DesertCruiser2000

So sorry didn’t see this new thread. You may have to give me a lesson on ship. 😁

We survived it was just our first full day in London and reviews were exceptional. I am hoping that it was an exception to the rule for the company. Tip- if someone says great, note name of guide and request if possible. We were there during a school day and there were many school tours besides the 1000s of tourists. I suggest decide what is most important to see and go there first at opening.

Signing on finally. We have had busy days since arriving on Monday morning. I have to say we were ready for a 2 hour plus journey through Heathrow, but we we were off plane, walked through passports, customs and bags riding the carousel when we walked up. It was a brief walk to train. On and heading to hotel within an hour. we are staying at Roseate House a couple minutes from Paddington station. Great people and neighbor. Lots of places to eat and easy to get to major sites. First dat we did a HOHO and it was less then desirable. Maybe the rainy weather or maybe just not the right company. Traffic was diverted so May times and at times it seems like driver passed turn so went around again. This was after a new driver who couldn’t seem to keep bus running. We had got a deal for 48 hours with river cruise and just didn’t have it in us to get in again. we had a semi private tour through the British Museum. We were told to arrive early as Queen for security long. We were near front and waited well over 20 minutes past time she was to arrive. So we got a late start. She didn’t really share much unless we asked questions. We finally left after hour and 45 minutes. We headed to Westminster Abby and had a wonderful experience there as did all on own. But I must sat when we got there it was posted it was sold out. So it paid to get tickets a few weeks ago. Today was tour that was great! We saw all the “best of London”. VIP access to Tower of London -saw Beefeaters opening ceremony and got to hear about their role and ask questions. The Tower wasn’t open yet so we were the first to see Crown Jewels. Well worth it. More time seeing other parts then off to the river for a short tour on the river. Great inside info and stories. we exited the Uber boat and did a very informative walk through Westminster City seeing a lot an ended with a walk through test. James’s park to walk up to Buckingham Palace. Of course the King was in residence and there was a big todo as saw many folks dressed up. News tonight showed him out greeting all those invited. Great day but looking forward to embarking the ship to rest. 😂😂😂

We had Katy for Australian Coast and Komodo Island. I don’t know how that lady does it. She is in the highest heels ever most of day (except when doing laps of the deck each morning with us pax) into the late night. Always smiling and willing to make someone’s day. I guess she won’t be with us on the Neptune. ☹️

Thank you so much. Your pictures are wonderful. We weren’t able to book this pre extension so can get a glimpse of some of the parts we’ll miss. Thanks to for a hint of weather. I know in 3 weeks it may be a little bit warmer, we hope.

Thank you for the info. Crew leaving permanently? Or just for a break? I know on other cruise lines crew would leave at different times for a week break or so.

We are new to ACL and were wondering if it's possible to order breakfast or a snack to enjoy in your cabin?

Yes, watched that episode. There were several behind the scene issues that the crew handled without passengers aware. Docking was just one of them. It made we more thankful for all the crew do to keep passengers safe, happy and as on schedule as humanly possible. We as passengers need to remember this and also the Mother Nature is in control of a lot that the crew does their best to deal with while on the journey.

Are they for free or coin/card operated? Was detergent available?

Moonlion -thanks again for the detailed diary as it will help for our BIE (the next May 9th cruise). Safe travels back home.

Moonlion we wish you smooth sailing. We will be on board a year from now and very interested in your views of excursions. We recently got off an Australian cruise and excursions were mediocre to okay. Australia hasn’t recovered near as much yet as Europe we understand. Have a great time!

Our flight will be leaving at 1 AM the NEXT DAY. So not happy at all. When asked what Viking would do, they said nothing. We have Viking Air and transfers. So instead of sitting we opted for a tour for the day with Tours by Locals. He will then take us to airport, luggage and all. We are hoping the pictures and info of the business class lounges at the airports are accurate and plan to crash there till we leave. Anyone been to the airport lounges?

Thanks for the feedback of Rinca. We look forward to the experience. It seems you are all having a wonderful time at all the ports we will see in a couple of weeks. Enjoy the rest of your trip as I'm sure many of you have waited a long time to complete it. Safe and calm waters. ❤️

Thanks for the insight. Our TA has called Viking and they didn't understand the problem. LOL They said just enter the data. I'm going to go with your info and see what happens. Worst case, we can't get off ship! LOL

Thanks for all the pictures. So nice to see and hear we will see what we have been waiting for for 3 years. Of course we'll get to get off the ship if Indonesia gets their app fixed that we are required to put our passport and COVID vac info in. You are very lucky you missed this transition as it's a mess.

