The closures have caused delays that will prevent the Viking Mississippi from completing the sailing underway and from reaching St. Paul [Minnesota] for her next scheduled departure on October 15, the statement said. so once the premier seats are gone, you often get left with what's leftover. Viking Cruises cancels 2022 Black Sea and Kiev (Ukraine Taiwan loosens COVID control measures on international cruise ships, Fire breaks out on Irish Ferries' ship Isle of Innisfree (Dover-Calais route), Fred Olsen unveils new 106-night Wolrd Voyage on MS Bolette ship, Sidney BC-Anacortes WA ferry service terminated until 2030, Nicole Scherzinger to serve as Godmother of P&O UKs cruise ship Arvia, P&O Ferries takes delivery of the first of 2 new fusion class ferries for its Dover-Calais route, Nassau Cruise Port boasts new 1-day passenger record of 28554, Marella Cruises removes COVID vaccination requirements from May 1st. They would fly to Italy and take an 8-day Viking River Cruise called . Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. 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. When asked what this was for, the reply was that I would get vouchers for future Viking cruises that were worth more than the extra payment, Andersen said. Nightmare experience returning home from Viking Cruise May 10, 2022, 12:33 PM Save We are filing a breach contract suit with Viking River Cruises for the following: 1. The first 6 Longships were launched in 2012 and collectively won "Best New River Ship" award. Richard Andersen booked a fully-paid Viking cruise with his partner but it was canceled because of COVID. First, tell us WHERE YOU LIVE if that info isn't in your profile! However, youll find Vikings seven ocean ships everywhere from North America to Asia and Australia. "To. Like Viking ocean ships, Octantis has an onboard lab that processes over 500 COVID-19 tests daily. The second ship in the series, Viking Polaris, has just joined its sister in Antarctica this year. The statement confirmed the line had made "all communication channels" open to crew so they can get hold of their families as well as allowing to leave the ships if they need to get home. We were in Schiphol about a month ago and it was extremely busy and I have read that it has gotten much worse, largely due to a strike by the baggage handlers and KLM in particular (who does the check-in for DL flights in MAS) have been short-staffed. He he tried to take the trip solo, he was charged. Fast-growing Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line. The move of Viking follows announcements from other cruise lines saying they are monitoring the situation, with Saga Cruises and Atlas Voyages among those who altered sailings. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113573780', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');flight #LH1003 leaving at 8:05 am. Drought and abnormal dryness continue to develop and intensify from the Plains through the Mississippi River Basin, and have now extended further into the Midwest and Southeast. Your contact Ts&Cs says when things go sideways, they will reschedule you. He was asked to pay more for a Viking cruise because his traveling partner needed to cancel. NEVER BUY A VIKING CRUISE VOUCHER We will be sailing with a different cruise line and will not be back to Viking. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. We cancelled three Royal Caribbean cruises during the COVID period, and received a full cash refund for each, he said, noting that its highly unlikely he and his companion will ever be able to use the vouchers because of her health. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration maintains a drought information website. Many cruisers are also understandably worried about crewmembers. The Viking Mississippi isnt the only vessel facing problems on the United States premier river. And an overnight stay will be added in Stockholm. Viking Neptune is a new ship that will join the fleet in 2022. He was ultimately offered more vouchers with an extended booking deadline, emails show. A Viking spokesperson said that the safety and security of their guests and crew was always their top priority. That gives them a smaller range of itineraries. 2 Viking River Cruises canceled all Russian river cruises and its planned Kyiv, Black Sea & Bucharest routes this year due to the events. Remember, you chose Viking for the high quality cruise, not the air. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. Some vendors may process your personal data on the basis of legitimate interest, which you can object to by managing your options below. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113577067', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise lines, the flights they include for free or at a reduced price will likely not be the most convenient or with the fewest legs. As Sunny has said, that's why many people will book their own flights instead of dong their air thru the tour company or cruise line. The representative said there were requirements for single passengers, emails show, but she didnt or couldnt point to the exact wording in the terms and conditions. Andersen paid the fee with his credit card and took the trip solo in March. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. For information about your specific voyage, please log onto MyVikingJourney.com. We couldnt find anything either. Viking is, quite simply, the giant of river cruising in Europe at least among lines that cater to English speakers. Scenic. Then there is Viking, which is a black hole for any money given them. Azamara has canceled cruises in Turkey, Israel and Egypt, as well as the Mediterranean on its newest ship, Azamara Onward, from November 2022 through March 2023. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. Even when cruise lines advertise "Free Air", there is a cost involved that they have figured into the price of the cruise and if the flights you have requested come in above that amount, you won't necessarily be given those flights. As for not getting your Premium seats, since it is a small cabin it is entirely possibly it was fully booked so you were given what seats were still available. Its like nothing happened, he said. Read full review of Viking River Cruises The company operates around 70 river ships on a broad swath of the continents rivers far more than any other river line catering to North Americans. (Dave Kettering/Telegraph Herald via AP). This is an outrageous amount and shows Viking's poor customer treatment. In the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Viking has canceled all Russia river sailings in 2022 and 2023. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113578769', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');cruise line, my recollection is that you can request certain flights by paying extra for Custom Air (or a similar name), but I hardly think you can " demand direct, non-stop flights that depart from the closest airport to your home if possible." No driver arrived to pick us up and take us to the airport. (Courtesy Richard Andersen). Others had to change itineraries while some river ships had to cancel voyages altogether. Some of Vikings most interesting itineraries are around Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, with many beginning or ending in Norway the homeland of the companys founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen. Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries. Demand direct, non-stop flights that depart from the closest airport to your home if possible. He he tried to take the trip solo, he was charged another $10,000. Top image: The Viking Mississippi cruise ship docks in Dubuque, Iowa, on September 6, 2022, when the river was still passable for the ship. Cruise lines have begun to offer up their out-of-service cruise ships for refugees seeking shelter from the ongoing conflict. How much are alcoholic drinks? They just dont want to part with the cash, Andersen said. Thus, Viking breached its contract to provide a flight home. Among the lines voyages, there's everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages. Last week Regent Seven Seas Cruises significantly altered Seven Seas Mariner's world cruise on the eve of embarkation from San Francisco. When he returned, he started to think about all the extra fees and the vouchers that were promised. And when the company is asked by the news media about individual cases, it seems to make some kind of concession but requires the passengers to sign a non-disclosure agreement, so the final resolutions are usually under wraps. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. We do not have any cruise cancellations because of the Omicron variant," Carnival spokesperson Roger Frizzell told USA TODAY on Wednesday. We are filing a breach contract suit with Viking River Cruises for the following: 1. Viking River Cruises has canceled all 2022 departures from Kyiv and Bucharest, Romania. Much of the West is in some state of drought. Vikings Scandinavia and Northern Europe trips range widely in length from just seven nights to a whopping 28 nights. Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. The 766-mile Rhine is one of Europe's most important trade routes, with container ships plying their way around its looping bends. Typical of the latter is the lines 14-night Mediterranean Antiquities routing, a one-way trip between Athens and Barcelona that stops in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco, France and Spain. Princess Cruises has the first big ship in to St Petersburg on April 29, .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}Enchanted Princess. Carnival Corp. includes includes Carnival, Seabourn, Holland America Line, Princess, P&O Cruises, Cunard, P&O Cruises Australia, AIDA and Costa. At this time, we expect the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023. On nearly all of the rivers, the line offers multiple itineraries with lengths ranging from seven nights to as many as 22 nights. In some cases, an itinerary may be adjusted with certain destinations dropped and new ones added. 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. he was given 60 days to accept or decline the offer. CNN Travel emailed Viking for confirmation of the ships location and other details, but Viking said Friday afternoon that it was still unable to provide further comment at this time. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, The best places to see cherry blossoms around the US this spring, Looking back: How my points and miles strategy has changed over the years, The best increased card offers to sign up for this March. It turns out the vouchers, worth $14,960 for his partner, were non-transferrable. We wasted 1/2 hour of valuable time waiting in line for a cancelled flight. Holland America Line is modifying itineraries for six cruises that were scheduled to visit Russian ports this year. The Centers for Disease Control Prevention Vessel Sanitation Program (CDC-VSP) reported that 118 passengers and crew on a recent voyage of the Viking Cruises . Believe me, you didn't miss much on that aspect of the flight. and a person that watches the news, reads the news it would have been very clear to expect airport delays and therefore allow more time. Dubbed Into the Midnight Sun, the