CTLeeA

5 hours ago, sherbear850 said:

This might be a bit early but we are going out of Boston in September and need to get an Antigen test before our cruise. Where can we get one somewhere near our Hotel? We stay at the Westin seaport. Any help is greatly appreciated.

We going out on the Celeb. Summit, 9/21 ...on-point testing lets you use your own US approved test via tele and charges just $14.99 for each proctor.

On 5/27/2022 at 5:44 PM, Love To Traveling said:

We are booked on the June 18th Octantis sailing from Milwaukee. We have not been on an expedition cruise before. Any tips for newbies? Anything special that we should consider packing? Thanks for any information. 4 of us traveling in 2 Nordic balcony cabins. 

My suggestion is that you watch carefully for updates from Viking.  We're boarding the Octantis in 4 days.  We were to go to the pier to embark, then V. changed it to the airport to check in and get tested, then today, they changed it again and told is to go to the pier directly.

11 minutes ago, 1985rz1 said:

Testing is not required if fully vaccinated:

 

"Pre-entry testing (accepted types, timing)
Pre-entry tests are not required for fully vaccinated travellers entering Canada by land, air or water. You must still use ArriveCAN within 72 hours before your arrival to Canada.

For travellers boarding a cruise ship, visit the Cruise ship travel page for requirements specific to cruise ships.

Unvaccinated and partially vaccinated children under the age of 12 are not required to provide a valid pre-entry test result, if they are accompanying a fully vaccinated adult.

Children who are less than 5 years old are not required to test, regardless of their vaccination status."

 

Canada's definition of fully vaccinated:

 

"To qualify as a fully vaccinated traveller to Canada, you must:
have received at least 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine accepted for travel, a mix of 2 accepted vaccines
or at least 1 dose of the Janssen/Johnson & Johnson vaccine
have received your second dose at least 14 calendar days before you enter Canada
Example: if your second dose was anytime on Thursday, July 1, then Thursday, July 15 would be the first day that you meet the 14 day condition
this timing is only required for your second dose, not for third or fourth doses
have no signs or symptoms of COVID-19
have ArriveCAN receipt with letter A, I, or V beside your name by uploading proof of vaccination in ArriveCAN"

 

You can find these rules for fully vaccinated passengers here:

 

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/covid-vaccinated-travellers-entering-canada

 

The rules for passengers not full vaccinated can be found here:

 

https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/travel-restrictions/flying-canada-checklist/covid-19-testing-travellers-coming-into-canada

 

Viking's air requirements supersede these requirements if you are immediately going to board the ship or are participating an a Viking pre-cruise event.

 

If you are going independently, then the Viking requirements apply to boarding, not entry to Canada

I should have been more clear.  We will need to be tested one day before we leave Canada.  Viking will provide that test onboard.  Interestingly,  Viking does not specify what is a Viking pre-cruise event.  On our cruise next week, we check in at the airport, not the pier.  Since we are arriving one day early independently, we need to go back to the airport on embarkation day and find a Viking rep who will take our luggage to be trucked to the pier.  At that point, I'm operating with the belief that we have begun a Viking pre-cruise activity. 

5 hours ago, SantaFe1 said:

When we went on our Iceland cruise last summer, the very first of the Welcome back cruises, I asked this very question.  They had it covered.  If you end up not going, you call LF and they take your luggage from the holding area and ship it back to you.  You have to pay, but if you’ve paid for round trip anyway, there is no added cost.  That was enough to make us feel safe about doing it.  

Our outbound is less predictable.  We're doing the Great Lakes from Milwaukee and they do not have a holding area at the pier or airport.  They offered to ship it to a Fed Ex office in Milwaukee where I could pick it up on the way to pier but that involves taking a taxi to the Fedex Office and them getting our luggage to the airport (not a typo, the airport, not the pier).  For our cruise, Viking is having check in at the airport, where they'll take our luggage and truck it to the pier.  after we check in and pass covid, they'll bus us to the pier.  Either way, we're stuck with luggage.  

We considered luggage forwarding but thought that if we sent the luggage out, and we failed the covid test at home, we'd never see our luggage again.

We're joining the octantis on June 4, providing our covid tests are negative and we get the results in time.  I am  taking 3 of them hoping at least one will be timely.  We were notified that we will check in at the airport instead of the pier so we'll need to shuttle back to the airport from the hotel we will be at in Milwaukee the night before.  Any tips?  i heard Viking will provide a complimentary transfer to the airport in Toronto..i know know if that's true or, if so, what the reason is...any tips?

