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On 5/13/2022 at 11:00 AM, PasadenaDave said:

We are on the Sky Istanbul to Venice with pre and post excursions.  Here is a brief review.

 

Flight LAX to Istanbul via Frankfurt on Lufthansa was all on time, no bumps, an easy flight despite lengthy.  Viking was at baggage claim to greet 8-10 people and they already had our bags off the carousel.

 

Pre-cruise nice hotel, good food and great excursion 

 

Excursions:  Great guides.  The excursion we booked for Istanbul was the same as our pre cruise and while we cancelled when we boarded, no refund yet.  We didn’t know excursions on pre cruise when we booked excursions poor form on Viking.  All excursions top notch 

 

Food:  we order room service for breakfast and it is always punctual.  Always eat at World Cafe, food is very good, superior to Princess.  We ate at Manfredi’s last night, good but late.

 

Alcohol:  no package we each have bought three drinks.  Wine and beer at lunch and dinner included is fine for my tastes.  Thanks to Clay’s suggestion, we bought a bottle of gin for the fridge and enjoy a Gin and Tonic in the room, we don’t hang out in bars or Explorers Lounge although they are all very nice.

 

Thermal Spa:  Excellent steam and large jacuzzi I like the snow grotto but it has been down refilling twice.  This is superior to Princess.

 

People:  Staff and guests top notch.  We had a Karen on excursion today who she and husband had no business walking up to the Acropolis, they got transferred to a private guide.  I think they expected an accommodation for disability…..This isn’t the US!

 

Bed:  I can sleep anywhere but these are hard beds and I wake at 0300 with an aching back.  Poor marks

 

Evaluation:  Best cruise ever ship, people, food, excursions, and itinerary I can’t say more good things about Viking

Hi,  We have a Homeland cruise in August.  What are the health programs being done onboard?  Do you have to wear a mask onboard, spit in tubes everyday or have your temperature taken?  We just came off a Norwegiian cruise to the Caribbean.  No testing at all once on board.  Only the crew had to wear a mask.  No testing at all or when you came back on board after the ports.  It was just like pre-covid days.

On 5/17/2022 at 8:58 PM, Cienfuegos said:

An extra day in Gdansk or "Berlin" would be preferable for me.  Lots you could do with an overnight stay

On 5/17/2022 at 8:58 PM, Cienfuegos said:

An extra day in Gdansk or "Berlin" would be preferable for me.  Lots you could do with an overnight stay

I'm with you.  I'd much rather have an extra day in Berlin.  Our Homeland cruise is in August.  Be interesting to see what's going on by then!!!