Possibly the end of daily testing?

[PBodek]

Just saw on another board from a person currently on a Viking River cruise that they are stopping the daily Covid testing.  I can't find anything about it anywhere else.  We'll see!

[Twitchly]

I saw that, too. She said they’re testing the first 3 days, then stopping. Waiting to hear back from her which cruise she’s on.

[Reymac]

Many countries appear to be dropping their restrictions as of May 1st or 2nd. Let's keep our fingers crossed that Viking will do the same on all river and ocean voyages!

[Twitchly]

She says it’s the Rhine River cruise. Hopefully a sign of things to come!

[duquephart]

A view expressed elsewhere is that Viking, having spent so much installing the labs, will now stubbornly refuse to quit using them.

[PBodek]

4 minutes ago, duquephart said:

A view expressed elsewhere is that Viking, having spent so much installing the labs, will now stubbornly refuse to quit using them.

I agree with you, but some form of Covid will be with us for a very long time.   So sadly I'm guessing these labs will be used.

[TayanaLorna]

12 minutes ago, duquephart said:

A view expressed elsewhere is that Viking, having spent so much installing the labs, will now stubbornly refuse to quit using them.

The processing labs are only on Ocean.  River collects the samples on board but they are processed in a lab off ship.

[duquephart]

This is an ocean forum.

[PBodek]

2 hours ago, duquephart said:

This is an ocean forum.

I get it that is is an ocean forum, I can't comment about the possibility of ending daily testing?

[Frenchberet]

1 hour ago, PBodek said:

I get it that is is an ocean forum, I can't comment about the possibility of ending daily testing?

Of course you can.  I appreciate the info and update on where Viking is with the testing program.  Thank you!

[FolsomMike]

The ‘Before you go’ link on the Viking site is currently not responding so perhaps they’re updating it with a Covid policy change. 🙂 

[hbtraveler]

50 minutes ago, FolsomMike said:

The ‘Before you go’ link on the Viking site is currently not responding so perhaps they’re updating it with a Covid policy change. 🙂 

Looking at the Pre-Departure sheet (dated 4/28/22), the pre-boarding testing and on-board testing look unchanged.

[austinetc]

We're on board the Viking Sky, in Greece. No hint of ending testing. Honestly, I'd be far more excited if the ship allowed crewmembers to take off their masks. With masks on it's too much of an us versus them feeling. I also can't hear them nearly as well as I'd like.

[molymoo]

8 hours ago, duquephart said:

A view expressed elsewhere is that Viking, having spent so much installing the labs, will now stubbornly refuse to quit using them.

Set up costs aside … daily testing of passengers and (maybe) crew must be a significant ongoing expense.

[FolsomMike]

1 hour ago, hbtraveler said:

Looking at the Pre-Departure sheet (dated 4/28/22), the pre-boarding testing and on-board testing look unchanged.

Nope, no change. 😞 

[earlvolfan]

We're on the Venus next week and our "What to expect.." web page still says...

 

There will be up to daily COVID-19 tests (saliva samples).

 

It appears to me they can test less than daily, if they choose.

[onlyslightlymad]

It may depend on where they are sailing to and what the requirements of those countries are.  It is easy to get distracted by what is going on in our local areas and forget that this pandemic is not yet over; that many nations are only beginning to open to tourists and that they are, quite naturally, erring on the side of caution.  Cruise ships, rightly or wrongly, are considered to be a risk.

[uktog]

19 hours ago, onlyslightlymad said:

It may depend on where they are sailing to and what the requirements of those countries are.  It is easy to get distracted by what is going on in our local areas and forget that this pandemic is not yet over; that many nations are only beginning to open to tourists and that they are, quite naturally, erring on the side of caution.  Cruise ships, rightly or wrongly, are considered to be a risk.

I would like to see a clear link to evidence that governments in countries in Europe are requiring daily testing given that no other cruise line is doing it

[SailorPaulH]

19 minutes ago, uktog said:

I would like to see a clear link to evidence that governments in countries in Europe are requiring daily testing given that no other cruise line is doing it

Norway and Iceland have moved on ...

 

https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/the-infection-control-measures-are-being-removed-on-saturday-12-february/id2900873/

 

https://www.covid.is/english

 

as have most other countries in Europe.

 

[Haworth]

23 minutes ago, uktog said:

I would like to see a clear link to evidence that governments in countries in Europe are requiring daily testing given that no other cruise line is doing it

Totally agree, we are flying into Rome later this month, see below, why do we have to have a pre departure PCR test as we are fully vaccinated?

 

From 1 May travellers will no longer be required to complete a passenger locator form (EU PLF) to enter or travel through Italy as a visitor.

Until 30 May, all travellers, aged 6 and over, must show one of the following:

proof of vaccination OR
evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before entering Italy or a negative rapid lateral flow test taken within the 48 hours before entering Italy OR
a COVID-19 recovery certificate, certifying that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months

 

[KBs mum]

1 hour ago, uktog said:

I would like to see a clear link to evidence that governments in countries in Europe are requiring daily testing given that no other cruise line is doing it

As far as I know, Germany has the strictest measures, with mandatory quarantines and masking indoors. No mandatory testing if I understood it correctly. (I accept Icould be wrong) 

 

[Berlin Bear]

1 hour ago, KBs mum said:

As far as I know, Germany has the strictest measures, with mandatory quarantines and masking indoors. No mandatory testing if I understood it correctly. (I accept Icould be wrong) 

 

Masking is only required on public transport and in clinics/hospitals and care homes

[Twitchly]

2 hours ago, SailorPaulH said:

Norway and Iceland have moved on ...

 

https://www.regjeringen.no/en/aktuelt/the-infection-control-measures-are-being-removed-on-saturday-12-february/id2900873/

What a refreshingly sane document. Yet another reason to look forward to visiting Bergen in the fall.

Edited May 3, 2022 by Twitchly

[onlyslightlymad]

3 hours ago, uktog said:

I would like to see a clear link to evidence that governments in countries in Europe are requiring daily testing given that no other cruise line is doing it

I wasn't thinking of Europe.  It's a big world.

[SailorPaulH]

15 minutes ago, Twitchly said:

What a refreshingly sane document. Yet another reason to look forward to visiting Bergen in the fall.

And which cruise line sails under the flag of Norway?