DGHOC

We have Strykk NOT G*N which is also pretty good. (Not as good as the real thing obviously!)

Reading this thread has just confirmed my thoughts on the selfishness, self interest and disregard of some. This subject has been debated here many times, I've sometimes read comments with total disbelief. Once it was established that masks were essential to the C fight, the Gov message here in the UK re C, was to request that the public should wear a mask to protect others more vulnerable. After a while it became apparent that some folk were only interested in themselves and C denying. The Gov message was subtly changed, 'wear a mask to protect yourselves and others' - more folk then began to wear them. Then it was made law, though travelling on the London tube network displayed how some didn't give two hoots for anyone else. Thankfully this subject was never politicised in the UK. Our recent V cruise was the last before daily testing was ended. Many passengers continued wearing masks around the ship, as did we, though it wasn't compulsory. I didn't see any 'attacks' on those who were still wearing them, my word we would have had something to say if we had. The daily testing was hugely reassuring in that we could sit next to folk at dinner without second guessing the whole time. We saw no-one coughing the entire time on the ship although some passengers were found to be infected and subsequently isolated. We both caught C on the flight home to London. Mask wearing wasn't compulsory on the plane and a great many passengers were openly coughing and seemingly unwell. We double masked and hoped for the best but we both tested positive three days later. We made the enormous mistake of unhooking our masks for seconds to blow our noses to clear ear pressure, we're convinced that was all it took. Confined space with 90% unmasked, we didn't stand a chance. I'm awfully glad I don't have a V cruise booked until June next year. If I was forced to take one now, I'd call the restaurant managers in the restaurants and request a table removed from other diners and keep my mask on until ready to eat. In the World Cafe I'd sit outside or away from others as much as poss. We wore masks unless eating and drinking. Yep it was a pain in the butt BUT it kept us safer and helped keep others safer too. A great many of us fall into the vulnerable category, albeit by age, but a great many of us are immunosuppressed or compromised too. Disability is not always visible, we should consider those sitting around us. My two pennies worth of advice would be to wear the best grade medical masks you can get your hands on, (as suggested by my surgeon buddies who are flabbergasted at the mask deniers), and keep your distance as much as poss. The flights are a festering petrie dish so double mask and don't eat or drink or do as we did, blow your nose! None of us know what this winter will bring but I truly hope that if necessary V will reinstate their very sensible and effective C protocols.

Oh well, if it's balanced that's good! Comments repeatedly made here suggest it's not.

I don't use FB but this seems ridiculously unfair. Perhaps someone should set up 'The Non-biased Viking Discussion Group' on FB, let folk really have their say. Need to make sure that the person managing is not getting back handers though!

I have to say this is the thing I'd change if poss. We've been on a couple of included excursions where it took 15 mins to leave the bus and then the same to get back on at every photo stop and walking section. I'm saying this with the greatest respect for those less able, I certainly have my moments, I've even declined to go on a trip on a particularly bad day as I didn't want to hold others up. On a recent excursion in Palermo, the guide had to miss out whole sections as two passengers were unable to climb some short steps. It wasn't fair on those passengers, who were clearly very embarrassed, or everyone else. We were going so slowly we were blocking the pavements. Not forgetting of course the lovely souls/passengers loudly making their dissatisfaction heard! We've decided that if we take any more included trips we'll just inform the guide and leave them for a DIY if necessary. To be honest it's not just the included tours this has happened on, this has happened on optional tours too. The difficulty with this whole subject is that folk have to really understand what the trip involves and therefore decide sensibly if they are physically able to manage it. One lady with a walker on an optional tour was yelling at the guide and other passengers for walking too fast. We were walking pretty slowly and it was an active level tour.

It'll be interesting to read any responses here THR as I've been moved into 5009 from 5012 for a scenic Scandinavia cruise in June 2023. When are you travelling?

I'd recommend both, Pompeii is bigger and therefore takes longer, Herculaneum is much more compact and I think probably more detailed. Both are fascinating, truly amazing. Whilst it's possible to do both I'm not sure I'd recommend it. They are exhausting, especially if you're forced to walk at a tour group pace and in the summer heat which is super intense in that area. I understand that your trip is in Nov though so that may not be a problem. The choice is a hard one, flip a coin! You'd love either I'm sure

Not sure if I missed it but have you contacted 'tell us' directly at Viking photopro2? It was all pretty chaotic for the recent Chairman's cruise as there was little warning of it. Trying to reserve excursions and dining options was nigh on impossible online. The online booking system seems fairly unreliable since Covid hit. I've had to call the London office about a number of issues and I've always found them really reliable, really switched on. Did you try calling them directly, speaking to a manager? As has been mentioned on this site a zillion times, it is possible to reserve tables onboard. We have previously cancelled pre-booked tables and also just turned up on other occasions and asked for a table on the off chance. I do, however, totally get the frustration of being promised/guaranteed something that then doesn't materialise. It seems to be symptomatic of this world we are living in at the moment as everyone still struggles with the problems generated by covid, dreadful wars, Brexit and economic difficulties. The use of any transport system is fraught with issues. I remember when we might hope that our planes wouldn't be delayed, now it's a case of hoping we might get to our holiday destination at all! Don't get me started on BA and Heathrow airport!! I do hope you find a resolution. Your posts have always been very positive and upbeat and I feel your current frustration!

