grznuts

1 hour ago, LindaS272 said:

Hmmm…I detest this kind of militant bureaucracy. One problem you might have going forward is if you plan to go to Canada again sometime in the next few years. If you never got the test into them, you might now be flagged in the system and have a rude surprise the next time you visit!

Yes- who knows?

But if they are really so worried about Covid-pull people aside for rapid test. 24 hours to test and then who knows how long to get results-probably be over Covid if you had it-

4 hours ago, villager13 said:

Was your ship disembarking in Canada at the end of the cruise or was it disembarking in the USA and you were not returning to Canada?  If leaving Canada never to return wouldn't you be ok not to have taken the test since they don’t know if you have taken the test for several days anyway and you’re already in the USA by that time. 

We got on in Vancouver and off in Seward so yes no more Canadian customs. I wasn’t sure how it all worked at the time, but what happens is you through US customs before boarding ship. 
there was a whole registration process to get a code for test. We went through with it as I just wasn’t sure how it all worked.

On 7/27/2022 at 2:50 PM, Let Me Travel! said:

Isn’t it ridiculous?  We had to do the Air Can at the Atlanta Airport…then, we got to the port in Vancouver and our “tests” were 4 hours late!  We had to pay $75 each for new tests…negative…and then we got on the ship…(of course, we are totally vaccinated and boosted…we glow in the dark!) Canada just does not want the business…it is the MOST restrictive country in the world!  Won’t be going to Canada again until they get sane!

Agree-maybe not most restrictive but such ridiculous system

On 7/27/2022 at 2:50 PM, Let Me Travel! said:

Isn’t it ridiculous?  We had to do the Air Can at the Atlanta Airport…then, we got to the port in Vancouver and our “tests” were 4 hours late!  We had to pay $75 each for new tests…negative…and then we got on the ship…(of course, we are totally vaccinated and boosted…we glow in the dark!) Canada just does not want the business…it is the MOST restrictive country in the world!  Won’t be going to Canada again until they get sane!

Agree-maybe not most restrictive but such ridiculous system

On 7/27/2022 at 2:50 PM, Let Me Travel! said:

Isn’t it ridiculous?  We had to do the Air Can at the Atlanta Airport…then, we got to the port in Vancouver and our “tests” were 4 hours late!  We had to pay $75 each for new tests…negative…and then we got on the ship…(of course, we are totally vaccinated and boosted…we glow in the dark!) Canada just does not want the business…it is the MOST restrictive country in the world!  Won’t be going to Canada again until they get sane!

Agree

On 8/1/2022 at 6:06 PM, dcl999 said:

We’re flying to Canada in a few weeks, not cruise related but I’ve been keeping up with entry requirements. Canada can require a random COVID test upon entry at Toronto, Calgary, Montreal and Vancouver airports for fully vaccinated travelers. There is mandatory reporting of results and quarantine requirements with heavy penalties for not following through. I don’t know how that will interact with a cruise, especially if you come in a few days early. You can not leave Canada on public transportation if you have received a positive test result until the 10 day quarantine is over. 
There is an exemption from the random testing if you have a positive COVID test within 180 days that is satisfactorily documented. 
We’re planning to do a rapid test right before we go and have a printout of our positive COVID test from CVS last month. 

This happened to us. Not really sure how they enforce this. Obviously some bureaucrats dreamed this up. We arrived in Vancouver on 7/21 to board cruise the next day. Had done all the ArriveCAN and VeriFLY-annoying, but fairly easy next to what we had to do to cruise out of Malta last year. A friend I was traveling with told me about the random testing, but we thought we’d be notified in some way if we’d been chosen. Whizzed through customs-barely looked at anything. Then later in the evening I checked email and my husband was flagged for random test. You have 24 hours to get test done. Our understanding was you would be notified within 15 minutes of arrival. By email???? Who checks email when claiming bags, going through customs, locating transportation, ect… 

I was furious, but afraid the expensive vacation would be ruined if we didn’t follow through. Hotel found us a testing site which we ubered to and back. He did test, but they don’t give you results there-have to send it out to lab. Meanwhile we are boarding ship within a few hours so how were they going to find him?? Never heard a thing. What a waste of time and money. If you are going to have random testing at least pull people aside at airport like TSA does.  
 

such a scam
 

We flew home on Lufthansa charter on 7/31. My daughter had cloth mask. Flight attendant just handed her one of those blue surgical masks and asked her to wear it. No big deal!

19 minutes ago, LindaS272 said:

https://legislation.mt/eli/ln/2021/301/eng
This legislation allows US proof of vaccination. This was done July 13. Protocols for entry not yet registered in Malta’s system.

I received the same message. Hope you are right Linda. 

48 minutes ago, Sle0902 said:

I emailed a copy of the US Embassy Malta statement the US citizens could not enter Malta after July 14 along with same information on Malta Health website and questioned the status of Viking Sea July 21 cruise.  This was the response:

 

Dear Willard and Sandra Lester,

 

Thank you for your email. We hope you and your family are healthy and safe. 

