HockeyMom44

22 hours ago, simplyrubies said:

The gilets jaunes have been protesting just about every Saturday in Paris for five months now. The police and businesses are very used to dealing with them. They tend to congregate in similar areas each week, but you may be pleased to know that they have actually just been banned from marching on the Champs de l'Élysées, which is the street with many fancy designer shops and the Arc du Triomphe due to severe violence. It is difficult to predict where they will march given the new situation but the Parisian police and French government have shown that they will not tolerate any further severe violence. This weekend they marched to Sacre Coeur (the church). 

 

Though there are gilets jaunes protestors in Le Havre as well, they will not pose a problem for you and are much more peaceful than their Parisian counterparts. They tend to congregate at city hall (away from the cruise terminal) but thankfully have not blocked the Port de Normandie, which is the bridge you must cross to go to Paris in months now. They usually hang out and listen to music!

 

Though protests are generally peaceful, it does seem that violence and teargas is not uncommon. Traffic blockades and interruptions are to be expected, but in a big city like Paris they are frequent with and without the gilets jaunes. You can keep up to date on the situation with US security alerts about Paris. Furthermore, you may be able to do a quick google search before your excursion to see what media outlets are saying about where the gilets jaunes plan to protest and if the cancellation fee is very low/none you can decide at that point. Paris has had a large security presence (armed soldiers) ever since the November terrorist attacks and there will be police/military officers at the protests as well so don't be alarmed if you see military - it is quite normal to see three armed officers at the Arc du Triomphe, for example. 

 

That being said, after 19+ weeks of protests, your tour guides will be very familiar with the situation in Paris and will be able to lead you past them. However, the drive from Le Havre to Paris is at least 2 and half hours, and on a weekend with protests, probably more likely to be 3 hours+ in either direction, meaning that you do not have much time at the Louvre. However, the Louvre and Paris in general is quite beautiful so even a few hours in Paris will be lovely. And, you will be getting the true French experience as manifestations are quite common here.  😅

Thanks so much.

We've never been to Paris,or for that matter anywhere in France.

My husband really wants to go to the Louve,and was concerned about the protests.

seeing the Mona Lisa is a definate for his bucket list.

We will only be in France 1 day. Our ship docks in La Havre,France on a Saturday.

We are taking the cruise lines excursion to the Louve.

Should we be worried? Sould we just cancel this excursion, and NOT go to Paris?

On 1/9/2019 at 11:38 AM, Cyber Kat said:

Thanks so much for the reviews.  We recently booked this cruise for Sept of 2020 - so I have a long wait.  I'm beginning my research of the ports and the possible excursions.

We are doing the reverse - Bergen to Barcelona with the Viking extension in Oslo.  We usually do extensions on our own, but with the train and all, we figured it would be more relaxing to just let Viking handle it all.

I'm surprised at the reactions to Amsterdam - it's one of our favorite cities.  I don't know what area you were in but we pretty much walked all over except for the Red Light district and didn't encounter anything like that.  We have been there 3 times now - twice recently and once a long time ago.  The last 2 times we stayed at The Toren near the Anne Frank House and the Westerkirk once pre and once post a Viking River cruise.  We just loved it.  I don't know where Viking goes on their walking tour, but I'm sure we will just hop the tram near the port and go off on our own.

I'm torn about Paris.  I've never been and I'd hate to be that close and not go - but Monet's Gardens are also on my list of places to see before I die   The photos look so lovely!  I have a lot of time to decide.

We saw an optional excursion in Portsmouth that includes a steam train ride.  We are both train buffs so we want to do that one.  I hope it's offered.  I also want to go to Cornwall.  For some reason it fascinates me.  It seems like such a magical place.

So thanks again!  I have awhile to plan my cruise, so this helps!

We sail on the Jupiter in April... That excursion was shown for us also.When it came time to book it was NOT on the available excursions to book. Have a back-up just in case.

Ditto on April 25th!

Dear chlives60,

 

Glad you asked! We’ve seen your inquiry, along with a few follow-up questions that have been posted to this thread, and are happy to take a moment to provide some helpful information about our onboard spa, Liv Nordic.

 

In addition to a full list of spa treatments, the following salon services are typically available at Liv Nordic:

 

HANDS & FEET

Gel Manicure

Classic Manicure

Royal Nordic Hands

Foot Massage

Classic Pedicure

Royal Nordic Feet

 

HAIR

Nordic Hair Ritual

Hair Up

Wash & Blow Dry

Wash, Cut & Blow Dry

Wash, Blow Dry & Curl

 

GENTLEMEN

Beard Trim

Hair Cut

Luxury Beard

Nordic Mail Facial

Manicure

Pedicure

 

Additional details about each service are available on board. To make a booking, please stop by the Liv Nordic desk or call directly from your stateroom.

 

Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to send a quick note to TellUs@vikingcruises.com. We look forward to cruising with you, chlives60!

 

Kind regards,

Viking Cruises

can you'll me if this list is still accurate?

Thanks so much in advance.! If you could give me prices on these

We're Interested in ..Murcia,Spain..The Chefs table $249

Grenada,Spain.....Endless bounty in Andalusia $99

Porto,Portugal....Quinta de Avelada Winery $69

Portsmouth,UK...Journey along the Watercress line (tour not available on our cruise)

Paris, France....The Louve and Panoramic Paris $149

 

AMSTERDAM....the best of Holland countryside $199

Copenhagen.....Food lovers tour (port not on our tour - we go to Bergen instead)

I hope this helps as you plan for your cruise.

in Spain the excursion is called The Kitchen Table, not the Chefs table does that make difference?

