Dauntless

On 8/27/2020 at 9:58 PM, flashfearless said:

I heard that I was being paged to this topic about the owner's suite.  What can I tell you about it.  It was opulent and wonderful all at the same time.

 

 

Thanks for answering the page.  It's nice to see you were treated so well, once on board.  When you posted the pictures of Venice I was indeed surprised.  I'm glad you got a glimpse. 

4 minutes ago, TeamBAlways said:

thank you so much for the pointers. i truly appreciate it

 I lived in Atlanta in the 70's.  Right on Piedmont, across from the park.   Such a great cruise.  We went early to Stockholm and stayed a few days in Bergen.  So much to research to fully know what you're seeing.  Had always wanted to go to Norway since elementary school but seeing the other ports really opened up so much for me.  Never thought i would like cruising.  Not far from the Gulf and so many people go to the Caribbean so beach was never a draw.  I was just closing myself off to experiences I had never imagined.  Made one more cruise since then with Viking.  I think you'll like it.  When I was speaking with a lady in the Explorer's Lounge about the experience, she said, "I think you started at the top".  Indeed, for my way of thinking, I did.

11 minutes ago, TeamBAlways said:

 

Hi Dauntless,

Wow what a lucky guy! I see on the website where we can have a private dinner party in the boardroom or dining room and access to the wine collection.  We wont know anyone else on the cruise but I am curious.  I have so many questions:

1. Will Viking provide OJ in our mini bar?

2. Can we take wine from the cabin to dinner?

3. Do we need to have the Silver Spirits package to access the wine and in room cocktail hour?

4. Is the glass in the sauna one way?

5. Can the explorers lounge see into the boardroom through the fireplace?

 

I was so excited to be on our first Viking cruise (his first cruise period)  and now this over the top cabin.  I may be having a little anxiety lol

You're going on the same cruise I did as my first cruise(ever).   This was not my experience so maybe Flashfearless can give you some info.  Look up his posts.  He even posted some pictures from the party.  You can take your drinks anywhere you want to on the ship and if you buy some on the cruise you can bring it on the ship.Not sure, but I think the boardroom in OS is at the opposite side from Explorer's Lounge.  I doubt you can as I'm sure you wouldn't want people to be able to see you from there.  You may not know anyone on the cruise now but by the time you sail you will probably have contacts.  We didn't either but got a group of 14 together for the St. Petersburg port with Alla.(

I know someone that got an upgrade to the Owners Suite on his first cruise.  It happened a little before the cruise so I'm not sure how much planning they did.  There a party included with the suite.

22 minutes ago, Dauntless said:

  I loved the included in Alborg, Denmark and P   Croatia.  

"P   Croatia" was suppose to be Split,Croatia. 

Viking's included is an overview.  If you've seen the port before it might seem a little lack luster but it's not suppose to be an in depth look into anything in particular.  I loved the included in Alborg, Denmark and P   Croatia.  Both walking tours, maybe form 3-4 hours from my recollection.  I did the included to Berlin.  A 12 hour excursion: 3 hours on train to the city and then about 1.5 hour bus tour with a couple of stops and then about 4 hours on your own before being transported to the train and back to the ship.  It was fine since we had not been but some thought is wasn't enough to bother.  I would suggest another excursion that I feel had more to off but I was trying to save money so I thought it would be fine,  Now I know.  Dubrovnik, Croatia and Stavanger, Norway were nice walking tours that included some time in a museum.  Just depends on your interests.  The do have other excursions for a fee and you can compare these to other excursions for the same place On Trip Advisor or Viator to see if you think the price falls in line.  They do have other extreme excursions that could break the bank but that again would be if you think it has the value.  I have also arranged local tours I have found that are different than the ships or maybe the excursion I wanted on the cruise was not available by the time I could book(always a V cabin)

1 hour ago, CCWineLover said:

This has always been Viking's policy in our experience.

On nearly half of our bookings, this has occurred (a better rpomo or price).  In all cases, the savings was WAY more than the penalty to cancel and rebook ($100 pp).  So we always did just that - cancelled and then rebooked.  Often even got our old room back although Viking says it takes a day to go back into inventory.

In fact, I always keep looking at our current bookings just to see if there are better deals in case we want to cancel/rebook.

