Squawkman

When we did Trade Routes in April, 2022 we tested positive for Covid and were quarantined for 12 days and moved to a V1 cabin on the port side. As we couldn’t leave the cabin, we fully concur that you don’t see much. And we spent a lot of time looking as our veranda was the only place we could go!

Turns out this is a different offer than the Bon Voyage discount I spoke about. Departures up to 35 days plus double past guest discount.

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Again, I’m quoting what I was told. What you’re saying makes sense as my agent was clear he couldn’t offer the program to folks who didn’t book their upcoming cruise with him. So I guess it would behoove anyone cruising within 30 days to call whomever booked their cruise if they don’t hear from him or her first.

This is true more times than not. We do this often by buying a soda or coffee. Other advantage is free internet.

I have nothing in print like the post here. I’m telling you what my Viking agent told me over the phone.

Yes to all questions.

You have more latitude for promo codes as you usually can book promos from 2 different months. And I don’t believe on board booking doesn’t always offer 2x past level discount. Also, for me at least, I can book with my Viking agent rather than the on board agent.

According to my Viking agent who contacted me: Only the Viking agent who booked your upcoming cruise can offer this. You must book within 30 - 2 days of embarkation. Here’s the perks: Double past guest discount $100pp SBC Scaled additional discount. $100pp for 8 day cruise; $200pp for 9-16 days up to $1,000pp. PIF 6 months Can be combined with a promo code!

Bit you must ask for the 6 month PIF. It is NOT automatic.

We usually sit in the balcony where there are always blankets available.

I assume the guy that meets you will help you with luggage - correct?

The policy is no jeans in the Restaurant, Manfredi’s and Chef’s Table. I’ve seen jeans in the Restaurant and also saw men asked to leave if they wore jeans. Never saw jeans on Manfredi’s and never dined at the Chef’s Table.

Our offer was for our first VO after completing 2 VRs. We’ve completed 3 more VRs and 6 more VOs with 4 future booked - and never received another offer. All were booked directly with a Viking agent.

This wasn’t true for us the one time we were offered a last minute VO upgrade (2018). We received an email to call a specific person and were offered 3 different cabins - or just keep our initial booking.

Totally agree. We did the Tuscany extension in 2019. I forget how much we tipped - probably was about $60. We all met and decided on how much each of us would contribute. Our guide had an assistant-in-training and we gave her something as well.

Disagree. Viking’s age demographic is expanding. While the older folks stop cruising, younger folks become older and replace them. I don’t see the public part of their funding dictating any major changes in entertainment.

We had a situation on our last cruise where we had booked an evening boat ride that was rated Easy. At the port talk the afternoon before, we found out that the pier was changed and it would be a 1.2 mile walk each way from our ship to the pier. We immediately went to guest services and requested a refund as the walking would be too much for us especially given the end of the day in the heat. The guest services agent needed approval, but he did get it in about 10 minutes.

I remember when it was a nickel.

$100pp OBC is minuscule. It would be a nice loyalty perk - really no measurable effect on profit.

I’ll be calling my Viking agent soon on another matter so I will ask.

Related question as we will be staying at the Mackinac Grand Hotel soon: I’m okay with the jacket, but is a tie a must? TIA

Syd68 - maybe you should consider a Viking Mississippi cruise. 10 out of 194 cabins are ADA compliant and the cost is the same as the cheapest cabin even though they are larger. Plus, no foreign accessibility issues as all ports are in the USA.

This is why I always use the same experienced Viking agent. If something comes up he hasn’t seen, I’m put on hold until he gets the answer.

I guess OBC is a different animal as I have also combined OBC offers with promo codes. I didn’t realize they used designated promo codes. If you book on board or within 2 weeks of disembarkation you’ll get OBC on top of promo code perks.