MUScoop

MUScoop => The Superbar => Topic started by: Eldon on January 17, 2020, 03:02:22 PM

Title: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Eldon on January 17, 2020, 03:02:22 PM
Viking is joining the growing number of cruise lines to set sail on the Great Lakes.

Three new eight-day Viking cruises will explore the Great Lakes starting in 2022, Viking announced Wednesday. The cruises will all either start or end at the Port of Milwaukee. It's all-new territory for the upscale cruise line known for trips on rivers in Europe.


...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/viking-set-sail-great-lakes-135454670.html


This is great for Milwaukee, but I wonder: why not Chicago?
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: The Sultan of Semantics on January 17, 2020, 03:06:21 PM
Viking is joining the growing number of cruise lines to set sail on the Great Lakes.

Three new eight-day Viking cruises will explore the Great Lakes starting in 2022, Viking announced Wednesday. The cruises will all either start or end at the Port of Milwaukee. It's all-new territory for the upscale cruise line known for trips on rivers in Europe.


...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/viking-set-sail-great-lakes-135454670.html


This is great for Milwaukee, but I wonder: why not Chicago?

I’m sure these tours stop in Chicago. But my guess is Milwaukee is cheaper to start and end. And bussing people from O Hare isn’t that difficult.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Chili on January 17, 2020, 03:23:03 PM
Milwaukee also has a deeper port in the city.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: DegenerateDish on January 17, 2020, 03:56:53 PM
Milwaukee also has a deeper port in the city.

I always had thought or heard that was the issue, Chicago's port wasn't deep enough to take on bigger cruise ships.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Cheeks on January 17, 2020, 04:01:19 PM
Viking is joining the growing number of cruise lines to set sail on the Great Lakes.

Three new eight-day Viking cruises will explore the Great Lakes starting in 2022, Viking announced Wednesday. The cruises will all either start or end at the Port of Milwaukee. It's all-new territory for the upscale cruise line known for trips on rivers in Europe.


...

https://www.yahoo.com/news/viking-set-sail-great-lakes-135454670.html


This is great for Milwaukee, but I wonder: why not Chicago?

Indiana Alumni association sent my wife and I this last week....they are putting a cruise together.  We both were surprised Milwaukee was the starting point but thrilled that it was.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Keithtisbarf on January 18, 2020, 07:41:07 AM
$6k-7k to cruise the great lakes, obviously this is for old rich people.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: real chili 83 on January 18, 2020, 08:06:49 AM
I hear no packer or bear garb allowed on board.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Cheeks on January 18, 2020, 09:28:15 AM
$6k-7k to cruise the great lakes, obviously this is for old rich people.

You have no idea what rich means
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: WellsstreetWanderer on January 23, 2020, 12:12:40 PM
$6k-7k to cruise the great lakes, obviously this is for old rich people.

right at what European River cruises cost.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: The Sultan of Semantics on January 23, 2020, 12:17:21 PM
I wouldn't pay to do this, but I can see why some people from Europe would find it interesting.

https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/great-lakes-canada/index.html
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: UWW2MU on January 23, 2020, 12:19:29 PM
This will be a huge upgrade over the current cruise operators on the great lakes. 

That being said, I can't see the appeal for US and Canadian citizens for this.  These are probably marketed a lot more towards Europeans, just like the current cruise lines do.   

The biggest thing I've always wondered about, is how comfortable the passengers are, even in summer, since the lakes (especially Michigan and Superior) are so cold and the offshore air temps can't be that warm.  I'd imagine a summer time cruise passenger would want to spend time on deck and not locked inside the ship to stay warm.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Dr. Blackheart on January 23, 2020, 02:31:22 PM
I wouldn't pay to do this, but I can see why some people from Europe would find it interesting.

https://www.vikingcruises.com/expeditions/cruise-destinations/great-lakes-canada/index.html

Like college tuition, who pays full price for cruises?
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Silkk the Shaka on January 23, 2020, 05:22:58 PM
Like college tuition, who pays full price for cruises?

Do I get St. Ignatius scholarship reciprocity with any cruise lines?
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: warriorchick on January 23, 2020, 05:51:12 PM
right at what European River cruises cost.

