MrsKMB

Thank you! SO excited to celebrate our 30th 🤯 on this beautiful cruise!

Hi! Hubby and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary aboard the Noordam, sailing August 27, 2023 to Alaska (Glacier Discovery Southbound). 🥳 We added the two-night HAL trip to Denali before the cruise. Can't wait!!!!

I was really hoping for a funny story about how you couldn't get the blow dryer to work! 😂

San Pedro is a pretty straight shot up the freeway, so I'd check a shuttle service, then take a tour near the hotel. You should first check on the area and what exactly you want to see. Los Angeles is huge. I'm guessing you'd like to go to the coast to Santa Monica/Malibu then cut over and see Beverly Hills, Griffith Park, then on to Hollywood, but that area is pretty large, too. You could also stay in Santa Monica since some tours leave from there. Hollywood can be walked, but the main places you might want to see are spread out a bit, and some areas I'd avoid at night. And $140 all-inclusive isn't bad at all, given the driving costs, plus driver's time.

Anyone on Viking Gersemi, Aegir, or Hervor who can comment if you'll be swapping or traveling the Gorge? There are also some Ama ships heading towards it.

We leave September 16 for B to A. I will be doing a daily rain dance until then!

What about the land part? I'm under the impression that Holland's land tour is more comprehensive. But I admittedly know nothing... 😜

Oops. Well, in that case, my flight out of Athens was delayed and a connection cancelled. Also, a three hour wait at security in Montreal that wasn't mentioned to anyone. Oh, and a three hour wait for luggage. Bottom line: research any issues with the airport and airline!

Thank you for these posts! I just completed a similar cruise last week on RC. I've only sailed on Viking before, and after trying another line, I can definitely say you get what you pay for! Oh, how I missed Viking - especially the service and food! I'll go back again, but not in summer. Ugh, was it ever hot! Lucky you had that UV umbrella! I looked like a sweaty hag!

St. Thomas is small and Magen's Bay is pretty close to the dock. You just need transportation there, not a tour, unless you want to visit other beaches. You probably won't need more than a few hours there. Like others said, the ship will tell you when you have to be back, and just allow extra time. I just returned form a Greek Isles cruise and they did leave people behind.

I just returned from a Rome-Athens cruise. Rome was a piece of cake, except Air Canada lost/misplaced a lot of luggage, mine included. It arrived on the ship at the last minute. I planned to arrive two days before sailing, but the flight was cancelled so we were only one day early. I strongly suggest you follow how United is functioning with staff reductions at airports and flight crew. If they are cancelling/delaying flights left & right like Air Canada, you might want to allow a days cushion so that you make it to your cruise.