StevenCo

Steven,

I'm not russg140, but I can answer your question.

Your assumption is correct. You check in on Day 1 (around 2pm, perhaps earlier if you're in a high-category cabin), have the afternoon/evening to explore the sights/sites. Next day will be the "included" Viking excursion, with sail-away late in the afternoon (typically). This arrangement provides a little bit of insurance on arrival time. If, perish the thought, one's air connections get screwed up, you have a day of leeway to get to the embarkation port before the ship departs. Or for your luggage to arrive, if it happened to get misrouted (not that that ever happens...)

 

Likewise at the end of the cruise - a full day (Day N-1) to explore the destination city and/or enjoy Viking's included excursion, return to the ship for overnight stay, then exit stage left first thing the next morning (Day N) to make room for the new passengers who will begin boarding that afternoon.

Thanks. That actually makes it (slightly) more affordable, as it offsets hotel and meals for a day at each end. At Copenhagen prices, that's easily $500 per day.

First, great thread, I look forward to reading along with your progress.

Dumb newbie question while researching my spring 2019 trip. When the Viking itinerary shows the departing city on day 1 and 2, that means the ship is essentially your hotel that first night? Check in that afternoon, then have that evening and most of the next day available for a tour or walkabout? Same question upon arrivals when the destination is listed as 2 days? That's what I'm inferring, but don't see that stated plainly anywhere.

Look forward to joining the club next year.