We fell very fortunate to have had a fantastic northern lights cruise in February. If Viking cancels a pre- or post- cruise experience, a refund of monies paid will be available. Onboard spending credits can be used for extra-charge restaurants, spa treatments and other pricey add-ons. This is amplified by the additional challenges of operating river cruises. Indeed. The Viking Sea and Viking Star cruise ships in Santorini. Everything else apples to apples. We don't feel comfortable and we will cancel but are waiting to see what Viking does. Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been permanently retired. Very very happy with their response. What are the pros and cons of a refundable cruise deposit? 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. In most cases, when you . Powered by Invision Community. It's not looking any better this summer, either, with staffing shortages and continuing COVID-19 outbreaks. Why Are Future Cruise Credits and Refunds Taking So Long? That said, the discussions between the CDC and cruise lines are ongoing. 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. It is an adjustment for all of us and particularly for someone like me, who spends most of his time traveling. Viking did send us a email about 3 weeks ago telling us that we could cancel up to 48 hours before departure without penalty. Started June 21, 2021, By Norwegian plans to resume embarkations on April 12. Contact your Sales Agent or our Customer Service department online, via email, or by phone at 1-800-427-8473 and ask about potential opportunities for flexible cancellation policies, rebooking opportunities and other options. And you cant file on insurance since its not officially cancelled. My family and I are staying at home for the time being, as I hope you are as well. In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It's what you make of it. We are now on the same cruise one week later than previous and on a different ship. In fact, at least one major cruise company already has said it doesn't plan to do major discounting when cruising resumes. These conditions include: Record high temperatures, Record low precipitation, Falling river levels and Numerous forest fires. Why the travel companies have been maintaining they would start up again at the beginning of May is beyond me). We have a Viking river cruise embarking May 1 but our tripofficially begins April 29 upon arrival in Prague. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. CC Help Jenn 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. 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. Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles. (those who had already booked for 2021 and now the flood of those who want to transfer bookings from all the cancelled 2020 cruises). Be careful that it is not tied to any pre-existing conditions. Maybe they can cancel under the medically unfit to travel clause to the insurance company. 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. You each determine what your own personal price to value ratio is and probably act accordingly. 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. For now, travel is about armchair exploration - and planning for better days ahead. Future Cruise Sales on Celebrity Solstice. To that end, I am pleased to let you know that later today you will receive another email from Viking inviting you to join me for a video update about future initiatives, including introducing our new experience channel where we can all continue to explore the world togetherfrom the comfort of our homes. You may be getting an offer from the cruise line that seems almost too good to be true: If you agree not to ask for an immediate refund, the company will give you a "future cruise credit" worth significantly more than what you originally paid for the trip. Cruise Lines Modify Cancellation Policies For Better Flexibility, Coronavirus: Updated Cruise Ship Policies and Cancellations. We also have a future Alaskan cruise for June 2021 and we received the same email regarding the same scenario. For those with flights arranged by Viking, it must be received at least 14 days prior to the date of flight departure. Viking will issue full refunds to affected passengers or a 125% future cruise voucher that must be used within 24 months. 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. These New Viking Expedition Ships Will Sail Longitudinal World Cruises and to the Great Lakes Submarine Excursions Included, This Brand-new River Cruise Ship Just Set Sail on the Nile Here's What It's Like on Board, Virgin Voyages Cancels Sailings on 'Resilient Lady,' Delaying Ship's Launch Until Next Year, Crystal Cruises Temporarily Suspends Operations What to Know, Hawaii Extends Ban on Cruise Ships Until at Least January 2022, Officials Announce, CDC Extends 'No Sail Order' Until End of September, What Will It Take to Get Cruises Sailing Again? We'll run a soft credit check to find special offers, but it wont affect your credit score. Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling operations and promising refunds. (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. We have a Scandinavian cruise departing May 23rd on the Sky and this has not been cancelledyet. 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. Author: bill March 11, 2020, Updated: May 2, 2020. What about other regulations that cruise lines have had to follow? Who wouldn't want the chance to pick up free money? But we are truly living in an unprecedented time. petrous, March 26, 2020 in Viking Ocean, any additional cancellations from May moving forward. If you are comfortable taking the risk, these rewards can pay off once onboard. The US state department is not relevant to any of us. Hoping third time is a charm and we go in January! 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. 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. Norwegian requested that people who opt for the refund wait until March 23 to contact the company. We are just not comfortable enough to travel internationally right now. But please dont take my word for it. CC Help Jenn Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. 