LindaS272

They provided shuttles for us in Nov. 2019, so I’m sure they will for you as well.

Ditto on SE Asia cruise in 2019. About 45-60 minutes away from HCMC.

This topic has been covered numerous times on CC. The staff on Viking are from numerous countries, they cruise around the world. They have told us they get tipped in numerous currencies and they exchange with each other for who can use which currency. At the end of a cruise we tip our room stewards in U.S. dollars & combos of other currencies we have accumulated on the cruise. So far, no one has turned us down. 😎

Since we have an immunocompromised person in our household (DH), we still wear masks on cruises, in airports, cabs, subways, & other crowded places when traveling. I still wear a mask in my local grocery store. We wore our masks on the Saturn last July & on excursions. Didn’t wear masks when eating of course, but made sure to have a fair amount of social distancing. 

Since that July cruise, we’ve been to Boston/Hartford, London, & Italy.

We got the new Covid vaccine last Dec, & again in early May. Still trying to get our docs to prescribe the just-in-case-prescription for Paxlovid—maybe they’ll give in in time for our TA on Jupiter in Oct. 🤞

Keep in mind this is an airport bus, so it’s going to be the same as a Viking transfer in Bergen. From the website:

Each passenger can bring 2 pieces of luggage (max 30 kilo in total) placed in the luggage compartment under the bus. Hand luggage is carried freely as long as it can fit under your seat or on the parcel shelf.

https://flybussen.no/en/airports/bergen-airport-flybussen-bergen/?gad_source=1&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIidivqOq9hgMVqw2tBh3gewwKEAAYASAAEgJX9vD_BwE

You can find answers to many of your questions here:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2416372-tips-for-new-viking-ocean-cruisers/

Start post-Covid as much of the information is outdated.

I just tried a search on the Deck 3 aft cabins because I know this has been discussed, but alas, the search function on CC is abysmal. You might have more luck.

Other folks might weigh in about their experiences with the aft cabins.

10 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

It was not the most pleasant of surprises.  There was a lot of turmoil checking in, and no room key for us.  We had to tender over on the Greenwich boats with a checkin person and meet for half an hour with the Guest Services manager.  She seemed completely flummoxed about why someone might not want the upgrade.  But I don’t really like the Junior suites.  They are cluttered and crowded.  Two chairs and a sofa is just too much and instead of feeling roomy they feel cramped.  The two huge TVs right next to each other are just laughable to us.  And the TV attached in front of the mirror over the desk at the foot of the bed renders the mirror useless, and there is no good place to dry my hair.  We did enjoy the larger bathroom, and the free laundry.  But the room location was terrible.  Very Noisy. Second worst ever, the worst being a Guarantee room.  We could afford to book a PJS if so inclined, but do not.  We picked our room a year in advance, and we always book the same room, deck six, forward.  I asked to have that room back, but they had already given it away.  If they had asked, I would have said no, especially when I saw where it was. So I guess I would call this a forced upgrade.

I know this doesn’t erase the lousy situation—but worth writing to TellUs and get a.) an apology or at least an explanation for not giving you a choice, and b.) a nice OBC for your next cruise. Just a thought.

Nope. Guaranteeds not always notified before checking in. And doesn’t matter if someone already has a stateroom assigned—when they’re shuffling people around it’s like musical chairs. I believe it’s rare to get a “forced” upgrade, but I have seen it mentioned on CC more since Covid re-start. Before Covid we were twice offered upgrades for a fee—we took one which was from DV to PV. Never been forced to upgrade though!

4 hours ago, Capt_BJ said:

I could go to the room and get the coke, the beer would cost me.

Not if you’re in a PV or up—beer can be had in the mini-bar.

4 hours ago, Capt_BJ said:

-  description mentions 'specialty coffees' but since we're not big fans have never really pursued. I know the 'machine' in world cafe can make capa' and expresso so I guess they are talking about the coffee bar

“Specialty coffees” means with alcohol—not the machine in WC (not sure if you were implying that.)

47 minutes ago, Brookspw70 said:

Info I would appreciate:

- Reasons people choose aft, mid, or forward (or whatever you call it on a ship) OTHER than motion concerns. 
- Reasons for choosing among levels 3-6. 
- What is the attraction for the cabins on the aft end, the two DVs between the suites?

*So far I think I’m looking at near the forward lift on level 4-5. 

Our first VO was in a DV, but after we were offered an upgrade to a PV on the next one, we found that was the sweet spot. We like PV for the ample storage, location of closet in hall instead of next to the bed, & having a couch for lounging instead of just chairs.

We have only ever been on decks 5 & 6 forward and we like those locations for easy access to Explorer's Lounge & the Wintergarden. We don’t mind the trek to WC or MDR—ships are small and we get a little more exercise.

