Usa Today: How Viking Is Redefining The Rules Of Ocean Cruising
May 30, 2019 From its television commercials and word of mouth, Viking has established itself as a well-known river cruise brand even among those yet to sail. But with the introduction of Viking Star in 2015, the company has rapidly expanded into the ocean space, as well. Viking Sea was even voted Best Small Ship in the 2019 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards, with Viking Sky coming in third. The current fleet of six highly-acclaimed ships is scheduled to grow to a staggering 16 by 2027, and each takes the company’s successful river cruising philosophy to the seas.
Do I Need To Wear A Mask
Similar to many local guidelines currently in place, physical distancing measures are in place in public areas on board, and face masks may be required for all guests and crew while moving about Viking ships, depending on conditions at time of sailing.
Things to know:
- Face masks will not be required for guests when seated in dining venues, bars and lounges.
Viking’s World Cruise Record
On August 31, 2019, Viking Sun started the 245-day “Viking World Voyage 2019” spanning 6 continents and visiting 51 countries via 111 call ports . The London City roundtrip itinerary was officially listed in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s “longest continuous passenger cruise”.
VIKING OCEAN’s 8-month long westbound voyage included a Transatlantic crossing and passing through Suez Canal.
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“Viking World Cruise 2019” prices started from USD 90,000 per person .
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Best Small Cruise Ship
The first cruise line to stop sailing when COVID hit last year, Viking immediately started looking at ways to ensure their guests would be safe when they started again. We saw what was happening, realized we were not prepared for it and just turned the ship around, remembers Hagen. It was an obvious decision to make. The health and safety of our guests has to come first.
All Viking passengers undergo daily PCR testing
They called in experts like Vice Admiral Raquel C. Bono, M.D. and started studying the situation, paying special attention to the massive outbreak on the Diamond Princess, where, according to Japanese researchers, the seven deaths and almost 700 infections aboard the ship most likely stemmed from one infected person.
The conclusion was that the only way to stop the spread was by testing daily, says Hagen. So the protocol we developed was based on those early findings.
According to Dr. Bono, We knew at the time that the technology and science really supported PCR labs because that was the type of testing that most reliably caught the virus the earliest. So then it just became a matter of configuring the space onboard the ships to accommodate the labs and make sure we had the right kind of equipment and the right kind of lab techs who we trained ourselves. These labs are truly state of the art.
But thats only part of it.
Viking has already done almost 200,000 PCR tests
The UV-C robot disinfecting the World Cafe
A Guide To Accessible River Cruises
The leisurely pace, culture-rich itineraries and lack of facilities for children make river cruises very appealing to the Baby Boomer and senior age group. River cruisers tend to be aged 55-plus with no upper limit — it’s not unheard of to cruise with nonagenarians. Given that target audience, you’d think river cruises would be set up for travelers with disabilities.
Unfortunately, this is not the case. River cruising presents various challenges to disabled cruisers both on and off the ship, and travelers who use wheelchairs or have difficulty walking need to be aware of the possible pitfalls before they book. From a dearth of accessible cabins to shore excursions that can’t accommodate wheelchair users, river cruises aren’t always smooth sailing for disabled travelers.
However, it’s not all bad news. Armed with the right information about wheelchair-accessible river cruises, and knowing exactly what to expect, you can find a river ship that provides a very enjoyable and satisfying experience. It pays to do your homework to get you started, here is our guide to accessible river cruising.
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Pick The Itinerary That Gives You The Most Options
A highlight of river cruising is the ever-changing panorama of spectacular scenery, much of which can be admired from the ship. For passengers who are wheelchair-bound, or have very limited mobility, it is best to choose itineraries that cover longer distances with plenty of cruising time. This means they will be able to spend more time aboard with fellow passengers. Top options — and also an excellent choice for first-time cruisers — are sailings on the Rhine and Danube, the most popular rivers in Europe. Highlights include a day cruising along the UNESCO-listed Middle Rhine, famous for the steep Lorelie Rock where a legendary siren is said to have lured passing sailors to their doom. Similarly, the Wachau Valley, also on the UNESCO World Heritage list, is a dramatic stretch of the Danube between the Austrian towns of Krems and Melk.
