Vikings policy is that close contacts who are fully vaccinated do not have to quarantine. 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.. I experienced this myself in late December when on a Silversea vessel where four passengers tested positive for COVID-19. 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.. In addition, every stateroom goes through a deep-cleaning sanitization process between each cruise. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling. Individual cruise lines will determine their own specific COVID-19-related requirements for cruise travel, as well as safety measures and protocols for passengers traveling on board, based on CDC recommendations for reducing the risk of COVID-19, Reed says. Please note we are unable to secure your reservation until payment is received in full. www.vikingrivercruises.com. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Restaurants are sanitized between every service; all other public spaces are fully sanitized at a minimum every 24 hours, with high touchpoints sanitized more frequently every day. Specific protocols and procedures may evolve over time to adapt to various conditions or travel regulations in the destinations in which we operate. General information will be listed below, with details of any affected departures. Cruise giant Viking is suspending operations around the world, effective immediately.. 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. Since returning to service a year ago, we have seen record guest satisfaction scores. 2023 Cond Nast. 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. Nonetheless, the last three of our port visits were impacted. 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. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. For updated information refer to https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-cruise-ship near the time of your cruise. Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. 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. And our third and final port of call was completely off limits to us. From Reykjavk, I joined an ice cave excursion to Langjkull, the second largest glacier in Iceland. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. Viking has taken the pandemic seriously. 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? If the recent advisory or relaxed policies do not cover your cruise please refer to these Cancelation Policies and General Conditions, Rules & Regulations. Every stateroom is cleaned and sanitized daily. The next days itinerary had us docking in Djpivogur, an even smaller hamlet than Seydisfjrdur, so you can imagine our surprise when guests were told that most shore excursions would move ahead as planned. If anything, the positivity rate is far lower on ships than on land, thanks to much stricter health protocols (more on that in a moment). Halfway through our cruise, the captain informed us that there was a single suspected COVID-19 infection on the ship, and that anyone in close contact with the guest was quickly informed before they were all retested. Staffers conducted digital temperature checks at the entrances to restaurants and cheerfully reminded guests to wash their hands, please and thank you. The new rule, which was first announced on Jan. 5, states that travelers must provide proof of the supplemental shot to board ships at embarkation. 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. And passengers who aren't COVID-19 positive are getting caught up in short-term quarantines for being "close contacts" of shipmates who are. This voyage, by contrast, ports in lesser-trafficked idylls like the spectacular Westfjords and small fishing villages dotting the the east coast. sent to you for updated policies and procedures related to covid-19 . This week, Viking announced that it would resume some river cruises in Portugal, France and along the Rhine River in July. I have 7 months before my ocean cruise. Credits for canceled cruises and pent-up demand meant cruise lines had no trouble filling their ships in 2021. Additionally, some countries may require a booster. 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. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. So can you still find a deal? Hey, whats another year of dreaming? Viking. Guests on affected departuresand their travel advisorshave been notified directly. But youd never guess that based on the state of the cruise industry today. If a threshold of COVID-19 is detected on board the ship, the voyage will be ended immediately, and the ship will return to the port of embarkation. Celebrity Cruises this month became the first major cruise line to operate a sailing in the Caribbean since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and several other major lines including Royal Caribbean are in the midst of starting back up in the Caribbean, too.. A growing number of cruise ships also are restarting operations in Europe and . But the positive cases had little impact on most of the passengers on board the vessel, and the voyage went ahead as planned. If you get sick with symptoms of COVID-19, stay in your cabin and notify the onboard medical center immediately. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. Virgin Voyages: August 2021. While cruises have rebounded somewhat, you still may experience issues related to reduced staffing while at sea. 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. CDC has determined that the cruise industry has access to the necessary tools [cruise-specific recommendations and guidance, vaccinations, testing instruments, treatment modalities and non-pharmaceutical interventions] to prevent and mitigate COVID-19 on board.. 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. 99.99% of viruses and bacteria in the air are killed. Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. 