Ready to Sail!

1 hour ago, Mike07 said:

Unless you happened to price the same flight itinerary for a day prior at your time of booking, it's difficult to say. Any number of factors could account for that price discrepancy.

Who knows.  I did just go in to double check myself  and look at our original flights and they come up almost $1400 more.  Still too much difference and we don't want to take the chance of not getting the premium seats as they are limited.  That's actually more important for an almost 11 hour flight at our age. We're happy enough with the final plan not to take the chance.  Definately should have thought of checking with Viking before we booked the flights.  

Good news: got a call from tellus@viking.  Very pleasant rep said this would be doable and that others have done it.  Ship staff handle immigration and we just had to set up a time that we wanted to leave.  She did have to send it to another department to get written approval and said that could take a week or two.

Bad news:  Since we already had our flights booked I took a look at availability for same flights one day earlier.  Well, flights available but the fares had gone up considerably-about $2000.00 more for the two of us.  I didn't want to change until I had written confirmation from Viking which could see another jump in fares, plus, we don't want to take a chance on loosing our premium seats, so sadly declined Vikings offer.

Good news, and final arrangements:  We like the excursion that Dreamer suggested. It will end around 4pm which still leaves us 8 hours until our flight departs so we have arranged for them to drop us at one of the airport hotels where we will have a room booked.  We can rest, shower, eat for about 4-5 hours and then have their shuttle take us to the airport, to arrive 3 hours before our flights.  Then ALL we will have is an 11 hour flight, 3 hour flight and 2 hour drive home! 

Also, FYI, 20 years ago we had very late flights from Tahiti on a overnight in port cruise.  Princess let us stay on the ship until time to leave for the airport. Of course we had to vacate our cabin but then could use all the facilities on the ship until time to go.  During the day new passengers began to board.  Worked out well. 

I was starting to think we were asking too much/being unreasonable (I do know Viking is not a bus station.) so lesson is, it never hurts to ask.  

Thanks everyone who offered their own experiences, opinions, and advise.  When I questioned the ability to leave ship day before I honestly wasn't taking immigration clearance into consideration. IF a local authority has to come on the ship then we would certainly not expect them to do so just for a few people. At any rate, I have not heard back from Viking and will wait until I do but am starting to think we should just go with the flow and go to plan B or C.  

I have checked with the tour company suggested by Dreamer and this is a good option except we would still end of at the airport about 8 hours before our flight.  I am checking with them to see if they would drop us at a hotel near the airport and book a room to be available, then just take their shuttle to the airport 3-4 hours prior to flight.  Just getting a day room a third option. 

Just to put all this in context we are not novice travelers.  We have been traveling internationally for almost 30 years and most of it independently. I always plan and book our flights, hotels, rentals, cruises, trains myself so am experienced but know each trip takes on its own set of cercumstances.  Therefore, always good to explore all options and asking other travelers a great way to do that.  Air travel, and specifically, airports has become increasing difficult and I think this may be our last harrah for long flights with multiple airports.  Time to just go to Hawaii, rent a condo and enjoy sitting on the lanai to watch the sun come up!

I will come back to report our final plans.  Thanks again everyone. 

42 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

IMHO, ask this question of Viking directly so that you are sure you have the right answer.  You have too much at stake if anyone here has gotten it wrong or if things have changed since what someone else experienced in the past.

 

Moreover, don't ask chat or the call center. Email tellus@vikingcruises.com.

Thanks.  I have already done this and not making any decisions until I hear back from them. Just getting opions on this site from cruisers who may have done this.  

3 minutes ago, dreamercruise said:

The website asks you for the cruise line, ship name, and sailing date, before showing you availability of excursion options.  I was on a regular ocean cruise ship (South America route from Buenos Aires to Santiago (Valparaiso). Not sure if the operator offers excursions on sailing dates of expedition cruises. Check out the website and find out.

Thanks so much.  Will definately check to see if possible option.  

8 minutes ago, dreamercruise said:

I booked an independent, full-day excursion which visits Valparaiso and winery on the way to either airport or a hotel in Santiago. The operator grouped us by where we wanted to be dropped off, airport or hotel in Santiago.  The price for two people was almost the same as booking a private car to the airport. The excursion is intended for guests with late flight after 5pm.  The excursion was as good as, if not better, than the Viking included tour to Valparaiso.  The winery visit included lunch. If interested, I can look up the name of the operator.  The website where you sign up asks for the cruise line, ship name, and date of sailing.  There were a few guests from our Viking ship joining this excursion.

Yes please, if you can find it easy enough. Sounds perfect and would eliminate changing our flights. Thank you

3 hours ago, lackcreativity said:

Sadly, I must agree. As much as we enjoyed Tea Time, it just seems difficult to add it in to any day that include breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Even if we just have a salad for lunch and then go to Tea, I am not hungry at dinner time. Such a dilemma! 

