Shore Excursion Listings

[stretchcruz]

We are booked for Barcelona the Baltics and Beyond on the Viking Sky April 15. When I go into my Viking Journey it says that there are no excursions ready to view but they are preparing them. It also says that I can book my excursions in 25 days (I am in DV 4). If I go to the overview for my cruise and click on each port it does list excursions....some ports and excursions have prices, some don't....is this normal? Seems rather odd that I can't even view my included excursions to decide what to book....and the optionals are nowhere....folks above my cabin category can't see them either!!

[comcox]

I believe I read a post elsewhere that said the actually listing of available shore tours would get posted to My Journey about 70 days before sailing. The highest class of cabin can booked theirs 67 days out.

 

We went through the possible tours listed under the cruise overview page and made a list of what we thought we would want to do. However, when the actual available tours were finally posted there were a few differences.

[Peregrina651]

We are booked for Barcelona the Baltics and Beyond on the Viking Sky April 15. When I go into my Viking Journey it says that there are no excursions ready to view but they are preparing them. It also says that I can book my excursions in 25 days (I am in DV 4). If I go to the overview for my cruise and click on each port it does list excursions....some ports and excursions have prices, some don't....is this normal? Seems rather odd that I can't even view my included excursions to decide what to book....and the optionals are nowhere....folks above my cabin category can't see them either!!

 

They should be on MVJ already. My experience has been (2 cruises now) that the tours that will be offered on your sailing are posted for everyone by the time the suites start booking shorex at 97 days out.

 

IMHO, contact the folks at tellus@vikingcruises.com and ask them how come you they aren't available yet.

[deec]

I too am frustrated that I can not start to plan for excursions that may not be offered by Viking . I can not imagine why they dont allow us to at least view what will be offered and the prices.

 

We are also on the Barcelona to Stockholm cruise.

[Peregrina651]

I too am frustrated that I can not start to plan for excursions that may not be offered by Viking . I can not imagine why they dont allow us to at least view what will be offered and the prices.

 

We are also on the Barcelona to Stockholm cruise.

 

I agree with you and I think that Viking needs to hear from more of us that we aren't happy about their timing on telling us exactly which shorex will be offered on our cruise including pricing and times. If enough of us write to them maybe they will figure out how to step it up. I don't think that the folks at Viking realize just how far in advance our planning starts or what we are used to from the other cruise lines.

[debrouillarde]

I agree with you and I think that Viking needs to hear from more of us that we aren't happy about their timing on telling us exactly which shorex will be offered on our cruise including pricing and times. If enough of us write to them maybe they will figure out how to step it up. I don't think that the folks at Viking realize just how far in advance our planning starts or what we are used to from the other cruise lines.

 

I am equally frustrated by their policy of not posting the excursions, included or optional for our May Homelands cruise.

 

I did send an email asking when I could create my Wish List on My Viking Journey and was told not until the excursions open up for my cabin category. So they expect you to make a wish list and sign up at the same time? Is the wish list then for the excursions that are already sold out and that you wish you were on??:D Deborah

[stretchcruz]

No, I just checked and they are still not there. Here is what I am seeing:

 

 

COMING SOON

24 DAYS LEFT UNTIL SHORE EXCURSIONS OPEN FOR BOOKING

We're sorry, but your Shore Excursions are not yet ready to see in your My Viking Journey account. Rest assured, we are preparing their release for you. In the meantime, take some time to explore what this destination has to offer.

[ebtrip]

We booked Ocean Star from Athens to Venice March 2018. This is our first cruise On Viking Ocean.

I know I'm too early to see what tours are available, but is there anywhere on their website that I can see what is offered in Athens, as we will probably arrive a day early and take a tour. I do not want to duplicate what the ship offers. I have already been to Athens, when we did Regent, and don't want to do the same as they had offered. I appreciate anyone info.

Thanks Elaine

[stretchcruz]

I did send an email to Viking asking about our excursions. We will see what they say.

 

ebtrip, I have found that when I go to where my cruise is listed as though I am booking it...ie...mine is Barcelona, the Baltics, and Beyond, and I click on itinerary, then I click on each individual port, that it brings up excursions. Some have prices, some don't. Some may be offered for my cruise, some may not. But from what I've read on this board, that's the best that we can do. It's kind of sad. We don't even know which are the included for each port....a few ports have included listed, some have no price listed...so does that mean it's included? Some have prices....Very confusing and hopefully they may correct this in the future.

[ebtrip]

I did send an email to Viking asking about our excursions. We will see what they say.

 

ebtrip, I have found that when I go to where my cruise is listed as though I am booking it...ie...mine is Barcelona, the Baltics, and Beyond, and I click on itinerary, then I click on each individual port, that it brings up excursions. Some have prices, some don't. Some may be offered for my cruise, some may not. But from what I've read on this board, that's the best that we can do. It's kind of sad. We don't even know which are the included for each port....a few ports have included listed, some have no price listed...so does that mean it's included? Some have prices....Very confusing and hopefully they may correct this in the future.

 

Thanks for the info, I will try it.. does anyone have info on best way to get from the pier to a hotel in Venice as we are extending our trip and will not get Vikings transfers. Don't want to drag luggage.

[Krisval]

I have seen many comments on the "best" way to navigate Venice (pun intended)- try the Ports of Call postings for Venice.

[ebtrip]

I have seen many comments on the "best" way to navigate Venice (pun intended)- try the Ports of Call postings for Venice.

 

Thanks I have checked them out, we just want to make it easy. I have found a company that will provide transfers from the pier to the hotel. Don't want to drag 2 pcs of luggage and a carry on thru the narrow streets of Venice. I know it is pricey, but probably worth the money.

