Viking Iconic Western Mediterranean Sep-Nov 2021

[formernuke]

2 hours ago, tdl60 said:

We also just returned from the Western Med cruise on October 12.  We did the included shore excursion to Monte Carlo.  The bus took us from Villefranche sur mer to Monaco.  The bus ride was very enjoyable because you see a lot of the beautiful coastline along the way.  We did have some free time to wander around on our own.  It was not very long though.  I think it was only about 45 minutes.  On another interesting note when we were leaving the parking lot on our bus the tour guide pointed to a number of buses sitting there.  She told us they were still waiting for over an hour for the police to come on the buses to check their documents.  The tour guide said it was a good thing that we were on a Viking excursion because the Monaco officials know that Viking has already taken care of the entry requirements.  No police checked our bus.  The driver also took a different road back to Villefranche sur mer so that we got to see another perspective of the coastline on the way back.

Same thing happened to us today in Monaco. Stuck on the bus in the garage for an hour waiting for police to show to check our documents 

[Mrs Miggins]

Presumably you could have got on the local bus to Monaco ?

[tdl60]

Formernuc. Did you take the Viking included tour to Monte Carlo?

[tdl60]

3 hours ago, Sleep7 said:

Hi tdl60!

Thanks for your incredibly helpful post about the free time on the included Monte Carlo tour.

One more question.. for the 45 minutes of free time did they drop you off near the Casino or was the free time near the palace up on the hill?

Also.. if we decided to forgo the tour and just do our own thing where did the bus pick you up to take you back to the ship?

I'm a shopper and have my sights set on something that I want to buy during our Monaco visit.  I thought originally that the ship would dock in Monaco which would make it very easy but now I have to do a little more planning.

Thanks for your help!

We were left at the palace up on the hill.  The bus picked us up in a parking garage beside the aquarium. 

[Sleep7]

10 minutes ago, tdl60 said:

We were left at the palace up on the hill.  The bus picked us up in a parking garage beside the aquarium. 

Thank you so much! So helpful!

[formernuke]

2 hours ago, tdl60 said:

Formernuc. Did you take the Viking included tour to Monte Carlo?

 

2 hours ago, tdl60 said:

Formernuc. Did you take the Viking included tour to Monte Carlo?

No we took the optional Nice,Eze and Monte Carlo tour

[Sleep7]

Oh! Hello formernuke.. did you have time in Monaco at the end of the tour to walk around the casino area?

[Mrs Miggins]

Presumably you could wander on your own if you take the included tour and then return on your own.  Have been lucky enough to visit Monaco many times - in fact we usually get the bus to Villefranche as it is a lovely place in the summer.    On our last Viking to Monaco the fabulous Christmas market was still in full swing at the beginning of January.

I did start the included walking tour when we were actually docked in Monaco but it only included the Palace side of the harbour so took off on my own to the Casino side.  Of course I could then walk back to the ship - this time you would have to take the bus (no 100) or train back to Villefranche sur Mer.

[bbtondo]

14 hours ago, formernuke said:

 

No we took the optional Nice,Eze and Monte Carlo tour

We're taking the nice Eze monte carlo excursion beginning of November.  How was your experience?

[Sleep7]

Thanks Mrs Miggins for the bus info.

It would be the most flexible option to just get back to the ship on our own by bus or train in the afternoon but I'm not sure I feel so comfortable (due to COVID) being on public transport yet.

I guess we shall just see what the day holds for us.

I posed the question by email to Viking and a very nice rep called me back.

She said everything changes from day to day and week to week.. so I guess we just shall see what will be when we get on board.

I loved that docking position in Monaco just across the harbor.. it made everything there just at your front door.😃

 

[formernuke]

6 hours ago, bbtondo said:

We're taking the nice Eze monte carlo excursion beginning of November.  How was your experience?

This was a good experience, well worth the time and money. We had a short amount of time at each location to wander a bit and shop for a snack or souvenir.  Long day but great sights

 

[CCWineLover]

5 minutes ago, formernuke said:

This was a good experience, well worth the time and money. We had a short amount of time at each location to wander a bit and shop for a snack or souvenir.  Long day but great sights

 

Great news.  We are taking this cruise Nov 22.  And have booked this excursion.  Did you see much of Monte Carlo?   Were the buses packed or was there some social distancing and mask wearing?  Did Viking and/or bus driver enforce masks (hopefully) ?

[formernuke]

11 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

Great news.  We are taking this cruise Nov 22.  And have booked this excursion.  Did you see much of Monte Carlo?   Were the buses packed or was there some social distancing and mask wearing?  Did Viking and/or bus driver enforce masks (hopefully) ?

Saw a fair amount of Monte Carlo without going into many places. Buses were distanced (basically about half capacity with forced distancing). Mask use generally good, no real enforcement