Turtles06

They implement significant new policies with newly-released itineraries.

In the very unlikely event that you don’t know this, you will be cruising out of Civitavecchia, which is about a 90 minute drive from Rome. So you’ll also want to think about your transfer to the port, and whether there’s any assistance you’ll need. I hope you both have a wonderful cruise.

You will dock at Fuerte Amador, where the new cruise terminal, according to most recent reports, is still under construction. Unclear when it will be finished. The docks have been completed, and ships are docking there, but unless something has changed recently, passengers are being bused to and from another location, where they can get taxis, etc. Since you have a private tour, you should ask the tour operator where to meet. There’s a specific forum here in CC for the Panama Canal and related questions like yours, at the link below. You should monitor that forum for updates on Fuerte Amador. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/54-panama-canal/ Enjoy your cruise! And if you haven’t already done so, please read David McCullough’s “The Path Between the Seas.” You will appreciate the Canal even more.

I don’t think anyone knows yet what the status of the cruise terminal will be in early December. If you are lucky, it will be finished and you’ll be able to get a taxi there. But if it’s still not completed, or not sufficiently completed for taxis to be allowed in, you may well have to take a shuttle bus to another location. Doesn’t the Joy overnight at Fuerte Amador on December 5? Have you considered disembarking then (you might need to arrange that in advance with NCL) and spending that night in a hotel? (I’m not sure how early is “pretty early” in terms of when you need to be at the airport.) Is NCL showing any airport transfers for Dec 6, and at what times? You still have a few months to go here. Hopefully, much more will be known before you sail.

We’ve done one B2B with NCL (this past winter). No discount given.

@darkhorizon We’ve been through the Canal,4 times — 3 southbound (from the Atlantic side), and once northbound (from the Pacific). There are a number of things to consider regarding your itinerary choices. First, as noted in comments above, the Bliss will use the new locks. Many folks think that for one’s first transit of the Canal, going through the original locks would be preferable. Only you can make that decision for yourself after your research. Perhaps one of these Bliss cruises will be your only opportunity to transit the Canal, in which case, go for it, and use some of your time in Panama City to go to the Miraflores Visitors Center, where you’ ll get an up close look at the operation of that set of original locks. Another consideration is whether it matters to you which city you fly into and out of. As for the two itineraries, forget about cold weather. These are warm to very hot weather cruises. I would probably pick the December sailing. The overall direction of travel is east to west, which will give you three 25-hour days, You will also call at Cabo a bit later in the year than you would on the other itinerary. Hopefully, that will be far enough into December for you to see migrating humpback whales, which is an incredible experience. And you’ll arrive in Cartagena early in the morning, before the most brutal heat of the day. Also, the December cruise adds Mazatlan, which we enjoyed very much. Below is a link to my detailed review, with photos, of our first cruise that transited the Canal, including what we did in each of the ports, most of which overlap with those on your two itineraries. You may find it helpful. Finally, I strongly second the recommendation to read “The Path Between the Seas” before you transit the Canal. You will appreciate it even more.

We did that tour a few years ago, and it was excellent. The guide/driver was informative and funny, a terrific combination. Very interesting ride through the old area of the city, then out to Portland Head Light. Back in time for lunch, and dessert at the Holy Donut (do not miss that place). (photo by turtles06)

They’re wonderful ships. A comfortable size, and terrific public spaces, including the Great Outdoors.

Now that you are in the correct forum, use the CC search engine in this forum and do a search for each of your ports. Also, in this thread, it would be helpful if you identified the ports on your itinerary.

Iceland really isn’t about the towns but rather the spectacular scenery outside the towns. From Isafjordur, for example, one can take a fascinating drive out to the 330-feet high Dynjandi Waterfall.

Just ask and you’ll get plenty. No tip needed to get results.

NCL’s Jewel-class ships have true promenade decks — close to the water and you can walk all the way around the ship outside. I love them. They are perfect for early morning walks, and you feel a great connection to the water. (photos by turtles06)

From what I’ve read here in the Viking forums and my own experience with Viking, the requirement of full payment 22 months in advance is relatively new, it used to be something like a year in advance, which was bad enough. But, as @RD64says, if enough people are okay with giving Viking huge interest-free loans, Viking will keep requiring them. I do think, however, there are plenty of folks who will not sail with them because of this policy.

“Not as good” is an understatement. With some exceptions, Viking River requires full payment for the cruise 22 months in advance, which is ridiculous. It’s a huge interest-free loan to Viking.

It was clear in your original comment that you meant “now” sold out. 😊 But the reason why you can’t re-fare in those circumstances is that there is no price drop to see — the cabin category is sold out.

I don’t think I’d call it being “penalized.” HAL has introduced a new marketing tool to help bring in new bookings. Are those of us who aren’t teachers being “penalized” because we don’t get whatever benefit HAL has extended to them?

Because it’s not. 😊

If you read the posts from the locals in the Western Europe forum, you’ll learn that nothing is changing anytime soon.

If you haven’t done so already, please visit the Italy Port of Call forum here on CC (link below). You’ll find and can also inquire about recommended private tour operators. Hopefully you can put together (or join) a small group from your Roll Call. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/464-italy-ports/

My wife and I have been considering Viking, and I began reading the Viking Ocean forum to get a “sense” of things. I was absolutely surprised to learn that Viking has a mandatory dress code after 6pm thst prohibits guests from wearing jeans (of any color or quality) not only to dinner in all venues (except the buffet) but also to performances and special events. Posters in that forum confirmed that a dressy pair of black jeans with a dressy top, shirt, etc. was prohibited and that one should not count on the dress code not being enforced. I really was surprised by this policy and found it very off-putting.

You’ve been fortunate. In the Viking forums here on CC, lots of folks are reporting that Viking has not budged on requiring final payment 22 months in advance. That’s a ridiculous interest free loan to be giving them.

We flew into Heathrow from the US last September, arriving in the evening. We got thru the immigration eGates in seconds, but the walk to get there from our arrival gate was so incredibly long, that by the time we’d cleared immigration, our checked baggage had already been put out.

It’s been a decade, but we spent several days on our own in Beijing on the front end of a fantastic land tour/river cruise with Viking (that ended in Shanghai). We took the Beijing subway a number of times. It was (and I assume still is) well run and easy to navigate (including signs In English). We also had a private guide for part of our pre-Viking time. We took the subway with her as well, and also, by car (no limo, 😊) drove out to the section of the Great Wall at Mutianyu, and made some stops back in Beijing. And Viking had us on buses, with a phenomenal local guide. So I guess we experienced most ways to get around. 😊 @cruisemom42 I’m confident you would get around fine on the Beijing subway. 😊

Been to London many times, most recently last fall. The tube is still imho the fastest and most efficient way to get around the city. Even at 11pm after the theatre, there was very little wait for a train. Would that subway systems in American cities operated as well. No reason for visitors to avoid the tube.

We’ve sailed in forward-facing suites directly under the bridge on the Jewel-class ships. Same rule about keeping the curtains closed at night if you have lights on in your cabin. This is no big deal — it’s not as though you can see outside once it’s dark out. IMHO it’s not a reason not to book a cabin in that location. (There may be other reasons, depending on the ship and cabin configuration, the itinerary, etc.). In fact, the darkness in the bow makes for great star-gazing (weather permitting.)