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From Italy To Spain: 14 Things I Loved On Viking’s 8-Day Western Mediterranean Cruise

• Cruises and Sailing
• Mediterranean Cruises
• Types of Travel
• Viking Cruises

My husband Dean and I have never found large-ship cruising appealing; we prefer more intimate, personal travel experiences. In 1993, we took our first cruise along Alaska’s Inside Passage from Ketchikan to Juneau on a small ship of about 85 passengers.

There was a long pause (it’s called kids)… and then in 2016, we took a Rhine River Cruise on a Viking longship (about 200 passengers). After that, we were curious about Viking’s “ocean cruise” category so we decided to try it. We signed up for their Iconic Western Mediterranean tour, which started in Civitavecchia, Italy — about 50 miles northwest of Rome — and cruised along the Mediterranean shoreline to Barcelona. We’d been to northeastern Italy on a biking trip and to France along the Rhine, but we hadn’t seen their Mediterranean borders. Monaco and Spain were entirely new to us.

This cruise offered the luxury and service of Viking but a limited passenger count (about 1,000). We liked the fact that the ship sailed overnight, so no “all-day sailing” days. Plus, there was just something idyllic about a Mediterranean cruise.

Here are some of the things I loved about it.

1. Watching Ships In Livorno Harbor

Livorno, italy.

Livorno is the springboard to Pisa, Florence, and Tuscany. We’re hearty Minnesotans, so mid-November temperatures of 60s felt great to us. Because other passengers found it cold, we often had the ship’s spacious deck to ourselves. From the deck, we could see freighters at work along with fishermen on shore and mountains in the distance, covered in white marble (Carrara quarries are nearby.) It was fascinating to observe it all.

I don’t know the story behind these sightings, but it’s not every day you see a Looney Tunes ship with Tweety Bird and Sylvester painted on it. We also saw superhero and Batman ships.

2. A Day In Tuscany

San gimignano, italy.

We purchased an optional excursion called “ A Day in Tuscany .” After a 90-minute bus ride, we toured San Gimignano, a small, walled Tuscan village known for medieval architecture and old churches with artistic frescos.

Then, onto San Donato — a fatorria , or farm — for lunch. The owner spoke to us about the farm’s vineyards, meats, and olives, and said she is happiest when her guests fully enjoy the buffet. We complied, feasting on meats, cheeses, honey, spelt and green salads, olives, peppers, wine-marinated onions, crusty breads, and red and white wine. I could eat like this all day, every day.

Pro Tip: Be sure to check the physical requirements of Viking’s excursions, available on the trip page and sorted by day and port .

3. The Baptistry

Pisa, italy.

Viking included a walking tour of the Square of Miracles, including the famous Leaning Tower of Pisa, the Cathedral, and the Baptistery. Some think the Leaning Tower of Pisa is overrated, but I liked seeing this icon.

The highlight for me was the Baptistry, where great timing meant we saw what they call a guardian stand behind a statue, cup her hands, and sing/chant in Italian. It reverberated to the domed ceiling and filled the space. What a sound!

Pro Tip: “Follow the lollipop.” On a walking tour, Viking guides use a red, numbered, round sign (fondly called a lollipop) to help passengers locate the right tour group.

4. Infinity Pool

Monte carlo, monaco.

A pinnacle experience for us was lounging in the infinity pool on the deck of the ship off the coast of Monaco. Once again, the deck was deserted except for us and a mother-daughter pair, soaking in these spectacular views. What a life!

5. Walking Tour Of Monte Carlo

This was the only port where we anchored in the harbor and shuttled in small boats, called tenders, to shore. Our 90-minute walking tour included sculptured gardens, medieval churches, the Prince’s Palace, and stunning views of the Maritime Alps, ending with free time in the city square. This is a gorgeous place.

6. Walking Tour Of Marseille

Marseille, france.

Marseille is rich in history, with two 17th-century fortresses reigning over the harbor called Old Port. One of the most striking sights on our bus tour was the popular Notre-Dame de la Garde (Our Lady of the Guard), a Catholic Basilica set high on a hill. I loved how our guide emphasized that people in Marseille pride themselves on doing things their own way. She’d say something rather outlandish and then say, “That’s how we do it in Marseille!”

7. The Grande Roue De Marseille

I loved seeing the Ferris wheel called The Grande Roue de Marseille — unforgettable and distinctive! It opened to the public in 2009 and added so much charm to the cityscape.

8. Marseille Christmas Market

In our free time, we enjoyed browsing carved figurines, unique décor, household items, hand-crafted candles, spices, scarves, and jewelry at the Marseille Christmas market. They also had a kiddie area with statues of Santa and reindeer.

Pro Tip: The market had controlled access with armed officers, a normal precaution due to terrorist attacks at European markets at the time. For us, it was benign: we walked through a body scanner and an officer checked my purse.

9. Parc National Des Calanques Boat Tour

Cassis, france.

We paid extra for an excursion and toured Cassis, the gateway to Calanques National Park. Cassis is a quaint little fishing village, complete with a hilltop castle overlooking the harbor. The calanques are “rock fingers” jutting off the coastline for miles. Our boat tour explored the inlets, interesting and ragged along the water. Beneath the rocks, hidden from our view, the guide told us there were caves and underground rivers.

Pro Tip: The castle overlooking Cassis is a hotel , and you can book one of their suites.

10. Panoramic Views Of Sète

Sète, france.

In the category of “you win some, you lose some,” we “won” in Sète. It’s my favorite example of waking up to a panoramic scene. Rooms facing the docked side of the ship saw streets and industry, but our stateroom was on the right side this time. Since we had sailed overnight, in the morning I opened the drapes of our stateroom to the jaw-dropping curve of the city, the harbor, and the mountains — beauty everywhere.

11. Walking Tour Of Sète

Sète earned the nickname “Venice of the Mediterranean” because of canals that link the Mediterranean to an enclosed saltwater lagoon. It has the largest fishing fleet on the French Mediterranean and is famous for seafood. As we finished our tour, I loved seeing industry in action: two fishermen fixing their nets at the end of another day.

12. Basilica De La Sagrada Familia

Barcelona, spain.

The highlight of the walking tour of Barcelona was the Basilica de la Sagrada Familia (Church of the Holy Family). Local Catalan architect Antoni Gaudí designed this beauty. When we were there it was under construction, so we walked around it but couldn’t go inside. Our guide was well-versed in the exterior exquisite detail — it was a feast for the eyes.

13. The Beautiful, Well-Appointed Ship

If you’ve toured with Viking , you know their ships are beautiful. We loved our stateroom, the atrium, and the dining areas. So much function, design, décor, and so many little touches everywhere.

14. The Delicious Food And Daily Gelato

The food on the ship was over the top. Every kind and variety was available, including international flavors, great seafood, and gelato made daily on the ship. Free wine and beer were offered with lunch and dinner.

Do walking excursions offset calories consumed? No, not even close.

Bonus: The Pyrenees On The Flight Home

The cruise ended but the delights did not. As we left Barcelona, we flew over the Pyrenees Mountains, which form a natural border between France and Spain. I’ve heard of them, but I’d never been to this part of the world. What a surprise to look out the plane and see these majestic mountains.

There’s a lot to love about this cruise. I didn’t even touch on the topics of live violin and piano players in the ship’s atrium, the theater shows (Beatles, anyone?), trivia, the fascinating people we met, or the myriad of quiet places on the ship to settle in with coffee and a good book or conversation.

The Mediterranean is breathtaking, and these destinations showcase her beauty all along the way. When you go, I’m sure you’ll find many things to love about this iconic Western Mediterranean cruise.

Related Reading:

• 11 Reasons To Put A Mediterranean Cruise On Your Bucket List
• 7 Best Mediterranean Cruise Lines Our Readers Love
• 9 Fabulous Mediterranean Cruise Excursions For Foodies

Although it’s hard to pick a favorite travel experience, the top of the list includes these extremes: a week-long rafting trip through the Grand Canyon and relaxing in an infinity pool on a cruise ship off the coast of Monaco. Apart from her love for writing and travel, she enjoys cooking, cycling, and photography, and she has a strong faith. She finds joy in the simplest things and is always ready for the next adventure.

Published on February 4, 2023

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Onboard the Viking Neptune: Iconic Western Mediterranean Itinerary [Review]

The Mediterranean has always been a place where history and cultures come to life. From the bustling metropolis of Barcelona to the turquoise waters of the French Riviera to the rolling hills of Tuscany – there is so much to see that it can be overwhelming to plan a Mediterranean trip.(I know – I’ve done it.)

That’s what enticed me about the Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary with Viking cruises onboard their Viking Neptune ship.

Cruise life not only allows you to sit back and relax while waking up in a new place each day, but this itinerary takes you to some of the most well-known cities in the Mediterranean, made famous for their history, culture, and natural beauty. That is to say, they have become iconic. And while we have spent a fair amount of time in this part of the world, this cruise itinerary got took us to one new country (Monaco), and several cities that we’ve never visited.

So what is it like aboard the Viking Neptune and what can you expect from the itinerary? This guide to the Viking Neptune, and the Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary will fill you in on everything you need to know.

Getting There

We flew into Rome the morning of our sailing, and while I don’t recommend flying in on the first day of the cruise, the Viking Neptune overnighted in Rome our first night. That meant that even if we were delayed a day, we’d make it onboard prior to sailing. That fits well within our risk tolerance level, but adding additional days in Rome is certainly a good idea. Since we’ve spent time lots of time in Rome, we were willing to risk flight delays. (You can find a great hotel in Rome here .)

Our air was booked through Viking and unless you are using points or miles, I recommend this option. Not only does it come with guarantees about getting you to the ship, the prices they’ve negotiated topped anything that I could find independently. The fares were so good, that we upgraded to business class, making for a very pleasant overnight transatlantic flight.

Once in Rome, after clearing customs and immigration, there were Viking signs pointing the way to the included ground transportation.

Embarkation

Embarkation and stateroom availability is determined by stateroom category. Suites get the earliest access and times are staggered from there.

If you arrive before your scheduled time, as we did and as most overnight flights from the U.S. will, you can still check in (provide a credit card to set up your shipboard account, provide ID, get your ship ID card, etc.) and go onboard. It just means that your stateroom won’t be ready until a little later.

This was perfect for us, as we were well-rested after a nap during the flight, but we were quite hungry. We headed to the World Cafe on Deck 7 for lunch. By the time we finished and headed to the cabin, it was all ready for us and our bags were waiting.

If you’ve been on a Viking ocean cruise before, you know that the ships are all patterned the same. Things will be in the same places, giving cruise guests a feeling of home, and knowing that everything is in the same place as before. Given Viking’s return passenger rate, it’s a decision that’s working for them.

The Viking Neptune entered into service in 2022, mere weeks before we were onboard. The small ship can accommodate up to 930 guests, and on our sailing traveled with around 700. Let’s take a brief look at how the ship is laid out.

The “front desk” is called the Explorers Desk and is located on Deck 1. It is staffed 24/7 and is the hub for information, getting questions answered, and solving problems. It’s a good spot on the ship to use as a point of reference as its spot in the atrium makes it easy to find.

The ship has two swimming pools, both located on Deck 7 – a glass-backed infinity pool aft of the ship (behind the World Cafe), and the main pool located mid-ship. The main pool has a retractable roof so you can swim regardless of the weather, but given our December travel time, there weren’t many passengers using it. The main pool area becomes an outdoor movie theater in the evening and you can watch from the pool or the pool deck.

The Nordic spa (located on Deck 1) is worth the time, whether for a spa treatment or to enjoy the ritual of Nordic bathing. Or both. The ritual of hot and cold pools, sauna and steam, and a snow grotto is reinvigorating. I wasn’t sure if I’d enjoy it, but I did. And recommend giving it a try. The salon is adjacent to the spa and offers a good array of treatments and papering. On port days, there are discounts offered, so keep an eye out.

