albertamom

I am SO excited for you!  We cancelled this trip to book the Hawaii and French Polynesia cruise in January.  I'll eagerly be following along, and feeling slightly jealous at all the fun we'll be missing. 😃

9 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

Well the research is complete and the risks are manageable, so we confirmed the booking today for Dec 4th. 😀

 

Sounds like we have  a number of pax from the 22/23 WC, booking this one, so it is almost a precursor to the WC. Lots of sea days, similar to World Cruises.

I’m so excited for you! 😃

I’m still so tempted by the Hawaii/Polynesia cruise. Throwing in the extra country makes things a little more nerve-wracking.  Once we are in the US, after flying down to begin the cruise, I’m hoping we wouldn’t have trouble re-entering the US at the cruise port at the end of the cruise. I suppose Viking won’t let us board if there is any question of us not being allowed off at the end. 😂
 

For now, I’m closely watching how it is selling, and biding my time. 

11 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Thanks - interesting coincidence, as we just finished chatting with friends in the US and they mentioned reading the same article today.

 

Both I and our TA have talked with Viking, who confirm that Viking accept mixed AZ/mRNA vaccines. Have just started checking the US CDC Conditional Sailing Order for vaccine requirements.

I emailed tellus yesterday and received a call back also confirming their acceptance of our mixed vaccines.  Step 1✔️

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Hi - more than happy to share my research. I also have data on the S/Pacific Islands from previous cruises, but it doesn't include COVID stuff, just the usual entry requirements for both UK & Canada passports.

 

Based on a quick high level research last night, I believe the risks of being refused entry into the US, or having to quarantine on arrival, could be fairly high, especially in December, when COVID numbers may be higher.

 

I also have AZ/Moderna and until the US CDC is accepting of the WHO Standards, those of us with mixed doses will be considered as unvaccinated, even if we present the Govt of Canada's Vaccine Passport showing we are fully vaccinated.

 

Hawaii is good, requiring a negative PCR test from an approved vendor. I fully expect that the onboard Lab can received approved vendor status, so the ship's daily testing should suffice.

 

California - I need more research, but last night I found a Public Health document that indicated unvaccinated (as per US CDC) had to quarantine. Couldn't determine if that is still in force, hence more research required.

 

Pax contract - read it last night, but need to go through it again and take notes translating it into English, as it has changed since our 2020 WC. Based on my quick review, if we were refused entry, or required to quarantine on arrival, we would forfeit the entire cruise cost. Will review the COVID sections in more detail, but the normal expectation is that each pax is responsible to ensure they meet the requirements of entering the country and getting to the ship.

 

Our travel blog address is in the signature block and it has an email address, if you wish to discuss further, share research.

Thank you so much for sharing!  I followed your blog intently during your world cruise, and thoroughly appreciate everything that you contribute here.  🙂

I'm maybe naively thinking/hoping that the US will soon accept our mixed vaccinations.  Studies continue to come out showing that AZ followed by an mRNA vaccine produces a very strong immune response.  I saw a tweet today linking to a Lancet article, which is way beyond my capability to understand, but which the doctor providing the link interpreted as very positive news.

51 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Clay - since we have an option on the Hawaii cruise, I spent most of last night researching the passenger contract, insurance requirements and also the US CDC/California/Hawaii requirements.

 

Started with the passenger contract and Viking insurance, but couldn't get the plan documents, as they require a US State. More research today.

 

Although my research is based on Canadian requirements, I don't mind sharing.

I am VERY interested in your research from a Canadian perspective.  We are currently booked on the Sea TA from Barcelona to San Juan in November, but are extremely tempted to switch to the Grand Hawaii & Polynesia. With rules and Covid conditions changing so quickly worldwide, it's all quite overwhelming.  As an added fun bonus, we are both fully vaccinated, but with AZ/Phizer.  🙃

Wow!  The Taste of Britain meal looks yummy!  😍

So sad when you sleep through breakfast, isn't it? 🤣

We left Viking Sea a month ago, and your photos are making me miss it SO much!  

26 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Glad to have you along. If you want to read about our previous Viking Transatlantics look In the blog archives at March 2018 and 2019.  
 

We are eyeing the Dec 3rd Lisbon to Miami for our return.  Is that the one you’re looking at?

Exactly!  Plans are on hold until our daughter finds out if she can study abroad in Australia next winter.  If she does, our travel budget will all go towards touring the land down under! 

How wonderful!  I've just followed your blog and can't wait to hear about your journey.  I have been looking at doing this cruise in reverse in the fall.  Best of luck with everything.  You've definitely got an adventure ahead of you!

We completed our first Viking Ocean cruise in February, and we were SO impressed by the beautiful ship and incredible staff.  Enjoy! 😃

Wow!  Your photos are breathtaking!  This itinerary is definitely on my bucket list.  Thank you so much for sharing. 😃

19 hours ago, DublinFC said:

How bad was the smoke smell on the ship through 6-7-8?

