ShopperfiendTO

Can anyone provide insight on how Viking requires only one sea day to cross the Drake Passage (each direction) from/to Ushuaia when it seems every other cruise line that uses the same port states two sea days each way?

I looked at departure times and Viking doesn’t leave that much earlier, maybe 3-4 hours earlier only.  🤔

Sorry if this is obvious but could someone who’s been on Atlas this past Antarctic season confirm that the boot size we should select is what we would normally wear?
 

 I.e., we aren’t wearing any other shoe or bootie inside the boot, just our socks?

Also, for the parka, it’s unisex so is a medium a men’s medium or a women’s medium or something in between?
 

Thanks!

Hello,

Could you provide details on what, if anything, has been or will be done to World Voyager as part of her migration from Nicko Cruises to Atlas before she sails under the Atlas banner (your website indicates her inaugural season begins November 2023) please?

Wondering what differences there will be on World Voyager than on World Navigator and World Traveller (other than the number of hot tubs).

Thank you!

36 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

We are new to Oceania and have our first cruise booked for next February as cruise only as we used miles for our air for that cruise.  We are now thinking of booking another cruise and possibly taking the air from O.

 

It sounds like you have no ability to book your own flights on their website, you need to contact O to do that.  And in scouring the website I see that there is a fee for booking "custom air" (sounds similar to Viking).  If you want Premium Economy or Business flights, do they just quote this to you based on the itinerary?  One of the posts mentioned a $200 upcharge for Premium Economy so I was curious if the cost can vary quite a bit or if it is always a deal compared to what you'd pay if going direct to the airlines (which is the way Princess EZAir used to be, now not so much, at least from PHX).

The premium economy upgrade is a promotion; it is not a standard indefinite offering available for all cruises. 

Your cruise has to have this as an offer (I think it only applies to European cruises and even then only for the transatlantic portion of the itinerary) and it may not be combinable with other promotions you might have for the booking.

That's going to be hard given that the current Atlas ships are about 200 pax and boats in the Galápagos Islands are limited to a maximum of about 100 pax:

https://www.travelandleisure.com/trip-ideas/adventure-travel/how-to-travel-to-galapagos-islands

On 7/20/2023 at 3:55 PM, YoHoHo said:

Being as the Expedition cruises in the Arctic / Antarctic (I realize Atlas calls all their cruises "expeditions") have a ship full of captive pax at lunch time the main dining room is busy. Lunch was very good and a high point on our Antarctic expedition this year. 
 

Sorry to (hopefully only slightly) highjack your thread, but was your impression that lunch was better than dinner on your Antarctic expedition?

I think I have seen you on the Oceania board - how would you compare the food on O to your Antarctic expedition?

For people who have sailed on both the Expedition ships (especially for Antarctica sailings) and Ocean ships, could you comment on the food quality between the two types of ships for the same venues? 

I understand that the menus are the same on Ocean and Expedition but I wonder if the quality and the offerings (for the buffets) is the same as well.

Thanks in advance!

Hi,

Can anyone advise how the Double Quarterly Savings works when trying to book online?  Where does one see the discount being applied?  Trying to figure out what I'm doing wrong or if it's a case of the changeover SNAFU.

We have sailed Azamara a handful of times before the changeover. When I log in, I see my Azamara Circle number, Tier and points being correct(!) (this webpage starts with azamara.com)

Still logged in, I go to the home screen and click on the Double Quarterly Savings promotion that brings up a page with the eligible cruises. I select a cruise I'm interested in with that promotion, but when I click the button to book, it only asks how may guests, when before the changeover it would ask for the Azamara Circle number to register any loyalty promotion to the booking.  So the result is that the promotion is not applied (I checked this by pricing the same cruise when I am logged out as when I am logged in and the pricing is the same for both and the booking price summary doesn't indicate any promotion having been applied).

I wonder if it has to do with the booking taking information from a different screen (this webpage starts with seaware.azamara.com instead of just azamara.com) that shows different information:

- It states "Account #" instead of "Azamara Circle #" and the "Account" number is different (shorter) than the Azamara Circle #

- 0 Base Points

- Level: PREVIEW

- Member Since: [last week when I first signed in after the website changeover]

Appreciate any insight anyone may have and how to fix this because the promotion expires tomorrow!

19 minutes ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

I'm on the same cruise, so after seeing your email I took a closer look. The same applies to my booking, even though on my original booking I got $600 excursion credit + $600 cruise credit + drink package during the unusual March sale. So I'll probably be changing also.

 

Although I've been following all the threads and doing a cursory look, I woke up when I read yours, since it's the same cruise. Thanks.

I think the $600 excursion credit you're talking about is 6 free excursions which may be worth more than the $600 excursion credit that you would be getting under SM.

I guess it depends on the price drop if it's worth switching.

We were in the exact same scenario as you last summer (overnight embarkation port stay in Reykjavik with a desire to check-in well into the evening of embarkation) but it was with Azamara.

I thought it would be no problem but apparently it can be. 

