BlairsvilleCruiseGirl

If you're going in August, be sure to wear lots of sunscreen, a big hat and be prepared to sweat! It's really hot with no shade up there and the sun reflects off all that stone.

It appears Emerald doesn't have their own category but are lumped with the "others": Other Cruise Lines: Ask a Question - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

That looks delicious! We're sailing the Danube on the Scenic Amber next September (our first river cruise) and I'm hoping they have lots of local/regional food items like this!

Ah, where's the pictures of your DH's Chocolate Haul? Please don't tell us he didn't fulfill his mission?!?

We considered that when we researched our first river cruise, which is one of the reasons why we ended up with Scenic for next year - they have more than 1 dining venue AND room service for lunch and dinner, so when we're not feeling sociable, we can just eat in our room and watch the river go by from our balcony!

Yeah, but Canada Geese don't respect any lines! Those nasty buggers will chase you across that line and then 💩 on it! 😆

WooWee! $9000pp is a significant difference when comparing apples to apples! I like Viking, but I can do a lot with $18000 extra!

When we were in Hobart we hired a private guide who took us to a local bakery and recommended the Curried Scallop Hand Pie (he said it's a local favorite). I loved it too! Dang, now I want one! 😋

We, too, are traveling with 2 friends for the first time this summer! We picked our tours and they picked their tours and we did book one together, but basically we decided that we would catch up in the evenings for cocktails before dinner to go over our day and then probably dine together. I was wondering what Viking cruisers do when they want to dine in the specialty restaurants with friends in other cabin categories. We were able to make our (3 per restaurant) dining reservations, but they haven't been able to make theirs yet (1 per restaurant). We tried to "Invite other guests" when we booked our times, but got an error, probably because they couldn't book theirs yet. I'm hoping that we can just go up to the host and ask for our table for 2 to be made into a table for 4?

We're booked on Into the Midnight Sun and there is the same (I'm guessing it's the same) tour offered for $279 Taste of Norway $279 Per Person Day 3 – Geiranger, Norway Sunday, June 2 12:45 PM 1.5 Hours EASY SNACK SIGHTSEEING UNESCO Local Specialties and Picturesque Geirangerfjord Sample appetizing local fare and beverages while taking a scenic cruise through the picturesque Geirangerfjord. Your cruise will take you for close-up views of Geirangerfjord’s famous waterfalls. See the stunning Seven Sisters, named for the seven separate streams that comprise the waterfall, and The Suitor directly opposite them. Legend says the “sisters” dance playfully down the mountainside while the nearby “suitor” courts them. You will also view Bridal Veil, its waterfall resembling a thin veil over the rocks when backlight by the sun. As you cruise, you will be served a selection of Norwegian taster dishes, including cured meats and cheeses, along with three different beers from a local Geiranger brewery. You will make a short photo stop near one of the isolated farms that dot the fjord. Your guide tell you interesting facts about local life, the farms and the people who live there. Easy - Walking portions are generally over easy surfaces with few steps or inclines. Total time walking or standing is normally not longer than 1.5 hours.

Are you talking about the "Walking the Nature Trails of Mousa Island" excursion? I signed up for that on our May 31 Into the Midnight Sun cruise, so hopefully someone who has been on it will reply! I did see a YouTube video on it and it didn't look too demanding.

We're taking our first river cruise (have only ever done ocean) with Scenic next year - 10 day Danube in Depth from Budapest to Nuremberg. We liked how they have multiple choices for included tours, some more active than others. Are they usually small or large groups per guide? There's not a lot about Scenic in CC so any info you have I would greatly appreciate!

Multiple ports had 2 included on the May 31 Midnight Sun: Bergen had 2 included: Panoramic Bergen (bus and foot) and Bergen on Foot. Lofoten has Panoramic Lofoten by Land and Sea (bus and boat) and Panoramic Lofoten (bus). Tromso has Panoramic Tromso (bus) and Tromso on Foot. The other ports only had 1 included.

