Heidi13

Have flown to/from Sydney a number of times over the years, with the latest being Sydney/DFW/YVR. As a teenager and early 20's it was nothing to sit in economy for 14 to 24 hr flights, drinking the plane dry, but now it isn't so easy. We don't fly over 5 hrs in anything but Business/First. In addition to comfort during the flight, we also consider the expedited check-in & security clearance available in many airports and the comfortable lounges prior to the flight, and during any connections.

Viking does have shore-ex at that port. If nothing is showing in MVJ, I'll suggest that is a question for the Shore-Ex Manager once onboard.

Nobody, including KBs Mum has mentioned income on this thread. Having worked in the industry, I am well aware of the "Party" cruise lines and which length of cruise, or even cruising region, encourages an even higher level of partying/rowdy conduct. More drinking and partying normally means less well behaved pax. Back in the days when I worked Aussie Cruising, there is a very good reason we carried 2 police officers from Sydney on each cruise, who assisted the crew breaking up the numerous drunken brawls. Those were 2-week booze cruises. These cruise lines are well known, and pax is most definitely NOT based on income, it is based on the type of pax that each cruise line directs their marketing efforts, and the cruise experience provided. Every cruise line, regardless of the pax income levels, have decent pax and rowdy pax. Viking are no different. The Carnival model is directed to mostly younger, party type pax on short cruises, which translates to "Booze" cruises. Although I have never worked for, or cruised with Carnival, I have experienced this type of pax on many cruises. Conversely, Carnival's longer cruises attract a different type of pax, that are generally less rowdy. Personally, I don't assume Viking pax are generally better behaved than the mass market party Lines, as I have experienced both. On Viking, all pax weren't perfect, as we did have some questionable conduct, but it was minimal. On all my mass market experience, both working and as a pax, the percentage of obnoxious and/or rowdy pax was definitely substantially higher. Having also observed this obnoxious/rowdy conduct on a mass market Line World Cruise, it clearly has nothing to do with "Income"

Welcome to cruise critic. Unfortunately, you have no guarantee that you will experience similar weather to previous years. However, in January you have a high probability of rougher, rather than smoother seas. Have crossed the N/Atlantic many times in winter and seen everything, except smooth seas.

For large vouchers, Viking are willing to split the total into multiple vouchers. When we cancelled the World Cruise, they would have provided multiple vouchers of $10K.

Unfortunately, weather is always unpredictable, with early March having greater probability of hitting some snotty weather than April/May, but definitely better than some of my crossings in Jan/Feb. Heading into the Meddy, is a bonus as you avoid the Bay of Biscay and Western Approaches. Assuming you stop in the Azores also limits the Latitude, so theoretically missing the upper North Atlantic. Surviving 6-days at sea is easy, with so much to do around the ship, or simply sitting in a nook or cranny and reading. On the Magical Mystery Tour we survived about 50-days without getting ashore. One downside of an E'bd transit is the clocks moving ahead 5 or 6 hrs, which means a number of short days. Cloxs are traditionally moved at 02:00, which means an hour less sleep, but some Masters do move them at 12:00 on TA's. You may wish to consider a W'bd transit, flying home, as the cloxs move back, giving 25 hr days.

Not sure if you are aware, but Viator is not a tour provider. They are a broker that resells tours from other companies. Personally, I will only deal directly with the tour operator, only using Viator to research the name of the actual tour providers. This information is usually provided somewhere in the Viator tour descriptions.

I also would not make PIF more than 1 yr in advance. Don't like a year early, but can live with it. They can request earlier PIF, but they certainly wouldn't get any more than a deposit 2-yrs in advance. If Viking can't accept that, I wouldn't complete the reservation.

Great questions, but I note while our preferred cruise line has one of the youngest fleets, the technology is applied where it should be, making the ships cleaner and safer. Personally, I ditched smart phones when I retired 10 yrs ago and haven't missed the infernal thing, due to living with it 24/7 and way too many work calls received in the middle of the night. I won't be getting another one, and while many say they are now required, I survive well without one. When cruising with our preferred cruise line, you can only reserve the 2 alternative restaurants (which are free), which can be done on a cell phone with an app, booking on the cabin TV, or walking to the reservation desk and meeting face to face. Other than spa services and shore-ex, nothing else requires reservations. Room service is still ordered by hanging the form outside the door at night and in the buffet, made to order requests are submitted by walking up to the relevant station. Entertainment, lectures, etc are still first come first served, no booking required. For us, if cell phones are required to enjoy the services on a mega ship, it is just another of many reasons to avoid them.

I recall the days back in the mid-1970's when BA introduced the shuttle service from Glasgow to LHR. No ticket required, simply turn up 10 mins before departure and you were guaranteed a seat. If the flight was full they had a standby aircraft available. Could also pay onboard, although I recall the unions curtailing that service. Hourly departures. We hear lots of complaints about Viking wanting early PIF, but nothing about the airlines, which want payment in full upon booking these days.

