Ruthieofthesea

On 11/25/2020 at 4:50 PM, vslparis said:

I saw that there is to be a Mexican themed dinner in Aquavit so I just ordered my Valarita  ( my version of a Margarita with 2 shots of tequila, 1 shot of triple sec, freshly squeezed 1/2  lime  and a small shot of Grand Marnier on top,no salt )  here in the Explorer's Lounge to get in the mood . Can I get one for anyone else ?

aroo

Valerie

Yes! I will have a Valarita. I may have to return to my stateroom when I finish my Valarita.

On 11/26/2020 at 9:53 AM, photopro2 said:

I am not a great one for dramas generally but did enjoy Downton. I think that show has something in common with the atmosphere on Viking . The mutual respect that is portrayed between "upstairs" and "downstairs"  rather matches the relationship between guests and crew on the ships. Do you agree? 

 

Don't tell anyone but my DW and I dressed for dinner (Bowtie, tux for me sparkly evening gown for her) just to watch the Downton Abbey movie on dvd not so long ago. The things we get up to in lockdown!  🙄

I love Downton Abby. I have watched the complete ( all six seasons) atleast six times. I have seem the movie twice. The beauty and elegance of the show appealed to me. I have actually set foot in Highclere, I also went to New York to visit the set and costumes from Downton Abby. Last year during a bad winter storm, I binge watched the series over a weekend. 

The history of Great Britian has always grabbed my imagination. I have dear friends that live in the English country side. I don't talk much when I visit, I rather listen to others. 

I do agree with you regarding the atmosphere on Viking. The ships are serene and peaceful and beautiful. Can't wait to get back onboard. Hope you had a great Thanks giving.

6 hours ago, photopro2 said:

Glad you eventually found your way along to the front of virtual deck 7 Ruthie. You will see Jim is dozing in the corack. I love the peace aner as usual this time of day. In fact the whole ship is a bit quiet at the moment but I am sure people will gather again as time goes on. In the meantime I see the waitress is on her way over..... what will you be having?

So very good to be back. I love the peace and quiet this time of day. I think I will have an Irish coffee.

My roomie is watching Downton Abbey for the 30th time, at this point I can repeat the lines with the cast. I have moved on to Poldark, she is stuck in the Abby.  Smooth sailing on this beautiful day,

I think I will go to the Spa, then off to Tea later i will watch the Star show, but! for now I will enjoy my coffee and our conversation.

I am sitting here wondering how in the world I list this thread for months.  I have looked at and logged on to the cruise site (SAC 11/14/21) many times. I open a notice and this thread appeared.

So glad I found myself here. I have spent so many lonely days, evenings and nights in the lounge with no one to really talk with. All is well now! I was lost, but! I have found my way again.

I have a great deal of catching up to do.

It is late, the lounge is almost empty., I like it. I have a drink with more melted ice than alcohol. I really don't like the taste of alcohol, this single malt taste better with a bit more water from the ice.

Oh well! I am in awe of the gentle waves and the stars which seem to follow the ship as it glides across the water.

I want to get up and head to my stateroom, I can't seem to move, I am so relax and it is so peaceful. I can't seem to remember the next port of call, not that it matters. This ship is my destination. The company, the comfort, the amazing service. I may just sit here all night and sleep all day tomorrow.  

I hear giggles. I look around to see a couple in the corner sitting on the sofa completely absorbed in each other. how nice. They notice my and smile, their happiness seems to fill the room.  

I think I will retire now. I will order breakfast and dine on the veranda as I watch the ship slip into port. A nap, lunch in the Restaurant and back to the lounge my favorite place on the ship.

Goodnight.

I must say, I have missed a great deal. I done purchase the SSBP. I am a wine lover.I do not like the taste of hard alcohol. As my dearly departed said. I like girlie drinks and I have no ability to hold down more than one drink.

I order a drink and it will last hours. 

I enjoy a good IPA, every now and them. We have a great deal of really good brew houses in Colorado.

Glad to see everyone enjoying the lounge.

On 5/4/2020 at 8:40 PM, cruisemom42 said:

 

While I understand where you're coming from, the "islands" have little (actually almost no) interest for me. I'm not a beaches/natural beauty person. Give me a nice big city with lots of museums, culture, and history any day, every day.

 

While it's true that you cannot get the measure of many Med ports in a day, there are some of us who cruise the Med annually, more or less. Couple that with spending time pre- or post-cruise and it makes for a nice holiday -- and one that appeals to MY interests.

