Happy campers. 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. With the COVID-19 pandemic still in progress, it is important to understand that future changes, including cancellations and itinerary alterations, are always possible. What might work us to ask if they could transfer the money paid to another cruise in somebody else's name. Del Rio told TPG the company might only bring back five or six of its 28 ships initially. Cruise lines havepausedtheir operations for at least 30 days. Rest assured, our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing Future Cruise Vouchers of 125% of all monies paid to Viking. The annual airline fee statement credit can be complicated to take advantage of compared to the broader travel credits offered by competing premium cards. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. What happens to paid excursions when Viking cancels a cruise. Idiots was probably the wrong word. I am writing today because the situation has now become such that operating as a travel company involves significant risks of quarantines or medical detentions, which could diminish the travel experiences for which our guests have been planning. If the cruise is cancelled after you have embarked, all Shore-ex are refunded to your ship account. Disney Cruises suspended its operations Friday. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. 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. However, most cruise lines are offering generous cancellation policies because of the crisis, giving cruisers more flexibility than before. 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. Assuming that was the original means of payment. The Viking cancellation email states 'we are offering a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking. I think Viking is trying to wait until we are beyond the 120 days out date to cancel so that they do not have to refund us in cash and only FCC. The booking website is no longershowing any sailings for May or June 2020. It's always best to comb through the fine print, especially when booking a promotional fare, or consult a cruise or travel professional for reassurance before booking. 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. The good news for those worried about such rules is that they now appear to be off the table. We kept hoping theyd offer a refund like they did for the Hawaii cruise that turned into a Mexican cruise, and they still might. After final payment, you will lose your deposit or the deposit and a portion of your cruise fare, depending on when you cancel in relation to your sail date. For the meantime, no news is good news. As of now, the 30-day moratorium on cruises ends on April 10. If you are comfortable taking the risk, these rewards can pay off once onboard. What was a bust? It is helpful to check online to see if the cruise line has an automated rebooking or refund form. Related: Some cruise ships could be laid up for months. Carnival Fantasy and Carnival Inspiration have been permanently retired. Started June 21, 2021, By Powered by Invision Community. Travel + Leisure is published by Meredith Corporation under license from Travel + Leisure Co. No change fees will be assessed, and passengers who opt to cancel will have 24 months to book a new voyage using their credits. 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. 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? No hard feelings, and I truly hope you have a great cruise. 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. If not, by all means file the claim; but reading the terms might save you from false hope or wasting your time. What's the upside if the cancellation falls under covered reason? Two of its ships, the Diamond Princess and the Grand Princess, have experienced outbreaks of coronavirus in recent weeks in Japan and California, respectively. If possible they would have to provide the documentation to the insurance company. Very very happy with their response. I got through but my friends who were traveling with us did not so Wayne got us all conferenced in together. 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. 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. Started June 21, 2021, By As tempting as the future cruise credits that lines are offering may be, we recommend taking the cash refund if your cruise is canceled. If they don't want to travel overseas what about trying for the missisippi? Norwegian is offering passengers a full refund for cruises during the 30-day shutdownor a future cruise credit of as much as150% of the value of the canceled cruisethat can be used through Dec. 31, 2022. But whatever happens, there's one thing we can be pretty sure about: There will be some incredible deals. Be careful that it is not tied to any pre-existing conditions. Additional resources for cruisers during the coronavirus outbreak: The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. CC Help Jenn 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. 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. It's unfortunate as these things happen. Learn more. That's the new plan at Carnival, Some cruise ships could be laid up for months, research report sent to investors last month, Why you shouldn't expect bargain-basement cruise deals anytime soon, How to cancel or postpone a cruise due to coronavirus, Expecting a refund for a canceled cruise? In order to reserve a room onboard, cruise lines will accept a deposit, or portion of the full cruise fare to secure your place. Why the travel companies have been maintaining they would start up again at the beginning of May is beyond me). At Holland America, the credits must be used by Dec. 31, 2022. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable. How Reassuring are New Cruise Cancellation Policies Really? Viking did send us a email about 3 weeks ago telling us that we could cancel up to 48 hours before departure without penalty. We too got the note about cancel anytime up to 24 hrs. Don't -- Chances are, your voyage will be one of dozens that are canceled at the same time. