In the first quarter of 2017, La Goulette Cruise Terminal received 5 calls from Viking cruises with 4.427 passengers onboard (93% Americans).
Viking Cruises brought two ships to La Goulette: Viking Sea, making a West Mediterranean itinerary from December 2016 to March 2017; and Viking Sky, the newest ship of the company, making her “inaugural cruise” (8-days from Rome to Barcelona).
Most of the passengers chose to join the Viking Cruises’ inclusive shorexs which included key attractions in Tunis: Carthage, Sidi Bou Said/the Bardo Museum; Zaghouan, a town located south of Tunis, famous for its roses, originally cultivated by Muslim refugees from Spain in the 17th century, Cap Bon region on the north east of the country known with its well preserved Punic ruins of Kerkouan and Kelibia.
All shorex buses were driven around with police escorts and security measures have been increased in port and tourist attractions.
The cruise terminal and its unique tourist village welcomed the passengers with Jasmin, folk and classical music, Arabic calligraphy stall, mosaic demonstration, handicraft & souvenirs shops and stalls.
Cruisers who visited Tunisia noted:
Tunis (La Goulette)
Our private Guide XXXXXXXXXXXX was OUTSTANDING!!! We saw many of the sights the ship offered in multiple excursions. He was reasonable priced for 6 people and we always had a police escort. He knew many people at each site. We felt VERY secure. We took this because we were locked out of the ship optional excursions but glad we were.
Bardo Museum
OUTSTANDING!!! WE WERE THERE 1 AND 1/2 HOURS. VERY COMPREHENSIVE.
Carthage Walking Tour
In depth explanation of the history, archeology and the culture of Carthage.
Sidi Bou Said Walking Tour
Visited a Tea House and walked the area with comprehensive discussion of the history and the life in Sidi Bou. We spoke with locals about their life and love of their city.
Souks Walking Tour
We didn’t have enough time to really shop but otherwise very good. The shop keepers were so welcoming and friendly and we tasted our way through the Souks.
Our buses were accompanied everywhere by a van and motorcycles with police. We were told it was to speed us through traffic. That did happen on occasion when the van pulled into traffic and stopped the flow so we could pass. But the policemen mingled with us at the few stops we made.
The city was clean and orderly with many people out and about. The main avenue was the jacaranda-lined Avenue Habib Bourguiba, full of hotels, shops and cafes. Mint tea is the beverage of choice here.
We stopped at the government center to admire this modern city and elicited very little interest from the people.
We visited the Roman city of Carthage on the outskirts of Tunis. Established in the first millennium of the Common Era, it is typical of Roman cities of the time. The Archeological Park here has excavations of baths, villas, residences and an amphitheater.
Much of the city was destroyed by the Vandals in the fifth century A.D. This is not the same as the Phoenician city-state of Carthage that dates to the seventh to third centuries B.C.
The area is on the sea and is now an upscale area of seaside villas.
There was time for a little shopping and then we were hustled back to the ship to sail away in the early evening.
