Vagabond51

I thought when I posted someone would ask. I would prefer not to, as many of these discussions, this one included, tend to follow the climate debate, "my scientist can beat up your scientist". Simple Google searches will get you into the thick of it. The flares, and their magnitude were real, check NASAs news pages. Write me off as that nutbar... perfectly OK.

From what I have read, as I'm greatly interested in the reasons, large satellite losses occured in both 2022 and 2023, just a month or two ago. The primary reasons for the losses were solar flares. Without sounding like a complete nutbar wearing a tin foil hat, any one intersted in following the reasons will also discover our beautiful planet came VERY close to not existing. Had the largest flare ever recorded a few months back occured on our side of the sun at the time... a planet killer, plain and simple. The media, NASA, EVERYONE downplayed or did not give this event much press. I guess for good reason. I was bewildered by the lack of coverage. But it's out there if anyone want to know. Simple celestial mechanics made for another non event "near miss" that was covered as just another one of those "things in space again". This one was a bit more than that. Iridium, GlobalStar and now Elon, just big black holes in space sucking up cash. Every one of them hyped as the cilivilzation chaning tech of the millenium.

We are in Istanbul four days having done the precruise extension. An option you may wish to investigate is the public tram line. It is clean, modern and efficient. A less than two block walk from the cruise dock puts you at the Tophane stop on the T1 line. You can buy an Istanbul Card for $1.75 right there and put some fares on it for another $3. Two stops toward town you can get off and walk a block to the Spice Market. When done, get back on, go two more stops and get off at the Sultanahmet stop. Hagia Sophia, The Blue Mosque, Topkapi Palace, Hippodrome and many other cultural sites are within a short walk. Get back on, go two more stops and your right at the Grand Bizare. When done, take the tram all the way back to Tophane for a short walk onto the ship. All for under $15 for two and you get to choose what you want to see and for how long. There are dozens of YT videos explaining all this. These tech centric young moderns LOVE to travel and do a great job at helping each other online, just like here!! On our transition day from the hotel to the ship the entire day is consumed with a 10 minute vehicle ride from the hotel to the ship. I'm hopeful I can make better use of the day than that. Some folks have "heartburn" rubbing elbows with the locals. We love it! Street food, shop hawkers, pickpockets, people watching, it's all part of the show.

My apology if my post was unclear. Yes, we were able to book our entire 28 day cruise excursions with the exception of the b2b days noted. My primary frustration was the time and effort involved in sorting out just what Viking's final intent was for those days. When excursions came online, I believe a few weeks prior to bookings opening up, no one on multiple calls could give me an answer. One woman did tell me the real process RE getting those days schedules on board. This was after three other reps over two weeks assured us it was just late scheduling issues and those excursions WOULD be online by opening. Three times, right up until opening day. I don't mind making alternative plans. I DO greatly mind being misinformed and having to waste hours of planning time. However... if this is the only bump in the cruise road, color us happy campers. We are truly looking forward to this trip. We are going to stop in London on the way home for a few days. The Brits were kind enough "obtain" some of civilizations greatest treasures and put them under one roof in downtown London for safe keeping. A full day in the British Museum.

I was a young buck many years ago trolling for Kings on the other side of Pt. Retreat about 2 hours out of dock. It was one of those crisp beautiful mid May days, clear, sunny, flat water. At that time we were in a 17ft Boston Whaler. One of the first trips of the new year after 7 months of cabin fever. Just after lunch the wind shifted coming from the northwest. We knew that was trouble. By the time we got the downriggers in, everything secured and scurried north up Lynn Canal to Pt. Retreat for a U turn to harbor, the seas were 6ft, white capping and building. Less than 90 minutes. Still clear and sunny and beautiful. Made the 180 turn, which was a seat clencher through the troughs. I believe you can still see the fingernail marks the wife put into the teak on the dash. Coast Guard was running around making sure everyone was OK. Shortly after the wife told me to go buy a real boat. I started to give her reason to postpone. My friends looked at me and told me I was nuts to give my wife grief when she told me to go buy a new boat.

