OneSixtyToOne

Interesting that this cruise is cancelled but the new promo of the 2025 World Cruise is still showing a Red Sea transit.

Given the difference in what people have reported, I wonder if there is financial incentive (bonus) for managers to cut costs and each have implemented it slightly differently.

BTW if you’re looking for a place to eat lunch while in San Marcos plaza, walk under the astronomical clock and take a right. That area is the restaurant row of the district.

IMO unless you’re drinking liquor, SSP isn’t worth the cost. The package doesn’t off anything exclusive. All the wines are available to everyone, it’s just a different way of paying and offers discounts on full bottles.

We did the Kiel passage in 2019 and thoroughly enjoyed it. The “Trade Routes” cruise is identical except it includes Bergen instead of Kiel and Copenhagen. I believe it is no longer offered because it was a repositioning cruise that eventually went between Copenhagen and St. Petersburg for the summer. That obviously is no longer an option. The new “Homelands” cruise is based out of Bergen instead of Copenhagen. Here are some photos of the Kiel transit. Notice the people on land waving Norwegian flags. We were also on the Viking Copenhagen extension. Our room overlooked Tivoli Gardens:

The Octantis cake buffet was tremendous

MARCH SPECIAL SAVINGS Ask for offer MT24 • Expires March 31, 2024 Savor the flavors of Europe Indulge in Belgian chocolates as you explore Antwerp. Savor locally cured meats and cheeses in Paris. Or enjoy fresh-from-the-oven bread at one of the last traditional bakeries in Portugal’s Douro Valley. Our included and optional excursions are designed to immerse you in the culture and flavors of your destination while introducing you to some of Europe’s most beloved culinary traditions. Reserve your stateroom on board one of our award-winning Viking Longships before March 31 to enjoy special fares and roundtrip international airfare for just $499. LEARN MORE FEATURED RIVER VOYAGES Paris & the Heart of Normandy Paris to Paris $25 Deposit & $499 International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select Jul & Aug 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: MT24 8 DAYS 7 TOURS $2,999* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Portugal’s River of Gold Lisbon to Porto $25 Deposit & $499 International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select Jul & Aug 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: MT24 10 DAYS 8 TOURS $3,999* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Châteaux, Rivers & Wine Bordeaux to Bordeaux $25 Deposit & $499 International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select Jul & Aug 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: MT24 8 DAYS 6 TOURS $2,599* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Holland & Belgium Amsterdam to Antwerp $25 Deposit & $499 International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select Jul & Aug 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: MT24 10 DAYS 8 TOURS $3,199* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD FEATURED ON VIKING‌.‌TV Karine Explores: Bordeaux Uncork your curiosity and learn the basics of wine appreciation with renowned expert Susie Barrie, who shares opening and pouring techniques. WATCH NOW ON VIKING‌.‌TV Offer MT24: Offer valid on bookings made from Mar 21 to Mar 31, 2024. Cruise from $2,999 per person based on select Jul-Aug 2024 departures of Paris & the Heart of Normandy in category F; cruise from $3,999 per person based on select Jul-Aug 2024 departures of Portugal's River of Gold in category F; cruise from $2,599 per person based on select Jul-Aug 2024 departures of Chateaux, Rivers & Wine in category F; cruise from $3,199 per person based on select Jul-Aug 2024 departures of Holland & Belgium in category F; subject to availability, other categories may be higher. A limited-time $25 per person deposit is due at time of booking; remaining deposit is due with final payment. Call for details. Prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Air does not have to be purchased to get cruise/tour offer. All fares reflect cruise taxes, port taxes and fees. Book by Mar 31, 2024. Pay in full by Apr 30, 2024 or at time of booking if within 120 days. Offer expires Mar 31, 2024. Air Promo: $499 international airfare based on select Jun-Aug 2024 departures of Paris & the Heart of Normandy; Portugal's River of Gold; Chateaux, Rivers & Wine; select Apr-May 2024 departures of Holland & Belgium. Call for details. Air prices are per person based on cruise or cruise tour check-in date and include transfers. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change until full payment of air is received. Airfares vary on other gateways and departures. Air offers not valid on Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan and Mexico City; call for details. Ask for Offer MT24. Offer may be withdrawn at any time without prior notice. Offer expires Mar 31, 2024.

