Paid for a cruise in Nov 2021 for an Oct 2022 cruise, 2 days before departure I broke both wrists, contacted Viking about a credit for for a future cruise - a very rude man said Viking would do nothing- they had my money for almost a year and basically told me "to bad"
RA
Rachel and M.
Edited review
Took a cruise in May of 2022. The boat did not follow their own Covid protocols and we contracted Covid after two days and were stuck in a German hotel (another story) for 10 days. I had Tripmate insurance--another scam, and after 5 months of frustration, they finally paid us a portion of our trip-after which Viking said we would receive a voucher. Called Viking--despite what they said in multiple previous conversations, they would not give us a voucher. We are out thousands of dollars and hours of frustration. We will NEVER book with them again. Also, beware of TRIPMATE. Awful.
UPDATE: After receiving call from Melesa from Viking, we are now in possession of an appropriate voucher for an upcoming trip. Avoid Tripmate but will now schedule another trip with Viking. It has restored my faith in customer service.
PB
Paul B.
Getting Shafted
This has to be one of the great maritime scams of all time. Take the money and use it to pay for vouchers
that eventually become worthless and yet they get to keep your money; interest free. I'll explain.
We booked (with two travelling companions) a
Mediterranean cruise in July 2020 for a Sept. 2021 sailing. In May 2021 it was cancelled due to COVID
and we were offered a refund or 25% of the cruise value in Vouchers. We wanted the trip and not knowing how long ( short we hoped) the COVID ban would last; we took the vouchers. Big mistake.
Due to some unforseen circumstances (explained to Viking); we had to postpone twice until Sept 28 2022.
On Sept 20 I ended up in hospital with blood clots in legs and lungs. Since I couldn't fly; I had to cancel
my cruise. When I explained this ti Viking and asked if I could have a postponement; they said no. They couldn't refund my money because I was travelling on vouchers with no monetary value and in any case the vouchers had expired and could not be postponed. They even told my wife that if she travelled alone; they would have to charge her extra because the stateroom was based on double occupancy. When asked about cancellation insurance; a manager replied and I quote her exactly; " I guess you didn't read the small print, huh".
At my age; I have trouble reading the large print let alone the small stuff. They took my 10K (interest free)
and left me high and dry.
WC
Wendy C.
Both good and no so good
Recently returned from a Viking Rhine trip on 10/14.
The good:
Rhine water levels were good, no issues. Service on the vessel was A+, excluding one attendant with “attitude” at the front desk. Entertainment was low key but acceptable. Viking succeeds in creating a laid back atmosphere. Viking is like a clock - they run on time. Cabin was nice and shower was exceptional. Most (not all) tours were informative, guides ranged from good to excellent. Tour buses were top shelf with experienced drivers.
The not so good:
All 6 in our group were disappointed with the food (not service but food) all week excluding breakfast. All felt the food offerings got “old” real fast. Food appeared to be prepared in advance and then reheated. Plenty of TV movies, tv and internet reception poor all week.
Most concerning
Viking, customs, and airline never asked to see our proof of vaccination. While Viking did a excellent job in keeping the boat itself clean and sanitized we had an issue on one of the bus tours. A unmasked woman sitting directly behind my wife was sweating & coughing non-stop. Not a occasional sneeze or cough, it was obvious this woman was ill. At the first stop multiple riders relocated to seats as far away from this individual as possible. Regrettably, Viking said/did noting.
Viking claims they are not the Covid police and if we felt compromised we should have put on a mask. Absolutely ridiculous that Viking felt we should have masked but took action to pull this woman aside, require her to mask with a suggestion to see a physician. Again - we’re not talking about normal coughing and sneezing- this woman was visibly ill. Viking was willing to put 30 travelers at risk rather then ask a visibly ill woman to mask up. It’s Vikings boat, tour, bus but they say and do nothing.
Of course 2 of 6 in our group contracted Covid.
Viking had a obligation to do everything within their control to protect us as best possible. In this instance they didn’t even try.
Not trying to trash Viking, just being truthful.
PB
Pamela B.
Viking is probably the most unprofessional Travel Company
Viking is probably the most unsympathetic/unprofessional company I have ever experienced. My husband and I were excited about our long awaited cruise next May. Unfortunately, my husband unexpectedly passed away last month. Viking has responded to his passing by cancelling the nearly $9,000 I paid for my husbands share of the trip. On top of that, they are asking for me to pay additional same $ 9,000. amount for me to go on this journey alone! I am going to seek legal advice to, but this ridiculous policy has added hugely to my grieving. The dream vacation I have waited for 8 years has gone down the drain. Think 3 times before booking with Viking!!!
RC
Richard C.
Don't book Viking air
Don't book Viking air! They have an air service through Viking do not use it! They will screw around with you more than you can believe! They've already changed our flight four different times! Promises first class all the way now they're trying to get us out of it and put it in the economy for part of the flight thing it's not available obviously I go under the web page for the airline and it is! Repeat do not ever use Viking air it is garbage! They will try to get you to go on some oddball flight that you can't believe! Do not do it!
PO
Peter O.
Cancellation
My wife and I, both seniors, booked a Viking Rhine river cruise 3 years ago. COVID hit and Viking gave us the option of a refund or credit for future use. We took the credit and rebooked for this October. We noticed that the US had raised the threat level in Germany to a level 2, which prompted us to delay the trip. Unfortunately we were ONE Day late in rescheduling the trip for a different date. We lost the WHOLE trip as well as the Airfare. No EXCEPTIONS made. One would think that Viking would at least give a partial credit for future use.
In this environment, a company like Viking cruises should have a little more understanding.
This unfortunately seems to be a recurring theme with Viking cruise line that the public should be aware of.
MW
Mr W.
One to avoid.
Cruised the Danube on Viking Gullveig.
The experience was at the bottom end of my expectations coming nowhere near the experience of other river cruise operators. The most positive thing my partner and I got from the experience, was a positive covid test on our return home!