 

One other thing that I don't recall seeing anyone else mention about Med/Europe cruises is that I enjoy the fact that I am traveling, and arriving at, these ports in much the same way as visitors have always done up until the advent of the 20th century. There is something I find very thrilling about arriving at Istanbul just like the traders from Venice in the 15th century, or scouring the horizon for a sight of Carthage on the shores of Tunisia, much as the Roman fleets must once have done....

 

 

I simply love your response. You speak my heart for travel. I loved the Caribbean in college for Spring break. I no longer find interest in the Islands of the Caribbean. The beach in Sydney is lovely as are the beaches of Spain. 

I try to find off the beaten path places in countries, small shops, family restaurants and beautiful gothic churches.

Happy cruising everyone.

After almost fifty years of cruising and land trips I have many favorite ports. The most amazing sail in was Sydney.

Auckland

Dubai

Venice

Santorini

Hong Kong

Christ Church

Paris (river cruise)

I love to watch as the ship navigates to port, especially when they approach the dock from the side.

Happy cruising. 

On 4/20/2020 at 3:38 PM, tzbeach said:

I was so excited to find a Viking Cruise (Viking Homelands) for May 2021 that could replace the 2 Royal Cruises we have cancelled for May 2020.  I booked it and put a 72 hour hold on the cruise.  In the documentation they have sent me it looks like the final payment (over $14,000) would be due in 31-July-2020?    10 Months before the cruise?  Can this even be right?  I just paid the full amount on the Royal cancelled ones in Feb 2020 for May 2020 cruises - 3 months before the cruises.

 

I really want to go with Viking in the future - smaller ships, no kids, less people, so much included but with waiting on the close to $9000 in refunds coming from Royal I just don't want to shell out $14,000 and let Viking to use my money for so long.

I booked a cruise early last year with Viking through one of their specials. Final payment due six months before the cruise. You have to catch the deal, or you will pay one year before the cruise. Yes! is seems harsh, but! but once you sail you know why we go along with it. Book your cruise and keep your eyes open for the Specials. Good luck and Happy cruising.

I changed my sail date for the Southern Atlantic Crossing to November of 2021. We were concerned with the affect of COVID 19 extending into early 2021. We were booked for March 2021. I feel better  with the new sail date. 

20 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

Ruthie, I also remarried.  But, I hope to find you on some future trip in the real  Explorer’s Lounge!  Stay strong!!

Thank you for your kind words. I don't think I can find what I had, so! I will keep my memories. I have wonderful children and grand children, a host of friends and I am blessed to travel. All is well. 

I would love to meet you in the Explorer's Lounge and have cocktails, maybe someday on a grand adventure. 

4 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

Yes, sorry Ruthie, I posted my snow comment simultaneously with your post, and it looks quite silly, now.  But I, too, have been where you are...

The snow comment was just what I needed. Now I don't feel bad that we had snow on Friday and it is sixty today.

The ladies name in my post is Claire, we still keep in touch. She remarried. I never will.

On my way to the lounge. I watched as we sailed into Venice from the veranda with a coffee in hand. Debating if I should go or stay. I decided to stay. Some years ago DH and I spent three days in Venice on our way to a place I can't

remember. DH is no longer with me, there are too many memories out there for me, I will stay onboard. 

I am more than happy to see my favorite chair is empty. There are several people in Mamsen's. I will wait to grab a waffle. You can feel the excitement as people prepare to see the wonders of Venice, The Doge's Palace, The walk across The Rialto Bridge. The awe of looking up at St. Marks, standing in the middle of Piazza San Marco. I remember it as if it were yesterday. 

Good morning, I speak to a lady that sits down next to me. We smile at each other. I ask her if she has seem Venice.

She nods, her nod holds so much meaning. We are quiet for awhile. She speaks, my husband was with me the last time that I was here,, he is gone. We connect, I am in the same place as her. We spend hours sharing memories. We have waffles and coffee. I have made a friend. Once more the magic of the Explorers lounge has worked in my favor.

We decide to have before dinner drinks tonight, of course! here in the Explorers lounge. 

Four years ago on a Viking Ocean cruise I will always remember.

OMG! That really is not the way Spring is suppose to look. We had the same thing in Colorado two days ago. I really, really, REALLY!  need a cruise. 

13 hours ago, photopro2 said:

I really enjoyed reading that Ruithie - thank you. It is a great pleasure to share the ship with so many thoughtful, creative and interesting people. 

