MY TA has inquired about our cruise from Viking and all she isgetting is wait and see. Take advantage of that. Cruise lines havepausedtheir operations for at least 30 days. Canada's transport minister closed the country's portsto those ships on Friday. Right now I feel fairly confident that the upcoming cruise from Denmark to Bergen will be cancelled . Maybe resorts on land will reopen months before cruise lines begin sailing again. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Get $200 back in statement credits each year on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts or The Hotel Collection bookings, which requires a minimum two-night stay, through American Express Travel when you pay with your Platinum Card. There are generally two types of cruise deposits: refundable and nonrefundable. Same friends on Princess booked for the first time with Viking for a March 2021 cruise and won't pay until September. In order to reserve a room onboard, cruise lines will accept a deposit, or portion of the full cruise fare to secure your place. Deposits are refundable unless otherwise indicated. We are using this period of non-operation as a time for additional training and initiatives to ensure we have the safest and healthiest fleet in the industry. We too got the note about cancel anytime up to 24 hrs. I therefore am puzzled by some of the posts that seem to imply that Viking is somehow taking advantage of you. Our TA told us we will not get a refund if we dont use our voucher. Would you be willing to be flexible on where you sailed with the line? 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 . No change fees will be assessed, and passengers who opt to cancel will have 24 months to book a new voyage using their credits. BTW, earlier this year, Viking was offering 6 months to everyone. Since we started Viking nearly 23 years ago, we have always cared first and foremost about our guests and our employees. Some lines may even require passengers to wear face masks on vessels -- at least for a time. We fell very fortunate to have had a fantastic northern lights cruise in February. Cruise Critic is tracking and updating these articles regularly with confirmed changes and updates: The world of post-COVID cruising will look very different from what travelers are used to, as these new policy pieces indicate: Under normal circumstances, a canceled cruise would be a good reason to phone the cruise line. As tempting as the future cruise credits that lines are offering may be, we recommend taking the cash refund if your cruise is canceled. But we don't know what other new rules for cruising could soon be in place. 1) Viking like every other cruise line is in business to make money. That is a question that I would ask Tellus@Vikingcruises.com. 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. That puts it as the first cruise after their cancellations. the CDC warned everyone to avoid cruise ships, Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group, announced Friday, Princess Cruises said Thursday that it would suspend its operations for 60 days, Carnival said in a letter to passengers Friday, Norwegian is offering passengers a full refund for cruises, Royal Caribbean is offering passengers a full refund, Carnival is offering either a full refund or a 100% future cruise credit, which has been most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, Refunds come with future cruise credits of 25% to 100%, delay contacting the company until later in the month, Viking will issue full refunds to affected passengers, Disney Cruises will offer full refunds or credits, Viking will resume its operations on May 1, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 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 . The initial FCV's did contain a clause that provided a cash refund (of the original amount paid), if the FCV was not used within 2-yrs from date of issue. Royal Caribbean is offering passengers a full refund for cruises during the affected period. I would say they are being more than fair. Learn more. This is amplified by the additional challenges of operating river cruises. 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. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Passengers booked on a canceled Viking cruise can either opt for a 125 percent Future Cruise Voucher or request a refund before Aug. 24. Viking has a business model that it believes will make it money and you determine if some of that money will be from you. For those with flights arranged by Viking, it must be received at least 14 days prior to the date of flight departure. Refundable cruise deposits mean that should you wish to cancel or switch your cruise, you can get your money back to the original form of payment, as long as you cancel before the final payment date. Princess Cruises said Thursday that it would suspend its operations for 60 days. It is a risk because you will not know if insurance will pay until after the cruise is cancelled and a claim is filed. After final payment, you will lose your deposit or the deposit and a portion of your cruise fare, depending on when you cancel in relation to your sail date. That means access to cash, not credits. Viking has everyone's full payment 6 to 12 months out and they do not want to refund any of the cash they have from it's customers. Like they were when you first booked this cruise, so long ago and no one knew about the virus. As long as this continues they will continue to earn my business. Deposits are refundable unless otherwise indicated. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By More than 700 passengers became infected, including 46 Americans. Rest assured, our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing Future Cruise Vouchers of 125% of all monies paid to Viking. The Viking cancellation email states 'we are offering a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking. Get a No-Obligation Quote from a Great Agent. 