Thanks so much in advance.! If you could give me prices on these

We're Interested in ..Murcia,Spain..The Chefs table $249

Grenada,Spain.....Endless bounty in Andalusia $99

Porto,Portugal....Quinta de Avelada Winery $69

Portsmouth,UK...Journey along the Watercress line (tour not available on our cruise)

Paris, France....The Louve and Panoramic Paris $149

 

AMSTERDAM....the best of Holland countryside $199

Copenhagen.....Food lovers tour (port not on our tour - we go to Bergen instead)

I hope this helps as you plan for your cruise.

thank you so much!!

Enjoy your trip, looking forward to reading your review.

which ship will you be sailing on?

We're also booked on Jupiter April 23,2019Along Europes Western Coast.

Cannot wait!!!

We leave on October 5 for Trade Routes of the Middle Ages, which is identical to your cruise except we do Bergen, Norway in place of Copenhagen (and we go in the other direction)!

 

I have access to all the current prices, but there are so many that it would be quite time consuming to post them all. I know the Honfleur excursion from Le Havre is $69, and the Full Day On Your Own in Bruges is $49. The Gaudi Architecture tour in Barcelona is $79. Those three are the optionals we are doing on this cruise. I do remember the tour of the Alhambra from Malaga is $199, but if you have never been I say it is worth every penny. The D Day Beaches tour and also the London Panoramic tour are around that same price.

 

Remember, the potential excursions you can view now may differ for your exact sailing. Are there any particular excursions you are interested in that I could check for you?

 

One last piece of advice. I don't know your cabin class, which determines when you will eventually be able to book excursions. We are in Veranda, so last to book. If tours that interest you are sold out at the time you can book, keep checking back. Things often change, as people change their plans or Viking adds additional buses. Two of our optionals were sold out when we first booked, but we were able to make the desired changes about two weeks later.

Thanks so much in advance.! If you could give me prices on these

we're Interested in ...Murcia,Spain....The Chefs table

Grenada,Spain.....Endless bounty in Andalusia

Porto,Portugal....Quinta de Avelada Winery

Portsmouth,UK...Journy along the Watercress line

Paris, France....The Louve and Panoramic Paris

AMSTERDAM....the best of Holland countryside

Copenhagen.....Food lovers tour

You might get more detailed information if you identify which cruise you are taking. Prices on our two cruises have ranged from $49 a person, to $1099 a person. (To be fair, the highest price one was a diamond polishing experience in Amsterdam, and you got to keep the diamond. And no, we did not sign up for that!)

 

We have added a few optional excursions on both of our trips, and have generally paid from $49 to $99. We did pay $179 for an all day trip in Slovenia that included the unusual Predjama Castle and also the Postojna Cave complex, with a meal.

We're doing Along the West Coast...Barcelona to Copenhagen !

We are signed up for a cruise on Viking Jupiter next Spring. Does anyone know of any changes in ship configuration from earlier Viking Ships on which we have cruised?

We're on the same cruise!!!

Sailing on the Jupiter in April 2019.

Does anyone have an idea of the price range of the non included excursions?

when were you made aware of this "good will" obc? We are booked on the caribbean princess and haven't heard a word about this from princess.

us either.

thank you all.

I see on the web site I can purchase internet time.

It states that i get extra minutes for purchasing early.

Can anyone tell me if this is true?

Does anyone know how much the charge for internet onboard purchase?

Thanks in advance!!!!

I would also double check to make sure you train is running that day.

We were scheduled to take the train to Vancouver in 11 days.I went on their web site a few weeks ago to check the luggage rules,checked the price of our tickets(although we has aleady purchased them) noticed our train has been cancelled.

There was no notification from Amtrak .

I had to call to get my $$ refunded.

Now we are renting a car and driving to Vancouver!!

I was wondering the same thing!

One more question....

Trying to travel with only one suitcase, I read everywhere that Alaska is casual.

We are also doing a 6 day land tour with Princess.

SOOOO What would pass for me on"Formal" night in the main dining room?

Hubby is easy.! Thanks in advance...

We are staying at "The Inn"

We were able to add an airport pickup via towncar to our reservation.

It cost us 50 Bucks!

We will be sailing to Alaska the last week of May.

Hubby wants to go fishing.!!

Princess offers either a Salmon or Halibut excursion in Ketchikan.

Which one would he have a better chance of really catching?

Salmon or Halibut??

Thanks in advance.

Trudy

the Inn at the Market.

@ Thrak....

we are taking the connoisseurs tour a few weeks before you!

We are sailing on the Island Princess to Alaska this summer.

We will be in a mini suite.

COuld you tell me if we can get dinner on our balcony one night?:rolleyes:

Thanks?

Does anyone know the name and author of the Alaska Cruise Companion book that Princess sells/uses on their Alaska cruise?

I would like to try to purchase it now.

I figure it will be good reading on our cross country flight.

Thanks

Does anyone know the name and author of the Cruise Companion book that Princess sells/uses on the cruise?

I would like to try tp purchase it now.

I figure it will be good reading on our cross country flight.

Thanks everyone!

I was hoping for these answers!

This is just what I wanted to hear!

We are doing a 7 day cruise and then a 6 day land tour.

Didnt want to pack to much.

:D:D