Vagabond51

jc522, we are also seeking clarification from Viking on what, if any, transportation options will be available from Chioggia during our Venice 3 day port. We are traveling through, not starting or ending our cruise in Venice. Similar to your experience, agents at Viking will not provide information for the ships embark/disembark day, which is day 2 for us. All Viking reps have stated some form of transport will be available to us, they just have no details to offer. No excursions are offered on that day. There are numerous threads discussing this issue. I'm doubtful anyone can offer past experience as it appears the Chioggia dock is new this year. Maybe over the next.month or two someone will share their experience. It appears transport options will differ for those traveling through and those embarking or disembarking. We have chosen to overnight in Venice on night 2. We bought "Venice on your Own" for day 3 which should get us back aboard late day 3. Getting into Venice day 2 remains unclear as to what part Viking will play. I find it difficult to believe those of us passing through Venice will be limited to Chioggia only choices. I may this week send off an email to tell us and see if I can get more firm details. I'm hoping for no surprises. Good luck with your pursuit also. I have had many misinformation dialogs with various Viking agents over the phone trying to get an answer. If Chioggia all to be offered, fine... just let us know. If we have confirmed transport into Venice day 2 morning, give us a firm answer. How is that difficult? Rant over.

We are sailing Istanbul Barcelona 28 days. Viking breaks this sailing into 3 pieces. We are unable to book excursions Day 2 Athens, Day 2 Venice and Civitavecchia now. Our understanding is we will be able to book excursions for those days once onboard. We prefer to have our shore excursion or private tours itinerary completed well in advance while understanding "stuff happens" and we should expect changes from time to time. We upgraded to a PV stateroom so as to ensure premium excursion availability. So once we board, I believe at noon, will MVJ list whats available or do we need to go down to the excursion desk and book. We understand the list will be basic, but we are trying to decide to hire private or take a chance we have transportation that works for us. With limited excursion choices we are thinking what is offered will be chocker full and slow and it may be wise to make alternative arrangements to avoid this. Am I wrong here? Anyone done this and can share their experiences? Thanks.

A while back someone passed along a great tip. If you give Viking a call you can ask if they would email you the Pdf of shore excursions from 2022. It does exist. All may not be offered in 2023, but it would give you a good idea. If they give you an excuse, keep calling a rep until you get one who will send it to you. I was going to PM you but it looks like you have messages off. We lived in SE AK for nearly 50 years. Many ports you can get a cab, see more and pay less. Very competitive in most all AK ports. Would not include flightseeing though. 🙂

There have been many bills written in Congress over the years to provide consumers uniform simple clearly defined charges, fees, exchange rates and "other' fees. All have never gotten through the US Senate. All DOA. All those embedded fees, bloated exchange rates and cryptic statement abbreviations buys really good lobbying. Maybe someday.

Cruzingmit... if you are still monitoring this thread after all these helpful posts may I suggest to you that you contact Viking public relations in CA and see if they will extend your vouchers. I found them to be very reasonable in our case. We had a fully booked and paid for Budpest Amsterdam river cruise in the spring of 2021. We made the decision to pull the plug. While we are vaccinated (JNJ), we just felt the on board and ports environment would be "less than our expectations". Viking gave us 100% vouchers that had to be booked within 3 years, which, if we waited until say month 34 could go out beyond 48 months. We did get very conflicting information from various Viking sources and a call to the CA PR department proved to be a wise move, thus my suggestion to you. Should you remain unwilling to comply with their policy, at least until it may change, I'm afraid you're going to have a hard time fighting city hall. I would try to get an extension for that 4K voucher. It gives you time and room to manuever should the environment change. I think you would find them willing to discuss options. They really do want to book a cruise for you. Take advantage of that fact. Hope this helps.

You're transaction fee is embedded in your exchange rate. It's all in labeling, packaging and marketing. Most folks have not a clue to what is fair, current, or average card exchange rates. Most folks won't even ever discover their xchange rate. They simply rub their necks, write the check and are pleased they don't have an exchange rate with their card. Thats why the banksters have billions, and we don't. 😉 BTW, I've had a BofA AK Air card for 33 years, having lived in AK for 40 years.I know of what I speak. Schwab One rebates all ATM charges, including foreign.

I have learned over the years to never never never use Bank of A for ANYTHING outside of the US. These people are natorious robber barons. Once spent you can be assured you will NEVER be able to talk to a human being on the phone. The cheapest most convienient hassle free card I have ever used abroad was my Schwab One card. The best rate (I trade currencies, I watch) the best usage and the best customer service should I need it. No... I don't work for Chuck. 🙂

Thank you for all the advice and tips. I actually hung up on the first attempt to talk with a Viking Air rep in the Phillipines (I asked her where she was). Her English was so poor I could not follow what she was saying. I repeatedly asked her to speak slower. I believe she was either incapable or unwilling to do so. I remained very polite. She insisted it would cost a $300 each change fee to move from the 10:40 flight to the 2:30 one. Realizing this was going nowhere, I called Viking Air back 30 minutes later and got the nicest kind woman who simply made the change in about 5 minutes with new business class seats confirmed. She remarked I probably would not make the original booking connection.