The main cruise lines also offer 15-day journeys from Budapest to Amsterdam along the Rhine, Main and Danube, providing a very easy way to take in five countries compared to the hassle of land-based travel on a similar itinerary.
United States Lifestyle And Culture
The United States was built on an unwavering sense of rugged individualism, whether among titans of industry such as Nelson Rockefeller or fearless leaders such as Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt. Its a characteristic that endures in Silicon Valley, the nations capital of technology, and in countless corners of the country.
Since its founding, people from all over the world have imported cultures and traditions to the United States. Many have evolved over time, giving them a quintessentially American feel. Holidays such as Irelands St. Patricks Day and Mexicos Cinco de Mayo are celebrated in many parts of the country. American cuisine, too, has enjoyed worldwide influence. A simple stroll down any street in New York or Los Angeles reveals kosher delis, Thai restaurants and cuisine from Italy, Greece, Cuba, Argentina, Nepal, Ethiopia, Russia and any number of nations. American cuisine, too, tempts the palate with New England clam chowder, the Key lime pie of Key West and fried gator in Miami, and the famed California-style pizza of Los Angeles.
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River And Small Ship Cruises In The United Statescruising Close To Home Has Never Been Better
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Book early for BEST PRICES.Price displayed is brochure price for a window cabin based on double occupancy.For best available price or balcony prices, call or use the “Get Quote” button. |
TERMS AND CONDITIONS: Unless otherwise noted, prices and offers are in USD, cruise only per person, based on double occupancy and do not include airfare, taxes or fees. The displayed prices are based on minimum category riverview window stateroom and applicable only to the sailing date shown. Prices for other dates may vary based on the date and stateroom selected. Other than Hot Deal offers, price does not reflect any cruise line or Premier savings. Where Premier includes prepaid tips in an offer, it applies only to the cruise portion of the trip and not any land portion or shore excursions. To obtain the best price, please use the “Get Quote” button or call one of our river cruise and small ship cruise specialists. Certain discounts or prices may require full payment at the time of booking in order to be eligible. We urge you to book early as river and small ship cruises sell out almost a year in advance. Prices and availability may change without notice and are not guaranteed until a deposit is received and applied to your reservation. Call 1-855-255-1200, for complete details. We reserve the right to correct any informational or typographical errors. ©2010-2020 Premier River Cruises, LLC, a Travel of America Company. All rights reserved worldwide. CST #1015320-40.
Viking Announces 2024 Mississippi River Cruises Now On Sale
Viking Cruises announced its new Mississippi River cruises for 2024 are now on sale.
The cruise lines Viking Mississippi is scheduled to debut in August 2022 and sail voyages on the Lower and Upper Mississippi River, between New Orleans and St. Paul.
Vikings river cruises in the U.S. scheduled for 2023 have already started to sell out, prompting the company to open 2024 sailing dates sooner than initially expected. The cruise line is preparing to bring more than 5,800 guests to the region in 2022 and over 17,600 during the first full sailing season in 2023.
Scheduled ports of call on the Mississippi River cruises include Baton Rouge, Darrow, New Orleans and St. Francisville, Louisiana Natchez and Vicksburg, Mississippi Memphis, Tennessee Hannibal and St. Louis, Missouri Burlington, Dubuque and Davenport, Iowa Red Wing and St. Paul, Minnesota and La Crosse, Wisconsin.
We are pleased with the continued response and support we have received from loyal guests and valued partners ahead of our new Mississippi River sailings, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen said. As we begin to restart ocean operations this spring, we also look forward to a new chapter in 2022 when we begin sailing our first U.S. river voyages.
Viking provided a look at its 2022-2024 Viking Mississippi voyages:
Sponsored Content
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Viking European River Cruises For Chinese Travelers
In Fall 2016, Viking became the first European river cruise company offering itineraries on dedicated to Chinese tourists riverboats. The company dedicated two longships, on which the primary onboard language is Mandarin.
