ChrisB123

I was on "another," thread, that had this same topic. Some of the comments here floor me, but not as much as the one I saw a couple of months back.  The poster was talking about how unfair it is that her scoter didn't work well at Pompeii causing her to not be able to complete the excursion. She was really angry that Europe didn't do something about their streets and someone should pave the rocks over with concrete!  My point is, there are many ways to travel and going to a country that is not ADA certified is not the best choice. Fair? No. Reality? Yes. 

34 minutes ago, ustowas said:

Is anyone doing the "Viking Homeland' on the Neptune May 3rd or 17 of 2024 and could do updates.

Sorry, I forgot to say, check the Viking roll calls for that date. 

31 minutes ago, ustowas said:

Is anyone doing the "Viking Homeland' on the Neptune May 3rd or 17 of 2024 and could do updates.

There might be a post for that date. Have you checked? 

15 minutes ago, Hobson1754 said:

We’re on Viking Homelands, May ‘25 and we’ve been advised by letter (via our TA) that the port has changed to Tallin from Mariehamn.

We are doing the same, but Aug '24.  I asked my TA to check if Mariehamn was changed to Tallin. He called Viking and they said no and it was just a rumor.  Perhaps it changes for the 2025 cruise, but unfortunately it doesn't appear so for mine.  I would have LOVED to go to Tallin. 

I wonder why 2024 isn't going to Tallin? 😢 I'd have loved to see it.  Oh well, we will be on the ship and that's all I really care about. 😁

36 minutes ago, ustowas said:

Does anyone have the map provided for Berlin or remember the sights on the included tour? We are going on the May 24th Viking home land starting in Bergen.

I don't have a map, but I know the included tour is a train ride from the dock to Berlin. 

I paid for gratuities a year in advance, right from the MVJ site. 🤷‍♂️ It's easy to do and easy to see.  By the time we actually cruise, we won't even notice it. That way our favorite crew members will get a cash amount extra. 😁

23 minutes ago, duquephart said:

 

Wouldn't MVJ tell the tale?

Viking ( MVJ ) still has me staying at a different hotel than the one they emailed me about and my TA confirmed. Maybe the itinerary changes in 2025. 

1 minute ago, Hockeyump said:

'Someone said'.  I'm not a Viking cheerleader but I would like to see a copy of  this letter before making assumptions.

I must say, you have a good point. 

18 hours ago, janetcbl said:

Consider this a winner! Have been to both places; Tallinn is definitely more interesting and a fascinating city, especially the walled Old Town. Don’t miss the tower. Enjoy!

I asked my TA about this and his answer from Viking was: A change to Tallinn is just a rumor. WHAT? Someone said they got a letter from Viking saying it was changed on their trip in 2025. They need to get their act together! 

2 hours ago, amelia3171 said:

Viking told us that our April 2025 Homelands changed from Mariehamn to Tallinn about a month ago. Looking forward to seeing Tallinn. 
 

That's what I'm hoping for but MVJ still has Mariehamn. 

4 hours ago, ropomo said:

We really enjoyed the included walking tours in Talin and Stavanger.  

You went to Tallian, Estonia?  I've heard a number of people say their itinerary was changed from Mariehamn to Tallian but MVJ is still saying Mariehamn.  I'm not really picky, but Tallian sounds fascinating. 

1 hour ago, FoggyEthan said:

It sounds like OP is concerned both about holding up a group and about being held up by a group. I think you have a lot of options, if you're willing to do some research beforehand.

 

I'd suggest not being dependent upon being with a tour group. Most of your ports are in towns or cities. Learn how to get back to the ship independently, or else to the bus that takes you back to the ship. Figure out how you can summon a taxi or uber, e.g. do you have to find a taxi stand, does the city have uber, etc.

 

This way you can start with the tour group, but if the pace is wrong then you can break out on your own.

 

If money allows, look into hiring private guides / tours, where you can customize the itinerary however you like and it will always travel at your own pace. Sometimes you can find other people to travel with you on a private tour, and share the costs, by posting in a roll call.

 

If you want to stick to the safety and lack of advance planning that comes with using the cruise's tours, as everyone has said, read the details in the itinerary. Often things seem to be "moderate" simply because you have to walk around. You're in Europe, so try to explore it as best as you're able!

Exactly! 

52 minutes ago, duquephart said:

 

Where does it say he was American?

Good point!!!!!! 😧  I assumed as most Viking passengers are American ( as I am ), a European would already know the answer, as would most Aussie's. 😃

8 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

This one gentleman was in several of our included excursions on Viking Homelands, and he always walked right beside the guide on each excursion.  Through the QuietVox we could hear all his questions and without fail each new day, each new excursion, and each new guide, he asked why they did not pave over the cobblestones.  Generally the response was - this is our history and we love it.

It's people like that, that give the term, "Ugly American," credence. So EMBARASSING.  

Absolutely. Thanks.

I can't get over what CDNPolar had to say about people actually saying cobblestone streets should be paved over! 😂 WOW!

I'll be on the Homelands cruise.  Excursions aren't open yet but I have my eye on a couple. 😁 It's good incentive to get off my butt and walk more. 

No, I'm not worried about keeping up. I'll give my body and other passengers the benefit of the doubt and choose easy, just to be on the safe side. I'm power walking daily to build up endurance and may choose moderate by August. I was just wondering ( maybe too much time on my hands? ) if it's common to experience, from what others have said, if the tours have gone down hill due to people not choosing the correct ability level. 

A thread on another group became very long and at times contentious. Frankly it caused me hesitation to even book a pay for excursion. This will be my first cruise with Viking and we're going on the Homeland tour. I realize the demographics is mostly over 55 and I'm 72.  ( Just an FYI ).  I will be signing up for the free excursion that are easy, and thinking hard before booking moderate. According to many people, some people with many disabilities will go ahead and book moderate and difficult, expecting help from other passengers and the crew. Also many said they missed part of the tour, due to extremely slow moving Passengers holding up the tour guide . Is this true with most cruises or only once in a while? TYIA. 

We don't travel enough to want to bother with anything other than the pre check unfortunately. I just discovered that AAA has pop up interviews for the pre check at some of the local offices. One is less than 4 miles from where we live. 😁 How far in advance can you do the paperwork before the interview? It doesn't say on line. Thanks for all your answers. 

We don't travel much out of the USA so global entry wouldn't be worth it. TSA precheck might if it shortens the time in line. 

Is TSA pre check worth the time and cost? 

7 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

I am going to venture to say that you start to get into colder weather when it is not as appealing to travel there, and also rough seas.

 

The onboard shops are not going to have sales, because the ship just relocates to another part of the world and cruises there.  There would be no reason to have a sale.  

 

As for port shops?  Don't know, but maybe the souvenir shops would? 

Other ships would cut their prices on things like sweaters and boots to get rid of them when they are going to relocate to a warm climate on their next sailing. 

Thanks for the information