Dis / Dreams Viking Sea Cruise around Italy 3/24 - 3/31/2018

[TheMaxRebo]

Hi everyone!!! I'm Gina and my husband Steve and I will be joining you all on this cruise in 2018! I'm excited to get caught up on the thread and plan this trip! This will be our first trip to Europe, so we are extremely excited!

Welcome! You may get the sense that a lot of us are very excited as well

 

[DisneyKevin]

Category DV5 is sold out.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Please help me welcome Crystal and Matt to our cruise!

 

[DisneyKevin]

For the counters....well....for Chris.....

108

 

[DisneyKevin]

From Viking's website...just to get you excited....because none of you seem excited.



DAY 1
Rome (Civitavecchia), Italy

Step aboard to begin your journey. The ship will be berthed in Civitavecchia, the closest port to the airport and Rome. Relax and settle in to your well-appointed stateroom and take time to get acquainted with the many ship amenities. Perhaps you will unwind at our Infinity Pool or browse the replicas of Viking artifacts at our onboard Viking Heritage exhibit.

DAY 2
Naples, Italy

In Naples, your choice of excursions abounds. Take in magnificent examples of Greek and Roman architecture and the Piazza del Plebiscito, the grandest public square in the city, facing the former Royal Palace of the King of Naples. Optionally, also explore Herculaneum, Italy’s “other” Pompeii, drive along the stunning Amalfi Coast, or take a trip to the summit of Vesuvius. In your spare time, sample a hot espresso, a slice of pizza (the world’s first pizzeria opened here in 1830) or a locally made limoncello.

DAY 3
Sicily (Messina), Italy

Today you will call on the Sicilian city of Messina, celebrated as one of Europe’s ten great cities when it fell under Spain’s purview in the 17th century. Admire the surrounding mountains, picturesque orange and olive groves and rolling vineyards. Long a commercial crossroads due to its location just two miles from the Italian mainland, today it is a remarkable repository of culture and architecture that spans the centuries. You will see the best of the city during a tour, including the Renaissance-style cathedral and bell tower and the ornate Porta Grazia gate.

DAY 4
Crotone, Italy
Uncover the deep past of Crotone, founded as a Greek colony in 710 BC. Boasting a vast array of archaeological relics, the city was once heralded as the home of some of the Hellenic Empire's most celebrated figures, including many victors of the Olympic Games and Pythagoras, whose mathematical theories altered Western thought. During your visit, marvel at the impressive cathedral, a neoclassical wonder, browse the Pythagoras Museum and Gardens and explore the waterfront and Crotone castle.

DAY 5
Bari, Italy
Explore sunny, palm-lined Bari, where streets are lined with romantic, honey-toned balconied houses, welcoming courtyards and Romanesque and baroque churches. Visit the Norman-Swabian castle, the splendid Romanesque Basilica of St. Nicholas and the Petruzzelli Theater, one of Italy's most important opera houses, and stroll the picturesque waterfront. Or perhaps visit Alberobello and its fascinating trulli houses, a UNESCO World Heritage Site of whitewashed buildings with conical roofs.

DAY 6
Šibenik, Croatia
Cruise the scenic St. Anthony Channel into the oldest Croatian city on the Dalmatian Coast, Šibenik. Resting at the mouth of the Krka River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site has a remarkably preserved Old Town. Roam its narrow streets past medieval houses and churches, all surrounded by four historic fortresses. The city’s St. James Cathedral is the most important Renaissance structure in Croatia. Perhaps you’ll join an excursion to view the impressive waterfalls of the Krka River.

DAY 7
Venice, Italy

Welcome to Venice where the magical city renowned for its art, architecture and culture, is the ultimate destination on your epic voyage. Watch the sunlight dapple on the water as we ease our way into the lagoon. You can enjoy a panoramic boat ride towards the magnificent St. Mark’s Square on your included tour, and with your guide, you will admire the glorious façade of the Doge’s Palace and tour the ornate interior of Saint Mark’s Basilica. Or take a boat to Murano to see glassmakers at work in their centuries-old tradition with a stop to visit historic San Giorgio Maggiore island. As we will remain in port overnight, enjoy a fine restaurant, the vibrant nightlife, and perhaps even a romantic evening gondola ride along the Grand Canal.

 

[DisneyKevin]

https://www.vikingcruises.com/ocean...erranean/italian-sojourn/videos.html#noscroll

Watch the first video called Italian Sojourn.

This lady speaking could sell me swampland and Star Wars stuff.

 

[DisneyKevin]

Info about our ship, the Viking Sky:

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/ships/viking-sky.html

 

[christannj]

For the counters....well....for Chris.....