This is exactly what I thought you should do.  Any promos for the first cruise will be gone.  I thought you probably wouldn't get the same room but I see that is not always the case.  Whatever the particulars, if you save more than $200 on  the rebooking then do it and you are ahead of the game.

3 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

 

The final payment is due already in December - didn't expect that either. But, they surely need money. 

This early final payment is not due to Virus.  They have had this policy for quiet some time.  Previous cruisers can sometimes get it moved but you have to ask at time of booking.  In your case, I would wait until the payment is due and then have your Viking agent check and see what is available.  He might need to be nudged for your sanity.  I booked my first Viking cruise about a year before the ship was built(Star)  and 2.5 years before the cruise in order to get the cabin class I wanted.  Remember that these ships are smaller for the ocean cruises and I'm not sure about comparable ships  for the US cruises.

They wouldn't offer if they didn't think there would be one.  Some become available when final payment is due. Plans change for other reasons and judging on past experiences they are playing the odds at a certain percentage.  It will at least be what they said but you could certainly be better.  I have met some people that have taken this option and some don't know for sure until the last minute which cabin is which.

Flybussen last stop was at the Raddison from the airport.  You can use a card for payment.

The end of the old town harbor.

On 7/27/2020 at 5:25 PM, Jim Avery said:

Makes sense Andy.  "My Guy" at Viking confirms Star is to have some enhancements for the December 24, 2021 WC.  Depending on what the fine print comes out to be we are planning to go on the Star WC. 🍺

The 5 year upgrade did not include adding drawers in the closet.

On 7/20/2020 at 7:10 PM, Harmon10 said:

Thank you all.  After giving it some thought, we have decided to move to the following year.  It is disappointing, but I feel we made the right decision.  Thank you for your advice it was  appreciated.  

When I booked my first Viking cruise, I had to wait two and a half years to the V cabin.  they hadn't even built the ship yet.  It gave me more time for research to enjoy my cruise. prep.  Viking Homelands 2016.

Cool Cruiser got his as an upgrade.

I find with each cruise my comfort level expands.  Have always done pre and post stays and arranged them myself.  I've made hotel reservations before so it's not a big stretch.  My start and finish ports have been easy to access the ship through public transport.

I am assuming you are on Panama Canal and Central America.  just checked and all the info  that Peregrina mentioned is on that particular page.  Good idea of what they will probably have and others might be added when MVJ opens for your booking.  It should be 10-14 days before the first excursion bookings are started.  Your time will be according to your cabin but you will be able to see them as soon as they are offered.  

On 7/5/2020 at 10:21 PM, Selion said:

New to Viking.  In these COVID-19 days, this practice seems to be a cash grab.  Yes, you'll get a "credit" if you don't want to go.  But they still have your money.

 

I need to rethink whether if I want to book with Viking for a March 2022 sailing.

If this was a new policy,I might agree with you but Viking started this policy a long time ago.  They give you the final payment date.  Some have had it moved when they asked.  If you want to make final payment 120 days out, try booking the cruise then and see what's available.  You might get lucky or you might see that your desired cruise is having no problem selling with this policy.  Doubt you'll have that aft cabin option but I thought you have already booked.

JimZimm has a video about the two on Youtube.  The comparison is found on the Viking cruise spots.

You should have no problem from elevators stairs or tenders.  You are far enough away from both.  As far as tenders go, you may not have any.  I have been on 2 cruises where tender ports involved but in both those cruise we were docked at the port.

On 5/26/2020 at 9:39 AM, ladybugpug said:

The itinerary looks pretty full and seems like we would be hitting a new ports almost daily. My husband and I are both 50 and are both very active and healthy and love to travel and see new places. I would appreciate any advice on this particular cruise and/or ship!! 

Viking cruises will be quiet different from your past experiences.  They say Viking is for explorers and  I would have to agree.  Your cruise is in a different port every day.  If you're active you will definitely want to see what there is to see and the included excursions will give you an overview of the ports.  If they don't seem up your interests, you cans are there as well but with a cruise,  i feel like I need to have help seeing all I can so I can get an overview and probably won't make it back.  Some like to get lost in a city but that's not really an option on a short time frame. The ships are all about the same and they only can take about 930 guests and you have mentioned not being a fan of small ships on another post but this will be like a boutique hotel.  There are things you can take advantage of but nothing is pushed at you.  So many things that are included on this line that are extras on other lines.  It's just a different atmosphere without pretense.  I've been to Venice, Corfu  and Dubrovnik with Viking on another cruise. All good choices.  Did a 9 mile bike excursion with Viking in Corfu so you can find active if you want it.  Venice will need more than the time scheduled for the cruise so plan accordingly.  We had an overnight on the cruise and then spent 2 more nights after we disembarked to explore the city beyond the highlights and even did a day trip to Bologna.  The time on the ship will be relaxing so you can enjoy that but don't shortchange the destinations to lie in the sun, which you can probably do at home for a a lot less money.  