Interesting...on one Viking cruise, a gentleman and his wife asked if they could join us at the buffet area.  Apparently, since I was in the same demographic category as the gentleman from Georgia, he apparently incorrected assumed I would agree with him on his view of the 2016 election.  I informed him that I didn't and it would be best to avoid discussing politics.  He then got quite red in the face and left.  His wife remained and apologized for him.  I felt badly that he embarrassed her.   I found foreigners every interested in our politics and they approach the subject in a very academic manner and polite manner which I don't mind at all.  I remember an Irish couple who asked me if I'd mind giving him my thoughts on the election and afterwards, he came over to me and hugged me.  

On 5/14/2022 at 12:36 PM, maryup said:

This what Walgreens wrote down:  They are CLIA laboratory certified which Viking said they accept

Now Walgreens, via LabCorp, is offering a PCR test to be taken at home, and to,  via Fedex send  back to LabCorp.  There is no proctoring of this self administered test.  The LabCorp employee I spoke with said she just returned from a Carnival cruise and it was accepted possibly because the results were certified at the lab/ In Viking's instructions, they're looking for a negative PCR test but say nothing about a need for it to be proctored.  On the phone with them, they claim it must be proctored (which makes sense) but I don't understand Viking's lack of clarity in their instructions.

Well, the CDC statement is only a recommendation but Viking's policy prevails since they've elected to use the more stringent of the two.  Canada does require testing one day before we leave.

49 minutes ago, sundaycreek said:

Actually you can be tested on May 31st (after 3:31 for 72 hours, after 00:01 for 3 days).

You have fallen into the same trap I had, that is believing what Viking wrote instead of what they intended to mean.

My convo with Viking went something like this:

Me: so since my first flight is at 3:30 on June 3, I can be tested on May 31 after 3:30 pm, right?

V: No.  Your flight was not booked with Viking air so 'first flight' is not applicable.  

Me: the update I just received from Viking says nothing about 'first flight' IF booked thru VA.

V: you're correct..(speaks with a superv.) we will send out something to clarify that.

Me: if I have to wait until the afternoon of June 1 to be tested (72 hours) and results don't come until the afternoon of June3, I'll be in the air.  Then if I land in Milwaukee and find one of us tested positive, even tho our home test indicated negative taken the day before, I'm looking at a 10 day  Quarantine in Milwaukee before I can return home.  Let me speak with your superv.

Convo with Superv. revealed that their 72 limit, at least in the case of domestic flights regardless of if you booked with Viking Air, reallllly means 3 days and I can be tested after midnight on June 1.  Now I have that in writing.  I'm taking a Celebrity cruise later in the year and they did a super job of clarifying their policy and expectations...Viking should learn from that.

33 minutes ago, CTLeeA said:

I don't want to post the document effective April1, 2022 as it pertains to internation travel because Viking has agreed the document, at least as it pertains to demestic travel,  is misleading and said they were going to send out a clarification.  Our issue may be different, kkap because our trip to our embarkation point is solely domestic and I don't know if you booked air with Viking or not.  Viking says one thing and sent out a notifications  with conflicting info.  I also have been told by Viking Guest Relations and confirmed by Super. JG,  that in our case at least, 72 hours is interpreted to be 3 days.  Our flight leaves at 3:30 pm on June 3, but we can be tested after 00:01 on June1 and need not wait until 3:31 or later on June 1.  I have that in writing from a Viking rep. in that she refers to "3 days" not 72 hours.   If denied boarding because they claim my PCR test was taken several hours too early, it will be litigated.  On the other hand, KKap, I notice customers generally post when they're upset.  I have not found any posts from Viking passengers who claim they were denied passage based upon exceeding the 72 hour time frame.  On the contrary, several have posted that they were not even asked to produce proof of having taken a Covid test prior to board.  As frustrating as this process has been, I have a feeling, based upon statements from Viking and an email from Guest Relations, we'll be fine.

KKap//I just this morning received another update in which Viking did make the correction at least as it pertains to domestic flights ( 3 days) , however, the document which provided the link still makes reference to a 72 limit for first international flight.  I do not know if Viking failed to correct that, or if there is a different requirement for an international flight.  I suggest you shoot out an email to Viking guest relations and clearing put forth the confusion they're created and clearly indicate your situation and ask for a quick response in writing.

