Covid Protocol on Cruise Ship

[Moonlion]

3 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

Wow...so it IS a lottery....flip a coin...

What can I say... each person needs to determine the level of risk they are willing to take... and whether they can deal with the consequences if things go south.  Having fully researched the pros and cons, DH and I decided to go on our Northern Lights cruise and, once onboard, had the time of our lives.  We were able to enjoy the cruise and not dwell on the possibility of testing positive.  For others, they decided they would have a miserable time worrying about Covid and decided to cancel - totally get it.  

[OnTheJourney]

11 hours ago, stretchcruz said:

talking about how many people were taken off.

Seems sort of weird to "like" a comment such as this I suppose....but....thanks. This is all worthwhile info. Let's hope things settle down. 

[OnTheJourney]

11 hours ago, Moonlion said:

We were able to enjoy the cruise and not dwell on the possibility of testing positive.  For others, they decided they would have a miserable time worrying about Covid and decided to cancel - totally get it.  

And probably most pax fell somewhere in the middle. After all, life does indeed go on. It is not without some degree of risk in many things that we do. I say this neither to encourage nor minimize one's level of apprehension; however, I think here on CC it's important for people (especially those - like myself - that do have a certain level of anxiety) to hear good and not-so-good reports from their cruise experiences. Thanks for sharing. Having been on a Northern Lights trip that I thoroughly enjoyed (up until when things went totally crazy), I'm glad to hear it went well! I don't remember if I read stuff about your sailing or not - did you have any good sightings? 

[Moonlion]

14 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

And probably most pax fell somewhere in the middle. After all, life does indeed go on. It is not without some degree of risk in many things that we do. I say this neither to encourage nor minimize one's level of apprehension; however, I think here on CC it's important for people (especially those - like myself - that do have a certain level of anxiety) to hear good and not-so-good reports from their cruise experiences. Thanks for sharing. Having been on a Northern Lights trip that I thoroughly enjoyed (up until when things went totally crazy), I'm glad to hear it went well! I don't remember if I read stuff about your sailing or not - did you have any good sightings? 

Yes! DH and I experienced the NLs on three occasions on our cruise.  The first - and most spectacular - was in Alta on our overnight excursion to Sorrisniva (at the Igloo hotel on January 28th). The lights were so intense and mind-blowing that even the locals took notice.  Others in our roll call experienced the lights on their excursions that night as well: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2767155-january-24-2022-viking-venus-northern-lights/page/59/. Our second sighting was at Tromso on January 30th while on a NL minibus excursion. We also saw the lights on the ship one other night, although not as spectacular as the first night.  One of the ship's lecturers said the NL were visible on 5 different nights on our cruise. 

 

In addition to the lights (which were the icing on the cake... and an extremely nice icing!), the winter scenery in Norway and fjords is just spectacular! We loved everything about this cruise: the ship is gorgeous; food and service outstanding; great lectures and excursions.  Can't say enough great things about the crew!  We had OBC so purchased the SSBP... probably spent a bit too much time in the Explorer's Lounge every evening 😉. Even though we skipped a couple of ports because of weather (Bodo was replaced with Trondheim, and the Shetland Isles were skipped altogether replaced with a sea day), we had a great time.  I think the captain was being very careful, which was appreciated.  No one wanted another March 2019 incident like you experienced!   

 

In fact, we enjoyed this cruise so much we booked two more VO cruises while onboard: the British Isles Explorer London to Bergen (May 9th, 2023, on the Neptune) and the South America/Chilean Fjords Buenos Aires to Santiago (February 12th, 2024, on Jupiter).  Couldn't resist the extra discounts by booking onboard. 

 

[OnTheJourney]

12 minutes ago, Moonlion said:

In addition to the lights (which were the icing on the cake... and an extremely nice icing!), the winter scenery in Norway and fjords is just spectacular!

