Heidi13

It is on the header at the top of the website and also in the footer, under "Contact Us" Ocean: 1-855-707-4837 River: 1-800-207-7286 Expeditions: 1-800-214-3110

Wetting the table cloths in heavy weather was always more effective than the friction sheets they use on ships these days. Sadly many of the younger crews don't know these little tricks. Great post.

When determining probability while conducting risk assessments, we do not use such a small one day sample, as any incident skews the resultant probability. When determining probability we would use a large sample, such as all crossings over a period of at least a year, or all crossings in November for the past 10 years. Risk management is also only one of many factors included in the SMS that the Master must consider when determining whether the intended passage is safe.

On longer cruises, Viking offer previous pax up to $1,000 pp discount. As a private company, Viking are not members of the mega ship owner's club/lobby group CLIA. As such Viking do not follow the industry norms in many areas, with no loyalty program being one of the differences. Having cruised and worked for a number of cruise lines, I actually enjoyed not having the loyalty program. Once on board, every pax is considered equal, regardless of how many times they cruised with Viking and which cabin category. Viking also provide every pax with many of the perks provided on some cruise line loyalty programs - wifi and laundry (self-service). Prior to leaving our previous preferred cruise line, we were at the highest loyalty level, but on our last cruise, so was more than 50% of the pax.

Yes, to be technically correct, rather than saying it was dark, I should have said they were in twilight, where the amount of available light, when the sun sets, depends greatly on cloud cover. Having spent 20 yrs residing in equivalent high latitudes in the Northern Hemisphere, I have some experience with summer twilights and how much light is available. The 24 hrs of daylight occurs in the Polar regions above 66 degrees and 33 minutes. The latitude of Ushuaia is about 54 48 S, which is about 750 miles north of the Antarctic Circle. The Viking Polaris incident was also 3 weeks prior to the Winter Solstice on 21st December 2022. Therefore, based on her position, the sun had set and she was experiencing twilight conditions, either civil or nautical, probably the latter. In Ushuaia, on 29th November, sunset was 21:46, so to be technically correct, based on the ship's position, it most likely Nautical Twilight, not dark. The definition of Nautical Twilight is the sky is sufficiently dark on a clear day to see stars, but still with a visible horizon to take sights. Nautical Twilight is the middle of the 3 twilights and is when the sun is 6 to 12 degrees below the horizon. Having spent many years at sea, I am reasonably confident that when the rogue wave impacted the ship, while it wasn't pitch dark, the twilight visibility was restricted by storm conditions, which was further reduced by driving spray, rain and wave action. Even in daylight, visibility in a severe storm isn't great.

Welcome to the Viking Board, where you will find many diverse opinions on the pros/cons of the Silver Spirits Beverage package. Many do not see value in the package, while others purchase it for the convenience or overall savings. Unlike other cruise lines, Viking have a very reasonable policy in bringing drinks onboard. Many other cruise lines ban bringing drinks onboard or charge significant corkage fees. Viking have no restrictions and will even serve you any wines brought aboard at meals, with no corkage fee/service charge. Same in the bars, where they will provide glasses, you only pay for mixers. In addition, you get unlimited included beer/wine/soft drinks during meals and they will normally fill your glass at the end of a meal. At lunch/dinner you have a selection of red or white wine, which changes most days. A rose may be available upon request and if you prefer one of the included wines not being served that day, they can probably find a bottle. Specialty teas & coffee is available any time the bars are open and are included. They only charge for coffee, if it includes a liqueur, or other alcohol. All drinks available on the SSBP are available for purchase, to those not signed up for SSBP. The cost of the SSBP is about US $20 pp/day. You will find Viking bar prices are also reasonable, please see the attached wine list and bar menu, which are a few years old, so prices may have increased slightly. In determining if SSBP is worth it, based on the bar prices you can estimate the total bar bill based on drinking habits. If you come out ahead, or close to break even, it is worth purchasing the package. The other rational is convenience, which is why we purchase the package. Everything is paid up front, and in my experience drinks just arrive. When sitting at the same table in the MDR and you are consistent with what you order, the drinks are often at the table before you arrive. Had similar experiences in the Star Theatre, where our favourite bar waiter always delivered another round just prior to the lights going down. Didn't have to order. Note - you may not find this level of service on shorter cruises. 2022 Apr Viking Orion Wine List 8 pages.pdf 354106221_VikingOceanCruisesBarMenu2018.pdf

The Norwegian Sea is bounded by the Barents Sea to the North East and Greenland Sea to the North West.