At home we eat our main meal at 2ish and just have a light snack later so having a good lunch and then tea later sounds like it sould work well for us.  

3 minutes ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

 

There are numerous companies that have charter bus service to/from the Valparaiso port / Santiago.

Also, the train station is right outside the port entrance.

Yes, I found  a couple of shuttle transfer companies we could book with.  Will cost more but we are paying Viking $100 for the transfers anyway.  Taking public transportation not a great option for us.  In our lovely golden (rusty) years we try to keep it as simple and stree free as possible.

8 minutes ago, Mich3554 said:

We have booked a room at a hotel for the day when we had late night flights (we did this in both Buenos Aires and Santiago).  We dropped our luggage, went sightseeing, had a good dinner, came back to the hotel to shower and change and got a taxi to the airport.  Both of us bypassed meal service and just slept.  This was one of the better long haul flights.  
We had booked our own flights both times.  The second time, we did use Viking’s offer for a private car to take us to a Santiago hotel (we had a lot of OBC to kill from missed ports).  This was during Covid so Viator didn’t have much available.  The other time in BA, we got a taxi.  
Previously (pre Covid), getting from Santiago to Valparaiso, we used Viator for a wine tasting tour and dropped us off at the dock afterwards.  I’m sure it would work in the other direction too.  

Great confirmation.  If we can't disembark one day earlier then  then this is a good option.  I did find one option on Viator for day tour to end in Santiago also.   One other thought is to keep our flights and transfer with Viking. After drop off at the airport take a taxi to a local (airport) hotel and then get their shuttle back to airport later in the day.  I would assume day rooms can be booked in advance.  We have never done this so don't know exactly how it works.  Thanks for the helpful reply. 

On 5/27/2024 at 12:03 PM, Mike07 said:

More comfortable and relaxing than an airport, but not much better either. That being said, you won't be able to check in your luggage at SCL until four hours before the flight (you can double check on the off change it's really 5 or 6 hours). So, it'll be a lot of hurry up and wait. Also, if you're flying the American legacy carriers, Delta, United or American... the counter won't open up until like 4 hours before their first (and possibly only) scheduled flight. You *might* be able to curbside check a bag, but that's a big if.

 

There is not a ton of seating in the area outside of security. There is a little nook with about 30-40 chairs near the restrooms on the far end.

 

I'm definitely sympathetic to your plight and understand your reasoning to want to disembark in the afternoon, but unless you've been there or are fluent in Spanish, you're going to be up a creek if something goes wrong and you don't have status or didn't pay for the ticketing to bump to the following day's flight.

We want to change our flight to a day earlier, not later.  Our flight isn't until 11:30 on American on disembarkation day so we are requesting to leave the ship around 6pm day before, take private transfer to the airport arriving 7:30ish.  If we get clearance from Viking we will need to change our flight out to one day earlier.  We do already have a transfer booked but would just cancel it as it is only good on disembarktion day as you said.  Thanks for the information regarding SCL check-in hours. 

16 minutes ago, Mike07 said:

 

 

For the expedition ships, they put us in the Santiago Marriot (in a hospitality room... not giving us day rooms or anything like that....) Though if you are arranging indie air, I have no idea if the Marriot would be opened to you. I would like to think that Viking wouldn't care or would let you pay a small fee to take the charter bus from the hotel to the airport.

 

 

 

My understanding is that the hospitality room is not an option for those not using Viking Air. Actually doesn't sound like a great option anyway.  If we will just be sitting around in a conference type room all day not much different than sitting at the airport in my opinion.  

5 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

I cannot see why they would decline you...  

Personally, I would email tellus@vikingcruises.com and give them the following:

 

1) Your booking number

2) The date and time you want to leave the ship early noting that you are already in the final port

 

Just ask them to confirm that there is not problem and to confirm to you in writing.

 

Don't call the reservations line as you likely won't get the answer you want.

I was just planning on doing that.  I know it is often suggested on this site as getting the most correct response/answer.  Still would like to hear from others who did this.  With airports only offering late night flights seems like a good option if an overnight port.  Thanks again.

15 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

Oh, sorry, misunderstood....

 

I would inform them.... so they know you are off the ship, but I don't think since you are in the final port that they care.  They would just want to know.

 

That is my opinion.

 

Sorry for the misunderstanding.

No problem and thanks for your opinion.  I am guessing it would be OK but will wait until I hear from anyone else who has done this at this port.  Of course will confirm with Viking before I change my already booked flights.  Seems like there are plenty of options for transfers to Santiago airport.  

11 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

Yes, if you are disembarking before the final port you will need advance approval from Viking.

 

This is an immigration thing.

No, as I said we are in final port with overnight before disembarkation.  We just want to leave the ship the afternoon prior.  