Indeed! Even for those sailings that did not unfortunately have sightings, so many aspects of that trip make it truly memorable. So glad you had such numerous (and really good!) sightings. That overnight thing must have been quite an experience too!  

 

12 minutes ago, Moonlion said:

No one wanted another March 2019 incident like you experienced!   

You have no idea. ALL of March 23 is permanently seared into my memory (which isn't very good to be honest). I can recall nearly every moment of that day and a good part of the remainder of the time till we got home. DW still can have a touch of PTSD if she hears the sound of glass breaking. For months after, we'd both feel considerable anxiety when hearing / seeing helicopters, let alone on days that were dark, windy, and stormy. Not so much anymore but, yeah, I can easily go right back there...

 

12 minutes ago, Moonlion said:

I think the captain was being very careful,

I have my own thoughts on this relative to our sailing...but that was all rehashed on several different threads from 2019. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

18 minutes ago, Moonlion said:

we booked two more VO cruises

We got considerable compensation as a result of the 3/19 event - not just a return of the money from that cruise. Viking was very good to us. So we used our voucher money to book a Sept. '23 sailing on the new Mississippi ship for the sailing from New Orleans to St. Paul. Should be a nice cruise. Then, of course, the rescheduled reunion cruise just came along. Not sure what to do with that offer yet. Then we also have booked the 'Cities of Antiquities' for next year. The infamous Sky adventure (in more ways than one) was the first Viking cruise we've ever done. What a way to start!!!!

Edited February 9, 2022 by OnTheJourney

[bbtondo]

On 1/31/2022 at 6:25 PM, CCWineLover said:

 And decide does everyone who tests positive with no symptoms get punished?   

This is the BEST posting I have read so far.  

[OnTheJourney]

Does anyone know for sure exactly what Viking does for these guests who have had to leave the ship? In my conversation with an agent this morning, I inquired about some of this. She left me with some uncertainties as to how much Viking assists with a (removed) passenger's transportation home, etc. Do they pay for it? This Chairman's cruise is even dicier in some ways since tripmate insurance is not available for it (since there is no cost to the passengers). So would a separate insurance policy cover something like a covid positive person no longer being able to be on the cruise and thus having to pay to get home?  This is indeed nuts....

[Moonlion]

49 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

Does anyone know for sure exactly what Viking does for these guests who have had to leave the ship? In my conversation with an agent this morning, I inquired about some of this. She left me with some uncertainties as to how much Viking assists with a (removed) passenger's transportation home, etc. Do they pay for it? This Chairman's cruise is even dicier in some ways since tripmate insurance is not available for it (since there is no cost to the passengers). So would a separate insurance policy cover something like a covid positive person no longer being able to be on the cruise and thus having to pay to get home?  This is indeed nuts....

There were a few posts on the VO forum that discussed this.  Sorry, I didn't bookmark them so you may have to do some searching.  If I recall the discussion, once removed from the ship, you need to isolate according to the local government's policies. After testing negative and being cleared, you don't return to the ship but are sent home.  As I mentioned, the Guest Services rep on the Venus said that hotel and meal expenses are covered by Viking and you are reimbursed for any cruise days you missed.  I don't know whether Viking reimburses or covers your flight expenses (outbound or return home). 

Having said all this, omicron is coming down quickly in the US and parts of Europe.  So hopefully by May, things will have settled down a bit in the world.  Also, there were things we did before our cruise to mitigate the chances of getting Covid despite omicron raging at the time (quarantining the week before departure, testing more frequently, wearing N95 masks at the airport and on flight, following Viking's required precautions while on cruise, buses, etc.).   

[OnTheJourney]

1 hour ago, Moonlion said:

following Viking's required precautions while on cruise, buses, etc.).   

So if I read the health info correctly, you test prior to outgoing flight and then....what...nothing further until embarkation?  Somehow that wouldn't seem right since a good number of days could take place in between the two, especially if adding DIY pre-cruise days. The cruise we have booked next month (not with Viking) requires a test no more than 2 days before embarkation, so this is what has me wondering how Viking does it. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by OnTheJourney

[OnTheJourney]

4 hours ago, Moonlion said:

great lectures and excursions

absolutely agree!  I was so impressed with the onboard presentations. 