VIKING WORLD CRUISE SALE Ask for offer WWC24 • Expires April 30, 2024 Discover the world in Viking comfort Explore more of the world with us on an extraordinary 138-day or 121-day ocean voyage. Embark on your Viking World Cruise in Ft. Lauderdale and transit the legendary Panama Canal. Or, if it is more convenient, join us in Los Angeles on our Viking World Journeysvoyage. Both itineraries take you across the Pacific and feature overnight stays in 11 fascinating destinations, including Sydney and Bali. On your way to London, you will visit historic ports like Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam and Ephesus, one of antiquity’s best-preserved cities, in Turkey. Whichever option you choose, enriching cultural experiences await in dozens of the world’s most iconic destinations—reserve your preferred stateroom today. LEARN MORE 138 Days | 28 Countries | 6 Continents 2024–2025 Viking World Cruise Ft. Lauderdale to London December 19, 2024 Departure On board the Viking Sky LEARN MORE 121 Days | 23 Countries | 5 Continents 2025 Viking World Journeys Los Angeles to London January 5, 2025 Departure On board the Viking Sky LEARN MORE I seriously doubt the Red Sea will be safe to transit for years to come.

We found Europe to be highly cashless, more so than the U.S. When we were on the Mediterranean Odyssey last year, we withdrew 500€ from an ATM and had trouble using it all. Many places took no cash. Almost all our cash transactions were tips. Our tipping is typically 2-5€ for the bus driver and 10-20€ for the tour guide, depending on the quality of the tour. At the end of our cruise, we also tip generously our cabin stewards and any other staff that have given exceptional service. They usually benefit from any excess cash.

On the Expedition ships they have a station that always has gluten free pasta and pizza. All fresh made daily.

When we toured a palace in Germany, they had secret doors and passageways behind the walls for the servant to move about and tend to the ornate stoves that heat the rooms. It’s where the expression “the walls have ears” originated.

Florence is one of those places where busses are not allowed in the old town and parking is very limited. The driver will attempt to drop you as close as possible to the rendezvous spot as parking is at a premium. Parking for buses is on a first come first serve basis so it’s not something that can be guaranteed. We had a five minute walk on arrival but a 15 minute walk at departure. That should have been clearly communicated to you.

One that might work is MT24. I tried looking at France’s Finest but it can no longer be booked online, so I couldn’t try it. You have to call for a quote. This might be because of the Paris Olympics. It’s caused Viking to modify some of their itineraries.

I believe MVJ chat is only available during certain business hours. It’s not 24/7

You can really do the palace on your own. Tickets are easy to buy in advance. Make sure you buy the Secret Itineraries tour of the Doge’s Palace. It’s incredible. You’ll see the cell where Casanova was imprisoned and walk across the Bridge of Sighs as well as other sights not seen on the general tour. Right in San Marcos Plaza is the Florian, one of the oldest cafe’s in Europe. Splurge and have a dessert there.

It's right near the Aquavit bar area on the port side. Last year on the Sky there was only a storage area, holding racks of glassware. My prior cruise was on the Jupiter so when I went back to see what was being served there, it surprised me.

The planetariums programs were not implemented correctly and I consider it a major failure for Viking, not to mention an expensive underused asset. We were on the 2nd sailing of the Jupiter and the planetarium was showing something similar to an IMAX dome presentation, but no planetarium shows. There was an astronomer guest lecturer aboard so I approached him and asked if he could give a presentation in the planetarium. He researched it and two days later he announced a presentation and printed out a limited number of tickets. He did an hour on various stars, planets, and cosmology. It was very enjoyable and informative. I have a feeling that Viking's vision was an automated movie theater without the need or cost of a presenter. IMO a big fail.

A new Viking river itinerary for 2025, Nuremberg to Basel. https://www.vikingrivercruises.com/cruise-destinations/europe/rhine-and-main-explorer/2025-nuremberg-basel/index.html

That is a combination of Italian Sojourn and Venice, The Adriatic, and Greece, hence a B2B.

I believe that almost all of the Viking Cruises that dock in Venice are part of a B2B. There are Rome to Venice and Venice to Athens legs that are sold separately.

That’s all folks!

Sounds like one of the circles of hell

That information is in your email prior to boarding. Although not as detailed as the port talk, you do have ample time to see all that is available. After boarding you can ask questions about any of them and get a full rundown. You don’t have to wait until the port talk. I find the port talks really geared for those doing it on their own (the opening of the talk) and those going on specific excursions (the 2nd part of the talk).

You ordered drinks over the $18 limit (champagne?).

As discussed on this board multiple times, it is the middle day of a back to back cruise (two or more separate cruises and you are on one that has been bundled together to create one with a new name). People are departing and arriving which is a very busy time for the staff. For some reason, Viking doesn’t release an excursion schedule for those passengers staying on the ship. Possibly it’s to prevent newly boarding passengers from scheduling an excursion on the day they arrive. It’s also possible that their software can’t handle the circumstances. In any event, you will be notified of available excursions (if any) once you are onboard.