Selion

TAS23 extended to March 13. Some sailings from Feb 10 are not included anymore. See link for details. https://www.viking.com/promotions/us/ocean/TAS23/20230123

BTW, Pisa. We went to Pisa with Viking's included tour on the 2nd day. We had tickets to all the museums and for the tower itself. Needless to day, we stayed behind in Pisa and took the train back to Livorno. You could spend 6 hours in Pisa, just not with any tours. If you are inclined to climb the tower, you can get tickets up to 20 days out: https://www.opapisa.it/en

Welcome to Cruise Critic! As others have said, focus on Florence especially since this is your first time there. We visited Florence twice on two different cruises, and there are still more to be seen. Question for you: Is your cruise overnighting at Livorno? If so, that gives you a lot more freedom with Florence on the first day. We signed up Viking's "Florence on our own" tour, basically a bus ride to and from Florence. The caveat? Depending on the guide you have, the 1.5 hour ride to Florence may turn into 2 hours because he wanted to stop at a cafe his friends own on the way (in the name of a pit stop 20 minutes out of the port 🙄). We didn't arrive at Florence until 12 noon. Sleazy guide aside, you have the option to stay longer in Florence and take the train back to Livorno, which was what we did. Based on our experience in Florence, here what I'd suggest you do to maximize your time there (and if your ship is staying overnight): Buy your train tickets from Livorno Centrale to Firenze S.M. Novella (direct train preferred) on Trenitalia. They are regional commuter trains, but comfortable enough for an 1 hour 20 minutes ride. Note the arrival time at Florence. We bought the train tickets back to Livorno towards the end of our time at Florence, as we did not want to be tied to a set time. Bought the tickets on my phone via Trenitalia's website in a few minutes. https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html The easiest way to go to and from Livorno Centrale is by taxi. Last November the ride was 25 Euros each way. Based on the train's arrival time, buy advanced timed ticket(s) to the Academy (for David), Uffizi, or Duomo. Academy: https://www.galleriaaccademiafirenze.it/en/tickets/ Uffizi: https://www.uffizi.it/en/ticket Duomo: https://operaduomofirenze.skiperformance.com/en/store#/en/buy The entry into the cathedral is free, but ticket holders have a separate entrance (skip the line). There is really no realistic way for you to see all 3 in one day. Plan out what you really want to see, and prioritize them.

She emailed me her direct contact info with phone & extension.

FWIW, check out this WC promo on the Viking Sky:

Or go to https://www.oanda.com/currency-converter/en/?from=EUR&to=USD&amount=1 and find the exchange rate of the POST DATE on your card statement.

Chat transcript with a Viking rep regarding WCS23: You at 12:09, Feb 28: Hi Aundrea, question on the world cruise promo WCS23 Aundrea at 12:10, Feb 28: I would be happy to assit. Aundrea at 12:10, Feb 28: Who do I have the pleasure of chatting with? You at 12:10, Feb 28: does it include the normal included items of world cruise, such as SSBP, gratuities, luggage forward and visa services? You at 12:10, Feb 28: this is xxx Aundrea at 12:11, Feb 28: Nice to meet you xxx. Allow me a quick moment and let me confirm that information. You at 12:11, Feb 28: sure thing Aundrea at 12:13, Feb 28: Yes, the code includes all of those items You at 12:13, Feb 28: ok. wonderful. thank you! So according to at least 1 Viking rep, all the standard included perks of a world cruise are included with this promo.

I'm back! Surprised this promo hasn't been posted yet. World Cruise Promo Free Category Upgrades (V2-DV1; PV3-PV1). Expires 3/31/2023 Pay in Full 5/15/2023 Offer Code WCS23 https://www.viking.com/promotions/us/ocean/WCS23/20230224 Offer WCS23: Offer valid on bookings made from Feb 24 to Mar 31, 2023. Complimentary Deluxe Veranda upgrade from Veranda to Deluxe Veranda (V2-DV1) and Penthouse Veranda (PV3-PV1) plus free Business Class airfare valid on Dec 20, 2023 departure of 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise; Jan 6, 2024 departure of 2024 Viking World Journeys; subject to availability, 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. Additional restrictions may apply. Air offers not valid on Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan and Mexico City; call for details. Book by Mar 31, 2023; pay in full by May 15, 2023. Offer expires Mar 31, 2023.