I just did prepaid gratuities and had unused OBC and Viking automatically used my OBC. I also used my debit card from bank and got a 3% discount of balance after OBC. I know its a couple of dollars, but it all adds up at the end of the year.

So from what I'm reading you all got to go to Komodo and see the Komodo Dragons. We are going to be on Viking Mars in a couple of weeks and we have been told we don't get to go and being rerouted to the island of Rinca. There is only one excursion that says we must walk on some raised platform to see things with a walk through a place that we might see wildlife and might see the Komodo Dragon. Not happy as we've waited for this cruise since 2019. Have tried to find something more for Rinca as they say it's part of the Komodo National Park, but can't find anything. Anyone else find anything? Or has someone already done this detour location and have more info.

We are doing similar and have booked Virgin Australia. We found the Choice class includes a checked bag and carry on. You can purchase additional checked baggage. The US has always been generous with size of carry on bags compared to the rest of the world. We have purchased luggage to accommodate and if needed purchase additional baggage.

We too are needing a RAT test before boarding Viking Mars in March. The directions from Viking say we have 3 choices and one is a self administered RAT. "Self-administered RAT test (i.e., antigen) taken within 24 hours prior to boarding your ship. (We recommend you take a picture of your test results with your phone to ensure you have dated proof of your negative result.)" So am I clear on everyone is saying all we need to do is not have this test monitored/proctored by a professional, take a pic with phone with date and time of test? I ask as it seems strange to not have someone monitor/proctor as who says the results I have a pic of are mine? Not that I would ever risk mine or others health, there are others who think its' not big deal. We do have tests we plan to bring with just in case.

Yes you need to declare regular prescription medicines. There's a whole list of what can be brought in, what needs to be declared and what to leave home. I understand why, it's just my blood pressure medicine or my cholesterol medicine but I don't want to start a long awaited trip with a mess at customs. And hefty fines. I have always put meds in a daily dispenser and brought pics of the labels. This is what the country wants and I want to be a good tourist even though I don't agree completely. Besides, it's not like the bottles will take up that much extra room. Check out this site and decide for yourselves. https://www.abf.gov.au/entering-and-leaving-australia/can-you-bring-it-in/categories

As a couple who will be on Mars in March embarking in Sydney and heading to Indonesia, we are wondering if this is a seasonal issue or just that safety standards have been increased recently. We know that there are a lot of working parts to get things done and Viking has been doing great preCovid. But some guest services have dropped a bit as has many other services in life with onset of COVID. I hope that Vikings focus on guests safety and experiences is priority vs. making due with less. Like many we have waited since March 2020 for this cruise and don’t want to see a lot missed out because of poor planning. Thanks for the updates. It was on CC that we watched posts leading to the shut down.

Thanks for info and feedback. I was figuring it was for less trash but they could say that. Maybe even say it's okay to bring an empty reusable water bottle. I get the smuggling in of liquor, too. But a corkage fee for a bottle of wine that you have in your cabin and you open yourself is over the line. I can see limits even, but when you can buy a bottle of wine they have listed for $50 in the store at $15 that's too much. We have traveled on Viking river and ocean and they have limits but there were no fees at the time. Maybe changed, but the stuff we had in our room was never charged for fees. I guess I've never seen a can that has a screw lid so that is helpful.

I know. I know. No plastic water bottles to bring on the ship or are on the ship. We are doing a cruise and land tour and drink water all day. Can we bring either a stainless steel empty water bottle or a collapsible plastic water bottle on the ship? Cans of water are fine if you drink it all at once and aren’t moving around. I’m thinking on excursions we carry water to sip from all the time. Does anyone have any ideas on this. We leave next Saturday for Alaska.

Masks have been suggested but not mandated so I’m sure people are opting out. Now they are mandated for inside and on any cruise excursion transportation. I think HAL is trying to be ahead of things since numbers are rising. People still need to be preventative as this isn’t going to vanish. We need to figure out how best to do what we love and still all be safe.