02/23/2023. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Viking did everything in its power to protect guests, crew, and the communities it visited. The Risk-Free Guarantee allows guests to change their cruise date up until 14 days before their planned departureand Viking will waive any fees. Can I explore the cities/towns we will visit independently while on my cruise? Cruise lines are reporting that the vast majority of passengers testing positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Planning a cruise? Royal Caribbean's Odyssey of the Seas has also had to make itinerary changes, including canceling port calls, due to at least 55 cases of coronavirus on board. 99.99% of viruses and bacteria in the air are killed. Are there COVID-19 related travel requirements I need to meet before leaving on my Viking voyage? Enrollment required. or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators who maintain Viking's level of COVID-19 controls to help limit potential . 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.. If a destination requires masks be worn, onboard staff and local guides will confirm the local requirements. Guests may explore independently while following requirements in the country they are visiting. Of course, a requirement for one cruise line may be a nonissue for another. For more than 23 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our new protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. And of those who have cruised within the past six months, 87% say they felt safe on board.. Viking River Cruises. Riviera River Cruises, which operates throughout Europe, says it will . If the trip cost $5,000, the premium would be closer to $500. Tubes are provided to each cabin in the evening, and stewards conveniently take them to the lab the next morning on every guests behalf. We have also seen a surge in bookings, with June showing our highest booking levels for Alaska cruises since early 2020, she says. Cruise lines planned a slow, methodical return to cruising, which meant welcoming back just a few ships and itineraries at a timeall with limited capacity on board.. On Dec. 30, the CDC added cruise ships to its list of "Level 4" destinations you should avoid visiting for now due to high levels of COVID-19. 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. With the discontinuation of the CDCs program, cruise lines are announcing updated COVID-19 protocols. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. Case in point: Lengthyand priceyworld cruises with lines like Viking, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises sold out in record time. The CDC currently advises that travel to some 189 countries presents a very high risk in addition to cruises. 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. - Pre-cruise testing is no longer required. We have approached our fleets full return with the safety of guests, crew members and the communities we visit top of mind.. Viking had already operated two Welcome Back circumnavigations of the island nation with zero incidents, and we anticipated the same. Viking on Sunday was forced to announce a major revision of its soon-to-begin, 120-day world cruise after India notified the line it was closing to cruise ships. To be built in Louisiana and set to launch in August 2022, theViking Mississippiis the companys first U.S. river ship and will be the largest ship plying its storied namesake. As the CDC states, the virus spreads easily in close quarters on ships, and passengers and crew are all at risk. Learn more. For added protection, we strongly recommend that guests who are eligible for a booster receive one before they travel. The person was sequestered in a designated part of the ship, along with a second potentially positive case, and instructed to remain in isolation for the duration of the voyage. Should you have additional questions about your voyage, please visit the Viking River Cruises FAQ. April 5, 2020 As with other travel entities turning to web-based content during COVID-19 related cancellations, Viking Cruises has set a new course with the launch of Viking.TV. The companys first custom vessel, Viking Mississippi, makes its debut in August 2022, though with many of its first voyages sold out, Viking has made additional 2023 sailings available for booking now. To sail with Viking, guests will need to provide proof that they are fully vaccinated: received their second dose in a two-shot series (i.e., Pfizer, Moderna, Astra Zenica and Novavax) or single dose of J&J/Janssen COVID-19 vaccination at least 14 days prior to travel. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. WESTERDAM. 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. For a truly epic river cruise itinerary, it may be worth waiting until June 1, 2023, when AmaWaterways will sail its longest river cruise everthe "Seven River Journey Through Europe.". Holland America Line visits 225 ports in 91 countries on sailings that are round trip from U.S. ports, including Boston, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego or Seattle. Two years ago, the pandemic sent the cruise industry into a tailspin. Each lunch and dinner was a gourmet-style three-course meal; breakfast . We were nearly an hours drive into my first excursion of the daya hiking trip rich in Icelandic folklore about elves, faeries, and trollswhen our tour guide announced that our bus must immediately return to port. To learn more, visit Viking River Cruises' website. (The glacier is receding at an alarming speed of six miles per year, so navigating its man-made shafts means sloshing through ankle-deep puddles while water pours down from overhead.). Jun 03, 2020 at 4:02 pm. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 31 Surprising Food Facts Youll Want to Know, Ive Worked on Cruise Ships for 10 YearsThese Are 18 Mistakes Every Traveler Should Avoid, This Is What Those Big White Balls on Top of Cruise Ships Are, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Beth Bodensteiner, senior vice president and chief commercial officer for, Jasmine Reed, public affairs specialist for the. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. James Beard Award Finalist in Journalism and award-winning food and travel writer, blogger, book author, social media expert, and culinary travel business owner that is pursuing her passion for food, travel, and experiencing world cultures by working with and sharing the stories of extraordinary destinations and unique culinary artisans around the world. Additionally, some countries may require a booster. This Summer, Onboard Celebrity Cruises' First Voyage in More Than 15 Months, Cruise Review: Windstar Cruises' Enhanced Star Breeze, When Will the Brightline to Orlando Open? (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20&cid=877050e7-52c9-4c33-a20b-d8301a08f96d'; cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: "38cf8a01-c7b4-4a61-a61b-8c0be6528f20" }).render("6ea159e3e44940909b49c98e320201e2"); }); During the pause, we worked to carry out protocols that helped make cruising among the safest forms of travel today, and we offered guests a worry-free promise so they could feel confident booking a cruise, knowing they would be covered if their plans changed, says Beth Bodensteiner, senior vice president and chief commercial officer for Holland America Line. However, the captain did come over the loud speakers at one point to reiterate that even though it is not Icelands policy to require them, it is Vikings. Guest feedback is positive on all metrics including service, cuisine, programs, cleanliness of the ship and more, she says. (Surely the jovial attitudes of the exceptionally well-trained staff and 50 percent credit toward future cruises helped.) How frequently do you sanitize my stateroom? Is there a difference between what I can expect on a Viking ocean ship and a Viking river ship? INFECTED SHIPS. Short on time, most visitors to Iceland head straight for the Blue Lagoon or heavily touristed Golden Circle. Contact. Over the past two years, the CDC has worked closely with the cruise industry; state, territorial and local health authorities; and federal and seaport partners to provide a safer and healthier environment for cruise passengers and crew, says Jasmine Reed, a public affairs specialist for the agency. . TPG values it at $1,600. Take cruise giant Carnival Cruise Line. The CDC is providing support. 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. 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. We are the most knowledgeable, experienced cruise travel company. Its current flexible cancellation policy allows passengers to cancel as long as a public health emergency remains in effect and receive 100% of the cruise fare paid in the form of a future cruise credit. Cruise terminals are bustling with excited passengers, and cheery crew members welcome voyagers aboard. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. Additionally, Viking Cruises, which operates a global fleet of nearly 80 river boats and ocean cruise ships, suspended all embarkations through April 30 in response to the pandemic, said founder . Find out if you need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise and when each cruise line plans to sail again. Cruises are no exception, and. One region particularly affected is Alaska, where the shoreside personnel staffing levels have impacted excursion availability and staffing, Gray Faust says. But the warning shouldn't be seen as a call-out on any elevated risk to cruising as opposed to visiting other places, per se. 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Yet we were still subject to the Icelandic authorities, and thats the cautionary tale here. Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. Whats more, our temperatures were taken daily at digital kiosks as we entered various venues such as the buffet, which itself is now fully served. Time will tell how everything goes after this initial hiccup, but were still onboard Viking this week and will hopefully report on a second sailing without incident. BRAEMAR. Theres also an increase with guests booking smaller, luxury cruises, she says. Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. If you do go on a cruise during the COVID-19 pandemic: Guests who decide to travel are advised to take the following precautions to protect others for 14 days after their return from a cruise ship voyage: The above warnings and recommendations above are subject to change without notice. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. I have 7 months before my ocean cruise. . Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. (Admittedly, you dont realize how difficult it is to fill a test tube with 2 ml of saliva until youre forced to do it every morning.). Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces, including when using public transportation. We booked a Viking River Cruise with two other couples a total of six people. The Viking cruise ship, which was supposed to launch from New Orleans, has canceled its two-week trip on the Mississippi River due to low water levels south of St. Louis.. - See 1,280 traveler reviews, 1,000 candid photos, and great deals for Lignan-De-Bordeaux, France, at Tripadvisor. And our third and final port of call was completely off limits to us. This includes both its river cruises and . For most travelers, cruise ship travel is voluntary and should be rescheduled for a future date. (The infected individual would eventually disembark in Reykjavk and move to a shoreside hotel for quarantine.). Our guide received an emergency phone call from his boss. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. When necessary, guests and their travel advisors will be notified directly and this page will be updated. How many people had tested positive for coronavirus? With over 50 riverboats, there are many cruises ships, dates, and itineraries to consider. Lack of rainfall in . Lines also are dealing with a small but growing number of destinations -- India and Hong Kong, for example -- that are at least temporarily closing to cruising completely, even for ships where no one has tested positive for COVID-19. . or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators who maintain Viking's level of COVID-19 controls to help limit potential . (Proof of a positive test result is required.). Viking is bringing its signature Scandinavian style to the U.S., and just released details of its holiday-themed voyages along the Mississippi River. The rates start at $25,999 per person. By the summer of 2020, most cruise lines had suspended operations worldwideand the entire travel industry came to a standstill. The Great Cruise Shutdown is finally coming to an end. Viking's recent sailing in Iceland departed from Reykjavik before a positive COVID-19 case was discovered onboard. Although an unfortunate situation, no one seemed upset with Viking, and all healthy parties were able to disembark as scheduled at the end of the cruise. For now, the cancellation needs to be done by Jan. 31, and the refund would come in the form of a future cruise credit to be used on any sailing that embarks through Dec. 31. In either of those cases, you can rest assured that the following will occur. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. Check here before booking an award fare. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Travelers, it seems, are simply happy to be sailing once again. They would fly to Italy and take an 8-day Viking River Cruise called "Italian Sojourn," which would travel around Italy's boot from Civitavecchia to Venice. Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. Do not board a cruise if you are sick, if you know you have COVID-19, or if you were exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. We recently surveyed travelers who cruised within the past six months, and 89% of those surveyed said they would sail again under the same circumstances. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. In March of 2020, Viking offered all travelers that they could rebook to a later date due to COVID, which we did for Jan 2021. They have kept all . Viking Health & Safety Program Updated February 6, 2023. Its culturally-focused content will feature appearances by the Viking executives and crew and subjects relating to its at-sail and at port ventures, plus live video of happenings from around the world. Cruise lines are going to extreme measures to make ships safe, but local regulations and authorities can complicate things. Viking Cruises cancelled all operations until May on Wednesday due to the coronavirus. Less convenient, however, is the thermal suite at the spa. Another company that just announced a change in testing requirements is upmarket cruise line Azamara. The new ship, aptly namedViking Mississippi, will sail between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota, with the inaugural trips slated for August. Our contact tracing devices were activated, and Viking tracked down any person on board who may have encountered said guests for any meaningful amount of time (determined as 15 or more minutes and within six feet of distance). So the cruise lines are delivering an experience that is meeting or exceeding expectations.. COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Information; Relaxed Cancelation & Refund Policy; For the most up-to-date information on suspended sailings click here. The CDC currently advises that travel to some 189 countries presents a very high risk in addition to cruises. As such, guests traveling on either an ocean or river ship may experience minor day-to-day variations in how we implement our overall program. Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. Bermuda requires visitors 10 and older to show a negative COVID-19 PCR test no more than five days before arrival and fill out a travel authorization online. Still, it's important to note that most of these "cases" of COVID-19 are asymptomatic or mild, only discovered during routine testing. On an Expedition Cruise to Antarctica, Tracking Penguin Colonies on Paulet Island, My Favorite Airbnb in Thailand: A Remote Eco-Villa Floating on a Lake in Kanchanaburi, Saudi Arabias New Stopover Flight Visa Includes a Free Night at a Hotel, How to Cash in Southwest Airlines' Credit Card Points to Book an Arizona National Park Trip, Discovering the Importance of Multigenerational Travel During a Visit to Scotland. The situation is evolving, but its essential to know that some lines, like Azamara, still require guests 12 years of age or older to be fully vaccinated to sailthat includes a booster shot, if guests are eligible for one. 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. Similarly, pools were limited to just four people at a time and whirlpools to only two. (Based on an honor system, that last one is more performative than scientific.). Another large line, Norwegian, just last week extended its pandemic-era Peace of Mind policy to allow passengers to cancel any sailing taking place between now and May 31. The crew scrambled to refund cancelled excursions while adding new lectures and movie screenings to what was now effectively a sea day program. 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. Find the right card for you. Its important to do this everywhereboth indoors and outdoors. The pre-embarkation testing requirement will remain in place for guests traveling on voyages departing from destinations with local testing regulations. October 5, 2020 As Viking.TV celebrates six months of offering award-winning programming this week, four astronauts will host a special panel discussion on Friday sharing what its like to live and work in space. 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. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agrees that its time to move forward. In addition, most cruise lines now are requiring passengers to wear masks at all times while in interior spaces of vessels, and they have stepped up cleaning regimens, improved air filtration systems on ships and made other onboard changes. April 5, 2020 Vikings long-awaited entry into the domestic river cruise market will bring not only a new player but also a whole new type of sailing experience. Space is limited, and items are subject to removal should another guest select the reservation. - Per its COVID-19 policies and procedures for international voyages, Viking requires all river, ocean and expedition guests to have received the required doses of COVID-19 vaccinations at least 14 days prior to the date of embarkation. Still, the situation isn't anywhere near as dramatic or disruptive as what we saw at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic two years ago, when whole ships were being quarantined due to outbreaks of the illness and, eventually, the entire industry shut down. 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