FlaGirl13

On 9/12/2020 at 8:26 PM, zalusky said:

We have our first Viking cruise set for the Midnight Sun in 2022 but I am already thinking past that.

 

I did a southbound Alaska cruise tour on Princess in 2014 unfortunately the wife started coming down with flew as we arrived and once we boarded the ship after the land section she wound up getting quarantined for most of the voyage.

 

So I have been thinking about Alaska again and this time maybe with Viking although we are not locked to any cruise line but we would like to go more upscale than Princess.

I like the Viking cabins, covered pool, included wifi compared to other lines.  I also see Viking has a pre/post tour with the Rocky Mountaineer to/from Banff.

 

Does anybody have anything to offer in personal experience on either the Vikings version of the Alaska cruise experience or the mountaineer land tour?  When I visited Skagway the first time I did not do the train ride.  I think we just walked the town.  In Juneau I did a whale watch but without the wife and in Ketchikan I snorkeled.

 

I would like to whale watching again and the question is which is the best place and tour to do that in addition to other must not miss things.  I know Viking also hits different ports.

 

Regarding the Mountaineer itinerary, We have been to Banff and did the Athabasca Glacier thing in the 90s but I have never traveled westward from there to Vancouver.  I have also not been to Jasper.  

We did Alaska last year on Orion in June and had a wonderful time.  More ports than first time I went on Norwegian, and definitely more upscale than Princess.  We were about half and half on included or private excursions.  Highly recommend the train in Skagway, train up and bus back. Did whale watch too in Juneau, do your research on private companies.  Favorite port was Icy Strait Point, more like “true” Alaska to me.  Ship is amazing, cabin was great (best cruise bathroom I’ve been in), staff excellent, food fantastic, included amenities can’t be beat.  Much more laid back than the mega ships which is reflected in their entertainment, the demographic is definitely older. Loved Viking so much we booked a British Isles cruise while on board for April 2021, fingers still crossed.   I can’t say enough good things about this cruise line we’re spoiled forever.  

On 9/14/2020 at 8:44 PM, tomhigh said:

    Looking at booking an Alaska cruise with Viking. It would be our third Viking cruise.

  When the cruise ends in Seward, do they bus you to Anchorage for the flight home? Thinking about setting up a tour to the Brooks Falls Lodge to watch Bears fishing for Salmon and they work out of Anchorage.

  Thanks in advance,

  Tom

We did this cruise last year.  We were bused from Seward to Anchorage and it was a lovely 2 hour drive with lots to see.  We were taken to a Holiday Inn where you could choose what time a shuttle took you to the airport (according to your departure time).  They gave us a conference room with tables and chairs and refreshments and all luggage was in a locked room which you accessed when your shuttle arrived.   We had hours to walk around Anchorage and explore shops and restaurants.   It was a very efficient, seamless process. You would have to calculate your tour and travel time so it works out for departure time but it probably could be done with a later time to leave.  

We have booked a private excursion and need to know how soon to be back on board before departure.  Excursion is over at 4:15 and ship leaves at 6:00.  

On 4/8/2019 at 9:51 AM, deec said:

I like the new time... this is the first I had heard this!  No more getting up in the middle of the night.  Thanks, Viking.

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!   

On 10/23/2018 at 12:52 PM, jextdo said:

My spouse and I are considering a VO cruise, but I'm a bit concerned whether it's the right choice for us, and I was hoping you all might be able to offer some insight. We're in our early 30s, young professionals in higher education, and have each lived overseas, and we're drawn to VO because we're desperately in need of a real vacation - an escape where everything is taken care of and logistics are only as much of a concern as we want them to be. We've both taken cruises before on mass market lines (with our families, when we were children) and all of the typical Viking selling points attract us (fabulous food, gorgeous, well-designed ships, and no up-selling, nickel-and-diming, photographers, children, casino, etc.) The cost would usually put it out of our reach, but we're fortunate to be able to consider it right now and want to do something special to truly escape from normal concerns, to make a space where we can rest and focus on each other. 

 

My concern, though, is whether we'll fit in enough to enjoy the experience. I know that we're considerably younger than the typical Viking cruiser, but that doesn't worry me - we work and socialize with folks of all ages and are interested in talking to anyone who is interested in seeing us as fellow humans. But we aren't terribly normal-seeming; we're queer, my spouse is trans, and we're simultaneously serious professionals and visibly tattooed roller derby enthusiasts. I've read all the dress code threads where people are offended by others entering the MDR in jeans, and I don't want to plan a dreamy getaway together and then be ostracized because of gender presentation. (Or other sorts of presentation or fashion sense. Or anything, really.)

