Just days after christening its newest ocean ship, Viking Venus, Viking has revealed its return to European river operations. Beginning this July, select itineraries in Portugal, France and along the Rhine will restart — exclusively for vaccinated guests — thanks to the European Union’s announced reopening to non-EU travelers.
“The response to our initial ‘Welcome Back’ ocean voyages has been overwhelmingly positive. It is clear that many people are eager to get back out into the world, and I would like to thank all of our destination partners for their support as we plan our return to service,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, in a press release. “We have been delighted to greet our first guests back onboard in England this week — and we are looking forward to welcoming travelers back onboard some of our European river vessels in July.”
A total of five returning routes include Rhine Getaway (eight days, sailing Amsterdam to Basel), Portugal’s River of Gold (10 days, from Lisbon to Porto), Paris & the Heart of Normandy (eight days, Paris roundtrip), Lyon & Provence (eight days, cruising Avignon to Lyon) and France’s Finest (15 days, sailing northern and southern France).
As part of its Viking Health & Safety Program, all guests and crew will receive frequent, non-invasive saliva PCR tests, and additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will also be implemented. According to the line, face coverings may be necessary while moving about the vessel, depending on conditions at time of sailing. “Face masks will not be required for guests when seated in dining venues, bars and lounges,” reads the policy.
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