FLASH NEWS! VIKING STAR DEC 21st CRUISE - STOPOVER IN TUNISIA & ALGIERS CANCELLED.

The first post in this thread announcing the change to the itinerary was dated Dec. 15, 2017. Just one week earlier, protests by thousands of people broke out in the streets in several cities in Tunisia after the US announced its support for Jerusalem as the capital of Isreal.

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-trump-israel-tunisia/thousands-of-tunisians-protest-against-trumps-jerusalem-decision-idUSKBN1E1300

 

This means that in the course of a week, Viking evaluated the situation, made the decision to cancel the stops in Tunis and Algiers, and scheduled a revised itinerary with Naples and Palma de Mallorca. To me, that seems like a quite reasonable and even prompt response on the part of Viking.

Thank you for taking the time to research. I found it very interesting. It was peaceful but when a huge group starts protesting things can go south rapidly. I applaud Viking for their quick response.

I take the rap on my knuckles with good grace. Perhaps you are correct. I'm curious to know, though, whether change of itinerary notices for each subsequent cruise with this itinerary were sent out with 29 days' (or less) notice?

 

 

 

(Also, the protests in Tunisia were largely peaceful and there were none in Algiers itself. A protest is not the same as a riot....)

We’re on the January 18th sailing and received our notice that the ports were cancelled on December 19th. So yes, I believe they are following a 29 day model.

We’re disappointed but still looking forward to the cruise.

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So there were some demos in Tunis on the 7th, according to the link provided by OneSixtytoOne, but the dec 7 sailing stopped in Tunis just a few days after with no demos or visible threats. It was a really nice port stop and we really enjoyed our Best of Tunis excursion.

So there were some demos in Tunis on the 7th, according to the link provided by OneSixtytoOne, but the dec 7 sailing stopped in Tunis just a few days after with no demos or visible threats. It was a really nice port stop and we really enjoyed our Best of Tunis excursion.

And then Intel started coming in and Algiers was canceled. It isn't what you read online or hear on the news that has the cruise lines worried but information that intelligences resources gather--the chatter that never makes it to public news outlets.

Viking continues to decide on a week to week basis so that they don't have to cancel calls in Tunis and Algiers.

My apologies if this question has already been asked and answered but I would like to know how close the ship was able to dock to the various towns on the itinerary. In which cases can you walk into town? where would it be best to take a bus or taxi? and are there any ports where it would be absolutely mandatory to take the ship's excursion if you want to get in and out of town? Thanks for any help you can offer.

And then Intel started coming in and Algiers was canceled. It isn't what you read online or hear on the news that has the cruise lines worried but information that intelligences resources gather--the chatter that never makes it to public news outlets.

 

Viking continues to decide on a week to week basis so that they don't have to cancel calls in Tunis and Algiers.

If there is new actionable intel regarding travel threats, shouldn't that be shared with all travelers via the appropriate governmental travel advisories? Why would it only be shared with cruise line management? The travel warnings for Tunisia and Algeria on the US State Dept website have not been updated since May and June, respectively.

While it is nice to think Viking is deciding on a week-to-week basis, the fact that they are reportedly continuing to make those decisions at precisely one day after affected travelers would be able to get any portion of the cruise refunded (other than via Viking credits) should they cancel is still questionable, in my mind at least.

As soon as I saw this thread I sent an e-mail to my go-to contact in the "TellUs" department to ask about the January 4th cruise. Turns out she is on maternity leave and so I have contacted the address she gave in her out of office reply and am awaiting an answer. I don't expect to hear until at least Monday because I am assuming that the primary focus this weekend will be the people on the 12/21 cruise. But, it will be what it will be--and Viking will never let us sail the western Med with them again because we are bad luck. We tried this cruise last year and the ship suffered a critical failure in the propulsion system forcing our return to Barcelona before we even got to the first port of call. This year it is political protests.

 

I was telling my husband of the possible changes (and really I think probable is more the operative; it was years before the cruise ships returned to Tunis after the Arab Spring uprisings). His reaction was completely laid back; he is going where the ship is going and he really doesn't care where it takes him. I know my mother will be thrilled if we are not going to either Algiers or Tunis. Me. I will be disappointed but I know that Viking puts the safety of its guests first and that they will err on the side of caution.

