MrsKMB

Thank you! SO excited to celebrate our 30th 🤯 on this beautiful cruise!

Hi! Hubby and I will be celebrating our 30th anniversary aboard the Noordam, sailing August 27, 2023 to Alaska (Glacier Discovery Southbound). 🥳 We added the two-night HAL trip to Denali before the cruise. Can't wait!!!!

I was really hoping for a funny story about how you couldn't get the blow dryer to work! 😂

San Pedro is a pretty straight shot up the freeway, so I'd check a shuttle service, then take a tour near the hotel. You should first check on the area and what exactly you want to see. Los Angeles is huge. I'm guessing you'd like to go to the coast to Santa Monica/Malibu then cut over and see Beverly Hills, Griffith Park, then on to Hollywood, but that area is pretty large, too. You could also stay in Santa Monica since some tours leave from there. Hollywood can be walked, but the main places you might want to see are spread out a bit, and some areas I'd avoid at night. And $140 all-inclusive isn't bad at all, given the driving costs, plus driver's time.

Anyone on Viking Gersemi, Aegir, or Hervor who can comment if you'll be swapping or traveling the Gorge? There are also some Ama ships heading towards it.

We leave September 16 for B to A. I will be doing a daily rain dance until then!

What about the land part? I'm under the impression that Holland's land tour is more comprehensive. But I admittedly know nothing... 😜

Oops. Well, in that case, my flight out of Athens was delayed and a connection cancelled. Also, a three hour wait at security in Montreal that wasn't mentioned to anyone. Oh, and a three hour wait for luggage. Bottom line: research any issues with the airport and airline!

Thank you for these posts! I just completed a similar cruise last week on RC. I've only sailed on Viking before, and after trying another line, I can definitely say you get what you pay for! Oh, how I missed Viking - especially the service and food! I'll go back again, but not in summer. Ugh, was it ever hot! Lucky you had that UV umbrella! I looked like a sweaty hag!

St. Thomas is small and Magen's Bay is pretty close to the dock. You just need transportation there, not a tour, unless you want to visit other beaches. You probably won't need more than a few hours there. Like others said, the ship will tell you when you have to be back, and just allow extra time. I just returned form a Greek Isles cruise and they did leave people behind.

I just returned from a Rome-Athens cruise. Rome was a piece of cake, except Air Canada lost/misplaced a lot of luggage, mine included. It arrived on the ship at the last minute. I planned to arrive two days before sailing, but the flight was cancelled so we were only one day early. I strongly suggest you follow how United is functioning with staff reductions at airports and flight crew. If they are cancelling/delaying flights left & right like Air Canada, you might want to allow a days cushion so that you make it to your cruise.

Some of the cancellations are airline-specific due to being short-staffed, such as Delta. Others are weather-related like thunderstorms in Dallas or due to issues at an airport, like what has been happening in Europe. We can't control these, but we can be educated about what is happening at the airports and destinations. If it's related to weather, it doesn't matter the airline you fly unless it's at a stopover. Then there are airlines that are just awful. For example, Spirit cancels flights like crazy. I had my longest wait to takeoff at JFK due to weather. We sat on the plane so long they legally had to ask us if we wanted to go back to the gate or continue waiting, then once we were flying they had to stop in Denver to empty the potties. There also was an issue with the hours the staff was allowed to work, but luckily we left in time. You just never know.

I'm annoyed, but not because I have to test. I pre-purchased four tests via RC for our cruise next week from Rome, planning on two for the return to the US and two to board the ship. I don't need two of them now, so I figured I'll use those for my September Viking river cruise. Well, I don't need those any longer. Aside from the waste of money, I really don't want to get sick while on board the ship. I know that testing is only good for a given moment in time and can lead to a false sense of security. I'll still be careful and make good decisions. I've been masking and avoiding people the past couple weeks because we fly out tomorrow. I am NOT missing this trip! Of course, the people on the flights are another story...

Geez. I upgraded my card, meaning I pay more, and now I don't get the "good" offers. Not cool, Amex!

I'm cruising next week with a stop in Turkey. No visa required as we are considered "in transit." From the e-visa site:

Oh my word! My daughter just packed all my clothes for 12 days in two cubes! I'm still using a big-@ass suitcase though. A girl's gotta shop! 😂

This is a great explanation about PCR tests: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/21462-covid-19-and-pcr-testing The PCR test is not related to the vaccine, but tests to see if you have COVID at that point in time. A negative viral test is required for travel.

This might help you as to why you also needed a passport: https://www.dhs.gov/real-id/real-id-faqs

I'm trying to make arrangements with George's and would appreciate help with what time would work for being picked-up to get to our hotel. How does disembarkation in Athens work? Is there a long customs line, etc? TIA

I'm SO happy you posted about your trip! I'm hoping to take this same cruise in 2024 and am impatiently waiting for the schedules to open. Thank you for all the information!

@Broons77 Outgoing email server is down. I'll try later this evening. Just know I saw your am more than happy to help you!

I will be on Rhapsody at the end of June. I'm happy to get one for you.

My upcoming June cruise had excursions for one port available on the app but not online. (Or was it the opposite? Can't remember. 😂) Anyhow, check both.

I've never heard of this when passing through a country for a short layover. The Netherlands stopped a lot of their travel restrictions. You do not need a negative test for your layover. https://www.government.nl/topics/coronavirus-covid-19/visiting-the-netherlands-from-abroad/checklist-transit-or-short-stay

Seriously? Getting uppity over shorts? I certainly don't agree with all the fashion choices of others, but I just roll my eyes or whatever and move on, as I'm sure others do when they see my old body in leggings. Attire in a cruise ship's restaurant is the least of my worries these days.