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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.

• Viking Ocean

Excursions iconic western Mediterranean

By Michael50 , April 8, 2019 in Viking Ocean

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Hi everyone,  we are going on our first viking ocean, iconic western Mediterranean,  would love recommendations for excursions,  including the ones that viking offer and some on our own. We are very active , hiking, walking, etc, . 

The trip leaves in November 

Thanks so much

Link to comment

Share on other sites, marykatesmom.

Are you traveling from Barcelona to Rome or Rome to Barcelona? 

If this is your first time to Rome I would recommend an extra night or two in Rome. 

Peregrina651

10 hours ago, Michael50 said: Hi everyone,  we are going on our first viking ocean, iconic western Mediterranean,  would love recommendations for excursions,  including the ones that viking offer and some on our own. We are very active , hiking, walking, etc, .  The trip leaves in November  Thanks so much Helene 

Such an open ended question. Might be easier if you narrow down your choices and then we can reply with our thoughts on the various tours on your short list.

November is a great time to be travelling in this region. Weather may be a bit chilly and damp but the lines will be so much shorter.

In the meantime, there are a number of existing threads for this itinerary with some discussion of the excursions.

Live from the Western Mediterranean

Christmas in the mediterranean, iconic western mediterranean.

I was on the Barcelona to Rome cruise last month. Please let us know which ports or tours you are interested in. 

Hi again, we are starting from Barcelona - 3 days on our own, ending in Rome - we added two nights .  I haven't seen the excursions yet that's being offered from Viking -  We booked our hotels in Barcelona and Rome on our own. 

This is our first time in Europe and we're hoping to take advantage of great tours either thru Viking or on our own. Looking to all of you for some great recommendations.

Thanks again

• 1 month later...

Hi Michael,

My wife and I took this cruise last November, our first cruise ever. I can tell that you have enough time in Barcelona and Rome before and after and that you already know what to experience. I will just say that that the only thing I am glad we did was the included trip to Montserrat, it was a little bit of a bus ride (1 hour) to get there, but it was an amazing site and one I would gladly do again. There is not much that you have to exert unless you want to. Monte Carlo, I would do it all on your own, the only language I know is English, my wife Indian Kanataka and english, but we got around on public transportation just fine. go at your own pace and enjoy everything(Such a beautiful place). Marseilles (Not So Much) Livorno, take the bus to Leaning tower of Pisa and go, a little bit of walking but such a fantastic place. Had 2 days in Livorno, second day we went to Florence and did that on our own as well, such a beautiful place.You have mentioned your hiking ability, this will test you, but you can get around everywhere here by walking (me and wife are in early 40's) and walked everywhere here, absolutely wonderful city, you will get approached by many to do tours, they all speak english, so just figure it out what you want to do.  Rome, just get one of the tour passes each day for the busses (Like $15) and you can get on and off as you please to all of the places that are familiar and work the tour guides down for whatever you want to visit, and use yelp for where you want to eat you will be fine.

I have done this itinerary twice and by walking around on your own you will miss out on what a tour guide would have told/showed you about the beautiful city. There are many reviews on this itinerary on here, so lots of good reading and ideas. Viking offers tours to get you to Florence then take you back, this is much easier then trying to do on your own if it's your first time. A little research will show that taking the right tour will not cost much more or give you much more time thers while taking the stress out of your day. 

RavensFan2011

On 4/8/2019 at 10:42 PM, Michael50 said: Hi again, we are starting from Barcelona - 3 days on our own, ending in Rome - we added two nights .  I haven't seen the excursions yet that's being offered from Viking -  We booked our hotels in Barcelona and Rome on our own.  This is our first time in Europe and we're hoping to take advantage of great tours either thru Viking or on our own. Looking to all of you for some great recommendations. Thanks again

Hi, I am still researching hotels in Rome and Barcelona for our pre and post Iconic mediterranean cruise in November. Was wondering if you have any hotel recomendations/insight from your research ? Thanks!

