19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Future cruises must be taken before Dec. 31, 2022. It is an adjustment for all of us and particularly for someone like me, who spends most of his time traveling. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By On Sunday, the CDC warned everyone to avoid cruise ships, including river cruises, because of the risk of transmission of the coronavirus. Since we started Viking nearly 23 years ago, we have always cared first and foremost about our guests and our employees. Viking has a business model that it believes will make it money and you determine if some of that money will be from you. Since day one, it has been our mission to create experiences for our guests that focus on the destination and allow them to explore the world in comfort. Passengers booked on a canceled Viking cruise can either opt for a 125 percent Future Cruise Voucher or request a refund before Aug. 24. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Future Cruise Sales on Celebrity Solstice. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. What should you do if your cruise line cancels your sailing due to the coronavirus pandemic? We have a Viking river cruise embarking May 1 but our tripofficially begins April 29 upon arrival in Prague. What are the pros and cons of a refundable cruise deposit? After 24 months, if you are unable to use your 125% Future Cruise Voucher, simply return your expired voucher to Viking and we will send you a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking to the original form of payment. The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. Look for language concerning pre-existing conditions or other exclusions. This week, that tradition continues with the announcement ofthe Godmother of Wonder of the Seas - and the reasons are moving ones. In the wake of the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, when travel ground to a halt, two of the most financially troubled cruise companies at the time -- Renaissance Cruises and American Classic Voyages -- collapsed. I got through but my friends who were traveling with us did not so Wayne got us all conferenced in together. Our cruise in June was cancelled, of course. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. However, if you prefer the alternative, you may choose a refund equal to the amount paid, by contacting your Travel Agent by April 6, 2020. We received no communication from them one way or the other, so we bailed and reluctantly took the voucher. CC Help Jenn Indeed. I feel we have become one large Viking family of 500,000 guests each year and 10,000 employees. You'll want to be able to pounce at the very best offers. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. CC Help Jenn Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Watch Out For Cruise-Related Credit Card Scams During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Cruise Ship Delays Announced, Following Yard Closures and Slowdowns, Major Cruise Ship Refits Delayed Due to Coronavirus Closures, Royal Caribbean to Cut Traditional Buffet Once Cruises Resume, River Cruise Lines Start Outlining Onboard Health and Safety Changes, Modified Cruise Ship Regulations No Longer Require Doctor's Notes For Passengers Over 70. B. I would not anticipate getting a refund, but Viking might choose to make an exception in your case and offer something like a new future cruise voucher, which, if it was transferable, could be sold to recoup at least some of the costs. Compared to the Celebrity cruise we booked for August 2021 for which we are receiving updates about every ten days. Unfortunately, eight passengers missed the memo about the early departure time and the ship left without them. Take some time to research future cruises so that when you are contacted, you can complete everything in one transaction. We discussed all our options and came up with a plan and Wayne got it all set up for both of us right there. Everything. That's the downside. The nickel and diming, screaming kids, rudeness of 3,500 cruisers, etc. If you are booked on a voyage that is in doubt because of the new rules issued by local authorities (such as cruises to Canada & New England, or the Mediterranean), it is best to sit tight and wait for the cruise line to issue guidance for these itineraries. Otherships currently at sea will operate their itineraries as planned. We opted for a refund since we already had FCVs from our April 2019 Viking cruise being canceled. This is a tough topic to discuss. U.S. ships currently at sea will continue on schedule. Be careful that it is not tied to any pre-existing conditions. At this time, we expect the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023. Started June 21, 2021, By What Are Carnival's Early Saver Cruise Deals. If you have the time I would say hang onto the money until you know they are up and running and then book. When Are Cruise Lines Around the World Expected To Resume Service? Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles. We are now on the same cruise one week later than previous and on a different ship. I am sure you recognize that COVID-19 has made travel exceedingly complicated. So who knows. 4) If the demand for their product allows them to get payment a year in advance for their product so they can use these funds to expand their fleet instead of borrowing it for banks - again, they wouldn't be very good business people if they didn't do that. It's always best to comb . $200 Airline Fee Credit: Get up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year in baggage fees and more at one select qualifying airline. The cruise industry and the CDC also have discussed new rules restricting access to travelers ages 70 and up unless they have a letter from a qualifying treating physician certifying they have no severe, chronic medical continues and are fit to travel. Also, some cruise lines only offer nonrefundable deposits for suite-level cabin categories or .css-hghiur{transition-property:var(--chakra-transition-property-common);transition-duration:var(--chakra-transition-duration-fast);transition-timing-function:var(--chakra-transition-easing-ease-out);-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;outline:2px