We have an overnight in Valparaiso before disembarkation.  We are booking our own air and most all flights leave late evening which means having a very very long day at Santiago airport.  Have thought of several alternative plans.  Simpliest would be to disembark late afternoon prior day and arrange private transfer to the airport.  Do we need OK from Viking or can we just inform them of our plans?  There must be previous cruisers who have faced this situation.  

Second choice might be to find a private excursion on disembarkation day which would end at the airport later in the day.  I have seen this at other ports but can't seem to find anything on Viator.  Third would be to arrange our own transfer and book a day room at a hotel near the airport.  There is no way we will sit around an airport for 12 or more hours.  Thanks for any input or suggestions.   

Our first cruise was a port everyday so probably used more than we realized.  Our next cruise is more at sea/scenic sailing days than ports so I'm sure we will be more aware of activity.  Wedding venue does sound lovely. We do plan on participating in the afternoon tea a few times, especially since I've seen pictures showing macarons.  Would love to see them in the WC or at the LR bar. 

We’ve only done one Viking cruise(2 are booked). I don’t remember anything besides afternoon tea happening there. Such a lovely space seems like a waste not to utilize more. I assume it is always open to just to sit and relax. Did we miss anything?  

Just now, Ready to Sail! said:

That would certainly be a ways to the Mile for those with any mobility issues. Might be easier to take a taxi from the pier to the top of the mile and go from there, especially if visiting the Castle. 

Should add we walked everywhere but had 3 full days. Our hotel was near the Castle and St. Giles. At 80 and 85, we went out for half days with rest time for a few hours back at hotel midday.🤪

7 minutes ago, uktog said:

Unfortunately it only takes the walk to Princes Street out. Due to congestion no drop offs are possible nearer I’m afraid. 

That would certainly be a ways to the Mile for those with any mobility issues. Might be easier to take a taxi from the pier to the top of the mile and go from there, especially if visiting the Castle. 

4 hours ago, uktog said:

And if you want to pay for a transfer at point the Edinburgh teams run from the disembarking at Newhaven to the New Town and further 

Does further mean closer to the Royal Mile?  It is a pretty good uphill walk from the Square to the Mile. We stayed just off the Mile and did walk down Colburn St. one day to New Town but other wise everything we did was based on or near the Mile. I would hope there is a drop off closer than the Square. 

2 hours ago, shipboy said:

I am Scottish and we only have 2 seasons in the year, winter and July 😁

Well it’s a lovely country with lovely people and we enjoyed it all, no matter the weather!

5 minutes ago, formernuke said:

Re: sticky toffee pudding 

I agree one of my favorites. 

Yes, they served it but it was just ok. We did have it on the pre-extension and it was great. 

We must have eaten it 6 of our 12 nights and definately some we liked better than others but none we didn't like!  Best was in St. Andrews at our hotel/pub restaurant.  If you are going to SA I will send you the name.  One of the highlights of the trip was walking the Old Course.  Also, hope you have a up close encounter with a cute Hairy Coo!  Looks like you are making the most of every port.  Great pictures.  Thanks for sharing.

2 hours ago, formernuke said:

Our luck continued today in Ullapool. Bright skies, calm seas and mild temps as we sailed in this morning. Tender port. Tender fakes only about 5 min and you are in the center of town (such as it is). Cute little town. We took the included walk about, that lasted a little over an hour. Ended with tea, coffee and biscuits at a local restaurant. Then  short walk around before back to the ship. A very light rain started just as we were queuing up for the tender. 

We have been following along as we just booked this cruise for 2025.  We returned a week ago from 12 days independent trip to Scotland and loved it.  You were very lucky today weather wise.  We were in the Highlands for 3 days including Isle of Skye and weather was a real mixed bag of showers and sun but strong winds, especially Skye.  Question: Have they served Sticky Toffee Pudding in either WC or Restaurant so far?  I'm addicted!  We look forward to the rest of your stops.  

On 4/25/2024 at 10:59 AM, TJ042018 said:

Hi all!

Has anyone had any experience with cabin 3043 on the Star? Any issues, noise, seasickness, maintenance, location etc? Any information regarding this cabin would be much appreciated.

 

We were in 3041 on the Star and loved it.  No noise at all.  Great as you can quicky go down one flight and be out on the promenade deck.  Go quicky up in the elevators to Explorers lounge and Mamsem's.  Our next cruise is in 3042.  

2 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:

We had a DV6 3046 for the first time for an Adriatic cruise and loved the location.  We were near the laundry which I used often since we were traveling for 25 days.  But the best was knowing which way to turn for an elevator.   All we did is look for the Atrium seating area to go to aft elevators for disembarkation, Living Room or restaurants.  For the Spa or Explorers we went the other way.

We will be in 3042. Less foot traffic, open sitting area nice to just relax close to “home”. To us best DV deck. On our 1st cruise I accidentally put my cell phone in the washer 1st day leaving Athens. Staff got me a big bag of rice but didn’t work. Good my husband had one to get us through. Senior moment!!