Vineyard View

We just returned from a sailing RT using Fusina. We spent 4 nights right in Venice pre and are so grateful that we did. It is an entirely different experience in the Mornings, and then again late afternoons and evenings. Midday - it’s just jammed. Btw - purchase St Marks tickets online ahead of time directly from the website. Will save you enormous time to skip the line and add the museum upstairs to your ticket! We were not on Viking, but the port authority controls this for Fusina - If you are going directly from the Airport to the ship, you will drive from the mainland across the causeway, to Venice where the old cruise terminal is. If you are staying in the city of Venice or Maestro you will still need to go to the old cruise terminal in Venice. There you will check in and clear security. Then you will take a bus from the cruise terminal, back across that same causeway to the Fusina port where you will board the ship. So your transfer time of each leg is 30 min, plus check in time and bus on/off wait time. It is non optional. It’s a pain but I guess better than the further out alternatives for Venice. I would suggest you ask Viking where their shuttles will be taking you in Venice that afternoon. It may be because it is embarkation day that they will only be taking you back to the old cruise terminal. If it is, then you will still need to get into the city. When we disembarked on Wednesday, there were no readily available cabs. I do not know if that will be different for your date. Option B is to take a water taxi from the cruise terminal to Marco Polo which is $100 euro. If you wish to do that try to find a way to pre-order one as they were not readily waiting at a basically empty cruise terminal. We were spending the night on return at a hotel next to the airport, so we took the ship shuttle bus across the causeway to the airport, cab to hotel, then public bus back across the causeway to spend a few more hours in Venice (nothing to do at the hotel) and back again for our 6a flight the next day. I am only sharing all of this because I did not fully realize the logistics prior. Viking will surely have shuttle busses to the bus station on Venice island for your port day, where you can walk or take public water taxis to various parts of the city. I would just confirm for embarkation day where their shuttle busses from the ship will take you. Bring great walking shoes and enjoy! It’s wonderful!

We were on that Hvar nightmare with you both! Glad the rest of your trip is going well. We really enjoyed our time on Quest, including the food!

Thank you. I appreciate knowing this. We were in a couple ports last week on another line that were incredibly small unless you ventured off on your own or excursions - we avoid excursions whenever possible. We enlisted a cab at one, then the other the weather wasn’t cooperating. it was the last port, so we skipped that and just spent the couple hours in that port and returned to ship - which isn’t all bad at all!

So is there enough to do here to fill your day at leisure, or would you say it is more a couple or three hour experience. We enjoy having lunch on our own so that would be a given,

Valletta, St John’s. If you go to Mdina don’t miss St Paul’s. Both are incredible.

The Carrivagio exhibit was unbelievable in Valletta. I did not expect to see that either! I purchased the tickets online for several cathedrals including St John’s, Mdina St Paul’s, and St Marks during our pre stay in Venice. Sure saved a lot of waiting in line time.

Just moved to deck 6 and will watch for 7 to open up. Thanks for all the advice

We were on deck 7. We could see the tenders being lowered right from our cabin and it felt like only one deck down, so I may be way off. Was running on fumes yesterday when I posted the question. I just went back to look at the the deck plans and it shows tenders on Deck 6. We could hear the tenders being lowered every time on Deck 7, but we wake early so it was no big deal. I was concerned it might be a greater volume one deck down.

The only other floor that is available without changing cabins mid cruise in V3 is on Deck 6. The tender deck. I have to think that’s not such a great location either?

Thank you all. It is I believe the same issue regardless of line.

We just booked a future cruise next Spring while on our first Seabourn cruise that we (sadly) just disembarked Quest from this morning. I am looking at the schematics of Encore and noticed that we are booked in an adjoining room. It was the last cabin available in the category we wanted, but nothing was said of this. On all previous cruise lines, we have avoided at all costs adjoining cabins due to noise. I am thinking it’s likely no less concerning on Encore. If you have experience with this and agree or not, please lmk. I think it might be wise to let our TA know we would want to be on a waitlist for cancellation of another V3 if there is such a thing? Thank you!

We were just in Malta this last week. We grabbed a cab to Mdina. I think the fare was around 22 euro each way. It is not a difficult city to navigate and being able to do so at your own pace, for us, was the way to go. Do not miss the Cathedral! There was a huge MSC ship in port so it was jammed. Once their tours finished Mdina was what we had hoped it would be and more. Same energy change in Valletta once it sailed. Would go back to Malta in a heartbeat. Would have loved two days to also visit Gozo. The archeological museum in Malta, was fascinating with relics back to 4500bc. The cathedral was jaw dropping as well. Have a great time however you choose to explore!

Exactly what we are hoping to do in 2025. In fact I will be looking specifically to do this with one of three lines I am following. If it is offered I do hope that there is a 15 day option. 10 day itineraries are common and they aren’t quite long enough. As you suggested, maybe even B2B options. I won’t hesitate for the right itinerary.

