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. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Scrivanich also notes an uptick in last-minute bookings (for sailings within six months), especially in Europe and Alaskano matter the price. COVID-19 POLICIES AND PROCEDURES . Find out if you need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise and when each cruise line plans to sail again. The ports have since reopened after Mexico's Health Department overruled the decisions of local port officials. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link, Notice to Guests Regarding Advice from US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on COVID-19 and Cruise Ship Travel. Viking recommends that guests wear masks while ashore. For starters, there are the vaccine mandates noted above. September 1, 2020 Youd be hard-pressed to find a renowned river that Viking doesnt ply. Several ships recently had to skip port calls in Mexico, for instance, after passengers and crew on board the vessels tested positive for COVID-19. How many people had tested positive for coronavirus? 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. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. A new itinerary from Viking Cruises, it's an eight-day circumnavigation of the island nation, running clockwise from Reykjavk. That level of caution turned out to be warranted the day we arrived in Seydisfjrdur, a picturesque town in Eastern Iceland with just 676 residents. COVID-19 had been detected on the ship. Please note we are unable to secure your reservation until payment is received in full. On Viking river cruises, meals are offered in the formal dining room or on the Aquavit Terrace, which has al fresco dining. Are you requiring that I take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking ship? Cruises are no exception, and. Still, it's important to note that most of these "cases" of COVID-19 are asymptomatic or mild, only discovered during routine testing. 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. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times. 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. 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. You can't cancel your trip at . 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. Viking Cruises has extended the temporary suspension of its operations until May 31, 2021, due to ongoing travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. Health authorities no longer are quarantining whole ships when a few -- or even a lot -- of passengers and crew test positive for COVID-19. 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. The information included here should be considered current for all guests. In addition to requiring all guests and crew be fully vaccinated before setting foot on board the 930-passenger Viking Sky, the cruise line implemented a robust contact tracing system, daily PCR testing in a dedicated en-ship laboratory, new ventilation technology and a UVC disinfection robot, plus mask mandates and other social distancing protocols (including reduced guest capacity for its first few runs). 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.. WORLD DREAM. Your subsequent travel home may be restricted or delayed. The cruise lines have all their ships sailing with no capacity restrictions. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. WESTERDAM. That means you could call the line right now to back out of a cruise that is just days away. 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. To learn more, visit Viking River Cruises' website. Find the right card for you. . If the recent advisory or relaxed policies do not cover your cruise please refer to these Cancelation Policies and General Conditions, Rules & Regulations. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. Viking Health & Safety Program Updated February 6, 2023. Discover the worldin comforton Viking ocean cruises to . or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators who maintain Viking's level of COVID-19 controls to help limit potential . The Viking Star's next scheduled voyage is set to sail Jan. 9. 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. Any expenses incurred are the guests responsibility. The line clearly followed its protocols to the letter, and did everything in its power to protect its guests and crew. Viking Cruises has canceled all sailings until at least 2021, the company announced on Wednesday, becoming the latest cruise line to push sailings amid the continuing battle against the. 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 number of passengers being quarantined on ships (after testing positive for COVID-19) also is on the rise. Guests with a positive COVID-19 test may be isolated on board or ashoredepending on local guidelines and symptoms, if any. 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. 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.. 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. Is there a difference between what I can expect on a Viking ocean ship and a Viking river ship? USNS MERCY. On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean . 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. 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. We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. bars and lounges. Jun 03, 2020 at 4:02 pm. At present, U.S. port departures remain a no-go under CDC guidelines, despite calls to restart by July 1. For information about your specific voyage, please log onto MyVikingJourney.com. Sign Up for Our Monthly Cruise Newsletter. For information about your specific voyage, please log onto MyVikingJourney.com. With the new CDC announcement regarding the technicality for pre-cruise testing requirements, no onboard mask requirements and even vaccine requirements being relaxed, I think its important to stress that cruise lines may interpret this differently, says Annie Scrivanich, senior vice president of Cruise Specialists, a Seattle-based luxury travel agency. The anxiety was palpable. By the summer of 2020, most cruise lines had suspended operations worldwideand the entire travel industry came to a standstill. 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. The total cost was $15,599,. It was smooth sailing for the first half of the trip. 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). Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. 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. 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. 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. Celebrity Cruises from Florida and Viking Cruises from Iceland since June 12. If you are an American cruising overseas, you also won't be able to return to the U.S. until you have tested negative for COVID-19 (or until you recover from the illness and are cleared in writing to travel by a licensed healthcare provider or a public health official). Tubes are provided to each cabin in the evening, and stewards conveniently take them to the lab the next morning on every guests behalf. Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. Hey, whats another year of dreaming? 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. also refer to the passenger tiket ontrat ("passenger tiket . 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. It's also important to note that the detection of COVID-19-positive passengers or crew on board your ship won't necessarily impact your sailing (unless you are among those testing positive). Every stateroom is cleaned and sanitized daily. The current protocol on most ships is to isolate COVID-19-positive passengers and crew but otherwise continue on with voyages as planned. Guests on affected departuresand their travel advisorshave been notified directly. Two years ago, the pandemic sent the cruise industry into a tailspin. 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 relaxation of the testing policy is in line with the rest of the travel, leisure and hospitality industry worldwide as society continues to adapt and return to a state of normalcy.. Due to the current virus the company Viking River Cruises cancelled the cruise. 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. . 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. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 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. 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. Without those precautions in place, I wouldnt have even considered traveling on a cruise ship during a global pandemic. 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. If your test is positive, isolate yourself to protect others from getting infected. The cancellations come as lines struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels on some ships due to crew members testing positive. Holland America Line visits 225 ports in 91 countries on sailings that are round trip from U.S. ports, including Boston, Fort Lauderdale, San Diego or Seattle. Viking is bringing its signature Scandinavian style to the U.S., and just released details of its holiday-themed voyages along the Mississippi River. According to Scrivanich, cruise lines are currently sailing between 70% and 100% capacity, depending on the destination. But things are different this year, what with reduced restrictions on cruise ships and delayed or canceled flights across the country. People have missed travelingand cruisingand theyre ready to move beyond the fear of catching cruise ship COVID-19. Theyre booking the best cruise lines and eagerly packing for a voyage on the high seas. As I saw myself during a cruise to Antarctica in recent weeks, many sailings are operating relatively normally, even when there are COVID-19 cases on board. Enrollment required. Cruisers should stay informed via their travel agent of what to expect when they travel., Reed suggests going straight to the source for COVID-19-related cruise advice. (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.). Get tested 35 days after your trip and stay home for 7 days after travel. That growth means theyre also finding new fans, like one guest who traveled aboard theViking Tor: It was my Cinderella vacation, said this reader. Plus, a "perfect storm" of soaring COVID-19 cases and rough winter weather has wreaked havoc with airline operations for weeks. But youd never guess that based on the state of the cruise industry today. Viking Cruises. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. The Risk-Free Guarantee allows guests to change their cruise date up until 14 days before their planned departureand Viking will waive any fees. Effective July 25, 2022, it will no longer require pre-cruise testing, except in ports where the country requires it. In either of those cases, you can rest assured that the following will occur. 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. 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. 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. Alas, I wasnt two miles into a nature walk through fields of Alaskan lupine when it was dj vu all over again. This solution will ensure that: Yes, our Travel Protection Plan helps protect you from many unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, which could include necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expenses related to COVID-19. Guest feedback is positive on all metrics including service, cuisine, programs, cleanliness of the ship and more, she says. Guests who had disembarked on the morning the COVID-19 case was discovered were returned right back to the ship by local Icelandic authorities. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. 99.99% of viruses and bacteria in the air are killed. The cruise industry is no stranger to staffing issues. Viking is the first cruise line to have a full testing laboratory onboard each of its ocean ships, and guests must spit into a tube every morning to receive a non-invasive molecular COVID-19 test. Cruise lines are reporting that the vast majority of passengers testing positive for COVID-19 in recent weeks are asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. COSTA LUMINOSA. 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. 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. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. Viking did everything in its power to protect guests, crew, and the communities it visited. There are still entry requirements for certain countries and other nuances that will impact travel. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) agrees that its time to move forward. But on a whole, whether youre taking a singles cruise, couples cruise, adults-only cruise or all-inclusive cruise, there are almost no reminders of the pandemic. Europe's Danube River is a frequent route for Viking River Cruises. The number of passengers being quarantined on ships (after testing positive for COVID-19) also is on the rise. Check directly with your cruise line about their COVID-19 testing or vaccination protocols before travel. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. COVID-19 is known to spread through the air. That, it appears, is enough assurance for many travelers who are flocking to their favorite cruise lines. On Dec. 30, the CDC added cruise ships to its list of "Level 4" destinations you should avoid visiting for now due to high levels of COVID-19. Cancel your trip and stay home for 7 days after travel crew but otherwise on! For 7 days after travel more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary and! Ocean ship and a Viking ocean ship and more, visit Viking River Cruises since reopened after Mexico 's Department... Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis bacteria. 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