VikingReviews of viking.com

Went on Paris-Normandy cruise July 2022, after being rescheduled from 2020, due to COVID. First, it sailed in 2021 in July but was told it was booked, we had to go in 2022. We did use the 125% voucher, but Viking played “games” and did not give us identically what we had/paid for in 2020! Needless to say, we paid more out of pocket for this cruise. We did a pre extension in Paris, the Pullman Hotel put us on the first floor overlooking AC units, it was a tiny twin room with no dresser. I asked to change rooms, hotel said Viking requested that room. I called Viking and they were told by hotel there no more rooms it was booked. Not true… a customer complained she was given the wrong room requested and lady at front desk said “not a problem I can change rooms for you”Other passengers were put on 4th and 8th floors modern/updated rooms with dresser. We all pay the same price for the extension! Viking needs to do a better job of making sure rooms are equal. When we got on the boat, and checked in, to later to found out no one told us at check in about the complimentary walking tours one at 1:30 or 3:30, did not tell us about the mandatory muster station review(I was literally pulled out of the shower), which was 45 minutes before dinner and two days later on the cruise we get a letter in our room that we did not register a credit card with them. It was so tacky and made us feel like we were ripping them off! Vikings service has really gone downhill, hotel manager and cruise director not friendly nor were they engaging. Passengers were coughing, had to sit with people, no restrictions at all! Breakfast was a buffet(kinda a cheap way of doing things), food was good but seemed more limited, and never changed up breakfast. No personal towels or drinks when we got back from excursions and the areas were the boat docked were full of litter and worn down looking. Not very presentable on Vikings part. Our tours were always middle of the day when places were the most crowded, and we were there during a unusual heatwave. There were times the heat index was 104! We actually had a lady pass out in Versailles Palace, she wasn’t even in our tour group, but our tour guide stayed with her and we lost 40 minutes of our tour! I know when the rivers get low, Viking has to change things, but when it’s so hot, we should not be doing tours at the hottest time of the day. I was not impressed with most of the tours, like I said too hot and crowded to enjoy. I have been on two other river cruises and one ocean with Viking. I have seen a dramatic change in service! Tours in the past were at great times, and never crowded. Always were handed a refreshing cool towel and drink when we returned from tours. Viking did compensate us for the hotel room by giving us… get ready… a $250 voucher towards another cruise! Of course! We have to book by June 2023 for a future cruise or it’s not valid. A joke right? We are really hesitant about going with Viking, and may try another small cruise line.

Booked a trip just before covid hit which had to be canceled for obvious reasons. Received most monies back but they held $1400 back which had to be used by 4/22. Just booked a $25000 trip with them and ask them to extend $1400 to July which they refused. Not impressed and wi never book another trip with this company.

Several of you have asked why we haven’t posted pictures of our Viking Cruise from Basal Switzerland to Amsterdam. We needed some time to comprehend and emotionally figure out how to deal with this horrific event that happened to us. As you all know, we were so excited to take our first Viking River Cruise and travel thoroughout Europe. Unfortunately, it was the trip from hell. On the second night of the cruise, Matt and I were taking a “selfie” with the Maître D’. As we were taking the pic, the Maître D’, inappropriately and painfully grabbed me twice (sexual assault). We tried to make a formal complaint to the Captain and the Hotel Manager, who blatantly did not care and refused to give us a formal complaint. Instead, basically gave us the attitude that I was lying and responded, “we will be monitoring you for the rest of the trip and we have the ability to cut you off at the bar”. They then asked, “if we wanted help getting off the boat, different arrangements would be made to get us home! The way they treated us while on that boat and the lack of empathy was disgusting! So Unbelievable! Well, Viking Cruises - I have proof. 🙏🏼 Thank the lord, during this “selfie pic” that we took, IS THE EVIDENCE. 🙏🏼 …. In the reflection of the boat’s glass you can clearly see exactly what happened. Thanks to Stock Legal Law Firm and an amazing team, THIS will be reconciled. I am pressing charges. We will make sure new laws/policies are put into place to Never allow this to happen to another human being. Just because we are on another country’s soil/ water does not give the right to assault. We are so deeply disappointed in Viking River Cruises and would not recommend for anyone. Please feel free to share! Would love to get the word out.

Booked the Grand European tour for sailing in July 2020. Cancelled due to Covid….bit on the 125% rebooking and rebooked the cruise for July 2022. Cruise began in Budapest and went well until we hit Passau where we were informed we had to change ships due to low water levels. Disembarked at Passau and bussed to Nuremberg to board another ship. This happened again at Kinderjdk in the Netherlands, where it was not handled as well. My main beef with this is that, while they handled it well, it’s difficult on senior citizens, which seems to be their main customer base. They should know of the water level issues before the cruise begins, but they spring it on you when you hit the location. If they say any different, I don’t believe they are being truthful. They’d be better served by telling people it’s going to happen before they set sail. Other complaints: 1. They try to make dinner a “fine dining” experience. After a day of touring, the last thing I want to hear about is a dress code at dinner. I and many other people ignored the dress code and wore shorts. They are not that flexible if you want to deviate from the menu. The best dinner they had on the entire cruise was “German Night” where they had a buffet of all German specialties. I was in my glory that night. 2. In general, the tour guides were good, but there were multiple times when they had thick accents and after a few minutes, I could not adapt and had no idea what they were saying. A few times we just broke from the group and went on our way. 3. Before you give Viking your money, think long and hard because once they have it, you will have an extreme fight to get it back. 4. Advertised that we needed a rapid Covid test before we left. Spent $400 and got the tests, then they dropped the requirement. You can spin this any way you want, bottom line…….$400 pissed away and wasted. They can spin anything they want but I believe all of the above issues are in their control and they can address them.

