zitsky Posted March 14, 2018 #1 Share Posted March 14, 2018 (edited) I haven't even done my 2018 NCL South America cruise yet but I'm already thinking ahead to 2019. I'm getting quotes from my TA and Viking for this cruise, going Venice to Barcelona. My husband and I have been to Monaco and Florence/Pisa but all other cities would be new to us. I can/have searched here and this cruise seems to get positive reviews. I'm comparing prices between flying over in coach versus business class. Since it's only a 5 or 6 hour flight I think we might save our money by flying in coach. Maybe we spent some of the money we save on a pre- or post- hotel stay. How is the weather in the Mediterranean at the end of September? Comfortable? Edit: It looks like the cruise stays overnight in both Venice and Barcelona, so adding a hotel isn't necessary to have time to see the city? Edited March 14, 2018 by zitsky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dauntless Posted March 14, 2018 #2 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I'm doing this cruise next month and have added extra mights at both ends of the cruise since I have never been to this area. Your itinerary is the exact opposite of ours but I will say that though ours lists two days in Venice, we don't arrive until noon on day one and off the ship early on day two with disembarkation. Since you have cruised before, you probably know this but it doesn't hurt to state it again. Sent from my HP 7 Plus using Forums mobile app Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted March 14, 2018 Author #3 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I'm doing this cruise next month and have added extra mights at both ends of the cruise since I have never been to this area. Your itinerary is the exact opposite of ours but I will say that though ours lists two days in Venice, we don't arrive until noon on day one and off the ship early on day two with disembarkation. Since you have cruised before, you probably know this but it doesn't hurt to state it again. Sent from my HP 7 Plus using Forums mobile app Thanks, you answered my question about whether I need a hotel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Host Jazzbeau Posted March 14, 2018 #4 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I would also fly in one day early even for an overnight, just in case your flight gets cancelled. As an alternative to Business vs. Coach flights, we generally take Coach+ [whatever your airline calls it] or Premium Economy to get the essential amenities without paying the full Business fare. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted March 14, 2018 Author #5 Share Posted March 14, 2018 I would also fly in one day early even for an overnight, just in case your flight gets cancelled. As an alternative to Business vs. Coach flights, we generally take Coach+ [whatever your airline calls it] or Premium Economy to get the essential amenities without paying the full Business fare. Good advice, thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Krisval Posted March 15, 2018 #6 Share Posted March 15, 2018 We are on the same cruise as Dauntless and will be in Barcelona a day before the boarding day. We like to go in early to take a slight edge off the time change and, as Dauntless said, just in case there are airline "issues". We've been to Barcelona before, but there ar a few places worth seeing again. We are staying on in Italy at the end of the cruise, probably one night in Venice and then to Milan for a couple of days to see the Lake District and the art in Milan. We tend to think that once we've gotten to Europe we might as well make the most of the opportunity. We usually do economy comfort, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Vineyard View Posted March 15, 2018 #7 Share Posted March 15, 2018 We always go in early and then stay afterwards. We have been to Barcelona several times, staying multiple nights. It is a beautiful city -so much to see and do. Then Italy....we will never get enough of Italy. If you can add on time at either or both ends of your journey, then I would highly recommend that you do! Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted March 16, 2018 Author #8 Share Posted March 16, 2018 (edited) Is the hotel option only for 2 extra days or can you do 1 day? The one's I've done have always been two days. It's not a big difference, I just think I'll want more time in Barcelona and less time in Venice. But I could be wrong about that! Anyone know when the ship leaves Venice on the second day? Edited March 16, 2018 by zitsky Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CelticMutt Posted March 19, 2018 #9 Share Posted March 19, 2018 We extended both in Barcelona and in Venice. Both were well worthwhile since both cities have so much to offer and the Venice stay is limited (not really two days at all). Having said that, our Barcelona start was screwed up by the fact that the port was overbooked and Viking had to travel to Tarragona for the cruise pick up. They did transport us from Barcelona to Tarragona and we did get to see the other city, but it was a bit of a hassle making the hour and a half transfer. I doubt very much if the same situation would happen again, though, but the extra stay in Barcelona ptoved beneficial since the cruise itself didn't really have the first day there. Fantastic trip; you will love it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted March 19, 2018 Author #10 Share Posted March 19, 2018 The price for Med Odyssey is about twice what I'm paying for a South America cruise with NCL. That's even when I factor in airfare etc. I'm paying a king's ransom for two people with everything except trip insurance and optional activities. But I am happy to do that because in my mind (not having done my NCL trip yet), Viking is a better experience overall than NCL. I have compared prices between Viking and my TA and they are similar. Have read a few of the stories about the Star and mechanical problems, illness on board etc. Don't get me wrong, I like Viking. It's just that I've never been on Viking Ocean. And many of these stories are several years old. I really like the itinerary and the chance to see so many cities in so many countries. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
