3 hours ago, pcalv said:

Thanks so much for your feedback Clay!  This is making me feel much more comfortable.  I've booked a V2 category cabin on the cruise.

No problem. Just paying it forward!

1 minute ago, Islandbc said:

Hello Clay.  Do you recall if 5060 was a few cabins forward of the elevators as shown on the deck map?

The deck plans are pretty accurate.  We met folks on board whose stateroom opened directly into the elevator lobby and they reported no sound issues-only problem was making sure they were fully prepared to greet the public whenever they opened their door😂

On 6/1/2024 at 7:54 PM, pcalv said:

Hi folks, I'm planning of our first cruise onboard a Viking ship for the 8 day Iberian Explorer itinerary and I was considering a Verandah (V2) Aft location.  Can anyone who has stayed in a V2 category AFT cabin please give me some insights on;

- The location of Deck 3 Aft cabins - do they get noise from surrounding public areas, e.g restaurant below

- The inconvenience of not being able to pre-book dining venues until on the ship.  Have you been disadvantaged booking onboard?

- The inconvenience of not being having priority access to book shore excursions until 60 days prior to sailing

 

best regards,

Paul.

Paul

Can’t respond to our aft Deck 3 questions but can to your other V related questions. 
 

We have never had an issue getting into Manfredi’s or Chef’s Table once onboard as long as we were flexible with time and day. Even when we have been able to book ahead, we don’t bother as I barely know what I want for dinner tonight, how do I know months ahead?  
 

We tend to either do included excursions or private ones, we haven’t had an issue with getting our excursions we want either.  Again, we may have to be flexible on the timing. 

15 hours ago, jmfdr said:

What is a pilaster?

15 hours ago, pcalv said:

Good question so I looked it up.  Apparently a pilaster is a wall bump out https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2950221-wall-bump-outs/page/2/

15 hours ago, Ready to Sail! said:

Funny. Who knew! Many us increased our vocabulary today. Thanks Peregrina. 😁

15 hours ago, pcalv said:

Thanks Peregrina 😉

13 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

Don't thank me. Thank our resident architect @Clay Clayton for explaining what those damned annoyances are called.

After 121 days in 5054 which had a pilaster, I came to like ours-it kept me from bumping into the TV when returning from a middle of the night toilet visit AND during rough seas made a good handhold 😂

4 hours ago, FLORIDA FLOUNDER said:

Same code with an extended expiration date of June 30th. 😃

 

 

Call Viking at 844-682-0762 or contact your travel advisor

VIKING WORLD CRUISE SALE FREE Business Class Airfare  |  FREE Stateroom Upgrade   |  Special Fares Ask for offer WWC24 • Expires June 30, 2024

A new epic voyage of discovery Explore more of the world with us on an extraordinary, new 138-day or 121-day ocean voyage. Begin your Viking World Cruise by embarking the Viking Sky in Ft. Lauderdale and transiting the legendary Panama Canal on your way to Southern California. Or, if it is more convenient, join us in Los Angeles for our Viking World Journeys itinerary. Whichever option you choose, you will then cross the Pacific and Indian Oceans and sail around Africa on an epic voyage, with overnight stays in 15 captivating ports, including Sydney, Zanzibar, Cape Town and Casablanca. From exploring private game reserves in South Africa to discovering the splendid natural beauty of the Canary Islands, enriching cultural experiences await in dozens of the world’s most majestic destinations—reserve your preferred stateroom today. CALL 844-682-0762 LEARN MORE

138 Days | 29 Countries | 6 Continents 2024–2025 Viking World Cruise Ft. Lauderdale to London December 19, 2024 Departure On board the Viking Sky LEARN MORE

121 Days | 25 Countries | 5 Continents 2025 Viking World Journeys Los Angeles to London January 5, 2025 Departure On board the Viking Sky LEARN MORE

FEATURED DESTINATIONS

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Customs & Cuisines of the World Embark on a globetrotting culinary journey with guest lecturer Paulette Mitchell as she explores fascinating customs, iconic dishes and regional specialties from around the world. WATCH NOW ON VIKING‌.‌TV

Offer WWC24: Offer valid on bookings made from Jun 2, 2024 to Jun 30, 2024. FREE Business Class Airfare, FREE Stateroom Upgrade (Categories V2 - DV1 & PV3 - PV1) & special fares valid on Dec 19, 2024 departure of 2024–2025 Viking World Cruise; Jan 5, 2025 departure of 2025 Viking World Journeys. A deposit of 20% is due within 7 days of booking. Call for details. Prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Air does not have to be purchased to get cruise/tour offer. All fares reflect cruise taxes, port taxes and fees. Additional restrictions may apply; call for details. Book by Jun 30, 2024. Pay in full by Jun 30, 2024. Offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Offer expires Jun 30, 2024.

