ebtrip

6 minutes ago, dianef said:

When is your cruise?Was wondering when I would be assigned a cabin for Oct 22 cruise.Probably not for awhile.

We’re on the Equinox in September. Aqua class on celebrity website was sold out. This agency had a group

I booked Aqua A 2 guarantee. A day after booking I was given a cabin very forward not to my liking. Called my TA asked if there was a chance to be moved, stated I am Elite Plus.  Yes I was relocated to a great cabin location A 1. Don’t know if my level got me the upgrade. 

3 minutes ago, ebtrip said:

 

I was on Transatlantic cruise on Viking Sea. My husband came down with Covid 3 days before the end of cruise. I tested negative. I had to INSIST they give my husband Paxlovid. Yes it was $800.00. We were given a letter from the medical department that we were confined for 3 days.  Viking does not give FCC, but my travel insurance paid all medical expenses and the trip interruption portion of our insurance reimbursed for the days we missed due to confinement for both of us. It was a pretty hefty check. 

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

I don't believe it is in anyone's best interest to offer a complimentary covid insurance policy (in the form of FCC). I suspect that those who will quarantine would do so with or without the FCC carrot.

 

I also suspect that the majority of people who feel ill never report it to the medical center. 

 

And then we also have all the people who are carriers but feel fine. It's an endless cycle.

 

At this point, I see no difference between offering FCC for covid or Noro. If I'm not mistaken, isn't Noro more contagious? 

 

On 5/31/2023 at 4:47 AM, CunucuMom said:

September 16 ABC islands.

We’re on that sailing. Our first Celebrity since 2020

I get these emails, but do not travel in an inside cabin, so the cost to upgrade to a balcony and add “Have It All” is almost the same as a discount price I usually get. Just booked through Casino rate on a 7nt Mexican riviera cruise. When I called my personal consultant, he was able to discount that price. Got a great deal

Just now, ebtrip said:

I was told it was an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG..RIDICULOUS

If the cruise line started charging a fee matpybe this would stop. I’m ve been on over 50 cruises, and in recent years people think it’s ok not to obey the rules.. it must stop 

11 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

So are we now allowed to bring our dogs? Cuz I surely would like to lessen the kennel charges...

I was told it was an EMOTIONAL SUPPORT DOG..RIDICULOUS

13 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

I'm not understanding your post - are you saying the dog WAS a service dog because they were the only ones at the table night 2? Or are you saying nobody wanted to sit with them so the dog got its own chair?

Not being snarky, truly don't understand.

Sorry to confuse anyone. This was NOT a service dog. It was a little 8 lb dog that was yappy and not trained at all. After talking to one of the guests at that table, reason there were no people the 2nd night was they did not want to eat where there was a pet with paws on the table..

I was on a cruise ship (not sure which line) when a couple came into the dining room, proceeded to sit at their assigned table with dog on their lap. Next evening NO ONE was at the table, only the couple with the dog, now on his own chair. Registered service dogs should be the ONLY dogs allowed. 

Just booked a casino rate for March 2024. You have to book then login for the discount pricing.  I them called my personal consultant and he was able to give an additional discount. Got a great price with HIA included. 

20 minutes ago, C4HCG said:

And others like me prefer the opposite. Sunset bar is many people’s favourite, ours included, with a perfect view of where the ship has been. There is no right or wrong, it’s all personal preference.

I was going to book Caribbean cruise on the Beyond Aqua class this fall. Thinking I would have a standard balcony I did some research and realized no cabins had regular balconies. I booked the Equinox instead, our 4th sailing on her. We are Elite Plus, love sitting on the balcony with a glass of wine in the afternoon. Love the smaller ships been on them all.  Being an old time sailer, and not loving rear facing cabins, we will stay with the S &M class.  I think the younger cruisers will really enjoy the beauty of these new ships.

We are also on the Sea now   Yes we also have frayed arms on our chairs,  Everything is fine in the cabin, stewards are great. Bar staff know us well and do not ask for our room number. Sorry we missed the CC get together as we had early dinner reservations that evening. Have met some fantastic and interesting people.