one-way route between Bergen and London is unique because it combines calls in far-north Honningsvag and Tromso, Norway, with visits to Scotlands remote Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands. In the Mediterranean, the lines main hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul. Viking Ocean Ships Currently Sailing: Viking Jupiter Viking Orion Viking Mars Viking Neptune Viking Saturn Viking Sea Viking Sky Viking Star Viking Venus Vikings entire river fleet of over 75 ships is also actively sailing. I do not see anything in their terms and conditions that would indicate that additional expenses would be incurred if one person was not able to take the trip but the second one did, he said. That way you have control over your reservation and can work directly with the airline when issues occur and not have to deal with a third-party, in this case Viking Air. A friend is sailing with Viking next month and while she has had her initial flights for months, they have also been changed several time already. Jan. 17, 2022. Can I remove the auto- gratuity? For instance, a merciless heat wave baked Europe this past summer, and the continents fabled waterways fell to shockingly low levels. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. If you are flying right now or anytime in the foreseeable future, you will need to pack a lot of patience, understanding, flexibility, and maybe even some extra money to cover any unexpected expenses, like extra meals or even a hotel stay. Sometimes it's worth a large investment to reap the benefits of a great credit card. The cruise passed under the bridge in Greenville, Mississippi, that crosses into Arkansas on Thursday. We were both assigned Economy Class seats. We will be advising our guests and travel partners shortly as plans become finalized.". A short time later, passengers were informed that the cruise was canceled, Trovato said. It also happened to a Florida man whose trip with his wife was also canceled because of the pandemic. Viking has grown into a major player in Mediterranean sailings, with more than 30 distinct itineraries that include stops in the region. Whether Russia river cruises restart in 2024 will depend on how the situation in Ukraine unfolds over the coming months. ta.queueForLoad : function(f, g){document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded', f);})(function(){ta.trackEventOnPage('postLinkInline', 'impression', 'postLinks-113588373', '');}, 'log_autolink_impression');Flights all over the world at present are in turmoil, partly still being haunted by Covid with staff not being allowed to fly, Ground staff like check-in and security not allowed to report for work because of possible Covid .symptoms, Aircraft & flight crew in the wrong continent never mind country. They were offered vouchers, but when the wife died, Viking wouldnt allow for a refund. If you are tech savvy, get text notifications for all your flights in advance online, and double and triple check. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. If you are concerned about the water level on your upcoming river cruise, do your due diligence before you take any action. Volendam was scheduled to return to service in May, however as a result of the humanitarian effort, the ship will now be out of passenger service until July 2022. The text appears: #1 on the oceans. Cruises - Very disappointed with Viking River Cruises - Reservation # 2672768 We were supposed to do a river cruise and ended up doing a motor coach tour due to low river levels. Do NOT book with Viking! Jan 26, 2023 01:33pm. That allows for unusual variations on the typical Baltic Sea or Norwegian fjords cruise. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in the United States. . "With the safety of our guests and crew always our top priority, we are removing St. Petersburg, Russia from upcoming itineraries, due to the current situation in Ukraine," a statement read. The Viking agent said that I would have to pay an extra $9,898. All airlines recommend arriving at the airport at least 3 hours before an international flight. "We are currently evaluating itineraries that call. Tips-- if you are not interested in details, get a very good travel agent who will triple check everything and hold your hand and can reach you easily with changes. $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. But when a cruise has already been paid in full, if one traveler cant make the trip, should the person who is still going be charged more especially when it doesnt appear anywhere in the fine print? I want to tip only a few how much should I tip? Air travel deserves its own expert attention. Today, 1/22/22 I contacted Viking Cruise lines about canceling a river cruise to France for this June, plenty of days before the cancellation date, and was told that I could not get ALL my money back. Select sailings will resume operation with sailings on May 22, May 29 and June 5, 2021 from Portsmouth, England. MSC Cruises had four ships due to call in at St. Petersburg this year, with the first -- MSC Preziosa (May 7) and MSC Grandiosa -- occuring as early as May 7. 2023 Cable News Network. 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. Dozens of cruises have been cancelled and some ports in the Caribbean and South America are turning ships away from making . Enrollment required. We dont mean losing the money paid for the person who cant take the trip. Also lost out on the cruise vouchers. This photo was taken by passenger Tom Travato outside the windows of the Viking Mississippi cruise ship on October 4. Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. We are currently evaluating itineraries that call in Russia in 2022, which will require modifications. Typically, cruise lines operate either ocean cruises or river cruises but not both. 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). "We are following the sad developments closely, and will consider alternatives," a spokesman said. Just got the official email from Viking saying our cruise has been canceled with the details of the 125% future cruise voucher which must be used on a 2021 or 2022 cruise. Viking Air guarantees ground transportation. Trovato, who lives in Phoenix, told CNN the ship was stopped on Monday evening after a barge hit the bottom of the river and blocked all water traffic through the area. General information will be listed below, with details of any affected departures. Viking's move follows announcements from other cruise operators saying they are . A spokesperson for Viking Cruises confirmed to Insider on Monday that all 2022 departures on its Kyiv, Black Sea, and Bucharest itinerary have been canceled. Last week, the cruise line cancelled all 2022 departures on its Kiev, Black Sea & Bucharest itinerary and said it was evaluating 2022 sailing that call in Russia. CA. A Viking Ocean ship sails in Croatia. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. She and her husband Ed recently took an 8-day cruise on the Viking Venus off the . Have to agree that when booking thru tour companies or (ta && ta.queueForLoad ? Next time youll know to book your own cheaper and more convenient flights. Claire and Stanley Keyles planned a dream vacation for June 2020. On March 23, Costa Cruises announced it would utlize the laid-up Costa Magica (soon to transfer to Carnival Cruise Line) to house those fleeing the conflict, while AmaWaterways has made an out-of-service river cruise ship docked in Amsterdam available to refugees arriving into the Netherlands from Ukraine. 2021-2022 Viking World Cruise Viking Ocean Cruises 16.6K subscribers Subscribe 147 14K views 2 years ago Experience the worldfrom a front-row seat. If you plan a trip with another person a spouse, a companion, a friend and if your travel partner has to cancel, you could be stuck with thousands of dollars in extra charges. "We stand for peace, and our thoughts are with those who are in harm's way," the company said in a news release. We are cancelling our river cruise due to viking's heavy handed covid vaccine requirement. Over the next several months, he tried numerous ways to contact the company so someone could address his requests, without luck. All Rights Reserved. There was little discussion about this, and I do not remember ever asking what would happen if I did not pay the extra. Schiphol and KLM both issue requirements that passengers arrive 3 to 4 hours before flight time. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Note that, in the wake of Russias invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary for 2022; the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark. "We will continue to monitor the situation and if necessary make further alterations to our itineraries whilst still ensuring the best experience for our guests.". "When necessary changes are made, Viking Customer Relations will notify all impacted guests and their travel advisers.". Can I bring my own alcohol? "Guests will enjoy these unique and rarely visited destinations and immersive shore excursions to take in the rich cultures and breathtaking vistas of the Baltic.". Bookings with more than 30 persons Conference bookings made by Customers Service and Sales Department Bookings paid by invoice by companies Companies with annual agreements Bookings with more than 5 hotel rooms The specific conditions that apply to your booking can be found in your . Should you cruise again, even with another cruise line, do some investigation into possible flights with different airlines and see what might work best before committing to any flights. The 13-day trips focus heavily on the two gateway cities, with four days allotted for touring Moscow and four days reserved for visiting St. Petersburg. More Local News to Love Start today for 50% off Expires 3/6/23, Karin Price Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. This gives you the ability to cancel your cruise with at least 48 hours' notice and you'll receive a 100% Future Cruise . Viking recently added two new, 378-passenger expedition cruise vessels specifically built to travel to the White Continent. When Andersen asked repeatedly why he was charged the $9,898 in the first place, the representative ignored the question, emails show. They book the one that are cheapest for them. Andersen did some research. Though part of the United Kingdom, these archipelagos have ties to Norwegian and Viking history. "Our company was founded in Rotterdam around the mission of helping immigrants find a better life. "Counseling has been made available to them and ships Captains and management are obviously in daily communication with them to offer assistance as needed.". June 2, 2017. Viking Ocean Cruises has cancelled all river and ocean cruises through May 31, 2021. Viking Octantis, notably, also operated Vikings first sailings around the Great Lakes this year. "We are currently evaluating itineraries that. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Coronavirus: Updated Cruise Ship Policies and Cancellations Because of COVID-19 (2021), Foreign Office Eases Travel Exemption for 67 Countries, Paving Way for European Cruises, Rolling Out the Deals: Why Now Might Be a Great Time to Book a Cruise, Galveston Port Director Says Disney Cruise Line to Limit Capacity, Enforce Embarkation Arrival Times, Costa Cruises Becomes First Carnival Corp.