The Fosses rebooked their cruise for this April. Thanks Viking! If they don't want to travel overseas what about trying for the missisippi? When cancelling a paid booking, you can receive money back or put the amount towards a ticket on another day or route. 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. This is an unprecedented situation.". Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. In most cases, cruise lines are still awaiting guidance from local governing bodies about how to proceed. 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. Our cruise is May 2 out of London. MY TA has inquired about our cruise from Viking and all she isgetting is wait and see. Learn more. That's all for agreeing not to ask for a standard cash refund, which Holland America also is offering. 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. (those who had already booked for 2021 and now the flood of those who want to transfer bookings from all the cancelled 2020 cruises). Future cruise credits can be used on any sailing through May 1, 2022. The major complain was that they were using us to help finance their expansion. Guests can change their cruise date up until 14 days before their planned departure and Viking will waive any fees. LauraS wasn't worth 3 months interest. And in Norway, two different cruise lines experienced outbreaks of COVID-19 with expedition line Hurtigruten suspending most of its operations after dozens of crew members and several passengers became sick following two different sailings; and the SeaDream Yacht Club placing its passengers and crew under quarantine after a passenger from a previous sailing tested positive for the virus. Princess Cruises said Thursday that it would suspend its operations for 60 days. Really!!! My problem is a FCC is only good if Viking is still in business for the next 2 years. Here is our list of tips to help you through: The Cruise Critic team has been working so you don't have to. Maybe other places as well, I'm not sure. At this time, we expect the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit. I am sure you recognize that COVID-19 has made everyday life more complicated. Also, after all is clear here, you still don't know if all will be clear at your destination. 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? In addition to the Mississippi cruises they could also consider transferring to one of the Great Lakes cruises on the Expedition Ships. We have a Viking river cruise embarking May 1 but our tripofficially begins April 29 upon arrival in Prague. Our opinions are our own, and have not been reviewed, approved, or endorsed by our advertising partners. 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. 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. FAQ: What Are the Latest Cruising Rules From the CDC. Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling operations and promising refunds. Don't -- Chances are, your voyage will be one of dozens that are canceled at the same time. I would say they are being more than fair. Apply and select your preferred metal Card design: classic Platinum Card, Platinum x Kehinde Wiley, or Platinum x Julie Mehretu. Maybe after a 2-year period? 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 not, a cash refund may be the better bet. Our TA told us we will not get a refund if we dont use our voucher. Hoping third time is a charm and we go in January! Video: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise: A Blast or a Bust? They did not purchase travel insurance. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. We and two other couples travelling with us cancelled last Friday. Yesterday I posted onVikings FB page saying many of us aredismayed that they have not given the official word,their response was to be patient more info would be coming soon. Future cruise credits must be used by Dec. 31, 2021. They already have us figured for idiots. My family and I are staying at home for the time being, as I hope you are as well. Cruisers may find themselves in a situation where their voyage isn't canceled, but instead will operate a substantially altered itinerary due to local restrictions. For most cruise lines, as long as you cancel before your final payment date, there is no penalty. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. What about other regulations that cruise lines have had to follow? It is a risk because you will not know if insurance will pay until after the cruise is cancelled and a claim is filed. 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. fall flights to the Caribbean for as little as $56, Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement pricing when cruising resumes, Heres how to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus, How to book a cruise with points and miles, Could cruising resume in August? Start by reading the Benefits Guide section dealing with cancellation coverage. 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 . Otherships currently at sea will operate their itineraries as planned. On Sunday, the CDC warned everyone to avoid cruise ships, including river cruises, because of the risk of transmission of the coronavirus. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. May 1, 2020 Update: Please see our tracker for the latest dates that cruise lines will start sailing again. Refunded to your credit card. You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By Would you be willing to be flexible on where you sailed with the line? 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. Royal Caribbeanand Celebrity Cruises will resume sailing on April 11. When most people book a cruise, they typically choose not to pay for it in full, right then and there. Will other lines follow? Antiquities and the Holy Land. Just a matter of time before official announcement. 