First Viking Cruise- Nov 24 2022 Journey to Antiquities

[gr8-2travel]

We just scheduled our first a Viking cruise for late November, sailing from Athens to Rome, on the new “Neptune.” We also added the pre-Athens and the post-cruise “Tuscany” extensions. We made a rather “impulsive” decision to take the trip this year, so I am having to learn as much as I can about the cruise line, what shore tours will be offered, etc.

So many on this forum have shared great information on various topics, so I hope you can help me as well. Specifically, 

 

1) how much will we be “on our own” during the pre- and post- cruise extensions? Does Viking provide guides at these locations, or should we look to reserve our own tours in Athens, Rome/Florence?

2) being late Fall/early Winter…any insight on what we can expect with weather and sailing conditions? 

3) how quickly do shore excursions fill-up?

4) any recommendations on “must see” shore excursions?

 

Any other advice/recommendations is greatly appreciated. 

 

[Paul73]

When we did the Viking pre-cruise extension in Athens there were no organized tours.  We used Rick Steves book Mediterranean Cruise Ports to help guide us in Athens and other ports we visited.  IRT weather, it's cool in the Med in Nov.  Check weather channel reports for typical weather.  Some shore excursions fill up quickly, so note the date your excursions open for booking.  We typically took the first included excursion of the day, then an optional excursion or self-walk in the afternoon.  Viking typically runs shuttles to/from the town centers.  

[jaykaym]

I'll be following this thread as we have booked an Instanbul - Athens Viking cruise for October 2023 on the Neptune.  I have many questions on the ship, the best excursions, etc so will really benefit from your experience.  Please report back after you cruise on the best, the worst, the must-do's and the don't bother's.  Many thanks!

[gr8-2travel]

We had been wondering about the opportunity to do more than one excursion each day and if there was flexibility to do that, although some excursions seem to take all day? 

[Mich3554]

2 minutes ago, gr8-2travel said:

We had been wondering about the opportunity to do more than one excursion each day and if there was flexibility to do that, although some excursions seem to take all day? 

There were days where we booked more than one excursion each day.  Usually, the included tours have a lot of times so we try to use those to work around the other tours we want to take.

[Squawkman]

Regarding Ultimate Tuscany - unless things have changed since Covid, everything is included (tours, meals, etc.) and there really is no time to do anything on your own.

[lackcreativity]

Much of the information regarding pre/post extensions and even shore excursions is available right on the Viking website. Go to your planned cruise, on the itinerary tab, scroll all the way down and click on any of the extensions. There will be a pretty complete description. Some of the extensions are bare bones, with just the hotel, transfers, maybe breakfast, and an on-site Viking host to assist. Others are fully escorted land tours. The Tuscany extension is the full guided kind, and reportedly an exceptional experience. I hope we get to do that one someday. 

 

In a similar fashion, if you click on any individual day of the itinerary, you can see the possible group of excursions that may be offered on your cruise. One will be labeled as the Included (no extra charge) one. If you click on any individual one, you will see a full description (read carefully, especially since experiences vary widely) along with the length of time, but not the price. Note that this list is just a group of possibilities, as post-covid, most places are still scrambling to restaff excursions. One more hint, be aware that when Viking says an Included Excursion in every port, they mean that literally. If you are in port overnight, you still only get one free excursion.

 

Even after four cruises so far and two more booked, I still browse the website often just for fun. ( I know, might be a little weird.) There is so much available there, and many of the videos about the different ports are really interesting.

 

Hope you enjoy your first Viking cruise.

P.S. We have been to a few of these ports and will travel from Istanbul to Venice in October 2023. Taormina in Sicily is a definite can't miss for me, and in Athens, going up to the Acropolis (if agility allows) is also a must.   

 

Edited June 28, 2022 by lackcreativity

[Cleopatra99]

14 hours ago, gr8-2travel said:

 

 

1) how much will we be “on our own” during the pre- and post- cruise extensions? Does Viking provide guides at these locations, or should we look to reserve our own tours in Athens, Rome/Florence?

