springtravel

We are thinking about booking this special. If Viking is providing air, what is the price pp for deviation, and the price of AirPlus. I am guessing we will need both, since we would want to arrive a least one day prior. If we purchase the pre-cruise extension, so we still pay a deviation charge?

Was there a $25 deposit? This looks like a great deal, but we leave for our first Viking Ocean April 2. I would rather see how this one goes, before booking another.

I think this would be true in most cases. But a cab to Chioggia is about $200, from what I have read, and we would still have to get to the transportation area. In this one case, it would have been much simpler to use the Viking transfer. But, we are up to the challenge. We will take a Vaporetto to Lido and take the ferry/bus to Chioggia and enjoy our little adventure.

Our cruise is out of Venice, or so it said when we booked. We decided to fly in 2 days early and I checked with Viking to see where the terminal was. Of course, that has since been changed to Chioggia, which is about 1.5 hours away. We got a nice little note saying to contact Viking to arrange transportation. But, not for us. I even offered to depart from the pre-cruise hotel, but no, we are on our own. It will still be less expensive than booking the Viking pre-cruise for 2 nights, but more trouble. Our hotel, in my opinion, is so much better that the one Viking was offering.

I haven't done the Viking Chioggia to Venice or Murano, but it looks to be about an hour to 1.5 hours each way. We will be doing this trip in 1 month, so have done quite a bit of research. We were in Venice 5 years ago and did a tour to Murano and Burano. Unfortunately, in Murano, we only went to the glass blowing factory and their showroom. Didn't get to see the town at all. Burano was very quiet and we enjoyed it, but not much to see. We will be in Venice 2 nights pre-cruise and don't intend to take the long trip back, once we embark in Chioggia.

Do you think it might be the Neptune is over the holidays and a much busier time? Never been on a WC, but this offer does look enticing.

We have friends that were booked in a DV in 2019. A week before the sail date, they got a call offering $10,000 and a PV if they postponed. They did and booked for 2020...and you know what happened. They are finally going in April, since the voucher was expiring.

Grits are ground corn, very similar in texture to cream of wheat. Put a pat of butter, salt and pepper, and that's what we eat with eggs, instead of potatoes. Also similar to polenta

I will look forward to meeting you and hearing the story.

I so enjoyed your trip report and pictures. Your journey looked magical and we hope to follow in your footsteps one of the days. We are currently preparing for our first Viking cruise in April, but I know we will be hooked and ready for more.

From what I have read elsewhere, it is about 15-20 minutes and the shuttle runs every 30 minutes. Since we aren't using Viking pre-cruise, we will take the Vaparetto/Bus route. After much research, it seems to be the fastest, most direct route without paying 200euros for a taxi.

I so enjoyed your journey and photos. Great insight on what to expect on our upcoming trip.

We have be told that in Italy as well. I know not to go to main tourist spots to get the best meals. I lived near Madrid as a child and can't wait to have authentic Spanish food again. On another tip from a tour guide in Florence, never go to a gelato shop where the gelato is piled high in the bins. That is for show and too much air. Opt for the ones that have covers on them.

Do you know where the ship will be docked and how close to Gothic Quarter we will be?

Thank you. We will make the plans to eat ashore. Good to know about the luggage needing to be out by 9, as well. I know the Spaniards eat late, so we will not be able to join them.🙂

Our ship arrives in Barcelona on Thursday, and we have an excursion for the day. We will also be in port overnight, disembarking the next day, and we have the Viking 2 day extension. I would love to hear from fellow travelers if the ship will have a special farewell dinner that night or the same as other nights. Do you normally eat on the ship or try a local restaurant? Just curious.

I would love to know the answer to this, since we will be in the same situation early April. It would be very convenient for us to go back to airport and use the Viking transfer. However, I don't want to get there and be told no, then have to find another way.

I notified my TA and he had it corrected right away. Thanks.

Yes, I did.

I just noticed that my first name is misspelled on MVJ. Middle letter is left off. I then went to my cruise contract and my first name is correct. Is this something I did when I first booked the cruise? Will it matter?

I guess I am just one of those planners that need to make all the arrangements ahead of time. I want to be prepared with all the info I can before I leave. Once I am onboard, I will be brain dead and don't have to think about anything, just go with what was planned. If things change, stop missed, etc, so be it. Will think about that when it happens. In the past, when I haven't planned and go with the flow, I get home and remember what I meant to do or see. Now, it's planned. If I decide in the moment to do something else, I know what I am giving up. That being said, we are traveling with another couple that isn't planning anything. They can either go along with us, or go on their own. We won't mind either way.

That is what I originally thought, we would like the gratuities go to everyone, but from what previous posters replied, it doesn't sound like any benefit from the gratuities. If we give them out ourselves, at least we would know some received.

How bad would it appear, if we choose not to do the recommended gratuity and the end of the cruise, and just gave gratuities to those that have actually provided service to us directly? I don't want to short anyone, but if they probably don't get it anyway, wouldn't the staff be happier?

These are super cute. I noticed they have a 23" inseam, where does that hit on your leg? Any chance you will post a pic with either of you wearing?

Love your photos of Greece. One of these days we will get to Athens. Let us know how you like your cabin. We were offered that on our upcoming cruise, but since this is only our 2nd cruise, we weren't sure how we would like it, so settled for a DV2 on deck 5