DJVKN

18 minutes ago, Clay Clayton said:

Hope that is us the morning of July 10th!

@Clay Clayton I do too. I posted this for you. It is a great facility and a beautiful stop.

It is a beautiful day at the Blue Lagoon. Blue skies, no wind. Who knew… another great day in Iceland. Tomorrow we board the ship.

Just a quick update. I am on the July 3 cruise and we arrived in Reykjavik this morning around 6:00 am. We flew Delta and the walk to passport control was long. It took about an hour to go through passport control and then onto baggage claim. Our next stop was Customs where we presented our vaccine records, bar codes from pre registration and passports again and we’re provided our test tubes for the swab. We had a driver pick us up who took us to the hotel. It took about 2 hours to leave the airport and then it’s a 45 minute drive to our hotel. We received our negative test results in 5 hours. Was 52 with slight drizzle when we landed and is now sunny, 61 and no wind. Heading out to explore.

Diana
 

4 minutes ago, Dukefan said:

Dave & Linda,

 

Thank you both for your posts.  Have a save trip back to Seattle.   And remember if we are ever on a future cruise together we owe you both a drink (or two) for giving us a preview of some of what we might expect in Iceland in a little over a week from now.

I agree with @Dukefan. Only difference is we leave tomorrow and arrive in Iceland on June 29th. Bags are packed and boarding passes printed. We are ready for a very long travel day!

3 minutes ago, philw1776 said:

What confirmation? What barcode?

When you complete your pre registration within 72 hours of heading to Iceland you will get a barcode that you will need. If there are two of you I believe you both need to register. 

Here is the link:

https://visit.covid.is/

As many have said, things are constantly changing, so we are each responsible for knowing what is required for our cruises as what's in play today may not be tomorrow and vice versa. I would not rely on CC as your official source of information. Follow what Viking, your airline and the official Iceland site says.

Diana

8 hours ago, IWantToLiveOverTheSea said:

Just curious: I was hoping to get the nonstop Icelandair flight back home, but didn't.  We connect in Minneapolis on Delta. We have plenty of time, but can anyone comment on how easy/hard the connection might be?  Walk? Bus? Train?  Anything there to kill time besides shopping/eating? 

It's pretty simple. It can be a long walk through the jetway to get to customs/immigration. We have Global Entry so we sail through pretty quickly but I have seen the queue be very long depending on how many flights arrive at the same time. Once there, you will collect your luggage if you have checked any you will move it from belt A to belt B and proceed back through security. (There is staff that will "show" you the way every step) With Global entry we are through and back in the main terminal area in less than 20 minutes. There is a tram that that shuttles passengers to different concourses. It arrives every 5 - 10 minutes and is very efficient.

Can't speak of what to do at the airport but depending on the length of your layover there is a shuttle that takes you to Mall of America which is appx 15 minutes from the airport.

1 hour ago, FLORIDA FLOUNDER said:

Question on how to pay for the spa... I see it on the calendar but not in the cart. Do they add it to the cart before we sail? Will they take it out of the voucher balance?

You can use Shipboard credits for SPA treatments but not Voucher Credits. 

Per Viking: Vouchers and Shipboard Credits will be automatically applied to your purchases of excursions, beverage packages, and prepaid gratuities. Vouchers must be used before your journey begins. Unused Shipboard Credits will transfer to your shipboard account 7 days before your Journey.

5 minutes ago, ustowas said:

Has anyone gotten information as to why Viking Air plus is choosing to and I qoute:  "Ticketing is occurring at 45 days or less. This is a temporary change due to the current world situation".  This is very different from my previous trips and shows a disregard for passinger comfort as the seats on the flight are filling up and I can not pick one.

I have Viking AirPlus and am on the July 3rd sailing. I was told they are not ticketing earlier due to the number of airline changes. We are on Delta and we have had 5 changes but only one since ticketing. They did have seats assigned to us but of course without being ticketed we knew they were not technically ours.  We return to the US on July 10th and our flights were ticketed less than 45 days ago. Viking "lost" our return seats which were Premium Economy so they upgraded us to Business Class on the return flight at no additional charge to us. So Viking did the right thing as far as we are concerned and are pleased with how they handled it.

13 hours ago, Frenchberet said:

Try https://whatsinport.com

Thanks for the link. Lots of great information.  I really like the general overview of the port and weather information.

Diana

49 minutes ago, Donaghadee said:

And the odds of the tracer thing fitting in that are...

