Does Viking require guests to be vaccinated?
Beginning on May 22, 2021 with the official restart of limited operations in the United Kingdom—and remaining in effect at least through at least September 30, 2021—all Viking sailings will be available exclusively for vaccinated guests.
Viking is requiring vaccinations among all guests in accordance with entry rules in many of the destinations that will welcome Viking ships—and as a complement to our new health and safety protocol enhancements, which were designed to protect guests and crew even while the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is still moving forward. Viking’s medical and operations teams will continue to monitor vaccination rates and entry requirements—and will adjust our protocol and policies as needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew.
How long will the vaccine requirement for guests remain in effect?
Currently, we will require vaccinations among guests for sailings scheduled to depart at least through September 30, 2021. Viking’s medical and operations teams will continue to monitor vaccination rates and entry requirements—and will adjust our protocol and policies as needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew.
Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking Ship?
No, Viking does not require our guests to take a COVID-19 test before traveling. However, we highly recommend that guests get tested before traveling if they show any flu-like symptoms in the days prior to departure or if they are concerned that they have been exposed to COVID-19.
You say guests will be tested frequently during the cruise. What type of COVID-19 test will be conducted and how is the test performed?
Viking will use PCR testing, as this is considered the best type of test to detect the virus. The quick and easy non-invasive PCR test will be conducted by simple saliva sample in a small plastic tube, delivered to guests in their stateroom. After guests provide the saliva sample in the tube, they will package the tube in a provided plastic pouch, and a crew member will collect the sample for processing.
How frequently will guests be tested?
Quick and easy PCR tests will be conducted prior to embarkation and on an ongoing, regular basis throughout an itinerary, dependent on prevalence levels from both our guests’ country of origin and the destinations to which we will sail.
Are crew tested as frequently as guests?
All Viking crew will be tested at the same or higher frequency as our guests.
What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 at embarkation?
Guests with a positive COVID-19 test at embarkation will be given a second test to validate the first. If the second test confirms COVID-19, Viking will arrange for the guest to recover ashore before returning home once their recovery is complete. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling.
What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on their Viking cruise?
Guests with a positive COVID-19 test will be isolated on board and then disembarked at the first opportunity for quarantine at an appropriate facility ashore. A second test will be performed to validate the first test. If the second test confirms COVID-19, we will arrange for the guest to recover ashore before returning home once their recovery is complete. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling.
What happens if there are a large number of COVID-19 cases on board my ship?
Viking’s Health & Safety Program is focused on the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19. Our research shows that because Viking will test all guests and crew daily, the risk of a large number of guests or crew falling ill is very low. However, we plan for all scenarios – and we have contingency plans in place should this unlikely scenario arise.
COVID-19 is known to spread through the air. How is the air treated onboard Viking ships?
Our fleet of modern, small ocean and river ships feature independent air handling units, which means each stateroom has “fresh” external air that is not shared with other staterooms or public spaces. Just like in a hospital, we have also designed a solution to implement short-wavelength ultraviolet (or UV-C) lights and new high-density filters that will sanitize the air on our vessels. This solution will ensure that:
- 99.99% of viruses and bacteria in the air are killed.
- We maximize the possible number of air changes.
- We provide a risk-free solution for the crew when cleaning filters, as viruses are killed and not simply trapped in the filters.
How frequently do you sanitize my stateroom?
Every stateroom is cleaned and sanitized daily. In addition, every stateroom goes through a “deep-cleaning” sanitization process between each cruise.
How frequently do you sanitize public spaces such as the restaurants?
Restaurants are sanitized between every service; all other public spaces are fully sanitized at a minimum every 24 hours, with high touchpoints sanitized more frequently every day.
Will I be required to wear a face mask while on board?
Face masks may be required for all guests and crew while moving about the ship, depending on conditions at time of sailing.
Will I be required to wear a face mask when going ashore?
Viking may require guests and staff to wear a face mask while ashore, depending on local requirements.
Will there be social distancing on board?
We have set up all of our public spaces, including restaurants and lounges, for appropriate social distancing.
Is there a difference between what I can expect on a Viking ocean ship and a Viking river ship?
Our Viking Health & Safety Program is the same across our fleet of ocean and river vessels. Viking ocean and river ships, however, differ in size and number of venues. As such, guests traveling on either an ocean or river ship may experience minor day-to-day variations in how we implement our overall program.
Does Viking’s Travel Protection Plan cover COVID-19 costs (e.g., medical treatment, quarantine, repatriation, etc.)?
Yes, our Travel Protection Plan helps protect you from many unforeseen circ*mstances that may arise before or during your trip, which could include necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expenses related to COVID-19.