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 and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. We still had credit left so we upgraded air, paid gratuties, added a drink package and still have more left we can use for spa or excursions. When most people book a cruise, they typically choose not to pay for it in full, right then and there. About 4 - 6 weeks after disembarkation and returning home we received a cheque from Viking. Since you seem to be skeptical, that's cash in hand. Our money was refunded by Tuesday. Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said, for example,the Carnival Fantasy left on Friday and will return to Mobile, Alabama, on Monday. That's all for agreeing not to ask for a standard cash refund, which Holland America also is offering. They may operate fewer of their ships in Asia, Europe and South America -- or refocus vessels in those regions to local markets. On Sunday, the CDC warned everyone to avoid cruise ships, including river cruises, because of the risk of transmission of the coronavirus. Visit TPGs guide to all coronavirus news and updates. Related: Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement pricing when cruising resumes. I know we can rebook but with AA we have to fly within 12 months from the time we booked which would be Nov 19 2020. Some cruise lines have resumed sailing again with mixed results. I booked two excursions before they cancelled the cruise. The UK government actually does have travel advisories for its citizens to the Ukraine as well (https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ukraine). If the cruise is cancelled after you have embarked, all Shore-ex are refunded to your ship account. . (Updated 1:26 p.m. EDT) Hundreds of thousands of travelers have been affected by the global travel restrictions that began back in March, imposed as a result of the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, as countries around the world continue to place restrictions on leisure and business travel in an effort to curb the effects of the virus. Maybe other places as well, I'm not sure. (those who had already booked for 2021 and now the flood of those who want to transfer bookings from all the cancelled 2020 cruises). We cancelled a July ocean cruise with themlast week while we were still 120+ days out and could get a full refund. How long does it take to file a claim? After months of lost revenue, travel providers will be desperate to lure back skittish travelers, and that means sharp markdowns for everything from long-distance flights to swanky resorts. CC Help Jenn You each determine what your own personal price to value ratio is and probably act accordingly. It's no fun talking about the possibility that some companies may not make it through the coronavirus crisis. If it makes you feel any better, know that you won't be alone in choosing cash over credit. They are on a fixed income, and could really use the $6000 they've paid returned. I think Viking has been quite firm on their policy rules. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Email ctate@usatoday.com. I am sure you recognize that COVID-19 has made everyday life more complicated. 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. Those who want the refund will need to fill out a form available on Royal Caribbean's website or by calling. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). Hoping third time is a charm and we go in January! The excursion money was added to our future cruise credit and the125% credit was calculated on thetotal amount spent. The major complain was that they were using us to help finance their expansion. Nonrefundable cruise deposits are usually associated with promotions and offers that not only provide fare discounts, but potentially onboard credit and other added-value perks. Checking our news page is a great way to stay abreast of the latest cancellations, policy changes and itinerary impacts. //]]>. The difference of the discount can be used to purchase a travel insurance policy, which might cover you after final payment, if you are forced to cancel. When I got in touch with Viking a few weeks back once they out out the new temporary policy I was told we did NOT fall under those guidelines since our ship embarkation date is May 1. My parents booked a Viking cruise in 2018 for a 2020 sailing. 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 points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. What to Expect on a Cruise: Booking a Cruise, Cruise Line Cancellation Policies: A Closer Look, Mega-Chart: Compare Hurricane Sandy Cruise Line Compensation, Booking a Cruise Onboard: How to Score Extras and Discounts, Can I Cruise While Pregnant? By proceeding, you agree to Cruise Critics, What Should You Do If Your Cruise Line Cancels Your Cruise. What is the main difference between the two, and which one should you opt for? I am writing today because the situation has now become such that operating as a travel company involves significant risks of quarantines or medical detentions, which could diminish the travel experiences for which our guests have been planning. What's the upside if the cancellation falls under covered reason? This is our first VO cruise and there lack of customer service is not appreciated. Just a matter of time before official announcement. If not, by all means file the claim; but reading the terms might save you from false hope or wasting your time. That's the downside. For all air-inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be subject . If you are comfortable taking the risk, these rewards can pay off once onboard. Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable. What might work us to ask if they could transfer the money paid to another cruise in somebody else's name. Major cruise lines including Carnival, Royal Caribbean, Norwegianand Celebrity suspended sailing operations to and from U.S. ports for 30 days because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Cruise Lines International Association, a trade group, announced Friday. Additionally, we are committed to share more with you as we all work through this complicated time together. In regulatory filings, the major cruise companies have said about half of customers are taking the future cruise credit option. What Are Carnival's Early Saver Cruise Deals. Credit card insurance or any other still requires cancellation to be for a covered reason. For the past few years, we always had at least one Viking cruise (ocean or river) booked when we booked another cruise - so we always had the option to pay the balance 6 months before embarkation. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. 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. This is an unprecedented situation.". While this guest is not exhibiting symptoms, she has been placed in quarantine. Norwegian is offering passengers a full refund for cruises during the 30-day shutdown or a future cruise credit of as much as 150% of the value of the canceled cruise that can be used through. Viking announced similar measures Wednesday. March 20, 2020 While cruise company-initiated cancellations were once relatively rare (owed to few-and-far-between culprits like severe weather, ship mechanical failures, or company. If you're looking to support CruiseHabit.com, check out the CruiseHabit.com shop for cruise accessories and shirts. As I said previously, transferring or rebooking on another cruise is not possible for their situation. The Viking Sea and Viking Star cruise ships in Santorini. CC Help Jenn [CDATA[ My problem is a FCC is only good if Viking is still in business for the next 2 years. A few relevant articles that are updated regularly: The coronavirus pandemic is also having a knock-on effect on new ships under construction, and those slated to go through major refits in the coming months. The 125% Future Cruise Voucher will also be fully transferable. Your contract is with Viking River Cruises UK Limited, a company registered in England and Wales (Co. No.01283655) whose registered office is at Nelsons House, 83 Wimbledon Park Side, London, SW19 5LP. 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. Woodland hills, CA 91367. Photo: Courtesy of Viking Cruises. 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. Viking did send us a email about 3 weeks ago telling us that we could cancel up to 48 hours before departure without penalty. In exchange for the annual fee, you'll unlock access to the Amex Membership Rewards program that let you access airline and hotel transfer partners, along with new lifestyle and travel credits. Indeed. In regulatory filings over the past two months, cruise giant Carnival Corp. has said it was burning through $1 billion a month. These options are usually bundled as a promotion, offering cruisers a savings or bonus in return for the financial commitment of a nonrefundable deposit. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings is the parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises. Refunded to your credit card. What are the pros and cons of a nonrefundable cruise deposit? 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. Viking will issue full refunds to affected passengers or a 125% future cruise voucher that must be used within 24 months. For bookings made through April 31, 2022, for cruises departing any time in 2022, Viking is permitting its ocean and river customers to cancel within 14 days of sailing and receive a credit for a future sailing. You'll want to be able to pounce at the very best offers. If they don't want to travel overseas what about trying for the missisippi? Carnival Corp. recently raised more than $6 billion in debt and equity sales. Our original Viking cruise was booked for July 2020. Another rule banning anyone suffering from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or chronic heart disease also has been discussed. The booking must be cancelled before applying for a refund. The key takeaway: Before taking a credit from a cruise line, you should be comfortable with the possibility that the way cruise ships operate in the next year or two may not be quite the same as the way they've operated in the past. wasn't worth 3 months interest. What Happens to Cruise Ships During the Pandemic's Hurricane Season? Future cruise voucher at 125% or 100% cash refund. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable (Peregrina?) Lately, Europe has seen temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit). Maybe your contract is different from ours? Last week, American cruise line UnCruise Adventures was forced to end a sailing early after a passenger was notified they tested positive for the virus, requiring passengers and crew to quarantine. VIking has cancelled now through 30 Jun 2020. We rebooked the trip for 10/12-10/23/22. This has always been Vikings ambition and will remain so. Can anyone advise on whether Viking would still operate cruises to the Ukraine if the state department advises that it is a level red category for travelers? We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. If the cruise is cancelled after you have embarked, all Shore-ex are refunded to your ship account. