The internal clock of a traveller is a wonderful thing! Prior to shouting down last evening, while listening to the radio broadcast of the Ottawa Senators' hockey game, we set the iPad alarm for 5:15...an early rise morning to be ready for the cab to Heathrow...wouldn't you know it, I was awake just prior to the alarm. After another night of rain, it was a clear ride to the airport...Mercedes nonetheless!
LHR Terminal 2 is an awesome new addition to the airport. With its state of the art systems and modern design, it took us no time to clear security and settle into a pleasant breakfast...all this before 7:00. The concern began when the Lufthansa flight from LHR - FRA was late loading, then late departing. I knew that there was limited time once we arrived in Frankfurt, a huge airport. As luck would have it we arrived at one part of the terminal, had to travel to another part of the complex, clear security a second time after clearing Customs. After being told that I worry too much there was angst when we arrived at the gate only to be told that the flight was closed and that we'd have to go to Customer Service to try to get on the next flight. it would be an understatement that Lufthansa was less than helpful or concerned. The queue of displaced/delayed passengers struggling to rebook flights is a sign that client service is not a priority of this airline. Suffice it to say that when we got to the service representative we were told that the next flight was already oversold and that it would be at least a seven hour wait until the next possible flight to Basel. Disappointed would be another understatement! At the same time with my travel consultant hat on, it has become a teachable moment... How do I contact Viking? Will our transfer from the airport to the city dock still occur? What if the Viking Gullveig sails before we get there? How can I learn so that I can assist clients when/if they face the same predicament?
Some 20 hours has passed since my last entry...here's what happened! We went to the gate of the 4:30 departure and tried to get on standby. We were 50% successful. At the last moment, Marion was able to board. Just before the door closed, I realized that I was without my passport. There was a terrific rush back to the plane prior to its departure to retrieve said passport...note to self...always carry your own passport! It was after the plane's departure that I realized that Marion had departed without luggage!
Settling in for another four hour visit between "A" and "B" of FRA, I resorted to flippant postings on Facebook, including a message to my travelling partner to not expect luggage when she deplaned in Basel. I learned later that she never got that message. Thanks to the Viking Rep at Basel airport, Marion did get promptly taken care of and transferred to the MS Gullveig. In the meantime, I exchanged emails with my friends at Expedia CruiseShipCenters, Kanata and with the Viking Gullveig. In total, there were three of us stranded until the 8:30 flight. I was able to reassure them that all was well. The rest of the time was uneventful...just a tad boring. After departure, the flight was very ordinary and full! a brief 40 minutes later we were on the ground
and quickly greeted by a Viking driver, who said that the captain was keen to know we were there as he was ready to depart. The MS Gullveig was originally scheduled for a 7:00 pm departure. We sailed at 9:50! By the way, all of the luggage made the trip with me!
It was a happy reunion when we reconnected, as one might has expected...in the bar! Marion, with white wine in hand was delighted to know that her luggage had arrived! I hope that sh was at least a little happy to see me as well.
Viking was great! The welcomed the latecomers with complimentary drinks and a well needed snack!
Before long, it was straight to the cabin, even without unpacking...straight to bed!
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