TayanaLorna

6 hours ago, roddy good boy said:

Do you have recommendations on the best  source material on the history of the site?

Yes.  There is an excellent U-Tube video and other sources I used.  When are you going?  I need to search my bookmarks for the trip.  Will do but I am traveling tomorrow to visit friends and family in the states so give me some time.

1 hour ago, Ready to Sail! said:

Well, we really appreciate all the input about this location. But, after a lot of thought decided to go back to a DV on deck 3. Couldn’t get a Starboard but will check often and one may open up. We just decided the PV category wasn’t worth the extra 5K+ to us. We loved being on Deck 3 on our 1st Viking cruise so have moved back to what is familiar and comfortable. We are just back from forward stairs so quick run down one flight and out onto the promenade. Thanks again. 

We had a DV6 3046 for the first time for an Adriatic cruise and loved the location.  We were near the laundry which I used often since we were traveling for 25 days.  But the best was knowing which way to turn for an elevator.   All we did is look for the Atrium seating area to go to aft elevators for disembarkation, Living Room or restaurants.  For the Spa or Explorers we went the other way.

22 hours ago, Ready to Sail! said:

We just switched our sailing for next February SA cruise.  There were very few cabins left on starboard which we wanted so not much choice.  We are in 5031.  We do like being near the elevators but usually choose a cabin a few doors away.  From the deckplan it looks like 5031 is directly across from the entry into the ellevators/stairs.  Probably not much we can do if we want to stay on starboard but just curious.  Otherwise, happy to move up and try a PV and a door instead of a slider as we have never had one, only sliders. My husband thinks I worry too much abouth trivial matters and he's right but what can I do? It's me!  Thanks for any input.

We were in 4030 once right by the elevators.  Did not hear elevators ding nor folks talking.  The only reason my DH did not like it was if people are waiting for elevator, they can see into your room when you open your door.  Didn't bother me.

20 hours ago, jb12 said:

Are there a lot of  scaffolds and missing columns at Parthenon?

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

7 minutes ago, Jayhoaps said:

Wow what a relief, thank goodness they have washrooms lol. I appreciate the reply, it was very helpful. 

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.

3 hours ago, Jayhoaps said:

Hey all, this may be a silly question but was wondering if there was any restrooms at the Acropolis/parthenon? I just want to be ready, or know in advance if there was no restrooms or not.

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.  

10 hours ago, SailorPaulH said:

When you got the offer (for $$) to upgrade, did they tell you the cabin number that was on offer?

10 hours ago, SailorPaulH said:

When you got the offer (for $$) to upgrade, did they tell you the cabin number that was on offer?

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.

6 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

 

Seems to me this is either the tour operators fault or the guests for not giving them the correct all aboard time (with a margin for error). I’m a big proponent of independent excursions and have never in all our cruising had an issue-but we always tell the operator we want to be back to the pier at least an hour before the all aboard time and sometimes longer. 
 

I hope someone on CC will post the name of the operator so that nobody else books with them.  I’ve found that conscientious tour guides always have a plan B. On one tour on South America I had arranged for a small group, the guide got a phone call when we were on the way back to the ship.  Another guide working for a different company was calling as their van had blown a tire.  Our guide asked if we would be willing to pick up those passengers, rather than them cutting it very close while they changed the tire.  We of course welcomed our fellow guests-and as I recall, our new friends insisted on paying the tips to the guide for all of us. 

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.

14 hours ago, millybess said:

Yes, Corral de la Moreria.  If you book directly on their website, you will get a better table.  But if @Torquato  has a recommendation, take that one over mine.

 

Loved Corral de la Moreria.

15 hours ago, Jim Avery said:

Haha don't worry.  My dear wife still turns the wrong way out of the elevator just about every time.  And on her third Viking WC.  Second in 4046.  Talk about directionally challenged...🍸

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

15 hours ago, millybess said:

Yes, as you know, we did the show/dinner also.  No, definitely not Michelin Star, but fun.  We did enjoy the Tuk Tuk tour.  Did you get to the Palace?

