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Recently did Viking River cruise in France and testing done first day and repeated day before disembarking. Program director advised first evening that wearing masks onboard has proved to dramatically reduced Covid outbursts onboard. Ships that relaxed masking requirements had much higher number of  passengers affected with Covid. Another crew member mentioned that there were thermometer scans hidden in different area of ship that could identify if passenger/crew had elevated temperatures that would alert staff to do further health screening/testing if needed. Also typical tourist spots extremely crowded and very few wearing masks. Masking in crowded places and social distancing helps lower your risk of testing positive. Totally agree testing should be done on symptomatic passengers and not daily basis. Although masking not mandatory on all ships think it is personal choice  if it lowers my risk of getting infected. Would be helpful to have an information site to monitor # of Covid cases occurring on each ship. High numbers may just reflect regional increase and can allow passengers make informed decision. Taking ocean cruise in fall and hope daily testing ends by then.

The one issue I have encountered recently is Viking Air Plus is not ticketing flights when you request specific flights and seats. I requested specific flights with seat assignments and was given a confirmation number which was not ticketed. A month later I noticed that flight had been removed from My Viking Journey. Contacted Air Plus and advised airline cancelled flights. I advised agent that those flights were still scheduled and six traveling companions were not cancelled. They did schedule me on those flights however seats were very limited so not sitting with my spouse and advised flight couldn’t be ticketed yet. Just keep checking your flights and be informed what choices are available.

Glad you understood MLB. One reason to use Viking Air especially while Covid is still around is airlines rescheduling/cancelling flights especially if you have discounted airfares. I have witnessed reasonably priced airfares dramatically increase closer to date of sailing and if you purchased your own fare and flight was cancelled, airline will provide refund and you may not be able to reschedule flight in time for cruise departure. People who fly out of major  airport hubs have more choices but flying into more remote airports can be major headache.

Although you might be getting “Free Air” as a promotional sale from Viking the airfare cost is always listed on your invoice with a separate line below subtracting airfare discount. Total cost on invoice includes cruise fare and airfare (even if discounted) so I would insure amount listed on invoice to cover both.

Spoke with our private tour person and and will plan on modified seven hour tour going to Pompeii and proceed to Sorrento.  Probably will not make it to Positano this visit.  Ship will be in port nine hours.

Have used Viking Air plus with multiple scheduled cruises. Do to Covid virus have only actually flown once with no issues due to cruise cancellations. However be warned that you must keep watch on Viking My Journey Air section for changes that you may not be notified about in advance. Depending on when you request flights in advance Viking is taking air reservations-but not ticketing it so any specific flight requests may change.  I recently cancelled one cruise but a second cruise fully paid for had that air reservations cancelled at time I cancelled first cruise. It was easy to get it back but seat selection was horrible when rescheduled.  Also be knowledgeable about flights you want because if flights are limited or have inconvenient  stops from your airport your options may be very limited. An example is flying to Bergen, Norway from my home port results multiple stops with long layovers which  not ideal but it is what it is. Still will use Viking Air Plus but there are some limitations. 

I just noticed our ship doesn't arrive in Naples until 12pm and departs at 9pm.  We were planning an 8 hr excursion to do Pompeii, Sorrento, Positano with private tour. Does this seem viable starting at 12pm - 8pm as I assume sun will be setting earlier?

Will be sailing the September 28th Mediterranean Odessy and looked at my itinerary and saw we arrive in Naples port at 12 noon. Just wondering for anyone on earlier cruises if they can comment on all day optional excursions offered and amount of time allotted in Naples and scheduled port arrival in Naples   I have tentatively arranged for a private tour for our group to see Pompeii, Sorrento and Positano but assumed we arrived early in morning like 8am. Not sure how 4 hr time difference will affect sightseeing plans that day.

Have to agree with you about ports not being varied enough. Will have to think about it as not thrilled but not sure there is anything available during that time period that we could book in time using funds from this cruise.

It’s official that we are not going to St. Petersburg but not a surprise as most of us (especially on early spring cruises) knew it wouldn’t be happening. Now for the suspense of what changes will be made.

Although Covid restrictions are starting to be lifted, booking own air can be a little risky if departure and arrival ports are changed at all. I have used Viking Air Plus several times and had no real issue. I remember one time  requesting  specific non stop flights and the agent said " I am so sorry that flight does not fit in Viking price point and is much more expensive. She priced it out and it was only $50pp more which we were more than willing to pay. Now scheduled to do a Northern Europe cruise in May 2022 and used Viking Air Plus and flights have been  changed three times. One the airline cancelled and the two others depart at 6am at end of cruise and have almost 5hr layover in Frankfurt and 3 hr layover in Chicago.  Couldn't find better flights and layovers include going through immigration which have much longer times to pass through due to checking vaccination status and other covid test results. Also have to take into timing of return Covid test to meet regulation. Just a little more planning needed  these days arranging your own flights.

So I checked the My Journey portal on Viking website today and was surprised to see that the return flights I requested on my May Viking Homelands were changed.  I did not receive any official notification even though I had confirmation numbers. Not thrilled but think I will wait awhile before contacting Viking Air Plus hoping better  flights might become available by then. The question is will i be credited for the $100 pp for using Viking Air when they were not able to fulfill my requests. 

FCC use is dependent on when it was issued and what risk-free guarantee was in place at that time. It has changed several times so buyer beware

I have used Viking Air Plus several times but only for economy class.  I find it helpful to investigate flights online to see what flights are  available from airports I will be using and costs and request specific flights. They have always been able to honor my requests. Once the fare  was above their "special fare" but it was only $30 more per passenger but well worth it for direct flights. I also had a pleasant surprise that a flights that had limited(very expensive) or no availability online was available through Viking Air plus for no additional charge of Vikings stated air cost for that cruise.

I believe that your travel agent is supposed to contact Viking air plus but I call them directly and pay the additional charge when I contact them before flight is ticketed.