cruzzzinma Posted February 7, 2022 #576 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Ancient Mediterranean Isles – Chairman's VoyageMay 21- May 28, 2022Rome to Barcelona You will begin in Rome on May 21, 2022 and, over eight days, will sail to Barcelona, arriving on May 28. You will traverse the Mediterranean Sea, a region rich in history and culture. Admire Palermo's opulent Royal Palace, a UNESCO site, and the remnants of Roman rule in Syracuse and Cagliari. Experience the cultural treasures of Valletta and explore the white-washed villages of Menorca. Itinerary: 8 Days – Rome to Barcelona DAY DESTINATION DESCRIPTION Day 1May 21 Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy Embark your ship and settle into your stateroom. Day 2May 22 Sicily (Palermo), Italy See Palermo's UNESCO World Heritage Sites, from the Royal Palace of Palermo to the cathedral. Day 3May 23 Sicily (Syracuse), Italy Explore the ruins at the Archaeological Park of Neapolis, or the ancient streets of Ortigia. Day 4May 24 Valletta, Malta Built by the Knights of Malta, Valletta is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Day 5May 25 Sail the Mediterranean Sea Follow in the wake of legends that were born on the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Day 6May 26 Sardinia (Cagliari), Italy Travel Sardinia's expansive farmland lined with vineyards and olive groves. Day 7May 27 Menorca (Mahón), Spain Explore the influence of British occupation in Mahón; sample a glass of locally produced gin. Day 8May 28 Barcelona, Spain Disembark the Viking Mars. Consider extending your stay and visit Barcelona's cultural gems and explore the narrow streets of the Gothic Quarter. As part of your reservation on this special voyage, we are pleased to offer you the following, with our compliments: Stateroom Included Shore Excursions, as with all Viking sailings Economy Airfare Transfers Pre-paid gratuities And, in appreciation of your patience, we are adding a Silver Spirits Beverage Package for this voyage. RSVP and Booking Instructions To simplify the booking process, we have held your original stateroom assignment and will arrange your air based on your most recent Guest Information Form. Your new booking number is located at the top of this message. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #577 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) Yes...very nice but most disappointing that it's this year and not next. I already have a (rebooked) cruise for May that falls during the Invitational, so that would have to be moved (again). The itinerary does not thrill me near as much as what was offered on the Venus. Then, the other thing is I have little interest in flying to Europe for only 8 days and surely won't fly long haul anymore economy class. So I looked at what could be butterflied with this cruise, and the only thing possible (since it appears there is nothing before the 21st on the Mars) is to do the 15-day "Trade Routes of the Middle Ages" which begins in Barcelona on 5/28 and ends in Bergen on June 11. That makes it a very nice trip and offers the chance to visit Normandy since the cruise calls at Le Havre. You can see the Mars schedule by scrolling down on this page: https://www.globaljourneys.com/ship/viking-cruises-viking-mars All the above said, the timeframe is not to my liking especially ending in mid-June. This is not the best time to be away from my house and property for several reasons. Then, of course, there is the issue of the conflict with my already booked cruise. I will mull this over but suspect I will not be going. I was really hoping they would do something next year. The November '20 letter indicated that, once rescheduled, plenty of advance notice will be given to book whatever they come up with. Now, however, it's only 3 months notice. Fantastic that they remembered us, but I'm thinking this particularly trip will sail without me. 😟 Edited February 7, 2022 by OnTheJourney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #578 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) 15 minutes ago, cruzzzinma said: May 21- May 28, 2022Rome to Barcelona Yep...unfortunately doesn't work well for me at all. Additionally, not sure I'm ready for something this extensive yet, i.e. international travel / flights, etc. given the continuing uncertainties of the covid situation. As stands now, I have no flying planned till October and am quite comfortable with that. Edited February 7, 2022 by OnTheJourney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #579 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) On 1/5/2022 at 12:49 AM, Heidi13 said: Since Viking has nothing planned for Mars before Barcelona, my best guess is that they have kept this available for the Sky pax. Turns out you were right. Edited February 7, 2022 by OnTheJourney 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #580 Share Posted February 7, 2022 On 1/15/2022 at 2:14 PM, DGHOC said: I have one planned for May, So sounds like you might be out as well for the revised invitational. I'm suspect LOTS of folks have plans already made for this coming spring. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptkelley Posted February 7, 2022 #581 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Has anyone been able to see the Invitational Cruise on MVJ? I cannot. Perhaps operator error. thx. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasTraveler54 Posted February 7, 2022 #582 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Lucky for me - this fits between March and July cruises and stops in ports I have never visited. Not happy about no business flight option, but plan to go anyway. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TexasTraveler54 Posted February 7, 2022 #583 Share Posted February 7, 2022 1 minute ago, ptkelley said: Has anyone been able to see the Invitational Cruise on MVJ? I cannot. Perhaps operator error. thx. No - it's not just you! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDincalif Posted February 7, 2022 #584 Share Posted February 7, 2022 We're moving our planned May 2002 voyage to November to accommodate this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Hope to see many of you there! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ptkelley Posted February 7, 2022 #585 Share Posted February 7, 2022 7 minutes ago, TexasTraveler54 said: Lucky for me - this fits between March and July cruises and stops in ports I have never visited. Not happy about no business flight option, but plan to go anyway. Have you already called Viking Air? Are they not offering Business Class upgrade? If so, that would be a bummer. I am so excited about this. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #586 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) 23 minutes ago, ptkelley said: Has anyone been able to see the Invitational Cruise on MVJ? I looked. Nothing there. Get this one....a document that my TA just sent me indicates I owe Viking $6,880 by 2/20 for this cruise. Really??? Why would business class air not be an available upgrade? I think providing so little advance notice is poor. Edited February 7, 2022 by OnTheJourney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #587 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) 21 minutes ago, JDincalif said: Hope to see many of you there! Have fun. Unfortunately I think I'll pass on this. Biggest thing I have to straighten out is the nearly $9k bill I'm supposed to pay for this. Has to be a mistake. Going to Rome with Viking in January, so I think I can easily wait till then. Hopefully the covid situation will be significantly lessened by then with less worry about possible quarantine, etc. Hate to pass this up but I'm not inspired for several reasons. Edited February 7, 2022 by OnTheJourney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDincalif Posted February 7, 2022 #588 Share Posted February 7, 2022 9 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said: Have fun. We certainly will!🥂 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #589 Share Posted February 7, 2022 1 minute ago, JDincalif said: We certainly will!🥂 LOL! I'm just not into flying all that way for only a week. The only way I'd do this is to tack the "Trade Routes" cruise on the end of it and add another 15 days. Plus, if upgrading to B-class is not an option, then I really have no interest. Promised myself a few years ago I'll never fly long haul again in economy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDincalif Posted February 7, 2022 #590 Share Posted February 7, 2022 31 minutes ago, JDincalif said: We're moving our planned May 2002 voyage to November Yikes...May 2022...too much excitement to type well .. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #591 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Is this "Ancient Mediterranean Isles" a cruise they generally offer? Can't find it on the website.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDincalif Posted February 7, 2022 #592 Share Posted February 7, 2022 42 minutes ago, ptkelley said: Has anyone been able to see the Invitational Cruise on MVJ? I cannot. Perhaps operator error. thx. The Viking rep we spoke with said that details of this voyage would be locked for 24 hours, so perhaps we'll see details tomorrow. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #593 Share Posted February 7, 2022 5 minutes ago, JDincalif said: locked for 24 hours, Huh...how about that. Just not advance enough notice for us. I'm betting lots of conflicts with other Sky passengers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johneb2 Posted February 7, 2022 #594 Share Posted February 7, 2022 Well done Viking!!! Our Inaugural cruise is from May 21 to May 28. It is from Rome to Barcelona aboard the Viking Mars, with a very nice itinerary. Thank you Chairman Hagen for you and your organization for honoring your commitment. We look forward to it, and hopefully if your schedule permits will look forward to seeing you onboard. JohnE B 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #595 Share Posted February 7, 2022 31 minutes ago, johneb2 said: if your schedule permits will look forward to seeing you onboard I need to see more details and find out what could be done with our conflicting cruise (that has already been resheduled twice). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JDincalif Posted February 7, 2022 #596 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) 38 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said: I need to see more details and find out what could be done with our conflicting cruise (that has already been resheduled twice). The Viking agent dedicated to assisting invited guests mentioned in the Chairman's letter was very helpful in providing information and in getting our May cruise rescheduled for the third time! The surprising upside for us is that the rescheduled voyage - same itinerary, different dates- will be less expensive even though we're adding pre- and post-cruise stays and upgraded staterooms. We'll even have leftover cruise credit from the original Viking Sky vouchers to add some extra adventures on the rescheduled trip. Edited February 7, 2022 by JDincalif 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 7, 2022 #597 Share Posted February 7, 2022 (edited) 6 minutes ago, JDincalif said: leftover cruise credit from the original Viking Sky vouchers Nope...we shot the works with that money - used it to book one of Viking's Mississippi river trips next September. DW and I are still not happy with this short notice - 2 weeks only to decide on it?? Edited February 7, 2022 by OnTheJourney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJD117 Posted February 7, 2022 #598 Share Posted February 7, 2022 A proverbial saying comes to mind when I read some of these comments: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted February 8, 2022 #599 Share Posted February 8, 2022 (edited) 4 minutes ago, SJD117 said: Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Yeah, true enough. That's why I feel all tied up trying to decide it. Spring is a very busy time for me with home, property maintenance, pool, etc. so lots of different factors are involved with planning for a trip during the time this thing is scheduled. Typically we try to avoid travel as summer weather approaches, and none during the summer months. (That time is reserved for swimming!!!) The other thing I grapple with is all that flying time and hassle for the sake of 8 days unless extending it. I could add the Trade Routes cruise to make it a butterfly (in Viking's parlance) but that makes it 23 days total and not getting home till June 11 - not particularly liking that either. Edited February 8, 2022 by OnTheJourney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruisinchrissy Posted February 8, 2022 #600 Share Posted February 8, 2022 17 minutes ago, SJD117 said: A proverbial saying comes to mind when I read some of these comments: "Don't look a gift horse in the mouth." Absolutely!! Couldn’t agree more. No pleasing some folks. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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