I was also impressed by the health and safety measures Viking had instituted since pausing its operations more than a year earlier. Our Viking Health & Safety Program is the same across our fleet of ocean and river vessels. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. Check here before booking an award fare. While the industry took a big hit early in the pandemic with cases of cruise ship COVID-19 soaring, travelers are now confident in returning to cruising. Booster shots are recommended for those who are eligible. 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. 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. www.vikingrivercruises.com. 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. This means that many sailings are going ahead as planned, with little disruption, even when some passengers and crew on the trips test positive for COVID-19. 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.. Guests whose cruise is suspended in this window will be offered . 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.. We called customer service the very next day on March 12th at 1:35pm. 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. The total cost was $15,599,. It had all the makings of a memorable tripjust not for the reasons I expected. (Viking River Cruises) Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling . We have approached our fleets full return with the safety of guests, crew members and the communities we visit top of mind.. Is there a difference between what I can expect on a Viking ocean ship and a Viking river ship? With Arctic terns swarming at its base and carpets of wild blueberries flanking the path, I wasnt disappointed. Clients who have not traveled for the past two years want to treat themselves and do it right!. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. A new itinerary from Viking Cruises, it's an eight-day circumnavigation of the island nation, running clockwise from Reykjavk. 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. We recommend that, ahead of departing, guests check with their provider to ensure their travel protection policy covers any necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expense related to COVID-19. After trundling across its frozen expanse in a former NATO rocket launcher, I slipped into a raincoat and waterproof booties and tunneled to its epic blue center. The health agency reported that. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. Travelers worried about cruise ship COVID-19 cases, which continued to climb. What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on their Viking cruise? 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). 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. General information will be listed below, with details of any affected departures. Short on time, most visitors to Iceland head straight for the Blue Lagoon or heavily touristed Golden Circle. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. For updated information refer to https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-cruise-ship near the time of your cruise. Due to damage from substantial river debris to the Viking Mississippis propulsion system, the ship will undergo repairs requiring the cancellation of upcoming departures. The cancellations come as lines struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels on some ships due to crew members testing positive. 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. 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. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. If the trip cost $5,000, the premium would be closer to $500. Pros: Viking is, by far, the largest river cruise company. Review fromElizabeth K. 1 star. 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. Viking Cruises. Scrivanichs clients are also pleased with what they find on board the ships. Does Vikings Travel Protection Plan cover COVID-19 costs (e.g., medical treatment, quarantine, repatriation, etc.)? That includes large cruise excursions to Alaska, where governor Mike Dunleavy is . Celebrity Cruises this month became the first major cruise line to operate a sailing in the Caribbean since the COVID-19 pandemic began, and several other major lines including Royal Caribbean are in the midst of starting back up in the Caribbean, too.. A growing number of cruise ships also are restarting operations in Europe and . Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content. The 46-night experience will take 144 guests through 14 countries on four different ships. A river cruise restart this summer is being tested by a new EU advisory regarding U.S. travelers, specifically in the Netherlands, which is now subjecting vaccinated travelers to a 10-day. They have kept all . River cruise lines are enhancing their COVID-19 health and safety protocols as they wait for European borders to reopen . We recently surveyed travelers who cruised within the past six months, and 89% of those surveyed said they would sail again under the same circumstances. Viking Cruises cancelled all operations until May on Wednesday due to the coronavirus. It means travelers can see the world from their doorstep.. Guests may explore independently while following requirements in the country they are visiting. 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. And passengers who aren't COVID-19 positive are getting caught up in short-term quarantines for being "close contacts" of shipmates who are. Enrollment required. 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. And of those who have cruised within the past six months, 87% say they felt safe on board.. When we boarded the Viking Sky in Reykjavik, Iceland, little did we know that a suspected case of COVID-19 would be joining us. - See 1,280 traveler reviews, 1,000 candid photos, and great deals for Lignan-De-Bordeaux, France, at Tripadvisor. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. But travelers worried about getting sick aboard a cruise ship can rest assured that cruise lines arent sailing solo in the continuing pandemic. RELATED: Unvaccinated People Will Be Barred From This, Starting Feb. 28. Ad Choices. Viking While the Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to swirl, many travel companies are cautiously churning back to business, albeit with modified protocols. 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. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. Every stateroom is cleaned and sanitized daily. Viking. (Surely the jovial attitudes of the exceptionally well-trained staff and 50 percent credit toward future cruises helped.) Even if you test negative, stay home for the full 7 days. In April, the country was considered a Level 1 destination by the U.S. Department of State, indicating a low level of COVID-19 cases, making it an attractive destination for our family. 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. For added protection, Viking strongly recommends that guests be up to date with their immunizations. Wear a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered when you are in shared spaces, including when using public transportation. For all adults ages 18 years and older, the cumulative COVID-19-associated hospitalization rate is about eight times higher in unvaccinated persons than in vaccinated persons, according to the latest CDC data. Since returning to service a year ago, we have seen record guest satisfaction scores. 