farmecologist

I thought I'd throw in my two cents. 

On our Rhine river cruise last year, we extended on both sides for a few days in Basel and Amsterdam.

We used the "MobiMatter" app to purchase multi-country eSIMs for both of our phones.  Very affordable and it worked out very well.

BTW, most iPhones have dual SIM capability.  We have older phones ( iphone 11 pro and iphone 12 mini), so we have one physical USA SIM, and were able to easily add the additional eSIM without touching the physical SIM.  

We plan on doing the same thing for our upcoming Danube cruise November.

1 minute ago, Kountess said:

If anyone has not looked into online banks, the rates are even better.  Our Capital One savings account, which is linked to our checking account, earns 4.35%, and our new Bread Savings account earns 5.15%.  We've been using Capital One since 2014 and have never felt the need for a physical bank.

Us either!  We are currently using Sofi Bank, earning 4.6%.  

I'll have to look into Bread saving accounts.  Never heard of them!

16 hours ago, millybess said:

9:00 is the last seating for both restaurants and they ask that you arrive early. 

Wow..that is later than I thought it would be!  That works well for us though.  👍

I'm hoping the later it gets, the fewer people there will be...true?  That is usually the case on other lines we have been on anyway.  

22 minutes ago, Mich3554 said:

I have found it faster to book these excursions on the TV instead of haunting guest services for when they drop.  You can find them listed in EXCURSIONS on sea days.  

Never really noticed the restaurant lines, but we get on the Venus the day after tomorrow so will take note.  It might be that we do not go anywhere near any restaurants when they open.  Our sweet spot seems to be in the 7-7:30 range.  

We like eating later as well....the later the better, in fact.  

Anyone know how late each venue is open in the evening?

11 minutes ago, Kiwi Dreamer said:

When we book a new cruise while on board we are able to choose our cabin then and there. 

Guaranteed cabins typically happen when shopping the deals, etc...at least in our experience.  And we did get a heck of a deal on our upcoming TA.

We have a guaranteed cabin on our upcoming TA in early April.

We always take the lowest category, lowest price room ( we are cheap..ok? )  🤣

So does anyone get "upgraded"?  If so, are they free?  On other lines you have to "bid" for room upgrades...but I haven't seen anything like that on Viking.

19 hours ago, CCWineLover said:

Yes the prices took a big jump in 2024 for sure - but mostly on the very popular itineraries that sell out.  Namely British Isles, Malta, Japan, Australia and probably others (these are the ones I've been following).    Conversely the ones that aren't as popular (transatlantic cruises, some others) actually are offering pretty good deals.

Supply and Demand - as is the case in airlines, hotels, cruises, and more.  

 

If you think the cruise prices are getting ridiculous, have you looked at what hotel prices are doing this past year!  Unbelievable !!

 

Makes one think about putting down that $25 placeholder "just in case" you might want to go in the future (almost like a "price protection" insurance amount).

Doesn't seem like these price increases are just for the popular itineraries though.  

Just checked our TA coming up in April, 2024 and it has also substantially jumped in price.

Cruise booking is like any other travel booking...timing is critical when attempting to snag the best deal.  For instance, we booked this TA during the sales in late November.  Free air, free SSP, reduced rates, and past customer discount.  This combo was only available for a very limited time for our sailing.

I'm also guessing the $25 deposit has something to do with it.  Sailings are "filling up"...but nobody has paid, and many will likely cancel as the payment date approaches!

8 hours ago, wine-wine-wine said:

One note - I am an exception. Maybe 10-20% of gents wear one. I’ve lived and worked in Silicon Valley for years and tire of the sloppiness. It’s fun to dress up just a little in my Bluff Works machine washable sports coat and my merino wool button down. Non traditional but just a nod to a special night, still comfortable and *not required*. Never a tie on Viking. Sea Cloud Spirit, later this year, will be a bit dressier. 

Nice.  I'm definitely NOT a "dress up" type of guy, but I added the Bluffworks machine washable sports coat to my "wish list" of travel gear.  Looks nice!  I also have a Merino wool button down ( Western Rise ), which is GREAT for travel. 

On 12/15/2023 at 1:29 PM, Clay Clayton said:

I think you should do a test cruise on a Viking cruise with a fair number of sea days.  We fell in love with Viking on the first of three transatlantics on them.  Since  then we have taken more typical cruises with just one or two sea days, and realize we love having these relaxing days onboard to really enjoy the ship, fellow passengers, lecturers, afternoon tea, etc.  

