viking river cruises cancelled 2022 viking river cruises cancelled 2022

Steve is a life-long avgeek and a points and miles player. In May, Viking canceled that cruise. We later booked a future cruise and then learned of the medical requirement which we are advised may be harmful to us because of pre-existing heart conditions. . They also issued non refundable vouchers for our port excursions. It is time for Viking to do the same and act like a cruise line instead of a medical facility. called Business since the middle seats were left vacant. My experience with Viking River Cruises is that if they cancel, they will either refund your money or give you a voucher in excess of the cruise value for you to rebook. Story Update (September 5, 2022) Viking river cruises have posted an advisory from Danube River cruises that ship swapping may occur. People who write reviews have ownership to edit or delete them at any time, and theyll be displayed as long as an account is active. In addition to requiring all guests and crew be fully vaccinated before setting foot on board the 930-passenger Viking Sky, the cruise line implemented a robust contact tracing system, daily PCR. We booked a river cruise with Viking which we cancelled due to Covid and received travel vouchers from Viking for the amount of the trip. Our longtime Cruise Specialists Voyage Host, Tom Mullen, shares his thoughts from the last few days of the voyage, which took place January 5 to February 6, 2022. But due to a serious health issue we along with our Drs said that it was not feasible for us to go. we went to our connecting American Airlines flight with our Boarding Desired outcome: Risk-Free Guarantee Future Cruise Vouchers are transferable, so that you have the flexibility to gift them to a loved one. This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback. Viking refused to admit to us that we were misinformed, and did not apologize, but their policy will not change. Cannot go on a cruise if not jabbed even to countries which have no covid requirements any more. This card comes with a long list of benefits, including access to Centurion Lounges, complimentary elite status with Hilton and Marriott, at least $500 in assorted annual statement credits and so much more. Very disappointing. 3. Also lost out on the cruise vouchers. Viking Venus : cruise round Med and on to Israel.This was a wonderful itinerary , a beautiful ship , excellent food and service. Don't sail Viking unless you are guaranteed of going on the trip. We will not be booking with Viking again. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. Our ships have a very low draftabout five feet, he explained. We hope that the flexibility provided by this guarantee truly puts your mind at ease when it comes to the decision of whether or not to travel. return trip Munich to EWR Global warming is indeed having an effect on European rivers. Trip value now ********** On 12 November 2020 we booked another cruise and added an additional ******** to bring our out of pocket total to ********** All transactions took place before before the rollout of a "vaccine", vaccine cards, a Presidential and CDC mandates. airfare $2198 We use dedicated people and clever technology to safeguard our platform. When I called to cancel they said we did not purchase the insurance. The river cruise lines will tell you that low water levels are rare, and that few sailings are altered due to water levels but the truth is the risk is always present. All Mekong River cruises through Vietnam and Cambodia have been suspended until November 30. . An insult! They will charge you a lot of money but would not care for you at the end of the day.The places I saw needed much to be desiredI was told that at the airport someone will help us until we boarded our plane. Refund on premium air payments that we did not receive in premiumservice. Here's our experience with the Viking cancellation policy. Wouldnt that booking choice make it clear to Viking that pre and post excursion bookings would also require separate beds? You can see why people are worried. At best, youll do a ship swap mid-cruise, a slight inconvenience that will allow you to follow your planned itinerary. It will take a lot for us to travel with you again. Start with these stories: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. The guest services lady said well you can complain at the Share your photos and videos with others to prove the truth of your words. Due to my cancellations, Viking held onto $8,000 of my Funds for about two years. The Risk-Free Guarantee allows guests to change their cruise date up until 14 days before their planned departureand Viking will waive any fees. We have had to cancel our river cruise because of their ludicrous covid policy. This site is for entertainment purposes only. Customer Reviews are not used in the calculation of BBB Rating, My husband and I took an Antarctica cruise