CurlerRob

Dynamic pricing is not simply about last minute fares. It is a system of constant changes based on level of bookings and perceived demand. You can find dramatic pricing differences from one day to the next - even many months before the trip. Just see the number of posts on these boards from people who found a great airfare one day, only to see it change dramatically a day later - all way in advance of their cruse. 🍺🥌

Jim, I too come from the "old math" school, but I'm going to quibble with yours a bit, and weigh in on the pros and cons of overbooking (from the sellers' side). First, if two of us have both booked a cabin and paid up at PIF date, but the cruise line only has one cabin available, they are going to have to refund one of us without question. That means they only have one fare guaranteed - refunding the other is not a "minus one" in my view (especially if they have been able to kite the funds for 6 or 12 months). Deciding to offer a subsequent free cruise (plus whatever else) is clearly a "minus one", but a choice the line makes to avoid an irate pax (for whom there is ultimately no cabin. The benefit of overselling is that the cruise line has better odds of filling all cabins at the list price - when someone drops out, there's another of us in line who is contracted at the original price - maximal revenue. The better the line is at predicting the dropout / oversell rate, the fewer potential irate pax they have to try and buy off. Most companies that use this strategy are rich in data about what happens and generally good at placing their bet - sometimes they do get it wrong and out come the "would you like to reschedule" offers. We've all seen the airlines do this at the gate - and may have seen the very painful result when they don't get enough takers! Not overselling means the line will be exposed at PIF time (which for Viking occurs at least twice). There are always going to be multiple dropouts when it's time to pony up - that can leave the line with a sizable percentage of empty cabins to try and fill. Worse, potential pax who were interested would have seen that the cruise was sold out earlier and may never come back for another look post PIF dates, reducing the available market. As well, pax already signed up are unhappy that they can't get the new, great deal. Consider that if 20% of pax dropped out at PIF time, the line has to take action (likely discounts) to fill those slots. Taking a hit on 20% of inventory is a lot more painful that giving away a couple of cabins when you guess poorly on oversells. Had they chosen to overbook by 20%, the equation would balance perfectly and the line would continue happily on with a full ship at the original prices. Overselling is clearly a common business strategy in the transportation and hospitality business (ref. hotels) - rather than being dumb, I've always thought it was the organization's best choice between two tough alternatives. All that said, I shudder at the thought of the cruise lines moving to dynamic pricing such as the airlines have. Just imagine the screaming on all the CC boards! Cheers. 🍺🥌

Semantics, but if commission suits you, OK. My point was that the cost to pax for someone to run interference for them was a smaller percentage of the total than with other forms of "agency". 🍺🥌

Interesting data point, thanks for posting it. I find that quite a modest markup, compared to other forms of "general contracting" or "agent" work. Given that we pay the same price whether we book direct or not, it does suggest that finding a good TA to represent us is time well spent. 🍺🥌

Perhaps I'm not following your point, but I'm curious as to which cruise line specifically defines a cruise as non-tipping? In my experience, most lines charge a standard gratuity rate (which you can usually cancel if you wish), some bury the gratuities in the cruise fare (or it's done due to geographic regulations, as I believe it is in the UK and Oz). But I've never seen a cruise line instruct pax that they should not tip ... I interpreted your post as meaning that you somehow feel pressured when others choose to tip - please don't feel that way. I take the view that what others do regarding tipping (and many other things) is up to them and is totally irrelevant to how I choose to conduct my personal affairs. People are different, cultures are different - life is too short to be influenced by, or critical of others choices. 🍺🥌

I don't know about the compensation plan for Viking agents, but that level of contact is clearly unacceptable. It actually reminds me of what happened to us after we set up a "keep us informed" email account with Regent - daily calls from an agent (for weeks) until he finally wore out when we didn't answer. My guess is just the personalities involved - if you've used a TA in the past, I suggest following that route, given what happened. 🍺🥌

Forgot to pay the internet bill? Perhaps a good sign - it's under 3 weeks before the first scheduled cruise on May 9! 🍺🥌

