Live from the Viking Star World Cruise 2021-22

[SantaFe1]

Oh my.  I’m so sorry to hear this.  And most are already  in LA or on their way.  A bit late to offer to re-book.

[purpleally]

44 minutes ago, DJVKN said:

We are now going East instead of West. No South Pacific, heading south back through Mexico and Central America to South America. Been there, done that. The webinar is still happening but Torstein did say we can rebook. 

 

Yuck.  Seabourn had to revamp their world cruise but it’s better than this

Edited January 9, 2022 by purpleally
Spelling

[Jim Avery]

Wow!  That is not good news.  And also this week our longtime "Guy" at Viking moved on to a job outside the industry.   Not good news.

[DJVKN]

We have cancelled our world cruise for a full cash refund. We have flights leaving LA tomorrow morning for home. It was nice to have met many of you virtually and maybe we can meet for real sometime. Enjoy the cruise for those who are continuing on. Stay safe and Be Well.

Diana

 

Edited January 9, 2022 by DJVKN

[stretchcruz]

4 minutes ago, DJVKN said:

We have cancelled our world cruise for a full cash refund. We have flights leaving LA tomorrow morning for home. It was nice to have met many of you virtually and maybe we can meet for real sometime. Enjoy the cruise for those who are continuing on. Stay safe and Be Well.

Diana

 

I am so so sorry. What a letdown after all of this preparation.

[uktog]

8 minutes ago, DJVKN said:

We have cancelled our world cruise for a full cash refund. We have flights leaving LA tomorrow morning for home. It was nice to have met many of you virtually and maybe we can meet for real sometime. Enjoy the cruise for those who are continuing on. Stay safe and Be Well.

Diana

 

How sad = safe travels home and hope you can have some wonderful cruise safely somewhere soon

[Heidi13]

12 minutes ago, DJVKN said:

We have cancelled our world cruise for a full cash refund. We have flights leaving LA tomorrow morning for home. It was nice to have met many of you virtually and maybe we can meet for real sometime. Enjoy the cruise for those who are continuing on. Stay safe and Be Well.

Diana

 

 

Diana,

 

Tough decision to make, especially at this late date, I feel so sorry for you after all the preparation and anticipation. Wishing you safe travels home.

 

I note they have a few cabins open next year.

[Clay Clayton]

24 minutes ago, DJVKN said:

We have cancelled our world cruise for a full cash refund. We have flights leaving LA tomorrow morning for home. It was nice to have met many of you virtually and maybe we can meet for real sometime. Enjoy the cruise for those who are continuing on. Stay safe and Be Well.

Diana

 

Sorry to hear but thanks for keeping us informed. Safe travels. 

[DJVKN]

34 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Diana,

 

Tough decision to make, especially at this late date, I feel so sorry for you after all the preparation and anticipation. Wishing you safe travels home.

 

I note they have a few cabins open next year.

Thanks Andy. we saw that as well, just don't want to get caught in the voucher cycle. (been there, done that) If the stars align we will try again,. For now we will go home, regroup and probably head south. We have many friends who winter in AZ. I followed @NY Nick and we may try to replicate some of the areas he and his wife explored.

Diana

[Islandbc]

53 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Diana,

 

Tough decision to make, especially at this late date, I feel so sorry for you after all the preparation and anticipation. Wishing you safe travels home.

 

I note they have a few cabins open next year.

Hope that one of those cabins has our name on it!  Still waiting for cabin to be assigned.

[deeandbobcruisers]

Well, Dee and I just got to our room here in San Pedro and started reading the comments.  We were in the air when the Zoom was done.  I can't find anything about where we are going now other than comments about Mexico and S. America.  Can someone enlighten me?  What is going on?

 

[rycal]

https://roseandtedsexcellentadventure.com/2022/01/09/episode-161-change-is-the-only-constant/

 

Rose has it pretty much laid out for us all.

