jiminyC_fan

I understand and respect someone's decision to avoid a visit to Russia to demonstrate their severe disapproval of government policies and actions. However, as I need to remind myself on a daily basis, a country is more than just its government and its leader. Even the people represent a diverse range of beliefs. Life is too short and my chances to see the world are limited, so I will continue to go to the places I want to see as long as possible.

Beautiful.

I couldn't understand the draw of SP UNTIL we got there. I was a bit uneasy before leaving home. It was an awesome two days. We were absolutely NOT hassled at all, period, by anyone. We were treated with utmost respect from everyone we encountered during our two day stay. We even rode the subway a month after the bombing in April 2017. We felt perfectly safe. We, also, were in Stockholm right after a car was driven into a crowd of tourists. It happens everywhere. We have no regrets.

Interesting. I have a feeling we were at the same dock. We walked the construction zone as well. For us, it was more than a 10 minute walk from Gamla Stan. I swear there was not a shuttle offered and that is why we walked but now I am wondering if there really was one and that could have saved my poor back and feet, LOL. Our cruise originated in Stockholm in May of last year.

Thank you for all of this great information. Did you have any issues with Russian immigration when getting back on board in St. Petersburg? Our friends did this cruise last year and felt they were hassled a bit.

It was a very pleasant experience getting back onboard both days. Not an issue what so ever.

Could someone please verify whether or not Viking provides a shuttle in Stockholm? This came up in another thread. Thank you!

Well, your cruise was the year after mine so things might have changed. If you were lugging the Pepsi from Gamla Stan, you would not have passed the location we had as it was at the other end of Gamla Stan. If you have the dailys it might be listed. Knowing you have cruised before you may not hold on to things like I did. Also, I don't think they run a shuttle the embarkation day of a 2 dy port so that might explain our differences in recollection.

You may be right on this! I used to save daily's (navigators) but I learned that they only collected dust after awhile, LOL. Once I started trashing them is when I would find out I needed them for something like this, LOL.

Our cruise did originate in Stockholm but for the life of me (and my husband) we don't remember a shuttle being offered. We carried quite a few bottles of pepsi back to the ship from Gamla Stan and we walked. Hopefully others can chime in here and correct me if I am wrong.

The pick up point in Stockholm was just across the bridge from the palace on Gamma Stan. Close to the starting point for HOHO bus. After our included excursion we walked back to the ship as we had the time and wanted to cross the island again since we had spent 3 nights there before boarding.. The pick up drop off point was at the far end of Gamla Stan from where ship docked.

 

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Hmmm, interesting.

They also had shuttles in Tallin, if you remember. We did have shuttles in Stockholm.

 

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Maybe I am wrong about Stockholm. I remember having to walk a distance, through a tunnel and I believe we ended up at Gamla Stan. Where was the pick up point? We certainly missed something, LOL.

BruceB, they did have shuttles in Copenhagen and Helsinki but not in Stockholm.

Twitchly, you will be very happy you added an extra day in Oslo. While we saw great things, I wish we had more time to explore on our own. IMHO, it really didn't matter which side of the train that you are on. I do recommend forward facing seats though.

We took Alla Tours for SP. They did a wonderful job and the pace was perfect. We were fortunate to only have 6 in our group.

Not me either. Just waiting to debark the Viking Sea and this cruise was the best! So much nicer than any big ship I’ve been on. I’m totally spoiled and we booked another Viking cruise onboard - something we never even considered on other lines.

 

 

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That speaks volumes! Sorry you have to debark. Such a sad time. :loudcry:

Whereas I, with a virtually complete lack of experience, find it that much easier to be smug and superior. [emoji12] Boo, mega-ships! Go, Viking!

:D Love your response. Just too funny!

]I don't why the lot of you are feeling so smug and superior[/b] for preferring Viking's 900 or so passengers to Royal Caribbean's 6000 or so when you know that the people who go on Windstar and Seabourn have the same opinion of us! Viking is a magaliner to those people and I hope they don't turn their noses up at us. It's not nice.

