NEWS + 9 PHOTOS: Viking Cruises announced new details about its upcoming Welcome Back voyages in the Mediterranean that launch in July 2021. During the summer and early fall, Viking will homeport three sister ships — Viking Star , Viking Sea and the company’s newest ship, the Viking Venus — for three different 11-day itineraries that explore the Mediterranean, roundtrip from the Maltese capital city of Valletta.
Viking Cruises also announced that it has partnered with Lufthansa to offer non-stop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Malta, exclusively for Viking guests.
Viking Cruises’ announcement comes as the Maltese Government has eased rules for the arrival of international travelers, including Americans. Like many countries, Malta has developed a traffic light system for arriving travelers.
Beginning June 17 Malta has added most U.S. states and territories – covering the vast majority of the population – to its “Amber List.”
Travelers from the Amber List may arrive in Malta with proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test having been conducted at least 72 hours prior to boarding their flight to Malta.
Full details of Malta’s Traffic Light System for travelers can be found on Visit Malta’s website here. Yesterday, the European Union recommended that its member countries begin lifting restrictions on American travelers, with a formal announcement expected June 18.
Additionally, on June 7, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced it has eased travel recommendations for 110 countries and territories. As part of the new recommendations, the CDC specifically ranked Malta as “Level 1” or the lowest for risk of COVID-19.
“Now that we have successfully restarted operations, welcoming guests back on board in England and in Bermuda, we look forward to launching our new voyages from Malta. We applaud the government of Malta for being such a supportive destination partner and for making the arrival and embarkation process even easier for our guests,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking Cruises.
“With its rich history and stunning natural beauty, Malta is truly a gem in the Mediterranean that many American travelers have yet to discover. With our new Welcome Back voyages, combined with Lufthansa flights from Newark exclusively for Viking guests, there has never been a better opportunity to explore the Mediterranean from Malta.”
Viking Cruises successfully restarted operations in May and has been sailing in England with British guests since May 22. Nearly 100 percent of guests on these sailings provided exceptionally high ratings.
Viking Cruises recently welcomed its first American guests back on board in Bermuda for the first of eight sailings of Bermuda Escape. Later this month, Viking will launch Welcome Back sailings around Iceland.
With space selling fast, there are limited dates still available in summer and early fall 2021 for Viking Cruises Welcome Back voyages in the Mediterranean, which include:
Mediterranean Voyages Beginning in July 2021
- Malta & Adriatic Jewels (11 days; Valletta to Valletta; Croatia, Montenegro & Malta) – Discover Malta’s millennia of history and visit ancient UNESCO sites. Explore Croatia’s captivating coastline and some of the great iconic cities of antiquity. Stroll the majestic city walls of Dubrovnik and visit Diocletian’s Palace. Or immerse yourself in nature and the great outdoors during a visit to Krka National Park. Join us for a fascinating journey as you witness rolling landscapes and ancient architectural treasures along Adriatic shores. Multiple sailing dates July through October 2021.
- Malta & the Western Mediterranean (11 days; Valletta to Valletta; Italy, Spain & Malta) – Traverse the historic and heritage-rich waters of the Western Mediterranean during a 10-night roundtrip voyage from Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You will discover the magnificent Amalfi Coast from elegant Naples, gateway to Pompeii, and visit Messina, Sicily’s cultural crossroad. See the storied sites of ancient Rome and immerse in Tuscan Florence and Catalonian Barcelona’s art and architecture during your unforgettable journey. Multiple sailing dates in September and October 2021.
- Malta & Greek Isles Discovery (11 days; Valletta to Valletta; Greece & Malta) – Immerse in the ancient world as you discover the early empires of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas. Visit historic UNESCO World Heritage Sites, such as the Maltese capital of Valletta and Rhodes’ Palace of the Grand Masters. Enjoy dramatic views of the Parthenon in Athens, uncover the mysteries of the Minoans on Crete and admire the white facades and azure domes of the clifftop villages of Santorini during this enchanting voyage through the centuries. Multiple sailing dates July through September 2021.
Those who sail Viking Cruises Welcome Back voyages will also experience Viking’s industry-leading health and safety program. Utilizing a full-scale laboratory installed on every Viking ocean ship — and a strong network of dedicated shoreside labs for Viking river ships in Europe — all guests and crew will receive frequent quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests.
New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms. And additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing measures will provide further protection for Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey.
Limited space is still available on 2021 summer sailings. Non-stop Lufthansa flights from Newark to Malta, exclusively for Viking Cruises guests, are now available. Source: www.viking.com
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