wildcat68
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Posts posted by wildcat68
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We used Barcelona Day Tours also and we were very happy with the tour. We were happy to be in a comfortable van with 12 others instead of a bus full of people. The logistics of getting on and off, listening to a guide, asking questions etc. is more user friendly. The cost was a push with the ship’s tour but IMO a superior product. BTW we did the Montserrat, Barcelona, and Güell Park tour that included Sagrada Familia (outside). The outside tour was so good that when we toured the inside (next day) we felt like we already had the best experience. We did have an excellent guide and that does make a difference. BTW included pickup and drop off at the port.
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The price of the SSBP is very reasonable and ultimately less than buying drinks if you want premium booze. The catch, for some, is that both occupants of the room must buy it, and, it is for the entire cruise. Our only Viking experience demonstrated the bar staff is well trained and friendly. My only complaint was the very small selection of premium single malt scotch. That is what I enjoy and two choices for a 23 day cruise is too few. On the other hand, I did enjoy the selection of Cognac and Armangac which was pretty good. I believe the Bourbon selection was slightly better but I didn’t try it.
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On 1/9/2019 at 4:51 PM, Islandbc said:
Interesting to hear about the ice buckets. We didn't have one in our DV6 cabin on the last cruise. I guess we could have asked for one. Perhaps it is due to the fact that we didn't use any of the beverages left in the frig.
We didn’t either. We were not mixing drinks in the room so the need was minimal. Sure took advantage of the Silver Spirits Beverage Package though. Janet, did you get a drink or two 😳. That was a good time.
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I have personally never seen a bargain with add on pre, or post cruise packages. On our recent trip VO Rome to Miami we booked our own air. It was more dollars than Viking offer but we sat in the front of the aircraft instead of the sardine section. I figured I saved over $5000 over the Viking upgrade. I did not use miles! Bed and breakfast for two nights in Civitavecchia was $205, total for two. Transfer from Rome to Civitavecchia was 75€. That was 1/2 the private rate for four pax as we set it up in advance. Ship to Miami airport was offered by Viking for$49, pp. $98 total. Taxi was fixed rate at $27 per ride. It was also faster, more comfortable and convenient. None of this included a tour guide, or large bus. We did relax after the direct flight to Rome from LAX. Explored Civitavecchia on our own and ate in nice places, enjoyed wine on our balcony overlooking Civitavecchia harbor and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. If we had decided on a Tuscan pre cruise stay we would have probably beat the price offered by the cruise line by 50% at least. Just my opinion.
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We disembarked the Viking Sun on the 27th in Miami. Not sure why but clearance was approximately 45 minutes late. Going through customs and passport check was fast for our group. TSA at MIA was no problem whatsoever. Had a nice 23 day cruise and am recovering 😳
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Two small suggestions. First, I think you are permitted to bring a couple of bottles of your own stuff on board and second, as we traveled around the world brands changed a bit depending on availability at each port. You might even call Viking and see if they will take a special order to the Provisions Master. It's easy for us as we normally drink Jack, Vodka, or rum. Just call me easy...:cool:
Thanks Easy Jim. One of my favorite things to do on our several Seabourn cruises was to try different Single Malts that I wouldn't try otherwise. Its not that important but it is a fairly premium cruise with lots of sea days (TA). I'm sure I'll survive, probably better than if there were a huge selection.;p
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Clay Clayton posted photos of the Torshavn Menu on one of the Silver Spirits threads...
https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=55510203&postcount=126
Unfortunately it doesn't show any additional options under $15, hopefully Viking has since made some additions (his post was made in March 2018). We contemplated bringing a bottle of our favourite scotch with us, but opted not to do so as we had the Silver Spirit package, on our next Viking cruise we will likely just walk with a bottle of one of our favourites.
We were given the SSBP and so have been thinking we wouldn't carry any on, but it looks like if I want something pretty good, and, no mortgage on the house, I better bring something. I do appreciate the sharing of the menu. Thanks
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I drink scotch. That's all they had at the main bars on Viking Sea on my cruise.
That is disappointing information, but what I wanted to find out. That is a very anemic selection. I assume Torshavn has some decent scotch that is still under $15/drink?
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HI! We booked Into The Midnight Sun for July 2019 in August of this year when Viking was offering the Silver Spirits Package free. I do not see this indicated anywhere on my account when I go to My Viking Cruise. I'm wondering how they will know that I have the package. Has anyone else had experience with this? I did try calling them (and will again), but did not reach an agent. Just wondered who knows the answer to this. Thanks!