Currently on Quest restaurant is open every day for Breakfast and lunch - short window. Pool girl opens at 1:00 and colonnade is open breakfast/lunch.

Still on Quest. Was with Calvin and his team last night in MDR. He will be going to Venture. (We almost booked a new Scotland itinerary on Expeditions, but for us, decided it was a bit too much nature based vs what we would want - in fact most Spring No Europe itineraries are now expedition). But back to food, Another excellent service and food offering last night. The venison was impressive. We have also noticed the last few days an uptick in the wines. New offerings from the ports we are visiting have been brought on board. While they are by no means fine wines, they are certainly better than at the start of this sailing. TK Grill the other evening was outstanding as was the wine we selected from the wine selections menu. Currently sailing into Vodice and the weather has certainly turned on us - we were lucky until now. Umbrellas will be part of the attire shortly!

We always take time before and/or after our trip to explore. I think the concept that can and does happen on all the boards is the loyalty that occurs with each brand - we fell into that ourselves with Viking. We enjoy and hope to sail them in the future. We wanted different Mediterranean ports than Viking continues to offer, so we jumped ship so to speak. We are currently on a 460 pax ship and thoroughly enjoying our experience without spending more than Viking, We actually are spending less when we factor everything in that we do when we cruise. That is not to say that Viking doesn’t do better in some areas, but this ship does better in a lot of areas than Viking.

I completely agree with you! It is why we started looking elsewhere - all of this. Oceania’s new ship Vista has a few appealing itineraries next year in the Mediterranean. The problem that I find with them is that they run in 10 day segments for the most part. We prefer in between 10-20 days. 14 is a sweet spot for us now due to home/pet issues, unlike the longer itineraries we did before. We weren’t looking to change from Viking. But this experience has been a lesson for us that others do have excellent products out there and itineraries are important.

We actually arrived right behind you. Was a bit disappointed that we tendered, but this small ship goes to a lot of really small places as well, and they have tendering down to a science. They were running every 10 minutes throughout the day. We sure lucked out on the weather didn’t we! We are now Sailing into Vodice/Sibenik in thunderstorms this morning.

I have. This was the outcome of our discussion. I wasn’t really impressed with the outcome to be honest.

We were in Malta this week. Simply amazing. Don’t miss the sail in. we are currently in Kotor. Viking ship is in and it seemed strange for me to think it looks large. The tiny casino on board is tucked away and unobtrusive. It was empty when we happened by it. There is not a ‘no kids’ rule, but there is absolutely nothing for them to do on board - and not a single one is on our sailing. Time of year might impact that. I was concerned prior to this sailing but no longer am. I am going to write up a comparison review when we return. Viking has advantages over Seabourn, but not enough to make it worth the Advantages we are finding here. We will still look at both. The final payment 90 days prior combined with per day cost comparison, cabins, food….. take a look for yourself. We all have different preferences.

We are on Quest and looking to book a voyage next Spring. Currently there are no promotional on board savings other than 5% - which we can also have by simply making a $500 future cruise deposit. Other than cabin choices early, is there any other advantage to booking now? I might be missing something but I am not seeing any. Thank you

We are on Quest now. The food has been quite good to excellent. Captains dinner last evening was well done and we very much enjoyed it. Execution and presentation was lovely Only one dinner was I served a meal that just did not work well. Our server Carlos had already brought me a second small portion of a different main since I had difficulty deciding between the two. That portion was very good and the other main was quickly taken away. So the end result was very satisfying. My biggest issue has to do with the included wines. They should be of higher quality IMHO. Yes, the wine list is extensive and thorough in world class offerings, but it just seems to me that one shouldn’t have to resort to that list for decent enjoyment of wine. Service, staff, atmosphere, accommodations are wonderful. We are looking where we want to travel with Seabourn next Spring - which is when we can travel. With the new expedition ships, that seems to be a big focus on their spring European itineraries. We have looked at several. They look incredible, however I am not certain how many people want a nature focused trip to Europe (ex Scotland itinerary). Spring itineraries have a heavy focus on Ashdod and Haifa which are not on our list at this time. so back to the topic of this thread, for the right itinerary, we will happily sail Seabourn again. We are enjoying the cuisine being served.

Having been a big Viking fan for 10 years, we are currently on Seabourn. We will sail Seabourn again for the right itinerary. We are very impressed with the product so far. The extreme pay in advance and large increases in fares, along with repeated European itineraries is what got us looking in the first place. Right now - no regrets.

Just boarded Quest yesterday from our stay in Venice. We took a water taxi from our hotel to the old cruise terminal. Approx 1 week prior to departure we received our check in time. Check in was seamless in a basically empty terminal. It was a fairly good walk to the building from where we were dropped. After going through security we were taken to a bus. It took 30 minutes to arrive at the ship. Boarding was easy and quick. This is the only manner in which you can arrive at the ship.

Boarding Quest today so hoping your friend’s experience has not continued for them.