Planning to cruise

I dont know that you could get a complete veg meal. I dont eat shellfsh. Crab was in the starter dish. I said I woild pass on it, I was happy to do so, no big deal. I know the staff insisted on providing something more acceptable but I cant remember what. The restaurant was not very busy at the time, after the first rush.

It was in Quartotoq that we passed a meat stall. Lets just say they eat parts of the animal that we may not such as the head. On display, the whole thing, ready prepared for the pot.

As you probably know, Kirkwall is the capital of the Orkney Islands. An excursion will take you out of town. The town itself is pleasant with a cathedral but is unlikely to keep you for a full day. In my opinion it would be good to see more of the island, historic sites, scenery. I agree, see Bergen on your own. Haugesund and Eidfjord are small. Why not look at the excursions typically provided in each port by HAL? You might fancy a particular one depending on your interests.

We have had a 2 week holiday in Hughtown St Marys. Visiting other islands depends on timings. The time of your arrival on the quayside and departure of island boats. Those boats are not large. You probably would not want to do an island trip in poorer weather. When on one of the islands it will be walk, walk and admire the scenery and beaches. They are lovely and 'away from it all'. The island of Tresco is popular for its gardens. Some cruise ships run excursions to Tresco. Many from far and wide go to Scilly specifically for serious birdwatching. The town at St Marys is not large. It is interesting to walk around but will not take you that long. When we were there we did lots of walks. The countryside is beautiful, the pace is quiet and distances are reasonable. If that interests you, get a map (Google maps are a start), decide the route and have decent footwear. The ship will probably tender. That reduces the 8 hours. If sea conditions are poor, as they sometines are around the Isles the call may be missed.

Ah, thats the segment when we experienced a force 10 situation for a couple of days, off Newfoundland. At one stage there was also a fire on top, put out in those conditions by crew. First sitting dinner was evacuated, announcments requested dog owners to go to the kennels and parents to collect children. Staff were seen ready in life jackets. Our second sitting dinner proceeded as usual. While the storm continued decks were closed, most entertainment curtailed and shops closed for safety. It was suggested that those with mobility problems should consider remaining in their staterooms and using room service. Older people in the next room stayed put with the corridor door open. We were physically unaffected, carried on as usual though things rolled around in the Lido. This is highly unusual, was still talked about by staff on board some years later.

More than once we have found those bookmarks in a book we are in the middle of reading on board. It has appeared at the correct place in the book on the bedside table when we are out. We assume the room steward notes what is marking the page and helps out ......? Another example of Viking service.

While we are on the topic of hot drinks a niggle for us on Viking Oceans is that at breakfast there is a jug of coffee on each table. If you dont want that - we dont - you have to get up, walk to the drinks station, possibly wait for space, get water, teabag and milk. The plus is your drink is as you like it.

From the UK. Cant do without the morning cuppa. Tea. As others have said, get the coffee machine removed and a kettle and tea bags in, plus a milk delivery. There is always room service including an option to request an early drink only on the breakfast card.

In our book polo shorts on non formal nights and shirt and tie only for formal nights are not right. In some 400+ nights on all Cunard ships DH has never been in the dining room without a jacket. Not because its Cunard but because thats him. Polo shorts and no jackets for formal are fine in other venues on board such as the buffet or pub.

We have been to Quaqortac and other ports in Greenland. They are not urban, do not have so much infrastructure, are not mainstream tourist haunts. Travellers visit for the different type of scenery and lifestyle. I loved the places and am pleased to have had the opportunity to experience something different. Yes, you will probably have to get about under your own steam (I dont recall seeing any public transport). Facilities may be more limited and basic and it may very well be wet. I am still astonished at the response of a fellow cruiser in Greenland when I asked the next day if she had enjoyed the visit only to be told that as it looked a bit wet they hadnt bothered getting off. I thought how can you come so far and to choose somewhere so different and then not bother? (The same thing happened another time in Svalbard, by the way. Another place you dont have or do organised tours.) Greenland port stops are not places for tours. Another example of where it pays to do research.

It depends on the terminal, hotel location, amount of luggage and ability of passengers. Personally, I would not do it.

Sounds ambitious. If the 6 hours is from the time the plane is scheduled to land to the time the next is due to take off, factor in time for passengers to leave the plane, get through the airport, immigration, get outside to transport, travel some miles to the city then get around. Then travel back to the airport, get through security that can have queues, and be in time to be at the gate for boarding. All assuming the planes are on time. Dublin is not a small airport nor a small city.

The UK weather forecast reports that the storm affecting parts of the country is moving to Scandinavia.

You should report your feelings to the ship tour staff. They give feedback to the tour company, on another cruise line they definitely do.

We often transit through Schipol Airport Amsterdam. We fly from the UK, non Schengen. The onward flight is always to a Schengen destination. We have to go through passport control to move from one section of the airport where flight one lands to the other for flight two. It is one terminal, we remain airside and the bags are checked through. If we were flying to another non Schengen destination we would remain on that side of the terminal without going through the passport border.

We too have spoken direct to Viking to book in the UK. On finding our chosen room grades full they have been forthcoming with additional dates. Initially the web site often shows a selection of dates with an option to click Show all dates.

As one who has hearing problems, raised noise is the worst thing. I often have to ask people not to shout, it just distorts things. Quiet but clear is the way to go. Loud noise can actually be physically painful. I agree the larger tables dont help.

No lifeboats / tenders on deck 13. It would be a big drop for them to lower into the water.

I havent checked but there is surely a UK Government web site on this setting out the official requirements. That will be more definite than varying views of CC posters.

In Wales we might say "like Barry Island on a bad day". That seaside resort known for its day visitors and funfair has had a visitor renaissance thanks to its location for the British TV comedy Gavin and Stacey. Many have happy memories of childhood treats of a day trip to Barry beach.

We have sailed AMS to Basle with Viking. Im almost sure we went via the Waal. It no doubt depends on your exact stops. If like us you go to Kinderdijk, first stop, you need to enter a canal system. From there it was Koblenz wnd onward south.

Dont forget that fjord places can be hot as well as wet and cold. Lighter clothing, sunscreen, sunhat also needed.

In the UK the time falls in the night or at best late at night.

A good more detailed explanation of the VO entertainments. It sounds good to have had so many specialists. Two has been the norm on my cruises, our last had 3 although 2 of them were historians and a bit too similar. Maybe it depends on the itinerary and number of sea days.

The Monday is the actual day off from work, the Bank Holiday. These days, it tends to be Bank Holiday Weekend when people get away from Friday onwards with heavily trafficked roads and transport systems. With the Spring BH (last Monday of May) the schools take their half term holiday that week, BH Monday to the following Friday with both weekends. Many families go away or out for trips. Its generally a busy time for transport, holiday spots and attractions.