Fitzall

I guess it goes to show that some will find fault in every little thing and others will overlook and decide to enjoy themselves.

Yup! Agree wholeheartedly. Only time we heard our neighbours was when we talked to them on the balcony

Fitzall would love to hear what you think of Viking Sea on your return, but she looks a treat.

Here you go

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=544098

Have just been in Turkey prior to picking up Viking Cruise ex Athens.

No problems whatsoever on using ccards, at least with Australian banks.

Can't see why banks would deny access. Really doesn't make any sense. It is still an incredibly busy place and banks would not want to miss their bite of the pie.

Incidentally, we felt incredibly safe during the 8 days and the people were warm and wonderful.

Leaving the Sea tomorrow. Washed clothes twice on board .... Once on arrival, then 6 days later. Late at nite (10pm) or early (6-6.30am) didn't have an issue. Cycle 45 mins; Dry 35 mins seemed enough. As a courtesy to other pax, I made sure I was around at the 45/35 min periods so as not to delay next person. Not everyone was that considerate.

Sounds perfect

Currently on the Sea. Dress code for dinner in the restaurants is smart casual ....anyone turning up in shorts / tees are asked to change. Jeans ok. Haven't seen many men in jackets or any ladies in their best finery & jewellery. Everyone looks pretty smart without being over the top. Common sense prevails. In the World Cafe, tees & shorts are acceptable.

Why don't you just write to them and tell them to take you off the list until later?

That's what we did. Not for the 'green' element, but for the fact that all the Viking Cruises I'd like to do will send me broke. Luckily we can manage one every 2 yrs.

I wonder if its the same info in all countries?

That's what we've been advised in Australia

Here's a review of the comparisons that was on CC. http://www.cruisecritic.com.au/articles.cfm?ID=2258

We pick your cruise up in Athens en route to Venice.

Your thoughts are my thoughts re dress code. Intend to bring smart casual for the restaurants but nothing too fancy. What do the think the nationality breakdown is? I gather mainly US ..... Any Aussies?

I'm also interested for our October stop! Let us know how your tours went and things you loved during the tour? Should we DIY Tour?

Will you be in Kotor & Koper as well? If so, I can give you details of our private tours & report back if you wish to DIY.

We chose the non-cruise shore excursions to the smaller places (as above) so we could see a bit more of the country side without time constraints compared with the cruise offerings. Although Viking offered paid excursions to some of the areas, they were generally dearer and sometimes we'd prefer private tours ( 2 of us, driver & guide), rather than a busload. In these 3 places costs were between €85-€90 p/p with duration of tour between 6.5 hrs to 10 hrs (Kotor)

I wouldn't use the Citibank for hotel or car rental holds as it is using your own money.

Agree. We use c/card for holds, but use Citibank Debit Card at chk out. Don't use the 28 Degrees at ATMS as I believe they charge (since 2014) a 3 % fee on ATM withdrawals or $4 (whichever is greater). E.g. withdraw $1,000 and the fee would be $30.

Be happy to stand corrected

I used my Citibank debit card twice at ATMS in Canada last Xmas. 1was free (cirrus I think); the other charged $2. No other transaction fees. I think Citibank Debit Card is better value than 28 Degrees card.

We used the Citibank Debit in Europe 2 yrs ago, both for ATMs and paying hotel bills. No transaction fees at all.

Off to Turkey & Europe later this week and will be giving it a good nudge again.

We're on Viking Ocean Cruises mid Aug 10 days Athens-Venice. Max of 930 pax - all rooms have balconies. Includes port excursion every day, all meals incl specialty restaurants, wine, beer, soft drinks during lunch & dinner, free laundry on each level, enrichment talks, spa sauna & snow room. No casino, no photographers, no slides, no kids, pretty much no add-ons. Aimed at 45 yrs+ who enjoy cruising as it used to be. Cost is not cheap but you pay for what you get ..... When you add all of the above, we think it's pretty good value.

Viking is port destination based i.e more times spent in port. viking River cruises have been going for a # of years;(we've been on one & and loved it); Viking ventured in to ocean cruising in 2015. 2nd ship launched Apr 16 (Viking Sea) which is the one we're on.

Viking won Travel + Leisures 2016 Cruise Line of the Year a month or so ago. They beat Crystal Cruises as the top line .... Crystal has won it for the last 20 times.

Yes it is , they both have the high degree of caution warnings.

Although, it is a slightly different situation as with Bali they have openly said they will target westerner tourist coming there while with France it is still very much random for anyone. Neither are on my list for the foreseeable future.

