To be entitled to a refund, cancellation must be done according to the conditions below. Some suites come with a guaranteed reservation, but if youre grabbing a stateroom, try to visit the restaurants early in your voyage. Started August 27, 2021, By How have you all dealt with plane tickets for canceled cruises? Is that worth it? 0000019696 00000 n 0000024349 00000 n As such, guests traveling on either an ocean or river ship may experience minor day-to-day variations in how we implement our overall program. 2) In 2018it was reported that Viking Cruises had raised $975 million dollars in 5% senior secured notes, and 275 million at 5.875%. Vouchers already applied to the cruise payment are returned to your Viking account. "), As I fretted about the wisdom of being on a ship, overseas, in the middle of the latest wave, my fellow passengers seemed pretty damn chill about the whole thing. Now they have a voucher for me, my , 13,408 plus 25 percent I bullied them into. (There were 445 crew members aboard to look after us.) 0000005059 00000 n We've already got tickets with Delta for our cruise next January. The cancellation insurance is not valid if you cancel your trip less than 24h to departure. Things are not great to be sure. So another voucher only, or the monies we paid for the original cruise? Too much to expect I imagine. 0000006334 00000 n I then looked at other home ports including a Panama cruise from Tampa and an Alaskan cruise on the Carnival Luminosa., I know that this would have pleased some, but the majority would have been disappointed. 0000010527 00000 n Valid for trips booked from April 2nd 2019. Were not doing any pre or post for this cruise. You can expect to pay several thousand dollars for your trip (although rates vary greatly by route and month), which seems costly compared to the $500-600 rates youd find from other cruise companies. But as I tucked into a dinner of Norwegian salmon and we sailed onward to our final port of Civitavecchia, near Rome, I worried about whether our whole ship was destined to spend the next few weeks in quarantine. Second, other markets --AU, NZ, UK, etc-- have different rules. Co-hosts address her absence. Barcelona - and will be there again in April, 2022. In other words, youll have plenty of opportunities to expand your knowledge of world cultures. Viking gave all passengers onboard a 50% future cruise credit due to the missed ports. Best case is that Viking cancels all those SA cruises, but likely well after finalpayment. Published on January 7, 2022. If youre a savvy traveler, you probably know about Viking Cruises. These conditions primarily applies to bookings containing 130 persons where none of the criteria for cancellation condition 2 are met. We applied the credit for a Nov. 2021 cruise, fingers are crossed about this one. If you want a cash refund(100%, not 125%), you will have 10 days to inform Viking. Our goal, to share the worlds unique, hidden and once in a lifetime locations with you to create unforgettable memories. Modified Date: Feb 28, 2023. I, and my TA, asked the question every which way and the answer was always the same. 0000005975 00000 n If things go wonky better to let Viking Air deal with it. Upon arrival, the crew announced that Italian health authorities requested everyone aboard take a rapid antigen test before anyone could go ashore, according to the Viking crew. Squakman - we'll hope to see you April 7 in Barcelona then! `)Y I canceled just before they did , and I received my 50 percent refund. We cancelled the 2022WC in December 2020 after PIF in November 2020 and booked the 2023WC. Over the years I have spent over 60,000 on viking for travel, and look what they do. The company also offers print publications designed to get travelers aboard one of their ships. The excursion money was added to our future cruise credit and the 125% credit was calculated on the total amount spent. We had paid in full at booking to get a discount. The choice for this ship might be . Standard staterooms are much less expensive, and while theyre not exactly roomy, that doesnt matter if youre just using them as a sort of home base. if you have any 125% vouchers, they will be refunded less the 25% bonus. Wish to cancel a cruise booked with a voucher? 0000005940 00000 n But, Viking will continue to have a cash crunch into 2021 and 2022, as will the other lines. Drawing its name from the capital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn is a lively music venue inspired by the romantic jazz lounges of 1940s Hollywood, and its an ideal spot for pre-dinner drinks and after-dinner entertainment, a Viking representative tells us. Find out whats happening, then plan your itinerary appropriately. It is up to the individual airlines how they will handle cancellations. Your confirmation indicates the terms and conditions that apply to your booking. The FFS#6 promises to be one of the most exciting cruises of 2024. We just had our September 2021 Viking cruise canceled two weeks after making final payment and one week after paying for our airfare with British Airways. `)Y:+eW])RvJ+eW]2o7o7WX,. Given the luxurious nature of the Viking vessels, its easy to understand why a traveler would want to stay on the boat. Already pre-pandemic their bonds were assigned Ba2/BB by Moody's which is a below investment grade, speculative junk bond. NFL's 