MalibooNewYork

I found the discussion about Venice and the possible quirks? problems? that could arise helpful. I don't know what I'd do without CC. Thank you. I leave tomorrow for the June 6 sailing. So excited.

Does anyone know how long the bus ride is from our Venice docking into Venice? Thank you.

I sail on the Italy, the Adriatic, and Greece cruise on the Viking Sky in June. Although my walking is slow aided by a cane, it's generally pretty good. But standing for long periods of time is tiring. I am considering taking a smallish folding rollator not for walking but to sit on when I tire. It would only be used on the shore excursions and my daughter would be the operator. Has anyone had experiences that they could share? Will the rollator be allowed on the tour busses? Your help and advice is much appreciated.

I really can't thank the kind cruisers that responded to my desperate plea for help. There is so much to learn but I am in good hands.

Good to know that the lifts can't be heard in the cabin. I had a horrendous night in a hotel some years back. My room was across from the elevator that clanked literally all night long. I never got to sleep.

Thank you once more.

OurMay cruise has been canceled and Viking is offering 125%.

We are taking our first ocean cruise ever with Viking. I know absolutely nothing about ocean cruising and cabin selection in particular. We are looking at Deck 5 towards the bow but I thought it was always better to be as low as possible and towards the center. But, the lifts are in the center and we don't want to be near them.

Please share any insight or thoughts you have. Thank you.

I should have added that our cruise is in the Mediterranean.

I appreciate all of you taking the time to reply. I called Viking and I can pay the tips close to the sailing date. They would like 30 days for processing but even that is flexible. We will pay in advance -- one less thing to think about.

I've only cruised on Viking but the favorable comments about Avalon have peaked my interest.

Thank you.

My daughter and I have signed up for a Viking river cruise in 2021. There is a your tips in advance option. It would be nice to have all expenses paid and not have to think about tips and if any crew member went above and beyond we would, of course, give extra. 

What are your thoughts about this? We really don't know what to do and appreciate your input.

Thank you

Thank you.

My daughter and I are booked next May on Viking's European Sojourn. I "think" things will be more settled by then but one never knows. Who could have predicted the disruptions of our lives before Covid 19.

Has anyone had an experience with Viking's handling of disasters like this? I would think that Viking being a reputable company that either refunds or comparable vouchers for 2022 would be handled fairly. Am I right?

We are excited and looking forward to the cruise as it is a celebration of one of those horrific significant birthdays for me.

Thank you.

I will be visiting many of these ports in 2021. I want to save this thread and/or individual posts but don't know how to do it. Can someone help? I knew how to do it in the past but the forum looks different now. thanks.

I enjoyed every word. The pictures were top notch, also. Cruiser #1 and Cruiser #2 seem to be having a wonderful time.

Delighted that you're back on track health wise.

I'm not at all sure that I'm doing this correctly. If I'm not please re-direct me.

How do I subscribe to this thread?

I want to contact rosethorn40 for some questions. How do I contact her privately?

Thank you in advance and this thread is valuable.

I liked the coffee, not too strong but not weak, either. I usually have to order extra hot water to dilute my coffee when I'm in Europe but I didn't have to do that with Viking.

Hotel Moliere on Rue de Moliere. A 5 minute walk to the Louvre.

@ Thom and Notamermaid: Thank you. Your information is exactly what I was looking for and will help us to decide. We might pick the Rhine trip but at least we know what we're getting into. I realize that one gets bussed to attractions but what we really like is to be able to leave the boat to putter around on our own. Our Bordeaux trip was the gold standard for us.

Thank you for the information. We are having such a hard time deciding.

What would be a considered a good price for this cruise in June with an aquarium class cabin? There is a current offer that includes air for June sailings. Thank you in advance.

Does the boat dock in towns where you can get off and stroll into the towns? Or, are you docked away and bussed into the sites. does this scenario happen frequently on this trip?

Thank you very much.

Thank you, Rosethorn. Job well done. When I began reading your report I posted that this cruise was No 1 on my wish list. Because of your astute observations this may no longer be so. I also walk with a cane due to arthritis and balance issues; very rough pavement (cobblestones) and lots of stairs are my bete noir. For me, 500 steps to see the palace? Not gonna' happen. Forewarned is forearmed.

There was a very heavy woman with walking problems on my Danube cruise. She was in aquarium class as we were but did not realize that the elevator didn't go to our floor. She found the excursion into Passau extremely difficult and had to take a cab back. I felt terrible for her as she hadn't known about the obstacles.

That's why CC and posts like yours are so important. Again, thank you.

Loved your pictures and posts of Paris. We went there last summer and loved it and I hope to go back again. The Opera will be a must see.

I am looking forward to more photos and commentary of the cruise. Your cruise is no. 1 on my wish list.

PS: I really enjoy pictures of food.

Most of the hotels in which I stayed in Europe did not supply washcoths. The Charing Cross hotel in London told me that would supply washcloths if I upgraded to a room that was £25 more per night.

I always take my own now but do not take white ones, They will be scooped up by housekeeping never to be seen again. I learned this the hard way.

I don't know if I should start another thread or not but I have a related question. On the Rhine cruise and on the Rhone Cruise (Lyon, Avignon) does Viking dock in the towns so that you can walk off the ship for shopping, sightseeing, etc?

Thank you.

Thank you. Lyon and Avignon sounds like what we're looking for.

Totally agree about Bruges and Amsterdam. My daughter and I spent several days in each last summer.

We took the Chateau, wine, etc. and the Danube Waltz cruises. We enjoyed the chateau cruise the most because it was leisurely and we spent quite a bit of time in the ports, particularly Bordeaux, so that we could putter around.

We're looking for the same experience for our next cruise. I mentioned southern France -- the cruise that goes to Avignon; my friend mentioned the Rhine or the Douro. We would appreciate any information.