bobitegirl

On rhe Viking Orion in Alaska my husband drank the alchohol free beer. I believe it was Carlsberg. There were also several different alchohol free wines. 

2 hours ago, Valdinger said:

I found more non-alcoholic drinks for your hubby. In Torshavn only, under GIN:

SEEDLIP SPICE 94, Alcohol free, England 4cl $7

In both Torshavn and Pap’s Explorer’s Bar, under MOCKTAILS (alcohol free):
ABSTINENCE ON THE BEACH, orange juice, cranberry juice, peach nectar, grenadine
COCONUT LAVENDER LEMONADE, lemon juice, sugar, coconut water, lavender syrup
MINT JULEP, fresh mint, sugar, lemon juice, Sprite, ginger ale
I haven’t seen alcohol-free wines on any bar menu, so you must have to ask for them.

My husband likes the Carlsberg (Danish, I think) non-alcoholic beer, available in every bar.

Enjoy your cruise!

That's excellent  information! Thanks so much!

15 hours ago, dwlmg said:

My understanding is that the railroad offers two itineraries. One goes further into Canada. That is the one that is cancelled. I understand it was a result of COVID entry requirements. Viking uses the shorter itinerary and that one is still running.

My Viking excursion was for the longer trip, 7 hours. I just cancelled it and booked one of shorter ones. Saved some money. Thanks, all for your responses.

On 5/18/2022 at 12:11 AM, travelbug11 said:

I just spoke with Chilkoot yesterday. They are going. Call or email them

Here is a screenshot from Chilkoots site regarding the excursion I am wondering about.

2 hours ago, travelbug11 said:

 

You can get this excursion through "Chilkoot Charters"

google them

Yes, That's where I first saw that this particular itinerary is suspended for the season. But Viking  keeps saying  it will go. None of other tour operators are doing it.

I am trying to find out if the Scenic Yukon By Road and Rail excursion in Skagaway is actually happening.  I know that it was cancelled on the first cruise. Friends in AK advise me that that trip (by all operators) has been suspended until 2023. I've called Viking and used their chat line and they tell me it is still going, but can not confirm that the trip actually happened last week. I am on the Jun 2 cruise and would sure like to find out so that I can book something else. I've called a couple of other tour operators who confirm that that trip has been suspended until 2023. Can anyone help?

Thought I read somewhere that Scenic Yukon by Road and Rail excursion in Skagaway was cancelled, at least for first cruise. Can anyone confirm this or tell me whether it went for 2nd trip?  I have signed up for it (our trip southbound leaves Jun 2) and would like to book something else if this one is a no-go. Just asked on Viking Chat Line and rep said it is not showing cancelled. Not sure I trust the answer.

We will be with you on that train on Jun 2, so if you find an answer, please let us know!

Ok, here's a new one. Hubby has to avoid slchohol this time. Does anyone know if Viking offers any non alchoholic beers or wines? We have found some OK IPAs and a few wines that he will drink (though I think they are terrible). Obviously, we will NOT be getting SS package this time and I will use OBC to purchase the drinks I want.

Thanks so much hbtraveler! Just what I wanted to know. Ordering now. Did your tests go smoothly? We are ordering the pack of 6 for 4 of us. Will that suffice?

On 4/25/2022 at 3:58 PM, bpolen said:

I did talk to my TA and I am using https://www.azova.com/flowflexvideo/   20 dollars per Observation (assuming you already have the test).  I got these one free with the govt roll out.  There is also https://ihealthlabs.com/products/ihealth-verified-covid-test-service for 25 dollars.  I have those a back up as I have to do these tests while in Bergen before we launch

 

I was excited about the Ihealth option since I have the tests. But they only work with a laptop. No phone or tablets. I dont travel with my big, 17" laptop so guess that option is out. The flowflex also sounds good, but LOTS of negative comments about accuracy. Have you already used? Oh, and does the flowflex work with tablet? I know the Binax from Emed does. 

Just now, dcl999 said:

That kit was not listed on the Viking Health and Safety webpage that I found for pre embarkation testing. I’ve sent an email to Viking to ask if the list has been updated. It is accepted for US entry. 

