OneSixtyToOne

OP is looking for transportation FROM the ship TO the hotel.

No, it is right in Monaco (Port Hercule). It was originally listed as a tender port but we were able to dock. As you can see from the previous post, only space for one VO sized ship so timing is everything. View from the ship with casino in the background:

Monaco: No shuttle. There is a public ferry that will take you from the dock area across the harbor to the Monte Carlo district and the Casino.

Marseille: Shuttle to City Hall

Naples has no shuttle. You dock at the terminal building and upon exiting, public transportation and cabs are available. The docks are right in Naples and there is no need for a shuttle. View from our aft cabin of Naples. You are yards away. The Athens shuttle drops you off at Hadrian’s Arch near the Plaka District. This is a major hub for all the tour busses.

In my experience, PE has no middle seat. That alone makes it worth it.

The OP asked if there were special seating arrangements for solo travelers. The answer is no. Everyone has assumed they are looking to share a table. Maybe they are looking for a secluded table? Just a thought. One one cruise we encountered a guest at an excursion luncheon who had a panic attack when seated with a large group. DW later met him on the ship and he explained he was a solo traveler and had a fear of crowds.

Supply and demand. The 2024 date is almost full (only 3 DV6 left), while 2025 has plenty of availability. Check back in a year and see what the price of your cruise is. Currently 2025 is discounted while 2024 is not and the base cabin price is higher.

Theater at Epidaurus

Here is a link to an interesting video about how airlines really make their money.

Free Stateroom upgrade, double past guest discount. Promo JM24 SPECIAL OFFER Ask for offer JM24 The “Mighty Mississippi” awaits Stroll through the lively French Quarter in New Orleans. Attend a rollicking blues performance in Memphis. Or visit Mark Twain’s childhood home in Missouri. It all comes together on a Mississippi River voyage with us, where you can gain insights into the region’s culture through immersive onshore excursions and informative onboard presentations. Reserve your stateroom on board the elegant Viking Mississippi today and enjoy a very special offer—FREE roundtrip airfare, a FREE stateroom upgrade and a Double Past Guest Discount of up to $800 per couple per couple. Choose from the inspiring voyages below, which includes two new itineraries exploring fascinating segments of this iconic river starting in 2024.

It’s been my experience that on the first day you board they only accept new reservations from people that have no reservations. As soon as you board use the app or go to the World Cafe host (line is shorter than Guest Services) and make your reservations. Don’t sweat the small stuff. There are typically plenty of tables available. You may not get one at opening time, but you will get one. Same for the Chef’s Table. I always wait until I board so I can see what the menu rotation is.

Sports coats and Hawaii is oxymoronic

It looks like the new Cities of Antiquity cruise removed the Holy Land and has substituted stops in Sicily and Malta. I also heard that at the World Cruise bon voyage party in LA, Torstein Hagen made a comment about the situation in the Red Sea and they may have to go around the Cape of Good Hope.

On our cruise the room steward “fixed” it by using a door stop.

I just noticed there is a new Cities of Antiquity itinerary that now includes Malta. https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/europe/cities-antiquity/index.html

The Alhambra restricts cruise lines to a single bus per day. On top of that, their security required your ticket to have your name on it and they randomly check it against your passport. Therefore even if there are cancellations on board, the seats can’t be resold to another passenger. Fortunately, we were able to get the excursion, even though we were a DV. It was the first excursion we booked when the window opened. It sold out within an hour. The other excursions that tend to sell out are the Privileged Access tours. Those are also usually restricted to a single group. With other sold out excursions, they can sometimes add additional times when demand warrants it.

If you ever get a chance to attend, Santa Barbara has a street festival and parade sometime around the Spring Equinox. The floats and costumes are handmade. The festival is sponsored by the art museum, which is also worth a visit. This theme was sci-fi:

The Santa Barbara Courthouse is indeed worth a visit.

Yes indeed

Yes, we had a refreshment and a snack while looking at the rugs being tossed about. The Turkish government subsidizes the rug weaving to keep the tradition (and commerce) alive and the weavers attend a local school to learn the skill. The weaving and the silk production demonstrations were great. The wool rugs are all natural dyes, the weaving is a double knot technique, and the designs are Kurdish tribal. BTW when you purchase a rug they have you sign the back to ensure at delivery it it the one you bought. IMG_9867.mov

The rug stores after the Ephesus tour that Viking takes you to are run by the government. The price includes delivery to your home. We bought a beautiful runner that was delivered in about 6 weeks. IMG_9874.mov

We have Verizon but their international plan is too expensive. We bought an e-sim card from Airalo and have used that when in Europe and South America.

Here is my Almost Live thread about our trip last spring. Split Review of the Meštrovic Gallery and Diocletian Place https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2927474-almost-live-viking-sky-mediterranean-odyssey-april-2023/?do=findComment&comment=65148610 Walls of Dubrovnik https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2927474-almost-live-viking-sky-mediterranean-odyssey-april-2023/?do=findComment&comment=65159269 Corfu https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2927474-almost-live-viking-sky-mediterranean-odyssey-april-2023/?do=findComment&comment=65181734

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