To travel to/from within the United States please ensure you have the following: 1. Proof of negative COVID-19 Test (laboratory-certified) • US Guests: Viking does accept select at-home COVID-19 tests. - If "up-to-date" COVID-19 Immunization (includes booster dose when eligible): PCR test taken within 3 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - If "fully vaccinated" COVID-19 Immunization (eligible for, but not boosted): PCR test taken within 2 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - Or an Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity - And/or Proof of Recovery: If you have recovered from a COVID-19 infection (within 10–90 days prior to departure) ensure you carry documentation of recovery or a positive PCR test result from the time of infection. • International Guests (non-US) - Must be a NAAT/PCR or antigen test, taken no more than one (1) day prior to flying to the US or a US territory.

3 hours ago, kkapaldo said:

leaving 5/25 - first flight out of Pittsburgh is at 1242 pm flight to Stockholm is 540 pm.  Have an appointment today 5/21 at 1:00 pm for my test - called Viking last night and the woman I spoke to told me I'm fine with the 72 hour before my first flight - that doesn't agree with what's posted above - but what do we do?

 

I don't want to post the document effective April1, 2022 as it pertains to internation travel because Viking has agreed the document, at least as it pertains to demestic travel,  is misleading and said they were going to send out a clarification.  Our issue may be different, kkap because our trip to our embarkation point is solely domestic and I don't know if you booked air with Viking or not.  Viking says one thing and sent out a notifications  with conflicting info.  I also have been told by Viking Guest Relations and confirmed by Super. JG,  that in our case at least, 72 hours is interpreted to be 3 days.  Our flight leaves at 3:30 pm on June 3, but we can be tested after 00:01 on June1 and need not wait until 3:31 or later on June 1.  I have that in writing from a Viking rep. in that she refers to "3 days" not 72 hours.   If denied boarding because they claim my PCR test was taken several hours too early, it will be litigated.  On the other hand, KKap, I notice customers generally post when they're upset.  I have not found any posts from Viking passengers who claim they were denied passage based upon exceeding the 72 hour time frame.  On the contrary, several have posted that they were not even asked to produce proof of having taken a Covid test prior to board.  As frustrating as this process has been, I have a feeling, based upon statements from Viking and an email from Guest Relations, we'll be fine.

3 hours ago, eylarson said:

Submersibles can not operate in US or Canadian waters due to Canadian and US Coast Guard regulations so that isn't a consideration.  

I don't know if your statement is accurate or dependent upon a license or permit but that's a better question for Viking to respond to.

10 hours ago, talltexan said:

I did not get in a Zodiac, or watch one launch, so I can't speak to that.

The Special Ops vessel is not hard to get into. There is a step down from a platform into the boat of less than a foot, and I imagine help could be given to get your wife up and down that one step. Since the boat is still inside the hangar of the ship, it is not rocking in the water during boarding. There are several videos on YouTube that show it in use. This one shows the door in the side that opens, and the platform you'd be stepping from, at about 55 seconds on the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2yfmJ-c0j7E

 

Viking has umbrellas available, as well as binoculars in each cabin.

It's my understanding that trip insurance would reimburse you for hotel and meals if the local laws demand that a Covid positive passenger be put off the ship, rather than quarantined in a cabin on board. It is not Viking's decision, but they must abide by rules of the location.

Thank you very much...very thoughtful of you.  We were told to  ask when we board the ship to see if anyone might have cancelled.  I was going to do the submarine but with covid so rampant, the thought of being shumshed into a small space with 5 strangers for 45 minutes makes if less appealing.  

20 hours ago, burnabyjean said:

This is how my "Before you go" document, effective April 1, 2022,  reads on My Viking Journey: 

"- PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding first international flight, (or joining Viking if traveling independently,) or

- Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first international flight (or joining Viking if traveling independently,)

 

This pretty clearly says "first INTERNATIONAL flight" and also clarifies for folks travelling independently. I'm from Canada - do folks from other countries get different instructions?

Yes..Our form omitted, did not address those of us flying independly on domestic flights.

2 hours ago, BigBee51 said:

We're in the US and our MVJ information is exactly as you posted.