This itinerary featured a port of call every day but one. It was also shorter than all of our past ocean sailings, seven days instead of 14 or 17. That meant we didn’t have as much time on the ship for relaxation or discovering new spots. Despite a couple of previous sailings, there are still things on the ship we still haven’t checked out (the waffles at Mamson’s that everyone raves about and jazz in the Torshavn Lounge), leaving plenty to explore on a future sailing.

Life on the Viking Neptune can be as busy or as restful as you choose. A schedule of events, activities, enrichment programs, and services are listed in the Viking Daily left in your room each night. You can also find the information on your stateroom television, or Viking’s app – Viking Voyager.

I recommend downloading the app and syncing it to your profile and account. We referred to the app constantly, checking to see what time our excursion was, when our reservation was, checking out the menu for the day, and more. On this trip, we found the app a little buggy when making reservations in specialty restaurants and for booking shore excursions, so we did those in person.

There are laundry facilities onboard the Neptune, located mid-ship on decks 3-6; each has three washers, three dryers, and two ironing boards with irons. While we didn’t need to do laundry for the week, this is a very handy feature for longer voyages. No one wants to spend their vacation doing laundry, but it sure is helpful to be able to run a load and pack lighter. There is no charge for use of the laundry and laundry soap is included in all washers.

One of the things I like about sailing with Viking cruise line is that they aren’t constantly trying to upsell you. There is no additional fee for the specialty restaurants, no one stopping by your table to sell roses or a photo, and no one constantly trying to sell you something more. You’re onboard now, sure there are extras, but mostly it’s about having time to relax and enjoy. Of course, should you wish to book a future cruise, there’s a staff member standing by to assist you.

Staterooms are located on Decks 3-8, and all have balconies.

We stayed in cabin 4030, a deluxe veranda on Deck 4. This is a mid-level veranda stateroom, located mid-ship.

Our stateroom featured the following amenities: A king-sized bed, a sitting area with two chairs, large flat-screen television with on-demand movies, a mini-bar with soft drinks, and snacks (complimentary and restocked daily), complimentary 24-hour room service, free wifi (remarkable strong signal), robe and slippers, purified waters replace daily, personal coffee maker, upscale bathroom products, and more.

My favorite touch of luxury is the heated bathroom floors – love this! The in-room coffee maker is an addition since the last time we sailed with Viking. At 270 square feet, the cabin is on the small-ish side, but as long as you put stuff away, there’s plenty of room for lounging, having breakfast in your room, and enjoying the veranda.

My recommendation for cabin selection is to select the best that your budget allows. The entry-level cabins are smaller than the suites, of course, so don’t let budget put you off the reason to sail. Look for special pricing, and take a close look at the additional amenities offered in each stateroom category. When you do the math, you can determine the true value of what’s included and where you get the most value.

Food & Beverage

Cruise ship food often gets a bad rap, sometimes deservedly so. And while food and beverage isn’t the sole reasons we enjoy cruising, it does factor into the decision-making process. I’m more expansive in what I’m willing to try, while Tony remains fairly traditional, and Viking manages to satisfy both of us.

There are several dining options on the Viking Neptune:

The Restaurant  – Dinner times in The Restaurant, the main dining room, are not pre-assigned, nor are the tables, and passengers are accommodated as they arrive. There seemed to be mixed information about whether reservations were necessary or not, but we were always quickly accommodated when we arrived without them. In fact, we never saw a crowd in the dining room at all. We tend to prefer dining a bit later, 7:30-8 pm, so not quite the extra-late dining hours that you see in France and Spain, so it may have been a bit more crowded at earlier times.

The Restaurant is a white tablecloth dining option, with tables ranging in size from dinner for two to a party of eight. You aren’t forced into dining with others, although you may be asked if you’d like to join a table. Feel free to decline if you wish.

The menu has three sections to order from, allowing you to pick and choose to fit your night’s preferences. Each night, around six rotating choices were offered for appetizers and entrees, along with two or three for dessert. Additionally, there was a regional selection based on the destination we were visiting, and a selection of traditional favorites that were always on the menu. Choices ran from gourmet to traditional, and there was never a time when I felt that I didn’t have choices to order. Vegetarian options are available, and dietary restrictions are accommodated.

Dress code for The Restaurant is casually elegant and signage says that shorts and jeans are not permitted in the dining room. I don’t know if someone would be turned away if they turned up wearing jeans, but we found most passengers in business casual attire. Casual pants and shirts, a few jackets but no tie, lots of sweaters and pants.

The Restaurant is located on Deck 2.

World Cafe  – There are two sides to choose from at the World Cafe. Both sides offer the same entrees and side dishes, the difference is in the specialty items – sushi, sandwiches, gelato, etc.

We had generally had breakfast in the World Cafe and an occasional lunch. While we typically don’t like buffets, the quality of food and the cleanliness of the buffet itself made it a solid choice. We each have very different breakfast preferences, I’m happy with fruit, muesli, and an occasional sticky bun, while Tony is a traditional sausage and eggs kind of guy. The buffet kept both of us satisfied. Coffee and juice are grab-and-go as well as served tableside.

At dinnertime, the menu is similar to that served in The Restaurant, most entrees will be offered in both, and there are a wide variety of appetizer, salad, and dessert choices. If you’re tired, or just don’t want to linger over dinner, this is an easy choice. Plus, weather permitting, you can dine outside on the deck

The World Cafe is located on Deck 7. 

Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant  –We are big fans of this restaurant and its menu. Our stateroom category allowed us to make advance reservations, but as we booked relatively last minute were unable to make reservations online. This is NOT a problem. Once onboard we stopped by the reservation desk outside the restaurant and booked one evening. During the course of the cruise, we checked back and made reservations for a second evening.

The menu offers a couple of daily specials, along with the standard menu of Italian favorites. The steak florentine is Tony’s favorite, and I’m a fan of all the pasta dishes and the osso buco. The serving sizes are plentiful and easily shared.

Manifredi’s is located on Deck 1. There is no extra charge for this specialty restaurant.

Chef’s Table  – The Chef’s table features a rotating tasting menu that incorporates gourmet touches. Again, your stateroom category establishes when and how many advance reservations you can make, but like for Manifredi’s we booked when we were onboard. We perused the menus and selected the dates that featured a menu that Tony was comfortable with. The menu is served for three nights before rotating to the next.

Wine pairings for the meal are also available, and is included with the Silver Spirits package (an additional charge if you don’t have it). This is a great option, both to try new wines as well as to understand how food and wine complement one another. We always choose the pairing as we learn and enjoy so much more Delicious!

I love this restaurant more than Tony does, perhaps it’s the adventurous eater thing, so I would have been happy with any of the menus. Compromise is important.

The Chef’s Table is located on Deck 1. There is no extra charge for this specialty restaurant.

Pool Bar & Grill  – A fast and convenient choice for burgers, dogs, and assorted grilled sandwiches. A small salad bar offers some sides to go along with it. There are a few high tops for table seating, but we usually grab a table and chair poolside, or a lounge chair to look out the window. We eat around the pool more often on sea days, but it’s a great spot to pick up something quick.

The Pool Bar & Grill is located on Deck 7. No additional fee.

Wintergarden – Afternoon tea is served daily in the Wintergarden, and it’s worth working it into your schedule at least once during the sailing.

The tea menu is extensive, and the waitstaff can help you with a selection if it feels a bit overwhelming. A tiered serving tray with scones, finger sandwiches, petit fours, and macarons, are placed at every table.

The Wintergarden is located on Deck 7. No additional fee.

Mamsen’s  – We’ve still never had the waffle’s here – and friends all rave about them. Putting that at the top of our to-do list for a future sailing. There’s also a small selection of pastries and open-face sandwiches available throughout the day. If you want to give Brunost a try – a brown Norwegian cheese product – here’s your chance.

Mamsen’s is located in the Explorers Lounge on Deck 7. No additional fee.

Most travelers select their cruise based on a combination of sailing dates and itineraries, working their budget around those priorities. Some itineraries are only offered during certain times of the year, so you may need to compromise here. The Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary is offered year-round, making scheduling easier.

At least one included shore excursion (free) in each port is included with your cruise fare and other optional excursions are offered for a fee. I have a love-hate relationship with shore excursions. I hate being crowded onto a bus to drive around and never having an opportunity for personal exploration. But I love them because they often take me to places that I would never think to visit, with guides that expose me to information and things that I might otherwise overlook. Plus, there are some special tours that can’t be done any other way.

Shore excursions are generally booked prior to your sailing, with the exact opening date based on your stateroom category. Some of your choices may already be sold out. If that happens, head to the shore excursion desk once you’re onboard and get on the waitlist. Hopefully, a spot will open up and you can get on.

Because of our late booking, we only booked one excursion in advance. We handled the rest once we were on the ship – the excursion desk staff is very helpful in answering questions and helping you match up the best tour for your personal preferences and interests. Last-minute decision-making was not a problem for us.

Although shore excursions are pre-paid, they can be changed up to 48 hours prior to the excursion date with no penalty. You will need to keep an eye on your expenditures for shore excursions as these fees can add up fast. We usually do a balance of personal exploration and an included tour.

Here’s a day-by-day itinerary of the Iconic Western Mediterranean itinerary, along with what we chose to do and why, where we thought we made the right choice, and where we’d do something differently. We sailed the first week in December. We hope this helps you make excursion decisions that you’ll enjoy.

Day 1 – Arrive in Rome and Embarkation

We arrived in Rome after an all-night flight from Seattle. We were fairly well rested, and not really suffering from jetlag, but it was nearly a 24-hour journey and that’s always exhausting. On our first day onboard, we had lunch in the World Cafe, toasted our new experiences with an Aperol Spritz by the pool, and then got settled in our stateroom (which includes attending to the required safety video and reporting to our muster station). We talked with a few passengers who dropped off all their luggage and then headed back into the city.

Our recommendation : Listen to your body. If you’ve got lots of energy, head out and see a bit of Rome. If you’re exhausted, take a short nap and try to get on a European schedule and time zone. Whatever you do, though, don’t sleep away the entire day, then stay awake all night, perpetuating the challenge of changing time zones. If you’re rested and ready for some sightseeing, look for some of the best Vatican tours , city highlights that include the major sites, or find a spot for some people watching.

Day 2-3 Florence/Pisa, Italy (Port of Livorno)

It will be a bit of a drive to any of the Tuscany cities from the Port of Livorno, so when researching excursions be sure to take drive time into consideration. You have two days for sightseeing in Tuscany, so you can get a nice sampler of the area. And if that sampler includes some gelato and wine, all the better.

Florence is known for its Renaissance architecture, historic buildings, and is home to many of Italy’s Renaissance treasures and Tuscan art. The art is amazing, the gardens beautiful, and the history overwhelming. It is worth visiting for far longer than is available on this itinerary. But this is the time you’ve got, so make the most of it! We were initially tempted by some of the specialty-themed tours, but since we’ve been to Florence many times, opted for other choices.

Pisa is one of the most recognizable cities in Italy, due to its world-famous landmark, the leaning tower of Pisa, so named because the ground it was built on started to collapse underneath it, causing it to lean slightly south. There is more to Pisa than taking a selfie with the famous leaning structure. Pisa is believed to have started as an ancient Etruscan trading center in 1000 AD, later serving as a base for the Roman Navy. It is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe, the University of Pisa, founded in 1343. Despite many trips to Italy, we’ve never visited Pisa, so we initially considered a tour that included Pisa.

Instead, we opted to spend more time in one location, one each day. We chose the half-day Lucca on Your Own excursion on the first day.

