CDR2001

This worked for us in Stockholm, maybe your situation will be similar. We spoke with Viking hotel hosts and told them we were planning a small boat cruise prior to boarding the ship and would miss the bus transfer. They told us what to do with the bags so Viking could get them to the ship. We handed them off to the bell staff, and they ended up in our cabin! It might vary by hotel and cruise port rules. We took our independent Archipelago cruise, and upon advice of the Viking host, we booked the Hop On boat tour afterwards which deposited us at the dock. Easy! We ended the Homelands cruise with two nights in Bergen. Bergen’s port is close to the area where the boat tours depart. Ask the Viking hotel host for transportation suggestions to the ship. By the way, we stayed at the Scandic Norge and it was a short walk to the waterfront, Bryggen and the Fish market. We also took the 3 hour fjord cruise (Bergen to Mostraumen) and it was fabulous!!! ( We used Rodne.no) Enjoy your trip! We’re on May 1 BIE 2024.

Once was for a potential cruise, ( in 2017) and the last ones were for cruises I had already booked.

Yes, they sent me the most recent PDF, and I assumed prices would go up! The actual list for my cruise wasn’t available until around 120 days before sail date if I recall.

I’ve always received a former cruise PDF of excursions by using the Chat button. They email the PDF to me, with a note that prices and excursions are subject to change.

From our limited experience, I think the new availability of excursions and dining has to do with folks changing their minds and cancelling, as well as perhaps things opening up.

Last summer we walked from the tram to Stave church. I think we got off at Paridis stop. There were sidewalks along the way, and we encountered very few cars, and only one person. She was helpful as we weren’t sure we were going the right way. From the tram, go up the stairs that you see, then turn right and follow that road. It curves to the left, then you will see the sign marking the church area. It’s still a steep climb into the woods to the church, but very beautiful. Get directions from a local for sure, my memory might not be exact!

My husband and I have two different MVJ login accounts. We rarely use his account, but we created it last year when we had MVJ issues. When I was locked out recently, we could log in on his account and all was fine. I sure hope that’s true next time, as our excursions open May 4.

I like the patch and I just checked with my pharmacy as we have 2 cruises in 2023. . It’s available with a prescription.

Yes, and we didn’t find it that great. Karlskrona was a substitute port for our Homelands cruise. It was a lot of bus time then a stop at a waterfront to walk around, (primarily a restroom stop in my opinion.) We then went to Kristanopel which was just a beach area with a cafe and a nice church. I do not recommend doing this tour, even though our guide tried to make it interesting. The highlight was at the end when we walked around a quaint neighborhood with red houses. I recommend doing the Viking included town walk,( which we enjoyed) and then go to the Maritime museum on your own. Our friends really liked the museum which we missed. Enjoy your cruise.

Last August on Homelands, we had not booked some included excursions. We weren’t sure if we wanted them in addition to some optional ones already booked. Onboard, we decided to add a few of the included excursions. It was easily done at the customer service desk, in fact we had our pick of multiple times. I was told that folks cancel excursions after boarding so there is often new availability. I also had success booking a sold out excursion we wanted via the chat function on MVJ before the cruise. Good luck with your bookings!

Fortunately our small voucher amounts were applied to a cruise that we sailed. I plan to research voucher insurance coverage for future cruises that we book. This discussion is interesting for those with Trip Mate purchased through Viking. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2928428-new-option-to-insure-vouchers/#comment-65141547

I’ve read many posts and cruise reports here that mention private or independent excursions in Italy. We’re counting on that for our October Med cruise! If you want the definitive answer, call or chat with Viking.

Onboard, you can adjust the amount you’d like to pay for gratuities, more or less at your discretion. We prefer not to prepay, so that any remaining onboard credit or excursion refunds can be used for the tips. We settle up on the second to last day onboard. We also hand deliver a gratuity to our room steward and helpful servers.

We stayed in Stockholm a few days before our cruise and bought the city pass card. We spent an entire day at Vasa and other spots on Djurgarden. We used the hop on bus and boat also. The next day was embarkation and we did the included Stockholm on foot tour. It was a good sightseeing tour with a raunchy guide, good sights, poor commentary. (You may have a better guide, Viking heard from me and said he would be dismissed). I’d pick Vasa on your own over the walking tour for sure!