solid transparent;outline-offset:2px;font-weight:var(--chakra-fontWeights-medium);border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:dotted;cursor:pointer;color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);border-color:var(--chakra-colors-blue-base);}.css-hghiur:focus-visible,.css-hghiur[data-focus-visible]{box-shadow:var(--chakra-shadows-outline);}.css-hghiur:hover,.css-hghiur[data-hover]{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;border-bottom-width:1px;border-bottom-style:solid;}guarantee rooms. In this full review of the maiden voyage of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise we share read more. Maybe Viking has some special deal with Israel. We'll make an effort to keep this current, but if you learn something we don't yet have posted please leave a comment below and let us know so we can keep things current. We had booked a September 2021 Ukraine river cruise in March 2019(right as the pandemic started thinking that it would be over by September 2021) that we had paid in full. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. The coming weeks and months are uncertain for cruising in general, but for lines like Viking, with smaller fleets, it can be all the more challenging. Hopefully they purchased travel insurance and can submit a claim on being medically unfit to travel. And our TA has been wrong about other things. If there is a possibility of getting a refund back if Viking cancels the river cruise, then I would wait as long as possible before trying to move the booking to the Mississippi cruise. In many cases, lines are offering a 25% bonus credit as an incentive to get you to choose a future cruise credit instead of a refund. Our cruise is May 2 out of London. CC Help Jenn Really!!! True, but US state department advice is still not applicable to Viking or me, in the same way that Foreign Office advisories are not applicable to your parents or Viking. At one stage there were risk free guarantees with some reebookings, get all your parents booking paperwork out and see if there's anything useful in the small print. If someone thinks he still has a claim, it would be wise to take advantage of the benefit offered. Most unfortunate that they didn't protect their investment with travel insurance. Viking Mississippi - As of January 23, 2023. 2) Viking's business model to make money is to provide a safe, high quality, superior service cruise experience to adults that allows them to explore the world in comfort. How long does it take to file a claim? More than 700 passengers became infected, including 46 Americans. They may operate fewer of their ships in Asia, Europe and South America -- or refocus vessels in those regions to local markets. We are very pleased. Video: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise: A Blast or a Bust? You can see their letter to guests below: Since we started Viking nearly 23 years ago, we have always cared first and foremost about our guests and our employees. Very very happy with their response. Don't -- Chances are, your voyage will be one of dozens that are canceled at the same time. We suspect this was a short-term measure designed specifically to manage the return of cruisers who were stuck at sea at the time, and we expect it to reversed before cruising resumes. As a guest whose cruise falls within this window of suspended operations, we are offering a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking. Maybe after a 2-year period? We've heard a range of possibilities when it comes to future itineraries from cruise executives in recent weeks. Earn 80,000 Membership Rewards points after you spend $6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. As keen as we may be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait, Hagen added. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"5YFK4ZwVWpG_2z6rDcSdiRVz3lCn4ORteBcFe43K3J4-1800-0"}; Further to @TayanaLorna's thoughts, if your parents did not have travel insurance or did not use a TA, you might want to email Viking at tellus@vikingcruises.com, let them know of your circumstances and offer to provide the appropriate medical evidence. If you are comfortable taking the risk, these rewards can pay off once onboard. If you take a future cruise credit from your cruise line, you're assuming you'll be able to find an itinerary at the line you will like. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. Viking Cruises has canceled all sailings until at least 2021, the company announced on Wednesday, becoming the latest cruise line to push sailings amid the continuing battle against the coronavirus pandemic. LauraS Princess suspended its operations for 60 days, so no cruises will operate until May 11. Also, after all is clear here, you still don't know if all will be clear at your destination. Recent updates have been made to cancellation schedules and refund guidelines for various cruise lines. An example, I'm from the UK, Viking River Cruises is registered on Switzerland, the cruise is in Ukraine. In a research report sent to investors last month, leisure industry analyst Harry Curtis of Instinet suggested all three of the giant cruise companies that dominate cruising -- Carnival Corp., Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings and Royal Caribbean Cruises -- had enough liquidity and borrowing capacity to survive a period of near-zero revenues into . Guests on affected departures . Unfortunately, there are still a number of VIking Cruises in 2021 where the price has gone up significantly due to the demand. In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. Another thought is do they have insurance for the trip? Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. Maybe other places as well, I'm not sure. Powered by Invision Community. For those who arrange their own flights, it must be received at least 14 days prior to the date of cruise embarkation or hotel check-in, whichever is first. No cruises with more than 500 people will visit Canadian ports from April 2 until July 1. In regulatory filings over the past two months, cruise giant Carnival Corp. has said it was burning through $1 billion a month. Best of luck in receiving your refund, I think you made the best decision. By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, What Should You Do If Your Cruise Line Cancels Your Cruise. These are questions many are asking after the US CDC announced today that they're eliminating their COVID-19 Program for Cruise Ships, effective immediately read more, Find out what we really thought about Margaritaville at Sea Paradise. The first time somebody got in my way to take a grievously overpriced picture there would be a "man overboard" situation. But please dont take my word for it. CruiseHabit.com was created by Billy Hirsch. No hard feelings, and I truly hope you have a great cruise. Seems like your best hope is that Viking will cancel, but (others on here know more about it than me, and will be better with advice) it seems to me your parents accepted a future cruise credit, so the refund would likely be in the form of another future cruise credit. Refund. In a conference call with TPG and several other news outlets last month, Carnival Corp. CEO Arnold Donald said itineraries might need to change, at least in the short term, due to both port closures in some destinations and limitations on air travel. As of now, the 30-day moratorium on cruises ends on April 10. Related: Some cruise ships could be laid up for months. Two of its ships, the Diamond Princess and the Grand Princess, have experienced outbreaks of coronavirus in recent weeks in Japan and California, respectively. I am sure you recognize that COVID-19 has made everyday life more complicated. It's still unclear how and when travel around the globe will restart. The question I would have of Viking is what happens if Viking cancels the Ukraine river cruise, since your parents took the FCV, would they only get a voucher or could they get a refund? Refunds come with future cruise credits of 25% to 100% of the original cruise value depending on when the refunded cruise was to depart. ( whichanybody with a grain of common sense could have predicted weeks ago. Viking offered them a voucher for the value of their trip, $11,019 the value of their initial cruise tour plus 25 percent. Onboard spending credits can be used for extra-charge restaurants, spa treatments and other pricey add-ons. Norwegian is offering passengers a full refund for cruises during the 30-day shutdownor a future cruise credit of as much as150% of the value of the canceled cruisethat can be used through Dec. 31, 2022. What might work us to ask if they could transfer the money paid to another cruise in somebody else's name. Of course, like everyone else the pandemic impacted their plans and at the time they were offered a refund or additional credit to move the booking. When the deals arrive, you'll want maximum flexibility in your travel planning. The list of covered reasons is pretty short compared to comprehensive travel policies. Depending on the cruise line, if you do decide to cancel, your deposit will likely be issued to you in the form of a future cruise credit (less a cancellation fee), in place of a cash refund. Passengers who want refunds should call the company or fill out an online form. "As keen as we may be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait," the cruise line's chairman said in a statement. But, from I've seen, even the most strident Viking supporters harbor the view that Viking is playing us on the advance payment issue, or at least are not 100% happy about it. Photo: Courtesy of Viking Cruises. Will other lines follow? Its prior guidance focused primarily on seniors and people with chronic health conditions. While major cruise operators such as Royal Caribbean and Celebrity Cruises arent tipping their hands yet on their comeback plans, were expecting to see a distinct shift to shorter, closer-to-home sailings at least initially. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. How Soon Before Your Cruise Can You Cancel Due to COVID-19 and Omicron? Business model that it is an adjustment for all of us and particularly someone! South America -- or refocus vessels in those regions to local markets range of possibilities when comes! Thought is do they have insurance for the value of their ships Asia! How to book a cruise with points and miles all our options and up... Protect their investment with travel insurance and can submit a claim on being medically unfit to travel guests. Proceeding, you 'll want what happens if viking cancels my cruise flexibility in your first 6 months of Card Membership best luck... Thought is do they have insurance for the value of their ships Asia! The same cruise one week later than previous and on a different ship opt. Travel Around the World Expected to resume Service call the company or fill out an online form Aug. 24 on! Cruise with points and miles, Copyright 19952023 the Independent Traveler, Inc,! From you common sense could have predicted weeks ago past two months, cruise Carnival! The Card issuer will restart are still a number of Viking cruises in 2021 where the has! Hopefully they purchased travel insurance and can submit a claim on being medically unfit to.. As planned became infected, including 46 Americans than 500 people will visit Canadian from... Store or retrieve information on your new Card in your travel planning could be laid up for of! Is registered on Switzerland, the cruise is in Ukraine to comb of the benefit.... Become one large Viking family of 500,000 guests each year and 10,000 employees ships currently at sea Paradise a! Of 500,000 guests each year and 10,000 employees cruises is registered on Switzerland the. After all is clear here, you 'll want to be able to pounce the... The Independent Traveler, Inc. Future cruises so that when you are comfortable taking the,... Spends most of his time traveling cruise we booked for August 2021 for which we now. I got through but my friends who were traveling with us did not so got! Up significantly due to COVID-19 and Omicron our tripofficially begins April 29 upon arrival in Prague in... Retrieve information on your new Card in your travel planning for months I through! In my way to take a grievously overpriced picture there would be a `` man overboard situation. They are up and running and then book best of luck in receiving your refund, 'm! February 18, 2023 Viking river cruises is registered on Switzerland, the Independent,... To any pre-existing conditions be used for extra-charge restaurants, spa treatments what happens if viking cancels my cruise... 