LIVE from Viking Sea - West Indies to Iberia (BCN--SJU) Dec. 3--Dec. 17

[FetaCheese]

Will endeavor to post some impressions and details.

[keokukjoe]

47 minutes ago, FetaCheese said:

Will endeavor to post some impressions and details.

See you on the 3rd!

[Azulann]

look forward to your impressions of this TA. I love these cruises.

[CCWineLover]

Yes looking forward to hearing how your trip goes.  We were on the exact same cruise on the SEA exactly one year ago - same ports, same time frame.

You will absolutely love Madeira - it was an unexpected treat!!

[FetaCheese]

Thanks Keokuk Joe, at EWR United club.  Took Uber, on time, very safe driver and friendly.  Wanted to get here early for 7:15 flight.  TSA, looong cattle shoot,but short wait, no issues.  Didn't have to take out liquids bag.  

[SERT8]

And the adventure begins! How exciting! 

[Palmcard]

We’re on our way to JFK to Barcelona. Flt on delta leaves 830pm tonight arriving 10am Dec 1. Everyone have safe travels.

[FetaCheese]

Landed at BCN. UA Flight  from EWR was fine, even arrived 30 minutes early. 

 

Then... passport control line was like 400 people, with only 6 agents.  A very long wait. 

 

Found baggage.  A large group of V pax were at bag claim for their pre-hotel transfer.  We're independent. 

 

Then took Uber to hotel.  Worked well, but my VISA card was declined, even though I told VISA bank I was going to Spain, so I put it on AMEX, which worked.

 

But...now sitting in hotel lobby, waiting for room,  checking email.  VISA did charge card for same trip, charged on AMEX.  And VISA card declined at hotel.  Very annoyed, because it's a a AAA VISA travel card with fine travel rewards.  Account was with BofA, who recently sold account to another bank, Comenity.

Edited December 1, 2022 by FetaCheese

[FetaCheese]

Good morning,

 

We like our small boutique hotel, Continental Palacete, 3 star, las Ramblas district. Old world style, a bit quirky, but really nice. Has a complimentary 24

 hour buffet, with wine and beer included.  Had a nice dinner 8pm (early) at Taller de Tapas restaurant.  City is really beautiful, bustling with lots of young people out enjoying shops, restaurants, etc.

 

Today, Friday, we will be picked up by BCN Day Tours, for a full day  semi private tour, with Montserrat visit.

 

( Called VISA card fraud/security dept.) to unblock account.  So it's working now.

Edited December 2, 2022 by FetaCheese
Photos

[Opinica]

 We think very highly of BDT.

[FetaCheese]

Today, Friday, we were picked-up by BCN Day Tours, on time for full day city tour and visit to Monseratt.  Our guide, Marta, was excellent.  Our friendly group of 8 were all V pax on our voyage.

 

Montserrat was quite impressive.  We especially enjoyed hearing the boys choir performance in the basilica, itself a most beautiful house of worship.

 

The luxury Mercedes mini coach was comfortable, and our driver, Patrick  competently and safely navigated the mountainous narrow switchbacks up the mountain.  The area provides excellent views of the upper mountain part of Montserrat, accessible via funicular, and the valleys below.  Barcelona can also be seen in the distance.

 

Our visit to Parc Guell, a Gaudi site, although with lots of steps, was very beautiful and well worth our time.

 

They dropped us off at our hotel where we'll spend our last night in Barcelona.  Planning to enjoy a nice tapas dinner and visit to the Christmas market.

 

Tomorrow we board the Viking Sea, where the adventure continues.

 

[CCWineLover]

1 minute ago, FetaCheese said:

Today, Friday, we were picked-up by BCN Day Tours, on time for full day city tour and visit to Monseratt.  Our guide, Marta, was excellent.  Our friendly group of 8 were all V pax on our voyage.

 

Montserrat was quite impressive.  We especially enjoyed hearing the boys choir performance in the basilica, itself a most beautiful house of worship.