 

I have to tell you that it really was very disappointing last year when the Captain announced that we had turned around and were headed back to Barcelona for repairs. And I will admit that it took a few hours to get used to the idea that this was not going to be the vacation that we had planned, that we had to change gears and that we had to make the best of the changed circumstances or we would be miserable. We now refer to our stay in Barcelona as "Our Best Worst Cruise Ever."

I was also on the ship that didn't sail last year. What a wonderful vacation it turned out to be! We are starting in Rome this year so that if the ship breaks down, we will be in a different city. I am very disappointed about the North African ports.

Just returned home. Booked the 30th December 2018 onboard. The onboard Future salesman told us that the itinerary was going to include the Amalfi coast (I suspect he meant Naples) and Palma Majorca as this was the permanent new itinerary. He also said he would "waitlist" us for a different cabin category.

Online the itinerary is still showing Algeria and Tunisia. Phoned Viking UK and they said that they did not know what the itinerary was going to be.

In addition I was told there was no such thing as a "Waitlist" which is odd because the UK site shows "Waitlist" against one category on this sailing.

I loved our cruise but a little disappointed to learn that what we were told onboard is not right.

The lady on customer service said she had worked for Viking for 5 years and there had never been any Waitlist. There is no way to check availability online and the only way to check is to phone ! I hadn't really appreciated that Viking do not do 'online' bookings.

Just returned home. Booked the 30th December 2018 onboard. The onboard Future salesman told us that the itinerary was going to include the Amalfi coast (I suspect he meant Naples) and Palma Majorca as this was the permanent new itinerary. He also said he would "waitlist" us for a different cabin category.

Online the itinerary is still showing Algeria and Tunisia. Phoned Viking UK and they said that they did not know what the itinerary was going to be.

In addition I was told there was no such thing as a "Waitlist" which is odd because the UK site shows "Waitlist" against one category on this sailing.

I loved our cruise but a little disappointed to learn that what we were told onboard is not right.

The lady on customer service said she had worked for Viking for 5 years and there had never been any Waitlist. There is no way to check availability online and the only way to check is to phone ! I hadn't really appreciated that Viking do not do 'online' bookings.

Thanks for your report Mrs Miggins. I am still flabbergasted that Viking seems to be all over the place on its responses, not only on the North Africa port changes, but other matters as well. They can't seem to get on the same page.

You are correct that Viking is still advertising and selling cabins on the remaining 2018 sailings (February, March and December) as still stopping in North Africa. In the US, at least, you can use online travel agent (OTA) websites to gauge availability, view open cabins, and if desired, actually book these sailings which still purport to be calling at Tunis and Algiers. So, your statement that the onboard Viking sales consultant indicated that Naples and Palma de Mallorca are "permanent" itinerary changes is certainly contradictory to how these remaining cruises are being marketed.

My apologies if this question has already been asked and answered but I would like to know how close the ship was able to dock to the various towns on the itinerary. In which cases can you walk into town? where would it be best to take a bus or taxi? and are there any ports where it would be absolutely mandatory to take the ship's excursion if you want to get in and out of town? Thanks for any help you can offer.

These are my views, but remember, if you are not with the ship's excursion and you are late they will go without you.

Rome - we took free excursion into Rome, did coach tour then left the walking tour at Vatican City, walked around Rome, saw loads, took train back to Citiveccia (booked online and got an e ticket on my phone, I think it was €6 each for seniors) and got taxi to ship (€5 each). Leave plenty of time to find platform at Rome railway station because it's as far away as you can get in the station).

Naples - you could walk easily but we took free excursion then left them at the top of the hill (Naples is built on a hillside) and took leisurely walk back down through the city.

Sicily - walkable

Sardinia - walkable

Palma - free shuttle bus, not walkable

Valencia - we did included tour, veryy good. Can't remember how far away from dock it was.

Barcelona - we were supposed to fly home straight after shipped docked but we ditched the included flight and bought a cheap Ryanair flight for same evening (£50). disembarked ship, collected suitcases, taxi into central Barcelona, left cases at LockerBarcelona (€11), toured Barcelona on HoHo bus, saw Sagrada Familia interior with pre booked tickets included with Hobo bus (luckily as there were no tickets left for pay at the door), retrieved luggage and jumped on pre-purchased airport shuttle bus (€11 for two). All very stress free.