 

It's easy for us to get to Madrid from Toronto also.  I just wish it was as easy for us to get to San Juan.  

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

14 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

We got this same message last month when we booked for May.  I believed and still do that it means that all the online reservations are now booked (we didn’t encounter that and got two at each restaurant between 6:30-7:30). But as many have said on this topic, Viking seems to only reserve about 40% of the seats for online booking.  Very easy to book once onboard and the rest open up.  We ate five times at chefs table on our last cruise.

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.

15 hours ago, millybess said:

I can't find a "Dinner Reservation" thread to post this on so I'll post it here.

 

I was just on MVJ and I noticed that they have now added this to the dinner reservation site:

 

 "In case reservations are fully booked, they can be made directly on board the ship."

 

🙂

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

14 minutes ago, millybess said:

It sounds like you might have had our table.  I'm glad you were able to get in.  It did make for good photos.

 

I had read here previously that if you book it yourself on their website rather than through a tour you will get the best tables.  Is that what you did?

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.

On 3/22/2024 at 9:11 AM, millybess said:

We were able to dock at Manaus.  It sounds like your trip was really lovely.  Can we expect one of your really great detailed reviews again?  Have fun planning your Expedition cruise.

My DH downloaded all our photos and posted each of our stops on FB for family and friends.  He doesn't write much and says people just want to see photos anyways.  I plan to do a review of our Umbria extension as i was frustrated to not find anything detailed on CC.  I may do a review of the entire cruise - I don't know as so many people have done so already.  But thanks for your encouragement.  Visiting family in IL and WI next.  Then Viking Panama Canal in 2025.  Be sure to tell us all about Hong Kong and Japan.

On 3/21/2024 at 9:46 AM, PORT ROYAL said:

Have room service deliver.  
Then when they attend, open door, wait staff will carry through to balcony for one.

Simples….

True.  They never want to hand the tray to us at the door but carry it to where you want it.  Even if we are still in our jammies.

How about one person carries the tray and the other stateroom resident holds the door open.

On 3/20/2024 at 4:25 PM, millybess said:

It sounds like you had a really great trip.  I’m glad you enjoyed Krka Falls and that you were able to go back up the way you came down.  That would make a huge difference.

 

Did you end up going to Corral de la Moreria in Madrid for dinner and the flamenco show?

 

Our Amazon trip was very good.  We met a lot of new friends.  The crew and food were amazing!!  We had a laundry tour, a galley tour and a bridge tour.  I showed the captain a photo of me sitting in his chair with a Viking helmut on and he told us a very funny story about a certain pilot who boards and always has to wear the Viking helmut.  The captain and all the senior crew were always around, stopping to talk to the passengers.

 

We met up with Ronnie Carrington in Barbados.  He is quite a character with a wealth of knowledge and local stories.  We’re glad he was recommended here on CC.  He is doing another exhibition in Toronto this summer.  Afterwards, we met up with friends who winter in Barbados.  It was a very fun day.

 

We were able to tender in French Guiana and walk around, but it was incredibly hot that day.  Still, it was an insightful experience.  On the ship the movie Papillon was shown, but many were disappointed that it wasn’t the original Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman version.

 

We did the piranha fishing excursion which was a lot of fun and we had a really great guide.  On that excursion we saw a few birds that we had never seen before.  The Boi Bumba was colourful.  There were many talented dancers, and we got some nice photos.

 

We weren’t very fond of Manaus.  We had a terrible guide.  As you know, the ship overnights there and we talked to a couple of senior officers on the ship who said they worry about the crew getting off there for the evening.  We could certainly see why.

 

For the whole trip we saw 1 mosquito on the outside of our balcony door.  But we did see some other weird-looking bugs.

 

We are leaving on the 5th for Hong Kong, which is a trip we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.  We’re doing many private tours in Japan and they are requiring a lot of preparation.

