anthonyy7

Thanks, I was able to download ports I wanted or may need in the future.

Thanks, I ended up booking 3042 for Antarctica.  We don't sail until Jan 2026

As of January, Hagia Sophia is now 25 euros to enter the upper level where you can look down.  The main level is now off limits to visitors 24/7.  You really miss alot here and I don't know if its worth the line and cost.  Expect lines to get the tickets here and guides can't skip the lines here.  I don't think guides are even allowed inside now and you need a scarf which they sell for 30TL.  There will be people selling tickets to those in line at a slightly higher price if you don't want to wait in line.  Make sure to note the prayer times for the Blue Mosque so you know when to go and the visitor entrance is not inside the courtyard but outside to the right as your facing the entrance.  Cistern will have a long line as well unfortunately and this is really the only place where having a guide would help as they can skip the line.  Istanbul is very walkable even without the tram.  Make sure to leave plenty of time for the bazaar, its big and don't worry about getting lost.  If you do just ask someone where the exit is or walk until you find the outer edge and follow it til you see exit.

We were in Istanbul recently and it was quite busy.  Ticket prices are have gone up significantly and Hagia Sophia is no longer free as of January.  It's €25 and you can only view from top level, the lower is now off limits. Topkapi use to have separate prices depending what you want to see now its all included in 1 larger price.  You really don't need a guide for Istanbul, its easily walkable and easy to locate things.

I used welcome pickups in Feb to/from the airport and highly recommend.  Make sure to have Whatsapp on your phone so you can text with your driver.  It takes about 45-1 hour with no traffic to reach the airport.  Once you reach the airport you'll go through security immediately prior to the check in desks.  After check in you head to immigration and then security again.  If your flying to the US direct from Istanbul, expect another security check at the gate ie. full pat down and all your bags looked through.  The new airport is very nice but very large.

Thanks I just booked 3042

I'm trying to figure out if I should pay extra $$ to move up a category and be closer midship.  Cabin 3020 or 3042.  Would there be a big difference if there were rough seas between the two?

Thank you for the info on cabin 3042.  I was more worried about the elevator noise than the shop with limited hours.  I'm thinking about choosing that for our Antarctica sailing vs 3020 just to be closer to midship but I don't know if there will be much difference in movement to justify the extra category cost.

We recently sailed Red Wing to New Orleans on Viking (Oct 14-28).  First the Starlink Wifi was always a constant 150M download no matter where we were at or time of day.  Kudos to them for fast reliable Wifi.  I have 2 hotpots, ATT and Tmobile and used both heavily while in each port.  Both ATT and Tmobile worked fine while in port and a little bit after sail away depending if its a big metro area or not.  Not as fast as the ship Wifi but for work purposes I needed a secure connection.  I think I avg 5M-30M depending on the port.  In the end it all worked out beautifully since it was a working vacation with amazing scenery!  The room had a phone and you could make calls on that if you needed a voice line. 

How is the internet onboard and the cell service along the Mississippi?

Just back from Bordeaux with Uniworld.... beautiful ship and nice itinerary.  I think I love Bordeaux more than Paris now 🙂

We had 83 guests onboard so about 53% capacity.   Whomever has Camille as a CD will be very lucky, she was top notch and was ALWAYS around even popping up on excursions.   She left after our cruise to take the post cruisers to Barcelona then heading to another ship on the Danube I believe. 

I passed on your greetings to Galena.  She was very friendly as was the rest of the crew most specially our waiter Richard and CD Camille.  The trip was wonderful with perfect weather throughout.  We were upgraded again to 329 cabin which is above our original.  Vibrations weren't too bad and noise was minimal and as you said it was only 1 night of sailing.  It was the wind that night which was bad and during the following day but manageable.  I don't think I've had so much wine everyday in my life. 

Just off the AmaKristina and they scheduled PCR tests for 9 individuals.  They absolutely did not do antigen testing.  We used our Binax tests after dinner on Monday for Thursdays flight.  Someone connected instantly and after the 15 min wait the results was negative.   Easy, time saving, and cheaper than the alternatives. 

https://communityquickcare.com/services/

This place is in Nashville and offers immediate results for your travel test.  Again plenty of time to go and there will be many changes between now and Dec. 