Michelangelo's David to Bernini's is 122 years. Alot of refinemint in a century of competition. Better... I dunno, I might have to disagree, but you know, that's art. 🙂 Maybe a true renaissance man and a rock star, but maybe I'm oversimplifying it, and I'm biased to boot.

SempreMare... yes... the National Museum. My apologies. It has been nearly 15 years and somehow Metropolitan stuck in my brain, not National. If memory serves, there is also Diocletion's 15 foot hot hub carved out of a sigle chunk of purple granite. It made a memorable impression also. Borghese Gallery is a must if you are an art lover. Worth the hassle to get in. Agree! We spent 11 days in Rome and 3 in Florence over a decade ago. That time allocation was a HUGE mistake. Should have reversed that and we always recommend that course of action to friends making their first trip. I'm very much looking forward to being in Florence again. They know what they have and they take VERY good care of it. I missed the Doumo Museum and the Bibliotech library last time. #1 and 2 this time. Will spend the night just for the extra two ands half hours of what would be bus time. If your going to Florence read Brunelleschi's Dome by Ross King. You will be pleased you did so when you get there. Two other very nice memories, although they are in Florence also. In the Pitti Palace there is an inlayed stone table made from various rock pieces. 10 foot by 4 or so. It is a scene of a pagent procession through the hills around Florence. Horses, carriages, flags, walkers, etc. It is EXQUISITE. Not a seam to be seen. You can see the faces of the horses in stone pieces. Also in Florence there is a military weapon museum out near Santa Croce. Three floors. Goes from clubs, rocks and flint arrows right up to WWII, in order. Beautifully preserved pieces of weaponry, if you appreciate that sort of thing. Worth the time to find and see. And if you have made the rounds to some of the main "must do's" already, Volterra is worth seeing. My best memory there; a sign in English in a case next to a gold weaved mesh ring. It read something along the lines of goldsmiths and craftsmen for centuries have been unable to duplicate the craftmanship of this piece. They have it under a magnifying glass to appreciate what your seeing.

Always a good option, thanks for the recommendation. Would any experienced Viking traveler be willing to give odds as to the option of "Rome On Your Own" being offered. We would like to visit some smaller churches, artwork and museums if we can make it work. Of note: the Metropolitan Museum of Rome, right across the street from the downtown train station, has probably the worlds finest collections of ancient coins. The whole basement is one big vault. I could spend all day there. True history. Five to six hours is going to be a crunch.

Thank you! for the confirmation. It's nice to know there is limited access and the tours will mirror those offered on the other day in port. I couldn't imagine Viking would leave us sitting on deck in Venice, Athens and the road to Rome without at least ground transport. We'll probably be so exhausted from the previous week we would benefit from being left on board. 🙂

We are on the Viking Star, Istanbul to Barcelona in May. Our excursions opened five days ago. Not only are there no excursions offered for Rome, the second day in Athens and the second day in Venice are also still blank. I have had three lengthy polite conversations with Viking staff and have pretty much given up on getting a straight answer from them. I'm not overly concerned about it, but it would be comforting to get a straight answer out of them. The first two agents explained to me that I'm really on three cruises, and the Athens and Venice ports are embark/debark days and that's why there is a delay in getting them posted, but not to worry, they will be up by the day your excustions open online. But...but... "I bought ONE cruise from you" says I. No matter, you actually bought three. The third agent was quite puzzled they were not up yet, and after a 10 minute hold for her to talk with her supervisor she still could not tell me why they were not there yet. However, she did assure me she would get an answer for me and call me back with details within a day or two... Promise!! That was last week. Not too concerned about Rome, we have been there, and I understand almost four hours of the day will be a combination of standing next to, or sitting in, buses. However, in Vencie we booked a hotel room for the second/third day. We are signed up for "Venice On Your Own" for day 3, so we have a ride back to the ship, but nothing to get us ashore on day two. Again, I'm sure it will work out. but getting a straight answer would be nice for planning. Athens we are doing Delphi day one and it would be great to do the downtown zoo on the second day. Given the ticket lines I would like to stay with a Viking tours if I can. The first conversation with Viking staff over this I was told I would be able to book "on ship". Not the best answer.

Caffine free, sugar free no calorie low sodium gluten free AKA. "pointless pop".

From the recent research I've done I'm fairly certain we will go through both immigration/passport control and security. We land at terminal 2. Our Turkish Air flight leaves terminal 1C. The area between terminals is considered "landside". We would need to pass through security to get into terminal 1. Germany is a Schengen country. We are coming from a non Shengen country into a Schengen country at MUC, thus the need to pass through immigration/passport control. I get conflicting reads and info about this. If anyone has made the trip between terminals and knows, it would be great to know for sure. The worst that could happen is Turkish Air charges us for a later flight once we missed ours, as the missed flight was "on time", after waiting in line for who knows how long. It has happened to us and others we know, mostly with non US carriers. $$$ we thought about taking the 10 minute train ride into Munich with the extra time. I don't think we would need visa's?

