JerryInIL

Viking let us cancel the package after we realized that tours took up happy hour.  The package is not cancellable, but I think Viking was being nice to first time cruisers.

We are on a 3 night post cruise extension.  Viking suggests $3 per day per person tip for local guides, but this seems totally unapplicable for a 3+ day full time guide who escorts us from the ship all the way to the airport.  For great service, I’m thinking at least $10 per day, per person ($60 for a $4,000 extension). What would you suggest?

I had to cancel a Welcome Pickups ride since I missed a connection. They refused to refund my money even though I rebooked the ride for a later arrival.

Very quiet on the 5th floor.

I’ll let you know next week.

About how much time should we allow for a non-rushed self guided tour of the Acropolis from the South entrance and back.  Hopefully it will be less crowded by mid afternoon.

7 minutes ago, Shella73 said:

Ok, I have read the thread and do not see this covered.  We want to buy the Athens combo pass. We land on Aug 29th at 1200, we plan on some sightseeing that afternoon, we have a full day on the 30th and want to see the Acropolis that morning and do some leisurely sightseeing, and eating. On the 31 we have to be on a ship in Piraeus by 1400, so we would like to use that morning wisely.

 

I am looking at buying the Athens combo ticket to start on the 29th, however, I do not want to go to the Acropolis until 0800 on the 30th, Is that possible?

I believe you can select that time for the Acropolis when you buy the combo ticket. Then visit the other sights when you wish.  Watch the You Tube video that someone posted above.

With a combined ticket, do you have to book a separate time for each attraction at the time of booking?  

A full day tour to Delphi would involve about how many hours on the bus?

We also have 3 days pre cruise in May.  We will probably stay in Athens since there is so much to see in the city.  Thinking about a food tour but otherwise mostly explore on our own.  We will have lots of tours on our cruise.

Fortunately, tickets for the Acropolis Museum are available for farther than the current month.  They are also issued by time.

Hollyann: I was looking at George’s Taxi tours, but it looks like they charge for the group, not per person.  We are a group of 2, so I wouldn’t want to get stuck paying for a group.  How did you book the tour?

Can you buy the Acropolis tickets at the Acropolis Museum?

We stayed in Bayswater which is on the north side of Hyde Park.  A little out of the way, but possibly a little less pricey.  Many small hotels, restaurants, and convenient tube station at Lancaster Gate.  Great for a morning run or walk in Hyde Park.  

Viking has changed our hotel from the Splendid Hotel to the Grand Hotel Majestic on Lake Maggiore. Any comments on this change?

Our Canterbury included tour only allowed for a few minutes of free time in the town.   It’s about a 15 minute bus ride from Dover, so you need to stay with the guide.    It was one of the better included tours.

In My Viking Journey, select Account/Request Invoice.  Viking will send you several PDF’s including the likely excursions for your cruise.

Thanks Blairsville Girl.  That sounds great but DW says “No Way”..lol

Thanks for all the great tips.  We have 2 months until our excursion sign up day.

 Our May, Athens to Venice Adriatic cruise includes ports at Olympia, Corfu, Kotor, Dubrovnik, and Split.  What excursions in these ports (included or optional) did you particularly like (or dislike)?  Thanks !!!

4 hours ago, duquephart said:

Checking MJV often probably a good idea as well.

Definitely check before boarding, but it is disabled after boarding.  Does Viking Voyager show excursion availability onboard?

Do previously Sold Out excursions ever become available during the cruise?  If so, can you book them up to the day of?

Do other cruise lines also discriminate by cabin category in selecting excursions?

Any comments on Athens By Locals for tickets?

Any included tours that can be skipped in favor of an optional tour?