Important Error in Viking Communication Eff. April 1, 2022

[CTLeeA]

We are in the 'up to date' category having both been vaccinated and had both boosters.  

The above abstract below states " first flight" ..it does NOT state first flight made with Viking Air.  In addition, it references a 3 day window, not the 72 hour window referenced elsewhere and in conversations with Viking.  In my conversation today with Guest Relations and Jayce Rodriquez, Supervisor, I was able to get agreement that the Viking document I relied on, is flawed to the extent that it did not convey the Viking requirement that the test be taken not sooner than 3 days prior to the ship departing if air reservations were not made by Viking.    I have appointments to take to test on May 31 and will attempt to reschedule then until June 1.  However if, the results are not available prior to our flight on June 3 (necessary for us to depart a day early due to airline schedules and time zone difference), it will not be acceptable for us to fly to Milwaukee and learn that one or both of us tested positive and must quarantine for 10 days in a Milwaukee hotel.  Instead, we will seek reimbursement for the missed cruise, RT airfare at Business Class rate, hotel expense for June 3, and other expenses incurred due to Viking providing us misinformation upon which we relied.  I'm extremely disappointed that Viking refuses to correct their error by allowing us to proceed based upon the information it sent us.  I was informed that Viking will issue a clarification of their policy but that does us not good whatsoever.  We will alert others to the risk in flying to their departure point if they are relying on incorrect information from Viking.

 

"To travel with Viking please ensure you have the following: 1. Valid Passport- must be valid for 6 months beyond your planned trip dates. 2. Proof of full COVID-19 immunization- certified by VeriFLY - Viking strongly recommends a booster dose administered when eligible. Some countries along your itinerary may require a booster dose for entry. 3. COVID 19 Test Requirement: Your country of entry has more stringent testing requirements than Viking (see below.) You must meet those testing requirements instead of Viking’s. To travel to/from within the United States please ensure you have the following: 1. Proof of negative COVID-19 Test (laboratory-certified) • US Guests: Viking does accept select at-home COVID-19 tests. - If "up-to-date" COVID-19 Immunization (includes booster dose when eligible): PCR test taken within 3 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - If "fully vaccinated" COVID-19 Immunization (eligible for, but not boosted): PCR test taken within 2 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - Or an Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity - And/or Proof of Recovery: If you have recovered from a COVID-19 infection (within 10–90 days prior to departure) ensure you carry documentation of recovery or a positive PCR test result from the time of infection."

 

[Jim Avery]

Thanks for posting this.  I continually wonder when the traveling public will deem all this sort of stuff a bad risk and not a fun holiday.  Lots of great places not doing this crazy.

[CTLeeA]

37 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

Thanks for posting this.  I continually wonder when the traveling public will deem all this sort of stuff a bad risk and not a fun holiday.  Lots of great places not doing this crazy.

If I had known then, what' would transpire with Viking since, I would have not booked.  Now, of course, it's too late to get a refund. 

[Twitchly]

We’ll be in London for several days before joining Viking. We’re planning to bring a proctored antigen test and test in our hotel the day before we board. 
 

We’ll probably test ourselves before we fly to London as well, and I may do a PCR test for that because I recently had Covid and could test positive off and on for up to 6 months. If that comes up positive, we’ll cancel and file for insurance recovery.
 

It feels like such a crapshoot.

[burnabyjean]

This is how my "Before you go" document, effective April 1, 2022,  reads on My Viking Journey: 

"- PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding first international flight, (or joining Viking if traveling independently,) or

- Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first international flight (or joining Viking if traveling independently,)

 

This pretty clearly says "first INTERNATIONAL flight" and also clarifies for folks travelling independently. I'm from Canada - do folks from other countries get different instructions?

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, burnabyjean said:

This is how my "Before you go" document, effective April 1, 2022,  reads on My Viking Journey: 

"- PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding first international flight, (or joining Viking if traveling independently,) or

- Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first international flight (or joining Viking if traveling independently,)

 

This pretty clearly says "first INTERNATIONAL flight" and also clarifies for folks travelling independently. I'm from Canada - do folks from other countries get different instructions?

