rnrcruzin

We're giving Viking Air another chance as our last time was into Sydney and things didn't go as expected. We're flying into LHR arriving on June 14th. We are arriving a little after 7 AM. I know we are supposed to be greeted by a Viking Rep. (this is where things fell apart in Sydney) and transferred to Greenwich. For those that have gone through this goat rope before, will we be sitting on the bus waiting for it to fill with folks on later flights, or will we be sent directly to the ship? In Sydney some folks went and sat in a conference room of a hotel and then transferred to the ship. Just wondering what to expect.

On 5/25/2024 at 12:28 AM, wendyp247 said:

I did check alternate flights and there’s an up charge of $1200+ to change flights.   I’ll never make the connection in Miami with only 1:45 minutes, since I need to go through customs. 
What is the Viking Plus Air ? 

Get Global Entry. when we returned from New Zealand we had to clear Customs in Houston. GE had us in and out in less than 10 minutes.

On 5/2/2024 at 2:07 AM, fruitmachine said:

With the strong caveat that I don't have first hand experience of a Viking ship at Rosyth, and I won't see the the person I need to ask for a week or so, plus the fact that Viking have most of their Edinburgh calls to Newhaven, and may still be feeling their way for Rosyth...

 

The 'standard' offering at Rosyth is a shuttle bus that runs to Dunfermline and North Queensferry (https://www.cruiseforth.com/content/getting-around-rosyth/).  This may be supplemented by Viking with additional buses, but I don't believe they go into Edinburgh.

 

I would make plans on the basis that you take a taxi (though check for a shuttle-bus on the day) the two miles to Inverkeithing station, and then catch a train into Edinburgh Waverley.  Most trains take around 25 minutes, and you can check timetables here: https://www.scotrail.co.uk/

 

Buy your ticket on the day, either from the station or on the Scotrail app as an e-ticket.  After 9:30, the current off-peak return fare is £7.10.  Until the end of June, peak-time tickets are priced the same as off-peak (https://www.scotrail.co.uk/tickets/off-peak-tickets).  There are no seat reservations, and you can catch any train to Edinburgh (either off-peak or anytime, depending on your ticket) and any train back.

Thanks for the information.

Will Viking run a shuttle from Rosyth to Edinburgh or are we on our own to find our way? Thanks in advance.

Thank you fruitmachine for this information. It is exactly what we were looking for. My wife and I truly enjoy your city and are looking forward to our trip there in June.

People watch television while on a cruise?

We'd like to thank all those that contributed with positive responses. Now we have one less thing to worry about on our trip.

Will Viking provide a shuttle from the White Bay Cruise port to Circular Quey? Are there other options available? Thanks in advance.

On 11/14/2022 at 4:33 PM, CCWineLover said:

You might also try Viking directly:   tellus@vikingcruises.com

They would likely have the info you need.

Thanks

This is directed to anyone currently on the Viking Mars. Can you please get the email address for the Cruise Director on the Mars. We'd like to contact them and inquire about an activity (not a meet and greet) and see if they can make that happen. Thanks in advance.

Bob and Rosemary Lowe

On 8/20/2022 at 10:39 PM, possum52 said:

This link may help - Suggestions for Christmas Dining in Sydney 2022

 

Note - many Australians including my family eat the main Christmas meal at Christmas Day lunchtime.

Thank you

Following

9 hours ago, JeffroK said:

I would think that the 20ish hours in the air would see you a write off after your flights.

 

Where are you staying, if close to Circular Quay there are a of of Restaurants in the area with views of the Bridge, Opera House and the Ferries scurrying in and out.

On the 28th, a leisurely breakfast before heading to the ship for lunch.

 

You really havent left enough time before departure foe serious sightseeing, and thats assuming the flights are on time.

Thanks for your comments. We agree that we will be pretty beat on arriving in Sydney. Our hotel in in the Circular Quay area. Our current plan is to catch a quick nap, lunch, then exploring the area on foot. We'll hit the rack as close to our normal bed time and then hit the bricks, running, on Monday morning.

I have to echo the other comments here. This is a must see event. 

22 hours ago, GUT2407 said:

A lot of things will be closed 25 26 December, if you mean this year, Christmas Day is Sunday so Tuesday 27th will also be a public holiday, but most things will be open . Zoo will close Christmas Day but open the others, public transport will have a changed timetable but still be running. You might want to book somewhere for Christmas Lunch as soon as you decide as they tend to book out pretty quick. Most shops will only close CHRISTMAS day, Boxing Day has big sales, and the major stores will be busy,

thank you

Good Day all,

I'm sure this question has been asked and answered several times, but here go's anyway. We are cruising Sydney to Auckland, 27 December to 10 January. Currently our scheduled flights have us departing home on 25 December, arriving Sydney the morning of 27 December. Our ship will be departing Sydney late on the 28th. While this gives us a 48 hour arrival window I'd still like to arrive early and spend a few extra days in Sydney (we want to do the same in Auckland as well). That being said that would put us in Sydney over Christmas. For the locals, I'm sure the parks would be open, but what about the Zoo or any other attractions? Any help would be appreciated.