Food in Manfredis and Chef table have been exceptional. All staff have been fabulous Had an inedible lobster in the dining room, burnt, but that doesn’t detract from our vacation. Wines on the SS package are not up to our standards and commented that on the first questionnaire. Head sommelier found us at Mamsons to hear our concerns. I was impressed. When your paying a steep price to upgrade, $10.00 to 15.00 bottles of wine are not acceptable.  I have found wines (not listed) after suggestions from wine steward, which have been very good. They say u can buy a glass up to $18.00, but everything is $8.00 other than a champagne. We suggested serving the more expensive wines and change $10-15 per glass.  
Miss the port of Madeira, as we have lost one engine, so the ship can’t go fast as needed to make that port.  So another sea day.  All in all, having a wonderful time. 

10 minutes ago, KandMB said:

Just returned from our second Celebrity cruise, sailing on Infinity, first time in Aqua. We were very disappointed dining in Blu with chaotic service and a long wait time for a table every night. We found it strange that we couldn’t make a reservation and yet some people appeared to have the same table each night and walked straight in.  Some nights it was up to an hour with a pager and we gave up and went to the buffet. Quite honestly it has put us off booking Aqua again and just wondered if this is usual or not? 

Sorry to hear your experience in Blu. We always cruise in Aqua just for Blu. Never had a problem with wait time. We are Elite Plus on the Equinox in September and hopefully don’t have a problem. We haven’t been on Celebrity in 4 yrs. We are right now on Viking Ocean transatlantic and have been sailing Viking 4 times. If our experience on X is negative in September it will be our last, as I have read they have made many changes. 

9 hours ago, MarciAnn said:

I did not mean to offend any Viking cruisers by my post.  The fact is that I saw the great itinerary, knew Viking was highly rated, and saw that there were exactly five cabins left (a few DVs and a Penthouse junior suite) for the date we wanted, So we put down our $25 deposit, booked the larger cabin because we are used to a bigger cabin and THEN I did my extensive research including seeing some very inciteful reviews on you tube.  Realized this wasn’t the right cruise for us.  I did read that the entertainment, which I took to be the enrichment talks, were at 8 pm.  I’ve also never been on a cruise with 1000 people as opposed to less than half that amount so that also gave me concern.  Not used to having to make dinner reservations and getting up at 5:00 am to book them when they open up.  I never go on a cruise without making sure it is the right one for me.  

Everyone has their own opinions which I respect.  Seabourne possibly even Oceania could be a better fit for you.  But you definitely MISREAD any statement for dining reservations. The Restaurant requires no reservations, and Manfredis or Chef Table reservations are made online at anytime.  I wish you the best, and whichever cruise line you chose, have safe travels.

I will be on the Viking Sea in 3 days.  This will be our 4th.  We are independent travelers, as a former travel agent (retired), I do all our pre and post stays myself. On other cruise lines I have organized shore excursions for my cruise critic sailors.  As many has said, food is subjective, but we have found no problems and enjoy the quiet of small ships. We have sailed over 50 times, from Regent to a carnival over the years, but find Viking an excellent choice.

pS.   We also get the SS beverage package, as we do enjoy better wines, and extra beverages during the evening. 

1 hour ago, Azulann said:

Check out what the perks are for booking while on your TA. If you are a gambler , you could wait and hope for a special deal for your Hawaiian cruise next Fall to fill the ship that would match the price that you  would  get on  board booking,

We booked  while on board for an Alaska cruise for 2023, We t switched to Scenic Scandinavia June 2023. After we switched  last Summer , the price of cruise went down a couple hundred $ , and later they added Silver Spirit package this Fall. Viking does not give you the lower price . Now the cruise is sold out. Your choice.... Mr. Gambler. 🤩

We booked our own airfare.

But the Hawaiian cruise is airfare within USA same port of departure. 

Thanks for the advice. We live outside Los Angeles so air is not necessary. I do intend to talk with the agent onboard, but probably will wait until there is a special. Just tried of not getting what the late bookers are getting.  If we can’t get a special, we will check with other cruise lines, possibly going to another destination. 
 

I have a question for all. We will be on transatlantic soon and considering reserving Hawaiian cruise in December onboard. With all the promotions that Viking gives should I wait until closer to departure to get a better promo. The cruise we’re on was with free air and upgrade promo, now of course SS beverage is included.  We do get a nice Sbc from our TA.  We’re retired and can go last minute.  I’m not particular about cabin or location. Last time I booked last minute in a V1 guarantee I was upgraded to Dv6. Thx

34 minutes ago, tocruiseguy said:

Hi, a few questions.   Maybe I missed it, but I scoured the Viking website and I can't find an answer to the questions.   

