CCWineLover

Regarding OBC's and discounts for booking onboard: We always check and make an appointment early. We don't always buy. In our experience, the amount of booking discounts definitely vary - on a sliding scale of length of cruise booked, and also that scale varies depending on supply and demand. (so you cannot just say a 14 day cruise gets $xxx discount). The OBC also varies in the same way. Have seen widely varied amounts. The advantage of booking early is that the OBC's you get have to be used up by end of cruise (or when you leave the ship if you have B2B's). Booking early gives you time to spend it before losing it. We also do our research and know what we wish to look for. It speeds things up. The advantage for us if we really want to book a cruise is that the Consultant has real-time access to rooms available. We've been known to write a few rooms down on paper and quickly have one of us run out there and take a look at them (to see how they feel, near stairs, movement, etc). Can't do that on a phone. Then we get home and transfer the booking to our Travel Agent. I also like the idea mentioned that Viking Ocean do like Viking River and offer vouchers for sale to use on future cruises.

Will be difficult to know ahead of time. They don't have a set schedule of which menus are in which order, much less which of the many menus will be served on your specific itinerary. It definitely varies. There is another thread where people discussed all the various menus that they had seen on Viking (seems like there were over 20 of them). Some have posted menus of the more common CT meals, like Xiang, Mexican, Route des Indies, Asian Panorama, Californian, and more. Suggest you do a forum search for Chef's Table menus. You will know what you have when you get on board and can see which ones you wish to try out. Occasionally they do post some sample menus a few weeks ahead of your cruise, on MyVikingJourney. Suggest reading this thread:

Thank you for this post! When we travel next month on our December cruise, I will make certain to take pictures of the wine list. From my own memories from all the previous cruises we've had, and we do enjoy our wine, I seem to remember that there were some changes in pricing and in wines served. This is likely due to the various contracts Viking maintains or changes with various distributors, as well as regions that the cruise travels. I can verify that the SSP has remained the same though - as we just got it to use up some SBC's that expire upon boarding. $19.99/day per person (actually since you have to purchase for a stateroom it really is $39.98/day for the stateroom).

Oh so sorry to hear. Frank was the greatest!

Never heard of someone choosing their cruise line based on what wine was available. Now I have! Seriously, you can bring your own wine onboard for free, if it is that important to you. We have not always been fans of the wines they provide, but we always find a couple to try out and enjoy. It makes the task of trying out new wines interesting! But we always bring some of our own onboard as well. On our S.American cruise we brought a very good Connemara wine we bought in Chile onboard and had the Restaurant sommelier open it. He knew it and told us he wished Viking could stock it. 🙂

Oh - I totally agree with you! I hope Viking does not fall into the marketing traps of the others but it is looking like it. In any case - we still enjoy them and regardless of their "words", will still take Viking cruises. Those who complain about their marketing can always take their money elsewhere (and leave more rooms open to us!)

We spent 4 full days in Buenos Aires after our South America cruise in Jan 2020 (and after several days wine tasting in Mendoza and hiking around Iguazu Falls). We stayed at the Hilton which was a decent location. I highly recommend doing an Asado Adventure. We did Frank's Asado Adventure. It was a very unique time - as he takes you shopping for the food and then you help him put it all together! https://www.asadoadventure.com/our-tours Wish we'd had time for the beer tour also! We took several "free" walking tours as well that were outstanding. And we explored on our own several different areas of Buenos Aires. Took a tour of Teatra Colon, the opera house. Only wish there had been a performance when we were there. And of course, the food in this great city is amazing!! So much to do, 4 days was not enough. We'll be back someday!

I agree that from the Viking response, it would appear you could stay onboard. However, I personally would not believe that response. We had asked the same question and were told we all had to leave the ship in the morning (and we could go to the Sheraton to wait). There was no alternative (this was Dec 2021). Perhaps they changed the policy? Perhaps the Viking person who wrote the response is not fully informed? I would seek a 2nd opinion from other Viking personnel or have your Travel Agent do it.

I was on that TA with TayanaLorna. If you can't find it, let me know. I have all the dailies. It was the first 2 weeks of December from Barcelona to San Juan. 2021. We were blessed with wonderful weather, some great lecturers, and fun-filled days at sea!

Yes, agree. Sometimes it is 9:00 AM even. When we left San Juan, it was 9:00. They pretty much got everyone out and onwards. They do indeed need to get the ship ready for the incoming passengers, many of whom get there at 11:00 AM. I truly doubt you'll ever get to stay til 1 or 2. In San Juan, Viking had a room at the Sheraton that people could go to hang out with refreshments, etc. Other cities have had that as well (Buenos Aires).

Well there you go. We tried this once at Explorer's, and bartender said we had to go to a restaurant else he would have to charge us. Guess another of Viking's inconsistencies of policy.