The real issues I heard were: special requests not ready upon boarding and billing issues. The rest were some sort of 'I don't like this and I don't like that.' Yeah, MSC's customer service blew you off without addressing the real issues. I don't expect them to tailor their food, music and entertainment offerings just to suit your tastes.

Different countries; different currencies; different values. That said, just randomly selected a YC1 in Nov 2023 in the Med, it was $2889/person for 7-nights. That comes out to $412.71pppd.

While we never had a bad experience on MSC (2 YC and 1 Fantastica), YC just doesn't hold the same "bang for the buck" as it did 4 to 5 years ago. I'll continue to cruise on MSC, albeit not in YC and probably only in the Caribbean. With flights getting ever more expensive, free air (cattle class, of course) represents significant savings on the overall costs.

YC used to be bargain compared to NCL Haven, when MSC Voyagers Club can have up to 20% off on cruise fares. Nowadays, at about $400/day/person in YC1 it's not a bargain anymore. For YC/Haven costs, I'd rather book on Viking for the much quieter small ship experience. My next cruise is booked in an Aurea cabin for a week in the Mediterranean. I've been waiting for Viking's promos that give free air and category upgrades for this fall. That would make the Viking cruise around $430/day/person with air included. When that happens, we'll cancel on MSC and book Viking. It's a no brainer for us to go with Viking instead of MSC, Yacht Club or not.

River Flash Promo Free Air Reduced Fares Offer Code FLS Offer expires Feb 14, 2023 https://www.viking.com/promotions/us/river/FLSH/20230209 Offer FLS: Offer valid on bookings made from Feb 9 to Feb 14, 2023. Free international airfare valid on select Mar 2023 departures of Elegant Elbe; select Mar & Apr 2023 departures of Lyon & Provence; Tulips & Windmills; Holland & Belgium; select Apr 2023 departures of Romantic Danube; Grand European Tour. Air pricing varies per itinerary/departure. For additional itineraries, 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. Additional restrictions may apply. Airfares vary on other itineraries, gateways and departures. Air offers not valid on Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan and Mexico City; call for details. Book by Feb 14, 2023; pay in full by at time of booking. Offer expires Feb 14, 2023.

The entrance ticket to the Ancient Olympia site was a combination ticket (as of March 2022). Our tour guide told us to keep them if we were interested to check out the museum. We didn't, as she only gave us 30 minutes of free time after visiting Ancient Olympia. Ticket purchase site for Greek archaeological sites & museum: "The ticket is valid for Ancient Olympia, Museum of Olympia and Museum of the Olympic Games." https://etickets.tap.gr/webengines/tap_b2c/english/tap.exe?PM=P1

T&C for anyone interested. Offer PAT22: Offer valid on bookings made from Feb 8 to Feb 28, 2023. FREE roundtrip airfare and complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage Package valid on Mar 6, 2023 departure of Patagonian Shores & Chilean Fjords; Mar 13 & 18, 2023 departures of Chilean Fjords & Patagonia Explorer. Air pricing varies per itinerary/departure. For additional itineraries, 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. Additional restrictions may apply. Airfares vary on other itineraries, gateways and departures. Air offers not valid on Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan and Mexico City; call for details. Book by Feb 28, 2023; pay in full by at time of booking. Offer expires Feb 28, 2023.

T&C states WMD23 is only for these four itineraries in specified departure months: Offer WMD23: Offer valid on bookings made from Feb 7 to Feb 28, 2023. Free category upgrade up to Deluxe Veranda (DV1) valid on Nov & Dec 2023 departures of Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land; Nov & Dec 2023; Jan & Mar 2024 departures of Mediterranean Antiquities; Oct 2023; Feb & Mar 2024 departures of Italy, the Adriatic & Greece; Oct 2023; Jan & Mar 2024 departures of Ancient Mediterranean Antiquities.

