For information about your specific voyage, please log onto MyVikingJourney.com. This includes both its river cruises and . Viking Sea cruise ship near Fort. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Credit card showdown: Capital One Venture vs. Capital One Venture X, JetBlue adds 3 new NYC-area routes as Northeast Alliance hangs in the balance, It's back: Best-ever bonus of 70,000 miles on the Alaska Airlines Business card, Thrills for all ages: 6 best rides at Universal Studios Hollywood. The 46-night experience will take 144 guests through 14 countries on four different ships. That includes large cruise excursions to Alaska, where governor Mike Dunleavy is . But the positive cases had little impact on most of the passengers on board the vessel, and the voyage went ahead as planned. 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. How many people had tested positive for coronavirus? While Viking has also launched an award-winning ocean cruise line, the company built its reputation in river cruising. As the CDC states, the virus spreads easily in close quarters on ships, and passengers and crew are all at risk. Due to the current virus the company Viking River Cruises cancelled the cruise. No plan survives first contact with the enemy, said Dr. Raquel Bono, chief health officer for Viking, after a passenger tested positive for COVID-19 on a recent sailing in Iceland. The number of passengers being quarantined on ships (after testing positive for COVID-19) also is on the rise. For starters, there are the vaccine mandates noted above. Effective July 25, 2022, it will no longer require pre-cruise testing, except in ports where the country requires it. Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. Meanwhile, passengers are asked to carry a small (slightly larger than a quarter) contact tracing device to be ready for the possibility of a case arising. Additionally, some countries may require a booster. 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. 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. We maximize the possible number of air changes. Will I be required to wear a face mask while on board? 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. Without those precautions in place, I wouldnt have even considered traveling on a cruise ship during a global pandemic. DIAMOND PRINCESS. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. As noted above, cruise lines also are requiring passengers to undergo COVID-19 tests before boarding ships -- a screening process that is keeping many COVID-19 positive people from ever stepping on board a vessel. 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. Travelers worried about cruise ship COVID-19 cases, which continued to climb. Viking. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Will I be required to wear a face mask when going ashore? 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. We recommend our users to update the browser. For Further Assistance If you have any questions or need further information please contact Reservations at 1-877-523-0579 or email [email protected], Monday - Friday, 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM; Saturday and Sunday, 7:30 AM - 4:00 PM, PT. For most travelers, cruise ship travel is voluntary and should be rescheduled for a future date. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. The CDC currently advises that travel to some 189 countries presents a very high risk in addition to cruises. But travelers worried about getting sick aboard a cruise ship can rest assured that cruise lines arent sailing solo in the continuing pandemic. 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. 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. Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. 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. 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. 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. That means you could call the line right now to back out of a cruise that is just days away. How frequently do you sanitize my stateroom? That growth means theyre also finding new fans, like one guest who traveled aboard theViking Tor: It was my Cinderella vacation, said this reader. Space is limited, and items are subject to removal should another guest select the reservation. If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. The city's oldest and most elegant hotel still reigns supreme. And there is a long list of new cruise ships (and new classes of vessels for the lines) debuting in 2022 and 2023. 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. Before leaving the United States, I completed a third-party verification of my vaccination status via VeriFLY, obtained my mandatory pre-registration barcode through the Icelandic government, and took a health survey issued by Viking. 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. By the summer of 2020, most cruise lines had suspended operations worldwideand the entire travel industry came to a standstill. 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. Scrivanich also notes an uptick in last-minute bookings (for sailings within six months), especially in Europe and Alaskano matter the price. Passengers feel safe and . The Great Cruise Shutdown is finally coming to an end. For Further Assistance If you have any questions or need further information please contact Guest Services on 0800 298 97 00, Monday to Friday 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM, Saturday 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM and Sunday 10:00 am - 4pm (closed on bank holidays). While cruises have rebounded somewhat, you still may experience issues related to reduced staffing while at sea. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. 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. The number of passengers being quarantined on ships (after testing positive for COVID-19) also is on the rise. 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. 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. As of March 11, Viking River Cruises is temporarily suspending operations of all cruises taking place between March 12 and June 30. 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. A line-by-line guide, added cruise ships to its list of "Level 4" destinations, A beginners guide to picking a cruise line, The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship, The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship, A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines, 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. The CDC is providing support. Travelers, it seems, are simply happy to be sailing once again. Reducing regulations and restrictions regarding COVID-19 has been the cruise industrys focus since the pandemics beginning. Yes, Viking requires all guests to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure. 02/23/2023. On Viking river cruises, meals are offered in the formal dining room or on the Aquavit Terrace, which has al fresco dining. After an intense exchange in Icelandic, he announced that we were once again being recalled to the shipthis time with a harsh message about violating Icelandic law.. You can't cancel your trip at . Our Viking Health & Safety Program is the same across our fleet of ocean and river vessels. 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. Your subsequent travel home may be restricted or delayed. Learn more. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. The Policies and Procedures set out below are in addition to Viking's COVID-19 Terms and Conditions which form Cruises are no exception, and. 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. Contact. COSTA LUMINOSA. Passengers are also able to cancel if they test positive for COVID-19. 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