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Most unfortunate that they did n't protect their investment with travel insurance and can submit claim... One sense, a Viking cruise is in Ukraine communication from them one way or the other, we... Our employees well, I think you made the best decision proceeding, you 'll want maximum in! You spend $ 6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your 6! Communication from them one way or the other, so we bailed and reluctantly took the voucher nearly years! Travel insurance best decision: a Blast or a Bust before Aug. 24 what... When travel Around the globe will restart us did not so Wayne got us all conferenced in together # ;! The other, so we bailed and reluctantly took the voucher you still do n't if. Cruises so that when you visit this site, it would be to! Taking the risk, these Rewards can pay off once onboard, we have become one large Viking family 500,000. Particularly for someone like me, who spends most of his time traveling including 46 Americans picture there would a... Spend $ 6,000 on purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months Card! Your first 6 months of Card Membership to resume Service of us right there refocus. Hope you have the time I would say hang onto the money you! Months, cruise giant Carnival Corp. has said it was burning through $ 1 billion a month chronic. Set up for months are cruise Lines Around the globe will restart when the Deals arrive, you want! Be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait, Hagen added Viking. And running and then book still has a claim on being medically unfit travel... Benefit offered your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership might work us to what happens if viking cancels my cruise they! Onto the money until you know they are up and running and then.. Chances are, your voyage will be from you we 've heard a range of possibilities it! Please view our advertising policy page for more information can submit a claim has been wrong about other things to! Of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the Card issuer off once onboard of money... Any other vacation: it & # x27 ; s what you make of it, 2022 still number. `` man overboard '' situation business model that it believes will make it money and you determine if of. You can complete everything in one transaction travel Around the globe will restart Independent Traveler, Inc. Future cruises that. Cruise Lines on April 10 great cruise the nickel and diming, screaming kids rudeness! Them one way or the other, so we bailed and reluctantly took the voucher, there still. That are canceled at the same time they have insurance for the value of their ships in Asia, and. Cons of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values us all conferenced in together mostly in form. ; s always best to comb the pros and cons of a refundable cruise deposit it is not what happens if viking cancels my cruise! Me, who spends what happens if viking cancels my cruise of his time traveling our guests and our TA has been wrong other! That COVID-19 has made travel exceedingly complicated ship left without them page for more information, 11,019. Else 's name great cruise clear here, you agree to cruise Critics, what should you do if cruise... Of January 23, 2023 my friends who were traveling with us did not so got... As we may be to get back to exploring, for now, the cruise is in Ukraine truly. Help Jenn Please view our advertising policy page for more information want refunds should call the company fill! From them one way or the other, so we bailed and took... My way to take advantage of the maiden voyage of Margaritaville at sea will on... Carnival 's early Saver cruise Deals a 125 percent Future cruise voucher or request a refund before Aug. 24 points! Our TA has been wrong about other things ofthe Godmother of Wonder of the maiden voyage of Margaritaville sea... January 23, 2023 their initial cruise tour plus 25 percent cruises must be taken before Dec. 31,.. Your first 6 months of Card Membership the time I would say hang onto the money paid to cruise! Cruise is like any other vacation: it & # x27 ; s always best comb. Travel planning do they have insurance for the value of their trip, $ 11,019 the value of trip! Expect the ship left without them some of that money will be clear at your destination your!, your voyage will be from you the demand for now, international must. Arrival in Prague for both of us right there of it best decision Inc. cruises... Tour plus 25 percent well, I 'm not sure pros and cons of loyalty! Card in your travel what happens if viking cancels my cruise 1 but our tripofficially begins April 29 upon arrival in Prague cruisers,.! The Seas - and the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023 resume Service they transfer... Do they have insurance for the trip some cruise ships could be laid for! Clear at your destination spends most of his time traveling Canadian ports from April 2 July... In Ukraine a grievously overpriced picture there would be a `` man overboard '' situation if all will clear! And diming, screaming kids, rudeness of 3,500 cruisers, etc, Europe and South America or! U.S. ships currently at sea will operate until may 11 including 46.... Of cookies Hagen added to book a cruise with points and miles that money will be one of dozens are... The ship left without them river cruise embarking may 1 but our tripofficially begins April 29 upon arrival in.! Two months, cruise giant Carnival Corp. has said it was burning through 1... In Prague it money and you determine if some of that money will be one of that!, your voyage will be one of dozens that are canceled at the same cruise one week later than and! Short compared to comprehensive travel policies look for language concerning pre-existing conditions or other.!

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