We used to love Viking Cruises (on board the ship), and have recommended them to countless friends. Always a good time. Now, after several cancellations of trips, they are holding our money (and that of thousands of others) and ABSOLUTELY REFUSE to refund it. Very long story. All other cruise lines refunded money for trips not taken but NOT VIKING. Their smoke and mirror game even runs to redefining the word "USE". No, Viking, I did not USE a voucher simply by placing it ON a reservation. Your bait and switch game offering a voucher, saying that it would be refunded within 24 months if it was not USED just shows the world how crooked you are. Folks, there are many other more reputable companies out there. Avoid Viking Cruises like the plague they are, tarnishing the travel industry.

June 4, 2022 Viking Octantis Great Lake Cruise -Milw. to Toronto. Much confusion right from the beginning. Told we needed a negative Covid test to be taken not more than 3 days pre boarding. We took 4 tests to be sure the results would be on time and Viking didn't even ask to see the negative result. A big part of the reason we took this cruise were the 6 man subs onboard. We were told, onboard, that the subs could not be used on our cruise since the US would not allow them to be used in US waters. Nothing was said about why Viking didn't use them in Canadian waters. They were featured very heavily in advertising for this ship. They were used on the cruise in which travel writers were passengers. Since the subs would not be used on this cruise, we were glad to get seats on the Special Operation Boat....however our reservation and the one following ours, were cancelled since the crew had difficulty getting the SOB back onboard the ship. Another disappointment. The lab was supposed to allow passengers the opportunity to participate in some clinical work. That didn't happen, either. We did get an informative lecture in the lab by Dr. Roz., but not what was promised in their advertising. We didn't expect a lot of entertainment, but the Entertainment Director did not join our cruise until the next to last day. On the plus side, the staff was awesome..the food was, too, especially in the buffet area. The cabin was very comfortable, but the 'Balcony Cabins' had no balconies...they had a floor to ceiling window which opened up halfway. The ports were new to us and we enjoyed the tours. Also, the lectures were interesting but the theater had stadium seating and no railings..none..I did complain to Viking and they offered me a $500 pp voucher.... less than 10% of what I paid for this 7 day cruise. This was our 5th or 6th Viking cruise and the first since the covid pandemic. It cost us a great deal of money but we regret having taken it and did not get our money's worth.

In October 2021 we booked a Vikings Homelands cruise departing Bergen over 18 months later on 23 May, 2023. In March, 2023 we were advised by Viking that they had changed the cruise itinerary to exclude St Petersburg. Viking also deleted scheduled visits to Tallin and Helsinki, although this was not even mentioned in the email. While the explanation for the cancellation of the visits to St Petersburg was completely understandable in the circumstances, there was strangely and disingenuously no explanation of the reason why the other two ports were removed from the itinerary. Some rather ordinary destinations were substituted for St Petersburg, Tallin and Helsinki . No offer of cancellation with the option of a refund was made, despite the very fundamental changes to the itinerary which completely altered the nature of the experience originally offered. Although very disappointed, we decided to persist with the cruise, as we still wished to experience a Baltic cruise and we had planned all dates for a three month trip to Europe after locking in the dates of the cruise. In July, 2022 we received advice from Viking that “we have made the difficult decision to adjust a selection of Viking Homelands 2023 departures” and that as a result our cruise had been cancelled!!!!!!! A credit voucher for our deposit + 10% was offered but we chose to cancel the booking, following which we were told that the refund would take 21 to 45 business days to process, which is an inexplicably and completely unacceptable period. As a result of Viking’s cancellation of our departure- 9 months after booking - we have had to reorganise our whole three month trip to Europe – at great inconvenience. DO NOT USE THIS UNRELIABLE COMPANY!!!!!

Booked a cruise for 2020 in which Viking cancelled it. They offered 25% added to voucher if we took it. We then rebooked in good faith for the next year, Sept. 2021. Viking sent a letter saying they were requiring vaccination and booster for all travelers. Because my wife and I can not get vaccinated (medical exemptions) we had to cancel. They said our only option was to take a voucher which has a two expiration date. We have made a couple of attempts to get our money back but they refuse. Just got off phone with Viking rep and was told we have to wait till August next year to even get it reviewed. Told us voucher money has now lost us about $2000 from what we have paid in cash for the first cruise cancelled by them for Covid. We are beyond frustrated. Very shady operation and because of changing rules looks like they can do whatever they want by changing rules.