Ballerina Sweetie Pie

1 hour ago, TayanaLorna said:

Visit the Pablo Neruda seaside home and the 2 in Valparaiso.   Take a walking tour of the city if you are fit.  Valparaiso has turned grafitti into an art form and there are street art tours, historical tours, ones that combine walking as well as taking the different funiculars up and down this vertical city of narrow alleyways and charming squares.  Many find the city old and run down- and it is - but oh the history and quirkiness and street art and color and views.

Thank you for your suggestions 

Looking for suggestions of what to do on our full day (the 19th) in Valparaiso.  Anyone been before or have space for 4 adults on their excursion? Suggestions for restaurants with a view & good food? We have already secured a pickup on the 18th from airport in Santiago & visiting a few wineries on our way to Ibis Hotel. Thanks in advance for any suggestions you might have.

7 hours ago, koolforkatz said:

 

They actually called me yesterday to tell me that everything was still going ahead as the tour operator assured them that everything was fine there now. However, the Canadian government still advises non-essential travel in the MP area which would nullify our travel insurance. Hopefully they left that advisory soon.

 

So with just over two weeks to go, it's still a bit wait and 

On 7/16/2022 at 5:35 AM, Bgarr said:

Hi

just wondering if anyone has seen Orcas whilst on the ship? Or is it better do do a whale watching shore tour.?

 

On 7/18/2022 at 8:10 PM, nini said:

No problem. Your information was very informative.

We saw orcas on a whale watching tour out of Juneau. It was last year with Harv & Marv. They will pick you up at the cruise pier & deliver you back when done. We’ve used them several times -book online or call.

I would go to Juneau just for the whale watching! Check out Harv & Marv for whale watching. If the weather is nice, you can see the glacier in the distance.

27 minutes ago, NewSalty said:

Got it, thanks.  Very glad I didn't go hunting on my own!

Kinda stumbled onto it- glad I did. Getting excited about our trip now…

4 hours ago, NewSalty said:

Can you tell us where you found this?  Viking has so much stuff on this topic spread across so many spots...

Please see my response below to find the info on My Viking Journey.com I just heard back from tellus@vikingcruises & he verified this is the current policy. When you fill out your Health Survey you will include a Recovery letter from your physician if you are still testing positive. He wasn’t sure if Viking would provide the form but I will be checking with my dr if I’m still testing positive. Yay!!

1 hour ago, NewSalty said:

Can you tell us where you found this?  Viking has so much stuff on this topic spread across so many spots...

I am hoping it is correct. I sent an email to tellus@vikingcruises.com 

 It is hidden in My Viking Journey.com pretty deep. Start with My Viking Journey .com . Go to 

Before You Go. My Trip. 
Viking Health & Safety Program. What to Expect on Your Journey. At Home Icon. Health Survey

2 hours ago, basenji56 said:

Many of us have recovered from Covid infections.  We test negative on antigen tests.  However, I have read that you can test positive on a PCR test for up to three months following recovery.

 

COVID-19 PCR tests can be positive for 3 months | 13newsnow.com

 

The perplexing problem of persistently PCR-positive personnel (nih.gov)

 

I know that Viking requires a PCR test everyday while on board.

 

Has anyone who has recovered from Covid, tested positive through these PCR tests while on the ship?

 

Is there any workaround for a possible false positive test? (Certificate of Recovery from your doctor?)

 

As more and more people recover from Omicron, this will become a more significant issue.

 

It looks like Viking is now acknowledging this fact. Updated yesterday: 

If you have recovered from a previous COVID-19 infection 15-90 days prior to departure but are continuing to test positive, you will need to provide additional documentation as part of the Health Survey to be permitted to travel with Viking

7 hours ago, SoBaycruiser said:

See a copy of the email they got HERE.

Thank you- what wonderful new!! I’m ecstatic that Viking is making this happen!!

Vaitape, Details please

6 minutes ago, Jay23 said:

Hello all.    Sadly we have had to cancel the Iceland Jupiter cruise we were booked on for 7th September,   due to heath issues.   (not Covid)   Very disappointing.   Judith

I understand how disappointed you are. Hoping those that are going have a wonderful vacation.

On 7/29/2021 at 5:21 PM, PA Cruiser said:

Does Viking allow private tours off the ship in Iceland?

It keeps changing but Sept 7th sailing was notified we were back in the bubble- no outside excursions 

Just now, DaveSJ711 said:

You'll have a great time! I lived for 10 years in Alaska and know the state very, very well.

