CurlerRob

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I'm not sure what you meant by "at the time", but we sailed HAL in December/22. The "Have It All" program provided separate internet accounts for each passenger, but each account only allowed one device at a time. Switching was easy, but limited to one device connected to the internet at a time. HAL's internet offerings were either: no package; the Have It All 'standard' package that prohibited streaming (blocked multiple sites); or additional charge for upgrade to open the streaming sites. You are correct that HAL WiFi was not restricted - no limit on the number of devices that could use their app on ship WiFi (and hence onboard messaging, which was clearly of importance to your group). But WiFi itself is not the same as internet connectivity (although many interchange the terms), which may be the cause of some of the confusion here. Viking's multiple device allowance is convenient, but stresses the available bandwidth and can result in decreased internet performance for all (even 'quiet' devices use up internet bandwidth if they are signed into the service). Local connectivity via shipboard WiFi is easy - shipboard internet is quite a bit more complex in terms of cost for service levels. 🍺🥌

Second Jim for FOW - it is the oldest pub in Sydney. If you're there when Tooheys New is available, it's excellent beer! I'd also vote for the Glenmore Hotel rooftop in the Rocks - good spot for lunch as well as your crawl. It's hard to find a bad pub in Sydney ... 🍺🥌.

Although pre-paid gratuities, excursions and SSBP on VO (no river experience) are quoted in CAD for Canadian clients prior to departure, there is a CAD/USD exchange rate applied to those prices. In my experience, it is typically a bit better than I have been able to get myself, so I have chosen to prepay in the past. (And one has to do so for excursions to secure them). 🍺🥌

An unwarranted and uncivil response. The question asked was about the city of Amsterdam and the OP (who has made other valuable contributions to these boards) clearly indicated her reasons for asking on this forum. You are not the arbiter of what discussions should happen here. 🍺🥌

Second the MarineTraffic approach! For a September/23 cruise on another line, both the harbour information AND my boarding pass were wrong - had us at Adossat Terminal D, when the ship actually docked at the World Trade Centre dock right downtown. It helped that we could also see the ship from out hotel ... Trust, but verify on the day of departure! 🍺🥌

Amsterdam is a delightful city. In two visits, we've found it very navigable by foot, with the tram and canal system quite approachable. We'd second the advice offered by the previous posters. I'd only add that, like most North Americans, we were unused to high-volume, high-speed cyclist traffic, which was the most dangerous thing we encountered! (Due to our ignorance of rules and customs, I hasten to add). The Dutch predilection for healthy living nearly put an end to mine a couple of times 🤣. 🍺🥌

It would be helpful if you were to post who you sailed your previous TA with and if you have other ocean cruising experience on additional lines. That data will allow posters here to offer comparisons and insights that may assist you. In the end, only you will be able to decide if you'll be bored - that's totally individual. 🍺🥌

The Antarctic boots would be overkill for Iceland/Greenland in June. You're likely to have a fair bit of rain, but a good pair of hiking shoes will serve just fine. Very limited penguin poop in either country 😁 ... 🍺🥌.

Airlines and layovers, if any, will be too numerous to count - it will depend on what Viking has negotiated with various airlines for the time of your travel. The purpose of Air Plus is to give you some input into your trip. I suggest you research 3 routings that you like and give them to your TA to discuss with Viking. Never a guarantee, but at least that way you have your favourites on the table. Re your confusion: Booking = reservation (interesting, but frequently irrelevant and completely subject to change). Ticketing = when you really have a seat. Do not fall into the trap of confusing the two, they are not the same. 🍺🥌

A word of caution that the info on your boarding pass can be wrong. On our Sept. 3 departure from Barcelona, our boarding passes had us at "ADOSADO BERTH, TERMINAL A" which is the long pier. Mariner actually docked at the World Trade Centre right downtown. Not a big deal versus Tarragona, but I only discovered it by checking Marine Traffic on embarkation day. 🍺🥌

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I'm not clear why you think Regent requires a jacket - below is their dress code. "Elegant Casual" is slacks and a collared shirt for men - jackets optional. This is also true on the "Formal Optional" evenings if the cruise is long enough. We sailed a 15-day TA with Regent last month. The main dining room evidence very few jackets at any time. In the specialties, perhaps 1/4 - 1/3 of the men wore them ( I do so, but just because I choose to). Ties were very rare. The general dress was not noticeably different than that on O. Don't sweat the dress code - you won't feel out of place as long as you are presentable. 🍺🥌 Attire ranges from Casual to Formal Optional. Casual wear consists of resort-style outfits; some examples are jeans, shorts, t-shirts, and tennis shoes. Casual wear is appropriate for daytime both on board or ashore. Casual wear is not appropriate after 6:00 PM. On the night prior to disembarkation, guests may need to pack their luggage early due to morning flights the next day. With this in mind, on the last night of every voyage, we will relax the dress code for dinner to Casual. Otherwise, the recommended onboard dress in the evenings is Elegant Casual. Dinner dress for ladies includes a skirt, or slacks with a blouse or sweater, a pant suit or dress; slacks and a collared shirt for gentlemen. Sport jackets are optional. Casual wear is not to be worn at dinner. Ties are not required. On sailings of 16 nights or more, Formal and Semi-Formal attire is optional on two of the evenings. On the two Formal Optional evenings, guests are welcome to dress as per the elegant Casual dress code or opt for a more formal choice of clothing including gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies; tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suits with tie for gentlemen.

