Physical distancing began at embarkation. January 22, 2020 Tear into fresh-baked bread, pulled from an ancient oven fueled by wood and grapevines, in one of the last old-school bakeries in tiny Favaios. 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. Today I spent two hours on the phone trying to change my flights. This is one of the biggest risks of taking a cruise right now, and one reason you may consider canceling a sailing scheduled in the short term (see the section on more-flexible cancellation policies below). Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. New Details Released. COVID-19 is known to spread through the air. Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. Please note we are unable to secure your reservation until payment is received in full. The decision by the CDC to raise the travel level for cruise is particularly perplexing considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard far fewer than on land and the majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore, the main trade group for the industry, the Cruise Lines International Association, said in a statement to TPG. Cruise lines are going to extreme measures to make ships safe, but local regulations and authorities can complicate things. 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 Risk-Free Guarantee allows guests to change their cruise date up until 14 days before their planned departureand Viking will waive any fees. COVID-19 Vaccination and Testing Information; Relaxed Cancelation & Refund Policy; For the most up-to-date information on suspended sailings click here. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Things are getting iffy again for cruisers -- at least for those with near-term bookings. Guests on affected departuresand their travel advisorshave been notified directly. Nonetheless, like a true warrior, the company stepped up to the challenge. Whatever the case, travelers had no choice but to go back to the ship. 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. It was smooth sailing for the first half of the trip. General information will be listed below, with details of any affected departures. Viking Cruises has extended the temporary suspension of its operations until May 31, 2021, due to ongoing travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Alas, I wasnt two miles into a nature walk through fields of Alaskan lupine when it was dj vu all over again. This digital library, created by the river and ocean cruise company, will showcase experiential programming that Viking guests have access to onboard their respective cruises, on deck levels or their cabin TV. But the positive cases had little impact on most of the passengers on board the vessel, and the voyage went ahead as planned. . And with that, our vacation was over. bars and lounges. Guests may explore independently while following requirements in the country they are visiting. The cruise industry is no stranger to staffing issues. Take cruise giant Carnival Cruise Line. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling. The total cost was $15,599,. Yet we were still subject to the Icelandic authorities, and thats the cautionary tale here. Citing the growing spread of the new coronavirus, the line late Wednesday said its entire fleet of more than 70 river ships and six ocean ships would stop operating as current sailings come to an end.. All sailings scheduled to start tomorrow through April 30 have been canceled. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. 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. Guests clearly felt the same, as many opted not to wear them onboard motor coaches. Yes, Viking requires all guests to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure. Riviera River Cruises, which operates throughout Europe, says it will . also refer to the passenger tiket ontrat ("passenger tiket . This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. So, the CDC is basically telling you that now isn't a good time to travel. Get tested 35 days after your trip and stay home for 7 days after travel. Anecdotal reports are that the number of cases on ships is up even more in the first 10 days of the new year. 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. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. The CDC currently advises that travel to some 189 countries presents a very high risk in addition to cruises. For Further Assistance 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. Will I be required to wear a face mask while on board? After all, everybody onboard, including guests and crew, were fully vaccinated against the virus as the line currently requires and a multitude of other protocols were in place for added precaution. Less convenient, however, is the thermal suite at the spa. 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. 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. I was nervous about cruising after 16 months of a largely self-imposed lockdown, but eager to dip my toe back into international waters. 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. viking river cruises, inc. general conditions: these are terms and conditions . This is a level of surveillance that is much greater than what is the norm for other travel venues such as land-based resorts or theme parks, and it can give the false impression that the positivity rate for COVID-19 on ships is unusually high as compared to other places. The anxiety was palpable. 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. 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. The rates start at $25,999 per person. 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.. 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. Virgin Voyages: August 2021. Here's what it's like on board, according to passengers . Here's a look at everything you need to know if you've got a cruise booked in the coming weeks -- or further out. The bright return of holiday river cruising in 2021, heralded as the year the European Christmas markets would return, has dimmed even further as the German states of Bavaria and Saxony have also. If a destination requires masks be worn, onboard staff and local guides will confirm the local requirements. Risk-Free Guarantee: How it Works 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. We recommend that, ahead of departing, guests check with their provider to ensure their travel protection policy covers any necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expense related to COVID-19. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. - See 1,280 traveler reviews, 1,000 candid photos, and great deals for Lignan-De-Bordeaux, France, at Tripadvisor. Viking has taken the pandemic seriously. In November of 2020, Viking cancelled the Jan 2021 cruise and offered all travelers a 125% refund toward a future booking or a full refund. . What to Expect On Your Journey Widget Content 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. Fair enough. From Reykjavk, I joined an ice cave excursion to Langjkull, the second largest glacier in Iceland. Just like in a hospital, we have also designed a solution to implement short-wavelength ultraviolet (or UV-C) lights and new high-density filters that will sanitize the air on our vessels. But travelers worried about getting sick aboard a cruise ship can rest assured that cruise lines arent sailing solo in the continuing pandemic. 