You can also avoid crowded areas to limit your exposure even further. For most travelers, cruise ship travel is voluntary and should be rescheduled for a future date. This solution will ensure that: Yes, our Travel Protection Plan helps protect you from many unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, which could include necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expenses related to COVID-19. or Vikings River-cruising vessels. For summer 2022 and into fall, cruising is a value proposition, and so while bookings are not quite at 2019 levels yet, cruise shoppers are taking advantage of these deals., Cruising closer to homeand flying shorter distances, or not at allis also trending in the industry. Because individual cruise lines determine their ships' COVID-19-related requirements, your likelihood of catching coronavirus while at sea will depend on the specific ship's guidelines and. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Still, it's important to note that most of these "cases" of COVID-19 are asymptomatic or mild, only discovered during routine testing. While the big-ship cruise lines (carrying 250 or more passengers and crew) have been trying to determine how to deal with coronavirus passenger safety and regulations of individual countries,. I have 7 months before my ocean cruise. . Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. We have also seen a surge in bookings, with June showing our highest booking levels for Alaska cruises since early 2020, she says. COVID-19 Test Health & Safety FAQ As the leading small ship travel company, Viking takes you closer to the heart of the places you want to visit. General information will be listed below, with details of any affected departures. If you don't get tested, it's safest to stay home for 14 days after travel. Most guests remained in good spirits, understanding the risks of traveling amid an ongoing pandemic. Effective July 25, 2022, it will no longer require pre-cruise testing, except in ports where the country requires it. Viking's bookings are up more than 40% from the same time in 2019 and guest satisfaction, according to post-cruise surveys, is at least as high as it was pre-pandemic. Guests must present proof of full vaccination at embarkation and should be prepared to present vaccination documents (original hard copy or electronic) along their journey. On my recent trip to Antarctica, I underwent six COVID-19 tests in just eight days -- three in advance of stepping on board the vessel (including a PCR test required by Chile, where my trip began) and three while on board. A line-by-line guide. December 11, 2020 Viking Cruises will test all guests and crew for COVID-19 with daily PCR tests when sailings resume, as part of the companys new Viking Health & Safety Program, the cruise line recently announced. For Further Assistance If you have any questions or need further information please contact Guest Services on 0800 298 97 00, Monday to Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 am - 4pm (closed on bank holidays). BRAEMAR. Such a protocol comes at the recommendation of the CDC, which has set guidelines for how cruise lines should respond to COVID-19-positive cases on board ships, and it has worked well for the past year. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. So, the CDC is basically telling you that now isn't a good time to travel. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 6 . Vikings policy is that close contacts who are fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine. Viking Health & Safety Program Below is a list of frequently asked questions related to the Viking Health & Safety Program. Effective Aug. 1, 2022, we will no longer require guests to complete pre-cruise COVID-19 testing, unless required by local regulations, a spokesperson for the company said. or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators who maintain Viking's level of COVID-19 controls to help limit potential . RELATED: Unvaccinated People Will Be Barred From This, Starting Feb. 28. For 25 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. Please note: Vikings Medical Team continually monitors conditions and may deem face masks to be necessary while moving about the ship, based on conditions at the time of travel. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link, Notice to Guests Regarding Advice from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on COVID-19 and Cruise Ship Travel. Passengers feel safe and . Guests whose cruise is suspended in this window will be offered . The cruise industry has been highly critical of the designation, arguing that cruise ships are far safer places to be right now than almost anywhere else, given their strict health protocols. My options for shore excursions included glacier treks and ATV rides through surreal volcanic landscapes. With each minute that ticked by, rumors swirled. Less convenient, however, is the thermal suite at the spa. A new itinerary from Viking Cruises, it's an eight-day circumnavigation of the island nation, running clockwise from Reykjavk. Every stateroom is cleaned and sanitized daily. Jun 03, 2020 at 4:02 pm. