2cruisecats

We sent the link from the Australian Health to our TA who then contacted Viking. Response "no change" and "any future changes would be reflected on the Viking site". I wonder if they, like other lines, are slow in updating their sites. We do travel with a test kit and if those results really are acceptable, no issue. But if we need to find a test place in Sydney before sailing -- that's the challenge.

I just checked "myvikingvoyage" for our Dec cruise. It still states -- Australia - please ensure you have the following: Dated proof of a negative COVID-19 test to satisfy Australia's cruise travel requirement. While there is not a COVID-19 testing requirement to enter Australia, the Australian states included in your voyage have a pre- embarkation testing requirement for all cruise travel.

Thanks! Yes they have an update but I might also confirm with Viking.

For our upcoming December cruise, the following is noted from the cruise line -- "Dated proof of a negative COVID-19 test to satisfy Australia's cruise travel requirement. While there is not a COVID-19 testing requirement to enter Australia, the Australian states included in your voyage have a pre- embarkation testing requirement for all cruise travel." Is this still true? I have searched and the info is confusing. After a few weeks visiting NZ we will fly to Sydney & sail to Melbourne,Tasmania and other ports. If required, the challenge is finding a place in Sydney to get tested in the 48 hours before boarding.

I don't know about Viking agents as we always use a local TA but, we have sailed the Bergen-Montreal cruise and would highly recommend it.

Yes, definitely prefer deck 7 but deck 7 was sold out when we booked our next Ocean cruise. It was suggested we try an Explorer suite but opted to try deck 8 instead as we really like the PS cabins. My only concern about deck 8 was the location of the smoking area -- the Viking rep said it is not close to the cabin area and smoke should not flow in the cabin direction...

We will be in each city 4 nights before our river cruise and are looking for nice, centrally located (near tourist activities) hotels. I would like to avoid stairs to rooms - I figure my knees will get enough work walking the city -- so that may eliminate some of the boutique hotels.

We're taking a Viking Budapest to Amsterdam river this August and thinking of going a week early to Prague, then taking a train to Budapest. If you have taken the train, I'd be interested in hearing about your experience. Train class. Luggage on the train (we will have luggage as away for 4 weeks). How far in advance to book, etc. Thanks!

Thank you! And yes, the link works. I was hoping to wait until we got to NZ to book the Opera Tour but we'll do it before leaving Canada. We sail Viking out of Sydney and the Opera is one of the optional tours they offer but we'd prefer a smaller group. May I ask what company you used for the Blue Mountain tour? Did you book that from your hotel? That one is weather dependant so don't want to book too far in advance.

We will be in Sydney for 4 days after 2 weeks of travel in NZ (South Island) before our December cruise . We are very interested in a tour of the Opera. I understand we need to buy tickets in advance and am wondering how far in advance? Should we purchase tickets before leaving Canada or wait until until we arrive in Sydney to buy them? (My DH would even like to go to a performance but I'm not packing "going-out" clothes -- already too much luggage for a month away) Any other suggestions of things to see/do in Sydney would be appreciated.

We will be in Sydney 4 days on our own pre-cruise and are looking for Hotel recommendations. If you have a fav restaurant or "must see", I'll add it to my growing list!, Thanks!

For our Bergen to Oslo trip in June, we used vy.no as we wanted to be able to book seats. On previous trips (pre covid), the operator of this train (gov't??), was strict on the 60 day booking rule but vy.no seems a bit lax on that requirement as we booked 64 days out and no front facing seats were available. Front-facing or not, the scenery is beautiful. Comfort-class basically gives you more room which is nice.

Included SS package -- nice! We Canadians don't seem to get a lot of the special Viking offers. On Ocean, we always purchase the SS package as we enjoy the wines on that list. But you make a good point about wine country and purchasing on shore. Excellent suggestion.

Question for a well travelled river cruiser -- silver spirts, yes or no? Or does it depend on the itinerary?

I read a lot about ship swapping this August. We are doing Amsterdam to Budapest in the fall -- cooler and hopefully more water and swapping will be limited. It is important to know the negatives -- helps set expectations. My DH will enjoy meeting fellow cruisers but will miss the gym. I'm looking forward to wandering thru history.

