever we had Hi-fog installed, it was throughout all enclosed spaces.

The reports indicate it was extinguished by the crew, but in reality it was most likely extinguished by the Hi-Fog sprinkler system that extinguishes a fire in seconds, before the crew were even on scene.

As I previously posted, the Master acts in accordance with the company policy and laws of the Flag State. Since the flag state is not evident from the photo, how can you possibly know this is illegal? Most cruise ships are flagged in "Flags of Convenience" which are known for having minimalist laws. Having spent almost 30 yrs in command of pax vessels, if I recommended charges of child endangerment every time we saw someone securely holding a child on the railing, I would probably be seeking an alternative career. This is unsafe, not illegal and is resolved by requesting they remove the child from the railing and not do it again. If they do it again, it becomes an illegal act by the parent/guardian by refusing to follow the legal order of the Master.

In my experience of 40 years of travel, prescriptions issued by a doctor in 1 country are not valid in another country. Another issue is medications have different names in different countries. There are countries on a World Cruise where medications can be purchased without prescriptions, but you need to be very careful. In Dubai, we visited a chemist recommended by on son, who worked in the country, to replace our stock of anti-biotics and some other meds. Fortunately, DW is familiar with drug names, so with discussions with the chemist knew she was receiving what she wanted, as the names were different.

Prior to booking the 2023 World Cruise, we moved the booking twice to a different cruise and dates. We retained the original booking number with the new Pax Statement showing the costs of the new cruise and also credits for all monies paid for the original, or prior cruise. It included the cruise fare, air plus, tripmate insurance, SSBP, etc. Therefore, in our case, we did receive credit for the Tripmate costs.

Last time we disembarked in Tilbury, on clearing the baggage reclaim shed we walked out to the parking area and were asked what transportation we had planned. We had an executive car waiting, which they called over to pick us up. Those wanting taxis, advised taxi and they called one from the queue outside the gate.

Rob has provided great advice. When cancelling a World Cruise, Viking did offer to provide us multiple vouchers of $10,000K, rather than 1 single large voucher pp. So request your TA to raise the multiple FCV option with Viking. Note - the FCV's issued by Viking, for the CFAR in the insurance policy, are only valid for 1-year. Please read the T&C very carefully.

Yesterday, my wife read a very interesting article from a pax on a cruise ship in this region, about the time of this incident. They reported coming across Drake Passage in rough seas back to Ushuaia and the ship experienced a failure of a stabiliser. They didn't mention the ship's name, but I haven't heard of any other ships in that region having issues. If the ship knew about the issue prior to arrival Ushuaia, but didn't advise the pax on the next cruise until after departure, that is deplorable.

Just to clarify. If you received a cash refund from the insurance company (Tripmate), you did not cancel under the CFAR terms and conditions, as those cancellations only receive vouchers, which come directly from Viking. Since you received a cash payment from the insurance company, you cancelled using one of the covered risks in Part B of the insurance policy. This is managed entirely by the insurance company, not Viking. When you make a claim under Part B, Viking are only the sales agent, similar to your local insurance broker. Should anyone receive one of these emailed cheques from Tripmate, here is my experience I received an email from a 3rd party - Deluxe Cheques, which included a link to the actual cheques. I printed them at home and on presenting them at the bank, it did take some time, as nobody at the bank had heard of this service. They could not be processed as per normal cheques. If you receive these types of cheques, the bank has to follow the instructions printed on the cheque and call the included number, which provided verified me as the depositor and provided the bank a reference number to process. At least this is the process in Canada, might be easier in the US. Other than printing at home, they provided 3 other options for an online direct deposit, but they all reduced the amount by about 5%. Since the cheques are different, my bank advised it could take up to 10 days to clear, rather than the normal 3 - 4 days.

Affirmative. At the control heads you select the area(s) of the ship to receive the announcement. To reach pax cabins they select pax cabins or all ship.

Clay, I believe you are correct, as I recall reading that the Crystal assets were purchased by A&K Travel Group, with a Manfredi company being part owner.

From Tilbury, you can take the train into Fenchurch St Station where you can access the underground. For car service, we use Addison Lee. Dublin - check out these options, hopefully they are all still operating HoHo Bus - 3 different operators Little Gem Tours o Full day tours from Dublin to the countryside o https://www.littlegemtours.com/ Kennedy & Carr o Full day tours from Dublin o https://www.kennedycarr.com/about-us

Since the L/A Office is only a sales office, it is not surprising that they are not privy to operational issues on a current cruise. The ships do not report to L/A.

This is an excellent point, as the initial post-COVID cruises in Iceland, UK, Europe & Caribbean also had numerous challenges. Add NZ starting to enforce their hull fouling standards and it is always going to cause issues of missed ports. The 2 Princess ships didn't help matters either, with the Ruby Princess back in 2000 and then the Majestic Princess with 800 cases immediately after cruising resumed.

Correct, you cannot address every action during the welcome aboard talk. The sitting on a railing is a dangerous act, not an illegal act, so the Master would have to act accordingly, with any punishment being commensurate with the action. I have experienced this a number of times, as the Master of a ship, issuing a stern warning. However, as I noted, if sitting on a railing was addressed during the welcome aboard, then it would be countermanding the order of the Master, which is an offense, which could result in removal from the ship. As a Master, I certainly didn't make decisions based on business, but I am definitely from the old school of ship Masters.

Unfortunately not a reasonable comparison, as the throwing overboard is an illegal act, which the Master will act upon. Sitting on a railing is an unsafe act, not an illegal act.

By booking on the US website you are subject to their Terms & Conditions, which do not include the same consumer protection laws you have in the UK. I would also be diligent in comparing the entire scope, as UK cruises tend to be more inclusive, whereas US pricing has numerous additional costs. Another risk of booking on the US site is currency fluctuations. I have tracked the Sterling exchange rate daily, for the past year, and it has fluctuated widely. Therefore, what seems like a good deal, may end up costing more. However, as with all risks, it pays to research thoroughly and only you can determine if the additional risks of booking on the US website are worth the reward.

Clearly this is both stupid and dangerous, but does it warrant a forced disembarkation from the ship at the next port. If reported to the Master, s/he must follow the Cruise Line's Terms & Conditions, so without knowing them it is impossible to determine what consequences the Master may enact. Unless sitting on a railing is specifically mentioned during the welcome aboard announcements during the Muster Drill, the Master will probably issue a stern warning, with the pax advised of the consequences of a repeat. If sitting on a railing is specifically noted during the announcements, that can be construed as not following the legal orders of the Master, which may get you disembarked.

The ship will advise what requirements have been enacted by the local authorities. In addition to the National Standards, you also have to consider the interpretations made by the local authorities. Therefore, always best to read what is posted in the Viking Daily and if you think it is acceptable to take packaged bars ashore, declare to the local authorities upon leaving the ship.

Travel times by road in London can vary widely. I recall a trip from Canary Wharf, just across the river from Greenwich taking over 1.5 hrs.