We are bargain hunters when it comes to travel.

Glow found us a 2-week long cruise through the Panama Canal for under $1000/person. We leave in a couple of months.

We know we will eventually have to bite the bullet and pay real prices to go everywhere we want to go in retirement, but for right now we are having fun seeing how cheap we can do it.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: 4everwarriors on January 23, 2020, 08:03:51 PM
Sounds like you're traveling first class on the college nostalgia ship with TV dinners and .5 star accommodations. Enjoy y'all and send us a postcard, hey?
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: jsglow on January 23, 2020, 08:39:11 PM
Sounds like you're traveling first class on the college nostalgia ship with TV dinners and .5 star accommodations. Enjoy y'all and send us a postcard, hey?

Not true at all.  Chick overstates the austerity factor some although she got the price accurate.  One just has to know how to shop.  We're actually on the one Princess ship specifically built for the Canal.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: mu_hilltopper on January 23, 2020, 10:21:11 PM
We should probably organize an MUScoop cruise. 

Maybe down the Mississippi, and we could stop at every port with an Arby's.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: ZiggysFryBoy on January 23, 2020, 11:02:09 PM
We should probably organize an MUScoop cruise. 

Maybe down the Mississippi, and we could stop at every port with an Arby's.

Houseboat and im in.

Call me skipper.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: MU82 on January 24, 2020, 05:25:01 AM
Not true at all.  Chick overstates the austerity factor some although she got the price accurate.  One just has to know how to shop.  We're actually on the one Princess ship specifically built for the Canal.

Absolutely ... there are bargains out there. I subscribe to a couple of cruise consolidator sites, and they send me emails regularly with deals that include free drinks, gratuities, excursions, etc. Plus, Costco often has good deals. Mrs. 82 and I are doing a Caribbean cruise with another Marquette couple this spring; it sails out of Tampa, so we even can drive to the port. Gonna be fun!

Having said that, having seen most of what there is to see on the Great Lakes, I wouldn't pay even half of the cost of this Viking Cruise. However, there must be an audience for this. These major cruise lines do exhaustive research before launching new routes, so they wouldn't be doing this if they weren't sure they could sell it.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: mu_hilltopper on January 24, 2020, 06:54:13 AM
Houseboat and im in.

Call me skipper.

I'd like to do an all-expense paid trip on the SS Minnow for a select group of Scoopers.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: warriorchick on January 24, 2020, 07:04:16 AM
I'd like to do an all-expense paid trip on the SS Minnow for a select group of Scoopers.

You could send them on a tour right now if you wanted.   ;)

And let's make it a little bit longer than 3 hours.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: jsglow on January 24, 2020, 07:15:35 AM
Absolutely ... there are bargains out there. I subscribe to a couple of cruise consolidator sites, and they send me emails regularly with deals that include free drinks, gratuities, excursions, etc. Plus, Costco often has good deals. Mrs. 82 and I are doing a Caribbean cruise with another Marquette couple this spring; it sails out of Tampa, so we even can drive to the port. Gonna be fun!

Having said that, having seen most of what there is to see on the Great Lakes, I wouldn't pay even half of the cost of this Viking Cruise. However, there must be an audience for this. These major cruise lines do exhaustive research before launching new routes, so they wouldn't be doing this if they weren't sure they could sell it.

Especially if you can stay super flexible and book truly last minute. I kid you not. Two years ago we did the Princess 7 day southbound Voyage of the Glaciers in an OV for $349pp.  There were folks in balcs that had paid $2500pp.  AND we got our gratuities comped.

I saw the opportunity.  I checked the airfare situation and found it to be acceptable and told chick to walk next door and tell her boss.  We booked that day roughly 90 days before departure in a window that lasted only 2-3 days.  It was one of our very best vacations ever.  And it literally felt like stealing.

Earlier that same year we sailed Windstar out of San Juan on a revised itinerary in the aftermath of Maria.  Absolutely wonderful small ship cruise line.  And while it wasn't $349, it was deeply discounted because everyone was afraid to go to Puerto Rico after the hurricane. We even got to party with Newsy at SanSe in Old San Juan.

