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Well our Viking three week trip ended yesterday the Chefs going away dinner was even worse than the going away dinner for the people who got off in two weeks! Once again no lobster, no Scallops, not even a shrimp cocktail over cooked tenderloins, which I sent back twice only to be told they could not give me one medium rare so the brought me my seventh rib eye. Never in our 37 cruises have we and others been so disappointed with the food! Not one, lobster tail or shrimp cocktail in three weeks but of course we did get spaghetti with cauliflower in the meat sauce! 25k to eat bad food for three weeks, the pastry chef was good but if we wanted to eat bread and pastries for 3 weeks we would have gone to our local bakery and save 25k as we said the waiters and staff were great but it's a shame they had to serve such poor quality and badly prepared food! Shame on Viking!

 

 

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It's really a shame that you are still complaining after Viking has tried to reach out to you and satisfy your complaints. You made your point a long time ago. Hope you enjoy your next large ship cruise.

There is also a thread just for questions about travel insurance.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=635

On our recent Grand Circle cruise down the Rhone on the M/S Provence, the house beer and wines were available all through the day and evening.

I think this is new, and on all ships, for GC this year.

We just received an email from Viking indicating that the new ship, the Viking Nile, has been renamed the Viking Ra.

There are now a few details about the trip on My Viking Journey, but not much. This trip is now available to see on line. Our sailing is Sold Out.

Have a great trip. I will be following closely since we will be doing a similar trip in Oct.

Also, what hotel in Cannes were you in?

Thom....I agree that we need a place for these coastal cruises. I have been on four so far with three more booked. There currently is no place to discuss these trips. I used to be a river cruise addict (14 so far) but switched to the coastal ships a few years ago and like them much better,

The same applies to us. We were supposed to be on the Corinthian this week, but the ship had to go to dry dock. It would be nice to have a subcategory and be able to chat with others on these smaller ocean going ships.

I would break it to pre and post trips, too. 23 days on a river boat is a very long time.

Mtowson, just curious as to what your flight is. Also, were you from Towson :)?

Sharon, would you ask her about the soap dispensers?

 

 

 

 

 

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Here is the photo of the soap dispensing machine. You press the button and it dispenses the detergent into the washing machine.

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To celebrate my husband's 60th, and our 25th anniversary? They are offering a past-passenger discount of 25%. I'm very tempted! It's a bucket-list item for him.

 

Any thoughts, recommendations, etc?

 

Robin

Robin, we booked Viking's Pharaoh's & Pyramids for March 2018. We purchased Viking's Cancel for any Reason Insurance, just in case. They are putting a new river boat in service called the Viking Nile.

Sharon, would you ask her about the soap dispensers?

 

 

 

 

 

 

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When we were on the Sky a couple weeks ago the soap was automatically dispensed. I'll send her an email and see if she has any further info.

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This photo was taken today from a friend who is on the Sky.

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Here's a bit more of the quote:

""CULTURAL ENRICHMENT. Our Culture Curriculum, an exclusive onboard program, brings local history to life with lectures on history and art; tasting of vintage wines from your destinations; restaurant menus inspired by local cuisine;"

IDK, from reading that, I would gather the wines are served with the menus inspired by local cuisine and I would expect that to be at lunch and dinner daily not once during the cruise.

On the other hand, the lunch menu goldenrod reported today is completely inappropriate for the location of his cruise. I really can't understand what Viking is thinking to even offer such a menu in Europe - unless as another poster suggested Viking is trying to cater to American seniors who are not well-traveled and unwilling to try new and different foods. I cannot think of any other reason to have BBQ and kabobs in Vienna. But then my only river cruise was on the Uniworld SS Antoinette on the Rhine and while there were a few continental food items, the lunch buffet and dinner menus were mostly regional cuisine. On the other hand the SS Antoinette was at a similar price point to Viking. So I don't understand why they would be this drastically different when it comes to food and wine.

Does anyone here think this lunch menu is appropriate for this river cruise?

This may be their LUNCH menu and some regional dish will be served for dinner. Often Viking will have a more casual lunch. I loved the German sausages and brats that were served on one of our Viking cruises. Another time Viking had a buffet style German lunch in the lounge, accompanied by a sleeve of German beers. It was so good.

