Moonlion

I'm sorry but not surprising at all. From personal experience, a rapid antigen test can yield a negative test result for several days after someone starts to show Covid symptoms and can spread the virus to others.

Thanks, everyone, for the great suggestions and advice! When we get closer to final payment, I'll reach out to Viking to ask about the Viking transfers (we are arriving the day of embarkation). I also like shipboy's suggestion of taking the Heathrow Express to Paddington and then a cab to the ship. In previous work trips to London, I've taken the Paddington-to-Heathrow Express which was quite easy to navigate even with luggage.

How much is the one-way Viking transfer per person? Can we have them just take our luggage to the ship? If that is allowed, we could take the tube into London (sans luggage), tour around on our own, and then take the tube to Greenwich (if that is where we board ship).

Meant to say, I do note *from Viking's website*... I hope the Viking website is correct, as we would much rather depart from Greenwich!

We're on Viking Neptune, departing London (Greenwich) on May 9, 2023. I do note that all BIE cruises before May 9th depart/return to/from Tilbury. All those after list Greenwich.

Great start! Please keep us posted. We're on the BIE next May and would love to hear about your experiences!

My husband and I are booked on the British Isles Explorer cruise next May (2023). We have arranged our own flights using points (included upgrades 🙂). Two questions: What is the best way to get from Heathrow (LHR) to Greenwich dock when traveling independently (taxi, reserve private car, the tube, other ideas)? We're hoping not to spend a fortune getting to ship, but will have luggage of course. Our flight from the US arrives in London early (6:45 AM) the day of embarkation. We'd like to drop off our luggage with Viking in the morning (possibly before 9 AM) and then go off to explore London on our own before returning to board ship in the afternoon. Can we do this at Greenwich? It seems that Greenwich is a tender port. Is there a cruise terminal there which will take our luggage before we board ship? Thanks for the advice!

Athens Gate and Electra Palace are good choices. Athens Gate is on a major highway so make sure to book a room that's not facing the road. You could also take a look at the Herodion Hotel, fabulous views of Acropolis, rooftop bar/restaurant and literally right next to the Acropolis museum.

This is what I was told by my primary care physician when I came down with Covid. Paxlovid should be started within 5 days of showing symptoms. By the way, I didn't test positive (with a home rapid antigen test) until 2 days after showing symptoms. The window indeed can be very narrow from the time of testing positive.

And if dining at Chef's Table and you don't have the SSBP, you can upgrade to the premium wines for $25pp.

In our experience, there is nothing "wrong" with the included wines. The SSBP gives you the opportunity to try a broader variety of wines and beers.

Yes, that's how we avoided Covid on our Northern Lights cruise 😁