This was a new destination for us. Lucca is a small, walled medieval town, and the birthplace of Giacomo Puccini . After a short bus ride, our guide escorted us to the center of the town, gave us information to help us with our particular interests, and then we set out to explore on our own. We walked the walls of the city, stopped off for coffee, visited the Duomo in the main piazza, and visited the Baptistry of St. John. We were careful with our dawdling (so easy to do in Tuscany), but left time to wander among the streets and shops.

On the second day, we opted for the full-day tour, A Day in Tuscany.

This tour took us to San Gimignano, another walled medieval town in the Tuscan countryside. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site . San Gimignano is known for its 14 towers, and during our guided tour of the town we walked by several of them. The tour took us to several of the main sites in the town, and although we’ve visited there before, we learned more and visited some spots we’d missed. There was free time for personal exploration. For us, that was buying some leather goods and stopping off for gelato at the famed Gelateria Dondoli.

After leaving San Gimignano, we drove out further into the countryside for lunch at an olive grove and vineyard. Lunch was served buffet style, and was full of dishes prepared with ingredients grown on the farm. Delicious! We have tried to duplicate a couple of dishes at home, but no great success yet. Following lunch, there was time for a short tour of the winery and the farm. A gift shop on site was popular with all the visitors, and we purchased olive oil to bring home. It felt that there was a little too much time after lunch, though, and people boarded back on the bus early, ready to head back to the ship. Some different planning might have made better use of our time.

Our recommendation : If you’ve never been to Florence, choose an excursion that takes you to the main sites. It’s an amazing city. If you’ve been, however, look for one of the tours that get you out in the countryside. Our Lucca trip was top-notch, giving us some basic grounding to explore and then setting us off. It was perfect! We enjoyed our full-day tour. It had a lot of downtimes, so if you prefer a busier schedule, this may not be for you.

Day 4 – Villefranche-sur-Mer

I had to look this destination up during our research stage because I didn’t know where it was. This is a resort town on the French Riviera and is the port for visiting Monaco. Visiting Monaco (a new country for us) was a compelling reason for us to choose this decision.

This harbor is considered one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean, and after visiting, I understand how it got that reputation.

The Principality of Monaco is a sovereign city-state and is bordered by France on three sides, and Italy on the fourth. It’s the second small sovereign state in the world, only Vatican City is smaller, and is home to around 40,000 residents. Prince Albert II of the House of Grimaldi is the head of state, assuming leadership after the death of his father, Prince Rainier (who was married to Hollywood actress Grace Kelly).

Monte Carlo is an administrative area within the Principality and has a reputation as a tax haven for the rich and elite. It’s home to the Formula One Grand Prix, the prestigious Ballet Festival, the world-class Monaco Yacht Show, and its Casino (seen often in James Bond movies).

Since laying down a bet at the Casino de Monte Carlo was a bucket list item for me, we knew we wanted a tour that took us away from the scenic old port and into the city. We also wanted time to visit the Casino (to lay down that bet). Shore excursions included sightseeing around the Cote d’Azur, including Nice, Eze, Matisse, Antibes, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Monte Carlo.

We chose the Nice, Eze & Monte Carlo excursion, finding it a good overview of the French Riviera. We did a little walking tour around Nice and got to visit the open-air market full of fruit, flowers, and vegetables.

We continued on to the medieval hill town of Eze, enjoying seaside views of Cap Ferrat as we did. Eze is on a seaside promontory, and Tony climbed to the top while I enjoyed pastry and coffee.

Once we arrived in Monte Carlo, we did a short tour of the area, walked b the Prince’s Palace, and had free time for lunch and personal exploration. We enjoyed some people-watching over lunch in a local cafe and then went to the Casino.

Unlike Las Vegas, the Monte Carlo Casino has a dress code and admission fee. I’ll have a detailed post on visiting the casino coming up, but we researched these details in advance and were prepared. We had about an hour to take a look around the Casino.

The architecture and decor are impressive. We were there mid-day, and very few people were gaming. Sitting down at a table for a little chemin de fer was a little intimidating, but we found a penny slot machine – James Bond themed – and allocated $20 to the experience. To our delight, we hit a small jackpot, winning enough to recoup our original stake, cover our admission cost, and have a chip to take home as a souvenir. Win!

Our recommendation : We think we picked the right excursion and it was a highlight of the trip. We’ve told our casino story many times since we’ve been home, and watched a lot of James Bond movies to get a glitzy look at it. If we had been here before, either the Nice on Your Own or the Antibes & Renoir Museum excursion would have been our choice.

Day 5 – Marseille, France

This was a first visit to the south of France, another appealing aspect of this itinerary. Marseille is located in the Provence region of France, between the Mediterranean and the rocky limestone hills of the Aix-en-Provence. It is the largest city on the French Riviera and the second-largest city in France (although taking the metropolitan areas into consideration, Lyon creeps ahead of Marseille and right behind Paris).

We were excited about this port as we knew there was a Christmas Market (another item on my bucket list). We briefly considered an excursion focused on wine tasting, but decided instead to see the city on our own.

The city of Marseille dates back to 600 BC when this bustling port city was home to Greek settlers. History is everywhere. From the 17th-century fortress that dominates the scene around the Vieux Port, also known as the Old Port, to the Abbey of Saint-Victor with its crypts and catacombs, Marseille grabbed our interest and didn’t let us go.

We took the ship’s shuttle into the downtown core and walked to the Vieux Port to enjoy the Christmas Market. The market is set up in two sections along the water – one has gifts (chocolate, soap, handcrafted items, clothing, etc.) and one focused on santons. A santon is a small hand-painted figurine cast in terracotta or similar material that is used for building nativity scenes.

The traditional manufacture of santons is centered in Marseille and other regions in southern France. Leading up to Christmas, there are traditional santon fairs all over Provence. In addition to the usual figures and animals associated with the nativity (including elephants and camels), other santons depict traditional characters from village life in Provence.

We enjoyed some Christmas shopping here, picking up some French soap and French chocolates for gifts to take home. We also purchased a santon that depicts a village wine shop, complete with the ⁠cask maker, the vendor, the server, etc. It’s a great fit for our wine cellar.

Picturesque Marseille is somewhere we’d like to return to.

Our recommendation : If you’re comfortable exploring cities on your own, this is the place to do it. You can take a ship shuttle to and from downtown and plan your sightseeing accordingly. Had we not been focused on the markets, we would have opted to take the tram up to the fortress, wandered in a museum or two, and sat along the water with a glass of wine and a block of cheese.

Day 6 – At Sea (cruising the Mediterranean Sea)

We were ready for a relaxing day at sea. This is a busy itinerary and we wanted to take it all in, but we also enjoy time on our Viking Ocean ship. We lounged in the Explorer’s Lounge, signed up for a wine-tasting class about French wines, and had afternoon tea. There’s plenty to do. Or just take a nap and enjoy the downtime.

Day 7-8 – Barcelona, Spain

Our Mediterranean sojourn ended in Barcelona, the capital of the Catalonia region of Spain. Although still part of Spain, despite numerous efforts at independence, Catalonia has its own language and culture. Catalonia was once home to Salvador Dali and Antoni Gaudi and is the birthplace of one of the most famous dishes to come out of Spain, ​​paella.

Barcelona is a big city – home to 1.6 million people living inside the city limits (4.8 million if you include the urban areas). It has a busy, vibrant atmosphere, and can be overwhelming. We’ve visited Barcelona before and prefer taking it in in small bits. Many of the excursions were full at the time of booking, and nothing we were interested in opened up while we were on the ship. Eventually, we decided on the Iconic Barcelona excursion.

This excursion was a highlight reel of attractions and sites around the city. We rode along the harbor, saw the Arc de Triomf (a remnant from the 1888 World’s Fair), stopped for photos at Gaudi’s unfinished masterpiece, La Sagrada Familia, and then walked around the Gothic Quarter. Free time was supposed to be allocated at the end of the tour before returning to the sip, allowing time for shopping, a coffee, or more wandering.

This was the one tour we thought was a miss. We knew that it was a drive-by/walk-by excursion, mostly pointing out notable spots with a little bit of history. We’d seen some of these sites, but hadn’t been to the Gothic Quarter, so that was appealing. And since we had free time scheduled, we could enjoy a few things that were of personal interest. I’m not sure where it went awry, but our guide was disorganized and not adept at managing time. The result was that we had no free time to linger and enjoy. One passenger pushed back and managed to get the group an extra 15 minutes, so we were able to quickly walk through one of the Christmas Markets and soak up the holiday spirit.

Our recommendation : This is a tough one because the success of a tour rests largely on the tour leader. Ours was a clunker. Yours may be a wonder. We should have been more organized and booked an excursion (there were two to Montserrat Abbey that caught our eye), or just explored on our own.

Mention tipping in a group of people and it’s sure to elicit a lively discussion. I wish all service staff were paid a living wage, with consumer prices adjusted accordingly, and that tipping would cease to exist. But I also know that won’t happen any time soon. Until then, I have accepted that it is an additional expense to factor into my vacation budget.

Please do the same.

This is not the time to make a political statement about the unfairness of tipping. Your hotel and dining staff work hard for you every single day. You’ve enjoyed a stateroom that was freshened twice daily, and any request was graciously handled. The wait staff is not only busy filling water and wine glasses, but bus boys are clearing and cleaning, and servers running out meals as quickly as possible, all while accommodating special requests and helping you have a great time.

They deserve as generous of a tip as you can manage.

Viking charges a flat per person/per day fee, added to the shipboard account, to cover gratuities for the hotel and dining staff. This includes the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, galley staff, laundry staff, buffet stewards, and others. This can be pre-paid or added to your shipboard account once onboard.

A 15% gratuity is added on to the bar and deck service at the time of purchase. In the salon, you can add the tip you wish at the end of your service, also added to your stateroom account.

Our policy is to provide additional cash tips to those staff who have been incredibly helpful and made our voyage something special. I’m not sure what cruise line policy is, but they’ve always graciously accepted it.

2023-24 Sailings

Viking Ocean Cruises Iconic Western Mediterranean Cruise is now a fond memory, and we enjoy looking back on our photos and sharing our experiences with friends. They’ll keep popping up on my Instagram account as well.

This itinerary is offered in 2023 and 2024, sailing as we did, from Rome to Barcelona, as well as the reverse. Prices are based on double occupancy and vary based on sail date and type of stateroom.

Our cruise and a portion of our expenses were covered by Viking. The fun and memories are all our own. This post contains affiliate links.

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• Viking Ocean

Iconic western Mediterranean

By Michael50 , December 8, 2018 in Viking Ocean

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Hi all, was wondering if any of you have taken the iconic western Mediterranean viking cruise- as of now we are booked for November 2019 and would love feedback, opinions,  advice etc, we start from rome, thinking of adding two days, ending in Barcelona and adding 2 days on that end.

This is our very first viking trip and would love any advice.

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We are taking the same cruise in July 2019. We will also be starting in Rome and this is our first Viking cruise. I will be following this post. We can't wait for our trip!!  

Peregrina651

Viking has been sailing the western Med since 2016 and the one-week Barcelona to Rome or vice versa has, under various names and variation of itinerary,  been its staple. "Iconic Western Med" is a variation on the theme and, except for the new addition Montpelier, Viking has plenty of experience with the varying ports of call. There is a lot of information to be found here in this forum and in the roll calls from the past sailings (both the Star and the Sea have done W. Med sailings and the Sky is currently doing them).

IMHO, two days --and by that I mean two full days actually spent touring, not two nights-- is not enough time for either Rome or Barcelona -- especially if you have not visited them before -- because there is so much to be seen in both cities. If you make your own arrangements rather than use a Viking pre- or post-cruise extension, you can get more days for the same amount of money (even including the deviation fee you will pay if you are using Viking Air).