 

I believe we get the same instructions as the US, as mine even states I require a US passport.

 

Although our Guest Statement only mentions 72 hrs before the 1st International flight, the link to the more detailed instructions clearly includes a qualifier, that if travelling independently, the timing is prior to joining Viking. This information is also included in MVJ.

 

We have our own flights booked for the Trans-Atlantic and having read all the information that Viking supply, I was well aware of the testing requirements before we join Viking, rather than before our flight.

[CurlerRob]

52 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

We have our own flights booked for the Trans-Atlantic and having read all the information that Viking supply, I was well aware of the testing requirements before we join Viking, rather than before our flight.

 

In addition to reading the instructions (always a good thing ...), a bit of logical thinking may have assisted the OP. I find that viewing the rules through the lens of the cruise line helps to resolve a number of potential contradictions.

 

One of the purposes of pre-cruise testing is to limit the liability of the cruise lines. Once you are accepted into their systems (which happens when you take their flights, pre-cruise excursions or embark the ship), they bear some level of responsibility for you. It follows that they want to see negative testing prior to you entering their "care" - hence I always view the testing requirements as being based around my first contact with the cruise line service - not when I happen to get on a plane at my own discretion.

 

A simple example - suppose I decide to fly into my embarkation port two weeks ahead of time. It's totally illogical to expect the cruise line to accept a negative test taken before that flight - it doesn't provide them with any protection against liability.

 

So - for Viking - I expect to abide by PCR 72 hours before "first Viking contact", whatever form that takes. 🍺🥌

Edited May 20, 2022 by CurlerRob
Completion

[CTLeeA]

49 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

I believe we get the same instructions as the US, as mine even states I require a US passport.

 

Although our Guest Statement only mentions 72 hrs before the 1st International flight, the link to the more detailed instructions clearly includes a qualifier, that if travelling independently, the timing is prior to joining Viking. This information is also included in MVJ.

 

We have our own flights booked for the Trans-Atlantic and having read all the information that Viking supply, I was well aware of the testing requirements before we join Viking, rather than before our flight.

We must have received different instructions from Viking.  Ours, effective April 1, 2022, makes no distinction between flying independently and flying via Viking Air...it merely says, ..."boarding first flight".  It does not say 'booked via Viking air'.  It seems we're being punished for not booking via Viking Air because possibly someone sitting next to me on the same flight, taking the same Viking is given an extra day to be tested than me.  It's very poor customer service and disrespectful it's passengers.  The irony is we looked into flying via Viking Air and their policy is not to book in business class on domestic flights.

[CTLeeA]

4 minutes ago, CurlerRob said:

In addition to reading the instructions (always a good thing ...), a bit of logical thinking may have assisted the OP. I find that viewing the rules through the lens of the cruise line helps to resolve a number of potential contradictions.

 

One of the purposes of pre-cruise testing is to limit the liability of the cruise lines. Once you are accepted into their systems (which happens when you take their flights, pre-cruise excursions or embark the ship), they bear some level of responsibility for you. It follows that they want to see negative testing prior to you entering their "care" - hence I always view the testing requirements as being based around my first contact with the cruise line service - not when I happen to get on a plane at my discretion.

 

A simple example - suppose I decide to fly into my embarkation port 

You appear to be overlooking the fact which caused us to be in this situation:  Viking provided misleading and incorrect instructions in writing to passengers and while they apologized, they refuse to rectify the situation by granting an exception...they only say they will provide further instructions indicating that they intended to include only Viking Air passengers in that statement.  Great news for future passengers, for us, not so much.

[CurlerRob]

3 minutes ago, CTLeeA said:

You appear to be overlooking the fact which caused us to be in this situation:  Viking provided misleading and incorrect instructions in writing to passengers and while they apologized, they refuse to rectify the situation by granting an exception...they only say they will provide further instructions indicating that they intended to include only Viking Air passengers in that statement.  Great news for future passengers, for us, not so much.

