JF - retired RRT

Thank you. Very nice review.

Too bad. We just booked our first cruise on Viking and weren't put off at all with the early FP. Too many great reviews that make it worth it.

AFAIK you can still get a refund for the shipping costs. Included in the "package", but you still paid for something you didn't get.

Lucky you. On our one Alaska cruise, we saw an eagle and a seal and a lot of dead salmon.

Thanks!! That's kind of what I expected.

Wonder what the menus would be for Hawaii. Nothing seems to be even close to Hawaiian.

A towel on the floor would solve that problem.

Could you put a link for the "20 Chefs Table menus" post? TIA

Do you have to go back to Manfredi's or will the MDR or buffet heat it up for you?

Room service is "free" if you use the app. Apparently, there is a $5 charge, if you use the room phone to call for room service.

Keep in mind...if you order a full dinner from RS, your soup will be cold, the main will likely be lukewarm and ice cream will melt. 😉

We compared the numbers: all balconies, everything included except for grats, booze (wine & beer included with lunch & dinner - don't care, don't drink), a couple of upcharge restaurant "experiences" (not interested). Included: coffee/tea in the cabin, Every port has at least one included excursion (nothing fancy), snack/soda/water in cabin (except for the 2 cheapest categories). WiFi is included. Large bathrooms with real showers and heated floors. A balcony that's big enough to sit on without squeezing. Benefits: No casino, no kids, 900 passengers. When we finished comparing, the cruise we booked was only a couple of hundred dollars more than a comparable mini-suite. If you only want to book inside or OV, you won't save $$. Balconies and above are in the ballpark.

We are Elite, so miss the benefits that were removed/scaled down. Our last 2 cruises, the food was very disappointing, our stewards were terrible (even the one when we were in a suite) and the ships have gotten too big.

I think I'm jumping ship. Trying Viking in November.

See above.

Some TAs give both. One that was recommended to us does. And the OBC from them is refundable (I asked). @Docrox12 take the OBC and ask around on the cruise for TA recommendations.

Pretty sure that Thursday in 2024 is on the 28th.

Note for the future...since you don't drink alcohol, you would save $$$ if you don't book the Plus package and pay for gratuities, internet and the 2 included casual dining (if you even want them). FYI: look on Amazon for other ways to wear the Medallion. There are a lot of choices.

There's an inside cabin on ONE ship (AFAIK only one ship). Sapphire Princess on Emerald deck (E310). The couple that showed us the cabin said it was charged as an inside, but the space was like a mini-suite. It was amazing!! There is an E310 on other ships, but if you look at the deck plans, you can see the difference. The one on the Emerald is double-wide. The other ships that have an E310, there are 2 insides in the same space.

Embarkation lunch is available for anyone who knows about it.

Isn't it the same water? What's different?

I read somewhere on here that the kettle fits on the desk.

We're doing our first Viking cruise after 25+ Princess cruises. Got tired of the loss of things that Viking includes. We sail in November and can't wait!

We've done the Sanctuary 2 times. Both were a disappointment. The first one we were one of 2 or 3 people all day and were basically ignored. We decided to give it one more try. Again, all day. We weren't ignored, service was better. Afternoon tea...nope. Both times.

There may also be a "ship tour". Before Covid, it was usually offered once each cruise (IIRC $150pp). Lots of walking all over the ship from top to bottom. At the end we got a bag with photos, apron, really nice robe and other goodies. We went to the bridge, engineering, kitchen, laundry, the entertainment cast dressing room, the anchor storage and other "off limits" areas. Totally worth the cost.