Update (as of May 7, 2021):
Viking is adding
Mediterranean cruises between July and early October 2021 to its
restart plans. Viking Venus, the line’s newest ocean ship, and Viking Sea will
homeport in Valetta, Malta, and visit a combination of Montenegro and
Croatia, as well as Greece, on 11-day voyages. The brand is also adding
more sailing dates to its Iceland and Bermuda programming.
Following its announcement of domestic cruises from England for residents of the U.K., Viking is expanding its “Welcome Back” ocean voyages to include offerings for U.S. travelers vaccinated against COVID-19. The voyages will sail from Bermuda and Iceland, beginning in June 2021.
“We applaud the governments of the United Kingdom, Bermuda and Iceland for their collaboration and support in restarting the cruise industry safely,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, in a press release.
In addition to the vaccine requirement, Viking will utilize its shipboard laboratories to conduct PCR COVID-19 testing of passengers and staff.
“No other travel company has implemented the same science-led approach that includes a vaccination requirement for all guests, plus frequent non-invasive saliva PCR testing among all guests and crew,” he added. “Therefore, we believe there will be no safer way to travel the world than on a Viking voyage. We look forward to welcoming guests back onboard — and welcoming them back to the world.”
The cruise line has been working closely with officials in the U.K., Bermuda and Iceland for months and is already selling voyages from their shores.
Destinations were chosen according to guest popularity, as well as their receptiveness to welcoming back travelers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Viking is developing other 2021 locales to visit, including Greece, Turkey and Malta, and will announce them as government approvals are granted.
No other travel company has implemented the same science-led approach that includes a vaccination requirement for all guests, plus frequent non-invasive saliva PCR testing among all guests and crew.
The eight-day Bermuda Escape itinerary will take place onboard Viking Orion this summer, homeporting from Hamilton; and the eight-day Iceland’s Natural Beauty route will embark on Viking Sky, homeporting in Reykjavik. Finally, two additional sailings of the England’s Scenic Shores itinerary will take place in June.
All itineraries are open for reservations.
The Details
Viking
www.viking.com
