Related: Heres how to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus. If we cancel we would get a voucher for future credit that could be used up to two years out. Watch Out For Cruise-Related Credit Card Scams During the Coronavirus Pandemic, Cruise Ship Delays Announced, Following Yard Closures and Slowdowns, Major Cruise Ship Refits Delayed Due to Coronavirus Closures, Royal Caribbean to Cut Traditional Buffet Once Cruises Resume, River Cruise Lines Start Outlining Onboard Health and Safety Changes, Modified Cruise Ship Regulations No Longer Require Doctor's Notes For Passengers Over 70. At least thats the way it worked for us when Sky did not stop at Heimaey. 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. Did they pay with a credit card? Our cruise in June was cancelled, of course. //]]>. That is a question that I would ask Tellus@Vikingcruises.com. 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. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Get more from your points with these transfer bonuses, Credit card showdown: Capital One Venture vs. Capital One Venture X, JetBlue adds 3 new NYC-area routes as Northeast Alliance hangs in the balance, It's back: Best-ever bonus of 70,000 miles on the Alaska Airlines Business card. I feel we have become one large Viking family of 500,000 guests each year and 10,000 employees. It truly depends on the itinerary and dates - have seen it vary drastically both ways and our cruise critic people have reported prices both much higher and much lower in 2021. We've heard a range of possibilities when it comes to future itineraries from cruise executives in recent weeks. We hope they can make it through this. Note, though, that both executives said that even when cruise ships start to come back, they would come back slowly. If however it would accellerate consumer confidence once things start to return to normal, it could prove beneficial. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. However, if you prefer the alternative, you may choose a refund equal to the amount paid, by contacting your Travel Agent by April 6, 2020. 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. I am writing to you today from my home, rather than the Viking office. Started August 27, 2021, By These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable. On Sunday, the CDC warned everyone to avoid cruise ships, including river cruises, because of the risk of transmission of the coronavirus. It is helpful to check online to see if the cruise line has an automated rebooking or refund form. Eight Diamond Princess passengers have died. In 2019, airlines canceled nearly 135,000 flights. Do they have any cancellation coverage with their household insurance or connected to a bank account? The Grand Princess, which disembarked its passengers last week in California, had 28 cases of COVID-19. Have more questions? Carnival said in a letter to passengers Friday that all ships currently at sea will continue their voyages and return to their home ports as scheduled. In the time since that announcement, many of you have expressed concern for our crew, and I want to reassure you that we are taking good care of them. This is an unprecedented situation.". 1) Viking like every other cruise line is in business to make money. I believe Ive read on these forums something about receiving a cash refund after waiting for a voucher to expire. I think I can make better use of the money in the market for now than let it sit around. No hard feelings, and I truly hope you have a great cruise. Viking has indicated that because they chose to keep their booking they are no longer entitled to a refund. 1) Viking like every other cruise line is in business to make money. Fairly painless! Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. CC Help Jenn Its prior guidance focused primarily on seniors and people with chronic health conditions. Refunded to your credit card. What was a bust? So who knows. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. What happens to paid excursions when Viking cancels a cruise. When the deals arrive, you'll want maximum flexibility in your travel planning. Future cruise credits can be used on any sailing through May 1, 2022. In that spirit, we have made the decision to extend our temporary suspension of operations through June 30, 2020. read more, Will vaccine and testing requirements go away? If you have the time I would say hang onto the money until you know they are up and running and then book. And the Cruise Lines International Association, whose members include major cruise lines all over the world, has said its members agreed to voluntarily suspend U.S. sailings through at least Oct. 31. FAQ: What Are the Latest Cruising Rules From the CDC. Canada's transport minister closed the country's portsto those ships on Friday. 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. What's the downside to us? Princess Cruises said Thursday that it would suspend its operations for 60 days. 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. 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This Royal Caribbean Announcement Will Make You Cry - And We're Going to Get Up Close to Bring You More. 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. Visit TPGs guide to all coronavirus news and updates. If by chance the cruise companies can resume cruising May 1st, I see hundreds of cruises to nowhere! More than 700 passengers became infected, including 46 Americans. 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. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. When I got in touch with Viking a few weeks back once they out out the new temporary policy I was told we did NOT fall under those guidelines since our ship embarkation date is May 1. Here is our list of tips to help you through: The Cruise Critic team has been working so you don't have to. 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. petrous, March 26, 2020 in Viking Ocean, any additional cancellations from May moving forward. CLIA cruise line members are voluntarily and temporarily suspending operations from the U.S. as we work to address this public health crisis, said Kelly Craighead, CLIA president and CEO in a statement. 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. Guests on affected departures . Can anyone advise on whether Viking would still operate cruises to the Ukraine if the state department advises that it is a level red category for travelers? You will be able to leave a comment after signing in, By 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. You each determine what your own personal price to value ratio is and probably act accordingly. At Holland America, the credits must be used by Dec. 31, 2022. In regulatory filings, the major cruise companies have said about half of customers are taking the future cruise credit option. 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. 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. Cruise Lines Modify Cancellation Policies For Better Flexibility, Coronavirus: Updated Cruise Ship Policies and Cancellations. Viking sell cruises to people from several different countries, they are not generally cancelling for low numbers. 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. Royal Caribbean said it would conclude its sailings as scheduled. 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. Assuming that was the original means of payment. I understand and I agree with what you are saying about familiarize the insurance coverages. 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. read more, Below find changes and/or cancellations to sailings related to 2022 Atlantic hurricanes as well as current port statuses. In many cases, lines are offering a 25% bonus credit as an incentive to get you to choose a future cruise credit instead of a refund.