You may have missed Heidi13's reference to the "link to the more detailed instructions", which it seems you have not seen. Here is the more detailed information from Viking's Health and Safety FAQ - available on their website (bolding is mine):

 

Are you requiring that I take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking ship?

Viking requires that all guests take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. For your convenience, Viking offers two ways of testing prior to departure; for either, you must travel with an electronic or printed copy of your negative COVID-19 test result.

• Guests may take a COVID-19 PCR test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result) within 72 hours prior to boarding your first outbound flight from your home country OR 
• Guests may take a COVID-19 antigen test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result) within 24 hours prior to boarding your first outbound flight from your home country.

If you are traveling independently outside of your home country, you must take a COVID-19 test prior to your first Viking activity (embarking ship or joining pre-cruise extension).

• You may take a COVID-19 PCR test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result ) no more than 72 hours prior to your first Viking activity OR 
• You may take a COVID-19 antigen test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result) no more than 24 hours prior to your first Viking activity.

This may involve arranging a test independently in the country you are visiting.

It's unfortunate that you did not see this. The current state of cruising really does require us to do much more in-depth research to ensure we avoid unpleasant surprises. 🍺🥌

[CTLeeA]

35 minutes ago, CurlerRob said:

You may have missed Heidi13's reference to the "link to the more detailed instructions", which it seems you have not seen. Here is the more detailed information from Viking's Health and Safety FAQ - available on their website (bolding is mine):

 

Are you requiring that I take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking ship?

Viking requires that all guests take a pre-departure COVID-19 test. For your convenience, Viking offers two ways of testing prior to departure; for either, you must travel with an electronic or printed copy of your negative COVID-19 test result.

• Guests may take a COVID-19 PCR test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result) within 72 hours prior to boarding your first outbound flight from your home country OR 
• Guests may take a COVID-19 antigen test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result) within 24 hours prior to boarding your first outbound flight from your home country.

If you are traveling independently outside of your home country, you must take a COVID-19 test prior to your first Viking activity (embarking ship or joining pre-cruise extension).

• You may take a COVID-19 PCR test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result ) no more than 72 hours prior to your first Viking activity OR 
• You may take a COVID-19 antigen test (with a laboratory-certified proof of negative result) no more than 24 hours prior to your first Viking activity.

This may involve arranging a test independently in the country you are visiting.

It's unfortunate that you did not see this. The current state of cruising really does require us to do much more in-depth research to ensure we avoid unpleasant surprises. 🍺🥌

I did see this and it has nothing to do with our cruise as it address' IF you are traveling independently outside of your home country.  The last I checked, Phoenix and Milwaukee were not outside my home country.  It's interesting that some people are defending Viking when Viking has admitted to me that they did clearly fail to make a distinction between those of us flying independently and those who booked via Viking Air within the US to our embarkation port.  They tell me they will clarify that in a subsequent update.  They also told me not to worry if I don't get our test results until we land in Milwaukee.  I don't know about you, but getting a positive result, when we land, not being allowed to  board  and needing to spend 10 days in quarantine in Milwaukee is not a good vacation.  

Edited May 20, 2022 by CTLeeA

[jasardeax]

7 hours ago, CTLeeA said:

We must have received different instructions from Viking.  Ours, effective April 1, 2022, makes no distinction between flying independently and flying via Viking Air...it merely says, ..."boarding first flight".  It does not say 'booked via Viking air'.  It seems we're being punished for not booking via Viking Air because possibly someone sitting next to me on the same flight, taking the same Viking is given an extra day to be tested than me.  It's very poor customer service and disrespectful it's passengers.  The irony is we looked into flying via Viking Air and their policy is not to book in business class on domestic flights.

It makes NO difference if you are using Viking Air or not. 
We used Viking Air for a recent cruise to Alaska, however we requested to arrive in Vancouver several days before our cruise to travel independently in Vancouver. 
We were then subject to getting a PCR test 72 hours before, or an Antigen test 24 hours before our first activity with Viking, which was Boarding the ship. 
We got the AntiGen test done in Vancouver the day before

embarkation. 

