DGHOC

I'm very sorry to read about your granddaughter uktog. If I was in your situation I think I would speak to Viking directly about it. We hear so many varying stories about how they have treated folk but I've seen and heard stories of great support and kindness. One lovely couple on the Chairman's Cruise with us last year contracted C early on and was allowed to stay on the ship for a portion of the following cruise. Explain the situation, perhaps enquire whether you would be able to transfer the booking to a later date should the worst case scenario occur. I wish you well.

It's far too tempting to address these issues directly but we shouldn't have to police other's behaviour. There was a woman having breakfast near me in the world cafe one morning. She was wearing her bath robe which was gaping open and she had her legs splayed. All around her you could see nervous uncomfortable eyes. I decided to speak to one of the food managers who were shocked and unsure what to do so in the end I bent down next to her and explained the situation. She responded that all was ok because she had a bikini on underneath. I responded that all was not ok for those breakfasting around her and that she was in a restaurant wearing her bath robe. She departed immediately. What can you do, folk have different habits, standards and attitudes!

It just shows how every group is different. Yep we had a lot of coughing on the ship too, some not even attempting to cover their mouths. If those folk don't know enough by now, how to prevent viral spread, then there's no hope of better educating them.

We had a fab cruise on Jupiter just weeks ago but there was no-one manning the hand washing stations at the entrances to the World cafe. It was far better policed before Covid. We saw few people washing their hands upon entering, someone occasionally took a swipe at the hand sanitiser with one hand and wiggled their fingers through it, it would have done nought! It does not surprise me that Noro so easily does the rounds, especially when you see people leaving the lavatories without washing their hands. Those folk aren't going to be washing their hands as they enter the World Cafe! You're right CC, we have to try to look after ourselves by taking the best precautions we can.

I absolutely agree with this. I would love to spend more time at the city ports. We saw so much in Stockholm and Copenhagen as we took the pre and post extensions. If we hadn't taken the pre in Stockholm I would have been kicking myself. My ideal would be a trip around Sweden and Norway, with at least two full days at the city ports and shorter stops at others. It gives a greater opportunity for independent exploration.

Hi Patti, As ever, your positivity shines through! I echo your thoughts entirely, what a great trip. We so enjoyed spending time with you both, I'll keep in touch. Deb x

There was some sort of seafood extravaganza in the World Cafe on Jupiter last week so do check on the Venus. They served massive portions of lobster tails, giant prawns and big platters of Dover Sole. It was delicious!

Have a read of this https://www.lacucinaitaliana.com/italian-food/italian-dishes/lasagna-origins-and-varieties-of-the-beloved-baked-pasta?refresh_ce=#:~:text=Lasagna%3A Variations throughout Italy,meat ragú%2C ricotta and mozzarella. Someone on here some time ago was berating the fact that they didn't put ricotta in their lasagna. You'd be strung up if you tried in Bologna.

These conversations of ours just prove the point, you can't please everyone all of the time! Lasagna has been a bone of contention on here many times. I suspect that we all get used to our particular favourites but lasagna comes in a million different guises and there are many regional recipes that differ enormously, even village to village it can differ (and I suspect household to household too!) Lasagna we eat in Bologna is quite different to that found in Sicily and every other region. We've had very tasty lasagna in Manfredi's and some so so, it's like any restaurant and chef, it will differ on occasions. Personally I'd prefer that the menu changes, that there's a rota. I was tired of it in just two weeks, I certainly wouldn't have been best impressed with a constant menu on a longer cruise. SJD, I'm sorry you are struggling with your chemo, yep small is better with little appetite. I'm with you on The World Cafe being the optimal choice. I love lots of little tastes and portions. I'm amazed at the copious quantities of food offered and consumed on cruises, I couldn't sit down to a three course meal (portion size determined by the kitchen) every night. And as for Afternoon Tea too, well that's a mystery and totally beyond us. Given that the most popular time to dine appears to be 6pm, who is eating afternoon tea and dinner? We never dine before at least 7.30 and could still not consume a tower of goodies at 4. That tower of goodies would satisfy us for the evening. Horses for courses as they say!

This is not the menu we just had on Jupiter. I thought they used the same menu throughout the fleet.

It really was a wonderful trip and such a happy one too. We met so many lovely friendly people, such a delight. Patti and Paulette, C misses his drinking partners; who'll hold up the bar with him now? No matter, he definitely needs a serious detox!!! So glad you got home safely. Love to you both x

Just got off Jupiter, we ate multiple times at Manfredi's and The Chef's Table. We'd booked our two each ahead but changed them according to the menus on offer. Honestly, if you go down around 8 they will always fit you in though I do understand some folk like to eat very early. Fish specials were good - halibut and salmon in sauces, bistecca was as before -good, hubby wasn't overwhelmed with the sauce with the lamb but still munched merrily. Spaghetti carbonara was so so but other pasta dishes we tried were good. Have to say, the World Cafe is definitely my fav. I love the fact that you can serve yourself small portions and try lots of different dishes. This past two weeks up there were outstanding, lots of shellfish/fish/steak type special events and the sun was shining so we ate outside until v late. Absolutely brilliant service from a very happy, upbeat team.

i don't ever use the Living Room or the bar there Clay but I'll see if I can find out for you.