I think they are pretty good. I am following one of the groups that is on another site that has something to do with faces and books. It is a Viking group for the British Isle seacation that sailed yesterday. Lots of great information on protocols etc and he say the device is pretty small. The medallions on Princess are a little larger than a quarter so I think I'll see if it works since I already own it.

21 minutes ago, Donaghadee said:

I was thinking along these lines:

It has a little pouch for the gizmo and is secured with snaps. Put it on in the morning and forget about it until bedtime.  No brick in your pocket and nothing flapping about around your neck or belt.

 

 

I have this little round silicone thing that fits on my watchband that  I use for my medallion when I sail Princess. I am hoping it will work for this tracer gadget as well. I really dislike lanyards. I got it a few years ago from Amazon and it comes in many colors.

https://www.amazon.com/Luke3DP-Adapter-Holding-Carnival-Medallion/dp/B07RC2B9BY/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=medallion+holder+for+cruiser&qid=1621801199&sr=8-1

37 minutes ago, DaveSJ711 said:

Be prepared:  Downtown Reykjavik is notorious for its Friday night and Saturday night pub crawl -- and Hotel Borg is right in the center of the action. Your cruise leaves on Saturday, so the night before will be a crawl night. Don't rely on double-paned windows to keep out the noise -- bring the best ear plugs you can find/buy if you want a good night's sleep. (For more accounts of crawl noise, read the Borg reviews on Tripadvisor.)  

That may be true in normal times and we are 'hoping' for normal times but as of now there will be no late night pub crawls. Please see what I placed in red text.

The source is:

https://www.icelandair.com/blog/iceland-is-open-faq/

In an attempt to control the outbreak and minimize the strain on the healthcare system, Iceland has implemented various testing and tracing measures, together with social gathering bans and social distancing measures. Details of the measures are outlined at 'Restrictions in effect' on covid.is.

From May 10, 2021, the following rules apply:

• The general gathering limit is 50 people. 
• The 2-meter social distancing rule and the obligation to wear face masks remain in place.
• Stores have limits on customer numbers based on their size (up to a maximum of 200 customers).
• Restriction numbers do not apply to public transport and domestic flights.
• Swimming pools, spas and gyms may open with some limitations (75% of capacity).
• Cinemas, performing arts and cultural/sporting events may have up to 75 participants and 150 persons (seated) in the audience.
• Restaurants, bars and cafes may admit up to 50 guests and must close by 11pm (no new guests permitted after 10pm).
• Face masks must be worn where it is not possible to ensure a 2-meter social distance.

Face masks are required on board Icelandair aircraft. In public spaces in Iceland, masks must be worn where the 2-meter social distancing rules cannot be respected, including on domestic flights and ferries and on public transport such as buses. Most stores and services require that face masks are worn.

Just now, Cruiser1854 said:

Hi Diana,

What hotel are you using?  I have already contacted 3.  We are on the July 20 sailing.

Thanks,

Anne

Hotel Borg in the city center.

2 hours ago, Cruiser1854 said:

 

Hi,

 

Need some advice.  Currently booked to arrive in Reykjavik 1 day before the sailing. Current regulations require us to quarantine until cleared by the results of the PCR test.  Arriving at 8am in the morning. Hotels are advising to book the night prior to arrival to access a room early.  
Anyone have the same experience?  What are you planning to do if you are in a similar  situation?

Seems like arriving early prior to the cruise doesn’t make much sense since it seems we can’t leave the hotel.  Also paying extra for the ‘privilege’.

 

Anne

Hi Anne, we are arriving on Jun 29th for our Jul 3rd cruise. We arrive at 6: 40 am. I contacted the hotel where we are staying in inquire about quarantining at the hotel and we are able to do so. We are not paying for the previous night and they will have a room available for us.

I don't know what hotels are making you pay for another night before you arrive. I am a cautionary person in generalizing statements such as "hotels are advising to book the night prior... Unless you have contacted your hotel and know they will not allow you to quarantine or arrive early I think a broad statement misleads people.  If your hotel does require you to pay for the previous night you may wish to explore other hotels who do allow you to quarantine or arrive early. There is a link to that list that I posted on one of the roll calls or you can google it. Hope this helps.

Diana

3 hours ago, Heartgrove said:

 

Is your hotel on the Government Quarantine List? Our hotel is and told us they will find a space for us when we arrive that morning. The list is quite long so I would be surprised if your hotel is not.

