Mareblu

1 hour ago, NSWP said:

G'day young Lyle, first up let me thank you for your reports etc from Viking Orion, sorry it did not meet you expectations.

 

Secondly, the New England/Canada East Cost cruise, you will enjoy that. We did it on P&O UK's Aurora, from Southampton, so we had the transatlantic there and back, so it was about 3 and a half weeks all up.   Visited NY, Boston, Newport RI, St.Johns, Quebec City, Halifax, Sydney (Canadian version lol.) couple of others too from memory, Charlottetown rings bell, Anne of Green Gables etc.   NY, Boston and Quebec City were overnight/two day ports, so saw a bit.

 

We did it with NCL (not Viking Lyle) and it would be up there with our best cruises of all time.  A magic part of the world, particularly if you go in "The Fall" as we did.  It was also a significant birthday for me.  When I suggested New England for a birthday trip, my husband's eyes lit up.  Lots of good golf courses around Glen Innes, Inverell, etc., he gushed.  I said to think of Boston, Charlottetown, etc.  We absolutely loved it.  After the cruise (NY to NY) we did a fabulous land tour with Tauck through Vermont, etc.  Years earlier we played 18 in BC on the other side of the country for his significant birthday.  Sadly, my arthritic hands no longer allow me to play, but he still plays at least twice a week.  

1 hour ago, MicCanberra said:

The pheasant pluckers gone

We once went to a combined birthday party where we halfway through the evening sheets of that song were passed around and we all had to sing it.  Hysterical😆

5 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Each ship is different. Some are more flexible than others. Princess used to have lobster and pheasant on the same formal night menu. I think the lobster also had prawns with it. I wanted the lobster as an appetiser so asked for just the lobster tail. Nope, it came out as a full main. Oh well! I ate the lobster and left the rest. I needed to leave room for the pheasant which I love when it's done well. Princess was a bit variable on that dish, and a couple of time they substituted guinea fowl instead. Tsk! Tsk!

My favourite go-to dish in Europe is always pheasant.  To us here it's so very rare, but in the Northern Hemisphere, it's found on many menus.  Exquisite if treated with respected and rested well.  I always call it my very own "Peasant Pheasant" because waiters glance askew when my face lights up when it's on the menu.  They probably think I come from the moon 😉

13 hours ago, daleandrews said:

Well, we have no choice in this matter.  When we booked the cruise it was supposed to dock in Venice and be there for two days.  Then, as a result of docking regulations in Venice the itinerary was changed to one day in Trieste, leaving that day at 6:00 p.m.  Sure, more time in Venice would be great.  All we are trying to do is make the most of what we have left.  🙂 

Yes, perfectly understood.  I'm sure whichever tour you choose will at least grant you some happy hours to enjoy the atmosphere.  

14 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

You may want to read the fine print.....

 

In general, any cruise line will make every attempt to delay departure if one of its own excursions is delayed. However, “time and tide wait for no man” (or woman).

Though rare, there are various conditions in certain ports where a ship can only wait so long before it must leave. That said, what is most often guaranteed is that the cruise line will cover the reasonable costs necessary to get those “too-late-returning” passengers to the next port (which, hopefully, is not several sea days away). 

 

FWIW: Always carry the day’s Port Agent contact info with you when heading off the ship.

The Port Agent contact info is sage advice, and something we always carry, official ship tour or not.  We have been on quite a few cruises, Oceania included, where the ship has delayed departure, whilst constantly paging the recalcitrant passengers.  Sadly, they didn't always make it before the ship sailed.  

Are you docked overnight in Trieste?  The problem I see is that you seriously need hours in Venice if you only have one day to tour.  A week is barely enough.  Factoring in at least 4 hours of travel there and back doesn't leave you much time to taste and feel bella Venezia.  We never take private tours unless the ship is leaving later in the evening, because I would be so anxious about returning in time.  Unless it's an Oceania tour, they won't wait.

18 hours ago, lynpin said:

Hi, I also found their "one day prior" ambiguous and rang this morning. The upshot was that they'd prefer it to be within 24 hours of sailing but as they'd used the phrasing "one day" that it was okay to have the test at any time onn the day before sailing. Clear as mud, right? Hope it helps.