It's a bit far to walk from ship to city, might be best to use a taxi.

My apologies if this question has already been asked and answered but I would like to know how close the ship was able to dock to the various towns on the itinerary. In which cases can you walk into town? where would it be best to take a bus or taxi? and are there any ports where it would be absolutely mandatory to take the ship's excursion if you want to get in and out of town? Thanks for any help you can offer.

These are my views, but remember, if you are not with the ship's excursion and you are late they will go without you.

 

 

Rome - we took free excursion into Rome, did coach tour then left the walking tour at Vatican City, walked around Rome, saw loads, took train back to Citiveccia (booked online and got an e ticket on my phone, I think it was €6 each for seniors) and got taxi to ship (€5 each). Leave plenty of time to find platform at Rome railway station because it's as far away as you can get in the station).

 

Naples - you could walk easily but we took free excursion then left them at the top of the hill (Naples is built on a hillside) and took leisurely walk back down through the city.

 

Sicily - walkable

 

Sardinia - walkable

 

Palma - free shuttle bus, not walkable

 

Valencia - we did included tour, veryy good. Can't remember how far away from dock it was.

 

 

Barcelona - we were supposed to fly home straight after shipped docked but we ditched the included flight and bought a cheap Ryanair flight for same evening (£50). disembarked ship, collected suitcases, taxi into central Barcelona, left cases at LockerBarcelona (€11), toured Barcelona on HoHo bus, saw Sagrada Familia interior with pre booked tickets included with Hobo bus (luckily as there were no tickets left for pay at the door), retrieved luggage and jumped on pre-purchased airport shuttle bus (€11 for two). All very stress free.

 

 

It's a bit far to walk from ship to city, might be best to use a taxi.

I also recently completed this cruise along with the return leg to Rome, I only just got a chance to take a look at the information for each port in the Viking Dailies...

Civitavecchia/Rome (Day 1 and 2) - Shuttle bus service operated by the Port of Civitavecchia from the pier to drop off point "Largo della Pace", in Civitavecchia. Shuttle operates every 15 minutes. There are lots of websites that cover how to get to and from Rome based on that drop off point.

Naples - Walkable/No shuttle. The city center is within walking distance from the Port, you may as Lornaburg suggested want to take the included tour to the highest point in the city and walk back from there.

Sicily - Walkable/No shuttle. This appeared to be a fairly small port (compared to the others) and the ship was docked across the street from the area of Trapani that was covered during the included walking tour..

Sardinia - Shuttle bus service operated by the Port of Cagliari from the cruise terminal to the downtown area.

Palma de Mallorca - Viking Shuttle bus service from the port to in front of the Cathedral, at La Escollera parking lot.

Valencia - Viking Shuttle bus service from the port to Guadalaviar - Pont del Serrans bus stop. You cannot walk into the city center from the ship. We did the included tour in the morning and took the shuttle back into the city in the afternoon, the shuttle ride was by far the longest (approx 20-25mins) that we had during the 2 weeks we were onboard. You can take the included tour and opt to return to the ship via the shuttle bus, a number of persons on our included tour opted to do this.

Barcelona - Viking Shuttle Bus from the port (Muelle Adosado we were docked at Terminal C) to 'downtown' Barcelona. There was also a Port of Barcelona shuttle which cost 3€ one way and 4€ return. The drop off locations were pretty close to each other. If you are disembarking in Barcelona, I'm not sure that the Viking shuttle service will be available to you as it started at 10AM.

Maps of each port and the shuttle schedule (once operated by Viking) are available from Guest Services, it was our experience that more detailed maps were also available on the shuttle buses including the ones operated by the various ports. We found the shuttle service to be a fantastic tool during our cruise and we used the shuttle in pretty much every port from Palma through the second leg of our cruise.

In my opinion, Rome is the only city where you may wish to take the ship's excursion to get in and out of, all of the other cities are either walkable or there is a complimentary shuttle put on by either Viking or the Port. Taxis were also quite visible in most cities (though they would not be a cost effective option to get you into Rome from the ship).