No charge photopro, you just have to request it.

Just a few words to contribute to Patti's wonderful blog: Jupiter is still beautiful, we've seen no evidence of deterioration; our cabin is immaculate. The staff and service is much the same as ever - excellent, truly! Our food has been of high quality and delicious. We had the halibut special in Manfredi's and it was moist and succulent and in a subtle but tasty asparagus velouté. Our Manfredi's bistecca was as before, enormous, thick, perfectly cooked to order (medium rare) and completely yummy. Just trying to remember and address previous concerns about standards, I've seen no evidence of any deterioration in standards. To confirm, there is no powdered orange juice onboard, which was reported by a previous poster on CC. The food manager was highly amused when I told him it had been suggested on CC. Regular orange juice both smooth and with bits is served around the ship and freshly squeezed on request with breakfast. It's good and has certainly not been watered down. I think I remember a bed discussion and have concluded that the ship beds are different. In our experience the beds on Jupiter are firmer than on the Sky and on Mars. Our cabin steward put a topper on ours for us. However, and this is so important to mention, we're all different, Patti and I were laughing about this. She finds the beds too soft. Our experiences will vary and are totally subjective! Our experience on Mariehamn was different to Patti's too. we were discussing it last night. Her tour guide was fabulous, spirited, informative, enthusiastic, ours was not. We learned nothing, were lulled to sleep by the commentary, a complete waste of time! Soooo much depends upon our guides! I came back and read up about the islands. The sun didn't want to set last night, it lingered and lingered, and whilst we waited up by the World Cafe to watch it, the staff were throwing a party above and in the World cafe. It was the Philippines Independence Day. They were having a fabulous time with a whole roasted suckling pig as a centre piece on the counter and music, I feel sure the dancing was due to start. All in all we're having a fabulous time, Viking is as remembered so please don't be put off by every negative report you read. Again, it's all subjective opinions. I was listening to a passenger moaning at breakfast this morning (Mrs Stetson) and was truly mystified by her remarks. I truly believe that a little positivity in life makes that experience a far more enjoyable one. Oh and PS..... we've seen no bathrobes in the World Cafe, no jeans in the dining rooms, there is only one chap in a gigantic stetson which he wears constantly and inside every dining room, a couple of caps litter the dining rooms too. There is also a note in the daily requesting that folk don't 'hog' the beds surrounding the pool. They mustn't remain 'saved' for more than 20 mins!

Hey Patti, just catching up here! Your enthusiasm shines through, so glad you're having a happy time. What a fabulous city, we love it. We haven't stopped galloping around, we're flopped in the hotel bar now catching breath. We did Meatballs for the People for lunch today, delicious, certainly beats Ikea! The weather is just perfect, architecture is fascinating, frequently difficult to date but often five hundred years old when it looks twentieth century. The people are super friendly too. We've started looking in Estate Agents windows, always a good sign!! Hope to meet up with you soon. Deb

So pleased to read this Patti, what luck! We'll be on our way tomorrow. Enjoy your evening in Stockholm.

We're packing frantically too, everything but the kitchen sink 😱 I too am in complete wonderment at those folk who can just take carry-ons. C is worse than me and that's saying something! We'll be with you both Saturday!! 🥳 Safe journeys!!

Actually, with our Viking cruise last summer, they wouldn't look at Verifly, which we'd filled in, or our last jab dates on our Covid app. The chap demanded that we give him the dates for each jab. I told him that that was ridiculous, especially given I'd had five then but we did have the info on our NHS app so we could comply. I think it's likely you'd get a different demand from every checking in consultant!

As well as the NHS app we have Patient Access with our GP that gives us access to our medical records. If you have that, you could scroll down to the immunisations??

UKtog, do you have the NHS app (not the Covid app which has been closed down) that gives you access to your medical notes/appts etc? If so you can still get your NHS covid pass on it which you can download to your phone. If that doesn't work for some reason, you can just access your medical notes on the app and scroll down through immunisations. We did it this week.

Fingers crossed!

Any response or resolution from Torstein Hagen's office Andy?

Many thanks for such a positive, upbeat, enthusiastic thread Moonlion. It's been a joy to read! Enjoy your last few days and safe journey home.

Goldwingers, I tend to take cash out of a cash machine and then either pop into a local bank to ask them to break the notes or into a shop to buy a basic item like mints or chocs etc and then collect the change. I always try to tip in local currency, it's just common courtesy.