Ocean Promo Free Category Upgrade (V to DV1) $499 Air Promo Code WMD23 https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/mediterranean/index.html?promoCode=WMD23 Ends Feb 28, 2023 Offer WMD23: Offer valid on bookings made from Feb 7 to Feb 28, 2023. Free category upgrade up to Deluxe Veranda (DV1) valid on Nov & Dec 2023 departures of Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land; Nov & Dec 2023; Jan & Mar 2024 departures of Mediterranean Antiquities; Oct 2023; Feb & Mar 2024 departures of Italy, the Adriatic & Greece; Oct 2023; Jan & Mar 2024 departures of Ancient Mediterranean Antiquities. 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. Additional restrictions may apply. Book by Feb 28, 2023; pay in full by Mar 15, 2023. Offer expires Feb 28, 2023. Air Promo: $499 international airfare based on Nov & Dec 2023 departures of Cities of Antiquity & the Holy Land; Nov & Dec 2023; Jan 2024 departures of Mediterranean Antiquities; Feb 21, 2024 departure of Italy, the Adriatic & Greece; Jan 10 & 24, 2024 departures of Ancient Mediterranean Antiquities. 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 WMD23. Offer expires Feb 28, 2023. Thoughts: $25 deposit hugging all the spot light. Ocean promos are pretty lackluster compared to what we saw last fall.

Take a headshot with your phone and upload that photo. The website has resizing & cropping functions. Our first cruise with Viking, they didn't take another photo at the port. 2nd cruise with Viking, they took new photos at the port (even though I used the same pictures). YMMV.

NCL air, here my story... Dec 2021, we booked a Mexican Rivera cruise out of LA. We are on the east coast and NCL originally booked us on an early morning non-stop flight to LAX that would've arrived around 11:30am. The flight schedule was changed a few weeks before the cruise, and now it was a 1-stop with an arrival time of 1pm at LAX. NCL's confirmation stated we had to arrive by 12pm. I figured NCL booked us on the 1pm arrival on the day of embarkation with transfers, they were responsible of getting us to the port regardless when we arrive. We arrived at LAX a few minutes early, collected our bags and went looking for NCL reps. Took us 20 minutes to find them. They checked us off their list and by this time the transfer buses already stopped running, they put us on a taxi to the port. We arrived at the port around 2:45pm and were onboard around 3pm after getting the rapid tests done. We were the last 2 to board the ship, but we made it. The all-aboard time listed was 3pm, with a 5pm sailaway. My takeaways from this experience: 1) Request deviation to arrive a day or 2 early, unless the ship is staying overnight at the departure port. 2) When air is booked by cruise lines, they will do what they can to get you to the ship on the day of embarkation. Not sure about NCL, but other cruise lines will fly you to the next port to join the ship if air booked by them made you miss the boat.

Last November, we were docked right next to World Trade Center. The red circle below. Highlighted the main drag: Las Rambla and Gothic Quarter is right there. About 10- to 15-minutes walk.

One more vote to have dinner in Barcelona. Viking's "destination menu" for Barcelona was, to put it mildly, disappointing.

You're welcome. It's become my daily ritual: check work emails, then check personal emails for Viking promos. 😁 I'd be booking that West Indies to Spain cruise if we weren't visiting family in Asia in couple of weeks. I wonder if my work will let me work remotely in the middle of the Atlantic...

Ocean "Last-minute" Transatlantic promo. Free Category Upgrade (V/DV to DV1, PV to PV1) Free Roundtrip Air Free SSBP Promo Code TAS23 Ends on Jan 31, 2023 Offer TAS23: Offer valid on bookings made from Jan 27 to Jan 31, 2023. Free stateroom upgrade within category up to Penthouse Veranda (PV1) plus free roundtrip airfare and complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage Package valid on Mar 21, 2023 departure of Atlantic Ocean Passage; Mar 15, 2023 departure of West Indies to Spain; Mar 13, 2023 departure of Southern Atlantic Crossing. 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. Additional restrictions may apply. Airfares vary on other itineraries, gateways and departures. Air offers not valid on Alaska, Hawaii, San Juan and Mexico City; call for details. Book by Jan 31, 2023; pay in full at time of booking. Offer expires Jan 31, 2023.

Pack lighter? If there's one thing I'm not entirely satisfied with Viking's V & DV rooms, that'd be their lack of drawers. At least Viking Sky had been fitted with 2 extra drawers inside the closet, for a total of 5 that you can use to unpack. Still, the drawers are on the smaller side and shallow. So pack lighter if you don't want to pull out your suitcases everyday.

River promo RJE23 updated with 6 days left in January. Now with free air on select itineraries. The link provided by @UWDawg is still working and with free air added in addition to the $25 deposit. I see free air on: Grand European Tour; Romantic Danube; Danube Waltz; Passage to Eastern Europe; Capitals of Eastern Europe; Rhine Getaway; Cities of Light; Paris to the Swiss Alps; Lyon, Provence & the Rhineland; Holland & Belgium; Elegant Elbe.