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Thanks everyone.  Back to the drawing board!

Has anyone had trouble with Lufthansa in carryon luggage?  Mine has been on flights all over but it is wider than their 9".  Also, it might weigh in over their 20 lb limit. We're flying United, Lufthansa (overseas) and Swiss. Thanks.

We didn't do the balloon ride but this extension was a highlight of our trip  You will absolutely love it. The hotel is fascinating but a lot of walking up and down hills and steps. And crawling through the tunnel on one of the tours is definitely not for the non-mobile or overweight people. A few had their struggles.  But again, it is the most fascinating and unusual place in the world. 

Thanks. That makes it so much easier!  

We are spending extra time in Venice on our own with another couple at the end of our Sept cruise. Looking for best way to get from Fusina port to hotel (near Ferrovia stop on canal). Ferry 16/5.2 takes about an hour at 16E or taxi at maybe less and definitely less time. We think the ferry would be fun and sightseeing but taxi could be half the time. Has anyone done either? 

We scheduled an am optional tour and a different one in the afternoon. Then Viking changed both to afternoon to we’re currently twice booked. One is Mt Filerimos and Grand Masters while other is going to a private home. I want the first and my hubby the second because we have friends who wanted that.  Has anyone done either or? 

We have a private guide lined up for our full day in Istanbul in May as we wanted to see much more than the included tours. Does anyone know where would be a logical meeting place within that port building? 

We're hopefully doing Ancient Mediterranean Treasures this April, 2022.  From past trips, does anyone have approximations of the cost of some of the side excursions to Greece and Turkey?  We have voucher money we need to use and just wanted to use it the best way.  Usually we take included as long as they aren't panoramic but prefer wandering on our own. Hoping life will be better by then. 

We're going April 29-May 10 Athens to Istanbul. I agree if ports are changed, I'd rather cancel. 

We have quite a bit of $ to use up and want thoughts about some of one’s favorite optional tours to take (or not take). We’re planning on Acropolis and Plaka walking tour and already have a private guide set up for Istanbul. Hoping the unrest settles down. One more cancellation and I’ll believe the Lord is telling me something!!

Thanks.  Hadn’t thought about listing ports. I may just do search and see what happens else I guess I’ll start another topic with my listings. Appreciate your suggestions. 

Looking for suggestions for best optional tours. We have $ to use up. 

2 hours ago, BarbRN said:

Totally by the  book. No consideration that the situation has changed in that country and that their scary quarantine practices have changed.  Don’t care we are celebrating a big anniversary s d have trepidation instead of joy being forced to go or lose it all.  

Are you on the 8/17 cruise?  We and another couple are. I like someone’s idea of sitting on balcony with silver spirits if nothing else. 

We have the PCR rapid test scheduled for this Sat for next weeks trip. If it comes back false positive, then we’ll scurry down the street to Total Access and get the other. We don’t fly out til 5:30 pm Monday so should have adequate turn around time. And as it was said, we’ll just be in a beautiful new bubble. Just disappointed by not going ashore on own, but c’est la vie. Although I still keep expecting Viking to cancel. Hope not. 

I know one can’t take outside tours, but are you being allowed to wander on your own? It’s unclear from some posts but those might have been in the transition phase of going back to bubble. Viking did tell me much earlier we can wander Reykjavik prior to checking in. But the some of the other towns where we are only taking the included leave a lot of the day open. Just curious, we’ll follow the rules without a problem, hot toddy in hand!

Packing for 8/17 sailing. On the coldest day, did anyone really need fleece top under  rain jacket?  Layers are good I know, just trying to lighten the carryon. Maybe the light thermal undies would suffice?

Has anyone wandered and hiked on their own in Isafjordur? We just need some “free” time. I believe there is a visitor’s bureau for what it’s worth but also a hike above the airport. 

I bought the Froggtog pants and they are going back. Not worrying about styling but fabric seemed awful and noisy. Someone posted a pair from Amazon by Little Donkey Andy that don’t look as bad but, of course, cost twice as much. But - would rather be dry than wet in case our weather changes from the delightful weather it sounds like all are experiencing now. We go Aug 17. Any other suggestions? Hoping to find something more compact than my golf pants. Thanks. 

From some replies, it appears that Viking is letting people wander on their own or take private excursions. Is this true?  We’re going 8/17. I’ve put in the question to our TA to check with Viking. 

On 6/21/2021 at 4:41 PM, Wander58 said:

We are on the August 17 Iceland cruise.  We are very interested in your experiences and advice as the first Iceland cruise gets underway.  This will be our first Viking Ocean cruise, but we have been on 6 Viking River trips.

 

Right not, one big plus for us is that Iceland is not going to require any testing on entry after July 1.  We are wishing you all the best and hope everything goes smoothly. 

We’re on this Aug 17 cruise too. Can’t wait to “ get out of town”!

Does anyone have recommendations on doing your own transfer from the airport to the cruise port and back on your own?  I'm wondering if we use Viking's transfer, if we have a 11:40 return flight, if they make us go earlier when the 10:30 flight occurs. Thanks. 

We have just switched dates for this cruise from April to August.  We think it'll be safe by then, hopefully. Anyone else switching?

Thanks. As it isn’t a port but a pre-trip, it’s hard to find anything on CC. I’ve checked the other sites and have a few names  I was just hoping a Viking person had done it. Not a problem.  And anything!! We book, is without $$. We had to rearrange our sept cruise to 2022 as we had two for 2021 plus wintering in FL. Viking was great in refunding. Had to fight United though. 

We have a group of 8 that want to have a private or small group (12) ride. We don’t plan on going through Viking. Has anyone used a company they would recommend as well as not recommend? Fingers are crossed that we’ll still be going in April. 

Ours, come this October, will also be 380 euro for four to the St Emilion area:

09:00 AM: Departure from your hotel
10:00 AM: Visit and wine tasting at château Beau-Sejour Becot in the St-Emilion Grand Cru's vineyard (25 Euros/pers) 
11:30 AM: Visit and wine tasting at château du Tailhas in the Pomerol's vineyard (10 Euros/pers)
01:00 PM:  Lunch at Chai Pascal wine bar restaurant in St-Emilion medieval town
03:30 PM: Visit and wine tasting at château La Croizille in the St-Emilion Grand Cru's vineyard (12 Euros/pers)
05:00 PM: Wine tasting at ETS Martin wine shop in St-Emilion medieval town (20 Euros/pers or free if you buy for 80 Euros of wine at least)
06:00 PM: Drop off at Hotel