Hotel Splendide Royale in Rome was wonderful. The staff couldn’t have been more friendly and helpful. Our room was beautiful. We had a balcony that looked over the Borghese Park toward the Vatican City. The bathroom was big with marble accents. We opted to include breakfast with our room. A little more expensive, but worth it. It was fantastic! Lots of choices and the view over the Borghese Park while dining was great. By having a big breakfast you can skip lunch, unless you are a 3 meals a day person, and have an early dinner. An afternoon gelato or piece of fruit would hold us over. Hint: the restaurant on the top floor is extremely expensive, bottled water 12 euros...we passed! So many local places to eat, delicious and inexpensive.

El Palace Hotel in Barcelona was very nice. A little older, more traditional. Big rooms, great bathroom. Again we opted to include breakfast. Breakfast was fantastic! The coffee was the best hotel coffee I’ve had. The staff was also friendly and very helpful. The hotel is in the middle in town, convenient and fun for walking around. 

We also did several tours in both cities through Viator. They were fantastic!!! After doing the historic sites, as this was our first time in both cities so those sites were a must, we opted for a few additional tours that sounded fun and informative. ’The Jewish Ghetto Navona Food Wine and Sightseeing Tour’ in Rome was one of our favorites. So much food, come hungry! Our tour guide, Georgia, was a delight. In Barcelona one of our favorite tours was the ‘Tapas and Wine Experience Small Group Tour’. Our guide, Nick, was so much fun. We visited several different tapas bars with a side trip to a great olive oil shop, which also had balsamic vinegars and unusual pates. All our tours were small groups of 4-6. From our experience I would highly recommend Viator.

Just writing all this down is making me long to return. Have a wonderful cruise everyone!

On 5/15/2019 at 3:13 PM, RavensFan2011 said: Hi, I am still researching hotels in Rome and Barcelona for our pre and post Iconic mediterranean cruise in November. Was wondering if you have any hotel recomendations/insight from your research ? Thanks!

We did Hotel Gaudi in Barcelona and loved it.  Right across the street from Palau Guell  (usually on most maps highlighted.)and about half a block of La Rambla.  Close to the port.  Not too bad pricewise.  We did stay in on or the rooms that overlooked the Palau across the street and that was always a great reminder that this was going to be one special trip.  We also did 3 days precruise and could go back and see more.

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Iconic Western Mediterranean

• From £2,790
• 5 Guided Tours
• 4 Countries
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• 2024 2025 2026
• Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia) Rome (Civitavecchia) to Barcelona

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Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

Fran Rimondi

The staff went out of their way to ensure our comfort..

From the time we boarded the ship, we were treated the best. The staff went out of their way to ensure our comfort. From housekeeping to dining we could not ask for better service. The food was superior Compliments to the Chiefs. As a retired photographer I was impressed with the shots I was able to get from the veranda off my stateroom. All in all, it was such a good trip I am already booked for a river cruise for my 80th birthday this year. Thank you for everything.  

Malcolm W Bennett/Jessica E King

Everything was top notch.

This was our first Viking cruise, but DEFINITELY NOT our last! Everything was top notch, from the arrival to our departure (which we hated, because we didn't want to leave), and everything in between. The food was great, the excursions were breathtaking and memorable, and our Cruise Director doubled as a Class Act Singer during here show! We have decided that from now on, our ONLY way to see the world in comfort is with Viking, because we're already planning our next cruise.  

Richard & Neal

We booked the next cruise already..

Could not be more impressed with every detail of this journey! Ship is new and included the Explorers' Dome. The food was perfect. We did excursions daily and were never disappointed. Onboard lecturers were fascinating. We booked the next one already!  

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Iconic Western Mediterranean

• From $3,999
• 5 Guided Tours
• 4 Countries
• Dates & Pricing
• 2024 2025 2026
• Barcelona to Rome (Civitavecchia) Rome (Civitavecchia) to Barcelona

Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

Fran Rimondi

The staff went out of their way to ensure our comfort..

