Dauntless

16 minutes ago, SargassoPirate said:

 

I've trekked and camped in bear country over 29 times and I've never been eaten by a grizzly.  That doesn't mean that I don't take precautions or that I am not aware of my surroundings.

 

You have been 29 days lucky and I hope your luck continues, even when you sit down to the World Cafe and the previous guest sneezed all over the table and the waiter sanitized the placemat by using sneezy's napkin to wipe it off before putting your tumbler and coffee cup upside down on the mat. Yum yum 

 

 

I'm glad to see you are keeping everything in perspective.  Since you have time to major in the minors, what are the odds this would happen?  I'm not saying it couldn't but really?

1 hour ago, Marykatesmom said:

Yes.  The cruise is Friday to Friday and it is one less day to we need to take off from work.

 

But you do bring up a question.  Is it one deviation fee per ticket or per flight?

 The deviation fee is per cruise and per person.  Each person pays the fee and you can deviate on arrival departure or both for the same price.  I've only been to Europe twice and I didn't want to miss out on the first or last port cities.  If it was an every year thing or say a Caribbean cruise my thinking might be different.  But I am self employed and can adjust my schedule.  Luckily. 

On 4/17/2019 at 6:38 PM, Marykatesmom said:

I booked my tickets this afternoon for my February 2020 trip to Cuba.  My cruise is paid in full and I purchased Air Plus.  I called them knowing what I exactly what I wanted before I got on the phone.  I never purchase airfare through the cruise line but  it was on sale at time of booking for $199 economy and now those tickets are $700.  I was able to get exactly what I wanted including a 2 day extension for $100 deviation fee per person.  I also was able to book a Comfort + upgrade for what looked like what Delta would have charged me.  I picked my seats and and he entered my Skymiles and Known Traveler numbers.  There was no fuss whatsoever.  I should be getting the itinerary within 48 hours in my inbox but I see the information on My Viking Journey with the ticket numbers.  We overnight in Miami otherwise I would have prefered to come in the night before the cruise and not the morning of the cruise.

Since you are paying the divination fee, why can't you come the night before?  Your schedule?

16 hours ago, zitsky said:

 

So no problems with motion, sea sickness then?  I take meclizine. 

We were in 3010, not a PV but in the same area on deck 3 and had no motion problem.

7 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Yes I’ve asked but apparently XL (maybe xxl?) is as big as they come.  I’m six foot seven and not “big boned” as my grandmother used to say so....I just do without, it’s not a biggie as I rarely wear a robe at home.  

That may be but at home you probably don't have as many people that have seen you in the 'all together' as they have in the Atrium on the ship!  Not judging, just saying...

13 hours ago, FlaGirl13 said:

The new time is good but last week our Alaska excursions window opened and the site went down almost immediately.  Hopefully Viking will work on this issue. I went back in after an hour and was able to get the included excursions we wanted, others were not so fortunate, even missing out on some paid ones.  Good luck with yours!   

As has been stated here before, keep checking as things do change, they just aren't going to tell you.  Last cruise I was not able to get an excursion I wanted that was sold out, but only because they added another time.  If I hadn't kept checking I would have had to try to arrange it myself.  We had the time in port to do so but there was a little amount of travel I didn't want to have to deal with so I was glad they made adjustments.

7 minutes ago, caviargal said:

 

It absolutely did.  I never leave home without travel insurance.

But not always 'cancel for any reason'.

21 minutes ago, jiminyC_fan said:

Ragnar, I can't add to the list because I truly find it a bit over the top.  My first thought on this whole post was how do people go through life worrying about every little germ that might be lurking.  Then I read your post about buffets and just shook my head.  What can I say?   We ate many, many, meals at the World Cafe.  Never got sick.  Never over indulged because I have self control.  If I don't want sushi and chocolate cake on the same plate, I would simply get two plates or better yet finish my meal and then go for dessert  I would never feel like a fellow passenger is being rude by getting up midstream of a conversation at a buffet. 

Unless the conversation has drifted to going on and on....and on about the buffet.  most of things listed either show lack of self control or understanding of proper etiquette.  Maybe we all need to be schooled in manners.  Of course, we'll have to add the cost of that to the cruise.  Also, fitting into Vikings target market age, haven't we all had things in our mouth, growing up and lived to tell the tell?  Maybe we're just getting too old and paranoid to travel. No one wants to get sick or be hit by a car but you take your chances when you leave the house and most of us returned unscathed.

7 hours ago, caviargal said:

 

The visa is obtained through Viking and included in the fare.

Due to a family crisis, we did not take the cruise and cancelled the day prior.

I hope that was covered under the insurance you did have.

51 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Viking could sell an extra service. . A private butler who would stand in line and get your food for you.  (I think that is called a restaurant.)

And we are talking about the WC which is a buffet.  Now a private butler is really going to drive up the cost of the cruise. 

