Ready to Sail!

1 hour ago, Islander500 said:

Trying to understand your point.  If the Viking deck plan has the staterooms you noted in the wrong location (vis a vis the elevator) are 5044, 5046 and 5048 also not directly across from the launderette? I'd love to book that location if not for that. Thanks for your help!  

I'm becoming dazed and confused by this whole thread.  Must be our first serious heat wave-106 yesterday!!  Wine Lover (thank you again) gave me the answer I needed so will check out until she posts her document.😆 

11 minutes ago, PRH said:

6058 is our favorite cabin.  Close to elevators and stairs, quiet.  Viking turns off the elevator notification bell at 9pm, BTW.

Just curious, as this fits into the discussion on this thread.  6058 appears to be across from elevator lobby.  Are the deckplans wrong on this deck also or  do you prefer to be that close to the elevators?  Assume the mirror cabins on Starboard side are just as preferable?  Always good to get different points of view.  

This is also a great cruise without even doing excursions just for the scenic cruising.  Vancouver is one our favorite sail away ports, and most of the others are scenic arrival and departures also. 

2 hours ago, CCWineLover said:

I today took pictures and documented on Viking Mars of all the rooms facing the elevator lobbies forward and aft and the aft stairs.  I'll be putting it into a summary document.  In the meantime, for you, the 4th floor aft elevators:  

4072/4073 face the lobby and 4070/4071 can also slightly see the lobby.  Here's the picture.

Hope this helps. The full door you see is 4072 and the partial door to the right (as you move forward on the port side) is 4070.

Yes, definately answers my concerns.  We will stay where we are for now in 3043.  We do want starboard for BA to Santiago and most of those are gone.  I do have concerns about motion sickness also so was thinking of trying to get more midship. Will just keep playing cabin bingo and maybe something else will open up.  We did start on Port and it took 2 months but checked persistently until 3043 became available. Good possibility as we are still 8 months out. Does seem like cabin doors/elevator lobby  concerns do come up often so we will look forward to your document.  Looks like you're  approaching Iceland. Maybe you will see some lava eruption if sailing clockwise toward Reykjavik.  Thanks you again.  We really appreciate your efforts.  

I should have added we've done this cruise 3 times on 3 different ship lines.  Most of the excursions do require some agility.  Most of the ports are docked with easy access to town but at least one (Sitka) requires tendering.  We've been to all except Valdez by ship.  

5 hours ago, James Booth said:

Are shore excursions on Viking Alaska that are noted as moderate OK for a 78 yr old man who struggles with high rise steps, steep uneven terrain or wobbly suspension. bridges. 
Fairly long distances on mostly flat ground are not a problem. 
would i be OK on the train - bus 7 hr tour?

is getting on or off excursion boats relatively easy?

Being your age I would say only you can answer this.  Moderate to one may be easy or difficult for another. Will you be with someone who is younger, or more balanced to help you?  My older husband is much more stable than I am so I lean on his help if necessary.  We were  at St. Andrews walking the Old Course a few months ago.  It was so windy that we actually were holding each other up and steady.  Neither one of us could have done it alone but did just fine together.  You can also sit and wait if a portion requires a climb you're not comfortable with.  Finally, we don't feel the need to see or do everything at this age so if there isn't an excursion you are comfortable with just go into town and brows, have a coffee, visit a museum.   We find sometimes this is best option.  For us these days it is less the destination and more just enjoying the cruising experience.  

On 6/4/2024 at 11:30 AM, Ready to Sail! said:

I should add I would be happy to do this but our next cruise isn't until February '25. 

Could someone currently on a cruise now please at least take a look at Deck 4, aft elevators and tell us which cabins are directly across and open door is facing into lobby.  I'm looking at cruises and few available cabins are in the vacinity but since the deck plans are not accurate would like to know.  Thank you. I would really appreciate. 

5 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

Overall with this, I think that money is money, and if you are paying gratuities through the Viking program - either included in your fare or in addition on your final invoice - the crew are getting their gratuities in whatever payment currency they get their pay in.

 

If you are paying cash in hand, it is additional to the individual and they are likely grateful for this in any currency.