It was really surprising to me, but I was told that even though I *knew* that we would be arriving late that day (well, at least that we wanted to), I could not get pre-approval to arrive after the latest check-in time. 

I was told that I had to wait until the morning of the scheduled embarkation day and then to call the cruise line emergency number (at the time Azamara was still owned by RCCL so it was actually the RCCL contact number) and let them know that I would be arriving late, and only then would the decision be made if I could board late.  Basically, they had to treat it as a delayed plane arrival the day of the cruise and I may or I may not be allowed to board!?!

I'm not sure if it was because of RCCL bureaucracy or protocol, or if it is dependent on the particular port, but what I thought was a non-issue became a very real issue for us.

So I guess what I'm trying to say is given the risk involved, you may want to ask Viking directly and if the answer is favourable to you, to get it in writing.

I think it is up to the TA to decide, based on if the cruise line itself allows those bookings to be made in CAD or not.

If the TA you are asking about is the one I think it is, I know for certain that it offered CAD or USD pricing and payment for a specific cruise line (but you could not book it in CAD through the online booking system which was only in USD).  On the other hand, another large US-based TA simply didn't have CAD pricing/payment for the same specific cruise line. 

Based on my above experience, assuming that CAD pricing is permitted by the cruise line itself, I think it just depends on whether the specific US-based TA will "offer" it as well.  Unfortunately, I don't think that there is a blanket statement that can apply (e.g., if it does CAD pricing for one cruise line, then it will do for all cruise lines it sells).  I think you will have to ask that specific US-based TA about that specific cruise line.

Sorry if this has been posted/addressed before, but does anyone know how the cash payment discount works when you use a travel agent to book the cruise (to get perks/OBCs from the travel agent)?  I'm assuming that this is possible?

The staff don’t make it uncomfortable for the non-drinkers or those who aren’t on a drinks package.

It’s the “sommeliers” who come to the table near the end of the meal to settle up with those that ordered and were served chargeable beverages by asking for their room cards, and in my experience they’ve been equally pleasant and respectful to everyone at the table regardless of whether they’re on a drink package or not (or not imbibing).

21 hours ago, Frenchberet said:

On the expedition ship (Octantis) we had breakfast and lunch every day at the World Cafe.  The WC is a buffet and, as mentioned previously, includes the Grill, Aquavit Terrance, and sushi area.  At the Grill you place your order and either wait a minute or a server may bring it to you.  Mamsen’s is open for breakfast and  lunch but it is also a buffet and has limited hours (excellent pea soup).  I think the Restaurant and Manfredi’s were only open for dinner.  The menus for both the Restaurant and Manfredi’s were the same as on the ocean ships.  Room service was always available.  We were very happy with the quality of the food and there was never a shortage of anything.

Thanks very much for the information.  So to confirm, lunch is buffet only (the World Cafe Frill aside)?

On 6/16/2023 at 11:03 PM, Frenchberet said:

Very easy!  We never had a problem finding a table.  I'd guess the World Cafe (including the Grill, Aquavit Terrace, and sushi area) will seat 250+ guests.  The tables are scattered so you're not sitting on top of each other. 

 

We did the Antarctica Explorer - out of 11 nights at sea, we had dinner in the Restaurant twice, Manfredi's 3 times, room service once, and at the World Cafe the other nights.  We were busy with excursions most days so it was nice to not have a set reservation time.  

Could you let us know what the set-up is for lunch and dinner at the Restaurant and Manfredi (and any other "sit-down table service" restaurant, e.g., Mamsen?)?  Are they buffet or menu for lunch?  How is the quality of the food in Antarctica?

Also, do you recall how many landings there are a day in Antarctica?  Is it one or two, not sure because the size is 400 pax which is getting up there for landing logistics in that region...

3 hours ago, TonicTraveler said:

I did my first Atlas Ocean Voyage this past March in Antarctica.  The onboard experience was wonderful.   The ships are beautiful, the food was very good and service was excellent.  Atlas does have a limited number of solo rooms.  They are ocean view and 183 sq ft.  The bathrooms are bigger than the R ships and have walk in showers.  I will be curious to see how the new O pricing compares with Atlas.  Atlas also has some very nice Med. itineraries with long port days.  Their ships carry 200 guests and feel more like a yacht than a cruise ship.  I would cruise again with Atlas in a heartbeat.

How was the food compared to O?  Is it somewhat close or not even in the same hemisphere?  I looked at some YouTube videos and they seem to be buffet style for lunch and not sure what the dinners are like in terms of offerings?  Wondering if Atlas is worth splurge for Antarctica coming from people who sail and like O.

What ship class do you like on O, the Vista/O-class ships or the smaller R ships?  That may be a factor on which other line is a close comparable.

Viking ships are similar to the O-class ships and the cruise line has included excursions and included beer and wine at lunch and dinner.

