Dauntless

7 hours ago, dwlmg said:

I understand the standard Viking business class offering only guarantees business class on the over ocean portion of the itinerary and economy class is used for domestic connections and connecting flights in Europe.  Do the domestic and European connections get hit with bag fees?  International business class flights generally allow two checked bags. Does that allowance extend to the economy fare connections potentially on different airlines if it is all one itinerary?

I fly economy and there is an allowance of one bag plus carry on and personal item on International flights, all legs.  You may get 2 bags with International business  but then aren't you paying more for your ticket, regardless of if you are using points or whatever, in the first place?  My two trips have always involved 2 different airlines.

7 hours ago, CrookedRidges said:

Does anyone recall or have the schedule from Viking for the trip to Berlin?  The included “Berlin Your Way” shows 6:30AM-6:30PM. 

 

Any my specifics regarding train schedules?  I’d just like to plan departure and arrival times to determine exactly how much time we have in the city.  I’m guessing we have maybe 4 hours, but I’d like to be a bit more precise. 

 

Thanks in advance. 

 

 

It's 12 hours total.  3 hours each way, 1.5 hour panorama tour and then about 4.5 hr on your own.  Some did have guides meet them at the train station and then rejoined up for the trip back.  We left around 8 am and returned about 8 pm.  We had Chef's Table that evening and were told to just come by when we returned as 65 % of the ship was going to Berlin, they would adjust schedule accordingly.  If this is your one chance, go.  Our own your own time was lost so I would suggest finding a guide or a tour or going with Viking alternative.  Now I would suggest the trip with the lunch on the Spree.  4.5 hr is not a lot of time if you don't have your bearings and if they are constantly moving you, you are going to see destinations without the worry of having to shuffle around and then meet up with the group.  They do leave Berlin from a different station.    

7 hours ago, 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.

Just now, just_dont said:

 

Thanks @moatenote and @soundcruiser. (and @Dauntless)

I imagine the details of the port shuttles are provided probably no earlier than the day before arrival in each port (?)

We too are getting very excited about our trip.

SC: Hope you have a wonderful Med Odyssey.

Did this cruise last year.  Marseilles is like Helsinki in port set up.  Do not think there is shuttle in Florence or Rome.  I'll look for Viking Dailies.  Didn't use one but I think there is one in Barcelona but not a bad walk.  Shuttle in Monte Carlo, Corfu, Dubrovnik and shuttle boat in Venice.  Right in town for Naples, Split.  

They usually do but make sure you know when they are running.  On Viking Homelands in Helsinki, an industrial port a ways out, there was a shuttle back and forth about every 30 minutes, except during lunch when they didn't run.  We were not aware of this(I'm sure our own fault) but we almost missed getting back to the ship in port for our afternoon 'included' excursion.

5 minutes ago, harbourside said:

Hi Dauntless.

I doubt it, because all the Asian itineraries for 2020 are on the website.  From a quick glance, there would not be any vacant time frames.

 

I was just relating my personal experience with Viking.  Things might have changed.

Not sure of how comfortable you are with making the arrangements but you will definitely come out ahead money wise with that plan.  Since you are planning on going early, even if you use Viking Air it will be considered a deviation so you will have to arrange transfer to the ship if you are not on their excursion.  Rome is not the real port and it is a distance but there are many services to get you there.  If you stay at Viking's hotel you will probably be charged about double for your room per night and in some cases, there are no extras included---not sure about Rome.  If you use Viking's hotel or not, the money you save there DIY can be  to enhance the time in Rome.

4 minutes ago, harbourside said:

I also have been recently stung by lower prices. 

Also, this cruise FAR EASTERN DISCOVERY has had bad reviews, so it looks like I booked a lemon.  There are two departure dates this year and none for the future, so it looks like Viking  is discontinuing this itinerary.

Viking does have some interesting ways of getting information out about their product.  I did Homelands cruise and after a bit I became interested in Mediterranean Odyssey but they had only announced out so far.  It was late 2017 and only one cruise was announced for the 2018 year in March.  When it seemed to be sold out, I contacted my Viking rep about it and he assured me they were not discontinuing it but he could not tell me when the next sailing would be.  About mid May I called Viking in general and was told that there would be 6 more cruises added.  He knew the months and that they would be added for booking on June 1.  I emailed my agent about it and he questioned how I knew since they had not appeared on the computer as yet.  I told him to ask around and there were people working there that could give him the information.  It was important to get in early as we wanted a V cabin.  When the booking opened, we grabbed one for an excellent cruise.  They may be doing some tinkering before they announce more commitments to the cruise.  Stay tuned...

