GCBK10905

Can anyone share any details about the difference on Sapphire Princess between the normal balcony vs the premium balcony? Realize the size is larger. But is there any difference in terms of chairs, sofas, etc? thanks!

Marseille Excursion Question: Has anyone done a tour to the Luberon Villages when they stopped in Marseille? Haven’t been too excited about the Viking tours offered…. trying to justify the price of a private route to the Luberon Villages (including seeing the lavendar fields). It’s pretty pricey. For those who have taken that type of tour, is it one of those “bucket-list, so glad you splurged” type experiences? We love pretty/quaint/picturesque areas and this seems to check those boxes…but getting a little hung up on price for 2 people. Thanks for any viewpoints!

For those who had trips that started in Venice (Fusina) in the past, has anyone gotten onto the ship and attempted to go to Venice right after they checked in? We fly in at 9:30am so anticipate we'd get to the ship by 11:30ish. Hoping to go over to Venice for the day but have no idea if it's feasible. Below is what Viking sent back when I asked them if there would be any transportation that first day. So, looking to see if anyone here took advantage of that day and ventured out. I realize we will be jetlagged and tired but we also want to see as much as we can given Day 2 in Venice is quite short (ship leaves at 3pm) - just curious if it's worth attempting and what people's experiences were. Thanks for any insight! ***************** From Viking Customer Service: Fusina is approximately 30min drive to the Venetian Lagoon. A motor-coach shuttle is available for guest who wish to explore Venice Independently. Schedules of shuttle would be available once you are onboard. Taxis are available from the port if preferred to venture out.

Thanks! Yes - I also posted over there, too!

For those who have been in Rome and done the excursions through Viking, can anyone share their experience? We have never been to Rome so I’m finding it difficult to decide which one might be better. Main priority is to see a lot but also not be stuck inside a bus literally the whole day. So I guess a balance of seeing many things but also getting to experience them. 😊 I’m sure both will be great. Just looking for anyone who has went on either of them to see what your experience was like. Thank you! 2 options we are considering: 1). Highlights of Rome & the Colosseum Upon arrival in Rome, enjoy a panoramic drive past the city’s important ancient sites. See the Aurelian Walls, Pyramid of Cestius and Circus Maximus. Stop to visit inside the Colosseum, the most important amphitheater in the Roman world. This impressive arena could hold 80,000 spectators and hosted gladiator contests and imperial ceremonies. Later, enjoy a walking tour past the famous sites of the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. You will also have an opportunity to view the exterior of the well-preserved Pantheon, then take a stroll through the picturesque square of Piazza Navona. After lunch, continue your panoramic tour past Castel Sant’Angelo, with the picture-perfect St. Peter’s Basilica as a backdrop, before returning to your ship. 2). Ancient Rome During a panoramic drive, admire the Aurelian Walls, Pyramid of Cestius, Baths of Caracalla and the Circus Maximus. Walk to the Colosseum, the most important amphitheater in the Roman world, and the Arch of Constantine, the biggest and best-preserved ancient arch. See the Roman Forum, walk amid the ruins of the Forums of Nerva, Caesar and Trajan and admire the imposing Palatine Hill. Visit the National Roman Museum, housing one of the world’s most important collections of classical art in a beautiful 19th-century neo-Renaissance palace filled with sculptures, frescoes and mosaics, coins and jewels. Visit the grandest of the Roman public baths. Enjoy free time to explore on your own before returning to your ship.

For those who have been in Rome and done the Viking excursions, can anyone share their experience? We have never been to Rome so I’m finding it difficult to decide which one might be better. Main priority is to see a lot but also not be stuck inside a bus literally the whole day. So I guess a balance of seeing many things but also getting to experience them. 😊 I’m sure both will be great. Just looking for anyone who has went on either of them to see what your experience was like. Thank you! 2 options we are considering: 1). Highlights of Rome & the Colosseum Upon arrival in Rome, enjoy a panoramic drive past the city’s important ancient sites. See the Aurelian Walls, Pyramid of Cestius and Circus Maximus. Stop to visit inside the Colosseum, the most important amphitheater in the Roman world. This impressive arena could hold 80,000 spectators and hosted gladiator contests and imperial ceremonies. Later, enjoy a walking tour past the famous sites of the Spanish Steps and Trevi Fountain. You will also have an opportunity to view the exterior of the well-preserved Pantheon, then take a stroll through the picturesque square of Piazza Navona. After lunch, continue your panoramic tour past Castel Sant’Angelo, with the picture-perfect St. Peter’s Basilica as a backdrop, before returning to your ship. 2). Ancient Rome During a panoramic drive, admire the Aurelian Walls, Pyramid of Cestius, Baths of Caracalla and the Circus Maximus. Walk to the Colosseum, the most important amphitheater in the Roman world, and the Arch of Constantine, the biggest and best-preserved ancient arch. See the Roman Forum, walk amid the ruins of the Forums of Nerva, Caesar and Trajan and admire the imposing Palatine Hill. Visit the National Roman Museum, housing one of the world’s most important collections of classical art in a beautiful 19th-century neo-Renaissance palace filled with sculptures, frescoes and mosaics, coins and jewels. Visit the grandest of the Roman public baths. Enjoy free time to explore on your own before returning to your ship.