[GKTV32162]

10 minutes ago, deeandbobcruisers said:

Well, Dee and I just got to our room here in San Pedro and started reading the comments.  We were in the air when the Zoom was done.  I can't find anything about where we are going now other than comments about Mexico and S. America.  Can someone enlighten me?  What is going on?

 

This is the best s we've gotten, no actual itinerary yet, but it looks pretty good.

[UWDawg]

Revised itinerary as of 9 January 2022:

 

LA (3 days)
Cabo San Lucas, MX
Puerto Vallarta, MX
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) Costa Rica
Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama
Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile
Puerto Montt, Chile
Amalia Glacier, Chile [Day 27-28 @ sea]
Punta Arenas, Chile
Cape Horn, Chile [Day 30-34]
Montevideo, Uruguay
Punta del Este, Uruguay
Mindelo, San Vicente Island, Cape Verde
Madeira (Fuchal), Portugal
Seville (Cadiz), Spain
Strait of Gibraltar
Granada (Malaga), Spain
Pulma de Mallorca, Spain
Sardinia (Cagliari), Italy
Valletta, Malta
Corfu, Greece
Kotor, Montenegro
Split, Croatia
Venice (Fusina), Italy [2 days]
Zadar, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Olympia (Katokolon), Greece
Nafplio, Greece
Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Suez Canal
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

[the following remains the same as the 26 Nov 2021 revision to the itinerary]
Jeddah – Wednesday, March 30
Yanbu al-Bahr – Thursday, March 31
Yanbu al-Bahr – Friday, April 1
Aqaba, Jordan – Sunday, April 3
Aqaba, Jordan – Monday, April 4
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt – Tuesday, April 5
Alexandria, Egypt – Saturday, April 9
Cairo, Egypt – Sunday, April 10
Jerusalem, Israel – Monday, April 11
Haifa, Israel – Tuesday, April 12
Haifa, Israel – Wednesday, April 13
Rhodes, Greece – Friday, April 15
Ephesus (Kuşadasi), Turkey – Saturday, April 16
Istanbul, Turkey – Monday, April 18
Istanbul, Turkey – Tuesday, April 19
Athens (Piraeus), Greece – Thursday, April 21
Athens (Piraeus), Greece – Friday, April 22
Sicily (Messina), Italy – Sunday, April 24
Naples, Italy – Monday, April 25
Monte Carlo, Monaco – Wednesday, April 27
Barcelona, Spain – Friday, April 29
Barcelona, Spain – Saturday, April 30
Murcia (Cartagena), Spain – Sunday, May 1
Portsmouth, England – Friday, May 6
London (Tilbury), England – Sunday, May 8
London (Tilbury), England – Monday, May 9
 

Edited January 10, 2022 by UWDawg

[Messybill]

4 minutes ago, UWDawg said:

Revised itinerary as of 9 January 2022:

 

LA (3 days)
Cabo San Lucas, MX
Puerto Vallarta, MX
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) Costa Rica
Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama
Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile
Puerto Montt, Chile
Amalia Glacier, Chile [Day 27-28 @ sea]
Punta Arenas, Chile
Cape Horn, Chile [Day 30-34]
Montevideo, Uruguay
Punta del Este, Uruguay
Mindelo, San Vicente Island, Cape Verde
Madeira (Fuchal), Portugal
Seville (Cadiz), Spain
Strait of Gibraltar
Granada (Malaga), Spain
Pulma de Mallorca, Spain
Sardinia (Cagliari), Italy
Valletta, Malta
Corfu, Greece
Kotor, Montenegro
Split, Croatia
Venice (Fusina), Italy [2 days]
Zadar, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Olympia (Katokolon), Greece
Nafplio, Greece
Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Suez Canal
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