[sundaycreek]

8 hours ago, CTLeeA said:

We must have received different instructions from Viking.  Ours, effective April 1, 2022, makes no distinction between flying independently and flying via Viking Air...it merely says, ..."boarding first flight".  It does not say 'booked via Viking air'.  It seems we're being punished for not booking via Viking Air because possibly someone sitting next to me on the same flight, taking the same Viking is given an extra day to be tested than me.  It's very poor customer service and disrespectful it's passengers.  The irony is we looked into flying via Viking Air and their policy is not to book in business class on domestic flights.

Typically, there is no Business class on domestic US flights, only First class.  Viking has always booked us in First class domestically (except for one time in Premium Economy) when we have flown Business internationally.

[jrkstl]

To make all of this even worse, we traveled in early April to a Viking pre-cruise stay in Madrid. We followed the rules and had a test done 72 hours prior to boarding our Iberia flight to Madrid (it was a close call as back then Viking simply stated 72 hours before boarding your first flight - we had a four hour layover in Chicago, but then stated "First International flight" around the time we tested). After sweating all of this out - NO ONE LOOKED AT OUR TEST RESULTS. Not from Viking, not from American Airlines, not from Iberia, not from the arrival airport in Madrid - NO ONE. AA did look at our Verifly app, and we had to do a Spain entry form which was checked by Iberia in Chicago and scanned upon arrival in Madrid, but not one single person looked at our PCR test result.

 

YMMV...

 

We just booked another Viking River cruise that begins in Prague in October and we're traveling there a couple of days early on our own. Hopefully before then there will be more clarity...

[CTLeeA]

4 hours ago, sundaycreek said:

Typically, there is no Business class on domestic US flights, only First class.  Viking has always booked us in First class domestically (except for one time in Premium Economy) when we have flown Business internationally.

Correct on my biz class error...that applies to international..however, when I called Viking Air to try to book First, they denied it telling me that only is available on certain itineraries.

 

[CTLeeA]

3 hours ago, jrkstl said:

To make all of this even worse, we traveled in early April to a Viking pre-cruise stay in Madrid. We followed the rules and had a test done 72 hours prior to boarding our Iberia flight to Madrid (it was a close call as back then Viking simply stated 72 hours before boarding your first flight - we had a four hour layover in Chicago, but then stated "First International flight" around the time we tested). After sweating all of this out - NO ONE LOOKED AT OUR TEST RESULTS. Not from Viking, not from American Airlines, not from Iberia, not from the arrival airport in Madrid - NO ONE. AA did look at our Verifly app, and we had to do a Spain entry form which was checked by Iberia in Chicago and scanned upon arrival in Madrid, but not one single person looked at our PCR test result.

 

YMMV...

 

We just booked another Viking River cruise that begins in Prague in October and we're traveling there a couple of days early on our own. Hopefully before then there will be more clarity...

It appears that Viking does not consider all the scenarios which might occur.  I would be happy if they did enforce the pre flight test, just modify the process so we have fewer and more reasonable hoops to jump thru.  We have one more cruise after Viking on Celebrity to use up FCC, then, I think, our cruising days are over.

[CTLeeA]

We can disagree on this statement from you, Curler Bob:  "In addition to reading the instructions (always a good thing ...), a bit of logical thinking may have assisted the OP. I find that viewing the rules through the lens of the cruise line helps to resolve a number of potential contradictions."

 

It should not be up to the passenger to guess at what the cruise line intended to communicate.  It's the responsibility of the cruise line to make certain the information they convey is accurate, clear, and not contrary to other information which they might be providing.  

 

[BigBee51]

17 hours ago, burnabyjean said:

This is how my "Before you go" document, effective April 1, 2022,  reads on My Viking Journey: 

"- PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding first international flight, (or joining Viking if traveling independently,) or

- Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first international flight (or joining Viking if traveling independently,)

 

This pretty clearly says "first INTERNATIONAL flight" and also clarifies for folks travelling independently. I'm from Canada - do folks from other countries get different instructions?

