OneSixtyToOne

I used a data only eSIM and texting worked. But then again I only text to other people using iPhones.

You configure the e-sim with your phone number. The confusing part is Apple texts don't use SMS, they use their own network. That's why you'll see other people on an iPhone in blue and non iPhone in green.

We’ve used Airalo on our iPhones for the last two years without any issues. Configuration is key. We disable the main eSIM of our carrier when we arrive in the foreign country. Otherwise SMS texts will attempt to use your phone plan. We found this out the hard way when our first text popped up with a $10 charge by Verizon.

It could be the restrictions have nothing to do with the doorways and everything to do with the gangways/tender access available at different ports. Once onboard you are probably fine. Getting on board may be the issue.

Not all OBCs are the same. Some have restrictions on what/when they can be used. It all depends on the type of OBC you have.

DISCOVER MORE Sale Explore the ends of the Earth From the “ice fjords” of the Canadian High Arctic to the breathtaking landscapes of the “White Continent,” you can explore the ends of the earth when you join us on one of the popular expedition voyages featured below. Book your voyage during our Discover More Sale to enjoy a deposit of just $25 and up to FREE airfare. Plus, take advantage of special fares and receive a Double Past Guest Discount of up to $800 per couple on a journey that takes you where few have ventured before. LEARN MORE FEATURED EXPEDITION VOYAGES NEW ITINERARY Into the Northwest Passage Nuuk to Nuuk $25 Deposit & Reduced International Airfare Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Jul–Sep 2025 & 2026 Voyages 13 DAYS 8 TOURS 2 COUNTRIES LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD NEW ITINERARY Canada & Greenland Explorer Toronto to Nuuk $25 Deposit & Reduced International Airfare Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Jul & Sep 2025 & 2026 Voyages 15 DAYS 11 TOURS 2 COUNTRIES LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD NEW ITINERARY Canada & the Northwest Passage Toronto to Nuuk $25 Deposit & Reduced International Airfare Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Jul & Sep 2025 & 2026 Voyages 27 DAYS 8 TOURS 2 COUNTRIES LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Antarctic Explorer Buenos Aires to Ushuaia $25 Deposit & Up to FREE Airfare Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Select 2024–2026 Voyages 13 DAYS 2 COUNTRIES LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Antarctica & South Georgia Island Buenos Aires to Ushuaia $25 Deposit & Up to FREE Airfare Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Select 2024–2026 Voyages 19 DAYS 3 COUNTRIES LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD

If it's packaged food, you're OK. From the Consular General of Japan in Seattle: BRINGING FOOD TO JAPAN GENERAL FOODS Upon arrival to Japan, you are responsible for declaring certain food items for quarantine inspection and providing the appropriate certificates during the customs clearance process. It is usually not necessary to declare store-bought canned, bottled or packaged food items that are highly processed and do not contain any meat. Some examples may include crackers, dried pasta, candy, jam, tea or coffee. Oh the other hand, some products may be prohibited for import depending on the origin of contents. https://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/about/import_restrictions.html#:~:text=It is usually not necessary,on the origin of contents.

EBD promo for July-August River cruises. Looks like they are creating an alternative for Paris being unavailable because of the Olympics. Danube river cruise now has a Munich & Salzburg extension. DISCOVER MORE Sale Ask for offer EBD · Expires February‌ 29, ‌2024 Enjoy an included excursion in each port Admire Hofburg Palace, home of the Spanish Riding School and its beloved Lipizzaner stallions, during a walking tour in Vienna. Explore the magnificent Castle District in Budapest. Or visit historic Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Prague. An immersive excursion is included in each port when you join us on a river voyage. Reserve your stateroom during our Discover More Sale and receive a Double Past Guest Discount of up to $800 in savings per couple. Plus, enjoy up to FREE airfare, special fares and more on the featured itineraries below. LEARN MORE FEATURED RIVER VOYAGES Romantic Danube Budapest to Regensburg $25 Deposit & Reduced International Airfare Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Departures: Mar–Nov 2024 & 2025 8 DAYS 5 TOURS $2,199* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Danube Waltz Budapest to Passau $25 Deposit & Reduced International Airfare Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Departures: Mar–Nov 2024, 2025 & 2026 8 DAYS 6 TOURS $2,199* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Elegant Elbe Berlin to Prague $25 Deposit & Reduced International Airfare Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Departures: Mar–Jul, Sep-Nov 2024, 2025 & 2026 10 DAYS 7 TOURS $3,499* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Portugal’s River of Gold Lisbon to Porto $25 Deposit & Reduced International Airfare Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Departures: Mar–Nov 2024, 2025 & 2026 10 DAYS 8 TOURS $3,999* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD Capitals of Eastern Europe Vienna to Bucharest $25 Deposit & FREE International Airfare† Plus, Special Fares & Double Past Guest Discount Departures: Mar–Nov 2024, 2025 & 2026 17 DAYS 12 TOURS $5,999* FROM LEARN MORE PRICE & BUILD EXTEND YOUR VOYAGE Munich & Salzburg Visit filming locations for The Sound of Musicand admire the famed Neuschwanstein Castle when you add four nights in Austria and Germany to your Danube Waltz voyage. LEARN MORE