Advice here takes two specific forms: one is itinerary specific and the other is ship specific (which includes topics like the drinks package, the laundry room, booking excursions, dress code, etc.--and all of which have multiple threads to read ). Do take the time to search through the old threads; there is info there that might not be repeated. As a first timer, here are a couple of threads that might be of help for general info:  Tell Me Why .....,   Tips for New Viking Ocean Cruisers

Peregrina651 is the Sage of All Things Viking (seriously!) and her advice is spot on. Do add several days pre and post cruise for Rome and Barcelona- both are fabulous cities of history and iconic sights and you’ll need the time to get over the jet lag coming into Rome and to absorb the atmosphere and culture of Barcelona. 

Our practice when going to a city of such history as these two is to arrange an “overview tour” first, just to get an idea of what’s out there. We’ve done the hop on/hop off bus sometimes to familiarize ourselves with the distances between sites, the lay of the land, and to prioritize where we want to spend our time. Or, look for overview tours on Tripadvisor that fit your time and interests. 

We are Viking addicts and have enjoyed many Viking river and ocean cruises. I hope you find the ship to be one of the highlights of your trip.

Heavy weighs the crown... Not all things, my friend.

Marykatesmom

We just got off the Nov. 27th sailing of the Barcelona to Rome Iconic W Med.  I was surprised how much we enjoyed Barcelona.  I booked a tapas tour through  https://www.etapatapa.com/   .  We also had a flamenco show add on to the tour but it got cancelled last minute but the refund was prompt.  I also booked two customized private tours through them and they were tremendously accommodating.   I would recommend doing a youtube search of each city to get a feel for what you would enjoy.

Some of the passengers did not enjoy the stop in Sete but we enjoyed our included walking tour in the morning.  I know I would have prefered that over sitting on the ship looking at St. Tropez.   The tour in Sete was besieged by a common thread with all of Vikings tours included or not.  A walking tour always ends up being a slow shuffle followed by things being shortened by "time constraints".   I liked seeing an authentic French fishing village.  I would recommend using a Viking optional tour here as this isn't a popular port with cruise lines.    We did the optional Medieval Village and Abby stop.  The wine tasting was a bit unorganized but the guide was great.  It was a nice way to see the countryside.

Monaco was our favorite stop.  It wasn't a very long stop in port.  It would have been nice to see it at night but we left the port at 4:30 PM our earliest departure of the cruise.  My guess is it is one of the most expensive ports in the world and ridiculously expensive to dock there but it would have been wonderful to see it at night.  We did the optional Nice and Monaco tour which was the longest tour in that port.  I did not want to have to sweat getting back to the ship.  Some of the passengers did the included walking tour and elected to stay behind and not take their bus back.  They then tried to take our optional bus back and that is not allowed for a variety of reasons and frankly it seemed really rude to just get on a bus labeled Viking if you were not on that tour to save yourself cab fare which is probably really expensive in Monaco.  What if the guide had done a simple head count and others got left behind?  As it was our bus pulled in at 4:15 PM.  If we had not been on a Viking tour the last hour would have been ruined by my anxiety regarding getting back to the ship.  I know that about myself so I choose to do a Viking tour.

In Marseille we did the Le Castellet and wine tasting and very much enjoyed it.  

Livorno is an hour and a half from Florence and we elected to spend the night in Florence.  I used a private tour company  https://www.milesandmiles.net/   that picked us up in Livorno and took us everywhere we wanted to go including pick up and drop off at the port and our hotel in Florence.  It was lovely to go at our own pace and see what we wanted which included some small little towns, a Super Tuscan winery, Sienna and some lovely country lunches.

We did not see Rome at all due to time constraints.

We had a great cruise and while I was onboard I booked one tour for 2020 and one for 2021.

My only issue with Viking is the pace of all the tours is unbearably  slow.  This can cause parts of the tour to be shortened or eliminated altogether.  On absolutely every tour we were "running behind" and believe me the guides were NOT walking fast or even moderately.  Standing and waiting for people to catch up and having it eat into your tour time is frustrating.  Some of the best moments of the cruise was during the "on your own" time in Nice,   Le Castellet,  Sete, and especially Monaco and that is where guides make up for lost time.   We only had less than 40 minutes in Monaco out of a 9 hour tour so there wasn't a lot of walking around and enjoying the scenery and that was supposed to be the highlight of the trip.   If you signed up for a tour labeled "moderate" a flight of stairs should not be a problem.  If you have severe mobility issues walking around hilltop medieval villages on uneven pavement may not be for you.  Buses are not allowed in many city centers.   I think Viking needs to add more "easy walking" tours and bus tours for those guests that need them.

The upside was that absolutely everyone was prompt every time.  If a guide said 11:15 everyone was there at 11:15, no stranglers ever, a pet peeve of mine which is why I book private tours most times.

As to Montpelier/Sete, it is a new port for Viking and they are just getting the feel for how things work there. Hopefully, things will improve there. St. Tropez and Toulon have been on past versions of this itinerary.

In Marseille, we chose to go Aix-en-Provence with Viking. It was part guided tour and part on your own. It was during the Christmas season, so the Christmas markets were still open. We could have done it on our own by train from Marseille but opted for the lazy way.  I'm a fool for old provincial cities and towns, so this was perfect for us.

In Monaco (on Jan. 1, so museums closed), we took the 100 bus from the Place des Armes into Nice, wandered along the shore line into the Old City for a few hours and then made our way back to the bus stop. The bus runs along the coastline and the views are beautiful.

In Florence, we did a day trip to Florence on our own. We bought tickets for the Uffizzi online and then planned the rest of our day around that. This was a return visit and we had a shopping list that took us from the Ponte Vecchio to the Leather School at Sta. Croce to a little old-fashioned candy store Migone (for limoncello filled chocolates; Via dei Calzaiuoli corner Via dei Tosinghi -- opposite Vistoria's Secret). In the process, we got to see a lot of the city. The next day, we took the Viking tour to Lucca to wander around.

Hi , this is great information,  I really appreciate all the info.. we are looking at November 2019 for the trip, what is the general weather like at that time? We are  oing from New York and would like to leave our winter coats at home - are layers doable? 

We are both hikers, walk at least 3-4 miles each day , would lIke to avoid buses if possible.

Also, we plan on adding days to each end of the trip

Thanks again for all the help

5 hours ago, Michael50 said: Hi , this is great information,  I really appreciate all the info.. we are looking at November 2019 for the trip, what is the general weather like at that time? We are  oing from New York and would like to leave our winter coats at home - are layers doable?  We are both hikers, walk at least 3-4 miles each day , would lIke to avoid buses if possible. Also, we plan on adding days to each end of the trip Thanks again for all the help Helene 

Even in November, I would be bringing the winter coat, because the the weather can turn on a dime and I'm not happy touring unless I am warm (the weather can be cold but not me). I made a mistake on a day trip last year and did not dress warmly enough and I was miserable for the whole tour. We are traveling in March and I will be bringing a winter coat and Uggs.

SquatsandChampagne

We just visited Sete a couple days ago on the Viking Sun, I quite liked the Port, it was last minute change for us so their was only an included walking tour of the town, but you could

Easily spend a good 4 or 5 hours there, very nice city, great fresh seafood and good wine for that region

We are doing the Iconic Med Holiday on the 23rd December this year so will post when we get back - St Tropez was originally on our itinerary when we booked it as 'Iconic Western Med' holiday but due to tendering at that time of year Viking dropped it from the itinerary and we now have a day at sea on Christmas Day. 

IdahoMonkey

Just got home from the Western Iconic Med cruise.  We had an amazing time.  I agree with thought Monaco was amazing.  Of course the weather helped...In Sete we took the optional excursion into Montepelier.  Beautiful town, very clean and not as touristy as some of the others, our second favorite stop behind Monaco.  I would recommend doing an option tour in Marsaille as it is a big city and not as charming as some of the others....  The tours are slow because some of the cruisers think their abilities are better than they actually are and do not head the warnings of stairs or the extent of walking.  We were an on a tour that states it was extensive walking and stairs and people had walkers...

The Chefs Table with the Asian cuisine was Amazing and if you like steak the Rib eye at Manifredi's is out of this world. This cruise exceed every expectation we had.  The Tile floors are a very warm and the bathroom is a bit like a sauna. We ordered room service for breakfast on the days we had early excursions. It was our anniversary and they had sparkling wine in our room on our anniversary and we got a cake in Manifredi's.  The ship never seemed crowded, there was always plenty of quiet places, the excursions were kept relatively small.  25-30 max and the buses was not packed full.  In Rome the street sellers are very aggressive, if they give you a "FREE" bracelet you better believe they are gonna come back and extort money from you.  Also I think this was a scam in Rome, it was young people asking for your to sign a petition for drug rehabilitation and they they will pressure you for a donation.  It looks very official. But what good would a petition do with a signature from a tourist? Do be careful though of the Gypsy pickpockets.  One lady lost her wallet and it contained her passport and credit cards.  this was in a dark alley we had to walk back to our bus in Pisa.  They look like students mostly young girls so I would not bring a backpack or a large purses on any excursion. Also in Monaco, a couple went into a restaurant to eat lunch, ordered and nothing ever came so they go up and left.  The restaurant called the police and they were arrested for dining and dashing.  They never even go their water, but when they left the restaurant made the table appear as if they had eaten and left.  They were taken to the police station where they had to pay a fine.   This is not meant to scare you, and over all we never felt unsafe.  You just need to be diligent and smart.  If you look like a target they will seek you out. 

We loved Barcelona and wished we had extended as the one day is not enough. We did get to Rome a couple of days earlier and that was great. It gave us a chance to see sights before the cruise.  We used Viator for the front of the line tour of the Vatican and Barbara was fantastic.  It was very reasonable and worth every penny.    

I hope this helps,  before our cruise I read everything I could as had never been one a Viking cruise or to Europe before.  The last recommendation I have is if you can swing it.  Upgrade to Premium Economy.  We used viking air with the cheap airfare deal and our seats were not upgradeable.  It is a Very long flight, when the person in front of you reclines their seat the screens are about 4 inch from your face and I could not focus on the screen.  We flew on Lufthansa and our flights were great but space is non existent.

Thanks so much for all this great information, can you guys recommend places to stay in Rome and Barcelona? We are adding on days at each end and booking ourselves, 

6 hours ago, peasmith said: We are doing the Iconic Med Holiday on the 23rd December this year so will post when we get back - St Tropez was originally on our itinerary when we booked it as 'Iconic Western Med' holiday but due to tendering at that time of year Viking dropped it from the itinerary and we now have a day at sea on Christmas Day. 

We did St. Tropez last year and it was our least favorite of all the ports. Since you are there on Christmas Day, they probably decided to make it a sea day because most everything would be closed, the guides and drivers want the day off and, if they open at all, the bars and restaurants would be opening late.

55 minutes ago, Michael50 said: Thanks so much for all this great information, can you guys recommend places to stay in Rome and Barcelona? We are adding on days at each end and booking ourselves,  thanks helene

While I can't give you the name of a specific hotel in either city, my suggestion is to start by deciding what the places are that you want to see and then look for hotels that are convenient to them, so that you don't spend a lot of time/money getting to the places you want to see. In Barcelona, most of the fun stuff is somewhat close together while in Rome, things are rather spread out.

31 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:   We did St. Tropez last year and it was our least favorite of all the ports. Since you are there on Christmas Day, they probably decided to make it a sea day because most everything would be closed, the guides and drivers want the day off and, if they open at all, the bars and restaurants would be opening late.     While I can't give you the name of a specific hotel in either city, my suggestion is to start by deciding what the places are that you want to see and then look for hotels that are convenient to them, so that you don't spend a lot of time/money getting to the places you want to see. In Barcelona, most of the fun stuff is somewhat close together while in Rome, things are rather spread out.

