28 minutes ago, jeb_bud said:

I have flown restricted business class to/from cruises that included domestic legs in first class. In my case always on the same airline or alliance. Maybe the restriction refers to trips with mixed nonaligned airlines. 

My comment was from an airline industry source and was intended to clarify the term.  I have also gotten first class on domestic flights but certainly has not always been the case.  RSSC is using the term to clarify that it’s not included in their offer.

It means:

“Restricted business class air is business class on the intercontinental portions of the flight only. All other portions of the flight would be in economy class.”

Following your story with interest.  We are scheduled to be on the Explorer starting 2/14.

So what brand of vodka do they have?  I’m a Gray Goose fan!

The following was posted after the first Jupiter event.
 

4 hours ago, susanlik said:

Do you how many people Viking is putting on their buses 

And weather whole bus would be quarenteened if a positive or just close to that person

We were on the Sky’s Golden Circle tour today and there were 24 people on the tour.  Everyone was good about wearing a mask.  We did mingle with other tourists at restroom stops which were at locations that also had food and shopping.  Was cool and rainy all day.  Was a great tour and a fantastic tour guide.

3 minutes ago, Sea-Traveller said:

We were on a few tour buses as well as the bus transport from the airport. Neither of them was socially distant (though everybody was fully vaccinated and masked up). Viking would not disclosed where exactly the contact might have happened and no parties in the group sent back home recognize each other even remotely.

It is very possibly  due to contact on a tour bus.

Icelands policy is that when a person on a tour bus has tested positive, everyone on that bus is deemed to have been in contact and is to be quarantined.  This per the General Manager of the Jupiter.

So why is Viking no longer allowing “independent exploration” per their August 4 email.  Instead explorations can only occurr through Viking!!!
This is the risk in daily testing in this circumstance.  Guests get up in the morning, do their tests, leave it behind and go off on an excursion in a tour bus.  A couple hours later authorities stop the bus and everyone is notified that are subject to quarantining.  Again Viking knows this and insists on its continuance.   Disappointing.   Too late to cancel the cruise but will certainly reconsider our list of excursions.

1 minute ago, Sea-Traveller said:

Yes, about a dozen people on 8/11.

We’re you on a tour bus?

I agree.

My only complaint is regarding the recent “bubble order” imposed by Viking.  I have asked for clarification.  This what I have sent to Viking.

I have been told I will have a response tomorrow.

On 7/28/2021 at 4:53 PM, alohadave said:

Our PCR test went fast. CVS drive through with 2 appointments did both at same time. Now waiting results! Leave 30 July...   Bar codes in hand.

Was this a Rapid PCR Test?

Thanks

New test requirements just issued by Iceland.  Here’s the link.
https://www.government.is/news/article/2021/07/19/COVID-19-test-certificate-required-before-departure-for-vaccinated-travellers/

This development is going to put all remaining Iceland cruises in jeopardy!

On 7/1/2021 at 4:52 PM, anaco_angler said:

I just used the chat function on MVJ to ask about luggage tags and here's what I was told:

Dennis, I haven't been seeing guests receiving luggage tags for our welcome back cruises. Once you arrive in Iceland you will be able to rendezvous with your transfer through the Viking employees present at the airport and they will have your name listed and any luggage tags or other things needed prior to embarking on the ship!

 

I’ve never seen a “Chat” dialogue box while in MVJ.  How did you initiate it?

3 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

No rush.  I don’t want to book ahead in case the bubble is reinstated. 

We received a email this afternoon from Viking regarding our excursions (Sky Aug. 21) and in it was this statement. 
“In consideration of your health and safety, only Viking-offered shore excursions will be allowed during your voyage. We will offer a range of shore excursions, including sightseeing, special interest and active tours, and each one will be hosted by an experienced guide. To minimize potential risk, no independent exploration is permitted at this time.”

1 hour ago, Snit13 said:

Are there excursions for purchase?  If so, how do the prices compare to independent operators.  I imagine some of you on this cruise are experienced in doing your own thing during your travels.

How far before your cruise were you able to view excursions on Viking site?  We don't cruise until August 31 and there are NO excursions to even read about.

You read about excursions here.  https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/cruise-destinations/baltic/icelands-natural-beauty/index.html#itineraryday/2

We have been notified by email that our March 13 cruise has been cancelled.

Ok

We received this yesterday 2/2/2020 from Regent Seven Seas Cruises regarding our cruise.  Even with their policy you would have to have travelled to mainland China to qualify for a refund.

You have travel insurance be sure to call them before canceling.   It’s my understanding most policies won’t cover it.

