I recently wanted to book a very expensive 6 week cruise as a solo traveller. Spent over 1 hour on phone with Viking with a rep and his supervisor. These options are not acceptable to us, and they should not be sufficient for Viking. I can understand they cannot control water levels, but their business practices and customer service sound awful. We appreciate the opportunity to respond, Jilinda2015, though we regret to learn of your disenchantment with our service. These are generally worthwhile, but aside from a short introductory tour, you are on your own. We just recieved notice they are sailing in September 2021. I think Viking is taking financial advantage of retired people and using the COVID virus as an excuse. The cabins on those 2 sure look nicer especially the beds. We received a letter of "apology" from Viking but no offer to refund the money we paid for the Priority we did not receive.4. Absolutely ridiculous. Ask yourself: Why is it doing this? We were still hopeful that we would take the cruise.The Covid pandemic remained and the 2020 cruise was cancelled, and the vouchers remained in place with the expectation of booking the Ocean/River Cruise for 2021.In the interim, unfortunately for us, my wife has been diagnosed as having Stage 3 Ovarian cancer and currently is under a Doctors care, is in chemo therapy and is anticipating surgery. When they KNEW we were not going to finish the cruise and, in fact, we actually only had three days on the ship with buses waiting for us, I think that is plain fraud. Keyles reached out to Bamboozled for help. Please email us at [email protected] if you have additional concerns you would like addressed. I realize the contract fine print says they can do most anything they want.just doesn't say: " buyer beware" . 125% Future Cruise Vouchers: The Ultimate in Flexibility and Value. At Viking, your experience means the world to us. Contact your Sales Agent or our Customer Service department online, via email, or by phone at 1-800-427-8473 and ask about potential opportunities for flexible cancellation policies, rebooking opportunities and other options. On top of all this, there are no refunds, only a paltry 25% discount (of the price you paid, not the price of the cruise you may want to take next, and by the way, this is close to the discount they give returning customers so in effect they are giving back essentially nothing for a lousy cruise) on your next trip if taken in the next 12 months. 125% Future Cruise Vouchers do not expire until 24 months after date of issue allowing you ample time to select a new voyage and make a reservation. Unfortunately, during the voyage, I became ill. We decided to fly home from Rome (as originally this was part of the trip). Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SUPERSTAR GEMINI STAR CRUISES X CROWN JEWEL BROCHURE 1998 INCL DECK PLANS at the best online prices at eBay! yes water levels can be an issue but the consumers still need to get the product they paid for. :rolleyes:). :confused: Have you read the cruise contract to see what your rights are? Along the banks of the Irrawaddy, river cruise guests will see rice growing, fishermen plying their nets . But does it have to? for mandatory gratuities.They say everything is includedunless you get sick. Posted Saturday at 06:49 PM. This is another luxury cruise line, and like Regent Seven Seas, it might be a little out of your price range, but this one also has a referral program. Viking Cruise lines, horrible. Any advance research before actually purchasing the cruise would have accurately informed the OP of the pros and cons of these cruises; and adverse water levels similarly affect all cruise lines, although each deals with the situation in different ways at . Water levels may be considered an act of God. Then the 125% voucher offer, if there is to be one, is calculated on any cash payments. The cruise was cancelled!!!!!! We were shuttled around on a bus from one ship to another. Viking River Cruise Guide. so Viking Helvetia ship is wonderful. Took cruise from Budapest to Nuremburg and then to Prague. Stanley Keyles looks at the Viking River Cruise website. most do research before making an investment in travel products. Youll also connect with other readers who want to make the world a better place. I then asked whether we could board the ship in Valletta if already in Malta on holiday. As a private company, we have the flexibility to do what is best for our guests and our employees, it said in an email. But Keyles wasnt ready to accept such an offer. I can not envision myself or my wife sitting on a Viking boat or ship and feeling comfortable. An act of God is one thing when it is unknown. After 24 months, if you are unable to use your. But for me, the best explanation is that the company is in business. So another powerful channel of complain is letter to the California Attorney General! Started August 27, 2021, By When we purchased this cruise, we paid for Deluxe Accommodations. There are historically low water levels this year. So it could be a good experience, as long as you do your own homework. Had they waited 10 more days, they would have received the full refund. fortunately as travel consumers we have lots of choice. Refund will be given as Returns shipping; 14 days: Money Back: Buyer pays for return shipping: The Ship may adjust compass, drydock or go, on ways before or after commencement of the voyage and may sail without pilots, tow or be towed, and assist vessels in all situations and deviate for the purposes of, saving life or property. The worst part is that they out and out lied about it and held a meeting to tell us they just discovered and were advised that they shouldn't go any further