marylovestotravel

Sounds like a marvellous selection of activities! It'll be nice to be active and enjoy the ship and fellow travellers. I've browsed the Viking website but I can't seem to find much information. Mia

Our cruise has a lot of sea days between Vancouver and Tokyo and I was wondering what sort of extra activities Viking has for sea days. We've cruised Oceania and they have this Stitch and Chat which is very popular and a great way to meet people. Does Viking have anything similar? I will be bringing lots of books, but it's nice to have something different as well. Mia

Have you thought of contacting your old TA and asking if s/he could recommend anyone who might give you the same types of benefits? Sometimes worth a try and it's alway nice to reconnect and offer a note of appreciation. Mia

We also loved our first Oceania cruise, but not our flights home. We have since learned that you have a lot more flexibility than you think. For flights, in the past I have done my research (or your travel agent) and found the flights i prefer. Unfortunately, coming from Vancouver (like us) you don't have the choice that people in the east coast have. I then present my choice to "O" and see what they say. I have found that it might be to my advantage, especially if I want a deviation (travel earlier) to arrange my own flights. As for "O" life choice, there is no advantage if you are taking the on board credits. Basically you are prepaying your potential expenses and if you don't use up your credits, you can't cash out and bring the remainder home. The only advantage, if you think you will use it is, it will work slightly to your benefit because the Canadian dollar is doing so poorly against the US. You can choose to buy the cruise as a cruise only package (no air, no "O"life, but you still get free (slow) internet. Or you can add either air or "O" life to the package. Your agent should be able to price it out for you. You can make changes to your booking if you change your mind on any of the details. Maybe not after final payment. Hope this helps, Mia

I have found that there is a slight variation in the restaurants even from year to year. Croissants can be fabulous one cruise. In another, they might be "nice". Same menu, but differences in expression, so it's not like MacDonald's which are the same wherever you go (or so I've been told). Mia

For some reason, Oceania wants you to specify a "terminal arrival time". Given that situations are somewhat fluid when you are preparing to go to the port, I find an exact time eg. 2pm somewhat worrisome when they ask you to contact them or port representative if there is any deviation from that time. I know I am overthink this, but... Mia

Does anyone know what happens if you are late for your check in time? Mia

Great tips! Thanks to everyone for sharing!😉

$2 bills? Where from? Canada use to have $2 bills, but they have been replaced by the toonie! Mia

Hi, In past cruises it was nice to bring needlework projects onboard and work on them with others like minded. Oceania even provided small needlework kits for participants. Is this still happening? Getting close... Mia

So nice to hear from people who are planning to use refillable water bottles, whether their own or the one Oceania provides. I guess the takeaway is that the Vero water bottles are adequate, but if you have personal preferences (eg) insulated, weight, etc. you should bring your own. Thanks for the feedback. Mia

Can you have your room attendant do this? Mia

Great!! They sound very usable and I won't have to bring our bottles. Mia

Hi Gerry, Looking forward to the cruise!! Though I'm having travel anxieties about flying and transiting through Toronto. We've had a horrible Christmas season for air travel with winter storms. See you on board! Mia

A few years ago, we were promised free refillable water bottles for us to take ashore. What were these like? With your experience, would you recommend bringing your own? Thanks Mia

I can't help it! They keep sending me brochures and just look... There's a luscious, or tasty or yummy... picture of someone's delicious dinner/appetizer/dessert??? My question is... Which menu is it on??? Is it Toscana? or Jacques? or... And what is your experience with it??? Are there truly raw oysters at the Terrace Cafe? Or is it only under special circumstances? How about the foie gras? Any answers out there? Yearningly, Mia

I've been informed that you can use ArriveCan for immigration services up to 72 hours before arrival in order to expedite processing at Canadian Border Services. Not earlier than that as the information is deleted at 72 hours. Phil has told me there is a very explanatory video available. Mia

Thanks for the advice. Will try to use both preplanning and smiles 😉 🙂 mia

Imagine my surprise when I saw this as I was driving in North Vancouver today. Regatta appears to be docked at the Seaspan shipyard. Regatta Aug 21, 2022

Hi, I was wondering about strategies for early disembarkation when tendering to for a private excursion. This will be my 1st time to play mother hen and I would like to get all my ducks(???) in order. Thanks for any advice you can share. Mia

Thanks for your help and information. I, too, know about how something is a go until it isn't. On a recent flight to Toronto, we thought we were safe and good to go after completing online check-in. And then received a text message several hours later that the flight was cancelled!!! We were enroute to Newfoundland to join a circumnavigation on an expedition ship and even with planning to arrive a day early, was looking at very narrow connections to the cruise. In addition we would miss a highly anticipated stay in a singular b&b in St John's. Thankfully Aeroplan was able to slot us into an earlier flight, but I don't like dealing with those types of stresses!!! I guess the take on this information is: Plan to go, but with your ear to the ground and be prepared if something goes sideways! We were originally booked on the March 2020 South America that was cancelled 2 days before embarkation. This might be our last chance to use our "future" cruise credits. Mia

We're booked for Jan 2023 and I was wondering (I know it is still early times) how likely it will be that the cruise is going to happen. Does anyone know what happened to the cruises scheduled in early 2022? I know there were hiccups, but did any go? Mia

Any ideas about how the cruising season will look for South America for 2022-2023? I know there were some cancellations early in 2022 but were there any cruises later on? Mia