Cienfuegos

Viking has an interesting 11 day cruise penciled in for 2022-2023. Athens to Athens, with stops at Thessaloniki, Crete, Kusadasi, Rhodes, Volo, Santorini, and Nafplio. End of October, end of November, and two in December. My sense is this is a post-tourist season opportunity as the weather cools. I believe this is partly a new itinerary for Viking. On the one hand, I'm reluctant to be the trial balloon for new excursions, destinations, etc, but I'd really like to see more of Greece than just Athens. Any thoughts on the itinerary? Thanks

Perhaps my memory is failing, but wasn't there a secondary / overflow docking location for cruise ships at Vancouver until 2018? Turning that facility to other uses severely congested Canada Place.

Miami offers a number of free bus-like trams which link various MetroRail or MetroMover stations with neighborhoods like Little Havana, Wynnwood Walls, Little Haiti, etc. They are very convenient for getting around. Individual maps for the various routes are found here https://www.miamigov.com/Transportation-Roadways/Trolley-Information/Get-Trolley-Information-Schedules-and-Maps

Five years as a Viking agent seems to be above the norm, from what people have expressed here. This person must have exceptional qualities to persevere in a difficult business.

That was precisely our experience on the Trade Routes cruise in 2019. There was a lot of interest in health care alternative programs. Part of the learning process.

My recollection is the snack bar car offered beer, soda, various waters. Microwave pizza, previously made sandwiches, salads, and various empanada like cheese hand helds.

An extra day in Gdansk or "Berlin" would be preferable for me. Lots you could do with an overnight stay

Thank you. I see the noon train is off the schedule. I wonder if the rail company is doing maintenance in that substantial time gap.

When my wife and I did the Oslo to Bergen extension, Viking occupied the last two cars of the train. The snack car / cafe was two cars ahead. Viking met us in the lobby of the Thon hotel, and walked the group 500 feet to the station platform. Each car had a Viking guide who made occasional announcements, etc and shepherded us to the Viking bus at the Bergen station. The guides returned to Oslo by plane. My European Rail Timetables don't show a 10 am departure for the last several Summers. There's an 8-8.30 train, and a noon train. There is a note that train service may be adjusted for maintenance, etc.

As the airlines begin to see passenger volume increase on international flights, people with deeply discounted fare reservations are finding their reservations changed to less desirable combinations. Which frees up a seat for a person willing to pay a higher fare. The airline can make this happen by substituting a similar aircraft with slightly less capacity on one of the legs of a trip. So, 50 reservations go bye-bye The Wall Street Journal had an article about this a few months ago. The increase in yield by dumping a $500 fare for a $2,500 fare is impressive.

Thanks from me, as well. Those are stiff penalties.

It's interesting the cruise line can be fined for an employee not returning to ship. I was not aware of that.

Several airlines have announced they are scaling back some flights this Summer due to crew difficulties. Fewer flights = (higher prices and more crowding)

BrightLine is a good suggestion. It's a short hop from the cruise terminal by cab or Uber. Other stations are at Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. The Metromover and MetroRail from downtown to Tri-Rail can be done, but it takes some doing. Tri-Rail is on the west side of the metro area. The MetroRail from Government Center goes to Miami International Airport, as noted in the helpful thread above. It also makes a stop at Hialeah Transfer, which is also a Tri-Rail stop. Although they sound similar in name, MetroMover is a free automated train car which moves on a fixed guideway above the streets. MetroRail is a fare based, subway-like train which has a several mile long route in the Miami area. If it was me, and I had luggage, I'd buy a ticket on the BrightLine...