shadowlover

we paid well in advance for a transatlantic cruise- maybe two years in advance.  We watched so many promotions (which we did try to get but they said no) pass us by.  Most on our cruise had free air, free silver spirits, on board credit of 500 dollars and upgraded cabins.  we were never offered anything...nada.  We couldn't cancel and rebook because they would have just provided vouchers and we would have lost our flights (which were awesome flights because direct and we deviated).

So I realize that they want to provide perks to get people to book the cruise and in order to fill the ship BUT.. you can't offer those of us who pre booked and paid a year in advance anything??  

Because everyone on board had the silver spirits we saw a lot of drinking going on during the sea days.  I was glad to not have it but I was annoyed by asking drunk women at the pool to stop their loud singing...They thought it rude that I asked.

Anyway.. I have let that go but I will never pay a year in advance again.

6 hours ago, NightOne said:

 

That may work for a short cruise but not necessarily and 7 day or longer cruise.

Not sure I understand.  If it's a longer cruise you have a lot longer to catch up to it.  Trip interruption insurance would kick in...

I have been asked this question from friends who know I have been on several cruises with multiple cruise lines.  This is my opinion.  I think that viking river in Europe is a wonderful experience with a really good included tour in each port.  The ocean cruises that I think are the best value with Viking are not the caribbean because the tours are probably "panoramic" or similar.  Great if you're less mobile but not much to see there.  I think picking a viking cruise with a really interesting itinerary is the best value for the money and the best experience.  This is speaking from someone who doesn't just cruise for the ship experience so keep that in mind.  On celebrity you would need to book the retreat or aqua class to get a comparable included value so price is similar.  Celebrity would include all drinks and tips in retreat class but no excursions.   A good sale on viking includes air, drinks and sometimes gratuity but always special dining beer and wine.  Spa included in viking.    Entertainment much better on celebrity.  No crowds on viking, and never a problem to find a wonderful place to sit.

Just now, Babr said:

I think the problem was that people did not have the option to try to catch up to the cruise because they could not make other arrangements. Southwest was not able to accommodate the number of people they cancelled, and other airlines were also fully booked.

 

Otherwise, I think you are correct.

I guess that is my question... if you can't catch up then the interruption becomes a cancellation right?  Seems as though this would be a big problem if the insurance company refused to refund.  I would rethink purchasing insurance.  It seems there is a glitch to coverage for so many reasons...

But if your flight was cancelled and you attempt to rejoin the cruise you usually are covered by trip interruption... if the trip interruption becomes long (greater than 50% of your trip) aren't you then covered for cancellation??

2 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Did you do the Dead Sea float? It's listed as the last part of the Masada excursion.  If you went in the water, any advice or suggestions? Been reading some things about it. It appears that some precautions need to be observed. Not sure I want to go without shaving for a few days! It's suggested to do so. 

 

Thanks...

You may want to ask for more advice for this specific question on an israel excursion post BUT.. we did go to the dead sea with our private guide and went in the water.  I don't remember not shaving haha but I also don't remember having any issues.  We did bring old bathing suits and old reef runners and then tossed them out after the swim.  They tend to stink in my opinion.  I thought it was a must see and do.

5 minutes ago, Squawkman said:

I disagree. Most people who are investing thousands in a Viking cruise make the time - we’re talking a minute a week - to check MVJ. As Formernuke states, it’s especially important when you’re coordinating outside modules of your cruise. We all are with you that Viking was wrong in not assuring you received the cancellation email - and you should receive consideration - but expecting compensation for your time is a bit much. I had a situation last year where my return home was delayed 4 days. I had to miss work and a doctor’s appointment  - but I wouldn’t expect compensation for non-Viking expenses.

Except that this was Viking canceling a cruise without proper notification to the customer.  I have trouble believing those on this thread giving the OP a hard time would not feel exactly the same way if it happened to you.  I certainly don’t look at my Viking journey a year in advance just to “check in”. I go in when I’m notified that it’s time to schedule something etc.  

Wonder when the flash sales for 2024 will begin... Maybe in the summer?  

I am loving this thread... It has brought me joy today.

6 hours ago, OnTheJourney said:

Maybe, maybe not. Perhaps just having a bad day. Have to cut people slack sometimes. In this (increasingly so) age of customers or passengers (in this case) not always exactly being the model of couth and appropriate behavior, service personnel have an even more difficult time of maintaining their 'cool'. In this particular case, I probably would have worried less about the eye roll as I would have whether or not my question was at least adequately addressed. 

