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Welcome Back Cruises 2021 - Malta & Adriatic Cruises and General Discussion

JM0115

By JM0115,
in Viking Ocean

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gma1

gma1

Posted
Posted
22 minutes ago, travelguy19 said:

I saw somewhere that they took people on a bus tour around Malta for a couple of hours before the airport. 

Can only speak of past cruises with Viking. Naturally we had to vacate our rooms & ship. In Buenos Aires 2019 Viking took us a tour & boat ride. and afterwards took us to a large comfortable convention room in a super nice hotel, with snack complimentary food.  Many of us had several hours to wait on flights as most flight didn't leave until evening. Some who had to wait even longer were given a complimentary hotel room.  Also bused us to airport. That was a 23 day cruise.

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CLBSC

CLBSC

Posted
Posted
12 hours ago, gma1 said:

Can only speak of past cruises with Viking. Naturally we had to vacate our rooms & ship. In Buenos Aires 2019 Viking took us a tour & boat ride. and afterwards took us to a large comfortable convention room in a super nice hotel, with snack complimentary food.  Many of us had several hours to wait on flights as most flight didn't leave until evening. Some who had to wait even longer were given a complimentary hotel room.  Also bused us to airport. That was a 23 day cruise.

Does anyone know what ship that is still in port this Saturday morning in Valetta?  I thought both the Sea and Venus would be sailing today. 

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CILCIANRQTS

CILCIANRQTS

Posted
Posted
13 hours ago, gma1 said:

Can only speak of past cruises with Viking. Naturally we had to vacate our rooms & ship. In Buenos Aires 2019 Viking took us a tour & boat ride. and afterwards took us to a large comfortable convention room in a super nice hotel, with snack complimentary food.  Many of us had several hours to wait on flights as most flight didn't leave until evening. Some who had to wait even longer were given a complimentary hotel room.  Also bused us to airport. That was a 23 day cruise.


We were on that TA trip!
Viking did a GREAT job of filling an “empty” travel day before night flights.

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gma1

gma1

Posted
Posted
27 minutes ago, CILCIANRQTS said:


We were on that TA trip!
Viking did a GREAT job of filling an “empty” travel day before night flights.

Yes it was a super awesome trip & Viking came through for us  like champs!!! It was the Southern Atlantic Crossing & we were on Viking Jupiter. Beautiful & calm seas the entire time.

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ammthm

ammthm

Posted
Posted

Hello from Malta - on the Venus☺!  Well, we made it!  Did get checked more thoroughly at Dulles.  Since we had a 5 HR layover we went to a United lounge.  Their concierge desk checked our passports and printed dPLF

 and then stamped our boarding passes with 'ok to board' or something similar.  When we got to the gate, anyone without that had to go to the desk to get okayed. Many had no idea and had to scan a QR code and fill in the form!  All I really remember about our change in Frankfurt was hot, crowded bus rides to/from planes/terminal.  Passport control went quickly and the only question was our destination.  We replied 'Malta' and the agent asked why - as if were completely insane!   More thorough checking in Malta, where signed copy of the printable form was collected.  Viking checkin was easy.  We were told there are 180 on board for the next 11 days.  Now we just have to get over the jet lag.

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FLORIDA FLOUNDER

FLORIDA FLOUNDER

Posted
Posted
38 minutes ago, ammthm said:

Hello from Malta - on the Venus☺!  Well, we made it!  Did get checked more thoroughly at Dulles.  Since we had a 5 HR layover we went to a United lounge.  Their concierge desk checked our passports and printed dPLF

 and then stamped our boarding passes with 'ok to board' or something similar.  When we got to the gate, anyone without that had to go to the desk to get okayed. Many had no idea and had to scan a QR code and fill in the form!  All I really remember about our change in Frankfurt was hot, crowded bus rides to/from planes/terminal.  Passport control went quickly and the only question was our destination.  We replied 'Malta' and the agent asked why - as if were completely insane!   More thorough checking in Malta, where signed copy of the printable form was collected.  Viking checkin was easy.  We were told there are 180 on board for the next 11 days.  Now we just have to get over the jet lag.

Thank you so much for the update!

180 passengers??? OMG!😱 That truly is like a private sailing.

Have fun! Be safe! 

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barney61

barney61

Posted
Posted
Just now, CLBSC said:

Great news and valuable information. We are on the 8/23rd cruise..if you get a chance can you ask how many passengers they expect on the next Malta cruise?

I am on 8/23rd as well and would be interested in the numbers.

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tony the magnificent

tony the magnificent

Posted
Posted (edited)
20 hours ago, travelguy19 said:

Printable Passenger Locator Form

N.B. As of Monday 16th August, ONLY THE DIGITAL PASSENGER LOCATOR FORM linked above will be accepted for travel to Malta. The printable Passenger Locator Form below will be INVALID.