Here is the link to the hotels that accept quarantine guest.

https://www.ferdamalastofa.is/en/about-us/novel-coronavirus-covid-19-general-info/accommodations-that-welcome-guests-in-quarantine

Yesterday I was able to access in MVJ my cruise for Iceland on Jul 3rd. There were no excursions available yet but the full itinerary was there. I could see the dining options and it said I was able to reserve on 4/24.  Today when I access MVJ, I only get the "Coming Soon" message.  Anyone able to access their booking?

Diana

4 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Here's one thing to ask them - in the videos Mr. Hagen continues to say that Viking "will not sail till it is safe to do so". What exactly does that mean? How does Viking define "safe"?  

Viking has returned my call this evening so I'll try to recap what he said. In regards to the 3 cruises in England, he said vaccinations would not be required and they will follow the protocols that have been outlined. He said they will encourage guest to be vaccinated but it will not be required for these 1st three cruises. The crew may not all be vaccinated for these 1st 3 cruises either and he did not say if they will require crew to be vaccinate or not for future cruises.

He said this continues to be a moving target based on feedback from guests. I asked about dining and what that may look like, (are we all going to be in 2 tops only? Will we dine with other guest?) He said that is still in the discussion phase including having guest who are vaccinated dine with other vaccinated guest and non vaccinated with non vaccinated.

I asked when we could expect the next round of cancellations or if that is based on the success/failure of the 3 UK cruises. He said to his knowledge the future cruises are not tied to the 3 UK cruises. 

I did ask about what was deemed 'safe' for sailing but was just given a pat answer of the safety and welfare of all our guest is important.

I asked why Viking was so hesitant to commit to having everyone vaccinated and told him I felt that was the responsible thing to do. His response was it is still being discussed and they continue to gather feedback from their guest through these types of discussions to assist them in their decisions.

It was good discussion even though it is not what I wanted to hear.

Diana

I have contacted tellus@viking.com and will see if I get a response. If I do I'll post it here.

Diana

My daughters and I were RT Southampton - Southampton a couple of years ago. This was our experience:

We contacted Princess and requested a cruise deviation form which I believe was emailed to me.  We completed the form and returned it to them then needed to wait for Princess to approve it. (They only allow a certain number of people to complete a deviation of the cruise so apply early) Once we had approval, we made our plans to take the train to Paris. We hired a taxi from the port to the train station. (we were told there would be very few taxis but that was not the case at all) Our plan B if we did not get to port in LeHavre was to return to Southampton and catch the Chunnel back to Paris.

Once on board the ship in the early days of the cruise, I took the approved deviation document to Passenger Services so they were aware that we were deviating from the cruise in LeHavre.

Everything went like clockwork. We went to Passenger Services the morning we were to disembark, settled our accounts etc.. ( I think there were 9 of us leaving the ship that day) and they told us where to meet up and off the ship we went. Onto Paris for 4 days before we flew home. 

On 8/16/2020 at 7:38 PM, Aquadesiac said:

Well, our quest to take a second WC has had several iterations. We started in early 2019 with a reservation on Cunard's Queen Victoria for 2021, but then after a 21 day on the QM2 in August 2019, we decided it was too formal for our tastes for a WC. So we switched to Princess for 2021. Then once Covid-19 broke out and ravaged everything, we decided we ought to book the 2022 Princess WC as a fall back position. 

 

In the meantime, I started following Andy and Judi's blog on board the Viking Sun. The itinerary of the 2022 Viking World Horizon began calling to me and after much deliberation, we finally cancelled both our Princess bookings and reserved a cabin on the Viking Star for 2022. We have 511 days until we sail. Surely, please God, a vaccine will be readily available and life will return to a semblance of normalcy by then. 

 

Until then, I'm starting up my RoundTheWorldWriter blog again to catalog everything we do to get ready for our next grand adventure! 

 

 

Following your lead I read Andy and Judi's blog and have also cancelled our World cruise with Princess and we are now booked on the Viking Star World Cruise in 2022, LA to London.  We have never sailed Viking Ocean but love the Viking river cruise experience so we are taking the plunge on our first Viking Ocean voyage and our first WC.

So exciting and look forward to seeing you on board.

Diana

We were introduced to cruising in 2004 with our very first cruise being a 7 night Caribbean cruise on the Golden Princess. We fell in love with cruising and with Princess. 

Bob, I have enjoyed your past Live From's so will be following along. Congratulations on your upcoming retirement!

Following along. What an amazing journey and I agree with Matt O being the best. Never a dull moment with him around.

Thanks for sharing your journey with us and welcome home!

Very excited to follow along. I want to do this itinerary when I retire in 2022.