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Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213582 03/10/09 05:11 AM
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joannapv Offline
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Good for you Margo!!!! 5 1/2 weeks of bliss -


Joanna
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213583 03/10/09 05:56 AM
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petlover Offline
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We've been to London before so that's why we decided to just go straight to the airport. We're doing Regent air (1st time) and it includes transportation from Southampton to the airport on May 31st.


Marcie

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213584 03/10/09 09:34 AM
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Margo; Lynn and I really enjoyed The Goring in London. The room was very nice and the food/service was impecable. We did it on a Regent post-cruise package from Dover. At first it seemed expensive, but it was quite reasonable when all things were considered. We had private transport and a tour on the way to and in London with lunch( Westminster Abbey and a river cruise included ), 2 nights at the Goring with full breakfast, private transport to/from the theater with our pick of shows ( we took Mama Mia ), and private transport to Gatwick. The Goring was one of the best hotels we've stayed in and we normally go 5 star.

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213585 03/11/09 12:59 AM
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ITravelNow Offline
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Thanks Doug, I'll check it out. How nice to hear from you! Hope you're both doing well and dancing the nights away as always.


Margo
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213586 03/11/09 05:39 AM
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dougburns Offline
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Margo; You and Tom might want to look at the Silver Spirit Transatlantic cruise 3 Jan 2010. It's a fantastic deal and a brand new ship.

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213587 03/11/09 07:03 AM
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ITravelNow Offline
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Thanks Doug...unfortunately Tom is now cruising with a higher power so I'm forced to strike out on my own. I'm doing a Seabourn cruise over the holidays 2009-2010. Thankfully I'll be joining friends for 4 week of luxury.


Margo
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213588 03/12/09 05:37 AM
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dougburns Offline
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Margo; Sorry to hear about Tom. Somehow I missed the news on that. Even though I didn't get to know Tom that well, I did enjoy his company and chats with him.It's good to see that you're still traveling. I would hope that Lynn would do the same should something happen to me.

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213589 03/22/09 03:56 PM
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joannapv Offline
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After much recent debating we booked 1st leg of Viking,on Friday - wish it could be all 23 nights but spur of the moment decision and to get Tony to agree to 13 nights a miracle on short notice - I love the Voyager, 5 sea days, cruising into NY Harbor and Boston sounds pretty good to me! Look forward to seeing you May 8th! Joanna and Tony


Joanna
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213590 03/22/09 04:08 PM
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cruisinfanatic Offline
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Yea Joanna!! So glad you just jumped in and did it, I know how badly you wanted to do this. I'm sure you will have a wonderful time and be glad you did it!!! Wish we could be there with you, so have a toast to us now and then.

Have a wonderful time, and we will be there in spirit!


JoAnn
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213591 03/22/09 04:11 PM
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petlover Offline
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We are sooooooo thrilled...may take between now and May 8th to get our arms back in the socket we've been twisting so long !


Marcie

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213592 03/22/09 04:15 PM
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joannapv Offline
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Yes, you and I have talked so you knew my "desire" and hope we can jump in a 2010 cruise, too, with you and Frank! Look forward to seeing Kimmi and John in Lauderdale and Frank and Carla in Boston and meeting Margo and Kristen after many emails - and, of course, connecting with LCT buddies - we will think about you two, often, and have great memories of B2B -


Joanna
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213593 03/22/09 04:24 PM
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joannapv Offline
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Marcie: Tony did not book to please me, although he is trying to get mileage out of "agreeing" to the trip - he had "Tom withdrawal", plain and simple - let Tom buy him a double Sambuca Double Expresso and Tony will be in heaven XXOO


Joanna
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213594 03/22/09 05:39 PM
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Nancyp Offline
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Joanna, so glad to hear you booked the first segment!

Nancy

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213595 03/22/09 06:00 PM
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azgkrudi Offline
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:app: :app: :app:

Joanna and Tony: I was anxiously awaiting the public announcement, and hallelujah, I finally got it! :D :D :D


Kristin

Paul Gauguin's Tere Moana-12/14
Voyager-10/08, 11/10
Navigator-05/07, 5/09, 10/11
Paul Gauguin-6/06, 12/07
Silver Shadow-12/06
Silver Whisper-11/05, 12/04
Silver Wind-4/04
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213596 03/22/09 06:29 PM
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joannapv Offline
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:hello1: :hello1: :hello1: Kristen finally public got invoice tonight all looks A plus - soooo excited!!!


