Lotusgirl22

Geiranger is a great port for hiking, which you can do on your own. When we were there, we did tender. My husband and hiked in the morning, ate lunch by the dock area and then took the included tour in the afternoon. Information about hiking trails is easy to find on the internet. A beautiful port.

I agree that conditioner is advisable if you are going to get your hair wet. I clipped my hair up, passed on the mud mask and did not get mine wet.

A towel is provided. I brought flip flops, sunglasses, hat. It was very sunny and bright. 

On 3/20/2023 at 3:11 PM, uwis66 said:

Before you decided on Tauck, did you consider A&K or Viking or another tour company?      What made you choose Tauck?    

Sorry for the delayed answer. We had wanted to go to Egypt for a very long time. I researched a lot, including best riverboat on the Nile. Did not consider A & K. We have taken two Viking cruises, but I wanted a smaller group and a higher end experience. We have taken quite a few Tauck tours, and thought they would fit the bill. We were very pleased.

I see that there is a Nero d'avola by the glass. We enjoyed those wines when in Sicily last year, and have bought some bottles back home. You may want to try it. 😀

Another option to consider if arriving a day or two prior to the cruise, and if your plane gets in early, is a tour on arrival day. Our plane arrived at 7:00 am. Assuming our hotel room would not be ready, I booked an Express Golden Circle Tour. We were picked up at the hotel at Noon and returned at 6:00 pm. I think there were about 10 of us in the group. This was in June of 2019. The price was $60 or $70 per person. It worked out very well. I think the company was called Extreme Iceland.

We spent time on the top deck enjoying the pool and the River while sailing. Quite a few people did stay in their cabins - I think some were napping. So, it depends on what you like to do.

On 12/19/2022 at 8:32 AM, spinnaker2 said:

I witnessed the crew lift an enormous man into and then out of a zodiac.

If there was trouble I am unsure how the man would fend, but the crew, ever at the ready to please, did assist.

 

 

I have seen the crew do this too, and I was really troubled by it. First, I thought it was unfair for the crew to risk injury to themselves. Second, I did not think it was safe for the passenger who was lifted or the other passengers in the zodiac.

No need for dressy outfits. Shorts were not allowed in the dining room at dinnertime, but casual slacks were fine. 

F19810- I am enjoying your posts. I read that there was quite a storm in the Aswan area on Friday. I hope that it did not negatively impact your group.

A lab in our area routinely includes QR codes with results. Also a Google search of PCR tests for travel near (major airport closest to you) could be helpful.

Last week, we returned from a wonderful, dream come true, Egypt trip.  We booked the trip pre-COVID, and I am glad we did not cancel.  It was our first trip since before the pandemic, and we shared the anxieties many are feeling as travel resumes.  We flew Lufthansa from Chicago to Frankfurt and then to Cairo. The ticket agent at O'Hare examined the CDC card and the all important negative COVID test (our's with QR code).  Lufthansa required surgical or KN95 masks. Upon arrival in Cairo, upon disembarking the plane, there were two health check lines. The official was examined the Lab Report only.  Eight of our group of 24 were on the same flight.  Next, the Tauck rep greeted us and affixed the visa stamps to our passports (Tauck takes care of getting the visa). Then we breezed through immigration and were taken by bus, through crazy traffic, to the beautiful Marriott Mena House , where we had pyramid view rooms.  What a thrill to see those pyramids.  We had arrived a day early, and the next day we enjoyed the Mena House and its pool area and exercise facilities and very good food. There is a bank on the property, where we exchanged some money.

The first full day of touring was incredible. The pyramids, camel ride, Sphinx and an Egyptian lunch. In the afternoon, we went to Saqqara, where we visited the pyramid tomb of Teti and two Mastaba tombs (noblemen). Then we went to see the Step Pyramid.

The next morning, we flew to Luxor very early. We had second breakfast at the Winter Palace. Then, we boarded the Oberoi Zahra for the cruise portion of the tour.  The boat is beautiful, the rooms comfortable and spacious, the food excellent and the service and friendliness of the staff outstanding.  That afternoon, after lunch on the boat, we headed for the Valley of the Queens, stopping at the Colossi of Memnon first.  Then we visited Queen Nefetari's beautiful tomb. We were the sole group there, and split of into groups of 12 to visit the tomb. Then, after a picture stop at Hatshepsut Temple, we went for our nighttime visit to the Valley of the Kings.  Again, we were the sole group there. We visited 4 tombs, including King Tut's.  Quite a memorable day.

During the next 3 days on the Nile, we visited Karnak and Luxor Temples, the Temples of Edfu and Kom Ombu, St. Simone Monastery, the Temple of Philae and had a wonderful sunset felucca sail.  We enjoyed the boat, particularly the pool, where we could cool off and watch the Nile River.  We were sorry to have to move on.

