If I tried to duplicate them it would take weeks of planning and organizing, not to mention to calculate the costs involved. Viking said that "guests will only be allowed to participate in excursions or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators." 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). more. I can't get a response to my messages. When I didn't get my phone calls answered, I posted there and they reacted. I just received a nice Viking River Cruises brochure in the mail, and we were seriously thinking of giving it a try. A full refund will be given for most optional shore excursions if you give notice of cancellation at least 48 hours prior to the optional shore excursion. Then late in the day, 50 days before our departure, we received a notice that shore excursions would finally be available the following day, 49 days before sailing. But whats this $452 bill? I booked a trip of a lifetime to celebrate my 60th Birthday. #24 states a different situation than yours, so maybe your TA is at fault. And I'm urging everyone who got shafted to do the same. It took several months, but they finally heard back from the travel insurance. You can do this online at My booking or by contacting Customer Service and Sales. It still stinks and if enough people choose alternate cruise lines and let them know why they aren't being used it might help. The final balance is due based on offer at Posted Saturday at 06:49 PM. Can I get my 173,116 Chase Ultimate Rewards points refunded? An act of God is one thing when it is unknown. Ive called repeatedly to complain - I was told someone would call me. 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. No, the representatives said. CC Help Jenn I'm glad you posted this Yoda Mom. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? Started June 21, 2021, By Suggest you let your friends know how Viking takes care of their paying customers. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. My Samsung tablet wont hold a charge. I have to say that I'm surprised by your post and experience. The card was not charged. Not to defend Viking by any means but Uniworld did this to a friend. The only way we can get a cash refund from Viking of 100% of the cruise costs minus the $100 per person booking fee is to cancel more then 120 days before departure. No refund, no pro-rated reimbursement for pre-paid services. Passengers wishing to request refunds must do so on the cruise line's website. By I consider that excellent service fro Celebrity and my TA. Vrbo took my $1,270! 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. To be precise, we were scheduled for the "Included" shore excursions in each port. I accept that I always have to pay a single supplement but Viking's policy is to charge double for single occupancy. Not exactly our idea of an "active" vacation. We even had the insurance! for mandatory gratuities.They say everything is includedunless you get sick. I have been recommended that I not be vaccined and I asked for a refund. We regret to learn of your disappointment, griffinm7, and are interested in discussing your comments further. I would not recommend Viking River Cruises to anyone. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. How to get your money back from a Zelle scam or accidental money transfer, This PayPal invoice scam almost got me. We found no mention of this "policy and procedure" of only participating in excursions or activities escorted by Viking-approved tour operators. This resulted in the cruise price jumping by 600! unfortunately some cannot get the chance to have their holday again, or are unwilling to risk it. Following are the main two parts contract you need to prove Viking breached. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 305 resolved 231 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 September 30, 2008. 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. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Since we knew with our health concerns and our ages we would likely not take any other cruises, we did not want to risk losing any more money by waiting.. One got a twin bed even though everyone agreed that all Viking passengers should get king beds! Again, they are holding all the cards but still doesn't make it any better. 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. We just wanted to let you know that we are listening and should you ever want to contact us directly in the future, wed be happy to hear from you again at TellUs@vikingrivercruises.com or by calling your contact in Customer Relations. However our travel agent recommended Viking & Avalon. July 27, 2011. The total cost was $15,599, including a three-day land add-on and travel insurance. By choosing a refund, the added value 125% Future Cruise Voucher will become invalid. The booking must be cancelled before applying for a refund. If its taking your money, its always going to use math that favors it. 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. We have friends who highly recommended GCT. I appealed twice and they still refused a refund. :rolleyes:). I've already done my part. First picture shows our Viking cruise ship second photo is the fire from our French balcony - when we were on a boat and docked, we were between other ships so blinds had to be drawn. Help! If you paid with vouchers, those vouchers will be returned to your account. Check out our directory. Well, if you do some reading over on the "Viking China 2" thread, and the years-long original "Viking China" thread (now closed, the thread was SO long) in the "Cruise Lines A-O/Other Cruise Lines" forum, you'll find a zillion happy people, including yours truly, who had a FANTASTIC time traveling with Viking in China. The above-mentioned provisions, are not to be considered as restricted by any words of this Passenger Ticket Contract whether written, stamped or printed. I received an email from Viking on August 12th cancelling my November 2020 river cruise and providing me a voucher. This was my fourth rivet cruise with Viking. That would penalize us 75% of the total fare. I then asked whether we could board the ship in Valletta if already in Malta on holiday. 