OneSixtyToOne

IMO Unless each of you plan to have 2+ cocktails a day, it’s not worth it. I’m not a wine connoisseur so the included wine is fine for me. On our last and upcoming cruise, SSP was/is included. We did take the opportunity to try a few different cocktails but in no way came even close to what would have been a break even point.

Delta announced all flight to/from Israel are cancelled through October. Expect others to follow suit. IMO don't expect any for months.

2 words, force majeure

This thread has the bar menus from July

Life on Mars?

As far as docking locations, Barcelona can accommodate 6 cruise ships. If you are lucky, you’ll be docked near the main gate, otherwise you’ll be on an island that requires a shuttle bus to exit/enter the port. We took Barcelona Day Tours on our free extension day. Excellent company and guides. we highly recommend them. A reminder that if you plan to enter La Sagrada Familia, you really need an advanced ticket and they may sell out well in advance, so plan accordingly. My “live” post of this cruise is located here:

STS23 is valid for this cruise only for 1st quarter 2024 sailings. If you price and build the cruise you’ll see a star next to the sailings that it covers. You can see the difference if you remove the promo code:

STA23 promo is for the transatlantic crossing cruises. In Search of the Northern Lights is a popular cruise, I doubt you will see any promos for it unless it is under booked and closer to departure dates or 2+ years out.

I’ve had it happen on American many years ago. Literally everyone got off the plane except me. The flight attendants started talking and were startled that I was onboard. There was a 90 minute layover and I didn’t feel like leaving.

Many carriers charge fees for advanced reserved seats. It’s just a fact of air travel these days. This isn’t just a Viking issue. Some of my legs on regional carriers required payment, some transatlantic (British Air) required it, whether it was via Viking or when traveling independently.

If you buy the global esim, the US is included. That allows you to test it before you leave, although it will start the clock ticking.

Yes, the trick is to disable the esims you are not using so only the one you want to use is active.

T-Mobile has many different plans. Their basic plan vs one that includes international can be almost double the price. I'd rather buy an esim for the few weeks I'm out of the country. I'm using Wi-Fi 99% of the time when not traveling. Plans that include bells and whistles are not cost effective for me.

I’ve used the data-only esim on our last three trips to Europe and it works great but I never use voice on my phone, even at home and everyone I text with uses apple. The first time using the temporary esim took some fiddling with settings to get the SMS text right. My wife sent a text and she got a message from Verizon that she was being charged $10 for the day! Took a while to figure out how to disable all of that and only use the new esim. BTW buy the most inexpensive card. You can always top off for the equivalent price. We will buy buying the global one in a few days for our SA trip. It’s actually cheaper than the regional Latin America esim and covers more carriers .

No. You have to ask the steward for one.

I use an iPhone so can’t address a workaround, but Airalo also sells a global esim that includes voice, data, and SMS text.

Today’s email Promo MT9 AMERICA’S RIVER SALE How will you explore the Mississippi? Whether you choose to embark on our new, 22-day Grand Mississippi Voyage from New Orleans to St. Paul or sail a shorter segment of this mighty waterway, you can discover the cultural treasures of one of America’s most vibrant regions when you join us on board the elegant Viking Mississippi. On an included or optional excursion, enjoy mouthwatering Creole cuisine in Baton Rouge, tour legendary Sun Studio in Memphis or visit Mark Twain’s childhood home with its iconic white picket fence in Missouri. Reserve your preferred stateroom with a $25 deposit and receive FREE airfare and more on an unforgettable journey through America’s heartland. LEARN MORE FEATURED MISSISSIPPI VOYAGES Heart of the Delta 12 DAYS | New Orleans to Memphis FREE Roundtrip Airfare & FREE Stateroom Upgrade Plus, $25 Deposit On Feb–Jun & Nov 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: MT9 LEARN MORE Learn how to make Louisiana-style seafood gumbo at a cooking demonstration in Darrow and explore Elvis Presley’s opulent Graceland estate in Memphis. America’s Heartland 12 DAYS | St. Louis to Twin Cities FREE Roundtrip Airfare & FREE Stateroom Upgrade Plus, $25 Deposit On Aug & Sep 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: MT9 LEARN MORE Tour the real-life “Field of Dreams,” made famous by the classic film, in Iowa and sample cider at artisanal Maiden Rock Winery & Cidery in Wisconsin. New Orleans & Southern Charms 8 DAYS | New Orleans to New Orleans FREE Roundtrip Airfare & FREE Stateroom Upgrade Plus, $25 Deposit On Nov–Dec 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: MT9 LEARN MORE Take a walking tour of the famous French Quarter in New Orleans and enjoy a classic Southern cocktail at the Monmouth Inn in Natchez, the oldest city on the Mississippi. NEW ITINERARY Grand Mississippi Voyage 22 DAYS | New Orleans to St. Paul FREE Roundtrip Airfare & FREE Stateroom Upgrade Plus, $25 Deposit On Jun–Jul & Sep 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: MT9 LEARN MORE Discover Vicksburg, site of the Civil War’s most pivotal battle, in Mississippi and delve into music history at the Memphis Rock ‘N’ Soul Museum in Tennessee.

