Squawkman

Wow! FWIW, we had 874 passengers. The one sea day was the only day we couldn't book. While menus for the Restaurant and World Cafe are available on Voyager in advance, we found main attractions were often changed last minute for both places. This did make it harder to book Manfredi's in advance as we found out that morning it was surf and turf day in the World Cafe. So I went there before Manfredi's and had a lobster tail as an appetizer there.

We were in a V cabin and stopped at the desk to make a reservation for Manfredi’s after a few days at sea. When we gave our cabin number, we were told since we had not been there yet, we would get some preference and booked 6:30 for 4 of us. The other couple hadn’t been there yet either.

UWDawg - this is totally off-topic and off-Viking - but are you the same UWDawg that comments on WAPO?

Excellent review. On a previous Viking Ocean cruise, we had the rattling door problem. I folded up a small piece of cardboard and that worked. Ever since, I take that piece of cardboard on every cruise - but I never needed it again.

Selion - thanks so much for posting these promo codes!

Comfort check in is NOT early check in. Verbatim from MVJ: In order to speed up the embarkation process and allow more time to settle in please complete Comfort Check-In for each guest. Basically, you’re answering questions, providing credit card info, etc. in advance. You print a Viking “boarding pass” with a QR code. It saves a little time needed for the embarkation process - and it’s easy to do. Almost everyone we saw at embarkation had done it.

Mrs. Miggins - we returned from our Mediterranean Odyssey cruise earlier this week. We received a local map for EVERY port we visited. They were available at the disembarkation station and usually again on the pier on the way to the town and buses.

Pick up your checked bag and look for Viking staff. In most airports, they will be in the baggage claim area or just outside the baggage room. Your luggage will be collected, and you’ll see it next in or just outside your hotel room.

Heidi - Thanks for the explanation - just one further question: do you have an idea how many cabins are included in a zone on Viking ships? We overheard someone complain about 20 cabins down the hall from us that they had to leave their cabin because of toilet issues.

No, it’s not always the passenger’s fault. In our case, there was just no flushing action when we returned to the cabin. No paper, etc. Totally different flush process.

I spoke with my inking agent and he said anyone who has completed a Viking cruise can call him and if they book within 14 days, they can get the $200pp SBC.

We just came home yesterday from the subsequent Med cruise on the Sea. We went to bed around 10:30 the second night and all of a sudden the toilet wouldn’t flush. I called the service desk. Less than 10 minutes after I called, I received a call back that it will be fixed immediately with no need to enter our cabin. It was. No further problems.

We did the Douro last November - it was our first post Covid cruise. This itinerary is not comparable to other Viking river cruises as Mikey points out. However, we loved it so much we are considering doing it again in 2024. Everything about Portugal and the cruise appealed to us - the excursions, the people, the simplicity. We had 85 passengers and got to talk with everyone. We booked it on the recommendation of our long time Viking agent who felt it was for us. Interestingly, wine is a big part of the culture - and neither of us drink wine. To each their own..,.

My experience is that reminders are issued a set number of days before embarkation regardless of when the final payment is due. If the reminder changes your mind, you can still get a refund up to 4 months before embarkation.

Maybe you should cancel the Nile. If you think Viking Ocean is boring, you’ll most likely be less impressed with a river cruise.

We did too 🙂

Hubby - I just read through all of your posts in this thread. I’ve concluded Viking is not for you as, for one, you’ll miss a casino on sea days. I wouldn’t want to lose $1,200+ either, so I can agree that you should go on this one - even though you have concluded that it will be your last. You have also concluded Viking is just out to take your money, bait and switch, etc., so I can see why you have also concluded it will be your last. I only have one question: You state here that you have taken 30+ cruises - yet less than 2 weeks ago, you stated you have taken 20+ cruises. How did you go on 10 cruises in less than 2 weeks?

Mikey - I tried to determine the discount for the Douro cruise - it came out exactly the same with or without the code. Go figure.

Just noticed on MVJ that excursions will now be available in November.

I plan to speak with my Viking rep next week. I’ll ask and report back here.

I’m referring to the welcome back offer - $200pp on any cruise booked within 14 days of disembarkation. Totally separate from and in addition to past level discounts.

Other than the 14 day period, this has not been the case with our Viking agent. We can call him and ALWAYS got $200pp SBC for both river and ocean. He called us the first time to years ago, but we’ve called him every other time since.

I totally agree with your reasoning. Over the years, we have had delays getting back on time with Viking excursions. But if you’re going back to a hotel, it’s not going to sail away and leave you in Spain 😊

Sorry - were on the Ve.

It varies. Excursions for a Rhine cruise we have booked for November we’re available for well over a year. We also have a cruise booked for the end of March (Tulips) and get the same message as you in MVJ.