If you go to My Viking Cruise, then click on the menu, select Enhancements, then click SSBP as if you wanted to order it, it will say you have it. Not sure that makes sense but that's hoe I checked.
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Viking Ocean Whisky
DEWAR’S 4CL $6.00
JOHNNIE WALKER RED 4CL $6.00
JIM BEAM 4CL $6.00
JAMESON 4CL $6.00
CANADIAN CLUB 4CL $8.00
JACK DANIEL’S 4CL $8.00
CHIVAS REGAL 4CL $8.00
GLENFIDDICH, SINGLE MALT 4CL $8.00
ABERLOUR, SINGLE MALT 10 YRS 4CL $8.00
SEAGRAM’S CROWN ROYAL 4CL $8.00
That selection is directly off the menu posted on MVJ. This shows two very common Single Malt Scotch choices. The River cruise menu shown on the other link had quite a nice selection and is more in line with what I think a premium cruise line should have available. I have asked this question several different times and never receive an answer to indicate the sample menu is only that, a sample. Someone who drinks Scotch is lurking out there with experience.
Glenfiddich and Aberlour 10 yr are a pretty short list. The rest listed are Bourbon, Canadian Blends or Blended Scotch/Irish
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It appears a listing of current drink prices might be in order...
http://wpc.475d.edgecastcdn.net/00475D/mvj/onboardbeveragemenu_europe.pdf
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Thanks for posting this drink menu. I have tried to find an answer to the selection of Single Malt Scotch aboard VO. I realize the menu posted is Viking River Cruise.
Is the SMS aboard Ocean cruises same or similar? The sample bar menu on the MVJ only shows a couple Scotch Whisky selections. I’m sure it’s not comprehensive. Seems to me the selections should be similar.
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OK here is a related question. Are PV cabins worth a significant $$$ vs a DV2. We currently hold a DV2 that is absolute mid-ship on deck 5. The DVs appear a bit small in comparison to the PV and I've been contemplating working on an upgrade/up buy. For those who have experienced the two room types "is it worth it"? I'm not in the least concerned about booking excursions, dining reservation or other "perks", just the size and comfort.
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We like SS offering this year much better than last. The wines are good to very good. Glenfiddich and Macallan. Good Armagnac and Cognac.
Correct me if I am wrong, but the SSBP states that it is good on any drink $15.00 or less. That would imply that the entire selection of Whisky/Whiskey, Vodka, Gin etc. under $15 per drink is covered. Is that the way it works or do they put out a covered list of drinks?
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What options are there for transportation from Rome to the Civitavecchia port?
Near as I can see there are a number of options. You can take the train from FCO to the main station, then to Civitavecchia for around 10 -20 Euros. Requires moving your bags a number of times.
You can take a taxi or pre-arranged car service for around 120-130 Euros. Easiest.
You can rent a car one way, drop off in Civitavecchia, for around 40 - 100 Euros. Dead tired coming in off Trans Atlantic flight, foreign country could be problems.
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Just to drop in on this thread....
Norwegian air Premium Class is not a business class, I just want to say that to get it out of the way, they initially tried to sell it as a business class and got a lot of heat for that, what it is is a premium economy product, but think of EU airlines, not the premium economy that US airlines try to sell....Confused yet ???? :p
Now that things are less clear, let me try to explain the product.....
If you are traveling as a couple, select 2 seats to the side, the 3 middle seats are the same seat, but it's better for couples on the side....Yeah that sounds wrong, but you get what I mean....
The seat itself is a nice recliner, very similar to a domestic US first seat, just with more legroom. The IFE is good, though honestly the selection can be a little limited, you will get a decent pillow and a nice blanket (I actually wanted to steal one to use at home on cold winter nights) and two meals...
Now the meals are very hit or miss, I advise trying to get seats in the 2nd row if you can, there are 3 choices for the food, but by the 3rd row the obvious good meal is gone, the food itself is a step up from a regular economy meal, but only just, you will get a breakfast meal as well, but it will be something like cold cuts with some sliced fruit, nothing like a true business class meal......BTW, the first row is right by the toilets which can be a little aggravating. You also do not want row 5, this row does not have a window.
The service has been good on our flights, nothing amazing but consistently good.
At LAX you will have access to the One World Lounge which is very nice, get to the airport a little early and enjoy dinner there.
The one thing that did sort off suck with them is they tend to use the remote gates at LAX for boarding (LAX is going through a lot of construction right now) and the bus gates are a hike from the lounge and even when you get one the bus, they will wait until the thing is crammed, not Norwegians fault, LAX control the buses.
Anyways, in brief, good seat, good to blah food, but the price is hard to beat, if I can't get flights using miles on other airlines Norwegian would be my first choice.
