OnTheJourney

You sort of beat me to this one...been thinking about the same thing. Be interesting to address this directly to Viking. Part of it is, I feel, the amount of money they spent on the technology to do the testing onboard. They went through all the trouble, so why not keep using it? I suspect that as long as any positive cases are showing up around the ships, they'll certainly keep testing. No foreseeable end to it given the prolliferation of new variants. Gosh...isn't it pathetic that we're all even having these discussions and debates when instead we should be talking about what our favorite meals and shows were on cruises, etc. instead of bandying around chatter on masks and testing. Very sad.

Very sorry to hear this! I know what you mean about the lack of masking on the plane and, from our experience - in the airports as well. As I said in another post, people are done with it (masking)...they've had it.

Super idea, John. I must do the same. It truly was magnanimous of them to not forget us in the wake of all else that they had to deal with. I know in some posts I'm probably coming across a bit negatively relative to this PCR testing, but I want it said that DW and I absolutely love Viking's ocean product - everything about it - and would gladly sail on her repeatedly (IF the testing is curtailed or at least reduced and also if I didn't have to fly for just about everything they offer...guess I'm spoiled by living only 2+ hours from two cruise ports).

lol...sorry, but I will ALways think of our Chairman's cruise as the maiden voyage (probably cause that's what we were initially offered on the Venus). I guess technically it has to be a public sailing (?)

Yep...for sure, unfortunately. The variants won't got away, sort of like a bad penny.

He da man...... gotta love a guy that recommends to only pack 5 pair of underwear for a trip. 😁 I bought and read his latest Barcelona edition before going on the Chairman's cruise. His guides are so informative. He surely has done well for himself.

Interesting that you mention this, being that I also noticed the same thing. Certainly commendable for those that want to really dig into the details of what they're seeing, but very honestly, with my crappy memory, most of what is said during a guided tour, etc. is simply not recalled even a few days (let alone weeks) later. Hard enough remembering what I ate for dinner 3 days ago LOL Also, I admit to focusing less on the commentary at times and moreso concentrating on taking pictures and video. DW is the journalist in the family and records details of every trip. The quiet vox devices are nice in that it allows for sort of hanging back from the group if there are still a few shots I'd like to get and yet can still hear the guide. If there is a strong local accent, however, I tend to tune out pretty quickly. Agreed. Where is the "science" in testing daily on ocean but (apparently anyway) not on river? As "scientists", what is your take on continuing to mask? Just read that CDC is now advocating it again. Thing is, at this point you can TELL people to mask, but unless truly enforced, it ain't gonna happen. People, on the whole, are done with it. Unfortunately, they're also in too large a percentage also done with getting additional vaccination. What area of science I might ask? Just curious. So is my daughter, who throughout the pandemic has been extremely overly-cautious - and still is. I commend her for it but sometimes worry about her being a bit too obsessive and worried over it all. Taking necessary precautions is one thing, but life does goes on. So glad I retired from teaching before the pandemic came along. My hat is really off to all the teachers who have had to juggle virtual and in-school instruction.

Most interesting that River is apparently not testing every day. Somehow didn't expect that. Why the difference compared to daily Ocean cruises? From what is being said, less testing along with enforced masking (on River). Absolutely agree with this also. Great post....thanks.

We're fortunate in that we live only 2+ hours from both Baltimore and Bayonne and so can grab cruises on RCL and X without having to fly anywhere. That said, if Viking was also a local port I'd probably sail with them most of the time.

All true, but, can you imagine what would happen to the travel industry if every cruise ship, resort, land tour company, hotel, etc. were to test people on a daily basis? When we went to our daughter's graduation ceremonies at RIT in Rochester, masking was required. Everyone submitted proof of vaccination and then had to wear a wristband. This is not to say I'm a great fan of masking at this point after 2 years of it but I just fail to see the logic of daily PCR testing without also masking. I have a sneaking suspicion that there is a high correlation between those Viking pax who accept and approve of the testing protocol and those who also have been longtime Viking customers and thus have that strong sense of loyalty. I'm not at that point having only done 2 cruises and so perhaps can look at it less subjectively. We LOVED the Chairman's cruise, but admittedly wouldn't have done it had it not been the unique and special event that it was.