108

11.6%...imagine a mike being dropped now

Chris

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Thanks to @DisneyKevin for keeping our excitement level high

Just thought I would point out another link which is information on the dining options on the ship. They all look good but the specialty restaurants - Manfredi's Italian and The Chef's table really look/sound good

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/why-viking/dining-venues/index.html


and a review of the dining from cruise critic: (very positive)
http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=748&pgtype=dining

 

[OKW Lover]

Hi everyone!!! I'm Gina and my husband Steve and I will be joining you all on this cruise in 2018! I'm excited to get caught up on the thread and plan this trip! This will be our first trip to Europe, so we are extremely excited!

Please help me welcome Crystal and Matt to our cruise!

Welcome to the new additions!!!

 

[DDuck4Life]

Since booking the excitement level has been high for this trip. Although with seeing all the gorgeous photos of the ship I still think this one is my favorite picture from the ship.

 

[littleshells]

Is anyone traveling from the NYC metro area? I'm wondering what you all expect air to cost? I just want to budget appropriately. I'm looking and it seems like maybe not all flights are released, I'm seeing some LONG trips (30 hrs!) and virtually no nonstop flights! We'd be thinking economy or premium economy only.

 

[Cousin Orville]

Is anyone traveling from the NYC metro area? I'm wondering what you all expect air to cost? I just want to budget appropriately. I'm looking and it seems like maybe not all flights are released, I'm seeing some LONG trips (30 hrs!) and virtually no nonstop flights! We'd be thinking economy or premium economy only.

Have you tried searching 3 months earlier to get an idea of what's available? I'm sure there will be somewhat reasonable flights out of NYC. Coming from Houston, there aren't any direct flights to Rome or from Venice. So, I'd expect the flight + layover to be around 14-18hrs and ~$1200-1500 for economy. Obviously a WAG: wild a-- guess. Yeah, 30hrs must include a loooong layover.

 

[littleshells]

Have you tried searching 3 months earlier to get an idea of what's available? I'm sure there will be somewhat reasonable flights out of NYC. Coming from Houston, there aren't any direct flights to Rome or from Venice. So, I'd expect the flight + layover to be around 14-18hrs and ~$1200-1500 for economy. Obviously a WAG: wild a-- guess. Yeah, 30hrs must include a loooong layover.

Good idea! I'll have to see what's there earlier. I was guessing it'd be around $2,000 total for two for the whole trip there and back, but some of the pricing I saw was wayyyy more just for the JfK to Rome leg (except for TAP Portugal which seems to be budget and longggggg). I was just wondering if I wayyyyy under estimated!

 

[Cousin Orville]

Good idea! I'll have to see what's there earlier. I was guessing it'd be around $2,000 total for two for the whole trip there and back, but some of the pricing I saw was wayyyy more just for the JfK to Rome leg (except for TAP Portugal which seems to be budget and longggggg). I was just wondering if I wayyyyy under estimated!

$2,000 for 2 would be an awesome deal. From Houston, it would probably be underestimated.

 

[littleshells]

$2,000 for 2 would be an awesome deal. From Houston, it would probably be underestimated.

Good to know! Yes I'm thinking it's under estimated from NY too now that I'm thinking realistically about this Better start saving hahahaa

 

[Cousin Orville]

Since booking the excitement level has been high for this trip. Although with seeing all the gorgeous photos of the ship I still think this one is my favorite picture from the ship.

Doesn't it make you wonder why the Europeans developed such a huge plug?

I love seeing the USB. I actually switched out a couple of outlets in our kitchen to USB/plugs. So convenient.

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Is anyone traveling from the NYC metro area? I'm wondering what you all expect air to cost? I just want to budget appropriately. I'm looking and it seems like maybe not all flights are released, I'm seeing some LONG trips (30 hrs!) and virtually no nonstop flights! We'd be thinking economy or premium economy only.

We are - I've been playing around at things for a few months or weeks earlier - though knowing right around Easter may be a bit more

I was looking at Delta which was around 10 or 11 hours each way and working out to around $800 / person all in

 

[littleshells]

We are - I've been playing around at things for a few months or weeks earlier - though knowing right around Easter may be a bit more

I was looking at Delta which was around 10 or 11 hours each way and working out to around $800 / person all in

That's more like it! Phew!

 

[TheMaxRebo]

Doesn't it make you wonder why the Europeans developed such a huge plug?

I love seeing the USB. I actually switched out a couple of outlets in our kitchen to USB/plugs. So convenient.

some areas of Europe aren't too bad. I got to Switzerland a bit and they are like larger 2 prong and they fit 3 plugs in a circle outlet

I agree about the USB - we redid our kitchen and put in undercabnet lighting that had usb plugs built into it