Actually, that helps us a lot.  I wouldn't know where to start looking for private testing in Barcelona, but Heathrow Airport the day before would be perfect.  Thanks lynpin 🥰

9 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

Well we have a much better sea state, things are much more pleasant. This ship is not really stable in even a moderate sea.

We abandoned eating in the "Restaurant" which is what they call the main dining room. At these prices people expect a fine dining experience. Perfectly prepared meals, plated to impress. In the one lunch and 2 dinners we had the plating was akin to Chuck's diner. Although the food was okay it was just chucked on the plate. The last time we ate there I ordered the "Rib eye steak" I had visions of a nice thick cut with heavy sear marks for the grill and an appropriate array of sides. What I got was a half inch thick chunk of meat looking rather grey with a slight hint of grill marks (anything more and the steak would be overcooked it was so thin)

After informing our TA, our customer service person on board and writing a very pointed note to the head of guest relations we actually have the 2 "guaranteed" meals in the Specialty Restaurants. 

We will be happy to get home on Saturday, I can do a much more impressive plate at home.

Cheers everyone Lyle & Lynn 

Well, I told you it was an egalitarian experience 😞  I completely agree about the presentation.  You'll find it ironic that in the "Restaurant" (which is more like a massive cafeteria) the only thing I would order after a while was the steak, because everything else was tasteless.  The specialty restaurants, however, were far superior...the Italian fare was really palatable in the Italian restaurant (my husband's from northern Italy originally so we're very particular about cuisine presented as "Italian").  Try the wild mushroom and truffle soup, if they are still offering it.  Delicious.  Also, the cuisine presented in the degastation-style restaurant was beautifully presented and quite exquisite.  Trouble is, of course, reservations in both restaurants are limited.  Hope your last days aboard are much, much better.

All I can say is that our North Pacific crossing must have been over a millpond.  We found Orion to be really stable, particularly noted because our suite faced forward, and I was alert for any signs of movement.  As to the food....yes, it's probably the only reason we wouldn't sail with Viking again, although yours, Lyle, seems from description to be even worse.  When I completed the post-cruise comments form, I begged their senior staff to please, please, take an Oceania cruise and learn why its cuisine is consistently voted "the best at sea".  I added that even halfway to that benchmark would be acceptable.  We found the crew, each and every member with whom we had dealings, to be remarkable, but service, I guess, is a separate issue.  Service delivery policy is an executive matter, and looking back there were only one or two times over five weeks that we could complain about that.  The glaring one was the night of our 50th wedding anniversary, when we had our request for a window table in the specialty restaurant confirmed.  Our children and TA had even arranged for champagne and a small cake to be delivered.  When we arrived at the door, we were told to wait in line, because that table had been taken.  We told them we'd stand aside, not being a hindrance, but near the desk, until our table was available.  They soon found a window table.  I do wonder, though, how less "assertive" guests would have fared.  We really loved the decor and the comfort of the public spaces, and the lectures were some of the best of any cruise we've enjoyed.  I read on a CC Viking thread the other day that the pandemic seems to have dispensed with a lot of Viking's crew, and those who are sailing seem to be "learning the ropes".  That's simply not good enough, because Viking cruises are certainly the antithesis of a bargain.   I'm so sorry, Lyle, that your much-anticipated cruise has been such a disappointing experience.

Linda

Sorry, meant to add that October is a long way off yet.  Maybe all testing requirements will be dropped by then.

Linda

9 hours ago, lissie said:

OK I have similar questions - but we are sailing out of San Francisco in July. We fly in about 7 days prior from Hawaii so our entrance to US test won't work. 

 

Cant do anything that requires a test to be mailed to us as we'll just be at a hotel. Do places like CVS and Walgreens do them - the official link Cunard provides has zero site for the whole bay area LOL 

 

We will have similar issues in Barcelona in October - but I'm not even bothering with that at this stage LOL 

Hi Lissie,

We will have a similar issue, as we fly into Barcelona only the day before QE departs.  I should think it wiser to find something at Heathrow, as we will be staying in an airport hotel after flying in from home.  Looking forward to meeting you aboard.

