OnTheJourney

Actually, me too. Although I'm a musician, not into too much opera.

Wagner. Not sure I'm familiar with the music from that one.

LOL...what made me think of it is the old Twilight Zone episode "Judgment Night": "We ride the ghost of that ship every night. Every night, Herr Kapitan, for all of eternity. They can die only once. Just once. But we could die a hundred million times. We ride the ghost of that ship every night...every night for eternity..." Great episode. Check it out if you never saw it.

I must revisit all this....so much has happened since then, but surely worth going back to it - especially a day-by-day account. You remaining 8 were sort of like 'flying dutchmen'.

Andy, indeed a great explanation as expected! In reference to the part I highlighted, this is why a good many people aren't (or at least weren't) happy about what Celebrity did with their private "Retreat" area at the front of the ship. Reserved for suite guests, the rest of the pax lost a good bit of what was formerly public space, let alone a view forward. A wonderful perk for sure but I thought just a bit over-the-top. Providing a substantial amenity for one group by taking something away from everyone else? Oh well...I'm sure it fills up suites.

Yeah, you could say that. We knew we had to get back on a ship within a reasonably short period of time, and so did a cruise the following October. It went well, but certain things (like the shipwide signal when the captain came over the PA system to make an announcement) still sort of gave us the creeps. For months after we'd also feel a tad shaky during a storm or even when helicopters flew overhead. Having been on that cruise is why the "Chairman's invitational cruise" came about that we were just on back in May. Viking came up with a nice cruise for the "Sky Survivors" last year but it was (of course) canceled due to covid. The one we wound up doing came about rather unexpectedly with only two weeks to decide on it, but it was well worth it. Similar to Andy's tale, Viking treated us like royalty following the incident, and not only the financial compensation and free cruise opportunities that came along, but especially during the chairman's cruise. We even got to meet Karine and her husband and the famous Viking dogs! Mr. Hagan was onboard also for part of the trip and gave a wonderful (and rather humorous!) presentation. Karine's presentation was simply amazing and surely brought many people to tears since it was so heartfelt. Her video montage showed how crew and staff from so many ships bonded together to support what had happened during and after the Sky event, as well as incorporating footage of things the crews did during covid when no ships were sailing. It was most interesting and, again, very moving. The initial chairman's offering would have been the maiden voyage on the Venus. Slightly different itinerary than the one on we did on the Mars. Sorry I don't have a blog for you to peruse though 😁

Then, when you're done with Andy's incredible tale during such unprecedented times, check this one out also, especially if you're not familiar. A different type of emergency. DW and I were on this (quite an experience for our very first Viking cruise!) and were among the 400+ passengers evacuated by helicopter. This story is kind of fading into the background already since it was pre-covid and hence a different era entirely! Still....worth a look. Scariest experience we've ever had.

Sounds like your wife, like myself, probably more prefers mid-ship locations. I have motion issues, and so was concerned about being up on deck 8 for the chairman's cruise, but the Med was smooth as glass and so no problem. One evening and overnight was a bit rough. Didn't feel too well at dinner already. Good point. Hadn't thought of that. Doesn't seem to make much sense.

Boggles the mind. Everytime we're in a cruise ship dining room I'm just amazed at the scope of such an operation. Just looked it up - 465 crew on a Viking ocean ship, so basically 2 passengers for every crew member.

Each to his/her own for sure! Nope...I'd not be liking that arrangement at all. I don't mind talking to people on the ship at all. It's not that - but - just prefer a quieter setting for dinner onboard. Our least favorite thing about the sole river cruise we did was having to eat in a large group. The inevitable..."so where have you traveled?" types of questions put me off as well - it can become a "bring and brag" session, especially for those folks who seemingly have been just about everywhere. The email I got back from RCL dining indicates to contact them again at 14 days before embarkation to confirm a table reservation. I'm ok with a leisurely meal - especially if with a glass or two of wine - but yet another reason to start early! 7:30 - 8:00 dining start, coupled with - as you say - a 90-min. overall timeframe - puts me in the dining room till around 9:30. Too late. At home we generally try to eat by 5:00.

I'm just leery of how all this will play out. Having just cruised with Viking spoiled me - walk in to dinner anytime (except for specialty dining). They don't do any of that TD or MTD.

It is for us. 5:00 is fine, or 5:30. We like to get to the early show. By 9:30-10:00 I'm ready to settle back in the room and call it a night. Not into going to any of the lounges, casino, etc.

Exactly. I was told to do that - by the dining room staff (or whomever responds to emails at that address). Not going to sit at a big table with others - no interest in that whatsoever. I'd go to the buffet before that. Hopefully our suite concierge can maybe assist once we hear from him/her. I guess dining room seating is not something they get involved with though. Table for two or nothing.

Agreed, but TD doesn't really have "slots" as such, right? It's either the early or late seating time. Nothing in between.

Curious as to what makes you say that? Too big? Location? We were really happy with our chairman's cruise upgrade to PS1 on deck 8 - loved that room. Spoiled us for sure.

Sounds like I made the right choice in also switching to TD! No way will I stand in line that long for dinner on a cruise ship. I'd take one look at that line and be off to the buffet 😁

You might be referring to the thread I started recently. I had no idea any sort of change was made until I went into my booking on the website to select dining for an upcoming cruise. What I found was nothing available before 7:30 on the first night, and then nothing before 6:45 all the other nights. I was dumbfounded having not encountered this on our last cruise. I'm referring to the Adventure - can't speak for other ships. I consulted with my TA as well as emailed the dining services at RCL - both of which confirmed that there is nothing as early as used to be. So I had my TA change me to the early 5:00 seating. A few more emails back and forth with the RCL dining confirms that I should have no problem reserving a table for two. I also have read about long lines for MTD and people not getting in till considerably later than they had reserved. I don't want to deal with any of that so we'll see how the TD time works out.

Amazing...and didn't you basically have the pick of the best rooms on the ship? I recall you saying they made some great food for you.

Andy, that must have been quite some adventure, especially when it got down to...what was it?...like 9 remaining passengers onboard?

Agreed...much better than having to do it onboard. Thanks to all for the helpful replies!

So....once I do this before the cruise, then get on the ship, I'm still not done? Must more be done prior to arrival at the first Canadian port? I ask this because there is some confusing wording on the ArriveCAN site about doing a 2nd form. Lots of different rules though conditional on how one arrives, whether staying in CAN, etc.

You surely have a unique perspective on it. I agree with your thoughts. Tough for older non-computer/tablet/phone savvy people who want to travel, or even just managing many other issues. And when the internet goes down, so much comes to a grinding halt.

Thanks. I'll just keep it as is for now. For guests on cruises traveling to Canada: ArriveCAN: All guests – including Canadians - or their legal guardians, must submit the mandatory travel information required by the Canadian government prior to boarding the cruise ship. Guests can complete the form on the ArriveCAN website or via the app available in the AppStore or on Google Play. Once complete you’ll need to print or show the QR code provided at boarding. Learn more about Canada arrival requirements.

It does seem very user friendly. Sounds like I've done as much as I can for now since I can't select a September sailing. I was just curious to see how much more of the form I can do for now. Thanks to all for the enlightenment. My fault for not looking into any of this before, somehow didn't expect to encounter anything relative to entering Canada but I suppose I should have. Next spring a cruise to Bermuda - hopefully some of those requirements will go bye-bye between now and April.

All I'm doing is cruising out of New York and visiting a few days in Canadian ports. OK...got back to arriveCAN. I'll save and close...and forget about it for a few weeks!!!