Viking's treatment of it's customers makes no sense....they combined two of my trips (without asking) into one "butterfly trip" which meant when I had to cancel the first, it cancelled the 2nd. What? Why? That' our policy,. Then they said (under the Risk Free Guarantee) we could have a voucher, but it would be a combined voucher which could only be used for one future trip. What? Why? That's our policy. Viking is not a good company to work with. They don't care....
JC
joe C.
We had a cruise around the British…
We had a cruise around the British Islands with an extension to Oslo and Burgan on June 3, 2022.
Viking informed us we needed a negative covid test to join our group in Oslo and before boarding the ship. It had to be done no more then 72 hours before the first international flight. We were leaving the Sunday before the Memorial Day Holiday. It was impossible to get a test result back in time. I called Viking telling them I could produce the necessary test results in 74 hours they said no, you will not be allowed to join the group. I found an independent drug store that did the PRC test giving us the results in time for the trip in the required time. The cost $400.
When we arrived we were NOT asked for the results nor were any other passengers on the extension or on the ship. Many people were upset about this unneeded cost. With a major U.S. holiday I would think someone in management would make exceptions to the 72 hour rule and give more time.
We had a credit of $1200 from the cancellations and booked tours before we left home. We also arranged several tours while on board. I received a bill for $714 for tours that should have been paid for with the credit. When I called Viking I was told that only tours booked from home could use the credit. RIPOFF.
In a specialty restaurant we placed the same order for diner. When the waiter brought our food and placed it on the table I told him this is not what we ordered. His reply, "I know" turned around and walked away. No I'' sorry or let me make it right, just go hide. We got up and walked out.
The included tours were so-so some good some not. The topper was our guide in Scotland who insisted on singing her national anthem. She may have sounded better after a few drinks, No thanks.
Time to leave the ship at 4a.m. for a 10:25 flight. Airport check in was done in 10 minutes since the place was deserted, Then a nice four hour wait that stretched to 6 hours with a delay.
Most of the food was good, the buffet was like a crowded Walmart at noon time. The cabin stall was good.
We have taken five Viking River Cruises and this was our second ocean cruise. They left a bad taste from day one. We will never take another Viking Cruise. There is a lot of upper class competition that no one has to stand for bad service like this. It is a shame that in my opinion a good company is headed down.
EL
Elaine L.
Non professional staffs - Viking cruise
I joined the 14 days Viking Scandinavian cruise with my family in Jun 2022. We had quite a number of bad experiences before and during the journey.
1. Incorrect information was often shared by staff on the cruise or Vikings air transport staff. In the online chat, staff advised that they are very sure the specialty dinner on cruise do not have to reserve in advance. This is not true.
2. Impolite air transport staff
The staff advised that as our package is on discount, we should not expect to have a direct flight from Toronto to Stockholm.
3. Limited food selection in buffet
Not sure if this is because of covid. I noticed same dish was provided during lunch and dinner. Also, the salad and vegetables are not fresh after 1-2 days on cruise.
TF
Thomas F.
Caveat Emptor
This review is for the 2nd half of our Frances Finest tour. We arrived in Paris from Lyon and were bussed to the ship (Fjorgyn).
Room -- The suite was good and had more storage that on the previous ship (Buri). The ship was clean and the staff OK.
Food/Wine -- Adequate but not up to expectations. Mostly tasted the same but with different names. In France -- no excuse. Had the drinks package but again was disappointed. Could get the same wine at local super market!!
Tours -- OK but crowded. One example -- Monet's home/garden. Arrived with 3 other tour groups -- a real mess. Had to wear devices to hear tour guide that included ear pieces, so if you happen to be wearing glasses and hearing aides you would have 4 different devices competing for "ear space'. Also too much bus riding and not enough free time to explore. Finally Viking provided cases of plastic water bottle's. Would be much more environmentally friendly to loan/give each guest their own insulated permanent bottle and refill as necessary. Would pay for themselves in short order.
Covid protocols -- daily testing and required masking unless eating (including on the bus). After reading other reviews of those dealing with Covid isolation these are a good (if inconvenient) requirements.
Staff -- Ok but not was good as those on the Buri.
Travel - OK but had to jump thru international VeriFly, French declarations, and EU contact tracing requirements as well as Antigen testing 24 hours before flying. That's right -- you will not know if you can travel until the last minute (especially if you are flying on a weekend).
Overall -- Would NOT do again until Covid is more under control. Travel is not the pleasant experience it was BC.
NM
NANCY M.
