Live from the Viking Neptune World Cruise 2022-23

[Lilyskittymom]

9 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

Oh I'm so so sorry Cathy.

It is just a shame that there are so many selfish, inconsiderate people traveling on Viking cruises these days.   We are getting on the Saturn in NYC in a couple weeks - and that is our biggest fear - namely, all those coughing, hacking people on buses.   We've seen it before on post-COVID cruises, but have somehow been lucky and managed to avoid COVID (and we are fully (6) vaccinated/boosted even).

But - we do want to see things, so we'll just do our best to avoid those people!

My suggestion is to also avoid the Star Theater.  Lectures and port talks can be watched from your room, which is what we did when we were on Octantis, in Antarctica last December.  We were on Far Eastern Horizons (Hong Kong to Tokyo) on the Orion last month.  By the end of the 2 weeks there were plenty of people coughing. While there were a good number of people wearing masks, the people who needed to be masked weren't.  They definitely had Covid tests onboard because the woman in the cabin next door to us asked to be tested and was positive.  Both she and her husband quarantined for a number of days, based on Japan's requirements.  My husband tested positive when we got home and, 11 days after his first symptoms, had major surgery.  His surgeon wasn't concerned. Do what you need to do to protect yourself.  

 

Maria

 

Maria

Edited May 19, 2023 by Lilyskittymom

[CCWineLover]

36 minutes ago, Lilyskittymom said:

My suggestion is to also avoid the Star Theater.  Lectures and port talks can be watched from your room, which is what we did when we were on Octantis, in Antarctica last December.  We were on Far Eastern Horizons (Hong Kong to Tokyo) on the Orion last month.  By the end of the 2 weeks there were plenty of people coughing. While there were a good number of people wearing masks, the people who needed to be masked weren't.  They definitely had Covid tests onboard because the woman in the cabin next door to us asked to be tested and was positive.  Both she and her husband quarantined for a number of days, based on Japan's requirements.  My husband tested positive when we got home and, 11 days after his first symptoms, had major surgery.  His surgeon wasn't concerned. Do what you need to do to protect yourself.  

 

Maria

 

Maria

You bet, Maria.  We have not been to the Star Theatre except for 30 seconds in our many post-COVID cruises to the shows.  We watch them from the safe comfort of our room.  We tried once and way too many people sneezing, coughing and non-masked.  

 

The good thing is there are so many wonderful places on the Ocean Ships where you don't have to be crammed in with people!   And another hot spot to avoid is the elevators - that's fine with us, as we take the stairs!  Have to burn off all that good food somehow!

 

And yes they do have COVID tests onboard.  We also had friends who tested and quarantined.  Plus, pity the poor crew that has to deal with all these sick people!  so they certainly have COVID tests available for them as well.

Like you said - the choice is either stop traveling or do the best you can to stay safe!   We still choose to travel.

Edited May 19, 2023 by CCWineLover

[annxstitch]

5 hours ago, Cathyvee said:

 

Thank you. Since I posted this, my husband tested POSITIVE for COVID (LAST SATURDAY). Me - on Monday. He has been hospitalized. We are (were) both very healthy, no comorbids, fully vaxed and boosted, sanitized, washed our hands. Just could not overcome the people who insisted in getting on overcrowded tour buses hacking and hacking (no masks). I could tell you some crazy stories but I will refrain from doing so.

 

We managed to go this whole time without getting COVID and I have been to 3 business conferences all over the USA from Vegas to Austin to Miami and never stopped traveling. Last April, we did Paris to Swiss Alps and had to have tests before getting on the cruise, tests everyday and quarantines with those who test positive. 

 

Now they are treated COVID like a 'bad cold' but unfortunately, for some of us, it is much more than a bad cold.

 

We are considering cancelling the world cruise.

 

I would tell everyone - please know that with the new "don't ask, don't tell" policy - no testing - and people who feel that they are not going to stop going on tours even if sick - please take great precautions, bring test kits, paxlovid, plenty of cold and flu meds, etc. and hope for the best.

I hope you both  feel better very soon. We cannot forget that covid is still all around. I do hope you decide to take the cruise.

[mbviking2023]

2 hours ago, Cathyvee said:

I am sorry for what you went through. 

 

Things have changed. Viking didn't even have COVID tests on the ship, I was told. I'm not sure.

 

That's not true.  Viking does have COVID tests on board.  Anyone who went down to the med bay for any reason was given a test first thing.  We weren't charged for them, but everyone got a test.  they didn't test everyone, only those who went down to the bay.

[BobCatter]

@mbviking2023:

 

Are you from Dallas? I was just catching up on the last of your blog posts and saw your pic withBecky is pointing to Dallas, listed at 96 degrees, 48 minutes west of the Prime Meridian.

 

We're in Allen and on next year's WC. 

 

I've admired your commitment to your blog (and your sloths!) - that is a lot of work.

