MSEm

suggest you email tellus@vikingcruises.com.

They may be able to give you an answer.   It will be a long bus ride 2 1/2 to 3 hours each way.

You will probably be spending at least 6 hours on the bus.

We purchased a small pack-able luggage scale; available through many web sites. We weight bags before leaving home.  Last trip big bag was 32 lbs, 18 lbs under airline limit; carry-ons about 12 lbs each. We always pack a small folding bag in big suitcase; also zip lock freezer bags and very large seal-able heavy plastic bags.

Our carry-on bags can be expanded.  We usually check 1 of the carry-on bags for our return trip home.  Having a suitcase delayed for 2-3 days  when at home is usually not a problem.

When leaving home for our destination we each carry 1 pair of shoes and clothing for 2 days in carryon bags. (1 pr shoes with socks, 1 pr pants, 2 tops, undies for 2 days, rain/wind jackets and umbrella.)

Neither of us can just drop in the nearest store to buy shoes that fit.

Thanks Clay. I just checked the women sizes on shiptoshoretraveler.  Reg XS to reg XL. But XL is a size L in other brands. The clothing will be too long for me.

Question on the boots.  Are the boots worn over "regular" shoes or is it just the boots?

Also I wear LLBeans , 5ft 2 in  size18 petite or 20 petite pants.  Are the pants and jackets in sizes for not tall. I also need coats in shorter sleeve length? I have a Talbots Women petite 1x that fits wells.

How did Viking determine what "size" an individual needs?

Major factor is weight of "full" suitcase.  Can you easily handle the packed bag: if not you packed too much.

My travel clothes are mainly black,; black pants, black shoes & socks, black jacket.  Colorful mostly print tops and  3 or 4 scarves. Of course I have a sweater and wind/rain jacket and sun/rain hat.

Good Cruising.

I know that Viking has it's own buses in some of the Alaskan ports.  I remember seeing the Viking Buses during our June 2021 Alaskan Small ship cruise.  Viking Buses would definitely be much more comfortable than the old school buses we rode on in each port in 2021.

I know that Holland owns their special built buses. The tour buses held only 44 passengers, the seats had more room between rows and very comfortable.  Many college students are hired  for the summer cruising season.  Most of the other major cruiselines probably also had their own buses and bring in people from outside of Alaska to work the summer tourist season. The cruiselines not only pay the workers a salary, but also provide them with room and board.

When comparing "same" tour prices, you need to include type of transportation and types of guides.  Also if a meal is included, the type of meal will effect the final tour price.

Have a great trip.

We are doing the Madrid pre-tour in April 2022 before our Trade Routes Cruise.

Are there any optional tours offered in Barcelona on the day of arrival?

Thanks for all the great info and help.

We usually take 2 carry-ons and 1 26" checked bag.  We also each a have a small backpack for jackets, umbrella, etc. I also have a small purse in my backpack.  There are free self serve laundries on most passenger decks.  Also send out laundry is reasonable. For a Med trip we would be packing light weight fast drying hiking pants (found at Land's End, LL Bean, REI,etc.) We wear 1 pr pants and pack 2 pair. I wear 1 long sleeve top and pack 4 LS or 3/4 sleeve tops. My DH wears 1 shirt and packs 4 mostly LS Shirts. Pack 1 pair of shoes (nothing worst than having to wear wet shoes all day)

Make sure you have a a good rain/wind jacket and a  vest or sweaters for your cruise.  The open  Med waters are cold even summer. We lived in an Athens suburb for 12 months. Also you will need sturdy walking shoes for all of the tours.

Have a great cruise.

Thanks  to amyr for posting the links to Pat's and Jeff's videos Enjoyed watching Pat's Quick Review of the Ship.

Also Jeff's Intro, Day 1 & Day 2 videos have a lot of very useful info for this trip.

Thanks to both for the postings.

I booked a guarantee cabin for Mississippi Holiday cruise for Dec 2022.  We got the cabin assignment last week. No upgrade but the category we purchased. I think assignment of cabin will depend on cancellations and open cabins  That is if you purchased a PV 2 maybe you will be upgraded if a

PV1 opens up and Viking can sell the PV2 to another guest.

If you are touring on your on pick up one of the Viking Cards for port location and local phone numbers for the local Viking Agent.  Many times there will be more than 1 port in the area.  Some people take a picture of the information, but I like to put the card in a pocket.

Have a great time.

Written prescriptions??? I have not seen a paper prescription in 5 or 6 years.  All prescriptions are sent directly from Dr office to pharmacy by computer links.

I have been checking everyday for 2 weeks hoping I can book shore excursion and Chef's Table dining for my April 2022 cruise. I received emails from Viking that shore excursions and dining was open for me to book. 

This is an email that I sent to Viking.   

suggest you carry a list of all of your prescriptions including drug name and strength.

Also include your Dr name and full contract info.

We carry 3 copies; I carry a set in purse; hubby carries a set in day pack and there is a set in our carry luggage.

Taking an extra 2 weeks is a good plan.