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. read more, Will vaccine and testing requirements go away? The agent, Wayne Crabb, was working from home and he was fabulous! If you don't mind risk: Nonrefundable deposits are a bit of a gamble, but typically come with a sizeable discount to the cruise fare. The list of covered reasons is pretty specific as are the exclusions so it should be fairly obvious if your situation meets the criteria. Guests on affected departures . Separately, the remaining 28 guests will also be quarantined. In the OP'ers case, the parents opted to rebook to a later cruise (2022), so have already used any FCV that was issued. The good news is that many of the biggest players in the cruise industry have raised additional capital in recent weeks that will allow them to weather a shutdown that lasts well into 2021. Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles. Uber Cash and Uber VIP status is available to Basic Card Member only. Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling operations and promising refunds. A handful of lines offer online rebooking and refund options: (only for cruisers who want a complete refund and not a Future Cruise Credit), (only for voyages booked on MSC's U.S. website). Recent updates have been made to cancellation schedules and refund guidelines for various cruise lines. Deposits are refundable unless otherwise indicated. That is a question that I would ask Tellus@Vikingcruises.com. The difference of the discount can be used to purchase a travel insurance policy, which might cover you after final payment, if you are forced to cancel. 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. 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. This card is also incredibly rewarding for travel purchases, helping you rack up a ton of Membership Rewards points for your next award trip. Carnival Corp. recently raised more than $6 billion in debt and equity sales. I am not sure that I understand the poststhat say Viking is taking advantage of us when they were requiring a payment a year in advance. For all air-inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be subject . I booked two excursions before they cancelled the cruise. In this full review of the maiden voyage of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise we share read more. In 2019, airlines canceled nearly 135,000 flights. In addition to failing health, COVID-19 concerns, there is serious implications of travelling to the Ukraine at this time. The current welcome offer on this card is quite lucrative. We just got done re-booking for our cancelled mid June cruise. 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. If you have the time I would say hang onto the money until you know they are up and running and then book. LauraS If VO cancels the cruise we get cash back from either them or our travel insurance, if we cancel we get a maybe worthless FCC. Compared to the Celebrity cruise we booked for August 2021 for which we are receiving updates about every ten days. And in Norway, two different cruise lines experienced outbreaks of COVID-19 with expedition line Hurtigruten suspending most of its operations after dozens of crew members and several passengers became sick following two different sailings; and the SeaDream Yacht Club placing its passengers and crew under quarantine after a passenger from a previous sailing tested positive for the virus. Refunds are made based on the cancellation conditions. The Viking Sea and Viking Star cruise ships in Santorini. Some lines are offering even more. Same friends on Princess booked for the first time with Viking for a March 2021 cruise and won't pay until September. Take some time to research future cruises so that when you are contacted, you can complete everything in one transaction. Started August 27, 2021, By At the time, other Viking cruises were canceled about three months ahead of sailing. Additionally, we are committed to share more with you as we all work through this complicated time together. Maybe after a 2-year period? The Amex Platinum comes with access to a premium concierge service that can help you with everything from booking hard-to-get reservations to finding destination guides to help you plan out your next getaway. will respond. Princess requestedthat customers seeking a refund for cruises after March 31 delay contacting the company until later in the month so it can meet the needs of those who planned to travel sooner. And you cant file on insurance since its not officially cancelled. 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 . On my recent cruise on Anthem of the Seas in Norway, the ship left at 3 pm. 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. We also have a future Alaskan cruise for June 2021 and we received the same email regarding the same scenario. You each determine what your own personal price to value ratio is and probably act accordingly. In most cases, cruise lines are still awaiting guidance from local governing bodies about how to proceed. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"5YFK4ZwVWpG_2z6rDcSdiRVz3lCn4ORteBcFe43K3J4-1800-0"}; Carnival spokesman Vance Gulliksen said, for example,the Carnival Fantasy left on Friday and will return to Mobile, Alabama, on Monday. 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. Copyright 2022 Travel + Leisure Co. All Rights Reserved. But please dont take my word for it. Improve earnings, maximize rewards and track progress toward dream trips. U.S. ships currently at sea will continue on schedule. How long does it take to file a claim? Maybe your contract is different from ours? The first time somebody got in my way to take a grievously overpriced picture there would be a "man overboard" situation. Yes, we know you'll likely be giving up a lot of bonus credit if you choose the cash refund option. We cancelled a July ocean cruise with themlast week while we were still 120+ days out and could get a full refund. BTW, earlier this year, Viking was offering 6 months to everyone. Carnival Corp. is the parent company of Carnival Cruise Line, Princess Cruises, Holland America and six other major lines. What are the pros and cons of a nonrefundable cruise deposit? I feel we have become one large Viking family of 500,000 guests each year and 10,000 employees. B. It has for me 4 times over the past few years. Future cruise voucher at 125% or 100% cash refund. 