Sweet Tea Two

Is there anyone coming on board in May 31 2020? I was wondering???

Hi Our family is going to Harmony of the Seas in mid May 2020, and wanted to know what is the best hotel to take us to that is not too expensive for one night and leave our car there for the duration of our cruise for 7 days. any suggestions.? thanks Sweet

I am relaxing in my 4000 square foot house in Florida just over the bay of Tampa. I love my life. I had a career where I dealth with dead bodies all day and the ones who never talked much. SO when that ended after 30 yrs in this business I opened up a jewelry firm that did not pan out too good done that its no where to be found now, then I decided to the art show circuit with some friends and sell what I made with my hands in silk painting to designing quilts etc.. Then I written a childrens story book, but then that was boring bringing the lap top on the cruise ships.. so now that I am fully retired, I wanted to sell off the house and move by the ocean well its called the gulf, 2 miles to gulf now I can ride my bike, hike and walk slowy over the bridge to get to PJ's for a Beer and Fish Sandwich. That's always good for that.. Now that I am fully retired myself not my husband by any means. I can travel. I get the "ee bee gee bees" that's time for mom to go off on another adventure. When I have those the kids know what that is the old broad is leaving us again on an old ladies trip. I have decided to write about the people I meet. That way I can share the stories with those I love. No one.

SO I feel that my retirement is to learn as much about the world, share what I have with those who have nothing in poor countries and leave no one nothing spend all the money while I can. Cause no one will have to fight on where they are going to bury me. :o so in that fact have fun.. do what you like to do... and have fun. that's all you can do at 56 yrs old or about that age.

I know that you shouldn't assume, but I will throw caution to the wind. I assume that many of the members that post in this forum are retired, and I was wondering what you did to celebrate your retirement. Does not have be a cruise, just curious (throwing caution to the wind again) what other people did.

 

I took a cruise on the Freedom of the Seas with DW and another couple. All four of us got the drink package, and it was nice to not have to have a designated driver. We (DW and myself) booked a JS on the hump. I think we got spoiled and will be looking to book JS or higher on our future cruises. It was a Western Caribbean itinerary, and we had a great time. Labadee and Falmouth were alright, but the Caymans and Cozumel fantastic.

 

So what did you all do?

 

Craig

My suggestion is to do this alone and get to talk to others. Even though I am married still I try to go on solo trips without my husband for some r and r for myself. My life has been very hecked it and I need some free time FOR ME> moi. and I like to do things alone, I find that sometimes talking to someone cause Everyone has a story to tell. and That I like my life the way its supposed to be.

My life has had may pit falls from things that happened to me over the years and that I need some "me time" and I do not always get that.. so now and then I get the "ee bee gee bees" which means Momma is going away so start packing the old broad is leaving us again!!! They know what that means. This past summer took the ole guy hubby on a trip with me, even though we had fun, it still was not a ME Time. We had a nice time. Infact Next year 2018 I have booked a trip with him again but this time I am going to a tour without him he don't like to walk much, and I like slow walking.

Do things for yourself. I enjoyed myself on Viking River.. we loved it.. they do have single rooms but price is still the same plus additional 550.00 more for single rate. so much better than paying double the rate. I know you will have a good time and have fun isn't this what lifes all about?

enjoy your freedom... talk to everyone write a journal about who you met.what they did before they started the cruise, everyone has a story to tell.. tell me yours? instant message me. PS Lois if you ever want to travel with someone let me know I am willing to travel with ya.

Lois I think you may be missing the point on why some posters appear to be asking about other solo cruisers. Since solo doesn't necessarily mean any specific marital status. From my reading a lot of married people will vacation alone for numerous reasons.

 

I have found on my past cruises, that most people are friendly enough but not necessarily interested in having someone new joining them in an activity, meal or to just sit and gab over a drink or coffee. So to find those people that would embrace widening their circle of those they came with isn't that easy, especially on a ship of 4000 people. At least not in my experience. But I feel if people are going to a solo gathering, they are probably more open to wanting others to join them for certain activities. Granted not all solo travellers want that either, since some from an already hectic busy life are just looking for quiet and solitiude but that being the case they probably wouldn't be attending a gathering that has a main purpose of introducing other cruisers. So besides the solo gathering and the CC meet and greet, I don't recall any other gathering of people at the beginning of a cruise.

 

So to sum it up, some of us that are researching to find the best way to meet others on the ship that will embrace a stranger as just another friend they haven't met yet.

 

Since my husband has passed, I live a life of quiet and solitude. Not really what I'm looking for in a vacation. I'd love to be able to laugh and enjoy other people's company.

When you book with Viking the first time the next time you are supposed to get a 200.00 pp credit to return with them again. If you do not use that 200.00 within the certain time within 1 yrs of your booking, why do they think that they can only give you an additional 100.00 booking credit should they still consider giving you the additional 200.00pp credit to come on board anyways. Some people like us can not afford to go on another trip so close together. If our trip costs 15,000.00 for the two of us in one year, the following year it will cost the same, if there is only one person working in our home, we may not be able to go off and do this again for another 5 more years. Will they allow us to hold off on the next trip the 200.00 pp credit? I Was Told No. We had to book it within the first year but we can stretch it out for 3 years till the next booking tour.

Why is that? thank you in advance.;p

I was wondering how much extra is the back to back cruising. If I would go on a Ocean Cruise Med Oddesty first end at Spain or Venice fly to Passau Germany and then take the Danube Waltz cruise on the river can this be done or has anyone done anything like this and how much extra will that be coming from the states? Thanks.