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. While Viking has also launched an award-winning ocean cruise line, the company built its reputation in river cruising. Similarly, pools were limited to just four people at a time and whirlpools to only two. 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. 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. Enrollment required. Pricing remained stableno need for the lines to discount faresthroughout the year. The list of things you cant do on cruises anymore is shorter than it was a year ago, so as long as you know what to expect, you can enjoy a vacation in open waters. Viking Cruises: Viking refusing to refund given COVID risks! Without those precautions in place, I wouldnt have even considered traveling on a cruise ship during a global pandemic. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. It means travelers can see the world from their doorstep.. July 8, 2020 Often credited with popularizing river cruising globally, Viking has in recent years expanded dramatically; the company now has 63 ships sailing in Europe, with additional vessels in Asia and Egypt, and is coming soon to the United States. If you're booked on a cruise in the coming weeks, and you're having second thoughts, there's a good chance you can get out of your trip. 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. The pre-embarkation testing requirement will remain in place for guests traveling on voyages departing from destinations with local testing regulations. The cruise industry is no stranger to staffing issues. Cruises are no exception, and. The CDC is providing support. Viking did everything in its power to protect guests, crew, and the communities it visited. bars and lounges. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. It was smooth sailing for the first half of the trip. Viking was not messing around. Still, the Iceland Coast Guard told Viking Sky to leave Seydisfjrdur. All major cruise lines currently are requiring all or nearly all passengers to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, with some also starting to require booster shots, to boot. 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. 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. Viking Health & Safety Program Updated February 6, 2023. 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? Developed in coordination with an international team of scientific and medical advisors, the Viking Health & Safety Programme is one of the most well-researched and comprehensive COVID-19 prevention and mitigation plans in the travel industry. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Cond Nast. 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. A growing number of cruise lines are canceling sailings on short notice, citing the disruptions caused by COVID-19. 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. 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. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. The guest tested positive twice, but all contacts were negative. Cruise ships also have had to cancel stops recently at the islands of Aruba, Bonaire and Curaao, and at San Juan, Puerto Rico, due to local worries about COVID-19-positive passengers and crew on board and/or tighter COVID-19-related entry requirements. Viking is bringing its signature Scandinavian style to the U.S., and just released details of its holiday-themed voyages along the Mississippi River. Planning a 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. 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. Sure, you might see the ships crew donning face masks, along with a few passengers. The anxiety was palpable. It had all the makings of a memorable tripjust not for the reasons I expected. The answer is yes. The cancellations come as lines struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels on some ships due to crew members testing positive. Your subsequent travel home may be restricted or delayed. Is there a difference between what I can expect on a Viking ocean ship and a Viking river ship? 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. All rights reserved. Cruise lines are reporting that the vast majority of passengers testing positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. As noted above, health authorities no longer are quarantining whole ships when a few -- or even a lot -- of passengers and crew test positive for COVID-19. 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. 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. The CDC regularly issues travel advisories concerning risks associated with COVID-19. What happens if I am confirmed to be a close contact with a guest who tests positive? July 23, 2020 Plan ahead for sailing along the mighty Mississippi with Viking. What Is It Like to Travel to Saudi Arabia. So, the CDC is basically telling you that now isn't a good time to travel. If you don't get tested, it's safest to stay home for 14 days after travel. Please continue to check this site for the most up-to-date version of the Viking Health & Safety Program. Reducing regulations and restrictions regarding COVID-19 has been the cruise industrys focus since the pandemics beginning. 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. When we boarded the Viking Sky in Reykjavik, Iceland, little did we know that a suspected case of COVID-19 would be joining us. Viking Cruises cancelled all operations until May on Wednesday due to the coronavirus. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. or Vikings River-cruising vessels. Expand. Contact. Will I be required to wear a face mask while on board? Most guests remained in good spirits, understanding the risks of traveling amid an ongoing pandemic. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. 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