[JeriGail]

23 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

So if I read the health info correctly, you test prior to outgoing flight and then....what...nothing further until embarkation?  Somehow that wouldn't seem right since a good number of days could take place in between the two, especially if adding DIY pre-cruise days. The cruise we have booked next month (not with Viking) requires a test no more than 2 days before embarkation, so this is what has me wondering how Viking does it. 

You need to check the specific requirements in MVJ (sorry, I don't have a current booking so I can't check where it's located) for your cruise.  For our cruise, we had two sets of testing requirements - one was the 72 hours before your first outbound flight, and the other was a 72 hours before embarkation or your first Viking activity if you have independent travel before your cruise departs.

[Moonlion]

28 minutes ago, OnTheJourney said:

So if I read the health info correctly, you test prior to outgoing flight and then....what...nothing further until embarkation?  Somehow that wouldn't seem right since a good number of days could take place in between the two, especially if adding DIY pre-cruise days. The cruise we have booked next month (not with Viking) requires a test no more than 2 days before embarkation, so this is what has me wondering how Viking does it. 

We didn't do a pre-cruise extension or DIY pre-cruise days, so didn't have to worry about an extended period of time to catch the virus. As I mentioned, we were extremely careful the week or so before our flight (and on the flight).   If I recall from our pre-cruise instructions, you needed to test 2 days before embarking ship if you were doing any DIY pre-cruise travel. 

[Moonlion]

2 minutes ago, JeriGail said:

You need to check the specific requirements in MVJ (sorry, I don't have a current booking so I can't check where it's located) for your cruise.  For our cruise, we had two sets of testing requirements - one was the 72 hours before your first outbound flight, and the other was a 72 hours before embarkation or your first Viking activity if you have independent travel before your cruise departs.

For our cruise, it was a 48-hour requirement (either before your first flight if you were heading straight to ship or before embarkation if you were doing pre-cruise travel) but Viking relaxed it to 72 hours just before our flight departure. 

[OnTheJourney]

39 minutes ago, Moonlion said:

If I recall from our pre-cruise instructions, you needed to test 2 days before embarking ship if you were doing any DIY pre-cruise travel. 

That makes sense. 

[mbtabby]

We are scheduled on Viking Sky's 2/27/22 Cruise and our instructions require us to test 72 hours before our first flight and since we're not on a Viking pre-tour extension, but arriving early for the cruise, we must test again 72 hours before embarking.  Requirements are in "MY Viking Journey" instructions, dated 1/26/22 for Spain departures.

[mbtabby]

OOPS our cruise departs on 2/26/22

[OnTheJourney]

Talked to Viking several times today. Both times I inquired about the situation where someone who tested positive is removed from the ship. I'm told if you had Viking book the air, they then pay to fly you home, but if you do your own air, then transportation back home is on you.

 

Actually the agent I spoke with agreed with me that there seems to be questionable logic for a port to request a positive passenger be taken ashore rather then be treated onboard.

 

Our upcoming cruise is with RCL, and their site says that for a person testing positive during a cruise costs related to onboard medical care and also transportation home are totally on them - even if requiring a private jet. Viking's seemingly ambiguous policy leaves me feeling, admittedly, less than comfortable, as does the alleged "case by case basis' as to the decision for positives being left on board or disembarked. 

Edited February 9, 2022 by OnTheJourney

[uktog]

What happens as in our case Viking only provide one way air as the flight disembarks in the UK. From what I’m reading here Norway is a country you are put off the ship which is very disappointing especially if you have no symptoms- what happens then to get us home and given the cost of staying in Norway  - ouch!  
We do have travel insurance but wonder what support we would get if the worst happened 

[OnTheJourney]

5 hours ago, uktog said:

We do have travel insurance but wonder what support we would get if the worst happened 

Exactly. If I don't purchase insurance offered by the cruise line, I always get a trip policy elsewhere. But, as you say, not sure if transportation home due to testing positive for covid is a covered event. Probably not, unless it qualifies under "illness". 