'Sodfather' explains what went wrong with Super Bowl 57 field. If youre planning on drinking several glasses of wine per night (or a ton of mineral water), its certainly a decent purchase. This is one of those *truly* once in a lifetime events. Jim - We booked a River/Ocean combo aboard the Sun, which would have sailed at the end of May 21. Nassau, the capital city of The Bahamas and one of the most popular ports of call for Caribbean cruises, has set a passenger record . Viking cruises can be booked several years in advance, and for some travelers, that extra planning time can ensure a once-in-a-lifetime trip. Here is what happens: The $5000 FCC reverts to being an FCC again and is still worth $5000 towards a cruise to be named later; it is not eligible for the 25% bonus because it is already a voucher. I think this also depends on when your reservation was made. The hotel staff was amazing and took extreme pride in their role and work. Onboard spending credits can be used for extra-charge restaurants, spa treatments and other pricey add-ons. Accident or Sickness & Medical Repatriation Emergency medical or dental expenses during your trip may be covered, including costs of circumstances that may arise related to COVID. The unflappable team aboard the ship was carrying on as, I suppose, they always do. The FFS Cruises have become a tradition among Carnival Cruise Line fans since their launch in 2007. Powered by Invision Community. Most rooms are also equipped with hair dryers, so while you might want to bring other electric products hair straighteners and curlers, for instance leave the dryer behind. Service or handling fee and cancellation insurance are not refunded. However. How will Viking continue to pay staffand meet expenses? Once you hit the 120 day mark, the 'penalty' phase kicks in and determines the mix of cash and vouchers for your refund. If youve cruised before, you know that Viking cruises arewell, expensive. Once you choose a voucher, it remains a voucher until it spent or expires. I can only speak to what just occurred for us the past days. A significant number of occupied cabins won't produce any new revenue. Right now, I'm with Dee. 0000003206 00000 n Viking has undoubtedly sold some cabins to new purchasers for these 2021 cruises, too. CC Help Jenn We had an ocean cruise and got everything back but Viking did the cancelling. No deductions are made of boats, those will be returned to your boat balance once you have made your refund application. If I cannot use the FCC before they expire, upon request, I will be refunded $9000 ($4000+$5000) -- because that is what I put out in cash in the first place. KyOh, October 19, 2020 in River Cruising. However, Viking offers a few apps to make your cruise more enjoyable, and if you dont install them, youll miss out. In other words, we have quite a bit of extra value in the hopper for the rebooked cruise. Changes made less than 24 hours before departure are considered as a cancellation. However, once youve paid, you dont need to spend much more. Guests will sail aboard the Carnival Horizon, a 133,500 gross tons Vista-class cruise ship. I talked to a Viking first,, then had our TA make it happen. We took the 125 % voucher and applied it to the same cruise in summer 2021. 0000658448 00000 n When Viking came through with the 125% voucher we moved to much larger cabins and added other items (air, pre/post extensions, etc.). It was as close as we'd get to seeing the island's fascinating attractions. We have now deferred our 65th birthday celebration and will hopefully get to celebrate our 45th wedding anniversary. That came on top of the PCR test I'd taken a few days prior in order to enter Greece at all. Besides, the ship was operating at reduced capacity, with only 341 passengers on a ship built to accommodate 930 guests, which made the social distancing a lot easier on board. Cancelation by Viking? Jun 03, 2020 at 4:02 pm. Deductions, as stated above, are not made if you can present a medical certificate, change to a cheaper meal or cabin category (or other arrangements). BAwas very accommodating. Viking Ocean Cruises provide Freyja shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body-wash, replenished daily; frequent cruisers say that the high-quality products are one of the best perks of every trip. Just curious - on what aspects did the agent mislead you? By Now they have my money and I have a useless piece of paper. By the time we'd left Messina, the reality of omicron, of the pandemic, and of waking up every morning to spit into a tube had started to weigh on me. 0000550485 00000 n In either case we've spent many days in Barcelona, so not that concerned with pre and post. Prices vary depending on the length of the cruise, but for around $19.95 per night per guest, youll never have to worry about what youre spending. ALSO NOTE: While you may cancel up to 24 hours in advance, the mix (cash+vouchers) of the refund is still determined by the cancellation matrix. We'll send you a weekly newsletter to your inbox. Brian Thomas is a professional writer with over 15 years of experience. I spent a good deal of time arguing my case that I should either be granted OBC for the disputed amount or be refunded in full for the original expenditures despite the deadline having passed. Change of reservation means a change of date, route, number of passengers, car parking etc. Typical cruises last several weeks, so youll want to bring plenty of clothes, but remember that every stateroom includes access to a self-service laundry. Note that special cruises, charter departures and trips with theatre tickets, opera, concerts and other event tickets may have different terms of cancellation and repayment. . When booking your cruise, youll have an easier time finding staterooms during certain months of the year. Planning in advance should help you avoid a costly mistake (or embarrassing faux pas). While cruise deposits historically were refundable as long as they were canceled before final payment was due, more cruise lines have begun to offer nonrefundable deposit options. 