We are ready to cruise again. How about you?
We have not been on a cruise ship since we rang in 2020 on a Caribbean New Year’s cruise. Like many others who love to cruise, we have had six cruises canceled in the last 15 months due to the Covid-19 Pandemic.
When we saw that Viking Ocean Cruises offered “Welcome Back” voyages exclusively for vaccinated guests, we immediately booked the 8-Day Iceland’s Natural Beauty cruise sailing roundtrip out of Reykjavík on the 930-passenger Viking Sky.
This will be our first Viking cruise, and we could not be more excited.
We will be sailing on the Saturday, July 3rd departure, which works well for us because it includes a U.S. Holiday (one less vacation day.) We also found a Friday evening non-stop flight from Denver that arrives in to Reykjavik Saturday morning.
We have visited Iceland before, in 2007, via Holland America’s Northern Europe Transatlantic Cruise with port stops in Akureyri, Isafjordur, and Reykjavik. We are excited to explore those places again, as three additional new-to-us ports.
8-Day Iceland’s Natural Beauty Cruise Itinerary
In one week’s time, this cruise will circumnavigate Iceland, an island of 40,000 sq miles. The Viking Sky will visit six different ports.
| DAY | DATE | PORT | ARRIVE | DEPART |
| Sat | July 3, 2021 | Embark in Reykjavik on Viking Sky @ 11 am | 5 AM | |
| Sun | July 4, 2021 | Reykjavik, Iceland | 6 PM | |
| Mon | July 5, 2021 | Isafjordur, Iceland | 8 AM | 5 PM |
| Tues | July 6 2021 | Akureyri, Iceland | 8 AM | 5 PM |
| Weds | July 7, 2021 | Seydisfjordur, Iceland | 8 AM | 11PM |
| Thurs | July 8, 2021 | Djupivogur, Iceland | 8 AM | 6 PM |
| Fri | July 9, 2021 | Heimaey, Westman Islands, Iceland | 12 PM | 6 PM |
| Sat | July 10, 2021 | Disembark In Reykjavik | 5 AM |
What Will an All-Vaccinated Cruise Experience Be Like?
As excited as we are to take this Viking cruise to Iceland, we know this cruise will not be the same as any of our 70+ prior cruises. We know there will be many differences in cruising due to the COVID-19 Global Pandemic.
Specifically, we know to expect these procedures as part of Viking’s Health & Safety Program (and that these may change at any time):
- We will need to complete a digital Health Survey with Viking before we leave home, that may include submitting verification of COVID-19 vaccination status.
- With the Iceland government, we will need to preregister electronically before departure with the from the United States.
- Masks will be required during our time in the Denver and Reykjavík airports, and while on our 7 hour and 25-minute non-stop flight to Iceland, except when eating or drinking
- Once we arrive in the Reykjavik Keflavík International Airport, we will likely have to take a COVID-19 screening test; as long as the test is negative, we are exempt from quarantine.
- Before boarding our ship, Viking may require another quick PCR test as part of the embarkation process. This non-invasive PCR test will be conducted via saliva sample in a plastic tube and processed in a full-scale Viking-dedicated laboratory. We may be asked to wait up to four hours for our test results in a designated waiting area before we can board the ship.
- Viking may require frequent PCR testing throughout our cruise itinerary, which will involve spitting saliva into a labeled test tube in our stateroom.
- We may have to complete brief Health Surveys and have temperature checks daily during our cruise.
- Physical distancing measures will be in place in public areas on board, and face masks may be required for all guests and crew while moving about Viking ships, depending on conditions at time of sailing. Face masks will not be required for guests when seated in dining venues, bars and lounges.
- Due to social distancing, reservations are now required for The Restaurant on Viking’s ocean ships. (As always, dining in Viking’s Specialty restaurants — Manfredi’s Italian and The Chef’s Table — continue to require advance reservations. Table sizes are limited, and we may only be able to dine at a table for two.
- Reservations will not be required at Viking’s casual dining venues, including Mamsen’s, the Aquavit Terrace, the World Café, the Pool Grill, and Viking’s 24-hour room service. Serve-yourself buffet areas will likely be a thing of the past.
- The Spa on Viking will remain open to all guests — but will be by appointment only to ensure proper distancing. Spa staff will wear face masks during treatments.
- Toughest of all — for us — is that we may only be allowed off the ship during shore excursions and will not be able to explore ports on our own before or after the tours. Depending on local regulations, we may have to wear face masks during the tours.
Despite all of this, we are excited to go, and are counting down the days to departure. We will pack our patience and our sense of adventure.
And, we promise to share our experiences here.
Are you ready to resume cruising? Why or why not? Send us your comments or questions.
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