orchestrapal

Since the dreaded Covid19 will not have gone away just because our president says it is over. We are looking at possibly 18 months Or longer of it still being around.
Since ships have been described as floating PETRI dishes many will not want to cruise for years to come.

This will not “be over until it’s over.”  

Even some cruisers are now unemployed and may never be able to cruise Or vacation  again.
Viking  and other cruise lines will have to have long term plans and probably long times to crawl out of this.
Half empty ships will not keep them in business after this is all over.

Stay safe, stay home.👍

18 hours ago, Ray66 said:

I think someone needs to tell them that the QM2 is due there on 25th April - ahem! 🙄

The QM2 is 
HARDLY IMPORTANT RELATIVE TO THE HEALTH OF NYC!

2 hours ago, LHT28 said:

I thought Oceania  also sent a letter  that said commissions were protected 

I believe it was posted here on CC

It may have  changed  recently  with all the cancellations of ports etc..

 

But I do agree with the others  if you did not sail   you should not get the rebate ...sounds pretty greedy to me

JMO

Greedy and theft...

If cruise lines were not getting responses they would no longer send out all their mailings.

We get them in our newspapers several times a week.

Don’t want paper brochures but have a recycling can nearby in which to dump them.

On 3/6/2020 at 7:53 PM, CruisySusie said:

Thanks very much for the info! Wishing now that I had checked out Regent!  We ended up booking on Crystal Barcelona - Rome on 6/24.  The ports and excursions seemed fun and the dates worked for all of us.  Thanks again for the input; I’m saving it in my travel file 😊

You made a great choice now just go and enjoy😁 and forget the negativity.

On 2/27/2020 at 10:43 PM, Silver Sweethearts said:

We do believe they advertise themselves as such.

Because that is what they are and always have been. Try them to experience for yourself.

On 2/28/2020 at 9:41 AM, LHT28 said:

HMMM

Azamara  has Food alcohol & Gratuities included   ...are they a luxury line??

NO they are considered premium....

18 hours ago, Liz Masterson said:

Clay I have a question, what is the difference in service between the room steward and the butler? I've always wondered... (Besides the obvious... butlers are all names Jeeves or Niles right? 😉)

Butlers take fantastic care of YOU and room stewards do the same for the Cabins.

Although the service on Viking was very good in a suite it does not compare to having Butler service on the luxury lines. We would go back on Viking on a cruise not available on Crystal.

1 hour ago, The Other Tom said:

I always leave my tags on.  Good reminder of the trip

DITTO!😄

On an Internet agency we have found the information really varies agent by agent.

Found a wonderful agent who unfortunately retired and our next experience was SO bad we will have to try at least one more to equal what we had. Discounts really vary especially when you price the upper suites.

1 hour ago, AceVancouver said:

Thanks but I assume there are limitations.

There were no limits on any laundry or dry cleaning in Explorer Suites however I would be sure to ask your cabin attendant for the. Jr Suite amenities. They do a great job in the laundry room and return your garments as if they were brand new.

15 hours ago, CGTNORMANDIE said:

Your question started out with which luxury line is less stuffy.  Then you are saying you need to have your 21 year old daughter and boyfriend entertained.  You don’t say how long you would like the cruise to be.  So let’s take a few shots in the dark.

 

HAL, Oceania, Azamara and Viking would probably be boring for your daughter and bf.  Windstar might be a hard sell for your mother.  If you are thinking of 7 days I would suggest the Yacht Club on MSC Seaside in the Caribbean this summer.  That will give you a better level of luxury and offer loads of entertainment options for all concerned.  
 

However not one of the aforementioned lines are LUXURY..

Many museums and other sights in London are free and your time there is very limited.

You will be well off to get two day Hop On Hop Off passes.

52 minutes ago, RealCajunLady said:

All great questions. But what I would like to know is the comfort of the train versus a bus into Berlin. Would like someone who has made the trip in those ways to give an opinion. 👏🏻

Train is about one hour faster and  1000 % more comfortable.
In addition there is not much to see on that bus route.