[mbviking2023]

13 hours ago, BobCatter said:

@mbviking2023:

 

Are you from Dallas? I was just catching up on the last of your blog posts and saw your pic withBecky is pointing to Dallas, listed at 96 degrees, 48 minutes west of the Prime Meridian.

 

We're in Allen and on next year's WC. 

 

I've admired your commitment to your blog (and your sloths!) - that is a lot of work.

  

Hi Yes we are!  Garland actually.  It was a great cruise for sure.  And yes, it turned out to be a lot of work, but worth it in the end as we can remember all we did! We're still going through some withdrawal, a week and a half later.

[BobCatter]

1 hour ago, mbviking2023 said:

  

Hi Yes we are!  Garland actually.  It was a great cruise for sure.  And yes, it turned out to be a lot of work, but worth it in the end as we can remember all we did! We're still going through some withdrawal, a week and a half later.

 

I'm sure there is some withdrawal.

I take a ton of photos, and that is how I remember things, and I know how much work just keeping up with that aspect can be; not to mention the write-ups and finding a relaible connection yo upload.

We booked this year's cruise two years ago and can hardly believe we're *only* 200 days away. We're actually going to Lisbon and doing the Atlantic crossing before FtL - that way we go truly around the world. 

Edited May 20, 2023 by BobCatter

[Mich3554]

We are still on the Neptune and looking into what would be involved in staying on until NYC.  Bergen has come up incredibly quickly, we dock there the day after tomorrow.  Hopefully the Cruise Consultant can help us out here, this one is new…..not from the WC.  
 

Everyone else is gone, and we will lose Michael in Bergen.

[Cathyvee]

On 5/19/2023 at 1:24 PM, annxstitch said:

I hope you both  feel better very soon. We cannot forget that covid is still all around. I do hope you decide to take the cruise.

 

He is still in hospital. Very unlikely that we will be taking the cruise.

[Cathyvee]

On 5/19/2023 at 1:29 PM, mbviking2023 said:

 

That's not true.  Viking does have COVID tests on board.  Anyone who went down to the med bay for any reason was given a test first thing.  We weren't charged for them, but everyone got a test.  they didn't test everyone, only those who went down to the bay.

 

That's good to know. I may have been given the wrong information. Thank you for clarifying. I was on brand new Viking Saturn first public sailing. 

[Cathyvee]

On 5/19/2023 at 11:31 AM, CCWineLover said:

Oh I'm so so sorry Cathy.

It is just a shame that there are so many selfish, inconsiderate people traveling on Viking cruises these days.   We are getting on the Saturn in NYC in a couple weeks - and that is our biggest fear - namely, all those coughing, hacking people on buses.   We've seen it before on post-COVID cruises, but have somehow been lucky and managed to avoid COVID (and we are fully (6) vaccinated/boosted even).

But - we do want to see things, so we'll just do our best to avoid those people!

 

Best of luck to you. If you do go on bus tours, double mask. 

 

I asked a woman who did world cruise on Viking not this past one but the year before how she managed to avoid COVID. She said they did a lot of self exploring and avoided any tours that involved buses. I know that's hard.

[CCWineLover]

5 hours ago, Cathyvee said:

 

Best of luck to you. If you do go on bus tours, double mask. 

 

I asked a woman who did world cruise on Viking not this past one but the year before how she managed to avoid COVID. She said they did a lot of self exploring and avoided any tours that involved buses. I know that's hard.

Thanks, Cathy!  We hope that you and your husband get better soon!

We are still looking for to the new Saturn in a couple weeks!  And Verity Brown, the CD!

Our friends, Russell and Gail Lee are onboard so we'll finally get to see them again!  Russell is such a fantastic lecturer!!

[JaMa1991]

On 5/20/2023 at 11:13 AM, mbviking2023 said:

  

Hi Yes we are!  Garland actually.  It was a great cruise for sure.  And yes, it turned out to be a lot of work, but worth it in the end as we can remember all we did! We're still going through some withdrawal, a week and a half later.

Hey Mike and Becky! Relieved to know I’m not the only one experiencing withdrawal symptoms!  Matt is completely adjusted and happy to be home; I am happy to see family and friends here, but miss the “what’s happening tomorrow?” aspect of four months on a ship🥹 (Dr. and dentist appointments just aren’t the same!). It was fun sharing part of that time with you two!

[mbviking2023]

3 minutes ago, JaMa1991 said:

Hey Mike and Becky! Relieved to know I’m not the only one experiencing withdrawal symptoms!  Matt is completely adjusted and happy to be home; I am happy to see family and friends here, but miss the “what’s happening tomorrow?” aspect of four months on a ship🥹 (Dr. and dentist appointments just aren’t the same!). It was fun sharing part of that time with you two!