 

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Yikes! A bit harsh. I don't think anyone here or myself was feeling smug and superior. I believe it is all personal preference. I prefer fewer passengers without bells and whistles. If you prefer a mega ship, that's terrific. No judging from me.

Have fun!

You are not going to catch me on a mega ship. Nope, NEVER. I go to relax and not be with the crowds. I don't need all the bells and whistles like climbing walls and water slides.

This is in conjunction with about 4 different threads so you wouldn't have known the "rest of the story".

Thank you for pointing it out.

This discussion (for me and some others) started with the Silver Spirit Beverage Package. If one opts to purchase said package, then discovers they don’t have the selection you want, then it would be better to not purchase the package. If your husband paid for a Pepsi package but they only served Coke, he would probably wish he had checked into it. There are many opinions on this subject that are 180 apart. They can’t both be right.

It’s not a volume thing but a selection that’s important for some.

I’v decided to carry it on and book Seabourn the next time. JMHO

Ahhh, ok. I didn't read the original thread I guess. I certainly understand.

I agree, but have no experience! On one post here was a bar menu which contained some very nice single malts. On the sample menu and on one posted by a current Ocean cruiser the list was very mundane. I hope that when I get aboard in December that I'll find the selection better than expected.

To get a decent selection of single malt scotch, on a premium line, you shouldn't have to bring it along.

Alcohol isn't our priority no matter what cruise line. My husband prefers Pepsi but they don't serve it. We can't expect them to carry every brand name on a ship so we just buy Pepsi in port. I was just offering an alternative if they don't have your brand.

I don't have an answer to your question but don't let alcohol stop you from booking an awesome Viking ocean cruise! If anything, you can bring on your favorite Scotch.

I agree, Jiminy. Didn’t know about the issues with the Star christening. I’m also remembering the assorted “corporate versus onboard experience” conversations I’ve seen here. Corporate needs to remember that the passengers ARE the bottom line.

That is so true. Their video doesn't portray how the passengers were treated. Just all the glorious hoopla. Shame, shame

I can't imagine treating their paying guests this way. You think they would have learned a lesson the first time but I guess not. I guess they don't care. I am truly disappointed in Viking and I normally am a Viking cheerleader.

Love all these tips and tidbits! Our Homelands ocean cruise isn't till April 2019 but planning is half the fun although my husband would say I'm a bit obsessive. Good thing I've got you all who understand my obsession :)

Oh boy, do I ever understand it being an obsession. You will love Viking and the Homelands cruise! I remember everyday researching, taking notes, looking at pictures, coming here. Enjoy!

Not sure about each ship but on the Sun last fall the WC had no ice available for our two weeks. We had to find a server (easy to do only if we wanted wine) who would then go to the bar and bring us back a glass of ice to use in our water and soft drinks.

Interesting. They had an ice machine at the beverage station on the Star.

I actually didn't feel I needed more space on any of our 3 cruises on Viking (veranda cabin for all 3). If I ran out of drawer space on the ones that didn't have the extra dresser, I just used the nice shelf at the top of the closet for pants or sweaters. I used drawers in bedstand and bathroom for little things (and desk top for really little things) and it was fine. A robe and/or pjs went on a hook in the bathroom. If I needed more space, I asked for a few more hangers on which to place shirts, pants, and an occasional dress. No big deal. However, our longest cruise was 2 weeks, and we're fairly light packers (we get better each cruise). Other people might want more space, although all in all, I don't think Oceania's lower-priced cabins have any more space than Viking's, so I'm fine with either cruise line when it comes to space.

 

If you're not a coffee/tea drinker, you could always move the coffee pot and use the shelf it's sitting on. It would have made a good place for my camera bag or my husband's backpack, but we just put them in the closet instead!

 

Our suitcases easily fit under the bed.

I agree. Unfortunately, we are heavy packers, LOL, and we found more than enough room for drawer space and shelf space. We were able to keep 3 pieces of luggage under the bed and also carryon. I bought lots of souvenirs and did not have to get the luggage out to store while cruising because of lack of space for them. We even kept our room tidy with nothing out of place because of lack of space. We were in a DV4. We did ask for them to remove the coffee pot.