Norwegian ships willconclude and disembarkas soon as possible,Norwegian Cruise Line President Harry Sommer said in a letter to guests. I am writing to you today from my home, rather than the Viking office. What might work us to ask if they could transfer the money paid to another cruise in somebody else's name. Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been permanently retired. Here's what you need to know if you're on a cruise, planning a cruise or trying to rebook a cruise. Here's how long it will take, Good news for cruisers worried about strict new boarding rules, Some of the year's hottest new ships could be delayed, Stream these 13 movies and shows to get your cruise ship fix, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. Vouchers will be fully transferable, the company said. Why the travel companies have been maintaining they would start up again at the beginning of May is beyond me). Guests on affected departures . 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? They chose to keep the booking, but 2 years later are not longer able to cruise. Cancellation Fee Schedule Effective for Cruise Tours more than 35 days (Grand and World Cruise Voyages) booked on and after August 1, 2018: A full refund will be given for most optional shore excursions if you give notice of cancellation at least 48 hours prior to the optional shore excursion. Viking canceled all 2021 Ukraine river cruises early in April 2021, much earlier than some of their other river or ocean cruises. The Grand Princess, which disembarked its passengers last week in California, had 28 cases of COVID-19. 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? It's still unclear how and when travel around the globe will restart. Our money was refunded by Tuesday. If you are comfortable taking the risk, these rewards can pay off once onboard. CruiseHabit.com was created by Billy Hirsch. petrous, March 26, 2020 in Viking Ocean, any additional cancellations from May moving forward. American Express has expanded The Centurion Network to include 40+ Centurion Lounge and Studio locations worldwide. To check what makes the most sense for you, and if your cruise deposit is refundable, read the following information compiled by Cruise Critic. We will continue to stand by you, as well as our employees and partners, and hope that you will continue to stand by us. On my recent cruise on Anthem of the Seas in Norway, the ship left at 3 pm. Thanks Viking! But we don't know what other new rules for cruising could soon be in place. Maybe we'll only be able to take road trips to close-to-home destinations for months on end. "Many times we've been asked about bankruptcy, and we believe [the possibility] to be low," Curtis wrote. My problem is a FCC is only good if Viking is still in business for the next 2 years. ( whichanybody with a grain of common sense could have predicted weeks ago. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Get up to $300 back per calendar year on the Equinox+ digital fitness app, or eligible Equinox club memberships when you pay with your Platinum Card. We booked a river cruise with Viking which we cancelled due to Covid and received travel vouchers from Viking for the amount of the trip. What was great? But we are truly living in an unprecedented time. They site the risk of quarantine, the spread of disease, as well as the challenges they're having providing excellent guest experiences as many ports and popular attractions are closed to visitors. We and two other couples travelling with us cancelled last Friday. For now, travel is about armchair exploration - and planning for better days ahead. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. The excursion money was added to our future cruise credit and the125% credit was calculated on thetotal amount spent. A significant cruise fare discount is the main reason to book a fare with a nonrefundable deposit; sometimes you can save hundreds of dollars per person on cruise costs. wasn't worth 3 months interest. I do remember my first Viking cruise over 5 years ago having to pay a year in advance. However, if you would prefer the alternative please call Viking at 1-833-900-0951 or contact your Travel Agent by March 25, 2020. Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Started August 27, 2021, By Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Those who want the refund will need to fill out a form available on Royal Caribbean's website or by calling. Separately, the remaining 28 guests will also be quarantined. See what a point or mile is worth with our appraisals of a loyalty programs currency, based on redemption values. 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. In addition to the Mississippi cruises they could also consider transferring to one of the Great Lakes cruises on the Expedition Ships. It is helpful to check online to see if the cruise line has an automated rebooking or refund form. You each determine what your own personal price to value ratio is and probably act accordingly. However, if you would prefer the alternative please call Viking at 1-833-900-0951 or contact your Travel Agent by March 25, 2020. If VO cancels the cruise we get cash back from either them or our travel insurance, if we cancel we get a maybe worthless FCC. And you cant file on insurance since its not officially cancelled. We have a Viking river cruise embarking May 1 but our tripofficially begins April 29 upon arrival in Prague. Author: bill March 11, 2020, Updated: May 2, 2020. Refunds will be credited within 90 days, the company said. The downside to a refundable deposit is that it's often not associated with the lowest price you'll find for your cruise. Like they were when you first booked this cruise, so long ago and no one knew about the virus. I booked two excursions before they cancelled the cruise. Who wouldn't want the chance to pick up free money? Check with your individual line on its cancellation policy and final payment window, as each one can be different. 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. It then would put a few more ships into service every month. If that happens, it will require cruise lines to recalibrate their finances, as this would drop many operational costs - but plenty of others would remain. What are the pros and cons of a nonrefundable cruise deposit? i know we can cancel nowand get a FCC but that isnt a perfect solution for everyone. Just a matter of time before official announcement. Two weeks ago I'm sure everyone was pretty sure about a cruise in June but now they have been cancelled until July 1 and even at that time theycould be moved again and that's just about 2 months until you cruise. Video: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise: A Blast or a Bust? It is a risk because you will not know if insurance will pay until after the cruise is cancelled and a claim is filed. 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. 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. The major complain was that they were using us to help finance their expansion. What would we come back for another sailing? Outside of the current welcome bonus, youre only earning higher rewards on specific airfare and hotel purchases, so its not a great card for other spending categories. (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. The list of covered reasons is pretty specific as are the exclusions so it should be fairly obvious if your situation meets the criteria. 