This was a section of the e-mail received from Viking:-

"In our time operating this itinerary, we have learnt that the unpredictable nature of the seas near St. Tropez has affected our ability to visit the port more frequently than we would like. Because of how our ships anchor in the bay of St. Tropez, guests must be transported ashore by the ship's tender vessels. When seas are rough, we are unable to transport guests, resulting in a missed port of call.

Therefore, in order to ensure the best cruise experience possible, instead of visiting St. Tropez during the holiday as originally planned, we will now cruise the Mediterranean Sea on Day 3 of your itinerary and proceed to Marseille on Day 4"

trinicruisegyal

We did a similar cruise as the second leg of a roundtrip cruise from Rome last New Years. One of the great things about the itinerary is that it’s possible to do more than one tour/activity per day; for us we took a Viking tour ‘first thing’ in the morning, had lunch back at the ship and then spent the rest of the day exploring the various cities on our own.  The free shuttle buses offered by Viking or in some cases the port were key to us being able to easily do this. Some ports we had a plan for what we wanted to do with the second half of the day before we left home. For example in Marseille we did the included tour which was a bus ride around the city, got some shopping done, had lunch back onboard and then caught the train to Aix-en-Provence and spent a few hours wandering around, did some more shopping caught the train back to Marseille and were back onboard in time for dinner. In other ports like St Tropez (I know this port was dropped from your itinerary) we took cues from that morning’s tour and shaped that afternoon’s adventure which included a walk, coffee and some Tarte Tropézienne (at a café recommended by our guide that morning) and a ride on the St. Tropez Christmas train. 

I think that if you already know that you would like to avoid bus tours where possible you may want to look into either exploring on your own or organizing private tours with others on your cruise. We felt that as it was our first Viking cruise that we wanted to experience the tours that were included, so that on any future cruises we would have a good idea what their tours are like and know whether to skip them or not. Plus the Viking tours were great for our small multigenerational group, as there was just the right mix of driving and walking.

During November in the Mediterranean you shouldn’t need the winter coats, however I would suggest that you walk with them because you really never know. We walked with ours last December/January, the weather was fantastic during the cruise…my husband grumbled about having unnecessarily walked with his coat and gloves, so he packed his coat in his checked luggage when we left the ship. We left for home from Rome, had an early flight into Munich and then were scheduled to fly from Munich to JFK and then home to Trinidad. We left Munich for JFK and were diverted into Detroit due to a winter storm. We had to spend the night in Detroit, it was 0 degrees Fahrenheit when we landed and had to find the shuttle to the hotel the airline provided and then we got bused to JFK the next day. After the super long bus ride we ended up with a 12 hour layover in a terminal at JFK with no heat (they closed the terminal a few hours after we left), couldn’t get a room at any hotel nearby…it was a nightmare…but hubby was thrilled to have his coat and gloves.   

Wow, that was great information, I’m going to print all of this and put into my new file that is quickly growing, so much to look forward to!!! We just booked a hotel in Barcelona and also a hotel in Rome, biloth were very reasonable, I grabbed them since others were already sold out, amazing that it’s a year away and sold out,,, oh well, I guess I’m not alone here, 

this will actually be my first time in Europe so I’m very excited, my husband has been to London, also a place I would like to visit, but Barcelona is definitely one of our top places to see.... we booked three nights on our own there, any info would be appreciated as well as Rome,,, 

thanks again for your advice 

2 hours ago, Michael50 said: Wow, that was great information, I’m going to print all of this and put into my new file that is quickly growing, so much to look forward to!!! We just booked a hotel in Barcelona and also a hotel in Rome, biloth were very reasonable, I grabbed them since others were already sold out, amazing that it’s a year away and sold out,,, oh well, I guess I’m not alone here,  this will actually be my first time in Europe so I’m very excited, my husband has been to London, also a place I would like to visit, but Barcelona is definitely one of our top places to see.... we booked three nights on our own there, any info would be appreciated as well as Rome,,,  thanks again for your advice  helene

Those hotels are not necessarily booked up. It is a year out and it is entirely possible that they haven't even opened for booking at this point--it just doesn't say so on the website. Keep checking. Keep watching for your first choice hotels to have openings. Also, keep watch for price drops on the hotels where you are currently booked.

Okay, Barcelona.

Departing the ship:  Really no need to make special arrangements. There will be cabs on the dock. Take your luggage to your hotel and ask them to store it for you until you check in. Then get out and start touring.

Departing your hotel for the airport: Take a cab. It is a flat fee of 29€ (additional fee for suitcases is a standard charge through out Spain, so don't think they are ripping you off; it has been that way for at least the last 50 years). Just double check the flat fee online in case it has gone up or my memory is faulty.

The hardest thing in Barcelona (and Rome) is realizing that you just cannot see everything in three days so you are going to have to make choices. You are overnighting in Barcelona, so take advantage of the bus tours that Viking offers to see what you cannot not otherwise get to easily on your own (such as the tour that goes to Montserrat and Parc Guell or even just the included panoramic bus tour that will give you a chance to see parts of the city that you might not otherwise get a chance to see).

Thank you everyone for this information. We are getting excited for our July '19 sailing. 

On 12/9/2018 at 7:15 PM, Peregrina651 said:   Even in November, I would be bringing the winter coat, because the the weather can turn on a dime and I'm not happy touring unless I am warm (the weather can be cold but not me). I made a mistake on a day trip last year and did not dress warmly enough and I was miserable for the whole tour. We are traveling in March and I will be bringing a winter coat and Uggs.

My suggestion would be a light weight winter coat, like packable down, with a scarf if needed.   We checked temps from home and although the highs were all about 60, the mornings were definitely colder.  If you take the Montserrat excursion from Barcelona, it can be much colder and windier due to elevation.  We were on the Dec 2-9 sailing and had great weather with only one day of on/off drizzle.  Always better to have a coat than wish you did.  (We arrived in Rome one day early and were surprised that everyone seemed to be in winter mode with fur lined hoods even though it was 63.  At home we would still be seeing t shirts.)

On 12/9/2018 at 1:36 PM, Michael50 said: Hi , this is great information,  I really appreciate all the info.. we are looking at November 2019 for the trip, what is the general weather like at that time? We are  oing from New York and would like to leave our winter coats at home - are layers doable?  We are both hikers, walk at least 3-4 miles each day , would lIke to avoid buses if possible. Also, we plan on adding days to each end of the trip Thanks again for all the help Helene 

We just came back from the Mediterranean using Oceania.  We are huge Viking fans, having done three river cruises & Viking Homelands last May, and headed to New Zealand, Australis, & Indonesia in Feb 2019 but we were also very impressed w/ Oceania.  If you are staying in Barcelona post-cruise, I highly recommend Barcelona Day Tours to transfer from the ship to your hotel - they will pick you up from the port and take you & your luggage on a full day tour of Barcelona - we did Barcelona & Montserrat - and then drop you off at your hotel - it was great - We also stayed at Hotel Colon (very reasonable in November) which is across the plaza from the Barcelona Cathedral - great location, fabulous hotel staff - you can walk to lots of places in Barcelona - highly recommend doing a tour of Palau de la Musica Orfeo Catala.  Layers are definitely doable in Barcelona in Nov - we left on Nov 15th - it was in the '60s & humid, I was so warm, I just wore a light shirt and traveling vest to the airport.  

Also, the taxi fare was 42 euros - he used a meter from Hotel Colon to the airport.  We had two large suitcases & one carryon.

Last I heard, it was a flat fee from the airport into the downtown area. Has this been changed?

The airport website has a good chart for taxi fares into Barcelona and it lists a flat fee of 39€  between the airport and the port.

11 hours ago, Peregrina651 said: Last I heard, it was a flat fee from the airport into the downtown area. Has this been changed?   The airport website has a good chart for taxi fares into Barcelona and it lists a flat fee of 39€  between the airport and the port.  

I don't know about taking a taxi from the airport to downtown.  Hotel Colon ordered a taxi for us and it cost 42 euros.  The hotel is in a pedestrian area so the rate may be higher and we also had three pieces of luggage.  I just thought the OP would benefit to know what we just paid for a taxi last month (Nov 2018).  

6 hours ago, SM77 said:   I don't know about taking a taxi from the airport to downtown.  Hotel Colon ordered a taxi for us and it cost 42 euros.  The hotel is in a pedestrian area so the rate may be higher and we also had three pieces of luggage.  I just thought the OP would benefit to know what we just paid for a taxi last month (Nov 2018).  

Hmm. Okay. Not doubting you. Something to keep an eye on. I know it used to be a flat fee; now I have to watch for what others report.

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9 Best Culinary Cruises for the Most Delicious Trip You’ll Ever Take

The best culinary cruises to book in 2024.

F or many, food is the best part of travel—and I can relate. I've taken cruises all over the world, and they've led to many culinary firsts for me: My first-ever lobster was on a Caribbean cruise when I was just a teenager, my first bite of reindeer came in a cozy bowl of chili during an Alaskan cruise, and my first (and last!) time eating escargot happened on a cruise in the Mediterranean. While these dishes were all parts of the all-inclusive menus on my cruises, I decided to kick things up a notch on the foodie scale by hopping on board the growing trend of special culinary cruises, which feature food and wine in a variety of special ways. These days, you’ll find the best cruises partnering with celebrity chefs, featuring specialty-dining venues and offering excursions filled with meals you’ll dream about long after you return home.

"I helped start the first culinary-themed cruises in the early '90s when I began noticing interest, and today this concept is more popular than ever," says Executive Chef Rudi Sodamin, head of culinary arts on Princess Cruises and Master Chef for the Holland America Line. "Experiential food and beverage experiences are often some of our most popular activities on board. It is my goal to surprise and delight guests while also educating them and meeting their every gastronomical desire."

Getting hungry yet? We’ve rounded up the best themed cruises for every type of foodie—from seafood lovers and wine aficionados to fans of French, Italian and Spanish cuisine. I’ve been on my fair share of these cruises, including a recent one to the Mediterranean, and trust me when I say these trips may just become your favorites of all time .

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Best for Napa Valley wine pairings

Princess 7-day pacific wine country cruise.

If you love Napa by land , you'll love it even more by sea, and it's now an experience you can have on any Princess Cruises ship sailing North American itineraries. In spring 2023, the cruise line partnered with Wagner Family Vineyards (the producers of Caymus wines), a leader in Napa Valley cabernet, for its five-course Caymus Vineyards Winemaker Dinner. Held two or three times per cruise, it features a dinner for up to 12 guests that could very well be the highlight of their entire vacation. On a recent sailing, which started in Vancouver, British Columbia, and wended its way through San Francisco and Los Angeles, the food was fresh and sophisticated—and tailored to guests’ dietary preferences as needed.

The Winemaker Dinner menu consisted of an amuse-bouche (beef carpaccio or marinated fresh oyster mushrooms), a first course (fresh summer black truffle risotto with 36-month-aged Parmigiano Reggiano), main course (prime beef tenderloin with blossom artichokes or seared king salmon with giant prawn), cheese course and dessert (a beautiful chocolate raspberry creation). Oh, and each course was perfectly paired with the appropriate Wagner wine—including cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir and sparkling wine—hand-selected by Chuck Wagner, the owner and winemaker of Caymus Vineyards.

It takes a talented team to pull off an epic meal like that as well as the other offerings on board. "At Princess, we have such a diverse group of chefs, which is a huge benefit to us, as we are able to use their expertise to introduce authentic flavors from all over the world," says Sodamin. "I present food as art—to be created with passion and served with love."