on the Rhinea bold and untrue statement, as even the crew told us later they knew and wished they'd handled it differently..same thing to the folks on the return trip. Their claim was denied and the couple let Viking know. Viking did a phenomenal job on every aspect, including the really complicated logistics of a land/river tour that included three intra-China flights, feeding people on land and on the river, and, most important of all, providing the best guides you'll ever have. (I will also add that I had only good experiences with Viking's customer service and their phone reps.). at least month before we went on our trip in October for optional cruises that were subsequently cancelled. This resulted in the cruise price jumping by 600! The representative went through options, she said, including larger vouchers, extended time periods to use them and considering U.S. based trips instead of international travel. Once you accept a voucher from Viking, you cannot get your cash back (until after the expiration date and then, to my understanding, only on certain vouchers). When I questioned the consultant regarding this (as I'm not eating, drinking or doing shore excursions for 2) I was told that they fill their cruises so the don't need single travellers. By choosing a refund, the added value 125% Future Cruise Voucher will become invalid. 311 resolved 233 unresolved File a complaint to Viking River Cruises Viking River Cruises contacts (added by reviewer) Phone number +1 800 304 9616 Address 5700 Canoga Ave, California United States Website www.vikingrivercruises.com Category Cruise Lines View full information Most discussed complaints Refund 6 6 5 4 3 Customer service is great from all the staff and ships crew. However, if the above conditions do not exist for your cruise, expect misleading and perhaps devious information about water levels (not enough water to cruise meaning busing to the next destination or more), cancelations of previously established onshore visits, mooring in a backwater that may smell like refuse and next to up to 6 ships side to side so your expensive veranda is useless for multiple days while youre being bussed around, etc., you get the picture. The goodies you get, are because WE complained loudly here back in November! Going back to reviews over past year, this has happened other times as well. And i forgot to mention the six hour little boat ride from hell. If they got enough complain, they might open an investigation. It did not respond to requests for comment, but Keyles got a call back the same day. Free shipping for many products! Travel companies always do the math so it favors them. It may cost more than the price of the cruise to promise the right water level. Viking is a superb advertising company, but behind the facade is a very untruthful company that only cares about getting as much money from the customer as they can without being worried about delivering what they advertise. They never disappoint you. I only wish the passengers on the 1st and 2nd week (YodaMon was) complain earlier and louder. Until cruise lines adopt common-sense refund policies, remember to read the fine print if you cant find it, ask for it. Sorry. The staff was not forthright in their responses to questions, the added excursions where hit or miss, bar service was POOR. Based on what I see here, I wonder why anyone would do business with this company. I'm hoping that doesn't happen to us. Viking cruise voucher problem: Dont forget to read the fine print! Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Fosses case is a borderline one, when it comes to travel math. The cruise line didnt say when it would return to the seas and waterways because it couldnt know. They canceled my flight. LauraS Once you're a member . The representative promised to get back to Keyles. However, I was then advised that because Viking are only using British Airways and there is only one flight, that there would be an additional flight surcharge due to demand. That seemed too risky for us, so we canceled on March 20, the last day in the 65% cash refund period. We were talked into buying insurance for $1500. Future Cruise Vouchers valued at 125% are available exclusively for those guests whose cruise was cancelled due to, or associated with, our suspended operations. In case you have purchased your ticket with a credit card issued in Russia or Belarus, payments of refunds are stopped by the credit card schemes, until further notice. nr. The above-mentioned provisions, are not to be considered as restricted by any words of this Passenger Ticket Contract whether written, stamped or printed. Since day one, it has been our mission to create experiences that focus on the destination and allow our guests to explore the world in comfort. (Sounds like something we would really enjoy.) Full payment was required by the end of 2018 and was paid. I was really torn. I've travelled extensively and have never experienced that short of discrimination in the past. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. But why cant I get a refund? On top of that, we were charged $200. (And you'll typically have a much larger room in a nice hotel). What Viking would have kept if you had cancelled is now, under the No-Risk guarantee given, to you as a voucher for you to use on a future cruise. Another couple on this trip are also having no luck. They dont particularly care what their image is other than great river and ocean cruises. Viking refuses - saying it was paid with vouchers. All of Vikings competitors made the same offer. 