Joanna
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213597 03/22/09 07:08 PM
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ITravelNow Offline
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Joannna....I'm so excited!!!! What great news.

See you in May.


Margo
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213598 03/23/09 07:35 AM
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Joanna - I am SO happy to hear this. I was just thinking about how long it's been since I've seen you!!

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213599 03/23/09 08:23 AM
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The May Boston Tea Party keeps getting bigger, except instead of tea we will have Sambuca on the Harbor!!!!!!

It will be great to see you guys again.

FV

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213600 03/23/09 08:32 AM
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Great news Joanna--we'll look forward to spending time with you and Tony again.


Peggy
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213601 03/24/09 02:02 PM
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petlover Offline
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This morning I was FINALLY able to log on to see excursions that are offered for both legs of VIKING. Remember...today was the FIRST DAY and already there are several in Reykjavik that say SOLD OUT ???


Marcie

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213602 03/24/09 02:47 PM
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Leslie B Offline
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We are spending 5 nights in Iceland before embarking - the first 3 nights in Reykjavik and then renting a car and driving west to Snaefellsnes Peninsula for 2 nights.

Here are a few companies I've come across offering day excursions from Reykjavik.

I've read good things about this one - we are taking their tour to the South Coast & Thorsmork:
Iceland Excursions

Nature Explorer
We met one of the owners/super jeep drivers of this company at a temple in Bhutan! We are signing up for his Golden Circle super jeep tour.

the biggest operator is:
Reykjavik Excursions


for private tours:
KGB Tours

There are lots more companies if you want some links.


Leslie

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213603 03/24/09 03:45 PM
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jackie Offline
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Be sure to ride an Icelandic horse at a horse ranch. They have a very comfortable gait & it is nice to see the scenery off road.


Jackie
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213604 03/25/09 05:17 AM
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Jackie, I'm not on VIKING, but riding an Icelandic horse sounds fun.

Leslie, you are such a good planner. Wish we were going with you. :)


Donna

I write about active travel for baby boomers: www.myitchytravelfeet.com
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213605 03/25/09 07:22 AM
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Thanks for posting this, Leslie! Guess we'll have to start planning, as well, since we'll be staying in Reykjavik for another night following disembarkation.

Question about the currency!? Should we get any of their krona? Or do they want Euros now? I read this on Wikipedia:

In October 2008, the effects of the 2007/08 global financial crisis brought about a collapse of the Icelandic banking sector. The value of the króna plummeted, and on 7 October 2008 the Icelandic Central Bank attempted to peg the króna at 131 against the euro. This peg was abandoned the next day. The króna later fell to 340 against the euro before trade in the currency was suspended (by comparison, the rate at the start of 2008 was about 90 krónur to the euro). After a period of tentative, very low-volume international trading in the króna, activity had been expected to pick up again throughout November 2008, albeit still with low liquidity, as Iceland secured an IMF loan. However as of January 2009 the krona was still not being traded regularly, with the ECB reference rate being set only intermittently, the last time on December 3, 2008 at 290 ISK per euro. One senior Icelandic official has stated that due to the crisis "the krona is dead. We need a new currency. The only serious option is the euro."

I imagine we'll use credit cards for most of our purchases, but we've learned it's always a good idea to have cash on hand when traveling...so which currency to take?


Kristin

Paul Gauguin's Tere Moana-12/14
Voyager-10/08, 11/10
Navigator-05/07, 5/09, 10/11
Paul Gauguin-6/06, 12/07
Silver Shadow-12/06
Silver Whisper-11/05, 12/04
Silver Wind-4/04
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213606 03/25/09 08:17 AM
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Kristin, I just checked on Oanda.com and the Iceland Krona is trading at around 114 to the $ today and at 155 to the Euro, so it appears they're still using and trading the currency. Check the Iceland Forum on Trip Advisor--credit cards are accepted everywhere and you'd be best off sticking with cc's when you can. There's also ATMs everywhere if you need a few Kroner. Although the excange rate with the dollar is pretty good, Iceland has high inflation, so things are still pretty expensive there. Also, there aren't any small bills, so if you use cash, you end up with a lot of small coins at the end of your trip. We still have a bunch from our last trip there, but you can always turn them in at the airport before you leave.


Peggy
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213607 03/25/09 08:28 AM
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I used a bank in downtown Reykjavik on the recommendation of hotel where I stayed. I don't think they charged any exchange percentage.


Betty
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213608 03/25/09 08:55 AM
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azgkrudi Offline
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Thanks, Peggy and Betty! I keep forgetting about Trip Advisor - haven't been there in ages.