Every time we’ve been met by Viking, there was a fairly large group of other passengers transferring to the hotel or ship. The Viking team will be wearing bright red shirts or jackets, you can’t miss them near baggage claim! The airport greeters aren’t usually the drivers, they stay at the airport to meet other flights. They will escort you to the bus or van. ( Once our greeter stayed with us all the way to the hotel.) You won’t be stopping along the way. Once at the hotel, the Viking hotel hosts can direct you to an ATM and SIM card source if needed. We've had an orientation walk on a few occasions from the hotel. I believe the airport hosts, bus drivers and hotel hosts are from local tour companies, subcontracted by Viking. They have been very helpful, efficient and passenger focused, in my limited experience.

We did this itinerary last August. We mostly wore long travel pants, with a short or long sleeve shirt, layered with a jacket and rain jacket as needed. I also had a lighter knit jacket. A few days were warm and I wished I wore shorts..( Berlin) If I had it to do over, I’d pack zip off travel pants that convert to shorts. A few days in Norway were very cold, especially on some small boat fjord cruises. I wore under layers, a fleece jacket and rain jacket, rain pants were handy for a few days too. BTW, I only use a carryon, and the Viking launderettes! For dressier dinners, I wore my black pants with a sweater and scarf, hubby wore a long sleeve shirt. I was always cold onboard.

I’ve done a cruise on Resurrection bay a few years ago, on an independent driving trip to Alaska. It was fantastic, we saw lots of wildlife, birds, and some whales. (though never a large breaching whale!) It was worth the money, and we booked with Major Marine I think. All cruises depart from the same area so no need to go with the cruise line tour if others have good times and lower prices.

From our experience, the World Cafe buffet had many vegetarian and vegan options for lunch and dinner. I limit meat, and was able to find plenty to eat there. Manfredi’s Italian had vegetarian options too. You need a reservation, it can be booked on board or before the cruise on MVJ. We never ate at The Restaurant, but from previous cruises, the chefs are very accommodating to all diet requests. Speak to the restaurant manager on board.

I’ve asked for a PDF of previous excursions with prices from Viking via the online Chat. I’ve received a list every time by email. The agent will warn that prices and times may not be accurate for your sailing, and excursions offered may differ. ( I tell the chat agent that I need the list as my kids like to gift us with specific excursions.. birthday, holidays, etc) Good luck.

This is for UKTOG, .. I’m not very good with the quote option here! On our last cruise, our friends were celebrating 50th anniversary. We got our preferred reservation by asking the dining host at Manfredi’s the day prior. Like you, the special day was Day2 onboard. I’ve also had good luck with the Chat on MVJ.

Sorry, no. It’s just like the times when Viking has a promo for free Silver Spirits package, and we don’t drink. No credit given if we don’t want a promotion applied to a cruise.

Iconic Berlin was a highlight for us, in spite of the 2.5 hour train ride. We had the best guide of the trip, and she told lots of family stories of life during the days of the wall, and she had grandparents who survived the *** camps. We also liked Malborg castle in Gdańsk and the Gdańsk walking tour. Oslo and Copenhagen included tours were good too. I agree with all of Duquepharts suggestions. Due to port timing, we could not book a private Pulpit Rock tour. The small islands Viking visited were our least favorite walking tours, as they were all similar. We stayed in Stockholm pre cruise, and Bergen post, and we took some independent tours and cruises from there. We also enjoyed the Bergen trip to Mt Floien. We had some leftover OBC so did it with Viking, but it’s easily done independently. Bergen and the Historic area was great.

We sailed Homelands last August, and no ports were missed. (Although of all on our itinerary, I would have gladly missed Bornholm as it wasn’t as interesting as the other ports.)

“If not wool for socks, what do you recommend?” We have been avid hikers for many years, and Smartwool socks are our go to, rain, snow, or sunshine, summer or winter. Wool are the most recommended on outdoor adventure websites. For us, wool evaporates moisture well. Whatever works for you…I’ve been advised against cotton, perhaps a poly blend might not hold the moisture as previous poster experienced.

Friends were stuck in Zambia when the Covid airline shutdown occurred. It took 4 weeks for them to get home, and yes, they didn’t have enough medication. They had to ration it and break pills. Since that story, I take at least 30 extra doses of absolutely necessary medication! Agree, protect your health and yourself!