Hazel52

So helpful, thank you!!!

Does anyone have a list of excursions (from past years) that includes pricing for this itinerary? I'm reading about options on Viking's website but they don't list prices until we can book and need to have a better idea of things before then. Thanks!

Love this, thank you!! We’ll be going in October so anything else she thinks of before that would be much appreciated!

We recently returned from SA and the Chilean Fjords and for those planning for next season's cruises, I wanted to give a shout out to 2 independent tours we took. (perhaps others will add theirs) In Puerto Madryn – Animal Travel – we found them through Viator. Hugo was our guide and he was exceptional. Not only was he knowledgeable, personable and patient but he knew when to give us a break from his travelogue and when to stop for “comfort” breaks. We took the tour to Punta Tombo to see the Magdelana Penguins. It was a bit of a drive but comfortable and Hugo kept us engaged. It was really special to be able to walk amongst the penguin homes – they have a path clearly marked but we could (if permitted, which it wasn’t) reach out and touch them. They gave us a box lunch with an assortment of items including 2 sandwiches on the way back. When we returned to Puerto Madryn some wanted to return to the ship but Hugo happily took the rest of us on a short tour along the coast. He could have easily said the tour was over but he extended it, since we had the time. High marks! In Buenos Aires we used Tomás Hughes. His company is called Bonaventura Tours - https://www.bonaventuratrips.com/ It was just the 2 of us and we only had 1 day so we did what Tomás called the “behind the scenes tour” of Buenos Aires. Tomás is a serious history buff! We started our tour in the Recoleta Cemetery and I think we could have been there all morning. He knew so much about the history and interconnections of the families whose mausoleums we walked amongst. And yes, his family is there, too. His family has been in BA for many generations! Then for the rest of the day he wove what we learned in the cemetery (about the various families) into the rest of the tour in the city and surroundings. He also offers a tour of the Delta (on a boat) and a Ranch tour (on horseback) but we didn’t have time for it all. Tomás is a real gem! It was a fantastic cruise - only missed the Falklands - we highly recommend it. Deb

Thanks so much for resurrecting this thread. We, too, are on in October and I’m just starting to research our plans….. we much prefer smaller independent tours. Will be happy to share if I learn something relevant. Deb

just noticed in your signature that we're doing the exact same itineraries as you are, just different dates! like minds!!!

For those of you who have been to Tarquinia, was this a Viking optional tour or an independent tour. If independent, did you like the tour operator and if so would you share that info? Thanks!

I have been told you need to purchase the airport transfer 1 month prior to boarding so I suggest not waiting. $49/pp. perhaps Lyft or Uber?

We are looking for an independent tour guide who will pick us up at the port, take us on an afternoon tour and then take us to the airport for an evening flight. Recommendations? thank you!

Greetings! looking for recommendations for independent tour guides who would pick us up at the port, take us on an afternoon tour and finally deposit us at the airport for our 9pm flight home. I have already contacted Elisabth from Iconic Buenos Aires and she's fully booked. Thanks in advance! Deb

I have asked on every one of our 9 ocean cruises if they would offer non scented toiletries as an option. Hasn’t happened yet.

On sailings without a bridge instructor they put games and cards in the chef’s table. They list this cards and games in the Daily but then you’re on your own. You show up and hope others do, too. Some cruises there have been several tables, our last cruise we struggled to get 2 tables.

Love Ram, thanks for letting me know!

Just wondering who are the cruise director and the cruise consultant? We’ll be boarding when you get to Montreal. Thanks!

So sorry, that’s what I meant… In the Wake of the Vikings.

Maybe because it’s so well liked when they are able to stop there. It was probably our favorite port on Trade Routes last year.

We’ve done 8 ocean so far and would happily repeat any of them. But…. I think the Greek Odyssey with a 4 day pre extension in Athens really stands out for me. Just spectacular! A total immersion in their history.

I don’t know about the 2 day, strongly urge you to do the 4 day if time and finances allow. Best value of any we’ve seen. Jam packed with excellent excursions and 1 day free to create your own. Highly recommend it and Kostas from George’s Taxi for creating your own plan on the free day.

We live in MN, too - Minnetonka. Did Greek Odyssey this past February and had our independent tour to Corinth canceled because of snow. It was an inch, maybe, so we were like “really”??? Our “guy” was great, though, and ended up giving us a wonderful tour of Athens, places not on our Viking included excursions and places only accessible in his taxi, rather than a tour bus. Highly recommend him. Kostas from George’s Taxi. To answer your question… we layered as we do in MN with a raincoat as the outer layer. Hat and mittens are generally always with us. As a good Minnesotan I’ll take the cold and snow over the heat they are experiencing now. You’ll love this trip! Hope you are doing the 4 day extension in Athens!

Also check out George’s Taxi. We used Kostas for a half day tour of Athens area. In his taxi we were able to go so many more places than on the Viking bus so I called it “the behind the scenes tour”. Great guy, colorful. He was going to take us to Corinth but decided - because of snow - it wasn’t safe. Hard to fathom with the heat and humidity there now.

We loved our day in chioggia or “Little Venice “ as they call it. Also, it’s 1,000 years older than Venice. Definitely recommend spending time there. And oh, not crowded at all like Venice.

We do, too. Just wanted to reassure you that if you get no response before your window opens, book what you can and go to guest services to resolve once you board. Also, we were in Chioggia which was a lovely port and easy to walk to and explore for 1 of our 3 days. If I remember correctly, I did an online chat with Viking before our cruise and they said we’d be able to have an included tour each day - even the same one…. As in “Venice on Your Own” once we got on board. Don’t know why they do it this way for back to backs, seems confusing.

We had a similar situation last Spring. All was resolved once on board for all 3 days. Including an included tour on the 2 days we wanted to do included tours. Perhaps you’ll get the same answer from Viking. Did you try the chat option in MVJ?

We had a great duo last fall ~ In the Wake of the Vikings.

We had excellent service with George’s Taxi, which you can pre-arrange.