Frenchberet

13 hours ago, katlew said:

Well, I was going to tell you about holiday activities on board, but the cruise has taken a bit of a turn. New Zealand authorities found snails on our haul & say they have to be removed, but no one in the area can do it. So, we are at sea tomorrow, going to Wellington on the 26th, and then will have 4 days at sea missing Christchurch, Dunedin, and Hobart. We will instead sail to Adelaide, Australia, which wasn’t on the itinerary, and spend two days there. We are getting our tour money back and a voucher worth 50% of our cruise fare. We are rolling with the punches as I read one Princess cruise just went through the same thing & was told another one just got the same news! Yeah, we are bummed to miss done ports, but we aren’t in a blizzard, someone cleans my room everyday and brings me drinks.

Sorry about the change to your itinerary.  We were aboard Orion in March 2020 for NZ & Australia.  Australia closed it’s borders just as we were approaching Tasmania.  Viking was great about everything.  We were immediately redirected to Melbourne to disembark and fly home.  We missed everything in Australia, except the airport. Bummer?  Yes, but still a great trip.  Sounds like you have a good attitude about the changes.  Hope you have a wonderful, memorable holiday!  

Check out this helpful thread first:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2863068-post-viking-promos/

13 hours ago, flare3192 said:

Perhaps this has been addressed but with 29 pages things are hard to find -- Since this an expedition cruise are you expected to bring other clothes for dinner?  I am planning to bring 3 layers for top and bottom and would like to be able to use some of those clothes for dinner -- double duty -- is this allowed? Or do I need to bring a nicer top and additional slacks for dinner? Are leggings with a tunic top allowed? There is a lot of extra clothing for this cruise and I am trying to do all carry on. This past summer our checked bag with all our cold weather items for Norway were delayed 12 days. 

 

One more question for the boat -- what types of shoes are needed for the boat -- not the excursions -- would running shoes be ok? Do you need heavier duty ones?

 

Sorry -- another question -- are regular sunglasses ok or do you need glacier ones ?

 

Thank you to all who have gone before and help us.

I understand your desire to pack light, but I’d hate to miss out on dinner at Manfredi’s or the Restaurant.  I’m planning to bring some nice slacks and a few sweaters.  I’m also bringing a pair of hiking/walking/tennis shoes and a pair of flats (no boots).  I bought some polarized sport sunglasses to protect from the wind and glare.

We’ve done two Viking cruises to Norway and another to Australia/New Zealand - never seen anybody in the pool, much less lounging around it.  Guess the ‘chair hog’ thing is something we’ll look for in the future.  If you reserve a chair on your way to a meal, yes, you’re guilty of being a chair hog.  

3 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

One persons favorite is another persons deal breaker.

Daily testing again?  We’re vaccinated plus 3 boosters.  I can’t imagine dealing with the stress of daily testing on vacation.  This very well may be a deal breaker for our Antarctica cruise.  

22 hours ago, SoBaycruiser said:

@Frenchberet

Did you tender in Alta?  If so, how late did the tenders run?  I posted the question in another thread in this folder because we have a private excursion booked an we will be out late.

 

 

We docked (no tender) in Alta at 8 am on February 13 and left the following afternoon at 1:30 pm.  

17 hours ago, johneb2 said:

As Moonlion has pointed out, you will have many opportunities to view the NL, if they are out and the weather permits.  In March 2019, we found the main areas for viewing were Alta, Tromso, and Narvik.  There are several other discussions going on about this cruise.  Please search and view them, as they answer questions on clothing recommended, excursions, and overall general information.  While nobody can guarantee you will see the NL, you will see great scenery.  On average, when on our cruise, we were told about 80% to 90% do see the NL.   

We were among the 10-20% (?) that didn’t see the lights ☹️.  We sailed Feb 6-18, 2019.  It was a nice cruise but we were both surprised and disappointed with the outcome.  Suggest that you book a private tour(s) to maximize your opportunities.

13 hours ago, SempreMare said:

Viking switched us from the one other hotel in Oslo to the Thon Hotel Opera in Oslo.

I overheard one passenger say they were not happy with the switch. 

 

I asked the bergen hotel receptionist who said he was from Oslo about it.

He replied, “It’s not the nicest hotel is Oslo, but it is very centrally located.” 

Hmmm…

We stayed at the Thon Opera on Oslo.  It was fine - very clean, nice sized rooms, and an excellent breakfast buffet.  It is well located next door to the train station.  We walked everywhere and would stay there again.

Wow!  Appreciate your report.  Stay safe!

Thank you.  Still trying to reach Virgin by phone.  No response to chat or emails.  Just surprised ‘gifting’ something isn’t an advertised option.  

8 hours ago, DrKoob said:

Thanks for your concern. She is doing great. Feels fine. She was just asking medical for some Imodium IN CASE any of her symptoms (if you know what I mean) returned. They haven't. She and I have been playing cards all afternoon. She has had a full breakfast and lunch and feels great but the earliest she can leave the room is tomorrow at 8:00 after she speaks to the doctor. Total BS in my opinion. The letter (obviously a form letter since it is signed by the captain). And sorry but no one else is willing to say a thing.To be honest, I don't blame them.

 

I’m sorry that your wife fell ill on her vacation.  However, I’m puzzled by your characterization of her having to suffer the indignity of being questioned by the nurse and quarantined for 24 hours.  Noroviruses are very contagious and can be serious, especially for older people or those with a compromised immune system. It appears that Viking is following the protocol for someone who presents with these symptoms.   I’ve read your reports and understand that this is just one more thing on top of an already disappointing trip for you.  But it’s beginning to sound like you’re documenting your case for a cruise credit.

