Powered by Invision Community. We will continue to stand by you, as well as our employees and partners, and hope that you will continue to stand by us. There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. No real reason to plan a vacation if you can't get off the ship. 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. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). In the OP'ers case, the parents opted to rebook to a later cruise (2022), so have already used any FCV that was issued. Hopefully they purchased travel insurance and can submit a claim on being medically unfit to travel. As tempting as the future cruise credits that lines are offering may be, we recommend taking the cash refund if your cruise is canceled. Photo: Courtesy of Viking Cruises. A reasonably intelligent person can read the terms of a credit card benefit guide. 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. 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. read more, Will vaccine and testing requirements go away? What's Next Now that the CDC Is Out of the Cruise Regulation Game? 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. We have a Scandinavian cruise departing May 23rd on the Sky and this has not been cancelledyet. $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. Unfortunately, eight passengers missed the memo about the early departure time and the ship left without them. Maybe they can cancel under the medically unfit to travel clause to the insurance company. 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. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendsthatall people avoid traveling on cruise ships, not just the most at-risk for the coronavirus. For all air-inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be subject . The Viking Sea and Viking Star cruise ships in Santorini. 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. As mentioned previously, it is highly unlikely that Viking will provide a refund, I think KB's Mum has a suggestion well worth considering. MVJ is displaying an error message. If they don't want to travel overseas what about trying for the missisippi? Some cruise lines have resumed sailing again with mixed results. Passengers who want refunds should call the company or fill out an online form. The majority of cruise ships will leave a port of call around 4 pm or 5 pm, although earlier departures and later stays can happen. CruiseHabit.com was created by Billy Hirsch. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. 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. Viking Cruises. Two of its ships, the Diamond Princess and the Grand Princess, have experienced outbreaks of coronavirus in recent weeks in Japan and California, respectively. We just canceled, so I havent seen our voucher contract yet. 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. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. Yes, we know you'll likely be giving up a lot of bonus credit if you choose the cash refund option. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. //]]>. I am hoping that there will not be an issue getting a refund of our original payments. 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. Viking is our go to cruise line now. Powered by Invision Community. All programs will be modified to . Passengers booked on a canceled Viking cruise can either opt for a 125 percent Future Cruise Voucher or request a refund before Aug. 24. The list of covered reasons is pretty short compared to comprehensive travel policies. Started August 27, 2021, By No. 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. "Sailaway With Jane McDonald" Cruise Cancelled for 2021, MSC Cruises Offers Discounted Sailings to Healthcare Professionals, Rolling Out the Deals: Why Now Might Be a Great Time to Book a Cruise, Galveston Port Director Says Disney Cruise Line to Limit Capacity, Enforce Embarkation Arrival Times, Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas Cruise Ship to be Based in Southampton in 2021, What Should You Do If Your Cruise Line Cancels Your Cruise (Photo: fizkes/Shutterstock). Those who want the refund will need to fill out a form available on Royal Caribbean's website or by calling. Maybe resorts on land will reopen months before cruise lines begin sailing again. LauraS 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. 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? Learn more. Do you want a future cruise credit, or are you interested in rebooking immediately on a new voyage? Breeze through security with CLEAR lanes available at 100+ airports, stadiums, and entertainment venues and get up to $189 back per calendar year on your membership when you use your Card. Started June 21, 2021, By We would also lose our non-refundable air cost if we cancel. By 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. But here's our advice: Skip the future cruise credits. Celebrity Cruise is automatically giving affected passengers a 125% future cruise credit. . You will have 24 months to use your Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. Your contract incorporates these Booking Conditions and by making a booking with us you confirm your acceptance of these Booking Conditions. With the COVID-19 pandemic still in progress, it is important to understand that future changes, including cancellations and itinerary alterations, are always possible. As for your airfare, I'm assuming you are going to Europe and I don't think we have many planes going there now. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. Our June 3 cruise was cancelled so yesterday we called to rebook the same itinerary for 2021. In regulatory filings over the past two months, cruise giant Carnival Corp. has said it was burning through $1 billion a month. In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. Related: Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement pricing when cruising resumes. Our money was refunded by Tuesday. Future cruises must be taken before Dec. 31, 2022. (Enrollment required for select benefits.). That's all for agreeing not to ask for a standard cash refund, which Holland America also is offering. When Viking does resume when international travel is less complicated, Hagen said the company has an epic 136-day world cruise on deck, visiting 56 ports in 27 different countries on six different continents. Future cruise voucher at 125% or 100% cash refund. 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. Guests will have 24 months to use their Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. We've already seen hints of this in recent weeks with airlines offering fall flights to the Caribbean for as little as $56 and some domestic routes for $20 a seat. This claim would have nothing to do with Viking. 