kcpvwill

Yes we did the B2B this year in June and July, Greenwich to Greenwich, so little flying as we are from the UK.  We enjoyed having duplicate ports which allowed us to plan alternative excursions.  Unfortunately we missed Shetland in one part and Orkney  on the other because of weather.  We managed two stops in Edinburgh and did our own trip to the Royal Yacht Britannia on one leg and the included on the other.  We were able to walk to Britannia after tendering ashore.  Great cruise, however we caught Covid on board and were in isolation for 5 days.  We still love Viking and have 2 river and one ocean cruise booked for 2023.  
Happy cruising everyone.

I will be interested in the replies as we are doing this itinerary in 2023.  
 

DrKoob we also watched most of the Downton Abbey series when we were in Covid isolation on board Venus for Midnight Sun Cruise in June.  Unfortunately the two films were not available.  

We always use the phone to contact the London office directly.  They are always very efficient.  We emailed from the ship when BA cancelled our flight home and were given 3 alternatives within a very short time.  Great service as always. 

We think we’ve mastered the confusing instructions but not totally sure.  It is often easier to find someone who can explain it.  Beware of setting the drier too high and shrinking clothes though! 

As well as the above suggestions I used silver thread gloves and socks under thermal gloves and socks  and a rechargeable HotRox for hands or feet.  The HotRox lasts a few hours and can be switched on when needed.  

4 minutes ago, TayanaLorna said:

Hmmm...I have seen several reports from different cruises about seeing red or pink wrapped room service trays in the hallways.  A mystery.

In June we were given red bags for the trays when we were in isolation.  We were told to ring for the trays to be collected.  They didn’t want trays left outside.  When we were out of isolation trays were left outside, so they must have dropped the ring for collection.  We spotted lots of red bagged trays over the next week. We were on Venus.

21 hours ago, biggerbearmom said:

I am currently on the Mars and on my third day of quarantine. I requested testing because I had all the symptoms and was really sick. Even if I hadn’t tested, I was too sick & could not have participated on excursions or been out and about on the ship. I knew it would impact my vacation, but I certainly would not want want my lack of action for selfish reasons to impact someone else. The staff is taking great care of us.

Here is a copy of the t&cs about Covid.

If a passenger has a case of COVID-19 or other communicable disease which is confirmed by a medical test and he or she (or any other member of his or her travelling party) is disembarked, refused re-boarding, or quarantined otherwise than on board the vessel as a result, then, unless Viking determines that he or she has failed to comply with its COVID-19 Policies and Procedures (and subject to the provision of verification satisfactory to Viking of results of any tests administered by providers other than those retained by Viking) affected passengers will be entitled to a refund of a pro rata amount (based on the proportion of the cruise affected) of the amount paid as by them to Viking for the relevant cruise or, at the passenger’s election, a future cruise credit (subject to such terms and conditions that apply to the relevant future cruise credit at the relevant time) equal in value to not less than such pro rata amount.

When we tested positive (we had requested a test) after we got symptoms  and were isolated, we were looked after extremely well by Viking. When we finished quarantining we were given information of who to contact in the London office to get a pro rata refund.  This could be cash or FCC.  We took the FCC and applied it to next year’s cruise.  I know it didn’t make up for missing part of the cruise but it softened the blow.  This does not seem to have been mentioned on Cruise Critic but as it is in the t&cs it cannot be secret.  We feel Viking was very fair.  (Looking forward to 3 more cruises with Viking next year)

2 hours ago, wine-wine-wine said:

At least some cruise lines (Crystal back in the day) send leftover soap bars to a place that melts, purifies and reforms then as I recall they are donated to those in need. 
 

That said it would be less trouble to just use pumps. 

Conscious of wasting resources, I always take home any toiletries from our stateroom that are opened.  I assume those unopened will be reissued. 

10 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

I too am so sorry you got sick from a Viking cruise.  I appreciate the candid discussion re current Viking cruises.  We have a cruise in less then 6 months and have been wondering.

 

Where we live in PR is TOTALLY different then the rest of the US.  Went to Costco today and 95% of customers and employees were masking.  It's the same all over the island other then in San Juan where the visitors go.

