Live from Mediterranean Odyssey - March 28 thru April 9, 2022

[Eggtuary]

I finally figured out the restaurant we went to in Sorrento:  www.parrucchiano.com/en

 

Most beautiful restaurant we’ve ever been in. And claims to have invented cannelloni!  Some online reviews say the service is poor but we didn’t experience that. 

[Peregrina651]

On 4/13/2022 at 12:44 PM, longterm said:

I wish I could remember the name of it; the avocado tzatziki was delicious. 

 

Google Streetview can help.

[flyboydad]

We are leaving for our Mediterranean odyssey cruise on Monday May 9^th (pre-cruise extension).  Viking’s pre-departure checklist requires passengers have a negative Covid-19 test 72 hours (PCR Test) or 24 hours (antigen test) prior to boarding the first international flight. My understanding is that these negative tests are not required air carrier (KLM), or entry into Italy, but by Viking.  Can someone tell me whether a Viking representative is actually checking these test results?  Must passengers present their negative Covid-19 test result upon arrival? 

[20Cruise20]

flyboydad: 

 

Reference my post (#38) in this thread that provides my experience. The Viking host at the Venice pre-extension hotel did not check the results. In fact, when I asked the question of who needs to see the test results, she advised me that a test wasn't required by Viking. I was livid. We spent a significant amount of time and money to comply with the testing requirement that was documented by Viking regularly. To clarify, we flew from the US, spent four independent travel days in Rome, obtained a test on our last day in Rome, took the train to Venice, before joining the Viking Venice pre-extension. 

 

I documented my displeasure on the Viking extension survey. Upon our return home from our vacation, my TA also followed up with Viking. 

 

MO was a wonderful cruise. Enjoy your holiday! 

[flyboydad]

3 hours ago, 20Cruise20 said:

flyboydad: 

 

Reference my post (#38) in this thread that provides my experience. The Viking host at the Venice pre-extension hotel did not check the results. In fact, when I asked the question of who needs to see the test results, she advised me that a test wasn't required by Viking. I was livid. We spent a significant amount of time and money to comply with the testing requirement that was documented by Viking regularly. To clarify, we flew from the US, spent four independent travel days in Rome, obtained a test on our last day in Rome, took the train to Venice, before joining the Viking Venice pre-extension. 

 

I documented my displeasure on the Viking extension survey. Upon our return home from our vacation, my TA also followed up with Viking. 

 

MO was a wonderful cruise. Enjoy your holiday! 

Viking's pre-departure checklist is very explicit - and then not to ask for it!  How aggravating! Thanks for your response.

[lisaatric]

3 hours ago, 20Cruise20 said:

flyboydad: 

 

Reference my post (#38) in this thread that provides my experience. The Viking host at the Venice pre-extension hotel did not check the results. In fact, when I asked the question of who needs to see the test results, she advised me that a test wasn't required by Viking. I was livid. We spent a significant amount of time and money to comply with the testing requirement that was documented by Viking regularly. To clarify, we flew from the US, spent four independent travel days in Rome, obtained a test on our last day in Rome, took the train to Venice, before joining the Viking Venice pre-extension. 

 

I documented my displeasure on the Viking extension survey. Upon our return home from our vacation, my TA also followed up with Viking. 

 

MO was a wonderful cruise. Enjoy your holiday! 

I’m confused about the testing “72 hours before first International flight” language. Why did you feel you needed another test in Italy since you didn’t leave the country once you got there. We will be staying in Barcelona two days before we board the ship. Will we need another test in Spain or just in the US before we fly?  If we have to test again in Spain to board, do we even need to test within 72 hours of our departure?  It’s so confusing!

[mauimacho]

Does anyone know if a RT-PCR test is acceptable for the 72  hour period?

[flyboydad]

56 minutes ago, lisaatric said:

I’m confused about the testing “72 hours before first International flight” language. Why did you feel you needed another test in Italy since you didn’t leave the country once you got there. We will be staying in Barcelona two days before we board the ship. Will we need another test in Spain or just in the US before we fly?  If we have to test again in Spain to board, do we even need to test within 72 hours of our departure?  It’s so confusing!

Yes, it is confusing.  Did Viking book your air travel, or did you book your own.  Are you staying in Barcelona on a Viking pre-cruise extension?  I think that Viking wants passengers to show a negative covid test 72 hours prior to your initial encounter with Viking.   For example, if you planned to travel to Spain ON YOU OWN 5 days prior to embarkation, you would need to get a covid test at least 3 days before boarding the cruise ship.   

In our case, Viking has arranged our travel and we are doing a pre-cruise extension.  My understanding is that we need a negative covid test prior to Viking representatives meeting us to begin our pre-cruise extension.  From that point on, Viking is responsible for any follow-on covid testing.  I am not sure whether we will be tested during the extension, but suspect we will.  Here is the language from the Viking pre-departure travel requirements document. Note the language I bolded: 

 

3. Proof of negative COVID-19 Test (laboratory-certified) Viking does accept select at-home COVID-19 tests.
- PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding first international flight, (or joining Viking if traveling independently,) or
- Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first international flight (or joining Viking if traveling independently,)
- UK Guests: if you use an antigen test (lateral flow), the testing provider must issue a fit to fly certificate.
- And/or Proof of Recovery: If you have recovered from a COVID-19 infection (within 10–90 days prior to departure) ensure you carry documentation of recovery or a positive PCR test result from the time of infection.

