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blacksmith

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  • Posts

    231
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About Me

  • Location
    arizona
  • Interests
    Cruising
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    oceania
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    south pacific

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Cool Cruiser (2/15)

  1. Just returned from a Viking River cruise and had a very interesting experience. On the third day my wife fell ill so I performed a RAT on her and sure enough she had Covid. I called and spoke with the HM to advise him. He asked if she needed an ambulance and would be happy to arrange. I told him that she wasn’t sick enough to require hospitalization as her breathing was okay and no fever. He assisted me in locating a pharmacy where I was able to purchase Vicks, ibuprofen, additional RATs, vitamin C. She didn’t leave the room for the rest of the cruise but never got any worse. In conversation with the HM he told me that Covid is now treated like any other illness. We traveled through Switzerland, Germany, France, and the Netherlands, returning to the USA. We both wore masks of coarse, but never encountered any obstacles related to Covid in our travels. I would add that Viking provided some of the best service we have ever had. Even though we were in a standard category every service was first class. Just an example: The hotel provided for our cruise extension in The Hague was 5 star (Hotel Des Indes). This was not requested or expected. The transfer to Amsterdam airport was a private Mercedes for ourselves and my sister in law. Arriving at the airport the driver contacted a Viking rep who greeted us, assisted with bags and even performed our kiosk entries. Our last SS cruise (a little less than a year ago) began with a no show by Blacklane picking us up at our house, a madhouse at Barbados airport and 3 star hotel . On the ship the spa was closed for the entire 20 days, 6 hr wait for the hotel room in Halifax, completely unorganized RATs provided prior to airport transfers. What a difference a year makes 🤗
  2. We have just disembarked the Cloud in Halifax this morning. SS has arranged antigen testing at the SS hotel for this afternoon. A printed copy of results will be supplied at checkout.
  3. The backpacks and water bottles are provided.
  4. I agree with everything MHF is saying. I’m on the ship now having boarded in Barbados and continuing on to Halifax. Blacklane was a no show to pick us up. Sent an email 3 hrs prior to reserved time (made 3 weeks earlier). Unable to contact a real person with Blacklane, only a chat line. Chat person’s response was “your booking was unsuccessful “. Called TA and SS. Too late for them to help. Had to scramble to get to the airport and make our flight. Expedition staff has been great in my opinion, but the food and beverage performance has been abysmal. I’m encouraged that the reduction in passenger load on the next leg will help in that regard. We’ll see🤷‍♂️
  5. I assume that the party you choose to dine with must agree with your wishes.🤗
  6. Sorry, you’re right as it applies to certain countries in the EU. I was referring to the general requirements on the website allowing 3 days.
  7. Again, SS accepts a PCR/Antigen test taken within 3 days of embarkation if you are vaccinated and boosted.
  8. Barbados requires a Covid test to enter their country. They will accept an antigen test taken within 24 hours and SS will accept the same test taken within 3 days prior to embarkation. So for us, 1 test works. The more stringent requirement for passengers not boosted is for folks less than 4 months from previous shot (not eligible for the booster). They are required to have the antigen test within 24hrs or the PCR test within 3 days. Obviously all of the above may be different for other countries. Isn’t traveling fun these days?😅
  9. We booked a vista gty (sails in 3 weeks) and our cabin was assigned 4 months ago. We use a TA
  10. We sail April 25th out of Barbados. Final documents stated that as long as you are vaccinated and boosted, an antigen or PCR test can be 3 days old. A previous notification stated that you would not be allowed to embark unless you were vaccinated and boosted. Not clear why SS also stated requirements (more stringent) for passengers that had not been boosted.
  11. SS has us booked for the Hilton Barbados Resort in April.Simply
  12. We are on the Cloud leaving out of Barbados in a few weeks. Our first SS cruise also. Haven’t received final documents yet but I’m assuming that a dark jacket (no tie) will be enough to satisfy requirements. I believe that Caribbean activities won’t be full blown “expedition” and the primary reason for being there is repositioning. Maybe a seasoned SS cruiser can offer some insight.
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