I can't speak from actual experience, but can offer a few thoughts based on the fact that we were booked on the Grand Pacific Explorer (Vancouver to Auckland) - of which this cruise is the first leg. We chose to defer that trip late in 2022, based on the level of uncertainty surrounding access to Japan, Hong Kong and several of the other Asian ports. Interestingly, the full GPE cruise is still sold out - obviously that is due to sell outs on the latter part of the longer trip, not the first leg. (Or, Viking's odd use of "sold out" is back to confuse us ...). Much of this leg is well into the northern latitudes. It's also pretty much the end of the Alaska season. In our planning, we expected weather for much of the Alaska run to be in the mid to low 50's (F) with rain about 1/3 of the time. It certainly could be better, but that would be a pleasant surprise. We would still use our balcony, but fully expected to be fairly bundled up between the temperature and wind generated during sailing. We love the sea days, so that would not have been an issue for us, however, that's a personal preference. One possible reason for the vacancies may be that the 6-month PIF date (for those who were able to secure it) is just in the recent past. It's not unusual to find a lot of cancellations when it comes time to pony up the full cost. We are booked on the slightly longer reverse trip, Hong Kong to Vancouver, in April 2024, which is also shoulder season, but obviously reversed. It's really a question of what you like and will tolerate. For us, the itinerary vastly outweighs any weather concerns. Best of luck with your decision! 🍺🥌

I agree with your original thoughts. The first principle of corporate communications is to advise your clients about an issue as soon as you know about it - even if the full resolution is not yet known. They won't be happy, but at least that lets them begin to consider options as may be needed. The second principle is to let your clients know when you will "fill in the blanks" - and then deliver on that timing (or at the very least provide a substantive update). Black holes or the mushroom theory are never a good approach. 🍺🥌

If you do choose to tour the castle, you may want to allow a bit more than just time for a quick tour. There's actually a lot to see. We found the absolute highlight to be the Scottish National War Museum on the grounds. It is an extraordinary tribute to the nation's service people - multiple small niches, each dedicated to a famous regiment or branch of the service, all with fascinating memorabilia and often books with names of the fallen going back many hundreds of years. The juxtaposition of the Merchant Marine with the Royal Navy was wonderfully done. It was a special reminder of how "young" North America actually is. By far the best and most moving war memorial we have experienced - while I completely understood, I so regretted that photos were not permitted. 🍺🥌

You can book tickets on the funicular online - if you don't want to risk doing it well in advance, you could always try a few day earlier once you've seen the forecast (which, true to Bergen's reputation, will likely be for rain ...). A fun town but a tough spot for weather! 🍺🥌

Regarding being told that one has to rebook for a different date, something is "off" here. Once pax have cancelled according to the proper terms and paid whatever penalties are in force, they should be "free agents", able to book whatever cruise they wish - including the same trip that might now be discounted - subject to availability. I know of nothing in the Viking terms and conditions that restricts pax from selected future bookings just because they cancelled a prior trip - would love to see that if someone knows otherwise. If Viking is inventing new booking rules to preclude pax from properly exercising contractual terms to their benefit, I'd be extremely disappointed. Hopefully, someone will cancel and rebook the next day to test this and let us know. 🍺🥌

I was also curious, so I looked it up. Gibraltar is specifically noted in their Eurolink regional package, so that didn't explain it, although I see their only network is 3G - may have had an impact. While Portugal is also in the package, I have found that 'protectorates' like the Azores, are sometimes not included in various plans (hit that in the Faroes with my home plan) - so that one is an open switch. 🍺🥌

I did exactly the same type of Airalo test drive on a Caribbean cruise in December - since it was short, if I messed up and triggered my daily plan accidentally, it would not bankrupt me. As well, it was a good way to test connectivity to multiple other networks, as there were several in the various islands. It worked very well - I agree the data switching is quit straightforward. Appreciate your, @longterm's and @-Lew-'s observations on the topic - all have been helpful. 🍺🥌

Agree - my Bell plan is the same: "You’ll only be charged the daily fee when you make or answer a call, send a text message, or when data is sent or received while in your Roam Better destination". No trigger for incoming 2FA texts, and I find using an eSIM package excellent for data. That said, I continue to envy the breadth and value of cell packages available to Americans! 🍺🥌

Don't be. While you may find some excursions booked when your turn comes up, a quick search on this board will connect you with several threads that provide advice as to how to deal with the issue - booking best practices, monitoring MVJ, requesting additional spaces through Viking, wait listing on board and hanging out on the dock in case of last minute cancellations. Once on board, there are no "lowly" cabins - all are equal. And is worst comes to worst, the ships are spectacular - sometimes a "sea day" in port is the best way to go - nothing like your own private multi-million dollar yacht! 🍺🥌