43 minutes ago, Sports Shooter said:

My wife and I are excited to be going on our first Oceania Cruise in a couple of weeks.   We will be traveling on the Regatta and will embark from Vancouver on June 23rd.   This will be my first cruise and I am trying to decide what to pack in my luggage.  More specifically, here are my questions:

 

We have signed up for the Icy Straight Point Kayak excursion.  Can anyone tell me if the ship provides special shoes or clothes for the kayak trip?  My primary concern is getting my shoes wet and if the ship does not provide anything, I will need to pack an extra set.

 

I have read that the Country Club attire requirements can be accommodated by a collared shirt (polo or button up), nice pants (not worn jeans) and casual shoes.  Can someone verify that I will not need a sports coat or suit jacket?   

 

We are booked for an A3 Concierge Veranda room (216 sq ft).   Will 2 medium and 1 carry-on suit cases comfortably fit in the room?  Under the bed or in the closet?

 

I also read in the forums that the 6 bottles of wine limit is not enforced.  Is this true?  I'm not sure how much wine we are bringing but wanted to understand what is acceptable.

 

I really appreciate any feedback for the above.

 

Thank you.

Randy

 

I am pretty sure that the ship will not provide any special shoes or clothes (or anything for any excursion) - it is not an expedition ship.  They just book the excursion operator so it will be whether the operator would provide them.

Your 2 medium and 1 carry-on should fit under the bed.  If not, I think the room steward would store any too-large-to-fit luggage for you until near the end of the cruise.

On 6/10/2023 at 3:26 PM, YourWorldWithBill said:

Now I have something to worry about: we picked our cruise on Riviera in November because of the stop in Sorrento (others going to Naples were not as appealing for other reasons), where we will take the excursion to Pompeii. Well, hope springs eternal...

Sorrento is a tender port.

If the water is too rough to tender, you will most likely dock in Naples.  If the focus of this port is going to Pompeii, then docking in Naples instead of tendering in Sorrento isn't really going to impact your Pompeii excursion as it is about the same from either Sorrento or Naples. 

In fact, with Naples, if your port day is long, you could also make a stop at Herculaneum on your way back, which is much closer to Naples.

On 6/6/2023 at 12:50 PM, VisionaryJax said:

We loved it so much, we decided to book another trip of a lifetime as soon as we could, and we definitely wanted it to be on Marina. Then of course the pandemic ... and all our plans were put on hold ... and so now we're booked on sister ship Riviera for our 25th anniversary next year. What worries me, based on this thread is ... are Oceania cruisers different after the pandemic than they were before? I know people's nerves and behavior got frayed and upset during and after pandemic from so much stress and fear ... we read about folks having breakdowns on airplanes all the time now! So what do you think ...

 

Did we just get lucky on our 2019 cruise to have a lot of jovial and easy-going fellow passengers? There were only 800 aboard a ship that I think can hold 1200, so maybe there just weren't crowds and the need to compete making people act up?

 

Or are travelers essentially different now than they were pre-pandemic with more of a license to be obnoxious and strike back if told to behave?

 

I want to believe we will luck into another polite, friendly, and not chaotic group on our Riviera cruise next year -- but based on the experiences reported here ...  I am wondering!

I think your experience could depend on what cruise you’re going on (location and duration, and possibly time of year).  The South Pacific is generally a more mellow cruise clientele and probably more filled with couples than party groups.

For example, if you’re going on a 7-night Caribbean cruise, there is probably a higher chance that you are going to encounter more partying groups and a crowded pool area.

3 hours ago, DOJO466 said:

While sitting at the bar in Martini’s one evening a gentleman seated at the bar asked that my husband stop talking. He said “it is not that you are loud, I just don’t like the timbre of your voice”. Hmm..okay

At least he didn't shout at your husband and threaten to “take [his] face off".

8 hours ago, Fouremco said:

There are many employers across Canada, including the federal government and many universities, that offer employees the opportunity to take extended leave without pay, a sabbatical year, etc., during which they can maintain their health insurance.

Health insurance is one thing, but emergency travel health medical insurance outside of the province lasting the entire length of a typical world cruise that is the subject of this thread?  

How does one know that one has booked a "group rate"?  Where does one find a "group rate" for a given cruise?

On 5/23/2023 at 4:29 PM, Divi said:

For anyone not fortunate enough to have insurance through an employer, what are the best options? How much coverage is needed? What, specifically, should be covered?

Thank you.

I would be very very surprised if there is anyone in Canada who would have insurance through an employer that would cover the length of a world cruise.  😮

On 5/21/2023 at 1:12 PM, 9tee2Sea said:

LA is too congested, too sprawled out, too dirty, and not friendly.  

The only things to see/do in my opinion are:

Universal Studios ( nice way to spend a day)

Hollywood Blvd/ Kodak Theatre ( formally Chinese Theatre)

Tour of celebrity homes ( can't go in)

Olvera Street ( Origins of Los Angeles)

 

I have lived in Los Angeles all my life, and those are the place I recommend visitors to see.

The only thing that might be of interest to us on this list is Olvera Street.  😅

San Diego is for the naval museums and downtown area stuff, not the Zoo or beaches.