WORLD DREAM. Only one Viking passenger, a British woman on a river cruise in Cambodia, has contracted the . Founded in 1997 by former officials from the Royal Viking Line, Viking River Cruises boasts one of the largest and newest fleets of . Plus Ups are excluded. Are you requiring that I take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking ship? 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. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). A 55-year-old traveler on a $1,000 cruise for seven days might pay just over $100 for CFAR insurance. Specific protocols and procedures may evolve over time to adapt to various conditions or travel regulations in the destinations in which we operate. For 25 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. The anxiety was palpable. Alas, I wasnt two miles into a nature walk through fields of Alaskan lupine when it was dj vu all over again. 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. At this time, we expect the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023. 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 company's new Viking Health & Safety Program, the cruise line recently announced. Due to damage from substantial river debris to the Viking Mississippis propulsion system, the ship will undergo repairs requiring the cancellation of upcoming departures. 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. 16 Best Beaches in MexicoWhether You Want a Quiet Surf Escape or Thrumming Nightlife, Kansas City's New Airport Terminal Is a Glimpse at the Future of Air Travel, March Horoscope 2023: Which Signs Can Expect Luck in Travel This Month. Below is a list of frequently asked questions related to the Viking Health & Safety Program. Ad Choices. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. 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.. 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.. - 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. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. 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. Europe's Danube River is a frequent route for Viking River Cruises. Last modified on Thu 13 Jan 2022 18.22 EST A surge in Covid infections on cruise ships is causing mayhem across the industry, leaving passengers stranded aboard ships, exacerbating staff shortages. Similarly, pools were limited to just four people at a time and whirlpools to only two. 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. 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. It was still complimentary, but temporarily serving guests by appointment only to limit capacity. 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). 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. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, cruise-related jobs dropped by 51% from 2019 to 2020. Viking Sea cruise ship near Fort. 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? But only the COVID-19-positive passengers are being isolated long term. 79. 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. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. 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. 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. Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. The easing of our testing policy marks a step in the right direction toward a return to normalcy for the travel and cruising industry, Carol Cabezas, the president of Azamara, said in a statement. or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators who maintain Viking's level of COVID-19 controls to help limit potential . Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. And its backing that up with action: As of July 18, 2022, the CDCs COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships is no longer in effect. When necessary, guests and their travel advisors will be notified directly and this page will be updated. Without those precautions in place, I wouldnt have even considered traveling on a cruise ship during a global pandemic. Lack of rainfall in . With each minute that ticked by, rumors swirled. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. The cruise lines have all their ships sailing with no capacity restrictions. 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.. 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. Please visit the Resources tab in My Viking Journey to see if your country of entry has this requirement. 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. Reducing regulations and restrictions regarding COVID-19 has been the cruise industrys focus since the pandemics beginning. An ambulance took me to . 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. 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. The CDC is providing support. 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. Viking recommends that guests wear masks while ashore. 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. How frequently do you sanitize my stateroom? 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. Also awaiting me: empty tubes for daily PCR testing. New Details Released. When I wasnt hoofing it through port towns, I was making reservations for the ships thermal spa and fitness centeressential due to COVID caps on group gatherings. When COVID-19 is detected on a ship, cruise lines sometimes then test passengers multiple times to ensure it isn't spreading. (Based on an honor system, that last one is more performative than scientific.). So, the CDC is basically telling you that now isn't a good time to travel. 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. 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. Cruise lines in recent weeks have faced a growing number of ports that are balking at allowing ships with COVID-19-positive passengers or crew to dock. WESTERDAM. All rights reserved. General information will be listed below, with details of any affected departures. Our Viking Health & Safety Program is the same across our fleet of ocean and river vessels. Due to the current virus the company Viking River Cruises cancelled the cruise. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. 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. But youd never guess that based on the state of the cruise industry today. The guest tested positive twice, but all contacts were negative. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. 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,. 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. Read the full article > Cruise Fever: Viking.TV Hosting Astronauts This Week for Space Week Discussions COVID-19 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES . Viking Health & Safety Program Below is a list of frequently asked questions related to the Viking Health & Safety Program. sent to you for updated policies and procedures related to covid-19 . That means you could call the line right now to back out of a cruise that is just days away. If youre ready to set sail on the high seas, these are some great cruises to book right now. As the leading small ship travel company, Viking takes you closer to the heart of the places you want to visit. While Viking has also launched an award-winning ocean cruise line, the company built its reputation in river cruising. 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. Other lines canceling one or more sailings in recent days include Holland America, Silversea, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, MSC Cruises, Costa Cruises and Oceania Cruises. 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. 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? Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Your subsequent travel home may be restricted or delayed. As the CDC states, the virus spreads easily in close quarters on ships, and passengers and crew are all at risk. Please Note: Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 in the past 1090 days should bring either a physician certificate of recovery or a positive PCR test result from within that time window. 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. To learn more, visit Viking River Cruises' website. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. The rates start at $25,999 per person. 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. Enrollment required. 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. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. SILVER EXPLORER. 877-66-VIKING. 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. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. I was nervous about cruising after 16 months of a largely self-imposed lockdown, but eager to dip my toe back into international waters. This page contains the most up to date information on conditions that may affect your itinerary. Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. On Viking river cruises, meals are offered in the formal dining room or on the Aquavit Terrace, which has al fresco dining. 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. 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. How is the air treated on board Viking ships? 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. The ports have since reopened after Mexico's Health Department overruled the decisions of local port officials. . Health & Safety Are there COVID-19 related travel requirements I need to meet before leaving on my Viking voyage? Suffice it to say that for now, the Viking cruise experience is alive and well, and Iceland is stunningly beautiful. A growing number of cruise lines are canceling sailings on short notice, citing the disruptions caused by COVID-19. Viking did everything in its power to protect guests, crew, and the communities it visited. On September 10th of this year while on a river cruise with Viking to Eastern Europe I fell on the dock and broke my femur into three pieces. (Viking River Cruises) Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling . Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not. Today I spent two hours on the phone trying to change my flights. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. While conditions have stabilized, allowing for independent exploration, they may change and vary by country. So the cruise lines are delivering an experience that is meeting or exceeding expectations.. BRAEMAR. The agency currently identifies 86 ships where the number of Covid-19 cases meets the threshold for investigation a 178% jump in 10 days as the omicron variant spreads quickly across the U . And passengers who aren't COVID-19 positive are getting caught up in short-term quarantines for being "close contacts" of shipmates who are. 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. The cancellation is. 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. For updated information refer to https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-cruise-ship near the time of your cruise. 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. At this time, we expect the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023. We have set up all of our public spaces, including restaurants and lounges, for appropriate social distancing. The answer is yes. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Still, it's important to note that most of these "cases" of COVID-19 are asymptomatic or mild, only discovered during routine testing. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. 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