deec

we are going next year too so am actively reading these great posts about excursions

I thought the "pot money" was deposited in a community employee fund that could be accessed by staff for "emergencies" such as sick kids or having to unexpectedly fly home. I really wish Viking would be forthcoming with the truth of where the money goes. I am really considering having it removed from our bill and giving a bigger tip to cabin stewards.

any one the fence? this is a great price especially if all the original OBC is still part of the deal! I would be VERY tempted but we have our Antarctica Trip rescheduled from 2023 for early January 2024. Maybe they will offer it Again next year!

CC WineLover We also have done that but it is getting hard for me to keep track of moving cruises and insurance...keeping track of how much insurance I have already paid for ( we only insure deposit so that the pre-existing is covered until final payment is due)! I need Pam's spread sheet skills. Insurance is getting to be a big part of the expense of our trips.

We have missed an included tour 3-4 times because of returning late ( usually due traffic or LATE/LOST fellow passenger) and that is WHY if we are trying to do 2 we choose an optional in am and then included. Viking has allowed us to book close tours as long as we acknowledge that we might miss the second.

Andy, so sorry to hear that. It must have been very serious since you often are a voice of reason amid a barrage of rumors or misinformation. Can I assume you did escalate your problems and have been in contact with Customer Service?

I loved those. We use them on every trip.

I sure don't think an open bar for one evening comes close to making up for for a river cruise in Croatia or lunch with locals.

The very convenient umbrellas in the state room are LARGE great in downpour but a bit of a hassle to take "just in case"...if there is rain in the forecast I usually take my small packable umbrella.

Thank you so much for this great review of an optional excursion. How much was it? We don't usually like to "pay" for a meal off the ship or spend precious time in port eating but this sounds like it was a great experience ! We will be doing this cruise this time next year.

We often do "Tours by Locals" and have never been disappointed.

I do not think so.

Are the number of days the same? If there is a big difference in price I would probably choose the SKY. The only thing that I would miss if you are booking a V/DV category are the drawers in the the closet but perhaps the SKY has been retrofitted with those..any one recently on the SKY? I do not like the planetariums on the Orion and Jupiter( I like the extra room on the second floor of the Explorer's Lounge but would not hesitate to book either ship is the itinerary was what I wanted.

we were on the 2019 WC...I DO regret not taking the trip to Taj Mahal and at that time Viking was offering one. I did not know that I would be very underwhelmed by the India ports. I enjoyed Goa and Mumbai.

so sorry..good excuse to have to book a Med cruise!

Good for YOU....not being selfish...protecting other passengers but most importantly the crew! Hope you have books to read!

I don't understand "we are planning to use trip insurance" did you mean purchase? It took 90 days to refund a large claim for a canceled trip...It was through "Trip Mate" Viking's carrier of choice. We were re-imbursed in full. No real explanation what took so long.

The policy we purchased through USAA does NOT cover bankruptcy or insolvency much to my surprise. They do offer one at considerably more cost that would cover it. Glad our 2 current policies are for trips on Viking not Vantage. BUT I will be purchase differently going forward. Sorry you all are dealing with this.!

we are retired and usually quite flexible....I hope they oversell one of our cruises and contact us!

Wouldn't your insurance will recover your losses?

philw1776 your granddaughter looks so very young for 18 ....she will love it when she is 48!

I hope everyone's insurance covers bankruptcy! This is really sad.

There are umbrellas, they a big golf umbrellas.

We also took the Commonwealth tour so we could see the Tapestry and Bayeux. The town in quaint and we also had a wonderful lunch. We were very happy we did...Although not the American beach head, it was still VERY memorable and Viking had the wreath ceremony.

Santa Fe, Which date are you going in May, 2024. We are going May 1!