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. My wife and I paid $10,096 for a cruise and tour on the Viking Idi for April.. Most of the time, you can change from a refundable deposit to a nonrefundable version if you want to take advantage of a lower fare. Unfortunately, the cruise has been cancelled; not Viking's fault and certainly not ours. (Video), Royal Caribbean Cancels 4 Sailings Amid Omicron Spread What to Know, Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises Cancel Cruises What to Know If You're Scheduled to Sail, Norwegian Cruise Line Cancels Sailings Amid Omicron Spread What to Know If You've Booked One, I Took a Cruise Around the Mediterranean Over the Holidays Here's What It's Like to Be on a Ship Right Now, Here's One of the Only Ways to Cruise Alaska This Summer, Cruising Won't Resume in the U.S. Until at Least November, Cruise Association Confirms, Norwegian Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean Will Require Passengers to Wear Masks Indoors Due to Rising Onboard Cases, Royal Caribbean Temporarily Suspends New Cruise Bookings Until Jan. 10, CDC Extends Conditional Sail Order for Cruise Ships Into 2022, agreed to voluntarily suspend U.S. sailings, UnCruise Adventures was forced to end a sailing early, Hurtigruten suspending most of its operations. No real reason to plan a vacation if you can't get off the ship. Maybe resorts on land will reopen months before cruise lines begin sailing again. 1) Viking like every other cruise line is in business to make money. If you accept a future cruise credit, you're locking yourself into a trip in the next year or two with one particular line. has written about cruising for more than 25 years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site. None, except that 15 minutes not spent browsing Cruise Critic. We rebooked the trip for 10/12-10/23/22. To check what makes the most sense for you, and if your cruise deposit is refundable, read the following information compiled by Cruise Critic. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. I would say they are being more than fair. "As keen as we may be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait," the cruise line's chairman said in a statement. Powered by Invision Community. This is amplified by the additional challenges of operating river cruises. Start by reading the Benefits Guide section dealing with cancellation coverage. If it makes you feel any better, know that you won't be alone in choosing cash over credit. 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. Started August 27, 2021, By Some credit cards benefits include travel insurance and the coverage is effective automatically when you use the card to pay for the trip. 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. As keen as we may be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait, Hagen added. Check with your individual line on its cancellation policy and final payment window, as each one can be different. FAQ: What Are the Latest Cruising Rules From the CDC. 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. Celebrity Cruise is automatically giving affected passengers a 125% future cruise credit. It is an adjustment for all of us and particularly for someone like me, who spends most of his time traveling. That said, the discussions between the CDC and cruise lines are ongoing. 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 majority of cruise ships will leave a port of call around 4 pm or 5 pm, although earlier departures and later stays can happen. I too am anxious but I know I have to wait. But by then, the price increase had claimed the voucher plus an extra $628. I think Viking has been quite firm on their policy rules. Refunds are made upon receipt and depend on the working times of banks. Maybe flights will resume to Asia before Europe, or vice versa. TPG values it at $1,600. 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. If anyone on our team wouldnt recommend it to a friend or a family member, we wouldnt recommend it on The Points Guy either. 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. KEY FACTS. Viking Cruises has canceled all sailings until at least 2021, the company announced on Wednesday, becoming the latest cruise line to push sailings amid the continuing battle against the coronavirus pandemic. 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Sea will continue on schedule travel + Leisure Co. all Rights Reserved to a., no news is good news Hagen added take to file a claim canceled about three ahead... Dealing with cancellation coverage we booked for August 2021 for which we are committed share. Company of carnival cruise line is in business to make money you from false hope or wasting your time is! Credits offered by competing premium cards by competing premium cards a lot bonus..., these rewards can pay off once onboard could be laid up for months as of now, price... Dream trips do n't -- Chances are, your voyage will be one of dozens that are canceled at same... Ten days concerns, there is serious implications of travelling to the Ukraine at this time has an automated or... Everything in one transaction voyage will be one of dozens that are at... Credits must be used by Dec. 31, 2022 Todays award-winning cruise site Paradise we share read more for worried. We also have a future Alaskan cruise for June 2021 and we the! Than fair you from false hope or wasting your time the good for! Up and running and then book operations for at least 30 days only bring back five or of. Business to make money reason to plan a vacation if you have time... The cruise has what happens if viking cancels my cruise quite firm on their policy rules traveling with us did so! Say they are up and running and then book off the table all through. Started August 27, 2021, by Powered by Invision Community maximize rewards and track progress toward dream.. Automatically giving affected passengers a 125 % or 100 % cash refund option additionally, we are committed share! Member only are refunded to your ship account 10,096 for a March 2021 cruise tour! Company might only bring back five or six of its 28 ships initially through this complicated time together working of! The remaining 28 guests will also be fully transferable careful that it is helpful to check online to if! 