I hope this helps.

Not only am I disappointed about the cancelled ports of call on our cruise, I am also disappointed in the lack of concern for refunding the cancelled excursions. I contacted ‘Tellus’ and received an immediate call back. I was told the delay was because of the holidays and the amount would be refunded to our account by Tuesday, January 2nd. Here it is a week later and no sign of a refund........ Anyone else having issues?

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Did you notice? Tunis, Tunisia is reporting 3 Days of protests- rock throwing, etc. Just off the Star today in Barcelona. Thank God we did not stop there. I am glad that Viking has access to intelligence to keep us safe.

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Did you notice? Tunis, Tunisia is reporting 3 Days of protests- rock throwing, etc. Just off the Star today in Barcelona. Thank God we did not stop there. I am glad that Viking has access to intelligence to keep us safe.

 

 

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As disappointed as I am, I think they made the right choice.

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We too were taken by surprise on cancellation of North African Ports. We got no notice from Viking prior to being aboard. we used Viking river and trusted them enough not to check all the time for changes.

I also followed State Depart ment Warnings and saw not changes.

I suspect the reason for the cancellation, which occurred about the same time last year, is the same reason. This is the time of year thousands of migrants take to the sea in these areas and Viking would be required to pick them up.

Did you notice? Tunis, Tunisia is reporting 3 Days of protests- rock throwing, etc. Just off the Star today in Barcelona. Thank God we did not stop there. I am glad that Viking has access to intelligence to keep us safe.

 

 

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I’m assuming you weren’t aboard when the ferry ran into the Viking Star in Barcelona as the news video shows.

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We too were taken by surprise on cancellation of North African Ports. We got no notice from Viking prior to being aboard. we used Viking river and trusted them enough not to check all the time for changes.

 

I also followed State Depart ment Warnings and saw not changes.

 

I suspect the reason for the cancellation, which occurred about the same time last year, is the same reason. This is the time of year thousands of migrants take to the sea in these areas and Viking would be required to pick them up.

What do you mean about cancellation of Algiers and Tunisia about the same time last year? We we were in Viking Sky in January 2017 and we visited both those ports without incident.

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We also visited Tunis and Algiers with Viking last January and had such a good time that I am sorry for those that cannot visit this year. The Rome to Barcelona via Southern Med itinerary is great but even last year, there were problems with the ship and then the seas and then the weather (our end of Jan cruise was the lucky one in terms of seas, weather, and everything else). The people of Tunis were so welcoming that I hope there will be stops there again in the future.

I heard from another passenger that they had taken cruise previous year and Algiers and Tunis had been cancelled but it may have been two years back.

i doubt demonstration would cause prevention. Locals want tourists and protect them. However I heard crew members saying they dd not like these stops because of tight security and need for armed escorts. we did nto get there so I do not know situation on ground.

I still think likelihood of large numbers of migrants on rafts at sea in area is the more likely reason not to go into these waters now.

Is current cruise going to North Africa?

An article in today’s paper reported that 800 protestors were arrested in Tunisia this week.....I would not want to be anywhere near that scene.

An article in today’s paper reported that 800 protestors were arrested in Tunisia this week.....I would not want to be anywhere near that scene.

Plus...they're like mosquitoes......it's the ones you don't see that get ya.

The locals and 'security' staff didn't do much to prevent 38 British tourists being shot dead on the beach in Tunisia!

This was in the news today -recent protests in Tunisia -

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/violent-protests-resume-in-tunisia-after-two-days-of-calm/article37600297/

This was in the news today -recent protests in Tunisia -

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/violent-protests-resume-in-tunisia-after-two-days-of-calm/article37600297/

Tunisia has had nine governments since Ben Ali's overthrow, none of which have been able to resolve deep-rooted economic problems. The economy has worsened since a vital tourism sector was nearly wiped out by a wave of deadly militant attacks in 2015, and has yet to recover despite improved security.

But...but...Trump. :D

So now we just learned that Tunis in our itinerary of the Feb. 1 cruise has been cancelled and replaced with Naples, just like some cruises in December and January. Algiers is still in the itinerary, though.