We're in the US and our MVJ information is exactly as you posted.

[CTLeeA]

20 hours ago, burnabyjean said:

This is how my "Before you go" document, effective April 1, 2022,  reads on My Viking Journey: 

"- PCR test taken within 72 hours prior to boarding first international flight, (or joining Viking if traveling independently,) or

- Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first international flight (or joining Viking if traveling independently,)

 

This pretty clearly says "first INTERNATIONAL flight" and also clarifies for folks travelling independently. I'm from Canada - do folks from other countries get different instructions?

Yes..Our form omitted, did not address those of us flying independly on domestic flights.

 

2 hours ago, BigBee51 said:

We're in the US and our MVJ information is exactly as you posted.

Our last communication from Viking, effective April 1, 2022 is different.  They did inform me they were going to correct it...did you just receive it?  US Guests: Viking does accept select at-home COVID-19 tests. - If "up-to-date" COVID-19 Immunization (includes booster dose when eligible): PCR test taken within 3 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - If "fully vaccinated" COVID-19 Immunization (eligible for, but not boosted): PCR test taken within 2 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - Or an Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity

[kkapaldo]

leaving 5/25 - first flight out of Pittsburgh is at 1242 pm flight to Stockholm is 540 pm.  Have an appointment today 5/21 at 1:00 pm for my test - called Viking last night and the woman I spoke to told me I'm fine with the 72 hour before my first flight - that doesn't agree with what's posted above - but what do we do?

 

[duquephart]

8 minutes ago, kkapaldo said:

leaving 5/25 - first flight out of Pittsburgh is at 1242 pm flight to Stockholm is 540 pm.  Have an appointment today 5/21 at 1:00 pm for my test - called Viking last night and the woman I spoke to told me I'm fine with the 72 hour before my first flight - that doesn't agree with what's posted above - but what do we do?

 

 

Ask another rep --- get a different answer.

[Haqdeluxe]

50 minutes ago, kkapaldo said:

leaving 5/25 - first flight out of Pittsburgh is at 1242 pm flight to Stockholm is 540 pm.  Have an appointment today 5/21 at 1:00 pm for my test - called Viking last night and the woman I spoke to told me I'm fine with the 72 hour before my first flight - that doesn't agree with what's posted above - but what do we do?

 

 

"told me I'm fine with the 72 hour before my first flight"... Only issue I see is 5/21 to 5/25 is 84 hours (4 days) by my count. 🙂

[CTLeeA]

3 hours ago, kkapaldo said:

leaving 5/25 - first flight out of Pittsburgh is at 1242 pm flight to Stockholm is 540 pm.  Have an appointment today 5/21 at 1:00 pm for my test - called Viking last night and the woman I spoke to told me I'm fine with the 72 hour before my first flight - that doesn't agree with what's posted above - but what do we do?

 

I don't want to post the document effective April1, 2022 as it pertains to internation travel because Viking has agreed the document, at least as it pertains to demestic travel,  is misleading and said they were going to send out a clarification.  Our issue may be different, kkap because our trip to our embarkation point is solely domestic and I don't know if you booked air with Viking or not.  Viking says one thing and sent out a notifications  with conflicting info.  I also have been told by Viking Guest Relations and confirmed by Super. JG,  that in our case at least, 72 hours is interpreted to be 3 days.  Our flight leaves at 3:30 pm on June 3, but we can be tested after 00:01 on June1 and need not wait until 3:31 or later on June 1.  I have that in writing from a Viking rep. in that she refers to "3 days" not 72 hours.   If denied boarding because they claim my PCR test was taken several hours too early, it will be litigated.  On the other hand, KKap, I notice customers generally post when they're upset.  I have not found any posts from Viking passengers who claim they were denied passage based upon exceeding the 72 hour time frame.  On the contrary, several have posted that they were not even asked to produce proof of having taken a Covid test prior to board.  As frustrating as this process has been, I have a feeling, based upon statements from Viking and an email from Guest Relations, we'll be fine.