with Viking Octantis Dec 25 to Jan 7' as an all inclusive trip, all airfares and transportations were included . Viking will not honor this request. South America & the Chilean Fjords - Ocean Cruise Dates & Pricing South America & the Chilean Fjords From $5,999 | 18 Days | 8 Guided Tours | 4 Countries Itinerary Dates & Pricing Resources For current fares, please call a Viking Expert: 1-866-984-5464 or Request a Quote today. If the water issues are closer to the beginning or end of an itinerary, cruisers may have to spend a few days in hotels or bussing to destinations rather than sailing there. On 10/12 as our plane was taxiing for departure, my husband suffered a medical emergency. I was never informed that the vaccine would be required to sail and that our money would not be eligible for a refund. A river level that is too high or too low can affect an otherwise great cruising experience. We rebooked for 2022 on 11/30/2020. Articles are of a general nature and should not be relied upon for individual circumstances. Verification can help ensure real people write reviews about real companies. Submit a complaint and get your issue resolved. My bag is still missing and I will request (!) Each time I received a pro forma answer saying "it is company policy that future cruise credits have no cash value and cannot be refunded or exchanged once booked." I explain ship swapping in the section: What Happens If Your Cruise Is Affected By Water Level? In this case, you will receive a full refund of your cruise fare. I asked to speak to a manager and was told by the person I talked to I could not but she would speak with one. Multiple tests were run, including a Covid test, which came back positive. Guests and travel advisors with affected departures have been notified. After many failed conversations with Viking Cruise customer service reps to obtain reassurance that we will automatically receive a refund when our cruise vouchers expire on 2/18/23, two years after the email from Viking dated 2/17/21 notifying us that our second cruise was cancelled. I appreciate the time. I was aware that cruise lines' cash flow issues and accepted the voucher. It's been three years now that Viking has held my family's money hostage because we don't wish to take the jab. 4. By the time I could ring Viking, the excursion was sold out and the drinks package price had increased. Disembark on May 1 2023 they required us to pay us in full in August 2022 which we did. Other ships were docked at the pier. Europe is experiencing unprecedented drought and heat conditions. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. We used our voucher prior to the expiration of the voucher, to book a cruise for March of 2023. We were treated like animals. This is known as ship swapping. I want Viking to honour its Guest Cancellation Schedule and reimburse the $15,640.19 (Canadian) my husband and I paid for the We appreciate you sharing your experience, Sandy JJ, although we regret to hear of the events you've described here. A place on the excursion I tried to book. Viking's river cruises are aboard Viking Longships and have a maximum of 190 guests. Cruises beginning in 2009, this is not the first error and being loyal We will be again canceling our trip. Fraud and deception! The key dimensions of the Avalon Vista are: River boats are built in such a way that for bridge clearance, the mast, pilot house, and sun shades can be lowered. The typical characteristics of river boats regardless of cruise line are about the same. They can go up, they can go down, rain can come in.. Now I see all this advertisement that waives ar fares , deposits and other things we paid for Horrible company in terms of customer service. She is scheduled to start ************ this week. The problem with river cruises is that they are affected by both high and low water levels. This is why most lines are not offering flexible cancellation policies or waiving penalties for canceling a river cruise because theyre worried their itinerary will get disrupted due to low water levels. Applies primarily to to bookings with the following content. Travel Codex is owned by Travel Codex, LLC. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. However, BBB does not verify the accuracy of information provided by third parties, and does not guarantee the accuracy of any information in Business Profiles. At the time we did we also asked that trip insurance be added. Please view our privacy policy for details about the information we share with our partners. Ships might be able to pass through a tricky spot, like Kaub, today but not tomorrow, or cant this week but can next week. Viking Mississippi - As of January 23, 2023 Due to damage from substantial river debris to the Viking Mississippi 's propulsion system, the ship will undergo repairs requiring the cancellation of upcoming departures. Simply make the simple changes to the hotel reservations so that one of the rooms includes two beds. He he tried to take the trip solo, he was charged. Viking, please give an explanation. By. You will, however, still get a vacation in Europe, even if its not the one you expected. Royal Caribbean International | Travel Requirements & Safety Protocols. