Ruthieofthesea

On 12/4/2021 at 2:06 PM, Frenchberet said:

Sounds like you have a great attitude.  Thank you for the info.  Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!

We shopped until we dropped in Punta Del Este, so much fun and the ice cream was excellent. My motto is "Make it work" .

On 12/4/2021 at 9:29 PM, kitty allen said:

Buenos Aries is so great I would mind the extra day there.

 

No extra days. Ship to airport to home. Those boarding were at the HIlton and most likely on lock down until they boarded the ship.

On 12/4/2021 at 6:29 AM, uktog said:

I transferred off this cruise earlier this year (and was chided by some on the roll call for being so cautious). Boy am I glad I didn’t go. The South American authorities are challenging enough for cruise ships in non covid times. Viking took quite a gamble even going there. Looks like it’s not paid off. I’m sure those onboard with free time back home will be loving the extra time on board but anyone working or with other commitments must be really stressed out. Such a shame 

I was onboard the Jupiter for the Southern Atlantic Crossing. Most folks with jobs do not sail on extended sailing to my knowledge. We did miss almost all of the Ports, we were onboard two extra days, but! Viking made lemonaide out of Lemons and the service and food and shows were excellent. 

Viking did everything they could to make the best out of a bad situation. We stopped at two beautiful Ports and one not so nice ( Cape Verde). I am glad I sailed. I had a great time and i also booked my next Viking cruise. The stress levels were lowered by good food, great wine and just plain old fun..

21 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

Good luck to you Ruthie,  My mother and I used to have a movie we liked to watch together, Now Voyager, with Bette Davis.   Be intrepid and enjoy whatever you do!

I do love Bette Davis, the old movies have so much substance and always a message. I do believe that each day is a gift, that is why it is called " the present". 

20 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

If you are considering the 22/23 WC, how about coming over to the Roll Call and joining the discussion.

Thank you, I will join this weekend.

6 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

On our 2019 WC there were about 30 single travelers.  They met in the upper level of the Explorer’s Lounge at 6 each night for conversation and cocktails.  They sometimes booked tables together for meals, sometimes went their own way.  But a nice group.  We became friends with a woman who did the inaugural cruise with Jim and was back for another!  But I must tell you, we are SO glad we did it.  We could never have predicted what would happen in 2020.  We got off the ship exactly two years ago today!!

I am giving it serious thought for 2023. I have afew issues that I have to tend too before I book. I know it will be an amazing adventure.

On 5/6/2021 at 8:41 AM, Jim Avery said:

Hi Ruthie,

I think I will join you with the Baileys and coffee.  What a pick me up.  You know the first sign of trouble is thinking about a WC.  I'll just add one little thought...  Next year the WC will cost more, and next year we will be a year older....  What's that old saying?  Where there's a will there's a way?  Lots more time in Explorers on a WC.🍹

Hi Jim,

I am thinking very hard about the WC. I have to do my Bermuda Escape and SAC ( Southern Atlantic Crossing ) first. I think if I do the WC they will have to carry me of of the ship as I scream and cry that I want to stay on. My real issue is, I want to do the WC alone, that in it self is a issue. Let me order another Baileys and coffee and continue to consider.

11 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

So was I.....well, until I (and probably everyone else) wasn't. 😉

You make a very good point. I think I need a Baileys and coffee to calm me down now, as I continue to consider a World Cruise. Enjoy your cocktails, everyone.

On 4/29/2021 at 10:35 PM, LindaS272 said:

Clay, I vaguely remember something about this on our Nov. 2019 SE Asia cruise on the Orion. I think somebody from the CC M&M said they were going to participate in one in the Wintergarden during tea time, but being an English tea lover, I didn’t pay much attention. I believe I saw them doing this during tea time later on—I think it may be “on request” or may depend on a staff member who knows an Asian tea ceremony.

There was a calming Tea service on our 2017 Cities of Antiquity cruise, If I remember correctly it happened during the regular Tea.

We are thinking of booking the Great lakes cruise in 2023. Already booked on the Bermuda cruise for 7/20/21, so looking forward. Off to predinner cocktails in the lounge. 

On 4/25/2021 at 7:52 PM, Jim Avery said:

Haha, nobody says it like a Californio.......

On 4/25/2021 at 7:39 PM, Ragnar Danneskjold said:

Not trying to offend (much), but what is the attraction of a Mississippi river cruise?  To me the Mississippi is just a drainage ditch for flyover country, that floods a lot...

