CCWineLover

Two is better than nothing. Beats the alternative (not cruising on Viking).

We noticed the same change in our Xiang menu last December, Clay. So perhaps it was a universal change. I asked the (more senior) waiter about the lotus leaves versus rice on the plate. Whether it is true or not, he did say that many people complained about having to deal with the lotus leaves and there were a several comments left about why couldn't they just put the rice on a plate instead. If so, never ceases to amaze me what people complain about.

In 2023 we had 4 cruises and all started promptly (12:00 noon Pacific), but in 2022 we had one that opened up 3 hours early. So you should always keep checking.

Don't understand . . are you serious? Please explain.

We've ticked off so many bucket list items . . . And we'll get one of them done next year (with Japan and Hong Kong). But for us the big one is South Africa (safari, Namibia, Victoria Falls, Capetown, and more). Had friends who just got back from a Rhodes Scholar tour and were absolutely raving about it.

Joe - you['ve got to make it to NZ! Both Islands - so different - and the whole country is unique and spectacular!!

Sorry for your inexcusable experience! I do wonder though - who was it who told you it was being discussed with a senior person. It couldn't have been a Viking person since you say "no one from Viking came over to discuss it". Just curious - was it a fellow passenger diner who might have had the same experience? We had something similar happen (not with decanting, but with a gone bad bottle). Waiter disappeared to get a different one, never came back. After 15 minutes I got up and went to the front desk and asked to speak to the head of Manfredi's. That got quick action. I don't think I'd have had the patience to wait for 45 minutes without taking matters into my own hands. Certainly since COVID things have changed - I can only assume they've had problems, like everyone else, hiring qualified people who want to work. I hope that you gave complete feedback to the Beverage and Restaurant Manager verbally and in writing and followed up with an email to Tellus@vikingoceancruises.com I do think Viking does try to change things but I find you have to be persistent. If they don't know they don't make a change.

Some recent post someone posted the measurements of the height clearance below the beds on Viking. We always make maximum usage of that storage space.

Which ship, itinerary, and dates are you going to Ravenna?

Clay - thanks for the Sweet and Salty update! Was at least the Tenderloin good? Did you give them feedback about the salty scallops too well done? Maybe they'll make some changes.

The issue that Janet is concerned about is real - We have it as well. Let's say your cruise is composed of 2 legs. Your first leg starts May 25th. 2nd leg starts June 8th. That means ALL of your excursions for both legs fall under the old 67 day rule, meaning you don't get to book leg 2 until 67 days out from May 25th (this occurs if you have ONE booking number for legs 1 and 2 and not 2 completely different "cruises"). SO - the people who are ONLY doing leg 2 that starts June 8th will get to book their excursions for leg 2 WAY ahead of the person who really began the cruise on May 25th. I saw this coming when I heard the announcement and foolishly thought - oh Viking has an answer for that. Sadly, it appears they never even considered this possibility. It is all due to selling cruises that combine legs along with selling individual legs.

100 percent agree! Even if someone hadn't been there much or at all. Although perhaps some feel "safe", much like the reason so many use Viking Air (I have heard reports of 70% or so coming in the day of boarding on Viking Air). I have been fortunate to travel a lot and thus feel somewhat travel savvy but have to remember that many seniors are taking their first big adventure out of their home state.

Wow! Joe - we'll be there in 3 weeks - hoping we get as beautiful a view!!

This was a month ago on the Viking Neptune. Others have posted that their Waiters/Restaurant Managers recently have said they are trying out 4 slightly different Manfredi's menu. But we've only seen this one new one in 3 cruises in 2023.

We just spent several weeks on Mars in October and had absolutely no issues with wash, and didn't hear anyone else talk about it either so maybe they fixed whatever your issue was.

I was going to say the same theory. We've NEVER had any notice of ANY fragrance from doing wash and we've done a lot of Viking Cruises. Plus, I don't even remember anyone "complaining" about it or even mentioning it until Mike07. So I figure it was a one-off. I do think the massive use of perfume onboard is, however, a problem. We've moved tables in the restaurant because of someone. Kind of ruins the taste of food and wine!

This happens for updates occasionally. It is working now.

ALL the Viking Ocean ships have button dispensers with detergent free.

And there has to be sea days!! Our upcoming one Rome to Athens as no sea days so no cooking classes or bridge tours for sure.

It’s all simple and moot if you don’t do Tripmate and get travel insurance from a good 3rd party where you don’t lose if you cancel the trip, but can transfer it to another trip. And you only insure the minimum until penalties, so the cost for us is usually at most $125. means that way you get to waive pre existing conditions at a very low risk and cost. It would be stupid not to do it this way.

Wrong place to put this. Take a look at how other people title it. (No caps - screams) plus you need to put the year in it 2025? 2026? And put it under the Viking Sea Roll Calls. Perhaps contact the administrator to have them move it.

That is exactly what we did. Got on the include highlights bus - it drove around town and past the castle. We could get off and walk on our own. About 50% got off. There was a shuttle that left about every 30 minutes from a square nearby. So we did about 3 hours on our own. Made it worthwhile as the bus ride was not that worth it (but it was an included tour).

and which menus were changed? On our last cruise they did four different classes (limited to 12): California, Italian, Greek, French

It is indeed nice of Viking. All it takes is for a Cruise Critic passenger to take charge, collect the names and info and personally contact and work with Viking to set a date/time and get it organized. I've now done 4 of these this past year (including last month) and have one scheduled for our upcoming Saturn cruise in February. Note - each ship seems to do it slightly different organization wise - some via the CD, some via Guest Relations, some Restaurant Manager, some will work with you ahead of time to set the date/time and some don't want any action until the organizer gets on board and meets face to face. In any case, they are well worth the effort of the passenger putting it together!

Phil - nice job. We did all of these excursions (Viking and on our own) except Tromso back in summer '22. Concur totally with your assessments!! Surprises: The North Cape was breathtaking; the Funicular on your own in Bergen had the most incredible views - you could see the ship down below!