 

Hope this helps and does not further confuse you.

14-PreCruiseRequirementO-Italy-US_CAN_UK_AU-NZ (1).pdf

[lisaatric]

51 minutes ago, flyboydad said:

Yes, it is confusing.  Did Viking book your air travel, or did you book your own.  Are you staying in Barcelona on a Viking pre-cruise extension?  I think that Viking wants passengers to show a negative covid test 72 hours prior to your initial encounter with Viking.   For example, if you planned to travel to Spain ON YOU OWN 5 days prior to embarkation, you would need to get a covid test at least 3 days before boarding the cruise ship.   

In our case, Viking has arranged our travel and we are doing a pre-cruise extension.  My understanding is that we need a negative covid test prior to Viking representatives meeting us to begin our pre-cruise extension.  From that point on, Viking is responsible for any follow-on covid testing.  I am not sure whether we will be tested during the extension, but suspect we will.  Here is the language from the Viking pre-departure travel requirements document. Note the language I bolded: 

 

3. Proof of negative COVID-19 Test (laboratory-certified) Viking does accept select at-home COVID-19 tests.
- PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding first international flight, (or joining Viking if traveling independently,) or
- Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first international flight (or joining Viking if traveling independently,)
- UK Guests: if you use an antigen test (lateral flow), the testing provider must issue a fit to fly certificate.
- And/or Proof of Recovery: If you have recovered from a COVID-19 infection (within 10–90 days prior to departure) ensure you carry documentation of recovery or a positive PCR test result from the time of infection.

 

Hope this helps and does not further confuse you.

14-PreCruiseRequirementO-Italy-US_CAN_UK_AU-NZ (1).pdf 211.2 kB · 0 downloads

Thank you. That is helpful. I never noticed the clause “or joining Viking if traveling independently”.  We are traveling independently. We will have to figure out how to test in Spain….

[20Cruise20]

Our flights were booked independently. (We made the decision to fly first class. Viking Air Plus couldn't come close to the fully refundable price point that we were able to obtain directly with the airline.) Just to clarify, we were not required by the airline to show a negative test or to enter Italy. (As such, we did not test before leaving the US.) We flew AA. At our home airport, we were asked for our vaccine cards and EU entry forms. At the international airport (PHL), we were asked to show VeriFly. 

 

Our documentation from Viking, including e-mails received a few days before joining Viking's pre-extension, indicated we needed to present a negative test before our first encounter with Viking.  

 

About three weeks before we left the US, I worked directly with our hotel in Rome hotel to understand how they could help us. They presented a few options with different test types, location choices, and a range in cost. Ultimately, we selected the antigen option at the hotel. (I didn't want to be worrying about documentation and wanted the piece of mind of hotel assistance.) The testing process worked smoothly and I had our results, e-mail and paper copies provided by the hotel, within two hours. 

 

While I am still not happy about the situation, I have no regrets that I relied upon our hotel to facilitate the testing process. I'm sure you're wondering about the cost. It was 75 Euros each for the convenience of testing at the hotel and having piece of mind about getting the needed documentation. 

[coachma]

On 3/28/2022 at 10:37 AM, 20Cruise20 said:

Uneventful and easy four hour train trip from Rome to Venice followed by a wonderful private water taxi experience arranged through the JW Marriott. We enjoyed wandering in Venice and a tour of St. Mark's & Doge's Palace (small group). 

We arrive in Venice in a month for a pre-extension, but our one full day is on a Sunday, which limits the time to tour St. Mark's. Did you arrange your small group tour, or was it through the Marriott?

Also, no word yet on a hotel or port change. Thanks!

[20Cruise20]

Our TA selected a couple of options for our consideration.  The one we decided upon was Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace. It was offered by Walks - Italy, Spain & Greece. About 20 in the group. At that point in time, vaccine cards were presented at both St. Mark's & Doge's Palace. Plus, KN 95 masks required. 

 

Venice was very crowded. As such, we spent a bit more time than I would have liked waiting in lines to access both sights. However, the guide paced everything well, including providing about 10 minutes of free time on the terrace for photos. 

[coachma]

3 hours ago, 20Cruise20 said:

Our TA selected a couple of options for our consideration.  The one we decided upon was Legendary Venice St. Mark's Basilica with Terrace Access & Doge's Palace. It was offered by Walks - Italy, Spain & Greece. About 20 in the group. At that point in time, vaccine cards were presented at both St. Mark's & Doge's Palace. Plus, KN 95 masks required. 

 

Venice was very crowded. As such, we spent a bit more time than I would have liked waiting in lines to access both sights. However, the guide paced everything well, including providing about 10 minutes of free time on the terrace for photos. 