Linda

22 minutes ago, Victoria2 said:

Mareblu, don't worry. There are passengers on Cunard who have been known to raise a glass or two, or three, or four...😄

 

I would imagine quite a few passengers book drink packages and have yet to see any dancing on the tables or passengers passing out through over indulgence as I'm sure most folk know their limits as do I. I soon learnt to limit my after dinner  ''tea'' drinking, to one if we wished to make the late theatre show rather than me wobbling off to the cabin

 

We don't book them as  we like to choose our drinks as and when we want them but we have however, had a couple of pretty good bin end packages in the past. We have found on those [rare] occasions, our table companions are always willing pitch in and help clear out the unwanted stock. We're very helpful like that! 😄

 

As an habitual QGriller, I will be very interested in your comparisons between cruise lines.

 

 

Thanks, Victoria2.  We definitely have no intention of booking the drinks package.  As our cruise is for 37 days, $69 per day when we couldn't possibly imbibe the lot would be a ridiculous extravagance.  It will be quite lovely to choose a wine for each evening meal from the wine list.  We're also looking forward to enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail, something we never do at home, and a digestive glass (purely for medicinal purposes as the saying goes) after.  The only problem I foresee is the much-maligned wifi, which at the price Cunard quotes is very expensive, and by all accounts simply terrible.  Other cruise lines (not "party" lines) have included wifi in the fare for a long time.  When Oceania introduced it, it certainly didn't affect the fare;  this I know because I checked at the time.  Their wifi signal is strong and reliable, too.  Tradition, in this day and age, should have its limits.  It's a shame we're not on the same cruise.  I think we'd get along very well indeed 🙂 

On 4/11/2022 at 11:58 PM, WestonOne said:

They can enjoy it as fully as they like, of course.  I have no objection at all to that.  But I would not choose to go on something that looked like being primarily a 'party cruise'.

Some people like the very casual Carnival cruises.  Some people like the more formal Cunard.  Some love all inclusive holiday resorts, others are only happy in a tent in a wilderness far from as many as possible.   I have simply indicated my preference, no more.

As I have also said, though, I think the drinks packages are problematical.  It depends on the line you travel with, but let's let's take Cunard's, at $69 per person, per day.  which I am told is around 10 beers. Suppose  you have had 6, but feel perfectly happy and contented.  You can stop drinking while having totally enjoyed the experience, or you can have a seventh, and eight pint you don't really want, but you have paid for it, so why not?

Is that actually about enjoying your cruise, or putting you under some, perhaps slight, pressure to drink more than you intended?

I certainly have no wish to partake in a "party cruise" as you describe it.  Enjoying a pre-dinner cocktail, one or two glasses of wine of choice to accompany dinner, and on the odd occasion, a nightcap whilst enjoying the ship's musical entertainment much later is hardly a decadent riot.  We're looking forward to enjoying our QG experience on our first Cunard cruise later this year, and whilst we do enjoy convivial company and anticipate happy social interaction during our voyage, we would be dismayed to find ourselves attending a wake.  We have cruised with many lines over too many years to mention, including Seabourn, Silversea, Viking and Oceania.  All of these, with the exception of perhaps Viking, we have found to be comfortable, elegant and sociably enjoyable experiences.  While Viking was enjoyable, the cuisine and service were certainly below par.  Oceania seems to have the perfect balance.  We are also cruising with Oceania again this year, prior to Cunard, with a week in Cornwall in between.  It will be really interesting to compare the two.  I know from reading the many comments on the various Cunard threads that Cunard cruisers are extremely loyal, and that is to be commended.  It does not follow, however, that other experiences are "party cruises", although I do concede that you nominate only Carnival.  I have never cruised on Carnival, so couldn't possibly comment.  Having said all that, we are truly looking forward very much to our first Cunard cruise, and we may even become rusted-on adherents ourselves.   

Linda

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

The sea has calmed considerably. 

In answer to your question @NSWP Les we did the included in your fare excursion which was basically a bus tour. Unfortunately we got a terrible guide and it was not very enjoyable. 

I'm afraid Viking has NOT lived up to the hype. Service is slow and unattractive. Specific requests are ignored and we really feel poorly treated in general. We could have done Celebrity for half the price.