 

Ragnar, I want you to find your happy place and stay there for a while. Joins us in the Explorers lounge for a drink.. Lots of history on the Mississippi River.

On 4/13/2021 at 9:32 PM, SantaFe1 said:

Please do not give up on a wold cruise.  It was the best thing we ever did.  And we hope to do another, but Viking is booked, and we are getting older.  We did the 2019 WC, and every day this year  I have sent my husband an email with photos of “two years ago today.”  We both enjoy reliving.  We are booked on the inaugural Iceland Welcome back cruise!  Yes, to the Explorers Lounge for a quick drink and quiet company!  Go for it!!

I do want to do a World Cruise, but! my children (grown children) do not want me to travel away for that amount of time. I think I will do an extended cruise, really not sure about a World cruise. As you said, I am getting older.  I missed 2020 and 21. We shall see.

13 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

Hi Ruthieofthesea.  I live in Puerto Rico and yes we have been open.  However we have a surge in infections and hospitalizations since spring break tourism which prompted new restrictions beginning April 12.  Curfew is now 10 pm to 5 am.  Businesses must close at 9 pm and no alcohol service after 9 pm even in hotels.  Bars still closed.  Restaurants at 50%.  We still have a mask mandate inside AND outside.  Only place we can go without masks is inside our homes or hotel rooms and in the water at the beach.  Its enforced too, however, walking our dogs on our mountain road we never see police.  One must arrive with a negative PCR swab test even if vaccinated.  Our governor has threatened total lockdown again if numbers don't improve.  I would do a wait and see.  Or if you do book, make sure it is refundable.  

Hi Tayanalorna, Thank you so much for the information. I have decided to do the Viking Bermuda to Bermuda in July. I will wait for San Juan until things get better. I am so addicted to travel that I feel like I am in a form of withdrawal. July will be a big help. Stay safe and thank you again! 

World Travellers, Viking is booked until 2023. I don't know if I am glad or sad. After 2020 and all that has gone on I do not have the desire to do a world cruise any longer. On another note.

San Juan seems to be open to tourist, I hope that is correct. I love San Juan.I am considering a week in San Juan, asap. We will do Bermuda to Bermuda in July . I am so looking forward to sailing.

I am keeping my fingers crossed for our 11/14/21 cruise. As far as Texas and Florida! I have no words. Back to the lounge for  Baileys  and coffee, topped with day dreams.

21 hours ago, CharTrav said:

I contacted Customer Relations on that very question esp all the unmasked not socially distanced people I saw. The response I got was that in essence everybody on board ship was in a bubble - no different than a household - just a bigger one. With regards to Karine, I'm confident they followed all the necessary procedures to ensure she didn't break their bubble. 

Viking will be testing for Covid onboard ocean ships, Several ships have onboard testing already. All ocean ships will be equiped before sailing.

Hello everyone, long time, no talk. Anyway all is well with me. We booked our air for the Southern Atlantic Crossing last week.. I am keeping the faith that this cruise will be a go.

I think I will wander up to the lounge and watch the world pass by. I have been in my stateroom much to long. I will have a half cap with bailys and catch up. 

I will share a secret with you. In my second career, I am a TA. I have booked more cruises in the last month than I have in the past six months. Viking is filling up ships for 2022 and 2023, River more so than Ocean, it seems people are feeling safer on the small longships. I just want to sail. I am still considering a world cruise. My family thinks I have gone mad wanting to spend months on a ship.

Maybe I am mad! who knows, who cares. I can act sane...

I am done with both vaccinations. I did not have anything other than a sore arm after the second shot.

I have my card with my passport. I am so ready to go.

Happy Easter everyone. Stay safe.

On 1/4/2021 at 9:49 AM, Jim Avery said:

I'm with you Clay.  Strategic Air Command popped up in my twisted mind.  Could be "South Atlantic Crossing".......🍹

Jim Avery, Strategie Air Command, never entered my mind, even though my son and my deceased husband are/were Air Force. You are correct it is Southern Atlantic Crossing.

18 hours ago, PasadenaDave said:

I guess that I am not alone in not understanding acronyms.  When I was employed I went through some Executive Leadership Training and the leader who was Gen X kept using acronyms.  I happened to be the only boomer in the class and at one point I had to point out that my capacity for new acronyms had been exhausted and I asked that he use full terms in his presentation.  That might have been the first time that I heard the phrase. "OK Boomer".

