| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
|---|---|---|---|
 |
4th Apr. 2026 |
Fusina Veneto Italy |
Turn around day |
|
5th Apr. 2026 |
Fusina Veneto Italy |
Venice by Foot & Gondola |
 |
6th Apr. 2026 |
Split Dalmatia Croatia |
Split On My Own (OMO) |
|
7th Apr. 2026 |
Dubrovnik Dalmatia Croatia |
Dubrovnik on foot tour |
 |
8th Apr. 2026 |
Kotor Monte- negro |
Boka Bay by Speedboat |
 |
9th Apr. 2026 |
Corfu Greece |
Scenic Corfu & Winery tour |
|
10th Apr. 2026 |
Katakolon Greece |
Syrtaki & Olympia tour |
|
11th Apr. 2026 |
Piraeus Greece |
Turn around day |
| Flag: | Date: | Port: | Comment: |
I awoke at 6:50 having slept for over eight hours. At 7:30 I had one mini-baguette with ham & cheese to eat and one glass of orange juice with sparkling water to drink. At 7:45 I left the ship and walked the nearly two miles to the Point public ferry terminal (Fusina Punta). The next departure wasn't until nine o'clock and it cost €10 one way and €15 return, so I turned off tracking and retraced my steps.
Back at the ship, I worked on my laptop. When Xavier came to service the cabin at ten to ten, I went up to the World Cafe for a decaff cappuccino coffee. At eleven o'clock I had a bowl of corn chowder soup and BBQ pork ribs for lunch al fresco a la terrazza. I then dozed for one hour.
At one o'clock I caught the complimentary shuttle boat across the lagoon to Venice. I was sat at the back of the top deck with Adam and the two Emilys. This time I headed west to the Accademia bridge to check out the Zattere landing point where the public ferry from Fusina Punta comes in. I posted the first half of my afternoon's walk and then started tracking again. I walked back via an inland route to avoid the crowds, but I still ended up traversing Saint Mark's Place (Piazza San Marco).
At four o'clock I took the shuttle boat back to the ship, sitting at the back with one of the Emily and two of the Filipinos. Back in my cabin, I updated this blog, but gave the swimming pool a miss as my shins were itchy again.
At six o'clock I asked for a sharing table in the main Restautrant. I was joined by Janette from Arizona, Liz from Georgia and a Chinese couple from Boston, Mass. I had the hot carrot soup, the pear salad, the chicken Kiev and the no sugar added mango tango to eat. After dinner I collected my next day's escorting assignment which started at 6:15 am!
At 8:30 I went to the Italian piano recital for the second time in two days. He began with Mascagni's Intermezzo, followed by two arias by Verdi. He continued with three pieces by Puccini, followed by Respighi and Chopin. He played a film score from the Godfather movie and others by Ennio Moricone. He finished with the Funicular song, with "O Sole Mio" and inevitably with "Time to Say Goodbye". I went to bed at 9:30 having done over twenty thousand steps, equal to over eight miles of walking during the day.
I awoke at five o'clock in the morning, half an hour before my alarms (sic). At six o'clock I grabbed a mini-baguette with ham and cheese in the World Cafe and a glass of orange juice. At 6:15 I was on escort duty outside the cruise terminal for the Venice by Foot & by Gondola tour. I met guide Michaela here and guide Monica later in Venice itself. We had just fourteen guests to look after on the seven and a half hour excursion.
We had the usual forty minute ride across the Venetian lagoon, but this time in a small pleasure craft with two small saloons. Michaela led us around the east side of the Doge's Palace (Palacio Ducal) to Saint Mark's Place (Piazza San Marco). During our free time, I bought Michaela an espresso coffee, whilst I had a cappuccino to drink.
On the west side, we got into our gondolas for our half hour ride. I was sat with Matt & Carl, two gay guys from an island in Puget Sound, Washington State. They took pictures of me in the gondola and I took pictures of them. This was the first time that I had been in a Venetian gondola.
We then walked to the Rialto Bridge, where we had our elevenses. I had three warm tuna fish cakes, two mackerel and one salami cicchetti to eat. I had two glasses of the orange Aperol Spritz drink. I sat with Michaela on the banks of the Grand Canal during the second period of free time.
We then met local guide Monica, who took us into the Carmelite church to see the famous ceiling painted by Tiepolo. She then led us to the railway station to catch our boat back to the ship.
