norahs-lot

A TA crossing on QM2 was on my 'bucket list' and so I booked early for a December 2022 crossing and was thrilled when I discovered it was the Literature Festival At Sea! Attended so many great insight lectures / talks, etc. Loved it! My husband and I also signed up for some of the workshops, etc. that had limited numbers and I certainly do not remember there being any charge for these.

25 minutes ago, longterm said:

I'm afraid Cunard isn't our style... we're way too casual for it. I've watched videos showing the Cunard crossings, and we both feel that it's not quite our thing. 

Yes... I do get where you’re coming from. We wouldn’t sail Cunard again but thoroughly enjoyed the Literature Festival... some great guest speakers.

On 4/8/2023 at 10:34 PM, longterm said:

Actually, no... we're headed to Italy on a Rick Steves tour in May, on the Viking Grand European river cruise in October, and Cancun in December... and a few US trips thrown in for good measure! 

 

We haven't tried a cruise yet that has lots of sea days; maybe we'd like it, but since I'm regularly unimpressed with the musicians I hear on Viking cruises, and since we barely drink, we just don't know how we'd find enough to do on board. We are both voracious readers, but we can do that anywhere.

 

I've been tempted to book an Atlantic crossing, but am not getting much interest from my sweet wife in such a trip.

Avid readers? You would probably love The Literature Festival @ Sea on Cunards Queen Mary 2, a 7 night transatlantic crossing... usually November time.

8 hours ago, Hobson1754 said:

It took us less than an hour in the coach from the ship at Chioggia to Marco Polo - they estimate around 1 hour 10 min. but traffic was good on Wednesday so it took less. You’ll have to allow however for collecting your luggage & getting it on the transfer coach. I think you should be onboard by 6 - 6.30 if flight is on time - you may not have your luggage delivered to your stateroom by then though.

Thank you so much for your reply... so might be a good idea to pack something 'smart casual' in our hand luggage 😀...thanks

Good evening...  first time on Viking! On Jupiter, Ancient Adriatic Treasures, sailing April 2024, and getting excited!
Our flight from London arrives @ 15.55hrs and I wonder if any of you seasoned Viking cruisers can tell me how long Viking transfers take from airport to the ship in Choggia? 
I've booked dining for 19.30 hours and I'm thinking that I may have to reschedule.
Thanks.

On 2/6/2024 at 6:12 PM, Leomins said:

If anyone has a cruise coming up, you can currently get 28% off WiFi and 14% off selected excursions, gifts and spa treatments. The excursion discount is only valid on cruise departures up until 31/3/24 but I think the other offers are for all booked cruises.

 

Offer ends 19th Feb.

Thank you for posting this... booked WiFi for autumn cruise 😊

We have sailed out of Southampton on several different cruise lines over the past two years and can recommend CPS, on site at Southampton, for car parking if you are sailing with Princess, P&O or Cunard... these are the cruise lines that CPS deal with. ABP is another on site company that we have used for parking if you are sailing with Celebrity, Fred Olsen, MSC, NCL, Royal Caribbean or Saga. Car parking is bookable online, in advance, with either of these companies.

We always travel down the day before, staying overnight locally. Holiday Inn on Herbert Walker Avenue, Southampton is so convenient and budget friendly but have also splurged on the Southampton Harbour Hotel for a very special occasion!

5 minutes ago, Host Hattie said:

Just bear in mind other tables will have been allocated so don't be too disappointed if your request is declined. 

I honestly don't mind where I'm allocated... just happy to be on holiday and cruising 😄

18 minutes ago, exlondoner said:

And it gives you a chance to look at your table and try and get moved if you don’t like it.

Thanks for this tip 😊

I will be embarking on a QM2 cruise soon out of Southampton, Queens Grill, and wondering what will be open for lunch. I have a fairly early arrival time allocated. I have previously done a TA out of New York and had a great lunch in the Golden Lion ~ I wasn't in the Grills on that trip, and didn't explore other dining options. So what can I expect to be open for lunch? Thanks.

7 minutes ago, ziggyuk said:

 

Hi, I am local, Eastgate is a good choice for price and it's a short Uber to port or alternatively drop your family and cases off at port, park up and walk in to join them.

Those prices are correct.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply! Very helpful 👍 

We are thinking of using Eastgate Street multi-storey whilst on a cruise in a few months. Has anyone used this and does anyone local to Southampton know if these charges are correct? Thanks...

https://www.southampton.gov.uk/travel-transport/find-and-plan/find-parking/cruise-parking/

We are thinking of using Eastgate Street multi-storey... 

https://www.southampton.gov.uk/travel-transport/find-and-plan/find-parking/cruise-parking/

I have just managed to book Lotus Spa services for a Sky Princess cruise, 2023. System now seems to be working... Logged in ( UK ) to my account via princess.com and able to pay with credit card. Previous attempts had failed.

Trainline currently have a discount on Railcards, 33% off; so £20 for 1yr or £47 for a 3yr card... travel 1st class to London! 🤩

Direct train from Glasgow to London Euston ( 4hr 30min ) then private transfer / taxi to Southampton?

Followed with great interest... first time on QM2 for me later this year, TA. Enjoyed your daily reports and super photos, thank you!

Sleep7, I am so thrilled to have come across your wonderful trip report... full of amazing photos, fun-filled excursions and an insight into the Viking way! Thoroughly enjoyed reading and travelling along with you 😎 
I will be doing this itinerary plus the Venice / Athens section,  Ancient Adriatic Treasures, April 2024 and first time on Viking ( like many, I have had bookings cancelled ) So needless to say, I have bookmarked this and will refer to it frequently over the next 653 days!! Thank you 😘

...and a pyjama party pub crawl!  So classy!   Definitely not on my bucket list.

Your trip sounds wonderful... enjoy! Look forward to reading your report, have fun.

14 hours ago, schattenfell71 said:

Can someone recommend a reliable private shuttle company?

Try getting a quote from West Quay Cars... they are Southampton based. I have not used but I have booked for later in the year.

Thrilled to be following your journey...   We have this itinerary booked on Viking Jupiter for April 2024 and will be first time on Viking for us 😎 but so long to wait! Thank you for taking the time to post.

This worked for me...   AF2018

Hello,

Try AF2018... 10% discount.

745 days... 744 days too long!!  😬          Ancient Adriatric Treasures, will be worth the wait I'm sure.