I might add that he kept making reference to Star Wars terms from episode whatever.  When I clarified that it was from the original movie  which I saw in the theater he explained how what I saw what not the original but rather a later episode.  He also didn't like it when I told him that true space shows including characters such as Kirk, Spock and Bones!

I must apologize, My children and grands are all geeks. I call them "text  junkies" . SAC stands for Southern Atlantic Crossing. I looked at the page the other day and low and behold the air was free. I called Viking and they were more than helpful. Two of my friend decided to join.

As a boomer myself, I should know better. As a former medical peson, I live in the world of acronyms. as a retired medical person I can do better.=

On 1/4/2021 at 9:44 AM, Clay Clayton said:

Happier New Year to you!  I’m sure just as I hit “submit reply” I will figure it out, but since I can’t at this moment, what does SAC stand for?

So sorry, Southern Atlantic Crossing.( SAC).

On 1/1/2021 at 6:38 PM, Peregrina651 said:

NYE on Viking:

2016/7

 

2017/8 (shooting from Deck3)

 

2018/19 -- They added a Jan1 buffet -- And they added the Pool deck and Wintergarden as an additional party/dance venue for NYE.

 

 

Lovely pictures, thank you for sharing.

Happy New Year. 2021 will be better. Just want to let everyone know that Viking has dropped the air for the 11/14/21 SAC. It is now free. 

It is my intention to book a Christmas cruise on the SAC this year. I simply love Christmas cruises. I have three previous Christmas cruise on two other lines. I look forward to seeing/sailing  on a Viking Christmas cruise. We were on the Star for Thanksgiving several years ago. The preperations for the Christmas were underway, I could tell they would be lovely.

Happy Cruising.

On 12/13/2020 at 4:21 PM, deec said:

We had the dreaded Torshavn cabin 3055 initially on the WC until we finally got  moved.  Not just late night.... day time practices too AND we even had a "wanna be" passenger who had gotten permission to sing his heart out ( with loud speakers) about 6am    ...front desk people thought I was crazy until I brought them to invesitgate the noise one morning!  At least the early morning crooning stopped.   ADVENTURES!!!!  Do NOT EVER EVER agree to that room or a DV6  guarantee ( how we ended up there) that might result in that cabin...oh and they also wash lifeboats early morning!!!  Sleep was at premium.

We had cabin 3052 on the Star. We didn't hear any noise, but! we went to bed really late.

38 minutes ago, Ragnar Danneskjold said:

We knew your answer, but that post was a test to see if others on the thread have a heart 🙂
 

 

 

 

 

I love dogs, but! cruising with one would be very different. 

10 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

That's me, Owner's Suite material.....  It would be great if they sold this well enough to not put in segments.  I could really get into 4 months a year on Viking.  Not sure where the $$$ will come from but I have always gone by the plan that something will come up....🍸😎

I like the way you think, book a cruise and make it happen, after I finish my Irish coffee I am going to look into the 2022/23 WC, why not! this is not a dress rehersal you only have one time around. The Spa, lunch, an afternoon nape before star gazing, then back to the lounge for after dinner drinks and sail-away.

7 hours ago, deec said:

Ruthie....I don't remember seeing quiche on the breakfast menu....is there a secret way of ordering?

There were small quiches on the menu when we sailed Cities of Antiquity in 2015 on the Star, if I remember correctly. I may be thinking of River. At some point cruies start running together. In the virtual lounge you may order what ever you like. 

Another Irish coffee, please.

On 11/22/2020 at 3:46 PM, TayanaLorna said:

I stopped by this morning and no one was around.  I am an early riser normally and live in Atlantic time so you all were still snoozing.  I had a coffee while watching a lovely sunrise at sea.  It's now 5:30 pm and no matter your time zone, it IS 5 o'clock somewhere - here.  So I raise my glass (Proseco) to a happy, safe and healthy holiday week.  

Add a little orange juice to that Proseco and you have my favorite breakfast drink. I bring my own bottle of Proseco onboard and order fresh orange juice, Quiche, Mimosa and coffee a great way to start the day, oh! fresh fruit on the side. Breakfast on the veranda, Irish coffee in the lounge. See ya'll soon.