[ebtrip]

I did send an email to Viking asking about our excursions. We will see what they say.

 

ebtrip, I have found that when I go to where my cruise is listed as though I am booking it...ie...mine is Barcelona, the Baltics, and Beyond, and I click on itinerary, then I click on each individual port, that it brings up excursions. Some have prices, some don't. Some may be offered for my cruise, some may not. But from what I've read on this board, that's the best that we can do. It's kind of sad. We don't even know which are the included for each port....a few ports have included listed, some have no price listed...so does that mean it's included? Some have prices....Very confusing and hopefully they may correct this in the future.

 

 

Thanks it worked.

I was able to look at the excursions. A bit surprised that only one in each city iis included. Is this the norm. On Regent there were 3 Ro 4 to choose in each city's

[Lottie A]

If anyone has the opportunity to do the "Aix en Provence On Your Own" Tour when in The Med then we can highly recommend it. We did it last week on Viking Sea.

You get about four and a half hours free time in the beautiful city of Aix but can go on an escorted walk around the city if you want to. We chose to spend time having a lingering French lunch and then strolling and shopping in the small streets of the Old Town. There are lovely churches and museums to visit. A very good value tour we thought.

[stretchcruz]

I emailed tellus@vikingcruises yesterday evening and was very pleased to have an answer back very quickly this morning. Here is what she said:

 

Thank you for reaching out. I am in receipt of your inquiry below and am happy to assist.

 

Typically, shore excursions are loaded to My Viking Journey around 100 days prior to departure. As you are now well within this time frame, I will need to conduct a bit of research to determine the reason for the delay and when we anticipate the upload to be completed.

 

I will be sure to follow-up with you directly once I successfully retrieve this information. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. I am in the office Sunday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time.

 

I look forward to corresponding with you again soon!

 

Best regards,

[palermo22]

I emailed tellus@vikingcruises yesterday evening and was very pleased to have an answer back very quickly this morning. Here is what she said:

 

Thank you for reaching out. I am in receipt of your inquiry below and am happy to assist.

 

Typically, shore excursions are loaded to My Viking Journey around 100 days prior to departure. As you are now well within this time frame, I will need to conduct a bit of research to determine the reason for the delay and when we anticipate the upload to be completed.

 

I will be sure to follow-up with you directly once I successfully retrieve this information. Should you have any additional questions, please do not hesitate to contact me directly. I am in the office Sunday through Thursday, 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., Pacific Time.

 

I look forward to corresponding with you again soon!

 

Best regards,

 

Stretch - it would be much appreciated if you post their response after they research the issue.

[stretchcruz]

Sure will.

[robinlynn]

Waiting to hear back.....called this morning.

maybe if we all call or e mail, they will move a bit quicker.

Its so frustrating, especially since I can't seem to find many companies offering small tours for Granada and Seville as a ship excursion from our port.

I did book one, SpainDay tours for Granada, but she cancelled me because I was the only one from our sailing that had made a reservation.

Since I am not in a suite, I am nervous that most of the tours I want will be booked full before I even get to try and reserve.

This will be my sixth European cruise, but the first time I have had these issues.

Usually booked completely by three months out.

Robin

[aquidneck1]

Robin, I just posted a couple of suggestions for tours on your Roll Call.

[robinlynn]

Thank you Jean. I will go check it out now!

 

Robin

[stretchcruz]

I'm just home from work and able to post. Got a response from Viking today regarding booking the shore excursions:

 

Dear Mr. and Mrs. :

 

Thank you for allowing me to look into this for you. I hope you’re staying dry with all the rain you’ve been getting in Tucson!

 

Our product team is, indeed, aware of the delay and is hard at work to get your shore excursions posted as quickly as possible.

 

For your specific sailing, we expect all shore excursions to be up within a week of today, but you will be notified via email once the complete list is published to MyVikingJourney.com.

 

Mr. and Mrs. , we appreciate your patience and look forward to the pleasure of having you aboard in April! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any additional questions.

 

Kind regards,

 

I was pleased with the prompt response but not happy that they are still not available. My friend on our same cruise said that her friend is able to book excursions but can't because they aren't there. Hopefully they will be soon!

[Host Jazzbeau]

This is one area where Viking Ocean could learn from Azamara. They open their cruises as far out as anyone in the industry, and their itineraries rarely repeat so they are always new for the shore excursions staff. Yet they have a downloadable PDF available for every cruise from very far out. It starts as a short list and some of the items have no description, then as time goes on it fills in -- but at least you can start planning even before they open for booking.

[stretchcruz]

Here is the latest on the lack of our choice of shore excursions for our cruise:

 

Thank you for visiting My Viking Journey. As you may have noticed, we are currently experiencing a delay in posting the included and optional shore excursions for your planned voyage. We understand that you are highly anticipating planning your itinerary and we truly apologize for the inconvenience. Please know that we are hard at work posting your excursions and plan to make them available shortly. In the meantime, to protect your priority reservation, we will provide you with more details to reserve your excursions and ensure that they are made available to you in the same priority order as originally planned. Thank you for your patience, please expect a follow-up email soon.

 

 

I'm guessing that means that we will be further delayed in being able to book.

[stretchcruz]

Excursions were posted this evening.

[Celiac Cruiser]

Thanks Stretchcruz!!! I have been wandering around the website trying to find out about the shore excursions for my VH cruise this coming May.

Pretty sneaky that they show the options to those who haven't booked yet but those of us who have paid are left high and dry.

Viking take note! You need to make this easier for paid customers.