62 50 As a result, Viking Cruises offer incredible itineraries with unmatched onboard amenities. The cruise will start in Miami, Florida, where guests will embark on February 17, 2024. 0000562812 00000 n Call Delta. The, How to stop the next police killing? In Dubai, shopping was so experiential. CRUISE HIVE LTD 2008-2023. Expand. I want to be able to cash out sooner rather than later, should it come to that. Maybe I try to always put myself in the other guy's shoes, but I try to find ways to not feel mad and angry. In 2019, he visited Japan and Mexico, and hes become passionate about spreading a simple message: Traveling isn't necessarily expensive, and it's one of the best paths to self-improvement. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, https://docs.vikingcruises.com/pdf/2-191004_BookingAndSaleTermsAndConditions_wMSP_v4.pdf, https://www.vikingcruises.com/risk-free-guarantee-through-april-2020.html?_ga=2.151639482.2037751566.1603814687-1589527027.1603064073, https://www.vikingcruises.com/risk-free-guarantee.html, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. CC Help Jenn Still, simply going on the trip was something of a leap of faith. 85% of Full Fare. It has been a great cruise company with a first-class product. .All funds were returned,except what we paid Viking for trip insurance. Since the start, it's been our aim to provide the latest cruise news covering all the major cruise lines. I booked two excursions before they cancelled the cruise. For the best possible time, youll want to be flexible. (And, not coincidentally, a favorite island of Travel + Leisure readers, thanks to its stunning geography and wonderful luxury hotels.). Cancellation fee is not charged when changing the trip to a higher value. The Fosses rebooked their cruise for this April. When more than one cruise is booked, deposit and payment policies apply per Cruise Fare. We held off canceling, paid off all three cruises as well as booked shore excursions and Silver Spirits in anticipation of Viking cancelling. On 10/15/2020 at 11:06 AM, duquephart said: On 10/15/2020 at 7:52 PM, Cienfuegos said: 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. 0000012621 00000 n It serves little purpose in this crazy world. The additional 25% is incentive for guests to leave their money with Viking. In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. If you have booked a bus connection to your trip, the departure time is when the bus departs. H\@>E-uH tCdV2DE~xBxD~>utxnlY__!:;YYGzy{41>gc0MnkSK5|.}%]1?/)SMU;\kt5]YY"RVfE~e~E^1[9 {K@Y90dyyc6dzzxzzzx &e!Wr\!Wr\!Wr\!Wr\!Wre1!7Ao {&M[`o+Y IF if is Viking doing the canceling and if you accept the 125% FCC voucher. We were able to change our flights with no issue. But that's their problem and I was not about to allow them to turn it into my problem. Sailing down rivers puts you in the heart of many of the cities you visit, our source tells us. 0000585547 00000 n Standard features like heated bathroom floors and high-quality wooden deck furniture really help the cruise line stand out from its competitors (and no, we havent received payment from Viking for this piece). 0000002092 00000 n Then Viking canceled their next cruise and offered another 125 percent voucher. A simple place to start: Mamsens, a chic deli located on every Viking ocean cruise ship. As a private resort destination for Carnival, Amber Cove is crammed with watersports activities, dining opportunities, shopping, shore excursions, and fun attractions. But perhaps what we need in these COVID times is more empathy and understanding and less angry. Please note, that a medical certificate is not eligible for a refund in the event of a trip that includes a cottage. Exceptions to this payment policy apply for cruise tours more than 35 days, including Viking's World & Grand Cruises which require a 20% deposit of the Full Fare at time of booking the cruise tour. No. I haven't been to a mall in the US, pre-covid, in years. Viking Line advises the traveler to get a travel insurance that includes cancellation protection in the event of illness or accident. 5.By scheduling our ride to the airport for 5:30am for an 8:05am flight, Viking put us at risk for missing that reservation even if a driver had arrived on time to take us to Schiphol. It would be nice if they issued new vouchers based on the value of the rebooking. On the morning of Dec. 26, we arrived as scheduled in Valletta, Malta, docking within view of the gorgeous old city. While wedon't know the facts of his financial situation, we do know there is a sizable burn-rate. C'mon along! If youre on an ocean cruise, you can actually take a tour of the bridge and galley, but youll need to act quickly in order to get a spot. Hoping and waiting for our December 2021 cruise has kept my sanity through the pandemic! CC Help Jenn We have a river cruise, Tulips and Windmills, on Viking in April. nr. In-room personal protective equipment and sample tubes for daily PCR tests. . 