Thatname

Having done both I’d happily book either if they were the only one doing an itinerary I wanted. 

To my mind Viking is like a boutique hotel, Oceania more like a very nice country house hotel. Nothing wrong with either, just depends on which you prefer. 

On 4/10/2019 at 3:08 PM, Peregrina651 said:

 

For me, the swelling starts on the plane. I tried compression socks on this last trip and it helped on the flight; at least I could get my shoes on and off. I then wore the socks of and on during the cruise. If I could have worn them every day, things might have been better. In the end, things did not really clear until I was home again for a few days.

Sorry to come to this a bit late. I’ve found that things sold as ‘flight socks’ are pretty ineffective, and went up to a fairly light medical grade compression (e.g. 12-15 mmHg Preventative Graduated Compression https://www.pebbleuk.com/shop/products.asp?cid=2&pid=1) which are very effective for me.

I was surprised to find my ankles still puffed up when on board, so this thread has been enlightening, thanks everyone.

8 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

Right next to the Cutty Sark.  Where we arranged pick up.  This is right adjacent to the tent Viking uses for luggage collection. Though I would not use a car service in London that is not familiar with Greenwich

Thanks for the info.

Rather than being a London car service they’re our local, reliable, firm, and are more used to Heathrow, but I’m sure they’ll work out Greenwich. 

We’re disembarking at Greenwich, and being collected by an ‘airport’ car service. The driver hasn’t been to Greenwich before and I’m struggling to find out where he can pick us up.

I've asked at guest services, and been given a postcode that’s just a small piece of road, not a car park so whilst he might be able to pick us up there he will also need somewhere to wait. 

If anyone has disembarked here I’d appreciate knowing how it worked.

thanks

There’s a lot of free WiFi in London, it’s always worth checking out your phone to see if there’s a free network nearby.

On 2/7/2019 at 8:58 PM, Fishgerbil said:

I, too, have been experiencing frustration. When our turn came to book excursions for our upcoming cruise to South Africa, SOLD OUT listed by every wildlife viewing excursion. Will Viking do more than just suggest checking with My Viking Journey? How about adding more availability so every cabin class can book excursions?

We really wanted to do the Addo Elephant Park trip, but that was sold out as well. They really need to increase their capacity. 

On 1/4/2019 at 12:40 AM, 2rinnh said:

 

I was so hoping you were correct! We will be boarding in Durban as well and I would love not to have to wait so long.

I’ve just paid the final invoice and it suddenly feels a lot closer 🙂 

I’ve been to NZ a few times and have always found their airport staff to be professional. I travel with a few meds, and always carry a doctors letter saying what they are and why I need them. I’ve never needed the letter. 

Bookings for shore excursions and dining reservations open xx days before sailing, but what happens when your cruise is also a segment of a world cruise?

Obviously the world cruisers xx days beforehand will be much earlier than the xx days for people just doing a segment.

Do the people on the world cruise get all the best, or are some held back for each segment?

Totally agree. It just wouldn't be Afternoon Tea, if it was buffet style.

We really enjoyed afternoon tea on Oceania (Marina). Served in the horizons lounge, with music, I think it was a string quartet, nice gentle unobtrusive but very enjoyable music.

Not sure that it could really be called buffet style. A tea waiter with the choice of tea, food trolleys (cakes) doing the rounds and a table set in front of thendance floor where more food was served if you wanted to wander over.

On a sea day it’s something to look forward to, reading this thread I’m hoping getting a seat for Viking’s tea isn’t going to be a hassle.

Thanks, @lackcreativity, that’s reassuring.

Thanks Jim

Who has control of the serving utensils? When I sailed with Oceania staff served all the food, however on another line everyone served themselves.

Which system does Viking use?

Thanks

Thanks for the info

Hi

I’m interested in finding out what sort of evening shows Viking tend to offer?

Thanks

Hi

Do guests serve themselves in the buffets on Norwegian ships or do staff do the serving?

Thanks

Sorry CCFC, I hadn't looked at breakfast, you can still have free items there.

wowzz, I think you've missed my point. That was the case when I booked, however I've check checked out their new menus (from the middle of June) https://ask.pocruises.com/help/PO/life-on-board/example_menu and that's changed. Other than breakfast there's no free items.

Ive just looked at the new room service menu for my upcoming cruise and have discovered that they now charge for EVERYTHING. We booked our room with the thought of eating there a few times so that we didnt miss the scenery, and now feel well and truely ripped off.

I've found the information on Internet packages, and that there's PC internet stations in the library.

I can't find anywhere that says if it's free to use the internet on the library PCs or if they charge?

I might want to check email occasionally, Is it easy to get on a PC?

Thanks

 

Security and/or labor issues in numerous ports have resulted in the Ticket Contract being radically altered to insert penalties, should the ship incur costs whilst waiting for no shows.

 

I draw your attention to the second paragraph of Section 23 (italics and highlight by me):

 

 

As mother used to say, "a word to the wise is sufficient".

Surely if the OP has the ship and agents info and contacts them to say he's sitting on a delayed train and won't be back in time there's no reason for the ship to be delayed?

Hmm, New Forest is lovely, and if it's a sunny November day the train to Brockenhurst would be a good way of spending some time.

My personal choice would be to get the train in the other direction to Winchester. It works in all weathers, with the cathedral, and great hall, nice independent shops to wander round and a Japanese restaurant that does a great teppanyaki menu.

In room dining gets you the food, but not the atmosphere. We really enjoyed the restaurant experience.

You say you can have the meal in your cabin, I'm assuming you have a butler then? Just ask him/her about the time and see if they can help.

Tried googling Connoisseurs Club, and it looks as if it's for North America agents. Is there anything similar for Europe?

Thanks

On the Marina I'd say it was quite small. Not big enough for much ballroom style dancing, but equally it wasn't very crowded so there was the option.

IMHO a 14.00 flight should be safe.

I agree with Janecambridge, 90 minutes to Heathrow is fine. There's road works on the motorway at the moment, but they're not slowing it down too much outside rush hour. It gets difficult if there's any breakdowns or accidents which can create long delays.

Whilst Heathrow say be there 3 hours before a flight in my experience you can generally get away with less, especially if you fly business class!

If using public transport, coach is the easiest, they go direct and the coach station is close to the docks, but I'd book a car. I have details of a firm I've used quite a lot and have always found reliable. Happy to pass on the details if allowed.