Dauntless

The tours in Berlin can be what you're looking for but with private companies you need a certain number or the tours is a no go, so there is that to consider.  I'm not really sure you save anytime by taking the train.  It's about 3 hours each way.  Don't worry about missing dinner.  We wanted to make reservations at Chef's Table and were told that 60 % of the ship was going to Berlin so the restaurants would be open later to accommodate. and to just come by when we got in and had no problems.  If it's your first time to Berlin, I would say take an excursion where they are with you at all times as they can maneuver the city with more speed and knowledge than you probably have  We did it on our own for the first time there and I now know, for me, trying to see as much as we could, that was a mistake.  If you're just going to have a nice lunch  and shop and people watch, then that might be a good choice.

8 minutes ago, Cindy said:

Hi all! My husband and I have been on many cruises, and yesterday we booked our first ever with Viking! We’re both very excited, but unfortunately it’s almost 500 days away so I have a long time to obsess!

 

 

One more question — we’re going to fly to Oslo (much simpler from Houston) and take advantage of the pre-cruise hotel and scenic train to Bergen through Viking. We usually make our own arrangements, but thought the train sounded like a great way to get from Oslo to Bergen. Does anyone have experience with the train trip?

 

Thanks! I’m glad to be here and I’m looking forward to planning this trip!

If Viking gave you a good air price, go with them.  We flew from San Antonio but went through Houston on the way.   We made our own plans for less money. 

 I've done 2 cruises with Viking with stays pre and post but never used their hotel.  Always  can do better on my own and I like finding something that will be different than what we have in US if possible. 

Friends did an extension with Viking after their cruise and felt the time in Oslo was short for their liking.

We ended in in Bergen but stayed a few days and did the Norway in a Nutshell round trip from there to Flam.  Our cruise had stopped there so we found things to there that are now part of the included part of what it now the included.  So we did part of the train trip.  I would suggest to trip to Flam for an overnight stay if it can work your plans.  Same friends said they did not get a chance to see Bergen area on Viking's plans.  They loved Iceland, once they got out of the city on their extension but you will be on the cruise so won't be exactly the same experience.

11 hours ago, DGHOC said:

 

We have four days in Stockholm and have decided we'll get the pass that gives us the freedom to access transport and venues. We'll do DIY there as there's so much to see and do. We've made a list, the Nobel Museum is on there!

 

Not long to go now, all very exciting!

Good plan.  We had 5 days in Stockholm, including the cruise days.  We got the passes you are talking about.  We stayed in Gamla Stan and could see the ship from our hotel window.  We used Arlanda Express to get from the airport.  It was so easy.  Took Rick Steves advice on seeing Drottingham-included in the pass.  City Hall, Vasa, Norse Museum, Boat cruise(2 hour), HOHO.  We did the 3 day pass and it was our transport to the ship, all included in the pass.  Did the Ice Bar as we had never been to one and the AE passed right by it as we entered the station.  Changing of the guard is better on Youtube than in person.  Stockholm was not a bucket lit city but it sure deserve to be on everybody's list 

Also, during meals you can get sodas and according to some posts, they are easy to pick up and take to your cabin, if you wish.  I have been in V cabins and there, the sodas will be replaced for the price on the menu.  Last time though, we got them without asking.

10 hours ago, just_dont said:

I'd imagine getting flights through Viking Air might be problematic with separate cruises. It's not exactly like B2B cruises since one is Ocean and one is River.

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 I don't think that should matter.  You can just book a flight and pay their deviation fee.  We did MO cruise and flew to Barcelona.At the end of the cruise in Venice, we then spent a week in Switzerland and flew home from Zurich.  I think you can do that as late as 30 days after the cruise ends.  

59 minutes ago, Cienfuegos said:

If you are leaving the ship in Venice, and departing the city by train, there is an obstacle to consider.  While the walk and people mover is manageable, the last few hundred feet over the Constitution Bridge can be difficult if you have luggage.

 

The bridge extends from just east / north of the bus depot, over the Grand Canal, and drops you just south of the train station. But the steps are a problem if you have luggage or mobility concerns.

 

FWIW, it's much easier to spend a few Euro and take the C vaporetto one stop from the bus terminal area to the steps of the station.

I would totally agree with this.  A guy came up and offered to help us cross the bridge.  He took a 50 lb.bag in each hand and seemed to scurry across the bridge.  Once we reached the train station he told us there would be a charge for his help.  A rather hefty one at that.  We paid half of what we wanted but it was no more than taking the Vaparetto.  Better to cut out the scheming middle man,  We were approached by the station security officer and asked about the incident.

12 hours ago, sabbo55 said:

I am looking for a private shore excursion ( tour or just transportation) from the port at Ravenna to Bologna and back.

