deec

We have never missed the ship but I have been nervous more than once. I know I will never book a "boat" excursion DIY unless it is an overnight stop. Boats are very hard to get replacements unlike Vans, autos or even buses. Also I always leave in my stateroom information stating with whom we are going and the contact info in case we don't show up and have not been able to contact the ship.

Gers, we are doing the European Sojourn this fall and there is so little reviewed about the Bucharest to Budapest portion...Do you have an suggestions that would make our trip better? Did you do the pre-extension in Transylvania? Was there much free time that I should plan something in Bucharest? We are doing the Snagov Monastery & Mogoșoaia Palace excursion on the last day of the pre extension? I know this is WAY off topic but I am looking for current information and the Roll Calls are quiet quiet for this itinerary.

We fill that with "papers" we seem to gather and keep our excursion tickets in there. Strangely I never noticed that the mirror was lighted!

longterm...we too are re-doing the Grand European as part of the European Sojourn this fall. I usually try to "map quest" the distance to give me an idea. Guides make or break the excursion IMO.

it isusually open before evening port talk and always during evening shows...In my experience not usually for lectures

thank you, BCHappy Gal.

I am suddenly getting many mailings from Road Scholars. I wonder if Vantage sold them our names and contact info?

I am currently frustrated by Viking's inability to give me times of and detailed descriptions of included tours for pre/post extensions in Transylvania and Madrid. They "don't know" what tours maybe offered by the 'hosts" on our free days. We usually do our own DIY pre/post but I was feeling lazy! Guessing I will do Tours by Locals for our "free" time.

WOW...that would be great. Viking has this information available I am sure. Guest services once onboard can give a better idea what is involved on a specific excursion. But who wants to wait until you board. In the Spring of 2022 we were onboard the Jupiter for 4 cruises and there was a great guy in charge of excursions ( i forget what they are called). His name was Max. For a while he was presenting ports 2 days before the actual stop so that there was still time to cancel and rebook if the excursion was a bad fit ( too strenuous, bus ride too long etc). I thought it was a brilliant idea but too many complaints that people were getting confused about which day was which so he went back to the traditional port talk of explaining excursions the night before. Hopefully Viking will start adding the info like you have suggested!

always hope for an up grade fairy...haven't had one yet!

Harder to do DIY on Rivers so we often just wander! When we disembark in Amsterdam we fly to Madrid to start our Douro River Cruise!!! I also hate the packing/unpacking...World Cruise was perfect!! and then in 2022 we on the Jupiter for 7 weeks all in the same cabin!!!

Island Lady We will be boarding the Vidar in September for the European Sojourn as well. Our Translyvania extension begins the 16th. I am not finding a lot of information about the ports. We have done Budapest to Amsterdam previously and enjoyed it and will enjoy those ports again. Hoping for perfect water levels and no ship swaps!

I am actually surprised that they would upgrade you without checking first...what if you had a reason to want the room you first reserved....can't imagine but maybe?

Is there something most days? I am trying to judge how the Expedition Experience justifies the cost/day above the Ocean Ship cruises. We are doing Antarctica in January so I will have more appreciation for the small ship after that.

Vineyard View, I may have missed it but have you done the comparison write up? I will be interested in the areas that you thought were better on Seabourn. Thanks again for the $$$comparison.

The astronomers were GREAT on both cruises that had them onboard! We did not like the planetarium shows much, only one was relevant to where we were the other seems to "canned" shows which were Ok just not our thing! We were happy that the builds after Jupiter did not put the planetariums on board.

I am wondering how often they will be using the "toys" that are on the Expedition Ships. We did the Ocean cruise around South America and thought is was great but would love to get into some of the smaller bays and fjords. This should be a great cruise. I agree Magdalena was a great place to experience the penguins and their smell!

Kent, what exciting adventure did you and Pam book next? We will be interested to know how the Italy, Adriatic and Greece is! Arctic Explorer looks good too! I think we will look at Bergen to NYC if the boat sells and we can be gone in the summer. So many places to explore.

We also loved the star gazing on that cruise

looking forward to your review/comparisons our TA often encourages us to check into O and Seaburn...not sure why we are loyal other than familiarity is easy and comfortable.

Get the later train or better yet stay an extra day!

I think it is appropriate as a new thread on the Viking board. thanks for the research.

PRH...Did you go into the museum?

flowsue. thank you so very much! Will be on a River Ship in the fall and it will no doubt be my first drink!

no need for a dress!