1 hour ago, TruJeffie said:

Hi Ragnar,

 

I soo agree with you about buffets. Last time on a Viking cruise I had a plate with sushi and lamb on it. 

 

Jeffrey

How did that happen?  I thought you were putting everything on there if it was a buffet.

15 hours ago, ropomo said:

Hi,

You can see descriptions of the offered excursions here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/baltic/viking-homelands/index.html and move from day to day.  We are leaving on Vikings Homelands next month and I do know that at least one port (Tallinn) has a "leisurely" rated tour, see  below.  I don't recall if there are others, but you can scroll through the link above and see.

 

 

 

 

 

If you can, take the afternoon included,  It's much more civilized and enjoyable when the other cruise ships are departing and the streets have space.  You can go in earlier on a shuttle if you want. The port is very close to the old city so it's easy to get back to the ship! 

49 minutes ago, Ienjoycruising said:

WE are starting on Oslo and taking the train to Bergen to begin our Homelands cruise.  Do you recommend that we also take the Flamsbana train ride when we are in Eidfjord?  Are the 2 train rides so different that you recommend us to take both?  Thanks.  I have made notes while scrolling such informative info on the excursions for Homelands.

The ride from Oslo to Bergen is over the mountain, slow ascending up to the point and then and ease down and I believe it takes 8 hours(We only did half with our NIAN tour).  The other train  ride is partly through the mountain from my understanding and the approach we had to the Fjord from Myrdyl was spectacular.  On this journey it only takes about an hour form the high point to the fjord and the track does wind like the roads.  I did not do this as when we took the cruise, the ship docked in Flam.  You can probably get an insight of the difference on Youtube. Our trip from the top to the fjord took one hour so it is quiet an incline and only about 12 miles.

7 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Here you go...nothing special though I really liked the non-silver spirits dessert wine.  It was mighty tasty with the cheesecake....less so by itself. 😂

I really liked this wine.  On the ship it was not included as 'included' but we did get to try it at CT for this menu at no extra charge.  

My first cruise, I walked up at opening the last night of the first rotation at CT and was seated.  We liked it and booked for the next night with the new rotation.  We knew someone on board that was having a birthday party on the sea day at Manfretti's and when we boarded we made our reservation and asked to be seated with the party.  They had arranged to have one of the party rooms.  When we left CT the second night there, we had reservations for every other rotation of the menus.  Close to the ending of the cruise, the word on board was there were no more reservations available at the specialty restaurants but at about 4 days out I went to Manfretti's when they opened and explained that we had been in the party room on our visit and had heard there were no reservations left.  I was told I was right, there were no more reservations left to book on the computer but to come a couple of nights later when they opened and they were able to seat us when we got there.  There were many tables available but maybe they were reserved  for a later time. The last cruise, CT was changing every other day and there were 2 rotations we could not make due to being booked.  We might have been able to be seated if we went but this time I traveled with someone with dairy allergies and as we left our cabin each morning for breakfast, the menu for the restaurant that evening had been delivered and he would circle what he wanted and return it to the desk at venue before we  left the ship.  Under those circumstances we didn't try to change plans on a whim.   Since CT changes every other day now, it was a little harder to get in, even though there are many who say it's not their style, there must be many that do. 

19 minutes ago, Paulchili said:

I am not sure I understand your question or its relevance to this topic. Do you think we were banned from Oceania?

Do you cruise a single cruise line exclusively? 

We do not. We have 28 Oceania cruises in our past (including a free one after 20) with 3 more booked. That said, we have cruised enough on Princess to be Elite; we have cruised on HAL, Celebrity, NCL, Voyages of Discovery, P&O Australia, Cunard, Seabourn, Regent, Silversea, Crystal (and some others, including 3 Viking river cruises & 2 AMA cruises). 

This will be our first VO because we like the itinerary and want to see how they compare to other cruise lines that we have cruised on - it’s as simple as that.

If we like the product we will cruise with them again - if not, we will cruise with lines we like better.

We are not “fascinated” by Oceania but like their product very much. If I think they do something better than another line - like their buffet - I will point it out (and vice versa).

20 minutes ago, Paulchili said:

I am not sure I understand your question or its relevance to this topic. Do you think we were banned from Oceania?

Do you cruise a single cruise line exclusively? 

We do not. We have 28 Oceania cruises in our past (including a free one after 20) with 3 more booked. That said, we have cruised enough on Princess to be Elite; we have cruised on HAL, Celebrity, NCL, Voyages of Discovery, P&O Australia, Cunard, Seabourn, Regent, Silversea, Crystal (and some others, including 3 Viking river cruises & 2 AMA cruises). 

This will be our first VO because we like the itinerary and want to see how they compare to other cruise lines that we have cruised on - it’s as simple as that.

If we like the product we will cruise with them again - if not, we will cruise with lines we like better.

