CCWineLover

Same here. Although a couple times, they replenished the wine bottle and then also replenished the rum bottles we have (since I had taken them out and hidden them for later just to see if that would happen). Not sure if that was luck or a mistake or what. The wine was always whatever the included wine of the day was - you could ask for white or red and request a specific varietal (like Cab or Merlot) but not guaranteed, our steward told us.

We were able to split a voucher into two pieces to put on two different cruises, but only because the voucher was more than 10,000 dollars. Otherwise wouldn't have been able to do so. Had nothing to do with the cruise fare. So I can verify that this is still done.

MikeyB: The reason I put "free" in quotes is the non-dollar costs that free entails IMHO. Stress, aggravation, continued having to monitor for changes, hassles with on the phone with Viking etc. Having no control over things unless you get Air Plus, and even then, things are MORE out of your control than if you booked on your own (or with Travel Agent), particularly since you are subject to the changing whims of airline contracts. Like sudden extra charges for a flight you originally had on Viking Air but went off contract before you left, so you had to pay extra to get that same flight again. And on and on. We each have our opinions as to what's important for us. For me, the aggravation isn't worth it. And I truly believe (no proof) that "free air" offering comes with the worst flight contracts the airlines negotiate with Viking - hence Viking can advertise the "free". (i.e. bad times, more connections, constant changes, etc). Don't kidd yourself - you are "paying" for the air somewhere. In all the cruises we've done with Viking, I've seen much better pricing in nearly all of them (from California if that makes a difference). Everyone's results will vary of course.

Absolutely, Dee! As we all know, "Free Air" is never really "Free". You get what you pay for.

Well, Clay, we always appreciate your humor! You have the best attitude! Look at it this way: you are not cooking at home 🙂

Yes, I've done that every time, using the Chat. They are very good at getting you a pdf file of the excursions, with the caveat that your cruise might have changes to it.

On a previous post, Clay said that yes he did book the tour of the bridge.

Wow! Certainly love all of your commentary and pictures. However, I do hope that you and your wife do take some time to enjoy everything and don't spend too much of your vacation on your phone/computer!!! 🙂 Your wifi must be much better than ours was in Iceland last month on Saturn. Most of the time we could barely even send a text, much less post pictures on cruise critic. It just didn't work well. Enjoy the cruise!

Hi cruisingtheresa: Highlighted the things we totally agree with. We've been on a number of Viking ships (see our signature) and we do enjoy the staff and the casual atmosphere. Guess regarding room noise it's just a matter of good or bad luck as to your neighbors. Sadly there are those who are hard of hearing and spend a lot of time with the TV on. We've had some bad situations with the TV noise next door and others where we heard nothing. Last cruise in June, they had the News (of all things) on starting at 6:30 to 9 AM and then in the evening from 5 PMJ and consistently off at 9 PM. We hardly ever saw them, so they must be more recluse. It happens. Never sure why people go on a great cruise and spend so much time watching TV (unless they are not feeling well or quarantined) We also felt food was a mix of good and bad. Fortunately the items (that are good or bad to us) are consistent across cruises so we know what to choose each cruise and are happy with it. You do exactly what we do with the Ahi tuna in making a great salad !! Chef's Table used to be quite good but since COVID the quality seems to have gone downhill IMHO, with the same menus to compare to. The others were pretty consistent. We do like the quiet atmosphere, the de-emphasis on massive entertainment, the lack of kids running around, or casinos, and just the general vibe - as such we'll likely just stick to Viking.

We are in Lisbon in December ahead of our TA to FLL. Cancelled before. Hopefully it will be OK. I totally hear everyone's frustration with people who cruise these days. It seems to be a whole new breed of people since COVID - those who don't really consider their fellow passengers. We just got off our Viking cruise in Iceland. SO many people hacking, coughing, ignoring sanitary standards and just plain being oblivious to anything healthwise. Maybe it is the reaction to post-COVID - just going to to do I want to do attitude... In any case, we were extremely careful, one of a few who wore masks, and somehow managed to get home without catching anything. But - it was a risk we took for the chance to get out and travel - and I think that now will always be there. I don't see it going back to before the way it was.