From the time we boarded the ship, we were treated the best. The staff went out of their way to ensure our comfort. From housekeeping to dining we could not ask for better service. The food was superior Compliments to the Chiefs. As a retired photographer I was impressed with the shots I was able to get from the veranda off my stateroom. All in all, it was such a good trip I am already booked for a river cruise for my 80th birthday this year. Thank you for everything.  

Malcolm W Bennett/Jessica E King

Everything was top notch.

This was our first Viking cruise, but DEFINITELY NOT our last! Everything was top notch, from the arrival to our departure (which we hated, because we didn't want to leave), and everything in between. The food was great, the excursions were breathtaking and memorable, and our Cruise Director doubled as a Class Act Singer during here show! We have decided that from now on, our ONLY way to see the world in comfort is with Viking, because we're already planning our next cruise.  

Richard & Neal

We booked the next cruise already..

Could not be more impressed with every detail of this journey! Ship is new and included the Explorers' Dome. The food was perfect. We did excursions daily and were never disappointed. Onboard lecturers were fascinating. We booked the next one already!  

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Viking Ocean Cruise_Iconic Western Mediterranean

We have been on many cruises with other cruise lines. We saved and paid a great deal of money for this experience (almost 3 times more than other cruise lines) because we believed the Viking ads and have a friend that said that they are the best in the industry. In short, it was NOT the best experience, in fact it was NOT a even close to being a good experience. Viking ocean cruises are over rated and over priced. The food and service was excellent, however it was no better or worse than Royal Caribbean or Carnival cruise lines. Viking prides itself on an all inclusive vacation, which includes excursions. The included excursions were merely a guide on a tour bus that lets you out at a location and tells you to meet back at a certain time. The guide does provide information about the place you are going to see but that is it. When we paid for an excursion, Leaning Tower of Pisa, we were told about the history, went up to the tower and was told that it would cost 20 Euros to go inside. We were then dropped off and told to meet back at a certain time. Really? So the cost included a bus ride to the site, that's it! When we complained to Viking about the excursion, the Viking management blamed the 3rd party vendor! The itinerary called for us to dock at Monte Carlo. The Captain announced we would not dock at Monte Carlo due to rough sees? The key word is dock. The sea was not rough clearly not rough enough to dock at a terminal. So why did we go to Sete, France instead? One of the "3rd Party" tour guides confided in us stating that Monte Carlo does not really like cruise lines and probably used any excuse to prevent docking. Not sure if that is true but Sete is a French fishing village, no real attractions. We were offered a 1.5 hour bus trip from Sete to Monte Carlo if we wanted, but I did not pay this kind of money to sit on a 3 hour bus ride. In summary I strongly recommend using other cruise lines that will provide the same experience at 2/3rds the cost.

This was a great cruise. Yes, it does cater to much older people. My wife and I are in our mid 60's. And it was great not having a bunch of punk teenagers or sloppy drunk 20-year-olds partying all night long on this ship. I paid a bunch of damn money for this cruise. And Viking provided exactly what I wanted. I'll be coming back for another cruise with Viking. An 8-day cruise isn't nearly enough time. I can't say enough great things about the cruise. If you want to know more about my experience. Just hit me up on Trip advisor. I'd be glad to answer any questions. I was on the Viking Sky.

The trip out, from Stockholm to Helsinki on the Mariella was quite lovely, a spacious ship, a great room, and quite good food. The trip back was less nice: a smaller ship (Gabriella) which was just more cramped all around, and musty smelling. Food was decent, but the smaller buffet made for an adventure that wasn't that much fun.

