drmarg

These times are different than when I went in 2017 and perhaps they have adjusted the schedule based on feedback.  We did not have any free time in Berlin and we had specific stops at the American war memorial museum, the Brandenburg Gate and Checkpoint Charlie.  We were very late getting back - close to 9 pm (delays based on the train having to pull over for other higher priority trains) but because there were four busloads of passengers on the train there was no problem with the ship waiting for us! 

As others have said it is a long day - at least 12 hours 6 of which are spent on the train to Berlin (3 hrs. each way).  So with a lunch stop it is a short day in the city.  If you haven't been its worth going but I was disappointed as I had been to Berlin several years ago and felt the tour missed several of the key sights.  We had hoped to do a private tour but there were enough folks from our sailing who were interested so we had to do the Viking tour.

Also had a cabin on Deck 4 aft on the Homelands Cruise last September. Found it to be very convenient and quiet. Really enjoyed the cruise, particularly Tallinn and Gdansk. Did 2 days in St Petersburg with Alla which was excellent.

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No, I didn’t ask. I was more interested in the selection process because in my experience that is the hardest part of getting the right fit in a customer service industry. I talked to several staff who were on their third or fourth contact so Viking must be doing something right.

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Hope you get to visit St Petersburg. We went with a Russian company and local guide and it was amazing. So grateful for the opportunity to see this amazing city. Glad most people in many parts of the world relate to us as people like them and understand we are not our politicians.

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Because I come from a Human Resources consulting background I was very interested in how Viking selected the staff for the Ocean Ships. The Customer Service Manager with whom I became well acquainted arranged for me to have coffee with the HR manager on the Star. He told me how they work closely with recruiting agencies around the world who know the kind of staff Viking is looking for and carefully screens them before they are sent to the ship for training. Generally they have 3-6 month contracts after which they get 6 weeks-2months off. They can then decide to “re-up” or not. He said they do have some turnover as the sea life isn’t for everyone but he said they expect that. There are incentives in place to help people get promoted. As someone who has worked in and with large and small companies I know you cannot force the kind of genuine kindness and customer service I experienced last September on the Star. They have to be treating their people well.

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I think you can purchase them on the day you plan to go. The gardens are magnificent.

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Was on the Homelands cruise in September 2017and as I recall, there were shuttles in every port where the ship was docked some distance from the city center. The shuttles run very frequently with the last return about 1 hour before the ship departs. We started in Stockholm so had limited time there so can’t say about shuttles there. We did the included tour which gave us a good look at Gamla Stan, the picturesque Old Town.

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Had visited Berlin on a land tour in 2003 and had a fantastic time. Saw so much. The 6 hours in the city with the Viking tour one of which was used for lunch was a major disappointment. Only did it because I wanted my sister to see the city.

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We did TJ in Tallinn in September. Only my sister and I signed up and they still did the tour for us. Very reasonable price and a very enthusiastic young tour guide. We wanted to do Berlin with them but there were only 4 of us signed up and the logistics they proposed were too daunting so we canceled and did the ship’s tour which wasn’t that great. Easy getting the refund for the Berlin trip even when canceling on short notice.

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Alla is exceptional; they weren't doing tours from Warnemunde when we traveled in September.

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My sister and I used TJ in Estonia - even though there was only 2 of us they did the tour. Guide was wonderful and the price was ultra reasonable. We wanted to tour Berlin with them but because there was only 4 of us they did not want to make the 3 hour trip to the ship to pick us up and wanted us to meet them at the train station in Berlin. With arrival at one station and departure from a different one we felt there were just too many permutations and combinations to take a risk so we cancelled and had no issues with getting our payment refunded. Really wish we could have toured with them as the ship tour was "Berlin by bus" (my title) and disappointing.

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In my experience on the Homelands cruise in September in a couple of instances seats were added to the most popular optional excursions and I am not aware of any passengers who couldn't be accommodated on the included tours. I got all of the optional excursions I wanted by singing up as soon as my class Deluxe Veranda became available.

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Just back from the Homelands itinerary and observed that once on board some seats became available on some of the popular optional excursions.

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Sorry, perhaps I wasn't clear. The station name I need is IN Berlin, not where the ship docks.

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Can any of the past cruisers on the Homelands cruise offer guidance on the name of the railway station that Viking uses for the trip into Berlin? I can likely find this out once on board but it would be helpful to know ahead of time. Also approximate time of arrival in Berlin.

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I believe the correct email address is tellus@vikingcruises.com.

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Philw66 - you mentioned that more opportunities to book dinner reservations occurred once you were on board - correct? When I logged into MVJ today I was allowed only one reservation for the Chef's Table and one for Manfredi's. If that is all we get it won't be the end of the world but I would be interested in at least one more at the Chef's Table.

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Embarrassed- such a newbie. Didn't realize there was a drop down box on the included excursions where there were additional time slots. So although I didn't get our preferred time slot I got one half an hour later. Thanks to all who responded with helpful tips. Can't even blame getting up in the middle of the night to book the optionals as I was awake (?) during the day booking the included excursions [emoji5]

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I just did the same process - book optionals then the included. I was able to reserve for both my sister and myself for both the optionals and the included with one exception, Helsinki where the included excursion we want had only one slot (which I took). Have asked on another post how others have dealt with this situation.

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My "booking" window opened today at 12 midnight CDT and I was able to book the optionals I wanted. Was able to see all the details but not reserve at least 2 months in advance. Was NOT able to book an included excursion in Helsinki for both myself and my sister. There was only one a available slot which I took. There was a message on the site that said "temporarily unavailable". Those of you who have traveled on this cruise- do they usually open up additional spaces? What is the best strategy- keep checking the site? Wait until getting on board?

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Sorry autocorrect got the name wrong jimgri

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Jingling - I emailed Tellus@Vikingcruises.com as has been suggested by members of the Forum and received a very nice email back confirming that the German port for the September 9 cruise is indeed Warnemunde. The Viking rep gave the address as Am Passagierkai 3 18119 Warnemunde. Maybe more detail than you want or need but is very helpful to me. Thanks for giving me the prompt to have accurate information. Details matter in this situation.[emoji4]

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Jimgri thank you for the link to the port arrivals and departures. Now I am a bit confused as the page that came up when I clicked on the link said Rostock, not Warnemunde. I think I will check with Viking to be certain as we have an excursion booked and will need to have the correct docking location (although have been assured that Rostock is not a problem).

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Jimgri - what complications do you anticipate?

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