[BlueWillowSimba]

So wish they would lighten up a bit on things. We were supposed to go on the NL trip on March 1 with my parents, but they are too concerned with possibly testing positive and being stuck in a hotel somewhere so they canceled. We have to decide within the next couple of days! 

[OnTheJourney]

Speaking of testing, someone asked on a dfferent forum relative to these emed home antigen tests that are proctored. Apparently the website says they are good for cruises originating in the US, but what about foreign-based cruises?  I assume that on MVJ passengers are informed well ahead of time of all that needs to be done. 

[Mich3554]

On 2/9/2022 at 8:12 AM, OnTheJourney said:

Does anyone know for sure exactly what Viking does for these guests who have had to leave the ship? In my conversation with an agent this morning, I inquired about some of this. She left me with some uncertainties as to how much Viking assists with a (removed) passenger's transportation home, etc. Do they pay for it? This Chairman's cruise is even dicier in some ways since tripmate insurance is not available for it (since there is no cost to the passengers). So would a separate insurance policy cover something like a covid positive person no longer being able to be on the cruise and thus having to pay to get home?  This is indeed nuts....

I know in Uruguay, we had one person who tested positive escorted off the ship, along with about 30 other contacts.  They were put up at the Raddison in Montevideo.  According to a woman who knew those who were put off, Viking covered their charges in Montevideo and arranged transport home.  They received a voucher to rebook their full cruise.  
My Viking agent called me not long after we returned and he told me he had just rebooked a woman who had gotten quarantined in Uruguay.  He told me that his other customer had no complaints as to how they were treated in Uruguay and by Viking and she quickly rescheduled using her voucher.  

 

[molymoo]

16 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Speaking of testing, someone asked on a dfferent forum relative to these emed home antigen tests that are proctored. Apparently the website says they are good for cruises originating in the US, but what about foreign-based cruises?  I assume that on MVJ passengers are informed well ahead of time of all that needs to be done. 

If you go to MVJ and scroll to the "Before You Go" section, under "Pre-Cruise Embarkation Requirements" you will find specific instructions for your cruise,  This information includes requirements for boarding the Viking ship and instructions specific to the country you will be embarking from.  They even spell out how things will be handled in the event you are doing a pre-extension.  In our case entering Norway requires a test no more than 24 hours prior to arrival in Norway ... that means we will have to get to the airport early to get a test there before we board.  We also have to take another test "on arrival or within 24 hours of arrival".  If you are embarking right away you will get this test onboard the ship, if you have an extension it will be done at the hotel.  If you are doing your own pre-boarding extension you are on your own to acquire this test.  It is pretty clear and I can already plan how to meet all of the current requirements ... of course our trip isn't until July so I imagine things will be quite different then.  

[uktog]

2 hours ago, molymoo said:

If you go to MVJ and scroll to the "Before You Go" section, under "Pre-Cruise Embarkation Requirements" you will find specific instructions for your cruise,  This information includes requirements for boarding the Viking ship and instructions specific to the country you will be embarking from.  They even spell out how things will be handled in the event you are doing a pre-extension.  In our case entering Norway requires a test no more than 24 hours prior to arrival in Norway ... that means we will have to get to the airport early to get a test there before we board.  We also have to take another test "on arrival or within 24 hours of arrival".  If you are embarking right away you will get this test onboard the ship, if you have an extension it will be done at the hotel.  If you are doing your own pre-boarding extension you are on your own to acquire this test.  It is pretty clear and I can already plan how to meet all of the current requirements ... of course our trip isn't until July so I imagine things will be quite different then.  

There are currently NO requirements to have a test ahead of entering Norway. Are you sure it’s not an airline requirement?