The first longship’s 2016 itineraries are on Rhine River, between homeports Amsterdam and Basel. The second longship’s 2017 itineraries are on Danube. On both riverboats, all the hotel staff is Mandarin-speaking, all the signage is in Mandarin . The onboard cuisine is traditional Chinese plus European dishes by Michelin-star chefs.
All excursion programs ashore are organized by Viking River Cruises. Each ship has all 8 Mandarin-speaking tour guides assigned to 25-passenger groups. The Rhine cruise program includes a shipboard overnight in Amsterdam and 3 days in Basel with Lake Lucerne tour. In Strasbourg, passengers take the high-speed TGV train to Paris. Optional deals include private jet travel for 1 day at the price of USD 30,000 pp. Cruise fares start from around USD 4,300 pp.
Cruise Lines International Association/CLIA’s projections for 2020 were that the number of Chinese cruisers to Europe will be the same in comparison to the Americans.
Up To Free International Air On Select 2022 River Cruises With Viking River Cruises Varies Pp
- Destinations: Africa, Argentina, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, Egypt, Germany, Greece, Hawaii, Italy, Netherlands, Panama, Panama Canal, Romania, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Ukraine, United States
Viking brings you closer to the cultures of the world with destination-focused itinerarieson the rivers of Europe, Russia, Ukraine, China, Southeast Asia and Egypt.
Now, get up to free air when you book between now and December 31, 2021 on select 2022 river cruises and 2022-2023 ocean cruises.
Special Offers and Member Benefits:
- Special Offer Now through December 31, 2021 *
- Member Benefits
- Special pricing on select cruise itineraries
- Savings up to free air
The Viking River Cruise Experience:
Viking is in the water! Learn more about the return of river cruising in our recent article highlighting Viking.
What You May Experience:
You are invited to sail with like-minded travelers on The Thinking Persons Cruise®, a culturally rich, immersive experience designed to help you explore and engage with your destination. With cruises all over the world, you are sure to discover incredible culture.
Where You Will Stay:
The award-winning Viking Longships® have set the standard in river cruising with spacious Veranda Staterooms, the first-ever true suites on Europes rivers, al fresco dining and more. Discover for yourself why Viking truly is The Worlds Leading River Cruise Line®.
A Destination for Every Traveler:
Our cruise fare includes everything you needand nothing you do not.
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Health & Safety On The Ship
Risk of disease infection significantly lower on small vessels, we believe our ships offer a safer environment than that of the mega ships. And with no interior staterooms on any of our ships, guests enjoy expansive views from outside staterooms.
Self-serve dining stations will be replaced with staff service
Things to know:
- Enjoy fresh air in your stateroom, knowing that all staterooms on Viking ocean and river ships feature independent air handling units that do not share air with other areas of the ship.
- Also take comfort in knowing that the air in the public areas of your ship has also been purified with new short-wavelength ultraviolet lights and high-density filters, which kill 99.99% of all airborne viruses and bacteria.
- Rest assured that the surfaces on your ship will be cleaned and sanitized continuously with daily scheduled deep cleanings.
How Much Does Viking Cruises In The United States Pay
The average Viking Cruises salary ranges from approximately $30,364 per year for Bartender to $211,191 per year for Director. Average Viking Cruises hourly pay ranges from approximately $14.50 per hour for Sales Consultant to $22.48 per hour for Operations Associate.
Please note that all salary figures are approximations based upon third party submissions to Indeed. These figures are given to the Indeed users for the purpose of generalized comparison only. Minimum wage may differ by jurisdiction and you should consult the employer for actual salary figures.
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Viking World Cruises 2022
Viking Neptune itinerary program was announced by VIKING OCEAN in late-December 2020. The new ship is currently scheduled to start operations with a Viking World Cruise 2022-2023. The 138-day itinerary visits ports in 28 countries with overnights in 11 port cities.
Departing on December 22, 2022, from Port Everglades , Viking World Voyage 2022 visits ports in Central America, follows Panama Canal transit and sailing up North America’s West Coast. A 121-day segment allows travellers to join the cruise ship in Los Angeles CA, from where the itinerary continues to Hawaii, Australia and New Zealand, Asia and the Middle East, Europe ending in London-Greenwich, England UK.