We have always enjoyed our meals on our Viking cruises.

Lois R, we are taking a Grand Circle British Isles trip in July. The ship, Corinthian, only has 90 people and gets right into most ports in or very near town. It is very similar to river cruising. This will be our third time on this ship.

Starting to rethink ....and may want to purchase the Premium Beverage Package. Too late to buy pre- cruise and MY JOURNEY doesn't give a price anymore. I am assuming 19.95/pp/day.....will they count/charge our last morning of debarkation as a day?

 

We are in a V cabin...if we opt for the upgrade can we request our minibar be stocked with alcohol and soda?

 

Did not see after dinner drinks on the sample menu....will Bailey's be included?

Hi Dee. You can purchase it once on board. There will be a form in your Welcome Package that you can complete for the Premium Beverage Package. The price you mentioned is the correct amount. Can't answer the other questions. Have a great trip.

Robin, we have done 16 river cruises and also do not like the mega ships. We just did the maiden voyage on the Viking Sky and loved it. We will definitely cruise again on a Viking ocean ship.

There is so much similarity to the way Viking runs the river cruises and the ocean cruises. You will feel like you are on a big river boat :D.

Our passports stayed on the ship at all times, we never had to carry it with us.

 

We didn't ride a camel, but I'd suggest applying bug repellent anyway as a general precaution even if not riding.

 

The camels we saw all looked clean and well cared for.

Thank you. I'm glad that we don't/won't have to carry our passports. I will pack insect repellant when we go. I still have some left from our Amazon River cruise :).

We had several younger people on our Christmas Markets trip. Age from the mid 20's to 70's. As Capt_ BJ said, the longer the trip the older the people.

Mark T, did you have to carry your passport with you?

My husband's friend went to Egypt a few years ago and said he reused to ride the camels because they have fleas :D. Did you ride one? Any fleas? A camel ride is included on our trip.

Muscadet-Sèvre et Maine [not to be confused with Muscatel :D] is a wonderful wine for any seafood pairing. The best one I have had is Domaine de la Pépière, but all have been at least good [as long as they state "sur lie"]

That's the one :).

We went to Trader Joe's this morning and purchased a bottle of Muscadet which was served at The Chef's Table. It was a nice, white French wine which we enjoyed. Hope we enjoy it as much as we did on board :).

Well, the Sky has been on the job for barely 6 weeks now, so it may be a while until there is anyone who can say that they have been on all three--unless it someone on the Cruise Critic staff.;)

 

As for difference, here's the stuff that matters to me:

I do know that on the Sea in the self-serve laundry, you can use you own detergent if you wish and if you want to use what the ship supplies, you have to press the button on the wall at the soap dispenser. On the Star, you don't have a choice but then again you also don't have to figure out how the button works. Haven't heard which system they chose for the Sky.

 

I'm pretty sure that the soap is automatically dispensed on the Sky. I peeked in the room but never laundered anything.

 

On the Sea, the QuietVox listening devices have a standard headset jack and you can bring your own ears. On the Star, it is a dedicated jack and you can only use the earphone that comes with the QuietVox. I've been complaining about the earphones for years because regardless of they keep telling me, they cannot be used in either ear. Hopefully, the Sky has been equipped with the newer system with the standard jack.

The Sky had the newer earpieces with the standard jack. The earpiece was a very pliable rubber instead of the hard earpiece from the old system. We really had a difficult time getting them to work. One of our guides finally gave up and just yelled :D.

We're going!!!!! Got a spot Oct. 30th-Nov.10th with Insight. It is not too long but it has everything I really want to see and includes actually sailing to and docking at Abu Simbel. This was one of my "must sees" so I am thrilled I will get to see this amazing place. I have always loved Egyptian history so I am so looking forward to this trip. Now your posts will even be more fun to read Mark. Thanks so much.

Congratulations !!! Will you be getting your visa ahead or once you get to Egypt?

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Thanks. I don't remember a binder mentioning any items for sell.

 

This is on a 'ocean' ship? We have yet to sail on a river cruise. that comes this summer!

There was a long sheet with prices for almost every item in the room should you want to purchase an item or take an item from the room. :cool:

And yes, it was on the Viking Sky.