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. 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 realize that to this point Viking has. Royal Caribbean said it would conclude its sailings as scheduled. For those who arrange their own flights, it must be received at least 14 days prior to the date of cruise embarkation or hotel check-in, whichever is first. "When it was clear that COVID-19 was really serious, we canceled," she explains. KEY FACTS. Passengers during the affected period also can request a future cruise credit of 125% that can be used anytime until Dec. 31, 2021. 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. The issue for cruise lines right now is that their revenues have plummeted much faster than their expenses, and their cash on hand is flying out the door in the form of refunds to customers. Started August 27, 2021, By (You can use the balance for anything) Also we had insurance and the dollar amount of the insurance was included in the 125% but we don't have to get it again. Started August 27, 2021, By For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter. FAQ: What Are the Latest Cruising Rules From the CDC. . Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. We are not interested in finding out how things go on those huge ships. On my recent cruise on Anthem of the Seas in Norway, the ship left at 3 pm. My stance is that since the money is already paid for (either purchased insurance or through credit card benefits), file a claim and let the insurance company make the determination. 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. It sounds great, doesn't it? read more, Below find changes and/or cancellations to sailings related to 2022 Atlantic hurricanes as well as current port statuses. 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. wasn't worth 3 months interest. At this time, we expect the ship will resume its scheduled operations on February 18, 2023. Refunded to your credit card. TRAVEL + LEISURE is a registered trademark of Travel + Leisure Co., registered in the United States and other countries. It's no fun talking about the possibility that some companies may not make it through the coronavirus crisis. Those who want the refund will need to fill out a form available on Royal Caribbean's website or by calling. 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. But that might not be the case. These options are usually bundled as a promotion, offering cruisers a savings or bonus in return for the financial commitment of a nonrefundable deposit. What is the main difference between the two, and which one should you opt for? They are no longer able to cruise physically, and while the cruise is transferrable are not in a financial position to "give" anyone their trip and no one is interested in sailing and paying them for their booking. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. We kept hoping theyd offer a refund like they did for the Hawaii cruise that turned into a Mexican cruise, and they still might. That's simply not sustainable long term. 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. 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. As keen as we may be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait, Hagen added. Nearly every cruise line is telling people to not contact their call centers due to the high volume of calls, and most are issuing Future Cruise Credits by default. They may operate fewer of their ships in Asia, Europe and South America -- or refocus vessels in those regions to local markets. 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 attellus@vikingcruises.com,let them know of your circumstances and offer to provide the appropriate medical evidence. Seems like your best hope is that Viking will cancel, but (others on here know more about it than me, and will be better with advice) it seems to me your parents accepted a future cruise credit, so the refund would likely be in the form of another future cruise credit. Very very happy with their response. This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. But we don't know what other new rules for cruising could soon be in place. Disney Cruises will offer full refunds or credits to passengers on affected voyages. 3) If the marketallows them to increase prices, they should- they wouldn't be very good business people if they didn't. CC Help Jenn So I am fine with 6 months - especially after doing one Princess cruise with friends. The Grand Princess, which disembarked its passengers last week in California, had 28 cases of COVID-19. In practical terms, what that means is that a couple who paid $4,000 for a canceled Holland America cruise can get a credit of $5,000 to apply to a future sailing plus $500 in onboard spending credits. 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. 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. The 125% Future Cruise Voucher will also be fully transferable. As of now, the 30-day moratorium on cruises ends on April 10. Note, though, that both executives said that even when cruise ships start to come back, they would come back slowly. I think I can make better use of the money in the market for now than let it sit around. At Holland America, the credits must be used by Dec. 31, 2022. 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. 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. Marketallows them to increase prices, they would come back, they n't... And planning for better Flexibility, Coronavirus: Updated cruise ship Policies and cancellations international travel must,! Is not tied to any pre-existing conditions 2021 and we will cancel but are waiting to see what does! You opt for the time being, as I hope you are as well as port. Be very good business people if they did n't offer full refunds to affected passengers a... Same cruise one week later than previous and on a different ship the of... Have been maintaining they would n't be very good business people if they did.. 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