I cannot speak for the entire O or Regent fleet, but we sailed a repositioning trip on O Insignia (R Class) in November/22 in an A3 Concierge Veranda, then a TA on Regent SS Mariner in September/23 in a E Concierge Suite. Both were essentially what I'd think of as a "standard balcony cabin". The Regent cabin was dramatically more spacious than O's, with a walk-in closet and an actual bathroom/shower. It appeared to sacrifice a bit of balcony depth, but the trade-off was well thought out. No comparison, the Regent cabin wins hands down. Interestingly enough, the per-day cost was only a fraction more for Regent, even before normalizing for drinks, excursions, etc. 🍺🥌

This should help. For future reference, the search function on CC sometimes helps - I found this by searching on "bar menu". Cheers! 🍺🥌 (I see OneSixtyToOne beat me by a hair ...)

Yep - still exists, although Air Canada gets a couple of points for noting it's "Direct, 1 Stop". But you have to open the details to discover you must leave and reboard in GRU. 🍺🥌

CruiseMapper is somewhat unreliable, but you may want to check out the port schedule here: https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/barcelona-port-82?month=2024-05#schedule It shows several sailings from Barcelona for Marina and Sirena. Apologies if you've done so ... 🍺🥌

I suggest you read it again, eliminating the extraneous items ..."reserve the right ... to make changes in the itinerary... whenever, in their sole judgment, the conditions warrant it". The clause makes no mention of safety protocols or other mitigating factors (they show up later in the contract paragraph, associated with other issues). Simply put, like ALL cruise lines, they can make whatever changes they like for any reasons. If compensation is provided it is purely good will. The only thing I can think of that is more one-sided than a cruise contract is slavery. 🍺🥌

Quite refreshing to see someone on CC happy about being charged! 😁 🍺🥌

You are quite correct in your reading of the pax agreement. However, as noted in @Squawkman's post at #950 (and others I referenced), Viking appears to forego chasing the difference. I don't find that surprising, as it would not be worth either the effort or ill will generated to attempt to collect $75 from pax who cancel - and I suspect this would apply to even the $975 penalty. That said, if they have more than $25 of your money at cancellation, either through a PIF date earlier than the 120/180 days or a larger deposit - they won't hesitate to withhold the penalty in accordance with the agreement - which is completely fair. 🍺🥌

Never saw a run lottery Andy - great idea, but unfortunately it would fall victim to smartphones and geolocation now! Nor slots outside the casino - geez, sounds like Vegas washrooms! 🍺🥌

I agree that the drink gratuities can add up, but it's really a moot point, as they are not optional - it's just a question of visibility. If you buy a drink, the 20% will be added on and visible. With the Simply More charge, you will not see the gratuity broken out, but you can be sure it's buried in the SM charge. Similarly, upgrading the drink package will include the gratuities in the one-time cost, but it won't be visible when you purchase it. O's willingness to allow only one pax in a cabin to upgrade is a very rare and valuable benefit in the cruise industry - almost all other lines force both pax to buy in. Enjoy! 🍺🥌

If you define "nickel and diming" as any charges not included in your cruise fare, then certainly Viking (and nearly all other cruise lines) do that. A few observations that may lend you some perspective ... Drink packages - event the "all-inclusive" lines have limits beyond which you will pay extra - sometimes for specialty spirits or wine, sometimes for curated wine tastings, etc. As well, implementing various package levels could be perceived as increasing the "N & D" quotient. You pay gratuities whether they are separately visible or buried in the cruise fare - that's just definitional as mentioned earlier. The whole issue of pax wanting to understand the details of cruise line compensation systems baffles me - it's both company proprietary and not our business (our business is to decide if the cruise line's comp policies yield staff who provide quality service). Nearly all cruise lines charge deviation fees - that's because allowing arrivals on multiple days adds complexity to the back office (read cost) and weakens their buying power with the airlines. I note that Oceania recently changed policy to allow pax to arrive a couple of days early without a deviation (quickly followed by a revamping (increase) of their a la carte approach to overall services). Even the 'all-inclusive' lines have a combo of included and pay extra ShoreEx. While theirs tend to be more and higher quality included excursions, your simply paid for them differently (whether or not you used them). For me, "N & D" is not about whether the cruise line takes a more or less a la carte approach - it's the institution of numerous minor, aggravating charges for stuff that used to be included. An example is HAL's specialty steakhouse - if you order two appetizers, you are charged for one, even if you don't bother with a main course. Of course, YMMV. 🍺🥌

I suspect that @zelker is computing the following. The immediate cancellation penalty for a shorter cruise is $100 - that means that if one puts down the featured $25 deposit and then cancels, there would be $75 'owing' to Viking. The immediate cancellation fee for longer cruises is $1000 - in the absence of the $25 deposit promo, the deposit is usually $1K or more. Subtracting the $25 from the $1000 cancellation yields the $975 'owing'. While the math is clear, I wish Viking the best of luck in collecting the additional amounts 'owing' when a pax cancels a trip booked with the promo $25! It's not at all clear how they would ever do that, make it stick or why they would bother. I recall a few posts stating that pax were not charged the additional $75 upon cancelling a promo-booked trip, but unfortunately have not been able to find them. Quite frankly, I would not lose sleep over the thought of being pursued for $75 or even $925 - at minimum, the optics for Viking would be awful. 🍺🥌

That's a shame, as seafood is fundamental to traditional Japanese cuisine. That said, you will find lots of dishes that don't include seafood - noodles, rice, vegetables, chicken, pork, beef ... have a look at Google for ideas - this site is just one ( https://www.fodors.com/community/asia/any-food-recommendations-in-japan-for-non-seafood-eaters-731748/ ). Restaurants will be easier - if your avoidance is allergy-related, I suggest caution around street food. Enjoy the cruise and the country! 🍺🥌