molymoo Posted March 19, 2018 #11 Share Posted March 19, 2018 FWIW … We have done two cruises on the Star and had noissues with illness or mechanical problems. There are hand washing stations and hand sanitizer dispensers all overthe ship and passengers are strongly encouraged to use them … that and your owncommon sense are probably the best deterrents to potential “cruise shipillnesses”. Mechanical issues can arise but generally Ithink that Viking has been pretty responsive and proactive in their responses whenthey do occur. I am sure you will have a wonderful time … we love the factthat the cruises, while not “cheap” are pretty near “all-inclusive”. Except for tipping you could actually get on board and not spend one more cent … there areno additional charges for entertainment, alternate restaurants, 24 hr. roomservice, wine and beer at lunch and dinner, and there are included excursionsat every port. That said, there areample opportunities to run up a sizable “tab” … but that is optional and youcan have a great time without doing so. We generally do add a day or two ahead of our trips … welike to acclimate to the time zone and insure that delays, lost luggage, etc. don’tmess things up too much. We have hadoccasions where these have happened and luckily they have not caused too muchin the way of difficulty but we always travel with less stress when we build insome cushion in our time frame. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted March 22, 2018 Author #12 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Well I've done it! Put down a deposit on a Mediterranean Odyssey cruise in late September 2019. (9/28/19-10/10/19). :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Azulann Posted March 22, 2018 #13 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Well I've done it! Put down a deposit on a Mediterranean Odyssey cruise in late September 2019. (9/28/19-10/10/19). :) Congratulations! Sept 2019 will be here before you know it. I booked my Viking cruise 18 months in advance, and I finally will be on board next Tuesday. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunbrookgal Posted March 22, 2018 #14 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Weather that time of year is perfect. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted March 22, 2018 Author #15 Share Posted March 22, 2018 Congratulations! Sept 2019 will be here before you know it.I booked my Viking cruise 18 months in advance, and I finally will be on board next Tuesday. Where are you going? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Azulann Posted March 23, 2018 #16 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Where are you going? We are doing the Transatlantic: West Indies to Iberia( San Juan to Barcelona), March 27-April 10 on the Viking Sea. We are staying two nights pre cruise in San Juan and two nights post cruise in Barcelona.:hearteyes: The ship is sold out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stretchcruz Posted March 23, 2018 #17 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Zitsky, find a TA if you don't already have one. You can get OBC etc. Transfer your booking from Viking to the TA even if you are best friends with your Viking agent. We are talking at the very least $500. More depending on the length of your cruise. If your TA doesn't offer the OBC find a new one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zitsky Posted March 23, 2018 Author #18 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Zitsky, find a TA if you don't already have one. You can get OBC etc. Transfer your booking from Viking to the TA even if you are best friends with your Viking agent. We are talking at the very least $500. More depending on the length of your cruise. If your TA doesn't offer the OBC find a new one. Thanks I do have a TA. Got OBC and a little cheaper than the Viking quote. Same TA I have used for 4 trips now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philw1776 Posted March 23, 2018 #19 Share Posted March 23, 2018 Zitsky, find a TA if you don't already have one. You can get OBC etc. Transfer your booking from Viking to the TA even if you are best friends with your Viking agent. We are talking at the very least $500. More depending on the length of your cruise. If your TA doesn't offer the OBC find a new one. Good advice. Just changed TAs because of minimal $100 OBC per trip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
khurley20 Posted March 29, 2018 #20 Share Posted March 29, 2018 Congratulations! Sept 2019 will be here before you know it.I booked my Viking cruise 18 months in advance, and I finally will be on board next Tuesday. We did this same cruise two years ago and loved the experience. In fact, we are thinking about doing it again but going from Venice to Barcelona. IMHO.... Pompeii was disappointing. There were fences up all over, I assumed, to avoid looting. Not what Rick Steve's had in his visit. Sorrento was amazing but can get crazy crowded. Everyone wanted you to taste their limoncello and orangecello. Glad we had a extended drive back so I could nap.We were there in March so I canot tell you about the weather later in the year. March was cool but we saw only one day of rain (sea day). Enjoy the trip! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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