Ontario/AZ

On 10/1/2023 at 4:02 PM, camnjoss said:

We are on board Star heading to Montreal. Kate is the CD. Cruise Consultant is Ram

Lucky you!!  Kate is a Star!! 

We board in a week for a 4 wk cruise and received an email last week letting us know that we should book any excursions on My Viking Journey within 2 days and cancel any we do not want.  Additionally at the same time you must cancel any excursions that are on the first 2 days before the cruise begins  as they will not be refunded.   We have done many cruises with Viking but have never seen this noted before.  We have had to cancel while on board due to illness but they were refunded.

On 1/2/2023 at 4:13 AM, HSBC said:

Would Viking enter your  Aeroplan number to your Air Canada ticket if booking Viking river cruise with Free airfare?  Would you earn any Aeroplan points?

 

Thanks!

I have rec'd them for Viking flights

11 hours ago, shorton said:

 Loved all the great info and pics. We are on the Rome to Istanbul cruise on Venus in October. Your post is perfect reading for us. 

We have done Rome to Lisbon just before Covid.  It was the first part of November which I found chilly as I had not packed enough warmer clothes.  I think we have done 5 river and 5 Ocean with Viking so far.  We have been retired for years so a month away is our usual.  

On 7/3/2022 at 11:43 AM, Sleep7 said:

Since many passengers were going to be off the ship the following evening on excursions The Sky held their Viking Farewell reception with Captain Fredrik Nilsson tonight. 

It was sinking in that tomorrow was the last day of our cruise so it was bittersweet.

There was true camaraderie among the crew which was palpable.. very heartwarming.

 

 

 

Thank you Sleep7.  We depart in 3 weeks for Istanbul.  Pre-extension there before our Mediterannean Iconic Shores 25 Aug - 26 Sep which includes your trip and a couple others.  We end up in Tarragona and post-excursion in Madrid.  Your travel blog was amazing.  We have done most of the cities at least once before but reading your adventure sure got us anxious to leave.  We love, love, love Viking Ocean.  Just returned from France's Finest which was great but we are anxious to get back on the Ocean ships.  Thanks ago and enjoy your travels.  

21 hours ago, Ontario/AZ said:

On our first trip (China 2013)) we received a nice Viking bag that held tickets, passports, etc. and a strap for over the head.  Still use it. Our felt pouches are grey, brown and green.  Grandkids love the pouches for school pens, etc.  

Found another - dark blue!  It was with the extra 24 leather luggage tags.

On 6/15/2022 at 3:02 PM, Myrtle Ave. Mayhem said:

Considering that Viking is a hospitality industry product of high standard & cost point, I wish they would bring these back. I have the green & brown. The pouches set the beginning tone of what is to come aboard the ship, a tactile pre-cruise gift. I also dearly miss the cruise information book. Receiving the luggage tags & stickers unceremoniously in the paper mail envelope is a let down. It's all in the little details. When HAL discontinued their beautiful blue folders I had the same reaction. Do I need the cloth pouch & booklet? Of course not. Definitely first world minor things in the privilege of being able to sail aboard Viking. 

On our first trip (China 2013)) we received a nice Viking bag that held tickets, passports, etc. and a strap for over the head.  Still use it. Our felt pouches are grey, brown and green.  Grandkids love the pouches for school pens, etc.  

Lackcreativity,  I find that people that travel with another couple or two, don't go out of their way to be friendly.  I am always greeting with a smile and a few words.  Of course, the 930 on board were not all unfriendly. We have met a few travel buddies as well but that was river cruises in China and Cambodia/Vietnam.  Those were almost 30 days long so you do spend many hours together.  Anyway, I will see how it is this time.  Doesn't matter we will have a great time on our next 4 booked Viking cruises.

21 hours ago, glenr said:

We just returned from the Barcelona to Rome journey on Viking Sky. The only real issue was the change of departure port from Barcelona to Tarragona. I have a separate post where I covered that mess so won't delve deeper here. Having cruised Seabourn I was looking for a smaller ship and the Sky seemed to fit the bill. It is a lovely ship, well appointed and laid out. Our stateroom was very nice and I found the food venues all good to excellent. In some ways the service actually exceeded my prior experiences with Seabourn and that's a high bar. In fairness to Seabourn it has been some years since my last cruise with them. The Covid protocols were well organized. The embarkation went smoothly and the organization of the excursions went flawlessly. I really liked Viking Ocean. My only negative comment, and this is not on Viking, is that a lot of the passengers were old (and I'm 66) and less than sociable. I'm not sure if this is due to cross selling the river cruise folks or if it is even typical for their other cruises. Dress on board was rather casual which is fine, but there was the occasional baseball cap turned backwards and requests to wear shorts in the dining room. I was one of a few men who brought a sport jacket. We did meet some nice people of course but I was surprised to see how many kept to themselves. I would consider another cruise with Viking but may give Seabourn a try again. The latter seemed to have a somewhat more sophisticated crowd. I'm sorry if that sounds elitist, but there were people signing up for simple flat walking tours who couldn't even handle those. As I said earlier, I can't say enough about the staff on board. Truly excellent.

