Viking Cruises: Viking refusing to refund given COVID risks! Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement and Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement and Your California Privacy Rights. In safjrur, one of Icelands oldest fishing villages, I opted for a hike to Dynjandi, the largest waterfall in the Westfjords. Nonetheless, like a true warrior, the . 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. The ports have since reopened after Mexico's Health Department overruled the decisions of local port officials. 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. Viking highly recommends, but does not require, a pre-departure COVID-19 testunless one is required by the destination. 79. The decision by the CDC to raise the travel level for cruise is particularly perplexing considering that cases identified on cruise ships consistently make up a very slim minority of the total population onboard far fewer than on land and the majority of those cases are asymptomatic or mild in nature, posing little to no burden on medical resources onboard or onshore, the main trade group for the industry, the Cruise Lines International Association, said in a statement to TPG. Nonetheless, like a true warrior, the company stepped up to the challenge. That, it appears, is enough assurance for many travelers who are flocking to their favorite cruise lines. COVID-19 is known to spread through the air. One hand hadnt talked to the other, or they were speaking different languages, or simply couldnt agree on whose authority reigned supreme. If you do go on a cruise during the COVID-19 pandemic: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-cruise-ship. 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? What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on their Viking cruise? Viking's recent sailing in Iceland departed from Reykjavik before a positive COVID-19 case was discovered onboard. We have set up all of our public spaces, including restaurants and lounges, for appropriate social distancing. The reviews from recent cruisers show that onboard service is still stellarratings for crew service remain incredibly high, she says. And youll probably come across a few new sinks for hand-washing and additional hand-sanitizing stations around the ship. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. If they test negative, they typically are allowed out of their rooms to rejoin the rest of their fellow cruisers on board. Avoid being around people who are at increased risk for severe illness for 14 days, whether you get tested or not. 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. We provide a risk-free solution for the crew when cleaning filters, as viruses are killed and not simply trapped in the filters. (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.). Speaking from firsthand experience, I can tell you that cruise lines are ready to spring into action if someone exhibits symptoms or tests positive while sailing. 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. Viking Cruises has extended the temporary suspension of its operations until May 31, 2021, due to ongoing travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Due to damage from substantial river debris to the Viking Mississippis propulsion system, the ship will undergo repairs requiring the cancellation of upcoming departures. GRAND PRINCESS. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. I was also impressed by the health and safety measures Viking had instituted since pausing its operations more than a year earlier. 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. 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. Viking. particularly from Viking River Cruises and AmaWaterways, has been superb," said John Gawne, an advisor with Cruises Inc. in Virginia Beach, Va. . For added protection, Viking strongly recommends that guests be up to date with their immunizations. 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. While health authorities no longer are quarantining whole ships when a few passengers or crew test positive for COVID-19, the presence of the illness on board a vessel still could result in notable disruptions to your itinerary. You can also avoid crowded areas to limit your exposure even further. Scrivanich also notes an uptick in last-minute bookings (for sailings within six months), especially in Europe and Alaskano matter the price. On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean . A line-by-line guide. Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. 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. That includes large cruise excursions to Alaska, where governor Mike Dunleavy is . The line clearly followed its protocols to the letter, and did everything in its power to protect its guests and crew. 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. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. A new itinerary from Viking Cruises, it's an eight-day circumnavigation of the island nation, running clockwise from Reykjavk. Most guests remained in good spirits, understanding the risks of traveling amid an ongoing pandemic. - 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. This offer covers all Viking reservations that are made between November 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 on any 2022 voyage. On my recent trip to Antarctica, I underwent six COVID-19 tests in just eight days -- three in advance of stepping on board the vessel (including a PCR test required by Chile, where my trip began) and three while on board. 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. I was nervous about cruising after 16 months of a largely self-imposed lockdown, but eager to dip my toe back into international waters. "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. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. 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. Cruise giant Viking is suspending operations around the world, effective immediately.. 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 While the Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to swirl, many travel companies are cautiously churning back to business, albeit with modified protocols. Contact. (Proof of a positive test result is required.). 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). Less convenient, however, is the thermal suite at the spa. Any expenses incurred are the guests responsibility. Founded in 1997 by former officials from the Royal Viking Line, Viking River Cruises boasts one of the largest and newest fleets of . (Viking River Cruises) Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling . 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. The state has not seen the same seasonal workforce it enjoyed before the pandemic, and more jobs in Alaska rely on highly skilled workers with specific licenses for small planes, boats and buses., Even if there are minor staffing issues in select destinations, passenger feedback on Cruise Critic is positive. 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. The pre-embarkation testing requirement will remain in place for guests traveling on voyages departing from destinations with local testing regulations. Always follow state and local recommendations or requirements related to travel. 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