FlaGirl13

17 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

This belongs in your roll call, not on this general thread

 

It is on the Roll Call. No idea how it got here.  

They also serve the best croissants I have ever had.  Add some smoked salmon, cream cheese, and capers and that’s my winner.   

7 hours ago, Shipsareus said:

Thanks for the responses. I don’t eat fish either, but am fine with eggs and cheese. I’m sure that it will be fine, but when looking at sample menus from the dining room I didn’t see anything different or interesting. Looks like the World cafe could be our ‘go to ‘ . 
Thanks again

I found the World Cafe to be extremely flexible in preparing whatever you wanted. They are certainly not like a typical buffet where you have to take what’s there.  The chefs will adapt dishes to suit your needs.  Enjoy!

Going on BIE  April 2023.  Was surprised a couple months ago to see we were already confirmed on an Air Canada flight. We don’t have Air+ so not sure we have any input.  I’ve not seen very stellar reviews of that airline. It’s likely to change a few times anyway between now and then.  

Just got email from Viking saying that the Dublin port has been closed to large ships and our new port will be about 35 miles away.   All excursions will need to be routed through there.  

I chose not to get Air + and take my chances waiting till Dec to book flights for an April BIE cruise. This morning I got an email saying my flight schedule was changed slightly.  To my surprise a PDF was attached with my flight itinerary (but never having seen an original one I have no idea what they changed).   My TA was surprised as well and said Viking told her they were so busy and were trying to keep up with bookings ahead of time.  Glad to have a schedule I’m actually happy with but know it will likely change 3-4 times before April.  Any opinions on Air Canada and SAS?

We are on the BIE cruise in April 2023. This is the itinerary I received with my guest receipt. Things may have changed since but this is my most current :

4/2 Start cruise; 4/3 Dover - 8 am-6 pm; 4/4 Sail English Channel; 4/5 - Dublin 8 am-11pm;

4/6 Holyhead, Wales - 8 am-6 pm; 4/7 Liverpool - 7 am-6 pm; 4/8 Belfast, N Ireland -8 am-

6 pm; 4/9 Ulapool, Scotland - 12 pm-6pm; 4/10 Orkney Islands, Scotland- 8 am-5 pm;

4/11 Edinburgh, Scotland- 8 am- 5 pm; 4/12 The Highlands 8 am-5 pm; 4/13 Shetland 

Islands- 8 am-5 pm; 4/14 Bergen, Norway all day 

54 minutes ago, MICHE99 said:

When can we see the details of the itinerary on the Viking website? Wanting to understand how much time we have at each port while I’m researching activities. Does anyone who did the London to Bergen route have that information?

On my payment receipt the itinerary was listed on the last page, including each port and the time there. 

We have purchased Viking Air for our BIE cruise in April.  I know there are 2 airports in London.  Do they prefer to schedule one over the other or will they transfer from either?   I’m trying to have some choices ready when it’s time to book.  

Following, also going in April 2023.  Happy to hear of enjoyable excursions.  

8 hours ago, BunlessInSeattle said:

On an upcoming British Isles cruise, we are planning to meet friends for lunch in Liverpool.
 

Curious as to what to expect in trying to meet up with them. Is there a shuttle to the city center that Viking has? Or should we ask them to pick us up at the terminal? 

I was getting ready to ask the same question. I have cousins close by who “fancy a meetup” and I wasn’t sure what to tell them.  Thanks for the info.  We don’t go till next April so hope you’re enjoying your trip sooner.   

On 5/28/2022 at 11:40 AM, TayanaLorna said:

Could be.  Did you book yours from a Promotion?  Ours was an April and then a May promotion. Could be June too but we didn't want to take the chance.

We are April 2023 and also due June 30, go figure.  We are a reschedule from a cancelled cruise.   

Granted, Viking is not for everyone.   Sorry you didn’t have the same experience that most of us have had.  Sounds like Celebrity is more suited to your preferences and that’s okay.  Sometimes our expectations get the better of us.   Hopefully your next cruise won’t be so disappointing.   

Thank you. I have a TA so will let her know what I want, I’m fairly certain she has some Viking connections.  If not, I’ll call them myself.  Any suggestions for a “really good Viking agent”?    

When certain cruises are sold out, does Viking have waiting lists?  I’ve never noticed any available.  

Does anyone know what the double loyalty discount for past guests consists of?   

We sailed on Viking for my 2nd cruise to Alaska (1st time on NCL, never again).   Viking had so many more included amenities when we compared different lines.  But for me the best part was going to the ports the larger ships don’t access.  All of them have the same standard ports but it was the smaller ones I enjoyed the most.  Our cabin was great, food was fantastic, and the staff was remarkable.  Looking forward to our West Indies Explorer in February.   

On 11/21/2021 at 5:51 PM, Peregrina651 said:

 

In truth,  it is hard to predict what the actually plan will be. Each disembarkation plan is different, tailored to the port and flight times of the guests. It depends on what time the ship docks, how early the airport is telling passengers to be there, how many people need to be taken to the airport at a given time, etc.

 

A few things are SOP for all ships, such as all pax must vacate their cabins by 8:00 am regardless of what time their transfer is and at most ports must be off the ship by a stated time. On our Welcome Back cruise this summer, we had to be off the ship by 8:30am but I have heard different times for other ships and itineraries. 

 

 

 

 

Which can be avoided if you use AirPlus and have a say in what your flights will be.  Yes, there is a fee for it, but having spent $10k or more already, I am not not going to let $50 stand in my way.

I paid the fee for AirPlus only to find out the airline I needed was not one Viking contracted with. Previously AirPlus took me 23 hours to get home from Alaska.  You can try and have a say but they’re not listening very well.  

We have found Park and Go to be the best option for Port Everglades, for both cruise port and airport.   They are very efficient, courteous and reasonably priced.   We’ve never waited more than 10 minutes for their bright yellow shuttles to pick us up from disembarkation and return us right to our car.  Book online to get their best price!   

The Aquavit Terrace is an open area next to and outside of the World Cafe that doesn’t have a separate menu. You can easily fix a plate at the buffet and dine al fresco whenever the buffet is open.  There is also a very nice bar just inside.  

Just cancelled Air Plus yesterday with a full refund.  They didn’t have contract with airline we needed so TA booked on her own, with chosen time and seats and for a lower fare too!   They said they will still honor airport transfer.  Said refund usually takes about 3 weeks.  

Our TA was on hold over an hour as well, only to find out they don’t have a contract with the airline we need.  Gave up on Air Plus and TA booked for us for a cheaper fare, with Viking refunding airfare charge and Plus fee and still honoring airport transport.   No complaints….yet. 🤞

Our cabin on Feb 2022 cruise is directly across from launderette.  Will there be a noise problem there?   I noticed on our last cruise there are hours posted but not sure what it’s like during open period.  

We have used Park and Go a number of times with good results. Book online, it’s cheaper. They are very efficient and courteous and the shuttle is waiting when you disembark. Secure, guarded lot.  They load and unload all luggage and drive you right to your car for your return home.   They also handle airport parking.   

On 6/3/2021 at 4:12 PM, Crystal Rich said:

I just booked my first Viking Ocean cruise for December, 2022.  The booking was made on May 31, 2021 and a deposit was made on that date.  I find it most unusual that Viking wants the final payment to be made by June 30, 2021…..18 months before sailing.  Any comments from frequent Viking customers?  Thank you in advance for giving me some feedback on this.

On our first cruise to Alaska we also had to have final 18 months ahead of time.  While on that trip we booked another cruise and were given 6 months before final.  Latest booking is for Feb 2022 and final is due end of this month.