We have taken many Viking Ocean cruises before COVID.  I agree that many folks do not seem that friendly.  Many were seniors and my husband and I are 72 and 73 but we are still friendly and chat, etc.  I guess it is each to their own.  

On 6/14/2022 at 8:26 AM, duquephart said:

Does Viking still send/supply a nice travel pouch with luggage tags?

No, thank goodness we have many from previous Viking cruises.

Haven't been in that area for a few years but there always has been 'budget' restaurants in any of those areas.  Eat lots of breakfast as it is normally included.  We have done many extensions with no dinners but have usually found something in the area that fits our budget.  In Beiging we weren't sure exactly what the meat was in the noodle shop (lol)!

We fly in 10 days and nothing on MVJ changed.  Under Why Viking on their website, the new info is there.

We started with pre-extension in Edinburgh which could not have been better.  We then flew to London and were taken to the ship.  Unfortunately the ship was not at the dock and we had to be tendered out.  The next day we went to Tower of London on our own by using the tube.  Had purchased skip the line tickets before our trip.  The London included trip was by bus and raining.  Loved the  entire cruise, ended up with extension in Iceland.

Reservations can be made while on the ship.  If you want reservations with others in your group, reserve earlier.  We have done many Viking cruises and no problem being seated.  Sometimes there would be a line of 10-20 folks but no problems if you want to sit by yourselves.  I have been told room service is great.  We love the dining, the food and even the wine.  I love that I can have sparkling water or still.  I love that they get to know you so well.  They know to always fill up my glass of wine (ha,ha).  Great service!!  Enjoy!

50 minutes ago, longterm said:

I didn't know that there were OBCs to be had for river cruises; has anyone on here actually received OBCs from a TA for a river cruise?

There are OBC offered by TAs.  Viking will only allow so much for each cruise.  Our agent on a 7 night river cruise will offer $100 each.  On Ocean 19 day we got $300 each.  These can be used for pre-paid gratuities, spirit pkg and excursions.  Must be used by end of cruise. (And that certainly isn't hard to do lol)  Some agencies may give more but in Canada I don't think they do. 

13 minutes ago, frickwg said:

A Serious Complaint about Viking Ocean

I have been on 3 Viking Ocean cruises.

My assessment:

·        The Ship:  Superb!  Right size, has everything you need or want and none of the things you don't want or that annoy you (Casino, Photographer, Gold-by-the Inch, Art Auctions, etc.)

·        The Cabins.  Excellent, spacious, good balconies, crisp Scandinavian decor.

·        Public spaces.  Well placed, well equipped, and sized with a variety of places to park on a day at sea or at the ends of a day in port, again crisp Scandinavian decor.

·        Food:  Very Good.  Two specially restaurants (though I not a fan of Chef's Table) and great main venues.   Lots of menu choices with good to excellent wines and drinks.

·        Service:  Very Good.  Knowledgeable, attentive, understanding, and helpful.

·        Lectures and destination information.  Superb.  Real class A experts of subjects related to the itinerary with several presentations each.

 

So, what's my problem?

 

Itineraries!  It not the ones they have, it the ones they don't have.  Viking Ocean seems to run in grooves in the ocean.  Nice groves (Northern Europe, UK, Med, some Asia) but grooves non-the-less.  Even their world cruises follow the same grooves!

 

What about: Africa, other Asia routes, Emirates, Indian Ocean Islands, South Africa trans-oceanic (Cape Town to Buenos Aires with St. Helena).  Off the routine remote islands? 

 

I want to take more Viking Ocean cruises, but I want to try new places.  They have lots of ships and are getting more!  Experiment!  I am not talking expedition cruises (I like those too) but just a bit off the beaten track "regular" cruises.

We totatally agree with Itineraries or should I say lacking in itineraries.  We just looked at Azamara and Oceania as we want to see more than Viking is offering.  We have or by the end of the year, done most of what Viking has to offer.  We would like to stay witth Viking but......