Most people outside of Alaska tend to equate rain with days that have cloud cover and a lack of visability. Many of them do not understand the rain forest environment, of which SE Alaska is a very large one. Yes, it is true that May can tradionally be the driest month. However, ceiling visability can, and oftern does, lower to 1200 to 1500 feet off the deck and can stay that way for weeks without a drop of rain. Not uncommeon for these days to be the majority. Clear sunny days with high visability is NOT the norm statistically speaking. Having a recreational boat for 35 years of regular fishing and piloting two small aircraft long before GPS, I am acutley aware of clouds that cover the top 60% of mountains that drop into the sea that cannot be seen. The friends I have known who got this wrong and are no longer with us are more than can be counted with two hands. I point these things out, not to be argumentative or disagreeable, but to help educate and inform. There are many useful facts I have picked up here that have been most helpful in our cruise preparations. There is also a GREAT deal of misinformation, misguided opinions and wrong facts presented as factual. When it's nice in May, it is spectacular, as the air is some of the cleanest in the world and the crisp breezes just enhance the majesty of some of the most spectacular scenery anywhere. But you do need to see it, and while it may not rain in May, it is by no means clear. Sorry to be such a wet blanket, but that's just the way it is. If you want to better your odds of clear skies, plan accordingly. Cheers.

Like Heidi13, I spent a lifetime in these waters. Keep in mind SE Alaska has three seasons. June, July, August and winter. Can't speak to the Rockies transit, but I would HIGHLY recommend the White Pass Railroad ride out of Skagway. I have talked to dozens of people over the years who cruised the inside passage, mostly of them in shoulder season to save a buck (or loonie) or two only to have 7 days where they could not see more than 700 feet off the water, ever. The view NEVER changed, the whole trip. Something to keep in mind. Hope this helps.

I can olny share our experience. We are booked for what appears to be a combination of three cruises for a total of 28 days, Istanbul to Barcelona. We bought it thinking it was one cruise. The cruise is for most the entire month of May. We have no choices available on MVJ for the second day in Athens, seven days into the cruise. We do have an excusursion for the first day. Seven days later we have no excursion availability for the second day in Venice on MVJ. We DO have booked excursions the day we get in and the day we leave, but not the second day. Seven days later no excursions offered for Rome. It is our understanding from reading here we will be offered a limited set of excursions for those 3 days once we board, or shortly there after. The issue I have the most hearburn over is the way it was, or was not, communicated to us. Even Viking reps on the phone did not know what was going on. I could grumble a bit that I upgraded our stateroom so as to get the excursions that meant the most to us, and 3 of the 28 days that simply was not available. Again, it's not so much the final outcome as it was a lot of time and frustration that could have been avoided if Viking was more forthcoming. I spent a great deal of time on the phone trying to get answers, twice sitting on hold for 10 minutes while the rep talked with someone at corporate who "knew", but did not, as they "assured us" excursions for those three days would come up in MVJ by opening excusion day. We have decided to take Viking out of the loop for all 3 of those days. We made our own transportation and venue arrangements. Given the recent post about Venus leaving a day early out of Venice due to weather... that was a bit of a "pay attention here" moment, but in the end you pay your money and you take your chances. We believe we have made the best decision, "for us". Hope this helps.

We were reading through last years Med Iconic Shores Viking Daily's a kind CC member put up on Dropbox. Very informative. One of the notices caught our eye. Purchases made aboard ship while sailing around Italy will have a 22% VAT collected. Instructions for mail back refunds were also explained. Given I keep checking my mailbox for an Italian government VAT refund from a substantial purchase of a gold necklace on the Ponte Vecchio for my sweetie 16 years ago I believe they are still processing the paperwork. Does anyone know if Greece, France, Croatia or Spain have similar revenue sources? Always good to be aware of these little gems. Thanks!

We both drink quite a lot of water during the day. We are trying to decide if we should pack our individual Yeti thermos for ice water. They are bit bigger and heavier than we would prefer, but they work well. We know the water bottles in our fridge are available for us each morning. Would prefer not to pack more than I have to. This old back is not what it used to be. Should extra water be packed as we leave the ship from water tables. Do buses usually have coolers for later in the day? Has anyone experienced not having water at the bus upon return? Will they tell us there is no water today and we shold stop and purchase? Appreciated any guidance here. The wife says thank you very much!

