Covid Increases on Viking in France.

[mlbcruiser]

Anyone hearing of very recent Covid increases on European river cruises? There have been Post on the Viking France river cruises 2022 thread within the last few days of numerous people being quarantined from Viking’s Radgrid. Wondering about other river cruise lines. No doubt it’s happening on some others as well. (what do you know it? Right when some of the rules were beginning to be relaxed!) Some of the passengers affected are keeping others informed regarding the process of testing on board and then the quarantine process. There are still some unknowns and confusion but Viking seems to be doing all that can to assist those affected. Not sure if those on other river cruise lines are posting anything or have knowledge of increases on other ships.

 

It’s very tricky for the cruise lines because not all of the quarantined passengers are flying home from the same city. (Different countries, such as Switzerland, have no quarantine restrictions at present. Some passengers are not sure if they need to follow Viking’s rules in those places, or the rules of the place they are in.). Information being given to them is not uniform and there is confusion. Those quarantined have plenty of questions and are sort of in limbo with regard to what is or is not allowed, what will happen and when. 
 

My sympathies to both the cruise line personnel having to deal with all of this and definitely the passengers. Plus those of us with upcoming cruises are having a lot of anxiety now as well. It would be helpful to know if this is going to be a big deal, if it is happening to any great extent on other ships and lines, or if it’s just a blip that will pass soon. I guess that’s anyone’s guess.

[boater3]

We are 2 of the passengers being quarantined in Geneva as were were on the Viking Heimdal and escorted off in Lyon. I was positive but not my husband but we are both in a room together.  Please read France's Finest 2022 thread if you want more information as I won't go into it here other than to say this is the 3rd day and we personally have not heard any information at all from Viking and are not happy campers. I believe 20 of us were tested positve. My husband has no symptoms and I have just a head cold but feel ok.

Pat 

[Gourmet Gal]

On the Tauck Emerald on the Rhône right now and they’ve just completed testing for those flying out tomorrow.   Haven’t heard of the results yet but one of the tour directors apparently tested positive a few days ago and the frequency of coughing and sneezing onboard has increased as the cruise has progressed.  Covid precautions have been quite lax and passengers seem  resistant to masking because they’ve already had Covid and think they can’t contract it again.  No thought about anyone else, of course.

[Gourmet Gal]

Where is the thread France’s Finest 2022 located…I can’t find it through a search?

 

Anyway, it looks like Viking has been doing daily testing…I’m on Tauck right now and the only testing done is just the day before departure.

[Daisi]

@Gourmet Galhere's the link, it starts about post # 172.

 

So sorry for those who have lost their cruise. 

 

 

[notamermaid]

36 minutes ago, Gourmet Gal said:

Where is the thread France’s Finest 2022 located…I can’t find it through a search?

 

Anyway, it looks like Viking has been doing daily testing…I’m on Tauck right now and the only testing done is just the day before departure.

It is under the Viking River roll call starting with the words All Viking 2022 France, France's Finest is not listed separately.

Edit: Thanks, Daisi. We posted almost simultaneously.

 

Sorry to hear about your very unpleasant experience. Holidays should not be stressful. Feeling safe is all good and well, disregard for others is not.

 

notamermaid

 

Edited April 14, 2022 by notamermaid
Message to Daisi.

[CPT Trips]

5 hours ago, notamermaid said:

Sorry to hear about your very unpleasant experience. Holidays should not be stressful. Feeling safe is all good and well, disregard for others is not.

Excellent points. Although we may feel done with Covid, Covid is not done with us. Travelers owe it to each other to to follow prevention guidelines.

[Coral]

While in March - I know of several who were sick from a Danube cruise. It was not Viking.

[mlbcruiser]

So sorry for those of you being affected on your vacations. Additionally, no doubt there are many cases popping up on various cruise lines and it is not just a problem on one or two lines. Makes me wonder… I am guessing we will see many more cases in our neck of the woods soon. Whatever happens in Europe outbreak-wise seems to start happening here. Of course,  we all know the numbers have been up again lately. Here in the US as well. However so far I am not hearing of any recent cases in anyone I know.

Wondering how long this wave will last?  Even with all the sanitation, testing, etc., this virus just refuses to go away!

