Iceland's Natural Beauty General - 2022

[TERRIER1]

15 minutes ago, DaveSJ711 said:

Jerry,

 

Much of the snow on the mountains will likely be gone by the time you arrive. Not so for us! I look at the surrounding peaks and wish I’d brought my skis.

 

This hotel checks all the boxes: fabulous design, great location, and views to die for. You’ll have a great time at the Sig.

 

David

Did you have to drive through the one lane tunnel?

 

[FoggyEthan]

Two days ago, Iceland's Chief Epidemiologist declared that the country has reached herd immunity. This seems like a good sign that rules will be relaxed on July 1st as anticipated to not require testing upon arrival, and that we'll be allowed off-ship on our own recognizance. Let's hope!

[DaveSJ711]

8 minutes ago, TERRIER1 said:

Did you have to drive through the one lane tunnel?

 

Yes we did — it took forever! We were driving south to north, so the tunnel pullouts were all on our side. This meant we had to pull over in the tunnel and yield to every car coming our way. I couldn’t wait to get out of there.

[TERRIER1]

8 minutes ago, DaveSJ711 said:

Yes we did — it took forever! We were driving south to north, so the tunnel pullouts were all on our side. This meant we had to pull over in the tunnel and yield to every car coming our way. I couldn’t wait to get out of there.

You are a brave soul. We did a 12 day road trip and decided to stay in Seydisfjordur so not to go through that tunnel south to north. Scary. Our luck had us going over the mountain in a total fog in. Couldn't even see the road until we came over on the other side on a lower elevation. The picture from the hotel is lovely.

[USI]

44 minutes ago, FoggyEthan said:

Two days ago, Iceland's Chief Epidemiologist declared that the country has reached herd immunity. This seems like a good sign that rules will be relaxed on July 1st as anticipated to not require testing upon arrival, and that we'll be allowed off-ship on our own recognizance. Let's 

Edited June 23, 2021 by USI
Deleted bc it may have violated COVID19 posting policy.

[TayanaLorna]

2 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

It appears that Viking has updated their Health & Safety page with what to me are additional items that somewhat answer many of the questions we have been asking each other-including is the crew fully vaccinated, what happens if we are in close contact with a positive passenger. 
 

There is also one item that discusses their insurance which at first reading seems to say that the plan will pay for quarantining….however after reading it several times, there is at least one too many “could”s and a “help” that concerns me.  We have never purchased Viking’s insurance preferring to buy others.  For those that have, can you give me an idea of how much it is for the Iceland trip?  Do you know if it can be purchased at this late date (don’t feel like having to sit on the phone if one of you knows the answer already)? If you have a policy could you share the paragraphs related to quarantine?

 

Here’s a link:https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/my-trip/health-and-safety/health-and-safety-faq.html?fbclid=IwAR2mL8L9ivlPPTHU_VhBbu2hilTlB1ld58Zk8tX0LSGX6ZBRnyHKoFnS2cM

 

Thanks!

You cannot purchase Viking insurance now.  It must be done before you can cancel and get 100% refund or at the time you make your deposit if within that period.  

[Shelley34]

 

2 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

It appears that Viking has updated their Health & Safety page with what to me are additional items that somewhat answer many of the questions we have been asking each other-including is the crew fully vaccinated, what happens if we are in close contact with a positive passenger. 
 

There is also one item that discusses their insurance which at first reading seems to say that the plan will pay for quarantining….however after reading it several times, there is at least one too many “could”s and a “help” that concerns me.  We have never purchased Viking’s insurance preferring to buy others.  For those that have, can you give me an idea of how much it is for the Iceland trip?  Do you know if it can be purchased at this late date (don’t feel like having to sit on the phone if one of you knows the answer already)? If you have a policy could you share the paragraphs related to quarantine?

 

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

 

 

Viking's insurance has to be purchased 120 days before departure, or at the time the  booking is placed if it is closer than 120 days to the departure date.  

I purchased another company's insurance.  From what I understand most insurance policies will cover the cost of quarantining and trip interruption for you and your travel companion if one of you tests positive for covid.  Not sure what happens if someone is forced to quarantine because of contact tracing if your covid test is negative.  I was quoted $519 per person by Viking.  I paid about $300 per person with another company but it did not come with cancel for any reason.  I'm on the July 20 Iceland cruise.

