Today schedule:
- Bags out of room by 0700 hrs
- Breakfast in hotel 0700 - 0900 hrs
- Our group's bus to Euroairport, Basel, Switzerland - 0900 hrs
- BA 753, Basel to Heathrow departs at 1155 hrs.
- BA 753 arrives Heathrow at 1240 hrs
- BA 0227 departs Heathrow at 1655 hrs
- BA 0277 arrives Hartsfield-Jackson, Atlanta, GA at 1956 hrs
- End of Viking journey.
- Overnight a Atlanta Airport Marriott, drive home tomorrow.
I was awake at 0600, Carol slept in, I put the bags out and went to the lobby for coffee and passed the time reading on my Ipad. Carol texted that she was up. I returned to the room and we went down to breakfast together. Breakfast was a buffet, with a good selection, not quite up to Vidar's breakfast but sufficient.
Settled incidental bill with hotel, they had charged me for high speed wifi, which was free (Marriott Rewards Platinum member), standard wifi was available to all. They made the adjustment and we proceeded to verify our bags before the were loaded on the bus. Diane, Cruise Director, rode the bus as far as the Novotel Hotel, where she was meeting her next set of guest. She again thanked us for being so understanding about the high water levels. According to Diana twenty seven vessels were impacted by the high water. Carol and I discussed, a couple of time, the logistic operation Viking must have. For just yesterday, four buses from Speyer to Basel, pit-stopping to pick up local guides. Lunch for 190 guest along the route, and hotel accommodation. Plus they arranged transfers for those passengers who hadn't booked transfers.
Viking representative met us at airport and escorted us to BA counter. Checked bags and proceeded to lounge to wait for flight, which was on time.
BA 753 arrived Heathrow a few minutes late, from the flight track, due to traffic. We cleared passport control, thanks again to Fast Track, and made our way to the lounge without any delays. Flight information indicated that our gate wouldn't be posted until 1445 hrs for a 1600 hrs departure. When it did finally come up we were gate C66, about as far away as you can get. Down to the inter-terminal train for the ride to C gates. and then to the end of the building for gate 66.
Boarded BA 227 for the flight back to Atlanta, settling into 15E/F, we both has empty aisle seats so we were able to leave the partitions down. Uneventful flight home, had a short nap near the end.
Overall a pleasant vacation, even with the rain, Columbia rain jacket paid for its self.
PS: Received an e-mail from Viking stating we will be receiving a 20% discount voucher; "future cruise voucher for 20% off the paid cruise fare. The vouchers can be used toward any voyage with Viking Cruises—rivers or oceans"
We look forward to using the voucher.
Viking representative met us at airport and escorted us to BA counter. Checked bags and proceeded to lounge to wait for flight, which was on time.
BA 753 arrived Heathrow a few minutes late, from the flight track, due to traffic. We cleared passport control, thanks again to Fast Track, and made our way to the lounge without any delays. Flight information indicated that our gate wouldn't be posted until 1445 hrs for a 1600 hrs departure. When it did finally come up we were gate C66, about as far away as you can get. Down to the inter-terminal train for the ride to C gates. and then to the end of the building for gate 66.
Boarded BA 227 for the flight back to Atlanta, settling into 15E/F, we both has empty aisle seats so we were able to leave the partitions down. Uneventful flight home, had a short nap near the end.
Overall a pleasant vacation, even with the rain, Columbia rain jacket paid for its self.
PS: Received an e-mail from Viking stating we will be receiving a 20% discount voucher; "future cruise voucher for 20% off the paid cruise fare. The vouchers can be used toward any voyage with Viking Cruises—rivers or oceans"
We look forward to using the voucher.
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