Edited April 14, 2022 by mlbcruiser

[Leapoffaithkk]

We just received an email from Viking that they are reinstating the mask mandate effective 4/15-4/30 for not only on the ship but also outside, shore excursions and even independent shore exploring.  We are on the Rhine cruise 4/25 - 5/2.

[Coral]

3 hours ago, mlbcruiser said:

So sorry for those of you being affected on your vacations. Additionally, no doubt there are many cases popping up on various cruise lines and it is not just a problem on one or two lines. Makes me wonder… I am guessing we will see many more cases in our neck of the woods soon. Whatever happens in Europe outbreak-wise seems to start happening here. Of course,  we all know the numbers have been up again lately. Here in the US as well. However so far I am not hearing of any recent cases in anyone I know.

Wondering how long this wave will last?  Even with all the sanitation, testing, etc., this virus just refuses to go away!

Europe's last wave hit before the wave in the US (as have previous waves). I agree with you about the trend - they just see it before we do for some unknown reason.

[Canal archive]

This report on the BBC shows that although not a lot the cases of covid in the U.K. are on the downward trend. The hospitalised cases are at a very low level.

so fingers crossed we are passing through another stage of the pandemic. Good health all.
 

Covid levels starting to fall in UK, says ONS https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61106918

[notamermaid]

Interesting about the mask mandate. Not sure what all German river cruise companies do, but that is what Nicko cruises say: https://www.nicko-cruises.de/en/explore-safely/safety-and-hygiene-practices

 

In Germany masks are now only recommended in shops and many indoor settings, apparently a few hospitality industry places (around ten percent in Rhineland-Palatinate) still have 3G. So, do not be surprised. People tend to wear masks but more and more younger people do not bother anymore. Not sure about public transport.

 

I must say that hygiene measures on river cruise ships being stricter than in every day life makes sense, I think it is good to have that.

 

I have not read about any cases on river cruise ships here on German news and the internet. It may just not be reported.

 

notamermaid

 

[Gourmet Gal]

So 3 people tested positive the day before departure - only 20 people who were flying out the next day tested so that’s more than 10% positivity.

 

I noticed on excursions that included indoor wine tasting or cooking classes a lot of people were maskless.  The Tour Directors didn’t bother enforcing masks at all on shore except for an occasional mention on the busses.  I actually saw a man on our bus take his mask off to sneeze!

[CPT Trips]

No “bless you” from me for stupid behavior like Sneezy’s.

 

On another cruise line website’s Covid policy I did read a disclaimer regarding France. It said that Covid vaccination of the crew and bus drivers could not be guaranteed. Elsewhere I read that this was based upon union contracts. 

Edited April 15, 2022 by CPT Trips

[slidergirl]

One of my leftover Long Haul issues is with my lungs and coughing.  We've been trying all sorts of meds and physical techniques to get rid of it.  No success yet.  I'm sooooo over people staring at me at the market or elsewhere when I have to cough...  I wear my mask anyway at work (company orders), so just grab it to back into the market.  But, I feel like Typhoid Mary, passing this thing around, even though I'm not.  

 

I'm bringing my masks with my on my barge cruise and the rest of the land trip.  People want to think I'm overly paranoid, so be it.  Just don't be around me when I cough...

[mlbcruiser]

Leapoffaithk, I wonder how Viking thinks it can possibly enforce a mask mandate when people are exploring independently and not on one of their tours? Or did I misunderstand that part?  They would need mask police running around port cities checking that any Viking  passenger was wearing their’s. Seems a good idea to wear one to keep one’s self safe, but you know there will be plenty of people removing them when they are away from the watchful eyes of their cruise personnel, tour directors, etc.  here I was dreading having to do the spit test every morning. I am not an early riser. (I know tours are often early but just the same.). How we can help is that this virus. settles down fast!

[Canal archive]

slidergirl check if you have an intolerance to pure lanolin, just a suggestion.

[sherm2u]

On 4/14/2022 at 7:35 PM, Leapoffaithkk said:

We just received an email from Viking that they are reinstating the mask mandate effective 4/15-4/30 for not only on the ship but also outside, shore excursions and even independent shore exploring.  We are on the Rhine cruise 4/25 - 5/2.

We are also on the Rhine Getaway from 4/25-5/2. Are you boarding in AMS?