Heidi13

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.

Affirmative, it changed a few years ago, as it was Noon (Pacific) in Aug 2019.

Don't recall seeing them in 4000 on Viking Sun, so possibly they added heaters to the newer ships.

A number of cruise lines offer Pacific Coastal cruises early/late season that spend a full day in Victoria, as do a few of the Seattle based ships going to Alaska. However, the full day in Victoria normally means minimal exposure to Alaska. As a previous reply mentioned, check out the Greater Victoria Harbour Authority schedule once it is published for 2023. It provides ship names, dates and arr/dep times.

In addition to the information the Chief provided. I research both the UK & Canadian foreign office websites for requirements for visiting other countries. They often include information on any medication restrictions and provide links to the regulations of the country you are visiting. I expect the US Govt provides a similar service.

It depends on the cruise line and the countries you are visiting. Standards continue to change frequently, so someone's experience last week/month, may be different this week. As of last month, Barbados required a negative antigen COVID test before you could go ashore. Also, last month, Israel required a negative PCR before going ashore. Our preferred cruise line still does pre-boarding and daily PCR (saliva) tests.

This all depends on the requirements of the country you are visiting. In some countries, you are quarantined at the discretion of the local government. The cruise line has zero input.

Respectfully disagree. We have experience being forcibly disembarked from a ship, many years ago, to a quarantine hotel that had armed guards in each alleyway and could best be described as a slum. More recently, I believe some pax in S/America and possibly Germany had less than stellar experiences in a quarantine hotel. The quality of the facility is definitely a risk, especially in countries where the local Government dictates where you quarantine, and more importantly, when you can leave. In addition, you are responsible for the hotel costs, and if your claim is denied you won't be re-imbursed. You may even have issues with flights.

That could be a risky option, as many insurance companies, could deny your claim, as the cruise line provided onboard quarantine, but you specifically requested to be put ashore.

When docked overnight, unless in a country that requires Immigration every time you go ashore, the gangway is usually open 24/7. In Stockholm you should be able to head ashore at any time, if overnight alongside.

Congratulation, enjoy Alaska. This is how we also booked Alaska cruises, since Vancouver is our home port.

Still remember that one. Sure glad I'm retired and not still working the coast. That was one of the earliest storms I recall. I seem to recall one of the Seattle ships had to run for refuge inside of Vancouver Island. The other consideration is Hecate Strait is fairly shallow, especially the Queen Charlotte Island (QCI) side. We always encountered worse seas when crossing Hecate Strait from Prince Rupert to QCI.

It's a frontal depression with trough of low pressure, not a mid-Lat cyclone. Marine forecasts show 65 kt winds at the north end of Vancouver Island and 45 - 55 kt winds elsewhere. Not uncommon winds for this coast, but must admit, this late in May, the SE'ly's have most often been replaced with summer NW'ly's.

This covers Norway, Iceland & Greenland. They also have shorter cruises that visit less ports. https://www.vikingcruisescanada.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/multi-region/greenland-iceland-norway-and-beyond/index.html

Congratulations on trying Viking. What cruise did you book?

We had a similar experience

To put it into perspective, Viking's oldest ship Viking Star only entered service in April 2015, so it is only 7 yrs old. Still new for a passenger ship, since I have commanded many that were 40 to 60 yrs old. Viking operates a Safety Management System in accordance with the ISM Code, which requires all safety, propulsion, navigation, communication, etc equipment is maintained in accordance with OEM and/or Flag/Class requirements. So yes, all ships meet the current standards.

Tellus is a higher-level customer service, which in our experience, is similar to the World Cruise Desk, in that they have more experienced agents. I have never seen the address published anywhere. Only found out about it on Cruise Critic.

Yes, Viking Ocean

A sales pitch may be the norm on mega ships, but on our preferred small ship cruise line there is no sales pitch anywhere, even in the spa. Stopped in, got my haircut and had a pleasant chat with the young lady. Zero sales pitch.

It's tough to provide specific times, as the ships must set a speed for slack water at Seymour Narrows. Normally the scenic cruising south of Alert Bay starts early afternoon. If you want spa time, book it early in the morning and be prepared to be out on deck from about 12:00 - 13:00 for entering Queen Charlotte Strait. That will then provide you an estimate when they reach the narrow channels starting about Alert Bay/Blackfish Sound.

Mr Bembridge bills himself as a "Cruise Expert", but I found that his podcast provided a standard of reporting well below what I would consider as expert reporting and/or opinions. Personally, I also didn't agree with his generalisations during the initial 4 or 5 minutes and found lots of inaccuracies. If he is a "Cruise Expert", I expect he would thoroughly research what Viking Ocean provides and then report on each aspect, and how well they achieve the published standard. Although he didn't openly compare the Viking Cruise to mega ships, with a gazillion pax, casinos, annoying photogs, wacky pool games, marriage games, etc. the insinuation was most definitely present. Decor - get again, Viking clearly publish their ships are a clean, modern Scandinavian design, which he should have known prior to the cruise. I see no point in comparing the decor to the rich panelling and stuffy opulence of luxury ships and the older British liners. Those are standards I grew up with, but now enjoy the Viking decor. Most refreshing. Shore-ex - his statement that all pax follow along on the "Included" shore-ex like a bunch of sheep is certainly not my experience, except possibly in Nuku Hiva, when the self-exploring ashore was the only shore-ex. Between Viking optional shore-ex, private tours and independent exploration, in our experience less than 50% of pax take the "Included" shore-ex. However, where the "Included" shore-ex is the best tour, that number increases significantly. I note, he only made this comment in 1 of the ports, so if it didn't occur in the other ports, why mention it as an issue. Price - Clearly luxury/premium cruises cost more per day than the mainstream mega ships. His comments were based on a mega ship pax, not your average luxury/premium line pax. From personal experience, while our 2020 Viking Cruise was almost twice the cost of a 2015 Princess equivalent, the final per diem cost was virtually identical, with the Viking standards vastly superior. In summary, a very poor report of a cruise that came from a person that I believe had pre-conceived ideas about the cruise, based on mega ship cruising. His sensationalised personal take was neither well informed or completely accurate. My initial take from the first few minutes is that Viking pax are a bunch of sheep following along with the program - couldn't be further from the truth.

Princess may be following the US CDC requirements, but they do not apply in Canada. In Canada, Princess must comply with Transport Canada, which requires 100% vaccinations, with very few exceptions.

Swinging the compass is a potential reason, but it normally takes about an hour and we always stay well away from the shipping lanes, It also requires more than a straight 360 turn, as we would rotate back and forward. It also requires stopping at certain courses and taking sights to compare the gyro and magnetic bearings. They may also adjust some of the compass spheres and magnets to reduced errors.

Anytime I have contacted them, I receive a phone call the next morning.