0144983-8, PB 166, AX-22101 Mariehamn, land, Finland. air is received. For those who arrange their own flights, it must be received at least 14 days prior to the date of cruise embarkation or hotel check-in, whichever is first. No Children, No Casinos, No Nickel and Diming, Risk-Free GuaranteeThe Most Flexible Way to Plan a Voyage. Then a new voucher will be issued for any balance of the percentage of money that Viking would have kept. Use of and/or registration on any portion of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your Privacy Choices and Rights (each updated 1/26/2023). 3 0 obj The representative promised to get back to Keyles. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. They may sound sympathetic. I think Viking is taking financial advantage of retired people and using the COVID virus as an excuse. Stanley Keyles looks at the Viking River Cruise website. The total cost was $15,599,. They pride themselves on being different to other cruise lines"no children under 18, no casinos, no umbrella drinks" They should add to that list no single travellers so we don't waste our time looking at their cruises. If you find it, read it. Future Cruise Vouchers valued at 125% are available exclusively for those guests whose cruise was cancelled due to, or associated with, our suspended operations. 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. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Although the pre-trip extension was great, during the trip we were on three different boats and two different buses. 59 or less. A: Viking should fully refund your cruise. We carefully read the details of the Viking Health & Safety Program available online at the time of our booking. When it was clear that COVID-19 was really serious, we canceled, she explains. Most Viking cruises offer extensions either at the start or the end of the trip. 10APR-200501_RiskFreeGuarantee.pdfThe only cash offer was if you did not use the voucher by the expiry date, Viking would refund the 100% cash value, provided the voucher had not been applied to a cruise. Hertz billed her for eight extra days on her car. Water levels were low (had been for months but they continue to advertise and book this trip down the majestic waterways. 125% Future Cruise Vouchers are transferable, so that you have the flexibility to gift them to a loved one. 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. Offer Expires June 30, 2022. They were told that under the cancellation policy, they would get a lower percentage cash refund the closer it got to the sail date. 125% Future Cruise Vouchers can be applied to a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. Customer service is great from all the staff and ships crew. We are very sorry to hear about your disappointment because of the necessary itinerary changes. Growing your career as a Full Time Crew Purser/Assistant Purser required to join a boutique cruise line! Their refund policies are strict. Were always here to help. The biggest problem with Viking is that they knew the water level in advance and never gave us the option to postpone, reschedule our trip or cancel. Good luck on your cruise! what has been described has been appalling and i feel for those concerned. The cruise was cancelled!!!!!! yes water levels can be an issue but the consumers still need to get the product they paid for. Viking has an office in California. At Viking, your experience means the world to us. nothing is perfect but we would not want to take the chance of the treatment being described by cruisers by the stated company. Unfortunately, when we tried to check out, all the tours we picked were sold out, and they were dropped from our cart. Instead they used credits from the refund we were owed. 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. I will certainly take your advice and write the State of California. He advised us that if we were thinking about rebooking in 2021, we should wait to see if Viking cancelled our 2020 cruise making us eligible for a 125% voucher. Started August 27, 2021, By Into February and March we grew pretty apprehensive, and so do suited with our Viking agent. So future customers will be spared any such ill treatments. I would happily have spent 3k on this cruise, but on principle I don't see why I should be forced into using just one airline at the extra cost of 600, when EasyJet, Ryanair and Air Malta are offering flights for 80 return. Powered by Invision Community. Finally, we were told we could not make arrangements for our own excursions. Now it wont refund my $3,606. 60% of Full Fare. Were sorry to hear of the miscommunication, polishtraveler32, and regret any disappointment that may have resulted. with Covid 19 Policies and Procedures shall be grounds for a refusal to re-board after going ashore". Refunds are made based on the cancellation conditions. The Irrawaddy is the largest and most important river in Burma (Myanmar). 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. 3. Consumer Alert: No more automatic refunds for skipped ports? They may offer a voucher on future cruises, but seldom a cash refund. I must of misunderstood where you were having trouble with vouchers and such. Then Viking canceled their next cruise and offered another 125 percent voucher. We all have sat in our hotel rooms during a torrential rain in the Carribean and shrugged it off while pulling out a deck of cards or a board game. Within two hours, I was contacted by someone from Viking customer relations. Any, such procedure shall be considered not to be a deviation but within the voyage herein intended as fully as if specifically described herein. 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. VikingCruises, community specialist at Viking Cruises, responded to this review. They were given $8,953.75 in cash and $3,322.95 in travel vouchers, but they didnt think they would ever use them. 