 

The luxury Mercedes mini coach was comfortable, and our driver, Patrick  competently and safely navigated the mountainous narrow switchbacks up the mountain.  The area provides excellent views of the upper mountain part of Montserrat, accessible via funicular, and the valleys below.  Barcelona can also be seen in the distance.

 

Our visit to Parc Guell, a Gaudi site, although with lots of steps, was very beautiful and well worth our time.

 

They dropped us off at our hotel where we'll spend our last night in Barcelona.  Planning to enjoy a nice tapas dinner and visit to the Christmas market.

 

Tomorrow we board the Viking Sea, where the adventure continues.

 

Wow - wonderful that Marta is still working at Barcelona Day Tours.  We did the exact tour you did but back in May 2019 ahead of our Trade Routes Cruise.  Marta was absolutely one of the best guides we've had - and we learned so much that day!   

We were in Barcelona exactly a year ago, ahead of taking the Sea from Barcelona to San Juan (like you).  We had a wonderful (albeit cold day!) at the Christmas Markets.  Enjoy!

[powderhorn]

We had a lovely day touring the old market, Xmas market and enjoyed Tapas at El Portalon in the Gothic Quarter....enjoyed it all!

[powderhorn]

We are on board and getting settled in our stateroom....had a glitch checking in...Viking depending on Internet connection in check-in hall and our receptionist couldn't connect so we had to queue at guest services on board to complete the task.....

 

Also, queued up to get specialty dining adjusted....lovely lady with great patience fixed us up with times and dates that were suitable for us....going to try the California menu tonight in the Chef's tabel....we also got reservations for Indies and Asian Panorama....they are also offering the Scandinavian and the Ziaing menus...pardon the spelling...also had our 2 reservations in Manfredis moved up to 6:30.....so we are all set to go!

[keokukjoe]

53 minutes ago, powderhorn said:

We are on board and getting settled in our stateroom....had a glitch checking in...Viking depending on Internet connection in check-in hall and our receptionist couldn't connect so we had to queue at guest services on board to complete the task.....

 

Also, queued up to get specialty dining adjusted....lovely lady with great patience fixed us up with times and dates that were suitable for us....going to try the California menu tonight in the Chef's tabel....we also got reservations for Indies and Asian Panorama....they are also offering the Scandinavian and the Ziaing menus...pardon the spelling...also had our 2 reservations in Manfredis moved up to 6:30.....so we are all set to go!

We have an 8pm reservation at Chef's Table tonight. Maybe we'll see you there and can tell you how a single missing screw in a wing panel  on a Delta 717 almost made us cancel our trip!

[TayanaLorna]

1 hour ago, powderhorn said:

We are on board and getting settled in our stateroom....had a glitch checking in...Viking depending on Internet connection in check-in hall and our receptionist couldn't connect so we had to queue at guest services on board to complete the task.....

 

Also, queued up to get specialty dining adjusted....lovely lady with great patience fixed us up with times and dates that were suitable for us....going to try the California menu tonight in the Chef's tabel....we also got reservations for Indies and Asian Panorama....they are also offering the Scandinavian and the Ziaing menus...pardon the spelling...also had our 2 reservations in Manfredis moved up to 6:30.....so we are all set to go!

Good to know Chef's Table Menus.  Chances are the Sea will continue same throughout all their Caribbean & Amazon cruises this season.  Like them all.

[powderhorn]

4 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

Good to know Chef's Table Menus.  Chances are the Sea will continue same throughout all their Caribbean & Amazon cruises this season.  Like them all.

The crab cake was the bell of the ball.....:-)

 

Edited December 3, 2022 by powderhorn
files deleted wrong format

[powderhorn]

[powderhorn]

5 hours ago, keokukjoe said:

We have an 8pm reservation at Chef's Table tonight. Maybe we'll see you there and can tell you how a single missing screw in a wing panel  on a Delta 717 almost made us cancel our trip!

Glad you made it aboard....it was a gutsy move to fly in day of the cruise....specially from such a distance....the anxiety would have killed me....lol....but you made so now you can relax.....we finished our meal off with a lovely shot of averna from the bar.....kudos to Viking for stocking that...:-)

[keokukjoe]

Dinner at Chef's Table last night, California menu was lovely. The halibut in a champagne vinaigrette was superb.