Best Regards and Stay safe,

Bob and Rosemary Lowe

Thanks for posting. We're planning on dropping a dollar or two in New Zealand this January coming.

17 hours ago, possum52 said:

Firstly, February will be one of the hottest months to go to the Red Centre and the GBR where it will also have extremely high humidity. There is also the threat of cyclones. On the other hand February is usually a great time to cruise to NZ.

 

The current Covid protocols for international travellers arriving in Australia are - this link will help but of course things may change before your travel date - Covid Protocols for Travellers Coming to Australia

 

At this time,  travellers from overseas are not required to have a Covid test before departure for Australia but you need to follow your airline protocols and those of any country you transit through. On the link I have provided above are links for protocols for the states and territories.

 

Mask wearing - you must wear a mask for the duration of your flight, while disembarking your aircraft, in the airport and where you can't social distance - both for international and domestic flights.

 

As crusing hasn't yet commenced here yet (end of May into June are the first cruises), there is still information coming about testing and mask wearing. You would be best to keep abreast of what is required for the cruise line you intend to use. 

 

How much time are you thinking of spending in Australia and your cruise? 

 

 

Most helpful, thank you

We are truly looking forward to visiting OZ. Our trip isn't until next December so perhaps the situation will improve. Stay safe everyone.

Thank all of you for your responses. Please stay safe.

6 minutes ago, onlyslightlymad said:

Our government has stated several times that it is very unlikely that the NZ border with be open this year.  The exception is the travel bubble with Australia which begins tomorrow but it has been explicitly stated that cruise ships will not form part of that bubble.

 

As to Australia, with their slow vaccination rollout, I would be surprised if the 21/22 cruise ship season goes ahead.  As we also have a cruise booked out of Sydney in January I hope I'm wrong but I would be very surprised if our cruise goes ahead.

 

The fact that both countries have been so successful in their COVID response makes them more cautious in opening our borders to the virus.  

Thank you

We are scheduled to take a cruise out of Auckland on 27 December ending O/A 10 January in Sydney. Both countries have done very well in steaming the pandemic. Do you think your countries will open to international travel, with restrictions, by the end of the year?

Wow, you have a tough decision. We've done all three, Coach, Train, and Car, and each have their advantages. With the coach you just sit back and watch the world pass. Most drivers/tour guides will give you a running commentary at points of interest. The train is much the same except you can get up and walk around. If you are booking your own train passage you'll see there are different packages offered. We enjoyed our meals on the train. The train doesn't stop at the airport so you'll have to get a taxi or take a bus to the airport. 

We really liked traveling by car. First and foremost you must do your research. We spent three days in the Anchorage area hitting the different sites. We drove up to Palmer and visited the Musk Ox Farm up there and wow what a drive. Then down the Kenai that eventually ended up turning around at Homer. The car gave us the freedom to stop and explore. The trip along Turnagain Arm is amazing and the same whether your on train, car, or coach. But by car you can stop at Baluga point or Potters Marsh.

We stayed in the Hilton while in Anchorage which is right up the hill from the train station. We stayed in a B&B in Soldotna, but there are plenty of places to stay down in Homer too. It's just your personal choice.

One last suggestion. Read Mitchener's book Alaska. You will get a great background into Alaskan history.

Good day all.  My question is pretty simple. If using the same airline (Cathy Pacific) is two hours enough time to change planes in Hong Kong? This would be an international flight to international flight. Yes, I know that things are pretty much in the air right now due to the pandemic, but lets take that out of the picture now.

On 1/9/2021 at 2:22 PM, Peregrina651 said:

There are two versions of Kitchen Table.

 

There is the version that we see talked about on the website that includes a visit to a food market to purchase the ingredients and then returns to the ship to prepare the meal together. This excursion is booked in advance when the shorex open in advance of sailing. The cost is $249pp. This has always been the price. What Jim Avery talked about was a special price for the World Cruise that he was on. Moreover, we do not know how pandemic restrictions will effect this particular excursion when cruising resumes.

 

There is a second version that is offered on sea days, open to a small group for a price, where the group works together to prepare a meal. This is not offered on every sea day and is not announced until you are on board. I believe the price for this optional program is $99pp.

This would be a great option. Thank you