Viking Invades Alaska!

[VPS]

You can pretend this is your photo (this was on the Mendenhall Glacier)

 

[love_the_life]

Agree. But it’s never been done at midnight on even crass lines like Celebrity and Princess. It starts around 6am. Which is exactly what happened at the ship next to us this morning.

I think the noisiest one we had was at Valparaiso (Celebrity) where we docked at the large 24 hour container wharf at 3 am or so. Unfortunately for us our cabin was on the dock side! Lots of floodlights and noise.

 

[Pushka]

Yesterday we disembarked. We had the day in Seward then onto the train to Anchorage. Coastal Scenic Route and lasts for 4 hours.

But for lunch we decided to be here.









Yummy and you can’t beat the view.

 

[Pushka]

Finally we could board. Train was packed.











Our ticket included two alcoholic drinks and a meal. The first sitting went down almost immediately and didn’t return for 90 minutes, yowsers. During this time we saw a BEAR and a moose and they missed all that. We’d assumed they’d had a 3 course banquet but all they’d had was either a salad, pot roast or fish and chips. What the heck took so long. Consequently we decided to skip the meal entirely and get something at the train station. Bad move. Everything was closed. Back to the train.

 

[Pushka]

There is a bear in there.



The overhead announcements on wildlife were taken from carriage 3 and we were 2 in front of that. If we didn’t spot it then by the time they did it was too late. Stoopid.

 

[love_the_life]

Looks a very scenic trip though.

 

[ellen10]

The views look lovely. I love a good scenic train trip!

 

[sinophile888]

Thank you, Pushka, for your report on Viking Cruises.
I was amazed that they got so much wrong, especially at the start and finish of the cruise. They present themselves as top class.
I have seen an amazing itinerary (amazing for us) on Viking, but now, am not at all convinced that it would be worth the high-level price.
The food did look excellent, though.

 

[henleybeach]

Love those diesel locomotives.
Those drivers get the best view and get paid for it....
That’s what I’m told all time

 

[Pushka]

Thank you, Pushka, for your report on Viking Cruises.
I was amazed that they got so much wrong, especially at the start and finish of the cruise. They present themselves as top class.
I have seen an amazing itinerary (amazing for us) on Viking, but now, am not at all convinced that it would be worth the high-level price.
The food did look excellent, though.

which ship is it on? Orion seems to be the major issue. When they get things wrong they go into CYA mode. Management issues. Crew were excellent. Other ships don’t seem to have the same issues but as first impression it’s done us in. We are doing a Viking River Cruise to Egypt as they have a great reputation on river cruises.

 

[Pushka]

We are in Hawaii now in an AirBnb. It’s a studio. It will work as it’s quite large and in a good area.

Had a great flight here on Alaska Airlines. Did the premium seats and we picked aisle and window. That gave us free drinks but wonderfully kept the middle seat blank. A 6 hour flight with g&t and a cheese platter we bought and kept in the middle tray made for a good experience.

Jeez the restaurants are automatically adding the 20% tip even in basic ones.

 

[Pushka]

The Moose.



Is this a Russian plane? Antenov? All sorts of weird planes at Anchorage airport.

 

[blackcat20]

The Moose.

View attachment 168636

Is this a Russian plane? Antenov? All sorts of weird planes at Anchorage airport.

View attachment 168637

It's a 747 freighter.

 

[love_the_life]

which ship is it on? Orion seems to be the major issue. When they get things wrong they go into CYA mode. Management issues. Crew were excellent. Other ships don’t seem to have the same issues but as first impression it’s done us in. We are doing a Viking River Cruise to Egypt as they have a great reputation on river cruises.

Hope their captain is better:
(though according to Viking he wasn't actually the captain in the earlier accident)

Captain of fatal tourist boat crash in Hungary 'deleted data from his phone'

Viking Cruises denies prosecutors' claims the captain of a cruise liner that collided with a pleasure boat in Budapest, killing 28 people, was serving as captain of another boat that was in an accident the month prior.

www.abc.net.au

 

[sinophile888]

which ship is it on? Orion seems to be the major issue. When they get things wrong they go into CYA mode. Management issues. Crew were excellent. Other ships don’t seem to have the same issues but as first impression it’s done us in. We are doing a Viking River Cruise to Egypt as they have a great reputation on river cruises.

Viking Orion. I've been cleared to fly but will try some short hops first.

 

[Pushka]

Viking Orion. I've been cleared to fly but will try some short hops first.

Ah. If it’s in a few months time they may have changed the team?

 

[Toula92122]

Breakfast suggestion for Honolulu if you are still there. Try and get to Koko Head Cafe. Best pancakes I've ever had. There is usually a wait, but line moves quickly.

 

[love_the_life]

And when were you getting Pushka? It’s just gorgeous weather for you.