 

I feel like the answer is:
 

1) Wherever possible tip cash in local currency where the ship is sailing.

2) An overriding currency in the EU and neighbouring countries is probably the Euro.

3) Don't tip in a currency that is not internationally recognized by major banks - like the Canadian Dollar.

4) When in doubt tip with the USD because it is the most recognized international currency globally.

 I wasn't going to wade in on this but here I go🤪.  We've only taken one Viking cruise with 2 more booked but we have taken 14 prior cruises and have traveled independently around the world many times via plane, train and automobile. 

First, no matter which mode of travel we always get local currency prior to leaving home.  We use a international currency company. May cost a little more but so much easier than  trying to exchange or finding a safe ATM, but that's our opinion and choice.  

Then, the amount we take and how many different currencies varies from trip to trip depending on mode of travel.  No matter which we round up to avoid collecting coins. 

On a cruise we do tip extra to our cabin steward at the end and for room service for each time used.  On our next cruise we will have Argentine and Chilean Pesos.  Will just round up to equal amount we wish to give for room service and probably give whatever we have left of either or both at the end to our cabin Steward.  The itinerary we are on will have a few more sailings after ours so they will be able to use in port if they don't want to exchange.  Certainly for excursions we tip in local currency.  

And for our next cruise we will have 2 ports with 2 differenct currencies so will ask guides what they prefer and will have US dollars as an option, as well as the two different Pesos. We do each wear a money pouch for airports.  Once on board it will all go into the safe of course.

And of course, this is our choice and what works for us. 

1 hour ago, mnkauf said:

I would like to hear from those who have taken this cruise.  We are thinking about leaving on Dec. 14th.  How rocky was the sea?  Is there a better time when the sea is not rough?   Any other thoughts or comments about this trip are helpful. 

We have not sailed across the Pacific but live in Califonia and have been to Hawaii many times over the last 50 years. We always go over the winter months.   Just remember December is late fall into winter in Hawaii just like here on the west coast. We've been out on boats on most of the islands and encountered rough water so stands to reason you will experience some rough seas to some degree sailing across.  I would imagine how rough has a lot to do with luck, and your ability to handle it.

15 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

Star Theater is in the bow of the ship and effects Deck 3 cabins well forward of the forward elevators. Torshavn is midship right off the Atrium and noise effects cabins forward of the Atrium on the starboard (odd) side and gets better the closer you get to the forward elevators.

 

Teal is the approximate area effected by Torshavn and gold is the approximate location of the Star Theater.

 

IMHO, noise from the tenders is also an issue.

 

OK, I'm confused.  Wouldn't cabins on the port side be more effected by noise from Torshavn than the starboard side? Looking at deck plans 3057 and 3055 are partially over a corridor while opposite on port side 3056 and 3054 are directly over Torshavn. What am I missing?

45 minutes ago, Ready to Sail! said:

We book on deck 3 forward if possible.  If someone would make a list for the forward elevators that would be great also.  Picture not necessary for each deck, just list.  Maybe a fun project for someone with two many sea days on their hands.😂 We love all the lists and charts provided by others regarding catagories, direction of beds ect.  I have saved them all.  

 

 

I should add I would be happy to do this but our next cruise isn't until February '25. 

5 minutes ago, Ready to Sail! said:

This is really great information.  I would assume each deck would be different depending on various cabins on each deck.  I looked all over trying to find pictures like this.  If you do post pictures from each deck I promise to  write down cabin #s and keep for future bookings.  

We book on deck 3 forward if possible.  If someone would make a list for the forward elevators that would be great also.  Picture not necessary for each deck, just list.  Maybe a fun project for someone with two many sea days on their hands.😂 We love all the lists and charts provided by others regarding catagories, direction of beds ect.  I have saved them all.  

6 minutes ago, Ready to Sail! said:

This is really great information.  I would assume each deck would be different depending on various cabins on each deck.  I looked all over trying to find pictures like this.  If you do post pictures from each deck I promise to  write down cabin #s and keep for future bookings.  