A couple of thoughts. We spent a large part of our youth as offshore racing sailors - my "go to" was always the scopolamine patch, but it has been discontinued by at least one manufacturer (business reasons, not health/quality) and may be very hard to get. For wind conditions, MarineTraffic.com has a good overlay of wind that can provide some guidance as to the degree of sea conditions. FWIW, the North Sea is the one place that had us somewhat queasy - it seems prone to a steep, short set of waves due to the wind but with a swell from 90 degrees offset. That causes the ship to "corkscrew", which is the most uncomfortable motion for pax. One last item - if you can avoid it in heavier weather, don't do "cabin" work like packing, or reading, that causes you not to be able to look outside, or not close your eyes. If you can, focus on the horizon or lie down and keep your eyes closed. Seasickness is in part caused by a conflict between the senses - when you're in your cabin and looking down, your eyes tell the brain that everything is "stable", as there is no relative movement. Meanwhile, your inner ear is screaming that everything is moving. That collision confuses the brain and results in nausea. It's why you are told to look at the horizon (in daylight) - your eyes then see movement and it matches what your inner ear's balance tells the brain. Take heart - most of your cruising, even in heavy weather, will not likely bother you - and you're now a veteran of what I think is one of the most miserable seas on the planet (the Southern Ocean is still the champ!). 🍺🥌

X-Files. 🍺🥌

Just FYI, the My Viking Journey calendar only shows the port times if you have an excursion booked - otherwise they don't show up. Bizarre. Your invoice is the best guide - but recognize it's only a guide. Port times are always subject to change and frequently do compared to the invoice. Cheers 🍺🥌

Would you please provide a reputable citation for the claims of "planet killer" and "NASA downplayed"? Hint: "it's out there if anyone want to know" does not count. 🍺🥌

Interesting - you're quite correct. Scandinavia and N. Europe trips are greyed out for that period. I have no inside knowledge, but given that the 2024 trips are far from sold out, I'd speculate that Viking may be doing some retooling of the cruise. It has suffered from some port misses in the past due to weather (even apart from the Sky's accident) - not a surprise in that part of the world in the dead of winter! 🍺🥌

Best to contact your TA directly - their policies will control. Mine will provide the 3.3% ACH discount, but needs to have the money in hand prior to paying Viking. If I provide a non-certified cheque, my TA would have to wait for it to clear - which might take some time. YMMV. 🍺🥌

What Viking published on this thread was essentially their new FAQ description of the policy. You are likely best to review the FAQs published on the UK site, as there are sometimes differences. The other published information can be found on your Viking site under the pax contract details. This information was updated Friday, as Viking posted on this thread. FWIW, here is the new FAQ and the paragraph from the ticket contract as applicable in the US and Canada: 🍺🥌 Are service animals allowed on board? In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and similar laws in destinations where we operate, Viking allows service animals. Guests who request a service animal must provide appropriate documentation to support the request. Requests for pets or emotional support animals are denied, as per our policy. All service animals are reviewed according to ADA or applicable regulations, and only service animals that have the appropriate documentation for admittance into the countries on an itinerary are permitted on board our ships. We are aware of isolated instances of improper behavior from service animals in public areas on board our ships. We have updated our policies accordingly to ensure such incidents do not happen in the future. 18. ANIMALS. No pets or other animals are allowed on board the Ship except for certain necessary service animals of a Passenger with a disability, which require written notification to the Carrier or our agent at the time of booking your cruise and our written approval. Service animals accepted for boarding are any guide dog, signal dog, or other animal individually trained to work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. Emotional support animals are not service animals. Local laws in the Galapagos restrict bringing an animal ashore. You agree to accept responsibility, reimburse and/or indemnify Carrier for any loss, or damage related to the presence of any service animal brought on the cruise. You further agree to determine and meet any documentary or other requirements related to the service animal.

Nothing wrong with additional clarifications to the rules, but my suspicion is that if only "real" service animals were on board, actual complaints would be miniscule. As @Sunflower & The Scientistdescribed a few days ago, in her eloquent post, such objectionable behaviours would not happen - either by the animal or the owner. Certainly, in my limited experience with guide dogs, they are better behaved that many pax. I've never seen one on furniture in a public place or being fed by the owner. Nor do they put their bare paws on coffee tables, unlike some other pictures that have been posted on these boards 😈. 🍺🥌

Yes. That is what "attest" means, as was stated by the Chief. Having to prove disability is a whole other level and is illegal in most jurisdictions. 🍺🥌