 

Has anyone done this?  Any recommendations?

 

Thanks in advance.

We went to Bologna from Venice by train and I'm pretty sure there is one from and to Ravenna as well.  We did the 4 hour highlight tour from the tourist bureau and had 4 hours on our own and then did a 4 hour food tour.  It was really a relaxing day, though a long one.

If you overnight in Venice, you can leave as early as you wish if you are not using Viking Have room service for breakfast. You just walk off the ship. Short walk to people mover and then a short ride that let's you off about a block from the bus gathering spot.and your guide could meet you there.  I don't remember seeing any transport around the dock unless it was by private arrangement.  

When we took the cruise it stopped in Flam but we had already decided to do the NIAN trip  round trip from Bergen the day after we departed the ship

The other post by this person was asking about European cruises so though this information is good to know, it probably will not apply to this situation.  Maybe they can let us know for sure which cruise they are interested in.

Maybe it's me but....since it is just the size of a credit card and we never have to show it on the ship except to enter or exit, is it the same problem with those pesky keys for our houses?  Do you not have a single pocket in your clothes?

I did this cruise 2 years ago this April and have been talking to someone that is making the trip in March so I have some insight to current situation.  Unless things have changed, there was n  'included tour' to the Vatican.  There was a paid excursion.   The 'included' ones are usually overviews.  If you want more depth, it will probably be a paid excursion from Viking or someone else or DIY.  On this cruise we did 4 included.  2aithrough VikingIn 4 of the ports we went with Italytours.eu, either because their tours included more of what we wanted or we could not book the Viking tour as it was sold out.  Went to Barcelona on our own 3 days early.  Booked our hotel and 6 adventures privately.  We did a private in Split and stayed in Venice 3 more nights on our own and had 5 more adventures before we headed for Switzerland.  The buses for the Viking tours have mostly been fine.  We had a smaller cramped bus on an excursions in Dubrovnick.  This excursion was scheduled but sold out.  However when they added another time we were able to make that one and that may have been the reason for the smaller bus, though this was all set up before we left home so it wasn't hastily arranged.  My friend is interested in Amafi Coast and  Pompeii in Naples.  In checking with Viking and another source the tours were priced exactly the same.  They're going with Viking here to insure they are not left behind ans the next port is Corfu and it as easy as some to get to.  We went with the other company.  Our choice was based on size of group.  The excursions  that are 8-10 hours are usually not in the port city.  As Florence and Rome are on this cruise.  While they might have an 'included' that goes there but the tours were about 4-5 hours and with travel time  that leaves very little time to see the city except as a panorama excursion.  The nature of the beast.  On Homelands, the include to Berlin was 12 hours, 6 hours of transport, 1.5 bus tour and the rest on your own.  Hope that helps.

The included tours are meant to be an overview. If things are close, like in Stavanger, Bergen, Split, Allborg the description will say walking tour.  In some ports there is a walking tour but you have to be transported to the starting place, as in Dubrovnik and Venice.  Sometimes the panoramic are just that and sometimes there are stops to get out for pictures or an attraction like Helsinki, Stockholm and those sights are probably listed in the description  The included excursion to Berlin is 12 hours--3 hours on train each way then 1. hour bus tour with a couple of stops and then about 4 hours on your own.  So read the description carefully and you will probably get a good idea. 

Are V cabins closets re done?

58 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

This is the first time we have had this problem. Since we are wondering on our own, stopping at a bank is no problem and the fees are still cheaper than buying euro in the US.  

The card I use for travel refunds any fees, if charged.

16 hours ago, perlgirlnj said:

OP here.  Appreciate everyone who took the time to comment here.  After reading everything in both forums, I went back and looked at the itineraries more closely.   We'll be booking it tomorrow. 

 

Any pointers on cabins, location, etc.?  Looking at a probable DV for location reasons.

Been on 2 of these cruises.  Look at the perks you get for the DV as opposed to V and then look at the price difference and see if you think it is worth the extra money.  Many DV have the coffee maker removed so that just leaves you with a cashmere blanket and binoculars as the only physical differences in the two cabins. I have only been in V and they can bring coffee to the cabin through room service at no charge.  The V cabins are only on deck 3 with the V1 cabins in the front and the V 2 in the rear.  Had both.  I also like the fact that you can easily get places by crossing through the deck 3 atrium section.  The laundry rooms are on the port side.    

3 hours ago, Dark Avenger said:

Trying to plan our airfare and total vacation for a Homelands cruise starting in Stockholm next August (have the Viking part nailed down).  I've read somewhere that the Stockholm portion is quite limited time wise - I think the sail out time (day two) is around 2:30 in the afternoon and part of the first day is of course oriented around boarding.   We will be coming from a couple of days in Berlin and I am thinking about adding a day or two in Stockholm - thoughts?  Just time and money right?   

