The Virtual Explorers' Lounge

[vslparis]

On 2/10/2021 at 3:49 PM, CharTrav said:

Good to know. We had been booked on the Galápagos trip that was to have been last Dec but cancelled because of covid and because whatever deal Viking thought they had to charter the Santa Cruz II fell through permanently. Hoping they'll be able to position themselves do they can do something involving Machu Picchu. Time will tell. 

We did the Galapagos on the Celebrity Flora last March ( just snuck it in before they closed Ecuador and cancelled the rest of the Flora cruises for 2020 ) . They did a wonderful job with 2 nights in Quito. Some people were doing the Machu Picchu extension which was cancelled due to border closings. You might look at that if you have your heart set on the Galapagos. 

[CharTrav]

50 minutes ago, vslparis said:

We did the Galapagos on the Celebrity Flora last March ( just snuck it in before they closed Ecuador and cancelled the rest of the Flora cruises for 2020 ) . They did a wonderful job with 2 nights in Quito. Some people were doing the Machu Picchu extension which was cancelled due to border closings. You might look at that if you have your heart set on the Galapagos. 

Viking's Galápagos trip was a week land tour Inc Machu Picchu followed by a week cruise in the Galápagos.

[vslparis]

2 hours ago, CharTrav said:

Viking's Galápagos trip was a week land tour Inc Machu Picchu followed by a week cruise in the Galápagos.

Pretty much the same with Celebrity . Or you could do the 2 nights in Quito also ( they had some sort of promo with air that was a pretty good deal ) . We really enjoyed the stay and tours in Quito. 

[CharTrav]

1 hour ago, vslparis said:

Pretty much the same with Celebrity . Or you could do the 2 nights in Quito also ( they had some sort of promo with air that was a pretty good deal ) . We really enjoyed the stay and tours in Quito. 

The land portion started in Lima, proceeded to Cuzco, Machu Picchu, then back to Cuzco and Lima ending in Guayaquil before the flight to Baltra Island and the ship. 

[Peregrina651]

I hope when this is all over that Viking will be able to find a way to offer the itinerary again.  I would like to it while I am healthy enough.  

[esimon]

I've done a few cruises on different lines -  Can some one explain how the dinner dining works on Viking - in the main dining room 

 

[vslparis]

15 hours ago, CharTrav said:

The land portion started in Lima, proceeded to Cuzco, Machu Picchu, then back to Cuzco and Lima ending in Guayaquil before the flight to Baltra Island and the ship. 

The Celebrity one was post and when we flew back to Quito from Baltra, the people doing MP were to fly to Lima and do what you mentioned and flew home via Lima at the end. Unfortunately since it was March 2020, that portion of the trip was cancelled when we arrived back in Quito .😟

[Heidi13]

4 hours ago, esimon said:

I've done a few cruises on different lines -  Can some one explain how the dinner dining works on Viking - in the main dining room 

 

 

Post COVID, based on the information in MVJ, you may be able to make reservations in the MDR.

 

Pre-COVID, the MDR opened at 18:00, with the host/hostess being stationed at the stbd side. While access/egress is also available on the port side, it is a sensor operated fire door that is normally closed, so everyone enters on the stbd side.

 

You provide your cabin number to the host/hostess and whether you prefer sharing or a 2-top. I note that after 1 or 2 days the host/hostess already knows your cabin number and if consistent with 2-top or sharing, they remember your preference. They assign a table number and advise the next waiter/waitress in the queue, who escorts you to the table.

 

You can also request a specific section, or even a specific table number. If you have already arranged a group of pax joining you, advise the host/hostess of the cabin #'s and once they arrive, they are escorted to your table.

 

Once seated they will request if you have the SPBP, if yes, the glasses are changed and you can request one of the available bottles. If no SPBP they will offer red/white wine, beer, etc.

 

If you request the same table/section each evening, once you are seen entering the MDR, if you are consistent with refreshments, they often appear as you are being seated. Have also seen a few nights where the drinks arrived before we did.

 

Where you request sharing and are seated at a 6-top or 8-top, they will wait for a reasonable time for other pax to join you. If nobody arrives within say 15-20 mins, the waiter/waitress will ask if you wish to wait longer, or start ordering.

[SantaFe1]

18 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

Post COVID, based on the information in MVJ, you may be able to make reservations in the MDR.

This week we made a new reservation for a September 2022 cruise.  When the documents came through we saw the usual shore ex available to reserve on July 13, specialty dining available July 20, and a new entry, reservations for the Restaurant available June 20.  I have no idea if that is for dinner only, or how many reservations we can make (two for the specialty restaurants per PV1).  

Edited February 12, 2021 by SantaFe1

[Heidi13]

3 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

This week we made a new reservation for a September 2022 cruise.  When the documents came through we saw the usual shore ex available to reserve on July 13, specialty dining available July 20, and a new entry, reservations for the Restaurant available June 20.  I have no idea if that is for dinner only, or how many reservations we can make (two for the specialty restaurants per PV1).  

 

When we switched a 2022 booking to the 23 WC, we noted the same entry in MVJ. However, it isn't included on the booking form, which still only lists shore-ex and specialty dining.

[SantaFe1]

Just now, Heidi13 said:

 

When we switched a 2022 booking to the 23 WC, we noted the same entry in MVJ. However, it isn't included on the booking form, which still only lists shore-ex and specialty dining.