In my experience, the included beer/wine is not available at the bars. Also, although not publicized, included also allows for sparkling wine as well as beer/wine. Official Lunch and Dinner hours at World Cafe, Chef's Table, Manfredi's, The Restaurant, and the Pool Grill. (Not sure about Mamsen's at lunch). The Pool Grill hours are only the lunch hours, not the extended food hours (I know, I tried!) and that is usually 11 or 12 to 2. Actual hours do vary especially if there are ports and excursions going on. (i.e. World Cafe is not always beginning at 12:00). We always get a full glass of wine "to go" as we leave the World Cafe from a meal. Have not done that at Manfredi's, Chef's Table, or the Restaurant.

Seemed to me the small charge was $30 w/o SSP for the regular tastings. For premium tastings (like our Ol World Wines and some Spirits) was $30 for SSP and $50 or 60 without.

I hope you really truly are not "forcibly disembarked" and "ejected from the ship" ! 🙂 Interesting choice of words.

Too funny Lorna ! I do remember that early morning in the laundry!! Seriously though, we have seen recently too many in the WC with swimsuits (wet) and/or pajamas grabbing food and sitting down to eat. The one comment might be appropriate - people got used to dressing down while working at home and it is now just part of their mode of operation 🙂

Joe - well stated. I think you put it quite well - and better than I could. I do also think that pent up demand to travel has exasperated the existing conditions Post-COVID - and thus want to remain hopeful that over the years, the "new" behavior will subside. Trying to be positive.

Lots of talk on other threads about observed behavior patterns (such as reserving lounge chairs, etc). We had a number of cruises pre-COVID and thought the Viking passengers were on the whole quiet well-behaved, courteous, and respectful. Our observations are that after COVID, this has definitely changed. Whether there is a new crowd of people now traveling on Viking, or whether just many have changed after COVID is hard to tell. What used to be inappropriate, now seems to be accepted. On the past couple cruises, for example, we noticed quite a number of people who now sit in the Explorer's Lounge and put their bare feet on the food/drink tables. Never saw that before. And there are other examples (such as more occurances of larger loud groups in the restaurants, wearing wet swim suits to lunch at the WC and to Wintergarden tea , an more). Curious if others have felt the same . . Here's a shot I took while sitting in the comfy chairs at Explorers Lounge near the piano of what is more and more typical. . . 🙂

Very similar to River. They upgraded the head set quality in the post-COVID times, which was good.

Might be disconcerting, but likely logical with the prices of everything going up by the month. There was a huge increase in general on excursion prices post-COVID versus pre-COVID. I can't imagine Viking would want to commit to pricing 1.5 years ahead of time. Unfortunate, but that's the world these days. Sort of like fixing a price for a Thanksgiving Turkey dinner now good for a year from now. 🙂 On the other hand, now that people are being allowed by governments to do their own thing (like independent tours) - that is likely a very good avenue for some reasonable excursions. There have been lots of discussions on that. I would encourage you to go look at the various Roll Calls of itineraries similar to yours, as well as your specific Roll Call, and do a forum search.

Clay - I only remember learning about it on our cruise earlier this year (from another passenger). Seems they had about 4 or 5 of them. However, they had all sold out within hours of boarding. I could be wrong, but I seem to remember the price at $99. So yes they sell out quickly amongst those in the know. 🙂

Lorna - that is what we found also at Mamsen's. No Smoked herring. Still great! Making me anxious to get back on board! You too?

Welcome home safely, Clay!

Yep - same as our cruise. Very pricey. But then again, maybe Viking is trying to gauge what the market will bear. It was indeed $99 before COVID. Perhaps it they are unsold, they will do it differently.

Anne - they are indeed good (the herring at Mamsens) ! Room Service: On days with early excursions we do room service breakfast - always a real treat! We avoid anything toasted though, as by the time you get it, it's a bit soggy. The fruit is heavenly and they make omelettes to your choice. They give you only 2 check boxes for the omelettes on the order form, but we always "write-in" the ingredients we want, and they do a great job! We avoid the sausages as well. World Cafe - The good standby - except on days with many early excursions, when it gets quite busy/hectic. We enjoy it on sea days - pleasant, quiet, and relaxing. Lots of variety. Eggs made to order. Fantastic fruit and for us, perfect oatmeal (i.e. NOT runny or soupy), plus that baguette bread! On Orion, Jupiter, and Venus, they had a separate window by the Aquavit Bar, where you could order any kind of eggs, plus other goodies! And you have to often ask, but each morning they make delicious smoothies with different fruits. Sometimes they will walk them around but not often. You can also order the smoothies for room service! The Restaurant - Will never do this for breakfast. Poor service, cold food, takes forever. Can get the same things at World Cafe. Mamsens - Love all the choices! And it is NEVER crowded. Seems to be the undiscovered place. Attirum Bar The Pistachio buns and coffee! (Note: Clay is the one who brought this to our attention!). Fast Breakfast We go to the Attirum and get a pistachio bun to go and put it in a ziploc bag. Or hit World Cafe and put scones or baguette breads into a bag.

Lorna - it has been on every Viking Ocean cruise we've been on (10) including the most recent one on the Viking Venus this summer.