You are more than welcome. I stay afloat remembering the amazing adventure I've had on Viking Ships. 

It is after midnight, the lounge is very quiet. There is one other person two chairs from me. I am sitting in the middle of these beautiful ceiling to floor windows. We both seem to be in a state of reflection as we look at the gentile waves made by the ship. I simply love the motion of the ship as we glide through the water, the peace and  solitude that surrounds every thing and everyone at this hour is so nice.. The bar is closed, my Mimosa is almost gone, but! I can't seem to move from this seat. The stars above the windows are directing the ships path. I may be here in the morning as we sail into Port, I may not sleep tonight. I may watch the Sun as it presents itself over another distant land a new and exciting  destination. 

I will leave the lounge eventually and dream of my muse, the Sea as I wait until I return to my seat in the Explorers lounge onboard this lovely Viking Ocean ship.

I am leaving the virtual lounge.

Goodnight all, our next adventure awaits us.

4 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

It was my last X cruise as well.  I decided that I did not want to do any more ocean cruising for a while (it wasn't a problem with X but with ocean-going in general) and we took our first river cruise in 2010, Viking's "China's Cultural Delights;"  we were hooked-- on river cruising and on Viking. Then Viking announced its new venture into ocean cruising and the minute we read the "Into the Midnight Sun" itinerary, we were on the phone with our TA booking our 40th anniversary trip with DH's B&SIL (their 45th).

I walked away from X as a Elite+ it seemed the more I cruised the more money I spent onboard. When I walked off of the ship in 2009 with a $1500.00 dollar tab.  I was done. I love the Spa, but paying to lay on a warm bench burned my buns. I am a fan of River as well. I have sailed on several other lines, AMA waterways, Scenic and Emerald Waterways NZ. I always end up back with Viking. I am considering Christmas 2021, my TA is looking at pricing for me as we speak.

19 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

It was January, 2009 on one of the X ships.

I don't know what happen to my response. It seems to have disappeared. 

1 hour ago, Senior Gators said:

 

Ruth, what a small world.  Compliments of Uncle Sam, I spent 2 years in Anchorage between Thanksgiving day 1968 and the day before Thanksgiving 1970 at Fort Richardson. In July 1969, I flew to Miami, married my waiting bride, and drove 6,000 miles in 10 days (including 3 days driving the Alcan highway from Dawson Creek, BC to Tok, AK). We  spent 16 months as a newly married couple in Anchorage while I finished my tour of duty there.  Our return was part driving and included sailing on the Alaskan Marine Highway from Haines, AK to Prince Rupert, BC, stopping at many of the same ports as Viking's Alaskan itinerary. 

 

We booked the August 14th Alaska and the Inside Passage cruise to visit places we haven't been in almost 50 years and to add the Rocky Mountaineer train through the Canadian Rockies to Banff.  Now we have our doubts about being able to that with the continued deterioration of the country's (and the world's) pandemic due to the COVID19 virus. Such is life in these strange times.

 

I think DW and I will have another glass of Chardonnay and enjoy the warm comradery of our fellow cruisers in the Virtual Explorer's Lounge. Cheers!

 

Richard and Margie

Senior Gators

It is a small world. I held a position at Providence Hospital in Anchorage. It was an exciting time in my career. I worked with a team of brilliant people as we developed and implemented automation in Clinical laboratories. I retired ten years ago and spend most of my time traveling. My son is an Airforce officer who has the true spirit of a nomad. 

Alaska is lovely in the Summer. I found May to be breath taking in Anchorage when flower bloom overnight and the Sun shines until midnight. I hope you plan on rescheduling your Alaska cruise if you have to cancel. 

On my way to the virtual future Cruise desk to decide what is next on my travel schedule. Then Dinner in The Restaurants, think I will have the Chairman's Choice. I love Salmon. Mimosa in hand.

5 hours ago, Senior Gators said:

 

Ruth, it was good; quiet and peaceful as the experts recommend! Just the two of us with phone calls to and from our family.

 

We have an Alaska and the Inside Passage Viking cruise bought and paid for coming up in August, but it is looking more and more like that one won't be happening. Either Viking will be cancelling it or we will.  We are waiting until closer to the sailing date to make our decision based on the situation and the facts that present themselves. We are exploring future cruise opportunities with Viking in the meantime.