Our last communication from Viking, effective April 1, 2022 is different.  They did inform me they were going to correct it...did you just receive it?  US Guests: Viking does accept select at-home COVID-19 tests. - If "up-to-date" COVID-19 Immunization (includes booster dose when eligible): PCR test taken within 3 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - If "fully vaccinated" COVID-19 Immunization (eligible for, but not boosted): PCR test taken within 2 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - Or an Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity

We can disagree on this statement from you, Curler Bob:  "In addition to reading the instructions (always a good thing ...), a bit of logical thinking may have assisted the OP. I find that viewing the rules through the lens of the cruise line helps to resolve a number of potential contradictions."

It should not be up to the passenger to guess at what the cruise line intended to communicate.  It's the responsibility of the cruise line to make certain the information they convey is accurate, clear, and not contrary to other information which they might be providing.  

3 hours ago, jrkstl said:

To make all of this even worse, we traveled in early April to a Viking pre-cruise stay in Madrid. We followed the rules and had a test done 72 hours prior to boarding our Iberia flight to Madrid (it was a close call as back then Viking simply stated 72 hours before boarding your first flight - we had a four hour layover in Chicago, but then stated "First International flight" around the time we tested). After sweating all of this out - NO ONE LOOKED AT OUR TEST RESULTS. Not from Viking, not from American Airlines, not from Iberia, not from the arrival airport in Madrid - NO ONE. AA did look at our Verifly app, and we had to do a Spain entry form which was checked by Iberia in Chicago and scanned upon arrival in Madrid, but not one single person looked at our PCR test result.

 

YMMV...

 

We just booked another Viking River cruise that begins in Prague in October and we're traveling there a couple of days early on our own. Hopefully before then there will be more clarity...

It appears that Viking does not consider all the scenarios which might occur.  I would be happy if they did enforce the pre flight test, just modify the process so we have fewer and more reasonable hoops to jump thru.  We have one more cruise after Viking on Celebrity to use up FCC, then, I think, our cruising days are over.

4 hours ago, sundaycreek said:

Typically, there is no Business class on domestic US flights, only First class.  Viking has always booked us in First class domestically (except for one time in Premium Economy) when we have flown Business internationally.

Correct on my biz class error...that applies to international..however, when I called Viking Air to try to book First, they denied it telling me that only is available on certain itineraries.

35 minutes ago, CurlerRob said:

You may have missed Heidi13's reference to the "link to the more detailed instructions", which it seems you have not seen. Here is the more detailed information from Viking's Health and Safety FAQ - available on their website (bolding is mine):

 

Are you requiring that I take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking ship?

Viking requires that all guests take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. For your convenience, Viking offers two ways of testing prior to departure; for either, you must travel with an electronic or printed copy of your negative COVID-19 test result.

• Guests may take a COVID-19 PCR test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result) within 72 hours prior to boarding your first outbound flight from your home country OR 
• Guests may take a COVID-19 antigen test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result) within 24 hours prior to boarding your first outbound flight from your home country.

If you are traveling independently outside of your home country, you must take a COVID-19 test prior to your first Viking activity (embarking ship or joining pre-cruise extension).

• You may take a COVID-19 PCR test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result ) no more than 72 hours prior to your first Viking activity OR 
• You may take a COVID-19 antigen test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result) no more than 24 hours prior to your first Viking activity.

This may involve arranging a test independently in the country you are visiting.

It's unfortunate that you did not see this. The current state of cruising really does require us to do much more in-depth research to ensure we avoid unpleasant surprises. 🍺🥌

I did see this and it has nothing to do with our cruise as it address' IF you are traveling independently outside of your home country.  The last I checked, Phoenix and Milwaukee were not outside my home country.  It's interesting that some people are defending Viking when Viking has admitted to me that they did clearly fail to make a distinction between those of us flying independently and those who booked via Viking Air within the US to our embarkation port.  They tell me they will clarify that in a subsequent update.  They also told me not to worry if I don't get our test results until we land in Milwaukee.  I don't know about you, but getting a positive result, when we land, not being allowed to  board  and needing to spend 10 days in quarantine in Milwaukee is not a good vacation.  

4 minutes ago, CurlerRob said:

In addition to reading the instructions (always a good thing ...), a bit of logical thinking may have assisted the OP. I find that viewing the rules through the lens of the cruise line helps to resolve a number of potential contradictions.

