Embarkation/disembarkation time

[madmedic]

Hi we have had our Viking air itinerary and have chosen to earlier flights. Having never sailed with Viking what is the earliest time we could expect transfers from our arrival airport (Venice) to the ship? We don't want to be hanging around the airport for hours. 

Our return is from Athens. What time does Viking get you off the ship for your return transfer? 

[CDNPolar]

If you purchased your air through Viking - which it sounds like you did - Viking will have you on the arrival passenger manifest and there will be Viking agents at the airport to meet you immediately as you exit the baggage area.

 

I have been on 10+ Viking cruises now, and arrived early and late, and the Viking agent is always there and we have always been moved to a bus or transport very quickly and taken to the ship.

 

Now, we have arrived early enough that Viking in some cases have provided an area for us to lounge before embarking the ship, but it will be comfortable and there will be refreshments and restrooms.

 

If you are taken directly to the ship, you may not be able to access your stateroom immediately, but you would be able to use the ship amenities.

 

For your return, it depends on your flight.

 

Viking asks that all guests vacate their stateroom no later than 8am.  If your transport is later, you can have breakfast and wander the ship until your transport.  You don't have to leave the ship at 8am.

 

If your flight is 6:00am, then you will - depending on the distance to the airport - be taken off the ship at perhaps 3:00am or 3:30am.  If your flight is 8am, then perhaps a 5:00am departure.  It will generally be two to three hours before your flight.

 

We have disembarked with flights at 6:00pm or later and Viking has taken us to a hotel conference room where our luggage was stored, and there were refreshments, etc., until we were taken to our flight.

[madmedic]

Thanks so much. Very helpful and reassuring.

[OneSixtyToOne]

Venice is a unique situation because of all the possible docking locations. It a very popular cruise and there will probably be a lot of passengers arriving. After you pick up your bags, they will herd you into a group and escort you to transportation as soon as possible. On our last trip to Venice there were 60+ people. Viking is pretty efficient, other pax, not so much. Our wait was dependent on a passenger that had lost luggage and had to fill out paperwork. On our trip to Athens, we arrived very late and Viking hired a car service to take us direct to our pre-extension hotel. 

[CDNPolar]

18 hours ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

Venice is a unique situation because of all the possible docking locations. It a very popular cruise and there will probably be a lot of passengers arriving. After you pick up your bags, they will herd you into a group and escort you to transportation as soon as possible. On our last trip to Venice there were 60+ people. Viking is pretty efficient, other pax, not so much. Our wait was dependent on a passenger that had lost luggage and had to fill out paperwork. On our trip to Athens, we arrived very late and Viking hired a car service to take us direct to our pre-extension hotel. 

 

Yes, unfortunately, if there is one guest on the manifest that you are included on that did not have luggage when they arrived, you will have to wait for them to do their paperwork first.  That would delay your transport.

 

Can you comment if a Viking Rep was helping this guest with the luggage paperwork?

 

We have only had delayed luggage with another cruise line and one of the cruise lines people helped us tremendously at the luggage counter.  They knew "the guy" at the counter and expedited us through the process.