Symmes99

My wife and I have  been on 3 Azamara cruises (including 1 since they were sold) and 4 Viking Ocean cruises. We enjoyed every one of them. We have 2 cruises booked on Azamara in 2023 and 1 booked on Viking Ocean in 2024. Both lines have done a good job handling my wife’s food allergies (she’s a celiac, plus has allergies to dairy and soy, and is picky about a lot of other food), but overall we like the food on Azamara a little better. We prefer the main dining room on Azamara - it’s more elegant and spacious. The Restaurant on Viking reminds us of a cafeteria, and if you’re seated at the aft end you have to navigate the obstacle course of chairs half blocking the aisles when you exit. We like the theater on Viking better - nicer seating, better sight lines, not as crowded as the Cabernet setup on Azamara. I like the lounges on the outside lower deck of Azamara (deck 4, I think), because it’s quiet and the ocean is right over the railing. My wife prefers the lounge chairs on Viking’s deck 7 by the pool, because it’s livelier and it’s easier to get drinks and food. One thing we now focus on is the itinerary; whichever line has an itinerary that pops will get our deposit. That puts Azamara ahead because they seem to do more adventurous and varied itineraries than Viking. But we also have upcoming cruises on Silversea and Regent for the first time because of unique itineraries, and a 2024 cruise with Oceania (we cruised with them once, 8 years ago) because of an exciting itinerary. 

Embarkation was simple. Show docs at terminal then board straight away. No pre-cruise testing required. Wasn’t until we got to cabin and saw the spit tubes that we realized testing onboard was being done. The Travel Requirements on MVJ indicated that we’d be notified not email before the cruise if testing would be required. But never got an email. I spoke with the General Manager onboard and showed him the pre-cruise info on MVJ. He was surprised and unaware that shoreside operations were saying that no testing would be required. His marching orders were to test everyone every day.  

We got off Jupiter yesterday morning after the crossing from Barcelona. We were required to do spit tests each of the 21 days even though none of the countries we visited required testing of vaccinated cruise ship passengers. 

Just now, powderhorn said:

Is the crew masked?

More or less. They do wear masks but some pull them down when speaking with you or for a photo. And many noses are uncovered. It’s good to see faces again! 

Senegal was scratched well before the cruise, something about issues at the port. Apparently this happens often. Nothing to do with Covid. 
 

Passengers are over their unhappiness with daily testing, they’re  just doing it as required and enjoying the cruise. I showed the General Manager the pre-cruise documentation I had which seemed to indicate no testing would be required. He was surprised and unaware that shoreside operations were telling passengers this, while at the same time telling the ship to do testing. He and the crew were caught in the middle. But as I said, displeasure passed quickly, gone after the first few drinks. 

Also, none of the countries on this itinerary require testing of vaccinated cruise ship passengers. Viking seems to have done this on its own. The Travel Requirements on MVJ changed as the cruise approached, from no testing requirements, to daily testing will be required, to frequent testing will be required, to frequent testing may be required, to “you’ll get an email 14 days before your cruise if testing is required.”  No email came. So I was surprised to see spit tubes in my cabin when I boarded, along with a letter explaining that daily testing is required. Many unhappy passengers! My wife and I were expecting a test-free cruise, like the Viking Danube cruise we did in September.  Oh well. 

I was told that Morocco said our vax cards must indicate lot or batch number for each dose of vaccine. Viking told Morocco they couldn’t produce that for all passengers, so Morocco then wanted Viking to submit  test results as part of a health assessment. The tests exceeded the 1% positivity rate supposedly needed for entry. Not sure how much higher than 1% was found, but it didn’t seem rampant (just 14 cases would give 1%). Now it’s less than 0.5% and falling. I’m not convinced this is the real story. Other ships visit Morocco and they don’t do daily PCR tests and I doubt all vax cards are in order. But that’s the way it was explained to me. 

Was on the ship (I am on this cruise). Present rate is below 1% - only 4 pax and 2 crew out of about 1,350 total onboard. 

Wow, your Madrid extension seemed so disorganized. I hope they’ve learned from that and improved the product. Thanks for sharing. I’ll lower my expectations just a bit. 

