helenandfrank

The night light does also go on inside the bathroom. 👍

Yes, cool and wet. Docking in Eidfjord yesterday was not possible due to high winds. Lots of rain as well. Heavy coat necessary out on deck. Today in Stavanger is much warmer and some blue sky. As always the weather is hard to predict .. so be prepared. ☔️

We boarded the Star yesterday and even though we get laundry done did a load ourselves. We have been in Europe for a week pre boarding so didn't think it fair to put those clothes in the freebie bag. The washer and dryer are both easy to use. We went down an hour after boarding and had the laundry on deck 6 to ourselves. Had lunch after washing whilst the clothes dried. Well washed, no scent to speak of.

On board Star in Bergen now - and very happy to be here. We are doing the farm tour at 9.45am today and there is another at 2pm. Gastronomy tour was yesterday afternoon (embarkation day) at 5.30pm. 🙂

Excellent advice roothy123 ... re - Really helps to take a lanyard for your key card. You will use it a lot.What type of fastener (eg a hook or something similar?) do we need on the lanyard to secure the key card ? Thanks again, Frank

I checked vesselfinder.com and it shows Viking Star sailing down the Thames in London. I have been watching for a while, it is moving - which supports what Peregrina651 has posted

Excellent advice ... thank you mhb1757

I enquired again yesterday about 'Empires of the Med' for 2019 and was told by Viking office in Sydney that details would be available between June and Sept this year. I am not sure whether they know that the info will be available, or if they just assume it will be. We sail 1 July (our first with Viking :)) so we might learn something whilst on-board. F

Thank you Fpacifico .. you said what I am (and likely others are) thinking. Very curious.

Saw this in Tripadvisor today, thought it might be useful for anyone with Norway on their itinerary -

https://www.visitnorway.com/plan-your-trip/travel-tips-a-z/currency-and-prices/

100NOK = approx 12 USD or 16 AUD :)

We mature aged Aussies have not grow up with a 'tipping' mentality. It is just not what we do (although this has changed somewhat and will continue changing over time no doubt). The approach to tipping varies from location to location as well (big city v small town etc). We booked our upcoming July cruise through Viking's Australian office in Sydney - gratuities were included in the quoted price without us needing to ask, and we still get a nice OBC. Exactly how the overall price compares when taking into account exchange rates etc, I am not sure. We looked at the airfare deal and whilst the price was pretty good we would rather have the certainty of selecting our flights, airline and route and did not take it up.

Thanks Tom ... what I am looking for is info about Empires of Mediterranean (Athens - Venice) for 2019 which hasn't yet been scheduled by Viking (and might not get scheduled). The message I am getting is ... stay tuned, they might make an announcement about this (and perhaps other cruises) mid 2017. We are on Viking Star from 1 July this year so hopefully we will learn more then. Cheers, F

I have been reading with interest several threads re 2018 / 2019 schedule. I emailed Viking rep in Sydney about the 'Empires of Med' cruise availability in 2019 and was told the schedule wouldn't be finalised until mid 2017. I also note the comments from Viking in another thread ... which reads-

"As our 2019 ocean schedule isn’t yet finalized, the brochure you received likely only highlights our new itineraries; it is not a comprehensive list. We expect to iron out the rest of our 2019 offerings within the next several months, so please stay tuned.

we know you’re excited about this itinerary (we are too!) and appreciate your continued patience.

Best regards,

Viking Cruises"

So I guess this means those of us hanging out for the itinerary we really want in late 2018 / 2019 can remain hopeful.

FYI. :)

Apologies the the omission ... signed, Frank

g'day Cruzersky2 from Brisbane. I don't know you either, but I like you already. :)

Thank you garycarla .. Dad was right :)

mmm good point mhb1757.

Perhaps doors partly open - with the curtains drawn most of the way.

Regards, F

Thank you Sophiesdeb ... enjoy your cruise in Sept.

Thank you chengkp75.

Morning all. We are on Viking Star in July (Viking Homelands). I have searched without success, but seem to recall reading that it is not possible to turn air conditioning off in cabin / suite / stateroom on Star. We are previous river cruisers who enjoy sleeping at night with the air con off and the balcony doors wide open to enjoy the sounds and the fresh air (on nights when it is not too cold, not too hot, not too many mozzies that is ...). Are you able to offer any advice about whether we can turn air con on / off or any advice about whether it is wise to sleep with balcony doors open (whether or not we can turn air con off). Hardly a life-changing issue we realise, but just something we have been thinking about. Thank you, and regards F & H

This is also a cruise we are looking at for 2015 (Istanbul - Venice). We are just trying to get an understanding of the average cost (...if there is a such a thing) for day trips / excursions in the various ports on this cruise. I can find details of the options available on the cruise line website, but not the cost. Please don't take too much time on a day-by-day run down - for example what price for a 3 to 4 hour walking tour. Are we looking at $100 a day .. $500 a day ... or somewhere in between ?? Any advice will be most appreciated.

Thanks Rod, understood.

Ozjohnno / fellow Aussie CC'ers. What process do you use to book directly with Tauck in the US ? (ie, to avoid the not-recommended Australian booking agent). What method do you use for payment to US ? Or ... if things have changed / if service has improved, do you now recommend using the Australian agent ?? Advice appreciated as always. :)

Thank you again everyone - and thank you for the photo SeagoingMom .... I am thinking I will enjoy it as well. Happy days.

Thank you everyone - this really is a great forum. Most appreciated.

Thank you POA1, that is good to know. Thank you Vict0riann, that is even better!! Your advice is most appreciated.