 

And our first outings were to dentists!  We made jokes about it being our excursions for the day.  And we wonder why no one is coming to clear our plates after dinner!

 

We have a nice picture of you two from the lava fields in Sicily.

[JaMa1991]

Hey! Does anyone have the last Viking Daily that tells us how many total nautical miles we traveled? It also had the # of eggs, rolls of t.p., etc.  i don’t need that…just the n.m.  Thank you!

[BeckySt]

44 minutes ago, JaMa1991 said:

Hey! Does anyone have the last Viking Daily that tells us how many total nautical miles we traveled? It also had the # of eggs, rolls of t.p., etc.  i don’t need that…just the n.m.  Thank you!

yes! 

[JaMa1991]

8 hours ago, BeckySt said:

yes! 

Thank you Becky!

[BobCatter]

On a related note, is there a good reference to what vaccines are required (or suggested) for different countries?

 

Are the NIH/CDC/US Dept of State the best place to start looking?

 

[mstadleraz]

13 minutes ago, BobCatter said:

On a related note, is there a good reference to what vaccines are required (or suggested) for different countries?

 

Are the NIH/CDC/US Dept of State the best place to start looking?

 

If you are vaccinated in North America or Europe, (Australia & New Zealand as well) those vaccines are accepted worldwide. We provided the information to Viking and they processed through the various countries. We were told several times to take our vaccination cards or a photo of the cards for debarkation at various ports. However, we never had to show any immigration official our vaccination status. We ended up not taking any off the ship as we did not want to lose our "official document".

[BobCatter]

5 minutes ago, mstadleraz said:

If you are vaccinated in North America or Europe, (Australia & New Zealand as well) those vaccines are accepted worldwide. We provided the information to Viking and they processed through the various countries. We were told several times to take our vaccination cards or a photo of the cards for debarkation at various ports. However, we never had to show any immigration official our vaccination status. We ended up not taking any off the ship as we did not want to lose our "official document".

Thanks. I guess I wasn't clear - I'm actually asking about vaccines for other things: yellow fever, malaria, etc.  When we traveled to Asia and Africa a few years ago, some were suggested if you were visiting rural areas, or sleeping ashore vs being on a cruise ship and sleeping aboard.

[mstadleraz]

22 minutes ago, BobCatter said:

Thanks. I guess I wasn't clear - I'm actually asking about vaccines for other things: yellow fever, malaria, etc.  When we traveled to Asia and Africa a few years ago, some were suggested if you were visiting rural areas, or sleeping ashore vs being on a cruise ship and sleeping aboard.

You can use the CDC recommendations. After reflecting during the world cruise, the only area where we were in a rural setting was a day in the Vietnam delta near Saigon. There were no mosquitos or any other pests that would cause significant issue that I saw or was aware. Otherwise, you are in major cities. As long as you have bottled water, you really do not need the vaccines in hindsight. We got vaccinated for several diseases/viruses. However, i would recommend an updated Tetanus vaccine in the event you cut yourself.

 

P.S. We had tea in several areas ... India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam. The water was boiled so no side effects.

[BobCatter]

52 minutes ago, mstadleraz said:

You can use the CDC recommendations. After reflecting during the world cruise, the only area where we were in a rural setting was a day in the Vietnam delta near Saigon. There were no mosquitos or any other pests that would cause significant issue that I saw or was aware. Otherwise, you are in major cities. As long as you have bottled water, you really do not need the vaccines in hindsight. We got vaccinated for several diseases/viruses. However, i would recommend an updated Tetanus vaccine in the event you cut yourself.

 

P.S. We had tea in several areas ... India, Sri Lanka, Vietnam. The water was boiled so no side effects.

Thank you! 

[Margaretwelker]

1 hour ago, BobCatter said:

Thank you! 

I have a small fold up bike I would like to take with me for riding in some areas. Did you see anyone doing that?  Bali, New Zealand, Australia?  I have friends who always take them on river cruises. 

[Heidi13]

3 hours ago, BobCatter said:

Thanks. I guess I wasn't clear - I'm actually asking about vaccines for other things: yellow fever, malaria, etc.  When we traveled to Asia and Africa a few years ago, some were suggested if you were visiting rural areas, or sleeping ashore vs being on a cruise ship and sleeping aboard.

 

We use a specialised Travel Medical Clinic, where the doctor has access to the latest information, which changes regularly.

 

We provide a copy of the itinerary and any inland tours we are planning. The doc reviews our current vaccinations and where we will travel then makes suggestions, based on risk.

[mbviking2023]

3 hours ago, BobCatter said:

Thanks. I guess I wasn't clear - I'm actually asking about vaccines for other things: yellow fever, malaria, etc.  When we traveled to Asia and Africa a few years ago, some were suggested if you were visiting rural areas, or sleeping ashore vs being on a cruise ship and sleeping aboard.

 

We didn't get anything extra for the trip.