0000026368 00000 n The realities of cruising amid sudden COVID-19 surges. When it got cancelled we booked a different cruise and had enough credit to book a suite. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. You can also buy local wine and bring it onboard, a Viking Cruises representative tells TravelAwaits via email. 0000014758 00000 n I hope you get to go. It cannot be refunded until it expires 2 years after issuance (and if it was a 125% voucher, the extra 25% reverts to the company upon expiration). That is why Viking is offering a limited-time offerthe most flexible of any cruise lineso that you can plan your voyage with peace of mind. Please note that special departures and charter departures as well as bookings including theatre tickets, opera, concerts and other event tickets, may have different cancellation terms. Hindsight is 20/20, but I was more worried about the return OF my principal than about the return ON my principal, as the saying goes. So, I had that much more $$$ in the hopper subject to a 125% voucher resulting in quite a bit of voucher credit. I hope it survives and is not bought out. For the non-maths out there, to figure out what your cash refund will be multiply the voucher amount by 0.8. 0000550588 00000 n In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: Its what you make of it. But, this whole game is heavily leveraged, and dependent on a resumption of cruising in early to mid-2021. I don't know if Viking is included it in their shore excursions. Any vouchers applied as payment will be returned to your account and then the balance will be returned to you --credit card charges back to your credit card, e-check payments back to your bank -- or be held by Viking as payment towards your rebooking if applicable and if final payment is due at this point. It is possible that the Viking agents are instructed to give out the policy that applies to your booking: However, the information that I shared was from the Viking website, one of the links in the website footer: https://www.vikingcruises.com/risk-free-guarantee.html. Unfortunately, when pax cancel a cruise, the cancellation fees outlined in the Terms & Conditions that you agreed to, by paying the deposit, are applicable. Located in the eastern Caribbean, this private 30-acre retreat is exclusively offered as a port of call to cruisers from Carnival and its sister companies. `)Y It may have been the day before Christmas, Clancy said, but our timing was impeccable. Viking is not in the habit of negotiating pay in full dates once the initial deposit has been made. On a Viking cruise, diners can visit any restaurant without incurring any additional charge. After the voucher amount is removed. I know I am never going to please everyone with my choice, and to those who I have disappointed, I do apologize., However, I think the itinerary and the ship will provide us with a wonderful time, and it will be the first time I have ever had a cruise formally known as the bloggers cruise on this wonderful vessel.. Nothing. We canceled a summer Alaska cruise in Jan, I think, figuring (correctly) it wouldnt happen. Baggage & Personal Items Our original Viking cruise was booked for July 2020. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. 0000016867 00000 n The latest version of the confirmation is valid. Cruises that have been started does not provide a refund. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. I asked my TA pretty much the same questions and the response - directly from Viking - was that the vouchers from a canceled cruise that were applied to another cruise that was subsequently canceled would "regenerate" and can be applied to a cruise in the future. The worst thing you can do is clutter up your quarters with unnecessary items. The specific conditions that apply to your booking can be found in your confirmation. If thats not to your interests, you could always relax with a nice afternoon tea. Known initially as Bloggers Cruises, the FFS cruises were created to bring together John Healds blog followers and give them a chance to cruise together and have fun. I think if the rebooking cancels it will be time to bail. We had a June 2020 cruise that Viking cancelled back in April. If youre planning on drinking regularly no judgments here, were talking about a vacation there are a couple of ways to keep your budget in check. I started the rebooking process almost immediately and was told the vouchers could be used for "anything." For example, you have to buy the cruise froma cruise travel agent. 