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. What was great? Guests will have 24 months to use their Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. B. You'll want to be able to pounce at the very best offers. 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. By That puts it as the first cruise after their cancellations. We just canceled, so I havent seen our voucher contract yet. Assuming that was the original means of payment. Currently, there are no blanket cancellations for Carnival cruises. Compare the cost in points or miles to cash, and see which option is best. Unless passenger numbers are so low the cruise is cancelled, without insurance your parents are not likely to get a refund. Who wouldn't want the chance to pick up free money? Cancellation Policy Due to COVID-19 Did they pay with a credit card? Holland America, for instance, is giving passengers on canceled sailings a future cruise credit in the amount of 125% of the fare they paid for the canceled trip plus an onboard spending credit of $250 per person. 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. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. CC Help Jenn We are confident you can weather this storm! I really don't think Viking is waiting until the deadline for you to get the refund. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). Rest assured, our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing Future Cruise Vouchers of 125% of all monies paid to Viking. Since we started Viking nearly 23 years ago, we have always cared first and foremost about our guests and our employees. U.S. ships currently at sea will continue on schedule. Get expert advice, insider tips and more. MVJ is displaying an error message. Another thought is do they have insurance for the trip? CC Help Jenn I'm saying we shouldn't close the door on our own, even though the door would be closed eventually by the insurance provider. 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. Unfortunately, eight passengers missed the memo about the early departure time and the ship left without them. We rebooked for July 2021. Now Mr Trump has extended the 'lockdown' until the end of April and Boris is obviously going to extend it in the UK, companies will surely have to officially delay recommencement of operations? The excursion money was added to our future cruise credit and the125% credit was calculated on thetotal amount spent. We hope they can make it through this. Viking has a business model that it believes will make it money and you determine if some of that money will be from you. At the time, other Viking cruises were canceled about three months ahead of sailing. Fairly painless! In recent days we have had an experience where a river cruise guest in Southeast Asia was exposed to COVID-19 while in transit on an international airline. You would think the cancellations will be for a long time to come. //. Maybe Viking has some special deal with Israel. What was a bust? Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. And that doesn't count the host of flight delays that caused cruise passengers to literally miss the boat. 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. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. In trying times like these, there's nothing like having cash in the bank. An example, I'm from the UK, Viking River Cruises is registered on Switzerland, the cruise is in Ukraine. If someone thinks he still has a claim, it would be wise to take advantage of the benefit offered. Difficult situation - hope it works out. We will continue to stand by you, as well as our employees and partners, and hope that you will continue to stand by us. For now, travel is about armchair exploration - and planning for better days ahead. If you're looking to support CruiseHabit.com, check out the CruiseHabit.com shop for cruise accessories and shirts. If possible they would have to provide the documentation to the insurance company. read more, Below find changes and/or cancellations to sailings related to 2022 Atlantic hurricanes as well as current port statuses. We decided just to opt for the refund & forgo the additional 25%. 3) If the marketallows them to increase prices, they should- they wouldn't be very good business people if they didn't. Related: Could cruising resume in August? That's exactly the case with the Amex Platinum card. We upgraded our stateroom DV1 to PS2 and air from economy to comfort. 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. Everything. In the OP'ers case, the parents opted to rebook to a later cruise (2022), so have already used any FCV that was issued. What are the pros and cons of a nonrefundable cruise deposit? It's unfortunate as these things happen. In most cases, when you . I dont think it is unreasonable to familiarize oneself with them. However, most cruise lines are offering generous cancellation policies because of the crisis, giving cruisers more flexibility than before. Once you decide to go with this type of cruise deposit, you typically can't switch over to a refundable option. Eight Diamond Princess passengers have died. Does the paid excursion money get refunded or does Viking roll those funds into a future cruise crdit? At Holland America, the credits must be used by Dec. 31, 2022. ISHCruising, December 27, 2021 in Viking Ocean. Passengers have until Dec. 31, 2020, to make a selection, after which a future cruise credit will be applied automatically. Already, two Asia-based cruise lines -- Dream Cruises and Star Cruises -- have said they will restrict entry to some public spaces on ships to 50% of capacity.