NeilP57

See post 1579 on the live thread for an explanation. 
 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2786372-live-from-icelands-natural-beauty-all-sailings-2021/page/64/?tab=comments#comment-61492722

For those worried about what the Star is up to in Iceland, check out the post #1579 on the Iceland Live thread. 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2786372-live-from-icelands-natural-beauty-all-sailings-2021/page/64/?tab=comments#comment-61492722

I think the reference to International waters is lifted from sloppy reporting by Travel Weekly. The topic is an important one for UK customers of Viking as you are likely aware it is currently against FCO (Government) advice to undertake cruises other than domestic UK only round trip cruises, which as you correctly say do deviate into International waters as they travel around the UK. 
 

This is completely separate to the Green/Amber traffic light designation which determines steps to be taken on return to the UK. 
 

Viking has been selling fly cruises in the UK to both Iceland and Malta (to both Croatia and Greece) for July and August departures. This has caused a lot of issues for UK passengers especially in obtaining adequate insurance when travelling. 
 

The lifting of the FCO advise against International (ie non domestic) cruising would certainly be welcome. If it is lifted at the end of this month that would be perfect for my 31 July departure to Iceland. However, I personally would be surprised if the FCO moved that quickly following the meeting discussed in the article. 
 

It is also unclear whether it will be a complete removal of the advice against any International cruising or will be modified to permit UK residents to board ships in the UK and cruise to other European destinations before returning to the UK. 
 

Linconian - not sure if you can do this but perhaps amend the title of the thread to something like “International Cruising for UK customers”  

Hopefully by the time you cruise (? Sept) the FCO advisory against international cruises will have been lifter which can only help. 

It's a legacy policy through a bank that has not been available to new customers for a few years. They have already written to me a few weeks ago confirming that the travel against FCO advice cover is being withdrawn from 31 August 2021. Just glad I did not book one of the later cruises.

You just need to do your own research. I have an insurance policy that covers me for what I need, for travelling against FCO advice, but many do not. 
 

It is somewhat perplexing that the UK government permit travel to Iceland and includes it on the green list of countries, with the lowest level of checks on return. It also permits and allows UK cruises around UK waters with fully vaccinated UK passengers ( as long as there is a plan to vaccinate crew) and passengers test negative pre-boarding. I guess the only point of advising against International Cruising is that they do not wish UK passengers to mix with passengers from other countries, even if they are fully vaccinated and test negative on boarding. 
 

All that being said, we all have our decisions to make on this as Viking are happy to take us knowingly against FCO advice. 

20 minutes ago, Jay23 said:

From traveller in the UK ............     I have read this several times on CC but I have not seen the "official" advice.  Where can I find the FCO advice about cruising.  We have insurance for this holiday and at the moment we understand that it is valid?

You just need to do your own research. I have an insurance policy that covers me for what I need, for travelling against FCO advice, but many do not. 
 

It is somewhat perplexing that the UK government permit travel to Iceland and includes it on the green list of countries, with the lowest level of checks on return. It also permits and allows UK cruises around UK waters with fully vaccinated UK passengers ( as long as there is a plan to vaccinate crew) and passengers test negative pre-boarding. I guess the only point of advising against International Cruising is that they do not wish UK passengers to mix with passengers from other countries, even if they are fully vaccinated and test negative on boarding. 
 

All that being said, we all have our decisions to make on this as Viking are happy to take us knowingly against FCO advice. 

On reflection whilst this is another hurdle to jump through before enjoying our vacation, it should mean that we are possibly safer on the plane than we would have been. 

It has to be better to test before boarding than on arrival.

Our biggest fear on this trip is catching Covid whilst travelling and having to quarantine in Iceland before being able to return to the UK.

Not sure it is back but a new requirement. My understanding was that the previous regime (until July 1st) was that you did a test at the airport, whereas this suggests that you need to present a negative test result before boarding the flight to Iceland.

4 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

 

So as soon as we finish dinner at Manfredi’s we are headed into town. 

Friday night in Reykjavik can get quite lively! Enjoy and stay safe. 

2 minutes ago, Sheila W. said:

I just want to know what is happening with the July 10 cruise so I might anticipate potential issues with the July 17 one. . .for which I depart Dulles for Iceland in a few hours. Thank you.

I am with you just 14 days behind! At least I can cancel today (but not tomorrow). 

2 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Methinks you aren’t aware you’re one of the very lucky ones. The rest of us weren’t allowed to go ashore and are confined to the ship.  

Me thinks that Shipster60 is on Jupiter and their post relates to Vigur Island. 
 

