TayanaLorna

Yes one end is all scaffolding. It does not take away the awe factor though. These ancient monuments will continuously be under repair.

I know. A tour guide we had out in the countryside of Croatia told our bus group that she never had folks whose main focus was on restroom locations. We laughed and said you must not have guided a group of seniors before.

For those still following this thread, we were at the Acropolis in March 2024. There are now stainless steel railings in many of the more difficult stair areas. In older photos there were ropes between poles on the stairs. There is still some of that but basically to keep folks from climbing where they aren't supposed to go. I was so questioning my ability to do this hike. We decided to do it on our own having thoroughly read the history and familiarizing ourselves with the different structures and gods. Plus we wanted to enter at the Southern Slopes which Viking tours don't do, they just focus on the Hill. I was surprised how easy it was. Most of it up the Southern Slopes way and back down to the main entrance was walking along wide gradual paths with a short step up to the next path. When we got to the stairs there were railings in most areas. The stairs seemed to have been improved as i noticed most of them had sharp squared edges which worn over the centuries marble would not have. Once on top there were wide flat areas where folks could walk to see everything. You did not have to walk on the rocky grassy area unless you chose to. The hardest part for me were the young school groups when walking down. They stop for no one and exit en masse. I just hung on to my railing and let them pass.

Yes there are restrooms at the base by the ticket booths. There are also restrooms up on Acropolis Hill but there are no signs and hard to find. If you are walking towards the lookout over Athens with your back to the Parthenon, they are down to your right. There was no charge in March 2024.

On a recent Italy, the Adriatic and Greece cruise which includes some of your ports and a pre cruise extension to the Umbria region, there was a woman who had a mobility scooter. I was amazed to see how much she did and what excursions she took. Her scooter was stored in the cargo area under the bus. She was able to walk some as we saw her scooter parked outside their room in the Castle we stayed at in Perugia. But she managed the hilltop towns we visited, going over cobblestones, Venice, Olympia, she got to the top of the Acropolis hill and we even saw her at the Krka Waterfalls. Many of the places were a lot of walking for everyone and our guides would tell the group what the walking was going to be like and offer to arrange a taxi to get the mobility challenged to the next place/church/square without the 20 minute uphill walk. Once in a church there were 2 steps up to a room where the guide was to give an extensive explanation of the frescoes, they brought a ramp so she could motor up. I don't know if she arranged all of this ahead of time but the service and accommodation she received was amazing. There was also a 94 year old gentleman using trekking poles accompanied by his daughter who tore something in her knee right before the cruise and was using crutches. They also did these excursions but sometimes acceoted the taxi rides. In the past I would say Europe is really hard, yes cobblestones, stairs, no railings, uphill walks. I am 73, 2 hip replacements, fractured a vertebrae in my back and I use trekking poles. Now I say, do the research and requirements to bring your mobility device, question the logistics of the excursions for you and go for it.

That is the first thing we asked. First time only choice was 6072. Second time it was 4021 which we loved. It has window/door combo vs slider which we decided we liked more. We actually booked that cabin for an upcoming cruise that has 8 sea days. First time we actually booked a PV.

We never got a free upgrade however twice we were offered upgrades from DV6 to PV1 or PV2 for a price. The first time it was $399 per person and the second time it was $199 per person. The difference between the DV's to PV's at the time we booked was $1,200 per person so we thought it was worth it. The offer came via email one week before the cruise.

I agree. I was nervous arranging mostly private tours on our Round Cape Horn cruise. On one tour when Viking cut the stop short due to weather, our guide in the Falklands got a radio call from home base telling him to head back immediately because Viking was calling all excursions back. On another tour to the remote Peninsula Valdes area, we were happy to learn that the company had a free roaming van on the Peninsula whose sole job was to get guests back in case their vehicle had trouble. It is the guests responsibility to return to ship on time as well as question the tour operator they choose.

Heard birds on the Saturn and other ships we have sailed. However in one bathroom on a ship i cannot recall name i heard barnyard like animals including the snorting sound which i thought was a pig.

Loved Corral de la Moreria.

Thats why i like the forward elevators. I always know where port and starboard are because i face the bow when i exit.

No palace. Did not get advance tickets. With the cold weather and rain, folks wanted to be inside and it was too crowded.

Could be most folks try to book tables for 2 on MVJ. Haven't been able to reserve a table for 2 but can always get one for 4 or 6 folks. I never saw Viking seat 2 people at a table for 4 or 6.

It should say "if you can't make reservations here, try when you board your ship."

Yes. If I can find a direct website for booking tickets, tours or hotels I book direct. I do find we get the best tables, hotel rooms and can actually communicate with a guide that way as well as get the best price. I could not get the show/drink package so booked the show/dinner one. We like to eat early anyways. Food was very good but didn't quite think it was Michelein starred good. Really, thanks for that tip. In hindsight, I wished we had booked the Tuk Tuk tour you mentioned as the weather was just awful for walking around. Ah well, we will be back. It is cheaper and easier to fly from SJU to Madrid then most places in the US.