Breckski

I've worked with business management long enough to know that the ones who make decisions would say it's easy enough to add an option. IT pushback, likely. But from my experience the IT folks who constantly made progress and change sound overly complex were the ones of least benefit to the entity. It was always a breath of fresh air to hear the IT Director say: "Sure, not problem, it's simple, we'll take care of that". Really not attacking you, just my experience, and I'm sure you've experienced this as well. Senior management complaining about uncooperative IT dept, and the IT dept complaining about senior management who do not understand the complexity of their jobs. Like many things, the truth is likely in the middle🤣

Completely understand that, but why wouldn't Viking give an option? Just add an option when one finalizes the cancellation. Like how they provide a payment option. Wouldn't be difficult to program. I'm simply curious from a business operations viewpoint as it closely relates to my professional experience. If I were in charge of their business operations, I'd want the funds to stay in my possession as long as possible, especially if the customer so desired. Some would leave the money in their account and find a way to spend (waste???) the funds while on-board. And others, like me in this situation, would like the simplicity for re-booking.

What's the primary purpose/benefit of such an eSIM for someone on a cruise? I'm assuming it's for cost-savings as compared to your providers international plan but wanted to ask in case I'm missing something.

I'm really not upset and not concerned about the double-booking as I easily identified the issue. But any thoughts as to why they don't let folks apply funds from cancelled excursions to their account? They already have a system to track credits to your account.

Got a question about a Viking policy simply out of curiosity. Here's the background. This week I got an email from Viking stating that an excursion had been moved from one day to the subsequent day due to the excursion operator not being able provide the service on the original date. The email also stated: "Your schedule has been automatically adjusted and there is no action required on your end." Not exactly true as the shifting of the excursion created two timing conflicts with excursions already booked on the second day. I called Viking, and the rep said I had to cancel the ones on the second day and re-book them on the first day if I wanted to keep those excursions. One could easily criticize the email stating no action required but I simply write that off to volume and the fact Viking can't adjust schedules on their own. But I would word the email differently. Here's the question though. Why doesn't Viking give one the option of applying funds for cancelled excursions to their account - like having a self-funded OBC? To me this would be simpler than what I ended up having to do which was cancel two excursions (and wait for Viking to refund into my bank account) and rebook (and immediately pay) for the same excursions on a different date. I really don't think this happens enough for Viking to have this policy for float/interest income. Any thoughts? I find the current method inefficient and not customer friendly. Wonder if I'm missing a legitimate reason for the policy.

Not to insult, but you do you. Bless your heart.🤣

@Steerpike58 your experience confirms my thoughts to never book an extension with a cruise line unless I have very, very serious concerns about my ability to navigate the area. It seems like you wasted much time due to the logistics of being attached to a "group". I'm sorry for you experience but want to thank you for sharing.

I do think River would provide general insight into VO, but to me it's like comparing Windstar or NCL to VO. Just so many differences due to size. I realize the comparison was using a large river ship, but still 1/2 the passengers. And I certainly wouldn't use a river cruise experience to provide any meaningful comparison between VO and Oceania. We thought our VR cruise was more like a land based, bus tour on a moving hotel/bus. Not a bad concept, but still designed to provide a "common" experience for all on board - from dining to excursions to a certain extent. I remember Gary Bembridge saying something to that effect prior to us taking a river cruise. I didn't truly understand what he meant until I did one. But some folks love and crave that type of experience.

Not sure I'd be loyal to VO after doing a river cruise and walking through an older Oceania vessel. This is like saying it'd be hard to sway me away from a 5/series because I like my 3/series. Just like the car analogy, VR has similarities to VO, but there certainly are more differences than similarities. I don't say this as a negative to VO as we've been very pleased with our past VO cruises and enjoyed our one river cruise (but didn't like it enough to do another). Just don't agree with the logic above especially when used to provide insight to a VO vs Oceania cruise.

We are visiting in 2025 also. The ship spends two nights in Kobe. Based on research both here on CC and otherwise, we plan on staying one night at a hotel in Kyoto instead of sleeping on the ship in order to maximize our time in Kyoto. I know not really excursion related but something for you to consider.

Completely understand your sentiment, and I'd be very, very upset also. Just trying to offer something to lower your frustration from a 10 to maybe a 7. This situation certainly doesn't look favorably to WS. With that said, if I had my pick, I'd rather cruise there without the Olympics. TV, support crew, marketing activities - in general things I'd rather not experience in Tahiti. Situation still sucks though.

We certainly understand the rules and abide by them. But in my case, just don't think a dress code has a lot to do with good taste. The thoughts behind a dress code are interesting to me especially given the fact that dress is continually getting more casual - airplanes, cruises, business, church, etc. I try to understand the honest reasons behind these policies. Never want to be one who says the world is falling apart just because it's changing.

Unsolicited suggestion - make it to Krakow if going to Prague.

We have visited independently - 4 nights if I remember correctly. In addition, our one river cruise ended in Budapest. To us, Budapest is only second to Prague in terms of our favorite European city. There's not a ton of massive, high volume tourist spots like you'll find in Paris, London, Barcelona, etc. We just like walking around and experiencing the city. Loved starting up conversations with the locals. Budapest isn't overrun with tourist (yet) like many European cities. And it's certainly large enough for more than a couple nights.

Can't comment on the Regent extension but can tell you we did Iguazu Falls on our own about 15 years ago. No issues whatsoever.