Viking will test all passengers for COVID-19 with a PCR test in advance of embarkation and regularly during their sailing. The line has said it expected to do daily testing on board ships initially.
As the leading small ship cruise line with 190-guest river vessels and identical all-veranda 930-guest ocean ships, Viking takes you closer to the heart of the places you want to visit. For more than 23 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our new protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. Developed in coordination with an international team of scientific and medical advisors, the Viking Health & Safety Program is one of the most well-researched and comprehensive COVID-19 prevention and mitigation plans in the travel industry.
- Daily PCR testing for all Viking guests and crew, processed in full-scale Viking-dedicated laboratories.
- New air purification technology installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms
- Additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing to protect Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey
Pre-Cruise & Embarkation Day
Enhanced Screening Protocols
Your journey begins before you ever leave home, with a digital Health Questionnaire that you will complete on MyVikingJourney.com. Developed by scientific and medical advisors, Viking’s new Health Questionnaire takes only a minute to submit and verifies your wellness prior to travel.
- New Health Questionnaire takes only a minute to submit and verifies your wellness prior to travel.
- Developed by scientific and medical advisors, Viking’s new Health Questionnaire verifies your wellness for travel prior to boarding your ship.
- You will receive a quick and easy non-invasive PCR test as part of the embarkation process—conducted via simple saliva sample in a plastic tube and processed in a full-scale Viking-dedicated laboratory.
- Depending on local regulations and your travel itinerary, you will be asked to wait for your test result (an estimated maximum of four hours) in your pre-cruise hotel or in a designated waiting area.
Temperature Screening
- As part of your check-in process, you will receive a temperature check via a touchless thermometer.
Increased Sanitation Measures
- In cooperation with local partners, all cruise port terminals will be sanitized prior to guest arrivals.
Responsible Social Distancing
- Guests who arrange their flights with Viking Air receive complimentary airport transfers. Now, with Viking Air, you will enjoy smaller group transfers to and from your ship on sanitized motor coaches that have been set up with physical spacing between occupied seats.
- Upon arrival at your ship, check-in counters will be spread out to ensure proper distancing and sanitized between every guest.
Online check-in and staggered embarkation
- To avoid a congested embarkation, guests will be assigned boarding times based on their flight arrivals.
- A touch-free online check-in option will also be available.
Onboard
Small Ships
- Our Switzerland-registered river vessels host just 190 or fewer guests, and our fleet of identical all-veranda Norway-registered ocean ships host only 930 guests.
- With the risk of disease infection significantly lower on small vessels, we believe our ships offer a safer environment than that of the mega ships.
- And with no interior staterooms on any of our ships, guests enjoy expansive views from outside staterooms.
Increased Sanitation Measures using Purified Air
- Enjoy fresh air in your stateroom, knowing that all staterooms on Viking ocean and river ships feature independent air handling units that do not share air with other areas of the ship.
- Take comfort in knowing that the air in the public areas of your ship has also been purified with new short-wavelength ultraviolet (UV-C) lights and high-density filters, which kill 99.99% of all airborne viruses and bacteria.
- Rest assured that the surfaces on your ship will be cleaned and sanitized continuously with daily scheduled deep cleanings.
Daily PCR Testing
- We believe a robust and adaptable testing program is key in preventing the virus from entering a ship, and mitigating community spread among guests and crew.
- Quick and easy non-invasive PCR tests—via simple saliva sample—will be conducted daily throughout your itinerary, in the privacy of your stateroom.
Dedicated PCR Laboratories
- Viking was the first cruise line to complete installation of the first full-scale PCR laboratory at sea.
- Each of our ocean vessels will be equipped with a PCR laboratory, providing Viking with the capability to test all guests and crew every day if necessary.
- A strong network of Viking-dedicated shoreside labs will bring the same high-quality, high-accuracy molecular testing regimen to our river ships.
Medical Services
- While every precaution can reduce the risk of illness, we are also prepared for that outcome.
- Each of our ocean vessels has always had a state-of-the-art Medical Center; those facilities have now been upgraded with more specialized equipment.
- We have also launched a new 24/7 hotline staffed by doctors, specifically for our river cruises.
Health Check
- Regular health monitoring will verify the complete wellness of all guests and crew during your sailing.
- Short Health Questionnaires will be completed daily, and temperature checks will be conducted effortlessly with automated thermal cameras.
Sanitization
- Rest assured that the surfaces on your ship will be cleaned and sanitized continuously with daily scheduled deep cleanings.
- You will notice more hand sanitizing stations throughout your ship.
- On our ocean ships, we are using new sanitization robots that utilize UV-C light to treat surfaces in guest and crew public areas—an industry first.
Dining & Entertainment
- Expect spacious, airy public areas and abundant options for al fresco dining.
- Ocean cruises, as always, you can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service.
- More options for spaced seating in all dining venues will allow for physical distancing; self-serve dining stations will be replaced with staff service; there will be additional table service at all bars and lounges; and new capabilities will allow you to watch more live events and enriching content through your in-room entertainment system.
Physical Distancing & Face Masks
- Public health experts agree that proper physical distancing and the use of face masks are effective in helping slow the spread of COVID-19 and other illnesses.
- Physical distancing measures, similar to many local guidelines, are 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.
Spa & Fitness
- On ocean cruises, The Spa will remain open to all guests by appointment only to ensure proper distancing and all spa staff will wear face masks during treatments.
- The Fitness Center will also remain open with its own dedicated sanitization staff to ensure all equipment and surfaces are cleaned in between each guest use.
On Shore
Extended Ship to Shore Safety
- We have redesigned our land program to monitor destinations for the prevalence of COVID-19 and further limit group sizes.
- To minimize potential risk, only Viking shore excursions will be offered while in port.
- Each shore excursion will utilize audio headsets to allow for physical distancing among your group, and all excursion motor coaches will be fully sanitized with spaced seating.
- As you head ashore, complimentary face masks will be provided for excursions where proper physical distancing may not be possible, or if required by local guidelines.
- As part of the Viking Health & Safety Program, we will regularly test and train every local partner, including motor coach drivers and tour guides.
- While ashore, Viking’s measures will meet or exceed local guidelines for social distancing and other precautions.
- Upon your return to the ship from your shore excursion, your temperature will be checked quickly and seamlessly using automated thermal cameras when you re-embark the ship.