coachma

On 4/30/2024 at 11:53 AM, OneSixtyToOne said:

We did the Sydney Harbor Bridge Climb when we were there independently. Definitely a once in a lifetime experience. 
https://www.bridgeclimb.com/climb-the-iconic-sydney-harbour-bridge?gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwrcKxBhBMEiwAIVF8rHZNR0i-JhyBcOju_fVEcRr564l0g3kZIswOa-BuHEyEQKkHPs3yuxoCkZwQAvD_BwE&code=usd

I second this suggestion! We did the Climb at dusk, and seeing the Opera House and city lit up at night was magical. Reservations a must.

2 hours ago, deec said:

IMO Really need for WC!  do you know if they Star and Sea received them as well?

The Sea did not have them as of the November TA from Barcelona to San Juan.

On 3/2/2024 at 5:26 AM, shepherd really said:

Compared to the $200 Falklands penguin tour I booked,

Thanks for posting about your experience - it's very helpful in planning our trip next February - lots of great info.

We are considering the Adventure Falklands tour. Is that the tour you booked? If not, who did you go with?

TIA -

Just accepted an upgrade from DV1 to PV1  ($299/pp) for the Nov 3 Barcelona - San Juan TA.

Hooray!

On 10/11/2023 at 1:38 PM, bison2013 said:

Has anyone received an update from VO regarding dock location for Barcelona? Seems to be a mid October onwards change.

Spain ports topic doesn't have any updates except links to popular press articles.

I did try Viking chat but I was not able to get clarity.

 

Our final e-docs arrived today for the Nov 3 Barcelona - San Juan TA.

Your Cruise Dock Location
VIKING SEA
Cruise Terminal
Moll Adossat, The Palacruceros
Barcelona, Spain

The "big long pier" @odblnt referenced in an earlier post. And thanks for the link - great information.

1 hour ago, bookbabe said:

In retrospect, we would have been better off arranging our own transfers privately, maybe a city tour with an airport drop-off

This. We've arranged a private half-day tour with pick-up at the port, tour of Old San Juan including the fort, lunch at a non-touristy restaurant and drop-off at the airport for our Barcelona to San Juan cruise in November. 

1 hour ago, WanderingBrit said:

The afternoon included excursion was actually quite good. Bus drive to 4 different vantage points, about 2 hours, no rest room facilities. When docked at a pier we like to walk around on our own in the morning, and then have the latest excursion possible in the afternoon.

 

For a place that gets 300 days of rain each year, we really lucked out!

Stunning photos!!

1 hour ago, WanderingBrit said:

About half way in to my workout the ship lost power, and the room went dark. Most left at that point since many of the cardio machines won’t function usefully without power. I soldiered on and completed my row, though admittedly a good bit slower than usual - too much wine yesterday.

Advantages of an erg😉 

I'm very much enjoying your commentary and photos. Thanks for taking all of us along. 

No Chamomile? That's my go-to before bed. Perhaps it's available elsewhere on board.

21 minutes ago, WanderingBrit said:

It would be even better if it was a Concept2 😉

Well, that goes without saying... 😊

9 hours ago, Kiwi Dreamer said:

From the Viking Mars just last month

Thank you for the photos. I'm happy to see the equipment still includes a rowing machine.

3 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

We just went through security and TSA is either training new dogs or they have implemented a new level of inspection. Before you get to the security check you are corralled into an area where you had to stop, then walk two-by-two past a dog handler that walked around you. There were several K-9 units to the side waiting their turn.🦮

Sounds like a Passenger Screening Canine team conducting training. The dogs were searching for a decoy passenger carrying a concealed training aid. My husband and I volunteer as decoys at Washington Dulles airport. If a passenger near you was carrying the training aid, the dog would excitedly follow the decoy as they exit the cordoned-off area. The handler rewards the dog with a toss of a ball! A supervisor oversees the training and knows which passenger is the decoy. Very smart dogs.

Garry - let me add my thanks for the wonderful commentary and photos of your world adventure. Like many others, I looked forward to reading your latest post every day. And am in awe of your dedication and perseverance to keep your many fans updated for 163 days straight!

Safe travels home to you both - and in related news, we leave this afternoon for our Empires of the Mediterranean cruise - a much, much shorter adventure!

8 hours ago, PasadenaDave said:

The description in the pre excursion of hotel says Stucky Hilton or similar.  I saw from the prior opposite cruise they were at the Marriott and then our cruise docs informed us of Marriott.  I overheard two parties who pre excursioned in Athens that they were at different hotels 

Thanks for the info - our final documents are due in the next few days. Good to know hotel location will be confirmed then. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

Thanks for the live updates! Happy to learn you will dock at Marghera. We are on a pre-extension in Venice before the June 6 Empires of the Mediterranean on the Sea.