Corrections:  It's 24 hour room service. Orders have always been correct and quickly brought to the room.

If you request Breakfast room service for 6:15 am it will be there at 6:15 or you may receive a call if room service is coming a little earlier.

Room Service food has always been very good.

I also have been looking for the Chef's Table menus.  Viking Customer service said "Just Keep Looking" and then something about covid causing problems with tour operators and ports and with getting food. Usually ingredients for meals are loaded on the ship at the beginning of a cruise. The shore excursion with the Chef to "shop" for fresh food in the local market would be the exception.

It was also suggested that I just make reservations for the days I want to eat at the Chef's Table.

I do NOT want to sign up for unknown menus.

There is also 2 hour room service where hot food come hot and cold items cold. All very good. We will often order room service breakfast including omlette when we have an early shore excursions.

The fruit and cheese platter are very good and the French Onion Soup is always great.

There will also the Cafe on deck 1 and the pool grill. If we order from the pool grill we always split the burger or "hot" dog.

We have been in a PV.  We have booked a PS for our April cruise.

On a  River cruise we upgraded to a Veranda Suite (Jr suite).  Really enjoyed the larger bath, especially the larger shower. I had requested a shower seat.  It easily fit in the jr suite shower with plenty of room. It was great not have DH complain about the small shower with no place to sit. You may want to compare the size of the shower between the PV and PS cabins.

The other perks are nice, especially the laundry

Either cabin would be good, just enjoy the cruise.

We have completed 2 Oceania and 3 Viking Ocean cruises.  We prefer the smaller number of guest on the VO ships. 

We found the food on Oceania good but boring.  Lots of cream sauces and nothing spicy.

We were excited to see build your Tacos for on the lunch buffet. Unfortunately the chicken and beef were grilled with onions but no spices.  Topping included chopped tomatoes, lettuce, cheddar cheese,  diced green sweet bell peppers and tomato sauce.  NO CHILIES or other Mexican spices.  The Chef explained that on a cruise they could not offer anything spicy because people did not like spicy foods.

If Oceania has changed the type of food, please post.  Oceania does offer several cruises we would consider booking.

I did receive a call from Viking late Tuesday afternoon. The rep did not realize that I could see the Shore excursion offering on Saturday. The offering disappeared on Sunday with the message "No shore excursions are available at this time." Viking is working to get the shore excursions finalized but is having difficultly in getting contracted back from the tour companies.

Hoping that warmed weather brings a reduction in the number of people contracting Covid.

We usually book some independent tours, but we will stay with the Viking Tours for our April cruise.

From my invoice for my April cruise, Trade Routes of the MIddle Ages, I was to be able to book shore excursions starting at 8 PM pacific time on Jan 10, 2022.

There are NO shore excursions showing on any dates for the cruise.

  On line chat replied 'I have been told that they could be loaded in anytime between tomorrow and Friday. "

Anyone having the same problem on other Viking Cruises?

Thanks for the help.

Thanks MamFij for the information on the Trains i Spain.  Will check it out.

Also many thanks all the others for the information on Madrid & Barcelona.

We have only been in Barcelona on our way to Pampolna in 1979 for the Running of the Bulls.

Experiencing the Bulls Running  was a Once in a Life Time, not to be repeated. Out stop over in Barcelona was only a stop for the night on our drive from the Zermatt area to Pampola.

Looking forward to both Madrid and Barcelona.

We are booked for the Madrid Pre-tour for April 2022.  I would like  information on the express train from Madrid to Barcelona.  What is the approximated time we will arrive at the ship?  Do we get a driving tour of Barcelona before we arrive at the ship?

Any suggestions for later afternoon or evening activities in Barcelona?

Thanks for the help.

We have sailed in both DV and PV cabins.  After sailing in the PV we would not go back to the DV.

In the PV cabins there is more space, 338 sq ft  with  a loveseat and and 1 chair.  The closet is across from the bath door. The DV is 270 sq ft with one 2 chairs. The DV closet door is by the bed.  In the PV cabin we put up 2 removable hooks on the side of the closet wall to hold jackets..  Also put a small one on the door to hold cabin key cards.

We had plenty of storage in the DV cabin, just prefer the room in a PV. We did keep some item, such as snorkeling equipment in the suitcases under the bed.  The clearance between the bed and floor is high and easy to push suitcases under the bed.

Laundromat is FREE. 

Thanks for all the replies.

After a conference call with my TA and someone from Viking I was able to arrange cruises.

I am now doing the New Great Lakes Discover in Sept 2023 and moved my orginial 2023 to Aug 2022.

My MS River cruise is in the opposite direction. We now cruising from St Paul to St Louis.

The suggestion was made more than once for me just to cancel 1/2 of the Great Lakes BtoB. Choose the part I wanted to see. I was most interested in the Toronto to Milwaukee and my husband in the Thunder Bay to Milwaukee. He was stationed at an Air Force radar site near Finland, MN  1967-1969. The New Great Lakes Discovery does not call at Milwaukee but that is OK with both of us.