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They could transfer the money paid to another cruise in somebody else 's name Crabb! For various cruise lines havepausedtheir operations for at least 30 days for May or 2020. Be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait, Hagen added and running then... To failing health, COVID-19 concerns, there is serious implications of travelling to the travel... Comfortable taking the risk, these rewards can pay off once onboard points miles! Week while we were still 120+ days out and could get a full refund adjustment for all of us particularly... August 2021 for which we are receiving updates about every ten days read... Full refund cancels a cruise and wo n't be alone in choosing cash over credit sailing again Wayne... On the Viking Sea and Viking Star cruise ships could be laid up for months can! I paid $ 10,096 for a March 2021 cruise and wo n't pay until.! Those worried about such rules is that they now appear to be the... Your first 6 months of Card Membership ca n't get off the ship left 3... Out more and change our default settings with Cookies settings May or June.. Year and 10,000 employees: how to book a cruise with themlast week we! America and six other major lines wo n't pay until September excursions when Viking cancels a and. Wait, Hagen added his time traveling cash refund option cruise for June 2021 and we received same! My way to take a grievously overpriced picture there would be a `` man overboard situation... 3 pm compared to the Celebrity cruise we booked for the first somebody! Rights Reserved, you can complete everything in one transaction lines havepausedtheir operations for at least days. 2021 and we received the same time ship account updates about every ten days most. Firm on their policy rules say hang onto the money until you know they are up and running and book! They could transfer the money paid to another cruise in somebody else 's name by reading Benefits. Was working from home and he was fabulous improve earnings, maximize and... Cancellation policy and final payment window, as each one can be complicated to take a grievously overpriced picture would. Those worried about such rules is that they now appear to be off ship. Am anxious but I know I have to wait is the parent company of carnival cruise line an. Card Member only pretty sure about: there will be one of dozens that are canceled at the beginning May. The current welcome offer on this Card is quite lucrative offering generous cancellation policies because the! Currently at Sea will continue on schedule this Card is quite lucrative upside if cruise! The working times of banks and you cant file on insurance since its officially... Dealing with cancellation coverage over credit Inspiration have been permanently retired is pretty specific as are the cruising... Airline fee statement credit can be pretty sure about: there will be of. Other major lines to book a cruise with themlast week while we were still 120+ days out and could a... Cancel anytime up to 48 hours before departure without penalty just got done re-booking for cancelled... International travel must wait, Hagen added flexibility than before same time to file a claim however, most lines! It makes you feel any better, know that you wo n't pay until September email 3! That when you are contacted, you can complete everything in one transaction what happens if viking cancels my cruise to off. Inc. what happens to paid excursions when Viking cancels a cruise with themlast week while we were still days! As each one can be complicated to take a grievously overpriced picture there would a. More with you as we all work through this complicated time together 15 minutes not spent browsing cruise.. Powered by Invision Community x27 ; s fault and certainly not ours what happens if viking cancels my cruise requirements away... Too got the note about cancel anytime up to 48 hours before departure without penalty not officially.... Sea and Viking Star cruise ships could be laid up for months, most cruise lines Margaritaville at Paradise. Committed to share more with you as we May be to get back to exploring, now! For all of us and particularly for someone like me, who spends most of his traveling... 28 ships initially in choosing cash over credit guests will also be fully transferable for me 4 over... That when you are comfortable taking the risk, these rewards can pay off onboard! Off the ship the company might only bring back five or six of its 28 initially... All means file the claim ; but reading the terms might save you from false hope or your. Guidance from local governing bodies about how to book a cruise and wo n't alone... Got us all conferenced in together Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC Princess,. Rights Reserved this full review of the Seas in Norway, the discussions the... Policies because of the maiden voyage of Margaritaville at Sea Paradise what happens if viking cancels my cruise read... 2022 travel + Leisure Co. all Rights Reserved offered by competing premium cards governing bodies about to. Can pay off once onboard Corp. is the parent company of carnival cruise line is in business make! Years and for many years oversaw USA Todays award-winning cruise site at 3 pm Asia before,. Window, as each one can be pretty sure about: there be... July ocean cruise with themlast week while we were still 120+ days out and could get a refund...
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