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. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Would we be sentenced to our state rooms and quarantined indefinitely like those poor Diamond Princess passengers in Yokohama last year? A 55-year-old traveler on a $1,000 cruise for seven days might pay just over $100 for CFAR insurance. 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. cruise ships have recorded relatively few cases, requiring all or nearly all passengers to be fully vaccinated, Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? I experienced this myself in late December when on a Silversea vessel where four passengers tested positive for COVID-19. 2023 Cond Nast. One region particularly affected is Alaska, where the shoreside personnel staffing levels have impacted excursion availability and staffing, Gray Faust says. They've spent the past year and a half creating the only full-scale testing labs at sea, putting them into place on every one of their ships (not an. What Is It Like to Travel to Saudi Arabia. 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. Does Vikings Travel Protection Plan cover COVID-19 costs (e.g., medical treatment, quarantine, repatriation, etc.)? BRAEMAR. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. At the end of December, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that 5,013 COVID-19 cases had been reported on cruise vessels operating in U.S. waters during the last two weeks of the month, up from just 162 cases during the first two weeks of the month. 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. or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators who maintain Viking's level of COVID-19 controls to help limit potential . People have missed travelingand cruisingand theyre ready to move beyond the fear of catching cruise ship COVID-19. Theyre booking the best cruise lines and eagerly packing for a voyage on the high seas. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. Enrollment required. 301 Route 17 N, Suite 1150, Rutherford, NJ 07070 USA | Telephone:(201) 902-2000, What it Was Like Navigating Two Cruises COVID-19 Policies and Protocols, A Guide to the Ocean Cruises Leaving From the U.S. Travelers worried about cruise ship COVID-19 cases, which continued to climb. This offer covers all Viking reservations that are made between November 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 on any 2022 voyage. Guest feedback is positive on all metrics including service, cuisine, programs, cleanliness of the ship and more, she says. On Viking river cruises, meals are offered in the formal dining room or on the Aquavit Terrace, which has al fresco dining. For 25 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. 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. Find the right card for you. Adults and crew must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. It had all the makings of a memorable tripjust not for the reasons I expected. Speaking from firsthand experience, I can tell you that cruise lines are ready to spring into action if someone exhibits symptoms or tests positive while sailing. Should you have additional questions about your voyage, please visit the Viking River Cruises FAQ. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. I overheard numerous cruisers griping about wearing masks and taking daily PCR tests despite being fully vaccinated, calling the measures excessive; others seemed to appreciate the extra caution. (The infected individual would eventually disembark in Reykjavk and move to a shoreside hotel for quarantine.). As I saw myself during a cruise to Antarctica in recent weeks, many sailings are operating relatively normally, even when there are COVID-19 cases on board. Two young unvaccinated passengers on Royal Caribbean cruise test positive for coronavirus. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Planning a cruise? The cancellations come as lines struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels on some ships due to crew members testing positive. The current protocol on most ships is to isolate COVID-19-positive passengers and crew but otherwise continue on with voyages as planned. Viking Health & Safety Program Pre-Departure COVID-19 Testing 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. If your cruise line does not have a specific testing requirement, get tested as close to time of cruise departure as possible (no more than 3 days before you travel). When crew test positive, they and their close contacts must stop working and isolate, even if asymptomatic, leaving shipboard venues short-staffed. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Theres a higher level of comfort around taking a cruise than there is flying on an airplane, staying at a hotel, going to an indoor concert, attending an indoor house party and dining in an indoor restaurant, she says. According to Scrivanich, cruise lines are currently sailing between 70% and 100% capacity, depending on the destination. 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 recommends that guests wear masks while ashore. 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. Meanwhile, just getting to ships is becoming increasingly stressful, as getting the pre-cruise COVID-19 test that's often required before cruising is getting more difficult. Are Viking guests required to be vaccinated? You can also avoid crowded areas to limit your exposure even further. Please continue to check this site for the most up-to-date version of the Viking Health & Safety Program. In April, the country was considered a Level 1 destination by the U.S. Department of State, indicating a low level of COVID-19 cases, making it an attractive destination for our family. Some passengers who were deemed close contacts of the passengers who tested positive were isolated for a short period while being tested for COVID-19. Since this is Viking, where experiences are everything, youll learn the secrets to fine Port wine-blending at a quinta, and taste wine and popular regional delicacies, like bola de carne, an irresistible bread filled with a combination of meats and smoked sausage. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, cruise-related jobs dropped by 51% from 2019 to 2020. Guests who had disembarked on the morning the COVID-19 case was discovered were returned right back to the ship by local Icelandic authorities. Every stateroom is cleaned and sanitized daily. The city's oldest and most elegant hotel still reigns supreme. 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