 

20 hours ago, travelguy19 said:

Printable Passenger Locator Form

N.B. As of Monday 16th August, ONLY THE DIGITAL PASSENGER LOCATOR FORM linked above will be accepted for travel to Malta. The printable Passenger Locator Form below will be INVALID.

Please crosspost to the Aug 20 and 30 forums with the source.

 

I also see that Malta updated their webpage stating that the CDC card would only be accepted if digitally verified thru the VeriFly app.

Edited by tony the magnificent
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tony the magnificent

tony the magnificent

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, ammthm said:

Hello from Malta - on the Venus☺!  Well, we made it!  Did get checked more thoroughly at Dulles.  Since we had a 5 HR layover we went to a United lounge.  Their concierge desk checked our passports and printed dPLF

 and then stamped our boarding passes with 'ok to board' or something similar.  When we got to the gate, anyone without that had to go to the desk to get okayed. Many had no idea and had to scan a QR code and fill in the form!  All I really remember about our change in Frankfurt was hot, crowded bus rides to/from planes/terminal.  Passport control went quickly and the only question was our destination.  We replied 'Malta' and the agent asked why - as if were completely insane!   More thorough checking in Malta, where signed copy of the printable form was collected.  Viking checkin was easy.  We were told there are 180 on board for the next 11 days.  Now we just have to get over the jet lag.

Does everybody get to use the Dulles United Lounge? or were you business class?

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tony the magnificent

tony the magnificent

Posted
Posted (edited)
4 hours ago, CLBSC said:

Just tracked the Viking ships through this site..it is the Venus  https://www.cruisemapper.com/ships/Viking-Venus-1967

should sail at 4pm EST today Aug 14.  Watch live at

https://worldcam.eu/webcams/europe/malta/11221-valletta-valletta-waterfront

 

Edited by tony the magnificent
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Azulann "Live from...." Rare

Azulann

Posted
Posted
6 minutes ago, CLBSC said:

Any speculation as to why Vikings air fares for the rest of the August-October Valetta to Valetta Cruises would jump to $4798 PP?

One promotion that I  booked under ends on August 16. It included free air.

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CLBSC

CLBSC

Posted
Posted
11 minutes ago, tony the magnificent said:

Fall "shoulder" season and competition for seats.

 

12 minutes ago, tony the magnificent said:

Fall "shoulder" season and competition for seats.

Well, that makes me feel a little  better, I was worried that maybe Viking would cancel these cruises due to these extremely low numbers....

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ammthm

ammthm

Posted
Posted

We splurged for business for the flights over - not on the way home😒.  I'm sure you can buy day passes and their high mileage customers probably get in.  Just wanted to give a heads up that checking at the gate as soon as possible will save you from a long line just before boarding. 

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Tiki-Is-Texas

Tiki-Is-Texas

Posted
Posted
42 minutes ago, CLBSC said:

Any speculation as to why Vikings air fares for the rest of the August-October Valetta to Valetta Cruises would jump to $4798 PP?

That was approximately the price we were quoted for Business class upgrade, Economy Plus was about $2398pp extra for the flights on the LH charter and the connectors BUT that was in July so...  YMMV.

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rizello

rizello

Posted
Posted
6 hours ago, ammthm said:

Hello from Malta - on the Venus☺!  Well, we made it!  Did get checked more thoroughly at Dulles.  Since we had a 5 HR layover we went to a United lounge.  Their concierge desk checked our passports and printed dPLF

 and then stamped our boarding passes with 'ok to board' or something similar.  When we got to the gate, anyone without that had to go to the desk to get okayed. Many had no idea and had to scan a QR code and fill in the form!  All I really remember about our change in Frankfurt was hot, crowded bus rides to/from planes/terminal.  Passport control went quickly and the only question was our destination.  We replied 'Malta' and the agent asked why - as if were completely insane!   More thorough checking in Malta, where signed copy of the printable form was collected.  Viking checkin was easy.  We were told there are 180 on board for the next 11 days.  Now we just have to get over the jet lag.

We are also here on the cruise. Went on a wonderful tour today of the old capitals, then practically had Chef’s Table to ourselves.  What is it like with 900 passengers?  I can tell the crew really misses having a full ship.  Tonight we set sail for a day at sea and then Greece.  

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ammthm

ammthm

Posted
Posted
20 hours ago, CLBSC said:

Great news and valuable information. We are on the 8/23rd cruise..if you get a chance can you ask how many passengers they expect on the next Malta cruise?

Was told this AM by an employee that 400 are expected on the 8/23 sailing.  We're staying on for that one.  Maybe we can meet in the Explorers' lounge for a drink. Barney61, too.

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