Very much looking forward to that in retirement.  "There's a great deal to wherever next week honey. Pack while I book it."  But you gotta zig when everyone else is zagging.  And I'm pretty good at finding those.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: 🏀 on January 24, 2020, 08:01:17 AM
I'd like to do an all-expense paid trip on the SS Minnow for a select group of Scoopers.

The Gordon Lightfoot song of this tragedy would be incredible.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: MU82 on January 24, 2020, 08:54:25 AM
Especially if you can stay super flexible and book truly last minute. I kid you not. Two years ago we did the Princess 7 day southbound Voyage of the Glaciers in an OV for $349pp.  There were folks in balcs that had paid $2500pp.  AND we got our gratuities comped.

I saw the opportunity.  I checked the airfare situation and found it to be acceptable and told chick to walk next door and tell her boss.  We booked that day roughly 90 days before departure in a window that lasted only 2-3 days.  It was one of our very best vacations ever.  And it literally felt like stealing.

Earlier that same year we sailed Windstar out of San Juan on a revised itinerary in the aftermath of Maria.  Absolutely wonderful small ship cruise line.  And while it wasn't $349, it was deeply discounted because everyone was afraid to go to Puerto Rico after the hurricane. We even got to party with Newsy at SanSe in Old San Juan.

Very much looking forward to that in retirement.  "There's a great deal to wherever next week honey. Pack while I book it."  But you gotta zig when everyone else is zagging.  And I'm pretty good at finding those.

Great job, glow.

I might hit you up for info on Windstar via PM one of these years.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: ZiggysFryBoy on January 24, 2020, 09:42:31 AM
I'd like to do an all-expense paid trip on the SS Minnow for a select group of Scoopers.

My vessel is the Sloop John B.   4ever is my grandfather.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Dr. Blackheart on January 24, 2020, 10:29:31 AM
So, let’s recap: Ziggy is the Skipper. Topper is Gilligan. Glow and Chick are the Howells. 82 is the Professor. That leaves Ginger and Mary Ann.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: mu_hilltopper on January 24, 2020, 10:38:06 AM
So, let’s recap: Ziggy is the Skipper. Topper is Gilligan. Glow and Chick are the Howells. 82 is the Professor. That leaves Ginger and Mary Ann.

Someone is looking to get banned this morning.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: warriorchick on January 24, 2020, 11:19:05 AM
So, let’s recap: Ziggy is the Skipper. Topper is Gilligan. Glow and Chick are the Howells. 82 is the Professor. That leaves Ginger and Mary Ann.

Geez, how old do you think I am?
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Dr. Blackheart on January 24, 2020, 11:39:14 AM
Geez, how old do you think I am?

I was thinking millionaires and trophy wife.  Does that work?

Btw, Jim Backus was 50 for the pilot of the show.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Dr. Blackheart on January 24, 2020, 11:40:34 AM
Someone is looking to get banned this morning.

If the bucket hat fits, wear it.  And what's wrong with "Topper's Island"?
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: The Sultan of Semantics on January 24, 2020, 12:40:19 PM
So, let’s recap: Ziggy is the Skipper. Topper is Gilligan. Glow and Chick are the Howells. 82 is the Professor. That leaves Ginger and Mary Ann.

Good luck.  Did you GO to Marquette?   ;)
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: jsglow on January 24, 2020, 01:03:36 PM
Great job, glow.

I might hit you up for info on Windstar via PM one of these years.

Absolutely.  Any time Professor.  :)
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: jsglow on January 24, 2020, 01:14:14 PM
I'll offer one additional piece of advice. The various lines can be quite different.  Carnival is not HAL is not Windstar is not Star Clipper. Know what fits for you.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: jsglow on January 24, 2020, 01:38:55 PM
Houseboat and im in.

Call me skipper.

Ziggy, ever done Lake Powell that way?

Honestly,  my dream is to charter a Captained Cat for a week with friends and sail the BVIs. We have a few friends who have indicated interest. Probably have to wait until we're all retired.
PS. If you don't know what a wet landing is you're not qualified.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: mu_hilltopper on January 24, 2020, 02:40:54 PM
Ziggy, ever done Lake Powell that way?