2 hours ago, Islandbc said:

Thanks for checking this out for us.  If all goes as planned, we will be there for 121 days!

This is really great information.  I would assume each deck would be different depending on various cabins on each deck.  I looked all over trying to find pictures like this.  If you do post pictures from each deck I promise to  write down cabin #s and keep for future bookings.  

3 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

 

 

 

 

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 😂

And that's what's called making lemonade from lemons.

8 minutes 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/

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

3 hours ago, CCWineLover said:

Yes, fourth floor rooms open into the elevator space but the 5th floor rooms do not.

The Viking Deck plan is wrong - we are in 5028 as we speak!  No issues whatsoever.  We go out the door, go about 5 feet down the corridor and then into the elevator/stair lobby.  I'll have to take a picture.  We had been worried, but are relieved the deck plan map is inaccurate.

This is interesting.  Anywhere to get accurate deck plans?

3 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

We had 3046 for our last cruise and loved it.  First time on Deck 3.  It was close to the laundry for my pre-dawn sprint in robe to throw in a load.  Plus we always knew what was fore and aft.  If all we saw stepping out the door were cabins then that was the direction of the forward elevators.  If we saw the atrium tables then that was the direction to aft elevators.

OK, but how can  this be better than those little fish swimming up stream on NCL carplets😂?

My husband misses those and the little dial beside the door to indicate room needs.  He loved doing that.  Men are funny.  

2 hours ago, 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.

This has been discussed and all said no noise from The Restaurant below. We’ve been on 3 forward and no noise from open atrium. If your worried about bookings why not move to a DV. 

2 hours ago, Ready to Sail! said:

Interesting varied answers on this.  I'm more inclined to stay away from elevator lobby for the same reason as mentioned on another thread same topic.  I don't want to open my door and look straight into the elevator lobby with people standing there.  

 

You may know this, but if you don't like the cabin location but no other choice, you can take it and there is good change you can change it with persistence.  We have 2 cruises booked,  didn't like choices but took best could get.  Then, cancellations get back into the inventory. Spent weeks going into "price and build" everyday, if not twice a day,  until I was able to switch.  As soon asI saw something better pop up I called Viking and changed.  Actually on one cruise I have done twice, first from port to starboard, and then to our preferred Deck 3.  Fun, like playing Cabin Bingo I guess.   

8 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:

We always book a room near the forward elevators.  My DH prefers not being right in that space but only because folks can see into our room when we open our door.  We have been in 4030 and not heard anything from the elevators.  Deck 4 is only statetooms and due to that, is a less busy floor generally then Deck 7.

Thanks Tayana. It was your post I was thinking of when  talking about our reason for not being across from elevator lobby. I’m with your hubby. We also like a few cabins back from forward elevators on 3. We like quick exit to promenade deck and close to Explorers. Deck 3 has a different vibe, quieter than decks with all cabins. I also have motion sickness issues sometimes so best to be low. 

On 5/30/2024 at 11:47 AM, nightime said:

I just saw a video and it seems the elevators make a dinging sound when they open.  If you are staying  in a room right by them, will you hear it?

Interesting varied answers on this.  I'm more inclined to stay away from elevator lobby for the same reason as mentioned on another thread same topic.  I don't want to open my door and look straight into the elevator lobby with people standing there.  

You may know this, but if you don't like the cabin location but no other choice, you can take it and there is good change you can change it with persistence.  We have 2 cruises booked,  didn't like choices but took best could get.  Then, cancellations get back into the inventory. Spent weeks going into "price and build" everyday, if not twice a day,  until I was able to switch.  As soon asI saw something better pop up I called Viking and changed.  Actually on one cruise I have done twice, first from port to starboard, and then to our preferred Deck 3.  Fun, like playing Cabin Bingo I guess.   

New and final update to my ongoing quest to change our disembarkation to one day earlier when last full day is an overnight in port.  I did mention on another thread that I was unsure I could do this because I was having trouble finding a reasonable fare to change to.  

