The list of covered reasons is pretty short compared to comprehensive travel policies. 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? 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. Author: bill March 11, 2020, Updated: May 2, 2020. Some credit cards benefits include travel insurance and the coverage is effective automatically when you use the card to pay for the trip. "Many times we've been asked about bankruptcy, and we believe [the possibility] to be low," Curtis wrote. Visit TPGs guide to all coronavirus news and updates. Related: Some cruise ships could be laid up for months. Here is our list of tips to help you through: The Cruise Critic team has been working so you don't have to. LauraS The Viking Sea and Viking Star cruise ships in Santorini. For all air-inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be subject . We are not interested in finding out how things go on those huge ships. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable. Maybe your contract is different from ours? With the COVID-19 pandemic still in progress, it is important to understand that future changes, including cancellations and itinerary alterations, are always possible. 1) Viking like every other cruise line is in business to make money. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. And our TA has been wrong about other things. Started June 21, 2021, By FAQ: What Are the Latest Cruising Rules From the CDC. I feel we have become one large Viking family of 500,000 guests each year and 10,000 employees. Best of luck in receiving your refund, I think you made the best decision. 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 . Vouchers will be fully transferable, the company said. Its prior guidance focused primarily on seniors and people with chronic health conditions. As a private company 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. Hopefully someone more knowledgeable (Peregrina?) 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. Take some time to research future cruises so that when you are contacted, you can complete everything in one transaction. Very very happy with their response. To check what makes the most sense for you, and if your cruise deposit is refundable, read the following information compiled by Cruise Critic. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. 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. 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. They already have us figured for idiots. The doctor would have to declare one or both unfit to travel. However, if you would prefer the alternative please call Viking at 1-833-900-0951 or contact your Travel Agent by March 25, 2020. 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. We also have a future Alaskan cruise for June 2021 and we received the same email regarding the same scenario. 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. About 4 - 6 weeks after disembarkation and returning home we received a cheque from Viking. Take the cash. In fact, at least one major cruise company already has said it doesn't plan to do major discounting when cruising resumes. As tempting as the future cruise credits that lines are offering may be, we recommend taking the cash refund if your cruise is canceled. I dont think it is unreasonable to familiarize oneself with them. In order to reserve a room onboard, cruise lines will accept a deposit, or portion of the full cruise fare to secure your place. This claim would have nothing to do with Viking. We just canceled, so I havent seen our voucher contract yet. LauraS The excursion money was added to our future cruise credit and the125% credit was calculated on thetotal amount spent. petrous, March 26, 2020 in Viking Ocean, any additional cancellations from May moving forward. Future cruise voucher at 125% or 100% cash refund. Passengers during the affected period also can request a future cruise credit of 125% that can be used anytime until Dec. 31, 2021. 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. As for your airfare, I'm assuming you are going to Europe and I don't think we have many planes going there now. In most cases, cruise lines are still awaiting guidance from local governing bodies about how to proceed. Rest assured, our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing Future Cruise Vouchers of 125% of all monies paid to 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. 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. I am writing to you today from my home, rather than the Viking office. Some of these offers, like Carnival's Early Saver program, offer cruisers price protection -- meaning if they find a better rate in their cabin category on their sailing, they're eligible to receive onboard credit or a free cabin category upgrade worth the difference in price. Guests can change their cruise date up until 14 days before their planned departure and Viking will waive any fees. We are a private, closely-held company, which means we do not have to rush the decision to return to service.. Coronavirus: Which Cruise Ports Are Closed? Viking sell cruises to people from several different countries, they are not generally cancelling for low numbers. Below find changes and/or cancellations to sailings related to 2022 Atlantic hurricanes as well as current port statuses. No hard feelings, and I truly hope you have a great cruise. 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. Maybe flights will resume to Asia before Europe, or vice versa. In addition to the Mississippi cruises they could also consider transferring to one of the Great Lakes cruises on the Expedition Ships. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Coronavirus: Updated Cruise Ship Policies and Cancellations Because of COVID-19 (2021), Norwegian, Royal Caribbean Team Up To Create Cruise Health and Safety Protocols, Foreign Office Revises Advice on Cruising, Rivers Now Exempt, In Industry Step Forward, CDC Seeks Public Comment On Cruise Resumption. 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. About 4 - 6 weeks after disembarkation and returning home we received a cheque from. Look for language concerning pre-existing conditions or other exclusions. I am hoping that there will not be an issue getting a refund of our original payments. 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. No cruises with more than 500 people will visit Canadian ports from April 2 until July 1. These options are usually bundled as a promotion, offering cruisers a savings or bonus in return for the financial commitment of a nonrefundable deposit. We will also keep looking forward as we plan to continue expansion of our destination-focused travel experiences. The high annual fee is only worth it if youre taking full advantage of the cards benefits. 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? I too am anxious but I know I have to wait. I realize that to this point Viking has. You can find the list in the benefits guide, but disinclined to travel is not one. Antiquities and the Holy Land. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. jtslattery, August 30, 2021 in Viking Ocean. 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. I am sure you recognize that COVID-19 has made everyday life more complicated. Since you seem to be skeptical, that's cash in hand. Check with your individual line on its cancellation policy and final payment window, as each one can be different. Maybe other places as well, I'm not sure. Would you be willing to be flexible on where you sailed with the line? If not, a cash refund may be the better bet. Viking announced similar measures Wednesday. 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. 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. // Alfred Lansing Death, Avatar: The Legend Of Jimu Release Date, Geisel Funeral Home Obituaries, University Of Arkansas Top Sororities Forum, Articles W