DaveSJ711

4 hours ago, Liz Masterson said:

Whisky neat... 🥃

 

I have sad news. Had to cancell my Viking River Cruise on the Nile. My dear friend and traveling companion was diagnosed with cancer and... while the prognosis is good... needs to seek treatmant ASAP. So no New Year's Eve on the Nile for us.  But plenty of vouchers to plan another trip when she is better...

 

Her concerns and disappointment are of course bigger than mine... but she doesn't drink... so make mine a double... Sigh...

Very sorry to hear about your friend’s situation. As you say, the concerns and disappointment are definitely there. I know the feeling — I was diagnosed with neck cancer three years ago and had to cancel a land-based trip to Europe.
 

Best wishes to your friend for a speedy recovery, and to both of you for your next Viking cruise! 

6 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

Today I went to my Dermatologist.He removed 5 pre cancerous growths from my head and biopsied one from my abdomen.

 

Today the biopsies came back -- my wife has invasive ductal carcinoma (a fancy term for breast cancer). We will have to cancel the transatlantic cruise we booked for later this month.

Three years ago, I was diagnosed with advanced metastatic melanoma in my neck. We had to cancel a European trip that was supposed to begin the day after my surgery.

Stuff happens, unfortunately, doesn't it?

12 minutes ago, PasadenaDave said:

You might want to consider taking the ferry to Seattle and fly Seattle to LAX or Long Beach.  I find that short flights and Seattle to LA I consider short that First Class is not worth the added expense or miles unless you have a tremendous number of miles that you can't use.

The ferry from Victoria to Seattle (the Clipper) is shut down until March 2022.

38 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

After my discussion yesterday, I was hoping to see the Oct. 28 document revised today—but no.

Hope springs eternal.

1 hour ago, Cienfuegos said:

My wife and I met a very nice couple on the Viking Trades Routes cruise in 2019. Their legal address was a post box in Texas. They sold their conventional home with its contents, and bought a recreational vehicle. That is used to visit their children in Arizona and Kentucky.

 

A service receives their paper mail, and scans it into e-files. Which they review.

 

Their goal is to spend 300 days each year on ships, on the road, or staying in delightful places around the world.

I'll bet they don't have pets, let alone three rambunctious cats. (Tinker, Tara, and Spike send their best!)

The Washington Post published an article a few days ago about RC's world cruise. Interestingly, the article mentioned other WCs -- offered by Regent, Silversea, and Oceania -- but didn't say anything about Viking itineraries.

Be sure to read the comments to the article. Some of them are extremely funny.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2021/10/22/royal-caribbean-ultimate-world-cruise/

10 hours ago, CCWineLover said:

We too!  We've been to Hawaii so many times (by air from California) - but never by sea.  We are really looking forward to this unique experience!

Reading this thread reminds me of my first trip to Hawaii, way back in 1976. I spent a month hitchhiking around Oahu, Maui, and the Big Island. I spent less than $100 the entire time I was there. No posh buffets or fancy excursions for me!

Travel was certainly simpler then, though lacking a few creature comforts. Two things I learned: (1) don’t sleep on the beach without reading the tide table first, and (2) don’t sleep in a sugar cane field if you want any part of your body to feel comfortable in the morning.

1 hour ago, JeriGail said:

Viking Guest services has told others on our Viking Sea cruise that only those who arrive MORE than 3 days before their cruise need the 2nd test.

3 hours ago, rbslos18 said:

In my MVJ it states: "If you are traveling independently outside of your home country, you must take a PCR test no more than 72 hours prior to your first Viking activity (embarking ship or joining pre-cruise extension)."

 

Would this pertain to arriving for a cruise a day early? 

JeriGail is correct. Viking emailed us and wrote, quote: "If you are traveling independently and outside of your home country for more than 3 days, a PCR test must be taken 72 hours prior to your first Viking activity (embarking ship or joining pre-extension)." That is how the company is interpreting and applying the language in MVJ.

4 hours ago, Azulann said:

I have now done two Weclome back cruises: one in July to Bermuda, and Oct12-18 Malta to Barcelona.

 In both cases, I  relied on information found in  MVJ and the updates and final timeline that will appear under  Before You go and various tabs in MVJ.Viking also sent emails reminders as we were within 14 days of sailing.

 Both Bermuda and Malta/ Italy changed their covid requirements from the time I booked to time I sailed, three months before actual sailing to the 7days before I sailed. In one case  things became tighter and in the case covid rules relaxed. 

Bermuda: PCR test three days before arrival, testing then by Bermuda at airport, on ship till results provided. Saliva test first thing on board, and each day following.

 Malta to Barcelona: PCR covid test 72 hrs before first flight .. Saliva test once on board Viking Venus and each day of cruise.

 

 Proof of vaccination and paper copy of  negative  PCR test  was looked at by United , Lufthansa, Delta for both of my trips. 

