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. However,. Learn more. They are also one of the most affordable river cruise options. COVID-19 is known to spread through the air. The line clearly followed its protocols to the letter, and did everything in its power to protect its guests and crew. Things are getting iffy again for cruisers -- at least for those with near-term bookings. 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. Based on a recent survey of Cruise Critics readers, Gray Faust says travelers find cruises more appealing than other activities that carry a high COVID-19 risk. Viking on Sunday was forced to announce a major revision of its soon-to-begin, 120-day world cruise after India notified the line it was closing to cruise ships. 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. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. 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. Plus Ups are excluded. 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. Tubes are provided to each cabin in the evening, and stewards conveniently take them to the lab the next morning on every guests behalf. 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. For 25 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. Whatever the case, travelers had no choice but to go back to the ship. Viking was not messing around. Generally speaking, going on a cruise does pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission. 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. The Risk-Free Guarantee allows guests to change their cruise date up until 14 days before their planned departureand Viking will waive any fees. When we boarded the Viking Sky in Reykjavik, Iceland, little did we know that a suspected case of COVID-19 would be joining us. Our editors and experts handpick every product we feature. 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. If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on their Viking cruise? Are Viking guests required to be vaccinated? As the leading small ship cruise line with 190-guest river vessels and identical all-veranda 930-guest ocean ships, Viking takes you closer to the heart of the places you want to visit. Guests who had disembarked on the morning the COVID-19 case was discovered were returned right back to the ship by local Icelandic authorities. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. Another company that just announced a change in testing requirements is upmarket cruise line Azamara. GRAND PRINCESS. Cruise giant Viking is suspending operations around the world, effective immediately.. For a truly epic river cruise itinerary, it may be worth waiting until June 1, 2023, when AmaWaterways will sail its longest river cruise everthe "Seven River Journey Through Europe.". And of those who have cruised within the past six months, 87% say they felt safe on board.. Does Vikings Travel Protection Plan cover COVID-19 costs (e.g., medical treatment, quarantine, repatriation, etc.)? Its culturally-focused content will feature appearances by the Viking executives and crew and subjects relating to its at-sail and at port ventures, plus live video of happenings from around the world. 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 Please continue to check this site for the most up-to-date version of the Viking Health & Safety Program. When necessary, guests and their travel advisors will be notified directly and this page will be updated. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. 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. 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. Are you requiring that I take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking ship? or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators who maintain Viking's level of COVID-19 controls to help limit potential . 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. The rates start at $25,999 per person. 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. Because individual cruise lines determine their ships' COVID-19-related requirements, your likelihood of catching coronavirus while at sea will depend on the specific ship's guidelines and. Jun 03, 2020 at 4:02 pm. But the positive cases had little impact on most of the passengers on board the vessel, and the voyage went ahead as planned. 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. 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. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. 99.99% of viruses and bacteria in the air are killed. And youll probably come across a few new sinks for hand-washing and additional hand-sanitizing stations around the ship. 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. The CDC is providing support. There are still entry requirements for certain countries and other nuances that will impact travel. Cond Nast Traveler does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. 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. 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. Are there COVID-19 related travel requirements I need to meet before leaving on my Viking voyage? We provide a risk-free solution for the crew when cleaning filters, as viruses are killed and not simply trapped in the filters. Viking While the Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to swirl, many travel companies are cautiously churning back to business, albeit with modified protocols. The guest tested positive twice, but all contacts were negative. 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. For added protection, we strongly recommend that guests who are eligible for a booster receive one before they travel. Additionally, some countries may have their own testing requirements. 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. As the leading small ship travel company, Viking takes you closer to the heart of the places you want to visit. 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. As of March 11, Viking River Cruises is temporarily suspending operations of all cruises taking place between March 12 and June 30. Short on time, most visitors to Iceland head straight for the Blue Lagoon or heavily touristed Golden Circle. 