meee123

Thanks again for some of the helpful responses to my earlier post. I think a couple out of 20+ are trying to misconstrue what happened, as was the case on the Viking 'help' line (and the same folks too surprisingly on similar feeds). Put simply, I paid $16,000+ for my parents cruise, and they could not go the first time (like so many reviews I've read), because of COVID. Viking said, 'No problem - here's a voucher, use it and they can have the exact cruise next year when vaccination restrictions are lifted, or they can rebook again and get the exact same thing.' The vaccination restrictions weren't lifted by this Summer though (I'm vaxed - they aren't, due to health issues per their doctor), and just for Viking alone - every other major cruise line has lifted the COVID restrictions. Yet they can't rebook as they were told they could do, because those vouchers are worth $0, so the paid for insurance is for $0 in coverage. This was not disclosed by Viking at the point of sale, which is at a minimum, misleading, and at the most, at least fraud. For that reason, as of today, there are almost as many "Terrible" reviews (416) as there are "Excellent" reviews (528) on TripAdvisor for Viking Cruises, as shown on the attached image. Reading through these, about 25% are due to the same insurance/COVID swindling of thousands of dollars. Other trends though are accidents on the ships (!) and excursions, many skipped ports and bus rides instead for river cruises due to known high/low water or ongoing strikes (which were not disclosed until people arrived though), as well as quality complaints, overcharges and so far, 90% point to customer service - 'if you make six different calls. you'll get six different answers.' There is also class action lawsuit information there. No guarantees, but it never hurts to file. All the best!

ginnyb51, thanks for your post. See my similar one about Viking's latest self created issue with my parents cruise. And to what you said, "I stand by my statement that travel insurance should not be purchased from Viking, especially if they reinsure and bear the risk for travel insurance claims. Just buy travel insurance from an independent broker that you find through your travel agent or on your own." I couldn't agree more.

Thanks for the reply, WanderingBrit. What you said though, is really close to what Viking said ... today. Others said Viking monitors and posts here too. Yet I've booked a dozen or so cruises, on different cruise lines, for myself, friends and family. We traveled right when the world was opening, and needed to do the tests before, during and after the cruises. We saw the cruise line red banners on their websites, stating their COVID policy. It was repeated at the point of sale and in bold, on checkin pages, and on the itinerary in bold. Viking has none of that. It's own buried 'You may be asked if you're vaccinated' statement (attached here) is iffy, and Viking even admitted to me, that on my latest call about COVID, in March 2023, I was told my parents vaccinations status was not an issue by Viking. That is not the case now, and Viking currently will not stand by what it has stated previously. Yet thanks for reminding everyone someone else posted about this same situation too. For every one that posts here, there is probably 100 others in the same situation. Very helpful, WanderingBrit. All the best. IMG_9082 2.heic

Thanks for the forum replies here. Some good advice. Sadly, at times -during numerous phone calls- I've called in and they just assumed I was my Dad. I just went with it. And I used myvikingjourney, but I tried to get my parents to use it, and they just weren't app savvy. I do appreciate the feedback. Sadly, now it's worse... Specifically, after being encouraged yesterday by Viking to cancel the reservation because 'I was fully insured' (and probably so Viking could resell the room - look for an Octantis discount on 21JUL), now I'm told I'm totally insured, but for $0 in coverage. Specifically, declaring my parents 'no COVID vaccination but a doctor's letter situation' upfront, I was encouraged by the Viking sales rep to buy the 'top level/"cancel for any reason" insurance. The COVID policy had not changed then and it was clear, so I rescheduled the original cruise early last year, and was told I could rebook the exact same cruise for next year (this year), with everything being the same - insurance included. Everything was not the same in terms of their booking/flights alone, but that is a different story. More importantly now, I'm told I will 'receive $0 (ZERO) back at this point, because although I paid $16,000+, including the insurance (and was told I was covered yesterday, by Viking), the cruise had to be rebooked with a voucher, and when it was rebooked with a voucher, the voucher value was $0 dollars.' Thus, I was sold an expensive "Cancel for any reason" insurance policy by Viking, which actually on the claims form lists a lot of reasons why you can't cancel, and $0 in actual coverage/credit with any rescheduled trip, in spite of what Viking said earlier about 'everything would be exactly the same on the rescheduled trip - including the coverage.' I said on the phone today, that's what I call fraudulent. Again, Viking's new story today (It varies from day to day) was I will get nothing back, and I had to cancel immediately for Viking to even look into my situation, or Viking wouldn't even offer me that. I said I thought Viking just wanted the cancellation so Viking could resell my parents' room. I was told to 'cancel now, or nothing' - which is still the possibility of what Viking tells me, in up to 5 days, when I'm told I'll get an email reply. I'm guessing that will be the outcome here, but I'll gladly post if/when Viking does the right thing. Again, thanks to you all for your feedback and support.

Just to forewarn others, I had several phone calls with 'Viking Sales', to book my parents "$16,000+" cruise. I was told to 'call back with any questions.' After the sale was made though, and only when I had an issue to present, immediately the reply was, 'I can only talk to your parents.' Thus, I could pay for the cruise but not ask questions afterward. Instead, I would need to have my 80+ year old parent call in, from a different city, for me to be allowed to ask questions for them (even with the confirmation number, receipts, etc.). Thereafter, the phone line support for Viking has been worse than any other cruise line we've been on - Royal Caribbean, Norwegian & NCL (and worse than even Carnival, based on what I've heard from others). I'm told Viking uses a separate company for phone support. It still bears the Viking name though, so I expected more. Still, the 'Viking Customer Service' main response is -after I wait on hold for who knows how long, listening to an endless stringed instrument solo- 'You will have to do all of that on the Viking website.' My 80 year old parents at least, don't get on the web. It's just a lesson learned - a higher price tag, does not necessarily mean a higher level of service. I will avoid Viking in the future, and I hope what I posted here, helps you in your cruise line decision process. All the best!

Does anyone know for sure? I'm vaccinated but my parents are not due to physicians recommendation. This was booked for last year and the policy was in place. A Viking rep had me rebook for this time period, when it no longer would be in place. I called Viking and confirmed COVID vaccines were not needed in March of this year. Customer service confirmed that even happened on the phone today. Yet I called in again today after printing their boarding passes, where it says in the fine print alone, that COVID vaccines were mandatory. No vaccine card images were needed during check-in, or COVID reminders/warnings as these were previously listed, for other cruise lines. Viking's own FAQs though say 'COVID vaccine status may or may not be required at boarding (per the attached me)'. 'May be required'!?! Also, the phone line I've learned is a separate company, that gives different answers depending on, to whom you talk (and doesn't follow up when reps say they will - over the last two years at least). With that said, does anyone know how to contact the Viking Octantis directly, so I can see 'if or if not, COVID vaccines are actually mandatory.' We're supposed to leave in a matter of days. Thanks in advance. IMG_9082.heic