Our thoughts exactly.  We are really looking forward to our first TA in March, 2024!  

Since these ships are so nice, we love the idea of having many sea days to actually enjoy them!

4 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

Hi Kent,

Hope you’re having a great voyage! Sure wish Viking would give out awards for the most  VO cruises because I believe you are closing in on a score (20) soon!?

 

I’ll send you an email about our favorite tables—but it has been revealed by others on here before, too. 😉

I'd be interested in this as well....assuming this isn't top secret information. It sounds like it might be!  😁

13 hours ago, mwike said:

Sorry but I completely disagree with this.  Or we have different definitions of privacy.  I don't think anyone would say there is privacy if you are sitting in the row of tables for two at the Restaurant where there's barely room for the waiter to get between the tables.  I've never been in these seats and not hear the entire conversations of the adjacent tables.  At one point I told my wife I was putting in my AirPods, but she wouldn't go for that.  I compare these tables to riding in the gondola while someone is having a phone conversation - just not my cup of tea.  

 

There are other eating options, but the relevant posts were about the Restaurant and there's no guarantee for a private table for two.

 

You even state in another post that sometimes you have a nice conversation with people nearby.  This is not what I call privacy.

 

I'm just trying to honestly point out what may occur in the Restaurant.  Just because it does not bother you, it clearly may upset others.  To the point of completely avoiding the Restaurant.

^^ What you said.

For some reason, we get a bit uncomfortable when in very close proximity to other diners.  Not the end of the world, but it doesn't make for a pleasing dining experience.  

The weird thing is that we are completely comfortable socializing in any other venue.  I think it is the fact you are "captive" when dining in close proximity to others and it isn't nearly as easy to walk away. 

BTW - I took a peek at the "360 degree tour" page and it looks like the Restaurant is the most problematic.  The other venues all look much better as far as "table for two" seating goes...assuming the vanues are set up as pictured in the "tour".

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/content/oceans-360/start.html

17 minutes ago, LindaS272 said:

It’s only an issue for some people. It’s never been an issue for us. There are private enough two tops in all venues—and when close to others you can either request another table or make it clear you’re not interested in conversation. Like I said—never been an issue for us.

Well I'm happy for you...but it certainly is an issue for some...hence the discussion.  Not sure what your point is?  🤷‍♂️

4 minutes ago, janetcbl said:

There are a few tables for two at the very rear of the dining room that aren’t on top of the adjoining table. We had one many nights and we could actually hear each other speak. Other nights we were at window tables for two, with a four too right next to us and the evening was more “sociable”. We liked both setups.

Ok great!  That certainly sounds much better than I was thinking, and much better than the river cruise situation.

On 12/10/2023 at 2:42 PM, Reaniel said:

1. The 1.5 GB quota is actually per person.  This means each stateroom actually gets 3 GB.  You can switch over to the other person's "account" if you've exhausted your quota.

 

2. The system is still glitchy, in that,  there had been 3 instances for our 15-day sailing where our quota was exhausted even though we were out in port for the most of the day.  Guest Service told us it's a known issue, but there's nothing they can do except to take note and report it.  The only solution they had was for the person who exhausted their quota to switch over to the other person's access.  (Or, well, pay for extra data)

 

3. I was specifically told that the new system allows for 4 devices per "account".  So there's no long any issue with your phone being forced off the internet when you connect your tablet/laptop, and vice versa.

 

The data was more than enough for us.  Even though my mom enjoyed watching YouTube for an hour or so before bed each night, we never exhausted our quota except for the glitched instances.

Bandwidth is a precious commodity on a satellite system like Viking uses.  Unfortunately, some bad apples likely took advantage of the "unlimited wifi" situation and were chewing up horrendous amounts of bandwidth.  As with anything, this always happens...some folks have no self control. 🤷‍♂️ Pretty sure Viking was forced to put these changes into place to make wifi better for all.

With that said, 1.5 Gig per person a day is a LOT of data for normal usage, even some low bandwidth streaming like YouTube, as you said.  The issues arise when people start streaming high bandwidth movies, using Zoom, and things like that.  I think it is more than fair to have people pay a small fee if they wish to work from the ship, etc... 

