SantaFe1

I wish I could get my husband to start thinking about this, because we are shipping our luggage to the ship via Luggage Forward, and they will pick up the end of January. But he seems to think he can get shorts on sale this time of year. Little does he know that what’s on sale now are parkas! Shorts are full price!! But we can use parkas for our British Isles cruise in May. Thanks so much for your posts. I am really enjoying them!

Are people wearing shorts on the ship, or is it too cool? I’m starting my packing list.

You are making me/us so look forward to this cruise in a few weeks. We won’t have new years, but we embark on Valentines Day. We have Chef’s table that night!

Yes, that was a wonderful excursion. we saw all 22 of the 22 animals and birds they advertised we might see. Although we were a bit later in the season, in June…

You have made my day!! We are in the young contingent!!

Really appreciate it. We will do this cruise on the Star in February.

I don’t know, but I booked a new cruise and re-booked (changed itinerary) on another cruise in the last two weeks. On each, with all the vouchers and Viking promos and past guest discounts, I saved $1650 pp or $3300 on each cruise and saved $700pp or $1400 on air. And I got a six month final payment on both, and of course, $25 down. I really thought that was pretty good.

Very easy. Just book yourself. Then transfer to TA within, I think, 60 days. I jumped on something yesterday because I knew my TA would be out until the 2nd. Really good deals right now! Where are you going?

Our TA works for a big firm and handles VIP clients (not us!). They do a lot of business with Viking. So maybe some pull. But I also changed from one cruise to another onboard two years ago, and the Viking rep also transferred with no fees. I sort of look at the contract terms as a worst case scenario. And if the worst case happens, I have insurance that will cover it.

Just to follow up. Today I changed a River cruise to another river cruise. No fees. Same dates. Got the cabin I wanted. All the same perks. It pays to ask! And to have a good TA!!

We are about to buy the SSBP for our February cruise. This is the sparkling wine menu shown on MVJ. At least one champagne under $18 by the glass. And we’ve had it and liked it.

When I see you in London, we will have flown in single seats by the window rows from Denver, a 12 hour trip. We can compare! And yes, my husband has made “deals” with others: I’ll help your partner if you’ll help mine.” I hate to think of spending these long flights alone in my pod. But even with aisles across, the seats are always slightly offset, so not a straight line where you can see the other person. Well, it is an experiment.

We go on Feb. 14. It is easy for us to fly to LA and cruise from there. But since I am in The Virtual Explorers Lounge, I have a question, I don’t know where else to ask. We always fly to Europe business class. We have always taken the two seats in the middle, which means we each have a different aisle to enter and exit. And this has proved difficult for me with a bad shoulder to get my carry on up in the bin with my husband on the other aisle. So we have booked our flights to London in May with two business class aisles, front and back to each other, like 7A and 8A. Anyone have an opinion on this? I can still change seats. TIA

We had ours for the WC in Wintergarden. It was a very nice space and comfortably accommodated a lot of people. I just can’t remember what time it was, because you are right, they would have to start setting up for tea at about 3.

Well, I am sad to hear this! May change my birthday to Chefs Table, which we love. Thanks for the input!

I have changed ocean to ocean, River to ocean, and expedition to ocean, never with a fee. At some point you might just decide that you don’t like Viking’s policies and decide they are not for you.

Yes, 16 days. And on many of the really long cruises, like our 148 day WC, you have to take insurance from Viking, because other insurance companies won’t insure for that long.

Yes and various other variations. During Covid, when cruises were canceled by Viking, I could re-date the insurance and use it for another trip. I think we did that 2-3 times.

I paid $50 down for our cruise. I don’t have to pay another penny until May 26, 2025. Tomorrow I will take out insurance for $1000, costing me about $100, so we get pre-existing conditions covered. ( the cost is the same for up to $1000, so I just take all of that). I won’t up the insurance to cover the full amount until 120 days from sailing, because Viking refunds all but $100 pp until then. So really, for the next year and a half, the most I would lose is the $100 I paid for insurance, which would cover any Viking penalties. I hope this makes sense. But to me it seems a pretty good deal. That $25 pp down payment is great!

Well, Merry Christmas to us! I just booked Malta for Nov. 2025. With all the end of the year and holiday discounts, we saved $3500! Plus got $1000 Credit from our TA. And we got our favorite cabin, and a six months out final payment! Who knows what the price will be a year from now. But this cruise sells out quickly. So this seemed like a no-brainer. My husband says we will either be on this cruise—or dead! But he is a cup is half full kind of guy, so we expect to go!

We had hoped to,do Ostia, too. But it wasn’t offered. You just really can’t plan for that turnaround day until you see what Viking offers you.

Well, I will not! But I’m glad you got something you want!!

I used to make Osso buco for Christmas. But it is really a chore, and so my husband always used to get it at Manfredis. I just can’t eat that much meat, but always enjoyed a bite or two. I guess if Manfredis doesn’t make it any more, I will have to start making it again. Sigh…

Oh my, Manfredis is so reduced. I don’t eat much meat, but a,ways had several risotto offerings. We are on the Star in Feb. to Hawaii, and on Neptune in May on BIE. I have Manfredis booked for my birthday. I might choose to change it!

Yes, we did this last February. They did offer a few bus trips into Rome for those staying aboard. But we had been many times and weren’t interested. So we took a shuttle bus into town, and walked around and had lunch. There are some interesting things to see, and it was a nice day, and a GREAT lunch!