I will be on the Madrid pre-cruise extension in three days for our Viking Jupiter Barcelona-to Buenos Aries crossing. I received an email from Viking on October 11th with details. Here is what it said about the itinerary: 

Your Extension Itinerary
Day 1: Your Viking representative will meet you at the airport and transfer you to your first-class hotel for check-in. Enjoy the rest of the day exploring Madrid at your leisure. Your Viking host will be available to help you plan your time in Madrid so you can make the most of your visit.

Day 2: After breakfast, embark on your comprehensive Madrid Tour. During a panoramic drive, see the lush Botanical Garden and the Royal Palace of Madrid. Later, disembark from your motor coach to enjoy a walking tour through the Madrid of the Hapsburgs and visit the Prado Museum. In the evening, enjoy dinner on your own, or opt to enjoy an evening of traditional tapas. Contact your Viking host for further details.

Day 3: After breakfast, check out of the hotel and transfer by high-speed train to Barcelona to embark on your cruise. Your Viking host will provide you with your reserved train tickets and accompany you on the train. The train ride from Madrid to Barcelona leaves at 10:30 AM and arrives in Barcelona at approximately 1:15 PM (approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes). Your luggage will be sent separately and will be delivered to your stateroom on board. (Train times are subject to change at any time without notice)

Upon arrival in Barcelona, you will be transferred to the pier for embarkation.

We’re looking forward to this trip!

My wife and I just completed a Viking River cruise that included a 5-day/4-night pre-cruise extension. The guidance for tipping was $2/day/person for the Tour Director and $1/day/person for the bus driver. That amounts to $20 for the TD and $10 for the bus driver. I don't remember if that guidance came from Viking or elsewhere, but we used that as a starting point. The Tour Director helped us make arrangements for a cabin upgrade on the ship, so we gave her extra. Hope this helps. 

Just renewed a passport last month. Used expedited, got new passport back 3 weeks from when I sent the old one. Old passport came a few weeks later by regular mail - only a concern if that passport has a visa that is still valid (mine had 4 years left on India visa). So 7 weeks should be enough time. But it’t too close for my comfort - my passport had 9 months left and I had a long summer window between trips so I did it early. 

I’ve done overnights off ship 3 times on other cruise lines (in Alexandria, Safaga, and Haifa). It was not a problem. I didn't arrange this before the cruise; once on board, I simply let reception know our plan and they said fine (pretty sure I called the cruise lines in advance of the cruise and was told to do it this way). We also let our cabin attendant and usual dining room waiters know that we’d be off ship for the night. All we took was an overnight bag. Worked out well, although it hurt a bit having an unused cabin and meals left behind. 

Sorry for the late reply, and now that Viking has dropped daily testing it is too late to be helpful. But we did do the daily PCR tests and on day 6 my wife’s test was positive, she was asked to wait in the cabin until she heard from the doctor, after maybe an hour the doctor called and said bring the recovery docs to medical. When she did that, she was told she was cleared to enjoy the rest of the cruise. Happy that we’ll not face this on our September cruise. 

Thanks Mark. 

Thank you longterm. Good advice. We’ll scope out a pharmacy near our hotel and do an Antigen test our last afternoon in Rome 

A lot of mystery regarding this topic! My wife and I are leaving the USA in a week for Rome, then boarding the Viking Mars 5 days later for a cruise to Barcelona. We both had COVID last month, no serious symptoms, are over it, and have recovery letters from doctors. Should make it easy to travel, except for Viking’s testing requirements which had me concerned. I wasn’t sure why they would test me if I have recovery documents. After several emails to Viking and a phone call with a Viking rep, I think I’m comfortable that we won’t be put in quarantine or made to leave the ship if one of us tests positive while onboard. Here is what Viking  confirmed by email and during my phone call:

1. We don’t need to test to fly to Rome 5 days before the cruise, unless required to do so to enter Italy but not necessary for Viking. 
2. We should arrange a test in Rome before we show up at the ship - 72 hours in advance if PCR and 24 hours in advance if Antigen. 
3. We will be tested by Viking at embarkation (PCR test).
4. We will be tested up to daily onboard by Viking ((PCR test).
5. Our recovery documents will allow us to enjoy the cruise regardless of any of the test results.

I asked Viking why they would test us if the results had no consequences because of the recovery documents. Seems like it’s just policy to test everyone, then deal with whatever comes after. I’m ok with that and have relaxed my concern level to low. I’ll have Viking’s email in my packet along with the positive tests and recovery letters from last month. 