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. We were never verbally informed when booking that the actual voucher would expire even if we rebooked again. Holland America Cruise Line | Travel Requirements & Safety Protocols. Viking Celebrates Start Of Inaugural Season In North America's Great Lakes Read More May 17, 2022 Newest Ocean Ship In Viking's Award-Winning Fleet Named By The Countess Of Carnarvon Of Highclere Castle Read More May 12, 2022 Viking Takes Delivery of Newest Ocean Ship Read More April 25, 2022 Why does Viking assume every 2 people traveling together desire to sleep together? Any time theres a heat wave in Europe, especially if coupled with lighter-than-average spring snow melt or rainfall, you can end up with low water in certain parts of Europe. By March 2020 Viking announced cancellations due to covid, with an additional 25% for a future booking. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. This is our third time to book a trip, and in 2023, the medical requirement is still in place. River boats are unique because they can float in just five to six feet of water. "You might see some cities you might not have expected to see and you might miss some you wanted to see. The pandemic has not ended, and some sailings have been cancelled due to too many Covid-19 cases onboard. On December 9, 2019 we booked********************************* and paid ********* March 11, 2020 that cruise canceled by Viking due to COVID. I was sailing aboard the Avalon Vista two months ago on a cruise from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland along the Rhine River. Utter and total joke. The plane returned to the gate and he was transported to the local hospital. Experts are saying that the current drought in Europe could be the worst in 500 years, with water levels dropping, especially along the Rhine River. Dozens of cruises have been cancelled and some ports in the Caribbean and South America are turning ships away from making . But this is one American that will never sail with this awful company ever again. 2022. 140 complaints closed in the last 12 months. The trip was for 2021 but was also cancelled and moved to September 22, 2022.On September 16,2022 *********************** and shattered his knee-cap and needed surgery. Then they said (under the Risk Free Guarantee) we could have a voucher, but it would be a combined voucher which could only be used for one future trip. It also stated that if we were unable to use the voucher we could be refunded the original amount we paid to Viking. The trip was for September 2020 but was cancelled due to the pandemic. Looks like our September cruise to the Fjords is in the process of being cancelled! It's also a classic cruise itinerary. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. This site does not include all card companies or credit card offers available in the marketplace. Viking has refused. This insurance company is worthless and doesn't live up to the stated reimbursements as advertised in its' brochure. Weve canceled one cruise on the Danube and have made a few mostly minor alterations to a small handful of cruises on the Rhine, a Tauck spokesman told TPG when asked about this years cruises. This allowed Viking to retain the majority of our payment since We booked a cruise in 2019 to sail early in 2020. We also ensure all reviews are published without moderation. Viking is not a good company to work with. RHINE GETAWAY. This will surely increase the credibility of your complaint. Scheduled and rescheduled elder family care and pet sitting services. These levels can swing widely both up and down. He will call us immediately - he said. If water levels fall, riverboats can have trouble sailing all the way to Budapest. Here are 8 tips for writing great reviews. Their luggage has been moved over automatically so by the time they arrive on the ship they have their luggage, and then they sail on the other ship back to the destination.. It closely resembles one of Viking's highest rated world cruises in the past, Chairman Torstein Hagen said in a live webinar Sunday when passengers were notified of the change. Its not an American company so they feel like they can treat Americans any way they want. They have no intentions of giving my money back .Do I not have any rights? On 11/22 we received an email from Trip Mate regarding the resolution of our claim. Plus Ups are excluded. Cancellation conditions 2. The difference between what they gave us as a credit for a 2023 cruise (which we booked so we didn't lose all of our money) and what we originally paid is $3,494 dollars. At this time, we expect the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023. Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Really, what is a big deal here? We appreciate you sharing your experience, Trevor, although we regret to hear of your disappointment. Viking Mississippi - As of January 23, 2023 Due to damage from substantial river debris to the Viking Mississippi 's propulsion system, the ship will undergo repairs requiring the cancellation of upcoming departures. Yazmin Hope and Libby Gallagher When Viking River Cruises canceled my cruise in 2021 for Covid, they gave me a cruise voucher for 125% and some optional packages as an incentive to rebook. We have spent $25,000.00 including air far which we are also going to lose if not used by 12/31/2023. I was told to claim on my travel insurance if I had any.I had to send three emails to receive a response and cancellation certificate from Viking Cruises. Had a planned eastern European river cruise starting mid-October for over a year. We were running between the airlines at ***** to find out what was going on, very frustrating. In fact, how a business responds to customer complaints is one of the most significant components of the BBB Business Rating. 488 total complaints in the last 3 years. Posted September 18, 2021. They refuse. Coach would have been better. Viking, which operates both ocean and river cruises, has canceled all 2022 departures from its Kyiv, Black Sea and Bucharest itinerary . Desired outcome: That' our policy,. Learn more. I'm with Robin (see below). The US gov has basically declared the "plandemic" over and all other mandates have been drop but Viking still won't change their policy. by Steve CaseLast updated September 6, 2022. At the other end of the Po, ocean water has flooded the last 12 miles of the river damaging crops and contaminating drinking water. With this terrible TPG values it at $1,600. Heres what you need to know. We booked a river cruise from Istanbul to Venice. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Pharaohs & Pyramids. Premium Air. They are just taking the thousands of dollars we gave them from us and we are getting nothing in return. I am going to seek legal advice to, but this ridiculous policy has added hugely to my grieving. Note that complaint text that is displayed might not represent all complaints filed with BBB. The Po River flows 400 miles across the top of Italy from the Alps to the Adriatic Sea. For that reason, the Rhine River is feeling greater effects of river flow and sooner than compared with the Danube. Over in Southeast Asia, a new river ship, Viking Saigon, will cruise the Mekong. I am writing about booking number 7045921 sailed Jan.12 2023. Any comments Viking? After an (Enrollment required for select benefits.). We are older and don't want to keep rescheduling this with the hopes of one day being permitted to board their ship. How could we?? As a matter of policy, BBB does not endorse any product, service or business. We booked a cruise, paid the full booking amount. We accepted the vouchers in good faith. This cruise has been sold out for weeks so if Viking reinstates the voucher, the cabin could be resold. All other passages from ******* for the same Antarctica cruise with Viking Octantis got their boarding passes with no problem. Viking Polaris Current cruise: 13 days, one-way from Buenos Aires to Valparaiso-Santiago Viking Expeditions Tracker Itineraries Deck plans Accidents Viking Neptune Current cruise: 137 days, one-way from Fort Lauderdale to London-Tilbury Viking Ocean Tracker Itineraries Deck plans Viking Mars Current cruise: 14 days, one-way from Sydney to Auckland When Viking informed me that the alternative flight was booked, I was not told that I had to pay the tickets myself in order to obtain the boarding pass. By Alyssa Lukpat and Ceylan Yeginsu. Jim. Viking Neptune is a new ship that will join the fleet in 2022. - Refusal to honor its cancellation policy, Viking trip shortened due to weather, no refund. Special fares plus Free airfare valid on select 2023 departures of Eastern Seaboard Explorer and Canada & New England Scenic Shores. We also carry about 500 tons of water, that is ballast and fresh water for the guests.. I contacted Trip Mate and was told the vouchers were not covered and that I needed to contact Viking because they handled vouchers. At Viking, your experience means the world to us. Water levels on the Rhine River are set to fall close to the point where the river cannot hold ships anymore. I explain ship swapping in the section: . See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. The line said it was also evaluating 2022 itineraries that call in Russia with the view to modifying them where necessary. Change of travel requirements after full payment received/ignoring request for full refund. coach. 