We did the Northern Lights cruise in February 2019.  Don't overpack.  We each took a down jacket, one pair of snowpants, fleece tops, long underwear, winter hiking boots, warm hat, gloves, socks, snow goggles, and a balaclava face covering.   We also took "hot hands" hand and toe warmers and they worked great.  It was actually warmer in Norway than it was here in Ohio. 

FYI, if you plan to do any of the wolf excursions, we were advised (via a memo in our cabin) that you could not wear down jackets or leather belts.  We opted to do the husky excursions (highly recommended!) which did not have those restrictions.

We enjoyed this cruise very much but, unfortunately, did not see the lights... If we were to do it again, we'd book a private tour so we could actually "chase" the lights and stay out longer.  Hope you have a great trip!

7 hours ago, cantgetin said:

I've never been aware of a way to do this on VV, but have you tried contacting her travel agent?  It there is any way, they'd be the one who can make it happen for you!

Thank you for responding.  I don’t know if they have a travel agent or if they booked directly with Virgin.  Was really hoping to surprise them.  I’ve traveled with Viking and they have a form on their website.  I was hoping Virgin had something similar.

My niece will be celebrating her honeymoon on a Virgin Voyages cruise and I’d like to send her a bottle of champagne as a bon voyage gift.  
 

I can’t find any info on the Virgin website.  No luck with chat, e-mails or phone calls.  Is this an option with Virgin?  Is there a form or something I can fill out?  Appreciate any help.

We did this Viking cruise in March 2020.  We arrived in Auckland a few days early and booked a wonderful tour with Auckland Scenic Tours - Hobbiton/Waitomo Glowworm Caves Combo.  They picked us up at the hotel (we stayed at the Grand Mercure Auckland) early in the morning in a shuttle bus.  We were the first tourists to arrive in Hobbiton and hardly anyone else was there.  We got some great photos and, if you are a fan of the books and movies, it was almost like being in them.  The glowworm caves were very interesting too.  The day was the highlight of our trip.  
 

We also had some independent tours booked in Tasmania, Melbourne, and Sydney.  Unfortunately, Covid hit, and Australia closed its borders.  Our cruise ended just as we were arriving in Tasmania.  We had to cancel the rest of the tours.  

1 hour ago, Heidi13 said:

 

The Polaris returned to the shipyard after sea trials on July 2nd, continuing with final fitting out. Since it is built in Norway, it shows as Norwegian Flag, so we won't see the Flag change as she is transferred to owners.

 

She is scheduled to depart from Amsterdam on Sept 29th.

Thank you for the update!

Any info on the status of Viking Polaris?  We were originally scheduled to sail to the Arctic on August 28, 2022 but the cruise was cancelled.  Ship not yet completed, supply chain issues.   

I don’t use a travel agent because I prefer to have full control over my trips.  But, if I were in this situation, I think I’d write a letter to the TA outlining my overall dissatisfaction and documenting the issues, mis-steps, and concerns.  Set your expectations for future dealings with them, and give them the option to resign if they can’t meet your needs.  They might just “quit” and that would enable you to start fresh and transfer your bookings to another agency.  Just my two cents.

1 hour ago, formernuke said:

For me, when I re-scheduled my cruise for the 4th time (COVID), my desired category showed as 'sold out'. The agent said I could book for GTY and would be assured to get that category or better. We ended up getting the desired category, with a room assigned about a week before the cruise. Worked out great for us. We would have been happy to get whatever came our way. If you have very specific requirements, or are unwilling to stomach the lack of definition until the last minute, it may not be for you.

Thank you for responding.  I’m a ‘planner’ so the uncertainty would probably bother me!

47 minutes ago, Let Me Travel! said:

Ok ya’ll …I am 8 days out…yes…I’m packing…cubes…they are working the best…I’m still a G T Y for the ocean portion of our trip…I haven’t been offered a “purchased” upgrade…nor have I been offered any stateroom number…I have been sent GTY luggage tags…I don’t THINK I should worry…but….please advise!!!!

What’s the benefit to booking a GTY cabin?  Is there a discount?  Is it like flying stand-by?

1 hour ago, bkh62 said:

They are being used on Octantis this week on the Great Lakes.

Thank you for the update!

Hi, I read several months ago that the submersibles were not operational on Octantis.  Any updates?  Are they being used on the Great Lakes cruises?  Appreciate any info.

6 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

The Living Room Bar. Deck 1 midship. 

Anyone known if it’s the same on the expedition ships?  The deck plan for Octantis shows the living room and bar on deck 5.  Is that where we’d look for  ‘fancy’ coffee?

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Surely you purchased trip interruption/cancellation insurance to mitigate the financial risk of unforeseen circumstance such as you experienced.

 

COVID is now treated similar to any of the other medical conditions that may curtail a cruise.

Agree.  I'm sure Viking will reimburse you for the missed extension but I would expect trip insurance to cover extra hotel expenses.

6 hours ago, Sunflower & The Scientist said:

The reason I said please don't stone me is because I was simply asking IF anyone was seeing anything different on Octantis, not to get a reaction or flames back.  We are devoted Viking ocean cruisers and not ones that wear robes to World Cafe, or shorts to a restaurant. I see your post frequently and enjoy reading them...but please know some people ask for specific reasons due to medical conditions and feel bad when it's assumed we cannot read or are stupid.  

Not trying to start anything, just curious.  Is there a medical condition that requires a person to wear jeans to dinner?