Customer services felt there would be no reason to not have our request granted BUT if they did not there was no changing our minds after approval and so I better be sure I could change the flights first.  Will not go into detail again on this thread but was able to find return flights and get changed for a reasonable increase in fare. (which I had to do myself after AA agent said it would cost $1500)

Yesterday morning I contacted the agent I had been working with at tellus@vikingcruises.com and told her to go ahead with our request.  She said it could be a week or two until we heard.  We got a call about 6 hours later saying we did have pemission to disembark early evening the prior day.  Of course she (not the person I had been working with, but seperate department. Can't remember which she said it was) reminded us that we would not have use of a transfer which we knew already and wouldn't expect.  She issued a new comfirmation, removing the transfer and changing the date we would conclude the cruise.

So, the sense I got is that this is not an unreasonable request and has been done.  Great way to end a cruise with only late night flights IF it is an overnight in port.  We can spend a relaxing last day with use of our cabin up until we have to leave and get a shuttle to the airport.   

Thank you to Customers Services.  Not sure I should mention the reps name I made contact with at tellus@ but she was wonderful.  Very patient, very flexible, very pleasant, so will just give a shout out to the whole department, and Viking in general.  I'm a happy and satisfied customer!

5 minutes ago, ohiojohn said:

agree with your experience.  I just finished booking refundable flights for another cruise last week with a price I was comfortable with.  Then a few hours later I noticed the price was several thousand dollars higher.  These flights were booked as soon as the 330? Day Window opened up.  People we say wait until about 6 months before your cruise to book to get better pricing.  That may be true say for coach but for Premium Economy or business class, I have found booking earlier is best.  I guess it is all about available inventory of seats.

Exactly.  We book Premium Economy also and there are very few seat in that catagory, depending on airline.   Also told by an agent yesterday who said the flights with longer layovers are cheaper.  We only want 1 layover and planes with 2-4-2 configurations so we can have aisle, window to ourselves for long flights.  That's why we book early also.  Guess pickiness is expensive!!

1 minute ago, tarhoosier said:

I am following your actions closely. 

 Good for you.  I'm even having trouble keeping up!🤪  

19 hours ago, ohiojohn said:

Thanks for your response.  Viking has indicated in the documents not to schedule any outbound flights out of FCO before 10am, ours is at 10:30.  I know the Viking transfer would work, but trying to use a private transfer.  I have looked at many angles.  Funny story,  last week we booked flights from FCO to the USA for another Viking Disembarkation in April 2025.  This time we looked at later flights that day.  The cost of those flights caused my heart rate to peak.  So, I checked flights 2 days later leaving on a Monday, I kid you not thousands $ were saved.  Why is this funny, the day before our flight is Easter Sunday. Maybe good and bad.

I just had s similiar experience trying to change one leg of muti city flights.  Checked website and got a almost 2K increase.  Checked less than a week later and its just over $200 so called AA to make the change.  Rep said $1500 increase. I said site said $200.  She disagreed so I said thanks, hung up and did myself directly on site for the $200 increase.  Air travel these days is really crazy.  Wasn't this way "back in the day."

53 minutes ago, biggerbearmom said:

Yes, you can absolutely disembark a day early. We did it two years ago in Bergen. We notified Viking of our intentions prior to the cruise. When we left the ship, the staff member who scanned our cards called Guest Services just  to make sure we were good to go.

This is still a work in progress for us. I posted a seperate update saying changing our flights to do this too pricy so decided not to   but since the update did find new return flight with reasonable fare increase so we are back to plan A.

So, yes guest services have told us this is doable but a written permission OK from another department is necessary.  Apparently as long as you want to disembark early from the final port it is not a problem (as long as it is a over night in that port of course) BUT, once your request is approved you cannot change back to disembarking the next day.  So, if you think you want to do this, get the written OK BEFORE you book your flights.  I have been assured by guest services there should be no problem, but if for some reason it is not approved I am now faced with changing our flights back because we will be committed to the early disembarking.  Maybe doing without the written OK is doable but we didn't want to take the chance so we are doting all I's and crossing the t's.

This is only our second Viking cruise (of many with other lines) and last one was 2019 so am learning anew as we go!  Yes, everyone who said go directly to guest relations - email  tellus@vikingcruises.com was absolutely right.