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7 hours ago, Squawkman said:

I am assuming the number of hours are what’s counted irrespective of time changes. Am I wrong?

I'm wondering about this too.  I was calculating as follows:  My plane will land in Venice at 9:20 am on Oct 1.  I'm in the eastern time zone so that is 3:20 am Oct 1 at home.  Backup 72 hours so that means I can get the test anytime after 3:20 am on Sept 28 and be compliant.  Is that correct?  I'm sure this has probably been discussed ad nauseam elsewhere on CC so feel free to point me to a different discussion.

Check the resources tab for your cruise on the Viking website.  There is a document out there that outlines all the embarkation requirements.

https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/western-mediterranean/journey-to-antiquities/resources.html

For Italy, the PCR or Antigen test must be taken no more than 72 hours prior to arrival in Italy for US visitors.  This information is also at this site:

http://www.italia.it/en/useful-info/covid-19-updates-information-for-tourists.html

We are flying into Venice leaving Sept 30 arriving Oct 1.  We plan to get a PCR test at CVS the morning of Sept 28 and a backup rapid test (not sure where yet) on Sept 29 just in case the CVS results don't come back in time.  You can book appointments at CVS 2 weeks in advance.

We are on the Ancient Adriatic Treasures cruise Oct 3 - Oct 17, 2021, Venice to Istanbul and this was posted on the roll call on August 14.

"PS I spoke to Viking today and we are still scheduled to dock at VeneziaTerminal Passeggeri. This is in the city but not the Lagoon. any changes will be sent to us by Viking."

Your cruise is still showing up for me.

3 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

Wow!  That is a fabulous offer!!!  We have three future cruises booked with Viking.  Unfortunately, our cruise from Barcelona to Lisbon on 27 April is with Regent.  Wish they would follow suit. That will teach me to stray from Viking!!!

We also have 3 future Viking cruises booked.  I did talk to my favorite Viking agent and he did say that the voucher cannot be used on existing bookings, but I'm sure if we take advantage of this offer, we will have no problem using it in the next 2 years.  Right now, we are still planning to go on our TA March 12 from San Juan to Barcelona as we feel the risk in Spain is low.  But we have a little over a week to decide for sure.

This was posted today on Viking's website under Updates on Current Sailings.  I think this is a generous offer on Viking's part!

A note to guests with a current reservation and future Viking guests,

As you undoubtedly know, the coronavirus COVID-19 is causing concern in the general public and among those of us engaged in travel. At Viking, the safety and security of our guests and employees has always been our top priority. We have implemented enhanced health screening procedures for all guests and staff before boarding our vessels and everyone is required to complete a health care questionnaire before embarkation. We continue to reiterate the importance of individual hygiene, sanitizing and washing of hands.

We continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation closely including the travel advisories issued by the U.S. State Department and information updates issued by the Centers for Disease Control in the U.S. and the World Health Organization in Switzerland.

This is a situation that can change from day to day, and we can well understand that the decision of whether or not to travel may be weighing on your mind – particularly for those with imminent departures.

In view of this we are for the time being making a temporary exception to our cancellation policy so that you can be free to postpone your cruise at any time up until 24 hours before the planned departure, without incurring any cancellation fees. You will be issued a voucher for future travel valid for 24 months, which can be used on any Viking product (river, ocean or expedition). This temporary exception to our standard cancellation policy is applicable for all guests who currently have a reservation with Viking and for all new reservations made through April 30, 2020.

The temporary exception to our cancellation policy is as follows:

• Notification of your intent to postpone your current cruise must be received as follows:
  • If you have flights arranged by Viking, it must be received at least 24 hours prior to the time of flight’s departure.
  • If you have arranged your own flights, it must be received at least 24 hours prior to the time of embarkation of the cruise or your hotel check-in, whichever is first.
• Cancelled reservations will be reimbursed in the form of a Future Cruise Voucher in the amount of 100% of all funds paid to Viking.
• Future Cruise Vouchers may be used toward any future river, ocean or expedition cruise with Viking and will be valid for 24 months from issuance.

If you have any questions, please contact your Travel Advisor or Viking at 1-833-900-0951, Monday through Friday, 4:00 AM to 9:00 PM, and Saturday to Sunday, 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM, PT.

We hope you will choose to join us as planned. We will continue to update you on any changes in itineraries or circumstance that may be relevant. In the meantime, we hope that this temporary exception to our policy will help put your mind to ease.

On 2/12/2020 at 7:16 AM, manuwolf said:

Hi Rosalyn, you are absolutely right. We have checked with 2 lawyers yesterday. In case of port change of embarkation & disembarkation or many ports of call change the cruise line is obliged to pay a compensation - which OC does with the 25% refund. I guess they have checked out all legal angles. But I am a bit concerned as Singapore is also NOT a poet without any doubt. I am still waiting for a feedback where the news about Celebrity's denied berthing in Singapore has been written. That would be another major hit in the region. And I am really hesitating to book another flight - we will wait one more week to see developments. Such a crazy situation!

I found this online after another cruiser on our roll call for Regatta Apr 11 sailing posted about their Celebrity Millennium cruise getting cut short this week. Looks like Celebrity is pulling out of Singapore. 

https://www.cruisetradenews.com/coronavirus-celebrity-cruises-cancels-sailing-and-changes-itinerary/

Hi, we just booked the Colosseum Underground Tour with Roman Forum & Palatine Hill for next April with The Roman Guy.  We were asked for a list of first and last names and full birthdates of all participants.  The instructions also say to carry a copy of the identification page of your passport.  I checked the official online ticket office for the Colosseum at https://www.coopculture.it/en/colosseo-e-shop.cfm and if you page down and look at the stern gate information on the right hand side it states "when accessing the stern gate, in front of via labicana, it is compulsory to show at the ticket office a list with the names and the dates of birth of the participants on letterhead stamped and signed.  groups must show the list on the agency’s letterhead."  It also states later that the stern gate is dedicated to, among other things, tours of the "underground and belvedre."  So, although I was doubtful at first I think this is something that is required for underground tours.