Heidi13

Affirmative, owned by RCI

Since Cruisemapper is often inaccurate, for a definitive answer I would only check the Port of London Authority to confirm which dock the vessel is using. It will also be included on your Guest Statement. I'll also suggest that since all the 3rd party websites get their information from the cruise lines that I would tend to believe the cruise line, before a non-affiliated 3rd party.

If the mooring lines are damaged they have spares onboard.

I wouldn't believe anything you receive from the L/A office, especially if it relates to the ship's operation. Ships carry a multitude of ropes for a variety of uses, but the ones they were most likely making reference to were the mooring lines. In 40 yrs at sea I have NEVER seen a situation where a ship couldn't dock because of mooring line issues. I have twice experienced unplanned departures from the dock, once to due a large ship passing at speed and the other an intense squall. In both cases we lost multiple mooring lines, but managed to throw a bowline in the damaged end and send it back out. Once stabalised, we spliced new eyes onto the lines and replaced ones damaged beyond repair. Therefore, the probability of a ship being denied entry into a port due to mooring lines is slim to none.

Wow, a detailed answer to this question, without knowing your preferences, could fill an entire novel, so here is the Cole's Notes version. - My primary preference is to have other cabins on both sides, and above/below to increase the potential for a quiet cabin. - Since DW is subjected to motion of the ocean, we look for a midships cabin on a lower deck. Deck 4 meets both these objectives, with the midships cabins being DV4's above the lifeboats. Have spent 80 days in one of those cabins and provided the Deck Dept know how to correctly stow boats, we never heard any noise, except when preparing the boats for tendering and the small electric accumulator pump running occasionally. - On many cruise lines they suggest not to book cabins by the lifts, laundry, etc. Many on this board have indicated no noise issues. We were close to the laundry and had no noise issues from the alleyway. - Dk 5 cabin also meet the requirements of the 1st two points, but are a little higher, so a little more movement - The fwd suites are significantly larger, but have no fwd accessible balcony, can be affected by thruster vibration during docking and anchor noise in heavy weather and anchoring operations. Spent 3 weeks in a fwd suite and it had way more noise and movement than our DV4. - Aft suites also have the potential for thruster and main prop rumble/vibration, but do have great aft facing views. - Dk 8 cabins have more movement and the potential for noise from the sports deck above. - Dk 6 cabins have potential from noise on the open decks/World Cafe above - Dk 3 cabins above the Star Theatre and Torshavn have the potential for noise from performances. - If opting for a PV, you may have a preference for a slider or hinged door to the balcony. A spreadsheet is posted on another thread showing door assignments by cabin number. - Bed direction - some cabins have the bed on the fwd bulkhead, others the aft bulkhead. If this is an issue you can ask the question for a specific cabin.

Affirmative Chief. We heard them weighing the anchor about 04:00, so with the transit to the canal entrance taking about an hour, we entered the southern approaches about 05:00. If naval ships, or ships chartered to a navy were making the transit, then the cruise ships would start a little later.

The T&C are what governs the use of the card. That is where informed consumers check to understand the coverage and exclusions. If you don't read the T&C prior to purchasing how do you know what risks are covered and more importantly, what risks aren't covered.

Affirmative, Zharko is on the Expedition Ships, last I heard. Now married and has a new baby. Just saw a photo of the baby this morning.

Worst I experienced was just West of Hawaii when we were heading to Japan. Had to "Hove to" for a couple of days, which means head into the wind and steam at the minimum speed to maintain steering. Over the time we were hove-to, we lost 30 miles. Very few crossings are that bad. Provided you don't experience a frontal depression, you have the trade winds behind you outbound and right ahead on the return. If you get the trade winds, they normally max out about 25 kts.

Yes, it is one of the berths used by the shipyards working out of the Graving Dock, which is why I noted if it was available. Should be long enough whereas the South Berth is definitely not long enough. Would definitely require planning. Can't think of anywhere else around Victoria that can handle a 1.000' cruise ship. Being anchored off Brotchie Ledge, tendering into Ogden Point can also be tough if the wind is blowing.

It is clearly written in the Terms & Conditions of the credit card, so how is that a loop hole. As with any insurance, it pays to read and understand the T&C, especially the exclusions. Sure pays to be an informed consumer.

Made the crossing a number of times, every one is different.

You can hear the announcements on a channel on the cabin telly, but pax have no way of configuring which area(s) of the ship receive P/A announcements. The zone(s) are selected at the control station, prior to hitting the transmit button.

Also from the North, but the North Wet Coast, where we are thankfully rid of that horrible white stuff and freezing temperatures. Just sitting down, enjoying a pleasant hazy Milkshake IPA, prior to dinner.

The OP asked about booking last minutes deals, which I assume means they are looking for the deals provided by mega ships to fill the remaining cabins. I'm having difficulty understanding why employee, relative & TA pricing is relevant, as even if they were available, it wouldn't be to the general public. BTW - at least on the cruise line I know, the relative cruises are not just available to last minute bookings. The reason you can't find these, is you need to either work for the cruise line, or have a family member/friend that works for the cruise line. The fare rules also require non-disclosure, hence the reason they are not normally discussed.

Correct, shipyard can't build anything unlawful, as the design/build specs issued by the owner will have boilerplate text - such as in accordance with all International, National and Class Rules, etc. While local governments can implement health and safety regulations for shipyards, the design rules for commercial ships in most countries are managed by the Classification Societies. Even before I retired, all plan approval had been delegated from Flag (Government) to Class (Classification Society) in Canada, and we were one of the later countries to delegate. Class must still follow national standards, but they are driven by International Conventions.

Unfortunately the size of the ship is not a major influence on seakeeping abilities, case in point being the first, or an early RCCL gigantic of the sea class being damaged during the delivery to North America. Of all cruise ships currently operating, QM2 has the best sea keeping ability and she isn't the biggest. Also the liners I worked on were smaller than the Viking ships, but could handle the seas better than any current ship. Have completed a World Cruise on a Viking ship, which included 2 Tropical Revolving Storms and a significant frontal depression. The ship handled the seas very well. Another consideration is the vast improvement in forecasting and weather routing advice the Masters receive. So even if you do experience a significant frontal depression, if the Master has time, they can miss the worst. BTW - in addition to seeing numerous storms in the Atlantic, I have also 1 crossing when it was a millpond.

Totally agree, as I'm always out on Deck when visiting the glaciers.

Both piers at Ogden Point can handle 4 ships. Not the best arrangement, but if the North Wall in Esquimalt is available, the 5th ship could go there. It isn't a DND berth, being operated by Public Works.

Depends on where you want to cruise and if you require Visas, flights, etc.

Thanks for the update, which confirms my assumptions in post # 9

If you are referring to the CFAR available from the Tripmate insurance sold by Viking, it does not provide a refund. If your reason for the cancellation is not a covered risk, as noted in Part B of the policy administered by Tripmate, Viking only issue Future Cruise Credits, under the CFAR, and those are only valid for 12 months. To get any refund, you must submit the claim to Tripmate, with the required very extensive supporting documentation, proving the reason is one of the covered risks and it isn't included as one of the exclusions. In our experience, we have waited 3 - 6 months from submission of claims to being paid.

That ticks me off as well, as I already have 2 passports. Even if I was eligible for another one, I don't want one. About a year ago, while talking to the management types in the L/A Office, I brought this to their attention, but as expected they didn't address the issue.

Shipbuilders only build what the owner's order. Nuclear is not happening in the commercial industry due to huge cost and few if any have the training. Alternatives are now appearing, but it isn't nuclear, especially when the hull isn't grey.

You bet, at least 8 hrs every day looking out the Bridge windows.