Feta cheese and his lovely wife stopped by to say hello. Nice to finally meet!

Interesting lecture about the history of Spain yesterday.

Like our PV1 cabin.  More than enough room and so much storage space. 

Crew is lovely. 

For fellow passengers, go to guest sign up today to sign up for  the optional liquor and wine tastings which are included with the SSBP. They are filling up fast. Included offerings are: Single Malt, Old World Wine, Armagnac and Gin tastings.

Looking forward to our sea day today after our exhausting 30 hour journey yesterday. 

[FetaCheese]

Boarding with no problems, got on to ship real fast.  No muster drill, but 1st thing was a small group demo of life jacket wearing, then off to cabin, to watch safety video on tv.  Luggage arrived pronto.  Cabin steward, Bryan, came to introduce himself and go over cabin features.  Our DV is very nice.

 

Stopped by to meet Keokukjoe.  Enjoyed some nice conversation with them.  Decided to walk up to Manfredis for dinner.  They sat us straight away.  Calamari, antipasti and mushroom soup were superb.  Wife had 1/2 portions of pasta with tiger prawns, and lasagna, both excellent. 

 

I had bisteca fiorentina.  Was very disappointed with it, thin, not well marinated, half fat and gristle.  Definitely not of same quality that we had last year on Venus. Because we were talking with guests at next table, enjoying conversation, did not say anything to rest mgr. Will talk with him or her today. deserts were fine.  Asked for wine list, and wine steward appeared in moments.  Came back multiple times to offer refills.  

 

Sea day today.  Ship is terrific, clean and well maintained.  Crew very friendly and working hard.  Don't have pax count, but seems fairly full.  Cabin chair arms --  leather is peeling, not very attractive, but everything else in cabin is 1st class.

 

Edited December 4, 2022 by FetaCheese
Addl info

[TayanaLorna]

15 hours ago, powderhorn said:

The crab cake was the bell of the ball.....:-)

 

We enjoyed that menu.

[TayanaLorna]

4 hours ago, FetaCheese said:

Boarding with no problems, got on to ship real fast.  No muster drill, but 1st thing was a small group demo of life jacket wearing, then off to cabin, to watch safety video on tv.  Luggage arrived pronto.  Cabin steward, Bryan, came to introduce himself and go over cabin features.  Our DV is very nice.

 

Stopped by to meet Keokukjoe.  Enjoyed some nice conversation with them.  Decided to walk up to Manfredis for dinner.  They sat us straight away.  Calamari, antipasti and mushroom soup were superb.  Wife had 1/2 portions of pasta with tiger prawns, and lasagna, both excellent. 

 

I had bisteca fiorentina.  Was very disappointed with it, thin, not well marinated, half fat and gristle.  Definitely not of same quality that we had last year on Venus. Because we were talking with guests at next table, enjoying conversation, did not say anything to rest mgr. Will talk with him or her today. deserts were fine.  Asked for wine list, and wine steward appeared in moments.  Came back multiple times to offer refills.  

 

Sea day today.  Ship is terrific, clean and well maintained.  Crew very friendly and working hard.  Don't have pax count, but seems fairly full.  Cabin chair arms --  leather is peeling, not very attractive, but everything else in cabin is 1st class.

 

Good to hear about the ship condition.  TA last year our PV sofa had an arm peeling.  Other then that perfect.

[Australia08]

9 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

Good to hear about the ship condition.  TA last year our PV sofa had an arm peeling.  Other then that perfect.

Interesting to hear. We’re on the Sky right now in PV 1 and have a sofa with peeling arm. Seems like it might be time to refurbish??

[powderhorn]

A couple of notes....locked our cabin keys in the room....easily resolved with guest services...then forgot the code to our safe....again easily resolved with GI Joe from security coming up to unlock it for us.....had Gary our steward install a topper on our mattress after 1st night experiencing the 'firm' mattress....much better.....staff are great....2 words....friendly and professional....