Just off the Norway coast is the Norwegian Sea.

The official CC M&G's have not returned since COVID. Best is to locate the Roll Call for your cruise and post a welcome post. On many cruises the pax arrange a sailaway gathering in Explorers, or other location.

Having plates, cutlery thrown from the tables was all too common an occurrence on many of the World's oceans, when in heavy weather. When it got really bad and the ship was rolling and pitching heavily, we stopped getting hot meals, as it wasn't safe in the galley. When off-watch we couldn't sleep on the bunks, placing the mattress on the deck and propping it up with lifejackets.

No you did NOT state those were your observations. You stated that you will not sail with this Master again, as you questioned her judgement, without providing any substantiating information, and also alluded that she had been demoted.

Unfortunately we had to cancel, so I won't be blogging. Here are the ones I am following from the Viking WC. https://www.traveling-light.online/category/travel/world-cruise-22-23/ https://desertwandererswankels.blogspot.com/ https://storysworldcruise22-23.blogspot.com/2022/10/blog-post.html https://www.viking23.com/ https://www.journohq.com/journo/2022-2023-world-cruise---our-fantastic-adventure-30436 https://mbviking23.blogspot.com/

You are correct, the poster the Chief quoted did not accuse the Captain of violating any policy or law, she accused the Captain of having a "Lack of Judgement" To determine that the Captain, a professional mariner, or any professional, has shown a lack of judgement requires the person making the determination to have some level of proficiency in the skills being questioned and most important, to have access to the facts used by the Captain, when she made the decisions. Other than having a few months as a passenger on expedition ships, the poster clearly has no relevant skills as a Master Mariner and I doubt knew the facts used by the Master in making her decisions. Therefore, how can the poster make an informed assessment of the suitability of the Master's decision making. Personally, I have no issue with pax saying they won't sail again as they didn't enjoy the cruise, as it didn't meet their expectations. However, I also question that the ride in the RHIB was a sub-standard experience, as exhibition cruises are meant to be challenging voyages, to the furthest reaches of the Earth. They aren't about smooth sailing, beaches and sunshine. If a choppy ride in a RHIB was sub-standard, I'll suggest the pax expectations of an exhibition cruise are somewhat unrealistic. Having been in RHIB's in significantly worse seas and launched my crew in them many times, from experience they are safe, when handled by trained crew. In fact, I have had 2 RHIB's in the water in 35 kts, towing an inflated liferaft back to shore. I have no doubt some uninformed observers probably thought I showed lack of judgement, but I had weighed the risks and planned the operation in detail with the crew. Did they complain, not a bit, in fact they thanked me for having the confidence to let them display they could safely handle the boats.

The Northern Light cruise is similar to the Amazon in that many days of the cruise the ship is in compulsory pilotage waters, which increases the per diem. Norway also has a very high cost of living, so increased port expenses.

Your are entitled to your opinion, but further to the Chief's response, unfortunately your rationale confirms you have no understanding of ship anchoring procedures and RHIB operations. Yes, the distance to tender is a consideration, but as a convenience criteria, it is very low on the priority list, which focus on operational requirements, anchoring limitations and safety. When anchoring, in most ports the Master does not decide where they will anchor, as most anchorages are assigned by the local authorities, specifically the harbourmaster. When the pilot arrives, the Master is informed which anchorage is assigned. In ports with no Harbourmaster, the Master determines a safe anchorage, which includes, but is not limited to the following criteria: - Nautical publications, which are available on the Bridge may provide information on a recommended safe anchorage. - Anchorage positions notated on the chart. If more than 1 is notated, the Master can select the preferred anchorage, based on the conditions - Approach to the anchorage, with radar and/or visual approaches providing leading marks and ability to readily identify the position to drop anchor. - Depth of water is a key consideration, as it is the length of chain on the bottom that holds the ship. The anchor really only takes the chain to the bottom. Ships normally have 10 to 12 shackles of chain, with each shackle being 90'. The minimum chain required is 4x depth, but that increases significantly in deeper water with poor holding ground and wind/tide, when 8x to 10x depth may be required. - Holding power is a critical consideration, with this information provided on the charts - Weather/tide/current - the Master will endeavour to anchor in a lee, with minimal currents Since you determined the Master used poor judgement in selecting the anchorage, I look forward to you supplying the facts that you used to determine that a better and safer option was available. RHIB operations have more risks than tender operations, but in heavy seas, I would rather be in a RHIB than a tender, and that is based on years of experience. On the West Coast of vancouver Island, we attend a RHIB course in the rough waters of the Pacific Ocean. These boats, provided the operator is trained are more than capable of handling these conditions. Unfortunately, not all pax can handle the conditions. You may have 200 nights on Expeditions ships, whereas I have almost 30 yrs experience as Master on ships with RHIB's. Other than it was rough and you were scared, you didn't advise of any issues with damage or injuries, so I'll suggest the Master knew the capabilities of her crew and had confidence in their ability to get pax ashore safely. As a pax, you had the option to decline going ashore, as nobody forced you into the RHIB. Your 2nd example mentions that she was overly cautious, so I'm having difficulty understanding how you can complain with not being cautious and then overly cautious to next time. BTW - do you know the contents of the Company SMS, as that knowledge is a pre-requisite in determining if the Master made any errors in judgement. As I have posted many times, the Master MUST follow the SMS, unless to ensure the safety of the ship, or preventing pollution. Since you determined the Master made errors in judgement, since many SMS include an operational matrix providing guidance to the Masters, which ports did she miss that were within the guidelines of the Operational Matrix.

