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SailorPaulH

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Everything posted by SailorPaulH

  1. While I am aware that a Port Arrival time is not guaranteed, I was hoping to get some clarification as to what Port Arrival time means in Viking Ocean's world. Specifically, a future cruise of mine has a (cruise document indicated) Port Arrival time of 8:00 AM in Reykjavik (for an overnight and next day disembark). Previous port would be Isafjordur. Is that 8:00 AM time when passengers can exit the ship or is it the time they are throwing the ropes over the side to pull in? I am trying to determine if an 8:30 AM pick up at the Reykjavik Cruise terminal for a semi-private (non-VOC) tour is feasible!? Any insight from previous Reykjavik cruise arrival veterans is appreciated.
  2. CCF_000007.pdfSummer Sale mailing received (Double Past Guest Discount) expires 6/30/23
  3. Just received in the mail: Viking Expeditions Antarctic Explorer Buenos Aires to Ushuaia - 13 days Nov/Dec 2023 & Jan/Feb 2024 $25 Deposit NB: $14,995 reduced to $9,995 DNB: $15,295 reduced to $10,295 NP: $18,995 reduced to $13,995 NJS: $20,995 reduced to $14,995 ES: $28,995 reduced to $25,995 OS: $38,995 recuced to $37,995 Free Air Fare Ask for EAN23 (expires 6/30/2023 Antarctica & South Georgia Island Buenos Aires to Ushuaia - 19 days Oct 2023 (additional 2024 dates and prices available; see website or call for details) NB: $20,495 reduced to $19,995 DNB: $21,495 reduced to $20,495 NP: $27,995 reduced to $25,995 NJS: $30,995 reduced to $27,995 ES: $43,995 reduced to $39,995 OS: $58,995 recuced to $52,995 Free Air Fare Ask for EAN23 (expires 6/30/2023
  4. As fleet size increases, there could be potential for new itineraries. But from a pure business point of view, Viking may have reached a level of itineraries that is sufficient to cater to the window of opportunity (to travel with VOC) for their demographic - and as the next generation of potential travelers replaces us everything becomes new again.
  5. I read somewhere this design was a result of incorporating a new hydrogen propulsion system - requiring a greater size - so that VO could maintain ships that would be allowed into UNESCO listed fjords in Norway when the new regulations come into effect. The same propulsion system is being tested on a smaller scale in the original design Viking Neptune. But, yes, it does seem they took advantage of this design change to pack a few more people in.
  6. Direct mail pieces work - that's why they do them .... a lot
  7. How do you remove it from your bill? From the Viking FAQ: "To save you worry over whom to tip and how much, we automatically add a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $17.00 USD per guest per day to your shipboard account, which appears on your final invoice at the end of your cruise." That is if you haven't pre-paid the gratuities before the cruise. Also from the FAQ: "Please note this charge excludes bar gratuity; a 15% gratuity is automatically added to bar, beverage, wine and deck service tabs." I always took this to mean the cost of drinks (charged to your account or as part of the Silver Spirits package) included a gratuity, so I am not tipping bartenders from drink to drink. I tipped our two cabin stewards extra at the end of our cruise last year (above our pre-paid gratuity charge). That seemed fair, appropriate and sufficient.
  8. I read somewhere that the deliveries of future VOC ships from 2024 onwards will be ships that are longer (to allow incorporation of fuel cell tech) and will have more staterooms. So perhaps there will be a different series of naming conventions.
  9. I saw someone using a wrist band card holder, which seems like a neat idea.
  10. Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Rolling Stones .... I might even go the shows next time 🙂
  11. I received a quote for $200 ($100/pp) upgrade that covered the $5.4k in vouchers we had applied to our 2024 cruise.
  12. I e-mailed tellus also. This development is disturbing. On a lighter note, I am going to be investigating whether I can register myself as an "emotional support animal" as it seems that an ESA travels for free. I have been told by DW that I am easily trained, compliant, capable of learning new tricks and I come with the added bonus of working for just food and drinks.
  13. I predict the coming lawsuits when passengers fall sick from foodborne illnesses on ships where animals are allowed in ship's restaurants will be epic.
  14. We went on this cruise in September 2022. We lucked out on the weather as we anticipated more rain for the Fall in Scandinavia. Summer in Scandinavia is always nice, but rain is always possible.
  15. Here are some links that may be more up-to-date than my memory: https://independenttravelcats.com/tips-for-buying-using-the-oyster-card-in-london/ https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/pay-public-transport-london-oyster-contactless-best/
  16. One reason I can recall is that the Oyster card has a capping system so that once a certain level of charges incurred in Zones 1 & 2 is reached, any more transport that is used that day is free. I think there is a daily and a weekly cap.
  17. If you are proceeding on your own self-organized post-extension, does the disembarkation process change at all --> Do you still leave your bags outside on the last night? Or can you take the luggage down yourself in the morning and jump ship independently and early and be on your way? Maybe this a port-specific situation, so it is Reykjavik disembarkation I have specifically in mind for future planning. Thanks.
  18. It made it easy to carry two coffees and two plates back to the cabin. Probably not the only solution but one that worked for me.
  19. I took that tray shown in the photo down to the Viking bar each morning.
  20. I follow the vlog of Cecilia Blomdahl (on YouTube) who lives in Longyearbyen, Svalbard - many great videos of life and nature in Svalbard. Locals must be armed when outside the town limits for last resort defense against polar bears.
  21. The Aland bike excursion was listed as "Moderate". If you are in decent shape - you should have no issues, everyone in our group were enthusiastic or recreational cyclists. There were no inclines to speak of - mostly flat roads (or trails in a park), many stops for info and sight-seeing, and snacks. We did about 12 miles in 3.5 hours. The bikes were not too comfortable.
  22. Thanks for all the great input and tips. One question for you: on your DIY pre-extension, what was your preferred mode of transport from the airport to your hotel in the Argentina district?
  23. In the thread of our Viking Homelands cruise, posts 10, 26, 27 have our accounts of cycling in Aland, and our day in Berlin.
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