Chile also requires you to pass through agricultural inspection. Invasive species are a big issue for many countries.

This is definitely the case. I tracked our expedition cruise over a few months and it was offered with a variety of perks. We got a great discounted price and an included SSP. A couple of months later the SSP was replaced with a large onboard credit but the discount price on the cabin changed. The net price on the two was just about the same.

Here is a thread about where to eat on embarkation day. The World Cafe and Pool Grill are open for lunch until 3:00 PM. From 3-5 the pool grill has snacks. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2912611-best-place-for-lunch-on-embarkation-day/?do=findComment&comment=64764478

As did we. Our guide was one of the best we have ever had on a Viking excursion. Here is my review: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2927474-almost-live-viking-sky-mediterranean-odyssey-april-2023/?do=findComment&comment=65232669 (For some reason my prior post is awaiting moderation)

The Viking tour guide was first rate. One of the best guides we have ever had. Here is the writeup and photos of our adventure:

There are also “to go” coffee and cups at the bar at the Star Theater. Makes it convenient while the daily excursions are assembling/waiting.

BTW If you visit Greenwich Observatory, be sure to take one of the free tours. Last June we arrived there just in time for the tour of the Harrison Clocks exhibit. The docent was great and the tour was fascinating. https://www.rmg.co.uk/stories/topics/harrisons-clocks-longitude-problem We were in Greenwich independently and we passed the Viking ship in port as we cruised down the Thames.

I've found the excursion booking time is accurate but the dinner reservation opening times have been off by hours, opening much earlier than listed. This has been consistent and lends me to believe they are using the wrong time zone.

Pompeii is a must see.

Venice is a unique situation because of all the possible docking locations. It a very popular cruise and there will probably be a lot of passengers arriving. After you pick up your bags, they will herd you into a group and escort you to transportation as soon as possible. On our last trip to Venice there were 60+ people. Viking is pretty efficient, other pax, not so much. Our wait was dependent on a passenger that had lost luggage and had to fill out paperwork. On our trip to Athens, we arrived very late and Viking hired a car service to take us direct to our pre-extension hotel.

We’ve been to Australia but we never made it to New Zealand 🇳🇿

Except for size, all balconies are the same. If you follow the link I provided above there are photos of the exterior of the ship as well as a section on cabins to avoid. I will note that the aft DV1 cabins have the glass angled away from you giving you more legroom when you sit down and a larger footprint.

I believe it's tempered glass, not plastic. You can find pictures and more on this blog https://viking-cruises-cabin-guide.blogspot.com/p/standard-cabins.html

Monaco was one of our favorite stops. We loved it. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2927474-almost-live-viking-sky-mediterranean-odyssey-april-2023/?do=findComment&comment=65245954

When we docked in Naples last February, Mt. Vesuvius was covered in snow. It was cold and rainy at Pompeii. Bring a good raincoat.

Viking has already made changes to their Mediterranean Cities of Antiquity and Holy Land cruise. It now stops in Sicily, Malta, and Rhodes instead. Israel will be a no go for years. https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/europe/cities-antiquity/index.html

No, it’s all hand weaved by Kurdish weavers. We bought it during our excursion in Kuşadası when we visited a weaving exhibition at a shop. It was a government subsidized shop that employs graduates of a school that teaches weaving to Kurdish women to keep the skill alive. It is no commission so the sales pitch was low key. Absolutely no pressure to buy. There we learned the fringe indicates the type of material used. It’s a cotton base which then is hand knotted using a double knot technique with naturally dyed angora wool. The 100% wool rugs have a different fringe. Silk fringe is similar to the wool style but shimmers, is finer, and feels totally different. I agree that you’ll get better deals in Kuşadası. At the demonstration store on the Viking excursion, they will also deliver to your door back in the USA. It’s included in the price. As a security measure, you sign the back of your rug to ensure the one you receive is the one you bought. Cotton base fringe: Wool fringe: