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Ibis

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Everything posted by Ibis

  1. Yes, FetaCheese, that is the Champane that we referred to as being the only one available on the beverage package. Just our opinion, but if you are willing to spend the cost of the package we would say spend $10.00 more and buy a sort of decent bottle of the Jacquart instead. Everyone has their own preference and we enjoy hearing everyone’s opinion😊 In any case..Cheers!
  2. Totally agree about asking and we did ask. Only sparkling wines in The Restaurant being offered are a rather low quality sweet Californian sparkling wine and a sweet German sparkling wine. In Manfredi’s we were offered a sparkling wine with a Viking label, also, in our opinion, below even just an average standard. We said no thank you to all three. We’ll ask again and see if anything else surfaces. I’m not surprised someone tipping the sommelier with cash early on in the cruise might just be offered other options, but what a pity that’s the way the game is played on Viking. We are just more comfortable knowing up front what is available to all of us, since Viking does advertise wine included at dinner.
  3. Currently on board Star as well and we both agree with the OP that the wine selection currently being offered on board is very disappointing. First of all, the included wines, just in our opinion; others may disagree, are totally uninteresting. We asked to taste the included sparkling wines and found them both, one from Germany and one from California to be sweet and for us, undrinkable. If we had chosen the beverage package we would have access to only one of the three Champagnes offered on the list. It is the lowest price Champagne on the list and one we have never heard of before. We have been around a few years ;-). We are very glad we decided at the last minute to purchase a wine suitcase and we have brought our own bottles. There was a Jacquard Champagne in our mini fridge on arrival. We asked the room steward to remove the four mini bottles of liquor and all soft drinks as we don’t drink any of those and could those, since they are included, be substituted with a second bottle of Jacquard? The steward checked with his supervisor and the answer was a definite “no” but we could have one bottle of the included wine. We said no thank you. Seems Viking is making out well with us.. we drink none of their included beverages. We have cruised enough to understand that ship location can effect variety and availability but decent wines are available world wide. Having said that, there are cruise lines that manage to have plenty of reliable, decent stock on board, no matter their location; ie, Crystal always has plenty of the included Jacquard and Regent and Seabourn are not known to run out of their included Montaudon.
  4. Many thanks for the helpful responses. As we are local, we can keep our plan to arrive around 12:15 without worries of flight delays. Does any one know if this cruise is fully booked? Thanks again!
  5. That should read Star!
  6. For Monday’s departure we were planning to arrive in the port around 12:15 to 12:30 but just noticed our confirmation mentions 1:00 PM. How firm is that? Should we delay our arrival in Port Everglades to avoid a long wait in the terminal or will boarding actually start earlier? Thanks for any information.
  7. Thanks for your reply and so sorry about your Red Sea Cruise cancellation. We would still love to hear about a recent experience if there is anyone out there:-)
  8. Ibis

    New Ships

    Very happy with Symphony and Serenity! And thrilled they are back😍. Our experience on Serenity in November 2023 was so far superior to any other cruise line it “makes you sorry for the rest”! No comparison and it was wonderful to be reunited with the amazing crew. It’s the people that make the difference. Eager to rejoin her in May😊
  9. We are considering May 15 cruise from Marseille and would greatly appreciate any information other cruisers can give us about the current condition of this ship, quality of food, room service charges, drink prices, etc. We are veteran cruisers of Holland America, Cunard, Crystal, Oceania, and many other lines of various levels but this would be our first cruise on Costa. We are not very concerned about language being predominantly Italian, which we do not speak, but rather about the level of service and quality of food. All responses will be greatly appreciated!
  10. Ibis

    Viking Star

    Thanks for that response CDNPolar! Coming from Fort Lauderdale we plan to arrive from home by car so no problem 🙂
  11. Ibis

    Viking Star

    Thanks again to all for prompt and helpful info:-) Looking forward to hearing more news about cuisine and everything in general from those on board. One more question… if we do carry on several bottles, as it now seems we will be doing, can those be checked, properly wrapped and packed of course, or must they be in hand luggage?
  12. Ibis

    Viking Star

    Thanks to all for those most informative posts! SantaFe1, a special thanks for the time and effort to send photos while on board. Looks like for sure there will be no sparkling wine or Champagne offered with meals. Only two Champagnes on the list to purchase and then, of those two, only one; Jacquart is offered by the glass. Am I correct to assume Jacquart by the glass would be available on the package? Also are bottled waters such as Evian or Acqua served on board or must you be on the package to ask for those? Do all categories of rooms receive a bottle of Jacquard in the mini fridge? We are in PV so perhaps that doesn’t qualify for Champagne?? 😞. Once again, thanks so much to everyone for their helpful replies. Any other information or suggestions will be gladly accepted! And most especially from those currently on board. Thank you again 😊
  13. Ibis

    Viking Star

    We are booked on March 18 Viking Star transatlantic and wondering if there is anyone currently on board who would be so kind as to help us with two questions. First, in the category of mealtime included wines is there a Champagne offered or are the included sparkling wines only Prosecco or California sparkling wine? Second question, would it be possible to snap a photo of the section of the purchase wine list that shows the Champagne and sparkling wine; only that section? We do realize we may take wine aboard and there is no corkage fee. Thanks so much in advance to anyone who may help us.
  14. Based on our experience on Serenity in November, the Classic Aquamarine Suite is most definitely our preferred category. If you call these suites dated then I would say yes in the very best way. That is; elegant, spacious, well designed and very comfortable. We have booked our next two cruises in this category:-) While on board, we were able to view several other categories when tours were offered and just our personal opinion, we preferred Classic Aquamarine over other newly renovated higher categories. But like so many other things, everyone will have their personal take on various designs.
  15. Thank you so much for taking us along, sharing super photos and good times on board Serenity 😊. Wishing you a safe arrival home and a not too distant return on Crystal!
  16. It is reassuring the World Cruise will end in Miami/San Diego as scheduled. However, for us, the concern is the segment on which we are booked, Toulon to Miami. It’s hard to imagine that will stay in place if the Red Sea itineraries are canceled. Serenity would likely, after going around Africa, cross without going up to the Mediterranean. Tough for us to make decisions as final payment for this segment comes due Thursday. To further complicate we of course already have our plans in place and confirmed to go over in April prior to the Serenity return to US in May from Toulon. It’s hard to imagine what the itinerary replacement for Toulon Miami might be.
  17. Keith, thanks so much for your live reports! We appreciate the time you spend posting during your travels to share the experience with the rest of us. It seems all is still going very well on board; as it was during our November cruise 😊 Anxiously awaiting our return to Serenity in Toulon in May! Looking forward to hearing more about the rest of your trip.
  18. And which Champagne is offered in the Penthouse mini bar?
  19. This year’s Holiday cruise is definitely Sold Out as we tried to book it while on board in November and have also tried to book since disembarkation with our TA. Sold Out and most categories have 6 to 10 on waitlists. Subsequently, we have booked Toulon/Fort Lauderdale in May 2024; last segment of the World Cruise and Holiday cruise 2024. We’re thrilled Crystal is back and in many ways better than ever! Take one of the previous poster’s advice..just book, go and enjoy! Don’t waste time counting current passenger numbers.. pack your bags instead😊
  20. We were on Serenity in November and my husband wore his tux for formal evenings, although he was in the minority. It was in the Caribbean and only 11 nights so I imagine that influenced the dress as well.
  21. We had the same reaction to the carpet in the newly renovated rooms! Very unattractive, at the least😔
  22. As I recall correctly, there were 110 plugs on either side of the mirror that forms the back to back desks and also on one side of the bed in the bookcase.
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