SantaFe1

Absolutely agree. Viking has some weird recipes. I once asked the chef about the Peking duck at Chef’s Table that wasn’t. He said he knew how to make Peking duck and to come back. He then made it perfectly for us !

Our fav too

Yes , but we are going the other way it seems. From the ship to LAX. And the transfer doesn’t have to deal with LAXIT, I don’t think.

I’m so glad you mentioned this. I booked my transfer this afternoon—day 31 before departure! All set.

One of my favorites, too. Also loved the Osso Buco that Manfredis used to do. I hope they bring it back!

Whew! Back to planned decadent birthday breakfast!

I would have to disagree. On our two cruises in 2023, for example, neither B2B, we ate breakfast in the restaurant.

Did you obtain the transfer because you had Viking air, or did you purchase it on the ship? I ask because we did our own air, but I am hoping to purchase an airport transfer with Viking while onboard. Our flight leaves at 2:20, so glad to hear you can stay on the ship until 10. I am surprised the restaurant was closed. Our disembarkation day next month falls on my birthday, and I was hoping for a decadent breakfast in the restaurant.

Yes, and the atrocities. I won’t ruin it for you, but there are some really terrible scenes. Now I sometimes skip over them. I wish he would write more. But it has been some time and he hasn’t.

I think Garden of Evening Mists is even harder to read. But just lovely. I try to read these books in tandem every five years or so.

His next book, Gardens of the Evenings Mists, is also wonderful. He is just such a lyrical writer. Although there are some terrible atrocities in these books.

Yep, on our 2019 WC these are the things we did going around both capes (on purpose). Cape Town was wonderful. Loved Madagascar. Namibia and Dakar not so much. N. Africa is a big draw. Loved the Canary Islands. I’d say there is plenty to keep you busy. And some have been clamoring for a re-do of our 2019 cruise for some time. The World is your oyster and lemons to Lemonade!.

We were there March 2023. Yes, it is the Colon statute.

There are many, many still wines by the glass. Most $8. They will always have one sparkling wine by the glass. Some I have had were French Champagne, some Prosecco, some Spanish Cava. Very different. But they will bend over backwards, in our experience, to make you happy!

We are on that cruise, too. The wines aren’t great, even with SSBP, but they do try hard, and will fetch a bottle not on the list and reserve it for you if they don’t have enough stock to list it. It pays to get to know the beverage manager.

And Gift of Rain is one of my favorites! And I agree, In a Sunburned Country is hilarious! Read it before our WC

They are usually happy to accommodate you as long as they have the ingredients on hand. I would just call and ask if they can make you a club sandwich. I’m sure they will have everything you need.

W chose back to back by the window, 6a and 7 a.

I don’t know if you’ve gotten to Oahu yet, but I am wondering about the Tropical Rainforest Nature Hike optional excursion. Has anyone done it or will do it? It is marked demanding, but it seems pretty easy. We are signed up for it, but I’m not planning on bringing big hiking boots. TIA.

These pictures make me so homesick. My office overlooked both the Hollywood sign and the observatory. I was glad to retire 11 years ago, but I miss my home.

Yes, thank you! They aren’t loaded yet.

I have a cruise in May, 125 days away, and shore ex loaded yet.

Don’t worry, we were on a 4 1/2 month WC. They have everything. I brought my own product. They were happy to use it.

Me too!

Valdez is a nothing port. It was windy and sleeting and we didn’t even get off the ship. I’d say, book a spa treatment!