• The food is specifically crafted to complement the tasting notes of the wines.
• Wagner Family Vineyard wines are available at all restaurants on the ship.
• Some Princess Cruise itineraries offer memorable shore excursions to Sonoma wine country.
• There's an additional cost of $140 per person for this experience and a slight upcharge for all Wagner wines at any meal on the ship.

Best for fresh seafood with a celebrity chef

Holland america line 7-day eastern caribbean cruise.

Fans of Iron Chef Masaharu Morimoto now have another way to experience his Japanese cuisine beyond his various restaurants around the world: on board the Nieuw Amsterdam . Holland America debuted Morimoto by Sea on Dec. 16, 2023, offering Asian-inspired dishes and beverages from Chef Morimoto, the cruise line's "Global Fresh Fish Ambassador." On this Caribbean cruise , you'll dine on appetizers such as sticky ribs, hamachi tacos, Morimoto fresh-tuna pizza and a sushi plate. Main courses include crispy fried whole-market fresh fish, angry lobster pad Thai, Japanese vegetable curry, and a surf-and-turf with wasabi-mayo lobster and grilled Wagyu kalbi. Watch for pop-up Morimoto by Sea events once per cruise on the fleet's other 10 ships too.

• Holland America's new Global Fresh Fish Program offers more than 80 varieties of fresh fish sourced locally
• The restaurant also highlights Chef Morimoto's exclusive alcoholic beverages, including a rosé and sake.
• The menu includes vegetarian and vegan options.
• There's a $55 coverage charge per person, plus an additional 18% gratuity.

Best for French food and wine

Uniworld boutique river cruises 8-day brilliant bordeaux cruise.

The France-based S.S. Bon Voyage is the perfect choice for food and wine–loving cruisers: This Uniworld river cruise is basically a floating boutique hotel designed to immerse guests in French culture and wine. The Southwest France itinerary features the country's beautiful landscapes, wines and culture in Fort Médoc, Cadillac, Blaye and Libourne. On board, head to La Cave des Vins, a specialty dining venue that features a communal table in a private dining room where guests will experience a cooking demonstration and culinary experience that captures the essence of France .

Additional onboard dining experiences include La Brasserie, serving traditional bistro fare, and Le Grand Fromage, offering menus reflective of the local cuisine and prepared with locally sourced ingredients. Excursions take guests into the Bordeaux region for activities such as a walking tour and wine tasting at Saint-Emilion; an artisanal wine tasting at Château de Cazeneuve; and a bike ride tour through the lush Médoc vineyards.

• You'll get to explore one region (along with its food and wine) more deeply, rather than visiting multiple countries.
• The ship holds only 124 guests, for an incredibly intimate experience.
• Six days of excursions are included—and all are hosted by English-speaking local experts.
• It has a higher price point, but it's the most all-inclusive cruise line. (It includes premium spirits and wine, gratuities, wellness classes, airport transfers, Wi-Fi, entertainment, and bicycles and Nordic walking sticks for onshore use.)

Best for local foodie experiences

Windstar cuisines and cultures of spain, portugal and france cruise.

Windstar is the official cruise line of the James Beard Foundation (JBF), the nonprofit culinary arts organization that celebrates, supports and elevates the people behind America's food culture. The Foundation firmly aligns with Windstar's commitment to fresh and local epicurean experiences around the world, as well as efforts to reduce food waste. Join Chef Tanya Holland—this Top Chef Season 15 contestant is known for her inventive take on soul food and was the host and soul food expert on Food Network's Melting Pot—on a 10-day cruise focused on the cuisine and cultures of Spain , Portugal and France. Windstar culinary cruises include a chef-hosted dinner with wine pairing, two cooking demonstrations (with recipes you'll take home!) and a market tour with the chef.

• Foodie-focused excursions include a river cruise with wine tasting in Porto, a vineyards and cellars tour in Bordeaux, and an oyster tasting in Cancale.
• Windstar offers other world-class meals on board, with nightly menus crafted to highlight the regional cuisine and inspired wine pairings.
• The newly remodeled Star Legend carries only 312 guests, and all cabins are suites.
• This cruise has a higher price point than some of the others.

Best for satisfying any appetite

Royal caribbean icon of the seas cruises.

Can you even imagine a single ship holding 40 different dining and drink venues? That's just one of the many impressive things that the world's largest cruise ship, Icon of the Seas , has to offer. No matter what flavors you're craving—we're talking pizza by the slice, sushi, caviar, oysters, burgers and tacos—you can find it on board.

Royal Caribbean is introducing several firsts on this ship, including the Empire Supper Club, an eight-course journey of traditional American fare (think: Wagyu New York strip steak topped with fresh-shaved truffle) that's perfectly paired with live jazz music. Other newcomers are the AquaDome Market, the line's first food hall with five dining options; a milkshake bar called Desserted; and the Celebration Table, a private 12-seat dining experience with family-style service perfect for commemorating a milestone. In the evenings, grab a cocktail at Dueling Pianos (a first of its kind in the fleet, with battling baby grands), a glass of prosecco at the new walk-up champagne bar Bubbles or a pint at English pub Point & Feather.

• This ship sails the Eastern and Western Caribbean, so some excursions will offer rum tastings, Caribbean food tours and lunches the local way.
• Each cruise stops at Perfect Day at CocoCay, the cruise line's private island, which offers a slew of restaurants (most of which are complimentary) and bars (if you've purchased a specialty beverage package for your cruise, it will apply here too).
• You'll also find Royal Caribbean restaurant staples on board, including Sorrento's Pizza, Sprinkles ice cream, Chops Grille and Giovanni's Italian Kitchen & Wine Bar.
• You'll have to pay extra for certain dining venues, as well as all alcoholic drinks and specialty coffees.
• It's more expensive than most Royal Caribbean cruises because it's a brand-new ship.

Best for sushi with a celebrity chef

Crystal 14-night cruise from athens to rome.

Crystal is already known for its high-end and award-winning culinary experiences—and now it's brought one of the most legendary chefs in the world on board. Behold Umi Uma, a restaurant created by Master Chef Nobuyuki (Nobu) Matsuhisa for Crystal's Serenity and Symphony ships. This innovative Japanese-Peruvian fusion cuisine features delectable dishes like a crispy rice cake with spicy tuna tartare, Nobu-style lobster tacos, grilled Australian Wagyu beef fillet steak and Nobu-style black cod. Or choose the Sushi with Connoisseur, which features various sushi, sashimi and rolls.

Certain itineraries—for instance, the Athens to Rome Mediterranean cruise —make foodie excursions a priority, with a tasty street food tour of Izmir, a cooking class in Mykonos, olive oil tastings in Crete, a pizza tasting in Naples and wine tastings in Turkey. Between the onboard offerings and seaside activities, this is truly one of the most well-rounded culinary cruises.

• Two complimentary reservations for two people on voyages 12 to 22 days in length, and unlimited free visits for guests staying in Crystal Penthouse or Junior Crystal Penthouse Suites.
• There are 11 distinct dining options on board, including 24-hour in-suite dining service.
• There's nearly one staff member per guest, and the crew will know you by name.
• Reservations above the complimentary allotment are $50 per person.
• It has a higher price point than some other cruises on this list.

Best for Mediterranean excursions

Viking iconic western mediterranean cruise.

Some people take cruises for the at-sea experience; others use it as a mode of transportation to get where they want to go. While every minute on board a Viking ship is spectacular, the real magic happens off the ship on this Western Mediterranean itinerary through Spain, France, Monaco and Italy. Because the Viking Saturn is a small ship (930 guests), it can dock overnight in some ports, which means you can enjoy authentic dinners and nightcaps in town.

On this particular cruise, you'll have that experience in Barcelona (paella and a flamenco show, anyone?) and again in Florence (you're in the famous Tuscan wine region, so have a glass or two of Chianti with your pasta). Shore excursions include cooking in a Tuscan castle, dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant, food and wine trails through Tuscany, and "The Kitchen Table," where you'll join the ship's executive chef for a tour and shopping experience through the local market (you'll gather the ingredients that the chef will prepare for you back on board).

• Beer, wine and soft drinks are included with lunch and dinner; plus, you have access to complimentary 24/7 room service.
• Onboard dining options include regional cuisine and locally sourced ingredients, as well as food-and-wine pairings at The Chef's Table specialty restaurant.
• You get one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call.
• It's pricey, but a lot is included in the rate.

Best for Michelin-starred dining

Celebrity 7-night spain, france and italy cruise.

Great meals and wine are a part of any Celebrity sailing—it was voted best cruise line for food and dining by Cruiseline's Member Choice Awards in 2022 and holds an Award of Excellence from Wine Spectator for 2023. Each ship has myriad complimentary dining venues inspired by global and regional flavors, alongside specialty restaurants ranging from seafood and oyster bars to Paris-style bistros. And at the helm sits Celebrity's Global Culinary Ambassador, Chef Daniel Boulud, who holds many culinary accolades from the James Beard Foundation, as well as multiple Michelin stars.

His onboard restaurant, Le Voyage by Daniel Boulud, features a menu that gives guests a taste of the places that have inspired him around the world, such as 5-Spice Duck Pithivier, Brazilian Moqueca and Risotto au Homard. He has also designed signature dishes for Luminae, the cruise line's private dining experience included for all guests of The Retreat. (Guests who book these suites have access to premium amenities, such as free drinks and Wi-Fi and access to a private sundeck and lounge.)

• Celebrity Ascent is the fleet's brand-new ship (it debuted Dec. 3, 2023), and it's the most innovative in the Edge series.
• There are 32 distinctive restaurants, bars and lounges on board—including 14 cafes/bars/lounges, eight specialty restaurants, four main dining restaurants, four complimentary casual dining venues and two exclusive restaurants.
• This itinerary hits some of the most fantastic foodie cities in Europe: Barcelona and Valencia, Spain; Nice, France; and Portofino, Florence and Rome, Italy .
• A cover charge applies for dinner at Le Voyage.

Best for vegan food

Carnival cruises.

Calling all plant-based diners who love to cruise: A new vegan menu is currently available on Carnival Freedom in Port Canaveral, Florida, and Car nival Horizon in Port Miami—and will soon be implemented fleet-wide in a phased approach. Carnival chefs created recipes for each of their dishes to be prepared without the use of animal products, and the proteins included are made from meat substitutes. Look for tempting options such as Hawaiian Salmon Poke made with plant-based salmon, Spaghetti Carbonara with vegan bacon, Grilled Tofu Steak, and Eggplant Cutlet a la Parmigiana. For dessert, try the Cappuccino Pot de Crème or Key Lime Velvet Cake. Off the ship, the Caribbean is no stranger to plant-based foods, from rice and beans to perfectly ripe tropical fruits, so you'll have plenty of options there too.

• One of the most affordable cruise lines , with four-day Bahamas cruises starting under $250 per person.
• Meat eaters shouldn't miss celebrity chef Guy Fieri's mouthwatering burgers at Guy's Burger Joint.
• Adult beverages can be found on the Lido Deck at RedFrog Rum Bar and BlueIguana Tequila Bar.
• The vibe tends to be rowdier on Carnival cruises.

About the expert

• Executive Chef Rudi Sodamin is the head of culinary arts on Princess Cruises and Master Chef for Holland America Line.

The post 9 Best Culinary Cruises for the Most Delicious Trip You’ll Ever Take appeared first on Reader's Digest .

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The quiet season may be the best time to visit the Mediterranean, with fewer travelers, easier access to landmarks and easygoing interactions with locals. Plus, low-season airfares (along with Viking Inclusive Value) make fall and winter ideal for maximizing your travel dollar.

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Highlights of quiet season mediterranean.