An American Silver Eagle is 1oz of 99.99 silver minted with an Eagle on the coin. They are legal tender of the United States for all debts, public and private. They are in effect, a silver dollar, but no one would use a $22 coin for a single dollar tranaction, which is their face minted value. They come in plasic tubes, as silver tarnishes and this slows the process down considerably. I have had them pulled from my pack many times at security as you could imagine. Never an issue, but often some interesting grins and smiles. In effect, you are giving a tip of "about" 22 US dollars each. Most crew member whom I give them to know exactly what they are, as silver and gold are much more prevelant in their cultures than what they are in our own.

Not to belabor the point, but could I please ask for a bit more detail about the dock in Chioggia. You mentioned a 5 minute water taxi ride to the city dock at the foot of Corso Del Popolo or a 15 minute walk. Where is the cruise terminal in relation to this? I'll assume a person could walk off the gangplank and walk to the cruise terminal building, if so how long a walk would it have been for you. From looking at Google maps it appears there is a single bridge from the docking area to most everything else. Is it a security checkpoint or can you walk freely off the boat and into the terminal or town. Thanks!! Also... Odd question I know, but do you remember your orientation to the dock when tied off. Was port inland or seaward? Thanks again!!

That is great to hear. We (the wife actually) got to know our main dining attendant on a Disney Panama Canal trip a few years back. She has a food allergy and it just goes from there. The wife can end up knowing a persons life story crossing Time Square, just who she is. The attendant was telling DW Disney keeps very close watch on who gets what and pressures the crew to divy up what they get over and above what Disney dings passengers. Of that mandatory tip, Disney took a hefty slice off the top for "handling fee's". I NEVER use the provided envelopes. Always hand to hand along with a personal thank you. I have gotten in the habit of bringing a tube of American Silver Eagles with me on trips. For truly exceptional service I will hand deliver one or a few for service above and beyond. The joy in some of the eye's of receipients is priceless. They get it.

10% for Europe. Pretty simple for us. Luxury??? My lifelong best friend and mentor of many years told me many years ago that most everyone in this world goes through life it with a sign on their back that reads: "Please pay attention to me.". For us, luxury worth paying for is those service providers who read and understand the sign. He would be in a room full of governors, senators, heads of corporations and various other "very important people". Fred would be in the corner talking to the bus boy and learning; a lot. Fred never had to worry about luxury service if he frequented a place twice. People would go out of their way to provide Fred luxury. Funny how that works.

Yes... 18 holes of golf in SW Florida, my backyard. Nearly impossible to get through a round without one. And of course there is 1st, 2nd, 3rd and home plate, shortstop, left, center and right field. Yes, on adults, wouldn't you know... Scotland hugh...😉

Plus the added benefit of keeping your bald head warm at the dinner table for evening dinner!

We will be docked in Venice for two and a half days in mid May as part of our Istanbul Barcelona cruise. We have been to Rome and Florence, but not Venice. Folks we have known over the years have been pretty consistent in their beliefs Venice was extremely overcrowded and extremely expensive, BUT, a must do if you have not been there. Just two much history, culture and especially art to not take it in, IF those items are important to you. We were a bit "annoyed' that we did not have a guaranteed firm excursion for the second day, what is known I guess as a b2b day in cruise lingo. We have, and still are, following all the Venice threads related to the new docking situation there. What we have decided to do is overnight in a hotel the second night. We bought the Venice on your own excursion on day 3, which means we need to be at the depart dock at about 2pm day 3. It was very attractive option to stay in Venice after everyone leaves night 2, have a nice stroll, dinner and yet to be decided gondola ride. Most important to us, we get to see art that is not offered directly by Viking. We contracted with a transport company to get us into the train station by car at 7:30 am day 2. Its about a 75 minute drive and almost twice the cost as a public taxi. There may be a Venice on your own excursion provided by Viking that morning, but my money says you wont touch the dock near St Marks before 11am. We can see alot in two hours, even if its just the Grand Canal from the train station to St. Marks. It looks like you have plenty of time, and I'm sure there will be many more Venice cruise reports before you depart. I hope our thinking helps. It's Venice. There is only one. Probably one of the top 6 significant cities that comprises Western civilization. I'm told by people whose opinions I hold dear the art of Florence is better, but that debate has been going on for 500 years. Hope this helps your plans.