 

What do you think? Is Viking an experience we can enjoy? Or would we be wise to consider other cruise lines and vacation alternatives?

A cruise is what YOU make it.  If this is a serious (?) post , you shouldn’t be concerned what other people think.  

We are using Viking Air so fairly sure we will be scheduled on a red eye the same day as debarkation. Hopefully will have some time in Anchorage before flight. How long a drive is it?

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I can only add what we had with Seabourn. Anchorage to Seward was on a motor coach with only 6 of us on board. The roads down to Seward were in very good condition and it was a comfortable, extremely scenic drive. This was provided by Seabourn and was door to door from the airport to Seabourn Sojourn in Seward. I would expect if Viking provides transport between the two places it would be much the same.:cool:

Thank you. Sounds like an enjoyable trip either way.

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Taking Alaska cruise from Vancouver to Seward with transfer to airport in Anchorage upon debarkation. Wondering if we are transported by bus or by train. Would appreciate if anyone knows.

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Also too, if you do your own research on acceptable flight itineraries and pay (if you need to) for Air Plus, you can put yourself more in the driver's seat. Don't wait until they send you a flight itinerary. Call well beforehand.

 

 

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What would be considered “well beforehand “? We go June 2019 so can’t check yet.

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We are going to Alaska next year from Vancouver. We were automatically charged the air deviation fee since we are going from Fla, so will be arriving the day before departure. Does VO charge again if you wanted to go 2 days early and see Vancouver?

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Thank you for your helpful responses. I have booked an airport hotel that offers a shuttle to the ship for $20 pp and wondered if Skytrain would be easier/faster.

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Looking to take Skytrain from airport to cruise port. What is the walking distance to Canada Place from the train stop? Is it doable for dragging luggage and a hubby with bad knee?

 

 

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I’ll only be dragging luggage, not hubby, lol.

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Looking to take Skytrain from airport to cruise port. What is the walking distance to Canada Place from the train stop? Is it doable for dragging luggage and a hubby with bad knee?

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Cruisett.com, select a port.

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We were really looking forward to our helicopter trip to glacier in Juneau. Weather canceled our trip. Always have a Plan B.

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When you get to the top, you flip your seat so you are not riding backwards on the return trip. I don’t remember switching sides, however.

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Now compare a Celebrity Alaska cruise to a Viking one (which was my initial post). Margin gets much narrower. On Celebrity: Balcony x 2 = $4220, flight from Fla to Vancouver = $1300, excursions at 5 ports = $1,000 (conservative $200 each port), internet = $300. Don’t know their fees for specialty restaurants or wine/beer at lunch and dinner. The OP addressed Alaska cruises and that’s what I responded to. But the best part is: Sailing on 900 passenger Viking and NOT on a mega ship = PRICELESS.

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We are booked to Alaska in 2019 on Orion. I’ve been on a few Caribbean cruises on other lines and don’t see a lot of price difference between them and Viking when you do the math. Does Celebrity give you free airfare? Do they give you free excursions, wine and beer at lunch, a balcony for everyone, spa access, included specialty dining, etc.? Most of what Viking includes can get pretty expensive on other lines. Have you ever priced Disney? Looking forward to my first VO cruise.

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We were on Island Princess through the Panama Canal. It was built narrower for that reason so all I can add is that your cabin will be smaller than NCL (and that may not even be important to you). The shower size was laughable. NCL has a more relaxed dress code for the MDR. You will love all your ports regardless of which ship you choose. Enjoy.

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We always give extra tips to our room steward and our dining room server and assistant ( we prefer to ask for the same table each night ). We have always had people who go out of their way to be helpful and we appreciate that.

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Formal nights and the people who sniff at those not dressed to the nines. Why do they feel the need to criticize what others are wearing and then insinuate it “ruins” their evening?

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465 days till Viking cruise to Alaska. [emoji15][emoji20]. But flying to Ireland in a couple months so that helps. ☘️

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Can the king bed be separated into two twins? I didn’t think they could but recently saw pictures where it was two beds instead of one.

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We did the Good Hope tour and loved it. The high tea was fantastic, lots of authentic food. The house and grounds are gorgeous, love the history they tell you. I would definitely do it again. Enjoy.

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We will be flying from Florida to Vancouver, BC for an Alaskan cruise. We were automatically charged the $100 pp “air deviation “ fee to go a day early without us asking. What would be the result of asking to go 2 days early? Also, with going a day early and getting our own hotel, do they provide transport to the ship or do we? I’m okay with either, just wondering. Thanks to all the cruise veterans!

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