chirk

The Freyja brand is very nice! You get four tubes they'll replenish regularly: shampoo, conditioner, body wash and body lotion. The bar of soap is pretty small so you may want to bring a larger one (as I do for my hubby). Enjoy!

We were on Saturn Iceland to NY Aug. 16. Greenland was one of our top priorities!

First: the absolute highlight of our 2 weeks was Prince Christian Sound: indeed the most spectacular we've seen anywhere. The captain took his time circling and we just soaked in the sheer mountains and glistening glaciers. It was mostly overcast but the rain held off until we reluctantly departed! 

We did miss two stops due to rough seas: our first, at the Westman Islands, and L’Anse aux Meadows.

Luckily, we stopped at both Nanortalik and Quaqortoq, tendering to both. 

It was drizzling/raining/cold all day at Nanortalik but without wind. Lots of folks walked around carrying Viking's big red umbrellas. 

The day started gray and wet in Quaqortoq (so folks with early excursions were very bummed), then turned beautiful. I had a wonderful time walking up and around town for different viewpoints. They are very well set up here for tourists, with locals directing you to key spots with native activities. 

I had fretted that I couldn't find good excursions but, really, just walking around the towns and seeing the locals was quite fascinating. Feel free to ping me if you want more info. 

Our top photos: https://photos.app.goo.gl/GYCguB8mbG8th3WUA

We were there Aug. 20 and discovered there are two ports! For some reason, we had to dock at the one away from the main port, which is where the rental cars and my whale excursion was.

The ship offered a shuttle bus sort of on the half hour. It takes you to the Hof Cultural Center, which is at the main port and by the center of town. I missed the shuttle, and got someone to call me a taxi as you can't readily walk from one port to the other (busy streets).

After all my previous stressful grousing, I am very pleased with Viking's cancellation email last night! I think they are dealing with customers fairly and generously, and that will pay off for them in the long term (though I hope they will improve their communication systems online and on the phone). I will personally be happy to spend money with them in the future. 

As a former journalist, I spent this morning reviewing the websites of the major cruise lines to see how they were communicating regarding the virus and itineraries. Here's a summary: (also posted in the roll call for May 1)

--These lines had a clear link at the top of their sites regarding the virus and their policies: Carnival, Princess, Holland America, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, Silverseas, Azamara (the last four are one company).

--These had links at the very bottom of their sites: Regent; Norwegian; Oceania.

--Viking's virus update is found only after you click through "My Trips".

Celebrity wins for the most clear information although its update was not dated. It lists itinerary modifications, links to letters they have sent to guests for those cruises. It specifies it will help people with flight changes and provide up to $500 reimbursement per person help. However, if you cancel, penalties still apply. 

Princess is the next most specific about sailing modifications. Tokyo-related cruises are canceled through March 12 via Diamond Princess.

All the ships in the Royal Caribbean Cruises company state: "Regardless of nationality, we will deny boarding to any individual who has travelled from, to or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau in the past 15 days." Royal Caribbean specifically notes as of 2/14 "we have ended the temporary restrictions" on holders of passports from China, Hong Kong and Macau.

Norwegian as of 2/12 is still barring those passports. 

Viking's revised update as of 2/14:

Guests who have traveled from or through mainland China, Hong Kong or Macau within 14 days of beginning their trip with Viking, will not be permitted to embark the ship.

Viking currently has two ships in Australia/New Zealand, which will sail modified itineraries. Guests scheduled to embark/disembark on March 9, 2020 will now do so in Benoa, Bali – an update that supersedes any communication prior to February 14, 2020. We are currently evaluating options for future sailings; as those details are confirmed, Viking Customer Relations will communicate directly with those impacted guests and their travel agents on an ongoing basis.

19 minutes ago, Squawkman said:

Many of us on the VO board have had situations where Viking went above and beyond when situations arose. Sounds like you might have had a snotty Viking agent, but have you experienced a situation totally not the cruise line's fault that handled the situation better? 

I'm glad to hear you feel positively about Viking. Forums are great for reading different viewpoints.

If you're asking sincerely, I had some travel interactions in December related to the Sydney fires and the airline and hotel were very responsive and flexible. Currently, Delta is also bending over backwards to accommodate changes or refunds connected to the virus. 

I personally do not think it's reasonable for us to embrace a cruise that may be half the experience we signed up for. Sure, give us the option to take it. But give us other options, too. 

We are booked on May 1 Far East Horizons as well. We did not use Viking air, so have not received any info yet about changes.

Talked to customer service today and was told no changes yet on our cruise. Currently cancellation penalties would apply should we cancel, and we cannot transfer booking to another cruise. And, by the way, they told me, they could completely change their itinerary if they chose--it's on the website. And, since you declined the Viking trip insurance, aw, tough luck.

I appreciate the magnitude of logistics Viking is dealing with. But it does not sound like customers are their top priority. This was our first Viking cruise (we've done many others) and looks to be our last, if we go at all. 

We are ready to book a great Split-Dubrovnik cruise on the Mama Marija, new in 2018 holding 36 passengers. http://www.adventure-life.com/croatia/cruises/12365/split-to-dubrovnik

It looks like both Adventure Life and Unforgettable Croatia offer this option.

I can't find independent info on either companies or other similar small ships such as Captain Bota, Apolon, Callisto or Infinity.

Does anyone have experience with either company or these ships? Thanks much!