alainciao

Hi All,

I thought about starting a new thread for this but I am interested in the opinion of my fellow passengers on this Star cruise. DW and I have been debating the quality of food on this cruise. It was our first Viking cruise. We have cruised extensively mainly on Regent, Seabourn and Oceania. We are not foodies but we do like an outstanding meal once in awhile. I don't want a special dinner every night because I get jaded if I do this. However, our general opinion is that Viking fell short on food and food service. I'm not saying it was bad just not great and not up to the standards of our other cruises. I didn't think the Chef's Table delivered anything special. It was like an experiment that had some good parts and some bad parts. It was the only venue where I ate dessert because I hadn't really enjoyed the dinner. The World Cafe was OK but we found the selections repetitious and somewhat limited. On other ships we have enjoyed a variey of cuisines at lunchtime. Manfredi's was our favorite as we loved the Osso Buco, the pork bellies, and the antipasto. It also had some ambiance which the other venues very much lacked. The pool grill was not good. Everything we had was overcooked. Then the buns which they tried to warm never made it to warm. Mamsen's was OK and had good quality for the limited choices. We also found the service to be spotty as there seemed to be little flexibility in the kitchen,e.g., I ordered a baked potato instead of fries and the meal came with both. Another time I ordered 3 courses, DW ordered 2 and I didn't get my third until I asked for it after the entree was served. Small things but these weren't the only instances. Again, the food was OK but that's all. I'm posting this because DW has ruled out Viking because of the food and I don't want to rule out Viking. I'm wondering if folks who have cruised Viking before can comment on the relative food quality on the Star on this trip. Thanks in advance!

Stan

Hi Rich!

We’re on the Viking Star and enjoyed Geiringer Fjord with you yesterday. Fantastic! After dinner we had our lemon cello in the Observation Bar forward and enjoyed a wonderful cruise out of the fjord. Was fun seeing the Explorer for the first time. How about the threat from the big pice of mountain they are afraid will create a huge tsunami some day? Love your blog!

Stan

I'm on this excursion in July. Was wondering if I have to think about getting wet and cold on it. Any advice? Thanks.

Perhaps Seabourn could use the (now) unused outside deck on 8 ( rear of TK Grill ) for this new dining experience:D

Ouch! We're booked on the Encore in September and love outside dining and were looking forward to using this area! It's not used at all? Even for cocktails?

OK. I feel like included excursions are like Hampton Inn breakfast. If they were wonderful, they wouldn’t be included. That said, don’t include them if they’re worthless. Yesterday we took included in KL and it was fine. Photo ops, commentary and a museum. I’m still trying to work out the last weeks of the cruise. I have to find great food in Mumbai and Goa. Indian crew members can probably help.

Don't know if you can do it but we had a buffet lunch at the Taj Mahal Hotel in Mumbai on a Seabourn tour. It made me an Indian food fan. The best buffet (and maybe best food) I have ever had.

Thanks, azdrydock. I'll check them out.:D

Thanks for the inputs! No tube with luggage so will be taxi. Mrs Miggins, if I pre book a taxi the Greenwich pier works for pickup? I would think there would normally be taxis standing by for hire when the ship disembarks but have not heard this.

We are disembarking on July 14th in London and going to the airport. Not using Viking transfer. (we are renting a car at the airport and Viking will not put us on the transfer without a flight) When you disembark in London are there taxis and, also, if I want to make a reservation with a taxi service what do I put as the pickup point? Thanks in advance!

Hi Rich,

We were on the Voyager with you and Ginny last year from Sing to HK and we also did the Auckland to Sing before. Your blogs and pics were a great treat! You outdid yourself. I especially liked the "G'night"! And Forgap, we never met but you did a great job! Loved your pics. Your have good taste in art also! (That just means it's similar to mine):D

Stan and Pat

Wes,

You are one sharp and seasoned traveler! Great thread.

Stan

Spent 40 nights last Jan/Feb in 663. Once in a while we had to put a napkin in the refrigerator door but overall the vibration was a non issue and we had some rough weather and some high speeds.

On our last Seabourn voyage, we asked for an Indian meal, and the chefs went all-out in creating a fantastic menu for us--from soup to desert. Truly a special meal.

