Why Are Pcr Tests Are Needed To Resume Cruising
Antibody tests that reveal a persons build up of antibodies once used to fight off COVID-19. PCR tests detect actual genetic bits of the virusthe RNA.
Genetic material is only present when someone is actively infected. In other words, PCR tests look for an antigen that reveals a current infection. Antibody tests only indicate a prior infection and immune response.
With crew and passengers having this type of test before they board and daily during the cruise, the ships medical team will know early on if someone has contracted the virus. Then mitigation steps to prevent the spread, isolate or quarantine, and contact trace will begin sooner rather than later.
You Wont Spend Tons Of Time In The Room But Opt For A Balcony
The itineraries with Viking sometimes mean you might visit one or two places in a day. That means youll have lots to see and do. But, when you are cruising, its absolutely wonderful to see the sights from the comfort of your rooms balcony. We spotted stately chateaus, vineyards clutching the sides of cliffs, and hilltop towns nestled beside fortresses. You can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea as you watch the world sail by. Its a not-to-miss experience!
For me, one advantage of a river cruise is the luxury of having all your belongings in one place. I travel a lot and am often hauling my stuff from place to place. With a cruise, I can easily visit multiple places across the country, or even countries, and have the convenience of putting everything in one spot and knowing all my meals, transfers, and sleeping is in one convenient and comfy spot.
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A Vaccinated Passenger Tested Positive For Covid
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On July 10, I boarded one of the earliest Nordic sailings open to vaccinated Americans. A new itinerary from Viking Cruises, it’s an eight-day circumnavigation of the island nation, running clockwise from Reykjavík. Short on time, most visitors to Iceland head straight for the Blue Lagoon or heavily touristed Golden Circle. This voyage, by contrast, ports in lesser-trafficked idylls like the spectacular Westfjords and small fishing villages dotting the the east coast. My options for shore excursions included glacier treks and ATV rides through surreal volcanic landscapes. It had all the makings of a memorable tripjust not for the reasons I expected.
I was nervous about cruising after 16 months of a largely self-imposed lockdown, but eager to dip my toe back into international waters. I was also impressed by the health and safety measures Viking had instituted since pausing its operations more than a year earlier. 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 . Without those precautions in place, I wouldnt have even considered traveling on a cruise ship during a global pandemic.
How To Get Off Catalog Mailing Lists In The Uk
Set up a free account with the Mailing Preference Service. You’ll continue to receive mail from any company that you’ve done business with in the past but will be removed from further unsolicited mailings. It can take up to four months to stop the mailings, and you can register a complaint on the site if you continue to get mailings after that period. A handy feature is that you can register previous occupier names, your previous addresses, and the details for someone who has died.
To put a stop to all catalog mailings, also send your request to . This will remove you from the mailing list of any catalog company that uses their database.
To opt out of unaddressed mail , send an email to the DMA at , expressing your desire to register for the ‘Your Choice’ Preference Service for Unaddressed Mail. You’ll need to re-register every two years. If you prefer, the can also be contacted by mail at:
‘Your Choice’ Preference SchemeDirect Marketing Association LtdDMA HouseLONDONW1W 8SS
If you’d like to opt out of charity fundraising mailings, contact the Fundraising Preference Services to make your wishes known.
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Take Advantage Of All Of The Dining Rooms
Courtesy of Viking Cruises
On a Viking cruise, diners can visit any restaurant without incurring any additional charge. Many travelers play it safe, sticking with contemporary American fare at the buffet, but our Viking source strongly recommended exploring all of the ships culinary options.
A simple place to start: Mamsens, a chic deli located on every Viking ocean cruise ship.
Located in the Explorers Lounge, Mamsens serves traditional Scandinavian fare inspired by Ragnhild Hagen Viking Chairman Torstein Hagens mother, or Mamsen, as she was known to the family, our source wrote. The deli, named in her honor, serves cuisine inspired by her kitchen, from sweet rolls with cloudberry jam, salmon gravlax, open-faced sandwiches to her heart-shaped waffles served with jam or gjetost and Norwegian brown goat cheese.
Youll also want to check out Manfredis Italian Restaurant and The Chefs Table, the cruise lines premium restaurants. Some suites come with a guaranteed reservation, but if youre grabbing a stateroom, try to visit the restaurants early in your voyage.
And if you enjoy your experience at one of those premium restaurants, feel free to head back later in the trip at The Chefs Table, the menu changes every three days.
Mass Confusion About Vaccination Requirements To Cruise
Maxwell did have some screenshots of a Celebrity email that indicated that Unvaccinated passengers over age 16 would need to comply with different rules. But that information was not dated, and it also linked back to the website that said all guests over age 12 must be vaccinated.
Looking through the entire paper trail again, I noted that one week before the cruise, Maxwell had sent an email to Celebrity. In that message, he indicated that he and his fiancee only had one dose of Moderna. He asked if that would be sufficient.
