TayanaLorna

We never got a free upgrade however twice we were offered upgrades from DV6 to PV1 or PV2 for a price. The first time it was $399 per person and the second time it was $199 per person. The difference between the DV's to PV's at the time we booked was $1,200 per person so we thought it was worth it. The offer came via email one week before the cruise.

I agree. I was nervous arranging mostly private tours on our Round Cape Horn cruise. On one tour when Viking cut the stop short due to weather, our guide in the Falklands got a radio call from home base telling him to head back immediately because Viking was calling all excursions back. On another tour to the remote Peninsula Valdes area, we were happy to learn that the company had a free roaming van on the Peninsula whose sole job was to get guests back in case their vehicle had trouble. It is the guests responsibility to return to ship on time as well as question the tour operator they choose.

Heard birds on the Saturn and other ships we have sailed. However in one bathroom on a ship i cannot recall name i heard barnyard like animals including the snorting sound which i thought was a pig.

Loved Corral de la Moreria.

Thats why i like the forward elevators. I always know where port and starboard are because i face the bow when i exit.

No palace. Did not get advance tickets. With the cold weather and rain, folks wanted to be inside and it was too crowded.

Could be most folks try to book tables for 2 on MVJ. Haven't been able to reserve a table for 2 but can always get one for 4 or 6 folks. I never saw Viking seat 2 people at a table for 4 or 6.

It should say "if you can't make reservations here, try when you board your ship."

Yes. If I can find a direct website for booking tickets, tours or hotels I book direct. I do find we get the best tables, hotel rooms and can actually communicate with a guide that way as well as get the best price. I could not get the show/drink package so booked the show/dinner one. We like to eat early anyways. Food was very good but didn't quite think it was Michelein starred good. Really, thanks for that tip. In hindsight, I wished we had booked the Tuk Tuk tour you mentioned as the weather was just awful for walking around. Ah well, we will be back. It is cheaper and easier to fly from SJU to Madrid then most places in the US.

My DH downloaded all our photos and posted each of our stops on FB for family and friends. He doesn't write much and says people just want to see photos anyways. I plan to do a review of our Umbria extension as i was frustrated to not find anything detailed on CC. I may do a review of the entire cruise - I don't know as so many people have done so already. But thanks for your encouragement. Visiting family in IL and WI next. Then Viking Panama Canal in 2025. Be sure to tell us all about Hong Kong and Japan.

True. They never want to hand the tray to us at the door but carry it to where you want it. Even if we are still in our jammies.

How about one person carries the tray and the other stateroom resident holds the door open.

Glad your Amazon trip was good. Did the Sea dock at the port or anchor out in Manaus? Yes Ronnie is quite the character and as himself is a local experience. See no mosquitoes. Insects yes, mosquitoes no. Haven't seen anything from folks who were going to continue on the Iberostar Grand Amazon after either Viking cruise. Yes we did see flamenco at Corral de la Moreria. It was quite exciting. We were seated 1 table from the stage and saw their expresssions and movements very well. Both the male and female dancers were excellent. It was a 15-20 minute walk from our hotel. On our way back we saw the Cathedral and Royal Palace beautifully lit. It was so cold, windy and often rainy during our Madrid stay - 42 during the day. No one was sitting at the outdoor cafes even with the heaters and anywhere inside was packed. The Mercado San Miguel was half under rennovation so wall to wall people in there too. After 5 days pre and post as well of 14 days of the cruise, all jam packed with activities and excursions, our plan was just to wander at will for our last 2 days. Had the worst weather for that plan. Enjoy Hong Kong and Japan.

It was confusing. When i booked our Med cruise i wanted to do it way off season so looked for a Viking ship that did it. It was only the Saturn. Then i looked at the different cruise choices on Saturn and noticed that some overlapped. If a person wants to do a Med cruise of more then 7 nights without booking 2 separate cruises, these connected cruises are a nice option and actually more economical then booking 2 separate cruises back to back. There are some things that i liked about the option and some i did not. It was a fabulous cruise nonetheless.

Yes and it was such fun exiting through a door and be right inside those spectacular palace rooms. Definitely behind the scenes so to speak.

Hello! Our trip was just awesome. From gorgeous churches, artwork, quaint walled towns, hilltop villages, spectacular scenery and ancient ruins to the food, wine, olive oil, and stories about local life, the people and history from our excellent guides, it could not have been better - except for the weather a few days. But I will take the lack of crowds over a few rainy and cold days. Even in February over 3 rainy days, Venice was too crowded and we were the only cruise ship in town. We were the only cruise ship in all the ports and the first of the season in many. The Umbria region pre cruise extension was way beyond expectations too. We had the same guide day and evening and she was wonderful. Besides the history and stories about saints, she shared tidbits about her family, growing up and her grandmother. Never order pineapple on a pizza or an Italian grandmother will die. In each town we had an expert guide specific to that towns history, churches and art. Lunches were at small local restaurants where our group of 22 filled the tables. We tasted local wines, several aged balsamic vinegars and different olive oils. One evenings dinner was a farm to table affair with a local family. Just amazing talking with the grandmother who was trying to learn English. The extension was well worth its pricetag. Yes we made it to Krka Falls which was absolutely wonderful. They had lots of rain the day before we got there and the falls were heavily runing. Water was flowing down hillsides where normally there would only be a trickle. Only 1 small overlook was flooded. It was exciting to see the water rushing under and along the walkways. There were no railings so not for the faint of heart although the water was shallow. The immense parking lot was empty. There were only 6 busses there and all were able to park at the top. Two way traffic was allowed on the walking paths at that time of the year and our guide took us down the numerous stairs to the big overlook first and then along all the wooden walkways back to the bus which were a more gentle uphill. Doing the stairs first (even going down which can be just as difficult for some) was nice to do before we got tired as it is a lot of walking. Thanks for asking. And how were your travels?

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.