bayareagirl

Just now, bayareagirl said:

My travel companion didn't feel comfortable with the Covid-19 risks after the CDC changed France to Level 4: Do Not Travel.  So she cancelled.  Ugh, such a huge disappointment.  Enjoy France, everyone else!

(Our France's Finest cruise was scheduled to start in Paris in just a few weeks.)

My travel companion didn't feel comfortable with the Covid-19 risks after the CDC changed France to Level 4: Do Not Travel.  So she cancelled.  Ugh, such a huge disappointment.  Enjoy France, everyone else!

On 7/29/2021 at 4:32 PM, Sighteer Sam said:

Perhaps things have changed as I'm keeping in touch with a couple on FF right now and they have been allowed to roam on their own since boarding the ship.  They've already gone to Paris, Normandy, and working their way to Avignon now with about 3 days left on their cruise.  Hoping this will still be the case as we embark on Aug 29 on the Buri

I’m on France’s Finest from Paris on September 12, which appears to be a “go.”  I spoke to Viking about a week ago and they said that there were about 4 cabins available, so the ship is pretty full…for now.  Sightseer Sam, the couple you were in touch with on FF are probably back home by now. Do you know if they were able to travel freely/independently throughout the FF cruise? I’m keeping my fingers crossed that we will be able to leave the ship to explore!!
 

-Monique 

On 7/31/2021 at 11:28 AM, Roz said:

My experience has been you get a better deal if you wait and let they cruise line cancel rather cancel on your own.  A 7 am saliva test, although not desirable, wouldn't be a deal breaker for me if I really wanted to do the cruise.

Yes, absolutely right about the better deal if the cruise line cancels.  Viking gave 125% when they cancelled on us.  Of course, that may no longer be the case...

I was told that Viking is following the requests of the localities. If these limits/restrictions are loosened, even mid-cruise, we will be notified right away. 

Hi chiefrose, I share your concern about the current prohibition on independent movement on the “Welcome Back” cruises through September. We have been told that we may leave the ship only with a Viking guide (i.e., during excursions).

On Viking’s Grand European cruise a few years ago, I very much enjoyed the freedom to roam in town when the ship was docked. It’s a wonderful quality of river cruising. 
 

I’m sailing France’s Finest from Paris on September 12. It is my understanding that this rule/prohibition isn’t written in stone and could possibly change. I’m not counting on a change, but I am sure hoping!  And if guests on the first few cruises are forced to just sit on the ship while in port, there will be LOTS of complaining!!  Which could lead to changes. 🤞
 

Of course, nothing will change unless all passengers are willing to wear a mask and maintain social distancing whenever required, including off ship in town.  I would hope that people will abide by these basic and simple rules. 
 

The upshot: Rather than cancel our cruise in September (which was discussed) we have signed up for lots of excursions, especially those involving strolling through town. (E.g., Flavors of Lyon)

 My biggest concern is my boarding day in Paris. If I board at noon, am I forced to stay on the ship for the rest of the day…. in Paris??!!

Hi Deb, I love reading your "semi-live" review.  I will be on this Thursday's sailing and was wondering: what is the cost for lunch and/or dinner at The Porch?  It looks fabulous!

1 hour ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

 

You will be given the choice of the American Tour or the Commonwealth Tour of the D-Day beaches. We took the Commonwealth tour for a few reasons.

1. We thought it would be less crowded and we were right. There were only 10 people.
2. It goes to Bayeaux to visit the famous "tapestry." I consider that a bucket list item for anyone remotely into history. The tapestry is scheduled to go to the UK in the next few years so it might be one of the last times it's viewable in Bayeaux for a number of years. The museum is quite interesting. Besides the fantastic tapestry, there is an exhibit about the Norman Conquest.
3. It goes to the Pegasus Bridge and Museum, which was featured in the movie "The Longest Day." It's the site of the first casualty of D-Day. They have full size models of the gliders used in the assault.
4. Juno Beach has no cliffs so you have easy access to the beach. The visitor's center there is purposely staffed by Canadian college students, because they are the same age as most of those who fought and died that day. 

 

Hi OneSixtytoOne,  I hadn't considered going on the Commonwealth tour, I just assumed we'd take the US tour.  But now you've got me thinking, and I should consult with my friends.  However, one of them is a veteran who is looking forward to this experience, so I'm not sure how he'd feel about it.  The tapestry would be amazing to view (and a smaller group would be a definite plus).  Thank you for the tip.

-Monique

19 hours ago, Respbj said:

We took France’s Finest in July which went south to north. Don’t miss Monet Foundation, it’s was fabulous 

Hi Respbj, thanks for the tip!  I have been in love with impressionist art my whole life, so I'm excited to visit the Monet Foundation.  I'm considering the "Monet's Garden by Bicycle" tour, but I want to understand the specific differences between it and the regular Monet Foundation tour by bus.  (For example, do both excursions go into the museum/home?) I figure I'll never have another opportunity to bicycle along the Seine, and I understand the whole ride will be flat (and it better be, haha!).

22 hours ago, editor@cruisecritic said:

Hi, Monique, loved your question about all things Paris/Normandy, primarily because I took the cruise in July and loved it, and tomorrow am sitting down to finally write about it for Cruise Critic.

 

Definitely have recommendations. I'm writing two stories; one is a day-by-day account of our cruise (which was magic by the way), the other is a cruise guide to the ports we visited. I'll post here. My deadline's tight so am hoping to have the pieces ready to send a link -- next Friday. Yikes 🙂

 

And after that, absolutely happy to talk about any aspect. I really loved it, and you're doing the right thing to spend time in Paris beforehand. FWIW, have been to Paris a few times, and love it, but the most special moments of the cruise were actually on the Seine, in Vernon and Rouen and other places I hadn't had as much time in....

 

We did board in Le Pecq and I didn't mind it at all. It's a lovely suburban village and kept my blood pressure low 🙂 -- mind you, probably it is more convenient to board right in the heart of Paris, but I didn't actually miss it. And if cruising on the Seine on a true Viking Longship requires it, I'd do it again, just for time spent on the Aquavit Terrace. Loved dinners there, especially.

 

 

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn Spencer Brown

Chief Content Strategist

Cruise Critic

Hi Carolyn, I can't wait to read your stories!  Good luck finishing them in time for your deadline, and thank you so much for your post!

-Monique

Hi everyone! My friends and I are taking the "Paris and the heart of Normandy" river cruise in May 2020 on Viking Radgrid, one of the upcoming new ships that I hear will dock in Paris proper by the Eiffel Tower instead of Le Pecq.  We are staying in Paris for several days on our own before the cruise begins, but afterwards we are taking the Viking "Loire Valley" extension. 

Has anyone taken the Loire Valley extension in the past?  I'd love to hear about it, including whether you have any restaurant recommendations in Tours.

Also, do you have any specific recommendations for the "Paris and the heart of Normandy" river cruise, either in Paris itself or along the cruise?

I am familiar with Viking (love it) and have taken the "Grand European" cruise (highly recommend!!!) and also the "Viking Homelands" ocean cruise.

Thanks!!

Monique