 

Thank you for the quick reply! It looks like a perfect tour for our limited time in Venice. 

[millybess]

On 4/5/2022 at 4:19 PM, Azulann said:

Two hrs is great to see everything both outside , interior  and  including the basement area where you can see the whole story of Gaudi sketches etc of his dream for Sagrada Familia . I have been there twice . I hope you have a sunny day . The sun through the stain glass is breathtaking how it lights  up the interior with colors . 

Can I ask exactly what the tour name is where you get the basement tour and it’s a small group?

[millybess]

Duplicate post

Edited September 1, 2022 by millybess
Duplicate

[Azulann]

10 minutes ago, millybess said:

Can I ask exactly what the tour name is where you get the basement tour and it’s a small group?

It was a tour by a guide works at the church. We had preordered tickets . The guides , many of them outside , we join group of  English speaking. We probably had 10 people on our group . You wear audio boxes . They work . We were there in the morning . The first time it was a private guide and  8 of us . It was Spanish Day Tours , many years ago . 

[millybess]

17 minutes ago, Azulann said:

It was a tour by a guide works at the church. We had preordered tickets . The guides , many of them outside , we join group of  English speaking. We probably had 10 people on our group . You wear audio boxes . They work . We were there in the morning . The first time it was a private guide and  8 of us . It was Spanish Day Tours , many years ago . 

Thank you. 

[YogiShe]

On 3/19/2022 at 10:07 PM, Eggtuary said:

Corfu, Greece - Scenic Corfu and Theotoky Estate & Winery

@Eggtuary Do you recommend this excursion for Corfu? We'll be on the Mediterranean Odyssey this summer. Lackluster reviews of the walking tour in Corfu, so we're looking at excursions outside Old Town, TIA. 

Edited March 19, 2023 by YogiShe

[OneSixtyToOne]

1 hour ago, YogiShe said:

@Eggtuary Do you recommend this excursion for Corfu? We'll be on the Mediterranean Odyssey this summer. Lackluster reviews of the walking tour in Corfu, so we're looking at excursions outside Old Town, TIA. 

FYI We leave for this cruise in 12 days. I will be live posting. Check the boards for it.

[SempreMare]

1 hour ago, OneSixtyToOne said:

FYI We leave for this cruise in 12 days. I will be live posting. Check the boards for it.

looking forward to it!

 

remember to bring portable phone battery chargers.  I would’ve been unable to take pictures several days from 3 PM onwards if I hadn’t brought 2 MagSafes 🧲power banks. 

Edited March 19, 2023 by SempreMare

[Mrs Miggins]

We did part of the included tour in Corfu.  Few years ago now and we only went because it provided a view of Mouse Island which we had never seen from above apart from when landing in Corfu on several holiday visits.  When the bus returned to Corfu Town, which we have visited many times, we left the tour and then walked the town by ourselves, returning to the ship on the regular shuttle bus.

Corfu is a beautiful island and it may be that you can do a tour into the countryside see some of the scenery and beaches before being dropped off in Corfu Town to enjoy that too.

The dock area is about a 10 minute drive from the Town.

[Eggtuary]

4 hours ago, YogiShe said:

@Eggtuary Do you recommend this excursion for Corfu? We'll be on the Mediterranean Odyssey this summer. Lackluster reviews of the walking tour in Corfu, so we're looking at excursions outside Old Town, TIA. 

We definitely enjoyed this excursion. The wine estate is very pretty and the people there did a great job explaining the process of making wine. 
 

The neatest part may have been after the winery, when they took us up to a high point on the coast. It was unfortunately quite foggy our day there, but even so it was an amazing view. 
 

The excursion is also short enough that you have plenty of time to go back to the ship and then take the shuttle to Old Town. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend the whole day there, but a couple of hours exploring was quite nice. 

[YogiShe]

Very helpful @Eggtuary thanks for the information!

[lackcreativity]

On 4/11/2022 at 4:16 PM, hutch1994 said:

I'm in total agreement.  Want to see interesting sites, not to go shopping for souvenirs.  Never buy any souvenirs on any of our trips.

It is so interesting how the same tour can vary, I guess mostly based on the guide, the logistics of the day, and the interests of the person taking the tour. We never buy souvenirs either, and did not spend any of our free time on the Nice, Eze, and Monte Carlo excursion shopping. In Eze, we spent our little free time to hike the rest of the way to the top of the hill to visit the Jardin Exotique. The admission fee was nominal and the view was priceless. 

 

In Nice, we spent our free time at the Flower Market. I suppose that could be called shopping, but in my case it was research. I work in a florist shop at home, and was very interested in the variety and pricing of the flowers at the market. Browsed the other area of the market with interest, even though I had no intention of buying. Could have walked along the beautiful Mediterranean beach instead!

 

In Monte Carlo, we did take time to have a nice Salad Nicoise and a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe after the tour of the Prince's Palace. Our free time at the Casino was just resting up and looking over the extremely high end cars parked out in front. We could have wandered through the surrounding streets, but were pretty tired by that time!