Arriving in Greece

 October 1, 2021

We're a long way from home!  We flew from New Orleans to Atlanta then from Atlanta to Athens. That second leg was over 10 hours and we were in the last row (42).  We got a little sleep but it was pretty cramped.  Once in Athens, the Viking folks took over and handled our luggage and checked us off their list.  We boarded a very nice bus and drove about an hour from the airport to the port.  We were required to show our vaccination proof in several places, not so much our negative PCR test results, which we had to have 72 hours before traveling.  I wouldn't want to try to travel to Europe without having had a vaccination.  There were several testing areas as we passed through the process and I'm sure if you didn't have one, you would be tested.  Just that alone makes you realize that getting a COVID vaccination is not a political thing.  This is definitely a global pandemic!  

Once onboard the ship we were shown to our muster station and the life vests were demonstrated.  Our room, 6066, is very nice and spacious.  We had to give our first saliva sample as soon as we arrived ( we will have to provide one every morning ) and will be required to wear a contact tracing device around our necks whenever we are out of our room.  We got unpacked and then went to explore the ship.  There are two pools, and very nice seating areas everywhere.  There are four restaurants, an Italian one called Manfredi's and another called Chef's Table, a third called The Restaurant, and the World Cafe (buffet style). We had dinner at Manfredi's Friday night.  Other than that, there is another more common eating area called The World Cafe where there are buffets of different sorts of fare that is served for you.  All food options are complimentary no matter where you choose to dine.  There are several bars.  The Explorer's Club bar is at the bow of the ship and is very nice.  There is a spa, of course, lots of seating areas.  The ship, we think seems very sparsely populated.  We shall see as we go.  So far it seems there are way more crew members than guests.  

We haven't moved yet from the harbor and on Saturday October 2, we will take our first tour of the ancient ruins in Athens.  We'll set sail sometime Saturday early evening.

Some photos below of our first day.

The aft deck infinity pool 7th floor

Riding the Viking bus to the ship in port

In the Athens airport

David on the sun deck - 8th floor

Boarding the ship - are we alone?

The view from our room - 6th floor

Athens airport

Our room -6066 - very spacious! 

Having a drink in the Explorers Club bar on the bow

Dinner at Manfredi’s (Friday night)

Finishing up

Flight tracker



Comments

  1. UnknownOctober 2, 2021 at 10:51 AM

    Looks like an amazing boat! Enjoy! Looking forward to reading about your journey!!!

    ReplyDelete

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