JulieEscapes

Included wine and beer tips: -The wines offered change every day – if you find one you like, the next day ask if they have any of the wine from yesterday – they always find a bottle. - they come to the table with red or wine, but also have rose, just ask if they have an included rose. -also if you don’t like the included wine after tasting, ask if they have another choice – they have always been accommodating - before you leave lunch ask for a full glass and take it back to your cabin for later -for Chef’s Table included wine – if you don’t like one of the wines ask if they have something else. We didn’t like the “included” port and they ended up giving us the “upgraded” port. -if you are in a PV cabin (you get a bottle in your refrigerator at boarding) -you can switch it out for another wine. - best part you can bring whatever you want on board with no charge. -We love lemon drop martinis – upon boarding, we find a liquor store and get what we need. -You can mix the drink in your room and carry anywhere on the ship. -We asked our steward for two new glassed and a bucket of ice every day at 4:30, so we were ready for our 5 o’clock martini! -You have free access to the juice machines in the world café any time. There were stewed plums at breakfast, we took back to the room and ended up making a “Sugar Plum” martini. -Be creative, you can find all sort of “mixer” on board. -on our last two week cruise, we took our 5pm drink to the living room to listen to the music, the same waiter came over every day to see what we were drinking, ask about our day and give us snacks!

Doing the 4 Day Classic Greece extension at end of Empire of Med cruise leaving next week. We will be at the Intercontinental also. Any restaurant recommendations near Intercontinental Hotel or Athens? Any other tips for the 4 day extension?

The 6:30am excursion was the included Wildlife Boat Ride. The included Panoramic excursion, morning 8:30am, had some minor value - bus to outer areas of town beyond the city limits (can't go outside city without a gun for polar bear safety), viewed the Seed Vault, Mines, vast tundra. The museum was ok for general information on the town/mining/wildlife. Tour ends here. We didn't go back to ship, instead we took short walk to the "downtown" area and did some shopping (maybe a dozen stores: outdoor, gifts, grocery store). Then took shuttle back to ship. on our dogsled trip we did go outside the city and our guide had a high powered rifle on her back and two pistols for polar bear protections - we did not see a polar bear. You can take the shuttle bus to town, but really can't go outside the city without transportation. The bus portion was just "viewing" things, no stops. But did give nice overall picture of the area. Other random thoughts: We couldn't have asked for better weather, Sunny both days in Longyearbyen. The day we left the sea was like glass! After departing the port, Viking cruised over to the glaciers - everyone was out on the bow taking their "holiday photos". Along the coast of Norway, weather was mostly rainy. High winds day of Lofoton, so couldn't dock. However we had extra time so Captain took us to Andenes for evening cruise to look for whales. We saw multiple pods. We only had two very rocky nights at sea, Bergen to Alesund (port replaced early on) and night before Isafjord. Otherwise not too bad. We came prepared with all sorts of pills, bands, ginger, etc. But didn't use a single thing. I did downloaded the windy app (used free) and kept an eye on the wind conditions. Orange/Red bad; yellow/green ok, blue - excellent (we had blue in Longyearbyen). At Nordkapp, don't rush to the Globe for pictures. when bus arrives everyone rushes to the Globe to take pictures, Which I did also, But towards the end of our time there I looked out and there was not a single person at the Globe - should have waited and got pictures without the crowd. Tromso - if you are shopping, stop by The Northern lights Gift Shop - they have a free 14 minute film on Northern light - it was better than expected. Alesund - this was early replacement for Geiranger - we did the steps up to the Aksla viewpoint. We dropped off at end of included walking tour. The 418 steps are not that bad. There are benches and viewing platforms along the steps. Lots of points to take great pics and rest. Narvik - did War Museum with guide. Then walked around town, not much to see. The chairlift was closed while we were there. On two days in North Sea - some people saw multiple pods of whales. Bergen - skipped the included tour and did Bergen Segway tour. It was wonderful. My mother (82) and I had never been on Segway - we both loved it! Even though it was raining the entire time. They provide training in their warehouse (on docks right near ship). Then off we went. We stopped along the way and the guide gave info. We went to the other side of the harbor, then up to the top overlook, then back down and around the city. We leave for Empires of Med in two weeks and we are doing Segway in Athens! Note: I have been to Bergen before and already did funicular and cable car. I think Norway is absolutely stunting! Enjoy!

It was! I want to go back to Longyearbyen - I'll do the Captains Favorite's again! Also, when we booked we selected a 'pick up" location, but the Catamaran is docked is right near the Viking ship. You'll see smaller boats on the left after exiting the Viking ship. Short walk. shuttles: Narvik - drop off/pick up Town Hall Lofoton - drop off/pick up Circle K (on Daily but we missed this port due to weather), Longyearbyen - drop off/pick up Parking lot outside shop "Svalbardbutikken" all other ports within walking distance

I was on the first cruise to Longyearbyen, June 1 & 2 and did both included excursions. The second included boat trip opened up while on board May 31. We were able to sign up for the boat trip for Day 2 and did the other included excursion on Day 1. FYI - if you go on the boat trip bring binoculars. I brought my own set and it was the only way to actually see the wildlife. A woman standing next to me didn't have binoculars. She would ask Where are the Reindeer? It's the white dots over there. Where is the arctic fox? See the snow by the cliff, it is walking in front of it now. Even at the bird cliff, the birds were little black dots without binoculars. Saw one walrus, one arctic fox, many reindeer, many birds, a few puffins. Also, did the excursion at 6:30am, dock area right next to Viking ship; one hour in they served "BBQ" food. I didn't eat, 7:30am too early for BBQ. Viking opened the World Cafe early that day for breakfast. On Day 1, we did an independent boat tour with Hurtigruten "Captain's Favorites". It wasn't free but way better. On a Catamaran, with quiet electric as we got close to glaciers, wildlife. Got right up to the ice field in front of glacier. Great commentary during entire trip. Provided binoculars. They really tried to find a polar bear, but didn't. Did see walrus, seals, Beluga whale, reindeer, etc. Also Day 2, we did an independent dogsled with Svalbard Villmarkssenter. half the cost of Viking optional excursion and more authentic. We actually got to harness and unharness the teams to the sleds. Great guide. We could tell they really loved their dogs. And located just near the Polar Bear sign; before dropping us back at the ship, they took us to the sign for pictures. Pick up and drop off included. Musher for half day tour.

Thanks Clay for starting this ... it always boggled my mind why Viking would stop sending promos once you have booked a cruise. I would booked another cruise if I got a great deal! Also, thanks UWDawg for figuring out the web address format. I received this promotion thru a travel agent, but was able to find the web address using the formatting. I did have to keep changing the date until I hit the correct posting date. ASIA SALE Reduced Fares FREE International Airfare Complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage Package Offer ends Sep 14, 2022 Ask for Offer "FTA22" https://www.viking.com/promotions/us/ocean/FTA22/20220902