CDR2001

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!

I agree to speak with the restaurant manager. Also, fill out the dietary restrictions on the form on MVJ. Look under “Onboard Experience” then select Preferences, then select Dietary Restrictions. You will find a menu and details about preferences in your stateroom upon boarding. ( I have a few food allergies.)

Verodoodle…..Here’s a previous thread with bar information.

Perhaps an email to the next level of customer service might help. I’ve received a return call within a few days each time I’ve reached out to them. Sometimes their answer wasn’t what I wanted to hear, but it was good to get an explanation from higher up. Good luck. Tellus@vikingcruises.com

We sail July10 on this itinerary, and the times are showing on our invoice. Request another one, and hope that’s it’s updated. (On MVJ, click the three bars in upper left corner, then click account, then request invoice.) This is from my notes, maybe your cruise is similar. Reykjavik, MONDAY, JULY 10 transfer from hotel Reykjavik. TUESDAY, July11 Depart 6p ĺsafjördur, WEDNESDAY, JULY 12. 8a-6p Akureyri, THURSDAY, JULY 13. 8a-5p Seydisfjördur, FRIDAY, JULY 14. 8a-11p Djúpivogur, SATURDAY, JULY 15. 8a-6p Heimaey, Westman Islands, SUNDAY, JULY 16. 10a-6p Reykjavík, MONDAY, JULY 17. Arrive 5a

Last fall, I changed a 2023 cruise to a different itinerary with different dates. The TripMate insurance was transferred to the new cruise by my Viking rep. I had paid only the $25 deposit. I have also only changed the date of a cruise in the past, with the insurance transferred. Hope that is the norm and it works for you. I use the same helpful Viking representative for all of my bookings. Note that some perks and discounts won’t be valid on the new cruise as you are booking outside of the promotional period.

Look here for current promotions. Thanks to other cruise critic members….. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2863068-post-viking-promos/page/20/#comment-64740098

I found Comfort Check under the Before you Go tab on MVJ.

Thanks for the additional details for my list. The desk lamp on Star last August had 5 USB outlets. we charged our electronics there. Lamps must vary by ship. Thankfully, Viking Ocean ships have many more outlet options than I remember on River ships.

Yes, if similar to other ships, there are outlets in each bedside table. I wrote the following list after our cruise on the Star. I think it’s accurate, in any case, we had plenty of outlets! Each Bedside table, 2USB. 1 USA. 1 Euro 2pin Desk plugs, 2 USA, 1 Euro, (and also 1 Euro used for Quiet Vox charging) Desk Lamp, 5 USB, Coffee maker Euro plug 1 outlet in bathroom, but I don’t remember if it’s USA or Euro 2 pin, sorry.

On Oceans, DV staterooms and above have one set of binoculars in the room.

As long as your passport and ID are your actual name, and that matches your flight or cruise documents, you should be ok. Double check your guest information statement on MVJ, your invoice and any travel documents you’ve received. Did you use a TA or do you have the name of your Viking booking agent? ( it’s in your invoice.) perhaps call for advice.

GraceGrandma, you’re mistaken. If you book your own flights Viking doesn’t charge a deviation fee, that’s only if you change arrival or departure dates or cities with booked Viking Air. Transfers can be purchased if you book your own air and are arriving on Day 1, (start of cruise or extension,) and departing on last day of cruise or post extension. We’ve done all of the above on different cruises.

So your plan was to speak to reservations desk about getting additional dining reservations as soon as you board, but are concerned since you’re boarding late? From my one cruise experience, you should be able to get dinner reservations for other nights. See the many posts about that here on CC. We actually just walked in to Manfredi’s one night.

Maybe this isn’t a Viking issue. I just finished a long chat with Delta, trying to change one leg of a flight to Greece. The first leg from Orlando to JFK was changed to depart at 7am and we would have a 5.5 hour layover. The agent told me that since the two legs were “married “ as an international flight, I could not change just one leg. Both needed to be rebooked. We kept the original pair as we had already upgraded seats on the long haul flight, even if we kept the second flight, we might not get our original seats. Sounds like mhb had a similar situation when Viking Air couldn’t fix the flight. Our flight wasn’t through Viking but was a trip we booked ourselves. My sister had a similar issue on American… two flights were a package deal, both changed or nothing could be changed. Maybe a new rule???

The “mechanics” of AirPlus… 1. Call Viking Air department and ask questions about Air Plus. 2. If you want the service, you will be charged the fee, $100-150 pp. It can be added after booking the cruise, up to a certain date . ( 75 days prior?) 3. I use google flights to research flight options, then have my favorites ready before I talk to air plus. As mentioned, not every airline or flight has seats on the Viking contract. 4. If you want to change flights or dates, call your Air+ contact anytime. There might be an up charge for new flights. I think the new MVJ flight change option is to alleviate some of the phone line congestion. The change fees are shown on the site. 5. I’ve selected seats on MVJ but prefer to use the actual airline websites. Some allow selections and upgrades before ticketing, Delta has been easy. [ I’ve used Viking Air Plus each time I’ve booked air through Viking, but I also have booked air independently. If dates line up with the cruise or extension, you can purchase Viking airport transfers.] Since this is your first Viking experience, I again suggest that you call to book the cruise or use a TA to help with your questions. Hope you enjoy Viking.

Rick and Jeannie We don’t use a TA ( problems in the past), but…I always book Viking cruises through the same reliable Viking agent. It was luck that we found her on our first Viking phone call. Some book online, but I prefer to get questions answered by a person. ( such as how to get air plus etc.) Good luck!