We’ve been taken to a hotel holding room when arriving on an early flight on day of embarkation. It was Hong Kong, and we were there no more than two hours. Tea, coffee, & cookies were available, but no breakfast (arrived around 6:30 am local time). It wasn’t bad, but would have been nice to have a few more amenities, as well as being told how long we would be expected to wait (which we weren’t). We also had to schlep our own luggage to a holding area a ways away from the conference/meeting room. Then, when ready to go to the buses, we had to move our luggage through a couple of hallways to the parking area.

We can recommend Felipe Jara as a passionate, competent & experienced guide out of Valparaiso. https://www.agtvalparaiso.com/2020/11/12/felipe-jara/
 

He was initially our transport from Santiago airport to our hotel in Valparaiso one night before getting on the Jupiter to transit to Buenos Ares (Feb. 2020). Then he put together a last minute tour for us when our VO Pablo Neruda tour the first day was canceled. We had a driver and guide, toured three locations in the region associated with Neruda & had lunch at a winery near Santiago.

I’m sure Felipe could set up an excellent day for you from disembarkation to your night flight out of Santiago.

The hack is to go early to tea (we like to sit on the sides so not as crowded) & still get to a presentation at 4:30. For early evening lectures, you can always catch it later on your TV.

On some cruises, to limit the crowds at tea time, they’ve started scheduling lectures or port talks at 4:30–hoping some folks might skip it, I guess. Similarly, lectures have started showing up in the early evening to limit pax going to the MDR all at the same time. We haven't been on cruises frequently of late so maybe some of our serial VO cruisers on here can weigh in.

1 hour ago, Twitchly said:

Good to know, thanks! We don’t have cable; I’ll see if I can find it on the internet somewhere.

Smithsonian Channel is on Paramount +

29 minutes ago, Capt_BJ said:

our VO cruise last July had a M&M and 'someone' had taken the initiative to coordinate and collected name via Roll Call ..... VO host just like pre-covid

Yes, it was a participant on the Roll Call who coordinated with Saturn GS or GM.

2 hours ago, kcpvwill said:

Does anyone know when the Cruise Critic Meet and Mingles will be “Unpaused”?  Is it controlled by the cruise lines themselves or is it Cruise Critic that will reinstate them?  
 

The pause happened as a result of Covid, but I would have expected them to restart by now.  
 

I think it’s CC that needs to reinstate them. I don’t know why they haven’t yet. Numerous M&Ms are now being organized by individuals coordinating with Viking, but I too wish CC would reinstate their previous initiation.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/meet-mingle/main/

16 minutes ago, CurlerRob said:

 

You're quite welcome.

 

There's been a fair bit of speculation on this thread about the "new ballgame" and it's potential impact on the firm - many expressing trepidation. Personally, I'm far from persuaded that the IPO will necessarily cause noticeable change. 

 

Viking had two major shareholders (23% ownership) prior to the IPO - neither of them were shrinking violets about expressing their opinions, but there was no indication that they influenced the corp. direction to any strong degree. As well, I have yet to determine the level of ownership that the Hagen family retains. It's one thing to be publicly traded, it's wholly different if you are still the controlling shareholder. Cheers! 🍺🥌

See the video at post #124. Tor says he owns over 50% of the company.

But in all rooms except Nordic Balcony you will have soda replenished daily—in addition to free at lunch & dinner.

2 hours ago, Messybill said:

It is not up to the guest to point out what the policy is.  

It is if you want to get your nutritional needs met when you have food intolerances.

The OP might consider writing to tellus@vikingcruises.com, telling them of the problem experienced with not getting dietary needs met. They might very well give you some OBC for your next cruise. Happened for us a few years ago with Viking when I experienced some extremely rude behavior by a call center agent. 

Thanks for clarifying that you just didn’t get to the right people, because it’s my experience & knowledge that it is Viking’s policy. You said it “wasn’t an option” on the one ship, but sometimes you just have to dig a little deeper on Viking.

47 minutes ago, bookbabe said:

 On Saturn and Sky, and on other cruise lines, a set of menus was delivered with evening turndown for me to peruse and make choices, which I would then return the next morning at breakfast, so that the chef and kitchen could be prepared.  That wasn’t an option on Mars.

Not sure why you think “that wasn’t an option on Mars.” It is Viking’s practice and policy, so perhaps you just didn’t get your needs to the right department…?

1 hour ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

We were on the 2nd voyage of the Jupiter in April of 2019. Its maiden voyage was a week earlier.

Interesting, as that was not my memory when we were on the ship! Oh well.

We were on Jupiter in March 2020 when Viking shut down due to Covid. Jupiter was just a couple months old as I recall. On Orion in Nov. 2019, but I don’t know its build date.