Did you receive notification from Viking on the change of hotel to the Marriott? We've not heard anything, yet.

Thanks again.

Do you have a Rapid PCR test location in Charlotte? We're also using the 24 hour RFG in the event of a positive test. Our testing location guarantees a 16 hour turnaround which gives us plenty of time to cancel. Medicare covers the basic cost, we pay $75 each for the rapid result. 

We used this testing location for a Viking River cruise in Sept. and had results in 9-10 hours.

3 hours ago, 20Cruise20 said:

Our TA selected a couple of options for our consideration.  The one we decided upon was Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace. It was offered by Walks - Italy, Spain & Greece. About 20 in the group. At that point in time, vaccine cards were presented at both St. Mark's & Doge's Palace. Plus, KN 95 masks required. 

 

Venice was very crowded. As such, we spent a bit more time than I would have liked waiting in lines to access both sights. However, the guide paced everything well, including providing about 10 minutes of free time on the terrace for photos. 

Thank you for the quick reply! It looks like a perfect tour for our limited time in Venice. 

On 3/28/2022 at 10:37 AM, 20Cruise20 said:

Uneventful and easy four hour train trip from Rome to Venice followed by a wonderful private water taxi experience arranged through the JW Marriott. We enjoyed wandering in Venice and a tour of St. Mark's & Doge's Palace (small group). 

We arrive in Venice in a month for a pre-extension, but our one full day is on a Sunday, which limits the time to tour St. Mark's. Did you arrange your small group tour, or was it through the Marriott?

Also, no word yet on a hotel or port change. Thanks!

You beat me to it! We received the same email this afternoon for our June 6 Empires of the Mediterranean on the VIKING SEA.

1 hour ago, austinetc said:

Love these updates. FYI, I plan to carry it forward for our Venice to Istanbul cruise, beginning with a two day pre-cruise extension on 4/21.

Yes, the updates are very helpful for those of us traveling in the near future. Thank you to all!

Austinetc, I'm especially interested in your embarkation day experience - we also have a pre-extension in Venice in June. We would prefer to spend a few hours sightseeing before making our way to the cruise terminal to check-in and then catch the bus to the ship.

3 hours ago, 20Cruise20 said:

Pre-Excursion Response: 

 

We learned about 3 weeks before our sailing of the change of hotels. We were disappointed in the change from the Hilton to the JWM as we understood that the island with the Hilton had local restaurants and enjoyable exploration.  

 

We clearly understood the challenge of large hotels being outside the historic area and the usage of the hotel water taxi, but, were not satisfied with the experience compared to the cost. Pleasantries were abundant at the hotel, however, the details were just not in place. Many Viking guests had challenges at the hotel restaurant. (We did not.) The breakfast buffet was filled with quantity, not quality. Our room was very nice, but, very warm. Based on the time of year, AC was not available within the guest rooms. 

 

I cannot provide a factual answer to the sightseeing question. We were provided with a specific time to meet in the lobby for transfer - 1015 AM. (Along with about 40 others.) I do know that there was a 915 transfer group as well. I would suggest that you speak with the on-site Viking host to understand transfer time options and if the ability exists. (It very well might be accomplished.) 

 

I've seen some other discussion regarding on-board day one test results. We submitted our samples about 1215 PM and had our TV notification @ 5 PM. 

 

I'll close with a just in case you need to know note. Be prepared to place your luggage outside your room the night before departure similar to the end of your actual cruise. 

 

 

Thank you! This is most helpful - especially the suggestion to speak to the Viking host about transfer options and the heads-up about luggage.

12 hours ago, 20Cruise20 said:

 

The JWM is a beautiful property on a peaceful island. (We walked the island one morning and enjoyed the fresh air and extra movement.) The water taxi was easy to use to access historic Venice at St. Mark's Square. Viking also ran shuttles on the hour. Regardless of the testing situation, we would not join a pre-extension again. Staying in the right area and maximizing every minute of vacation is more important than the minor transport convenience.  

 

Happy to answer questions about the first part of our journey documented above. Will augment Eggtuary's experience of embarkment. 

Thanks for taking the time to share your experiences. We are on an Empires of the Mediterranean in June with a pre-extension in Venice. I was interested to hear you stayed at the JWM and not the Hilton Molino Stucky as advertised.

- When did you learn of the change in hotel?

- And is there time to sightsee before transfer to the cruise terminal, bus ride and embarkation?

Thanks for any insights and hope you have a wonderful cruise.