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 current protocol on most ships is to quickly isolate COVID-19-positive passengers and their close contacts. According to the Cruise Lines International Association, cruise-related jobs dropped by 51% from 2019 to 2020. 10405 COVID-19 Policies and Procedures (Ver.1) Page 1 of 3 CST0544-40 . or Vikings River-cruising vessels. 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. The anxiety was palpable. Cond Nast Traveler may earn a portion of sales from products that are purchased through our site as part of our Affiliate Partnerships with retailers. October 1, 2020 December is already known as the most wonderful time of the year, but its about to get a lot better for cruise lovers. To ensure your journey is smooth and that you are able to fully enjoy your voyage as planned, we highly recommend that all guests take a pre-departure COVID-19 test, no more than three days prior to beginning your journey. A 55-year-old traveler on a $1,000 cruise for seven days might pay just over $100 for CFAR insurance. That, it appears, is enough assurance for many travelers who are flocking to their favorite cruise lines. The system worked exactly as it was intended to, and additional PCR testing that day and throughout the rest of the trip confirmed that there were no additional cases. Will I be required to wear a face mask when going ashore? As arguably the hardest-hit industry in the tourism sectorcruise ship COVID-19 fears meant 81% fewer passengers embarked on a cruise in 2020 versus 2019ships are more than ready to be back and sailing at full capacity. 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. The cruise lines have all their ships sailing with no capacity restrictions. Effective Aug. 1, 2022, we will no longer require guests to complete pre-cruise COVID-19 testing, unless required by local regulations, a spokesperson for the company said. Guests on affected departuresand their travel advisorshave been notified directly. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. Health authorities no longer are quarantining whole ships when a few -- or even a lot -- of passengers and crew test positive for COVID-19. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. 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. Viking Cruises cancelled all operations until May on Wednesday due to the coronavirus. 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. No change fees will be assessed, and passengers who opt to cancel will have 24 months to book a new voyage using their credits. Credits for canceled cruises and pent-up demand meant cruise lines had no trouble filling their ships in 2021. All Rights Reserved. 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. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. It means travelers can see the world from their doorstep.. 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. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Still, it's important to note that most of these "cases" of COVID-19 are asymptomatic or mild, only discovered during routine testing. Due to the current virus the company Viking River Cruises cancelled the cruise. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. But travelers worried about getting sick aboard a cruise ship can rest assured that cruise lines arent sailing solo in the continuing pandemic. While conditions have stabilized, allowing for independent exploration, they may change and vary by country. Cruise lines are reporting that the vast majority of passengers testing positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. I also witnessed the guest relations staff disinfecting their desks after each passenger transaction. Ad Choices. Viking highly recommends, but does not require, a pre-departure COVID-19 testunless one is required by the destination. Health & Safety Are there COVID-19 related travel requirements I need to meet before leaving on my Viking voyage? Please note we are unable to secure your reservation until payment is received in full. 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). Whatever was happening, it wasnt good. Celebrity Cruises from Florida and Viking Cruises from Iceland since June 12. With each minute that ticked by, rumors swirled. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. Most guests remained in good spirits, understanding the risks of traveling amid an ongoing pandemic. Viking will test symptomatic guests to confirm presence of COVID-19, if a guest requests a test or if the medical staff determines testing is necessary for treatment. Planning a cruise? Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. The Policies and Procedures set out below are in addition to Viking's COVID-19 Terms and Conditions which form Viking Cruises: Viking refusing to refund given COVID risks! Also awaiting me: empty tubes for daily PCR testing. Whats more, our temperatures were taken daily at digital kiosks as we entered various venues such as the buffet, which itself is now fully served. On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean . Scrivanich also notes an uptick in last-minute bookings (for sailings within six months), especially in Europe and Alaskano matter the price. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. Travelers worried about cruise ship COVID-19 cases, which continued to climb. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. This week, Viking announced that it would resume some river cruises in Portugal, France and along the Rhine River in July. Hey, whats another year of dreaming? If you haven't cruised since before the pandemic, you might be surprised by how many new health- and safety-related policies cruise lines have implemented to keep COVID-19 off ships. 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.. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. For updated information refer to https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-cruise-ship near the time of your cruise. 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. Virgin Voyages: August 2021. 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). The infected passenger was isolated onboard, and any spread was curtailed. Whether theyre booking scenic American river cruises or gathering the little ones for a cruise with kids across the ocean, travelers are making the most of the reasonable rates.

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