My suggestion for all those sailing out of US , and the other sailings departing from Europe  is to relax , find a place to get your PRC test before you fly or get on board  within the proper timeframe . Again  watch your MVJ  IN THE FINAL 14 DAYS BEFORE YOU  LEAVE. I DID NOT CALL VIKNG REP OR TA. The information will be there .

 The resource page on Web site is not the final arbiter, but your MVJ.

 

 Once on board have a wonderful cruise.

Traveling in the time of COVID is not for the faint of heart. 

  

Patti 

 

 . 

 

MVJ is the "final arbiter"? See my post #19. For our cruise, one MVJ link requires travelers to test just within 72 hours prior to boarding their first flight. Still another MVJ link, however, requires travelers to test within this time frame AND within 72 hours prior to embarkation (if they're traveling independently before the cruise). And Viking's "talking points" about MVJ say something else entirely -- that the testing requirement for independent travelers only applies if they're away for three days or more.

That's why we sought written clarification from Viking. We will rely on Viking's response, not on the literal language of MVJ.   

38 minutes ago, vslparis said:

It is very stressful to be in the travel industry right now. It is my responsibility to make sure things go smoothly on a client’s trip and with the added Covid testing requirements it has added even more weight to that. But it’s OK as that is part of my job ; sort of like making sure everyone has the correct visa or type of visa for their trip, just a more timely and ever changing issue. 😬 

When Viking made it a requirement to have pre cruise testing and stated on MVJ that it should be done within 72 hours of boarding your first flight my first thought was “well that isn’t correct” because I knew what they really wanted was to have guests do the test 72 hours before their cruise or pre cruise trip. They were not taking into account those that travel early or those countries that have a different entry requirement .

They finally added a caveat to the MVJ spot for International travel, now they need to add one for the US embarkation trips.  

They can’t have one blanket sort of requirement on MVJ and then something different on the Itinerary Resources pages for Ft Lauderdale and LA. Departures . “Oh, that way madness lies “ 😉

Hopefully they have listened to their guests ( and TA’s ) who have been asking  them to make the requirements more clear and concise. Maybe they  should be taking a look at the Health Protocol pages of Celebrity or Princess to see how that is done 😉

You may already know this -- but Viking has adopted so-called "talking points" with an entirely different requirement. We learned about this when we wrote to tellus on Sunday about PCR testing.

Our situation: We leave Seattle on November 26 and arrive in Barcelona the next day. We stay two nights on our own in Barcelona and then board our transatlantic cruise to San Juan. Because of our limited time in Barcelona, as well as scheduling issues due to Thanksgiving week, we need to know exactly when and where we have to test.

In response to our email, Viking wrote, quote: "If you are traveling independently and outside of your home country for more than 3 days, a PCR test must be taken 72 hours prior to your first Viking activity (embarking ship or joining pre-extension)." That requirement doesn't apply to us, because we arrive just two days before embarkation. We know we have to test within 72 hours prior to boarding our first flight -- but we can schedule that test before we leave with plenty of time to spare, the holiday week notwithstanding.

I spoke to the customer service agent who wrote the response email. She said Viking is now using "talking points" to respond to inquiries like ours. Unfortunately, the company's script doesn't match the My Viking Journey text and the Resources page for our cruise. MVJ mentions independent travel but doesn't say anything about being away for more than three days -- and Resources doesn't mention independent travel at all.

I bring this up not to complain, but to underscore how Viking's testing requirements are still all over the map. That's why I'm going to save Viking's email just in case we need to show it before we embark. 

5 minutes ago, janetcbl said:

I have lived, traveled and worked in Norway for 50+ years and have never eaten, let alone seen sheep’s head on a menu. 

Have you been invited to Christmas dinner in Norway?

https://www.visitnorway.com/things-to-do/food-and-drink/smalahove/

31 minutes ago, philw1776 said:

As long as Norway does not insist on us eating sardines, I'm OK with everything.

Norwegians also love sheep's head. Go figure.

13 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Unfortunately it isn't all good news, as while opening the US to some travellers, it is also closing it to many fully vaccinated Canadians. Although the US land border is still closed, until 8/11/21, we can fly into the US, with only a negative COVID test. Effective 8/11/21, we must meet the US CDC definition of fully vaccinated, which eliminates a fair percentage of fully vaccinated Canadians and others throughout the World.

 

Even with a Govt issued digital COVID vaccine passport, showing I am fully vaccinated, I will be unable to enter the US, effective 8th November. Also applies to our son, who was vaccinated in Germany.

 

Because of this change, we had to cancel the Dec 4th Hawaii cruise.

You canceled too quickly. The CDC announced today that the U.S. will accept mixed vaccines starting in November

https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/us-will-accept-mixed-doses-vaccines-international-travelers-2021-10-15/

1 minute ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Unfortunately, this is so typical of cruising in the post-COVID World.

 

"Post-COVID world"? Has the pandemic ended? I hadn't noticed!

1 hour ago, CCWineLover said:

We will likely consider doing it - and you don't have to fly to Europe!