On 11/19/2021 at 4:43 PM, eylarson said:

If you prepay with e-check you get the discount.  That's why I do it.  

I like getting 3.3% off and having the funds in Canadian dollars come out of my bank account.  But I am re-thnking this after reading everyone's replies!!

We are booked on the Grand Hawaii & Polynesia 33 days Viking Orion Jan 5 2022.  Have always wanted to see Hawaii and Polynesia.  Alot of days at sea but better than a Canadian January.  

Just recieved a notice that 2022 Mar sailing would not go but Viking has put us on the 2023 Viking Mars  from Sydney to Bangkok.  So this wil be the third cancel but still looking forward to 2023.  We have just booked Grand Hawaii and Polynesia sailing for 33 days Jan 5.  Really can't stay in Canada for the entire winter!! 

They are electronic, sent by email.  Your account at Viking keeps them while they are valid.  We have had many vouchers and hope they are used on our bookings slated for 2022.  We will see if Sydney AU is a go in March!!

I have emailed you Peregrina.

We were scheduled on a 6 week cruise from Auckland to Bangkok last March.  Because of COVID 10, part of our cruise was cancelled.  Initially our last 2 weeks were cancelled, then the second  two weeks were cancelled, and finally when we were on the ship after 11 days they decided best to fly us all home.    Because the 6 weeks cruise was segments, 2 weeks, 2 weeks, etc. it was all credited differently.  The last 2 weeks was 100% money paid back and  $500 voucher each.  The second two week portion, credited by 125%.  The 2 weeks we were actually on,  was 50% back. We have been trying to get all of our monies back since we arrived home.  We know exactly what cash we paid for the 6 weeks.  Unfortunately, we booked the last 2 weeks months after the first 4 weeks so nvoicing was crazy.  We know exactly what we did pay by e-check.  We know what vouchers we were given back.  We did the calculations and we know what we should be receiving back.  Unfortuntely, the invoice of the last 2 weeks of the trip was always difficult to understand but we paid it.  Now Viking has calculated the amount owing but it is a few thousand lower than we paid.  We do not know if anyone else is having the same problem.  We have rebooked for 2021 but afraid that with COVID, that we will not even sail.  We will then have to rebook for 2022.  We had 2 cruises booked and we are in agreement with the 125% back.  But the 6 week is a problem.  We have taken Viking cruises  since 2013 and spent close to $40K every year.  So frustrated!!  Anyone else having problems?

We were on the Orion until we disembarked in Melbourne.  We cannot say enough about the Orion staff and crew.  They went above and beyond.  Many went without sleep for I am sure more than one night.  We booked Syndney to Bangkok for next March 2021.  Can't wait.  Thank you Viking!!

On 2/20/2020 at 5:33 PM, Ontario/AZ said:

In 2 weeks we were to take our 6 week cruise with the Orion from Auckland to Bangkok.  We have stayed an 2 wks, 2 more to go,  in Auckland toruise is  see the sites and so far from Toronto Canada.  We just rec'd Viking's email, our 6 wk cruise cancelled.  We used Viking Air and paid a deviation fee to come to Auckland 30 days in advance.  We booked a condo for that time.  Wow, we are so disappointedand shocked!., This would have been our 7-8-and 9th Viking trip.  So we have to wait until the morning to call Viking (PST) from Auckland (glad we bought a SIM card) to find out how they are gong to get us home..  

Viking's email stated our cruise Auckland to Bangkok cancelled.  They did not mention that only the last 2 wks was cancelled.  We spoke with Customer Service and were informed of the mistake.  They did revise our invoice and a refund of the last cruise has been issued.  I dont think the amount is correct but will call them again on Monday 24th.  Hate to book another cruise right now until this coronavirus has settled down around the world.  Also Viking has arranged a flight home from Bali.  The flight is at 11:20 pm to Seoul, then to Toronto.  Right now South Korea is having virus issues????  What next!!

In 2 weeks we were to take our 6 week cruise with the Orion from Auckland to Bangkok.  We have stayed an 2 wks, 2 more to go,  in Auckland toruise is  see the sites and so far from Toronto Canada.  We just rec'd Viking's email, our 6 wk cruise cancelled.  We used Viking Air and paid a deviation fee to come to Auckland 30 days in advance.  We booked a condo for that time.  Wow, we are so disappointedand shocked!., This would have been our 7-8-and 9th Viking trip.  So we have to wait until the morning to call Viking (PST) from Auckland (glad we bought a SIM card) to find out how they are gong to get us home..