VikingReviews of viking.com

This is a review about Viking in general, not a specific cruise. Be prepared for terrible customer service, nice people, terrible and deceptive policies. Bait and switch. We clearly told the Viking agent that my sister and I were traveling together and wanted the same flights although we would be staying in different rooms with other family members from another state. We were not booked on the same airline on the return flight and first I had to pay $150 to talk to an agent to get my flight changed. Before I paid the $150 I asked if it would be refunded if they were unable to help me and was told yes. After being transferred to another department I was told that I would have to pay another$1000 to take the same flight as my sister although we of course paid the same amount for the trip overall. I am not paying another $1000 on top of the $13,000 I already paid. Back and forth to the "Supervisor" about getting my money back that 10 minutes previously I was told would be refunded if they couldn't help me. After several back and forths they finally agreed to refund my money. Another instance: In the beginning we were told that all shore excursions would be included. After booking there was a notice on MyVikingjourney.com that only one excursion per port would be included even if you were in port for 2 or three days. Any additional excursions at the same port would be additional cost. So much for "all inclusive". I sent an email asking why the change. I received a response that additional excursions would be an added cost, no explanation. Then my sister spoke with a different person and finally got in writing that they won't charge us. No consistency. There are a couple more, but that is enough to let you know to be prepared to be nickeled and dimed to death with this company and stay on top of everything. Get it in writing. Haven't been on the cruise yet so can't comment on it. Going with a positive attitude that all of the expense and idiocy of the past year will not be repeated on the cruise itself. Hoping for a lovely cruise.

Just returned from our first river cruise down the Rhine valley. As this was our first time we were nervous on what to expect. The service was second to none from the time we stepped off the plane till the time we finished. The food was excellent with different local dishes each day. All the included walking tours were well organised with an optional leisure group if you have mobility issues. We will be booking again as the whole Viking experience has left us with no doubt that nothing is too much trouble. (They even apologised for keeping me waiting to hand in the on board survey, I was waiting at least 20 seconds). All you need to take with you is your clothes (all casual, smart casual for dinner), toiletries (excluding toothpaste) are replaced every day. Book one and you will never look back.

What started out as a wonderful trip turned out to be a terrible experience. Our journey started in Amsterdam on the Viking Bragi. Cruising from Amsterdam to Budapest via the Grand European tour celebrating our 41st wedding anniversary. The staff/crew on the Bragi were exceptional. Unfortunately about midway through the trip the river level got too low. As a result we were forced to leave the Bragi which involved taking a 3 hour bus ride to catch a different ship downstream. That’s when the trip ran off the rails. The ship they moved us to was the Skadi. Sadly the Skadi staff was no comparison to the crew on the Bragi. Sure our cabin steward and several of the waiters including members of the restaurant staff were nice an accommodating. However the Skadi hotel manager (Stoyan Yanchev) and bar manager (Alexander) were extremely rude, abrasive, and condescending. The bar manager aggressively screamed at my wife the first night which set the tone for the remainder of the trip. Never once did they hint or offer an apology. We later heard the bar manager had been drinking throughout the day which may have contributed to his behavior. Regardless that’s no excuse. I witnessed; • Alexander doing shots while working behind the bar and drinking with other cruise guests • Alexander closed the ship lounge before 11:00pm on multiple nights yet it was difficult to find staff members in the lounge throughout the day • Skadi bar staff poured house brand liquor and wine into our glass even though we purchased the silver spirits package and requested upgrades • Refused to leave the wine bottle on the table during dinner stating it was against Viking corporate policy even though staff on the Bragi had no problem doing so • After knowing people were missing from the boat, the ship Program Director left a deaf couple behind forcing them to find their own may back to the boat costing them $100 • On the last night of our trip in Budapest caught two Skadi crew members having sex on the top deck Other observations; • Skadi staff refused to open the sliding doors in the Aquavit Terrace in the afternoon or evening until given permission by the hotel manager • Floor in the Aquavit Terrace was filthy. Don’t believe it was swept or mopped a single time during our visit • Accidentally dropped a couple peanuts on the floor in the lounge. Five days later the peanuts were still on the floor in the same spot • Skadi staff knew there were people on our boat with Covid yet they allowed these individuals to remain on the ship and participate on tours without notifying other passengers Unbelievable would be an understatement. I’m sure our experience would have been quite different if not forced to transfer ships. However that’s no excuse for the behavior or lack of professionalism displayed by members of the Skadi staff. If you think Viking corporate cares or has any control over employees on the boat think again. I called Viking three times and have yet to receive a return call. Almost forgot to mention our parting gift; my wife and I both tested positive for Covid the day after leaving the Skadi

We had always enjoyed Viking cruises, but today, we experienced a customer service disappointment that leaves us treated unfairly. Our Viking agent promised to hold our booking to confirm flight information, but Viking failed to honor the price quoted because of a price increase, which the agent said was unforeseen. A business is only as good as its people and as it honors its commitments. Viking failed this one miserably!