The list they provided was stated as "examples" of accepted tests, and, if I remember correctly they were all PCR tests.

2 hours ago, squint said:

I used the BinaxNow AG kit to meet the requirement for embarking on a Viking river cruise a few days ago. 

Thank you! Just wanted to make sure it was accepted.

I am considering  ordering the Binax Now proctored antigen tests to use in Anchorage the day before my cruise starts. Would love to hear from anyone that used these. I'm assuming that Viking will accept them, but since they only offer examples of accepted rests, I'd like some reassurance from someone that has used them. 

On 4/14/2022 at 4:19 PM, CCWineLover said:

Thanks!  We bought the pack of 6.  We are trying it out for the first time this Monday ahead of our Tuesday international flight.  We'll see how it goes!  Then we have 2 to return on and 2 "spares" 🙂

 

How did it go? Were these the proctored Binax now tests? I'm a little confused since the previous poster said he purchased them on the RCCL site. Since Viking's examples of acceptable tests are PCR tests, I just need to know that rapid antigen home tests (proctored) were accepted. And if not Binax, what tests did you get and how long did it take to receive them?  Really appreciate any info or help you can provide!!

I am wondering same. Need to know if the proctored Binax now test, approved by the CDC and many cruise lines is accepted by Viking. Will, of course, ask Viking, but wondering if anyone has used it.

I'm on the Orion now. My husband and I like IPAs and have enjoyed the Norwegian IPAs on Viking in the past. For this 33 day trip there is NO IPA due to supply problems.  A few days into the trip they ran out of Amber Ale then any other dark beer and were offering a pilsner draft (Carlsberg, I believe). No thanks. Since we left Tahiti, they now have an amber ale available. Hope the supply lasts another two weeks!

5 hours ago, KTRaveller said:

Thanks for posting all the pictures everyone!  Was the food as good at the hotel evening as on the ship? Will you still get two nights on Bora Bora?  Hope so!  Also hoping the weather clears for you.  It looks pretty nice from here in the Oregon gray.

The dinner/show at the Intercontinental was amazing. Food was great! Yes, will still have two nights in Bora Bora and an extra day in Tahiti. Enjoyed a gorgeous scenic cruise this morning through passage close to several islands.

Pictures in and around Papeete and on west coast tour. As far as entertainment, it has been very good with something every evening.omething nearly every evening. 

We are now on Orion in 8016 and love the location! So close to the Explorers Lounge and also to the Star Theatre right under on deck 2.  Very short stroll to pool and pool grill and just outside our door is the open walk on deck 8. Nice for evening stargazing. Very quiet! 

6 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

That is the only place i noticed it - especially when it was empty and quiet.

6 hours ago, ldpetrillo said:

The fake music is especially annoying in the Explorers Lounge during the day. A lot of people go there to read and watch the ocean. However, other areas of the ship are quiet. 

Yes! On the Orion and just moved from Winter Garden to Explorers since they were setting up for tea. In a comfortable corner with our books and wondering why they must play music!

Note the new requirement that Peregrina651 included says Covid 19 NAAT/PCR OR  Antigen test. Fast antigen tests are easier to come by but not as accurate.

And what if you are traveling to cruise start location two days early?? The prior requirement was 72 hours before you boarded flight. Now it seems to be 48 hours before cruise. Confusing!

1 hour ago, albertamom said:

I am VERY interested in your research from a Canadian perspective.  We are currently booked on the Sea TA from Barcelona to San Juan in November, but are extremely tempted to switch to the Grand Hawaii & Polynesia. With rules and Covid conditions changing so quickly worldwide, it's all quite overwhelming.  As an added fun bonus, we are both fully vaccinated, but with AZ/Phizer.  🙃

 

I just canceled my transatlantic, San Juan to Barcelona next March and booked the LA to South Pacific in Jan. Lots of sea days!!

If I choose to pay extra for Viking Air and also extra for a deviation, do I get those charges back if Viking cancels the cruise? Another question. Can I wait to see what Viking comes up with for flights and then, if not happy with them, pay the extra for Viking Air?  I have always booked my own flights in the past, but agree that, in this current uncertain time, it may be best to go with their arrsngements.