This is a rather misleading title, as you have not provided any information in your initial post as to what was included with Oceania. Lots more than where you are cruising dictates the cost of a cruise, not the least of which is supply and demand. By chance is your Viking cruise the 13-day Amazon & Caribbean, which requires compulsory 24/7 pilotage for many days of the cruise. This significantly increases the per diem costs, especially on smaller ships.

In addition to not second guessing the Master, they must provide any assistance the Master requests.

I look forward to reading some specifics and how the alleged judgement issues contravened the Company's Safety Management System and/or the "Ordinary Practice of Seamen".

If due to criminal convictions, or other reasons, the CBSA Officer determines you are inadmissible to Canada, you may not be permitted to disembark.

Polaris has departed Ushuaia, bound for Punta Arenas, ETA 8th December about Noon (Z-3)

Almost every month has positives and negatives, with May it should be drier and has longer daylight. However, the salmon wouldn't be running.

Of the cruise lines in Alaska, Princess and HAL have the most experience. While we personally don't use Princess anymore, I worked and cruised with them for 40 yrs, and provided you like mega ships have no issue recommending them to others. Another factor to consider is viewing glaciers. Many, myself included, will suggest that Glacier Bay is a must on any Alaska Cruise. Does it have the best glaciers - No, but having spent 2 entire seasons in Alaska and numerous additional cruises as a pax, I have never failed to get into Glacier Bay. With respect to other glaciers, I have only made it into Tracy Arm once and even Hubbard has been missed a few times due to ice. If Glacier Bay is important to you, this further restricts your cruise line options, as not all cruise lines have permits.

When considering Seattle R/T of a N/S Itinerary, I would take into consideration that Seattle in about 100 miles further from Alaska than Vancouver, and the Seattle ships must stop in Victoria for at least a few hours. Therefore, I would look not only at the ports of call, but also the times you are in port, as the Seattle ships have to sail at a higher speed, or reduced the time in port.

Welcome to the Alaska Board. You will find lots of great information on ports and itineraries and the pros/cons of cruising Alaska in many of these threads. I noted you are planning to cruise at the end of September, which other than October, is potentially the worst time to cruise Alaska. The number of cruises available is reduced, as many of the ships from experienced Alaska cruise lines are already heading south, for a number of good reasons - Weather is always variable, but the probability of storms and rain increases significantly about mid-September - Daylight is significantly reduced by late September, since the longest day is about 21st June. If you want off-season, May is a better choice, since it has a better probability of being drier and the days are considerably longer. May has the added bonus of still having snow on the mountains. - Visibility can be reduced significantly by precipitation, low clouds and even fog. - Businesses are closing down or have already closed for the season. Another early decision is how much of Alaska do you want to see, which can then limit your embarkation port. From Seattle, you must cruise R/T, so in a week they can only visit the touristy SE Alaska ports and the ships spend lots of time in the Pacific Ocean, which can be rough at that time of year. If you wish to see Prince William Sound or even take an pre/post cruise extension, then you are looking at a North/South bound cruise starting or ending in Vancouver. Vancouver based ships spend more time in the sheltered Inside Passage.

Prior to the Neptune's TA, we booked the Midrid extension. Since we were spending a couple of weeks in UK, we booked our own flights to Madrid. We had to advise Viking, as they would still pick us up at the airport, as per the Pax Statement.