On 9/20/2023 at 1:06 PM, mwike said:

We really try to avoid dining at the Restaurant due to the volume and the table 3' away joining our dining experience.  We've dined many times (mainly in Europe) where the tables are ultra close or even at a common table where the person touching elbows with us never joins our conversation.  On the cruise it's different for some reason.

 

We're currently booked on 4 Viking cruises but intend to cancel 2 of these.  Keeping the other 2 due to payment/timing/location.  We recently booked a Seabourn cruise for the first time, and it'll be on a smaller ship.  One of the main reasons was to see if the dining experience is different.  We're ones that do not care if folks wear jeans to dinner but do expect common manners.  

 

Late to the party here...but here goes.

Darn..so it looks like the dining experience on Viking Ocean isn't all that intimate?  We typically like a "table for two" at meals that isn't elbow to elbow, etc... We were disappointed in the seating situation on our Viking River cruise...and resorted to trying to snag one of the few tables for two out on the terrace.  We were mostly successful...but we had to "camp out" there well before dinner was served. 

Any venues on the Viking Ocean ships that have true "tables for two"?   We don't really like the pseudo "tables for two" that are lined up and you nearly touch elbows, as you mentioned.  We have had no problems with this on many other cruise lines...but this seems to be an issue on Viking.  

BTW - we are not antisocial or anything...and we socialize at the bars and lounges, etc... However, we do enjoy eating dinner in a more "intimate" setting.

On 12/11/2023 at 5:19 AM, friendlyfifer said:

I know dress code is a touchy subject but it has to be mentioned. One lady appeared in her dressing gown/robe for trivia in the Star Theatre at 12.15, for afternoon tea and also in the Explorer’s lounge. The majority of passengers dressed smartly in the evening but there was a high percentage of people who made absolutely no effort whatsoever. Jeans, t-shirts and tops which were only suitable for gardening, in my opinion, were all too visible. I was amazed that such items were even considered for packing never mind that they ended up in the suitcase.

Ok..I'll be that guy. 🤣

Mind telling me what "dressing smartly" means?  

We did a 2+ week trip to Europe in the summer of 2023 which included a river cruise and travel on our own.  Guess what we brought?  Travel backpacks...that's it.  We traveled very light, which is a requirement in my opinion for independent travel in Europe.

While we didn't dress in jeans, we did dress in "travel pants", etc... We didn't look like slobs, but we sure didn't bring formalwear.  I'm certainly NOT a formalwear type of guy, and I absolutely am not bringing formalwear on any cruise whatsoever.  And this is why I like Viking..they are much more "casual" than other luxury cruise lines, which are often FAR too "stuffy" for our tastes.🤷‍♂️

Awaiting your definition of "dressing smartly" means.  Thanks!

1 hour ago, milling73 said:

Farmecologist / what promo code did u use for that sale?? 

Looking at our cruise docs, it says "TGS23-1".  Unfortunately, I don't see the " "West Indies & the Iberian Peninsula" sailing available under that code anymore.  

If I recall, it was a very time limited offer...around the end of November.

4 minutes ago, duquephart said:

 

I believe you pay full freight - not just the difference. Not logical but we're talking Viking here.

Wow that is very unfortunate and dumb policy if true!  Hopefully the bartenders will warn you if a drink will go over the SS covered amount!

On 7/30/2023 at 9:09 AM, Hobson1754 said:

I think, looking at Torshavn’s menu, the SS pkg covers all but 2 of the ‘spirited cocktails’. Going for the most expensive gin, vodka, scotch etc. might take you over the $18 limit, depending what they charge for mixers - can’t remember from last year if mixer was included in cost of price on menu🤔

Late to the party here...but if you do go over the $18 limit ( or whatever the SS limit is now ), I'm assuming you only pay for the overage...correct? This is how it has worked on other cruise lines ( Norwegian, etc... ).  I'm guessing it works this way on Viking as well...but just making sure.