Sounds like Viking has gone Walkabout in the Covid hiatus.  Makes me super pleased the two cruises we're doing this year are Oceania and Cunard.  Hang in there.

Linda

2 hours ago, ORV said:

In all my cruises I've never discussed swollen feet with anyone, and never had it myself, swollen waistline maybe, but not feet. 

It was a tad difficult to ignore with everyone around us discussing it.  Yes, I'm always more concerned about the swollen waistline.  

13 hours ago, bbtondo said:

I was on my first Viking Ocean cruise this past November in the Med.  It was obvious that there were many trainees. Hey, everyone was new at a job at least once.   I was pretty underwhelmed with the service and food on Viking and I really don't expect much. I've been on Carnival, Princess, Royal Carib and Celebrity.   

 

Hoping on my first O cruise this August it will be different. Sure looking forward to the wonderful food I keep hearing about!

 

 

We have only cruised once with Viking, but it was a long b2b (5 weeks in total).  We simply loved the decor:  elegant simplicity and functional spaces.  Entertainment was just right for us, and we particularly loved the lectures.  However, the food was way below par:  tasteless and overcooked, with the exception of the steak in the MDR, but there are only so many times per week you can order and enjoy steak.  Many passengers we engaged with had swollen feet from the excessive saltiness.  Not the healthy choice of cuisine one would expect of Scandinavian offerings.  The food in the Italian restaurant was really good though.  We are embarking our sixth Oceania cruise in September, and we know what to expect:  exquisite cuisine and wonderful service.  I think of Oceania ships as floating country clubs:  comfortable, understated, with as much fun and engagement as you wish to partake in each day.  The bars are intimate and relaxing, too.  You will love your Oceania experience, I'm sure.  Happy, happy sailing in August.

Linda

On 4/10/2022 at 6:53 AM, RD64 said:

Trieste is hardly a “Balkan” like city. You may be pleasantly surprised - it is an Adriatic pearl. I say this from experience as I have been there numerous times - my relatives live there. Although it is not Venice, there is much to see from a tourist standpoint.

 

Did you know that Trieste has the largest piazza in Italy? And it overlooks the Adriatic. A warm July night sipping an Aperol Spritz in Piazza Unita at a quarter of the price of Venice and you may change your mind about this “Balkan” gem.

Why be a lemming? Spend a Sunday at the Castello di Miramare and spend some time touring the castle and the gardens. You just may be pleasantly surprised. I could go on, but believe me - Trieste and it’s hinterland are all Italian!!!!

 

Oh, so very true.  La Serenissima is unique, and I completely understand your disappointment, but Trieste is indeed a jewel.  The Miramare is really worth a visit.  My husband is also from that region, but a little more towards the alps...Friuli in fact.  Here's a suggestion:  Friuli's regional capital, Udine, is only an hour by car from Trieste.  It is steeped in history, and its many beautiful buildings and galleries are not to be missed.  Also, the shopping is sensational.  Check out a Google map, and be adventurous.

Linda

Very best wishes to you both.  

Linda

6 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

Just had an overhead announcement calling about a dozen people to customer service. And we are still alongside San Pedro. We slip at 2300 hrs. I'm not sure we will be awake.

We just had some excellent entertainment in the Explorer's Lounge. An excellent singer/guitarist playing easy listening like James Taylor, Jim Croce and Don McLean. 

Envious....we loved the Explorers Lounge and met up with new mainly Aussie friends there every evening for loooong nightcaps 🙂  Hope your sailaway goes smoothly, and any medical hiccups are well handled. 

11 hours ago, MicCanberra said:

Yep, I went to Sydney and built a Deck, obviously, I wasn't careful enough, tested positive when I got home.

So sorry you're in isolation.  Yacht Club's Snapper on the Lake:  Home delivery of the freshest, crispiest, beer-battered fish and chips ever, with a fresh salad, right to your door.  We order every few weeks, just to keep ourselves in control.  