Thanks Folks, confirmed my caution. Viking Air got us on a later flight to Istanbul that put us in the airport for almost five hours and gets us in late in the day, but it takes the stress out of the transfer. Took almost an hour on the phone with them. At first Viking wanted to charge us almost $400 to make the changes. We had a spirited conversation, and I now have their mistake fixed, no charge.

Viking has us landing on our across the pond flight into Munich at Terminal 1. Our Istanbul flight is scheduled to depart 50 minutes later from Terminal 2. My research says it's a 15 to 20 minute walk beteen gates, if you don't doddle. I could not find out anywhere if we have to reenter security between terminals. I'm fairly certain we do have to clear immigration in Munich, but not customs. I'm going to assume our bags will be checked all the way to Istanbul where we will have to clear customs. I'm not feeling too comfortable with such a short amount of time to do this. DW is not as spry as she once was, and I'm getting there. There is another flight, same airline, four hours later. Trying to decide if I should have Viking move us to that flight. Although it takes up a good chunck of our first Istanbul day, probably getting us to the hotel by 6ish, it may save us a lot of stress. Am I being too cautious here? Any experience getting though Munich would be appreciated. Thanks!!

Of note: they do not do busines in Turkey....

Chioggia mid May for us also, Istanbul to Barcelona. Today at 4 est shore excursions open up for us in PV. As of 8am there are no shore excursions posted for the second day in Venice. Neither are there any for the second day of Athens, and nothing for Rome. Call to Viking asured us they would be up pre booking deadline. The Venice on your own excursion states "cruise" , but not a location in Venice. Anyone know? Be nice to know where they place us. They do offer an Island and Abbey excursion to Murano and Burano on day 1. We dock at noon. They have us returning to the ship by 8pm.

Did a few searches here and nothing popped up. Is it possible to mail "stuff", such as spices or small mementos from ship board? Does Viking provide any type of assitance for this, or it it best done on shore? Perhaps obtaining small boxes or packing materials in one port and carrying a small box off ship at another port to mail. Is this allowed? Does Viking have knowledge of facilities that would assist in such endeavors at ports or should I be micro managing this too (that's the wife speaking over my shoulder). 🙂

The amount and thought given to the responses on this thread provides answers to the OP question. Most here have plenty of discretionary time and resources. The wife puts up with what she refers to over the years as "Robertisms". Mostlt large spreadsheets and page after page of Evernote notes and links. "Plan your work, work your plan", or "anal" as she refers to it. It can cause serious disagreements in the months coming up to a trip. She just wants to wing it, driving me nuts. I was/am an analyst by trade and nature. She is also quick to point out to family and friends "it keeps him off the streets and out of the pool halls." Plenty of spot on answers to the question though.

Perhaps I was just fortunate. Called Viking Air Plus earlier today to secure business class seats from Europe to Istanbul on Turkish Air. We could not get seats when reservation was made a few months back, as TA would not release them. Had to wait about 4 minutes, guy spoke the Kings English quite well, two seats confirmed. Showed up on MVJ about five minutes later. Maybe just lucky, but I'm all cheered up.

We used Viking Air and bought business class. Had to go coach one domestic leg leaving home, then business seats all the way, both ends. Booked in early October and have received 4 updated itinerary change emails from Viking since. One a flight number change then time changes of just minutes. One issue, Viking could not get us seats Europe Istanbul Turkish Air. They guaranteed business class, but... I may have to bird dog that one soon. The agent really worked with us and was very helpful. I wanted to spend a few days in London and she got us BA both out of Barcelona and London to Phily. I REFUSE to fly American, she laughed, understood and worked it out. Quite happy, but of course we aren't there yet.

Greetings Folks.... about 95 days out 30 day Med Iconic Shores Istanbul to Barcelona. Time to get serious and make final decisions. We arrive Chioggia noon Sunday and depart Tuesday 5pm. Venice leads preplanning destinations, mostly art and museums. One option we are considering is going solo, on our own to a hotel. However, it appears all transport I can find go land/train station. Anyone aware of private water taxi availability that can be bought in advance online that would take us to our hotel either land or water should we go that route. Thanks.

I'm under the belief that for every pound of mass above the water line there is 5 to 7 pounds below the water line. Regardless of the distance between the water line and keel tip I would assume that mass ratio and distribution would have more of a bearing on how a hull responds to an event such as this than the distance (draft). A year from now unfortunately it will be forgotten. The desire of those with means will always push the envelope. I lived in the cruise port of Juneau for 35 years. In that time at least 60 people perished in small aircraft off those ships on their way to salmon bakes on the glacier shores. Still, thousands climb into those planes yearly.