MandyPuppy

Not cruising unless there are vaccine requirements.  Anyone  on a ship without that is asking for a prolonged trip hanging off some coast, quarantined, because some other passenger tests positive.

Yes, the ship is HAL's  Rotterdam but I could not see on their Roll Call page how to begin a Call for a new cruise. Sorry I posted in the wrong section.

Lynn

Didn't see an existing Roll Call, so hoping to start one here.

It seems that most (if not all) cruises that are booked from the US have the same tipping policy as Viking, although the amounts might be different. Some European lines may include tips in the initial price. As to what salaries are paid to which employees or how the gratuities are divided is not interesting to me and I doubt the cruise lines would reveal it anyway. The employees accept the employment contracts knowing what to expect. It is what it is. What I do find interesting is that many of the Viking staff I spoke with moved to Viking from other cruise lines, indicating Viking must be advantageous with their offers.

Anyone wishing to forego the stated tipping policy and set up their own tipping or not tipping policy is welcome to do so on any of the ships.

We noticed a recent Viking Ocean price drop :

Took advantage, and saved $600 on our 2019 Jupiter Southern Crossing,

DELUXE VERANDA (DV4) from $6,100 reduced to $5,799 - Per Person

Be aware of Viking, which does not allow you to transfer their insurance(?)

(We have third party insurance.)

Michael

This is absolutely right - we learned the hard way. We bought Viking insurance and they refused to allow us to cancel the first booking (even though we would be paying the cancellation fee) and rebook at the lower price (saving $600). They would not allow us to transfer their insurance to the new booking even though we could transfer the insurance to another Viking cruise (even a river one). just not this one. Needless to say, this is the last time we will buy Viking insurance. And, after 2 wonderful previous cruises with them, this leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

Do Viking staff magically appear on the last day of the cruise asking if everything was satisfactory, ie. "feel free to tip me"?

Not in our experience. There was never any hint or comments that would lead one to believe a tip was expected or being solicited. In fact on the last cruise we had to seek out our cabin attendants as they were busy cleaning another cabin when we left. They were definitely not hanging around with hands out.

There is a telescope on the 8th deck, in the lounge facing forward, right above the Explorer Lounge.

We are signed up for a cruise on Viking Jupiter next Spring. Does anyone know of any changes in ship configuration from earlier Viking Ships on which we have cruised?

We have cruised on Viking Sun and Sky, the Sun being the newer ship. The only difference we noticed was that Sun's cabin curtains were electronically operated as opposed to simply pulling them back and forth. This certainly wasn't significant and interestingly, a ship officer told us the change was a result of a suggestion an earlier passenger had given.

On the Cruise Critic website at the top of the first page, one can enter Viking Jupiter and find a complete description of the ship to be launched in February 2019. I did not read any differences from what we experienced with their other ships.

My husband and I are booked on Jupiter from Barcelona to Buenos Aires in Nov 2019.

Having had some experience in a tourist related business in the U.S., I realize that some visitors from other countries do not have the same tipping policies in their countries as here in the U.S. That is no excuse to not be familiar with the tipping norm of the country or the cruise ship one books. . . and to follow accordingly. Personally I feel the tipping policies on Viking cruises are entirely in line with services given and in keeping with what one would expect to pay on a cruise of this caliber. Certainly, anyone is entitled to reward exceptional service with additional tips, but the recommended amount should be the minimum.

I am considering booking our first Celebrity cruise next February on Silhouette. Having only previously cruised on Viking Ocean I am confused about Celebrity's procedures and am trying to research it all.

Thanks to these Boards I think I now understand the beverage packages and will evaluate whether to buy the Classic Package or go a la carte. My husband and I are beer and wine drinkers, so it looks as if glasses of wine run about $9-10 each.

I am confused as to the Dining packages though. Do the Specialty restaurants have different prices and if so, is there some place I can see what the prices are?

I noticed a previous poster included a link to a list of dining packages, beginning with 3. Are these the number of nights you can dine at a speciality restaurant - i.e. 3 nights. With this package can you go to any of the speciality restaurants?

Is it difficult to get seats in a specialty restaurant? Must one make a reservation?

Any other tips you can share are greatly appreciated.

Thanks very much,

Lynn

I have bought Roam Right that I got from insuremytrip.com but fortunately I have never had to use them. I did book a tour that included travel insurance (Travelax or Travelex) for the entire group. I had an injury and had to cancel before the trip and the company reimbursed my full amount, which included hotel bills and a flight prior to the tour beginning. There was a maximum amount they would reimburse but I found them quite reasonable. I don't know if this company insures individuals but I would look at them in the future used upon my prior experience.

Lynn

The best Guides in Istanbul and St Petersburg regularly grease the wheels with public officials in order to get "their groups" early, or sole admittance to certain museums.

Should those cities be boycotted as well?

Perhaps I wasn't clear about this. It wasn't a Guide who was bribing officials. It was one of the fellow passengers standing in line with the others who gave money to be moved to the front of the line. The conditions were miserable and other passengers saw this happen right in front of them, so one can probably imagine their feelings. What if others tried a bribe, what if a number of the others did? Anger, chaos. I just don't want to be involved in something like this and won't. Yes, bribes obviously happen in some countries and obviously what happened in line was not the fault of Oceania.

But, I did read that no Oceania staff was present to explain what was happening or in any way interact with the waiting unhappy passengers. Nor, was any acknowledgement or apology made once everyone eventually boarded.

This is what I find strange, but I don't want to continue to prolong this discussion. This was not my intention. We have friends who travel with Oceania and they are very pleased, so I will look at other Oceania itineraries and find one better suited.