True enough...but then why not require masking onboard? You've got pax going ashore exposed to thousands of people in those crowded, narrow streets. Seems inevitable that positive cases will show up once back on the ship. There's just no easy answer especially given the apparent new variants coming along that can evade immunity from vaccines. My hat is off to you for your upbeat attitude in the wake of what you went through on the Mars. I don't think I would have handled it as well and undoubtedly would have been wishing I was back home! We're booked on Cities of Antiquities for January - an itinerary I truly think is spectacular (always wanted to visit the Holy Land, plus never saw Rome or Greece); however, I suspect (reather sadly for sure) we'll be canceling under risk free and reschedule something later - perhaps in the US. IF there was no PCR testing, we'd probably keep the booking. Traveling, in general, just isn't the same anymore.

Well, the Barcelona post-extension following the Chairman's cruise was a bit of a disaster from the standpoint of having to wait in line 2 hours to check in. No excuse for that. The hotel MUST have known that a large Viking group was coming. Then, after that long process, we went out for some late lunch, came back, only to wait in yet another long line (close to another 2 hours) just to get room keys. People were most unhappy that what was supposed to be "the rest of the day at leisure" instead turned into standing in line.

Curious as to what you're referring to? I suspect that Viking has probably always attracted a more senior age group (especially since they don't allow under 18 and so that sort of rules out the typical (younger) family vacation). From my limited experience having only done two cruises, I'd say it's a very well traveled group - perhaps more destination oriented than might be the case on some other lines, however this is just a presumption on my part. I really like them alot since I don't need the casinos, photographers, etc. and like the quiet and relaxed atmosphere of the ship, but simply don't like the PCR testing.

Yep...I'm good with that policy also.

I'd say A and B....

Indeed...as Jim stated it..."treat the sick, leave the well alone".

They do. We just came back from a post-cruise extension in Barcelona, and they arranged an antigen test that was taken right at the hotel the morning before we left. It took place in a timely fashion - started like 7:30 in the a.m. and probably went till around 10:00. The only mildly inconvenient issue was that the Viking guide referred everyone to a website that we needed to go on to access and download the results. I would have hoped he'd have distriubuted copies of both the site and the instructions, but instead had it on a sheet of paper and everyone took pictures of it (a bit weird...could have been done better?) . Then, some people had trouble accessing the info. The hotel didn't have a business center to print anything out, so if you wanted a paper copy you had to email the hotel with the results and then they'd print it out. This, also, didn't run very smoothly and so the Viking guides (there were 3 of them) basically wound up printing out results although never actually informed the guests that this was being done. It COULD have all been handled more efficiently but they were very helpful and everyone got what they needed.

What do these refer to?

Say what? Who came up with this? NO idea what is being referred to...relative to Viking I assume?

Viking tests everyday while onboard...PCR sample collected every morning, so RCL folks have it pretty easy.

This is unfortunately devolving into yet another disagreeable issue with no resolution, much the way masking / distancing, etc. has been so politically contested since the start of the pandemic. Those on either side of the PCR testing coin will likely remain there. So there will be continued posts defending both positions. I don't see Viking changing the protocol, so one either accepts it and continues cruising, or not.

I feel the same way. DW and I were just talking about this again today. We REALLY like everything that Viking does, except for the testing - but we feel that alone is enough of a deal breaker at least for the present. As you said, there are other options out there. I think your post pretty much captured the feelings of many of us. Well said!!!

Agreed, and certainly pertains to me I suppose. Kind of difficult to be loyal to a line after only one sailing. Hated to turn down the invitational cruise, but otherwise would not have traveled overseas yet. As I've said on other threads, I DO very much like Viking's product and how the ship operates. I really like everything about it except for the testing. This is most certainly true! Also true, but still doesn't change my mind as to the seeming illogic associated with requiring daily PCR and yet allowing people to roam freely unmasked ashore and onboard. It seems that it's almost inevitable that positive cases will show up. I was in those small towns the past two weeks in the narrow streets crowded with thousands of people. Most of the time a high % of Viking pax don't mask, and that's ok - since it's not required, but then that just increases the chance of positive results onboard. It's easy to accept and support the protocol if you're not one who winds up quarantined and loses most or all of their trip.

I'm starting to think, based on replies I'm seeing here in a few threads, that a good percentage of the Viking loyal pax are simply willing to accept the risks and whatever inconveniences the daily testing might incur in order to continue cruising with them. I don't really have that same feeling of loyalty having only sailed with them twice. First time was the Sky incident.

Well said. I have to agree. As much I we really enjoyed the Chairman's cruise, we're hesitant to get back on another Viking ship at present. Maybe next time we won't be so fortunate (as to all negative tests).