shadowlover

The entertainment is very poor in my opinion.  Keep your expectations low in this category and you won't be disappointed.  The musicians that play throughout the ships are very talented though.

Thanks everyone!  We are looking to do some excursions on our own because many are already sold out with Viking.  Just want to make sure we have plenty of time to get back to the ship, tendered and on board!  If anyone has some must do excursions I am open to suggestions.

We will be going on this cruise in August.  I have some logistics questions.

For the tender ports - how long did it take to tender in Geiranger and Longyearbyen and do you remember the last tender times?

Do you remember if the included tour "highlights of Longyearbyen " was close to the port?  We are hoping to do another excursion close to the time that this tour ends.

Hope that makes sense!

TYIA

we are 176 days out and the excursions have been posted to review with all of the times and prices!

Do you know where you dock in NYC?  Depending on time and day it may take a while to get to EWR but once there you need about 2 hour prior to flight so you would need to arrive EWR by 10:30 at the latest.  I personally feel you would be fine with a 1230 flight especially if you have TSA precheck.

I wonder if you can cancel and then just rebook online for the promotion.  Seems like it really depends on who answers the phone these days but I have seen 99% of people on various viking groups confirm that viking is being firm about the cancel and rebook and not allowing it.

On 10/23/2023 at 6:15 AM, Jem 12 said:

We are booked on Viking Sky for a transatlantic, we know we are going to love it, hoping the weather is nice so we can enjoy pool area etc.

 

We are flying home the same day as we arrive in Florida, can anybody advise what Viking do with passengers who have a late flight back to UK, we will have a transfer back to airport, but I was wondering what time they will make us leave the ship, I know in the good old days with previous cruise lines we would have the use of a hotel day room, any help appreciated. 

they make you leave the ship with everyone else sadly.  I would not use their transfer.  I would either rent a car for the day or find something to do.  we were stranded at san juan airport with no seat as we waited for united to open.  Sat for hours.

Sometimes (probably depending on the class cabin you purchased) they arrange for a hotel to spend the day in.  Also if your flight is quite late I believe they do the same.

On 10/27/2023 at 12:33 PM, cadburysmom said:

I'm booked in cabin 3026 and just noticed it is over the restrooms by the theatre on Deck 2. 

Has anyone stayed in this cabin?  Wondering if there will be a noise issue...

we were close to that cabin-  we never heard any noise ever.  I love deck 3

I like sitting in the lounge- airports are more crowded then I have ever experienced in the lounge.  We fly newark and this is a very crowded airport.  I have seen signs up saying the lounge is full- so we argued last time and said we want to go in the see if we can get a seat.  There were plenty of seats.  So what I actually mind is the false promise made to me by the credit card company to get me to pay a fee for the card.  

On 10/26/2023 at 7:10 PM, mwike said:

I certainly look at pricing (probably once a month) during the period where I'm not at monetary risk for cancellation.  If the price drops, I just tell my agent to cancel and re-book.  Did that today on a Seabourn reservation and saved $2k.  Not a lot of work on my part to save $2k.  And have done this before with no issues. 

most recently they have not really allowed this.  You can cancel but you can not immediately book the same cruise and same cabin.  there seems to be some sort of waiting period.  If you want to move your money to a different sailing then fine but I am usually too invested in the dates of sailing and cabin choice etc.

Also NEVER insure the entire cost of your trip until you have to do it (based on the rules of the insurance company).  Just insure the least amount- or the deposit.  Then you will have pre existing conditions covered.

On 10/22/2023 at 9:10 PM, Jim Avery said:

Yes, and because most lounges are full of recent credit card purchasers.  Sadly cheapening everyones experience.

Seriously?  That is truly an elitist  statement.  Credit card holders with this perk, of which I am one, should be able to use what is promised to us.  A pass once a year.  

I've heard them called "swan rooms" and they are my favorite on the river ships.  We store all of our stuff on the huge window shelf.  On river cruises we absolutely only go to the cabin to sleep.  I would never pay extra for a better cabin.  I had the lowest category recently and I absolutely loved it!  It is all elegant and calm and lovely and I can't wait to go again!!

the key thing that I have learned is this... if you get a flight that you are very happy with then ask for it to be officially ticketed!!  They will only do it so many days in advance, maybe 120 but it is so worth it.  if things change after this, then it is the airlines changing it.  You must call and you must ask specifically for it to be ticketed.  

It probably depends on a few things.  If you are more of a city person I would say Barcelona.  If you enjoy getting out to some quaint villages then I would choose Madrid.  We stayed for 5 days in Madrid and did train day trips.  We had a fabulous time!  Barcelona we did in 2 days and I enjoyed it but don't feel the need to return.

2 hours ago, longterm said:

I know that someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but my understanding is that virtually ALL trip insurers follow the rule that you can't transfer trip insurance from one trip to another if you cancel a trip and then rebook another. 

 

On the other hand, we booked a Viking British Isles cruise for next summer, then tacked on a Rick Steves Scotland tour that we'll take in the 2 weeks before the cruise. We were able to extend our trip insurance and alter the trip costs to cover the 2-week land trip. So, you can extend your insurance to include more days or higher cost, but you can't transfer it from one trip to another if you cancel the first.

 

Again, someone will kindly and graciously let me know if I'm wrong. </sarcasm>

 

Yes actually in some cases you can transfer travel insurance from one trip to another.  I have done it.

The cabs are not expensive.  Take a cab.

On 6/6/2023 at 10:56 AM, basenji56 said:

I am old enough to remember when they told us that the vaccines were 95 percent effective in preventing us from getting Covid. 
 