That email went unanswered although the answer to that question was always on display on the Celebrity website: One dose of Moderna would not be sufficient to cruise on Aug. 1.
But why was this couple allowed to board the Equinox in the first place?
I decided to contact Celebrity to try to find out.
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Viking River Cruises Wine
At lunch and dinner, house wine is complimentary.
And if you wish to bring wine onboard, again, theres no corkage fee.
Something to remember when youre cruising, say, the Rhine
Think of all those lovely French wines you could pick up in a little wine store in Strasbourg! Or the fresh German Reisling you could buy in Koblenz for sipping on your balcony.
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Does Viking River Cruises Participate In Black Friday
When it involves Black Friday buying season, merchants will go down prices on a substantial amount of their existing stock to the most affordable price of the year. Viking River Cruises is one of those merchants in the biggest blowout sale day of the year. Each year, the merchant gives pre-Black Friday and Black Friday deals, and unbeatable Cyber Monday bargains as well.
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Leave Your Converters At Home
Another great feature of a Viking River cruise is the ship’s electrical outlets. Is that a crazy thing to say?! Yes. But having to pack additional converters or keeping your fingers crossed that your curling iron won’t blow up is a nice feature. On the Viking ships you’ll find American plugs , making it easy to plug in your electronics.
Basically, Viking thinks of everything just one reason I love this company.
Youll Need To Use Your Phone
Courtesy of Viking Cruises
Part of the fun of a cruise is getting away from the stresses of your everyday life, and for many of us, that means turning off the smartphone for a while. However, Viking offers a few apps to make your cruise more enjoyable, and if you dont install them, youll miss out.
The Viking Art Guide offers a self-guided audio tour of the artwork throughout the public spaces of the ships, with insightful commentary from your host, Vikings Senior Vice President Karine Hagen, as well as a variety of curators and experts, our source says.
Another essential download is the Viking Voyager app, which lets you see daily events, plan your cruise program, and book shore excursions, spa appointments, and dinner reservations. Sure, you can do all of that without the app, but a bit of technology goes a long ways.
As one of the apps reviewers puts it: This app is an essential tool for getting the most out of your cruise.
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Learn How To Use The Shower Controls
Jerry is always ripping on my relationship with bathtubs and showers! But hes right. Shower heads, faucets, valves, handles, and I do not get along. For some reason, they confuse me, and I rarely get the temperature or pressure right the first time in a new shower. That is why I love the shower controls on Viking longships! Simply put: The left handle controls the temperature. Set it and forget it. The right handle controls water pressure. Adjust as needed.
Fincantieri Delivers Latest Cruise Ship To Viking Cruises
Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri delivered the cruise ship Viking Jupiter to cruise line Viking from its Ancona shipyard on February 7.
Viking Jupiter, which can accommodate 930 passengers, is the sixth of overall 16 units Fincantieri is set to deliver to Viking.
With a gross tonnage of about 47,800 tons, the vessel is a part of the small cruise ship segment. The keel-laying ceremony for the ship was held in October 2017.
The first of the series, Viking Star, was built at the shipyard in Marghera and delivered in 2015. The other units, Viking Sea, Viking Sky, Viking Sun, and Viking Orion, handed over in 2016, 2017 and 2018, were all built at the Ancona yard.
Other 10 units, options included, for Viking Cruises will take to the sea from the groups Italian yards between 2021 and 2027.
Working with Vard, Fincantieri is also entering the expedition vessels segment and has acquired an order from Viking for two special cruise ships which will be built in the groups yards, the company said.
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You Need To Think About What All
Courtesy of Viking Cruises
If youve cruised before, you know that Viking cruises arewell, expensive. You can expect to pay several thousand dollars for your trip , which seems costly compared to the $500-600 rates youd find from other cruise companies.
However, once youve paid, you dont need to spend much more. Your fare includes a shore excursion in each port of call , onboard meals with beer and wine, Wi-Fi access, self-service laundry, spa access, and 24-hour room service.
Viking estimates that their amenities are worth about $200, per guest, per day. To get that value, youll have to use as many of the onboard services as possible, but it beats constantly taking out your wallet for things like internet access and port fees.
And not to hammer home the point, but Viking cruises are truly luxurious. Standard features like heated bathroom floors and high-quality wooden deck furniture really help the cruise line stand out from its competitors . With that said, some If you want to enjoy a cocktail outside of lunch or dinner service, youll have to pay for the privilege. However
Use Euros For All Offboard Tips Even In Countries That Use Other Currency
We knew Euros were the shipboard currency and that we could use Euros in the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria. We mistakenly believed Slovakia used the Koruna , and we knew Hungary used the Forint. We thought we would have to acquire additional currency to tip bus drivers and tour guides. Not so! Bus drivers and tour guides in every country are happy to take Euros, and even dollars if that is all you have.