Ours is on the booking form.  It will be interesting to hear from others about what is going on as the 2022 cruises open to book dining.

[deec]

I hate the thought of reservation time for MDR but I hate NOT BEING ABLE to cruise even more....we are scheduled for a February thru April cruise.

 

I wonder if they will offer 2 shows each night?

Edited February 12, 2021 by deec

[SantaFe1]

And here’s another question.  It used to be that the booking opened at midnight Pacific time.  Then the year before COVID it changed to 8 pm pacific.  Does anyone have any idea what it is now?  

[Peregrina651]

33 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

And here’s another question.  It used to be that the booking opened at midnight Pacific time.  Then the year before COVID it changed to 8 pm pacific.  Does anyone have any idea what it is now?  

 

After all the nagging to get them to change it to a more civilized time for those of us on the East Coast, I sure hope that they don't change it. Of course, we won't know these details until they are actually back in operation. We also don't know yet if reservations will be required in the MDR and any other operational changes.

[vslparis]

For a July 2022 sailing I see Specialty Dining open 19 Apr 2022 and 

The Restaurant Dining open for reservations on 09 April 2022 . While I don’t like the thought of having to make reservations for MDR, I agree with @deec, I can live with if we just get to sail soon. It may not be forever and it may not even be for all of 2022, but just something in the plan for the moment . 

[SantaFe1]

1 hour ago, Peregrina651 said:

 

After all the nagging to get them to change it to a more civilized time for those of us on the East Coast, I sure hope that they don't change it. Of course, we won't know these details until they are actually back in operation. We also don't know yet if reservations will be required in the MDR and any other operational changes.

MVJ doesn’t say for shore ex,  but all dining says booking at 8 Pacific. Yay!

Edited February 12, 2021 by SantaFe1

[Peregrina651]

2 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

MVJ doesn’t say for shore ex,  but all dining says booking at 8 Pacific. Yay!

 

I'm sure it will be the same for MDR, Shorex and specialty. Otherwise, it is just too confusing.

[CharTrav]

7 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Post COVID, based on the information in MVJ, you may be able to make reservations in the MDR.

 

Pre-COVID, the MDR opened at 18:00, with the host/hostess being stationed at the stbd side. While access/egress is also available on the port side, it is a sensor operated fire door that is normally closed, so everyone enters on the stbd side.

 

You provide your cabin number to the host/hostess and whether you prefer sharing or a 2-top. I note that after 1 or 2 days the host/hostess already knows your cabin number and if consistent with 2-top or sharing, they remember your preference. They assign a table number and advise the next waiter/waitress in the queue, who escorts you to the table.

 

You can also request a specific section, or even a specific table number. If you have already arranged a group of pax joining you, advise the host/hostess of the cabin #'s and once they arrive, they are escorted to your table.

 

Once seated they will request if you have the SPBP, if yes, the glasses are changed and you can request one of the available bottles. If no SPBP they will offer red/white wine, beer, etc.

 

If you request the same table/section each evening, once you are seen entering the MDR, if you are consistent with refreshments, they often appear as you are being seated. Have also seen a few nights where the drinks arrived before we did.

 

Where you request sharing and are seated at a 6-top or 8-top, they will wait for a reasonable time for other pax to join you. If nobody arrives within say 15-20 mins, the waiter/waitress will ask if you wish to wait longer, or start ordering.

Thanks for the info. We've been on VO twice but never ate in the MDR altho when we've done VR we've always (except when the evening weather is simply fantastic, so we'd eat outside on the Aquavit) eaten in the MDR. So it's nice to know - thank you again! - that the procedures in the VO MDR are basically the same as on VR. Yay! So when we do our next VO (cross our fingers - this July) we won't limit ourselves to eating dinner in the World Cafe or the specialty dining venues.😊

[CharTrav]

5 hours ago, vslparis said:

I can live with if we just get to sail soon. It may not be forever and it may not even be for all of 2022, but just something in the plan for the moment . 

I'm with you. As I've written elsewhere, I'm dying to start cruising again which is why I'm amusing myself preparing detailed plans for what cruises (and extensions) we want to plan for in the future. My list has grown to four VEs, three VOS, and at least 5 VRs. In addition to the three already booked with $$ or future cruise vouchers from cruises canceled last year. When we finally board a Viking ship - and I don't care which flavor - I will be in a state of utter joy. Soon? Please?

[Jim Avery]

Hi Guys,

I love Explorer's on a Saturday morning at sea.  Today diets don't count.  I think I will have a piece of that success cake at Mamsen's and an Irish coffee.  Thank you....🍹

[Clay Clayton]

Make mine a slice of appel cake and a black coffee with an amaretto on the rocks please and thank you. 

[vslparis]

Success cake is too sweet for me. I will take a waffle or a Kringle, or both. I'm good with the Irish Coffee though.

[Jim Avery]

Folks, it is apparent that there is a large number of us that have Viking Fever badly.  Only one cure I know of.....😎

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, Jim Avery said:

Folks, it is apparent that there is a large number of us that have Viking Fever badly.  Only one cure I know of.....😎

 

I know, I know... must be a Bloody Mary in Explorers, washed down with an IPA.😀🍺

[Mich3554]

2 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

Folks, it is apparent that there is a large number of us that have Viking Fever badly.  Only one cure I know of.....😎

It’s a Viking addiction that MUST be fed.