We attempted to get a tour with SpainDayTours and they were already unfortunately sold out 😞 But found this site online.... looks like a great itinerary but haven't been able to find any reviews on CruiseCritic or TripAdvisor so I'm a bit skeptical. Anyone have any experience with them? http://www.shorebarcelona.com/barcelona-highlights-sagrada-familia-parc-guell-shore-excursion.php I realize we can also navigate the city on our own (and will do that if needed) - just hoping to maximize our one day in Barcelona so hoping to grab a tour to make it as easy as possible given we've never been there. Thanks!

Hello! Has anyone done a winery tour shore excursion through Provence Wine Tours? Debating on going on this tour and trying to figure out which one is best. We love all types of wine so tough to choose! 😊 1. Cassis & Bandol 2. Luberon Villages https://provencewinetours.com/discover-our-shore-excursions-range-2/ If anyone happens to have any experiences with this tour company, let me know what you thought! Thanks!

Hello! Will be visiting Europe for the first tome. We fly into Venice at 9:36am and have transportation arranged from the cruiseline that takes us from the airport to our cruise ship in Fusina. Questions: 1. If we land at 9:35am, what’s the estimated arrival time to get to Fusina? 2. If we want to get over to Venice right away to start exploring the city, what’s the best mode of transportation to get to Venice from Fusina and how long would that likely take? We are first time travelers to Europe so trying to see if we can take advantage of our travel day given we fly in pretty early. Thank you!

We are on a short 3-day cruise. We are not planning to do a paid full day excursion when we are in Nassau. Im curious if people would say it’s worth it to get off the boat to go see the Atlantis lobby area (but not do the beach/pool area) just to see it. Or if we should just stay on the boat and enjoy relaxing for the day. It’s only a 3-night cruise so only want to go if it’s really something people should see. thanks!

This is our first Viking cruise and first time to Europe. Trying to determine if there are certain included (free) excursions that we definitely SHOULD or SHOULD NOT do? We want to make this trip really awesome so willing to pay for some excursions if the included ones are so-so. We are in our mid-40s with no mobility issues. Love great tour guides and seeing as much as we can. Our ports include: Barcelona Marseille Monte Carlo Florence/Pisa Rome Naples Corfu Dubrovnik Split Venice thank you!

I realize there are lots of tours for Rome. Does anyone have a recommendation of one they absolutely loved? Would love to pack in as much as possible with a guide who is really knowledgeable. We’ve never been there before. Thanks!

I'll be visiting Florence in late June for the first time (on a cruise ship) but will be there on a Monday (9am-8pm) and I understand some of the museums are closed, etc. Therefore, instead I'm considering visiting Siena (and maybe San Gimignano) instead. Really love small, quaint, charming villages - would be happy to stroll the streets, drink some good wine, eat some great food, enjoy good views. 1. Does that seem like a good plan or should I focus time staying in Florence instead? 2. Does anyone have an recommendations of good guided tours to Siena/San Gimignano)? Everything I'm finding directs me to Viator and i realize that those can be hit or miss. Thank you!

We will be stopping in Marseille for 1 day on our cruise in late June. I'm torn on which of these tours to do. We love old, quaint, charming villages (not a big fan of big cities) that are pretty & memorable. We are in our mid-40s and no mobility issues. We like to see as much as we can during our travels...but also love to stop and enjoy a good glass of wine/food. Anyone have any info that might help us make a decision between these 2 tours? Luberon Villages: https://provence-amazing-tours.com/tour/the-luberon-villages-tour-8-hours/ Lavender of Provence: https://provence-amazing-tours.com/tour/sur-la-route-des-lavandes-8h/ The lavender fields look really pretty/unique but wondering if we'd see more on the other tour (would be curious if there are lavender fields on the Luberon tour) (Or, if there is something better we should consider, also very open to hearing about it! Thank you!)

Hello! We are on the Viking Sea for the Mediterranean Odyssey cruise in July (Barcelona to Venice). We are new this this cruiseline so have lots of questions :). What time to you typically need to return back to the ship by each night? Thinking as we book excursions that I want to make sure we don't miss the boat :). Most of the cruises we have taken in the Caribbean on Royal Caribbean had a ~5pm return time so curious if that is the same for Viking in the Mediterranean?