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It appears this deal does NOT include the onboard credits which paid for all our optional excursions as well as a couple of massages and haircuts. So while still probably a good deal, it’s not as good as previous promos.  

10 hours ago, AveSaloon said:

And remember that "free air" may very well NOT include deviations, either on dates and/or airports.  Or they may be at a significant up-charge in addition to deviation/AirPlus fees.

Just as often it may very well include the ability to deviate-it always has for us. 

3 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

It may not, but it also may...

 

Free Air is still air that is in Viking's air contract rates and would fall under the same rules and costs as air that they are charging us for.  We always have to pay the deviation fees and any up=charges if they are there.

 

The air is not "free", this is just Viking's way of discounting the price of the cruise without discounting the cabin price.

 

To me, and this may or may not be the real truth, I see this as a brilliant marketing move.  By offering a deal to guests with free air, Viking never reduces the cabin price which keeps a certain value of that cabin in front of us.  If they were to discount the cabin significantly then we would see non-discounted cabins as very expensive for future cruises...  

 

Not sure if the above is making sense the way I am saying it?  It makes perfect sense to me however as this is a pricing type of strategy that is used in different industries.  The act of lowering your price makes the consumer only see the lower price in the future and then they see the regular price as high.

 

With Viking we always see the air as extra cost, which it is.  Don't get me wrong, this is a deal when they give free air, and a strategic way to do it.

Agree completely and very understandable!

On 5/28/2024 at 4:56 PM, rizello said:

I just discovered this.  We are taking the Bordeaux river cruise but staying an extra week, probably going to Portugal. We just have to pick the airport we want to fly out of.  That is a very nice feature that Viking offers.

Just note that not all airports qualify so I would have some options

3 hours ago, rizello said:

Thanks for all the responses.  I booked the cruise via the phone and then let the rep know about the deviation.  I found out that one can add a deviation or AirPlus as long as it is before the flight is ticketed.

Just to add a little more info, your “deviation” can also be to a city different than your embarkation or disembarkation port.  We for example took a transatlantic that began in San Juan. We had “free” air from RDU to SJU and then home from Barcelona.  We paid the deviation fee and arrived in San Juan a day early, stayed an extra week in Barcelona after disembarking, and then flew ourselves to Rome where we spent another week before taking our “free” flight back home to RDU.  It’s my understanding that there was a possibility for an additional cost but in this case we only paid the deviation fee. 

1 hour ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

It’s still there. btw I can’t read your pictures, too small and blurry 

 

Thanks. Wonder why it wouldn’t show for me.  Now posted on it. 

1 hour ago, BluebonnetTexan said:

@Clay Clayton replying here so it will go back to top of threads for you to post your new promo. 

Thanks! Wonder why it wouldn’t show for me?

I can’t seem to find the thread I started with Primos, can anyone else see it. I wonder if CC deleted it?  Anyway, here is a promo I received today:

A lot will depend on when you book.  Last year we took advantage of a promo in August for the World Journey leaving in January. We spoke with Steve who was very helpful and after hearing the cost of the Viking Tripmate insurance he agreed that his two options were more costly and didn’t provide any additional coverages.  Of course YMMV. 
 

I’d suggest giving him a call (or email).

To add another data point, for our just completed world cruise on Sky, the Guest Services Manager was our contact point for requesting the two Meet & Greets we held (one for the FLL to LA group and a second when the rest of us embarked in LA). 
 

The email address we used was osk_guestservicesmgr@vikingcruises.com It is my understanding that each ship’s guest services manager is similar, replace the sk with the first two letters of your ship’s name.  For example, Orion would be oor_guestservicesmgr@vikingcruises.com

On 5/9/2024 at 10:31 AM, cruising denise said:

We're both working on removing those pounds that somehow glommed themselves onto our bodies during our nearly 4 months onboard...sadly that involves little to no wine...or cookies....Oh well, it took a while to put them on, we anticipate it will be a while to take them off again!!!  But well worth it!

Just got home and while during the cruise I lost and gained 5 pounds, happy to say that per our home scale, I only gained 1/2 a pound.  Of course part of that could be I’m dried out as we both have colds (just took a Covid test, negative thank goodness) and have been taking cold meds.  But I’ll prefer to say that despite drinking more, and eating worse, we did ok!