6 minutes ago, cinci4u said:

It comes down to what the representative told me before I booked the cruise.    He told me that I would not see a lower price in the future and if I did, I would get the lower price.  And yes, I  was dealing with Viking directly.    It is the fact that the representative lied to me to get my business.  I never expected the representative to lie to me because Viking reputation.

So I wasn't there when this happened so I can't be sure but if one letter in would was changed to a "c" then the agents statement would be true.  It might cost you $100, if you were far enough out but you could get the lower fare.  People say I don't hear well so I know it can happen.  Of course, I have also be accused of 'hearing what I wanted to'.  I may not think it's right and if they follow through on it then it's policy right or wrong.  I know some people on these threads refer to 'up grades' that are really 'up sales'.  To me, they are not the same things.  I'm sure they'll miss you. 

2 hours ago, Dauntless said:

 

 But it's the feeling you get when you travel with this company.  I have seen a few that seem to be just totally unpleasant but I don't think the cruise has much to do with that.  Some people just major in the minors and enjoy being miserable.  Thank goodness, though the ship is 'Small', there's enough space to avoid then completely so it only rains on their parade.

I want to make sure that people understand that I am talking about fellow cruisers here and not the crew.  When reading it again just now, I see how some could read this the wrong way.  Some people are just 'cranky' and some are elitists that don't want other people to be able to have what they have, nor should they.  Not sure where this comes from since I don't travel with that crowd but I have seen it.

2 minutes ago, cinci4u said:

Cruise Critic Members,

Buyer beware!!! We are booked in a March for a 9/2020 cruise with Viking and are frequent cruisers on other cruise Lines and are cruise critic members. Thought we would try Viking and talk about great disappointment in the cruise line. We booked our trip; given a price and we specifically asked if we saw the price decrease would we get that price and was told they would rebook us to get the lower price.  

The price did decrease by $600.00 and we called Viking and was told there was nothing they could do about it.  Asked to speak to manager and got hung up on.  Called back asked if we cannot have price decrease can we be upgraded instead.  No upgrade no decrease in price.  We will never sail this cruise line, and are cancelling our cruise.

I understand your dissatisfaction but I think for the amount of money you are loosing to cancel the cruise.  You could do that and rebook at the lower fare.  It may not be the same cabin.  This is not my experience but from what I have read, this is how Viking operates.  I don't set the policy but I do report what I've seen here.

2 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

The great thing about this forum is how helpful people are.  Search tool is nice but doesn't always give what you expect.  I use this and TripAdvisor to research activities.  

I know and I'm also a big believer in Rick Steve's and Youtube for insight.  Even though you haven't been on a Viking cruise yet, and at first I wasn't real sure you were going on one, I was surprised to see you such an advocate recently.  I'm just a dumb guy from Texas and don't know no better but even though some things could and have been tweaked along the way, this is the kind of cruising suits my needs.  It takes me places I haven't been and for a first time in the ports, I'm glad.  I've enjoyed the crew and their interaction, from the captain to the room attendant.  The atmosphere and style of the ship.  Not stuffy or theme park.  A relaxing oasis when you return from your adventures with activities that make you feel like it's something special without being a hectic frenzy!  Belly flop contest and butlers would not be my idea of the style I would choose.   The idea of a booze and snooze cruise holds no fascination for me. The passengers are, for the most part, so welcoming.  When I boarded my last cruise, in the elevator on the way to lunch, a guy aboard said "Welcome to my ship".  It was his second cruise on the Star, as mine, and it turns out we were on the same cruise and ship two years ago though we didn't meet then.  But it's the feeling you get when you travel with this company.  I have seen a few that seem to be just totally unpleasant but I don't think the cruise has much to do with that.  Some people just major in the minors and enjoy being miserable.  Thank goodness, though the ship is 'Small', there's enough space to avoid then completely so it only rains on their parade.

16 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 

Maybe I could think of more questions.... Do you really want that?

Not a challenge, just an observation.

32 minutes ago, zitsky said:

 Now I will spend a little time researching private tours in Rome and Tuscany.  But mostly I will twiddle my thumbs for the next two months.

I think you're kidding yourself from all of your previous activity here!

On 3/28/2019 at 11:27 AM, zitsky said:

I wonder if anyone has done this excursion.  Listed on vikingcruises.com.  It's supposed to be a late afternoon or evening tour.  The page says meal included but the description doesn't mention any.