 

I presume we can purchase the Silver Spirits package onboard rather than pre-cruise if we wish? (we have an onboard only credit)  

 

If we purchase it pre-cruise we can purchase it in Canadian Dollars, if we purchase it on the ship will it still be priced in Canadian or will it be priced in USD (and my credit card will convert to CDN $s)?

 

Can you purchase the package mid-cruise, for example, on a pro-rated basis? 

 

Thanks

Not sure about your credit card, but probably be charged as US dollars, then your cc would convert it to cad.  You can’t buy the SS package mid cruise ..cost will not be prorated. I leave in less than 2 weeks, I’ll buy the package when we board, as I use my shipboard credit from my TA.

18 minutes ago, J80crew said:

Yes, we did have the beverage package. 

Thanks, we leave in 2 weeks on a transatlantic. This will be our 4th cruise on Viking and we get the package. The wines are not great but found to better then their included wines. Our last cruise was to Greece September 2021 on the Venus. Found the food to be very good not great, found a wine selection of my liking, enjoyed the fact of only 350 passengers onboard,

dont do much shows in evening.  We are Elite Plus on Celebrity, and they have downgraded their menu in Blu and Luminae restaurants recently. We stopped counting cruises at about 50, been on lines from Regent to Carnival. Have enjoyed most of them, but just getting out to sea is always perfect. 

40 minutes ago, WNcruiser said:

@J80crew Very nice review and I had a very similar experience on the Jupiter a few weeks ago. Same issues with the beverage selection with many wines and liquors not available. They blamed supply issues but that doesnt cut it when you can find all these items at almost any port. We felt the same way about the burgers at the grill and overall the food was disappointing. 

 

Definitely taking a break from Viking for a while and as our first two cruises with them (31 nights) were just not worth the price paid for us. 

Can I ask did you buy the beverage package. 

21 minutes ago, wildcat68 said:

Thanks Ebtrip.  It’s kind of a funny situation.  We will commence travel from Apache Junction, AZ.  To fly is approximately the same cost as driving with parking and overnight the night before.  I’m a little gun shy after the airport issues this December.  Even if Viking is arranging flights, the complete meltdown was almost a perfect storm.

Since you have done several of these itineraries do you have any information about seas and temperatures crossing?  We’ve done several transatlantic trips but not transpacific and not sure what to expect.  I realize the Pacific will do what it wants to do, but generally speaking, is this a turbulent time period?  

Hi Wildcat68,

we leave on the Viking Sea on March 15, our 2nd Transatlantic. we have been lucky in our crossings.  Usually whatever Los Angeles weather is that’s what you will have for the first day at sea.  We’ve had calm sailings, but it can be rough the first couple of days.  By day 4 it starts to warm up.  We have done the sailings in Oct, December, and January, each time we had calm seas.  I would take the chance to fly. I don’t think you would have a problem out of Phx.

1 hour ago, wildcat68 said:

I have booked Hawaiian Sojourn for December 12, 2023.  My question concerns driving to the LA Cruise Port, and parking.  It appears Viking uses Pier 93 (?).  I know parking is available for $$.  First question; do I need a reservation for parking?  Second question; are there multiple parking lots for the various pier areas?  I’d rather be confused now and not as I arrive.  Any help appreciated.

Mike 

We are thinking of booking this cruise. Have done Hawaiian cruise 3 times but not on Viking.

we have parked at the pier each time.  No reservations are required. Cost is approx $16-$18 per day. There are no other parking lots.  If you stay at one of the hotels, they do have stay and park packages but they cost more then the pkg at the pier.

1 minute ago, jalves said:

Something cheaper than Angus beef?  Sure they can find a cheaper cut.  

 

Have you ever had the meatloaf in Blu?

Never had meatloaf, prime rib or filet, and they weren’t even on the menu, but I requested them and they accommodated me. 

6 minutes ago, Cruising Princess said:

Okay I thought I have said enough about how Celebrity is downgrading it’s menus but of course I am shocked again!

 

I was looking at the Blu menus on an upcoming cruise.  One evening they are serving Angus Meatloaf!  And of course no other beef, lamb or veal option.  
 

Celebrity’s marketing material say Blu is clean cuisine with new healthy options.  
 

Now I love a good meatloaf but is this aqua cuisine?  Could they find a cheaper cut of beef?  
 

 

I like meatloaf, but not when I’m on a cruise. We always sailed celebrity in Aqua, we are Elite Plus,  because of Blu. We are now sailing Viking Ocean and enjoying the relaxing atmosphere of 900+ guests, no surcharges.