detroit70

1 minute ago, millybess said:

I sympathize with what you are saying about having to pay for two meal plans. But the thing about Viking is that their ships usually sail full, so they don’t have to give discounts for a solo traveller. It’s possible they would consider a solo discount closer to sail date on more unpopular itineraries where the ships have empty cabins they want to fill. But in our experience, on each of our Viking cruises, the fare has increased substantially closer to sail date.

 

When you booked the cruise, did you realize you would be paying for two?

Yes, since this is my 11th solo cruise (10 of them in the 5 years prior to COVID) all at double the charge, I definitely knew what it was going to cost. I’m only suggesting that they consider sharing some of that excess profit with me,  based on lower food cost for a solo traveler.  I don’t expect that will ever happen but, as one who used to manage the budgets and rate settings for an operation that has some (not all) comparisons, it seems only fair to see it differently. 😊

On 1/1/2024 at 11:14 AM, longterm said:

It's unfortunate that Viking doesn't have single-occupancy cabins, but as a business, their first concern has to be staying profitable so that they can remain in business. I know it's painful for someone to pay so much to do a Viking cruise on one's own, but it's the way the industry is structured.
 

As I think I mentioned, it's understandable I'll need to pay for two beds; in fact, I once managed the budget for a 7,000 bed set of buildings and we also charged extra for a single room.  My point is that we did not charge that person for a second meal plan as well.  Thus my suggestion that perhaps they'd consider something of a break for the solo traveler.  Just a suggestion to the industry by someone who has just booked their 11th cruise at double the total price...

On 3/3/2023 at 6:07 PM, longterm said:

An equivalent would be to say that, "Because I pay for all-inclusive food on my Viking cruise, I can go to the buffet and squirrel away a meal, and then give it to someone on shore." Yes, it's all-inclusive, and you're within your rights to help yourself as you wish, but it's ethically and morally wrong to take that food and pass it on to someone else who's NOT on the cruise. 

 

While your above argument would posit that Viking has already factored it into the cost of the cruise, it's still just wrong. 

 

I was generally agreeing with you about ethics vs. rights until I considered that, because I'm traveling solo, I'm paying for two complete fares so I could be considered as payng for that meal to pass along to someone on shore.  No worries--I won't take food off the ship, but it does reinforce my concern about paying for double food, wine, etc.  I get the part about needing to pay cover what would normally be two people in the cabin, but it does seem like there should be some kind of break for solo traverlers.😔

Thanks much!  Traveling by myself, I’m grateful for a slider for moving breakfast to the balcony, for example, and avoiding disturbing neighbors if I don’t catch the door in time! 😊

I'm booked in a PV2 (5016) on Jupiter in August.  How do i find out if I have a slider or a door?

3 hours ago, deec said:

detroit70...we live in Detroit too!  Did you see the the Expedition ships as they passed through this summer?

I missed that because I left Detroit years ago when I went to college, but Detroit is still in my heart.  That's especially true with the roar of the Lions this year!  I would have loved to see the Expedition ships though!

Thanks so much!

I’m looking forward to my first Viking Ocean cruise next August after 16 Holland cruises across 9 years.  With Holland I learned to rely on my “Personal Cruise Consultant (PCC)” for individual assistance with many of the booking details, problem resolution, and special requests like a fan in the cabin, and I kept the same PCC across several years. Does Viking offer something similar?

Ask your dining room server if you can order it for the next night.  I had escargot every night on my last cruise by ordering every night for the next night.  At the last dinner, the servers proudly brought me two!

On my last cruise 3 years ago (after which I took a COVID sabbatical) I had a couple awesome MDR stewards.  I asked them fairly early in the cruise about whether it was true that I could have escargot every night if I told the the night before.  They assured me that would work, and it did every night.  By the end of the cruise, I was getting a little tired of escargot and thought I'd order something different the last night but, when I to to dining room,  I was greeted by the two excited stewards who couldn't wait to tell me, :"Ma'am!  It's a special night and we got you TWO escargot tonight!"  So yes, at least 3 years ago, you could get it every night, and I'm hoping I'll find it possible again when I board my next cruise in August.

