Pushka

It will depend on whether Cruise 1, 2 3 and 4 are also sold as one cruise of all sectors together. If so, then yes and depending on the length of each individual sector, it's possible that all cabins on Sector 1 get to choose before possibly PV and the various DV cruises on following sectors. This is what happened on our cruise. We could see excursions selling out long before so booked private tours. Some eventually did become available either through cancellations or extra capacity added.

It was one of those grim times during early Covid when the ship had to exit the country and then struggled to find a port that would allow them access.

Can't log in today and just one more day until it locks out before the cruise. I think I'm done anyway but just want to check.

Yes, tried them with no joy. They didn't want to put in Valley of the Queens. Not to worry.

I'm in Australia and everything is in Australian dollars. SSP as well. I expect that if you book onboard they will be in USD.

Wow. We will be doing this excursion but with Viking in a couple of weeks. We couldn't get a private tour happening as none wanted to take us for our time in Safaga so went with Viking Very keen to see Valley of the Queens which is the difficult one to get into. Nefertiti's tomb is still undiscovered.

MVJ has been flakey for me. Couldn't get excursions to stick in the calendar. That was yesterday but haven't checked today.

This was offered as a pre trip on our Passage to India (we do the reverse itinerary) stating in 2 weeks time. It sold out almost immediately so if you want it then book it. It sounds wonderful. Many organised one for themselves privately when they missed out.

I wonder if the chlorine levels or whatever sanitising chemicals they are using are (required to be) high given the high temps and high usage. That will have an effect on the materials in the suit as well as fade.

Fantastic to hear. We are using the same tour group in May from Mars. Did Viking pack you a lunch? We've been advised not to expect much in the way of food in Haifa and beyond.

I've been in rocky seas. And I don't get seasick. Interestingly on an excursion on QM2, which of course is the Queen for TA crossings, going to the Barrier reef in QLD the waves weren't high but the small vessel was pitched around like in a washing machine. I loved it, but most were very ill including most of the crew, especially the young entertainment folk, who were extremely unwell. Even the chief engineer (whom we'd had dinner with the night before and had obviously completed many TA's) was unwell. So it isn't about heavy swell so much as how the waves and swells are throwing the vessel around. On the way back it was perfectly fine. For world cruisers, don't go out to a Barrier Reef cruise if it's windy or choppy. And if you do, expect to be unwell for an hour or so and then be perfectly fine.

We bring our own large soap too. Dislike the tiny bars and as for gel, never use it.

Not on deck 8.

Select and pay immediately for the excursions most wanted. You get a refund for almost all excursions if cancelled within 3 days? of the excursion date. Refunds are never immediate. Take a few weeks.

Ok. What threw me was when you mentioned Karnak etc and that you'd booked the excursion when you booked the cruise. That's unsual to do that unless a very last minute booking on a cruise but quite usual with river cruises.

The issues experienced are more for Ocean cruises where booking windows are different for each cabin level. River cruises open up to all and months in advance.

Exactly what happened with our cruise next month which was the second leg. Even PV on ours saw sold out because the DV on the first cruise were able to book theirs before them. I organised private shore excursions and posted on the roll call. An overnight port and two buses now booked up on both days. On another port two more buses booked.

Around 110 days at latest. Ours were at 120 days out. I booked many external excursions because the Must Do in Aqaba (Petra) was booked out well before my cabin level. Same for Israel. We currently have two bus loads booked on a private Petra tour. 32 passengers. Hopefully the ship waits for us all. But the operator knows the drill. This will be my second Viking Cruise and on each occasion the excursions I would have booked were sold out before my window opened. So I understand the angst of others, and the worry that the ship will sail without them if they can't get back in time through no fault of their own.

The port times are located on the booking invoice. Of course are subject to change.

Love all the dolphin shots too. We will be there in a month on Mars. Even hotter I guess

One of the things our UK family had to grapple with is the way that (majority of) Aussie drivers make way for any type of emergency vehicle. They don't do that.

What UK and Aussies and some US people have to do. Wait until you test positive and hopefully ship has stock and will prescribe if you meet criteria.

Yes that was my thought too. Asthma attacks caused only by contact with animals is a disability in itself. And potentially more dangerous. And caused by someone else's actions. It's a minefield. The "very real fear" - well, I'm less convinced by that concern. Thank goodness only true service dogs are allowed to fly on planes throughout Australia. These are usually guide dogs.

Malta is fabulous. A real surprise port for us a couple of years ago.

I caught Covid either on a plane or in a hotel. Not a cruise in sight.