BruceOhio

Many of us who have booked 2020 European River cruises are trying to decide 1) should I cancel now for a refund 2) should I re-book in 2021-2022 or 3) should I wait it out and see what happens.   Our cruise is in October 2020 so we are weighing all those options as I'm sure you are as well.  Canceling for a full refund now (Viking does this) seems like a wise choice except we found we would not be reimbursed for Travel Insurance ($1000).   Plus Viking charges $100/pp so it would be a $1200 hit for us.    Re-booking until 2021-22 seems like the best option but we got 2 promotional discounts when we booked and those are not available on future cruises.  So if we re-book it will cost us more for the same cruise.  Our cruise is in October so we assume it will not be canceled but what will the experience be if we wait it out and go?  Wearing masks?  Social Distancing?  Some shops and restaurants closed in port?  Air Travel nightmares?   Every cruise line may have different policies but I'm trying to get a sense of our others are making their decisions.  

Great post...  our River Cruise (Rhine) is in October and we are weighing all the options.  Our fear is that even if Viking is sailing will our $10,000+ experience be compromised by wearing masks, social distancing, some closed shops and restaurants, etc.  One point I did not see mentioned was Travel Insurance.  This is NOT refundable if you cancel vs reschedule.  For us that was $1000 so that's a lot to give up.  Also, when we first booked there were many promotions and we got $1500 off our cruise for 2.  When I looked at rebooking in 2021 those promotions do not apply so we may more for the same cruise. 

Hi, we will be sailing Viking (Basel-Amsterdam) but this question probably applies to any cruise line.   Viking includes wine/beer at lunch/dinner but no other alcohol unless you purchase a "package" for $160 pp I believe.  Otherwise you pay as you go.    This isn't a Caribbean cruise so my sense is that we will not be on the ship drinking that much (outside the dinner hr) so pay as you go is probably the best choice.    My calculation was if drinks are say $10 a drink and if we each average 2 drinks per day that amounts to $140 pp vs the $160 with the package. Sorry sounds trivial but just asking...

Thanks

Hi...  I searched but could not find any other posts.  Our cruise leaves in a week and we will be doing 4 on shore excursions (actually one is a whale watch trip).  Have any recent cruisers had issues with Black Flies and the like?   With the weather being so temperate I'd like to know what we may encounter and best steps to repel such insects. 

  Thanks!

Rental Cars?   I need one.  So are there any car rental agencies or car rental shuttles at the Pier/dock?   Worse case I suppose I can get an Uber to take me to a downtown agency somewhere. i don't want to go to SeaTac just to get a rental

Our flight doesn't leave until 10:30pm (redeye) so renting a car and exploring seems to be the best way to spend the day w/luggage aboard.