Our ALmond pastry was very fresh and quite good! Might depend on the itinerary.

Lorna - it was open 10-midnight our whole Iceland trip. Of course it was light all the time! Had the split pea soup for the first time. It was great! Note - they had split pea soup at lunchtime as well one or two times. (Maybe it wasn't popular?) No timing needed! Always available at night! Again, might depend on the itinerary. Perhaps we just didn't have people staying up (we had an older crowd on our cruise - maybe 80 median age).

What ship are you on? What itinerary exactly? You didn't say. NYC? Reykjavik? Bergen? Saturn? Neptune? Star? Jupiter?

Dave - hoping you and Linda have very nice flights home from Iceland. I just want to thank you for all the wonderful and informative posts you've done! Hope to see you both in Seattle (Bainbridge) some day soon! Kent

Possibly. Have sometimes been able to do it via some shenanegans and sometimes not.

Fabulous shots! So glad that we had booked this itinerary for next year. We essentially do NYC to Bergen spanning a year. 1/2 in 2023 and 1/2 in 2024. Had always been curious about Svalbard, ever since my youth when you could see this huge island way up north (on those Mercator maps that were so out of scale). Glad to see it's been a great adventure. Plus, you still have the North Cape and down Norway's coast to come! We did Midnight Sun and it was our favorite so looking forward to seeing North Cape for real (it was cold and foggy when there last July). Wishing you continued sunshine!

Clay - what an amazing day you've had. Great pictures. Great tour! Can't wait to visit Svalbard next year. Continue to enjoy your wonderful cruise. Carpe Diem 🙂

🙂 somehow coach airfare down to Australia doesn't sound so appealing. Seems like they are doing a lot of these "free" airfare promotions these days. (Of course free air isn't really free so to speak). Wondering if they are doing something with air contracts that motivates them to do so?

🙂 I had forgotten about those - loved the scallop appetizers! AND the vegetables! We would often get a plate of small bites and try different things - fun! We are also sushi/sashimi lovers too and most of the time, it is outstanding. And sitting outside is the best if the weather cooperates. One more WC plus - it has the best views (inside and out).

Hmm. I analyzed it just the opposite 🙂 In MDR, if you get say an entree and you don't like it, or it is not what you expected for whatever reason, you are stuck. Yes you can call the waiter and reorder something else, but then you get delayed from everyone else. In World Cafe, you can take a small portion of something and if the same situation exists, you can immediately get and try something else. More efficient. OK, yes, it required getting up and walking a few steps to the counter. AND you can pick you seat at WC and not be jammed in unless you want to.

Janet - I think Clay posted yesterday (from Saturn), that its Sideways webcam was because they had needed to clean it and neglected to put it back correctly or something like that. You're right! They need to have someone review the procedure check list to make sure things work properly when they clean. 🙂

We have our eyes on this itinerary as well. Will look closely at the 6 month and 120 day deadlines on them, as that is when most people who cancel out do so. (Before final payment and before the cancel penalty gets larger).

Wow Bob! Very very impressive. I hope that we get the chance to cruise sometime with you - would enjoy hearing your enrichment lectures on privacy and security! (I retired a few years ago after a career in IT - mostly analytics and databases). We are doing the Italy-Croatia-Athens Viking cruise next Feb/Mar. You have a lot of great information on all the amazing travels you've done in your blog. Well organized. Thank you very much! Kent

Julie - We were with you on that Saturn NY-Iceland trip! I remember you at the Meet & Greet! Glad to hear someone else with the same issues in MDR seating. We call it the 737 seating arrangement. After getting that middle twosome seat, we don't go back much. We've also had a similar unpleasant, tense meals there. We enjoy the World Cafe for its relaxing nature, and easy to have a conversation. I DO remember Phillip at the carving station too! They were all great at the WC, and the staff was so friendly - they got to know you there. We loved Adrian - he knew us from a previous cruise and this time served the starboard WC side (pizza side). Cheers! Happy cruising on your next adventure. Kent

Thank you. Easier to see, but only shows excursion start times. But the full calendar does show the exact begin and end times of excursions.