 

Our Iberian TA last Fall had us in Spain and Portugal for several days.  Granted there were still Viking mask mandates so most on excursions wore masks.  However I recall talking with our private Barcelona guides as well as guides on Viking excursions that we took about the difference in culture regarding masking.  They were appalled regarding the American masking resistance.  Like Puerto Rico, they believed masking protected their abeulos (grandparents) and any vulnerable members of society and were more then willing to suffer the discomfort.

 

Our next cruise is Caribbean and Amazon Adventure.  The 3 Caribbean islands we visit are very low on vaccination rates and Brazil is Latino.  They are among the vulnerable.  We plan to wear N95 masks everywhere unless we are eating and drinking.  AND we plan to eat and drink away from others.

 

Following our 13 days with Viking, we join a much smaller cruise boat to go further up the Amazon for 4 days.  We must test negative to board this boat.  It will be well past the cancellation date to get a refund if we don't.

 

I am concerned about reports of people coughing, sneezing and following the actions of 5 year olds.  I read on Vikings safety info that we or Viking crew can request a Covid test.  However I understand that if a person is coughing, sneezing etc, that Viking cannot force a person to take a Covid test.  And I cannot imagine a passenger requesting one knowing they face quarantine if positive.

 

My DH would cancel this cruise in a heartbeat if he was reading all this.  Going to order a big box of N95 masks for the cruise.  It may be the last.

 

 

I have to disagree about passengers not  requesting a test because they will be quarantined, because we did.  We were on Venus in June and experienced many people coughing.  7 days in we started to feel ill and requested a test.  Tested positive and went into quarantine for 5 days.  Viking nurse said they cannot ask passengers to take a test.  Perhaps more should be willing to be tested.  

Tea made from the coffee maker did not work for me, but I’m very fussy about my tea.  It always had the taste of coffee!  

I just checked and the only area in Scotland that is not level 1 is at Glencoe which is level 4 ie awful!  The site allows you to click on the level number and it gives a five day forecast.  It is reasonably accurate.  

Although we didn’t need to use them on our British Isles Explorer in July this year, we took our midge nets with us as they had been recommended by locals on a previous trip to Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland.  Seemingly the midges get in your face, hair, eyes etc and the nets are used by those in the know. We used the website below to get a forecast of the midges (from 1-5) and luckily for us the forecast while we were there was level 1.  
 

https://www.smidgeup.com/midge-forecast/

Sorry I forgot to say in the previous post that various crew members disappeared and reappeared throughout the 28 days.  

We were on board Viking Venus from 17June to 15th July, which was just when they stopped the precruise PCR negative requirement and daily spit tests were dropped.  On 25th June we were both feeling unwell and asked to be tested.  They did a lateral flow/antigen test and a PCR test and we got the former results within 20 minutes.  My husband was positive and I was borderline, (the pink line being very faint). We were told to isolate and wait till the following day for the PCR results which confirmed we were both positive.  As we were both positive we were told to isolate in our own stateroom for 5 days.    We were released on 30th June with no further testing and continued with the second part of the cruise.  During isolation we were quite ill for 24-48 hours, we were monitored daily by the nurses on board but towards the end this was by telephone as we believe they had lots of cases and by then we were feeling OK although still coughing.  We were provided with headache pills and cough medicine and had temperature checks and oxygen saturation.   Having googled the incubation period which could be between 3 and 12 days we could have caught it on the aeroplane or the ship.  When we came out of isolation we noticed several red bagged trays outside doors on all floors.  The second half of our B2B  cruise started on 1 July and again part way through we started spotting the red bags.  
 

We felt that on both legs there were people coughing who ought to have asked to be tested as we did.  With hindsight daily testing and precruise negative tests may have prevented these numbers.  

Recent suggestions in the UK is to cough into your elbow as this area does not go on to touch surfaces before you can wash your hands.  It is taught in primary schools.  

1 hour ago, Jim Avery said:

LHR to Greenwich is a slog any way you look at it.  We have taken car services and depending on traffic it can take over an hour or more.  Taxi probably longer and the meter will be running.  Cheapest would probably be the tube but with luggage that will be troublesome.  We go for the car service and relax and look around whilst in traffic.  Once at Greenwich there is a large tent set up for checkin.  Not sure when they start to man it but I believe you can drop bags.  We have actually checked in around 10 and they handled our bags as we took the very short hop on the tender.  Once done the Thames Clipper boats are right there at the same dock and make getting in to Westminster area or Tower Bridge area a nice boat ride away.  Once in Greenwich Viking have it very well organized.  Not exactly like going to a cruise terminal but we like it.  Greenwich has lots to offer in itself.  Bon Voyage..🍸

Our latest cruise starting in Greenwich took over 4 hours for the Viking transfer  from Heathrow because we encountered Friday rush hour, and major accidents and roadworks on M25.  We also had to wait for other flights to arrive for the transfer.  Hopefully no one else will have the problems we had, as we didn’t arrive until 8pm.  