We have just returned from Vikings latest venture, The Mississippi. Please do not book this trip. I attach part of the letter of complaint I have today written. "I have travelled with Viking a total of ten times prior to this cruise and have always returned feeling very satisfied with the cruise itinerary, the staff, the food, and my overall experience. Sadly, the same cannot be said for this cruise. It was one of the most expensive cruises we have ever taken, and we were expecting a great deal in return for the cost. You failed in every aspect of your delivery. Despite your marketing, you are not a luxury cruise line; this accolade goes to the likes of Seabourn and Silver Seas who exceed your standards in every way possible. While we do not necessarily need ‘luxury’, we expect an enriching experience, enhanced with good food and service, especially given the cost. You have failed in every aspect in this venture into the United States. I could list my grievances in full, but to do so would take pages. Instead, I would like to draw your attention to the most disappointing experiences of our holiday. Firstly, you are obviously hampered by only being able to employ staff from the United States. The staff you managed to engage for this cruise were ill-trained and lazy. The deck crew could not be bothered to clear up the decks, some of which were not washed the entire time we were on the ship. The waiting staff were not a team, and therefore lacked in any type of professionalism: tables were not cleared promptly, if at all during service; wine was not served; coffee was given in cups without saucers. The food was almost inedible and lacking in variety, with the same dishes being served day after day. I was alarmed to note that one individual working in the kitchen never wore a head covering. Furthermore, I was astonished to discover that your seating capacity for meals was not in line with the amount of guests on the ship. This lead to increasingly stressful situations whilst on board, for example guests started queuing at 6:00pm for the restaurant to open for dinner service, and as for lunch in the café, guests started sitting down at 11:00am to guarantee a table. Those who did not queue or occupy tables in advance were forced to wait until other guests finished their meals. These are just some of the appalling depths you as a company have sunk to. Moreover, I would like to draw your attention to the docking position you utilised for the last 24 hours we were on the ship, namely against a rusting Casino ship. Due to this we had no daylight in our suite for those 24 hours, and we were unable to use our cabin’s veranda. I leave the last humiliation to the end of my letter. On each occasion we ran out of toiletries in our en-suite I was required to ask the room attendant for replenishments; these were not provided as a matter of course. On the last occasion I asked, I was left with two small bars of hand soap, clearly because there was no stock remaining. This situation renders you inordinately far from the classification of “a luxury cruise line”. These experiences outlined are just a small handful of a multitude my husband and I encountered during our time on this holiday. I cannot express upon you the strength of my feelings about this, and how deeply disappointed and saddened my husband and I are by this awful experience. We will not be travelling with you again. There is so much choice for true luxury cruise holidays, and we cannot justify purchasing a mediocre product when we can experience much better for an equal amount.

We were very disappointed with Viking. This is not a 5* ship and completely overpriced. The food was very poor quality - at best pub grub.( cant find where to attach photos) You had to sit down at the same time - no flexibility - this showed in the food quality - mass produced - the dining room was very often dark due to the fact that we had boats moored either side of us so they closed all the blinds and curtains. We paid for the upgrade to include a full balcony - the balcony was unusable as we were mostly moored between two other ships so the cabin was dreary and dark.The suites were on opposite side of ship so if we were on the outside moored against another boat they were always on the outside so kept their views - The smells from the kitchen- frying onions, garlic, burnt oil filled the cabin if we did try and open the doors. The entertainment was poor, lacked any impact, the lounge was small and without being able to sit on your balcony it was the only other area to go especially if the weather wasn't good. It is impossible to balance this review - the only saving grace was the staff especially in the bar and dining room. Everything felt like a tick box exercise - nothing with any quality at all. Very poor value, lam not new to cruising and I felt that this was the worst cruise I have been on and I would never recommend them or use them again.

Shame on Viking Cruises. My Mom and Dad went on a viking European cruise that did not sail. The water level was too low so they were bussed to all destinations. The cruise was $28,000 (airfare was ontop of that). Viking said they would rebate $14,000 towards another cruise. However, my mum has stage 4 metastatic cancer with brain mets so another cruise may not be in the cards. Viking WILL NOT refund any money. They've said either put it to another cruise or nothing.... this makes me SICK. Shame on Viking taking advantage of people in this way. This woman may not make another cruise, refund the money another way you ignorant, disgusting company. Furthermore, they won't provide refund insurance to my mum if she vacations with them AND they won't let her gift the trip to someone else if she is too ill when the time comes. It's her or no one and they keep the money. THIS CRUISE LINE IS SCUM!! They are crooks that wont refund money to a dying woman and they don't deserve your business, take it elsewhere. SHAME ON YOU VIKING CRUISES SHAME ON YOU!!

Viking Cruise Line is like Jekel and Hyde. The ocean cruise team is beyond wonderful and services on board could not be better... so much so, that no other cruise line I've experienced can compare. The staff was attentive to the smallest details. Passengers lack for NOTHING except for some of the chronic negatives on other cruise lines such as casinos, poor food prep, nickel and diming passengers for EVERYTHING and I mean EVERYTHING. One could not ask for a better, more gracious onboard experience. On the other hand, the Viking Air team is beyond terrible... and everyone at Viking seems to know this. I was so tired of being lied to, and asked to do the work for Viking Air, that I had to solicit help from the cruise team to FINALLY get honesty and service. Even on board, passengers and staff alike acknowledge chronic, terrible complaints and problems regarding Viking Air... and I am not taking about airlines, which are no treat, but the actual Viking air service team. I was lied to, given bad information, asked to contact airlines myself only to discover that my efforts were in vain because terrible Viking Air did not pay for my actual flight... just a reservation. With just 10 days to go, a Viking Air employee told me that she would ask her supervisor to use the Viking Air credit card so that could get seat assignments (all I wanted was a seat next to my wife... nothing more). As wonderful the cruise people are... the air team is equally terrible... so much so that it certainly hurts their brand and nobody seems to care. Viking has a well-earned and guarded reputation for quality. Passengers get what they pay for. Perhaps Viking should raise prices on air services so they can provide the quality of service that passengers expect.