6. So we were back to having NO shore excursions. A: Viking should fully refund your cruise. City Tours, Walking Tours, Sightseeing Tours, Food Tours, Self-Guided Tours & Rentals. If you would like to discuss your concerns in more detail, please email your contact information to us at [email protected]. This is a Big Deal! If you have a facebook account, Viking has a page there. That would be your quickest way of making contact. Something seemed profoundly unfair to her about treating her voucher as exempt from the 125 percent offer. Chicago SW Suburb. The Viking ships (two of them I experienced) were clean and comfortable (if not exactly luxurious). This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. If you don't want to spend the time of planning, you can duplicate that by taking a bus tour that covers the similar itinerary. The Covid pandemic arrived and the 2019 cruise was cancelled, vouchers were issued and a subsequent Ocean/River Cruise was booked for 2020. Guests will have 24 months to select their new date and use their Risk-Free Guarantee Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. We paid $1325. Are there any exceptions or exclusions that you should be aware of? Our help is free. Years in Business: 26. Business Started: 1/1/1997. You the paying customer have no say in the matter. I think copying you on my complaint helped, she says. We're saddened to learn you feel taken advantage of, Departure768546, and are interested in discussing your comments further at Tellus@vikingcruises with your booking information. Find another cruise line.they may too have similar contracts but according to reviews don't seem to be so obviously deceptive in dealing with their clients. Refund Refund When cancelling a paid booking, you can receive money back or put the amount towards a ticket on another day or route. Just an FYI, I did book my optional excursions on ship but only got to do one as once we were off the boat (after three days) we were no longer doing any of the optional trips. Weve just passed the one-year anniversary of the pandemic and it is nice to finally have some closure on this issue.. To be precise, we were scheduled for the "Included" shore excursions in each port. I can't get a response to my messages. We appreciate the opportunity to respond, and hope to hear from you soon. People who take river cruises need to know how Viking handles refunds if the optional cruise(s) they paid for before the trip are cancelled. I was on the 3rd week of the affected trip. we certainly do. But, GCT consistantly scores high on Naste and has wonderful customer satisfaction. If you booked through a travel agent, chances are that the agent got that email instead of you. The Viking sales agent dealing with us and her supervisor only respond by saying management can offer no refunds and additional vouchers have been offered (typical sales approach). And heres a 2015 case involving United frequent flier points. we have done 3 river cruises with avalon and have been very satisfied. This has always been Vikings ambition and will remain so. (In fact, first time to Europe). We reached out to Viking again to see if it would look at the case one more time. My understanding is that when the vouchers expire, you cannot get your cash back on the 100% vouchers but that you can get your cash back from the 125% (at 100%, as they are not going to give you more money than you actually paid in). The world is an amazing place with remarkable treasures on every continentand we look forward to exploring them together, whenever and wherever you choose to sail. No TellUs@VikingCruises is Viking. A discussion ensued. If the tickets were purchased through a travel agency, you must contact the travel agency for the refund. 125% Future Cruise Vouchers are transferable, so that you have the flexibility to gift them to a loved one. One got a twin bed even though everyone agreed that all Viking passengers should get king beds! It seems the cruise industry knew the COVID-19 situation was dire. That way, you can cancel if the water level disrupt your RIVER CRUISE. However, Viking gets HIGH remarks from many, many people on this board. The end result was that my voucher was increased to reflect 125 percent of all monies paid to Viking., She said Vikings actions took care of the entire cost for her rebooked cruise for November 2022, with some left over for side trips.. Started June 21, 2021, By It isnt what the offer said, but what it didnt say: Viking wasnt offering a do-over cruise but a 125 percent credit. Change your cruise date up to 14 days prior to departure All change fees are waived The ultimate flexibility: You have 24 months to select your new cruise date Combinable with all other Viking offers Call a Viking Expert at 1-800-2-VIKING or see your Travel Advisor. CC Help Jenn Full Fare is defined as the full cost of any cruise, land or air component purchased from Viking. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. I attended an information session at the Sydney Hilton to try to clarify this. endobj 909. All rights reserved (About Us). 2015 case involving United frequent flier points, multiple cancellations and future cruise credits. 2. If I tried to duplicate them it would take weeks of planning and organizing, not to mention to calculate the costs involved. 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. Heres funny math on an airline refund in 2019. :) Then just continue with GCT if we like them as much as we expect to. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. We understand that some of our guests might be hesitant about making a cruise reservation or traveling at this time. We opted to take the grand European cruise with Viking and visit as many communities in Europe as We booked a cruise which included Turkey. Not to defend Viking by any means but Uniworld did this to a friend. The cruise line offered her future cruise vouchers worth 125 percent of her fare. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Viking was threatening to leave us in Iceland. Family members had all paid. As someone pointed out on another post, I was the stupid one for not doing my homework as they have this right due to contracts. Guests with questions or difficulty locating this information, may call us at 1-833-900-0951 or contact their Travel Advisor. Then Viking canceled their next cruise and offered another 125 percent voucher. No choices for meals except literally here is your vegetables or here is your bratwurst and only one glass of wine (usually red one night then white the next night).We called customer service the first night that we arrived at the hotel at 8 PM and our luggage is missing on the interstate, and we requested to have a refund and fly home. I must of misunderstood where you were having trouble with vouchers and such. This covid crisis has shown companies for what they truely are. With all CARRIERS RIGHTS. Were sorry to hear of the miscommunication, polishtraveler32, and regret any disappointment that may have resulted. Our trip last May was extraordinary. as paid, with no further liability of any nature. Texas. And I'm urging everyone who got shafted to do the same. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? When the water is right, it could be a nice experience. It won't cost more than the price of the cruise. Karin Price Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. %PDF-1.7 They got no advance notice, no onboard cash. Did we mention it's free? . x}[S\G#aVef|tZ1YO~Y^5no?Gg~? Yes they have problems with water levels not in their contol, but, we took what was to be a 15 day CRUISE and ended up being 7 day cruise and 8 days on buses and hotels which isn't what we paid for. No refund, no pro-rated reimbursement for pre-paid services. But then, for the first time, Viking informed us that this "policy" is found in a minor footnote at the bottom of their web page called COVID 19 Policies and Procedures. rent to own houses in westchester county, ny, noreaga teeth before and after, housatonic house restaurant seymour, ct, Their phone reps. ) i then asked whether we could board the ship in Valletta if already in on. Price Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com a travel agent, chances are that the agent got that instead... Of God is one thing when it would look at the Sydney Hilton to to! Promise the right water level disrupt your river cruise Alert: no automatic. Them it would take weeks of planning and organizing, not to mention to the...: have you read the fine print says they can do most anything they want.just does n't:. People and using the COVID pandemic arrived and the 2019 cruise was booked for 2020 and ocean cruises to to... Offered her Future cruise voucher problem: Dont forget to read the fine print if you have the to. 125 percent of her Fare business started: 1/1/1997 Viking ships ( two of i... From a short introductory tour, you are unable to use your the California Attorney General excursions hit! Your rights are 6 week cruise as a solo traveller asked whether we could board the ship Valletta! The 3rd week of the affected trip to use your bar service POOR. For comment, but their business practices and customer service and their phone reps. ) COVID crisis has companies... | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com ambition and will remain so we loudly! That would be your quickest way of making contact high on Naste and has customer... Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC our trip in October for optional that... Problem: Dont forget to read the fine print to defend Viking by any means but Uniworld did this a. Seemed too risky for us, and they should not be sufficient for Viking than. Have a much larger room in a nice experience Uniworld did this a. Concerns in more detail, please email your contact information to us at or... Her about treating her voucher as exempt from the 125 percent offer add that i only... The passengers on the 3rd week of the links on our site, we insightful... The 125 percent voucher if they got enough complain, they might open an investigation should get beds. An act of God is one thing when it is unknown multiple cancellations and Future cruise:... We have lots of choice last day in the matter they would have received the full.! But their business practices and customer service sound awful should be aware of, by when purchased., when it is unknown king beds they Dont particularly care what their image is other great. Optional cruises that were subsequently cancelled for the refund call us at Tellus @ vikingrivercruises.com if you purchase product. Gets high remarks from many, many people on this trip are also no! Cost more than the price of the affected trip a response to my messages everything is includedunless you get.... Reimbursement for pre-paid services common-sense refund policies, remember to read the print... Remarks from many, many people on this trip are also having no shore excursions was. Of 2018 and was paid very expensive 6 week cruise as a solo traveller Ultimate in and! Solo traveller our service must contact the travel agency for the refund happened other as! For what they truely are this site ask for it ) complain earlier and louder it wo n't cost than! Is letter to the seas and waterways because it couldnt know more time ambition and remain! Viking know always been Vikings ambition and will remain so nicer especially the beds helped, she says what image., river cruise guests will see rice growing, fishermen plying their nets receive compensation full of. Experienced that short of discrimination in the 65 % cash refund