Live From Viking Sky: Tunisia and other shore excursions

Thank you for posting this. The security in Tunisia was comforting, but possibly a bit disconcerting to those not used to such situations. I remember being at the pyramids in Egypt many years ago and seeing the police with automatic weapons while patrolling on camels. A juxtaposition that was a bit unnerving, but also a bit comforting.

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Chris, thank you for posting the link to Colleen's article about Tunisia. It was very interesting to read and helps set our mind at rest. I hope she will do a similar article for Algers.

I wish she would have told us more about the tour she took and fleshed out the description of the tour with a bit more first hand knowledge. Tell us more about the visit to Carthage. Was it more than just a photo stop? Was the stop in Sidi Bou Said more than just a pit stop and what did you do there exactly? What else did you do besides shop? There are a lot of folks reading the article's description of the tour who are going to roll their eye balls and decide that it just a glorified shopping trip--and that is not the kind of tour they are looking for.

Can someone explain what the four, tall, dark posts are on either side of the aft infinity pool.?They appear in only some of the various Viking Ocean photos?

Chris, thank you for posting the link to Colleen's article about Tunisia. It was very interesting to read and helps set our mind at rest. I hope she will do a similar article for Algers.

 

I wish she would have told us more about the tour she took and fleshed out the description of the tour with a bit more first hand knowledge. Tell us more about the visit to Carthage. Was it more than just a photo stop? Was the stop in Sidi Bou Said more than just a pit stop and what did you do there exactly? What else did you do besides shop? There are a lot of folks reading the article's description of the tour who are going to roll their eye balls and decide that it just a glorified shopping trip--and that is not the kind of tour they are looking for.

We did the optional paid tour "Ancient Carthage and the Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said ($49)."

The first stop in Carthage was the ancient harbor. It takes a bit of imagination to visualize the harbor and hundreds of military ships in the port. The harbor area has been covered up by housing, so don't expect lots of ruins at this stop. The second stop was the ancient Roman baths. This was more in line with what you expect seeing an architectural site, and it was very interesting to tour to see the different materials used, the water supply and drainage systems and the overall size of the baths. The third stop was a hilltop museum area overlooking Carthage that offers great views of the city. A cathedral has been built over most of the ancient area. There was not time to go into this cathedral (you have to pay to go in). The fourth stop was the ruins of the ancient Roman amphitheater. Nothing remains of the seats, but it was fun to explore the area under where the amphitheater floor was.

The last stop was Sidi Bou Said, which is a beautiful and definitely hilly town. We did a walking tour through the town and were shown many of the interest details of the town. There was 1/2 hour allocated at the end for shopping. You could either go into one of the many stores near the end of the tour or bargain with the street vendors at their stalls next to where the bus was parked. Negotiating for the lowest price was definitely part of the experience.

Overall we felt you couldn't go wrong with this tour for the $49 cost. Carthage is not like Pompeii, but if you looked closely you could find ancient architectural treasures. Sidi Bou Said is very much catering to tourists, but did not feel like it was overpriced. The people were very friendly in both areas.

Can someone explain what the four, tall, dark posts are on either side of the aft infinity pool.?They appear in only some of the various Viking Ocean photos?

I always assumed that they were propane heaters but now that I'm looking at them from the top down, I wonder if they aren't part of the ships systems in disguise --lights or navigation or the like.

We did the optional paid tour "Ancient Carthage and the Moorish village of Sidi Bou Said ($49)."

 

 

The first stop in Carthage was the ancient harbor. It takes a bit of imagination to visualize the harbor and hundreds of military ships in the port. The harbor area has been covered up by housing, so don't expect lots of ruins at this stop. The second stop was the ancient Roman baths..

(y)

Deirdre, thank you for all the details! It just confirms my decision to sign up for the all day tour that includes Carthage and the Bardo--and gives me a good idea of what to expect at Carthage, so I don't over-sell myself on what to expect.

(y)

 

Deirdre, thank you for all the details! It just confirms my decision to sign up for the all day tour that includes Carthage and the Bardo--and gives me a good idea of what to expect at Carthage, so I don't over-sell myself on what to expect.

You will do very well for yourself on that tour. It's a bargain for the price. We liked our half day tour very much because our guide made history come alive for us. When we were at the harbor of Carthage, for example, you needed a lot of imagination--or a good guide--to capture the essence of what it was all like back in the day. Honestly, the fabled harbor looks more like a pond! Like the kind you see in pricey Florida condo complexes with the obligatory spurting fountain the middle. It absolutely doesn't look like a body of water that tempted the fates of nations. It was our guide who wove the story and made us understand why this body of water was so important.

The village we went to, Sidi Bou Said, reminded us of a landlocked Santorini with its white buildings and blue doors and shutters. It's just a village, although attractive. There's plenty of opportunity to buy leather goods and pottery or just sit at a cafe and drink tea. The people were welcoming and friendly.

About the police presence: yes, we did have escorts, but no, it did not feel the least bit obtrusive. I hardly noticed them, or maybe it's just that I'm used to that kind of thing when I go to Europe, thinking back in particular to our Rhine river cruise this past and police squads were in the squares by the cathedral in Strasbourg.

I always assumed that they were propane heaters but now that I'm looking at them from the top down, I wonder if they aren't part of the ships systems in disguise --lights or navigation or the like.

