Will Viking ever end daily Covid testing?

[KBs mum]

19 minutes ago, LindaS272 said:

Grand European, River cruise. That explains it. As far as I know the masking has only resurfaced on river cruises. Thus the confusion here—because we’re on the oceans forum.

Some of the countries the river cruises go through have mask and quarantine rules. Germany is fairly strict, but I can't remember the details of their requirements

[eel]

I am currently in quarantine on Viking Orion. I tested positive on day 2 of the cruise (Monday). I was negative at embarkation. I have been completely asymptomatic and it is now day 5. The positive test was exactly 91 days after I tested positive for COVID back in January and had symptoms so they would not accept my recovery letter as it is only good for 90 days. My wife is also in isolation but they will release her tomorrow if she continues to test negative. They won’t let me out until we disembark on Monday in LA. 
 

There is a good chance the positive test is due to residual dead virus in my system. The spit PCR test is very sensitive. 90 days for recovery letters is a guideline. There are cases of positive tests up to six months from infection. Canada accepts recovery letters for six months because of this.

 

I understand caution but I feel that Viking has stolen my cruise from me. According to the CDC, you may leave quarantine 5 days after testing positive if you are asymptomatic and wear a mask. But Viking said their policy is 10 days.

 

I would not have had this problem on any other cruise line. I have asked for a refund but Viking has been unresponsive so far. Does anyone know if Viking offers refunds if you are quarantined on board? I know other cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity do.

[SailorPaulH]

42 minutes ago, eel said:

I am currently in quarantine on Viking Orion. I tested positive on day 2 of the cruise (Monday). I was negative at embarkation. I have been completely asymptomatic and it is now day 5. The positive test was exactly 91 days after I tested positive for COVID back in January and had symptoms so they would not accept my recovery letter as it is only good for 90 days. My wife is also in isolation but they will release her tomorrow if she continues to test negative. They won’t let me out until we disembark on Monday in LA. 
 

There is a good chance the positive test is due to residual dead virus in my system. The spit PCR test is very sensitive. 90 days for recovery letters is a guideline. There are cases of positive tests up to six months from infection. Canada accepts recovery letters for six months because of this.

 

I understand caution but I feel that Viking has stolen my cruise from me. According to the CDC, you may leave quarantine 5 days after testing positive if you are asymptomatic and wear a mask. But Viking said their policy is 10 days.

 

I would not have had this problem on any other cruise line. I have asked for a refund but Viking has been unresponsive so far. Does anyone know if Viking offers refunds if you are quarantined on board? I know other cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity do.

Eel - I am really sorry to see the treatment you have been subjected to. I hope the situation will be resolved as best as possible to your satisfaction. If I may ask, why is your wife in isolation - if she is fully vaxxed and testing negative??

 

Seeing stories like this makes me consider canceling our cruise: I can think of other ways to spend $20k. We have to give this some more thought than I expected previously.

 

As for Viking: are we watching a company self-destruct before our very eyes?

[eel]

1 hour ago, SailorPaulH said:

Eel - I am really sorry to see the treatment you have been subjected to. I hope the situation will be resolved as best as possible to your satisfaction. If I may ask, why is your wife in isolation - if she is fully vaxxed and testing negative??

 

Seeing stories like this makes me consider canceling our cruise: I can think of other ways to spend $20k. We have to give this some more thought than I expected previously.

 

As for Viking: are we watching a company self-destruct before our very eyes?

She is isolated since she had close contact with me. She should be released from isolation tomorrow if she continues to test negative.

[Mich3554]

10 hours ago, LindaS272 said:

Grand European, River cruise. That explains it. As far as I know the masking has only resurfaced on river cruises. Thus the confusion here—because we’re on the oceans forum.

Good point, however I am sure that Viking is keeping track of the case counts and going to react when it (or if it has) gone above a certain point. 

[Let Me Travel!]

Yep! We got the memo too…re-mask til 4/30…on the Grand European River Cruise…leaving tomorrow 4/24… so we’ll have to mask for 1/2 the trip…I have been reading that the number of cases are dropping and the best news…those that have tested positive are either completely asymptomatic or they have a scratchy throat.  Wasn’t that the goal all along? Our “glowing” arms of up to 4 shots has rendered the virus “no longer dangerous”. I’m ready to go and I will have a positive attitude and enjoy the sites, sounds and experiences of the River Cruise (only waiting 2 years to do this!)!

[bpolen]

First off I feel horrible for @eel, but as he said trying to learn from their situation. 

