SantaFe1

I’ve always made it with chicken, although in L.A. we certainly had a lot of pigeons.

I don’t want to get into an argument with you, but someone I respect on these boards once said, you don’t really know a cruise itinerary until the cruise is finished. Very few cruises I have been on have kept to the original itinerary 100%. And, during Covid, Viking did, indeed have a mystery world cruise. I am more than happy for Viking to use whatever information they have to keep us safe. And, we missed Easter Island on our WC because the tender dock was flooded. Nothing to be done, but our Captain circumnavigated the island, and we got to see quite a lot from the sea. People told us then, if you absolutely MUST see Easter Island, fly there. I guess the same could be said about many ocean ports.

We’ve had this happen twice, once on the WC and once in Nicaragua

We are going in Nov. 2025 and have not heard anything.

They take you straight to the airport. There will likely be others with earlier flights, so no individualized sightseeing. The airport, as I remember, is not en route to the sights of the city. What a shame to miss Barcelona.

Let me join with the others who are taking this cruise in the future in thanking you. We leave next November, about the same time as your trip, a week later, I think. Your info about the weather and excursions, good and bad, was much appreciated. We are also taking the pre-cruise extension to Madrid, so when you arrive in Madrid, we’d love to hear about that too. Safe travels home!

Linda, I don’t remember the name of the restaurant. It was a small place, only locals, no tourists and no English (although our restaurant Italian is pretty good). But I remember where it was. From the cruise terminal (see map below) go to the Fortezza Michelangelo, go past the McDonalds (!) and then follow the S1 along the waterfront. There are several places there. Sorry I can’t remember the name of the place.

I have an update on our online passport renewal. Today, just six days after sending in the application, photo, and cc information, my husband’s passport arrived in the mail!!! We didn’t request expedited or anything else. Yet, here it is, in his hands. (Mine not yet, but I’m sure it’s coming,). So, if you have thought of renewing online, give it a try.

And yesterday, after just two days, we received notice that our payment had been accepted and our application sent for processing.

Another option is to use Viking’s partner, Luggage Forward, and have the bags picked up from the ship and shipped home. We did that after our World Cruise and have used them ever since. Guest services should be able to set that up for you. It’s expensive, but not prohibitive.

I just wanted to resurrect this thread for an update. We returned home on Friday from our Rhine River cruise. So, while the passports were still out, I thought I’d try online passport renewal, which is now fully operational. We renewed both passports today, a Sunday, and were able to charge to credit card. We did have to take a couple of photos before they accepted them, but all in all, less than the 40 minutes per passport they projected. Maybe 30. The charge shows on the CC and the processing time says 4-6 weeks. So I anticipate around the first of the year, although there are a lot of holidays between now and then. But so nice not to have to mess with sending in the old passport, written forms, envelopes, etc. Give it a try!

We are booked on this cruise next year at this time. Very interested to hear what the weather is like. We are just back from a Rhine River cruise and the weather in November was very cold and damp.

Yes, we have always had really good help!

I’ve gotten these the last couple of years. But often I am on the ship for my birthday!

Nor do we get seasick. But on our Hawaii cruise in Feb., in cabin 6009, our glasses flew off the bedside tables and shattered one night at 2 am. That was somewhat frightening. But I know the same thing happened in different locations on the ship.

Funny, Linda, 6009 is our preferred room, and we always try to book it. We’ve never heard a thing! I don’t know how much room location mitigates really rough seas. When it’s really bad, it’s bad everywhere. It usually involves crossing an ocean. We had particular trouble in the Indian Ocean on our WC.

On our WC we had no heat whatsoever. Our chef was German, and we had lots of really bland food. One day, out of nowhere, there was a pot of jelepenos. We each took a huge scope and loved them. But no, not usually much spice.

We didn’t have much time there, but we loved it! I’d give it a go!

We were in NZ, Australia, and Tasmania in mid-March on our WC and the weather was glorious. Highly recommend the shoulder season! Either shoulder.

The thing we noticed on our Feb. 2024 cruise was not just rough weather for half a day, but really rough weather for days at a time. We don’t get seasick, but it wasn’t pleasant and many things were closed. And literally no one in the restaurants; lots of room service trays in the halls. We heard on CC from people sailing from Dec. 2023 through our sailing Feb. 14 that the seas were quite rough. I would hope for the best, but expect the worst in mid-January. We vowed that the next time we go to Hawaii, we will fly!

Depending on the cruise and weather I wear dress sandals almost every night!

Agreed. I would add it to my already long list..

Well, now, sail ins are a different topic. Sydney and Rio for sure.

Looking forward to that one next year.

Went back and tried to edit but too late. Techinically, the port is Messina, but Sicily.