Affirmative, on sea days Viking normally present up to 3 lectures per day. Each ship has a resident Historian, who presents lectures based on the ports of call. They also hold small round table discussions/Q&A sessions. In addition, they can have up to 6 lecturers, all presenting lectures based on the region and ports of call. On longer cruises they may also have a resident wildlife expert and resident astronomer.

You bet, even with the whisky, haggis is still offal.😁

Spent many years as Captain on our Ro/Pax, but left cruise ships when still a Navigator.

That reminds me of SS Oriana, when I met Judi. At breakfast, she managed to have a mug of tea, while I tucked into a plate full of bacon & eggs, and all the trimmings, washed down with a pint of "Heavy". Great days & great memories. Mind you I was 4-8 watch, so had already worked 1/2 day by 08:00.

Having spent more time cruising Alaska than most, I respectfully disagree. Yes, Alaska is all about the itinerary, but it is also key to have a ship with great spots to observe the scenery. The OP asked about "Observation Decks", which I consider a very valid question, as not all ships are equal. Many of today's mega ships have special areas requiring an additional fee in the best viewing areas. Many, such as the "Royal" Class don't have Promenade Decks. Personally, having spent most of my time in Alaska on the Bridge, I look for ships that have fwd observation decks unencumbered with glass. The Viking ships have an excellent fwd observation deck on Dk 7. Although the Island/Coral are no longer in Alaska, they had excellent decks below the Bridge, which were great for viewing, but the top deck had blue glass all across the fwd end. Some of the "Grand" Class ships also had a huge bridge wing to bridge wing observation deck atop the Bridge, which had impressive views.

Affirmative, the "Royal" Class ships do not transit Seymour Narrows, so they must exit via Juan de Fuca and sail up the West Coast of Vancouver Island, similar to the route used by Seattle ships.

Favourite breakfasts - MDR: has to be the lamb chops, medium rare - WC: made to order eggs benny

This is common knowledge and has been discussed here many times. If you purchase Viking's (Tripmate) insurance for a cruise that is partially paid for with FCV, you only pay the premium on the cash paid. This has been widely discussed on this Board. When we booked a cruise with FCV's, I noted that the Tripmate premium was lower than expected, so our TA explained that Tripmate does not insure the FCV's, only the cash paid. Since your first cruise was cancelled and you accepted FCV, your TA should have explained the insurance doesn't cover vouchers, or you should have noted the reduction and questioned the difference. If you don't use a TA then you are responsible for researching the relevant information, which is readily available. If you wish to insure the FCV's you must purchase appropriate 3rd party insurance and pay premiums on the entire value. Since many pax have used FCV's without issues, rather than discouraging others from accepting them, I'll suggest that prior to accepting vouchers, it pays to be a fully informed consumer, comprehending the risks and limitations involved. We have had multiple vouchers and Viking has operated as per the guidelines, which we knew in advance.

A wee 3-leggit beastie runnin thro' the Glen. Best served with neeps & tatties, and washed down wae a wee dram.

I'd go with HAL, as the times in port are excellent, and it includes Glacier Bay. In my opinion, the Princess ship is way too big for Alaska.

When the 2020 World Cruise ended in Dubai, Viking arranged all the flights. Once the local airline shut down operations, Viking chartered an aircraft to fly the remaining US citizen back to the USA. The 8 Canadians remained on board for another 3 weeks, until Viking found a port and airport that would accept us. Viking both arranged and paid for the flights.

The marine industry is highly regulated, with pollution requirements outlined in the international convention MARPOL. The requirements of MARPOL are enacted by each of the Flag States that are signatory to the convention, in their shipping acts. In 2020, the maximum sulphur content was reduced from 3.5% to 0.5%, either through lower sulphur bunkers or exhaust scrubbers. In addition, MARPOL lists "Emission Control Areas", where sulphur is limited to 0.1%. These areas are located in Europe & North America + others. An increasing number of ports are providing shore power at the berths, so cruise ships can shut down the prime movers, with power for the hotel load provided by the shore grid. Supplies - Viking maintains a central warehouse in Germany, with most stores shipped by container. In addition, the ships have the ability to purchase some local victuals. Most re-storing takes place at turnaround ports Ship's bunker as required, normally where fuel is cheapest.

No photograph of a glacier, regardless of the quality, will impress more than seeing and experiencing a glacier in real life, so hardly a reasonable comparison.

Wow, that's getting close to the perfect brekky - tattie scones, smoked back bacon (none of that green bacon or streaky), black pudding/haggis, lorne sausage (Scottish square sausage) or bangers, beans, fried bread and a couple of fried eggs. Might even add a fried tomato. Another addition to the brekky menu should be bubble & squeak, which was often served on British ships.

Fortunately, I don't recall having to deal with that dampening experience.😁