Well said.  I walked away and let my husband deal with them and never said anything because I feel the same way- probably had enough of us complaining or asking a zillion questions by the end of a cruise!  The problem was not resolved but looking back I am not sure there was a better solution.  Getting off a cruise ship in the am in Puerto Rico with several pieces of luggage is a little tricky.  There is no easy place to store, not enough time for a rental car, not enough time to try and store at the airport and then tool around town but way too much time to spend in a boring airport with no lounges.  But we survived it haha.  Viking dumped bus loads of us off with no one even working at the united desk to allow us to check in.  there was no where to sit and it was raining outside.  I felt badly for the elderly among us.  The only united flights seemed to be early afternoon and they had us there shortly after 830 am.  Ticket counter opened at 11.  flight at 2:40 but it was then an hour delayed.  Oh the joys of travel.

What travel insurance would not cover this scenario?  It's the whole purpose that I buy it....Important reminder to buy insurance from a broker whom you can ask a zillion questions like I do.  I buy from Steve from the trip insurance store.  Not only does he guide you with what you need, but will also help you file a claim.  At this point it is most definitely the insurance company that needs to step in, not sure about viking. 

(On a somewhat separate note )We definitely noticed cost cutting and service issues on our recent trip.  We went down to guest services to inquire about our departure time (it was the earliest for a a later flight which viking booked through viking air) and the representative actually rolled her eyes at us.... I had to walk away.

On 12/20/2022 at 8:32 PM, purpleally said:

I don’t think it’s unreasonable to not be charged for fitness classes. Viking will never be considered a luxury line while doing that (and a few other things, as well)

I was on this cruise and I feel that they really didn't offer enough to do.  There was only  ONE exercise class- it was at 8 am and had maybe 10 people in it.  It was yoga....I am not a fan.  Anyway,  I love to read so I am never bored and the weather was wonderfully warm for the sea days so it was relaxing.  I just feel like viking could offer more to do and better entertainment.  The ship is elegant but relatively small.  Never had any problem finding a comfortable seat.  Never had a problem finding something delicious to eat.  We went for forced relaxation and we received it so all good here.

Have encountered some fellow passengers that seem like they would do better in a carnival cruise… they must have offered too many free silver spirit packages and perhaps discounted this cruise too steeply. 
Also seems like a lot of new staff. I realize everyone is having trouble fully staffing but then I wonder at the decision to fully fill this ship with max passenger capacity.  It’s been a bit disappointing. We have eaten in the restaurant total of three times.  Mainly world cafe which I like a lot but at times the food is not very hot.  They will prepare many things  for you hot.  Any issues we have had have been quickly resolved as far as minor room problems.  I agree with previous posters who notice a change in Viking quality.  Not giving up on them though.  

9 hours ago, mhb1757 said:

Pre COVID if you had ship credit provided by a TA or Viking it could not be used before you boarded the ship. Not sure when or exactly why the rules changed but now that credit can be used prior to boarding for excursions, prepaid gratuities etc. or it can be used on board. If you have credit and book shore excursions in advance they are deducted from that credit automatically. If you have voucher credit that must be used before you board (or it is forfeited) anything you book in advance like excursions will be deducted from that pool first. When the voucher funds are exhausted then they will deduct from your shipboard credit. 
Also as a FYI shipboard credit from your TA will be refunded to you if it is not used. We just returned from a cruise that we paid for with vouchers from a COVID era cancelled cruise. We had enough on the voucher to pre pay gratuities and book all the optional excursions we wanted. Got a check in the mail from Viking less than a week after our return for the unused credit that had been provided by our TA. 

This was not the case for us. Currently onboard. We had to pay for our excursions with a credit card and this was not refunded via our on board credit once on board.   Now we have both non refundable and refundable credit to use ….  I will clarify that they use my non refundable first if I purchase anything.  

We currently have refundable and non refundable credit. Do I have to specify that they use the non refundable first or is Viking “smart enough” to do this??  

we did guided tour Israel and it was excellent.  we did a two day private tour for four to see Masada, Jerusalem and Bethlehem.  We saw SO MUCH and our guide was able to drive us right up close to many sights.   We stayed overnight on our own in Jerusalem.  we walked at night to see the wailing wall. 

