Viking Ocean Cruises today marked its first “Welcome Back” sailings in the Mediterranean — the latest milestone in the company’s return to service. Last week, guests embarked on the award-winning Viking Sea and the new Viking Venus in Valletta, Malta — a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site — where the ships are homeporting this summer. 

Offered as part of Viking’s “Welcome Back” collection, exclusively available for vaccinated guests, both ships are sailing three new itineraries round trip from Valletta. The new voyages include the 11-day Malta & the Adriatic Jewels, the 11-day Malta & Greek Isles Discovery and the 21-day Malta, the Adriatic & Greece itineraries. 

Viking has also partnered with Lufthansa to offer non-stop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Malta exclusively for Viking guests, making the transatlantic journey to Europe easier. See Cruiseable's Malta travel guide for a first-hand introduction to the storied island nation.

“We are delighted to be back in the Mediterranean and to be homeporting in Valletta,” said Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, from on board Viking Sea in Valletta. “With its rich history and stunning natural beauty, Malta is truly a gem in the Mediterranean that many American travelers have yet to discover. My daughter, Karine, and I have enjoyed our time in Malta immensely, and we look forward to introducing even more travelers to this wonderful country.”

Jimmy Flink / Creative Commons BY-SAMalta harbor at twilight.

Last month the Maltese Government eased rules for the arrival of international travelers—and now allows vaccinated Americans with CDC COVID-19 Vaccination Record Cards to arrive in the country. Full details of Malta’s Traffic Light System for travelers can be found on Visit Malta’s website here.

Also in June, 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.

Viking restarted the company’s ocean operations in May 2021 with sailings in England for British guests. By keeping ships in “warm layup,” Viking was able to restart more quickly than most cruise lines.  In June, the company welcomed American guests back on board for new journeys around Bermuda and Iceland.

Guests on Viking’sWelcome Back” voyages have enjoyed the experience so much that they have provided some of the highest-ever ratings in post-trip surveys, the cruise line said. This month Viking has also restarted its European river operations with select itineraries in Portugal and France.

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 & 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.
• Malta, the Adriatic & Greece (21 days; Valletta to Valleta; Croatia, Montenegro, Greece & Malta) – Follow the routes of ancient mariners as you set out on a voyage through the ages. Discover the early empires of the Mediterranean and Aegean Seas as you visit historic UNESCO Sites, such as the iconic Parthenon, the Maltese capital of Valletta and Rhodes’ Palace of the Grand Masters. Admire Santorini’s clifftop villages and the walled city of Dubrovnik, and witness the rolling landscapes and captivating coastlines as you journey through the Adriatic Sea.

JD Lasica / Special to CruiseableSugarcube homes in Oia, Santorini.

Viking Health & Safety Program

Those who sail “Welcome Back” voyages will also experience Viking’s industry-leading health and safety program. Grounded in scientific research, the Viking Health & Safety Program was developed in partnership with an international team of medical advisors, including Raquel C. Bono, M.D., Viking’s Chief Health Officer. Dr. Bono is a board-certified trauma surgeon and retired Vice Admiral of the United States Navy Medical Corps — and most recently led Washington State’s medical and healthcare systems response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Using 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. The easy access to robust PCR testing also simplifies guests’ travel experience with a final COVID-19  test taken on board that satisfies the requirement for pre-flight testing before arrival into the U.S. 

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. A complete overview of the Viking Health & Safety Program can be found at viking.com/health-safety.

— from Cruiseable news services

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Limited space is still available on 2021 summer and early fall sailings. Non-stop Lufthansa flights from Newark to Malta, exclusively for Viking guests, are now available. Space and departure dates for flights are limited.