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Here Are The Most Current Vaccination Requirements For The Major Cruise Lines
Keep in mind, as entry requirements to foreign countries change, the cruise lines will need to adjust their vaccination requirements. You must check your cruise lines and destination requirements right up until its time to head to the port.
These are the most up-to-date vaccination cruising requirements for the major carriers.
Finally, its important to note that all cruise lines have the same policy on this topic. Its always the passengers responsibility to know and meet all of the requirements for cruising. No refunds or credits are provided when a would-be cruiser doesnt have the proper health or ID documents to sail. Now more than ever, its imperative that travelers read all the documentation sent from the cruise line. If you dont, you could end up spending thousands of dollars for a vacation youll never take. And thats no fun at all.
Norways Richest Now Worth Less
The long-term impact of the coronavirus pandemic on national economies remains to be seen, but we are starting to see the impact on personal wealth.
For the first time since the fallout of the financial crisis 10 years ago, Norways 400 richest people are worth less than the previous year. The Kapital report shows that total assets of the 400 richest now total $146.2 billion compared with $147 billion in 2019.
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Claim Your Seat Early For Shipboard Events
As I mentioned earlier, one of the highlights of a Rhine River cruise is viewing the 40+ castles that line the Upper Middle Rhine Valley. We procrastinated in heading for the Sun Deck for the narrated tour that afternoon and only got a seat in the shaded section because some kind passengers let us squeeze in. Later in the cruise, when it came time to sail through Austrias Wachau Cultural Landscape, another UNESCO World Heritage Site, we did not make the same mistake and got great shaded seats.
Try An Exotic Itinerary
Hardcore adventure and expedition ships and often dont have children onboard. Generally, itineraries to the polar regions like the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as through the jungles of Southeast Asia, rarely have children onboard. Like the luxury ships, you might find a few, but they too, generally are rather worldly for their age.
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Viking Ocean Cruises Silver Spirits Package:
The cost for the Viking Silver drinks package is $19.95 USD per night per guest. The total cost varies according to the length of the ocean cruise.
For a 7-night cruise, the cost is $139.65 USD p.p.
For a 14-night cruise, the cost is $279.30 USD p.p.
Beverage gratuities are included in the package.
See the 2020 rates for the Silver Spirits package .
Note: Both guests in the stateroom must buy the package.
Viking Adds First Pcr Laboratory On A Cruise Ship
Viking Cruises announced that their ocean ship, Viking Star, is now outfitted with the first PCR Laboratory found on any cruise ship.
When the CDC released its Framework for Conditional Sailing, they included a list of requirements for all cruise ships to follow to resume cruising. One of these requirements included that ships build the laboratory capacity needed to test crew and future passengers.
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Present: Rebranding And New Ventures
In January 2020, the company shortened its name to Viking, citing the brand’s added emphasis on destination-oriented enrichment and experiences. That same year, Viking also announced the launch of Viking Expeditions with a planned January 2022 debut. It would become the expeditions arm of the brand and operate small-ship trips to exotic destinations. It also finalized its river cruising business’ expansion plans into the United States with the announcement of the first vessel’s debut in August 2022 on the Mississippi River.
Plan In Advance How You Will Pay Gratuities
Tips are not included with your cruise price, and although they are classified as voluntary contributions, one might also say they are expected. Not to worry. You will discover that shipboard staff members more than earn their tips, making them very well-deserved.
Viking now offers a pre-paid gratuities option, and you may purchase the standard recommended gratuity for your cruise through the My Viking Journey portal. The amount is distributed equitably among the entire onboard staff, including the Program Director.
If you choose not to pre-pay gratuities, the standard amount will automatically be added to your shipboard account, to be charged to your credit card. You may personalize the amount at your discretion by visiting the reception desk.
To avoid sticker shock, we recommend that you calculate the total of your gratuities using the amounts listed below. Simply put, multiply the number of days in your cruise by 14 per guest, per day.
Recommended Tipping Amounts:
Program Director 2 per guest, per day
Onboard Staff 12 per guest, per day
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Checking For Additional Discounts
Even though you have completed the booking process, continue to check the Viking website and social media platforms for deals on the cruise you have booked. If you see a big savings, maybe airfare dropped or Viking is offering some other type of price reduction, you might be able to take advantage of that. How you ask? You can cancel your existing trip and rebook the trip using the new offer. Outside of 120 days, it will only cost $100 per person. Remember though, if you have already purchased travel insurance, you will lose that money. So if youve already purchased the insurance proceed with caution. You would likely need to get a huge savings to make that option viable.
There is another caution when cancelling and rebooking cruises. Normally the cancellation process takes about 3 days, and Viking will not let you re-book until that process is finalized. So if the cruise is almost sold out you could be at risk of not getting rebooked. Another option is to request that a supervisor approve the cancellation immediately, allowing an immediate rebook.
TIP: You can save 3.3% by making your final payment using E-Check or physical check rather than a credit card.