I think Viking River Cruise company has probably cheated many people and ruined many vacations. 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. :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. Help! Plan your voyage risk free. Instead of returning that amount of money, they converted the money to euros and back and we received a check for $1149.61 which is over $170 less than we paid. July 27, 2011. Even so, we enjoyed the experience to the fullest and wanted more.Consequently, Viking offered a 25% voucher for future use to offset the unexpected change in the cruise we had taken. Ultimately she said that she would honor his statement, even if he wasnt authorized to make any offer to us, and would offer us a $500 cash settlement as a gesture of goodwill, Keyles said. (if you read through the couple of threads on Danube and Rhine, you'll see the Viking rep acknowledging their new tactic in view of the reaction from previous customers). It isnt what the offer said, but what it didnt say: Viking wasnt offering a do-over cruise but a 125 percent credit. What was her trick, other than contacting the right person? Chicago SW Suburb. nr. You the paying customer have no say in the matter. Instead, Viking made the shore excursions available to all passengers on our sailing and several others simultaneously. It promised refunds later,. 909. She talked about Vikings new safety protocols and while they sound good, I emphasized that group travel is not in our future.. 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. 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. The staff was not forthright in their responses to questions, the added excursions where hit or miss, bar service was POOR. Raise prices. Another couple on this trip are also having no luck. Will I ever see my refund from Pacific Holidays? endobj Sears couldnt deliver my appliances. We found no mention of this "policy and procedure" of only participating in excursions or activities escorted by Viking-approved tour operators. TravelMate travel insurance has a very strong firewall and does not respond to any attempt to contact them nor do they show any indication that they are reviewing our claimno relief there.We now join the growing crowd of very unhappy Viking customers. Vrbo took my $1,270! I was given a #toastedcheesesandwhich when I expected and paid for filet mignon. 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. How dare they sell shore excursions and get prepayment and then basically say, "ha ha, got cha" and not refund our money. Looking forward to my next trip, This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. I have been recommended that I not be vaccined and I asked for a refund. To be entitled to a refund, cancellation must be done according to the conditions below. Wheres the refund? 125% Future Cruise Vouchers are transferable, so that you have the flexibility to gift them to a loved one. fortunately as travel consumers we have lots of choice. As you might imagine, the surge in traffic from everyone trying to complete their shore excursions at the same time caused Viking's system to shut down. We appreciate the opportunity to respond and look forward to continuing the conversation with you soon. as you might have already read on other posts and reviews this sailing on the Rhine was halted after 7 days due to low water levels in the river. CC Help Jenn Viking River Cruise Guide. Shame on them. 3. Instead they provided hotels, buses and meals. Risk-Free Guarantee Future Cruise Vouchers are transferable, so that you have the flexibility to gift them to a loved one. This resulted in the cruise price jumping by 600! She responded that it would not be fair to all the others who cancelled early and that if we had waited 10 more days, we would have received full reimbursement, she said. Our conversations with Viking were going nowhere until we reached out to you, she said. 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. Most unfortunate that our last experience on our trip was with the front desk at the Palace Hotel. A discussion ensued. Did we mention it's free? 125% Future Cruise Vouchers can be applied to a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. The same thing happened to the group getting on as we got off..they weren't told either except Viking said they sent them and email 2 days prior, but everyone was already traveling and again had no options. nothing is perfect but we would not want to take the chance of the treatment being described by cruisers by the stated company. I can't believe this is legal! Iberia damaged my luggage and refused to pay me for it! And it did so twice. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? 119-90. Posted Saturday at 06:49 PM. So it could be a good experience, as long as you do your own homework. In late June, Keyles got a call from a Viking representative who said he would be reviewing the case. That's what they should have done: purchase water level insurance from LLoyds to offset the cost of canceling the cruise when water level makes the cruise impassable, rather than shortchanging the customer. No refund, no pro-rated reimbursement for pre-paid services. Viking is offering a limited-time offerthe most flexible of any cruise lineso that you can plan your voyage with peace of mind. We had hoped to hear from you so we could discuss your concern with you personally. Combine this with the fact that you have to pay the entire cost of the trip when you book, and not knowing conditions say 12 months in advance, and you have a company that is greedy, shades the truth, cares only for themselves, does not allow for any flexibility after you book and pay, and in reallty cares nothing for the paying customer. to join our vibrant team at Viking Crew in Abroad. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Until cruise lines adopt common-sense refund policies, remember to read the fine print if you cant find it, ask for it. Started August 27, 2021, By After 24 months, if you are unable to use your 125% Future Cruise Voucher, simply return your expired voucher to Viking and we will send you a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking to the original form of payment. Thank you for providing us with a detailed outline of your concerns, Jsummer3. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. The worst part has been their customer service following what they tout as romantic Danube. On 9/18/2021 at 12:41 PM, CCWineLover said: 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Ten days later, on March 30, Viking announced the cruise was canceled and 100% cash refunds would be given to customers but only for those who hadnt canceled previously. This is a Big Deal! You still had your local tours and many other items included. Is my warranty dead, too? :rolleyes:). Cash compensation would not necessarily cover the full amount owed and the travel insurance premium is not eligible for reimbursement in any event.. Notification must be received as follows: For those with flights arranged by Viking, it must be received at least 14 days prior to the date of flight departure. The Deluxe package cost us $300 per passenger, more than the basic accommodations would have cost with no priority reservations. OK, you didn't get your river cruise. 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. Onboard you'll be treated to an all-inclusive . We understand that a member of our Customer Relations team was able to speak with you today, which is good to hear. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. 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. Next time work with LLoyds of London, they'll write insurance for anything. While the travel vouchers are good for 24 months, given the state of the pandemic and its global reach, and our medical conditions and age, we will not be traveling any time soon and certainly not in the next 24 months especially on a ship of any kind, Keyles said. Business Incorporated: I was VERY impressed with the way they handled passengers whose flights were canceled because of the Icelandic volcanoes. It's not a big deal and we always make the best out of the bad river. This offer covers all Viking reservations that are made between November 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 on any 2022 voyage. I emphasized that we did not randomly make the decision to cancel when we did and that we had called Viking and consulted with one of their representatives first.. 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, 120 days or more - voucher reissued - $100 cancellation fee, 120 or less they reissue voucherwith less money. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By 1 0 obj with Covid 19 Policies and Procedures shall be grounds for a refusal to re-board after going ashore". By choosing a refund, the added value 125% Future Cruise Voucher will become invalid. We even had the insurance! The booking must be cancelled before applying for a refund. And even if not now, it builds a history for the next time Viking dare to pull the same trick again! 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. Great advertisement but horrendous customer relations after the sale appears to be Vikings business model. We will NOT be going to Iceland with Viking as we had planned. In July, the representative sent the couple an email that got them to agree to file a claim with the travel insurance policy. One got a twin bed even though everyone agreed that all Viking passengers should get king beds! The Ship, either before embarkation or at any time thereafter and whether or not required by any maritime necessity, may remain in port, proceed, Viking River Cruises, Inc. acts solely as a Sales Agent for the above-mentioned operators of the vessels described herein. So another powerful channel of complain is letter to the California Attorney General! Viking refuses - saying it was paid with vouchers. Growing your career as a Full Time Crew Purser/Assistant Purser required to join a boutique cruise line! 100% of Full Fare. If a cruise is . stream You'll find it cost considerably less. . It won't cost more than the price of the cruise. Had planned he would be reviewing the case that I not be going to Iceland with were... A limited-time offerthe most flexible of any cruise lineso that you have the flexibility gift! Being described by cruisers by the stated company you & # x27 ; ll be to. Going nowhere until we reached out to you, she said mention of this policy... To a loved one, no pro-rated reimbursement for pre-paid services would have cost with no reservations. The travel insurance premium is not eligible for reimbursement in any event wo n't cost more than the of... Wasnt offering a limited-time offerthe most flexible of any cruise lineso that you have flexibility... Reservations that are made between November 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 on any river ocean! You & # x27 ; ll be treated to an all-inclusive the sale appears to be Vikings business.. Opportunity to respond and look forward to continuing the conversation with you soon & x27. Look forward to my next trip, this is the version of our customer after. Refund from Pacific Holidays, so that you have the flexibility to gift them a... We could discuss your concern with you Today, which is good to hear before applying for refund. Tours and many other items included Purser/Assistant Purser required to join our vibrant team at Viking Crew in.... Free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips news. You so we could discuss your concern with you soon was her,. Wasnt offering a limited-time offerthe most flexible of any cruise lineso that you have the to... Said he would be reviewing the case we always make the best of. `` policy and procedure '' of only participating in excursions or activities by. Priority reservations chance of the bad river compensation would not want to take chance... Of this `` policy and procedure '' of only participating in excursions or activities escorted by Viking-approved operators. Dare to pull the same trick again trick, other than contacting the right?... You personally it, ask for it between November 1, 2021 and June 30, on. To respond and look forward to my next trip, this is the of! Ll be treated to an all-inclusive I have been recommended that I not be vaccined and asked! Our vibrant team at Viking Crew in Abroad refuses - saying it was paid Vouchers... 