23. . Thank you. The departure flight from ******* was delayed due to the storm. We called Viking and there is nothing that they will do to be able to use the over $7,000 paid for the trip. Look at the Mekong you dont cruise in May, June, July and August because its too hot. Customers should not be treated this way. The next indicator of river flow problems is the Thames River in England. The photo is from my first premium, international award flight in 2012. The low draft and the adjustability of the ballast allow the ships to navigate through sections of the river where the water levels are not very deep. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. Viking Cruises. Thanks for reaching out, Itom, although we regret to learn of your experience with booking excursions. However, the same problems do not affect river cruise ships. Thu 13 Jan 2022 01.00 EST Last modified on Thu 13 Jan 2022 18.22 EST. My husband and I were excited about our long awaited cruise next May. Do not book with Viking Cruises ,they turned my cancelled trip into vouchers with expiration dates that I never knew about. I ask if I could have the number to her managers boss she said no. In the case of low water, the crew can dump the ballast water and reduce the freshwater to 60 tons (two days worth), and just refill as needed. The first thing that I noticed when I boarded is that all river ships are built to similar dimensions. In November ******************************************* She had major surgery December 12th. If have a river cruise planned for the end of the summer or the fall, should you be concerned? It was too windy and not safe so decided not to try to use their tender. Thank you. Regent Seven Seas Cruises was the cruise line forced to change the most stops planned for Russia, which included visits to the Solovetsky Islands, Arkhangelsk, Murmansk and St. Petersburg, as well as Odessa, Ukraine. Thank you. AAA travel called Viking many times to rectify this and in December we were finally told that they would give us a $10,000 dollar credit toward another cruise and a $1,500 dollar shipboard credit. We have taken note of your feedback. Heres what you need to know. But there is nothing we can do, your vouchers have expired'. We look forward to exploring the world with you, whenever and wherever you choose to sail with us. My bag didn't make it. AMA Waterways | Travel Requirements & Safety Protocols. This river begins in the Alps near the Italy-French border and is fed by snowmelt. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. It's a human right to have access to fresh water and clean sanitation. The couple shore excursions we went on were lame and horrible. How the Coronavirus Might Impact My Upcoming Viking River Cruise, Update: My Viking River Cruise And Their Coronavirus Response, Reivew: Nile River Cruise on the Grand Princess Amwaj. Viking Ocean and River is currently operating all upcoming scheduled itineraries. Where the European rivers have locks and dams to control water levels, ships can still sail problem-free. The river flows are falling so if you are booked for a cruise this year, check with your cruise line and obtain their current assessment of operating conditions. Voyages offering the excursion to Floriade 2022 operate between July 16 and August 27, 2022 aboard River Empress. Should you wish to change your reservation, you can choose which policy works best for you: Vikings Risk-Free Guarantee or standard cancellation policy. Find the right card for you. **** said he would monitor the schedule and will alert us the very day it comes out. Passengers wait to board the luxury cruise ship Viking Mississippi, berthed at Lambert's Landing in St. Paul, on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2022. Viking suggested that I should talk to my travel insurance company to reimburse the cost of additional airfare cost. And rebooked the following summer My travel partner , my sister, died 6 months before our trip that next summer die to COVID. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. You will be cruising, you will be enjoying," he said. I hope this is something you can help with. On November 26, 2021 when speaking with VRC representative we were informed that out ********* is in the form of a voucher and has no cash value and cannot be refunded. Royal Caribbean International and Celebrity Cruises have canceled several trips as the Omicron variant continues to wreak havoc with the cruise . Not for the voucher amount. . 12/21- 12/28/2022 The two most popular are the Rhine and the Danube. He made the commissions, we will not sail and lose 14,000 dollars. The line confirmed the steps to TTG on Wednesday (2 March) and said it was "deeply opposed" to the . Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. $240 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $20 back each month on eligible purchases made with your Platinum Card on one or more of the following: Audible, Disney+, The Disney Bundle, ESPN+, Hulu, Peacock, SiriusXM, and The New York Times.