Important note about visiting Santorini: When we were there June 2023, Viking's itinerary listed us calling (tender) Santorini at 0800. The ship did call at 0800, BUT, only those booked on Viking's excursions were able to tender in - and they tendered to a small dock which was down the coast from the gondola and appeared only to be used by the coaches. After everyone on Viking tours had disembarked, the ship lifted anchor and went around the corner to another spot where they anchored and only at 10 am were we allowed to disembark/tender to shore. Now we were at the base of the gondola, however, there were other ships in port with tenders and ferries constantly docking, so getting to the gondola was pretty much impossible. Viking provided roundtrip gondola tickets, but there must have been a thousand people crammed into the small area at the base of the gondola. We tried to find the end of the line and after about 30 minutes of waiting (and the ferries dock closer to the base of the gondola, so every time a ferry came in, those people ended up in front of us), we turned around and gave our tickets to the Viking person manning the tent and headed back to the ship. We rode on the tender back to the ship with 2 people who had booked the Viking included walking tour, gotten off the ship at 0800, did the tour, walked around the town a bit and were heading back to the ship for lunch. So the bottom line is: Book an early morning Viking tour, if just to get yourself on the island! and be careful about booking your own tour because who knows when you might actually be able to meet your private tour guide.

Hopefully you will like it as much as we did! Since you'll be in Auckland a few days, might I suggest: Taking the ferry (right across the street from the hotel, just to the right) over to Waiheke Island (we rented e-scooters and rode all around the island - gorgeous!) or take the ferry across the bay to Devonport ( We walked to the top of Mount Victoria and then down through the neighborhoods to North Head then had lunch right on the main street of Devonport). Grab a cab or Uber over to the Auckland Museum - we spent several hours there - it was incredible (make sure you see the Maori show). Walk over to the Sky Tower for dinner (the concierge will make reservations for you). Ask the concierge to set you up with a tour to the West side of the North Island - so so beautiful. Oh, this is making me want to go back so bad! Have fun! And if you want to see pictures of a lot of the above, just let me know and I'll post them for you. 🙂

Some rooms have a wall with pictures of yoga poses. Some have sayings like "home is where the anchor drops" or "to live will be an awfully big adventure." It's really a fun, funky, boutique kind of hotel. The concierge desk was very helpful - they booked a day trip over to Piha Beach for us which was awesome.

We stayed at the M Social. Right on the harbor, close to the marinas, restaurants, ferries, right across from where the cruise ships dock. Loved it and would stay there again.

We're thinking of doing the Sea Fishing in Lofoten. How was it? Do you have any tips or suggestions? Or pictures? And lastly, did you tip the captain or mates on the fishing boat? We're trying to figure out how much/if any NOK we need to bring. Thanks!

We're doing Midnight Sun in May/June and were thinking of doing the included Edinburgh Highlights just to get an idea and what is where and then heading off on our own. Is that possible or do we have to go back to the port (and if so, do you know if Viking has shuttles running to/from downtown)?

We're going to be on the Venus in May and I was hoping to do the cooking class. Can you please advise what the menu is changed to?

We took the Empires of the Med cruise last year and the most fun tour we did was the Corfu by 4x4 vehicle. Two people per Suzuki 4x4 (they were pretty old/beat up but a lot of fun). We drove up the tallest mountain in Corfu, stopped for a snack with wine or Ouzo in this tiny village and then a couple of more stops for the views/pit stop. It was a blast and we saw a bit of Corfu that we would never have seen on a standard tour. 20230605_095421_99.mp4

In November 2023 I asked Viking Customer Service (on-line chat) when our May 31, 2024 shore excursions would be available for review and they said they're posted 110 days prior to sailing.

You weren't seeing things DWIMG. I looked 5 minutes ago and it wasn't there, then I just looked again and it's back. Might have been updating.

Oh, man, that wheel of Parm is BEAUTIFUL! Probably my favorite part of the bread basket in Manfredi's!