2 hours ago, milling73 said:

I have to add to this journal a special note regarding Viking Air. They had arranged our flights. 
on return Wed our flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil to Orlando sat a gate for 3 hours and then abruptly cancelled. There was no agent at gate to assist us, nor did we receive any communication from Latam Air. No other flights were on the board. The airport is huge but it also had almost no personnel that spoke English. there were 10 of us from the ship all trying get to Orlando. None of us wanted to leave airport for hour drive to city. Nor did we have hotel information or knowledge of when next flight was.
I called Viking Air for help and they answered immediately and went to work getting us all on flight out that night - to Miami and onto Orlando. All 10 of us. One agent worked seamlessly and handled all of us. 
She gave us clear instructions on where to go at airport (back out and to checkin) and assured us our names, reservation info, and flights were in the system. Just recheck luggage and get boarding passes. She was correct. Without her amazing and patient help-we would have never gotten out that night. Or possibly even next day. 
A huge THANK YOU and Compliment for job well done. 
For any of you hesitant to book Viking Air - use them. They simply saved us. 

Just wanted to say...great writeup!   Helped us decide to book the "West Indies & the Iberian Peninsula" TA sailing for March/April, 2024.  Got an absolutely killer deal on it as well ( reduced rates, free air, free SS drink package, and the past customer discount ).

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/multi-region/west-indies-and-the-iberian-peninsula/index.html

This itinerary doesn't have all that many stops...but the stops we do have look interesting, and we want to enjoy the ship anyway!

7 hours ago, gottagocit said:

Great info!  Thank you guys for the useful details. 

Also look for free airfare, reduced rates, and free beverage package deals.  

Sometimes you can snag all three!  We have done that twice now.  Some fantastic deals to be had...but the itinerary might not be optimal. 

There is also a deals thread where current promo codes are tracked, etc... See link below...it is a very good resource.

3 hours ago, BlairsvilleCruiseGirl said:

We just booked our first river cruise with Scenic iso Viking for precisely this reason (actually, among several reason why Scenic came out ahead when comparing to Viking).  They have 3 different dining areas (some with 2 tops, but the MDR doesn't have many 2 tops), PLUS ROOM SERVICE!  So for those nights we're not feeling at all sociable, we can just order room service and eat it on our "balcony" while watching the river slide by.

Interesting...thanks for the info!  I'll have to look into Scenic further.

14 hours ago, GerryL13 said:

I find the discussion about people wanting to dine only at two-tops ... interesting. 

I am a solo traveler. I often eat out alone, but on a cruise ship, I will ask to be seated at a shared table. I sure hope there are plenty of couples and groups who are willing to welcome a singleton at their tables on my upcoming cruise -- my first on Viking.

If you get a table where everyone gets along, then yeah...it can be great.  If we have met folks and know we get along with them great, then a larger table is no problem.

However, many have horror stories of big tables that are extremely uncomfortable due to folks having vastly different views...and of course, some folks can't just keep their mouths shut on topics they know are sensitive.  Similar to the "weird uncle" at the Thanksgiving table...🤣.  Therefore, quite a few of us don't want to deal with being seated at big tables with a bunch of strangers!   Strangers is the key...like I said, if you meet folks beforehand and get along well, then I'd wager most don't have an issue with dining with them at a larger table.

Personality type is key as well.  I'm somewhat of an introvert, but can carry the table in conversation...but man sometimes it is work to do that for someone like me.  🤷‍♂️

5 minutes ago, deec said:

Do NOT take a Viking River Cruise.  Tables for 2 are non-existent.  2 on the Aquavit terrace that are impossible to get.

We did take a river cruise this summer...and we were able to snag a table for two on the terrace each night.   However, you have to be willing to "camp out" there well before dinner time.  Yes...we were one of "those people" on our river cruise...but it had to be done.  Plus, we really liked the terrace, so the wait was worth it!  🤷‍♂️

The interesting thing is that they ended up setting up a few more tables for two in the terrace area....word must have spread!

You are correct though...it would be much nicer if they had tables for two in the main dining room. 

6 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

 

I prefer to go into things with "no" expectations, rather than "low" expectations.  Might just be a word and the interpretation of that word, but for me no expectations works well.

 

We absolutely LOVE the Chef's Table and on any length of cruise we do our utmost to make every menu change they have.  We have only ever disliked one menu of the Chef's Table and we have probably eaten every menu that they produce over the cruises we have been on.

 

The menu we did not like was the UK menu, and the challenge we had with that was the battered fish, but then we have found in general that Viking do not do deep fried well - in our opinion.  But I would try that menu again with no expectations.

Yep...we are really looking forward to the Chef's table!  Heck, all of the dining venues look great to us.