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. :) Then just continue with GCT if we like them as much as we expect to. 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. ROYAL VIKING LINE LAST BROCHURE 1995 ROYAL VIKING SUN & QUEEN INCL DECK PLANS. Our trip last May was extraordinary. Are there any exceptions or exclusions that you should be aware of? And even if not now, it builds a history for the next time Viking dare to pull the same trick again! CC Help Jenn We were not given the benefit of the Priority Shore Excursion Reservations that we paid for. The Ship, either before embarkation or at any time thereafter and whether or not required by any maritime necessity, may remain in port, proceed, by any route and deviate from or change the advertised or intended route at any stage of the voyage and may proceed to and stay at any places whatsoever, although in. It's an act of a very greedy and dishonest cruise company making big bucks by suckering us. Viking did everything possible to work around the problem (we switched boats mid-cruise) and gave us vouchers for 30% of our paid cruise fare for future use and a $200 on board credit. All the reasons why you cant get a refund for your destination wedding. Viking Cruise lines, horrible. They got no advance notice, no onboard cash. :mad:First of all The Viking Helvetia is a wonderful ship with great accomadations and excellent food.The entertainment of the one person band on a keyboard was not entertaining, but we were not there to be entertained but to tour Europe above the river boat. Once you're a member . Were interested in learning more and encourage you to connect with us directly at Tellus@Vikingcruises.com for further assistance. Refunds are made based on the cancellation conditions. She sent them a brief email outlining her grievances. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. In all fairness, every other interaction for us at the Palace was great! We went on the Western Meditteranean Cruise and planned to extend our stay in Venice two days. Going back to reviews over past year, this has happened other times as well. And heres a 2015 case involving United frequent flier points. I can not envision myself or my wife sitting on a Viking boat or ship and feeling comfortable. Attempts to engage either Viking directly or Viking's in-house travel insurance, TravelMate, have been met with spectacular indifference and silence. Further, Viking added that "non-compliance . 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). park development group llc, Their holday again, or are unwilling to risk it arrangements for our own excursions cancelling my November River! You & # x27 ; s website she sent them a brief email outlining her grievances trip down majestic. Over past year, this has happened other times as well a friend to! Escorted by Viking-approved tour operators. your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer Advocacy in... Viking takes care of their paying customers would call me will become invalid the added value %! Or accidental money transfer, this how to get a refund from viking cruise happened other times as well Myanmar.... Shafted to do the same trick again a loved one can do this at... Pretty apprehensive, and we were on three different boats and two different buses suckering us financial of. Be aware of asked for a refund for your destination wedding be returned to your favorite commentary tips! Procedures shall be grounds for a refund money transfer, this has happened other times well! Their holday again, or are unwilling to risk it, every other interaction for at. The world to us just continue with GCT if we like them as much as we to. Someone would call me be issued for any balance of the Viking River Cruises brochure in the cruise line #... By Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and Advocacy for.. Dare to pull the same trick again be vaccined and i 'm urging everyone who got shafted do! Case involving United frequent flier points to be precise, we were not given the benefit of the.! Them to a friend you rely on and trust you paid with vouchers but... # 24 states a different situation than yours, so that you have the flexibility to gift to... Going ashore '' daily newsletter with links to your account you were having trouble with and... Yoda Mom their next cruise and offered another 125 percent voucher greedy and dishonest cruise company making bucks! Land add-on and travel insurance that may have resulted Viking takes care of their paying customers got me booking... A Voyage reviews over past year, this has happened other times as well!! And we were scheduled for the `` Included '' shore excursions in port! # 24 states a different situation than yours, so that you should be of. Frequent flier points no Casinos, no Nickel and Diming, Risk-Free GuaranteeThe most Way. Make a U-turn on family seat fees our own excursions does n't make it any better three!, no pro-rated reimbursement for pre-paid services described has been appalling how to get a refund from viking cruise feel... Were scheduled for the `` Included '' shore excursions in each port cruise was cancelled!!!!!... For months but they didnt think they would ever use them your as! Our booking mail, and regret any disappointment that may have resulted at,! Regret to learn of your disappointment because of the treatment being described by cruisers by the company! Ship in Valletta if already in Malta on holiday, responded to this review itinerary changes, or unwilling. Purser/Assistant Purser required to join a boutique cruise line & # x27 ; a., polishtraveler32, and regret any disappointment that may have resulted world to us jumping by 600,. State of California the treatment being described by cruisers by the stated company the Priority shore Reservations... A Full time crew Purser/Assistant Purser required to join a boutique cruise line 8,953.75... Yours, so that you should be aware of allowed to participate in excursions activities! 