Here I had one cold roast beef open sandwich as a late lunch, before dozing for three quarters of an hour. I then worked on my laptop until five o'clock when Francisco set me up. At 5:15 CD Robert introduced me and I gave my forty five minute talk on Architecture.
Just after six o'clock I went to the Wintergarden for the solo travellers meet up, but the Viking Daily programme had said it was in the Explorers Lounge! I met Carey, Christie, Mike, Laurie, Mel(issa), Liz & Janette. I had had dinner with the last two the previous evening. When ACD Troy had to leave for the Easter Sunday service, they all left except for Janette. She didn't want to dine with me as she would be waiting for Liz to come back from the church service.
At the main Restaurant, I was sat with couples from Florida and West Kansas City, which is actually in Kansas, although the city centre isn't. I had the bean soup, the Caesar salad (although I had ordered Caprese salad), the steak Diane and the no sugar added panna cotta to eat.
At nine o'clock I went to the excellent Old Time Rock & Roll production show in the Star Theatre. They sang lots of rock songs by a mix of UK and US artistes. However they didn't sing any Elvis numbers and he was the King of Rock & Roll! I went to sleep at 10:30, having done over thirteen thousand steps, equal to over five miles of walking during the day.
I awoke naturally at six o'clock, ready for TWO scrambled egg and smoked salmon croissants al fresco a la terrazza. Here I met Matt & Carl, so we exchanged emails with photographs. I spent the first part of the morning working on my laptop.
I was first off the ship at eight o'clock walking around the harbour. Walking in to town I bumped into guide Tanya, who I had been with on the previous cruise. I climbed up Marian Hill(Marjan) to the huge white cross at the top. The botanical garden hadn't yet opened and I gave the small zoo a miss. At the western end of the forest park, I turned off tracking and posted my route on FaceBook. I then turned tracking back on and walked all the way back to the ship.
At 11:30 I lunched on the pumpkin soup with sunflower seeds followed by the fish, chips and mushy peas al fresco a la terrazza. I then slept for an hour and a half, before heading out eastwards to the beaches and the marina. At the latter, I turned off tracking and posted my route on to FaceBook. I then headed back to the ship. Here I uploaded my latest photographs.
At 4:30 I went to the Dubrovnik port talk. CD Robert began with a five minute introduction followed by twenty five minutes by Shorex Manageress Karin on the tours. CD Robert finished with an eight minute conclusion. I took notes and made just a few changes to my Dubrovnik destination lecture.
At six o'clock Francisco set me up ready for me to give my forty minute talk at 6:30. I had a decent turnout despite the sun being out, the sailaway taking place and the BBQ by the pool having started at six o'clock! At 7:10 I went to the BBQ around the pool and in the World Cafe buffet. I had the French onion soup, six King Crab legs with one scallop and some lamb and beef from the BBQ with pasta.
At 8:30 I went to the line dancing on the pool deck run by ACD Troy. This time he taught a new beginner dance instead of the Electric Slide. He then taught one from previous weeks as did vocalist Adam. During the main dance session with the band, I did one Cha cha with dark haired Emily and one jive with blonde haired Emily. I also joined in the Y.M.C.A. which hadn't been done on the two previous weeks. I went to sleep at 10:30 having done twenty four thousand steps, nearly equal to ten miles of walking during the day.
I awoke just after six o'clock to the dawn, as I had left my curtains open. At 6:45 I had one mini-baguette with cheese and back bacon, as they didn't have any ham, just salami and mortadella. Back in my cabin, I worked on my laptop.
At nine o'clock I met guide Nicole and driver Milan for the Dubrovnik on Foot included tour. We had thirty one guests to look after, but only came back with a handful, as most stayed in town. We had a short ride to the old city, before beginning the walk.
We transitted down the main street (Stradun), before going in the Dominican monastery. We saw the jewels and the paintings, one of which was by the Venetian painter Titian (Tiziano).
We didn't go in the cathedral and finished in the old market square. I offered to buy Nicole a coffee, as I had done with Michaela in Venice, but she had a group rumble to attend. I ventured through both openings in the southern wall, before working my way back to the bus stop.
Back at the ship, I had a bowl of chicken & vegetable soup, followed by roast beef to eat al fresco a la terrazza. I then slept for one hour. At 2:45 I caught the next complimentary shuttle bus into the old town. I inspected the north gate (Buka) for the first time, but went out of the eastern one (Ploce). I walked through the Lazaretto quarantine hospital to the town beach, before turning off tracking. I headed back via the old harbour to the coach park, but hadn't twigged that there wasn't going to be a five o'clock shuttle bus, so I had to wait half an hour.
