Pre-Cruise Requirements and Viking's Role

[junnipper]

I am getting ready for our November Mediterranean Odyssey sailing. On My Viking Journey there is a link to a PDF file with all the requirements (I noted that this document is updated regularly). As a first-time Viking customer and this being our first journey to Europe, the information is a bit confusing for me. But I did find a couple of interesting statements in My Viking Journey and I wonder if more seasoned Viking cruisers could tell me if this is in fact the case and I can rely on Viking to guide me through the process.  

 

What I  found in the FAQ section was: 

"Additionally, if the first country along your journey has country-specific travel requirements, we will send you an email reminder". 

 

In the Explore Safely section it states: 

Travel Requirements

"As your trip nears and you prepare to travel you will receive a series of Viking notifications to help you complete any pre-travel country-specific requirements".

 

Thank you in advance for your kind replies. 

 

[molymoo]

As I recall we did receive email "reminders" from Viking as we neared our departure date ... specifically when there were more "requirements" in place throughout the world (ie: last summer / 2021).  That said, I would not rely solely on Viking to guide you along the way.  They do update things in MVJ regularly but you have a lot on the line ($$$) and should monitor things yourself as well.

 

[junnipper]

18 minutes ago, molymoo said:

As I recall we did receive email "reminders" from Viking as we neared our departure date ... specifically when there were more "requirements" in place throughout the world (ie: last summer / 2021).  That said, I would not rely solely on Viking to guide you along the way.  They do update things in MVJ regularly but you have a lot on the line ($$$) and should monitor things yourself as well.

 

Thank you Molymoo. I will do my due-diligence but it is reassuring to know that Viking will also be sending me reminders. 

[TayanaLorna]

We traveled last July and November with Viking and received numerous reminders via email.  Granted we had lots of pre cruise things to do that you may not have.  We got reminders to check the pre-cruise requirements, a time line list of what to do with the deadline, a how to do Verifly with subsequent reminders, notification that it was time do the pre cruise health questionnaire and reminders to get our Covid tests.

[Clay Clayton]

While we experienced exactly what TayanaLorna did last year prior to our Welcome Back cruise around Iceland, our more recent experience for a cruise scheduled from Hong Kong to Bangkok (with mostly stops in Vietnam) showed me that you need to take Molymoo’s advice to heart also. 
 

The MVJ link to the pre-cruise visa requirements for Vietnam initially advised us to obtain a Visa that Vietnam hasn’t issued since the Country reopened to tourists since the pandemic. When I communicated with them about the impossible requirements their first answer was simply to pay GenVisa (Viking’s recommended visa service) to handle it. We didn’t want to do this for a number of reasons-given issues that fellow roll call members were having obtaining visas for Japan (the stop before we were to board in Hong Kong), the isolation requirements in HK, all leading to the question of whether the cruise would be canceled as well as GenVisa’s $600 cost vs. $60if we did it directly. 
 

After several of us pointed out the Vietnam and Japanese visa issues, Viking’s language changed on the webpage indicating that the directions were being updated. However, in my private conversations, they still recommended we have GenVisa handle obtaining the visas.  Thankfully we didn’t waste that $600, as our cruise was canceled last week and the Vancouver to Tokyo portion was changed to go to Hawaii. 
 

So long story short, generally Viking will keep you informed and steer you the right direction, but it’s a good idea to do your own research.  
 

Have a great first cruise - if you’re like us, you’ll be spoiled for anything else afterwards!

[Mich3554]

Going to jump on this in that we also received updates from Viking as to what we needed to do to get into certain countries.  Last Oct-Dec things were changing much faster than they are today, but on our trip in that time period, 5 countries (including the US) changed their rules while we were in transit.  
Best thing you can do is check both Viking’s requirements in MVJ and your entry country’s requirements to make sure nothing has changed.  

[Heidi13]

Lots of great responses. Another consideration is that the Viking Terms & Conditions clearly lay the responsibility for compliance with pre-boarding requirements rests solely with the pax.  This is consistent throughout the industry.

 

While Viking assist in providing information and update it as best they can, I always verify the requirements the applicable Govt websites. I develop and maintain a spreadsheet for each port visited.

[SempreMare]

4 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

I develop and maintain a spreadsheet for each port visited.

 

What are the column headings in your spreadsheet ? 

[Heidi13]

1 hour ago, SempreMare said:

 

What are the column headings in your spreadsheet ? 

 

 - Passport validity - I research both for UK & Canadian passports

 - Visas/eVisas - whether required pre-entry or upon arrival, costs and any limitations, again for both UK & Canadian passports. Note - I use whatever passport has the least requirements and/or is cheapest

 - Vaccinations - info received from specialised travel clinic

 - Medications - any that are banned (including OTC meds), limited, requirements to have prescriptions, original bottles, doctor's letter, etc.

 - Misc - I include any additional info I glean, including whether a passport/ID must be carried ashore, restrictions on taking food/beverages ashore, restrictions on attire, photography restrictions, restrictions on eating/drinking in public, etc.

 

Since COVID, I add additional info for:

 - vaccinations/booster - noting any unusual requirements and whether we require the original vaccination card or our Govt issued QR Code

 - Testing requirements to enter country and also board the vessel

 - Country specific COVID forms required

 - Misc - any additional info gleaned during research.

[mkerner]

We are doing the Mediterranean Odyssey in early October and the August 12 Pre-Departure information on MVJ now lists Pre-Departure testin as "Highly recommended - taken no more than 3 days prior to travel".  Looks like Viking has done away tith required pre-flight testing.  Does any on disagree?