 

 

In 2019 we did the 4 day extension in Athens (there is also a 2 day option). If you haven't booked the 4 day option please consider it if you have the time and the extra cash.

 

It was excellent, we really enjoyed the whole 4 days. We were fortunate to have 2 excellent escorts - one Viking rep and one guide throughout the 4 days. They were both excellent and really enhanced the experience. On one of the 4 days you are on your own so suggest you read the 4 description closely then identify if anything you really want to do is missing, then book that must-do on the spare day. 

 

We stayed at the Hilton with Viking (suggest you join Hilton Honours Loyalty Program as a member - you might get lucky with an upgrade or a free drink on the deck with a view of the Acropolis). There are a number of really good restaurants nearby (but the ones we enjoyed may have closed down due to COVID or changed hands, so check with a local for recommendations).

 

We haven't done Tuscany with Viking so can't comment.

 

I'm not sure if you coming back to Rome and staying on in Italy after Tuscany - if yes please feel free to ask for some Rome suggestions.  

 

The shore excursions do often fill quickly. If you see something you like which is booked out - tell Viking (or ask your Agent to tell them). They often add something extra later.

 

If that doesn't work ... keep checking closer to sail date as people change their minds and cancel and if all else fails go to Guest Services when you get on board.

 

Private tour operators are usually less expensive and mostly equally as good as what Viking will provide, so don't close your mind to that option as well.

 

I'm no expert with sea conditions in the Med in Nov / Dec, but plan for some rough weather (meds, wrist bands etc) and if you don't need them - great.

 

Good luck with the planning.

 

 

 

 

[gr8-2travel]

6 hours ago, Mich3554 said:

There were days where we booked more than one excursion each day.  Usually, the included tours have a lot of times so we try to use those to work around the other tours we want to take.

 

22 minutes ago, Cleopatra99 said:

In 2019 we did the 4 day extension in Athens (there is also a 2 day option). If you haven't booked the 4 day option please consider it if you have the time and the extra cash.

 

It was excellent, we really enjoyed the whole 4 days. We were fortunate to have 2 excellent escorts - one Viking rep and one guide throughout the 4 days. They were both excellent and really enhanced the experience. On one of the 4 days you are on your own so suggest you read the 4 description closely then identify if anything you really want to do is missing, then book that must-do on the spare day. 

 

We stayed at the Hilton with Viking (suggest you join Hilton Honours Loyalty Program as a member - you might get lucky with an upgrade or a free drink on the deck with a view of the Acropolis). There are a number of really good restaurants nearby (but the ones we enjoyed may have closed down due to COVID or changed hands, so check with a local for recommendations).

 

We haven't done Tuscany with Viking so can't comment.

 

I'm not sure if you coming back to Rome and staying on in Italy after Tuscany - if yes please feel free to ask for some Rome suggestions.  

 

The shore excursions do often fill quickly. If you see something you like which is booked out - tell Viking (or ask your Agent to tell them). They often add something extra later.

 

If that doesn't work ... keep checking closer to sail date as people change their minds and cancel and if all else fails go to Guest Services when you get on board.

 

Private tour operators are usually less expensive and mostly equally as good as what Viking will provide, so don't close your mind to that option as well.

 

I'm no expert with sea conditions in the Med in Nov / Dec, but plan for some rough weather (meds, wrist bands etc) and if you don't need them - great.

 

Good luck with the planning.