I received my vaccine from CVS and when I log in to obtain results they have a QR code.  I scanned this code with verifly app which was accepted immediately.  AA uses this to confirm I have the vaccine so I can check in.  I'll find out tmrw how it all works, our first leg is domestic so we'll see where things are confirmed first the first leg or 2nd international one. 

Rules will constantly be changing however as of now to fly to AMS you need to be 1. vaccinated and 2. have a test.  There are 2 tests, PCR taken within 48hrs of departing (from US) OR Antigen within 24hrs.  The antigen will be cheaper with faster results.  Both tests should come back same day however it depends on where you go, etc....  I would only hope things get better over the next 2 months.  You'll also need to complete a health declaration form stating you have no symptoms, etc...    There is plenty of time for us to help you through this and no reason to cancel your trip over a test. 

For the Netherlands you will need to get their equivalent of a EU covid passport to go to museums etc...  Each country has their own but can be used all across the EU so only need to get one countries EU QR code.  We were able to get one from France but NL has one called coronacheck.nl which is where I would start.

Our first AMA sailing is a week away on 10/7.  I received email last night with e-docs information and instructions.  Other than completing the health survey I don't see anything else to do or much added info than what has been provided already.  Shore excursions were already available.

Sounds great, we fly to Paris on Saturday!

5 hours ago, ncmom1 said:

I am using the Binax Now Ag Card test to fly through London Heathrow.  Has anyone done that and was it accepted?

Binax test is a lateral flow test and is accepted by the UK govt for transit.  I looked into this when we were originating flying British Airways.  However it seems starting Oct 4 a pre departure test is no longer required for VAX passengers flying to or through the England. 

16 minutes ago, Daisi said:

 

You'll have to confirm with @terry&mike, but I believe Scenic is doing the tests for free.  I know (as of now) Avalon is also providing free PCR tests for returning.

That's good because Ama is charging $70 or more

I ordered 6 for our upcoming trip to France (Oct) and Germany (Dec).  Per the latest news from today it seems like a test will be required to come back home for awhile.  It took 2 days to get it approved by a medical professional and it was shipped overnight by FedEx.  Yes they are huge boxes and we plan to take all 6 just in case 1 test is bad or we test positive and need to test again a couple days later.  I feel safer taking this test over the cruise ship because if I do test positive I will want to quarantine on MY terms.  However these tests are most likely to come back negative which is why we're using these and cheaper.   I don't know any ship that's been giving out free tests because they don't test themselves they use local medical staff to do that.

Yes last night but its good to go now.  2nd time in past couple weeks this has occured

I was looking on a map and that stretch seemed the longest so I figured that would be alot of night sailing.  Is it mostly afternoon sailing?  I'm not concerned about noise as I sleep with earplugs almost all the time when traveling and at home with a noise machine.  I just don't want to be laying on a paint shaker all night but I guess 1 night isnt too bad or maybe it was just on your side of the ship lol

A few other questions...

The Lyon city tour says morning... is there free time afterwards?  I definitely want to check out the roman theaters on the hill.   Most days it has AM tours so I'm assuming the afternoon is sailing?  I know there are a couple of bike tours but the prev sailing we were suppose to do from Arles to Chalon there was options to bike between towns but I don't see any mention of that.  However these were closer together towns on the Saone.   What time is dinner usually??  Sadly we'll have to leave the evening before disembarkation to overnight at CDG for our morning.  The last train is at 7p so I'm thinking we won't have time for dinner that night.

Yes can't wait to see Galina so she can keep my Gin topped off  🙂

On 9/8/2021 at 3:50 AM, Wings55 said:

@KLRDUKS We were in #230 which would be across the hall and back another four cabins. While it doesn't sound like much I would be that extra distance will make a difference. Sure, if you could more up farther it might be even quieter but I think you'll be OK. On previous cruises we've been in cabins similar to your location and we didn't notice the noise and vibrations. Enjoy your cruise!!

Paul

Umm we were just put in cabin 231  😦   Was it vibrations every night?