TayanaLorna

You may have an issue getting into Venice for a non Viking excursion. In Venice, unlike many ports there was only one boat for Venice on Your Own. It was in the morning at 9 am on Day 1 in Venice and 7 am on Day 3 and those folks had one boat back to the port in Chioggia 8 hours later. It was an Optional excursion and sold out before the DV's could book. Same tour ran on Day 2 (turnover) and was around 8:30 or 9 am. That one was easier to reserve as it was only offerred to folks staying on board for next leg. They did not do shuttle boats all day. They did shuttle boats to Chioggia every half hour but that was only a 10 minute ride. At A Glance: St. Marks Square was the Included. It was a guided tour of the square and then free time. You might be able to reserve this excursion to get to Venice, tell the guide you are leaving the group and ask where and when to meet the return boat. It was 6 hours, 15 minutes which gave folks 3 hours 15 minutes in Venice max. It left at 9:15, 9:45, am on Day 1 in Venice. On Day 2 there was one around 8:30 ish. On Day 3 times were 7:30, 8:30 and 8:45 am. Figure the boat ride is 1 hour 30 minutes. It was a 15 minute walk from where the boat docked to St. Marks Square. The Viking Secrets of Doges Palace was a Privledged Access tour meaning only our Viking group had access to those areas of the Palace at that time. We were also in areas of the palace not open to the Public. Afterwards our most excellent and informative tour, we had time to explore the gorgeous staterooms where the Venetian Republic was governed. The path for self exploration also took us through prison cells and dungeons open to the public and out through the cafeteria and bookstore. Since we had already seen private areas of the prisons, we would have preferred to exit the palace after the staterooms and not have to follow all the folks on their own. We were really glad we had a pre-planned tour as folks who went on their own for the day reported standing in line for 1.5 hours to get in. And this was February off-season! Our group just strolled to the beginning of the line. Also keep in mind that the times Viking docks near Venice can change depending on tide, wind direction and rainfall. Ours did. It was near full moon so higher then normal tides. We had a southerly wind keeping the water in the lagoon and 3 days of rain. The MOSE gates were even closed during our visit.

Yes they show sample dishes of what is available and then make your bowl when you order it.

Saturn does not thank goodness. The upper explorers lounge has less displays (ship models) and more seating which is nice.

Just got off legs 2 & 3 of this 4 day cruise. We docked in Chioggia. We got a paper in our cabin with excursions for turnover day in Venice. Included - Venice on your own 8 hours Murano & Burano 7 hours Verona 9 hours A couple to Chioggia Shuttle bus to Chioggia We did Secrets of the Doges Palace day 1 Murano & Burano day 2 A Taste of Chioggia day 3 The boat ride to/from Venice takes 1.5 hours each way. There are bathrooms, a bar where folks could purchase coffee, hot chocolate etc and a guide explaining all kinds of things about the canals, Venice etc. The boat had an open upper deck and the ride was scenic even in the awful weather we had. We were the only cruise ship in town and Venice was still crowded in February.

They did this on our Amazon trip. Both the shuttles to shore and the tour boats picked up folks on the platform. It was great.

We've done 4 cruises with friends and 2 without. We meet new folks without friends. With friends we agree to not be joined at the hip. If we happen to want the same excursion, we book the same time and meet beforehand to be sure we are on the same bus. We usually have dinner together meeting for cocktails beforehand. Breakfast, lunch, lectures, tea, port talks we don't usually pre plan to be together. The best part of cruising with friends was when we had 6 of us. For that cruise we did private excursions with either 4 or all 6 of us depending on our interests. This was the SA Round Cape Horn cruise and it was so nice to get away from the busloads and quiet vox.

Thank you so much. Have it bookmarked now.

This has nothing to do with Viking Promos but the only way I can think of to contact you. I think you posted a review or a running log of a Viking Expedition cruise you did from Ushuaia to Santiago through Patagonia in Chile. My DH has an interest in expedition now but i don't know how to find your postings. Do you have a link? Thanks.

On a cruise from Norway to Scotland we had to do the passport parade. On another cruise from the West Indies to Brazil, we had 2 choices: Surrender your passport to Guest Services the day before ships arrival or report at 4 am with your passport on morning of arrival. Some cruises like around South America, we surrendered our passports for the entire cruise. It depends.

It is best to look at the Viking Daily delivered the evening before any excursion. The time and location for where to meet for any excursion will be in the Viking Daily. The time listed when you reserve your excursion is the time the bus leaves. Meeting prior to an excursion can be 15 minutes to a half hour before departure time. We missed an excursion once because we did not look for the meeting time in the Daily. They do not wait.

In December excursions opened right on time. Restaurant reservations were open when i woke up in the morning and I am Atlantic time.

Every little bit helps.

Viking does have a referral program or at least did 2018 to 2023.in the US. If a person gives your name to Viking when booking then both you and that person get $100 off a cruise. Tell her to book with Viking and then transfer to a TA.

We too were disappointed with too much ship light to see stars in SA. The Planetariums are not for live star gazing but for ceiling shows. One night on our cruise there was a star gazing lecture on Deck 9 where the lights were turned off for the duration. Due to an almost midnight sun down there, it was much too late for us to attend given our early and long excursions.

It takes several weeks to really explore the incredible diversity of the island from rain forest to dry forest, from sandy beaches to high mountains, cave systems, Taino archeological sites, rock carvings, quaint and historic towns, coffee plantations, bioluminiscent bays and coral reefs.

One thing Ronnie said that made me laugh - when he was talking about how and why local folk painted or did not paint their homes and then complained about how they were now painting them all bright, different colors now. Well, you have been in OSJ and seen how we paint houses here in PR.

2.5 feet will be welcome in the DV's

On our West Indies/Amazon cruise last year we avoided walking through it for the same reason. We never ate at the Pool Grill because it was so hot.

We always take visitors to the Cathedral, the San Juan gate, La Rogativa sculpture and into the Hotel El Convento as it is very nice. Old San Juan is the best part.

The reason why we never want a forward facing Explorers suite. That fishing boat was way smaller then a Viking ship but... If you want some really exciting sailing footage, watch Around Cape Horn narrated by Irving Johnson. He sailed aboard the Peking in 1929 and shot the footage. I think this film should be featured on every Viking Round Cape Horn and Chilean Fjord sailing.

We enjoyed the Golden Circle when in Reykjavik. Isafjordur we did the hike up the several levels of a waterfall although Vigor Island was most popular. Akurerei we loved Northern Treasures. Isafjordur we did the trip to hot spring baths at the edge of a huge lake in the morning. Can't remember the facilities name but it was amazing. In the PM we did Skalanes Nature Center and then walked the town on our own. Djupivogur we loved the zodiac iceberg trip and the scenery to/from was gorgeous. Missed Heimey as too choppy to tender.

Yes it pays to actually look at the emails Viking sends and open the attachments.

I don't think so. Nope just looked at the Viking Dailies from our trip. We did have an awesome wildlife photographer on board - Richard Lovelock.

We had a bump out room once. Only problem was rolling suitcase got stuck there if we weren't careful and it was harder to slide suitcase under the bed from the foot of the bed. Not things we do too often.

Or bring clothes pins.