Thanks, that is in line with my expectations. I appreciate the post.
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I eat almost anything but my DW is pretty traditional. Is it possible to eat at the Chef's Table and one person orders off the main restaurant menu? I'd really like to try this dining option but she may not enjoy it.
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Yay! Great to meet on line before our time on board. Are you on transatlantic?
We are on until Miami.
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We booked a V1 gty and also just got upgraded and assigned cabin #5052 for our 12/4 cruise. We booked #5047 for our 12/28 second part of the cruise. Now if we can get them to assign us the same cabin for the 30 days, that would be wonderful!
You are our next door neighbors!
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That is far out! It must be a popular cruise that sold out or is close to selling out - like Australia is sold out for next winter! I believe the only way that assigned rooms get changed is if they need your room and offer you a higher cabin for $ or for free. You book reservations based on the category of room assigned. It should say on your My Viking Journey account how many reservations you have to use. Don’t hesitate to call Viking with questions. Did you get an upgrade?
We did get an upgrade. Not from bottom to explorer suite but significant. Since we are so far out from embarkation we still cannot book restaurant or excursions.
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We are 195 days out and our guarantee cabin has been assigned. I certainly wasn't expecting an assignment until a few days, or weeks prior to sailing. My question is: is it possible, or likely Viking will reassign prior to embarkation, or is it pretty much done? Another question is, can I book restaurant reservations and shore excursions based on the category assigned, or the guarantee level booked?
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We very much enjoy wine tastings, etc as a good way to pass the time on sea days and we don’t mind at all paying for them. If they were “free” (everything has a cost), then they’d be massive Happy Hours and Viking would become another Carnival.
There is no right answer here. If you don’t want to participate, just say no.
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It is one way of adding revenue, placating those who don't wish to subsidize others, keeping the numbers low enough to eliminate those "Happy Hours". If these were free there would probably be a pecking order (based on cruise fare) for signing up. That in itself is a significant charge when you consider the rooms are alike within categories.
One question to those who have tried these extras. Are they worth the extra cost? If they are great, if not, participation will fall off. I don't think $25 for wine tasting is bad IF they are offering information about, and tastes of really good wine. If they are offering a couple pours of Red, White or Pink then .......you get my drift.
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We had a similar experience in 2008 on a Holland America Transatlantic. One fellow decided he knew more than others and wished to educate them as to politics, finance, the stateroom not being up to his expectation, the service etc. We quickly learned his table was usually available to join, but we refused. Better to avoid those folks. I can become abrupt with people like that. Luckily, it seems to be the exception, not the rule and most conversations are fun and enlightening.
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Interested in hearing your evaluation of Norwegian air Premium class. We have booked this LAX to Fco for December cruise and the cost is great. Also, to book one way fairs can be more than return. Norwegian’s one way is half the return. Now, to see how it compares, 😐
That is” fares”.
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our experience has only been US to EU
and I'll only do 'business' or better (up from 'tourist' or basic ... names differ with most non-US airlines)
we book our own and beat the heck out of what Viking has offered.
recent examples:
we flew on LOT (Polish National Airline) from JFK to Budapest with a stop and plane change is Warsaw .... terrific flight on a brand new airplane. Excellent service in 'business' and saved considerable $ over Vik' offers (and better routing IMO)
Soon heading Orlando to London Gatwick via Norwegian Air Premium Class for VERY nice price IMO .... they have some AMAZINGLY low prices (JFK to Madrid under $200 .... Lauderdale to Oslo under $200 <not premium class tho>) Premium gets bigger seat / reserved, 2 checked bags, and premium meal {on LOT what we call 1st class was business, I think the "middle" was premium .... business got the full 'bed' type seats; we got larger than regular with more recline and more leg room and included booze and upgraded meal (x2)}
btw, are you retired folks? have time on your hands? We've taken QM2 from Hamburg to NYC Via Southampton with a balcony cabin for LESS than the cost of business class air!!!!! Of course that's b4 factoring the bar bill! And from Hamburg a 9 day trip; Southa' 7 ..... but if you have the time much nicer than sitting in an airplane!
It takes an excellent TA, or in our case DW likes doing it herself and LOVES finding these bargains ......
Interested in hearing your evaluation of Norwegian air Premium class. We have booked this LAX to Fco for December cruise and the cost is great. Also, to book one way fairs can be more than return. Norwegian’s one way is half the return. Now, to see how it compares, 😐
Silver Spirits Package
in Viking Ocean
Posted
Yes, Grey Goose is included in the package. They actually have a decent selection of Vodka.