[jeremybe]

1 hour ago, Shelley34 said:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Viking's insurance has to be purchased 120 days before departure, or at the time the  booking is placed if it is closer than 120 days to the departure date.  

I purchased another company's insurance.  From what I understand most insurance policies will cover the cost of quarantining and trip interruption for you and your travel companion if one of you tests positive for covid.  Not sure what happens if someone is forced to quarantine because of contact tracing if your covid test is negative.  I was quoted $519 per person by Viking.  I paid about $300 per person with another company but it did not come with cancel for any reason.  I'm on the July 20 Iceland cruise.

Same here -Paid approx $300 for insurance this week for our July 17 cruise - after speaking with a few different companies many do not cover quarantine at all - Trip interruption has to specifically state it . A few of the policies started that ‘if you are forced to quarantine’ you are covered - nothing about a covid test being required

[Clay Clayton]

54 minutes ago, jeremybe said:

Same here -Paid approx $300 for insurance this week for our July 17 cruise - after speaking with a few different companies many do not cover quarantine at all - Trip interruption has to specifically state it . A few of the policies started that ‘if you are forced to quarantine’ you are covered - nothing about a covid test being required

Can you share which insurance you purchased. We had intended to buy just medical on or about July 1st and the cost for it will be around $100, but if for $300 we can get health and quarantine coverage then we would take a hard look at it.  Cheapest I could find that covered quarantine was well over $1000. 

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

54 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Can you share which insurance you purchased. We had intended to buy just medical on or about July 1st and the cost for it will be around $100, but if for $300 we can get health and quarantine coverage then we would take a hard look at it.  Cheapest I could find that covered quarantine was well over $1000. 

I use Trip Insurance Store (online) to buy insurance.  They have a fairly good selection of policies, and are very willing to answer questions about coverage.  You can probably purchase a policy now, but if you have any pre-existing conditions, they won't be covered.

[bardstowntraveller]

7 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Can you share which insurance you purchased. We had intended to buy just medical on or about July 1st and the cost for it will be around $100, but if for $300 we can get health and quarantine coverage then we would take a hard look at it.  Cheapest I could find that covered quarantine was well over $1000. 

 

6 hours ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

I use Trip Insurance Store (online) to buy insurance.  They have a fairly good selection of policies, and are very willing to answer questions about coverage.  You can probably purchase a policy now, but if you have any pre-existing conditions, they won't be covered.

You may also want to check out Squaremouth. We purchased a Covid policy through their website

[Heartgrove]

8 hours ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

 

 

With regards to measuring distances to shore, Marine Traffic doesn't allow for that with the subscription I have which is "Standard." There is a scale that changes with the screens zoom.

 

Last evening I was tracking the Viking Sky once she was back in radar range. I could go back on the route traveled as she came through the Irish Sea. The route forecast had her actually sailing WNW for a bit which I assumed to be scrubbing time so that she would not arrive too early. Each waypoint/change of direction of the sailing forecast showed nautical miles to go.

 

In actuality the Viking Sky arrived at 07:28 local time and did not take the forecast route but stayed on the original course. She probably was about 3 miles from the Reykjanesta lighthouse, 4 miles from Gardskagi lighthouse, and about 2 miles from Grotta lighthouse with the actual route.

 

Edited June 24, 2021 by Heartgrove

[jeremybe]

4 hours ago, bardstowntraveller said:

 

You may also want to check out Squaremouth. We purchased a Covid policy through their website

Same here - We used Squaremouth  - They were very helpful especially re:quarantine requirements..

[Peregrina651]

Now that Viking Sky is in port, sharing a link to the webcams in Reykjavik that was shared on the UK Viking Venus thread.  Third camera down is the one we want.

 

https://www.faxafloahafnir.is/vefmyndavel-faxafloahafna/

[librarylady19]

12 minutes ago, jeremybe said:

Same here - We used Squaremouth  - They were very helpful especially re:quarantine requirements..

Checking their site now. How do you know if a policy covers quarantine costs?

[madrone]

Regarding weather in Iceland today - here is a quote from a Viking cruiser who arrived early for the June 26th departure.    "Everyone in town is dressed in hiking boots and tactical pants. It’s been in the high 40’s/low 50’s. The wind is very cold. I have a rain jacket with removable down vest. It’s perfect. Rain is expected in the next few days."