Betty, what hotel did you stay at? We're supposedly in "the heart of the city center" - at the Radisson SAS 1919. I hope it's decent!


Kristin

Paul Gauguin's Tere Moana-12/14
Voyager-10/08, 11/10
Navigator-05/07, 5/09, 10/11
Paul Gauguin-6/06, 12/07
Silver Shadow-12/06
Silver Whisper-11/05, 12/04
Silver Wind-4/04
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213609 03/25/09 10:28 AM
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I think that hotel is fine, one of the better hotels in Reykjavik and it's right in the center of downtown as I recall. We stayed at the other Radisson SAS when we were there--it was near the University and also very nice, but the rooms were small. Regent used both the Radisson hotels for a while which is why we stayed there, not sure which hotel they use now.


Peggy
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213610 03/25/09 11:41 AM
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azgkrudi Offline
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Thanks, Peggy! We did choose it because of the location. Hopefully we'll be able to walk around and take the town in. This will definitely be the first COLD weather cruise/vacation we have taken...we'll have to dig out our "real" winter clothing! :ohmy:


Kristin

Paul Gauguin's Tere Moana-12/14
Voyager-10/08, 11/10
Navigator-05/07, 5/09, 10/11
Paul Gauguin-6/06, 12/07
Silver Shadow-12/06
Silver Whisper-11/05, 12/04
Silver Wind-4/04
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213611 03/25/09 11:47 AM
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jhp Offline OP
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Kristin, yes, it is in town. I stayed down the same street at the Hotel Borg a few years ago right next to a public park-type square. Have to tell you, though, not much to see in the town. You really need to go out to see the real sights that Reykjavik is known for. We rented a car and had a great day pre-cruise.

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213612 03/25/09 11:55 AM
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Betty Offline
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I stayed at the Hotel Borg. It's across the street from the Parliament building.
Staying at the Radisson in town would be better than staying at the other one. Unless things have REALLY built up - the other one isn't close to anything.


Betty
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213613 03/25/09 11:56 AM
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azgkrudi Offline
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Oh yes, we definitely plan to see more of the sights - it would be such a waste not to. I sure wish you were still able to go, Olivia :( but hope you are making a good recovery!


Kristin

Paul Gauguin's Tere Moana-12/14
Voyager-10/08, 11/10
Navigator-05/07, 5/09, 10/11
Paul Gauguin-6/06, 12/07
Silver Shadow-12/06
Silver Whisper-11/05, 12/04
Silver Wind-4/04
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213614 03/25/09 12:03 PM
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Betty Offline
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Kristin - I hope you will do the Blue Lagoon. I can't seem to get anyone else interested & it was my favorite thing I did while there.


Betty
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213615 03/25/09 01:43 PM
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petlover Offline
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Leslie & Peggy, you always give us good links...thanks so much!
Kristin, like you...we're a bit up in the air as to what we're doing. Should we need chump change we find the ATM's are the best way no matter where we are.
Betty, need to go check out Blue Lagoon ! I remember you mentioning that before.


Marcie

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213616 03/25/09 01:47 PM
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ITravelNow Offline
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B2B Viking cruisers...it is now possible to book our excursions on line! I don't think dinner reservations are available yet...but it's progress!


Margo
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213617 03/25/09 07:25 PM
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Tom G Offline
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Mona and I are arriving two days early on May 19th. We're staying at the Hotel Holt. I've planned a Golden Circle tour on the 20th.

I'd like to go to the Blue Lagoon but after I mentioned the high salt content in the water to Mona she's not too enthusiastic about it.

Joanna, I'm so glad you and Tony are on the cruise but I'm sorry it's not on our leg. I hope we get a chance to see you. Tom.

Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213618 03/26/09 01:40 PM
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joannapv Offline
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Tom I hope we get to see you both, too, even if for just a hug! Joanna


Joanna
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213619 03/31/09 08:33 AM
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azgkrudi Offline
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cheer


Kristin

Paul Gauguin's Tere Moana-12/14
Voyager-10/08, 11/10
Navigator-05/07, 5/09, 10/11
Paul Gauguin-6/06, 12/07
Silver Shadow-12/06
Silver Whisper-11/05, 12/04
Silver Wind-4/04
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213620 03/31/09 08:42 AM
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Karen

Live long and prosper
Re: Roll Call for VIKING - FLL to Southampton #213621 03/31/09 08:54 AM
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pwolftx Offline
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Wow, Kristin, that's early. Ours must not be far behind :app:


Peggy
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