For now, the cancellation needs to be done by Jan. 31, and the refund would come in the form of a future cruise credit to be used on any sailing that embarks through Dec. 31. The CDC currently advises that travel to some 189 countries presents a very high risk in addition to cruises. The cancellations come as lines struggle to maintain adequate staffing levels on some ships due to crew members testing positive. . 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 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. On Wednesday, Royal Caribbean . 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. 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. 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). 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. Reducing regulations and restrictions regarding COVID-19 has been the cruise industrys focus since the pandemics beginning. 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. To be built in Louisiana and set to launch in August 2022, theViking Mississippiis the companys first U.S. river ship and will be the largest ship plying its storied namesake. This voyage, by contrast, ports in lesser-trafficked idylls like the spectacular Westfjords and small fishing villages dotting the the east coast. Despite Iceland Public Health clearing Viking Sky for its shore excursions, Iceland Coast Guard prohibited it. 2023 Cond Nast. Another company that just announced a change in testing requirements is upmarket cruise line Azamara. Jun 03, 2020 at 4:02 pm. Enrollment required. 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 had already operated two Welcome Back circumnavigations of the island nation with zero incidents, and we anticipated the same. Specific protocols and procedures may evolve over time to adapt to various conditions or travel regulations in the destinations in which we operate. Easy peasy. 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. No longer are all passengers corralled together for a lifeboat or muster drill, but instead, we were individually led and introduced to our muster station and given a personal demonstration on how to don a life jacket. Pricing remained stableno need for the lines to discount faresthroughout the year. Viking Cruises cancelled all operations until May on Wednesday due to the coronavirus. For updated information refer to https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/covid-4/coronavirus-cruise-ship near the time of your cruise. 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. For 25 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. Discuss cruise ship travel with your healthcare provider. 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. 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. Due to the current virus the company Viking River Cruises cancelled the cruise. Wash your hands often or use hand sanitizer (with at least 60% alcohol). If you are a Travel Advisor representing a group booking, please email us at: GroupInfo@Uniworld.com or call our Groups department at 1-800-425-0043. or Vikings River-cruising vessels. 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. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 6 . The CDC is providing support. Yes, Viking requires all guests to be fully vaccinated at least 14 days prior to departure. GRAND PRINCESS. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Cruise lines planned a slow, methodical return to cruising, which meant welcoming back just a few ships and itineraries at a timeall with limited capacity on board.. That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. . The cruise industry has been highly critical of the designation, arguing that cruise ships are far safer places to be right now than almost anywhere else, given their strict health protocols. Adults and crew must be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Clients who have not traveled for the past two years want to treat themselves and do it right!. Will there be social distancing on board? 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. If you booked your cruise directly with Uniworld, please email us at: ConsumerReservations@Uniworld.com or call our Consumer team at 1-800-259-2009. All Rights Reserved. Cost includes $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Viking Cruises has extended the temporary suspension of its operations until May 31, 2021, due to ongoing travel restrictions during the Covid-19 pandemic. 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. 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. Viking Sea cruise ship near Fort. We are no longer supporting IE (Internet Explorer) as we strive to provide site experiences for browsers that support new web standards and security practices. 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. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Virgin Voyages 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 more than 23 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our new protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. In addition, most cruise lines now are requiring passengers to wear masks at all times while in interior spaces of vessels, and they have stepped up cleaning regimens, improved air filtration systems on ships and made other onboard changes. Which Cruise Lines Require COVID-19 Vaccinations? Related: Will I need a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise? USNS COMFORT. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. Take, for instance, Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings Ltd., the parent company for Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. 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. If youre ready to set sail on the high seas, these are some great cruises to book right now. Please visit the Resources tab in My Viking Journey to see if your country of entry has this requirement. Generally speaking, going on a cruise does pose some risk of COVID-19 transmission. Guests clearly felt the same, as many opted not to wear them onboard motor coaches. Cruise passengers are at increased risk of person-to-person spread of infectious diseases, including COVID-19. (Surely the jovial attitudes of the exceptionally well-trained staff and 50 percent credit toward future cruises helped.) Plus, a "perfect storm" of soaring COVID-19 cases and rough winter weather has wreaked havoc with airline operations for weeks. TPG values it at $1,600. Itll still publish guidelines so cruise ships can provide a safe environment for passengers and crew members. Sure, you might see the ships crew donning face masks, along with a few passengers. 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. But travelers worried about getting sick aboard a cruise ship can rest assured that cruise lines arent sailing solo in the continuing pandemic. Copyright 2023 Northstar Travel Media, LLC. Passengers are also able to cancel if they test positive for COVID-19. 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. At this time, we expect the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023. The pre-embarkation testing requirement will remain in place for guests traveling on voyages departing from destinations with local testing regulations. Lack of rainfall in . Do not board a cruise if you are sick, if you know you have COVID-19, or if you were exposed to a person with COVID-19 in the past 14 days. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. 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. 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