And five months after the comment was made?

Haha, just realised I posted this on the wrong thread, not your blog thread! Glad you got the message!

Sleep7, I've just read through this thread and want to send you my thanks. What an absolutely delightful read! Your positivity radiates and coats everything with a touch of the Mediterranean sunshine. You should adopt the moniker Tinkerbell! Thanks again!

I'll be right on over!

Yes that's the one Azulann, are you on there too?

Thanks Andy and planterx2.

We've received notification that Viking have made the decision to reduce the number of Scenic Scandinavia departures and redeploy Viking Neptune. We have been offered the same cruise on The Jupiter just a week later with on board financial credit to compensate us. Despite being told that our stateroom would remain the same, it has been changed on an email just received. We were in 5012, a cabin we have sailed in twice before, but it has been changed to 5009 for this trip. Could I ask you experienced Viking travellers whether 5009 is a good swop for us? We love the quiet location of 5012 which has a door and window combination which we were happy with. 5009, whilst in a similar quiet location, is on the opposite side of the ship. Sorry for my lack of technical nautical jargon but 5009 will be closer to the 'sticking out Bridge observation area' , would that impede views? Anyone stayed in this cabin and know whether it has a door and window or a slider? Goodness me, this is the fifth attempt at this cruise now. Hopefully fifth time lucky!

I'm sorry to read that you've had to postpone your upcoming trips Andy. I send all good wishes to you and your wife. Thanks once again for exhibiting the common sense that is your trademark. Some of these halfwitted, non scientific, ill-considered posts make me despair. I think it's often that the keyboard is engaged before the brain. Think I'll give CC a miss for a while.

Honestly, the London tubes are really easy to negotiate. Unlike many other cities almost all stations have a lift and or escalator service to aid those travelling with luggage and they tell you if they don't. We negotiate the system with luggage regularly. London traffic can be the pits which makes taxi travel precarious and sometimes prohibitively expensive. It helps to be familiar with the system and to know where you're going ahead of arrival. Here's a link to Transport for London. You can view detailed maps, use Journey planner instructing methods of transport you'd like to use, (ie avoid buses), it also informs about delays and disruption etc. https://tfl.gov.uk

What a delightful start, enjoy molymoo! Your luck may keep, there's a serious heatwave going on in mainland and northern Europe at the moment, Norway is frying! It's heading to the UK at the end of this week so you may enjoy sunny skies here too! Fingers crossed for you!

Don't worry yourself Mrs M, they'll always be folk ready to disagree, we're all different, it's what makes the world go round! Personally I'd prefer no 'Book 'em Danno' shirts with shorts when I'm in the restaurant and we've made an effort to shower and change for dinner. However, whatever floats your boat, we live in London, folk could walk along with a saucepan on their heads and barely raise an eyebrow! It's good to read live cruise reports so thanks for posting about your pal's experience!

I took it recently Wendy, I was sent it on day 2. Whilst I knew it already, it was explained that it would only be prescribed within the first five days of infection.

There is a massive contingency of folk in the UK deemed vulnerable who are on an automatic fast track for antivirals. As soon as a positive result is discovered, antivirals are delivered, irrespective of severity of symptoms. These have to be administered within the first five days but the sooner the better. Others who deteriorate and are hospitalised will not be given the antivirals but may be treated with corticosteroids, other treatments and oxygen if needed.

And how lovely it was too! Thanks J for all of your hard work in organising it! The comment here about the staff lingering with a low turnout is true. There were a good few of us and I could see that we were going to be contentedly chatting for a while whilst the waiters bearing canapés and trays of bubbly were just stood aside waiting. I suggested that they just lay the platters and drinks on the tables between us so they didn't have to wait for hours. They were hesitant to do so but were finally persuaded. Despite no M and Ms at the moment, as ever, Viking sent the usual message invites to our cabins and looked after us very well.

What an absolute delight she is Liz, even after all of that! It sounds a bit like Trains, Planes and Automobiles!!(The original) 'OMG!' I wish them all a safe journey. My daughter, who lives in Paris, has planned a trip to Hawaii and then on to San Francisco in July/Aug. The flights have been changed so many times and now have multiple stopovers. Flights in the UK are super unreliable at the moment with more disruption planned for the summer. Sadly her flights will now bring her into London for these new connections. I don't think she'll be as chilled as your pal! I have everything crossed 🤞

Or, as an after though, could Pask be thinking of Tilbury Fort, I think bits might be castellated? I think it was one of Henry V111's fortifications.

The 'view of Dover Castle' did make me smile though. Wish my vision was that good! I wonder if Pask was describing the view as they were passing Dover on the ship? Totally agree, NOBODY would want a tour of Tilbury.