If only they had followed your suggestion of identifying the ship and the departure date in their posts! 

Your updates are really appreciated for us following over the coming weeks. 
 

We hope you enjoy the real Explorers Lounge whilst we make do with the virtual variety. 
 

N 

41 minutes ago, Snit13 said:

Happened to more than one person I know.  Positive test and then follow up test negative. 

Is this a general comment or a specific comment about the case that is LIVE now? 

Loving the crockery, almost matching the  carpet! 

5 minutes ago, Snit13 said:

Clay,

How do we find the quarantine updates.  I searched for your thread and could not find it.  This is a real bummer for all onboard.

Will you be able to dock at your next scheduled port or will you just be drifting in circles like airplanes dumping fuel or waiting to land.  In other words, what happens now?

If you go to “topic listing” at the bottom of this thread and then look for “Covid Positive aboard Sky” that should work. You can then hit the follow button to chose to receive an update every time anyone posts. 
 

Also this link may work. 
 

https://boards.cruisecritic.co.uk/topic/2790429-covid-positive-aboard-viking-sky-71422/

40 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Good morning from Seydisfjordur!  This may be as much of the village as we get to see. 😢

Hi Clay, greetings from the UK.
 

So sad for you all, we hope whoever it is who has tested positive is okay. 
 

We appreciate all your updates and no doubt all those that follow will be so interested in how it is handled and what are the implications for the rest of your trip. 
 

We are due to travel on 31st July and our 15 day window closes on this coming Saturday. We sure do live in interesting times. 
 

25 minutes ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

Yes, several people confirmed that.  It's like it used to be.  I canceled my reservations.

R,

Is that wise? 
 

These earlier cruises are not at full capacity , whereas the later cruises, yours and ours included are likely to be at full capacity. We do not know what their policy will be on a full cruise. 
 

I think I will keep my 7:15 reservations just in case. 

N

2 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

If there is something specific you want me to check out.  Let me know.

Hi Clay, Is there much of line for speciality restaurant reservations? Any news on availability? Our lowly V cabin precludes us from making reservations before we board in 3 weeks time. 
 

I will look out to see how you get on. Hopefully somebody else on some of the earlier LHR departures will be able to post to assist you. 
 

I will almost certainly arrive earlier than I planned as we often don’t sleep that well when due to travel and with a 4:00am departure from our home in the Cotswolds, we have to watch out for M40 overnight road closures that can catch us out, but at least we can check these on line. 
 

Great news about lack of single room supplements on the Malta cruises. It’s so good to be back travelling again soon. 
 

We visited the Isles of Scilly a few weeks ago for a week and that felt like a foreign trip too. 
 

Safe travels! 

When are you flying? 
 

I am flying out of LHR on 31/7 to Iceland so can give you first hand experience after that. 
 

We are booked on the the 7:05 am departure so was planning on driving into the short stay car park for T5 meet and greet by 5:30am at the latest after a 90 minute drive. 
 

Not aware of any additional steps at the departure airport other than to wear masks. Therefore, the shorter period time the better. 

A question for those on board at the moment:

Is the Viking Voyager App working as it should? 
 

Is it showing you tours, dining reservations etc? 
 

Does it have that days menus on? 
 

Does it have the wine list? 
 

Is it useful? 
 

Many thanks in anticipation. 
 

On the Live Thread some very interesting pictures of the current wine list showing lots of $6 per glass wines. I assume all these are available in all dining venues and not just the highlighted alternative wines that used to be  placed on a little card at lunch and dinner. 
 

is this a correct assumption?

How ironic. 
 

My own travel insurance through Barclays Bank (Premier Travel Plan Plus) does cover me for travelling to countries which the FCO advise against. 
 

I had a letter yesterday telling me that they are withdrawing the policy from the end of August 2021. Fortunately we will be back from Iceland by then. 
 

The replacement policy does not offer such cover but if you agree to take out the replacement they will extend the cover for pre-existing holidays booked. 
 

We have a 2 overseas cruises booked already for next year so will probably roll over into their new policy despite the price hike and then likely review after the second cruise. 
 

Interestingly, I think the FCO advise is only against International cruising but visiting Iceland is okay. Not sure how all the policy wordings out there would cope with such subtleties. 
 

25 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

OK I’ve been waiting to say this for 15 months. LIVE  from the Explorers Lounge, it’s Saturday Night. In Iceland!  Cheers everyone. 

Cheers and Enjoy the real thing.

We appreciate your patience and hard work on the Live thread.