The vaccine was developed to prevent DEATH not just the disease.  It has been effective in doing that.  We have hopefully come through the worst of covid and I am so grateful to those of us who protected ourselves by getting vaccinated and following health recommendations.  I am also proud of all of us who have worked in health care throughout, even caring for those who have fought the science every step of the way. 

 I pray we can stop arguing about it and cruise safely.  I protect myself and that's the best I can do!

My TA did try but was told not able to do it.  I understand the business practice of filling the ship with last minute promotions.  I suppose 4 months may be last minute in the cruise world so it's ok.   It does make me pause on booking with viking again.  I won't give my money a year in advance and if I miss out then I'll pick a different voyage. 

I loved my first two cruises with them.  The most recent one was quite disappointing.  Staff could have been same as any previous royal or carnival cruise I have been on.  Ship is lovely, food is very good, rooms are fab even in lowest category.  So... I keep coming back.  I am a very easy to please cruiser though... I don't like being doted on.  I don't mind about lack of entertainment because I love to read and exercise and relax in the spa.  I love my fellow viking cruisers.  I am younger than the average and I really like it.  Everyone is so polite and friendly.  So all things considered, I go in knowing what I'm spending and shouldn't look at the promos after the fact!

On 4/30/2023 at 1:10 PM, CCWineLover said:

Viking is VERY upfront on what they will and won't do and what their policies are. 

Are they though??? Not in my experience.  Our cruising companions were given considerable perks on the last cruise that we were not given.  They had 500 obc and a free drink package because whoever they got on the phone added the promotion.  The person we talked to said only for new bookings.  

23 hours ago, stretchcruz said:

For September, though, since you are outside the 120 day penalty period, you could cancel and rebook for $100 apiece. We've done it in the past when the difference is significant. We don't book our insurance through Viking, we get it through insuremytrip so not sure how it would affect insurance through Viking. Our TA has always kept us in the same cabin, too...new booking number.

I was absolutely not able to do this even though I am four months out.  I now go in knowing that I am paying 2600 dollars more (even with what we THOUGHT were considerable discounts from TA including 400 dollars off and 600 obc/ additional 200 off pp from viking) than someone booking today.  I hear about a lot of people able to do what you've done and the inconsistencies are annoying.  Couple hundred bucks I would not even call over but close to 3000 is a big difference.  This is not last minute promotion either...its for an October cruise.  

6 hours ago, CurlerRob said:

Regarding being told that one has to rebook for a different date, something is "off" here.

 

Once pax have cancelled according to the proper terms and paid whatever penalties are in force, they should be "free agents", able to book whatever cruise they wish - including the same trip that might now be discounted - subject to availability.

 

I know of nothing in the Viking terms and conditions that restricts pax from selected future bookings just because they cancelled a prior trip - would love to see that if someone knows otherwise.

 

If Viking is inventing new booking rules to preclude pax from properly exercising contractual terms to their benefit, I'd be extremely disappointed. Hopefully, someone will cancel and rebook the next day to test this and let us know. 🍺🥌

I would like to know this as well.  I feel like if I cancel within the 120 days and receive my money back/ less the 200 dollar fee I could just rebook the cruise online couldn't I?   My issue is that I already had paid air plus and selected my flights and didn't want to mess any of that up.  They were unwilling to work with us and allow me to keep my cabin and flights so I just let it go.  I have heard of others being able to do it with their TA's help but I am not sure why there are so many inconsistencies with viking.  Many times it depends on who answers the phone.  We were unhappy with the last cruise we took/ the transatlantic and now I am very displeased knowing that I have paid almost 3000 more than others booking today (for a cruise 5 months away!  It's not last minute).  After this cruise I am looking for another cruise line.  Viking surely is not rewarding those of us that have been repeat cruisers in any way.

On 4/16/2023 at 11:12 AM, mimijes said:

Thank you for the post. I’m currently booked (and paid for) the 15 day Panama and Central America cruise in November 2023. It seems like a good deal to cancel ($100 pp penalty) and get onboard credit. Not sure if it’s $500 or $1000.  Does that make sense? Waiting to hear back from my TA tomorrow. 

Just tried to do that to save 2700 dollars on our river cruise in October but viking told my TA that it isn't possible.  Not sure why not... It clearly states that I can cancel for 100pp and I can clearly see that there are cabins available.  TA says they are cracking down on the cancel to rebook.. I don't want to risk the chance of losing my spot so I just am going to take it as a loss.  

We will be ending a cruise in Paris in early October.  I have never been to Paris and know nothing about the city.  I welcome recommendations but especially want to know if we should hire a tour guide for any of the sites.  We will have three full days to explore.  Is it easy to navigate on your own?  What is a must see with a tour guide or skip the line ticket?  What is a typical tourist attraction that is better left for another day?

We will be at the end of a full three week trip as we extend on our own in Switzerland prior to the cruise.  We are in our 50's and very mobile, not hesitant to use public transportation.  I imagine I will be a little tired of sight seeing by the end and will be pushing myself to keep going but my husband wants to see an do too much.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions!

we had viking air and they dumped us at the san juan airport even prior to any gate agents.  The airport had no seating at all in this area.  We were never given the option of any day room... Had we known this would happen we would have made arrangements elsewhere but communication was lacking.

On 3/4/2023 at 4:44 PM, janetcbl said:

New special March savings of Free Category Upgrade & $1000 Shipboard Credit on certain Ocean Sailings. Ask for MES23. Brochure arrived in the mail today.

Does it specify which sailings?

thanks