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. Another thought is do they have insurance for the trip? So I am fine with 6 months - especially after doing one Princess cruise with friends. 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. Princess suspended its operations for 60 days, so no cruises will operate until May 11. What's the upside if the cancellation falls under covered reason? We are a private, closely-held company, which means we do not have to rush the decision to return to service.. We just canceled, so I havent seen our voucher contract yet. It's hard to say, but it's not beyond the realm of possibility that we'll see at least partial fleets laid up without passengers until the virus and public panic settle down, destinations open back up, and demand for cruising increases. Idiots was probably the wrong word. $155 Walmart+ Credit: Cover the cost of a $12.95 monthly Walmart+ membership with a statement credit after you pay for Walmart+ each month with your Platinum Card. "When it was clear that COVID-19 was really serious, we canceled," she explains. Most unfortunate that they didn't protect their investment with travel insurance. We hope they can make it through this. Our TA told us we will not get a refund if we dont use our voucher. 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. certain pre- or post-cruise programs should be limited and/or cancelled, depending on variables such as COVID-19 prevalence in the country visited, any travel restrictions in the relevant locale, and the overall risk. Opinions expressed here are the authors alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities. When Are Cruise Lines Around the World Expected To Resume Service? Best of luck in receiving your refund, I think you made the best decision. Best they can do is gift the cruise so someone else can enjoy it. At least thats the way it worked for us when Sky did not stop at Heimaey. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Same friends on Princess booked for the first time with Viking for a March 2021 cruise and won't pay until September. That's simply not sustainable long term. Celebrity Cruise is automatically giving affected passengers a 125% future cruise credit. That's $1,500 in extra value -- a 37.5% return on the original payment of $4,000 -- just for letting the cruise company hold onto the original payment for another year or two. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. 1) Viking like every other cruise line is in business to make money. Glad everything worked out well for you -especially since you trashed Vikingin another thread yesterday: They already have us figured for idiots. (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. Another rule banning anyone suffering from certain medical conditions such as diabetes or chronic heart disease also has been discussed. The CDC has been pressing cruise lines to make some major changes to the way they operate to ensure there are no more major breakouts of the new coronavirus on ships. 1) Viking like every other cruise line is in business to make money. Carnival Corp. is the parent company of Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America and six other major lines. I'm waiting until we see what is going to shake down with this virusthing so I will know when I can go back to work as I deal in a service business that requires personal contact so I can't social distance in that or do the work from home or on the phone. In that spirit, we have made the decision to extend our temporary suspension of operations through June 30, 2020. Maybe flights will resume to Asia before Europe, or vice versa. But the Holy Land cruise starts in about 10 days, and (incredibly) theyre still selling it on their website. 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 . 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. Carnival Corp. recently raised more than $6 billion in debt and equity sales. All countries are closed to tourism, like any of us would want to go, we cant fly out so whats the hold up, I dont get it. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling operations and promising refunds. Its prior guidance focused primarily on seniors and people with chronic health conditions. 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. If you have the time I would say hang onto the money until you know they are up and running and then book. Royal Caribbean said it would conclude its sailings as scheduled. Disney Cruises suspended its operations Friday. SpaceX and NASA have called off an astronaut launch to the International Space Station after an issue with the rocket's ground system was detected. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. 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. Rest assured, our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing Future Cruise Vouchers of 125% of all monies paid to Viking. That's the downside. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. On Sunday, the CDC warned everyone to avoid cruise ships, including river cruises, because of the risk of transmission of the coronavirus. The Fosses rebooked their cruise for this April. Maybe your contract is different from ours? My parents booked a Viking cruise in 2018 for a 2020 sailing. Europe is now seeing the same kind of climate change conditions that are affecting the Western United States. Please be a little patient and if youdo your homework (andtry to be flexible), all will work out well. Offers may be subject to change without notice. The company first paused operations on March 11. Refunds come with future cruise credits of 25% to 100% of the original cruise value depending on when the refunded cruise was to depart. Sounds like everyonehad a different experience. While this guest is not exhibiting symptoms, she has been placed in quarantine. The Viking Sea and Viking Star cruise ships in Santorini. Credit ranges are a variation of FICO Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"5YFK4ZwVWpG_2z6rDcSdiRVz3lCn4ORteBcFe43K3J4-1800-0"}; Those who choose to take theirrefund as a future cruise credit rather than cash, will get a bonus 25% future cruise credit in addition to the 25%-100%. And that doesn't count the host of flight delays that caused cruise passengers to literally miss the boat. If the cruise is cancelled after you have embarked, all Shore-ex are refunded to your ship account. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). All programs will be modified to . Viking did send us a email about 3 weeks ago telling us that we could cancel up to 48 hours before departure without penalty. Our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing 125% Future Cruise Vouchers. 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. Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/ukraine, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. That's the new plan at Carnival, Some cruise ships could be laid up for months, research report sent to investors last month, Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement cruise deals anytime soon, How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus, Expecting a refund for a canceled cruise? Visit TPGs guide to all coronavirus news and updates. 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.
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