We next had an early morning flight to Abu Sibel, where we visited the Temples of Ramses II and Nefetari. Upon our return to Aswan, we stopped at the High Dam.  Then we headed for the Old Cataract Hotel for a one night stay in suites overlooking the Nile River.  We had time for a refreshing swim and sunset cocktail. I would have loved another night at this historic hotel, where Agatha Christie had stayed, and wrote Death on the Nile.

The next morning, we flew back to Cairo, had lunch at the Ritz Carlton on Tahrir Square and then walked over to the Egyptian Museum for a fascinating tour.  We then checked into the St. Regis Hotel for a 2 night stay - new and very nice.  We enjoyed the pool there too! That evening, we had our PCR tests in anticipation of our return home. They were $130 each.  The next day we visited the Coptic Cairo - the Hanging Church and the Cavern Church and then two Mosques. Very interesting and enjoyable. We received our PCR test results that evening at the goodbye cocktail party.

We had two outstanding Egyptologists with us for the tour - one for Cairo and the other for Upper Egypt - the Nile cruise, etc. They really enhanced the whole experience.

Our negative test results were carefully checked at the Lufthansa counter in Cairo and again before boarding the plane. Upon landing in Frankfort, German police boarded the plane and removed a woman who had refused masking instructions. Then immediately upon debarking the plane in small groups, police carefully checked our passports and lab reports.  The lab reports were checked at one other security screening area.  

I would be happy to answer any questions.

1 hour ago, Buddysmom10 said:

When did you mail your passport renewal and how long did it take for you to get your new one? 

 

I sent mine in 4/22 and it is still " in process." I'm trying to change it to "expedited" to be able to go on this cruise in August.  I called them on Friday at 5 pm with the "call back" option.  They called back at 1 am Saturday from an "unknown number" so i didn't pick up.  Calling again Monday morning. 

 

I have a cabin on 24 hour hold that I will reserve if I can get my renewal expedited.  

 

Passport renewals are now apparently taking longer than a couple months ago.  

Fyi - our renewals took slightly more than three months. I did not request expedited service. Sent in early November and received early February.

And, as someone else noted, we needed to update Global Entry with the new passport information.

The vehicle is definitely high so that it can drive through the streams, so I think the step up was high, as it would have to be. I do not specifically remember whether there was a step stool, but I think there may have been.

Sorry - hit reply before I wrote it.

We took Viking's Iceland/Norway cruise in June of 2019. The Skalanes excursion was one of the highlights for us.

The vehicles that are used are 4 wheel drive smallish buses that are able to cross over 3 streams on the drive to and from the Center. They are not luxury vehicles, but I was not uncomfortable. The drive to and from Skalanes is beautiful. 

On 6/4/2021 at 6:44 PM, babs711 said:

We are on the July 10 cruise.  Signed up for the excursion to Skalanes on Day 5,  I. Wonder if someone from one of the earlier cruises going to Skalanes will be so kind as to post how they  liked the excursion?     How was the ride to get there?  Was it difficult to board the vehicle?  Overall, did you enjoy the excursion?
thank you,

Barbara and Stan. (California)

I also enjoyed the Negroni.

There are a lot of tables for two in the main dining room.  

Just want to chime in that we are also pleased with Viking's responsiveness in providing a refund of our November cruise payment, especially after reading about difficulties others have had with different cruise lines.  We look forward to future cruises with Viking.

5 hours ago, bornfreenowexpensive said:

In order to finally receive my refund, I am searching for email addresses of executive level employees of this company. I have already contacted the Massachusetts Attorney Generals office, the BBB, and Consumer Affairs.

I have an email confirming my refund is due, with no timeline. 
Thanks for any help. 

Hi - I occasionally peruse a consumer advocate website by Christopher Elliot, who has a weekly Chicago Tribune travel issues column.  The website includes contacts for many tour companies, including Vantage.  Good luck.

I also enjoyed the Chef's Table.  I like the interesting flavors, smaller portions, quiet  ambiance and wine pairings (with the Silver Spirits package).   

I am impressed with the temporary exception, especially as compared with what other tour operators are doing (or their silence).  It is decisive and allows passengers to make decisions about imminent travel.

You can also walk up the bell tower (there is an admission charge).  It is quite interesting.

We did both the express Golden Circle and the Blue Lagoon, but on different days on our pre-cruise extension before boarding.  Once on the ship, Viking had a shuttle from the ship to downtown, which was quick.  We did the South Coast tour the day after boarding the ship.

I thought we had plenty of time at the Blue Lagoon, even time for a cup of coffee after enjoying the facilities.  We did not need to bring a towel, as they were provided at the Lagoon.  Check the BL website to ensure that is still the program.

We have been there twice and done both of those hikes, and really enjoyed them. We had good weather both times, but there were still some muddy areas.  I strongly recommend sturdy shoes.