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. In normal times, you'd lose all your money if you backed out of a seven-night Norwegian cruise with fewer than 31 days' notice. Without those precautions in place, I wouldnt have even considered traveling on a cruise ship during a global pandemic. Will there be social distancing on board? Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. The ongoing surge in COVID-19 cases around the world is causing a growing number of disruptions to itineraries and even some last-minute cancellations of entire voyages. And arise it did. Because individual cruise lines determine their ships COVID-19-related requirements, your likelihood of catching coronavirus while at sea will depend on the specific ships guidelines and restrictions. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. Viking recommends that guests wear masks while ashore. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. No other segment of the travel industry has been as uniform in requiring almost every customer to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. That growth means theyre also finding new fans, like one guest who traveled aboard theViking Tor: It was my Cinderella vacation, said this reader. Travelers, it seems, are simply happy to be sailing once again. Sure, you might see the ships crew donning face masks, along with a few passengers. The number of passengers being quarantined on ships (after testing positive for COVID-19) also is on the rise. While Viking has also launched an award-winning ocean cruise line, the company built its reputation in river cruising. INFECTED SHIPS. bars and lounges. We cancelled a Holland tulips river cruise scheduled for April 4 days before their "new cancellation" policy and were told that it would not apply to us. Cruisers should stay informed via their travel agent of what to expect when they travel., Reed suggests going straight to the source for COVID-19-related cruise advice. For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. The details of the COVID-19 boarding procedures will be provided to guests in an . The 46-night experience will take 144 guests through 14 countries on four different ships. All rights reserved. October 1, 2020 December is already known as the most wonderful time of the year, but its about to get a lot better for cruise lovers. The current protocol on most ships is to isolate COVID-19-positive passengers and crew but otherwise continue on with voyages as planned. To ensure your journey is smooth and that you are able to fully enjoy your voyage as planned, we highly recommend that all guests take a pre-departure COVID-19 test, no more than three days prior to beginning your journey. A river cruise restart this summer is being tested by a new EU advisory regarding U.S. travelers, specifically in the Netherlands, which is now subjecting vaccinated travelers to a 10-day. We booked a Viking River Cruise with two other couples a total of six people. Viking Cruises has extended the temporary suspension of its operations until May 31, 2021, due to ongoing travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. As my colleague Ashley Kosciolek experienced first-hand on a cruise in 2021, close contacts only are being isolated for a short period while they are tested for COVID-19. The CDC cautions that any travel poses a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, including travel by air, bus or train, automobiles, and cruises. VIKING RIVER CRUISES UK LIMITED ("Viking") A company registered in England and Wales (Co.No.01283655) whose registered office is at Nelsons House, 83 Wimbledon Park Side, London, SW19 5LP. . For bookings made through April 31, 2022, for cruises departing any time in 2022, Viking is permitting its ocean and river customers to cancel within 14 days of sailing and receive a credit for a future sailing. Although no additional positive cases had been detected on board, our final port stopHeimaey Island in the Vestmannaeyjar archipelagowas also cancelled and the Iceland Coast Guard ordered Viking Sky to return to Reykjavk post-haste. Viking has taken the pandemic seriously. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel. What to Know About Riding on the Alaska Railroad, Katmandu Park Punta Cana Is Opening March 15, 14 of the Best New Cruise Ships Launching in 2023, The Top Hotels in Mexico for a Romantic Getaway. Norwegian Cruise Line on Wednesday canceled soon-to-depart voyages on eight of its 17 ships. DIAMOND PRINCESS. Easy peasy. Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol). The CDC is providing support. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations? The Viking Star's next scheduled voyage is set to sail Jan. 9. Iceland Courtesy Viking Cruises Cruise A Vaccinated Passenger Tested Positive for COVID-19 on My Icelandic CruiseHere's What Happened Cruise lines are going to extreme measures to make. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling. That level of caution turned out to be warranted the day we arrived in Seydisfjrdur, a picturesque town in Eastern Iceland with just 676 residents. 