Random for anyone as well visiting the US with their gun laws .... And Munich & Brussels & Istanbul & Bangladesh & Nice & etc etc ..... May as well set up a tent in your backyard for your holiday :rolleyes:

The above warning is the standard warning issued by the Australian Govt and hasn't changed for some time. Corruption is rife in Indonesia but the Indonesian people are lovely and very friendly. If one uses common sense then one should have no issues. Stay in the tourist areas and avoid back streets and places not normally frequented by tourists. You will have one day ashore make the most of it.

Prior to our cruise, we will be in Turkey in 10 days time. ... Same Oz warning as Bali. Agree with the common sense line.

Could anyone confirm what currency is used for onboard purchases at the bar or shops.

All Onboards are in USD. Remember that drinks outside the freebies at lunch & dinner have additional surcharge

2 days after disembarkation at Venice, we will use Alilaguna to get to Marco Polo airport .... Around 70 mins from Ospedale stop ... Seems to be the most convenient.

Took the advice from this forum and have booked 'Walks of Italy VIP Alone in St. Mark’s Basilica' while in Venice.

Apart from walking around the city, I evidently have to buy my wife some earrings in Murano, so I guess we're going there! Visited Burano last time & it was also excellent.

We're using Viking Ocean Cruises. 2 ships at the moment (launched in 2015 & 2016 - 2 more in 2017 & 1 in 2018); Smallish ships (930 pax maximum); all rooms have a balcony; aimed at over 50s (no kids); focus is on the destinations;

Included excursion in every port; enrichment lectures; free wine & beer at lunch & dinner; no extra for specialty restaurants (though you have to book); no casino; no photographers; free use of the spa / snow room; no nickel & diming; extra time in ports;

It is a little more expensive than the mainstream, but once you take in to account all the add-ons that may occur on other lines, then the cost is very reasonable. Generally you travel with like-minded individuals.

Well its official now.(email from Princess today)

 

ITINERARY CHANGE

Due to continuing security concerns for travelers visiting Turkey, we have made the necessary decision to cancel our call to Istanbul on

Thursday, September 15, 2016. Instead, we will now call to Corfu on Tuesday, September 13. As a result of this change, port order and call times

have been amended.o

Bit surprised they took so long .... Must be one of the last few unfortunately. Not considering still visiting Turkey pre-cruise? Looking through Trip Advisor from people on the ground, they seem relatively comfortable.

Have friends there at the moment and they're loving it & we'll be there on 8/8.

We were on the Viking Sea at the end of June. Things were much better than inborn traveler experienced.

Thanks Peregrina651. Much appreciated. There's only 18 booked on our M&M for 14/8 departure at this stage so a little less crowded maybe!

Hi Fitzall,

 

We will be in Zadar on August 14th from 10-6. Are we on the same cruise by chance?

We're on the Viking Sea, in Zadar on the 21st from 9-5. Our private tour is from 9.3am to 4pm (ish). If you're looking at Zadar Guided Tours to do Krka NP, Leonina will give you an itinerary and you can alter it to suit yourself. I.e we cut out a little of the free time, cut lunch period a little which allows us to get back to Zadar for a quick walking tour with them. €90 p/p incl entrance fees, lunch pack. Very reasonable compared to Cruise tour. Need to pay 10% deposit. Also check if you disembark at Zadar by tender or pier as that could eat up time.

We were on the Viking Sea in April. I tried to work with CC for a Meet and Mingle. It was posted on CC that it had been arranged with the ship. The evening prior to the event, we received a personalized invitation in our cabin. Never did meet others whose names I would recognize from CC. I don't know where the breakdown in communication was, but it definitely was a disappointment. Good luck!

The official press release of Viking Ocean/Cruise Critic M&Ms was 28 Apr 16, so maybe it is better organised now. All attendees are also supposed to receive an email 7days before embarkation plus the invite in their cabin. Did they serve finger food as well and were crew members present?

We're in Zadar next month. Have a look at Zadar Guided Tours .... Doing a private tour to Krka NP & Zadar Walking Tour. Bit different to our cruise optional tour. With ZGT, you enter the park via boat from Skradin. Gave them cruise tImes, what we wanted to do; they came back with the info incl price. Very reasonable compared to that of the cruise (& not a busload of people)

We are now less than 10 months out.

Whoops! I know it's approx 12 mths for existing vessels. Hopefully someone on CC will know when a new vessel is added to the system.

When will the registration for mix and mingle open for the Viking Sky?

I understand meet & mingle opens up approx 12 mths prior to dep date