OneSixtyToOne

I had the same experience on a different booking. Reservations were suppose to open at 8:00 PM Pacific Time. Logged in a little after 7:00 AM and they were already open.

Hoping they return to their roots and play some Viking Death Metal. 😉

Christmas just came early! I’ve been checking MVJ everyday to see if anything has changed. A few minutes ago there were tables for two available on 3 different days. I was able to reserve a table at Manfredi’s for our anniversary. The Chef’s Table now says reservations will be available once on board. I wonder they are responding to all the complaints and finally opening up more tables?

Rollo is buried in the Cathedral in Rouen (the same Cathedral Monet famously painted). If you take the Viking Normandy river cruise, they explain the history of the Viking conquest and the connection. Some of the suffixes of towns and families in Normandy are Nordic, not French. The Normans are very proud of their Viking roots and there is a model of a viking ship in the Cathedral. If you take the Commonwealth D-Day excursion instead of the American one, it includes a visit to Bayeux to view the tapestry. The tapestry was suppose to be on display in England for the first time in 900 years but it was decided it was too fragile to move. The V&A Museum is in negotiations to obtain it on loan.

We have Enchanting Taormina booked on our upcoming trip in a few weeks. For what it's worth this is where the latest season of HBO's White Lotus was filmed. The Greek theatre has a spectacular view of Mt. Etna.

Offer OML

Just got an update from Viking. Our January pre-cruise extension hotel will be the Athenaeum InterContinental Athens. Is anyone familiar with this hotel?

From a financial standpoint, vouchers will sit on Viking’s books as a liability. The issuance of all the COVID related vouchers probably increases this amount by a fair amount, well above previous levels. I’m sure their bean counters want to clear their books of this liability as soon as possible, for tax reasons or otherwise.

You beat me too it. To the OP, if you see something on this thread that you like, book it. No one really knows when Viking will run a promo or on which cruises. So far we have booked two cruises this way, both times getting a DV1 for the lowest price in that class, free air, and the Silver Spirits Package thrown in on one. I don't use a TA but people have mentioned you can transfer it to a TA after you book. They may offer you an onboard credit. We'll be doing the Mediterranean Odyssey cruise from Venice to Barcelona in the spring. You might want to research that itinerary. Whatever you book, be sure to add a pre-cruise extension at your departure city, either through Viking or independently. You don't want to run the chance of missing the embarkation because of airline delays or other unforeseen events.

You also have the option of selecting which apps use cellular data. I turn them all off just in case I accidentally turn on cell service.

Misposted

My favorite Dunning-Kruger meme:

I just read an article about the Dunning-Kruger effect and the root cause is a total unawareness of yourself.

I noticed this a few days ago. We are sailing less that 30 days out (DV1). Reservations never opened online for us. It just said they weren’t available. I wasn’t sure if they changed policy or if it’s been this way for a while.

There are two types of people in the world, those who see the glass half full and those who yell “Who the hell stole my water!”

Also interesting to note the Chelsea Flower Show is May 23-27. It's one of the largest flower shows in the world. We attended one year. It is spectacular.

Since we’ve been to Venice before and are taking the pre-cruise extension there, we are considering the Viking optional excursion to Padua. From the map it seems like it might be quicker than trying to go back into Venice. Has anyone taken this excursion?

Turning on Airplane Mode turns off Cellular Data.

Different target audience for the promotion? Different code can also determine what promotional channel was used and the effectiveness thereof.

This thread is about Naples, not Venice.

None https://www.travelagentcentral.com/cruises/italian-decree-bans-cruise-ships-from-venice-august-1-but-alternatives-planned

Again, my issue is all the promotional material states that DVs get “1 guaranteed priority reservation at each alternative restaurant 60 days prior to departure.” This appears to no longer be the case. Don’t “guarantee” something you cannot deliver. For whatever reason, not allowing DVs to book advanced reservations was a decision made by somebody. Staffing shortages, COVID, supply chain issues, whatever, the reason is unimportant to me and I can accept that. Just don’t make false promises. If you can’t fulfill your “advance reservation guarantee” fine, then remove it from the “perks” listed in the advertising. It is deceptive.

That’s exactly what I did. Nada.

Seems the DV rooms are being locked out (read other posts on this forum). I wanted to make reservations for our wedding anniversary so I contacted Viking and the rep told me she would check every day to see if anything opens up but there was nothing else she could do. I've read on this forum that others, like you, have been accommodated. I guess it all depends on the whim of the agent and the luck of the draw. I'm hopeful that we can book once aboard but I know they are limiting the number of tables they are opening up to advanced reservations and this is impacting DV customers. My issue is that If they no longer are allowing DVs to reserve in advance they should change all their promotional material.

Or just watch the Penguin Cam