Expedition cruising is different from ocean or river cruising. Using the “toys” (kayaks, special ops boats, zodiacs, subs) is what these ships were designed for and is central to the experience. The emphasis is on outdoor activities, science, and exploration. That is the entertainment. If this has no appeal, you might want to reevaluate your choice of this cruise.

Today’s email Promo STS23 Free Airfare & Special Fares ASK FOR OFFER: STS23 CHECK AVAILABILITY Take in panoramic views of the Greek Isles from floor-to-ceiling windows in the Explorers’ Lounge. Join our Executive Chef on an excursion to handpick fresh ingredients at a local market in Costa Rica. Or learn about Australia’s fascinating past during an insightful presentation by a Viking Resident Historian. Our ocean voyages are designed to enhance your exploration of your destination, on board and on shore. We invite you to immerse yourself in the vibrant cultures of the Mediterranean, Central America or the “Land Down Under” when you join us on an enriching journey. FEATURED OCEAN VOYAGES Venice, the Adriatic & Greece 8 DAYS | Venice to Athens FREE International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Oct 28, 2023 Departure ASK FOR OFFER: STS23 LEARN MORE Explore the palace erected for Roman Emperor Diocletian in Croatia and discover Corfu’s Old Town and fortress, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, in Greece. Panama Canal & the Pacific Coast 18 DAYS | Ft. Lauderdale to Los Angeles FREE Roundtrip Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Select 2023 & 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: STS23 LEARN MORE Take a train ride on a historic railway in Panama and experience the enchanting Monteverde Cloud Forest in Costa Rica. Grand Hawaii & Polynesia 33 DAYS | Los Angeles to Los Angeles FREE Roundtrip Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Nov 10, 2023 & Jan 13, 2024 Departures ASK FOR OFFER: STS23 LEARN MORE Kayak along tranquil Hilo Bay in Hawaii and visit Matavai Bay, landing site of Tahiti’s first European explorers, including Captain James Cook. Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land 15 DAYS | Athens to Rome FREE International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Nov 16, 2023 Departure ASK FOR OFFER: STS23 LEARN MORE Learn how the famous pies of Naples are made at an authentic pizza house in Italy and tour the village of Kolossi and its 13th-century castle in Cyprus. Australia & New Zealand 15 DAYS | Auckland to Sydney FREE International Airfare Plus, Special Fares On Dec 19, 2023 Departure ASK FOR OFFER: STS23 LEARN MORE Marvel at the South Island’s beauty on a jet boat excursion in New Zealand and sample local vintages in Tasmania’s famous wine country.

Shuttles are transportation to/from the port to a drop off location in the city where you are docked. It’s to accommodate DYI sightseeing. Transfers are one way trips to the airport/ship/extension hotel and vice versa.

We stayed at the All Angelo, just a short walk from St. Marks. Great breakfast and we upgraded to a canal view. Took a water taxi from the airport to the hotel dock. https://www.allangelo.it

It’s a small mirror typically on an extendable arm that magnifies your face.

I’ve seen passenger videos of this, but it was on the trip that Torstein was on. Not sure if it’s a regular occurrence or just a photo op.

Good idea. I just added a shore excursions PDF to the end of my Live post for this year's Mediterranean Odyssey cruise https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2927474-almost-live-viking-sky-mediterranean-odyssey-april-2023/?do=findComment&comment=66154934

For future travelers, I've added a PDF of the shore excursions that were available on this cruise MedOdyShoreX.pdf