San Juan Embarkation: Viking Sea Cruise During Omicron '22

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I stress and worry for days over paperwork required by Puerto Rico to enter and Viking to board. This includes: 2 separate PCR tests; Verifly; Vac Certificates; Passports; and Viking QR Boarding Pass. If Covid/Omicron continues much longer, travelers will need a carry-on just for paperwork :) What happens? Please watch the video and don't forget to Share, Like and Subscribe! Thanks...
January 12, 2022

[@j2simpso]

I didn't realize there are even more trickier ways to travel internationally than by air! All that testing and quarantine requirements seem excessive but then again I suppose it's better safe than sorry, especially if you are many hours away from shore. This pandemic seems to be a mixed blessing for cruises. On the one hand there are far fewer passengers meaning you'll get more personalized service free from all the crowds and screaming children you often find on cruises. On the other hand you have to keep spitting into tubes and being put away in quarantine. As usual, it seems like Steve made the best meal choices opting for that double chocolate brownie ice cream. The only critique, if I may add is that he didn't opt for the hot fudge drizzling which given what he has gone through is more than justified at this point. 😋

[@KENAN1983YERKOY]

Güzel vakitler diliyorum

[@SheilaSimkin]

It was a very good time. Now we are back in Chicago's cold weather. Brr...

[@ducheau100]

You really cruise in a bubble on Viking. Wow you have to get tested everyday on the cruise and wait for the results. That is ridiculous. And antigen test results should come very quick. At CVS I got my results in 30 minutes. Since Viking has their own lab I would expect just as quick. On Royal you just get your test two days before and are good to go for the rest of the cruise. I'm glad you posted your journey on Viking. I have been so curious about them. The food looks similar to Royal, not a wow factor yet.

[@SheilaSimkin]

Wait until you get a load of the Food video. So yum! Once we got past the initial waiting in stateroom, passengers just left their "spit tube" 🤣 outside cabin by 9a and were free to go. I assume Viking got results speedily and would then tackle a positive passengers, lock up and throw away the keys 🤣

[@keithwilliams5997]

It's not an antigen test - it's a saliva PCR test. We just got off a 3 week cruise with daily tests, and a horribly long first day quarantine

[@SheilaSimkin]

Thanks so much, Keith, for the info. To me, any test that I don't have to wait 24 hours for results is Rapid Antigen. Which is incorrect. Duh 🤪 And thanks for your time to view and comment. Were you also on Viking? Sheila 😍

[@keithwilliams5997]

@@SheilaSimkin yes - a nice trans-atlantic on the Jupiter. It was nice that they handed you the test results from the previous day for your excursions. Keep up the nice videos!

[@SheilaSimkin]

@@keithwilliams5997 A trans-Atlantic sounds great. Isn't the food wonderful on Viking? 👍

[@claudiahansen4938]

Sheila you are much more fearless than I am. Definitely was not willing to put up with any of this to travel.

[@SheilaSimkin]

I am terribly addicted to travel and staying home during Covid was just anathma for me. As soon as a country posted Americans allowed, I was off again.

[@danielintheantipodes6741]

Four hours (potentially eight!) does seem a long wait for such a small number of passengers. I also love liver, particularly lamb liver, known here as 'Lamb's Fry'. Astonishingly, it is still reasonably priced and has not suffered the cost surge which has plagued lamb shanks and chops in recent years. A lot of the old Australian hotels still offer it on their menus. Thank you for the video!

[@SheilaSimkin]

I have never tried lamb's liver and have never seen on any menu. You've piqued my interest and if we ever get to Australia again (not for want of trying), I'm going to look for it! It was a long, stressful wait 🙀

[@SKS8080]

There’s a reason 90% of the ship is empty. No one wants to jump through the hoops for this COVID drama. I won’t get on a cruise ship or travel internationally until this is over. I’ll spend my money only on domestic travel.

[@SheilaSimkin]

It was worth it to me to jump through the many hoops. Certainly didn't like that but did enjoy the cruise. Each to their own and that goes to show how bored I am sitting at home... 🤣

[@SKS8080]

@@SheilaSimkin but imagine the situation u would have been in if u got one of the infamous false positive tests. They would isolate u to the extreme, and be stuck in a tight stop. I just don’t see the benefits of rolling the dice. Just not worth it during these times. U see zero flexibility even if u don’t have Covid but shows ur positive

[@SheilaSimkin]

@@SKS8080 That would have been a real mess but a person can't win them all and I've just got to keep on traveling and 🙏 that doesn't happen.

[@jconj]

Good for you Sheila! Get out there and live! That's an amazing boat!

[@SheilaSimkin]

It is either that or sit inside my house in cold, snowy Chicago and watch my fingernails grow 🤣 I am a firm believe in carpe diem and every other "live for today" that can be published. Thanks so much for your time to view and comment. Very best regards, Sheila 🥰

[@davidmccutcheon485]

Sheila, I thought some of your family were also coming on the cruise, or was that just in PR? And I must echo the critique below about Steve and no fudge drizzle.

[@SheilaSimkin]

No, David. We just visited for a few days pre cruise though I'd bet they would have loved to come along if we were paying 🤣 He certainly good have added everything but the kitchen sink on his ice cream but was happy with just multiple scoops for some reason. And everything else chocolate, e.g., lava cake, cookies 🎂

[@chipwilliams403]

So glad you were both negative on the cruise. Now you can relax and enjoy the cruise. I am so glad to know you and Steve like liver !!! I love it too. Liver and onions are the best and one of my favorites. The best I've ever eaten was in Venice at alla Madonna restaurant. Your dish on the cruise looked so delicious !!!

[@SheilaSimkin]

Glad you are one of the few 🤣 that like liver, particularly with onions. Yum! It is so rare to see it on any menu let alone on a cruise ship. Thanks as always for your many views, Chip 💖

[@KENAN1983YERKOY]

Merhaba

[@SheilaSimkin]

And Merhaba back to you. That is one of my only Turkish words (hello). The other one is Tesekkurler, thank you.

[@MultiJono81]

Brilliant video! Looks a bit stressful at the beginning but you sound super excited. Just done the mini cruise on a 2,900 capacity vessel with only 240 passengers. Absolute bliss! Can’t wait for the next video.

[@SheilaSimkin]

For those of us who are determined to travel, come what may, there are definite rewards being among the few stalwarts. 🤣

[@ckgibson17]

I’m so happy to see you on the Viking Sea! I’ll be following your trip. Remember to relax in the Thalassotherapy pool.

[@SheilaSimkin]

I'm going to keep it in mindful next time, Cindy. Which cruise did you take? Thanks again for your views and best to you, Sheila 😍