We are not “fascinated” by Oceania but like their product very much. If I think they do something better than another line - like their buffet - I will point it out (and vice versa).

No, I didn't say you were "banned' nor am I picking a fight.  I certainly have not read all of your posts and you certainly have much more experience at the than I do. My experience with cruising is small and it has not really been anything I was interested in, until recently.  From what I have read of your posts, all I saw was Oceania so I was just wondering.  No we all can post our opinions and the last two paragraphs of your response does give me a better insight to your remarks.  I'm just trying to put everything in perspective.

14 minutes ago, Paulchili said:

No, it’s NOT a cafeteria - there are no trays. In fact, very often wait staff offers to carry your plate to your table if you choose so.

It’s a buffet like on any other cruise line. The only difference is that you are served by a staff member instead of self service. This can be done on any ship that chooses to do so, including VO.

Much more civilized.

I'm wondering, with your fascination for Oceania, why you are branching out.  Is it your choice or theirs?

10 hours ago, zitsky said:

There is one port where I'm thinking to do a private tour.  (Rome)

We used Italytours.eu which someone else had started and we found out about it on the roll call(also used them in Monaco, Livorno and Naples for various reasons)  The Viking tours did not cover Colosseum and Vatican in one excursion that I remember but it might have but felt the price was too high.  Anyway, there were 12 of us, divided in 2 groups at the beginning of the day and we all meet after lunch for the guided tour of the Vatican.  Split into 2 groups again for the ride back to the ship.

On 4/9/2019 at 8:59 AM, zitsky said:

Port times on myvikingjourney for Marseilles are, arrive 8:30am leave at 6:00pm.  But on vikingcruises.com they list an option to have dinner at a Michelin restaurant.  That doesn't make sense with the times listed.  Perhaps it was something they offered in the past, but then changed the departure to an earlier time? 

 

I understand that what is shown on vikingcruises.com is only tentative, and actual excursions will be shown in about 2 months for my cruise.

In April last year, this excursion was not offered on my cruise.

13 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Sounds like a good idea if fresh.  Do they provide all the usual things, chopsticks, soy sauce, wasabi, ginger?  Or is that expecting too much?

I think I saw nets so I'm sure it's fresh!  Probably expecting too much but I don't partake.  No thumb twiddling for you I see.

3 minutes ago, ropomo said:

As I recall, which is getting to be more and more of a stretch with each birthday, the restaurant uses glassware and the World Café uses plastic tumblers (not disposable) for water/juice only.  Coffee, wine, soft drinks, bar orders in ceramic/glass everywhere.

I thought the same thing and I'm sure the poster was talking about WC when they spoke of the restaurant but Viking is partly the blame since they couldn't come up with another name.  I had heard, early on that they were thinking of changing it to the Dining room to go along with The Living Room.  Guess that didn't happen.  Except for breakfast, we always had wine so I wasn't sure about those other glasses.

25 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Viking is asking $600pp for two nights at the Hilton Cabana; you can probably make your own arrangements including paying the deviation fee and transfers for less than what Viking is charging for the extension.

The rooms are renting for around $ 300 a night so you can see the inflated prices and probably not much is included from Viking.  You can certainly do better on your own even with transfers and spend that extra money on something that enhances the trip, rather than drains the bank account.  Luckily, most people there speak English so you shouldn't have much trouble navigating the city.

48 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

 

In Barcelona, the shuttle will take you from the ship to the esplanade in front of the World Trade Center just outside the gate of the port and a block from the Colon statue. From there you can get a cab, a subway a HOHO or a bus to wherever you want. Don't waste your time and energy walking from the ship into town; it is a two kilometer walk to the front gate with steps and a steep bridge. Shuttle does not run on disembarkation day.

 

 

 

 

Or with any luck, like we had, they move your docking position to the the World Trade Center.  Now, I really can't imagine being way out at the other terminals

1 hour ago, SM77 said:

 I would check & make sure that there is no Miami post extension - sometimes Viking will add extensions.  

But you could do it yourself and save some money.  If you go early or stay later there is only one deviation fee of $100 and if your paying money for the deviation and and Air plus, why not save some where you can.  The port is easy to navigate. 

On 4/7/2019 at 7:25 AM, lextrvlr said:

 Evidently, one is almost forced to dine in the World Cafe when the Restaurant is closed. 

This is certainly not a true statement.  You can go the whole cruise without eating in world Cafe.  Since you haven't been on the cruise yet it's not a good idea to paint pictures with broad strokes.  The only time the restaurant isn't open, on some days is lunch.  Other venues are available on the ship.  Most do the World Cafe  at breakfast but the restaurant and Mamsen's are open.  For lunch, if the restaurant is not open, there is still Mamsen's and the pool grill and in the evening, there are many choices.  The deli at the Viking Bar on Deck one also has something to get you through if you don't like the normal offerings, or room service.