My late husband and I first boarded a Holland cruise ship in 2011, and in August I'll be on board the Nieuw Statendam for my 16th HAL cruise (I took 3 years off for the pandemic.)  During each of those previous cruises, I'd estimate that I had my pre-dinner glass of wine enjoying the music of the Lincoln Center ensemble before probably 90% of those evening meals, while also often attending some of their afternoon and post-dinner performances as weill.

When I discovered on this board that LC was apparently gone, a few days after paying the full cruise charge and SAS flight charge for my upcoming 14 day cruise, I seriously considered cancelling the booking, until I did the math and realized that, even with the platinum insurance plan, the amount of money that cancellation would cost me was way more than I was willing to sacrifice.  I did write to my PCC though to register my very deep disappointment, and she wrote back to say "The Lincoln Center has actually been moved to the World stage and is more a “travelling” group now so it would be one or two nights during your voyage."  My response was that I just need to figure out what to do the other 12 or 13 nights before dinner.

I appreciate all the reminders that HAL leadership needs to know how many of their passengers regularly fill the lounge and spill over into the hallway for the evening LC performances.  I found in recent years, pre-COVID, I had to make it a point to arrive early to get a seat and a glass of wine if I didn't want to stand during the performance.  I will start sending those emails in the morning. 

On 6/19/2023 at 9:40 AM, Iamthesea said:

Congratulations on your pick!   

 

I don't know if the red chair was standard or not.  When we first entered the room and I saw it blocking the coffee table and seemingly a good for nothing chair, I started to tell DH that I was going to ask for it to be removed.  He piped up and said, "oh good, a chair for T.V. watching."  He immediately turned it around so that it faced the T.V.  We did have to go around it just a little to get out unto the veranda.

 

What port in Norway do you visit?  We have also been to Scotland and Iceland.

 

Susie - Did you happen to take a photo of your Vista Suite?

My PCC checked with guest services and reported back to me today that the “red chair” (or its equivalent) is standard SS furnishings on the NS!  I’m relieved to know I’ll have a place to sit with my morning coffee and CNN before venturing out.

Thanks to all of you for your feedback on Vista Suite vs Signature Suite.  Your posts persuaded me to book the Signature on the Nieuw Statendam for the 14 day Northern Isle cruise of Scotland, Iceland and Norway in August.  I'm especially grateful for the pictures posted by Iamthesea a few days ago.  I'm feeling much more confident about my choice after seeing those, and I'm putting in my request for the red chair or something resembling that for occasional tv watching--if it's not available, I'll move in one of those balcony chairs and foot stools!

If anyone has further suggestions about the Nieuw Statendam and/or the Scotland, Iceland, Norway cruise, I'd love to hear that as well.  Unfortunately the Norway portion has been reduced to only one port due to "operational concerns" but, since Iceland was my primary goal, I booked it anyway.

Again, many thanks for your help!

I'm looking at cruises on the Nieuw Statendam and the Rotterdam and I'm finding the Signature and Vista Suites as options on those ships.  So far I think the responses are leading me to book the Signature Suites.  

Thanks for all the help!

Your pictures and video are so helpful!  Thank you!  The "red chair" is exactly what I was hoping to find and I'm grateful for the video of the cabin as well. On a previous cruise in a signature suite, I persuaded the cabin steward to find a chair like that red one for me so that I could watch the tv without laying on the bed.  I'm hoping that chair is now standard furnishings for a SS.  The balcony pictures are also encouraging in terms of some reasonable space and comfortable chairs, plus a table.  Again, many thanks for your helpful posts!

I've been on a good number of HAL cruises, but not for the last 3.5 years (pre-COVID.)  I've always been fortunate enough to have either a Signature or sometimes a Neptune Suite so it's been comfortable for me.  However, I'm finding the price increases since early 2020 are prompting me to look at the Vista Suite as an option, but I've got a couple questions for those of you experienced cruisers.

1)  Will I feel much more cramped in a Vista Suite than I've felt on previous cruises for 14 to possibly 21 days?