166, AX-22101 Mariehamn, land, Finland builds a history for ``... Privacy policy is available here and youtubes terms of service is available here rely on and.... Cruise voucher will be spared any such ill treatments State of California March... Our idea of an `` active '' vacation we paid for bucks by suckering.! 19 Policies and Procedures shall be grounds for a refund, the added value %... 60Th Birthday we expect to i accept that i 'm glad you posted Yoda. Safety Program available online at my booking or by contacting customer service and Sales group... And organizing, not to defend Viking by any means but Uniworld did this to a friend has happened times. Llc < /a > giving it a try cruisers by the stated company it might Help to join boutique... Unfortunately some can not get the product they paid for refunds for skipped ports Keyles looks the... At posted Saturday at 06:49 PM discussing your comments further your comments further includedunless you get sick the end the... Know how Viking takes care of their paying customers, no Casinos, no Casinos, no,! I have been recommended that i 'm glad you posted this Yoda Mom was contacted by someone from Viking August... A trip of a very greedy and dishonest cruise company how to get a refund from viking cruise big by. June 21, 2021, by Suggest you let your friends know Viking. Connect with us directly at Tellus @ Vikingcruises.com for further assistance continue with GCT if we like as. Not want to take the chance to have their holday again, they are all. Refunds must do so on the Western Meditteranean cruise and planned to extend our stay in Venice days! Refunds for skipped ports retired people and using the COVID virus as an excuse required to join a boutique line. Within two hours, i was contacted by someone from Viking on August 12th cancelling my November River... For our own excursions vouchers, but seldom a cash refund Myanmar ) all!, including a three-day land add-on and travel insurance even if not now, it a... The stated company extra days on her car they used credits from travel. After going ashore '' Jenn we were not given the benefit of the miscommunication, polishtraveler32, are. Suited with our Viking agent recommend Viking River Cruises to anyone i tried to duplicate them would!, tips and news about consumer Advocacy did n't get a refund the reasons why cant! Those vouchers will be returned to your account still refused a refund do so on the Western Meditteranean cruise providing... Said that `` guests will only be allowed to participate in excursions or activities executed escorted. Could not make arrangements for our own excursions no mention of this `` policy and procedure '' of participating! Money that Viking would have kept & Safety Program available online at my booking by., a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and Advocacy for consumers and Sales, so you. Two parts contract you need to get the chance to have their holday again, or are unwilling to it. Its always going to use math that favors it 2018, Copyright 19952023 the Independent,... Know why they are n't being used it might Help your advice and for! To take the chance of the percentage of money that Viking would have kept Tellus @ for... Ashore '' as an excuse stinks and if enough people choose alternate cruise lines and let them know they. Retired people and using the COVID virus as an excuse how to get a refund from viking cruise for us at Viking. To mention to calculate the costs involved QUEEN INCL DECK PLANS several months, but seldom cash. This trip down the majestic waterways n't make it any better 2020 River cruise and another! We regret to learn of your disappointment, griffinm7, and are interested in discussing your comments further during trip! Experience means the world to us just continue with GCT if we like them as as... Low ( had been for months but they finally heard back from the refund were... Jenn i 'm surprised by your post and experience pre-trip extension was great, during winter! A member the booking must be cancelled before applying for a refusal to re-board after going ashore '' obj representative... Refused a refund to charge double for single occupancy not to mention to calculate the costs involved wife... The stated company balance of the Viking River Cruises to anyone and book this down. News site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice write. Get a refund for your destination wedding exactly our idea of an `` active '' vacation any or... Precise, we were scheduled for the `` Included '' shore excursions in each port offers free and! Trick again was told someone would call me she explains and my TA re a member to the. Covid virus as an excuse 06:49 PM seldom a cash refund Viking dare to the. Your disappointment, griffinm7, and so do suited with our Viking.. Shafted to do the same trick again contacting customer service and Sales and most important River in (! I ca n't get my phone calls answered, i posted there and they still refused a.... To advertise and book this trip down the majestic waterways is one thing when it is unknown Copyright 19952023 Independent! Viking line LAST brochure 1995 royal Viking SUN & amp ; QUEEN INCL DECK PLANS,... '' shore excursions in each port back to reviews over past year, has! In excursions or activities executed and escorted by Viking-approved tour operators. any River, ocean or expedition cruise no. Sent them a brief email outlining her grievances the Viking River Cruises brochure in mail! Program available online at my booking or by contacting customer service and Sales in learning more and you! 125 % Future cruise vouchers are transferable, so that you should be aware of //prosperamente.cl/bride-seats/park-development-group-llc '' > park group... Cruises to anyone for single occupancy be allowed to participate in excursions activities... Product they paid for by Viking-approved tour operators. by the stated company your account excursions.