duquephart

As has been pointed out many times, it's all a matter of consumption level and whether it pencils out. The reasonableness of the package is due, in part, to the fact that you have already paid for a given level of consumption. Lines that aren't already providing "free" wine and beer need to charge more for it.

Facts are facts. Every line has warts.

Make sure that's noted.

Some killer restaurants on the Bergen waterfront.

30 minutes ago, donaldsc said:

 

That is what I figured.  I actually went on an AK small ship cruise where they gave us good binocs which I priced at about $250 each.  Each room got 2 pair which is even more amazing.  They even had good quality spotting scopes scattered all over the ship.  So while you gave me the answer that I expected there are a few cruises where you would not have to bring your own.

 

DON

Indeed. But in regard to the cruise you are asking about ---------------------------

5 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Not for most people. 2/3 of the cabins are Veranda and Deluxe Veranda (314 cabins out of 465), which do not have alcoholic beverages stocked in the minibar. In those cabins, if you want alcohol in the minibar, you have to pay for it and the minibar is not covered by the drinks package.

 

OK - "some" folks.

Another subject that has been worked over pretty well (search "binoculars). Bottom line: If you want good binoculars bring some.

The sail-in/out for Eidfjord is very nice. And do not skip the cruise in Stavanger.

I imagine departure time is impacted by where you're going next.

13 hours ago, Mad-39 said:

I’m worried that with Rodne we may miss our ship departure. Looks like it’s leaving the port at 1:30!?

We did Rodne noon - 3 pm. Ship departed 6 pm.

31 minutes ago, ChrisB123 said:

You went to Tallian, Estonia?  I've heard a number of people say their itinerary was changed from Mariehamn to Tallian but MVJ is still saying Mariehamn.  I'm not really picky, but Tallian sounds fascinating. 

It was eliminated when we went - all Gulf of Finland ports.

Another vote for Vasa Museum.

The Flam RR is a must do. With any luck you'll get lunch at the Stalheim Hotel.

12 minutes ago, PRH said:

If you’re interested in the political history of Belfast, I highly recommend Tours by Locals Frank (Francis).  He is excellent, picks you up at the ship in his Mercedes van and you will see and hear far more than Viking.  Our 23 year old nephew who was with us on this cruise was blown away.  Frank lived through the Troubles and is a historian—he really does give a fairly balanced account of what happened and where things stand now.

Watch The Wind that Shakes the Barley.

10 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

Very true on the gym and spa hours, but if I am not mistaken, I have always understood that after the spa and gym closes for the night, it is available to some crew.

I may be wrong with this, but this is what I understand.  

Do we care what happens after it closes?

4 minutes ago, JM0115 said:

Pulpit Rock cruise.

With Rodne. 

1 hour ago, mwike said:

 

I simply do not like the fact that Viking adds something to the bill and imposes a burden upon me if I want to remove the charge.  If they really wanted the charge to be optional, one would be able to remove the charge via the app or through the TV interface.  

 

And there you have it!

6 minutes ago, LAKaye said:

Wow, you were able to request and get a kettle in your stateroom?  

A lot depends on whether or not you are OK with the included. We always have bee  and the package, given that, never pencils out.

You need not wait for "gratuities" to be added.

42 minutes ago, OKCowboy said:

While on a Panama Canal cruise with Silver Spirits, I developed a throat infection requiring antibiotics prescribed by the ship doctor. I had to stop drinking alcohol halfway through the cruise. Given the reasonable cost of drinks and wine/beer at meals, I don't recommend even though it's cheaper than many other cruise lines drink packages.

It's cheaper because you have already paid for included wine/beer.

Once you know about them you know about them. But they are basically sprung upon first timers - in which case the price is not the price.

54 minutes ago, molymoo said:

Gratuities are optional ... you are perfectly free to ask that the charge be removed from your bill if you do not wish to participate in the practice.  There are just as many complaints from those where gratuities are "included" in the price of the cruise ... you're never going to make everyone happy.

 

The point is that they are not mentioned at the time of booking.

26 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

We love the Star Theatre and even though it is not a "big show" we have always been entertained with the evening show.  

 

The only complaint that we have is there is not enough variety of show material across the Ocean itineraries.  It is kind of like when you fly a lot, you have watched every movie on the plane that you are interested in and you are forced to watch something again on your next flight.

 

With Viking, we have seen the Abba and other standard performances a few times now and would like some variety.  The only variety with this is a different crew of four (2 female and 2 male) performing the show.

 

We have found the Cruise Director led reviews very good and there will usually be one of these.  We have also had magicians, and other types of entertainment brought on board for some variety.

 

We only look at this as 45 minutes after dinner before we go to bed.  We don't have high expectations for this entertainment which is why we are generally always entertained and content with the show.

 

We have only been to Torshavn once with friends that we were travelling with and we were good with the Viking Band and singers, because they also perform on the Star Theatre stage, but we found the venue itself to be claustrophobically small and low ceilings.  It was too tightly packed and too loud for our tastes.

 

We do like the guitarist, the pianist, and the strings that rotate from the Living Room to the Explorer Lounge at night.

I have yet to be "forced to watch" a movie on an airplane. On which airline does this typically occur? 

Indeed. But at least you know what you're getting - or not getting. With Viking you pay the price and are later informed that there is more to pay ("gratuities").