Barcelona to Buenos Aires, Viking Jupiter

[friendlyfifer]

We returned home on Saturday from the above amazing cruise. It was an epic journey on a lovely ship with friendly and attentive crew. Viking provided excellent speakers and very professional guest entertainers. I am thinking especially about the tango show that we had on our final night on board. The resident singers and musicians were good although I was alarmed to hear that ABBA/The Beatles are going to be returned to the Star Theatre. One of our shows was music from the 50s, 60s and 70s. I would suggest that we need to roll the decades forward if new customers are to be attracted.

 

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.

 

The included tour in Montevideo was exceptional and is at the other end of the spectrum to that in Recife. One senior crew member told me that there were many passengers in their 80s and 90s. We had many sea days which would attract an older demographic. In Recife we had an included walking tour and passengers were asked to meet in the Star Theatre where group numbers were assigned. Groups were then called in order to follow a crew member shoreside. We then formed a line behind our local guide. It took 30 minutes for all of my group to get shoreside. Groups with higher numbers had already departed before we set off. Within 10 minutes of walking the moans started. The group came to a halt as our guides were quizzed about how to get back to the ship. Some wanted to be taken directly to the shuttle bus stop in town, others wanted the guide to arrange a taxi. It was a 90 minute walking tour which a large number of people should have rejected due to their physical abilities. At the same time one person wanted to go to the toilet. Over the next 5 minutes others followed suit and our group was going no where. Along with others we apologised to the guides and headed off on our own. Viking must accept some responsibility for this shambles. They know the age profile of passengers and a walking tour is perhaps not the best included tour in a hot and steamy Brazil.

 

At home now, the weather is grey, wet and cold. The washing machine is going nonstop and my ironing will never be as professional as that provided by the Viking crew. No menu and wine list is now offered at mealtimes. Hopefully it will not be too long until we are back onboard a Viking ship.

 

 

[photopro2]

9 minutes ago, friendlyfifer said:

One of our shows was music from the 50s, 60s and 70s. I would suggest that we need to roll the decades forward if new customers are to be attracted.

Thanks for the report and I couldn't agree with you more. We definitely need some music from the 80s and even 90s+ added to the repertoire.

 

I don't suppose you happen to have kept the relevant daily or recall where the ship's shuttlebus stop in Buenos Aires was?

13 minutes ago, friendlyfifer said:

No menu and wine list is now offered at mealtimes

 

I think you might need to clarify that, I'm sure you didn't mean to say that no menu was offered at meal times???😕 

[friendlyfifer]

55 minutes ago, photopro2 said:

Thanks for the report and I couldn't agree with you more. We definitely need some music from the 80s and even 90s+ added to the repertoire.

 

I don't suppose you happen to have kept the relevant daily or recall where the ship's shuttlebus stop in Buenos Aires was?

 

I think you might need to clarify that, I'm sure you didn't mean to say that no menu was offered at meal times???😕 

Apologies, I don’t know the shuttle bus stop in Buenos Aires. My menu comment relates to my position now at home.

If you are going to Buenos Aires enjoy the city. It is very walkable and if you are happy to use the underground you will get to see so much more.

[friendlyfifer]

1 hour ago, photopro2 said:

Thanks for the report and I couldn't agree with you more. We definitely need some music from the 80s and even 90s+ added to the repertoire.

 

I don't suppose you happen to have kept the relevant daily or recall where the ship's shuttlebus stop in Buenos Aires was?

 

I think you might need to clarify that, I'm sure you didn't mean to say that no menu was offered at meal times???😕 

I’ve just found the details for the Buenos Aires shuttle bus. It leaves from the Plaza Hotel near Florida Street.

[Azulann]

Thank your trip report of your TA crossing.

I think it is up to individual passengers to read carefully the  tours offered by Viking  as to physical exertions needed for walking around a city or old part of town in foreign countries.

It is not the tour guide that should be responsible for those who do the walking tour and need to go back to bus or take a taxi on their own. Maybe if a crew member  is with every walking tour, they can help those less fit to figure out how to get back to ship  during a walking tour .

The descriptions of tours are very clear: walking over 1.5-3 miles over uneven pavement for 2-3 hrs is very clear. Others are labeled  demanding . The   easy label  means  it is a bus ride with photo stops etc.  

