Pre-Extension Madrid Hotel Question

[VolTravler]

We are doing the Madrid then Barcelona pre-extension and are curious what hotel is used in Madrid? :confused: We arrive there at around 10am local time and hopefully won't have to sleep in a reception area all day awaiting check-in. In Amsterdam a couple of years ago, we had early check-in arranged by Viking River and are keeping our fingers crossed.

 

Thanks in advance,

 

Mitch

[VolTravler]

I will answer my own question for posterity. For our pre-extension (used to be called Madrid then Barcelona), Viking has booked us into the Melia hotel. It gets pretty good reviews and we are quite excited, even knowing the first day will be a blur since we arrive at 10:30am after an overnight flight.

 

Peace to all,

 

Mitch

[Jockey41]

I will answer my own question for posterity. For our pre-extension (used to be called Madrid then Barcelona), Viking has booked us into the Melia hotel. It gets pretty good reviews and we are quite excited, even knowing the first day will be a blur since we arrive at 10:30am after an overnight flight.

 

Peace to all,

 

Mitch

 

We are also doing the pre trip agenda in Madrid/Barcelona and are staying at theMelia. We arrive at 8am. Do u think I need to contact Viking to ensure we have early checking?

 

Rog

[VolTravler]

Good question, Rog. On a prior pre-extension starting in Amsterdam, we checked in immediately upon arrival. I'd be surprised if that was not the case given that we are all traveling and arriving early in the day. The online descriptions says "Upon arriving at the airport, your local escort will be waiting to meet you and will take you to your hotel to check in." That gives me the impression of early check in, but without a call I would not bet good money on it. If you do call, please share the results!

 

Peace,

 

Mitch

Edited August 12, 2015 by Crisismon

[Jockey41]

Will do

 

Rog

[willygram]

My wife and I partook in the Madrid extension on the Star's trip north in May, arriving in Madrid on an 11 AM flight with several other couples. The arrangements by Viking were pleasant and the hotel (it was the Melia) met our expectations, with very courteous staff and nice rooms. All of the couples arriving at the same time were able to check in immediately (of course, don't know if those arrangements were standard or should be expected for your cruise).

 

Viking's included tours around Madrid were also helpful, and delivered as promised. Except for the problem described below, I recommend the extension.

 

That problem: From Viking's printed materials, it appeared clear that the high-speed train transit to Barcelona (on the third day of the extension) would leave Madrid in the morning ("after breakfast") and thereby get to Barcelona in the early afternoon, giving us our only free time to explore Barcelona on our own time -- we really wanted to see Gaudi's Sagrada Familia.

 

However:

 

On our arrival in Madrid we learned that Viking had changed the itinerary, with our train not leaving Madrid until the afternoon, with an early evening arrival in Barcelona Therefore, no Barcelona free time and no Sagrada Familia.

 

This was a major disappointment, especially coming as it did on top of the whole episode of Viking's elimination of the eloquently described second day in London and Paris (and their incredulous claims that since the ship was not sailing from either port until breakfast time, i.e. would be in Greenwich and Roeun more that 24 hours, that constituted the marketed second day).

 

Enjoy your cruise and extension (but do be careful about believing Viking's materials).