OneSixtyToOne

Sounds like one of the circles of hell

That information is in your email prior to boarding. Although not as detailed as the port talk, you do have ample time to see all that is available. After boarding you can ask questions about any of them and get a full rundown. You don’t have to wait until the port talk. I find the port talks really geared for those doing it on their own (the opening of the talk) and those going on specific excursions (the 2nd part of the talk).

You ordered drinks over the $18 limit (champagne?).

As discussed on this board multiple times, it is the middle day of a back to back cruise (two or more separate cruises and you are on one that has been bundled together to create one with a new name). People are departing and arriving which is a very busy time for the staff. For some reason, Viking doesn’t release an excursion schedule for those passengers staying on the ship. Possibly it’s to prevent newly boarding passengers from scheduling an excursion on the day they arrive. It’s also possible that their software can’t handle the circumstances. In any event, you will be notified of available excursions (if any) once you are onboard.

Search for Sagrada Familia Official

We also passed at midnight

Here is a relevant posting in another thread: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2416372-tips-for-new-viking-ocean-cruisers/?do=findComment&comment=67098523

Here you go. It was an amazing cruise.

The app is excellent. For example it explains that the different colored columns are different density stone with the densest being used for the main tower, which has not been constructed yet. Other tours we have had guides tell us they were not allowed to do guided tours inside and instead they did it on the QT. BTW be sure to visit the basement area and the schoolhouse built by Gaudi to teach the children of the workers.

Inside is self guided via the LSG phone app. Since COVID the church no longer hands out headphones or listening devices so be sure to bring something compatible to listen with your phone. BTW you can download the LSG app anytime and listen to the tour. It may be better to do that ahead of time to be aware of what you are seeing.

Is the “Noodle Bar” at the pool new or just for the WC? I don’t recall ever seeing that before.

Normal dinner time for all 3 venues is 6:00-9:00 PM Afternoon tea is 4:00-5:00 PM in the Wintergarden, but not available on embarkation day. Mamsen’s has snacks, soup, and dessert until Midnight. World Cafe and Pool Grill open for lunch at 11:00 AM. The Pool Grill will serve until around 3:00, but the World Cafe starts closing down around 1:30 PM. Closing times may vary depending on special events (pool area often has something going on).

You should really try and see the Bayeux Tapestry. It's amazing,

You might want to consider Rome / Florence / Venice by train as part of your land excursion. We did a 10 day trip a few years ago and it was fantastic. 2 days in Venice is more than enough. Spend as much time in Florence as possible.

In our last Med cruise, there was an insert in the first Viking daily stating they were piloting a new program of “gentle walkers” included tours, similar to what was available on VR. Looks like they may have implemented it fleet wide.

They go into detail of every excursion whether filled or not. It lets you know what to expect, pickup spots, if any, difficulty, schedule, and other useful information. I have never interpreted it as a sales pitch, subtle or otherwise. To the OP, many times the lecturers will bring up something relevant to your port of calls. I’ve discovered many useful things by attending the nightly lectures as well as the port talks. This was especially true before we visited Pompeii and Herculean. The lecturer on the Roman Empire pointed out things we should look for.

The Olympics in Paris is messing with their sailings. I noticed the Cities of Light cruise is offering extensions in Brussels, Bruges, and Oxford instead of Paris. There are many other modifications too.

“Port intensive” is what Viking does best. This is especially true of their river cruises, which is where the company started, and that philosophy has carried over to their ocean product. The river product is as you describe, go, go, go, eat, sleep, repeat, with occasional scenic sailing. River ports are typically in the town center so you are right where you want to be without having to take an extended bus ride inland to see the city (docking on the coast to see Rome, Florence is an example of spending almost as much time driving as being in the city). So you may want to look at the river product and IMO the age skews younger. River and ocean cruising are much different experiences. We have done both and both have pros and cons. That being said, I find the included tours that are mostly walking tours tend to be the best of the lot. The “panoramic” tours are bus tours that are just a drive by with a few photo stops. We tend to take a mix of optional and included excursions. One of the best included walking tours we ever took with Viking was our stop last year in Monaco. Here is a link to the writeup to give you a flavor of what to expect. It starts at post 49 but reading the whole thread will give you a general sense of what to expect on a Viking Mediterranean cruise. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2927474-almost-live-viking-sky-mediterranean-odyssey-april-2023/?do=findComment&comment=65245954

You might want to consider the Viking Grand European River Tour in your future. Many port calls offered a tour that features a stop at local watering hole. Each has its own favorite regional beer. Bamberg is the home of a famous smoked beer.

Looks like one way Viking is dealing with fluctuating river levels is creating a shorter river voyage with more overnights. Vienna and Budapest are definitely worth more time there. NEW ITINERARY Treasures of the Danube ASK FOR OFFER: EBD Ends March 31, 2024 A new Danube River voyage Beginning this winter, you can enjoy more time to explore one of Europe’s iconic rivers on our new Treasures of the Danube itinerary, a 10-day voyage with overnight stays in Vienna, Budapest and Passau. From marveling at Slovakia’s majestic Bratislava Castle, perched on a hilltop overlooking the capital, to savoring lunch in Austria’s oldest restaurant on an included excursion to Salzburg, discover the best of Europe at a quieter time of year. Reserve your preferred stateroom with a $25 deposit during our Spring Sale and receive special savings on this enchanting journey. NEW ITINERARY Treasures of the Danube 10 DAYS | Passau to Budapest $25 Deposit | Reduced International Airfare | Special Fares ASK FOR OFFER: EBD Dec 2024 & Jan–Mar 2025 Departures VIEW ITINERARY BOOK NOW

We stayed at the Nobu. After departing the ship we went on what is essentially a modified included Barcelona tour. That is why it’s a good idea to forgo the included tour while on the ship and instead take one of the optional tours. The privileged access Gaudi houses of modernism tour was tremendous. It sells out quickly as was the first thing we booked when excursions opened. Here is my live posting of our trip from last year, Barcelona starts at post 55: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2927474-almost-live-viking-sky-mediterranean-odyssey-april-2023/?do=findComment&comment=65262761

The War Rooms are indeed fascinating but I would like to add that the IWM has multiple “campuses” and the main one on Lambeth Road is one of the best museums I have ever visited. The exhibits are incredible. For history and WWII buffs the fighter command bunker at Uxbridge is on par with the War Rooms. IMO it’s a must see. Just take the Tube to the last stop at Uxbridge and grab a cab to The Bunker.

We had a Viking post cruise extension in Buenos Aires after our Expedition cruise that disembarked in Ushuaia. The charter flight from Ushuaia had a mix of passengers that were on the extension and those catching late flights home. Those leaving that night were taken to international departures for their multi-hour wait. If you are disembarking In Buenos Aires, you will have a looong wait. If you have a Viking transfer, sometimes they will rent a hotel meeting room or before hours restaurant to wait in. They need to clear the ship to prepare for arriving passengers. I don’t think you can stay onboard later that 9:00 or 10:00 AM.

They don’t. On our recent stop in Turkey the ship did not change time for one stop. They advised you to turn off auto update of time zones on your phone to avoid confusion.

Promo ESE24 is only valid for the March 27 sailing of the West Indies & the Iberian Peninsula The Fall sailings are listed as a different cruise name and I don’t see any promos. It also have more ports of call and days. https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/multi-region/west-indies-iberia/index.html#search/sfym=2024-10&sftcm=west-indies-iberia