 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Azulann

[friendlyfifer]

1 minute ago, Azulann said:

Thank your trip report of your TA crossing.

I think it is up to individual passengers to read carefully the  tours offered by Viking  as to physical exertions needed fo rwalking around a city or old part of town in foreign countries.

It is not the tour guide that should be responsible for those who do the walking tour and need to go back to bus or take a taxi on their own. Maybe if a crew member  is with every walking tour, they can help those less fit to figure out how to get back to ship  during a walking tour .

The descriptions of tours are very clear: walking over 1.5-3 miles over uneven pavement for 2-3 hrs is very clear. Others are labeled  demanding or easy meaning it is a bus ride with photo stops etc. 

 

I agree with your comments and at the port talks, Jennifer, the tours manager clearly laid out the physicality of each tour. When I spoke to her afterwards, it seems that many passengers overestimate their capabilities. Sadly the same individuals could not care less how their disruption of a tour impacts others. Our local guides were lovely and tried their best under difficult circumstances.

[minka34]

I wish that there were walking intensive tours (or perhaps "less walking intensive") offered as an included tour option.  The river cruise tours that we took with Viking were usually very walking intensive but they often had a less mobile group option where it was tailored to be a better experience for all.

[photopro2]

1 hour ago, friendlyfifer said:

I’ve just found the details for the Buenos Aires shuttle bus. It leaves from the Plaza Hotel near Florida Street.

Thank you very much indeed for that. We do intend to do some walking, and knowing the startpoint is a great help for planning.

I am interested at your mention of the underground, do you know if you can buy tickets using a credit card?

Edited December 11, 2023 by photopro2
added question

[friendlyfifer]

35 minutes ago, photopro2 said:

Thank you very much indeed for that. We do intend to do some walking, and knowing the startpoint is a great help for planning.

I am interested at your mention of the underground, do you know if you can buy tickets using a credit card?

You have to obtain an underground card and credit it with Pesos. Easier said than done! The Hilton Hotel told us that the city was sold out of the cards. Our options were to ask at an underground station or to approach a stranger and ask them to swipe us through the barrier. The first station we went to didn’t have cards but they sent us to the next station, two blocks away, which did have them. We got one card and swiped it twice each time for the two of us. Unfortunately I left the card for the cleaner of our hotel room or I would have posted it to you. 

[photopro2]

Just now, friendlyfifer said:

Unfortunately I left the card for the cleaner of our hotel room or I would have posted it to you.

Thanks for the thought 😁

I had heard they might be some issues which is why I asked. But I am sure we will cope, as you did.

[deec]

 

9 hours ago, photopro2 said:

Thanks for the report and I couldn't agree with you more. We definitely need some music from the 80s and even 90s+ added to the repertoire.

 

I don't suppose you happen to have kept the relevant daily or recall where the ship's shuttlebus stop in Buenos Aires was?

 

I think you might need to clarify that, I'm sure you didn't mean to say that no menu was offered at meal times???😕 

photopro...I am sure meant NOW that they are at home there are no wine lists or menus!!!

[aungrl]

12 hours ago, photopro2 said:

Thanks for the report and I couldn't agree with you more. We definitely need some music from the 80s and even 90s+ added to the repertoire.

 

I don't suppose you happen to have kept the relevant daily or recall where the ship's shuttlebus stop in Buenos Aires was?

 

I think you might need to clarify that, I'm sure you didn't mean to say that no menu was offered at meal times???😕 

I think the OP is saying that now that they are back at home, no one is handing them a menu.

[aungrl]

Sorry, should have kept reading the thread before I posted.  And now I can't delete the one above.

[photopro2]

16 hours ago, deec said:

photopro...I am sure meant NOW that they are at home there are no wine lists or menus!!!

Ah, yes, I understand now. No one picking up wet towels in the bathroom either 😁

 

Thanks to you, and @aungrl for setting me straight. 

[farmecologist]

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!

 

Edited December 12, 2023 by farmecologist

[friendlyfifer]

19 minutes ago, farmecologist said:

 

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!

 

From the tone of your message, I doubt if you really want my definition. What is appropriate for a river cruise may not be so appropriate for ocean cruising. There was no formalwear on my cruise nor did I expect it. By ‘dressing smartly’ I was meaning ‘smart casual ‘. If you need that defined then please do a google search.