Does anyone have any advice on whether to let the cruise line book your air or doing it on your own? I'm a little nervous that leaving it to them could stick us with bad connections or long layovers. Has anyone been either pleased or disappointed with the flight arrangements the cruise company has made? Any advice would be appreciated.

We have had mixed experiences. Our first cruise worked out just fine.

Our second cruise with Viking our travel agent found a much lower airfare and booked us. Viking sent us a check for the amount of the cancelled airfare. We'd expected a credit to our credit card so were pleasantly surprised.

Third cruise with Viking was a mess. Our first reservations had us flying into Paris and then into Lyon with 30 minute connection time. No way is that going to happen at DeGaulle. Our travel agent got on their case and they changed it.

The above experiences are why we used an excellent, experienced travel agent. We could not have done what she did ourselves.

My trip reports of our Viking cruises are in the archives.

You don't say which cruise you are considering; but if it is one we've taken, I would be happy to answer any questions.
Sue

Thank you, Sue. We are doing Portraits of Southern France. I will read your archived reports but you have confirmed my fears. Last year we did the Danube on AMA Waterways and they were first rate all the way. Viking is going to have to go a long way to impress us after our AMA experience but we thought we should at least give Viking a try. Thank you

We loved our Portraits of Southern France cruise in 2012.

However, that was the one that gave us a 30 minute connection time in DeGaulle. They changed our flights so that we flew into Frankfurt and then on to Lyon.

We hated the Frankfurt airport, but there are worse (Miami). But it got us to where we needed to go. Security for Paul with an artificial knee was a nightmare.

I think of the 3 cruises we've taken with Viking, the Southern France one was our favorite.

Sue

Thank you. That is so nice to hear. We are doing three days in Paris precruise so I think that we will do our own air and buy their transfers. Right now I can do the air myself and buy their transfers for slightly less than their all inclusive rate. I'm very nervous blindly trusting someone with my connections and seats!

You will love Paris. Are you doing that on your own or through Viking?

Since Paul worked for a French company whose headquarters are in Paris, we have spent some time there. I wandered all over the place by myself when Paul was working. Metro is super easy to use.

It has been a while since we were in Paris, but I'd be happy to answer questions regarding that as well. What I cannot do is recommend restaurants because it has been too long to do that. Our experience is that is really hard to find a bad meal in France. <img src="http://www.traveltalkonline.com/forums/images/graemlins/dine.gif" alt="" />

We are doing it through Viking. I'm still trying to figure out how to find your archived trip reports. I may need some tech advice. I don't speak French and am feeling a bit intimidated but love experiencing new things. Very excited!

Don't worry about your French. One thing to remember is when you go into a shop, always say Bonjour or just hello to the clerk or proprietor don't just walk in without saying anything.

Merci or Thank You is always appreciated. Lots of times if you attempt to say one of these things, they will immediately switch to English.

Viking will negotiate a lot of things that the individual traveler might have to deal with. They will take very good care of you.

I was doing just fine in a shop (I am often mistaken for French), until we got to how much I owed. I must have give them a deer-in-the headlights look, because when I was told how much I owed the conversation switched to English.

I'm glad you are excited about your trip. It's a great one. Do try to take some of the optional tours that Viking offers. I'd have to dig out my trip report, but if you like I can make some recommendations.

Wish we were going. Would definitely do that cruise second time.

Sue

Thank you . It has been nice "talking" to you. Beth

I'm looking forward to your trip report.

If more questions come up as you are planning, please feel free to ask.

Sue