Ecnarps

Maybe a little off topic but for myself, after seven cruises using them, I am done using Viking Air Plus.  For the most part, the agents are relatively knowledgeable but (IMHO) are frequently heavily accented and a bit difficult to thoroughly understand.  However, the biggest real problem I had was trying to nail down decent flight itineraries.  Although I initially booked for Premium Economy, the agents I spoke with (numerous long frustrating calls involved) were unable to find seats in that class without very significant additional cost or untenable connection times.  I subsequently downgraded to regular Economy thinking that the air booking process would be easier.  Wrong! Same story...every one of my desired flight reservation options were either not on one of Viking's contracts or just as before, involved significant additional cost... as much as $820 per person in one case...for a regular economy seat!   Believe me, I wasn't looking at exotic flight options.  The advice I was given was to call back in a few weeks to see if anything changed.  I did this three times over a two month period.  In the end I gave up and simply settled for what Viking was going to give me anyway... the $150 per person Air Plus fees I paid --  for not only my booking but for two other associated bookings (for my adult kids/spouses) was a HUGE waste of hard earned money.  Sorry to sound like sour grapes (because once I get on their ships all is well) but I'm going to do my own flight booking from now on.  It may cost me a few extra bucks but I'll be in control and I will have avoided significant frustration and wasted time hanging on the phone. ..worth it to me. Just my personal experience. Just my personal opinion.  But I know there are others out there with similar stories. Peace.

Sadly, I understand where Njkm is coming from.

We recently booked our January 2023 Viking Ocean cruise using future cruise vouchers from a previously cancelled cruise. Here are some lessons learned (the hard way) and things to watch out for if you’re in a similar situation.

-       TripMate cannot be paid for with voucher credit (even if you had it on the original cruise invoice). You have to rebuy it via credit card or check.

-       Any excess voucher credit (after your basic cruise and air fares are taken care of) can be used for air differentials, shore excursions, pre-paid onboard gratuity, Silver Spirit package, etc. (added to your invoice PRIOR to departure)… BUT cannot be transferred to onboard credit.

-       If you do purchase TripMate on your revised booking and subsequently need to cancel your trip, do not expect to be refunded ANY voucher money or voucher credit. TripMate does not recognize applied vouchers as being covered or refundable…even though YOUR money originally paid for those vouchers… which Viking probably had in their pocket for a long time at that point.

-       If you used vouchers for your revised booking, the Viking standard Guest Cancellation Schedule also NO LONGER APPLIES in any effective manner.  (IMO, an extremely disingenuous policy)

-       If you cancel your cruise OUTSIDE of 120 days prior to departure, Viking may allow you to apply the value of those vouchers to a different cruise.  Dicey…to be seen.

-       However, if you cancel your cruise WITHIN 120 days of departure… poof!…. your voucher (and therefore your money) is gone (Viking will keep it even though you haven’t been provided a penny’s worth of product).

Despite having been a huge fan of Viking (5 past cruises, 5 more currently booked), all of this has left a sour taste in my mouth for their one-sided business practices and quite frankly, I have a lot of reconsideration to do. Wish I never accepted any Viking vouchers.  Part of my near-term solution will be to buy third party trip insurance)…expensive but prudent.  I hope this little diatribe of mine will be helpful to anyone who finds themselves in a similar situation.  Buyer Beware!!

Does anyone have any input regarding the "By Royal Appointment" excursion associated with the Into The Midnight Sun cruise?  Have heard various conflicting estimates on the price of this optional excursion and whether it is worth it. Thanks.

Have cruised with Viking Ocean 3 times in the past 3 years, the showcase evening shows have been pretty much the same on each cruise...Beatles, Abba, Rat Pack.  Getting a little old and predictable.  We are huge fans of each of these actual artists, but with 3  more cruises booked over the next 18 months, we're hoping for something new.  Anyone else feel the same way?

We're booked on an "Into the Midnight Sun" cruise next year (London to Bergen) and plan to travel to London a few days early.  Would greatly appreciate any Hotel or B&B suggestions that might be convenient for sightseeing as well as our embarkation location.  Thanks!

Appreciate all the discussion and information.  While I've evolved to being OK with a 12 month in advance final payment (especially for returning customers), I still believe that the 19 month date I discussed in my original post is way too excessive...have yet to see what the possible justification for it could be.

Just ran into the same issue.  Loyal Viking customer...5 cruises with them in the past three years.  Advised this morning that they needed final payment for one of our future cruises...NINETEEN MONTHS in advance.  When trying to work with them to extend it out just a few more months, they flat out refused and hid behind their ludicrous terms and conditions policy.  No consideration whatsoever.  As much as i like their actual cruises,  we will be looking elsewhere in the future.  So much for customer loyalty.