We did the group tour for nazareth and that was excellent too! 

We decided we most likely would not make it back so we maximized our time. Unreal once in a lifetime experience- the whole thing!

You will have to be at the airport by 12 or 1 so that doesn't really give you much time.  

On 10/30/2022 at 10:29 AM, sabrefan said:

We are currently booked on a Viking Homelands cruise in May 2023. We are booked in a DV cabin and are traveling with another couple also booked at DV level.

 

We sailed to Alaska this past June and had a PV cabin. Just wondering if specialty restaurant reservations for DV cabin level for party of 4  are easier to get now given Covid restrictions are less now than they were this past summer?

Make sure your viking cruise reservation is linked with the other couple.  if you have viking link them, only one of you has to log on to make the reservation and then you can add them to your table.  Getting a table for four was no problem on our upcoming December cruise.  

22 hours ago, PKNC said:

Now I’m wondering what else will go wrong. I requested “early ticketing” (we are 42 days out) and was told this would occur in 48 hours.  48 hours has passed and no ticket number. I’ll call again tomorrow, my concern is that we’ll lose our decent flight home. Any thoughts on why this is happening?

When we call and ask to be ticketed they do it while we are on the phone with them...We were months out and just told them to ticket us because we were happy with the flights and viking air said ok and did it.

Thats not good.  I hope viking does well by you.  They should have made that clear when you purchased the insurance through viking.

If viking's "insurance" came directly from them then I would consider it.  They use trip mate so why not go through an insurance broker who offers a cheaper option?  I think all insurance companies take forever to reimburse and there is always a lot of paper work.  I use steve from the trip insurance store and he is a wealth of information.  The company will also assist you if you have to make a claim.  They stand behind the companies they use but all companies have very explicit contracts.  Most people who are dissatisfied with their lack of reimbursement have usually misunderstood their coverage.

I thought the whole purpose of auto gratuity is to not have to worry about all this tipping.  Personally I feel that having to work hard just to see if you get paid is demeaning.  Research the history of tipping- especially in the US.  Interesting read...

The two viking cruises we have been on have provided above and beyond service.  These are professionals and I hope they are compensated as such.

Thank you so much for taking the time to post a review!  I agree about the food- people rave about it and I think it is good to very good at times.  We are foodies though.  I don't really care about the food on a viking ship however I DO care about the quality of excursions.  Your review is really helpful and we will plan on doing our own excursion in Granada.  The entertainment leaves a lot to be desired but we have been so tired from touring on our previous trips that this didn't matter to us.  You think they could change up the Abba and Beatles thing though.... time for a change.  This is coming from an abba and beatles lover too 🙂 

18 minutes ago, stcroixguy said:

Peregrina, when you book through air plus are you ticketed too?  I am concerned about booking but not ticketed.

In my recent experience, we booked through airplus when we noticed that we had flights on our united app but the dates were not what we wanted.  It was many months prior to travel and we just happened to notice them on our app.  We then called airplus and they made our changes exactly as we wanted them.  The only fees we were charged were the  airplus and deviation fees because we are flying in a week early.  These were NOT ticketed which I only realized when I read on this cruise critic about peoples flights being changed by viking not the airlines and the advice was to get them ticketed.  We called, even though the message states "please do not call viking air unless you are 60 (or 90 can't remember)  days prior to your flight" and we asked them to ticket them.  No problem- they did it.  Keep in mind, once you are ticketed you will be charged any change fees.  prior to ticketing you can change everything with airplus.

17 minutes ago, loriva said:

DH and I will be taking our first voyage with Viking Ocean on a "Viking Homelands" itinerary in May 2023.  Viking, of course, modified the itinerary after Russia's invasion of Ukraine.  It provided an OBC in compensation for the changes.  The OBC shows on the invoice sent by our TA but not on MVJ.  We'd like to use the OBC potentially to book optional excursions when booking opens in 2023.

 

Has anyone had experience with this?  Should the OBC show on our MVJ?  I thought they would show up when we made final payment in July, but no change.  Do I need to call Viking (or have my TA do it)?

 

Many thanks,

 

They did move it in my viking journey since the last time we cruised.  When you log in you need to go to payments and cart and then click payment method at the top.  That is where ours is viewable.

Hope that helps