We recently returned from our trip on Viking from Amsterdam to Budapest and also experienced the low water levels and needed to change ships part way through. However Viking did not offer any compensation for the inconvenience of being bussed to various stops as mentioned by another reviewer. Maybe if we would be given 50% off our next trip, we may return but not likely. The rooms on Viking are very tiny, much smaller than any other cruise line, it felt overly claustrophobic. The food was not exceptional as they seem to rave about, it is actually very bland. We would have to request extra garlic in order to have some flavour. Maybe they were trying to accommodate the elder travelers. The worst part of the cruise was the misrepresentation of the ports that we would be Docked at as they were not in the main city but in industrial areas that had bad odour. We were then bussed to the main cities. We will never return to Viking, I only gave the review 2 stars because the people that work on the boats are amazing and work very hard.

Our first time with The Viking Sea and enjoyed a 14 day cruise. The entire ship staff was beyond excellent and friendly and attentive. Particular kudos go to the Stateroom housekeeping staff. With special praise to Komang and Maria. The Fantastic Restaurant staff showed the Best Service and total concern for our needs. Two in particular are Roan and Paul. The entire trip was great and we did and saw a lot of the Caribbean Islands. From the time we boarded to the disembarkation was organized like clock work. No stress for the passenger what so ever.

We were on a 2 week river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. Our first on Viking. The excursions, including the free ones, were informative and entertaining, many of which included the opportunity to talk with the locals, enjoy their food and marvel at the sights. What put this over the top was the adversity the cruise line faced- low water levels. Parts of the rivers were closed, but Viking responded with their passengers in mind. On days when we could go no further on the ship, they bused us to our tour and dropped us off at a new boat situated past the blockage. Our luggage was in the same stateroom we had when we arrived. To make it even better, they had some key personnel, including the cruise director, move with us. We met passengers from other cruise lines and their experience was awful, they were bused through the cruise itinerary and changing hotels nightly. To c ok mpensaye us for the inconvenience caused by the water level, which was fault of theirs, they extended us a 50% reduction on our next booked cruise. We took advantage of it and are headed to Australia and New Zealand next. The cruise allowed us to make good friends with whom we are not only staying touch but visiting. The environment, the people, the sites, and more won us over. We will be back

Greta Hollar

Nashville, TN

Viking Jupiter: Western Mediterranean Cruise Review

November 9, 2023

My mom and I just got back from a fabulous European cruise with Viking and had the BEST time! It was my first cruise and I had no idea what to expect. Today I thought I’d detail everything we did on our Viking Cruise from how to get there, what the ship was like, excursions, and more!

Getting There

We flew from Nashville to Philadelphia on American Airlines and Philadelphia to Rome on British Airways. It was about an 8-hour flight overnight into Rome. We arrived around 9 am and after collecting our luggage we put on a red Viking sticker that was mailed to us beforehand so they would spot us as we exited baggage claim. 

Once we saw the Viking team, they took our luggage and led us to a bus that took us an hour and a half to the port, Civitavecchia. I’ll tell you, after not sleeping well on the plane and being a little out of it, it was nice to have transportation already taken care of!

Once you arrive at the port, you check in with your passport and get your ship card. That’s a card you keep with you the entire time and scan to get on and off the ship. Walk through a metal detector, go up the stairs and you’re in! We sailed on the Viking Jupiter for their Iconic Western Mediterranean Cruise from Rome to Barcelona.

This eight-day cruise features France’s famed southern coast and Italy’s Renaissance treasures. On the journey, you 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. I’m excited to detail our trip and give some other details about our Viking journey.

Viking Jupiter: Iconic Western Mediterranean Cruise Review

Our room wasn’t ready when we arrived so we went to a demonstration that showed how to put on your life jacket and where to go in case of an emergency. We also had lunch in the World Cafe and were able to get some coffee to perk up a little bit. Once our room was ready, our ship key let us in and our bags were already in the room. Once we got settled and showered we took a nap and relaxed. 

Normally if you want to see Rome you would fly into town a day or two early as an extension and see the city that way. Unfortunately, we couldn’t sail our first night due to a storm so we stayed in port and got to do Rome the next day. 