[CTLeeA]

33 minutes ago, CTLeeA said:

I don't want to post the document effective April1, 2022 as it pertains to internation travel because Viking has agreed the document, at least as it pertains to demestic travel,  is misleading and said they were going to send out a clarification.  Our issue may be different, kkap because our trip to our embarkation point is solely domestic and I don't know if you booked air with Viking or not.  Viking says one thing and sent out a notifications  with conflicting info.  I also have been told by Viking Guest Relations and confirmed by Super. JG,  that in our case at least, 72 hours is interpreted to be 3 days.  Our flight leaves at 3:30 pm on June 3, but we can be tested after 00:01 on June1 and need not wait until 3:31 or later on June 1.  I have that in writing from a Viking rep. in that she refers to "3 days" not 72 hours.   If denied boarding because they claim my PCR test was taken several hours too early, it will be litigated.  On the other hand, KKap, I notice customers generally post when they're upset.  I have not found any posts from Viking passengers who claim they were denied passage based upon exceeding the 72 hour time frame.  On the contrary, several have posted that they were not even asked to produce proof of having taken a Covid test prior to board.  As frustrating as this process has been, I have a feeling, based upon statements from Viking and an email from Guest Relations, we'll be fine.

KKap//I just this morning received another update in which Viking did make the correction at least as it pertains to domestic flights ( 3 days) , however, the document which provided the link still makes reference to a 72 limit for first international flight.  I do not know if Viking failed to correct that, or if there is a different requirement for an international flight.  I suggest you shoot out an email to Viking guest relations and clearing put forth the confusion they're created and clearly indicate your situation and ask for a quick response in writing.

To travel to/from within the United States please ensure you have the following: 1. Proof of negative COVID-19 Test (laboratory-certified) • US Guests: Viking does accept select at-home COVID-19 tests. - If "up-to-date" COVID-19 Immunization (includes booster dose when eligible): PCR test taken within 3 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - If "fully vaccinated" COVID-19 Immunization (eligible for, but not boosted): PCR test taken within 2 days prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity, or - Or an Antigen test taken within 24 hours prior to boarding first flight or joining first Viking activity - And/or Proof of Recovery: If you have recovered from a COVID-19 infection (within 10–90 days prior to departure) ensure you carry documentation of recovery or a positive PCR test result from the time of infection. • International Guests (non-US) - Must be a NAAT/PCR or antigen test, taken no more than one (1) day prior to flying to the US or a US territory.

[sundaycreek]

22 hours ago, CTLeeA said:

I don't want to post the document effective April1, 2022 as it pertains to internation travel because Viking has agreed the document, at least as it pertains to demestic travel,  is misleading and said they were going to send out a clarification.  Our issue may be different, kkap because our trip to our embarkation point is solely domestic and I don't know if you booked air with Viking or not.  Viking says one thing and sent out a notifications  with conflicting info.  I also have been told by Viking Guest Relations and confirmed by Super. JG,  that in our case at least, 72 hours is interpreted to be 3 days.  Our flight leaves at 3:30 pm on June 3, but we can be tested after 00:01 on June1 and need not wait until 3:31 or later on June 1.  I have that in writing from a Viking rep. in that she refers to "3 days" not 72 hours.   If denied boarding because they claim my PCR test was taken several hours too early, it will be litigated.  On the other hand, KKap, I notice customers generally post when they're upset.  I have not found any posts from Viking passengers who claim they were denied passage based upon exceeding the 72 hour time frame.  On the contrary, several have posted that they were not even asked to produce proof of having taken a Covid test prior to board.  As frustrating as this process has been, I have a feeling, based upon statements from Viking and an email from Guest Relations, we'll be fine.

Actually you can be tested on May 31st (after 3:31 for 72 hours, after 00:01 for 3 days).