OnTheJourney

There'd be absolutely no reason to. Those 'Viking dogs' are so well behaved. Far better than some of the passengers for sure.

She was on the Invitational cruise with Karine and her husband. Can't recall the name of the other dog they had with them. People mobbed them wherever they went! Torstein was along on that one as well. Oops...just scrolled back and saw that a few of our "Sky survivors" already mentioned about the dogs on the Mars. They were in the living room area on disembarkation day - got lots of attention. The person that got the least attention was Karine's husband!

Bermuda Byways Tours. However, they're fully booked for the day we're there - only takes a max of 10 people.

Sure, just like handicap parking stickers are undoubtedly abused. There are always ways to game the system.

Well, they SHOULD be able to based on what I'm reading and mentioned above, but, yeah, undoubtedly violation of someone's rights to even ask for proper documentation. Crazy world we're in.

So this thread got me interested. Came across the following: https://www.servicedogcertifications.org/how-to-qualify-for-an-emotional-support-animal/ So it boils down to whether or not these people have the proper documentation that was filed with Viking. I also found this: https://www.royalcaribbean.com/faq/questions/onboard-service-animal-policy It states that RCL will no longer allow emotional support animals, but rather only those associated with a physical disability. And, finally, specific to Viking, this excerpt from the cruise contract. Please note the part I highlighted and underlined. I'd say this pretty much excludes any animal other than truly associated with an owner's disability...... Service Animals. If you plan to bring a Service Animal on board, we request that you notify us at the time of booking and complete the Service Animal Request Form at least 60 days prior to the commencement of your cruise. The Form should be completed and submitted to Viking Cruises at vikingaccessibilityservices@vikingcruises.com . Service Animal is defined according to ADA standards: Any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability. The ADA standard explicitly does not apply to emotional support animals. Service Animals are permitted in all public areas of the ship except for the galley, and other food preparation areas due to health regulations. Service Animals are not permitted to swim in the pools, whirlpools and spas, due to health regulations. Care and supervision are the responsibility of the owner. Service Animals must always be leashed or harnessed in public areas. The passenger must provide food for any Service Animal. If refrigerated space is needed, please advise the Ships Special Request Department. If you decide to disembark in a port, the Service Animal must remain on board in the event the Service Animal does not meet the country’s requirements to go ashore. Viking Cruises does not have any control over ports that may prohibit service animals from going ashore. It is the guest’s responsibility to research the ports on the cruise itinerary and confirm if the service animal meets those countries’ entry requirements. If the Service Animal causes any damage on board, the passenger (owner of the Animal) will be held financially responsible, and a cleaning fee will be assessed and charged to the passenger’s shipboard account. If the Service Animal’s behavior creates a fundamental or direct threat to safety, the Animal and guest may be denied boarding or may be removed from the ship at the passenger’s expense. You are also responsible for ensuring the Service Animal has all necessary vaccinations, as well for providing that documentation to customs or port officials if requested to do so. The thing is...in this age of readily crying discrimination for just about any cause, the outcome of specific cases all depends on how Viking might handle complaints from people who can indeed show proper certification as needing an emotional support animal regardless of what is stated in the contract. 'Spirit of the law' and 'letter of the law' sometimes are in conflict with each other. I'd say it appears, from this thread, that Viking is perhaps being quite lax on the subject.

Wow.....thanks for sharing all this. I can't even imagine.