We hit up the Restaurant for dinner. On Viking, food is covered for all three meals as well as coffee, wine, beer, soda, and water. The house wine is covered but if you want a cocktail or another wine other than the house red or white it’ll charge to your room.

The first night’s sleep was hard since I woke up wide awake at 2 a.m. due to jet lag. But we had room service deliver our breakfast and a pot of coffee and I was ready for our excursion for the day, Rome on Your Own.

Each morning for the excursions, you get a newsletter delivered to your room called the Viking Daily. It tells you the time and place to meet that morning for your excursion. You also have headsets in your room and you’ll bring your headset with you on your excursions. The guide uses them to talk to you and give out information. When you arrive in the designated area they tell you which bus you’ll be on and then call everyone in the group to leave the ship and head to their bus.

From the port to Rome, it was an hour and a half to get there. On the way into the city, the tour bus guide gives you a map with emergency numbers, where the meeting place is, and places they recommend visiting. The bus dropped us off in front of the Vatican and we had six hours to ourselves to explore and see what we wanted to see.

We did some window shopping at notable Italian Fashion Houses like Gucci, Prada, Missoni, and Fendi. We also saw the Spanish Steps, Trevi Fountain, and Pantheon.

Once your time is up, you meet up with your group at the Vatican and drive the 90 minutes back to the ship. We had dinner in the Restaurant and the ship left the port for Florence. The water was choppy and it stormed throughout the night but I took Dramamine and wore seasickness bands and slept better than the night before!

The next morning we were in Florence, well technically Livorno the port. We caught an early bus and drove two hours to Florence. Today our tour guide’s name was John and he was such a gem. He shared history and different facts as we drove into Florence and had the map marked with his favorite places to eat, shop, and see. Ask for him if you do Florence on your own tour! 

Once we got to Florence, our meeting point was Santa Croce and with that, we were on our own. We saw the Duomo, the fountain of Neptune, Piazze Della Repubblica, and Ponte Vecchio.

We hit up some of my favorite spots on my previous trip to Florence like Gustapizza , Move On for records, Street Doing Vintage Couture for vintage designer pieces, and La Prosciutteria for wine and charcuterie boards. Florence is such a small city, you can do a lot in one day! Just know if you’re heading into any cathedrals or places of worship, your shoulders and knees should be covered.

We only had about five hours in Florence before we had to make the two-hour drive back to Livorno to get back on the boat before it left port. We got back just in time for sunset and got to wander around the top deck of the boat to see the indoor pool, and a sports deck with shuffleboard, ping pong, and bocce ball. The sunset from the top deck is incredible! The Viking Jupiter also has an indoor pool for use. 

We were tired from our day in Florence so we ordered room service and watched movies. The water was much calmer this night and we slept so much better!

Monaco & Monte Carlo

On day 3 of the cruise, we woke up in Monaco and Monte Carlo. The South of France is such a beautiful country. One day is all you really need in Monaco. We did a walking tour that day and our guide, Michele, knew everything this is about the royal family and the history of the Montagues people.

It was such a beautiful day and we learned that May is the rainy season. It only rains a month a year and the rest of the year is clear. We were here on a Sunday which is the perfect time to come. There were lots of boats on the water and the streets and the market were clear with the exception of tourists. Our excursion was only three hours that day and we got right off the boat to begin our tour. There were lots of other excursions around Monte Carlo and Monaco on this day but we booked too late and they were full already.

I’m a huge fan of Grace Kelly so it was so interesting to learn more about her as Princess of Monaco and the royal family and their history with the country. 

The next day we woke up in Marseille. We had the morning to ourselves to read on the deck and enjoy a leisurely brunch. Today’s excursion was Scenic Marseille. Three-hour bus tour with stops along the way. This was an included excursion with Viking and the only one available since the other ones booked up quickly. To be honest, I didn’t love Marseille, it was crowded and super touristy and just not as quaint and charming as the other places we have visited so far. We talked to other people who did the excursion into the mountains and loved it. 