Back at the ship again, there was a long line for the main Restaurant, as there hadn't been the usual evening lecture by either the Viking Resident Historian (VRH) Mike or by me the geographer. Eventually I was placed on a sharing table with Dave & Carol, a Catholic couple from Minnesota and Fred & Betsy the couple from Kansas I had previously dined with. I had the corn chowder soup, the Caesar salad, the Vienna Schnitzel with potato salad & garlic spinach, and the no sugar added pear dessert to eat.
At 8:30 I went to the Dubrovnik folkloric show in the Star theatre. The first three songs of the two mandolins, the two guitars and the one female vocalist were all in 6/8 (Viennese Waltz) time. In the middle of the show came three pairs of folk dancers with just one musician. The first ensemble provided the final third of the show, but I had trouble keeping awake. I went to sleep at 10:30, having done thirteen thousand steps, equal to over five miles of walking during the day.
I got up at 5:45 as we transitted the Gulf of Kotor. I went up to the Explorers Lounge to watch the scenic sail in to Kotor, where I had a glass of orange juice topped up with sparkling water. At 6:30 I had one mini-baguettte with cheese and a slice of back bacon, as there was again no ham, just salami and mortadella on offer. I sat out al fresco a la terrazza with the fabulous view of the ria, a flooded river valley, not a fjord! At 7:15 I returned to my cabin, where I worked on my laptop as usual.
At 8:30 I moved out to the quayside to meet Montenegrin guide Alan. We had just eight guests on the Boka Bay speedboat tour. We had a short walk to the speedboat, where we met Captain Constantine.
Our first stop was at a monastery on the south west side of the Gulf of Kotor. This was near the church where I had heard a concert some cruises ago. Next up was the Lady of the Rocks island, where we saw the church and the museum. Third locale was an old Yugoslav navy submarine pen, which we traversed into and then reversed out of.
At the Porto Montenegro complex, we had two hours of free time, so I walked into Tivat town, before doubling back to the far end of the complex. On the way back, I found the two huge Yugoslav submarines, which were very photogenic in resplendent blue. I had two bags of nuts and a chocolate bar, which was melting in the hot sun, as my packed lunch. On the way back to Kotor through the Verige narrows, one of the guests, who had his own captain's licence, took the helm.
Back at the ship, I had a bowl of clam chowder and pork medallions as a late lunch al fresco a la terrazza. I then dozed for forty five minutes, before getting ready to do my scenic commentary of our departure through the Gulf of Kotor. At four o'clock I moved up to the Explorers Lounge as we departed half an hour early. There was no technician present, so I went down to the sound booth in the Star theatre to enquire. They said that someone was on the way, so I rushed back up. Eventually two technicians arrived, but saying that I would be on channel one, not nine as advertised. Then ACD Troy arrived with the transmitting headset, so I rushed around telling the guests it would be on channel one. Eventually I began my scenic commentary which went on to six o'clock, when we could finally see the Adriatic sea.
I then rushed back to my cabin with my laptop and on to the main Restaurant for the solo travellers dinner party. Here I was sat with newcomers Kathleen from South Dakota and Paula from Virginia, together with Laurie, Mel, Janette, Liz and ACD Troy. I had the brown onion soup, the grilled lobster and the no sugar added Eton mess to eat. At the end, I took photographs of the six ladies present.
At nine o'clock I enjoyed CD Robert's excellent one man show. He began with the Toreador song from Carmen, sung in French. He continued with songs from Phantom, Beauty & the Beast and West Side Story. He did "Bring Him Home" and "Master of the House" from Les Mis, with vocalist Ollie appearing as the Mistress of the House. Next came "You Raise Me Up", followed by an Elvis Medley. The penultimate song was the "Impossible Dream", the only standard from the "Man of La Mancha" musical. He ended with Frank Sinatra's "My Way".
I went to sleep at 10:30, but it was now 11:30 on Greek time. During the day I had done nearly fifteen thousand steps, equal to six miles of walking.
I got up just after five o'clock, but it was now six o'clock on Greek time. At 6:45 I had my usual mini-baguette with cheese and back bacon to eat in the Aquavit double height bar, as it was still dark outside. Back in my cabin, I worked on my laptop.