Viking is meeting us at the Istanbul Airport for a pre trip extension. Does anyone know if it's actually Viking employees that greet us and drive to our hotel or do they vendor the job out? We ask as we wish to stop at both an ATM machine and also to get a sim card and have it popped into our phones (we are both Ludites), before we wrap ourselves into the Viking coccoon. I know we will have to wait for baggage and then I suppose we meet the driver at baggage claim? I can ask Viking I guess, but thought someone may know and it might be best to not make a big deal out of it with Viking. But is it Viking? I don't wish to hold up other folks who may be landing also. Anyone have any experience here? Thanks!

Probably the most bizarre behavior I've seen at a cruise table was a gentleman with a baseball cap that brought plastic action figures, super heros and dinosaurs to dinner and set them up in front of his dinner plate. He had to be 65. Disney Panama Canal cruise where you sit with same guests every night. By the end half of the 10 person table was absent from seating.

Thats interesting regarding Split. Three weeks ago we got notice Split (and Montenegro) were removed from itinerary. They are stopping in Sibenik twice, going toward Venice and then again leaving Venice. There is an excursion from Sibenik down to Split by bus for the day. They added Rovinj Croatia going into Split. Good news for you re Venice!

Having lived in downtown Juneau for 40 plus years I hopefully can offer some advice. If your going to buy excursions, go with Whale Watching (or flightseeing). Gastineau Guiding does a cracker jack job. Plus, you don't have your own boat or plane. EVERYTHING else should be done by hiring a taxi or tour driver from the dock. Especially Mendenhall Glacier. May I also suggest should you go to the Glacier you ask the driver to take you to the end of Montana Creek Road, just about 15 minutes from the Glacier road. Get out of the cab, walk across the old bridge that has been shut down to vehicles, and resume the road walk that hugs Montana Creek for about 2 miles, going as far as you wish, or have time for. Eagles, Salmon, relatively wild Alaska. You will not regret the time, very special place. Gastineau Salmon Hatchery right midtown is worth a stop. The Shrine of St. Terese is a 40 minute cab ride and one of the most scenic jaw dropping views in Southest Alaska. AND... most summer days whales will be there. You won't get as close as a boat, but a much better time. If you go whale watching, its become Coney Island Alaska style, but still a memorable day. Have fun, hope this helps. Oh... and stop at the Sand Bar in the Valley for a basket of Halibut, half the cost, much more in the basket and five times as good as the tourists shops next to the cruise dock! But it's a bar and pretty much a dive, where locals eat their butt.

If not for GOOD hot coffee and hot showers, I would seize up like an old engine. Thank you for the heads up on where to find it.

We bought "Venice On Your Own" for day 3. That gives us a ride back to the ship at the end of day 3. This is our first time in Venice. We have been told by many sources we should try to stay overnight and enjoy a nice waterside dinner and stroll after the tour groups all leave late afternoon, so we got a hotel just off the GC in Santa Croce. If we get up early day 2 we hope to get a taxi, water or land, but most likely land. 50 minutes about 60 euro to the Venice train station. If Viking provides transport, depending on how late in the morning, all the better. While it does involve more cost to do all this, it removes almost 3 hours of tender time that we can spend ashore and give us an evening and morning. Given the bigger cost to get to Venice from the other side of the world, acceptable.

Thank you for the information from your inquiries to Viking. It would appear from the responses you got that Vikings position is we provide one guaranteed shore excursion per port, everything and anything in addition to that single excursion is on a best efforts basis by the ships crew and local/regional Viking support staff. In fairness and understanding, I really have no problems with their position. Tender vessels, dock space and crew manpower are very "fluid" on b2b days. From all we have learned so far we have decided just to take Viking out of the loop for the Athens, Venice and Rome b2b days. The only hole now in our itinerary is getting into Venice the morning of day 2, a b2b day. While it all may work out fine once we get there, and they may provide water transport into Venice, I'm unwilling to leave it to "maybe" "best efforts" etc. After cogitating about it a bit its hard to fault Viking. They ARE providing what was offered. Live and learn. Now we know. I will state finding out the reality was a PR and communication shortcoming on Viking's part, and we will politely let them know at the appropriate time.

Heidi13... just a quick thank you for the romecabs suggestion. We ended up booking a private tour to Pitigliano from Civitavecchia we found from the link. We have spent a week in Rome and with such a short window decided this would be much more enjoyable. Would not have found it without the link! Tip of the hat and a thank you!