Another storm was coming in so we couldn’t make it to Montpellier. So our option was to do a half day in Marseille the next day. We decided we had enough of Marseille and took the day to explore the Viking Jupiter Cruise ship. We walked the jogging deck, lay by the pool, got in the sauna, and enjoyed a facial at the Nordic spa. In the afternoon we left for our final stop, Barcelona!

When we docked in Barcelona, we were one of the first groups off the boat. We did the 8:30 am Iconic Barcelona tour. This was a four-hour tour that was a mix of seeing stops on the bus, walking a short distance to a place, and then having a small amount of free time. We stopped at La Sagrada Familia and the cathedral in the Gothic Quarter. I saw these spots when I was in Barcelona earlier this year but it was nice showing them to my mom.

Once our tour was over, we hopped on a complimentary shuttle and headed to Casa Batlló . We did the audio tour of the house and then got some tapas and cava at a local restaurant. The night before you leave, you leave your luggage outside your door and the crew will pick it up and have it ready for you on your bus the next morning.

When you leave the Viking Jupiter, you have to be off the ship by 6:30. We had a color and a number and the ship calls you off, loads you onto a shuttle, and takes you to the airport. They bring your bags in where you collect your bag and check into your flight.

Yes! Every meal has vegetarian options. You can also let them know 90 days before departure so they can accommodate you.

Self-service launderettes including irons and ironing boards are located on Decks 3–6 and are free of charge, with detergent available for your use at no additional fee.

No pets or other animals are allowed on board the ship, other than service animals and certified therapy dogs. But if you do you have to fill out a form and let Viking know before your final payment is due.

On the Jupiter ship, you’ll find a fitness center, hair salon, living room area with puzzles and scrabble, shops, a theatre, an indoor pool, an outdoor infinity pool, and a spa. If you like night activities, on board you’ll find various evening activities like trivia, dancing, or a movie in the theatre.  There are also a ton of places you can get food and drinks, you’ll find them listed below! But keep in mind, it’s nice to dress up at night. A lot of the restaurants don’t allow you to wear jeans or shorts. 

Restaurants

• Manfredi’s® Italian Restaurant (reservation)
• The Chef’s Table (reservation)
• The Kitchen Table (reservation)
• The Restaurant – go for dinner
• The Wintergarden – they serve high tea!
• Explorers’ Lounge
• Room service

If you’re a person who likes having your itineraries all planned out and a lot of the stress of trip planning done by someone else. Viking Ocean Cruises is a great option. It’s also great to have your bags stay in one place and see multiple countries at the same time! If you’re interested in other Viking Cruises, check out their other cruise ships  (like the Viking Mars or Viking Neptune) for more information . 

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Iconic Western Mediterranean

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Cruise Reviews

Find out more about the Viking experience from our guests.

Fran Rimondi

The staff went out of their way to ensure our comfort..

From the time we boarded the ship, we were treated the best. The staff went out of their way to ensure our comfort. From housekeeping to dining we could not ask for better service. The food was superior Compliments to the Chiefs. As a retired photographer I was impressed with the shots I was able to get from the veranda off my stateroom. All in all, it was such a good trip I am already booked for a river cruise for my 80th birthday this year. Thank you for everything.  

Malcolm W Bennett/Jessica E King

Everything was top notch.

This was our first Viking cruise, but DEFINITELY NOT our last! Everything was top notch, from the arrival to our departure (which we hated, because we didn't want to leave), and everything in between. The food was great, the excursions were breathtaking and memorable, and our Cruise Director doubled as a Class Act Singer during here show! We have decided that from now on, our ONLY way to see the world in comfort is with Viking, because we're already planning our next cruise.  

Richard & Neal

We booked the next cruise already..

Could not be more impressed with every detail of this journey! Ship is new and included the Explorers' Dome. The food was perfect. We did excursions daily and were never disappointed. Onboard lecturers were fascinating. We booked the next one already!  

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Iconic Western Mediterranean (8 Days)