[the following remains the same as the 26 Nov 2021 revision to the itinerary]
Jeddah – Wednesday, March 30
Yanbu al-Bahr – Thursday, March 31
Yanbu al-Bahr – Friday, April 1
Aqaba, Jordan – Sunday, April 3
Aqaba, Jordan – Monday, April 4
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt – Tuesday, April 5
Alexandria, Egypt – Saturday, April 9
Cairo, Egypt – Sunday, April 10
Jerusalem, Israel – Monday, April 11
Haifa, Israel – Tuesday, April 12
Haifa, Israel – Wednesday, April 13
Rhodes, Greece – Friday, April 15
Ephesus (Kuşadasi), Turkey – Saturday, April 16
Istanbul, Turkey – Monday, April 18
Istanbul, Turkey – Tuesday, April 19
Athens (Piraeus), Greece – Thursday, April 21
Athens (Piraeus), Greece – Friday, April 22
Sicily (Messina), Italy – Sunday, April 24
Naples, Italy – Monday, April 25
Monte Carlo, Monaco – Wednesday, April 27
Barcelona, Spain – Friday, April 29
Barcelona, Spain – Saturday, April 30
Murcia (Cartagena), Spain – Sunday, May 1
Portsmouth, England – Friday, May 6
London (Tilbury), England – Sunday, May 8
London (Tilbury), England – Monday, May 9
 

Actually quite a lot of interesting stops.   Bon Voyage Dawg!  

 

[TayanaLorna]

2 hours ago, rycal said:

https://roseandtedsexcellentadventure.com/2022/01/09/episode-161-change-is-the-only-constant/

 

Rose has it pretty much laid out for us all.

Wow, I certainly would stay on board!  And it could be Magical Mystery Tour II.  Enjoy the adventure.  I would.

[Heidi13]

19 hours ago, GKTV32162 said:

World Cruise Day 16/152 - Time travel and flushing our troubles away

 

https://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/01/world-cruise-day-16152-time-travel-and.html

 

 

With respect to your toilet and shower issues.

 

The toilet systems on most cruise ships & ferries are vacuum based systems that use minimal fresh water, rather than copious quantities of salt water. Unlike the sewer systems at home, which are probably 4" pipes, when I retro-fitted this sytem on one of our ships, the pipes were only about 1.5".

 

Complete system shut downs are rare, as each ship has multiple zones. Loss of individual toilets and blocked individual zones, are more common and result from flushing unapproved material.

 

Based on the symptoms you experienced with your toilet, it sounds like disposable wipes, or similar material has been flushed. Since each cabin has a control panel in the alleyway, the Engineers can open the panel, remove the material, which normally fixes the problem. Blockages in a zone normally require the engineers to work on the pipes above the alleyway deckhead panels.

 

For the shower, I would report it to the Cabin Steward, who should request a work order be raised. Within a couple of days, the Engineers usually make good repairs.

[amyr]

4 hours ago, DJVKN said:

We have cancelled our world cruise for a full cash refund. We have flights leaving LA tomorrow morning for home. It was nice to have met many of you virtually and maybe we can meet for real sometime. Enjoy the cruise for those who are continuing on. Stay safe and Be Well.

Diana

 

Good on Viking for doing the right thing and offering refunds.  That gives those that don't like the new itinerary the opportunity to cancel without worrying about what to do with all that FCC, and the rest can sit back and enjoy the adventure.  It will be a wonderful time.  

[JM0115]

4 hours ago, DJVKN said:

Thanks Andy. we saw that as well, just don't want to get caught in the voucher cycle. (been there, done that) If the stars align we will try again,. For now we will go home, regroup and probably head south. We have many friends who winter in AZ. I followed @NY Nick and we may try to replicate some of the areas he and his wife explored.

Diana

Best of luck Diana.  Sad to see you go.  Best, Jim

[UWDawg]

Updated with dates:

 

