Viking Cruise #2 - Empires of the Mediterranean - Day 1 and 2

After noon we took a taxi from the Athens Hilton to Piraeus Port to board the Viking Sea for our next cruise.  At the cruise terminal, we were given our key cards and a silver dollar-sized white disk on a lanyard that was our contract tracing device.  We had to wear them any time we went out of the cabin in case there was a case of Covid.   Normally there is an emergency drill aboard ships but, due to Covid-19, it was highly modified.  Upon entering the ship, we were directed to our emergency muster station where the proper way to put on our life vests was demonstrated.   In case of an emergency, life vests could be found at the muster stations instead of in our rooms. 

So we headed off to our room.  Crew members were stationed at the elevators on each floor to answer questions and direct people to their rooms. 

Once again, we loved the heated floors in the bathroom.  Viking provides shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion in 2.7 oz squeeze bottles.

Loved the shelf that held everything in the shower.  After a few days we mentioned to the room steward that the water pressure was less than we expected.  They ended up replacing the entire fixture and the pressure was much better after that.

There was a coffee maker along with coffee packets, tea bags, sugar and cups on this shelf.  The next drawer was actually a cabinet containing the safe.  There were 3 drawers for clothing under it. 

The closet was spacious enough for all our stuff but we did ask for more hangers.  We both brought too much clothing.    We really didn't like that the closet was alongside the bed instead of opening into the hallway.  

Each of us had a side table with electrical plug ins, a drawer and a shelf.  

The bed was made up as a king but our room steward, Honey, checked in on us and got it changed to twin beds.

We had a nice desk with a lift up section that gave us access to a cubby hole where we stored things like masks, pens, jewelry, etc.  To the left is a refrigerator stocked with soft drinks, snacks, chocolate, and sparkling water.  The glass carafe on the desk was filled with water every day and, since this wasn't enough for us, the room steward brought us bottles of cold water every day.  Bottles of water were also available every time you left the ship.  

The chairs were fairly comfortable and the coffee table was covered in leather. 

We had a veranda room with two chairs and a table. 

The following are photos of the pages from the Viking Daily for the day.  

    After unpacking our suitcases, we went off to a late lunch. 

Next on the list of to-do's was laundry.  Viking ocean ships have self-serve laundry so I did laundry while my sister roamed the ship.  

We wanted to go to the 6:30 lecture so we ate at the World Cafe buffet at 6 pm.  We had a beverage package on this cruise so we ordered our first drinks and toasted to a enjoyable cruise. 

Port terminal building

 

View from the other side of the ship. 

On the second day, we decided to stay on the ship and relax, so we skipped the tour into Athens.  That gave us time to go to a lecture about Santorini, the next days stop.  

I noticed it was past the time the ship was supposed to leave port.  Looking off our veranda, I could see the ramp was still out and an ambulance had arrived.  Not good.

Bad news, someone had to leave before the cruise even got started.

The harbor pilot arrives at our side so we must be ready to leave port. 

Make way, we're backing up!

Our little buddy, the harbor pilot monitors our progress and makes sure we don't hit the dock.

Looking toward the harbor mouth as we back out of the dock 

Once the ship had backed far enough that the bow cleared the dock, the ship started to turn. 

More stuff come into view as the ship turns.

Just about straightened up so we can proceed out to sea.

Once we started turning, I saw this ferry ship being loaded with semi trucks.

Now we are straight and proceeding forward.

I wonder if this is like a tower at the airport with controllers directing the traffic. 

Have to watch out for all those smaller boats out there. 

Once we passed through the harbor mouth (red light) our little buddy veered off and headed back to port 

Beautiful night for sailing!