Lynn

I do blame the Lima Port Authority, Mura, but it seems strange that Oceania would continue to include Lima in its itineraries if their passengers are treated so shoddily. I did read also that no one on Oceania even acknowledged the terrible conditions. If this had happened to me I definitely would not be booking another cruise from that city and I cannot imagine that anyone reading these reports would either. This can't be good for Oceania and their cruises that use the port.

When I referred to money exchanging hands for prefential treatment I was not referring to different passengers on the ship receiving special treatment according to their accommodations. I was referring to a report someone wrote who said he saw money changing hands in the line with the result that the persons passing money to “officials” were moved to the front of the line.

I must admit I am really discouraged with Oceania based upon this and other threads describing this horrible situation in Lima. Even if my husband and I were to book a tour that would deliver us direct to the ship, we could easily have been in that line, and the fact that Oceania would accept their passengers being treated that way is unacceptable. With no criticism toward you, Mura, clearly there is some kind of preferential treatment given to people who deal with locals or, as reported in one message, to those who are willing to exchange money for preferred treatment. If this is the norm in the port in Lima, itineraries should be changed accordingly.

I agree with you, Kitty. We were considering this same itinerary as you but after reading this, we will pass. We are active Seniors but there is no worse beginning to a cruise that having to stand in hot sun in long lines for unreasonable times.. After tearing tendons in my ankle last year, I could never stand an hour and half comfortably.

Thank you all for relaying this information and saving us a bad experience.

To compare insurance coverages and premiums, look at insuremytrip.com

I am considering an Oceania Marina cruise and questions about the beverage package were on the top of our list. Thanks for the good information here. But, I have some more questions which I hope you all can answer.

First, we have only cruised on Viking Ocean so we only know their policy, which is to include wine with meals and a separately priced beverage package which includes wine choice upgrades at meals and all alcoholic drinks (including cocktails) at ship bars during the day. The package includes tips on your drinks.

First question is if Oceania's beverage package includes drinks during the day - for example, I love a glass of sherry in the bar before dinner and my husband enjoys a beer in the afternoon. We then drink wine at dinner and usually a glass of port after dinner in the bar. Are tips included in their package, including the one where one buys 7 bottles at a time? We are not cocktail drinkers or "big" drinkers, so a high priced all inclusive package would not be appealing.

On the itinerary we are considering, the ship leaves from Lima, so I don't see much possibility of shopping for wine there to bring onboard. Other stops on the itinerary don't look like good possibilities either, plus I don't want to be shopping around for wine on stopovers, then carrying it around and back to the ship. Viking allows you to bring whatever you want (and as much) onboard but few people do because if you have the beverage package, it's all there.

Do you have any recommendations? To be frank, what I have read above does not sound like it would meet our needs, but maybe I'm missing something?

I think perhaps I have not been thorough enough in my research to find answers to these questions and also whether or not internet is included. I did not see this specified on Oceania's website.

Thanks,

Lynn

Is everyone signed up for the Meet and Mingle on board the ship a day or two after the ship leaves? If not click the Meet and Mingle button at the top of this page and register, it's fun - you receive an invitation in your cabin giving date and time. Drinks and snacks are served and the Captain, other Officers and staff attend.

See you all in March,

Lynn

Each to his own. As for my husband and I, we took our first cruise (with any line) last November, Viking TA from Lisbon to Miami. Enjoyed it so much we are booked March 4 San Juan to Barcelona. It was perfect for us - no casinos, no photographers, no aggressive sales, no children, comfortable cabins, good music, good food, good wine, good books, good service, good spa, very relaxing. Looking forward to it again.

Lynn

Go to the Viking Cruise web site and log in My Trip, to My Viking Journey. On the upper left side is the menu bar. Go to "enhance your trip "and see the all the info about the Silver Spirit Beverage package and the price will be ther for your particular sailing. It also includes a sample bar menu.

1.both persons in the cabin must purchase this package.

2. covers all drinks up to $15.00 per drink.

3. Includes more wine selections

4. includes all sodas, bottled water , other beverages anytime.

5. includes replenishment of your mini bar no matter which cabin you are in.

For my ETA cruise in March ,the price is $279. and includes the 15 %gratuity.

Both of us are going to purchase this package. We have six sea days in a row!

 

BTW, be sure to fill out everything on your information forms on your My Viking Journey.

Lots of good information there incuding signing up for your excursions.

Have a great cruise.

Thanks SO much! This is exactly what we were looking for. We signed up for the beverage package today.

Happy Cruising,

Lynn

Am sailing in a few weeks (first cruise) on Viking Sun and have read here about Beverage Packages. What are they, what do they included, how much are they and where do you buy them? Thanks very much.

Thanks to all who responded with such good and thoughtful suggestions. I have decided that first I will consult my doctor, as I do take several other medications. Then I'll go from there with your recommendations. I particularly like the advice to plan ahead and take medication before sickness begins to develop. Since I also like to drink wine in the evening, I will take this into consideration too.

Good traveling to all of you,

Lynn

My husband and I are taking our first cruise - transatlantic in November. In the past on small boats I have had a tendency toward seasickness. Have read of various medications, wrist bands etc. but would appreciate hearing first hand experience of what works best.

Thank you,

Lynn

I have another question re Viking-arranged air travel. We are offered free air travel to an international embarkation city. We want to arrive a day or two early so as to make sure we do not miss the ship in the event of plane delays. On the trip we change planes in another European city. Is it possible to stay in that city a couple of days and then resume the trip to the embarkation city? We are paying the custom air and deviation fees. thanks.