Thanks! I actually posted on the VO page looking for opinions on differences between Ocean & River, but the admin moved it to the River Cruising page. I enjoy ocean cruising, esp Europe and N Atlantic region, for the wonderful coastlines, more than Carribean, and like the openness of Viking ships compared to other lines we've travelled. Wondering how crowded the River vessels are. We're doing Amsterdam to Budapest on Viking. Nice to know about the Aquavit & that you can get a dish from the main restaurant if wanted.

We have taken 3Viking Ocean cruises and booked a River while on our last Ocean. We have never done a river cruise (any line). For excursions, there are included and optional -- are the optional still booked by cabin category or other? I'm told one restaurant, but can you book table and time? Yes, basic questions. Any advice, or notes on anything we should be aware of, would be welcome.

We used the KN94 (aka Korean) masks on our cruise in June as we found them a better fit for my husband. Our Dr made an interesting suggestion --- 1 mask/flight but on the Toronto-London leg, change the mask partway. Also, if any length of time in an airport, change out the mask. Each day , new mask. If we were on a crowded tour or too long on the bus, we would pull out a new masks for that evening, esp if we went to any entertainment. I think we got "mask fatigue" when we got to Oslo so were a bit lax that week but did pull them back out for the trip home. Masks were never re-used. We took a pack of 50 KN94s and used the Viking masks in the evenings to ensure we had enough KN94s for the trip home. Yes that is a lot of masks. I did develop a cough and tested -- no issue. We think it was from wearing masks for so long. I am asthmatic and did need to up my dosage. Editing to add -- I took packs of unscented baby wipes (Shoppers brand) and added some Isopropyl alcohol. I used them to wipe down surfaces and our hands. Always have a pack in my purse.

Yes at 4 airports -- Toronto, Montreal, Calgary & Vancouver

Quite a coincidence! 2018, after our Homelands, we stayed at the Grand and discovered Teatro. This summer was our third (and I hope not last) visit. And, for fun, here's the lobster roll at Norda -- radish, cucumber and salmon roe on top. And BloddyMary ketchup to go with those fab fries.

Norda - The top of the Clarion Hub hotel. Great View. Expensive. Had great lobster roll and I'm a picky Maritimer. Fries came with BloodyMary ketchup! We shared a couple of interesting local appetizer plates. (When reserving they asked for a credit card. The concierge at our hotel said no, just go. Closed Sundays) Mamma Pizza on Dronningens Gate -- small, local Italian restaurant. Very busy. Pastas and pizzas. We had a couple of v nice pasta dishes. (Recommended by the concierge as her fav local. We were quite early for dinner after a long day of wandering & it was packed.) Both of these are within a few blocks of the train station. Easy access. Mamma's was a little tricky to find as there was construction on the street. We had a great lamb dinner at a place a few blocks from the Opera house. Set menu -- either lamb or Arctic Char the night we were there. I'll try to find the name. (Expensive) We do have a fav pizza place in Oslo --- Teatro. Very interesting toppings. Definitely not your traditional Italian pizza. It is quite near the National Theatre. We discovered it on our first trip to Oslo and is on our "must do" list. Closed Mondays.

Just back from The Midnight Sun. We had 2 free wine tastings and 15% off on a third. They also had whiskey and, I think it was a gin tasting, but I don't know if they were included.

Doing the reverse in 3 weeks so will let you know if any issues on the train. Did Oslo to Bergen pre-Covid -- both times did our own train & hotel bookings. Oslo and Bergen are both very easy self-tour cities. If you are concerned about baggage, we booked with a local transfer service to have our large suitcases transferred between cities. Certainly made the train trip easier.

Agree. It is quite easy to arrange the train and hotel on your own. My husband's a pro after doing our third booking for this July. I love train travel and will admit I was expecting VIA 1 service (business class on Canadian train system -- very comfy seat, dinner service, snacks, etc) the first time we did the Bergen-Oslo trip in comfort class. At least the coffee station is close. We had been advised by the desk manager at the hotel to take our own snacks and enjoy the scenery -- great advice. Seniors discount is good too!

We sail out of London in June on the Venus and Into the Midnight Sun. Getting excited to travel again! Does anyone have recommended tours (Viking or independent)or “not to miss” points of interest on the Into the Midnight Sun cruise? We’re amateur photographers, so are especially interested in photographic sights or tours.