10 January - Los Angeles, California

11 January - Los Angeles, California

12 January - Los Angeles, California

13-15 January - Sail the Pacific Ocean

16 January - Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

17 January - Sail the Pacific Ocean

18 January - Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

19-22 January - Sail the Pacific Ocean

23 January - Puntarenas, Costa Rica

24 January - Sail the Pacific Ocean

25 January - Fuerte Amador (Panama City), Panama

26-27 January - Sail the Pacific Ocean

28-31 January - Sail the South Pacific Ocean

1 February - Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile

2 February - Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile

3 February - Sail the South Pacific Ocean

4 February - Puerto Montt, Chile

5 February - Sail the South Pacific Ocean

6 February - Scenic cruising: Amalia Glacier

7 February - Punta Arenas, Chile

8 February - Sail the South Pacific Ocean

9 February - Scenic Cruising: Cape Horn

10-13 February - Sail the South Atlantic Ocean

13 February - Montevideo, Uruguay

14 February - Punta del Este, Uruguay

15-18 February - Sail the South Atlantic Ocean

19-23 February - Sail the Atlantic Ocean

24 February - Mindelo, Sao Vicente Island

25-27 February - Sail the Atlantic Ocean

28 February - Maderia (Funchal), Portugal

1 March - Sail the Atlantic Ocean

2 March - Seville (Cádiz), Spain

3 March - Gibraltar, United Kingdom

4 March - Granada (Málaga), Spain

5 March - Sail the Mediterranean Sea

6 March - Palma de Mallorca, Spain

7 March - Sail the Mediterranean Sea

8 March - Sardinia (Cagliari), Italy

9 March - Valletta, Malta

10 March - Valletta, Malta

11 March - Sail the Ionian Sea

12 March - Corfu (Kérkyra), Greece

13 March - Sail the Adriatic Sea

14 March - Kotor, Montenegro

15 March - Split, Croatia

16 March - Venice (Fusina), Italy

17 March - Venice (Fusina), Italy

18 March - Zadar, Croatia

19 March - Dubrovnik, Croatia

20 March - Dubrovnik, Croatia

21 March - Sail the Adriatic Sea

22 March - Katakolon, Greece

23 March - Nafplio, Greece

24 March - Crete (Heraklion), Greece

25 March - Scenic Sailing: Suez Canal

26 March - Scenic Sailing: Suez Canal

27-28 March - Sail the Red Sea

29 March - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

30 March - Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

31 March - Yanbu al-Bahr, Saudi Arabia

1 April - Yanbu al-Bahr, Saudi Arabia

2 April - Sail the Gulf of Aqaba

3 April - Aqaba, Jordan

4 April - Aqaba, Jordan

5 April - Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt

6 April - Luxor (Safaga), Egypt

7 April - Sail the Red Sea

8 April - Scenic Sailing: Suez Canal

9 April - Alexandria, Egypt

10 April - Cairo (Port Said), Egypt

11 April - Jerusalem (Ashdod), Israel

12 April - Haifa, Israel

13 April - Haifa, Israel

14 April - Sail the Mediterranean Sea

15 April - Rhodes, Greece

16 April - Ephesus (Kusadasi), Turkey

17 April - Sail the Aegean Sea

18 April - Istanbul, Turkey

19 April - Istanbul, Turkey

20 April - Sail the Aegean Sea

21 April - Athens (Piraeus), Greece

22 April - Athens (Piraeus), Greece

23 April - Sail the Ionian Sea

24 April - Sicily (Messina), Italy

25 April - Naples, Italy

26 April - Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

27 April - Monte Carlo, Monaco

28 April - Sail the Mediterranean Sea

29 April - Barcelona, Spain

30 April - Barcelona, Spain

1 May - Murcia (Cartagena), Spain

2 May - Sail the Strait of Gibraltar

3 May - Lisbon, Portugal

4-5 May - Sail the Atlantic Ocean

6 May - Portsmouth, England

7 May - Scenic Sailing: English Channel

8 May - London (Tilbury), England

9 May - London (Tilbury), England

[NY Nick]

5 hours ago, DJVKN said:

Thanks Andy. we saw that as well, just don't want to get caught in the voucher cycle. (been there, done that) If the stars align we will try again,. For now we will go home, regroup and probably head south. We have many friends who winter in AZ. I followed @NY Nick and we may try to replicate some of the areas he and his wife explored.

Diana

Linda and I have criss crossed the country by car a half dozen times always taking a different route. Give us your starting and ending point and I’m sure we can toss a few ideas your way. Here or at djnick913@aol.com

[NY Nick]

2 hours ago, UWDawg said:

Revised itinerary as of 9 January 2022:

Best of luck on your “new” adventure.