Can I please ask you a question? I want to know when you first booked your cruise, shall I book the Chefs Table how far in advance if I am leaving in 2019? When shall I do this? Also are all the other dinners on the ocean cruise different from each restaurant? Like Italian, or French? Do they have specialty Steaks and Fresh Fish dinners? Are they all included in the price or do you have to pay more from your cabin to get these extra fun things? thanks.

In a word: fabulous! We boarded yesterday, embarkation approached flawless. Sail away was breathtaking, no loud music or annoying announcements, no bingo or art auction advertising. The ship is understated and unpretentious elegance, absolutely perfect for us. Love our room and we slept so well in our very comfortable bed. Staff is second to none. We signed up for the Silver Beverage Package and already have found it to be well worth it ... had my first Martini yesterday and it won’t be my last! Dinner in the Chef’s Table was outstanding; it was our favorite dining spot on our first Viking cruise and is on track to be again. We have reservations for all 5 menus, some new ones from last year. The upgraded wine pairings are well worth it. More later!

to me that is so unfair that if you paid more for your cruise vs someone who paid less should not be treated differently in the resturants when you all went and booked to the same trip, vs a suite over a regular cabin. That is just uncalled for. Everyone should be treated with respect nothing else.. you all bought into this trip everyone needed to be doing the best for everyone not vice versa just because you spent 14.000 for your trip pp vs someone getting one for 8900.00 pp.. everything should be treated the same . my opinion.

The experience of shopping for various food items in port with the chef, and then making a meal with those ingredients (which I would love doing) is an option I have read happens , however I have also read that these classes are offered on Sea days when it would not be possible to go to market....

it would be really helpful if Viking could clarify for us how this all works....I truly think that there are a good number of us who would really enjoy the experience....and how to be able to participate.....

Laura Any new places that the River cruises are going through for 2018/2019?

VIKING HAS COME TO THE USA IN ALASKA trips.. we have seen them for 2018.

http://reason.com/blog/2017/12/15/there-will-be-no-viking-longboats-cruisi

Kathy I have traveled with this low airfare was not crazy about it much but then again, if I was traveling to the far east then I would have booked along side with Viking air the Business Class where I can sleep. While we went to Amsterdam in July the flight was long yes, but not any worse then to sleep in a train car going up north. IF your husband has long legs like mine did, get him the seats with the emergency exit they have more leg room otherwise it was still good. Luftansa was very good for us gave us whiskey for free food was also good. not top chefs but overall good too.:D

Good day fellow travelers! I am excited to be going on my first river cruise, choosing Viking only because my brother and wife picked it and they have river cruised before.

 

We have air at a very, very reasonable price. What has been your experience when you do your air thru Viking? Do they want until the very last minute to book it for you? Do you get stuck in awful middle seats? Do they make take the longest, cheapest route or the most direct?

 

Any help, tips, information you can provide would be greatly appreciated.

 

Cheers!

 

Kathi

I have compared the room size as well as recognize that Viking carries more passengers than Ama - and neither is really an issue as we don't plan on spending a ton of time in our room and are used to 3000 on a cruise ship so I don't think we will in anyway feel crowded.

 

The excursions is a little harder as it appears Ama has more variety but i am not sure that matters on a brief first time foray into these ports - I think we would be using the cruise as an overview and just trying to get a feel for countries or cities we might wish to explore further. Do you have any insight into any particular excursions?

Please only note that you MUST get special Permission from Viking about your 13 yr old sons or boys. They must be on the best behavior like my grand kids were. or they will be asked to leave and no money returned. They told my daughters that once the kids were on board.

I have skin issues with certain products. When we did our river cruise last year, I saw that they were using . I got some to test. Wasn't wild about the scent, but it was okay for a week. Shortly after, they changed to their proprietary brand, Freyja. I posted on their FB page to see if there was someplace I could get them. Got an email from Viking, saying that if I sent my address, they would send me samples. Cool.

 

About a week later I get a box from Viking. Inside was a lovely silver bag, with full sizes (cruise sizes, not itty bitty samples) of all the products with a nice note! I tried them - they were fine! I left mine home. And I will be leaving them home for our next 2 cruises with Viking!

Write to the company Freyja I believe they are the same company as L'Occitane products they are very good. We had them in our river cruise this past July. I thought that they were good too, I have treated hair and it was ok. I do not think you need to buy or bring a lot of shampoo if you plan to washing your hair every day. I know that the airplanes do not allow anything bigger than 3 oz and that's the same size as what they give you on the ships.

I have an important question Which is best to go on Ocean Cruise on Viking Ships, I am already booked on the Danube Waltz in July next year but I wanted to know what do you think about changing it to the Ocean cruise the Viking Sky where as I can see more and do more?

I want very much to see Barcelona Spain, France, Italy, Greece and Slovania and Croacia and Maybe do more things, and Since I am getting up in my years not sure if I can do this in 3 more years, as I am not a spring chicken anymore. The tour I am looking at is Med Oddessy.

I have some youth left but I rather do something now that I can still walk

Any suggestions please? Thank you all in advance.

You may want to consider going on Ocean Cruise with Viking they give you everything you need even the tours, the food is really good the prices are comparable and their airfare to Europe or Sweden is also really good not too high. So consider them.:D

We both had a very nice time with Central Park, I preferred this, The only thing I noticed was the balcony across from me where the man always sat outside reading a book, looking into my cabin with his bincolars. When I close the curtain he would go inside, the moment I opened it up, he come out. I did report this to guest services, but they said that this is HIS vacation too, so he had a right to do do what he wanted. This was last year. I loved Central park there were birds singing and there was no noise there. IT was calming.. We were on the 10th floor. When it rained a bit the rain fell through but not a lot.. I really enjoyed this place.. I am wanting to go again but I want to be going on a lease expensive ship this time.. this one was the most I have ever spent on a 7 to 9 day cruise.

You will enjoy this.