[StuLaurie]

This was just asked on the live thread by dukefan and it made me wonder, how much of what is being reported on the Sky will be the same for the Jupiter?
 

 

 

 

Some questions for the first Viking Iceland path finders:

 

1)  On what days are there any special meals (i'e. Seafood Buffet, etc)?

 

2) What is the entertainment in the theater each night?  Movies by the pool?

 

3) What type of entertainment was there in the Living Room, Explorer Lounge, etc.

 

4) How hard was it to make the 45 minute reservations for the free Spa Area?  For the Treadmills

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

4 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

 

With regards to measuring distances to shore, Marine Traffic doesn't allow for that with the subscription I have which is "Standard." There is a scale that changes with the screens zoom.

 

Last evening I was tracking the Viking Sky once she was back in radar range. I could go back on the route traveled as she came through the Irish Sea. The route forecast had her actually sailing WNW for a bit which I assumed to be scrubbing time so that she would not arrive too early. Each waypoint/change of direction of the sailing forecast showed nautical miles to go.

 

In actuality the Viking Sky arrived at 07:28 local time and did not take the forecast route but stayed on the original course. She probably was about 3 miles from the Reykjanesta lighthouse, 4 miles from Gardskagi lighthouse, and about 2 miles from Grotta lighthouse with the actual route.

 

Thank you for estimating those, and I pulled up the "distance" site you mentioned, but didn't have time to do more than that.  But I will.  I'll be following Sky around Iceland, and looking to see if I can possibly see any lighthouses along the route when it's my turn. There are plenty of them, but most are small, so it will likely be tough.  But on a previous cruise, I watch on one of Viking's computers as we got closer and closer to a lighthouse I was hoping to see.  That was fun!

  

[Peregrina651]

2 hours ago, StuLaurie said:

 

This was just asked on the live thread by dukefan and it made me wonder, how much of what is being reported on the Sky will be the same for the Jupiter?
 

 

 

 

Some questions for the first Viking Iceland path finders:

 

1)  On what days are there any special meals (i'e. Seafood Buffet, etc)?

 

2) What is the entertainment in the theater each night?  Movies by the pool?

 

3) What type of entertainment was there in the Living Room, Explorer Lounge, etc.

 

4) How hard was it to make the 45 minute reservations for the free Spa Area?  For the Treadmills

 

Good Questions but please post your them on the LIVE thread. LIVE from "Iceland's Natural Beauty" -- All Sailings, 2021

 

Wait until Sunday or Monday so they will be seen by those on board. The conversation on the thread is moving along very quickly. If you post your questions today, they may get lost in the shuffle.

[FLORIDA FLOUNDER]

16 hours ago, Clay Clayton said:

Can you share which insurance you purchased. We had intended to buy just medical on or about July 1st and the cost for it will be around $100, but if for $300 we can get health and quarantine coverage then we would take a hard look at it.  Cheapest I could find that covered quarantine was well over $1000. 

I always use Generali Travel Insurance for my trips. So far so good! 👍🏻

[bardstowntraveller]

4 hours ago, librarylady19 said:

Checking their site now. How do you know if a policy covers quarantine costs?

If you Google Covid travel insurance the website for Forbes comes up. It gives their recommendations with a link to Squaremouth

[FLORIDA FLOUNDER]

4 hours ago, Peregrina651 said:

Now that Viking Sky is in port, sharing a link to the webcams in Reykjavik that was shared on the UK Viking Venus thread.  Third camera down is the one we want.

 

https://www.faxafloahafnir.is/vefmyndavel-faxafloahafna/

Wow, pretty cool. Thanks!😃

[jeremybe]

5 hours ago, librarylady19 said:

Checking their site now. How do you know if a policy covers quarantine costs?

Look specifically under the Trip Interruption portion of the policy - It will explicitly state whether Quarantine is covered - If it is not explicitly stated than there is no coverage

[ValarieDennis]

Safe Travels to all that are flying soon for the 1st Viking Cruise. Can't wait to hear all about it.

 

[IWantToLiveOverTheSea]

I'll try to contact the official U.S. government agency about this question, and/or post in another section of Cruise Critic.  But just in case  someone knows the answer to this question here,  I'll give it a shot.  We recently renewed our U.S. passports.  I was wondering if Global Entry and TSA pre-check information electronically transfers to the new passports or if we have to do something to make that happen.  Would anybody happen to know?  Thanks.