 

 

Senior Gators, I simply love Alaska. I lived in Anchorage for four years. We were blessed to sail the inside passage from Anchorage, wait! maybe it was the outside passage, it was over twenty years ago and my memory has faded. I do remember calving glaciers and stark beauty surrounding us as we sailed. There is a glacier in  Alaska with my name. Ruth's glacier, that made me smile.

I think I will order a Mimosa and walk up to the upper level and enjoy the view as we sail from Sydney. The view is simply beautiful as the Opera house disappears from view and our next Port awaits our arrival. Looking forward to Christchurch, New Zealand in four days. Happy virtual cruising.

5 minutes ago, retiredman said:

It seems like yesterday but was actually this past August 5th. Dear wife and I were on the Sky doing Icelands' Majestic Landscapes and sailing out of Geiranger, Norway. We had attended a guest lecture by Mr. Joseph Micallef that afternoon. He spoke on the WWII resistance of Norway and Denmark, a fascinating talk. Afterwards, having had a wonderful dinner, we retreated to the Explorers Lounge for a few after dinner libations. Sitting at a table enjoying the fabulous view and a nice straight up Makers Mark, I notice Mr. Micallef sitting solo at a table next to us. Having read a few books on the subject of his lecture, I told him how much I enjoyed it. It started a long discussion about the subject , which I enjoyed immensely. A most enjoyable evening, but then every evening was entertaining. I make final payment on our April 2021 "British Isles Explorer" cruise in a few days. It was nights like that which give me faith Viking will survive. I need those in my life!

One of the many reason I love Viking. Wonderful conversations with amazing people. I met a retired ships Captain one morning on the Star as I waited for my Waffle at Mamsen's, what a wonderful life of travel he is living. We spoke for over an hour as we sailed into Rome. As you, I also need  Viking in my life.

16 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

It was January, 2009 on one of the X ships.

As I remember, I have seen your post on Cruise critic over time. I left X after my 2009 cruise. I fell head over heels in love with Viking and I have not looked back. We did Scenic in 2012, OK, but! not Viking. Viking has a special touch that is very different from other lines. Thank you for your response.   

Just now, Ruthieofthesea said:

What a lovely picture. I love sunrise and sunset onboard. Breakfast on the veranda is so peaceful. 

 

On 3/26/2020 at 1:07 PM, photopro2 said:

 

Welcome Clay - this shot is for you!

I am always surprised how few people there are on the balcony during sail-in. We love to watch the landscape evolve as we come towards land and into harbour. It does often mean an early start but a self serve coffee from the bar and views like this one (taken while heading in to St. Martin) mean that it is usually worth missing an hours sleep for. 

23 hours ago, Senior Gators said:

 

deec,  

 

You certainly have it right about our TA from San Juan to Barcelona being cancelled at the last minute! We were just getting ready to catch a few winks before getting up at 3 for a 5:30 am flight to ATL and on to SJU on the 12th when the WH slammed the door shut on any idea of us getting to cruise the Atlantic this year.  In hind sight, it was the best thing that could have possibly happened.  If the Sea had sailed our fate at best would have been no better than what happened to the Sky's TA that had left Miami 6 days before as so aptly narrated by Clay Clayton

 

By 10:45 pm we had received an email from Tors Hagen explaining the situation, Viking's decision on what they were doing and their generous offers for compensation.  A Viking representative called by 11 pm to be sure we had received the information about the cancellation.  We sat tight and elected to take the future cruise voucher worth 125% of everything we paid to Viking for the cancelled TA cruise.

 

Getting to the the end of this tale, we received notice of our cruise vouchers availability early this week and used it to pay for the Jupiter's South Atlantic Crossing (Buenos Aires to Barcelona) in March 2021. We were even able to upgrade our accommodations with the credit provided. Kudos to Viking for how they have been handling their part of this whole COVID19 situation.

 

Love the idea of the "virtual Explorers' Lounge". We can just hear the piano playing lovely music for atmosphere in the background, the murmuring of a dozen different conversation mixed with laughter, and the tinkling of ice in glasses of delicious libations.    

All of this contained on one of Viking's wonderous "magic carpets" of their Star class ocean ships.  

 

Senior Gators

Hello Senior Gators, Hope you are having a good Easter weekend. Glad you booked the March 2021 SAC. My sister and I are looking forward to sailing. We are "Shelter-in-place" and are a bit stir crazy at this point. We are considering booking a Christmas cruise for December 21. I am having Viking withdrawal. 

I like the "virtual Explorers' Lounge" I have my wine next to me as I type.  

Ruthieofthesea