ropomo

Thanks, I am aware of Flybus and was planning to use them if I can't get SS transfer. My question still remains, can I expect to be able to obtain a SS transfer under my circumstances. This is an expedition cruise so there are only limited ways to use OBC (La Dame, laundry, spa, boutique, etc.) I have $1200 in OBC and would like to use it all.

Edit, we have been to KEF before and are aware of its location, etc.

I have a D2D cruise coming up and have my own air and therefore do not get the airport to hotel transfer included. My flight gets in at a time Silversea will be greeting passengers with included transfers. Will it be possible to purchase the transfer at the airport on arrival? I have a "boatload" of OBC and this would be an ideal way to use some of it. The flight is into KEF and private transfers to the city can be pricey.

Just back from TA Ft. Lauderdale to Rome on Mars. I met several couples on their first trip to Europe and didn't realize that many/most places that you want to use plastic require a PIN. They had never heard of a credit card having a pin and were having significant inconveniences on shore. Make sure you know your PIN or set up a PIN for any cards you plan to use in Europe.

More complex answer, sort of. There is a heavy felt tote in the cabin that various Viking magazines are in. It is not complementary and stays with the cabin. It can be used while on board. We frequently use ours to take clothes to and from the laundry. If you do take it, you will be charged for it. The price is shown on the price list for items in the cabin if you take them.

Doesn't address the OPs question, but as info for others, the binoculars on the expedition ships seem to be of a decent quality.

3 hours ago, ChrisB123 said:

You went to Tallian, Estonia?  I've heard a number of people say their itinerary was changed from Mariehamn to Tallian but MVJ is still saying Mariehamn.  I'm not really picky, but Tallian sounds fascinating. 

If Tillan, Estonia was eliminated, that is a real shame. A beautiful city that still holds its medieval charms. The tour was very good, and the city is memorable.  

We really enjoyed the included walking tours in Talin and Stavanger.  

1 hour ago, BluebonnetTexan said:

You might be surprised to find additional lurkers who would want to participate in the M&M if someone volunteers to organize it and collect the info. For our roll call last year I had a few people contact me to signup via the email I provided with their info who hadn’t been actively participating in the roll call, but were following it. 

I have experienced the same, better to start it and have minimal response, than to not and have none.

2 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Really? Considering booking a Great Lakes cruise. Curious as to why reservations?

The Restaurant is smaller on the Expedition ships and the WC is much larger (we never had any issue finding a nice table for breakfast, lunch or dinner) and has a much wider selection and cooked to order items at the Grill within the WC, including steaks, lobster tails, etc. Our experience was after placing your order at the grill, a server would ask where we were sitting and would deliver our food to the table. We found the WC to be a very good dining experience despite our usual preference for a table service venue. There is also a dedicated cold seafood area with a great selection of crab legs, shrimp, mussels, etc. and a large made to order sushi area. We had no problems getting reservations at the Restaurant or Manfredi's on any evening we wanted, at times as late as 5:00pm the day of. After the first day or so, I noticed that pax were gravitating to the WC due to the flexibility, quality and selection.

1 hour ago, OnTheJourney said:

Just chatted and asked about this. Seems that reservations start at 6 pm. Not crazy about having to make them. I can understand it for Manfredi's and Chef's table (which isn't on Expedition anyway).

There is Manfredi's on the Expedition ships, just no Chef's table.

As referenced above, and to clarify, only EXPEDITION ships require reservations in the restaurant.

The view count on threads is not updating. Probably linked to lack of notifications.

Blue lagoon is nice. Hard to believe they have built such a successful tourist destination from the effluent of a geothermal plant. Yes, the Blue Lagoon is the "waste water" from a geothermal plant.

The Viking Homelands itinerary is very port intensive and to be honest, you probably won't spend a lot of time in your cabin. We were on port side and had no issues with it. Most of the time while sailing, we were either sleeping, eating or enjoying the public areas of the ship. I don't believe you can go wrong with either side. As for viewing the fjords, most of the transits of the fjords was done in the dark. 

Our bags were inspected for fruits and vegetables at the port in Acapulco

31 minutes ago, bluesplayer said:

 

Even better!!!  Who knew???  Thank you!!!

With the SS package, you can get doubles, triples or whatever (the $18 price cap of the SS package applies to the cost of a single only). If like me, a bourbon drinker, I usually just get a glass of bourbon that is enough for several drinks and can then pour over ice with a splash of water as desired.

Beverages also available from room service.

Just speculating here, but was on Polaris, an expedition ship in 2023, for over 2 weeks doing laundry in the free facilities numerous times had no notice of any scent whatsoever. I am extremely sensitive to fragrance in detergents, etc. I suspect your experience was from a previous user of the equipment.

Viking has had a promotion in the US for a good while now that only requires a $25 deposit pp, not 25%. Allows a great deal of speculation for future cruises if not sure. Worst case scenario, we're out $50

I'm sorry for your experience. But in reality, you face the same issue every day in your life. Do you go back to the grocery store wanting a refund when you bought a gallon of milk last week that's on sale this week or the price went down? Granted, you are referring to paying for a future product, but in reality, it's the same thing. You made a decision to buy it at that price and when it changed later you need to live with the consequences. It could have just as well gone up the same amount or more! Would you be willing to pay the increased price in that case?

or possibly Gordons for gin as experienced this summer on Polaris

Does your traveling companion snore?  Nothing below, pool deck above that probably doesn't have any significant noise given the ship is pretty much asleep by early evening. There might be some cleaning noise, but probably minimal.  No personal experience.

Same experience as miami mama

  I don't know the rules, but what if you book your cabin for you and your sister's husband as your cabin mate and your sister as the single? Where people sleep isn't of concern to Viking. Don't know if that would work, but just an idea. I am very sorry for your loss. I hope it works out for you.

If I may add to the informative responses so far, the most important "best time to board" recommendation would have to be... before the ship sets sail! 😉

This summer on Polaris Great Lakes cruise it was Gordon's