 

One of the purposes of pre-cruise testing is to limit the liability of the cruise lines. Once you are accepted into their systems (which happens when you take their flights, pre-cruise excursions or embark the ship), they bear some level of responsibility for you. It follows that they want to see negative testing prior to you entering their "care" - hence I always view the testing requirements as being based around my first contact with the cruise line service - not when I happen to get on a plane at my discretion.

 

A simple example - suppose I decide to fly into my embarkation port 

You appear to be overlooking the fact which caused us to be in this situation:  Viking provided misleading and incorrect instructions in writing to passengers and while they apologized, they refuse to rectify the situation by granting an exception...they only say they will provide further instructions indicating that they intended to include only Viking Air passengers in that statement.  Great news for future passengers, for us, not so much.

49 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

I believe we get the same instructions as the US, as mine even states I require a US passport.

 

Although our Guest Statement only mentions 72 hrs before the 1st International flight, the link to the more detailed instructions clearly includes a qualifier, that if travelling independently, the timing is prior to joining Viking. This information is also included in MVJ.

 

We have our own flights booked for the Trans-Atlantic and having read all the information that Viking supply, I was well aware of the testing requirements before we join Viking, rather than before our flight.

We must have received different instructions from Viking.  Ours, effective April 1, 2022, makes no distinction between flying independently and flying via Viking Air...it merely says, ..."boarding first flight".  It does not say 'booked via Viking air'.  It seems we're being punished for not booking via Viking Air because possibly someone sitting next to me on the same flight, taking the same Viking is given an extra day to be tested than me.  It's very poor customer service and disrespectful it's passengers.  The irony is we looked into flying via Viking Air and their policy is not to book in business class on domestic flights.

37 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

Thanks for posting this.  I continually wonder when the traveling public will deem all this sort of stuff a bad risk and not a fun holiday.  Lots of great places not doing this crazy.

If I had known then, what' would transpire with Viking since, I would have not booked.  Now, of course, it's too late to get a refund. 

"To travel with Viking please ensure you have the following: 1. Valid Passport- must be valid for 6 months beyond your planned trip dates. 2. Proof of full COVID-19 immunization- certified by VeriFLY - Viking strongly recommends a booster dose administered when eligible. Some countries along your itinerary may require a booster dose for entry. 3. COVID 19 Test Requirement: Your country of entry has more stringent testing requirements than Viking (see below.) You must meet those testing requirements instead of Viking’s. To travel to/from within the United States please ensure you have the following: 1. Proof of negative COVID-19 Test (laboratory-certified) • US Guests: Viking does accept select at-home COVID-19 tests. - If "up-to-date" COVID-19 Immunization (includes booster dose when eligible): PCR test taken within 3 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - If "fully vaccinated" COVID-19 Immunization (eligible for, but not boosted): PCR test taken within 2 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - Or an Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity - And/or Proof of Recovery: If you have recovered from a COVID-19 infection (within 10–90 days prior to departure) ensure you carry documentation of recovery or a positive PCR test result from the time of infection."

2 hours ago, Virgo61 said:

CTLeeA,

 

I noticed that too.  My husband says I’m over thinking things. The test is for Viking,  not Spain so if they think it’s too old, they can test us again, which they will when we get to the boat.

Viking told me today that if the test is beyond either the 3 day or 72 hour window (which ever is applicable), it's invalid.  Check my other post..they made another mistake in their communication.

On 5/16/2022 at 2:16 PM, talltexan said:

We were on the Octantis last week. I didn't use the gym, but we walked in at looked at what we were taking a vacation from 😉 There are no TV screens on the equipment, but most of it does face the windows with a fabulous view of the water outside. No exercise classes were offered, and there were no sea days planned for our Milwaukee --> Toronto voyage. We got a sea day when we missed Alpena due to high winds, so they added a couple of lectures in the Aula, and scenic sailing of Lake Huron.

If you search Octantis on YouTube, several people have posted video of a walk-through of the ship, including the gym, so you can look for yourself at what is there. 

Hi..we're going in June same cruise:  my wife has some mobility issues...thinking the zodiac would not be a good idea since she had 2 knee replacements and can't lift her legs that far.  What about the Sep. Ops boat?  Viking says it's filled up but we should ask when onboard.  Are umbrellas provided?  Any hints or suggestions will be appreciated.  One difference betw. Cele and V...celebrity will pay for hotel and meals to a limit, if you contract Covid while onboard and must debark.  Viking says we're on our own under the same circumstances.