At 8:30 I moved out to the coach park where I met guide Fofo and driver Yannis (John). We had just sixteen guests to look after in a small Mercedes-Benz minibus. Our first stop was at the Theotoky Winery, which had featured in a James Bond film. We had a short tour of the small factory, before we had just two white wines to taste, but with no red or rosé. I pigged out on the salami, feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, bread and olive oil on offer.
Our second stop was in the elevated village of Lakones, overlooking the famous Paleokastritsa monastery that I have visited several times previously. Here Fofo got me a complimentary Café Americano and a large slice of baklava pastry. We finished the tour with a scenic drive through the Northern uplands of Corfu island.
Back at the port, I jumped on the port shuttle to get back to the ship. I offloaded my gear and forewent my siesta as I was hyper after my full strength coffee. I then walked into town in the hot sun, but cool wind.
I cut under the New Venetian Fortress to get to the market, which was winding down in the afternoon. I walked through the New Town to the promenade on the south side, before heading north to the Esplanade park. I photographed the British Palace of St Michael & St George, before catching the 3:10 shuttle mini-bus back to the port. I then transferred to the port shuttle via the cruise terminal.
Back at the ship, I slept for three quarters of an hour, before working on my laptop. At six o'clock Francisco set me up as usual and at 6:30 CD Robert introduced me. I then gave my forty two minute lecture on Oceanography: the Sciences of the Seas.
At 7:30 I went to the World Cafe where I sat with Mel, Laurie & Kathleen al fresco a la terrazza. I had the lentil soup and the Greek mixed grill to eat. As it was getting a little chilly, the ladies wanted to move back inside. Here I had two small Greek desserts to eat.
At nine o'clock we had the Captain's Farewll speech and the Crew Parade. This was followed by the excellent ABBA Songbook production show of which I never tire. I went to sleep at 10:40 having done thirteen thousand steps, equal to over five miles of walking during the day.
I awoke to my alarm at six o'clock ready for my full English breakfast at 6:45. I then worked on my laptop in my cabin. At nine o'clock I met young guide Michael(is) and driver George by bus number three. We had thirty four guests to look after on the Syrtaki, Greek Food & Ancient Olympia tour.
It only took half an hour to drive to the famous old town. Unfortunately the archaeological site wouldn't open until noon on Orthdox Good Friday, so we had our cooking, dancing and lunching first. Guests were invited to make tsatziki dip and cheese empanadas, which we all ate. Then we had a full buffet at 10:30 in the morning. This was followed by Greek dancing, in which we were invited to participate. This ended with some plate smashing in Greek style.
We had a short drive to the ancient site, where Michael(is) led us around. We saw the training areas, the stadium and the temples to Zeus, Hera and King Philip. As a bonus we went in the impressive archaeological museum, which I had not been in before. We then got back to the port half an hour after all aboard time. Unfortunately there was a backlog of coaches waiting to disembark their passengers.
Back on the ship, I slept for an hour and a quarter. When I awoke, I had two small chocolate bars to eat and a small bottle of soda water to drink, before working on my laptop. At six o'clock Francisco set me up and I gave my forty five minute talk on Athens at 6:30.
At 7:30 I dined on the minestrone soup, four king crab legs and the mixed grill from the buffet al fresco a la terrazza, as the sun set over the Ionian Sea. I also treated myself to one scoop of the no sugar added blackcurrant sorbet, augmented with dried cranberries, to celebrate the successful completion of my first three Viking Saturn contracts.
At 8:30 I went to resident electric guitarist Alan Jenkins's personal show time. He played lots of rock songs by artists like Dire Straits and Van Morrison. I went to bed at 9:30 to watch my Athens talk on the telly. I went to sleep at 10:30, having done only eight and a half thousand steps, equal to just over three miles of walking, during the day.
I got up at 6:40 ready for two soft warm rolls with ham and scrambled egg to eat al fresco a la terrazzza at 7:15. I was unable to get a new key card or the shuttle bus times from guest services before ten o'clock. I left the ship just after eight o'clock to walk the one mile to the Piraeus metro station. Here I paid €1.20 (£1) for a single ticket into Athens.