Same for me

CurlerRob, thanks for the redirect to the other thread. I had reviewed that thread previously but now see the last 4 posts relate to my question. I ask about this because both  my wife and I will be in the “recovered” category when we cruise with Viking next month. Seems like there may be a silver lining to having had a mild case of Covid. Would certainly reduce the anxiety level! But daily testing seems to be unnecessary. 

Viking says test guests who have recovered from Covid may cruise with them; per the FAQs: “If you have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection during the past 10–90 days and you have either a physician certificate of recovery or a positive PCR test result from within the time window, you will be permitted to travel with Viking. We ask that you bring your letter of recovery with you during your travels.” Not clear if that exempts the recovered traveler from embarkation testing or daily testing while on board.
Has anyone been through this? Thanks. 
 

At the end of today’s (3/31) noontime briefing by the Captain, he said “Just a reminder to wear face masks when indoors and not eating or drinking.” He hadn’t mentioned that in his 3 noontime briefings since the letter was left in our suite. Maybe the lack of compliance with the new mask policy got his attention. Still no mention of any Covid cases though. My wife and I will take some precautions but still enjoy the cruise!

My wife and I are on the Ovation TA. Very interesting that I’m learning about Covid cases on our cruise from this board and not from the ship’s officers. Now the change on mask policy a few days into the cruise makes more sense, but communication onboard is lacking. 
 

Boarding on  3/27. was simple: show proof of being fully vaccinated (no booster requirement), show negative antigen test done within 2 days of boarding (or negative PCR test done within 3 days of boarding), compete a health questionnaire, and wear your face mask in the terminal until you board the ship. Once on board, wearing face masks indoors was recommended but not required. So once we boarded, we ditched our face masks (as did everyone else, it seems, except the crew who had to wear face masks per company policy). All in all, it felt very normal. 

A letter was delivered to our cabin the next night, after a full day of almost all 457 passengers going maskless. It starts like this: “Please be advised that due to our crossing to Europe, we will now start following the European Health Advisory, this will impact our masks policy.” Later in the letter: “All guests are required to wear face masks while indoors at all times, except when eating or drinking or in their own suites.” And this: “Masks must also be worn outdoors if you are in large gatherings or if physical distancing cannot be maintained.” The letter was from the Chief Health Officer, not the Captain. 

If this change was so important, the Captain should have announced it so all passengers would hear. That letter delivered to cabins blends in with other spam delivered to cabins each night, touting the shops on board, spa treatments, etc. Not a real attention grabber when mixed in with all that other stuff. 

And the cruise line knew the exact itinerary beforehand, so why did they not explain this in the pre-cruise info instead of saying masks would be optional? And we’re so much closer to the US than to Europe, we’ve not stopped anywhere (and will not for 5 more days), so why apply European protocols?
 

But now I know the reason, from this board. Thanks for shedding some light on this. The mask policy change doesn’t seem as capricious  anymore. 
 

BTW, seems like a third of the passengers are not bothering with masks. 
 

So our Venus cruise is from 1/18 to 1/25. The following cruise, from Barcelona to London, is from 1/26 to 2/2. Can’t really do a back-to-back cruise, unless somehow Viking let’s people spend the night of 1/25 on board. Otherwise, you’d disembark, grab a hotel for that night, then check back in the next day. And no assurance that whatever cabin the Chairman assigns for the free cruise (presumably, whichever cabin you had in March on the Sky) would be available for the 2nd cruise, since cabins on that cruise have been on sale for a while now. But it is an interesting proposition! Would cost less than the amount of one person’s voucher that we got for our troubles. Hmmmm......

I understand your point of view. If I were searching for a cruise to take

, I wouldn't look for a 7-day winter trip in the Med. Not sure I'd look for a 7-day cruise anywhere, except maybe on a river. We've done plenty of 7-day cruises early in our cruise life and now prefer longer ones. But this one will be special. So it'll get marked on our calendar. We'll figure out the before and after stuff later. 

I didn't find much on the Viking site so I used an online TA website that I usually search when I want to get an idea of what's out there. Sometimes they are off, like maybe in this case, but they are usually pretty close. And Viking may come up with something entirely different for the Venus trip. I would take a sea day in the mix.