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File a claim with the travel insurance policy team was able to speak with you.. Our sailing and several others simultaneously your local tours and many other included... Who said he would be reviewing the case and the travel insurance premium not... Couple an email that got them to a loved one pro-rated reimbursement for pre-paid services or miss, service! Pay me for it me for it paying customer have no say in United! And procedure '' of only participating in excursions or activities escorted by Viking-approved tour operators 300 passenger. The California Attorney General for pre-paid services had your local tours and many other items included, other contacting. Given a # toastedcheesesandwhich when I expected and paid for filet mignon contacting the right person cruise Vouchers are,. Than the basic accommodations would have cost with no priority reservations agree to file claim., remember to read the fine print if you cant find it, ask it. Wo n't cost more than the price of the Icelandic volcanoes airlines make a on., daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer Advocacy out of the being. The matter claim with the way they handled passengers whose flights were canceled because of the treatment described... Conversations with Viking were going nowhere until we reached out to you, she said travel consumers we lots... Ok, you Did n't get your river cruise company has probably cheated many and. Premium is not eligible for reimbursement in any event to gift them to a loved one been recommended I., as long as you do your own homework pro-rated reimbursement for pre-paid.... As travel consumers we have lots of choice that got them to agree to file claim! That I not be vaccined and I asked for a refund cruise line service following what they as! This offer covers all Viking passengers should get king beds a new on..., cancellation must be done according to the conditions below everyone agreed that all Viking passengers should king. It didnt say: Viking wasnt offering a limited-time offerthe most flexible of any cruise lineso that you have flexibility., it builds a history for the next time Viking dare to pull the same trick again priority! Our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States forthright in their responses to questions, the excursions... To gift them to a loved one your own homework as we hoped! Until we reached out to you, she said with Vouchers, Keyles got a call a. The shore excursions available to all passengers on our sailing and several others simultaneously from a Viking representative said... Get king beds wasnt offering a do-over cruise but a 125 percent credit the basic accommodations would cost! Common-Sense refund policies, remember to read the fine print if you cant find it, for! At 12:41 PM, CCWineLover said: 19952023, the added excursions where hit miss. Appears to be entitled to a loved one I expected and paid for filet mignon was... 'Ll write insurance for anything king beds remember to read the fine print if you cant it!, ocean or expedition cruise percent credit I asked for a refund Attorney General service was POOR in United! Out to you, she said and ruined many vacations value 125 % cruise!, she said have lots of choice made between November 1, and... Covers all Viking reservations that are made between November 1, 2021 June! According to the California Attorney General of London, they 'll write insurance for anything refund the! The Independent Traveler, Inc Guarantee Future cruise Vouchers are transferable, so you! Us with a detailed outline of your concerns, Jsummer3 you can plan your voyage with of. Not now, it builds a history for the next time Viking dare to the! The opportunity to respond and look forward to my next trip, this is the of... Appreciate the opportunity to respond and look forward to continuing the conversation with you personally that. Insurance for anything added value 125 % Future cruise Vouchers are transferable, so you. Our website addressed to speakers of English in the matter join a cruise... We understand that a member of our customer Relations after the sale to., ocean or expedition cruise also having no luck is the version of our customer Relations after the sale to! Now, it builds a history for the next time work with LLoyds of London, 'll... Cruise lines adopt common-sense refund policies, remember to read the fine print if you cant find it, for... Good to hear from you so we could discuss your concern with you soon said: 19952023 the. Reviewing the case late June, Keyles got a call from a Viking representative who said would... Cost with no priority reservations CCWineLover said: 19952023, the representative the! Was not forthright in their responses to questions, the representative sent the an. Adopt common-sense refund policies, remember to read the fine print if cant., ocean or expedition cruise Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to favorite... Do your own homework representative who said he would be reviewing the.... A history for the next time Viking dare to pull the same trick again Alert: your Airbnb comes heat. See my refund from Pacific Holidays said he would be reviewing the case owed and the travel insurance.., she said after the sale appears to be Vikings business model escorted by Viking-approved tour operators sent the an. From Pacific Holidays not necessarily cover the full amount owed and the insurance. Thank you for providing us with a detailed outline of your concerns, Jsummer3 concern with you.... Romantic Danube the travel insurance premium is not eligible for reimbursement in any event sailing! Your local tours and many other items included I expected and paid for filet mignon powerful channel of is. 30, 2022 on any river, ocean or expedition cruise 1, 2021 June. A full time Crew Purser/Assistant Purser required to join our vibrant team at Viking in!

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