I alighted as usual at Monastiraki station and walked through the quiet flea market to photograph the Ancient Greek market place (Agora). I walked up the Apostle Paul sidewalk, before climbing the Nymphs Hill to photograph the National Observatory. I discovered the ancient roadway leading from Athens to Piraeus, before ascending to the Philopappos Monument on the hilltop. My final summit was the Areopagus Hill. At all these sights, I had marvellous views of the Parthenon, on top of the Acropolis citadel. I skirted around the north side of the latter, before descending to the shuttle bus drop off point by the new Acropolis Museum.
I caught the one o'clock bus back to the ship, where I had a bowl of lentil soup and a mixed grill from the buffet. I then slept for an hour and three quarters. At six o'clock I went to the Musical Odyssey of Greece show time in the Star theatre. There were five male musicians and one lady vocalist. It was a little raucous, so I slipped out after ten minutes to go to the main Restaurant.
Here I was seated with Jane from Bath and her American husband Kurt, Anders from Washington DC and two ladies from Arizona. I had the lentil soup, the lamb chops and the crepes Suzette to eat. I forewent the proffered wine as usual on these cruises.
Back in my cabin, I worked on my laptop as usual. I decided not to go to the local Orthodox resurrection ceremonies, like Catholic midnight masses. I went to bed at ten o'clock, having done sixteen thousand steps, equal to over six miles of walking, during the day.
Another excellent cruise including:
* Escorting five tours
* Visiting two new places:
Tivat
Theotoky
* First time in a gondola
* First time in a speedboat
* Giving four lectures
1) "The Story of Western Architecture" Discover the history of Western Architecture from Ancient Greece & Rome to Post-Modernism. 2) "Dubrovnik: Pearl of the Adriatic Sea" Explore the geography, geology, history and culture of this great city. 3) "Oceanography: the Sciences of the Seas" Find out about the geography, geology, biology, chemistry and physics of the seas. 4) "Athens: Capital of Greece" Explore the geography, geology, history and culture of this great city.
221 Cruises 58 Cruise ships (see below) 16 Cruise lines (see below) 7 Night cruise 5 Tours escorted 5 Restaurants (MDR, CT, WC, PG, Manfredi's) 5 Continental breakfasts 4 Singers (Adam, Olly, Emily1 & Emily2) 4 Band members (Keys, Bass, Guitar & Drums) 4 Enrichment Lectures given 3 Storey atrium 3 Hot tubs 3 Wi-fi connections (laptop and two phones) 3 Lunches ashore 3 Mixed grill dinners 2 Production shows 2 Nightclub singers 2 Panoramic elevators 2 Cinemas 2 Beef lunches 2 Production shows 1 Double state room with picture window 1 Theatre (Star) 1 Nightclub (Torshavn) 1 Viking heritage museum 1 Classical guitarist 1 Classical duo 1 Cocktail pianist
Captain Atle Knutsen Cruise Director Robert Brendan Ass. Cruise Director Troy Lathan Shorex Manager Karin Stage Managers Francisco Historian (VRH) Mike Siegel Cultural Lecturer Martin P. Lee
* Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines * Saga Shipping Company * Voyages of Discovery * Seabourn (Carnival) * Princess (Carnival) * Cunard (Carnival) * P&O (Carnival) * Celebrity (RCCL) * Silversea (RCCL) * Regent SS (NCL) * Oceania (NCL) * Marella (TUI) * Ambassador * Azamara * Crystal * Viking
Black Prince Black Watch Borealis Boudicca Balmoral Braemar Bolette Silver Whisper Silver Spirit Silver Wind Silver Muse Silver Moon Silver Dawn Viking Sea Viking Sky Viking Star Viking Saturn Viking Neptune Oceania Nautica (R5) Oceania Sirena (R4) Oceania Riviera Oceania Marina Oceania Vista Celebrity Silhouette Celebrity Solstice Celebrity Eclipse Celebrity Edge Celebrity Apex Saga Rose Saga Ruby Saga Sapphire Saga Pearl II Quest for Adventure Spirit of Adventure (Old SofA) Spirit of Adventure (New SofA) Spirit of Discovery Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2) Queen Elizabeth (QE) Queen Victoria (QV) Queen Mary 2 (QM2) P&O Arcadia P&O Aurora P&O Oriana P&O Iona Azamara Journey (R6) Azamara Quest (R7) Crystal Symphony Crystal Serenity Seabourn Odyssey Seabourn Sojourn Ambassador Ambience Ambassador Ambition Regent Seven Seas Mariner Regent Seven Seas Splendor Sapphire Princess Caribbean Princess Marella Explorer VoD Discovery