Viking suspends all operations from March 12-April 30

[DrJJ]

Just received the following email from Viking:

... Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations of our river and ocean vessels embarking from March 12 to April 30, 2020 – at which time we believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve. This is a decision we made with a heavy heart, but with present circumstances what they are, we are unable to deliver the high-quality Viking experience for which we are known.

For those guests whose cruise falls within this window of suspended operations, we are offering the choice of a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking or a refund equal to the amount paid. Guests will have 24 months to use their Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. For additional flexibility, if you are unable to use your voucher, we will automatically send you a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking after the voucher expires. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable.

Rest assured, our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing Future Cruise Vouchers of 125% of all monies paid to Viking. However, if you would prefer the alternative please call Viking at 1-833-900-0951 or contact your Travel Agent by March 25, 2020.

[_alan_]

Wow.  I have until 3/18 to cancel for 100% return our cruise to Baltic region in July.  Any opinions on if you would cancel?  Or accept voucher once we get closer to date (which they offered via email).

[Maggers]

We have until 3/29 to cancel for 100% return on Bucharest to Budapest on VR in July.  Currently have no idea how we will make this decision.  

[redjetz]

Viking just announced they are suspending both river and ocean cruises until May 1. The first of many, I suspect. Kudos to them in this time of pandemic virus.

[twodjs]

We commend Viking on making the right decision during a very difficult time. We're looking forward to many future cruises on Viking Ocean and River!

[Dascruiseguy]

This is an interesting development....We were set sail from Barcelona to Rome on April 5... In anticipation of things going viral, we cancelled the trip via the Viking cancellation protocol and received 25% cash back and submitted a claim thru tripmate for the balance...

I wonder if we will be offered the same credit vouchers since we cancelled before this latest announcement from Viking.... What do you think?  Will likely give them a call to clarify...

[PTC DAWG]

And the panic hook has been set...

[redjetz]

1 minute ago, PTC DAWG said:

And the panic hook has been set...

I would call it prudent, and responsible. But you be you.

[Pushka]

Awful time for cruiselines. 

[NutsAboutGolf]

1)  Are passengers "kudos-ing" them with their refunds/compensation?

2)  Was the occupancy too low?

3)  Did too many ports, including embarment/disembarkmetn ports, cancel?

4)  Did their legal staff convince them their liability risk was too high?

[Fartlek]

The way this virus is spreading, I expect most cruise lines will do the same in a few days.  Or will be forced to 

[redjetz]

7 minutes ago, NutsAboutGolf said:

1)  Are passengers "kudos-ing" them with their refunds/compensation?

2)  Was the occupancy too low?

3)  Did too many ports, including embarment/disembarkmetn ports, cancel?

4)  Did their legal staff convince them their liability risk was too high?

 

Viking:

...

Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations of our river and ocean vessels embarking from March 12 to April 30, 2020 – at which time we believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve. This is a decision we made with a heavy heart, but with present circumstances what they are, we are unable to deliver the high-quality Viking experience for which we are known.

For those guests whose cruise falls within this window of suspended operations, we are offering the choice of a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking or a refund equal to the amount paid. Guests will have 24 months to use their Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. For additional flexibility, if you are unable to use your voucher, we will automatically send you a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking after the voucher expires. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable.

Rest assured, our reservations team is currently in the process yof issuing Future Cruise Vouchers of 125% of all monies paid to Viking. However, if you would prefer the alternative please call Viking at 1-833-900-0951 or contact your Travel Agent by March 25, 2020.

 

 

does that answer your snarky questions?  Pretty responsible stance, I think.

[Oville]

27 minutes ago, PTC DAWG said:

And the panic hook has been set...

Please enough.  Good for Viking.

[Shadow9612]

Wow, what a responsible decision and more-than-fair refund policy!  

[Pushka]

Viking cruises are always very well patronised and sell out far in advance. Full payment up to 12 months out. I'm impressed. Celebrity - are you listening?

[_alan_]

Ohhh... I doubt it, but keep us informed.  

[twodjs]

We've got a similar situation - we moved our cruise TODAY to the same cruise a year from now. Since our insurance only kicks in if the cruise is canceled, we are risking a big loss for our flights and hotels. When we moved our cruise, we also moved the insurance, so now those losses won't be covered even though Viking has now officially canceled our original cruise. If only we just waited a few more hours...

[jrkstl]

We just yesterday postponed our April 18 Trade Routes cruise and moved it to the Oct 2020 reverse sailing. Very glad that we are settled with a new date, but darn it that 25% would come in handy to help cover the cost of the longer pre-cruise we booked. The two Oslo-Bergen 2 day trips were sold out, so we opted for the four day version. Still haven’t gotten the bill yet for the extra fees, so maybe we’ll get lucky? Doubt it, but good on Viking for doing the right thing! 

[scubagal44]

Yes, kudos to Viking. I was scheduled to sail with them on a Danube river cruise in three weeks, and this announcement has alleviated much stress and anxiety due to the uncertainty and fluidity of the day by day changes. They've been nothing short of stellar throughout this whole situation, we received the refund/future cruise offer posted above a couple of hours ago, not long at all after the Europe travel restrictions were announced. 

 

I sailed with Celebrity last month, and I couldn't help thinking that I likely wouldn't have recieved such a prompt and original response from X as Viking has provided. 🤷‍♀️

[Stateroom_Sailor]

Congratulations to Viking  for making this tough decision ahead of the rest.  It will certainly be taken into account when we move into the luxury-light or river cruise market.

[Brad1185]

Celebrity And all the lines should do the same. 

[cruiserchuck]

In the letter announcing the news, the billionaire primary owner of Viking stated:  "As a private company with strong finances, we do not have to worry about quarterly profit expectations – and that flexibility allows us the ability to do what is best for our guests and our employees, as we have always done."

 

Celebrity/Royal does not appear to have this flexibility.  

[Cruising89143]

I suspect this will spread to most other cruise lines very soon. Good for Viking.

[Flying is for Planes]

Celebrity  should do the same but gave me a useless ( and it is totally useless for me FCC)

My cruising will now be with Biking. Congratulations you won me with integrity

[old biddy]

Silly question, what happens when you are miles from anywhere in the middle of the ocean on March 12th  I.e. today? Jump and swim? (Sorry being very juvenile!)

Will be interesting to see how this concludes, but definitely the right thing to do. Hats off to Viking. 

Roll on our Eastern Seaboard Exploreer in September.