For many travelers, fall and winter are the best times to visit the Mediterranean. The cities and villages of the coast put on a different face. Vineyards are put to bed after the harvest, the bustle has died down and the vast open squares of great cities can be seen in their more natural state: as an uncrowded gathering spot for locals, not for tourists. Visit in the quiet season and see the Mediterranean in a different light. Here are a few ways you will enjoy your journey:

• Take in the sites more fully at a more relaxed pace
• Linger at places that interest you, with fewer crowds to navigate
• Enjoy more comfortable touring in cooler air
• Celebrate a holiday in one of the world’s most appealing regions
• Delight to festive lights and markets during the holiday season

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LUXURY MEDITERRANEAN CRUISE for 2!

Are you ready for the voyage of a lifetime? Picture yourself strolling through France's Riviera and Tuscany's Renaissance wonders with your loved one by your side. Willoughby Theatre Company and Viking Cruises are giving you the chance to experience one of the world's best cruise lines, embarking on an 8-day voyage through some of Europe's most breathtaking destinations.

In celebration of our partnership with Viking Cruises, Willoughby Theatre Company are delighted to give you the chance to win the ultimate luxury cruise.

Viking have been taking well-travelled curious guests to some of the world's most fascinating destinations for 25 years. Their award-winning fleet of over 80 river, ocean and expedition ships provide destination-focused itineraries to all seven continents. As the small ship experts, their vessels are intimate yet sophisticated, with elegant Scandinavian-inspired interiors. With no kids, no casinos, and everything you need included, they focus on delivering meaningful experiences so you can learn and engage with each destination through its culture, countryside and customs.

You and your guest will enjoy an 8-day Iconic Western Mediterranean voyage for 2 people France’s famed southern coast and Italy’s Renaissance treasures take centre stage on this eight-day Mediterranean sojourn. Immerse yourself in Catalonian and Tuscan art, architecture and history during overnights in Barcelona and Tuscany. In the South of France, call on historic Montpellier and picturesque Marseille, and visit Monte Carlo, Monaco’s glamorous city by the sea. Prize includes: 

In a Veranda Stateroom for travel between Feb, April, Oct or Nov 2025 

Valued at estimated $5,495 per person (Cruise ONLY. No Flights or other accommodations included)

7 nights premium accommodation in a Veranda stateroom (V1 category)

All meals on board your ocean cruise

Beer, wine & soft drinks with lunch and dinner

24-hour specialty coffees, teas & bottled water

One complimentary shore excursion in every port of call

Port taxes, fees and gratuities

Visits to UNESCO sites

Travel dates are on select dates in Feb, April, Oct or Nov 2025 and this cruise must be booked by 30th January 2025.

All proceeds go directly to Willoughby Theatre Company Inc and will help develop theatre in the Willoughby community for years to come.

Terms & Conditions:

The Raffle will be conducted by Willoughby Theatre Company Inc (ABN 92 843 102 406). Willoughby Theatre Company Inc is a registered charity. 

The Raffle starts at 9am AEST on Monday, 29 April 2024 and closes at 5:30pm AEST on Tuesday, 29th October 2024. No entries will be accepted after this time.

Open to residents of New South Wales (NSW) and Queensland (QLD), aged 18 years or older at the commencement of the Raffle. Ticket sales are NOT PERMITTED for residents of Western Australia (WA), Australian Capital Territory (ACT), Northern Territory (NT), Tasmania (TAS), Victoria (VIC) or South Australia (SA). 

There are 10,000 tickets available for purchase at a cost of $10 for 1 Ticket, $25 for 3 Tickets, $40 for 5 Tickets, $50 for 7 Tickets, $80 for 15 Tickets, $100 for 20 Tickets, $150 for 35 Tickets and $200 for 50 Tickets. All prices are in AUD. The raffle will close at the end of the promotion period or when all tickets are sold.

To enter, eligible entrants must, during the Promotion Period, purchase one or more raffle tickets from the raffle website.

There is no limit to the number of entries per entrant, subject to raffle ticket availability.

If requested by the Promoter, entrants must produce proof of age and residency prior to being awarded a Prize.

Tickets cannot be purchased by any individual involved in the organisation of the raffle or the draw (including RaffleTix). In addition, tickets cannot be purchased by members of the Willoughby Theatre Company Inc Board & Committee including immediate family members*

*Immediate Family means a person’s spouse and family members residing at the same premises as the person.

The Draw will take place at 7:30pm AEST on Tuesday, 29th October 2024 online. A link to view the livestream will be posted via the Willoughby Theatre Company facebook page by 7:00pm AEST on Tuesday, 29th October 2024.

All entrants will be stored electronically (including multiple times for those with multiple entries). A member of the Willoughby Theatre Company Board will electronically draw the winner via the Raffletix ‘General Electronic Draw’ process.

The Prize Winner will be announced verbally at the time of the draw. Prize Winner will be notified by telephone and in writing within three (3) business days of being drawn (by end of day 1 November 2024). Prize Winner’s name will be published on the Raffle Website and on Willoughby Theatre Company website. 

To claim the Prize, the winner will need to acknowledge in writing their acceptance by end of day Friday 29th of November 2024 (one (1) month from draw). As per the terms and conditions of redeeming the prize, the Prize will need to be redeemed by 30th January 2025 with Viking Cruises.

If a Prize is not claimed by the Prize Claim Date or if the winner is deemed invalid, the Promoter reserves the right (subject to regulatory approval, if required) to redraw or forfeit that prize. 

If the Prize is cancelled before the draw for whatever reason, a full refund will be issued to all purchasers minus any processing fees.

As per the Prize details, the prize is redeemable up to 30th January 2025. Travel is allowed during either February, April, October or November 2025. The winner will need to organise all other travel and requirements that are not included in the prize. This includes, but is not limited to, flights, additional accommodation and excluded drinks and meals.

Please refer to the FULL Terms & Conditions.

CRUISE T&Cs:

Prize Terms & Conditions: Willoughby Theatre Company Inc prize is for two people travelling on the 8-day Iconic Western Mediterranean Ocean Cruise Your cruise prize is valid for travel in February, April, October or November 2025. Viking will endeavour to book your preferred sailing date, however, a specific sailing date cannot be guaranteed and is subject to availability. 

Prize is a category veranda (V1) stateroom, a paid upgrade can be requested subject to availability and the cost is the difference between the veranda stateroom and the higher stateroom category. 

Please confirm your preferred date of departure by 30 January 2025 by emailing insidesales.anz@viking. If you do not book before 30 January 2025, your prize is forfeited. 

Prize is non-changeable, non-transferable and not redeemable for cash and/or cruise credits. Based on double occupancy for two people. Flights are not included. All meals, other than those as specified on board, transfer fees, travel to and from departure point, passports, Visas, telephone charges, laundry, additional nights or upgrades and any other personal expenses and travel insurances, are the responsibility of the winner. 

If for any reason you are unable to accept the prize as stated, and within the dates indicated, you will forfeit the prize. 

In the event of unforeseeable natural disaster, state of emergency, war, or any other circumstance beyond the control of Viking, Viking reserves the right to cancel, terminate, modify, or suspend the prize redemption. Once booked, you will be bound by the Terms & Conditions stipulated by Viking Cruises.

FULL TERMS & CONDITIONS

Disclosure: There is an agreement with RaffleTix (ABN 24 623 531 340) to promote or conduct this raffle for reward.

Total Prize Pool (1 Prizes)

8-day Iconic Western Mediterranean voyage for 2 people (RRP: $10,990.00)

Explore France’s Riviera & Tuscany: France’s famed southern coast and Italy’s Renaissance treasures take center stage on this eight-day Mediterranean sojourn. Immerse yourself in Catalonian and Tuscan art, architecture and history during overnights in Barcelona and Tuscany. In the South of France, call on historic Montpellier and picturesque Marseille, and visit Monte Carlo, Monaco’s glamorous city by the sea.

Prize includes: 

Valued at estimated $5,495 per person (Cruise ONLY)

As per the prize details, the prize will need to be booked with Viking Cruises by 30th January 2025. Travel is allowed during either February, April, October or November 2025. The winner will need to organise all other travel and requirements that are not included in the prize. This includes, but is not limited to, flights, additional accommodation and excluded drinks and meals. Please read the full Terms & Conditions. 

The raffle will be drawn at the time and location listed below.

At a Glance

Tuesday, 29 October 2024

PO BOX 308, Chatswood, NSW, 2057

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More From Forbes

9 bucket list luxury cruising destinations for 2024.

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Hilltop houses and Greek Orthodox church dwarfed by cruise ship anchored offshore, Gialos (aka ... [+] Yialos), Symi (aka Simi), Rhodes, Dodecanese Islands, South Aegean, Greece, Europe.

Cruise vacations are a wonderful way to visit multiple destinations in one trip and unpack only once. And while cruises may not give people multiple days in each destination, it acts as a sampler for people to discover new places that they may possibly want to return to later.

Top Luxury Cruise Destinations

Knowing when to visit and what to explore can help people make the right decision for which to cruise take. The Caribbean and Mexico are the most common cruise destinations that people may think of, there are plenty of other bucket list destinations worth exploring. Here are some of the most popular among them and some of the latest news in the cruise industry .

1. Mediterranean

Villefranche-sur-mer on the French Riviera in summer

From Spain to Turkey and everywhere in between, these are highly popular sailings that can book up quickly. The best time to travel is during the summer months when the most ships are sailing in the Mediterranean, but prepare for hot weather. Many cruise lines move their ships to the Caribbean during the winter months.

The Spanish coastline, French Riviera, Amalfi Coast, Greek islands and Turkish ports are some of the highlight destinations on these routes. Among the busiest departure ports for these cruises are Athens, Rome (Civitavecchia) and Barcelona, and some travelers like to extend their cruise with a pre- or post-cruise stay in these cities. Taking a cruise here is a great way to visit many countries in one trip.

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Ilma will sail its inaugural season in the Mediterranean.

Among the new ships in the region for this year is Silversea’s Silver Ray, the second in the Nova class for the line. The new Sun Princess from Princess Cruises started sailing the Med this year. The second yacht in the Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is Ilma, which will start sailing in the Mediterranean later this year. Also new for the season is the National Geographic Day Tours sailings from Holland America that give travelers the change to sail with a National Geographic trained guide and explore ports with an expert.

MSC World Europa is the first Liquified Natural Gas-fueled ship in the company's fleet. The company ... [+] has a goal to achieve net-zero greenhouse-gas emissions for its entire fleet.

MSC Euribia and MSC World Europa are two of the most popular ships to sail in the region. The European-based company is especially appealing for travelers because its ships board new passengers every day unlike other cruises that start and end on a particular date. This schedule flexibility means travelers can choose which ports where they want to embark. Its ships have numerous specialty restaurants, engaging theater shows and family-friendly pool areas.

Another cruise line, SeaDream, operates differently than other companies by arriving in busy ports in the afternoon when most other cruise passengers are reboarding their ships. SeaDream then stays until midnight, or sometimes overnight, to give travelers the chance to explore without “people pollution.”

2. Australia and New Zealand

The famous Sydney Opera House and Harbour Bridge

These cruises showcase some of the top destinations down under. The best time to take a cruise is between December and February, which is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. The weather can be quite warm, but it is an ideal time to see major cities like Sydney and Auckland, explore the Great Barrier Reef or the Kimberley region on the Australian west coast. For those that want to extend their trip, they can visit major tourist sights like Ayers Rock in the center of the country and wine country regions in both countries.

The Kimberley region in Australia is a new destination for Seabourn.

New for the season is Seabourn Pursuit, which will sail the Kimberley region, the first time Seabourn visits the region. To honor the new itinerary, the cruise line named the Western Kimberley traditional land owners, the Wunambal Gaambera Aboriginal Corporation, as godparents of Seabourn Pursuit . Crystal Serenity and Crystal Symphony, part of the Abercrombie & Kent brand, will sail around both countries this spring.