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. LauraS Refunds are made based on the cancellation conditions. You each determine what your own personal price to value ratio is and probably act accordingly. 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. At least thats the way it worked for us when Sky did not stop at Heimaey. This is a decision we made with a heavy heart, but with present circumstances what they are, we are unable to deliver the high-quality Viking experience for which we are known. 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. 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. 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. How Soon Before Your Cruise Can You Cancel Due to COVID-19 and Omicron? We are a private, closely-held company, which means we do not have to rush the decision to return to service.. 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. CC Help Jenn How Reassuring are New Cruise Cancellation Policies Really? Travel + Leisure magazine may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Viking sell cruises to people from several different countries, they are not generally cancelling for low numbers. If you take the cash, you'll have access to a world of opportunity. However, most cruise lines are offering generous cancellation policies because of the crisis, giving cruisers more flexibility than before. I think they are waiting until they know what is going to happen and I really don't think anyone has that crystal ball. On April 4, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said cruise passengers no longer could fly on commercial aircraft when returning home from cruise ships docking at U.S. ports. Best they can do is gift the cruise so someone else can enjoy it. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers. Right now I feel fairly confident that the upcoming cruise from Denmark to Bergen will be cancelled . None, except that 15 minutes not spent browsing Cruise Critic. My wife and I paid $10,096 for a cruise and tour on the Viking Idi for April.. This has always been Vikings ambition and will remain so. But by then, the price increase had claimed the voucher plus an extra $628. 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. Why you might want to wait to change or cancel your flight or cruise. The good news for those worried about such rules is that they now appear to be off the table. LauraS Cruise lines that market to North Americans may initially focus their efforts on relatively short sailings out of U.S. ports such as Miami and New York, to such places as the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Bermuda. Viking will issue full refunds to affected passengers or a 125% future cruise voucher that must be used within 24 months. Visit TPGs guide to all coronavirus news and updates. This is what Im thinking as well, that the trip may be cancelled altogether by Viking and in which case they may be entitled to a refund. 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 2021. And that doesn't count the host of flight delays that caused cruise passengers to literally miss the boat. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. This Royal Caribbean Announcement Will Make You Cry - And We're Going to Get Up Close to Bring You More. 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. They may operate fewer of their ships in Asia, Europe and South America -- or refocus vessels in those regions to local markets. Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations of our river and ocean vessels embarking from March 12 to April 30, 2020 at which time we believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve. 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. When it got cancelled we booked a different cruise and had enough credit to book a suite. 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? 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. 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. Hang in there! Thank you all for taking the time to respond. Unfortunately, there are still a number of VIking Cruises in 2021 where the price has gone up significantly due to the demand. By Viking cruises have been canceled since March when it became the first major cruise line to cancel operations at the start of the coronavirus outbreak. My parents booked a Viking cruise in 2018 for a 2020 sailing. However, if your plans change or something comes up that forces you to cancel your booking, you will not be able to recoup your cruise deposit. 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. They did not purchase travel insurance. 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. Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been permanently retired. wasn't worth 3 months interest. 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. For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. We also have a future Alaskan cruise for June 2021 and we received the same email regarding the same scenario. As a side note after reading the Viking Cruise Critic boards and the challenges many have experienced with regards to FCVs and the continued challenges with traveling internationally, we have not used our FCVs from the April 2019 canceled Viking cruise which are due to expire this April 2022. Viking owes you nothing. Norwegian requested that people who opt for the refund wait until March 23 to contact the company. Viking announced similar measures Wednesday. Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling operations and promising refunds. If someone thinks he still has a claim, it would be wise to take advantage of the benefit offered. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Idiots was probably the wrong word. I am sure you recognize that COVID-19 has made travel exceedingly complicated. In most cases, when you . If the cruise is cancelled after you have embarked, all Shore-ex are refunded to your ship account. Our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing 125% Future Cruise Vouchers. $200 Uber Cash: Enjoy Uber VIP status and up to $200 in Uber savings on rides or eats orders in the US annually. This will typically be spelled out clearly on the cruise line's website at time of booking, or by your travel advisor. ( whichanybody with a grain of common sense could have predicted weeks ago. Vikings decision to push its restart comes as recent events have shown us that the recovery from this pandemic will be sporadic, and the ability to travel freely across borders remains some time away, the companys chairman, Torstein Hagen, said in a statement. The nickel and diming, screaming kids, rudeness of 3,500 cruisers, etc. 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. 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.