 

Since, my first cruise is coming up in a couple weeks let me ask this question.  When I purchased early last year we decided to use premium credit cards vs getting insurance do the many complaints I read on this board.(to cover for disruptions, medical emergencies etc)  Is there any recourse, credit card or travel insurance that covers someone in eel's situation given Viking's rules that go above and beyond local mandates?    If there is travel insurance that does cover, with 2 weeks left is it too late to purchase?

 

 

[shadowlover]

3 hours ago, bpolen said:

First off I feel horrible for @eel, but as he said trying to learn from their situation. 

 

Since, my first cruise is coming up in a couple weeks let me ask this question.  When I purchased early last year we decided to use premium credit cards vs getting insurance do the many complaints I read on this board.(to cover for disruptions, medical emergencies etc)  Is there any recourse, credit card or travel insurance that covers someone in eel's situation given Viking's rules that go above and beyond local mandates?    If there is travel insurance that does cover, with 2 weeks left is it too late to purchase?

 

 

I often call Steve from the  trip insurance store and ask him all of these types of questions.  He is an absolute wealth of information.  He many times is on this board answering questions as well.  Not sure if any of us can answer this question with as much knowledge.  

[bpolen]

Thank you!  Have not heard of this before, I will reach out to Steve.  

 

 

[takemewithyou]

On 4/22/2022 at 8:47 PM, eel said:

I am currently in quarantine on Viking Orion. I tested positive on day 2 of the cruise (Monday). I was negative at embarkation. I have been completely asymptomatic and it is now day 5. The positive test was exactly 91 days after I tested positive for COVID back in January and had symptoms so they would not accept my recovery letter as it is only good for 90 days. My wife is also in isolation but they will release her tomorrow if she continues to test negative. They won’t let me out until we disembark on Monday in LA. 
 

There is a good chance the positive test is due to residual dead virus in my system. The spit PCR test is very sensitive. 90 days for recovery letters is a guideline. There are cases of positive tests up to six months from infection. Canada accepts recovery letters for six months because of this.

 

I understand caution but I feel that Viking has stolen my cruise from me. According to the CDC, you may leave quarantine 5 days after testing positive if you are asymptomatic and wear a mask. But Viking said their policy is 10 days.

 

I would not have had this problem on any other cruise line. I have asked for a refund but Viking has been unresponsive so far. Does anyone know if Viking offers refunds if you are quarantined on board? I know other cruise lines such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity do.

I was just thinking about you because I haven’t seen you on the ship since our fateful airplane ride.  I am so sorry for you and your wife!  Did she ever get released from quarantine?  This policy is over and above what is required! 
Again, so, so sorry!  This cruise has certainly not lived up to our expectations! 

[eel]

9 hours ago, takemewithyou said:

I was just thinking about you because I haven’t seen you on the ship since our fateful airplane ride.  I am so sorry for you and your wife!  Did she ever get released from quarantine?  This policy is over and above what is required! 
Again, so, so sorry!  This cruise has certainly not lived up to our expectations! 

Petra was released from quarantine yesterday. I will be escorted off the ship tomorrow. The doctor provided a recovery letter. I also got a copy of today’s test and it was negative. Very suspicious since when I had COVID back in January, I tested positive on a PCR for a couple of months afterwards. 
 

I really think this was a false positive due to my previous infection.

[bpolen]

Again sorry for this,  You are experiencing my biggest fear.  Do you know how Viking is going to handle this?  Are you being provided a credit from Viking?  

 

I reached out to Viking today and couldn't get a straight answer, everything is a case by case basis.

[eel]

35 minutes ago, bpolen said:

Again sorry for this,  You are experiencing my biggest fear.  Do you know how Viking is going to handle this?  Are you being provided a credit from Viking?  

 

I reached out to Viking today and couldn't get a straight answer, everything is a case by case basis.

I was told to contact customer service when we get home. It is all on a case by case basis.

 

I have a pretty good case. I asked for copies of all my test results. They were all negative except for the  April 18 test that put in isolation. There was a test on Friday that was “inconclusive” but every single other test was negative!

[takemewithyou]

 

1 hour ago, eel said:

I was told to contact customer service when we get home. It is all on a case by case basis.

 

I have a pretty good case. I asked for copies of all my test results. They were all negative except for the  April 18 test that put in isolation. There was a test on Friday that was “inconclusive” but every single other test was negative!

WOW!!!!  My best to you and your wife!