 

ROME & PRIVATE VISIT OF VATICAN CITY MUSEUMS

 

A ROME PANORAMA AND AN AFTER-HOURS VIEWING OF MICHELANGELO'S MASTERPIECE

Combine the best of Rome with a unique opportunity to visit the Vatican Museum and the Sistine Chapel after hours. You will meet your local guide in the “Eternal City,” where you will view the great monuments of ancient Rome: the Aurelian Walls, the Pyramid of Cestius, Circus Maximus, Capitoline Hill and the Colosseum. A drive along the elegant Via Veneto delivers you to Vatican City, the smallest sovereign state in the world. By the time we arrive, the usual crowds will have departed so you can enjoy a private visit to the world-renowned Vatican Museums. You will have the galleries to yourself to admire pieces from Raphael, Caravaggio and Botticelli. In the Sistine Chapel, marvel at magnificent religious art, most notably Michelangelo’s spectacular ceiling and the iconic Hand of God giving life to Adam. Return to your ship via the floodlit streets of Rome.

 

I can find nothing about it.  Maybe this is new for 2019?

I just looked through our Cruise Document booklet for April 21 sailing last year and it is not there so it might be new this year.  Since you haven't been yet, the booklet is included when they send you your documents and does have everything for your cruise.  It does not come before you book excursions.

16 minutes ago, zitsky said:

Thanks for sharing that.  I'll wait for the schedule to come out in 2 months.

You're welcome but do remember, it will depend on when you can sign up.  At first, we were not able to do both in Dubrovnik but as time went on, they added another Croatia Rivera tour in the afternoon.  I had booked the included for that slot but was able to change that for the morning and things worked out eventually.   

Did you see the thread of the people in the pool.  that's a trans Atlantic and a sea day so everyone is on the ship and there are still spaces to enjoy.

4 hours ago, zitsky said:

Never been on Ocean before so don't want to assume.  Are there usually enough openings that you can do a morning *and* afternoon tour?  Do certain tours book up quickly?

The tours on Viking tend to book earlier in the day.  Depending on what tours are offered and when will depend on your interests and their timing.  We did 2 in Dubrovnick.  In Corfu, Mark's morning tour lasted longer than mine so he could not bet back for the included but since my morning tour covered part of the included area, we just went on our own after lunch and that worked out.  And there were no openings for a tour that we wanted in Split but we did find a similar there and did that and made it back to the ship in time to take the included.  Since we didn't go with Viking in the morning we were able to do both and either one of those were a  paid excursion.  the Viking combo would have overlapped and not been possible to work both in.

1 hour ago, miami mama said:

The cruise looks to be the one K9Pal took (Med Odyssey) and during just about the same time. Sounds like it will be just fine. What kind of excursions did you take? The cruise heads in the Barcelona to Venice direction. We've been to Barcelona and the cities in Italy and know what we would like to do in those cities. However, Monte Carlo, Marseille, Corfu, and the two cities in Croatia are new to us. If you enjoyed any particular excursions either from Viking or privately we would be most interested. Thanks. 

I did this cruise last  April/May but I have it outlined on what our experience was on K9Pal roll call for the March 14 Roll Call.  He seems to have good reports on the weather and he was there the time you are looking at.

7 minutes ago, miami mama said:

Any recommendations on excursions in port? We usually try to schedule things privately but open to options. 

 

Do you know the name of the cruise?  Many ports on the Mediterranean.

7 hours ago, zitsky said:

Do you remember the name of your Viator walking tour?

The tour we got through Viator but the provider is Explore Catalunya  It was Priority Access Best of Barcelona including Sagrada Familia  The price quoted on their website  is a little less than what we paid but I guess Viator probably needs to make something as well.  We had lunch at a great little place in Bari Gotic area.  

I kind of use a guideline of about $20 an hour.  This starts at 8:30 and finished about 4:00.  I could give you other info if interested.  We did and excursion to Monsarrat, A Tapas and Human Tower Tour.  Also took in Picasso Museum with English guide, A great Side car tour in the evening that finished at the Magic Fountain.  Found some 'killer' formal gardens, had a cooking class and took in the Fort on the hill.  You will have entertainment on board on your first evening in Barcelona.  hopefully you will get the ideal docking location about a block from the start of Las Ramblas.

11 hours ago, photopro2 said:

If you happen to be in Bergen on June 21st you might want to look out for the unusual site of three Viking ships in the harbour at the same time. The Sky, Sea and Sun are all scheduled to be there that day. I am not aware of the three ships being in port together before but please correct me if I am wrong 🤓

I wonder if they will all be at the same port.  They do have an alternative a short distance that can be used if the regular area is full.