5 hours ago, moatenote said:

We hope to do the VO Mediterranean Odyssey cruise in 2021 or 2022 and are wondering when would be the best time to be in that area.  Looking at September or October (or spring if that would be better).  September looks rather warm and October may have more rain.  What month would you recommend?  Thanks!

We did April 21/ May 3 and the weather was great.  No rain.  Wind breaker mornings and great afternoons.

2 hours ago, knoxclone said:

Sadly, coming from E. Tennessee,  an additional flight to a hub city is needed unless we drive to Nashville or Atlanta...  We did Homelands in 2018 and did fly home from Oslo - but still three flights. I lived in Madrid in the late 70s - just after Franco died - so definitely interested revisiting Madrid.

 

Did Kuekenhof - last year - agree it was fabulous.  

 

Can't tell from itinerary if you actually pass through straits of Gibraltar during daylight hours either direction? Does anybody know?

Thanks

Call Viking. They can give you exact information.  We flew home from Bergen and it was 3 flights.  Stayed in Bergen a couple of extra days and did NIAN round trip.  In BArcelona 2 years ago and it was wonderful.  Three extra days before the cruise.  Two different cruises.

Saw a video on youtube from an agent and also on Avid Cruiser.  Anybody else?

On 3/29/2020 at 12:42 PM, terrydtx said:

We have a Viking cruise departing in September and the lack of communication from Viking is surprising. Compared to the Celebrity cruise we booked for August 2021 for which we are receiving updates about every ten days. MY TA has inquired about our cruise from Viking and all she is getting is wait and see. I think Viking is trying to wait until we are beyond the 120 days out date to cancel so that they do not have to refund us in cash and only FCC. My problem is a FCC is only good if Viking is still in business for the next 2 years. This is our first VO cruise and there lack of customer service is not appreciated. Viking has everyone's full payment 6 to 12 months out and they do not want to refund any of the cash they have from it's customers. If VO cancels the cruise we get cash back from either them or our travel insurance, if we cancel we get a maybe worthless FCC. We would also lose our non-refundable air cost if we cancel. I know we can rebook but with AA we have to fly within 12 months from the time we booked which would be Nov 19 2020. 

I would say cancel and get your money back minus $200.  Since you seem to be skeptical, that's cash in hand.  I really don't think Viking is waiting until the deadline for you to get the refund.  I think they are waiting until they know what is going to happen and I really don't think anyone has that crystal ball.  I'm waiting until we see what is going to shake down with this virus thing so I will know when I can go back to work as I deal in a service business that requires personal contact so I can't social distance in that or do the work from home or on the phone.  I too am anxious but I know I have to wait.  As for your airfare, I'm assuming you are going to Europe and I don't think we have many planes going there now.  Maybe other places as well, I'm not sure.  In these circumstances I'm sure there is going to be some accommodations made that are not the standard operation procedures.  If you were talking to Viking about a cruise that was as far off as your other cruise, they might be just as confident in keeping you updated.  Like they were when you first booked this cruise, so long ago and no one knew about the virus.  Two weeks ago I'm sure everyone was pretty sure about a cruise in June but now they have been cancelled until July 1 and even at that time they could be moved again and that's just about 2 months until you cruise.  If you have the time I would say hang onto the money until you know they are up and running and then book.  Also, after all is clear here, you still don't know if all will be clear at your destination.  No real reason to plan a vacation if you can't get off the ship.

On 3/21/2020 at 9:25 AM, flashfearless said:

If they are still in business. Lady I know runs her own single person barber shop and pays rent week to week for her small box. if they don’t cut her a break on rent I’m sure she’ll have to close up. 

 I'm in the same situation in a salon and I do some freelance work with a theater, that too seems to be shaky ground.  I may have made my last cruise but I'm sticking with this to "keep my toes in the water".