2 104 COVID-19 Policies and Procedures US (Ver.1) Page 1 of 3 CST0544-40 . Viking is committed to doing all we can to ensure you are healthy and well prepared for international traveland that you will be able to arrive in your destination and embark your ship without incident. The world's largest cruise operator Royal Caribbean on Friday canceled soon-to-depart sailings on four of its 25 ships, including the next three departures of the world's largest ship, Symphony of the Seas. Several ships recently had to skip port calls in Mexico, for instance, after passengers and crew on board the vessels tested positive for COVID-19. Health & Safety Are there COVID-19 related travel requirements I need to meet before leaving on my Viking voyage? American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. This creates an onboard population that is far less likely to experience serious symptoms of COVID-19 than a cross-section of people on land, according to CDC data. So we have seen pricing become very attractive for consumers, particularly when other forms of travel, such as flights, hotels and gas, have record-high prices, Gray Faust says. Specific protocols and procedures may evolve over time to adapt to various conditions or travel regulations in the destinations in which we operate. The cruise industry is no stranger to staffing issues. Suffice it to say that for now, the Viking cruise experience is alive and well, and Iceland is stunningly beautiful. But on a whole, whether youre taking a singles cruise, couples cruise, adults-only cruise or all-inclusive cruise, there are almost no reminders of the pandemic. Discover the worldin comforton Viking ocean cruises to . Notably, all 92 cruise vessels currently operating in U.S. waters have recorded at least a handful of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, according to CDC data. Passengers are also able to cancel if they test positive for COVID-19. September 24, 2020 Viking.TV will feature Mississippi sailings during the week of September 28, 2020, including the chance to join Richard Riveire as he shares the design and inspiration behind the Viking Mississippi. Short on time, most visitors to Iceland head straight for the Blue Lagoon or heavily touristed Golden Circle. But only the COVID-19-positive passengers are being isolated long term. Each lunch and dinner was a gourmet-style three-course meal; breakfast . USNS MERCY. Following the cruise industrys yearlong pause during the height of COVID, we saw a demand that far exceeded supply, says Chris Gray Faust, the managing editor of cruise ship review site Cruise Critic. While cruises have rebounded somewhat, you still may experience issues related to reduced staffing while at sea. Whatever was happening, it wasnt good. Are you requiring that I take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking ship? How frequently do you sanitize my stateroom? Discuss cruise ship travel with your healthcare provider. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. Should you have additional questions about your voyage, please visit the Viking River Cruises FAQ. Meanwhile, passengers are asked to carry a small (slightly larger than a quarter) contact tracing device to be ready for the possibility of a case arising. The state has not seen the same seasonal workforce it enjoyed before the pandemic, and more jobs in Alaska rely on highly skilled workers with specific licenses for small planes, boats and buses., Even if there are minor staffing issues in select destinations, passenger feedback on Cruise Critic is positive. With the cost and recent challenges with air travel, we are seeing strong interest in cruises that are a short flight or drive from guests homes, Bodensteiner tells us. To learn more, visit Viking River Cruises' website. SILVER EXPLORER. Itll still publish guidelines so cruise ships can provide a safe environment for passengers and crew members. Of course, if you do test positive for COVID-19 on a ship, you will, unfortunately, face what could be several days of isolation in a cabin on a ship or on land. Are Viking guests required to be vaccinated? Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. I spoke to two travel agents onboard, and each considered Vikings health measures, masks in particular, to be excessive for a completely vaccinated ship. Nonetheless, like a true warrior, the company stepped up to the challenge. If you have any questions or need further information please contact Reservations at 1-877-523-0579 or email customerrelations@vikingcruises.com, Monday Friday, 6:00 AM 6:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 AM 4:00 PM, PT. With Arctic terns swarming at its base and carpets of wild blueberries flanking the path, I wasnt disappointed. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. If you booked your cruise directly with Uniworld, please email us at: ConsumerReservations@Uniworld.com or call our Consumer team at 1-800-259-2009. A line-by-line guide, added cruise ships to its list of "Level 4" destinations, A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. Viking has suspended operations through at least March 31, 2021, according to the company -- more than a year after the cruise line first cancelled sailings on March 11, 2020. Set to sail Jan. 9 almost every customer to be fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine and locations. 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