Tunis Cancelled

If it were 2 port replacements out of all the World Cruise ports, I wouldn't be upset. But it's a third of the ports on our short cruise, so it's pretty disappointing. However, it makes me feel better that some of you feel both ports aren't all that fabulous, even though those ports were what made me interested in the cruise in the first place. I'm sure I'll find something interesting to do anywhere we go, even if it's Palma. I always do.

Heidi, if you have extra time in Malta and are adventuresome, you could take a public bus or taxi to the former fishing village of Marsaxlokk - colorful and fun for a couple hours' visit.

Heidi, if you have extra time in Malta and are adventuresome, you could take a public bus or taxi to the former fishing village of Marsaxlokk - colorful and fun for a couple hours' visit.

Thanks for the recommendation, as on previous visits, I didn't have much time to explore. First time, I flew into Malta and we sailed shortly after boarding. Second visit, I flew in for a 2-week drydocking, worked way too many hours every day, then returned to UK.

We tried out a few pubs, but didn't see much of the island. Hoping to fix that with our overnight visit.

I am shaking my head at the moaning and groaning I'm still seeing over the loss of Tunis and Algiers. They're Mediterranean countries!! Interesting? Yes of course. Loaded with history? Yes of course. But are they really that much different than the Mediterranean countries that straddle the European side of the Sea? Uh, no, they're not. At least not as different as much as the teeth gnashing I see on this forum would warrant. I'm glad we saw these two countries when we were on our cruise but frankly, I value Viking's concern for my safety more and if they feel, based on their information, that a port cancellation is necessary, I'm not going to go all sour grapes about it.

 

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Woah, quit the attacking please.

My post was simply expressing my disappointment at not visiting north Africa which was something I've not done before. Note the word I used in my post "disappointment" which I think is an emotion we've all had. No sour grapes involved whatsoever.

I didn't criticise Viking, merely agreed that it became just another med cruise for me. I agree with their reasoning and am very thankful for it but that doesn't stop me being disappointed. I'm going on another Viking cruise for goodness sake so l haven't fallen out with them.

Good on anyone who has already been to north Africa, but I haven't and I was looking forward to it.

Now, can we get back to being civil to each other and use this board as we are meant to, being freely able to express our opinions, without judgement, in the hope that they help others.

Remember, everyone is different.

I am shaking my head at the moaning and groaning I'm still seeing over the loss of Tunis and Algiers. They're Mediterranean countries!! Interesting? Yes of course. Loaded with history? Yes of course. But are they really that much different than the Mediterranean countries that straddle the European side of the Sea? Uh, no, they're not.

My goodness. They are VERY different, geographically, culturally, historically....

Surely you're making that statement tongue-in-cheek, otherwise, hmmm.... :o

We had a port stop in Tunis several years ago and it was interesting. I think we've been to every single cruise port in the Med, so I can attest to the fact that Tunis is unique. And I was glad that it afforded an opportunity to set foot on the African continent -- something we'd not done. But...be glad it was cancelled and that you have a nice alternate itinerary. It's simply not a safe place for travelers to be right now. I don't think that's an overcautious statement for me to make. Please trust Viking's decision-making here. There are so many great places in the world to see -- hopefully Tunisia will join those places again in the future.

Thanks for the info. Likewise, having worked an entire Meddy season on a cruise ship, I have been to all the Meddy ports East of Malta. The only N/African ports I have visited are Alexandria & Port Said, so was actually looking forward to Tunis & Algiers.

Personally, I would have been happy to visit Tunis, but fully trust Viking to put our safety and the safety of the vessel first. Sometimes alternate ports are 2nd rate, but an overnight in Malta is brilliant.

Malta is high on my list of ports I'd love to visit. Since a world cruise is unfortunately not on the horizon in my life, I wish Viking would include Malta as a permanent stop on a cruise in the western Mediterranean. I'm not willing to book a cruise with Tunis and Algiers just in the hopes that one will be cancelled and replaced with Malta!

While I am wishing, I wish they would include it on a new itinerary from Rome to Barcelona with a couple stops in Sicily, one in Sardinia, an overnight in Malta, Palma de Mallorca, and Valencia. Oh, and since this is my wish, how about April or October to avoid the heat and the crowds. Viking are you listening?

This thread reminds me of our experience earlier this year on the Star. Both Tunis and Algiers were looking doubtful, but in the end, we did call at Algiers.

Despite comments expressed earlier in this thread, we thought Algiers was a truly unique experience, certainly unlike other Med ports. Tourism is just getting off the ground here, and the locals were extremely welcoming (we took the optional tour which included the Notre-Dame d'Afrique cathedral and the Le Jardin d'Essai du Hamma park. The influence from the former French occupation is easily seen in the buildings and architecture. Be forewarned though... the traffic is bad. We had a police escort (not so much for security as to help make our way through the congested streets).

I really hope you all are able to stop in Algiers. The sail-in alone is spectacular.

This thread reminds me of our experience earlier this year on the Star. Both Tunis and Algiers were looking doubtful, but in the end, we did call at Algiers.

 

Despite comments expressed earlier in this thread, we thought Algiers was a truly unique experience, certainly unlike other Med ports. Tourism is just getting off the ground here, and the locals were extremely welcoming (we took the optional tour which included the Notre-Dame d'Afrique cathedral and the Le Jardin d'Essai du Hamma park. The influence from the former French occupation is easily seen in the buildings and architecture. Be forewarned though... the traffic is bad. We had a police escort (not so much for security as to help make our way through the congested streets).

 

I really hope you all are able to stop in Algiers. The sail-in alone is spectacular.

Thank you for the information. I haven't allowed myself to research Algiers at all yet, but I'll put "be up for sail-in" in the notes that I've started for my trip.

We were able to enjoy visits to both Tunis and Algiers at the beginning of 2017. Our experience and the Viking tours we took in Algiers were the same as RJ2002. It is too expensive to get the visa to visit on your own for one day especially if the port is iffy. Many small boats accompanied us into and out of the port of Algiers. It was great.

Tunis was also great and the people were happy to see tourists again. What you could see of Carthage was a bit disappointing but the Bardo Museum and the town market and certain other sights were interesting and worthwhile. Do consider this cruise if Viking is able to include Tunis again one of these days. I thought both ports were unique and different from other Mediterranean ports.