Oceania Cruises is known for its overnight stays in cities in the South Pacific including Melbourne and Bali in Indonesia .

Snow melts slowly from the mountains as spring approaches at the end of May in south-central Alaska

Glacier Bay National Park and the Hubbard Glacier are top sights on an Alaska cruise sailing, which is best during the spring and summer months when the temperatures are not frigid. Sailings typically take place between April and October. Holland America is a leader in this part of the world, but many cruise lines send their ships here for the dramatic scenery. This is one of those ideal trips for a multi-generational trip.

Edge is one of the newest ships in the cruise line's fleet.

New for the season is Celebrity Edge, a dramatic ship with a cantilevered bar and restaurant known as the Magic Carpet and attached to the side of the ships and can be lowered closer to sea level for an up-close look at stunning glaciers. Among the top news for Alaska’s cruise ports is a new cruise terminal in the state capital, Juneau, and a new 28-day sailing from Holland America. Don’t miss the new seasonal drink “Killer Whale Pale Ale,” which Holland America is launching this year on its Alaska sailings.

4. Antarctica

Cruises sail through the Lemaire Channel

Cruises are the most common way to visit Antarctica, and there are all kinds of ships of varying sizes and price points. These are typically not cheap trips, but it is one of the most bucket list trips you can take. The cruise season in Antarctica is between November and February, which is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. Don’t be fooled though, it will still be cold.

These sailings give passengers the chance to set foot on this remote continent amid massive glaciers and snow-covered mountains. Bird spotting and thousands of penguins are just some of the animal life people will see. Many travelers like to take the Arctic plunge when they jump into the frigid water for a brief second.

Scenic Eclipse II has its own helicopter.

Atlas Ocean just christened two Polar ships that will sail from Patagonia to Antarctica. Seabourn Venture is an expedition ship that was christened in Antarctica and is a great way to enjoy nature without giving up luxury. Don’t miss Scenic Eclipse II, which is an elegant yacht that comes equipped with a helicopter for birds eye views and a submarine for fisheye photo opps.

5. Panama Canal

The Panama Canal has cruise and cargo ships passing through.

Going through the locks of the Panama Canal gives travelers an up-close experience of this architectural marvel. Between November and April, taking a cruise around Central America and passing through the canal is ideal since temperatures are not as hot and humid as the summer. Some cruise lines move their ships between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans when they change destinations for the season. A popular itinerary is Viking’s Classic Panama Canal Passage, which sails from Fort Lauderdale through the canal and visits Mexico, Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras and Panama.

A pair of Star Clippers ships

If you’ve done the Panama Canal cruise, consider a Suez Canal sailing, which explores the Greek Islands before crossing the canal to visit ports in Egypt. Guests can take an excursion to visit the Pyramids, which is a highlight of this itinerary. Star Clippers takes its majestic sailing ships with tall white masts on these trips. If you want a true sailing experience, Star Clippers is a great option.

An aerial view of the fishing boats in Zanzibar

Taking a cruise to ports along Africa’s coastline is a great way to visit multiple places without worrying about getting difficult visas for each country or finding a comfortable place to say. There are many different itineraries including around the southern tip to ports of South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. Others visit remote islands like Madagascar, Mauritius, Zanzibar and the Seychelles.

Azamara Quest visits the west coast of Africa.

The best time to visit is in the spring and fall as this means temperatures are not as hot as summer and also when cruise lines make these itineraries as they move ships to different regions. One of the most exciting (and quick to sell out) sailings is along parts of the west coast of the continent visiting places like the Bissagos Island chain, Sao Tome and Principe, Benin, Senegal and Gambia. Many travelers like to tack on a safari before or after their sailing.

Azamara Quest and Norwegian Sky are two of the most popular cruise ships that make these sailings. Azamara is known for its itineraries that remain in ports until late in the evening or even overnight giving travelers more time in each destination. For the 2025-2026 cruise season, Oceania Cruises will add new overnight stays in Mauritius, too.

Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam

Spotting the Northern Lights or sailing through panoramic fjords is often best experienced by ship. Holland America’s Nieuw Statendam sails through the Nordic countries during the summer months, the best time to visit the region since temperatures are not as cold. The newly launched Queen Anne from Cunard, which takes its first sailing in May, will sail around the British Islands and make its way to Norway to explore the fjords.

Hurtigruten Expeditions, a Norwegian company, operates its own series of sailings all along the coastline. The cruise line got its start here operating ferry ships bringing mail, supplies and other goods to remote parts of the country. Many of them also carry passengers that want to experience a smaller ship that visits different towns while also sailing through the fjords.

A Viking cruise ship sailing through the Norwegian fjords.

Another Nordic brand famous for its river and cruise ships is Viking, which operates its luxury ships carrying just under 1,000 passengers on signature itineraries like “Viking Homeland.” Viking Vela is one of the ships to make this journey, and Viking sailings are all-inclusive with drinks, all meals at specialty restaurants and excursions making it a great way to visit this region.

8. The Galapagos Islands

Galapagos sea lions (Zalophus wollebaeki) are sunbathing in the last sunlight at the beach of ... [+] Espanola island, Galapagos Islands in the Pacific Ocean. This species of sea lion is endemic at the Galapagos islands; In the background one of the typical tourist yachts is visible. Wildlife shot.

Sailing between these Ecuadorian islands is beautiful for the bird watching and animal spotting from the region’s famous tortoises, iguanas and penguins. Cruise ships in this region are limited in size by regulations to preserve the marine environment. Hurtigruten Santa Cruz II is one of the larger ships that operates several itineraries in the archipelago.

Celebrity Flora is based in the Galapagos Islands.

Among the most luxurious ships sailing the islands is Celebrity Flora, a purpose-built ship for the Galapagos with cabanas on its top deck, a marine biology exploration center and beautiful cabins with electronically controlled windows that allow cabins to feel larger.

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Iconic Western Mediterranean

This 8-day cruise from Barcelona to Rome (or the reverse) highlights Catalonia’s rich culture—its art, architecture and history—with France’s famed southern coast and Italy’s Renaissance treasures taking center stage.

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Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia)

8 Days | 5 Tours | 4 Countries

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Ch. 9 The Development of Russia

Ivan i and the rise of moscow, learning objective.

• Outline the key points that helped Moscow become so powerful and how Ivan I accomplished these major victories
• Moscow was considered a small trading outpost under the principality of Vladimir-Suzdal into the 13th century.
• Power struggles and constant raids under the Mongol Empire’s Golden Horde caused once powerful cities, such as Kiev, to struggle financially and culturally.
• Ivan I utilized the relative calm and safety of the northern city of Moscow to entice a larger population and wealth to move there.
• Alliances between Golden Horde leaders and Ivan I saved Moscow from many of the raids and destruction of other centers, like Tver.

A rival city to Moscow that eventually lost favor under the Golden Horde.

Grand Prince of Vladimir

The title given to the ruler of this northern province, where Moscow was situated.

The Rise of Moscow

Moscow was only a small trading outpost in the principality of Vladimir-Suzdal in Kievan Rus’ before the invasion of Mongol forces during the 13th century. However, due to the unstable environment of the Golden Horde, and the deft leadership of Ivan I at a critical time during the 13th century, Moscow became a safe haven of prosperity during his reign. It also became the new seat of power of the Russian Orthodox Church.

Ivan I (also known as Ivan Kalita) was born around 1288 to the Prince of Moscow, Daniil Aleksandrovich. He was born during a time of devastation and upheaval in Rus’. Kiev had been overtaken by the invading Mongol forces in 1240, and most of the Rus’ principalities had been absorbed into the Golden Horde of the Mongol Empire by the time Ivan was born. He ascended to the seat of Prince of Moscow after the death of his father, and then the death of his older brother Yury.

Ivan I. He was born around 1288 and died in either 1340 or 1341, still holding the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir.

Ivan I stepped into a role that had already been expanded by his predecessors. Both his older brother and his father had captured nearby lands, including Kolomna and Mozhaisk. Yury had also made a successful alliance with the Mongol leader Uzbeg Khan and married his sister, securing more power and advantages within the hierarchy of the Golden Horde.

Ivan I continued the family tradition and petitioned the leaders of the Golden Horde to gain the seat of Grand Prince of Vladimir. His other three rivals, all princes of Tver, had previously been granted the title in prior years. However they were all subsequently deprived of the title and all three aspiring princes also eventually ended up murdered. Ivan I, on the other hand, garnered the title from Khan Muhammad Ozbeg in 1328. This new title, which he kept until his death around 1340, meant he could collect taxes from the Russian lands as a ruling prince and position his tiny city as a major player in the Vladimir region.

Moscow’s Rise

During this time of upheaval, the tiny outpost of Moscow had multiple advantages that repositioned this town and set it up for future prosperity under Ivan I. Three major contributing factors helped Ivan I relocate power to this area:

• It was situated in between other major principalities on the east and west so it was often protected from the more devastating invasions.
• This relative safety, compared to Tver and Ryazan, for example, started to bring in tax-paying citizens who wanted a safe place to build a home and earn a livelihood.
• Finally, Moscow was set up perfectly along the trade route from Novgorod to the Volga River, giving it an economic advantage from the start.

Ivan I also spurred on the growth of Moscow by actively recruiting people to move to the region. In addition, he bought the freedom of people who had been captured by the extensive Mongol raids. These recruits further bolstered the population of Moscow. Finally, he focused his attention on establishing peace and routing out thieves and raiding parties in the region, making for a safe and calm metaphorical island in a storm of unsettled political and military upsets.

Kievan Rus’ 1220-1240. This map illustrates the power dynamics at play during the 13th century shortly before Ivan I was born. Sarai, the capital of the Golden Horde, sat to the southeast, while Moscow (not visible on this map) was tucked up in the northern forests of Vladimir-Suzdal.

Ivan I knew that the peace of his region depended upon keeping up an alliance with the Golden Horde, which he did faithfully. Moscow’s increased wealth during this era also allowed him to loan money to neighboring principalities. These regions then became indebted to Moscow, bolstering its political and financial position.

In addition, a few neighboring cities and villages were subsumed into Moscow during the 1320s and 1330s, including Uglich, Belozero, and Galich. These shifts slowly transformed the tiny trading outpost into a bustling city center in the northern forests of what was once Kievan Rus’.

Russian Orthodox Church and The Center of Moscow

Ivan I committed some of Moscow’s new wealth to building a splendid city center and creating an iconic religious setting. He built stone churches in the center of Moscow with his newly gained wealth. Ivan I also tempted one of the most important religious leaders in Rus’, the Orthodox Metropolitan Peter, to the city of Moscow. Before the rule of the Golden Horde the original Russian Orthodox Church was based in Kiev. After years of devastation, Metropolitan Peter transferred the seat of power to Moscow where a new Renaissance of culture was blossoming. This perfectly timed transformation of Moscow coincided with the decades of devastation in Kiev, effectively transferring power to the north once again.

Peter of Moscow and scenes from his life as depicted in a 15th-century icon. This religious leader helped bring cultural power to Moscow by moving the seat of the Russian Orthodox Church there during Ivan I’s reign.

One of the most lasting accomplishments of Ivan I was to petition the Khan based in Sarai to designate his son, who would become Simeon the Proud, as the heir to the title of Grand Prince of Vladimir. This agreement a line of succession that meant the ruling head of Moscow would almost always hold power over the principality of Vladimir, ensuring Moscow held a powerful position for decades to come.

• Boundless World History. Authored by : Boundless. Located at : https://www.boundless.com/world-history/textbooks/boundless-world-history-textbook/ . License : CC BY-SA: Attribution-ShareAlike