Iceland is part of Europe. https://www.government.is/topics/foreign-affairs/iceland-in-europe/

1 hour ago, MarkTapley said:

We’ve traveling internationally since 1977;  planning our land trip to Iceland in August was simple, but arranging everything for the voyage on Sky by far was one of the most aggravating, stressful pre-trip experiences of our travels.  Particularly booking the excursions;  chaos is a good word.

To hell in a hand basket (and back).

3 hours ago, molymoo said:

 

I agree with you!  Unfortunately hyperbolic statements like "gone to hell in a handbasket" is a qualitative statement and makes it not "giving factual information" but stating an opinion and casting a judgement.  Whining?  Maybe, maybe not, but when you "pepper" your story with opinions and judgement don't be surprised when someone disagrees with you.  

I wouldn't call "hell in a handbasket" a hyperbolic statement. It's an American idiom with a rich history dating back to the Gold Rush. Earlier versions include "hell in a wheelbarrow" and "hell in a handcart." A more modern version is "hell in a handbag."

Anyway, I digress. The idiom accurately describes much of the cruise experience these days, including Viking's chaotic process for booking shore excursions. That was Linda's point. 

1 hour ago, CCWineLover said:

Different opinion.  We did the opposite way on starboard side and we’re at first disappointed.

however to us it made NO difference.  When at sea you are too far from land to see.  When close like Cape Horn and Chilean Fjords,  you are up on deck.  In the AM, the beautiful passages and fjords are on both sides and we also enjoyed them from our balcony.  Again, we were on starboard side Valpo to BA.

 

so, this opinion says don’t worry - either side is fine.  Unless you never go up on deck.  I’d encourage you to see the amazing sights from Explorers Lounge area!

Agreed. Our cabin was also on the starboard side sailing south from Valparaiso. When we wanted a different view, we took one flight of stairs up to the Explorers Lounge. Finding a place in the Lounge with a great view was never a problem -- and there were more important things to worry about, such as how many waffles to have at Mamsens on any particular morning. 

2 hours ago, Messybill said:

Yes, the world is not the same as it used to be, and whining about Viking not being able to provide the same service is not going anywhere.  Accept the change or don't.  In either case expectations need to be changed.

There’s no reason to accuse someone on this thread of “whining.” All of us know that the cruising experience has changed, including with Viking. Linda was simply recounting her factual experience this year with Viking’s website. Please don’t belittle her and others for what they’ve gone through.

On 9/15/2021 at 6:13 AM, duquephart said:

What do you think we can do about it?

Why are you so persistently dismissive of people's questions and concerns?

1 hour ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

I'm not saying this is what happened in this situation, but in general, I find it hard to believe that some people apparently don't even read the Dailies.  When we were outside Heimaey, Iceland, someone who ate breakfast near us asked with a surprise why it appeared we had stopped.  We told her we were tendering there.  She had absolutely no idea that it was a tender stop. There is so much good information in the Dailies; wish everyone would at least skim them for basic info.   

The issue here isn't whether other people read or don't read the Dailies. Guest Relations told the poster here that the Viking staff who put together the Daily forgot to include the cleaning schedule for a particular day. As a result, the poster didn't know from that day's Daily that cleaning crew would be on her balcony.

1 hour ago, les37b said:

 

You do realise Viking sell cruises to more than just US customers?

 

The EU are playing hardball because they are upset that they are not allowed entry to US. Until last week, that is all they wanted. When there was no movement on this, they've now made this suggestion.

 

It's up to individual countries to ignore their recommendation and hope they do.

Like it or not, the vast majority of Viking cruise passengers are from the U.S.

Perhaps the continued U.S. travel ban (to Europeans) played into today's EU statement. Perhaps not. But most importantly, the current U.S. Covid case count is off the charts. Whether that case count gave the EU a medical reason to issue the statement, or simply a pretext for "playing hardball" with the U.S., is really immaterial at this point. It's now up to the individual EU countries to make their own decisions in response to the statement.   

53 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

The NY Times is also reporting the same:

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/29/world/covid-delta-variant-vaccine?type=styln-live-updates&label=coronavirus updates&index=0#the-eu-is-set-to-reimpose-travel-restrictions-on-us-visitors

 

The Gray Lady knows a story when she sees one.

27 minutes ago, FlyerTalker said:

Remember that Schengenvisainfo.com is not an official government website, and is merely speculating based on "reports".

 

In addition, be sure to note this line, buried into the NINTH paragraph:

 

"The list is reviewed every fortnight, and the Member States are not legally bound in applying it."

We'll see if Schengenvisainfo.com is merely "speculating" when tomorrow rolls around. (Forbes magazine is reporting the same.)

1 hour ago, cruiserchuck said:

I read that the Governor of Hawaii is advising tourists to not visit Hawaii at this time due to increasing COVID cases.  It will be interesting to see if cruise ships will be allowed to dock in Hawaii by December.

Given today's statement by Gov. Ige, I can't imagine that Hawaii will be too sympathetic to a sudden influx of cruise ship passengers. But what do I know? It's only August, after all, and the situation can change dramatically -- for better or worse -- by the time December rolls around.