 

We understand your concern. Viking is working closely with the Maltese Health Authorities to ensure all our guests are allowed to arrive in Malta and embark their ship. The Viking Health & Safety Program is one of the most well-researched and comprehensive COVID-19 prevention and mitigation plans in the travel industry; therefore, we are confident that our voyages from Malta will operate as planned.

If we can be of further assistance at this time, please reply to this email or you may call our Contact Center at (888) 663-8454 to speak to any specialized service agent.

 

Best Regards,

 

Mireille Keshishian

Guest Services Department

 

I don’t know how we will be able to navigate this at the airports. I would like to see something from Malta like the email that the July 14 cruise received. 

 

Best Regards,

 

Mireille Keshishian

Guest Services Department

 

 

 

We are also on the Sea July 21-if I don’t have nervous breakdown. I do think Viking will provide something that gets you to Malta, but when??  Their lack of communication is very lame. And do we need the difficult to get and expensive PCR test with fast results? This takes planning and coordination-can’t wait until night before. I have spent hours most days on phone with Viking peopleso many problems with this cruise. Calling the front line agents is useless they don’t know anything. I’m telling them stuff. Only way I’ve gotten results is by posting on Instagram! Then you get a personal call from a supervisor!! And you’d be surprised what they can suddenly fix for you after being told no.  I know most of this is out of Vikings control, but their communication is severely lacking-those of us traveling next week need specific information not just don’t worry we have it handled. 

9 hours ago, Maggers said:

Hi all.  I hope I'm not repeating a thread or have missed something obvious.  We are booked on the Greek Odyssey itinerary leaving Athens on Oct 1.  Our shore excursions recently opened up and we are busy booking and researching.  I've noticed that no excursions end with language stating that you can spend time on your own.  In many ports there are only morning excursions which would leave the rest of the day on the ship if we're not allowed to venture off on our own.  Is there any way to tell at this point if we'll be allowed to explore independently?  Not sure how to find this out. Or if there is an answer available now.

An example of excursion description:

 

Rhodes Town Walk & Palace of the Grand Masters

INCLUDED

Day 9 – Rhodes, Greece

Thursday, October 7

8:30 AM / 9:30 AM / VIEW ALL

2.5 Hours

MODERATE

UNESCO

SIGHTSEEING

 

Get an excellent overview of the Old Town of Rhodes, Europe’s largest active medieval town. You will enjoy a walking tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site. Meet your guide at our berth and walk the short distance to the city walls, passing through the imposing gate to explore the atmospheric cobblestone streets. First, head to the Street of the Knights, a narrow byway with medieval structures rising on either side. You will pass colorful shops and the 15th-century Hospital of the Knights, now home to a splendid archaeological museum. This historic lane ends at the most colossal building of medieval Rhodes, the Palace of the Grand Masters. Built in the 14th century, it will astonish you with its crenellated walls, massive towers and unmistakable medieval aura. Afterward, you will return to your awaiting ship.

 

Modifications based on current health and safety protocols may be applied to this shore excursion.

 

Thanks so much in advance for any replies.

Nobody really knows at this point I’d guess.

not sure if it’s the same, but many of the excursions on the Malta/Croatia trip say morning, but some are actually offered in the afternoon. We were able to book the included tour and a paid excursion each day so pretty much busy all day. I imagine you can go back on ship, regroup, eat, cool off and then get off again for your next excursion.

The Rhodes excursion above is the included one. We went to Rhodes in 2019 as part of our Viking trip which stopped in the Holy Land. 
The Rhodes tour was fine-and at the end they let you go to wander around and make your way back to the ship.

adding all the paid excursions definitely adds a lot to cost of trip, but I guess that’s the trade off. 
Like I said nobody knows at this point-look at all the problems with these Malta cruises which I’m sure Viking didn’t anticipate. So I’d say you have to be okay with the Viking bubble and then if there are less restrictions it will be a pleasant surprise!!!

12 minutes ago, LindaS272 said:

You beat me to it! 🙂 I was just about to post it. US citizens with vaccination cards now accepted. No mention of PCR testing. Same rules, apparently, as those with Maltese, UK or EU vaccination certs. Success! Let’s see if this holds…!

 

https://timesofmalta.com/articles/view/malta-expected-to-ease-ban-on-unvaccinated-travellers-impose.886429

A nice person on Facebook alerted me to it! Still not exactly sure what it means-hopefully no PCR test? But do you need one for passenger locator form? Or airline?

somebody must have straightened the Malta government out!!! 

Malta has changed their rules again.

https://legislation.mt/eli/ln/2021/301/mlt
 

Thanks for keeping us posted. 
 

supposed to fly to Malta on 7/20 for 7/21 cruise

let us know what you find out when you get there!!!

same here-so frustrated trying to figure out Malta cruise-then i get this message- whatever

logged in with chrome no problem. Just reinforced the idea things at Viking are a mess and nobody can give you a straight answer.

Hi- my husband, brother-in-law and daughter will also be on this cruise. last minute trip. sorry i don't know much about it though. guess we will figure it out when we get there! should be fun!!!!