 

Was that on a cruise near India? Do you think that would be available in the Med? Thanks.

Rich, you are officially a hero now with the crew, at least with Cindy. I just saw her in Coffee Connection and showed her your picture of her. She was very happy! She asked how to get to cc so she could guide her parents there. Well done!

What I heard was the capitalist economy is strong and the communist corruption matches it. People on the street like all tourists. A very interesting port and many good values in Vietnamese products.

Need to post a comment about one of our onboard entertainers, Terry Bishop. He is a prize! His numerous lectures are attended by close to 300 people. Last night we had a "Ain't Patrick's Day" event in Horizon and it was standing room only. This for a 10:30 event! That was preceded by David Nevin, our assistant CD who was excellent in the Theater and sang a great duet with Kari, one of the Voyager singers. I have often found Regent's enrichment programs wanting but Terry Bishop leads a very good program on this cruise.

It's always surprising how we cruisers may react differently to ports. I really enjoyed Cooktown. It's small but the people were very friendly. If you delved into the history of Capt Cook and his two month stay in Cooktown it was very interesting. The interaction with the Maori and then the whole gold rush time in the 1870's was also interesting. Small towns and remote areas add to the adventure. And the tender ride was fun (but admittedly not for everyone)

Whoops, that was the aboriginals in Cooktown.

Wes, Great pics of the GBR. We missed Cairns and Whitsunday Island due to weather etc. so no chance to see what you saw. You blow my mind, though; we were totally unamazed by Cooktown and can't understand why it is a regular port, especially because of the tender ride.

Bill

It's always surprising how we cruisers may react differently to ports. I really enjoyed Cooktown. It's small but the people were very friendly. If you delved into the history of Capt Cook and his two month stay in Cooktown it was very interesting. The interaction with the Maori and then the whole gold rush time in the 1870's was also interesting. Small towns and remote areas add to the adventure. And the tender ride was fun (but admittedly not for everyone)

Hi Wes,

Pat and I took the Auckland Explorer today. Just wanted to let you know the museum is a must and you need at least two hours there. See you on the 26th!

Stan

If you're going to San Francisco

Be sure to wear some flowers in your hair

If you're going to San Francisco

You're gonna meet some gentle people there

Again, Seabourn should make this right. The alternative (although OP is obviously not the type of person to do this) is the suggestion from post 7 :

"there are more subtle ways of causing discomfort to people whose behaviour is consistently poor than expecting action to be taken by Seabourn."

Anybody want that?

"Let it go" is permissive to the angry woman and none of us want this behavior to be re-enforced.

I think previous poster is correct about going to Hotman as the Spa may have quashed this due to reasons OP is not aware of.

Good grief! Seabourn MUST make this right for your family.

My opinions may not be popular but one thing that I am not is rude.

 

 

This is true.

You are correct in thinking you will get a better rental rate at off-airport locations. The airports all take large fees. You don't have to use a smaller company either. We used Enterprise about a 5-10 minute ride from the airport. When you return the car it is about a $10 taxi ride to the airport. Enterprise helps you get the taxi. We did have to wait about 30 minutes for the taxi to the airport but I think that was an anomaly.

I keep getting marketing emails from Passport Premiere enticing me to join by promising great deals (actually notifications of price drops) on Business Class airfare. I'm inclined to unsubscribe but just wanted to ask if anyone has experience with them. Thanks.

I searched the insurance threads and found this. Several other vets complained about Tricare not paying. It seems odd that Tricare would be this difficult but apparently is. Time to call them directly:

The correct procedure for retired military (under medicare and TFL) for submitting medical claims for out of country claims not covered my Medicare is to submit to TRICARE OVERSEAS where it is covered less deductables and co-pays by TRICARE STANDARD, after they make their payment submit to VACATION PROTECTION where they will pay any unreinbursed costs. TRICARE FOR LIFE is not included in the proper procedure for coverage. Found this out while waiting for TFL to reply and happened upon an article in NAVY TIMES that explained the correct way to submit this type of claim. We have been reimbursed 100% for all costs related with my wife's broken ankle while on a 32 day cruise.