Hawaiian Island Sojourn

Sitting in our Whistler condo (Worldmark Sundance) on a very gloomy and soggy day, it is the perfect time to catch up with some long overdue blog posts. As I alluded to in my previous post today, we have certainly been checking out cruises and may even have kept our excellent Travel Agent rather busy, these past few months.

You may ask, what does Viking Orion have to do with the post title – Hawaiian Island Sojourn – click “Continue Reading” for the answer.

With Australia & New Zealand still closed to cruising, Viking quickly re-arranged the Fall/Winter/Spring schedule for Viking Orion, which was scheduled to head “Down under”, on completion of her 2021 Alaska season. The new cruises included 2 identical 17-day R/T departures from San Pedro to the Hawaiian Islands, departing Dec 4th and 20th.

Our daughter and SIL are heading to a Mexican all-inclusive, for a week at the end of November, leaving us with both boys for the entire week – 24×7. Figuring that we will be exhausted chasing a 2-yr old for a full week, the 4th December departure was perfect timing. Not only lots of relaxing seadays, but some real sunshine to break up the PNW overcast skies and rain.

Even before it hit the Viking website, I was on the phone to our excellent TA Paula, at Transat Travel, asking her to book our usual cabin on the 4th December departure. After a few days of confirming the insurance coverage, requirements to board the vessel and requirements for us to enter the US, we paid the deposit, confirming the cruise. We then contacted friends and fellow passengers from the World Cruise, with a number also signing up for this cruise.

Great relaxing itinerary with lots of seadays and very reasonably priced at CAN $5,699, for a midships cabin (category DV4)

When we booked the cruise, the US did not require any vaccinations, only a negative COVID test. While we are both fully vaccinated, I opted for the AZ/Moderna mixture, but the US didn’t accept AZ or mixed vaccines. So provided, the US did not introduce a vaccination requirement, I was good to fly into the US, and Viking confirmed they happily accept mixed vaccines. Note – all passengers must be fully vaccinated.

Last month, in opening their borders to additional travellers, the US introduced a mandotary vaccination requirement, effective 8th November. The definition of “Fully Vaccinated” is in accordance with the US CDC. I have a BC Government issued digital vaccine passport, but as the US CDC did not accept AZ or mixed vaccines, I would be unable to enter the US. Sadly we cancelled this amazing cruise.

Yesterday, the US did announce they will accept International arrivals with mixed vaccines. Therefore, we could have continued with this cruise, but we have already moved on and are making new plans.