 

Any sage advice for us?  

If you can work in the time, give Stockholm it's due.  We spent 3 extra days there before the cruise started. The HOHO bus can get you around and we did the Stockholm Card or Pass, whatever they are calling it now. The HOHO bus was  included in this and the travel pass got you around where the HOHO didn't and ran later. We stayed in a nice hotel in Gamla . Stan  overlooking the Baltic and could see the ship from our window.  W cover almost everything you can do from the ship but saved tons of money.  The money we saved by not using Viking for prestay and air was basically what we used for enhancing our time there.  It was my first time to Europe and to cruise so I figured I better make the most of it   We did not go to Oslo and flew home from there after a couple more nights in Bergen  

4 hours ago, roothy123 said:

Well, at least you made it in there.  I still haven't been, except to poke my head in there once out of curiosity!   

I did see 2 shows there on the first cruise and showed a couple of nights this last cruise.

4 hours ago, roothy123 said:

Sorry, I didn't mean "smoky" literally, or that there was smoking allowed in there!  "Subdued lighting" is no doubt more accurate! 

I thought I knew what you were going for but since this is for new cruisers to Viking, I didn't want them to be left with the wrong impression.  The only time I was able to clearly see everything in there was during a 'resident' historian discussion group.

There is no smoking in the night club(Torshavan).  The lighting is very subdued unles you are on the dance floor

If it's a promotion then you'll need to call Viking if it's not listed.  Normal price is you pay for the whole cabin, even if you are the only one in it.

On 12/11/2019 at 4:54 PM, tinaincc said:

 I can’t recall if there are cotton balls in our stateroom bathroom? Anyone remember?

I didn't have them provided on either cruise.

33 minutes ago, kchand said:

l will be traveling to Australia & New Zealand in January 2020. Need to book Homeland for 2021 to get discounts while onboard.

Which is better,  Bergen to Stockholm or Stockholm to Bergen.

Which rooms better,  port or starboard.

Thank You

We did Stockholm to Bergen and I think you get more shore time in that direction but the rep. can verify.  We were in a V cabin as I can't justify the up charge fir the coffee maker(that quiet a few have removed), the cashmere blanket and the binoculars.  Our cabin was 3010.  That's the port side  and in this direction you have better views as you approach the ports and great views in Stockholm and Aalborg.  I would say extra time on both ends.  You really can easily get around on your own in these two ports and do most of what Viking offers for less money.  We did our own air and hotels and were able to save enough over Viking's price to pay for all the extras.  You can even did NIAN round trip from Bergen--we did.  Avoid old town Tallinn in the morning.  Very crowded with cruise passengers but very enjoyable in the afternoon.  SP go off the ship for tours and save.  We used Alla.  My first cruise but had always wanted to go to Norway, so it being the climax made sense for me  

2 hours ago, nast said:

Disembarking in Tilbury on Viking Star.

Catching the train in Ebbsfleet at 1:15pm.  

Travel between Tilbury and Ebbsfleet railway station is about 30 minutes. 

 

I think the best thing is to disembark as late as possible and do not wait several 

hours at the station. What do you think ?

 

What's the latest you have to leave the ship ?

You have to be out of your room by 8:00 as I remember but they really want you off by 10:00 at the latest.

1 hour ago, Capt_BJ said:

 The absence of whining and complaining about Viking on CC impressed me.

 

 

 

I like VO too .... but I think you must be selective in your reading as there are some STRONG "not fans" out there ... 

People that major in the minors seem to always find a problem and then instead of trying to solve it they just keep repeating it over and over until it upsets everyone, the complaining, not the problem.  I had never done a cruise before and didn't see why I would as most reports in my area are about the Carribbean  and having been raised with access to the beach it seemed to hold no real interest.  I was lucky enough to be in an accident and survive with a nice settlement and then a Viking brochure crossed my path.  The line hadn't  started construction yet  but I signed for a V cabin on the VH cruise and It opening was 2 and a half years away. My money was gladly given to Viking as soon as I realized it was a lot cheaper than a college degree and I wasn't worried about funding Viking as they were going to get it in the long run., Plenty of time to really investigate the destinations to be able to know what I was looking at when I got there.    Looked into all the ship perks and was ready for a trip of a lifetime.  Best investment in me I ever made and 2 years later I did the MO cruise with no regrets.  In some ways, you miss out on all the comparisons of you don't know first hand.  Of course CC, Rick Steves and Youtube are now my good friends.  I'm glad they take care of you without being invasive.  The passengers for the most part have been delightful.  I know I could get the cruise for more or less money on other lines.  Though I thought about it, I want to feel like I'm on vacation with with people of the same interests and Not having to avoid the college kids, little kids or pretentious elite.