17 hours ago, TravelerTeacherRetired said:

Help I’ve lost the packing list post. Can you help me get it? 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2880934-viking-sky-december-20-2023-world-cruise-including-la-jan-6-2024/?do=findComment&comment=67315758

Well crap! Had missed that at least two of my favorite CC “friends” were embarking on Thursday. We took our niece to sightsee in Greenwich and it was bittersweet to see Neptune where Aky had just been when we disembarked and all the Viking umbrellas and luggage tags!

17 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

Didja say Hi to Peregrina (Andrea) and Santa Fe (Christine)? Inquiring minds want to know! 😉😎

No.  I didn’t realize they were boarding 😡

So bittersweet to see Neptune in Greenwich yesterday and not be among those embarking!😢

On 5/9/2024 at 4:39 PM, Joy1004 said:

I always enjoy following world cruisers and I especially appreciate all the fun adventures that Denise and Clay described so vividly! Thank you so much for “taking us along” with you on your fantastic journey. 
 

Clay and Mike, welcome back to NC after your time in London (from a “neighbor” in Cary, NC)!

Thanks! We don’t get back until next week presuming Indont die of exhaustion first.  Sightseeing with a 22 year old is hard!  😂

On 5/6/2024 at 2:26 AM, janetcbl said:

May I add  my thanks to all of you WC travelers for “taking us along”. If we couldn’t be onboard in person, we could enjoy the trip vicariously. We join the Mars in Bergen in 19 days; wonder if there will be any remaining WC passengers going on to NYC?

I know Robin and Sam are going to be aboard.  They are TwoLeosTravels on Instagram

Amazing qualities!

Thanks to Resident Historian Mike Seigelfor sharing his poem about our World Cruise Adventure.

After 121 days with only a few hour of rain, I guess we can’t complain about the downpour while disembarking, but it seemed to capture my feelings perfectly 😂

After hauling our bags out to the Gypsy Moth pub, we ordered up an UberXL and it finally arrived 15 minutes later. XL in London isn’t as XL as at home but we and our bags fit (barely).  An hour or so after that we made it to the Premier Inn Paddington-both us and the luggage still damp but not dripping like when we got in.  

The room is similar to our DV home except no balcony, closet, or storage space but it does come with mood lighting!😂

Writing this on Tuesday morning from our balcony overlooking the Thames and London just before they arrive to throw us off. I will post something after we get home with fuller thoughts (don’t forget we have a week in London with our newly college graduated niece who arrives tomorrow morning) but for now I’m going to repost what I put up on Instagram last night:

The last few weeks onboard Sky have been bittersweet as all aboard -passengers and crew realized this amazing adventure was coming to an end. That hit me like a ton of bricks this morning. One of the cafe servers made a special effort to thank me for suggesting to other passengers to let her and other crew board a shuttle bus back to the ship in Tenerife before the guests. This allowed them to get back before their shifts started.  She said she would “never forget how kind that was”. While that brought me close to the edge, it was when she said, “ Smile when you get off tomorrow, please don’t cry” that the tears started and have been coming and going the rest of the day.  
 

While we always get to know a crew member or two, after four months we have really become so much closer to so many more.  We have learned about their families, their hopes for their careers, the baby that is due next month back home, the toddler at home being cared for by granny while Mom is onboard making a better life for her family. Each of these people who work so hard to make our lives onboard a breeze have a story and it’s only because we have been together so long that we have heard them. We just finished our end of cruise survey and had to add paper to be able to commend all the wonderful people who have taken care of us for the last 120 days.
 

Mike and I talked about it last night, and while we loved all our adventures and have great memories of so many places, cultures, and people it will be the memories made onboard with fellow passengers and especially the crew that we think will stick with us the longest.

When we got back yesterday afternoon, there were a few of the entertainment staff and other crew out on the pier with music playing. As we went up the gangway, the wait and bar staff were coming down. Soon there was a long line of welcomers. As each bus arrived the party got louder and soon all of us on the balconies were in the party too. 
 

I have always thought the welcome back on the piers was a bit much-the crew works so hard for us to then ask them to come out and clap and dance was not for me.  But after watching how much fun they were having together between buses-when there were no guests on the pier has changed my mind.  They aren’t being forced to be happy, they are having a good time together.  

We just docked in Dover after a beautiful morning of getting closer and closer to the White Cliffs.