Honestly,  my dream is to charter a Captained Cat for a week with friends and sail the BVIs. We have a few friends who have indicated interest. Probably have to wait until we're all retired.
PS. If you don't know what a wet landing is you're not qualified.

Some MU friends of ours did exactly that with their kids, although they self-captained.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: MU82 on January 24, 2020, 07:31:24 PM
So, let’s recap: Ziggy is the Skipper. Topper is Gilligan. Glow and Chick are the Howells. 82 is the Professor. That leaves Ginger and Mary Ann.

I will now invent a washing machine out of bamboo and a computer out of coconuts. But whatever you do, please don't ask me to figure out how to tie a few logs together with some vines to make the raft that will get us the hell off this effen island!
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: ZiggysFryBoy on January 24, 2020, 07:40:11 PM
Ziggy, ever done Lake Powell that way?

Honestly,  my dream is to charter a Captained Cat for a week with friends and sail the BVIs. We have a few friends who have indicated interest. Probably have to wait until we're all retired.
PS. If you don't know what a wet landing is you're not qualified.

Never did the houseboat thing.  Looked at doing a Mississippi river one many years ago, but then we all started having kids and had to grow up.  Lol.

Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: warriorchick on January 24, 2020, 08:15:07 PM
I will now invent a washing machine out of bamboo and a computer out of coconuts. But whatever you do, please don't ask me how to figure out how to tie a few logs together to make the raft that will get us the hell off this effen island!

Apparently all I get to do is walk around in pastel slacks waving a hanky.   :(
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: ZiggysFryBoy on January 24, 2020, 08:18:58 PM
Apparently all I get to do is walk around in pastel slacks waving a hanky.   :(

That aint all ya gotta do.  Hey-o
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Dr. Blackheart on January 25, 2020, 12:02:49 AM
Apparently all I get to do is walk around in pastel slacks waving a hanky.   :(

Okay, okay...I will let you be Ginger then. Thruston Glow gets Mary Ann then. You traded in those millions and the pastel pants for a potato sack dress I might add.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Frenns Liquor Depot on January 25, 2020, 10:20:29 AM
So, let’s recap: Ziggy is the Skipper. Topper is Gilligan. Glow and Chick are the Howells. 82 is the Professor. That leaves Ginger and Mary Ann.

I nominate Cheeks & Hoopaloop
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: 4everwarriors on January 25, 2020, 06:06:33 PM
Ziggy, ever done Lake Powell that way?

Honestly,  my dream is to charter a Captained Cat for a week with friends and sail the BVIs. We have a few friends who have indicated interest. Probably have to wait until we're all retired.
PS. If you don't know what a wet landing is you're not qualified.




Eye wood hope all of us heer no watt a wet landin' is at dis point in life, aina?
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: lawdog77 on January 25, 2020, 09:51:11 PM
I nominate Cheeks & Hoopaloop
Cheeks can be Gilligan
 https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0588078/ (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0588078/)
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: keefe on January 31, 2020, 01:17:47 AM
My vessel is the Sloop John B.   4ever is my grandfather.

Zig

I thought you used to hang at the Fruit Boat down there in the Third Ward?
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: Benny B on January 31, 2020, 10:29:35 AM
I've been on the Lake Express Ferry twice, but until now, I had no idea that there were actually cruise ships on the Great Lakes, let alone those that stopped in Milwaukee.

OK, Boomers.


Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: UWW2MU on January 31, 2020, 01:54:34 PM
I've been on the Lake Express Ferry twice, but until now, I had no idea that there were actually cruise ships on the Great Lakes, let alone those that stopped in Milwaukee.

OK, Boomers.

Totally... and they're all older and European.    I should know, i once gave a German couple, who were on one of these cruises, directions to the Harbor House while out walking on my lunch one day.  So, I'm kind of an expert on this subject.
Title: Re: Viking Cruiselines to Offer Great Lakes Cruises from Milwaukee
Post by: keefe on February 04, 2020, 03:08:15 AM
Why climb mountains or go skiing when you can sit on a cruise ship and stare out the window as Manitowoc glides past the portals?

That has got to be the most stultifying way to spend a week.