 

 

Glad your Amazon trip was good.  Did the Sea dock at the port or anchor out in Manaus?  Yes Ronnie is quite the character and as himself is a local experience.  See no mosquitoes.  Insects yes, mosquitoes no.  Haven't seen anything from folks who were going to continue on the Iberostar Grand Amazon after either Viking cruise.

Yes we did see flamenco at Corral de la Moreria.  It was quite exciting.  We were seated 1 table from the stage and saw their expresssions and movements very well.  Both the male and female dancers were excellent.  It was a 15-20 minute walk from our hotel.  On our way back we saw the Cathedral and Royal Palace beautifully lit.  It was so cold, windy and often rainy during our Madrid stay - 42 during the day.  No one was sitting at the outdoor cafes even with the heaters and anywhere inside was packed.  The Mercado San Miguel was half under rennovation so wall to wall people in there too.  After 5 days pre and post as well of 14 days of the cruise, all jam packed with activities and excursions, our plan was just to wander at will for our last 2 days.  Had the worst weather for that plan.

Enjoy Hong Kong and Japan.

12 hours ago, quiltsnh said:

Lackcreativity..

 exactly.  And no one at Viking had answers.  Thanks for your reply.

It was confusing.  When i booked our Med cruise i wanted to do it way off season so looked for a Viking ship that did it.  It was only the Saturn. Then i looked at the different cruise choices on Saturn and noticed that some overlapped.  If a person wants to do a Med cruise of more then 7 nights without booking 2 separate cruises, these connected cruises are a nice option and actually more economical then booking 2 separate cruises back to back.  There are some things that i liked about the option and some i did not.  It was a fabulous cruise nonetheless.

Just now, OneSixtyToOne said:

I think it means it is not open to the public unless you have a special ticket and tour guide to enter. 

You enter the “secret” part of the tour through a hidden door in a wall and through a passage to the torture room. It’s quite a tour. You also visit the administrative offices of the Doge that contains large cabinets with the heraldry of all the noble families of Venice. It was in use up until the time that Napoleon conquered the city. 

Yes and it was such fun exiting through a door and be right inside those spectacular palace rooms.  Definitely behind the scenes so to speak.

On 3/19/2024 at 1:32 PM, millybess said:

@TayanaLorna 

How was your trip?

Did you get to Krka Falls?

 

Hello!  Our trip was just awesome.  From gorgeous churches, artwork, quaint walled towns, hilltop villages, spectacular scenery and ancient ruins to the food, wine, olive oil, and stories about local life, the people and history from our excellent guides, it could not have been better - except for the weather a few days.  But I will take the lack of crowds over a few rainy and cold days.  Even in February over 3 rainy days, Venice was too crowded and we were the only cruise ship in town.  We were the only cruise ship in all the ports and the first of the season in many.

The Umbria region pre cruise extension was way beyond expectations too.  We had the same guide day and evening and she was wonderful.  Besides the history and stories about saints, she shared tidbits about her family, growing up and her grandmother.  Never order pineapple on a pizza or an Italian grandmother will die.  In each town we had an expert guide specific to that towns history, churches and art.  Lunches were at small local restaurants where our group of 22 filled the tables.  We tasted local wines, several aged balsamic vinegars and different olive oils.  One evenings dinner was a farm to table affair with a local family.  Just amazing talking with the grandmother who was trying to learn English.  The extension was well worth its pricetag.

Yes we made it to Krka Falls which was absolutely wonderful.  They had lots of rain the day before we got there and the falls were heavily runing.  Water was flowing down hillsides where normally there would only be a trickle.  Only 1 small overlook was flooded.  It was exciting to see the water rushing under and along the walkways.  There were no railings so not for the faint of heart although the water was shallow. The immense parking lot was empty.  There were only 6 busses there and all were able to park at the top.  Two way traffic was allowed on the walking paths at that time of the year and our guide took us down the numerous stairs to the big overlook first and then along all the wooden walkways back to the bus which were a more gentle uphill.  Doing the stairs first (even going down which can be just as difficult for some) was nice to do before we got tired as it is a lot of walking.

Thanks for asking.  And how were your travels?