Crazy times for sure. 

[GKTV32162]

World Cruise Day 17/152 - Reverse course!

 

https://kolbsontheroad.blogspot.com/2022/01/world-cruise-day-17152-and-just-like.html

[TayanaLorna]

12 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

With respect to your toilet and shower issues.

 

The toilet systems on most cruise ships & ferries are vacuum based systems that use minimal fresh water, rather than copious quantities of salt water. Unlike the sewer systems at home, which are probably 4" pipes, when I retro-fitted this sytem on one of our ships, the pipes were only about 1.5".

 

Complete system shut downs are rare, as each ship has multiple zones. Loss of individual toilets and blocked individual zones, are more common and result from flushing unapproved material.

 

Based on the symptoms you experienced with your toilet, it sounds like disposable wipes, or similar material has been flushed. Since each cabin has a control panel in the alleyway, the Engineers can open the panel, remove the material, which normally fixes the problem. Blockages in a zone normally require the engineers to work on the pipes above the alleyway deckhead panels.

 

For the shower, I would report it to the Cabin Steward, who should request a work order be raised. Within a couple of days, the Engineers usually make good repairs.

On our recent TA on the Sea some cabin zones had reoccurring toilet issues.  It was "flushable" wipes.  PA announcement was made but it kept happening.  The warning then appeared in the Viking Daily.  Some people had to change cabins.

[hutch1994]

14 hours ago, UWDawg said:

Revised itinerary as of 9 January 2022:

 

LA (3 days)
Cabo San Lucas, MX
Puerto Vallarta, MX
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) Costa Rica
Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama
Santiago (Valparaiso), Chile
Puerto Montt, Chile
Amalia Glacier, Chile [Day 27-28 @ sea]
Punta Arenas, Chile
Cape Horn, Chile [Day 30-34]
Montevideo, Uruguay
Punta del Este, Uruguay
Mindelo, San Vicente Island, Cape Verde
Madeira (Fuchal), Portugal
Seville (Cadiz), Spain
Strait of Gibraltar
Granada (Malaga), Spain
Pulma de Mallorca, Spain
Sardinia (Cagliari), Italy
Valletta, Malta
Corfu, Greece
Kotor, Montenegro
Split, Croatia
Venice (Fusina), Italy [2 days]
Zadar, Croatia
Dubrovnik, Croatia
Olympia (Katokolon), Greece
Nafplio, Greece
Heraklion, Crete, Greece
Suez Canal
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

[the following remains the same as the 26 Nov 2021 revision to the itinerary]
Jeddah – Wednesday, March 30
Yanbu al-Bahr – Thursday, March 31
Yanbu al-Bahr – Friday, April 1
Aqaba, Jordan – Sunday, April 3
Aqaba, Jordan – Monday, April 4
Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt – Tuesday, April 5
Alexandria, Egypt – Saturday, April 9
Cairo, Egypt – Sunday, April 10
Jerusalem, Israel – Monday, April 11
Haifa, Israel – Tuesday, April 12
Haifa, Israel – Wednesday, April 13
Rhodes, Greece – Friday, April 15
Ephesus (Kuşadasi), Turkey – Saturday, April 16
Istanbul, Turkey – Monday, April 18
Istanbul, Turkey – Tuesday, April 19
Athens (Piraeus), Greece – Thursday, April 21
Athens (Piraeus), Greece – Friday, April 22
Sicily (Messina), Italy – Sunday, April 24
Naples, Italy – Monday, April 25
Monte Carlo, Monaco – Wednesday, April 27
Barcelona, Spain – Friday, April 29
Barcelona, Spain – Saturday, April 30
Murcia (Cartagena), Spain – Sunday, May 1
Portsmouth, England – Friday, May 6
London (Tilbury), England – Sunday, May 8
London (Tilbury), England – Monday, May 9
 

Thought that Israel's borders are closed due to Covid.