Viking Neptune’s World Cruise itinerary offers overnights in 11 ports, including Auckland New Zealand, Sydney NSW Australia, Benoa Bali Indonesia, Saigon Vietnam, Singapore, Yangon Burma, Colombo Sri Lanka, Mumbai India, Haifa Israel, Istanbul Turkey and London-Greenwich . Note: For the itinerary’s all call ports see at the ship’s Wiki section here.
Curiously, in August 2021, Viking OCEAN announced a “double world cruise 2023-2024” with two ships sailing on an identical itinerary from Florida to the UK. While Viking Neptune departs on December 23 , Viking Sky departs earlier , sailing in parallel with Neptune.
Distances Are In Regular Miles Not Nautical Miles
Don’t know what the captain of your mega-ship is trying to tell you when he says you’re 50 nautical miles from St. Thomas? Neither do we most of the time. Oh, we know it’s something like 1.15 regular miles to the nautical mile, but who can be bothered doing math when the waterslide is calling your name? So it’s nice to know that when the captain of your river boat says it’s 19 miles to Memphis, he means 19 plain old miles. Of course, we still have to do the math to find out how long it’s going to take to get there.
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When Will Ocean Cruise Lines Resume Service
Adventure Canada: January 7, 2022
AIDA:
- Sailings resumed March 20, 2021 aboard AIDAperla.
- Additional voyages will restart in late May in Greece.
- AIDAsol will begin cruises from Kiel, Germany on June 16, and Warnemunde on June 26.
Alaskan Dream Cruises: Operations resumed in Alaska in April 2021.
Aqua Expeditions. Aqua Expeditions’ ship Aqua Blu opened in Indonesia for local Indonesia residents in August 2020.
Aurora: October 29, 2021
Azamara: August 28, 2021 on Azamara Quest
- All cruises on Azamara Pursuit and Azamara Journey are suspended until September 2021
Bahamas Paradise: July 16, 2021
Blue Lagoon Cruises: August 1, 2021
Captain Cook Cruises: Operations resumed December 19, 2020
Carnival:
- Carnival Vista resumed sailings from Galveston July 3, 2021.
- Carnival Horizon resumed sailings from Miami July 4, 2021
- Carnival Breeze resumed sailings from Galveston July 15, 2021.
- Carnival Miracle resumed from Seattle July 27, 2021
- Carnival Magic, beginning August 7, 2021 from Port Canaveral
- Carnival Sunrise from Miami, August 14, 2021.
- Carnival Panorama from Long Beach, August 21, 2021
- Carnival Glory from New Orleans, September 5, 2021
- Carnival Pride from Baltimore, September 12, 2021
- Carnival Dream from Galveston, September 19, 2021
- Carnival Freedom from Miami, October 9, 2021
- Carnival Valor from New Orleans, November 1, 2021
- Carnival Legend from Baltimore, November 14, 2021
- Carnival Radiance from Long Beach, December 13, 2021
- Carnival Conquest from Miami, December 13, 2021
Choose The Right River Ship
It’s hard to find information about facilities for disabled passengers on cruise line websites and in their glossy brochures. River ships might look pretty similar on the outside, but they can be very different on the inside. If you’re concerned about how mobility issues will impact your enjoyment of a river cruise, make sure you ask about the following areas before booking.
Cabin Size and Configuration: Riverboat cabins are much smaller than hotel rooms, and not every river ship offers accessible staterooms. Several lines offer a small number of accessible or modified staterooms with wide doors, but these might not be available on each of their ships. You’ll want to know if it’s easy to open the door and go inside with a wheelchair, and if there is enough space to store a wheelchair and other mobility aids.
Bathrooms: Although it’s rare to find bathtubs on riverships, the bathrooms can vary. Some shower stalls have fixed doors with limited access, while others have handy doors that fold right back to create one large area of bathroom space. You’ll need to inquire about bathroom configuration — especially if you’re not booking a special accessible room.
Elevators: Most modern ships have elevators, but they vary in the number of decks they serve. As river vessels have to pass beneath low bridges, the sun deck is often only accessible by stairs. Some vessels have a special chair lift to take wheelchair passengers to the top deck, but such lifts are still fairly rare.
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