59 minutes ago, molymoo said:

Embarked yesterday evening for our British Isles cruise after a lovely pre-extension in Oslo.  Our flights were on time, our luggage arrived right away, we were the first to finish checking in from our rather large group, we were upgraded to a PJS, and the sun is shining in Bergen!  Grateful as heck but waiting for the other shoe to drop!!

Molymoo, congratulations on your upgrade.  We are on the same cruise and this is our 10th Ocean cruise with Viking and we’ve never been surprised with an upgrade on boarding.  What category were you originally in?  I hope you enjoy all the amenities on this lovely ship.  

The opening times are printed on page 4 (the back page) of the Viking daily for all dining venues, shops, spa, gym, room service, medical centre

The 4 page daily is very helpful.  Page 3 lists times and places to meet for excursions (times may differ slightly from what you booked) and whether you need the Quiet Vox.  Even so some arrive without it.  It is advised to take a copy of the daily with you in case you need to contact the ship, the phone number is on the front page.

Pages 2 and 3 lists the activities on the ship with times and places.

We are on Viking Venus. Thanks for your good wishes.  
 

Liverpool is a great city  by the way.

We have just had a call from the nurse, who was calling, not visiting, to check we are OK, as there are lots of cases now.  As long as we are OK we get obs only in the morning.  We said our symptoms are subsiding , but when you are in isolation anything could be going on outside the cabin door.  

The nearest car park to the cruise terminal is called Princes Dock multi storey car park.  It is a short stroll to the terminal from there.  
Post code L3 1 DL .  It is on William Jessop Way.  
 

CCWineLover, Thank you so much for your understanding of my predicament.  Many times I’ve had people close windows (not on cruises) saying they are cold. and yet they  never ask others or think to put on extra clothing.  I’ve even had to go outside for air or I’d have fainted.  I had no more layers to shed!  
 

I know we are not all the same but I’ve met many people on Viking who have come out of the theatre because of the heat.  I believe the settings are changed when the theatre is empty or during  rehearsals and then as it fills with people it gets hotter and the settings remain the same.  
 

I suggested to the other hot people that they ask for it cooling but they wouldn’t say anything.  I’d already asked and was told that some people were cold.  That’s when I got my thermometer out and got evidence of 26C/79F, surely this is not cold?  
 

Rant over.  I’m feeling sorry for myself as my husband and I started feeling Ill on day 7 of the cruise, asked to be tested and we are both positive. Now in isolation for 5 days.  We both felt dreadful for 2 days but symptoms are improving, now we are just bored!  At least all the  Star Theatre shows/lectures etc are live streamed to the cabin.  We can even watch the Port Talks to see what we are missing.  
 

There were many people coughing on board and we wonder how many came forward for testing as we did.  
 

No idea how many cases there are.  
 

We have been on 2 cruises on Viking Venus during the era of pre boarding PCR testing and then daily spit tests on board.  As far as we know there were few or no cases of Covid.  We are now on probably the first to sail under the new rules i.e. no pre-cruise testing and no daily saliva testing either.  Unfortunately we are now both in isolation for 5 days, as we felt ill and asked for a Covid test, which confirmed that we are both positive.  They did an antigen test which gave the results in 15 minutes, and  PCR tests which were also positive.  
 

There had been a lot of people on board coughing but we don’t know how many have done as we did and got tested. 
 

I am the opposite, the Star Theatre is nearly always too hot for me.  Once I took in a thermometer to check and it was 26C / 79F.  I couldn’t cope with that indoors with no breeze (even in short sleeves) and had to leave.  I mentioned this in my feedback and they turned it down.  After that the bar tender always had a tumbler of ice ready for me to help keep me cool.  
 

I appear to be in the minority for this thread.  I’m glad you are all flexible enough to have sweatshirts/ jackets or even using the blankets, as it is easier to add more layers.