TayanaLorna

We had 2 Viking ships in Tromso when doing the Midnight Sun cruise. One was docked in town and ours was docked at a very commercial port outside town. We actually did not mind because we wanted to visit the Northernmost Botanical Gardens at the University of Tromso and it was walking distance from the commercial port. Viking ran a shuttle bus to/from town so we just stayed in town after the Included.

For our next 14 day cruise the difference between DV6 and PV3 is $1,300 per person. Between DV1 and PV3 it is $700 pp. This is the first time we actually booked a PV.

From Santiago, Chile we had an all day private excursion which dropped us off at the port of Valparaiso at 7:30 pm. We didn't notify Viking. However it was not a port known for early or changed departures and Viking had excursions planned for the next day with an evening sail away time. However, Venice could be another story as others have indicated. Our original Venice sail away time was 2 pm but changed to 10 pm which was certainly in our favor. Arrival and departure times for Venice can change for a number of reasons beyond Vikings control - tides, wind direction, amount of rain - either separately or at the same time.

Probably a wise choice. Just lock it in the room safe if you don't wish to mistakenly use it due to transaction fees. The only reason we bring a card with fees is just in case there is an emergency which requires charges exceeding the limit of the no fee card.

Could be. All our cards have been updated to have the chip and the ability to just tap it.

Whether or not we enter our card on MVJ, Viking has asked for the card upon check in.

It took us about 3 hours but we did not walk at a fast pace, stopped a lot to take photos and went into the Fjord museum (watched the movie and saw the entire exhibit). We knew Gerainger was a tender port from the time we booked. Check your Guest Statement to see if it is a tender port for your cruise. Our sail away time was 6 pm and the Viking Daily indicates Back On Board was at 5:30. The last Included excursion returned to the dock at 4 pm and the last Optional at 4:15. There are no tender times listed in the Viking Daily. However it does say that the tender travel time is approximately 10 minutes but it does take time to load passengers at the dock and unload them on the ship. Viking could only bring 1 tender in at a time because a huge cruise ship was hogging multiple tender docks. Also Viking was anchored way out in the bay compared to the big ships. My guess is the last tender was 5 pm in order to be Back On Board at 5:30.

Great job Kent!

Yep, You cross that little river, see the campground and the trail is on the left. I knew someone would count the stairs!

Gerainger- don't know what you have planned for this port but there is a waterfall walk folks can take right from the port. The walk is along a metal staircase with steps, ramps and platforms right along all the different waterfall levels. At the top and along the walk are fantastic views. At the top is a quirky museum that can be visited. We did this walk around 9 am, visited the museum, returned to the town, had lunch and hopped on an afternoon included excursion. Not many folks know about the waterfall walk. If you are interested, I can describe how to reach the trail.

Midnight Sun was our first cruise ever in 2018. Loved it and had great weather. Hope yours is just as enjoyable. Following along for your awesome photos and interesting commentary.

The Star has a blank spot in their schedule while she is in the Med from November 11 to December 2, 2024 so looks like those are the dry dock dates. She was built in 2015. The Sea was built in 2016. Her schedule only goes to August 2026 and has no gaps.

Jupiter and Mars have the additional drawers. The Star and Sea are the last ones needing the upgrade. As others mentioned, the Star is due for dry dock upgrades and hopefully drawers will be added. I think the majority want more drawers. Sea will most likely go into dry dock in 2025. We sailed on the Sea in 2023 and did notice deteriation in our cabin furniture but more so on the veranda furniture. It was falling apart from sun damage and unpleasant to sit upon. The rest of the ship was Bristol so maybe just some cabins.

We were in 6072 for the Midnight Sun cruise in end of June early July. We heard absolutely nothing from the World Cafe. However this room is more forward than other PV1's. It was cooler weather for the cruise with no tables set outside on the overhang. The ONLY thing we did not like about the overhang was taking our 5 am photos while passing the waterfalls on the way to Gerainger, Norway. The overhang got in the way. However on a cruise where days could be hot and sunny or when rain is predicted, the overhang could be a blessing. On a TA from Barcelona to San Juan, friends in cabins on the portside of the ship complained they could not use their balcony in the afternoon because it was too hot in the sun. An overhang could have helped.

Thanks for the tip. I downloaded the app and tried it at home with my TV set to very low volume. It does boost the volume but I also get a shussing background. It could be the ambient sound at my house as we live near 2 rivers with waterfalls which have a constant background "white noise". Have you used the app in a quiet environment? Thinking it just might work in the staterooms because they are very quiet.

If only the TV's were blue tooth ready!! We are afraid to watch a movie or the Star Theatre show on the room TV. We were so embarrassed to get a knock on our stateroom door one night at 8:30 by a staff member telling us our neighbor complained about TV noise. We had the volume at 15-16 maybe but it could have been set at 28. We do have some hearing loss but i can still tell you each bird species i hear on spring mornings. We didn't think it was that loud and it wasn't that late. But the staff member confirmed our TV could be heard in the next door stateroom. Now we watch the port talks the next morning when everyone is up and we are all getting ready for excursions.

Did same TA and have been on cruises with 7+ sea days. Besides the games, extra lectures and guest organized activities, Viking did wine tastings, gin tastings, scotch tastings, yoga classes, meditation classes, Bayeux Tapestry tour, galley and bridge tours, movies in the theatre, themed lunches or dinners in pool area. Best to check with Guest Services as some activities need reservations and check the Viking Daily daily.

Never been on NCL. But that is cute - fish swimming to the bow or fore of the ship to indicate orientation.

That is interesting. Thanks.

I believe you. But what is in that space if not doors to staterooms? Or are you saying that the room numbers that look like they open to the elevators on the floor plan are actually 5 feet away and other room numbers are located in that space.

We had 3046 for our last cruise and loved it. First time on Deck 3. It was close to the laundry for my pre-dawn sprint in robe to throw in a load. Plus we always knew what was fore and aft. If all we saw stepping out the door were cabins then that was the direction of the forward elevators. If we saw the atrium tables then that was the direction to aft elevators.

So them what is along the walls by the elevator lobby? The Viking deck plan shows 5028, 5030, 5029 & 5031 opening into the elevator space. We were in 4030 and it opened to the lobby.

We always book a room near the forward elevators. My DH prefers not being right in that space but only because folks can see into our room when we open our door. We have been in 4030 and not heard anything from the elevators. Deck 4 is only statetooms and due to that, is a less busy floor generally then Deck 7.

Thanks for the tip on the approach to the Panama Canal. Its our next cruise. We love early morning sail ins more then sail away as not many are up and we are early risers.

I could have written this as we do exactly the same thing. Like a PV for cruises with sea days. Love the window/door configuration because i can lounge on sofa and see out window and my DH can work on photo edits at the desk and look out door. DV is okay for very port intensive cruises.