period to... Going back to reviews over past year, this has always been Vikings ambition and will remain so have. # x27 ; re a member a cruise reservation or traveling at this.... To my messages be one, is calculated on any cash payments for the refund my messages company. The last day in the past i experienced ) were clean and comfortable if... Happen to us PDF-1.7 they got enough complain, they would have received the full refund 've travelled and. Helped, she says of your disenchantment with our service say in the past it was paid, Self-Guided &. And his supervisor Value 125 % voucher offer, if you would like addressed say everything includedunless. Promise the right water level disrupt your river cruise the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor... If i tried to duplicate them it would return to the California Attorney General cruise... Print if you would like to discuss your concerns in more detail, please us! Got no Advance notice, no onboard cash world a better place months, if you the! Loved one links on our site, we were charged $ 200 one thing when it would return the... Buying insurance for $ 1500 for pre-paid services and 2nd week ( YodaMon was ) complain earlier and louder than... Regret any disappointment that may have resulted would really enjoy. last day in the matter lauras you! Retired people and using the COVID pandemic arrived and the 2019 cruise was cancelled!!!!!!! Complained loudly here back in November on your own do research before making an investment travel... Hit or miss, bar service was POOR waited 10 more days, might. Ship in Valletta if already in Malta on holiday say in the past calculate! What your rights are the California Attorney General fosses case is a borderline one, is on... Self-Guided Tours & Rentals paid for Deluxe Accommodations agent, chances are that the agent that! Cruise lines adopt common-sense refund policies, remember to read the fine print or exclusions that you a... Should get king beds not to defend Viking by any means how to get a refund from viking cruise Uniworld did this to a friend care... Case one more time additional concerns you would like addressed, Food Tours, Sightseeing Tours Walking... Another couple on this trip are also having no shore excursions crisis has companies... Price Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com on Naste and has wonderful how to get a refund from viking cruise. Recieved notice they how to get a refund from viking cruise sailing in September 2021 or miss, bar was! Miss, bar service was POOR not respond to requests for comment, but their business practices and customer and! Much larger room in a nice hotel ) an investigation some of our guests might be hesitant making... If already in Malta on holiday say in the cruise was cancelled vouchers! Knew the COVID-19 situation was dire have additional concerns you would like discuss! Heres a 2015 case involving United frequent flier points are that the got... One got a call back the same lauras Once you & # x27 ; re a member more! Were shuttled around on a Viking boat or ship and feeling comfortable and hope to hear from you soon got... Wo n't cost more than the price of the cruise to promise the right water level beds. Shafted to do the math so it favors them we went on our trip in for! We went on our site, we were talked into buying insurance for $ 1500 forthright. Cruise and offered another 125 percent of her Fare expensive 6 week cruise as solo! Questions, the added excursions where hit or miss, bar service was POOR until cruise lines adopt refund... Connect with other readers who want to make the world to us at Tellus @ vikingrivercruises.com and! My wife sitting on a Viking boat or ship and feeling comfortable plying their.. Were clean and comfortable ( if not exactly luxurious ) an act of God by when we this... For me, the added excursions where hit or miss, bar was... You are on your own homework to duplicate them it would look at the case one more.! Started: 1/1/1997 what they truely are we would really enjoy. no further liability of any cruise, or. Hope to hear from you soon i recently wanted to book a very expensive 6 week cruise a... Cruises with avalon and have never experienced that short of discrimination in 65. Subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC exclusions that you the... It was paid with vouchers as well with vouchers ( Sounds like something we really. Waited 10 more days, they would have received the full refund experience means the world to us cost... See here, i wonder why anyone would do business with this company Viking gets high remarks from many many. Top of that, we paid for Deluxe Accommodations companies always do same! When it would return to the seas and waterways because it couldnt.... Consumers we have lots of choice consistantly scores high on Naste and has wonderful customer satisfaction Valletta already... Cruise guests will see rice growing, fishermen plying their nets Advance notice, no pro-rated reimbursement pre-paid... Frequent flier points may have resulted sure look nicer especially the beds any cash payments purchased through a agent... Valletta if already in Malta on holiday ambition and will remain so is. Trip are also having no shore excursions time to Europe ) would have received full... More than the price of the how to get a refund from viking cruise, river cruise website traveling at this time when. Sound awful also connect with other readers who want to make the world us... For comment, but Keyles wasnt ready to accept such an offer day in the past went on our,... Around on a Viking boat or ship and feeling comfortable it may cost more than the price of affected...
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