On 4/8/2022 at 12:28 PM, Blackduck59 said:

 

We are in a "Deluxe Veranda" Les. We looked at the "Penthouse Verandas" but we didn't like the location of the ones available so saved about $1,000.00 total and went for location. We are starboard side on deck 5, near midships. In my view the posh suites are in crappy locations...High up and far forward or aft. Get any adverse sea state and your cabin is suddenly moving up and down faster than the lifts.

So I should fess up:  to our amazement and eternal gratitude, we were upgraded to the Explorers Suite (the posh suite you mention).  We later realised that our TA had leaked to Viking that it was our 50th wedding anniversary during the cruise, so I will never say that Norwegians have cold hearts 🙂  I was at first apprehensive, because our ES was as forward as suites get.  I feared that was not a good spot for a North Pacific crossing.  It was actually fantastic.  Orion is such a beautifully engineered craft that we hardly moved.  It was beyond spacious, and the balcony was huge, with an undercover area as well as open space, perfect viewing platform for the morning we awoke to the magnificent sight of the looming Hubbard Glacier in Alaska.  The only sad day was the day we had to disembark in Hong Kong.  For all of that opulence, outside of our suite nobody knew who has which suite, because Viking runs a very egalitarian experience:  no preference in  restaurants, shows, etc., no matter where you call home for the duration of the cruise.  I should also add that the crew, individually and collectively, was the most amazing, kind, attentive and efficient crew we've ever had the pleasure of sailing with.  I just know you'll love your Viking experience.  Enjoy every moment.

Linda

10 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

I will post some photos during the cruise. I don't do Blogs or Vlogs but will drop a few line from time to time. Who ever thought my little thread intended for our trip down under would end up being one of the places where I talk about a cruise a Pacific Coastal Cruise in North America.

You will absolutely love the Orion.  We sailed on her in 2019 for five weeks, from Vancouver to Hong Kong via Russian Far East and Japan.  Elegant, simple, Scandi decor, with comfortable spaces throughout just for sitting, reading, etc.  I loved that the reception desk provides fresh crosswords every day.  The cafe bar in the main atrium serves wonderful teas, coffees, and pastries.  No extra charges on Viking, even for house wines, etc.  The only problem was that much of the food was way over-salted, and we don't mind normal seasoning, but that was only our opinion, and maybe most people would be very happy with the cuisine.  Music and entertainment was just right, and lots of reading available through book-swapping stations.  We'll look forward very much to reading your blogs.  Will you post on this thread?  In the meantime, happy, happy sailing.

Linda

6 hours ago, NSWP said:

They were at a motel 'Taliva' just south of present Donegans - @ Araluen Motel.  Yes We did go there. Moved from Sutherland Shire to Batehaven mid 2004.

Yes, Taliva.  Batehaven has changed over the years, but in many respects it's still the same wonderful seaside haven.  It's been our other home for nearly fifty years, I'm shocked to say...since 1973.  Our children and grandchildren have enjoyed school holidays and family weekends with friends tagging along over decades.  We'll miss Michael and Shea though, but looking forward to trying the new venture in its place.  Looking at the radar today, I'm hoping our home isn't floating away, and also hoping you're not growing webbed feet, Les.  Maybe one day we can catch up and have a coffee at Crumb.

Linda

2 hours ago, NSWP said:

Yes, having golfed with Michael, and over 18 years frequented the restaurant probably monthly, I know them well. Yes, their steaks and oysters donegan were legendary.  They retired two weeks ago and new owner, with Italian theme. From reports supposed to be good. Will have to try them out.

Memories...Chef Shea with the tongs.

Thanks for posting the photo...I can almost taste the dishes.  Hope the new owners took notes on Shea's chargrilling technique.  Do you remember when the boys had the restaurant closer to the shops, with Danny (from memory) on the piano.  Magic atmosphere.  How long have you been in Batehaven?

On 2/22/2022 at 8:18 PM, NSWP said:

We might give Donegans a go been there a 100 times, owners are friends of mine. You can have chips instead of the spud, also oysters, fish, pork, chicken. They got it all just like Ronnie Donnies, lol.

I

Our favourite Batehaven spot, Les, for many years.  Now the boys have finally sold, our daughter tells us.  She posted the menu for the new restaurant on our WhatsApp the other day...looks really enticing, but no one will ever present steak at the coast like those Irish boys.  

Linda