10 hours ago, flashfearless said:

My insurance experience with the Viking insurance has been a nightmare.  They have refused to pay out on one of the two nights lost on our last cruise due to the fact that we made the arrangements independent from Viking.   Long story short is thanks to American Airlines labor strife around Mother's Day 2019, we missed two days in Venice.  One on the ship and one in our own booking.

 

 IE, the Viking insurance only covers their asses.  I am considering legal action on this as soon as I figure out where to file.

 

 

Good luck! As much as we liked Viking ships and crews their office services, or lack thereof, are the worst of any line we have ever dealt with. They don’t give a d..... as long as their ships still sale full. When the customer base starts to decline maybe their service will improve. 

On 1/21/2020 at 5:37 PM, 3Shelaghs said:

Opinions? 

Chose for ease of car rental drop off at airport.

Best airport hotel we have ever stayed at.

Rooms are large super clean and very comfortable and the suites even better.
We enjoyed the restaurant and it’s focus on some very good Swiss food.

Try to get a rate with breakfast included.

13 hours ago, alijay said:

I am trying to decide whether to purchase Viking insurance for a 15 day Mediterannean cruise or to purchase  insurance on our own.  Viking is half the price, but we would receive a combination of cash and vouchers( for a future cruise within 12 months) if we "cancel for any reason".  The other insurance will cover 75% of the cost if we cancel for any reason, but we would receive all cash.  

Any thoughts?  Has anyone done this type of analysis and what were your conclusions?

Thank you.

Alice

Don’t buy Viking insurance.

InsureMy Trrip will show you many options which will pay fully in cash, can be cancelled and changed to another cruise or cruise line. Everything Viking suffers from their very intransigent business practices.😡

On 12/3/2019 at 2:47 PM, InVelvetSlumber said:

 

I doubt Wimbledon would have any effect, it's not in central London and isn't a large capacity event.

Not so far...
Funny the 10 or so years   we’ve been in London during Wimbledon our hotel was always over booked Over and priced.

Best restaurants were also totally booked in advance.🎾🎾

On 1/4/2020 at 1:47 PM, geffric said:

Orion..

thanks so much for the information. 
Just cancelled a b/b in one of those suites as we love our

quiet time time any cruise we take.
 

On 10/27/2019 at 4:30 PM, geffric said:

I made the mistake to be over the theater once..never again. 

It was okay to hear the theater shows as i was usually in the theater for the show but during rehearsals 😱.the noise was unbearable..forget taking an afternoon nap or trying to talk to your spouse or enjoying the balcony..even the room steward complained.. 

Which ship was that?

On 12/31/2019 at 4:30 PM, LHT28 said:

When did Oceania have formal nights?

Our 1st cruise was in 2004  & no formal night  back then

The answer is NEVER, fortunately.

10 hours ago, LHT28 said:

After  being on another cruise line recently  I would  say the GDR on Oceania is a suitable  title for it

The other was  just  a dining room  the low ceilings & cramped tables made it  so noisy  it was not enjoyable  to be there

 Of course  it is just my opinion

that’s for sure!

46 minutes ago, Peachypooh said:

Hello, this will be our first time on Viking and are looking at

the Explorer suites. I see some are forward and some are

aft and are different decks. Are there any differences

except location in this category? Thank you.

There are mainly differences in size and location which can easily be seen on the deck plans.

We have been in them on the aft and are cruising in one in the front this fall.

The furnishings and service are the same in all the Explorer suites.

Hope you enjoy as much as we do.

9 hours ago, ptiprof said:

Please read the dress code. If Oceania wanted to ban jeans, they would have said so. If I choose to wear my dressy, dark-colored, nicely-cut jeans with a fashionable top and shoes, I will happily do so in full compliance. Comments that ask if it is too much trouble to pack some nice slacks are not helpful; within the posted guidelines, others do not get to dictate my wardrobe choices. Like others who have posted, I have eaten in some of the finest restaurants, and I have seen people in shorts, track suits, t-shirts, and ball caps sitting next to folks in elegant suits and cocktail dresses. And we all had a lovely dinner. Vive la difference!

You are so right !
If someone is so offended by how others dress they need to stop looking so hard. 

You need to get an OS on the R ships to be equivalent to an Oceania Suite.

there is really no comparison.