Alwaysontime

I’m with you Miami Mama…some of those options sound way too much at my age and with luggage.  If you’re getting off the Sky on March 17th and want to share a transport to Venice, let me know. 
 

4 minutes ago, miami mama said:

BlairsvilleCruiseGirl thank you for link. Will be sure to check back with it later in the month to see if March is listed. 

It looks like at some point in time Viking was comfortably scheduled at Marghera. For whatever reasons, Chioggia came into play. Perhaps, they wanted a port that was a guarantee for them for now and into the future. The Chioggia port as shown above looks very nice, however, there really isn't much to do in the area currently. The excursions as shown on Viking.com website are numerous and varied. However, once our excursion sign-up opened on MyVikingJourney, only 5 different ones were available. If you choose one of the two for Venice, you must endure 1 to 1.5 hours on some kind of transportation each way, ends up being almost half the time allotted for the excursion. Out of the 3 remaining excursions for Chioggia, 2 involve a walk with breakfast or a walk with lunch bites. The other is a one hour guided walk around Chioggia. Because of Chioggia's location, there are no direct transportation options outside private transfers, so Padua is out if one only has a partial day (our ship leaves at 2:00 pm). And looking on Tripadvisor, really nothing much in Chioggia, hence 2 out of the 3 excursions with Viking involve eating. 

Right now we do have the optional Venice excursion reserved but since we must take a private transfer from Venice to Chioggia the day before, we are thinking we really don't want to be on a bus or a boat for up to 3 hours that day. Reading, walking on our own, getting a good start on our Silver Spirits package sounds a lot more inviting. Fortunately we are really looking forward to the remainder of the cruise. 

Viking and the city of Chioggia really need to work on options for this city if Viking has made a committment to only use this  port. Direct transportation to other areas also need to be established. 

Yes, I think the problem with Chioggia is the lack of transportation options back and forth to Venice as well as excursions. We disembark in Chioggia and staying on in Venice on our own after the cruise.  We were hoping that Viking would offer transportation back to Venice, (Piazzale Roma or train station not just the airport) after the cruise as it was the final destination of the original itinerary and one of the reasons we booked the cruise. 

Just looked at my Viking page on line for our Viking Sky arrival and it still list Chioggia for our arrival on March 16 and disembark on March 17.  Sure wish it was closer to Venice.

You can get much closer to a vaporetto stop that the Pesaro Palace.  We’ve stayed them several times and will again soon.  Not in the same category as the Daniele  but is nice and love walking the back streets and canals of that area.  

6 hours ago, janetcbl said:

This was the car service we booked that called us as we landed to say the car had broken down and no others were available. At least we were called, which I appreciated……

Sorry to hear that but at least you heard from them and didn’t just wait wondering what had happened.  I’ve never had a problem in probably 15-20 times we’ve used them.   But as you said, with the strike and the traffic problems that day, a black cab saved the day.  So many choices of transport in London I never panic if something goes amiss. 

I have used Blackberry car service for years.  Last trip was in June from Southampton to South Kensington.  Always on time and always clean, comfortable and safe transportation. Google them and they will give you a quote. 

Anyone not on this roll call might want to check it out if you prefer small group tours. I think we are all starting to think this cruise might actually sail and people are now putting together shore excursions.  Lots of days to fill and lots of great ports to visit.  Hope to see you on board on May 6th.

Not sure I can answer this yet.  We have a three day pre Oceania cruise in May and have booked a guide thru  tours by locals.  We are using a gentleman name Hanifi and he cones highly recommended.  He’s been great about responding to questions and request.  

27 minutes ago, AlexCherie said:

Great recommendation - but booked already I'm afraid.

Beautiful place though.

Try again in a few months or send them an email.  I love that hotel.  This hotel is very easy to reach on the number one vaporetto…just very short walk with no bridges to cross. Also love the American hotel in the Dorsoduro area and the Pesaro Palace right at the Ça Oro vapotetto stop. We prefer the outer areas of Venice instead of the very crowded areas around St Marco. 

How fun!  We will be on the Star in June…our first Viking Ocean cruise…4 have been cancelled so hope this one goes.  Do they do scavenger hunts on all the ships?  Do you sign up ahead of sailing? 
 

Have fun on your cruise..Pam

Thanks Clare and Alan for the information on wine stores etc. In Istanbul.  We will definitely check them out.  Let the fun begin.  🍷🍷🍷!

Hi Clare, I agree…we love to look for unusual or favorite wines in ports and 

bring them back to try in our cabin or while dinning.  Paying the corkage fee is just part of a new adventure.  We will also be in Istanbul before our cruise next  May so hope you get some great recommendations on wine stores.

Cheers for sure 🍷 

Thanks, they are book with the good old Amex platinum card...had it for ages.  Always nice to get little surprise benefits.  
 

We just found out about this.  Does it apply to all Oceania ships? We have future  cruises booked on The Marina, Riviera, and Sirena later this year and next using our card. .   We’d love to do the wine tastings if available.  Where do you find out about dates and times. 
Thanks.