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. I would say cancel and get your money back minus $200. When cancelling a paid booking, you can receive money back or put the amount towards a ticket on another day or route. If you were talking to Viking about a cruise that was as far off as your other cruise, they might be just as confident in keeping you updated. How Soon Before Your Cruise Can You Cancel Due to COVID-19 and Omicron? Viking owes you nothing. I dont think it is unreasonable to familiarize oneself with them. At the time, other Viking cruises were canceled about three months ahead of sailing. Take the cash. We would also lose our non-refundable air cost if we cancel. For now, travel is about armchair exploration - and planning for better days ahead. Guests can change their cruise date up until 14 days before their planned departure and Viking will waive any fees. 1) Viking like every other cruise line is in business to make money. I am not sure that I understand the poststhat say Viking is taking advantage of us when they were requiring a payment a year in advance. If we cancel we would get a voucher for future credit that could be used up to two years out. Viking canceled all 2021 Ukraine river cruises early in April 2021, much earlier than some of their other river or ocean cruises. What was great? 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. A refund request form will be made available on the company's website on March 23. They did not purchase travel insurance. This claim would have nothing to do with Viking. Its prior guidance focused primarily on seniors and people with chronic health conditions. Assuming that was the original means of payment. Best they can do is gift the cruise so someone else can enjoy it. We will also keep looking forward as we plan to continue expansion of our destination-focused travel experiences. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. I understand you are advocating to know what the insurance covers and what exclusions are, but why are you telling us to make that determination on whether a claim would be successful? CC Help Jenn No hard feelings, and I truly hope you have a great cruise. Like another poster mentioned, its not about low numbers so much as the risk of warat what point does Viking decide travel to a region is unsafe for its passengers? Some credit cards benefits include travel insurance and the coverage is effective automatically when you use the card to pay for the trip. CC Help Jenn In this full review of the maiden voyage of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise we share read more. Princess suspended its operations for 60 days, so no cruises will operate until May 11. 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. In addition to COVID, there was the issue of Russian military buildup along the Ukraine border which I feel was a major factor in Viking canceling the 2021 Ukraine river cruises. If someone thinks he still has a claim, it would be wise to take advantage of the benefit offered. How Reassuring are New Cruise Cancellation Policies Really? Israel is closed, and we didnt want to take the chance that Viking would just substitute something else since Israel was the main draw for us. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Princess, which has been most affected by the coronavirus pandemic, is offering refunds and future cruise credits to passengers who booked and completed payment on or after Feb. 4. Coronavirus: Which Cruise Ports Are Closed? Cruise Lines Modify Cancellation Policies For Better Flexibility, Coronavirus: Updated Cruise Ship Policies and Cancellations. 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. Thanks Viking! Then again, they might not. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Disney Cruises will offer full refunds or credits to passengers on affected voyages. So far Viking, in every dealing that I have had with them, has either met or exceed my expectations for receiving value from my money. (Video), Royal Caribbean Cancels 4 Sailings Amid Omicron Spread What to Know, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises Cancel Cruises What to Know If You're Scheduled to Sail, Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Sailings Amid Omicron Spread What to Know If You've Booked One, I Took a Cruise Around the Mediterranean Over the Holidays Here's What It's Like to Be on a Ship Right Now, Here's One of the Only Ways to Cruise Alaska This Summer, Cruising Won't Resume in the U.S. Until at Least November, Cruise Association Confirms, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Will Require Passengers to Wear Masks Indoors Due to Rising Onboard Cases, Royal Caribbean Temporarily Suspends New Cruise Bookings Until Jan. 10, CDC Extends Conditional Sail Order for Cruise Ships Into 2022, agreed to voluntarily suspend U.S. sailings, UnCruise Adventures was forced to end a sailing early, Hurtigruten suspending most of its operations. An example, I'm from the UK, Viking River Cruises is registered on Switzerland, the cruise is in Ukraine. I am sure you recognize that COVID-19 has made travel exceedingly complicated. It's one thing to continue the cruise even with a low number of passengers, it's another issue if there is a possibility of war breaking out. By Why the travel companies have been maintaining they would start up again at the beginning of May is beyond me). We decided just to opt for the refund & forgo the additional 25%. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. What happens to paid excursions when Viking cancels a cruise. Difficult situation - hope it works out. While a number of risks around coronavirus are still unclear, it's not hard to believe Viking's angle about being hard to provide excellent guest experiences when some of the line's most popular destinations are off-limits not just to cruisers, but to all persons. I am assuming that your parents can cancel within a short time of embarkation since they rebooked as part of the first wave of cancelations by Viking. Card Rating is based on the opinion of TPGs editors and is not influenced by the card issuer. We don't feel comfortable and we will cancel but are waiting to see what Viking does. Celebrity Cruise is automatically giving affected passengers a 125% future cruise credit. Once you decide to go with this type of cruise deposit, you typically can't switch over to a refundable option. //
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