We’ve been at least 15 times- usually on fishing trips but cruising is so much easier. I really don’t even care if we get off the boat- just getting away is enough. Even if I had to quarantine there- just give me a window that opens 😜

1 minute ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Have a stress-free and enjoyable cruise!

Thank you 🙏 

Just now, DaveSJ711 said:

Nothing to be sorry about! It's the reality for everyone who's booked a cruise and is considering whether to travel. (My wife and I just canceled a September cruise for Malta, Croatia, and Montenegro.)

I was so excited to finally be taking a vacation that we have scheduled an Alaska cruise to take Iceland’s place in September. It’s our ‘go to’ vacation as we’ve been many times & know all of the ports. Ordered the ‘drink pkg & wi-fi- with a balcony to sit back & soak up the cool air & beautiful scenery. Getting excited all over again

On 8/17/2021 at 6:47 AM, molymoo said:

Gosh, things in Iceland seem to be "going South" fast!  I have no wisdom to offer here but am beginning to think that my decision to "skip" Iceland in favor of Bermuda was a wise one!  I understand that Viking is at the mercy of the "authorities" in Iceland with regard to positive cases and quarantine procedures but there seems to be some confusion as to who the "authorities" are: in one case the coast guard seemed to be calling the shots but other times a health minister is in charge.  I also can't help but think that the contact tracing that Viking is doing is a big drawback for passengers.  If you are on a Viking arranged excursion and one of your fellow passengers tests positive the next day it appears that your cruise is over.  If you go out on your own or on a privately arranged tour and come into contact with someone who later tests positive, no one knows or cares unless you personally test positive at some later date.  Are they still allowing passengers off of the ship to "do their own thing"?  

No outside excursions at this point

22 minutes ago, DaveSJ711 said:

This thread appears to have evolved from "All Iceland Sailings 2021" to "All Iceland Cancellations 2021."

Oops- sorry about that

6 minutes ago, BamaT said:

Thanks, all, for the feedback on cancelling excursions. I cancelled ours today and have until Monday (I think) to cancel the 7 Sep cruise without penalty.

 

What's the best way to ensure your cruise cancellation goes thru if you aren't using a TA?   (Please, no comments about the benefits of using a TA!)  

I did ours this morning. I was told to send an email to vcmail@viking.com prior to 14 days before our cruise that included: 

our names, booking #, reason for canceling, & that we were willing to accept risk free vouchers. I received a reply email from Viking stating that I would get a response within 72 hrs.

3 hours ago, BamaT said:

Looks like we're going to cancel our Sep 7 Iceland cruise.  Should we cancel excursions prior to cancelling the cruise?  We know we will get a voucher for the cruise dollars, but not sure how we are reimbursed for the paid-for excursions.  TIA 

I was told they would roll into your cruise voucher if you didn’t cancel them

4 hours ago, BarbRN said:

What’s the exact name of the FB group. There are several. 

VIKING RIVER & OCEAN CRUISES FRIENDS

1 hour ago, Retired2016Cruiser said:

We are scheduled for the 8/17 cruise, along with 2 other couples.  I'm also thinking as long as that's the worst case scenario, while it would be very disappointing, I'll be ready to do that...just watch the beautiful scenery.  But, hoping the 8/17 cruise will be without incident!

I would be more worried that I’d test negative until the day before departure…wasted cruise days then quarantine in a hotel

8 minutes ago, sprshop said:

Vouchers for booking new cruises (2yr time period) but due to circumstances (being COVID) we can use them on a cruise we booked for 2023😍

I was told you just had to book within 2 years. Cruise could be as far as 5 years out- 

2 hours ago, Rappersmom said:

I just called Viking and they said their official protocol is to retest someone who tests positive. If they get another positive test, that person and anyone in the cabin is removed from the ship ASAP to go into quarantine on land. The other passengers are tested twice and once everyone tests negative twice the cruise continues. No one else is required to quarantine. I asked if the captain had the latitude to change the protocol. The Viking customer service rep said the captain had a little latitude but not that much. So not sure what is going on here. I am trusting that cases will drop before my Sept. 7 cruise.

From what I’m reading from a Facebook Viking Friends group- Iceland’s policy is to quarantine the entire bus when one person tests positive. I asked Viking about this last week & they just quoted their policy (like you stated above)- not Iceland’s policy…This is the 2nd case I’ve heard about.

1 hour ago, Wander58 said:

Then you'll be retested and on your way if negative...so earlier posts indicated.

Some report being quarantined with a negative test??