So sorry for how things are going. We were in Jerusalem on a Viking cruise last month. The cruise director, the day or so before we were scheduled to dock in Jerusalem, indicated that they weren't sure if we'd be able to get there due to the protesting - surely not as bad as now, of course, since we did get there. With our day there being 1/30 - only a few days after the shooting that killed 7 people near the synagogue - I'm sure that's what created the uncertainty. The next day we were in Haifa. Were supposed to be there overnight but had to leave because (at least so we were told) a weather system was moving in. I'm sure that was accurate, but have to wonder if our time getting cut short might have been due to other factors as well. Several Viking ship personnel went with all the excursion groups - in front of and behind, perhaps just due to the crowded nature of the sites. Again, who knows? While we greatly enjoyed what we got to do in Jerusalem, it was most disappointing to lose the extra day, since we would have gone to Nazareth / Sea of Galilee, plus several holy sites. The excursion was sold out weeks before the cruise, and that's the one we lost. If I'd go back, I'd not go by ship again. Way too much time on the bus back and forth (6 hours from Haifa to Jerusalem and back). Didn't help that the bus broke down as we were getting ready to leave Jerusalem. They switched us to a different bus (crowded cause it had another excursion group), and then a bit later on at a bathroom stop they transferred us back to the first bus. Not a good idea since it nearly broke down twice on the way back to the ship. At one point we pulled to the side of the road (not much room) in a tunnel and waited there a bit while the driver fiddled with a few things. I saw some sort of warning indicators flashing on the dashboard during the entire drive back. We pulled off the road a second time as well. Most thankful to make it back to the ship, especially since it was already about 10 p.m. when we got back to the terminal. The first day we got to Masada and the Dead Sea. Great experience! I seem to recall mentioning this trip awhile back and asking you about swimming in the Dead Sea - but TOO many pages since to try and go back to review! Wishing and praying that your family and friends all stay safe. 🙏 There is simply too much evil in our world.

Interesting! Confirms my having no wish to pursue that particular mode of cruising.

Simple. Because, for the most part, those in suite class - while having reserved access to the Retreat, etc. - are still free to intermingle with anyone else on the ship in public areas. Back in the day, that didn't happen - at least from everything I've read. "Jack" would have never come in contact with "Rose" on the Titanic. I have no idea what the "Yacht Club" is that you're referring to. If on some lines people are TRULY kept separate from each other ala "class" distinctions as such, let me know what ships those are since I'll be sure to avoid them, as well as any where I have to where tux and bowtie. No interest whatsoever.

Totally agree...

Great points and advice!! Your first statement is especially applicable to airline seating.

I'd think this, alone, is the main event for the cruise! Balcony rooms are great. Lately we've been using Aqua class and have enjoyed that. What I don't think is quite right is just how much space in the front of the ship has been reserved for suite guests ala the "Retreat". Given that there are no longer first, second, or third class citizens on modern cruise ships anymore, there is absolutely no reason that you should feel like a "second class" citizen. That said, it would appear that what has been done with the "Retreat" is maybe a bit over the top compared to what other lines do? Unless I'm mistaken, there is nothing comparable to the retreat even on RCL ships.

Already looking forward to trying it on the Summit in a few months! Probably had it at some point before but if I did I don't remember it.

..my wife was in there watching a movie that afternoon. I had gone to the spa, hoping to use it since I hadn't gotten there yet. Needless to say, it was closed. I can still hear the attendant say, "we'll reopen as soon as the captain says it's ok". So I figured I might as well make my way down to the theatre. Sort of lurching along since the motion had become quite intense by then, I made my way down there. We heard these sort of booming noises - presumably the anchors being dropped. Then came the "code echo" message. Not long after that, as I seem to remember, came the general alarm.

Thanks Andy...There is a much longer report than the "interim" that this latest update also refers to. The one page that is particularly interesting from the interim report is this one....

Is that when the first report came out? I'm thinking that was before '22 though. I used to have a link to it or else the entire pdf file saved. Can't find either at the moment. I greatly enjoyed reading that earlier report.

Some things are irrevocably seared into our memories...both the good and bad.

LOL Agreed. I know just enough modern tech to hopefully not appear too stupid when talking to people (especially sales personnel) who know so much more. 😆

We felt a bit that way once back on land in the facility that was used to receive the evacuees. It was really cold in that helicopter. Felt even better once we got to the hotel and got a hot meal.

Have to wonder if there is actually going to be one? I assumed they have to publish it as per some sort of maritime investigatory regulations (?)

Such a special moment. Very emotional I'd think. What a sense of relief it must have been. Wonder if which browser is being used affects whether or not the picture shows up. I'll have to try with Google instead of Safari.

Wow! Good for you in at least trying to forestall the inevitable crashes! For sure. It came far closer to being a disaster than anyone at the time realized. Best wishes from this side of the pond...

Huh...all I get is a question mark....

Picture didn't show up (?) This was the final lunch before things got crazy. I found it interesting that on our recent sailing (on the Sky) the piano legs - at least in the lounge - appeared to be inside some sort of metal (or other) rigid encasement that is likely well anchored to the floor. I can only assume this is because of what happened to the piano back then. Not sure I noticed the same thing on the Mars back in May.