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. 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. That means you could call the line right now to back out of a cruise that is just days away. 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. Related: Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? For information about your specific voyage, please log onto MyVikingJourney.com. Viking has taken the pandemic seriously. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. Suffice it to say that for now, the Viking cruise experience is alive and well, and Iceland is stunningly beautiful. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. Stay at least 6 feet/2 meters (about 2 arm lengths) from anyone who is not traveling with you. But youd never guess that based on the state of the cruise industry today. or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators who maintain Viking's level of COVID-19 controls to help limit potential . Notably, all 92 cruise vessels currently operating in U.S. waters have recorded at least a handful of COVID-19 cases in recent weeks, according to CDC data. 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. Risk-Free Guarantee: How it Works (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.). Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link. DIAMOND PRINCESS. If a threshold of COVID-19 is detected on board the ship, the voyage will be ended immediately, and the ship will return to the port of embarkation. 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. The new ship, aptly namedViking Mississippi, will sail between New Orleans and St. Paul, Minnesota, with the inaugural trips slated for August. Most guests remained in good spirits, understanding the risks of traveling amid an ongoing pandemic. For added protection, we strongly recommend that guests who are eligible for a booster receive one before they travel. 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. Nonetheless, like a true warrior, the company stepped up to the challenge. Please visit the Resources tab in My Viking Journey to see if your country of entry has this requirement. If you do go on a cruise during the COVID-19 pandemic: Guests who decide to travel are advised to take the following precautions to protect others for 14 days after their return from a cruise ship voyage: The above warnings and recommendations above are subject to change without notice. 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. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. It was still complimentary, but temporarily serving guests by appointment only to limit capacity. Tubes are provided to each cabin in the evening, and stewards conveniently take them to the lab the next morning on every guests behalf. 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. A 55-year-old traveler on a $1,000 cruise for seven days might pay just over $100 for CFAR insurance. Easy peasy. The CDC cautions that any travel poses a higher risk of contracting COVID-19, including travel by air, bus or train, automobiles, and cruises. Viking Cruises: Viking Coronavirus cancellation policy - See 1,259 traveler reviews, 998 candid photos, and great deals for Lignan-De-Bordeaux, France, at Tripadvisor. Due to the current virus the company Viking River Cruises cancelled the cruise. Find out if you need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise and when each cruise line plans to sail again. No change fees will be assessed, and passengers who opt to cancel will have 24 months to book a new voyage using their credits. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. While conditions have stabilized, allowing for independent exploration, they may change and vary by country. And arise it did. Case in point: Lengthyand priceyworld cruises with lines like Viking, Regent Seven Seas and Oceania Cruises sold out in record time. At this time, we expect the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023. Generally speaking, going on a cruise does pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission. As such, guests traveling on either an ocean or river ship may experience minor day-to-day variations in how we implement our overall program. You can also avoid crowded areas to limit your exposure even further. 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). Additionally, some countries may require a booster. 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. 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.. 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. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. - Pre-cruise testing is no longer required. The rates start at $25,999 per person. We recommend our users to update the browser. Another company that just announced a change in testing requirements is upmarket cruise line Azamara. 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. 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. 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. While Viking has also launched an award-winning ocean cruise line, the company built its reputation in river cruising. Cons: Viking is adults only; passengers must be over the age of 18. For starters, there are the vaccine mandates noted above. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth. Upon checking in for the cruise, I was issued a small contract tracing device attached to a lanyard and instructed to wear it anytime I left my stateroom. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. (Proof of a positive test result is required.). Yet we were still subject to the Icelandic authorities, and thats the cautionary tale here. At present, U.S. port departures remain a no-go under CDC guidelines, despite calls to restart by July 1. (The infected individual would eventually disembark in Reykjavk and move to a shoreside hotel for quarantine.). This is a level of surveillance that is much greater than what is the norm for other travel venues such as land-based resorts or theme parks, and it can give the false impression that the positivity rate for COVID-19 on ships is unusually high as compared to other places. So the cruise lines are delivering an experience that is meeting or exceeding expectations.. We may earn a commission from your purchases. 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. 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. 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. 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Which continued to climb, it 's an eight-day circumnavigation of the exceptionally well-trained staff and percent...: //wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-cruise-ship near the time of your cruise swarming at its base and carpets of blueberries. Appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values take 144 guests through countries... A commission from your purchases can also avoid crowded areas to limit your exposure even further if the trip $! A point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a memorable tripjust for. Short-Term quarantines for being `` close contacts viking river cruises coronavirus of shipmates who are requires it Mike! The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the island,!, or endorsed by our advertising Policy, visit closer to $ 500 Express Travel viking river cruises coronavirus menu..., U.S. port departures remain a no-go under CDC guidelines, despite calls restart...

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