7 hours ago, zitsky said:

I searched the forum but didn't find any mention of this walk.  Maybe it's new?  I wonder if anyone has done this.  It's not quite accurate, you do a little bit of touring by bus before the na having a marathon starts.  Wondering if this is worth the price.  I have another 2 days in Barcelona, so I have time to do tours then.  Just looking for some activity that isn't exclusively a bus tour.  

This sounds like the included tour but you mention the cost and of course there is none for the included.  Our included didn't go exactly as planned due to Barcelona having a marathon going through the old part of the city.  They did substitute a trip with a walk around the outside of Sagrada Familia with our guide and some other bus part of the excursion.  This was last year in April so there might have been o switch up what and how it is offered for your cruise.  Viator does have the option that we took on our pre cruise day that covered the old town, Olympic area and Sagrada Familia before  lunch and then Parc Guell and "The Quarry"(La Pederia. I think is the official name) but that is a nice tour of the building that Gaudi re imagined.  It has the great roof top undulating design with the Star War type sculptures. A lot of walking but a great way to immerse yourself. 

9 hours ago, Annarundel said:

How is the nightly entertainment?  How is the band in Troshaven?  We were on the Sky in August 2018 Into The Midnight Sun and the musical entertainment Vince and Jennifer and the Viking Band were amazing!   The musical shows in the theater at night were wonderful.  Then in February we did a 14 day Mediterranean Cruise and were so looking for to hearing the band in Troshaven and were so disappointed.  It was awful and the musical entertainment in the theater at night was like watching a bad high school play.  We are thinking about booking another Viking Ocean Cruise and was wondering if the entertainment on all the other ships is the same way.

Cannot speak about the Torshavn but last year in April on our MO cruise we spoke with the entertainers and found out that a new production company was taking over the ships as the old contract expires.  I will say that the new company was quiet and improvement over the first cruise with Viking.  Fewer of the performing group but much better costumes as a whole with an understanding of technical possibilities and pacing of the shows.  The group was getting new men after our cruise and the girls would be changed shortly there after.  This was the first group to appear on the Star.  This could explain why the first group was much better than the second, depending on how the rotation was going with those ships.  We actually spoke with the production group representative as she was bringing the men on the ship. 

4 hours ago, miami mama said:

We are looking at taking the Mediterranean cruise during the "Quiet Season" of late March or April next year. Wondering who has taken this trip in the past and if they could recommend any of the paid excursions. Also, I'm guessing the label of "Quiet Season" really refers to less tourists during that time. However, I am curious what the seas are like during that time. Rough, calm, some combination?????

Which cruise exactly?  Yes 'quiet' means lees crowds and also in some ports that have  things fr the 'season', you won't be able to access.  We went late April to early May and the sea was great that time last year but you know how weather sometimes forgets what is suppose to be going on.

37 minutes ago, Pushka said:

My issue isn’t lost interest but rather handing over tens of thousands of dollars 12 months ahead of the service then getting that money back in a timely fashion if I needed to cancel. And these days anything can happen to any company. 

Point taken.  Have you had trouble getting money back from Viking on any occasion?  I have given them money-not tens of thousands but I have booked air and shore excursions with them and then changed my mind and my money was returned in a timely fashion.  I assume you take insurance for these trips.  If your insurance is not through Viking then I would assume, regardless of what fate may occur to Viking, your investment and return would be covered by another company that does not operate through Viking.  Therefore, that money would be secured.  

The point was made by another poster about it being about 'cash flow'.  Isn't that the case with most decisions in life?  Unknown pregnancies can cause you to adjust how the cash will flow in order to make things run smooth.  I'm not suggesting this is a problem that would effect most of Viking's passengers, but 'these days anything can happen'.  Most of this group has major cash flow problems behind them or they probably would not have the extra cash, or credit, to make these trips.  At the age of Viking's target market we shouldn't be acting like a 20 year old that really doesn't understand how the world works.  And there are other choices if this presents a problem for some.  I think 6 months out is fair for final deposit and more than that is extreme but I know that is Viking's policy and just like not wearing jeans to 3 of the restaurants for dinner, it is their policy.  If I don't want to follow those rules, then I probably should make other choices.  I don't agree with Viking's policy for unreasonable charges for paper work corrections.  Especially for a line that claims to 'not nickle and dime you'.  The rest of that sentence should read 'because we plan on not bothering with the small change'.   This has not effected me but I know it happens and I feel it is totally unjust.  Even if other lines do it, Viking tries to position themselves as a line unlike the rest.

Though I am a big fan of Viking, just like living at home with your parents there are some things you have to adjust to or move out.