We just disembarked on Saturday.  Everybody's sensitivities are different, but at times I found the smoke smell to be quite overwhelming throughout that area.  I was prepared before our Le Bistro dinner to ask to wait for an inside table, if they tried to seat us on the "patio" by the staircase.  That evening it was particularly bad.  Other times, not so much.

I'm eagerly following along!  It really is an excellent itinerary for a transatlantic.  😃

Thanks so much for sharing!  We are on the Breakaway in February, so I'm thrilled to read that you had such a great time! 😃

1 hour ago, ScottnBobbi said:

What did they serve for the meal?  Does anyone know if they have a gluten free option?

On the Encore it was not a meal.  Just the drinks.  

We absolutely loved it on the Encore!  I would definitely do it again! 😃

I absolutely loved it, and have subscribed.  We're taking our first Viking Ocean cruise in February, so I can't wait to follow along.

Thank you for sharing it with us! 

Don't have mine yet either.

13 hours ago, danak13 said:

Surprising my SO with the upgraded drink package because he has really gotten into craft cocktails and good liquors this year. What should we put on our "must order" list?? 

Btw...your SO is a lucky man.  What a wonderful surprise! ❤️

Espresso martini!  YUMMY!  🍸

I believe it's a $5 or $6 upcharge without the Plus Package.  Any bar with an espresso machine should be able to make it, even if it is not on the menu.  

If you're a whiskey drinker, the Whistle Pig Rye ($35 a glass) is smooth and velvety!

You can ask for any cocktail to be made with premium liquor.  It makes such a difference! 

Although we are not generally champagne drinkers (which most people who love the Plus Package seem to be), bottles of wine with dinner (and the assistance of the wine steward) were very nice as well. 

We loved the PPBP! (Specialty coffees and sparkling water with every meal were the icing on the cake.)

27 minutes ago, Meimei 100 said:

 

How much is it PP for a week?

Thank You!

It was around $300 per person for our 9 day cruise.  It varies depending on the length of the cruise.  

21 hours ago, prbffd28 said:

Has anyone tried to purchase the Thermal Suite passes yet? I cannot find the option listed anywhere in the list under the Spa tab.  I'm thinking of giving it a try on our February 9, 2020 sailing. Any assistance would be appreciated, thanks!!

BTW, there are some new photos showing up on Instagram under #nclencore if anyone is interested.

You can definitely phone and book them.  We did so for the Transatlantic next week.  Can't wait! 

11 hours ago, KAGeorge said:

Wow!, We are 11 days out for our next cruise and my friend broke her foit and ankle. Her physician has cleared her for travel, but she will be unable to bear any weight on her foot at all.

It would be great if thus was a solution for her. How did you hear about this? Did your doctor recommend it? Were you able to use it for the entire cruise? And did you feel safe using it on wet decks of the ship (did it seem to be slip resistent?)

Hi there!  Your poor friend.  This would be perfect for her!  I discovered it by researching online.  My mom has a friend who is a surgeon, and she used one during surgeries after she broke her ankle!

It is especially great because you can do stairs, and it leaves your hands free, as opposed to crutches.  You don't set any speed records, though.

The only time I felt unsafe was when we passed through the buffet one day.  I had a couple people bang my foot (which sticks out behind you), and I stepped on some sort of food item, which made the peg leg really slick!  I was glad to have DH there to hold onto.  That was our last trip to the buffet.

Best of luck to you and your friend.  She'll rely on you for help, but will be absolutely fine.  It's all about the attitude.  Go and have fun!!! 👍

Most people focus on the value of the alcohol included in the PPBP, which is, of course, the main component of the package, but for a coffee lover there's real value there as well.  I definitely wouldn't drink $30 a day in Starbucks coffee, but with bottled water, a nice bottle of wine with dinner and an upgraded cocktail here and there, I'm there easily! 👍

2 hours ago, aero777 said:

Yes, we were on the Joy in May and our PPBP was accepted at both of the actual Starbuck stores on the ship.

2 hours ago, roxette said:

I will be sailing on the Getaway this thursday, with the premium plus package. I promise to get back to you just after boarding on thursday. 

2 hours ago, aero777 said:

Here’s another confirmation from CoffeeGodess that the PPBP was accepted at the actual Starbucks on the Bliss.

Thank you both so much!  We're both just fine with regular coffee with our meals, but a few lattes and iced coffees throughout the day would be lovely.  (Yes, we love our coffee!) 

We are sailing on the Encore Transatlantic in November, and are thinking that with no ports, this may be the perfect time to try upgrading to the PPBP.  The bottled water, upgraded wines and spirits, as well as bottles of wine at dinner would all be a benefit, but the inclusion of specialty coffee would probably be the biggest benefit for us.

I have read in other threads about people "hearing" that coffee at actual Starbucks stores onboard is not included, whereas the Starbucks coffee served on ships without an actual Starbucks store is included.

Can anyone tell me if they have been able to use the PPBP at Starbucks onboard? ☕