Covid onboard the Viking Jupiter
My husband, myself and 4 cousins went on the Viking Shores and Fjords Ocean cruise from May 9-May12, 2022. The first 2 days were an add on extension in Amsterdam. My husband and another cousin contracted the covid virus in Amsterdam and it was revealed through daily saliva testing the first day on the ship. They were placed into isolation alone, in a room away in an isolation hallway, for 5 days and were unable to return to the US until a 10-day period of isolation was completed. I was kept alone in quarantine for 3 days due to exposure. I flew home and my husband was placed into a commuter hotel near the airport in Bergen, Norway and remained there for 5 days until given medical clearance to return home. There was no further contact with Viking personnel until the night before the ruturn day to give him flight details to fly home. Others in the hotel from Viking, there were 21 covid passengers and some remained on the ship return voyage, were also left stranded with no word about the return to the US until the last minute.
Our vacation was totally ruined due to the virus and the misinformation about keeping us safe in Amsterdam. Statements like socially distanced settings and covid-19 precautions were never experienced. The Amsterdam hotel was very crowded and Viking guests were in the middle of very large and overcrowded dining areas and elevators and lobby. We were told that credits for unused expenses would be given, and that maybe a voucher for a future cruise would be offered. The customer relations phone number for California given resulted in confusing information and that someone would call us back. It's a week and there has been no return call. We are very sad that our trip was ruined and that our group was exposed in the way we were. Viking seems to be done with us now and we will not cruise again due to the dangers involved. We especially will not travel with the Viking company again.
TA
Tina A.
Liars & Thief
Booked a cruise and had to cancel it, I cancelled the cruise 1 year and 7 1/2 months before the cruise and still did not get back the full deposit. They say you can cancel for any reason and being that I was over a year and a half before the cruise, that should have been plenty of time. They are just stealing money from people. They have no customer service and by this policy you can tell that they do not care about their customers or retaining their customers.
User's recommendation: Do not use this cruise line.
LE
Loretta E.
We had really bad shore excursions
We had really bad shore excursions , cold food , and on top of this , when we got home we found they added $45 to my credit card ! I called and they could not tell me what it was for ! This was a all inclusive trip ! So why did they add $45 to my card ? We didnt buy anything on the cruise but Viking would not give us a refund for the $45. , or even a reason for the charge !!
LI
Linda
VIKING RIVER CRUISE PROBLEMS
We have done 4 previous River Cruises with Viking, never made a complaint to them before but feel that we need to complain about the 5th cruise we have recently returned from to Lyon as we are very disappointed at the response we have had from them regarding the problems we experienced.
On arrival at Edinburgh Airport for our flight to Amsterdam, we found that the flight had been delayed for 4 hours meaning we would miss our connecting flight to Lyon. We found out later when meeting other passengers on board that another 2 couples travelling from Edinburgh had contacted Viking from the airport re a different problem and when mentioned the flight delay, were offered alternative flights so as to avoid to much delay disruption. There were 3 separate couples travelling from Edinburgh, we were the 3rd and would have thought that Viking knowing the situation would have contacted us to offer us the same arrangements as the other 2. On arrival at Amsterdam, we then found that there was a 10hour delay with our flight to Lyon. We received a phone call from a Viking agent asking why we weren’t on the original flight which had arrived a Lyon and if we had cancelled our holiday! Viking are supposed to check flights for delays etc but obviously hadn’t. I asked if there was any quicker way they could get us to Lyon and the reply was that maybe WE could try and get a train or spend the day in Amsterdam! No mention of arranging entry into one of the more comfortable Airport Lounges which provide food & beverage. We were given a €15 voucher by KLM to cover a 10hour delay, a burger alone was €18.95! We had to purchase a 2nd meal as being stuck for that length of time €15 did not cover food and beverages.
When the agent phoned us she assured us that transport would be waiting for us at Lyon airport to take us to the ship, IT WASN’T, there were another 2 different couples also waiting. 3 phone calls to the ship and 40mins later transport finally turned up. We arrived at the ship at approx 1.30am, after 25hours in transit resulting in missing our 1st day of the cruise in Lyon, we could have driven to Lyon quicker! We finally got to bed approx 2.30am, up early next morning to go on an arranged trip, by mid day we were exhausted. I put in a complaint to Viking and received a reply today offering us a free drinks package of a future cruise! I want compensation for this cruise NOT a future cruise, if we ever go on another with Viking. We choose River cruises mainly because the travelling time is not as exhausting as Ocean cruises! I have replied to Viking re their offer and await their reply.