0000021972 00000 n WHEN THE PAX CANCELS OR CHOOSES TO RE-BOOK (WHICH VIKING CONSIDERS A CANCELLATION): If you are more than 121 days out from Day 1 of your package, you can cancel your vacation with just a $100pp. Photo: Courtesy of Paul Brady. By mid-2021, the cash collected and rolled forward in 2020 will be gone. Europe's Danube River is a frequent route for Viking River Cruises. They want to put on a grand show for the world. When youre sitting in the Explorers Lounge perusing vintage maps or enjoying a thermal bath on the spa deck, youll know why Viking Cruises are held in such high regard. The companys ships employ a unique modernist aesthetic that simply feels different from what youd get from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or any of the other industry leaders, and their approach has paid dividends. Powered by Invision Community. Weve been to. Cancellation matrix, page 3: https://docs.vikingcruises.com/pdf/2-191004_BookingAndSaleTermsAndConditions_wMSP_v4.pdf. Very easy to use. The total cost of the cruise I just paid for was $10,000. Surely. When the 23 WC was posted, we again moved from the B2B to the WC. 0000017506 00000 n But, Viking will continue to have a cash crunch into 2021 and 2022, as will the other lines. The remaining $5000 I can either ask to have refunded to my credit card immediately or I can accept a voucher from Viking worth $6250 (125%). 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Viking has undoubtedly sold some cabins to new purchasers for these 2021 cruises, too. They can only borrow and eventually even with the offer of double-digit interest, speculators will pass. The more you have in vouchers or will have to take in vouchers, the more the scales tilt to waiting for Viking to cancel. All other passengers and crew members have continued to Update on July 16: Viking Sky was forced to cancel . "Well, my mother told me to grab limes and tequila and make margaritas.". Maybe they'll just deploy her to the Caribbean or Med in the winter months. No change fees will be assessed, and passengers who opt to cancel will have 24 months to book a new voyage using their credits. Long story short, I prevailed. Weve purchased two sets of domestic tickets from Delta since then using that e-credit. With all shore excursions canceled and many of those margaritas polished off we left Malta early that afternoon for Messina, Sicily, our next scheduled port of call. But whatever happens, there's . Guests will notice that some package prices have been raised considerably, between 5-30% depending on the voyage length. 59 or less. 0000003319 00000 n 0144983-8, PB 166, AX-22101 Mariehamn, land, Finland, Passenger tickets without cabin, Stockholm<>Turku, Information regarding the coronavirus situation, Breakfast at Radisson Blu Marina Palace Hotel, Gamla Stan Old Town has both grandeur and comfort in its streets, Norrmalm and stermalm shopping for pleasure, Sdermalm warmth and comfort in the heart of Stockholm, Delicious treat at Chokladfabriken caf-shop, Park Inn by Radisson Central Hotel Tallinn, StockholmHelsinki or vice versa, round trip, StockholmTurku or vice versa, round trip, HelsinkiTallinn or vice versa, round trip, Flavours from the Swedish Culinary Team's silver menu, Archipelago Spa & Wellness on Viking Glory, Family break is time for everyone to enjoy, Energy consumption and minimising emissions into the air, Data protection description: Feedback and Claims, Data protection description: Safety and Security, Conditions for the availability of vessels, Transport of weapons and ammunition on board, Key rights under Package Travel Directive EU 2015/2302, 10% the price of the trip, minimum SEK 200 / Euro 20, 25% the price of the trip, minimum SEK 200 / Euro 20, 95% the price of the trip, minimum SEK 200 / Euro 20. 0000562908 00000 n Part of this was, of course, due to confusion among agents in the early days of cancellations and vouchers as to what was what. Our travel service can transfer the balance. Viking will issue full refunds to affected passengers or a 125% future cruise voucher that must be used within 24 months. With ocean cruise, timing is less of an issue, but youll still want to plan as far in advance as is possible. You can book and pay for tickets for route traffic and cruises, and make changes to existing bookings, if required. We had special OBC's on it, and some good discounts. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. I have a cruise booked for summer 2021 that is essentially a rebooking of the same cruise we had planned for summer 2020. So it works both ways. Viking Ocean Cruises provide Freyja shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body-wash, replenished daily; frequent cruisers say that the high-quality products are one of the best perks of every trip. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions, After 24 months, if you are unable to use your. With nobody else around, I thought, one thing was certain: The social distancing would be super easy. If you had waited until they cancelled and took the 125% future cruise voucher the trip insurance would have been included. The price was slightly higher, so we have $2400pp to pay in November 2021. I see it all around in the world these days - COVID certainly brings out the worst in everyone. duquephart, October 14, 2020 in Viking Ocean. Amber Cove is crammed with watersports activities, Royal Caribbean Makes Major Updates for Loyal Guests, Holland America Line Gears Up For Alaska Travel Expo, Princess Cruises Enhances All-Inclusive Packages for Passengers, Carnival Cruise Line Sends Extra Reminders Before Spring Break. (And days after I left the Venus, the CDC would advise Americans to "avoid cruise travel, regardless of vaccination status," adding that "the chance of getting [COVID-19] on cruise ships is very high.