2)  Is it possible to watch the TV from anywhere other than the bed on the Rotterdam or Nieuw Amsterdam if you're in either the Signature or Vista Suite cabins? (I don't plan to be in front of the TV often or for extended periods, but I do tend to sit down late at night with a glass of wine in hand to watch the news, or have my coffee in the morning in front of the TV.)

Thanks very much for your insights and opinions!

On 2/3/2020 at 7:55 PM, dobiemom said:

There were printed copies on the Eurodam this past November. 

They were gone in January when I boarded the Eurodam.

1 minute ago, kazu said:

 

Well, that is technically right, but misleading.  Seattle at it’s best.  You pay the full price if you book on line.  But then once on board, you should receive your loyalty discount.

It’s the same as if you book the Canaletto or PG in advance.

 

I suggest you not waste time with HAL reps and contact the Mariner Society if my post is in doubt.  

That’s exactly how it worked for me last week. When I boarded the Eurodam, I had a credit on my account for my mariner discount. 

I’m just back to my cabin on the Eurodam after the Sel de Mer dinner and it was incredibly good!  The escargots were the most plump and tastiest I’ve ever had,  and the lamb was simply amazing!  I’d go back tomorrow if I could!

4 minutes ago, HAL4NOW said:

We didn't experience a decline in junk mail during our recent cruise (January 8-15). Numerous pieces of needless advertising showed up at our door multiple times each day.

I agree.  I'm on the Eurodam today and, while it may not be quite as much as previously, there's still a good number of paper ads in my mailbox each day that go directly to the recycle bin immediately.  Paper straws are available on request.

This feels silly to ask, but do people wear white (shorts, slacks, shoes) in the Caribbean in January?  (I'm starting to pack for this week's trip...)

Thanks!

I'm boarding the Eurodam on January 26.  Can anyone tell me who the current captain is?

Thanks!

On 1/11/2020 at 12:40 AM, oakridger said:

Yes, on the December 7, 2019 cruise.  I had been to Sel de Mer once before on Oosterdam in 2018 and twice on Noordam in 2019 and all three visits were excellent!  This last time was bad, really bad, as the kitchen did not prepare any of my three courses properly. I waited 20 minutes after being seated before being greeted by the waiters although the wine steward had already brought my wine so I wasn't bothered too much.  I then told the assistant manager about the first course being dried out and crumbly (Fois Gras Torchon) and she conferred with the kitchen to remake it and it was good.  The entree was incredibly salty and the lobster was the same small size as the main dining room serves on gala night. (The MDR lobster was delicious though) Previously the Sel de Mer lobster tail was much larger and excellent!  The dessert soufflé was a thick gloppy mess and inedible!  The manager Paul tried to write it off as just "not to my taste" but the previous three I had were wonderful and fluffy!!!  His offer of a free after dinner drink had no value to me since I already had the beverage package.  Huge Fail this time!!! 

 

That all said, I'm going to assume it was just somehow a really bad night for the kitchen and will definitely give Sel de Mer another try on my next cruise.  The Pinnacle Grill dinner the previous week was great...same kitchen!  Good luck and I hope you have as good a meal as my previous three!

 

~Nancy

I was just about to book the Sel de Mer for my upcoming Eurodam cruise, boarding 1/26.  Has anyone else had a recent experience with this dining option?

On 12/8/2019 at 3:31 PM, wesport said:

So, we are in 8162 Aft Wrap Neptune Suite for Christmas week. Hoping the Caribbean is calm. Don't plan on getting off the ship, which is why we wanted a big balcony. 

I am booked in 8162 on the Eurodam, boarding a week from Sunday, 1/26.  How was your experience with this Aft Wrap? 

(I must admit I've become nervous reading this set of posts, even though I booked this cabin intentionally after doing all the research I could on Cruise Critic and a couple other websites. I also relied on the fact that my late husband and I had the same cabin on deck 7 (7132) in 2014 for our Baltic cruise, and I don't remember any concerns about the cabin.)

Thanks very much for anything you can share.

Copper 10-8, is it too early to ask who the Eurodam's captain will be for its January 26th Panama Canal cruise?

Also, is Captain Willems still on board a HAL ship?

Thanks!