For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPGs cruise newsletter. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Please continue to check this site for the most up-to-date version of the Viking Health & Safety Program. (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.). In Akureyri, I explored at my own paceogling the pastel blooms in Lystigarurinn, the worlds northernmost botanical garden, and the pop realist works of Icelandic artist Err at the Akureyri Art Museum. (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. The ports have since reopened after Mexico's Health Department overruled the decisions of local port officials. The cruise industry is no stranger to staffing issues. 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? 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. Set to launch in December 2022, highlights of the sailing include light displays, Cajun cuisine, and VIP access to Graceland. Vikings policy is that close contacts who are fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine. Cruise lines are reporting that the vast majority of passengers testing positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. This policy is in line with current CDC guidelines. Norwegian Cruise Line on Wednesday canceled soon-to-depart voyages on eight of its 17 ships. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. cruise tour through viking river cruises, inc., d/b/a viking cruises, viking ocean cruises and viking expeditions ("vr"). 210515 covid-19 privacy notice us uk (ver.1) page 1 of 4 cst2052644-40 covid-19 privacy notice viking river cruises, inc., and viking river cruises uk limited what is the purpose & scope of this document? But if youre a rigid traveler who isnt amenable to last-minute changes, or you struggle to find the good or humorous in sometimes lousy situations, you might think twice before undertaking international travel in 2021. 10511 covid-19 policies and procedures (us) page 1 of 3 cst0544-40 covid-19 policies and procedures (international voyages) viking river cruises, inc., d/b/a viking cruises, viking ocean cruises & viking expeditions ("viking") important notice for our us and canadian guestsplease read carefully: the following In addition to requiring all guests and crew be fully vaccinated before setting foot on board the 930-passenger Viking Sky, the cruise line implemented a robust contact tracing system, daily PCR testing in a dedicated en-ship laboratory, new ventilation technology and a UVC disinfection robot, plus mask mandates and other social distancing protocols (including reduced guest capacity for its first few runs). 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. Any expenses incurred are the guests responsibility. A 55-year-old traveler on a $1,000 cruise for seven days might pay just over $100 for CFAR insurance. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. 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. From Reykjavk, I joined an ice cave excursion to Langjkull, the second largest glacier in Iceland. At present, U.S. port departures remain a no-go under CDC guidelines, despite calls to restart by July 1. That means you could call the line right now to back out of a cruise that is just days away. Short on time, most visitors to Iceland head straight for the Blue Lagoon or heavily touristed Golden Circle. 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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says it is investigating an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness on a recently concluded Viking Cruises' voyage. 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. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. 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. Case in point: Lengthyand priceyworld cruises with lines like Viking, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises sold out in record time. 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. Two years ago, the pandemic sent the cruise industry into a tailspin. But travelers worried about getting sick aboard a cruise ship can rest assured that cruise lines arent sailing solo in the continuing pandemic. 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. The new ship, aptly namedViking Mississippi, will sail between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota, with the inaugural trips slated for August. (Viking River Cruises) Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling . Cruise travelers should contact their cruise line directly for more information regarding the protocols and procedures for COVID-19 safety, which may vary among cruise lines.. Additionally, some countries may have their own testing requirements. 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. Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces, including when using public transportation. Viking Mississippi - As of January 23, 2023 Due to damage from substantial river debris to the Viking Mississippi 's propulsion system, the ship will undergo repairs requiring the cancellation of upcoming departures. Are you requiring that I take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking ship? Older adults and people of any age with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of severe illness if infected with the virus that causes COVID-19. As of March 11, Viking River Cruises is temporarily suspending operations of all cruises taking place between March 12 and June 30. What Is It Like to Travel to Saudi Arabia. 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). Hand sanitizing stations and full sink basins were even more prevalent. One region particularly affected is Alaska, where the shoreside personnel staffing levels have impacted excursion availability and staffing, Gray Faust says. Read the full article > Cruise Fever: Viking.TV Hosting Astronauts This Week for Space Week Discussions No other segment of the travel industry has been as uniform in requiring almost every customer to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. After trundling across its frozen expanse in a former NATO rocket launcher, I slipped into a raincoat and waterproof booties and tunneled to its epic blue center. I also witnessed the guest relations staff disinfecting their desks after each passenger transaction. Anecdotal reports are that the number of cases on ships is up even more in the first 10 days of the new year. On July 10, I boarded one of the earliest Nordic sailings open to vaccinated Americans. For 25 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. (Based on an honor system, that last one is more performative than scientific.). Get up to date with your COVID-19 vaccines before cruise ship travel. We are the most knowledgeable, experienced cruise travel company. One line, Viking, is testing every single passenger for COVID-19 every day. 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. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. 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. 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. (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.). Of course, a requirement for one cruise line may be a nonissue for another. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. 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. As the CDC states, the virus spreads easily in close quarters on ships, and passengers and crew are all at risk. 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. Below is a list of frequently asked questions related to the Viking Health & Safety Program. Our guide received an emergency phone call from his boss. July 23, 2020 Plan ahead for sailing along the mighty Mississippi with Viking. 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. How many people had tested positive for coronavirus? And with that, our vacation was over. If a destination requires masks be worn, onboard staff and local guides will confirm the local requirements. Choose Viking, the worlds largest and best fleet of deluxe ships built for ocean travel. Itll still publish guidelines so cruise ships can provide a safe environment for passengers and crew members. Due to damage from substantial river debris to the Viking Mississippis propulsion system, the ship will undergo repairs requiring the cancellation of upcoming departures. If the trip cost $5,000, the premium would be closer to $500. Our fleet of modern, small ocean and river ships feature independent air handling units, which means each stateroom has fresh external air that is not shared with other staterooms or public spaces. Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. Check here before booking an award fare. 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. When necessary, guests and their travel advisors will be notified directly and this page will be updated. Any information published by Cond Nast Traveler is not intended as a substitute for medical advice, and you should not take any action before consulting with a healthcare professional. Sure, you might see the ships crew donning face masks, along with a few passengers. Contact. Specific protocols and procedures may evolve over time to adapt to various conditions or travel regulations in the destinations in which we operate. 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. 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