CincyAL

South Africa and nearby countries will be a NO GO thru at least March.  Much of the Safari season LOST.  I feel bad for the workers and their jobs.

Plus Viking air connections often have very unreasonable connection times, especially with so many SENIOR travelers with less mobility.  

On 7/26/2021 at 4:02 PM, Treasure Hunter said:

 

We just we just got off the song on Tuesday. I wrote a long review. We had a great time. The food and scenery were terrific. Yes on a safe, no on a refrigerator. The staff is now up to full service. The internet doesn’t work so just relax. The cruise director Corey and the tour director Olivia are great. If you want anything ( we asked for a dozen bottles of water for the room) you will get it. We laughed a lot.

Where did you post your review?

Yes-I know many Americans over 80 still waiting for their shots.  Nice policy in THEORY.

Hope they consider restroom facility on deck 10 near "Living Room".  I always thought this was flaw on the very beautiful R ships.

14 hours ago, stevenr597 said:

Is there some good news.  Initial reports state that the 1st vaccination without a booster may result in up to 80% Immunity.  To break the transmission of the vaccine we do not need for the vaccine to be 100% effective and even one vaccination may be enough to generate herd immunity.  In addition, the in-coming Biden administration is determined to break the slow arrival of vaccines in the United States within the first several weeks of him taking office. 

Lets hope. 

US vaccine "roll out" is slow yes, but second( tied with UK) only to Israel in the world.  700K vaccinated yesterday, a new high. Need to get California on board to finally break the daily 1 million mark. 

Don't plan on going to Alaska anytime  2021 if there is a stop in Canada.  

Hope that you don't live in California almost the worst of the 50 states.  If they were only at the USA 50 state average they would have vaccinated over 300K more folks. Likewise for NYC.  The localities with the tightest restrictions also seem the slowest with vaccine rollout. Perhaps we  should move to West Virginia or the Dakotas to save our lives.

See the beautiful USA in 2021.  North plains states like South Dakota and Montana are doing an excellent job with vaccine.  This with heath facilities often 50 to 100 miles apart. California and NYC spending their time locking down restaurants.  Relax and dont expect in cruise in 2021.

Plan on seeing the true beauty of America in 2021.  However, not before about June. Too many moving pieces for much cruising in 2021.

USA is off to very slow vaccination start, however, truly Warp Speed compared to our neighbors to the North (aka-Canada).

Stay on shore in 2021 and see the beautiful USA after you get vaccinated sometime between tomorrow and May.

I fully expect the next cancellation round (probably made in mid-January) will be another 2 months or all the way to June.  That way folks can plan in a some what sensible matter.   We are planning to delay to 2022 and enjoy the beautiful of America in 2021.

Research PONANT everything first class.  Make sure that your trip includes South Georgia Island.

Good call the entire year 2021 will be a BUST.

Unfortunate SELL OUT to China.  Viking needed the $$$$ after their marketing strategy of having passengers pay in full two years before cruise was not enough to "stay afloat" due to their over aggressive worldwide expansion.  Time to switch brands?

How far out has O cancelled in Med?   

Glad that at least one TA is not seeking & accepting reservations for cruises that will NOT happen. I am not planning on booking anything new until 2022 at the earliest.  I still have 3 cruises from 2020 to reschedule to late 2021 or 2022.  Off to the mail box and pick up flyers for 2021 cruises that will not happen.

I think the biggest question is WILL CANADA ALLOW AMERICANS in May/June?  Might still be early in the vaccine schedule?

Lets be realistic folks, NO ONE is cruising anywhere in the world except short 3-5 day private island cruises until mid 2021.  At best most countries will not let you in without 14 day of more quarantine. Why would you take a cruise when you cannot get off the ship to eat, sightsee, shop.  Sold out cruises cannot be really sold out with a number of cabins set aside for isolation and to account for social distancing.   The virus is worldwide and not just USA.  Numbers from Africa (except South Africa) are totally unknown.

I for one are happy with Azamara announcement. At least some uncertainty is removed for 6 months.  Well off to check my snail mail and get offerings from Oceania and Viking for cruises they know are not going to happen.

As Viking CONFIRMED the resumption of river cruises for Americans?   Anyone have details by region?  I see alot of folks planning for March, etc.  I have my doubts.  

2023 is a far more realistic "back to normal date".  Allows for proven vaccine development and 12 months for wide spread world wide inoculations.   Just my opinion very limited if any cruising in 2021.

Viking acts more like a bank taking FULL deposit as much as 2 years out.  I am sorry that I see their demise and re-organization with lots of travelers left with only memories of the cruise that did not happen.

Vouchers will not mean much if Viking Ocean goes bankrupt or reorganizes under different name.  Remember largest carrier in US was Eastern Airlines.