 

 

 

 

Lots of great information! We are members of the HH program, and we’re happy that we were booked at the Athens Hilton. We only did the 2-day Athens pre-cruise, opting instead for the extra time in Italy post-cruise, so it looks like we are pretty much on our own for the first 2 days. I am going to look at options through Expedia to see what might work for us, and as we get closer to our travel time we will decided if we want to go the “local tour company” route for at least 1 of the 2 days in Athens, or just find a “hop-on hop- off” type system that we have used in other large cities.  
We always make it a point to ask locals for their favorite eating spots, so we will definitely do that as well. Looks like our time in Florence/Tuscany is guide oriented, so we won’t have to plan anything extra for ourselves. As to going to Rome for a few extra days…that will have to be for another trip as we are limited on how much time we can be away. 
Truly appreciate all your recommendations…

[Mitina]

58 minutes ago, Cleopatra99 said:

We stayed at the Hilton with Viking (suggest you join Hilton Honours Loyalty Program as a member - you might get lucky with an upgrade or a free drink on the deck with a view of the Acropolis).

I'm pretty sure the Hilton is now closed and being rebranded.  Viking may be using the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens for the extension bookings.

[Mich3554]

43 minutes ago, gr8-2travel said:

 

Lots of great information! We are members of the HH program, and we’re happy that we were booked at the Athens Hilton. We only did the 2-day Athens pre-cruise, opting instead for the extra time in Italy post-cruise, so it looks like we are pretty much on our own for the first 2 days. I am going to look at options through Expedia to see what might work for us, and as we get closer to our travel time we will decided if we want to go the “local tour company” route for at least 1 of the 2 days in Athens, or just find a “hop-on hop- off” type system that we have used in other large cities.  
We always make it a point to ask locals for their favorite eating spots, so we will definitely do that as well. Looks like our time in Florence/Tuscany is guide oriented, so we won’t have to plan anything extra for ourselves. As to going to Rome for a few extra days…that will have to be for another trip as we are limited on how much time we can be away. 
Truly appreciate all your recommendations…

There are several HOHO routes in Athens.  I think we hit most of them.  
The absolute best meal we had in Athens was a sidewalk cafe, where the menu was written on a chalkboard down the street from our hotel.  I think there were only about 8 tables, but we stopped by there the first day and went back the next day.  We had the freshest seafood I ever remember having.  It didn’t look like much though.

[gr8-2travel]

Funny you should mention this! I just discovered a few minutes ago that the Hilton is permanently closed. I had not noticed that on our “statement/itinerary description” they do have us booked into the Marriott Athens, even though our MVJ Extension shows the Hilton….Phew….was starting to get a little concerned! 

[gr8-2travel]

46 minutes ago, Mitina said:

I'm pretty sure the Hilton is now closed and being rebranded.  Viking may be using the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens for the extension bookings.

We are booked into the Athens Marriott. 

[Sapphire_07]

On 6/28/2022 at 2:06 PM, Squawkman said:

Regarding Ultimate Tuscany - unless things have changed since Covid, everything is included (tours, meals, etc.) and there really is no time to do anything on your own.

I’m doing this pre-extension in two weeks.  Everything is still included (meals and tours.)

[ARDXXX]

We are on the Mediterranean Antiquities in October with the four night extension in Athens so I phoned Viking and was informed that we will now be going to the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens, I wonder if they would have informed me if I had not phoned them.

[gr8-2travel]

4 hours ago, ARDXXX said:

We are on the Mediterranean Antiquities in October with the four night extension in Athens so I phoned Viking and was informed that we will now be going to the InterContinental Athenaeum Athens, I wonder if they would have informed me if I had not phoned them.

Right? Did you book awhile ago? We just booked about 2 weeks ago and it showed Marriott Athens on our payment receipt, but the Hilton was still showing up on our pre-cruise itinerary. Not excited about the Marriott since it seems so far  from any places we want to see.😳

[ARDXXX]

Yes we have been booked over a year, still showing up as Hilton on cruise extension description on webpage.