From Regent:

”Please be advised due to the growing concern regarding coronavirus infections in China, guests who have visited mainland China within 30 days of their voyage embarkation will not be allowed to board a Regent Seven Seas Cruises ship. Kindly note Hong Kong is not considered part of mainland China and guests who have visited Hong Kong will be permitted to sail.

In addition, Regent is implementing non-touch temperature screenings for all guests and crew embarking in Hong Kong. Any person who registers a body temperature of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit or 38 degrees Celsius or higher, will not be allowed to board.
If you have traveled to mainland China within 30 days of your cruise, please contact your Travel Advisor or Regent Reservations at 1.844.4REGENT (1.844.473.4368) so they can begin the process of cancelling your upcoming voyage and starting the refund process.”

I previously  posted:

After reading through many of these comments, questions and answers, I feel like a cruise rookie even though we been on over a dozen cruises.  We and another couple are going on Regent’s March 2020 cruise from Tokyo to Bangkok. It will be our second cruise on Regent.   On our previous cruise we signed up about 60 days before the cruise so we didn’t really have the “Custom Air” option.   We have just pasted the 270 day mark so we are in the Custom Air window.  There is currently a lot of discussion among the four travelers regarding paying the $175/per person fee for Custom Air.  

Our departure city will be Detroit, a Delta hub.   Delta has a nice direct non stop flight to Tokyo.  Also Delta, partnering with Korean Air, has a one stop (Seoul) return from Bangkok to Detroit.   Some in the group believe Regent being a  “high quality, first class, luxury cruise line” will most certainly book us on these “obviously” convenient flights.   We wouldn’t know until 75 days before the cruise! 

So far Regent hasn’t given us a clue. 

Any thoughts or comments? 

New update and Post;

Regent has  told us that Delta was not discounting either non stop flights and likely will not, and therefore those flights were not available to us.  We decided to take Regent’s offer of a one stop from Detroit, in Seattle, in route to Tokyo.  On the return from Bangkok,  to Seoul, then to Atlanta and finally back to Detroit.   All flights are Delta “flights”, but two are operated by Korean Air, a Delta partner.  We can access and change seats on all the five flights. All are Business or First Class and  five different types of planes:  757, A330, A380, 747 and A321.   Glad that’s done!  

Hello rallydave,

Thanks for reviewing my posts.   Don’t due very often, probably shows!  

My original contact on Tuesday with with Regent was in the form of questions regarding their contract status with Delta for the Detroit to Tokyo flight.

The following day, they turned it into a formal Custom Air request.   Regent says I should have a reply within 72 hours, but usually within two business days.  Their time is about up.

We are arriving 3 days before the cruise begins as part of a Regent pre cruise land package, so whether we “deviate” or not we will arrive 3 days prior to our cruise.

Hello Travelcat2,

Thank you for all your comments!   You obviously have a lot of experience with Regent., and at looking and finding flights. 

Our travel dates are March 3 to Tokyo, returning from Bangkok March 27.  We arrive 3 days before the cruise begins.  Looking forward to seeing Tokyo.

The flights we’re looking at are Delta 275 to Tokyo, it’s the only non stop I’ve found on Matrix.   Return flights in general seem to either go through Tokyo or Seoul.   Not sure we care which because from either Delta has a non stop to Detroit.  Looking at Delta 7918 to Seoul operated by Korean Air because it’s a code share partner with Delta.  Then Delta 158 to Detroit.

Thanks for the comments, they are appreciated!   We have flown Delta internationally many times and don’t have access to Cathay Pacific or EVA for these flights in and out of Detroit.  Also these flights use Delta’s new A350 flagship planes with their latest business class seating.  AMERICAN Airlines always means connecting through Chicago or Dallas , United requires connections through IAD, IAW etc.   We have done this twice, always with connection issues.  Some of the non US airlines probably offer better food and inflight service but Delta’s has always been reasonable and on time!

We are waiting to hear from Regent on our flight choices.   

After reading through many of these comments, questions and answers, I feel like a cruise rookie even though we been on over a dozen cruises.  We and another couple are going on Regent’s March 2020 cruise from Tokyo to Bangkok. It will be our second cruise on Regent.   On our previous cruise we signed up about 60 days before the cruise so we didn’t really have the “Custom Air” option.   We have just pasted the 270 day mark so we are in the Custom Air window.  There is currently a lot of discussion among the four travelers regarding paying the $175/per person fee for Custom Air.  

Our departure city will be Detroit, a Delta hub.   Delta has a nice direct non stop flight to Tokyo.  Also Delta, partnering with Korean Air, has a one stop (Seoul) return from Bangkok to Detroit.   Some in the group believe Regent being a  “high quality, first class, luxury cruise line” will most certainly book us on these “obviously” convenient flights.   We wouldn’t know until 75 days before the cruise! 

So far Regent hasn’t given us a clue. 

Any thoughts or comments?