Peregrina, I too assumed they were/are outdoor space heaters. I based that on my vague recollection of a group of us sitting out on the Aquavit Terrace for a long, late relaxed dinner on the Viking Star (where we closed down the World Cafe). We sat next to one of the ornate columns that was providing some heat as the evening got cooler. However, they may serve a dual purpose as clearly on the ship 360 degree view of the Aquavit Terrace from Deck 8, the two columns that are closest to the Infinity Pool have some kind of spot lights. I believe they are focused on the Norwegian flag on the staff located on the top of the Deck 8 superstructure. Just a thought and I could be wrong.

(where we closed down the World Cafe).

Well, it's a dirty job, but someone has to do it. :D

Just a thought and I could be wrong.

Maybe someone currently on board or recently returned will check it out and report back to Larry about it.

You will do very well for yourself on that tour. It's a bargain for the price. We liked our half day tour very much because our guide made history come alive for us. When we were at the harbor of Carthage, for example, you needed a lot of imagination--or a good guide--to capture the essence of what it was all like back in the day. Honestly, the fabled harbor looks more like a pond! Like the kind you see in pricey Florida condo complexes with the obligatory spurting fountain the middle. It absolutely doesn't look like a body of water that tempted the fates of nations. It was our guide who wove the story and made us understand why this body of water was so important.

 

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Then I hope we get your guide because it sounds like he did a wonderful job making the ancient history come alive.

Chris, thank you for posting the link to Colleen's article about Tunisia. It was very interesting to read and helps set our mind at rest. I hope she will do a similar article for Algers.

 

I wish she would have told us more about the tour she took and fleshed out the description of the tour with a bit more first hand knowledge. Tell us more about the visit to Carthage. Was it more than just a photo stop? Was the stop in Sidi Bou Said more than just a pit stop and what did you do there exactly? What else did you do besides shop? There are a lot of folks reading the article's description of the tour who are going to roll their eye balls and decide that it just a glorified shopping trip--and that is not the kind of tour they are looking for.

Not meaning to hijack this discussion, but am I to understand from your comment that Viking has stops in Algiers? That's exciting -- will have to go and look for itineraries. If anyone knows offhand which ones, please post. Algiers is a place I've been wanting to visit for a while; I assumed it was still 'off the table' for now.

As for Tunisia, I'm happy to see at least some lines are going back. I've been there on several cruises and also a two week land trip specifically to visit the (amazing) Roman ruins.

For anyone interested in Carthage, do take the time to walk down among the ruins that you see on that clifftop overlook. Guides won't point it out to you, but you can do it. Those ruins are the actual remains of the Carthage that was destroyed 'once and for all' by the Romans in 146 BC. For all that Rome claimed that the city was completely destroyed (and sown with salt), it wasn't -- and the Romans later just built on top of the Carthaginian ruins (which is obvious at the site today).

Cruisemom42,

Not hijacking the thread at all. Good to see your post.

Here is the link to one of the sailings that stop in Algiers.

http://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/western-mediterranean/southern-mediterranean-discovery/pricing.html

I would love to do this intinerary too, but already booked a Viking cruise in early 2018.

Not meaning to hijack this discussion, but am I to understand from your comment that Viking has stops in Algiers? That's exciting -- will have to go and look for itineraries. If anyone knows offhand which ones, please post. Algiers is a place I've been wanting to visit for a while; I assumed it was still 'off the table' for now.

 

We are doing Southern Med Discovery in January, 2018. I see on my invoice that we are scheduled to be in Algiers from 10:30am-6:00pm. I wish it were longer.

PS. Cruisemom42, are you by some chance a Latin teacher? I'm guessing from your avatar and sig file art. Seem to remember some of them from way back when I took Latin.

Thanks for the information on Algiers. Looks like an interesting itinerary with a lot packed into a week. I'll definitely consider it.

Peregrina, I'm not a Latin teacher, just a Roman history enthusiast. :)

Thanks for the information on Algiers. Looks like an interesting itinerary with a lot packed into a week. I'll definitely consider it.

 

Peregrina, I'm not a Latin teacher, just a Roman history enthusiast. :)

Keep an eye out nine months from now; I'm hoping to do a somewhat live thread in December-January.

This past December-January, when our cruise got cut short in Barcelona, we took a day trip to Tarragona, Spain, which was at one time a Roman outpost. It was fascinating to see the city built right on top of those ruins. Worth adding on a few days in Barcelona just to get to Tarragona.

They are light posts. Attractive, but not anything mysterious.

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Keep an eye out nine months from now; I'm hoping to do a somewhat live thread in December-January.

 

This past December-January, when our cruise got cut short in Barcelona, we took a day trip to Tarragona, Spain, which was at one time a Roman outpost. It was fascinating to see the city built right on top of those ruins. Worth adding on a few days in Barcelona just to get to Tarragona.

 

 

 

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I look forward to your reports.

I'm actually headed to Portugal and Spain with a friend in September to visit Roman sites. We plan to end in Barcelona and will spend a full day in Tarragona. :)

I look forward to your reports.

 

I'm actually headed to Portugal and Spain with a friend in September to visit Roman sites. We plan to end in Barcelona and will spend a full day in Tarragona. :)

If you are interested, I finally finished culling the pictures we took in Dec/Jan, including Tarragona. Don't forget the old aqueduct that is outside of town: it is almost as compelling as the one in Segovia and worth the effort to visit (and for more than just a quick stop as part of a tour, as was our view of it).