[gr8-2travel]

I have been obsessed with reading the suggested “Viking first timers” forum and am impressed with how much information has been shared. I am pretty confident I understand the availability of the soft drinks, beer/wine and liquor made available and replenished depending on the cabin level as well as the Spirits package. I haven’t been through all the forum pages but have not yet encountered a discussion related to my concern…

We are not big soda/pop drinkers; what I have not seen, specifically, are mentions of other drinks such as iced teas and juices being available throughout the day. We did not consider getting the spirits package because 1) we only have 1 day at sea; and 2) DH doesn’t drink but for the occasional glass of beer or wine with dinner. That said, we are big iced tea and orange or cranberry juice  drinkers…are these available and would we have to pay for them individually as “bar items?” 
TIA for your answers/comments

[Cienfuegos]

My recollection is Viking offered canned containers of iced tea in the World Cafe, along with Diet Coke, etc.

[Clay Clayton]

On 6/28/2022 at 12:29 PM, gr8-2travel said:

We had been wondering about the opportunity to do more than one excursion each day and if there was flexibility to do that, although some excursions seem to take all day? 

 

On 6/28/2022 at 12:33 PM, Mich3554 said:

There were days where we booked more than one excursion each day.  Usually, the included tours have a lot of times so we try to use those to work around the other tours we want to take.

We too have booked more than one excursion per day. Usually the included and one paid.  Keep in mind that the reservation system won’t (or wouldn’t last July) allow you to book excursions within the same hour. In other words, if an excursion was scheduled to arrive back at 12:30, we couldn’t book a 1pm departure. Similar with dining reservations, couldn’t book a 6pm Chef’s Table if our excursion showed a 5:30 completion time. 

[Clay Clayton]

19 hours ago, gr8-2travel said:

I have been obsessed with reading the suggested “Viking first timers” forum and am impressed with how much information has been shared. I am pretty confident I understand the availability of the soft drinks, beer/wine and liquor made available and replenished depending on the cabin level as well as the Spirits package. I haven’t been through all the forum pages but have not yet encountered a discussion related to my concern…

We are not big soda/pop drinkers; what I have not seen, specifically, are mentions of other drinks such as iced teas and juices being available throughout the day. We did not consider getting the spirits package because 1) we only have 1 day at sea; and 2) DH doesn’t drink but for the occasional glass of beer or wine with dinner. That said, we are big iced tea and orange or cranberry juice  drinkers…are these available and would we have to pay for them individually as “bar items?” 
TIA for your answers/comments

All sorts of juices are available at the The Restaurant and World Cafe at breakfast-not as sure about at other meals.  Also, the “green” drink at the Living Room in the mornings is quite tasty.
 

Unsweetened ice tea has been available at all dining venues on all our cruises (last was July 2021). This was poured from a pitcher. My DMIL usually drinks decaffeinated tea and asked for some. It took awhile but once we learned why, it was no wonder. The server had made her a pot of decaf tea, then chilled it down before serving her.  From them on she stuff to water or splurged and hat regular ice tea.   

[gr8-2travel]

7 hours ago, Cienfuegos said:

Thank you Cienfuegos and Clay for the information. We will likely hold off on the SSP since I don’t think it will be worth it for us. 

[Findingmywings]

On 7/4/2022 at 5:02 PM, gr8-2travel said:

I have been obsessed with reading the suggested “Viking first timers” forum and am impressed with how much information has been shared. I am pretty confident I understand the availability of the soft drinks, beer/wine and liquor made available and replenished depending on the cabin level as well as the Spirits package. I haven’t been through all the forum pages but have not yet encountered a discussion related to my concern…

We are not big soda/pop drinkers; what I have not seen, specifically, are mentions of other drinks such as iced teas and juices being available throughout the day. We did not consider getting the spirits package because 1) we only have 1 day at sea; and 2) DH doesn’t drink but for the occasional glass of beer or wine with dinner. That said, we are big iced tea and orange or cranberry juice  drinkers…are these available and would we have to pay for them individually as “bar items?” 
TIA for your answers/comments

My husband and I asked our steward to swap the sodas and alcohol for juices and tea in our mini fridge so we always had plenty between meals.  There was no extra charge for this.

[gr8-2travel]

Great to know…Thank you!