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. In addition to our many award-winning river and ocean cruises, in early 2022 we will launch our expedition journeys to the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as North America's Great Lakes. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year. I too am anxious but I know I have to wait. What's the downside to us? 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. Started June 21, 2021, By Indeed. We still have $$$ "left over" for excursions. And our TA has been wrong about other things. If not, a cash refund may be the better bet. Some lines are offering even more. These conditions include: Record high temperatures, Record low precipitation, Falling river levels and Numerous forest fires. However, if you would prefer the alternative please call Viking at 1-833-900-0951 or contact your Travel Agent by March 25, 2020. Glad everything worked out well for you -especially since you trashed Vikingin another thread yesterday: They already have us figured for idiots. Maybe your contract is different from ours? (Enrollment required for select benefits.). I think tensions are even worse now so I guess there could be another possibility of the Ukraine river cruises being canceled. Norwegian requested that people who opt for the refund wait until March 23 to contact the company. True, but we should look into all possibilities and let them tell us "no.". The excursion money was added to our future cruise credit and the125% credit was calculated on thetotal amount spent. What's Next Now that the CDC Is Out of the Cruise Regulation Game? This is a tough topic to discuss. Viking owes you nothing. 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. 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. 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. Idiots was probably the wrong word. Have more questions? There are even more places your Platinum Card can get you complimentary entry and exclusive perks. CC Help Jenn Recent updates have been made to cancellation schedules and refund guidelines for various cruise lines. You can find the list in the benefits guide, but disinclined to travel is not one. 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. It has for me 4 times over the past few years. Hoping third time is a charm and we go in January! But with each month that goes by that cruise ships aren't sailing, the odds grow that at least one or two brands will fail. 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. 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. It's not looking any better this summer, either, with staffing shortages and continuing COVID-19 outbreaks. The Viking Sea and Viking Star cruise ships in Santorini. But the Holy Land cruise starts in about 10 days, and (incredibly) theyre still selling it on their website. The major complain was that they were using us to help finance their expansion. I think I can make better use of the money in the market for now than let it sit around. The doctor would have to declare one or both unfit to travel. Same friends on Princess booked for the first time with Viking for a March 2021 cruise and won't pay until September. 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. Credit card insurance or any other still requires cancellation to be for a covered reason. Take advantage of that. Such a slow rollout would mean that some itineraries might not return until well into 2021. Disney Cruises will offer full refunds or credits to passengers on affected voyages. If that happens, it will require cruise lines to recalibrate their finances, as this would drop many operational costs - but plenty of others would remain. U.S. ships currently at sea will continue on schedule. Everything. Just got the email cancelling our Jun 27 Majestic Fjords sailing. As I said previously, transferring or rebooking on another cruise is not possible for their situation. What are the pros and cons of a nonrefundable cruise deposit? What's the upside if the cancellation falls under covered reason? Who wouldn't want the chance to pick up free money? 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. 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. 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. Difficult situation - hope it works out. VIking has cancelled now through 30 Jun 2020. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points for flights booked directly with airlines or with American Express Travel up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year and earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. Same terms for cruises cancelled in window. Hopefully they purchased travel insurance and can submit a claim on being medically unfit to travel. You'll want to be able to pounce at the very best offers. Like another poster mentioned, its not about low numbers so much as the risk of warat what point does Viking decide travel to a region is unsafe for its passengers? 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. However, if you would prefer the alternative please call Viking at 1-833-900-0951 or contact your Travel Agent by March 25, 2020. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. About 4 - 6 weeks after disembarkation and returning home we received a cheque from Viking. My family and I are staying at home for the time being, as I hope you are as well. If we cancel we would get a voucher for future credit that could be used up to two years out. You would think the cancellations will be for a long time to come. In order to reserve a room onboard, cruise lines will accept a deposit, or portion of the full cruise fare to secure your place. The key takeaway: Before taking a credit from a cruise line, you should be comfortable with the possibility that the way cruise ships operate in the next year or two may not be quite the same as the way they've operated in the past. 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. If the cruise is cancelled after you have embarked, all Shore-ex are refunded to your ship account. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable. Earn 5X Membership Rewards Points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel. It then would put a few more ships into service every month. Carnival Corp. recently raised more than $6 billion in debt and equity sales. Viking has indicated that because they chose to keep their booking they are no longer entitled to a refund. 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 making such offers, cruise lines are hoping to preserve cash on their balance sheets something that's critical to them right now as revenues plummet. In most cases, only those requesting a refund will have to do so by directly contacting the cruise line. 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. So I am fine with 6 months - especially after doing one Princess cruise with friends. So who knows. Visit TPGs guide to all coronavirus news and updates. If the cruise is cancelled after you have embarked, all Shore-ex are refunded to your ship account. 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. I think they are waiting until they know what is going to happen and I really don't think anyone has that crystal ball. Hes sailed on more than 150 ships. Cruise Lines Modify Cancellation Policies For Better Flexibility, Coronavirus: Updated Cruise Ship Policies and Cancellations. In most cases, when you . This has always been Viking's ambition and will remain so. 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. 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. 3) If the market allows them to increase prices, they should - they wouldn't be very good business people . The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. Viking Mississippi - As of January 23, 2023. Video: Margaritaville at Sea Paradise: A Blast or a Bust? 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? MY TA has inquired about our cruise from Viking and all she isgetting is wait and see. Please be a little patient and if youdo your homework (andtry to be flexible), all will work out well. While a number of risks around coronavirus are still unclear, it's not hard to believe Viking's angle about being hard to provide excellent guest experiences when some of the line's most popular destinations are off-limits not just to cruisers, but to all persons. Seldom travelers may not get enough value to warrant the cost. We should look into all possibilities and let them tell us `` no. `` been wrong other... Ships currently at Sea Paradise: a Blast or a Bust be able to pounce at the best. '' for excursions exclusive perks on their website norwegian requested that people who for! To passengers on affected voyages better this summer, either, with staffing shortages and continuing COVID-19 outbreaks been to... Insurance and can submit a claim on being medically unfit to travel: Record high temperatures, Record low,. 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