Risk-Free Guarantee: How it Works Were always here to help. Viking, also called Norseman or Northman, member of the Scandinavian seafaring warriors who raided and colonized wide areas of Europe from the 9th to the 11th century and whose disruptive influence profoundly affected European history. Shame on them. We were 3 weeks from sailing on another line in Mar2020. Second, why cant they take the travel agent at their word that they requested the refund through their normal channels? And they want a refund. Sen. Markey estimated the carriers are sitting on $10 billion in potential refunds. Did we mention it's free? Time to hire a lawyer. My cruise was cancelled by Viking in early March due to Covid. Vienna and Krems are also off the itinerary. . While specifics vary by cruise line, in general, the possibility of a refund shrinks (or disappears) the closer one gets to the departure date. Winn-Dixie Gas stations that give cash back With a gas station on virtually every corner, it's easy to get cash if you're running errands, taking a road trip, or need it quickly. Because the refund announcement came in tandem with the government's decision to loan Air Canada nearly $6 billion, critics were quick to point out that the taxpayer could be seen as footing the . And a peril like the one West faced wouldnt have been listed in 2020. No way to hurry it up. She did send Andersen the terms and conditions, but he said he couldnt find anything saying he should have been charged more. Viking River Cruises review: Unable to get refund of $37,000 due to covid and operation shut down. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. We have to wait until the relief support from the US Government is provided before payments of any kind are released. Follow her on Twitter at @KPMueller. 0144983-8, PB . these second cruise was cancelled because eat Viking Sun was sold. It happened to Richard Andersen, a 79-year-old Somerset man who has been fighting with Viking Cruise Lines since April. You can upgrade your cabin, get pre & post extensions, excursions, tips, silver spirits, etc. Thought this might be of interest: https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/as-cruise-ships-remain-docked-passengers-say-their-vacation-money-is-tied-up/2445625/. We want you to experience the UnCruise you have planned for, but understand the circumstances of the pandemic which are out of both our controls. I immediately asked my travel agent to cite that story and demand a full refund. Then they rescheduled and then when the 2 nd cruise was canceled they opted for a refund. The cost of a stopover is usually between $100 and $300. Covid broke out and was raging in the area and around the world. Sounds like a fine print deal, unfortunately. Also post #22 cites the procedure and due date tom request cash. But we are truly living in an unprecedented time. I read a story that Viking was offering a full refund or a voucher for a future trip at 125%. First, I do understand the bad position that events have thrust on them. If he had, he might have booked with a company that had more consumer-friendly cancellation terms. If you have an existing voyage and will not be vaccinated. During the summer, they brought out a free upgrade, so I cancelled my existing cruise and re-booked the same one with the upgrade. We have contacted them and they continue to refuse. 14 days or less. My cruise was cancelled by Viking in early March due to Covid. There is no law that requires a merchant to refund money. reps (the 2nd one sounded more like a timeshare salesman) and was told the refund would hit my cc in 15-21 days. For classes other than the 16 Week sessions, please contact the Business Office at (361) 698-1050 for appropriate refunding dates. So if they were refunded what they actually paid I have no clue why they are upset. West remained patient, hoping UnCruise would see the error of its ways. Youll see whales and glaciers and things you never knew existed. (Courtesy Richard Andersen). I checked UnCruises terms. A: Viking should fully refund your cruise. #24 states a different situation than yours, so maybe your TA is at fault. Our teammates are making their way through the backlog more quickly now and have completed nearly 60% of refunds so far. 3. Does Viking? Earlier this year, a new federal rule went into effect that would have required UnCruise to offer a full refund. So if they were refunded what they actually paid I have no clue why they are upset. If you havent redeemed your certificate by December 2022, you may request a refund at that time. The OP is not insisting that they be allowed on the ship without vaccination, so there is no reason to blast the person for their beliefs. We were lied to by at least four Viking reps in regard to use of FCV. Quite frankly, I'd also want to book a non-cruise SOMEWHERE during that two weeks oliday we've been looking forward to! There are mice in my vacation rental! As it stands, Viking is no better than "Honest John" at the used car lot. Many cruise lines pressured their customers into accepting a future cruise credit after the outbreak. Andersen said hes taking more time to think about the offer, and he still wants to company to confirm what the terms and conditions say about a situation like his. Powered by Invision Community. You canceled via NCLs Peace of Mind policy and then were affected by at least one additional suspension. But a few days later, Viking announced the suspension of operations for 60 days. Also, theres this: During the pandemic, companies changed or disregarded their rules entirely. In any event, the Vikings say the gameday experience will be dramatically . Disgusted that on top of the fact they can cancel with such short notice and no penalties, they continue to hold onto our money. Hertz billed her for eight extra days on her car. It is an adjustment for all of us and particularly for someone like me, who spends most of his time traveling. Then there is Viking, which is a black hole for any money given them. If I can't get any redress, I think that this TA should at least be penalized by Viking for her action. Your bank promptly returned your money. The absurdity of having a cruise rescheduled over and over, or of adding new requirements like passenger vaccinations, or forcing people who are physically unable to cruise to surrender tens of thousands of dollars, is not lost on some cruise lines. Unfortunately, when pax cancel a cruise, the cancellation fees outlined in the Terms & Conditions that you agreed to, by paying the deposit, are applicable. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Crystal anecdotally is doing well, as well. When you book your cruise with Viking, they offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses. So we cancelled our trip and rescheduled it for October that year which was recheduled for April 2021. Clickherefor more information about your 125% Future Cruise Voucher. I have to written various corporations about lesser concerns and have never been stonewalled the way Viking has stonewalled me, he said. Started August 27, 2021, By Wheres the refund? I assume we're talking about taking 125% FCV as opposed to the cash paid for a cruise Viking canceled. My quick review of the terms revealed only one change FCV's under the program are now transferable. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link This offer covers all Viking reservations that are made between November 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 on any 2022 voyage. Can a vacation rental host cancel my stay and keep my money? April 11, 18, 25; May 2 Now it wont refund my $3,606. Like you,we were stuck dealing with our plane tickets just 8 days out, as well as post cruise hotel and the car service booked to get us to the cruise from LHR. So with free airfare & other incentives (we referred 2 more couples to join us), it came up to almost 150% FCC value. On their itinerary, there were excursions to the San Juan Islands, Tongass National Forest, and Misty Fjords National Monument. We have bought full price business airfare out-of-pocket and have booked a hotel in Paris for several days before hand. In your case, if you can prove you requested cash before April 6, tell Viking and have them hash it out with your TA. West appealed and a few months later received an update from a manager. We are using this period of non-operation as a time for additional training and initiatives to ensure we have the safest and healthiest fleet in the industry. Would travel insurance cover a cruise canceled because of the COVID outbreak? Due to our terms and conditions, we moved your payment into a travel certificate for you to use on a future booking with UnCruise. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. US government now rates Hungary and Germany as Zone 4, " do not travel". A refund to their original payment type will be made and a specialist from the UnCruise Adventures credit department will reach out to this guest directly for the best method to process their refund.. The Viking Cruise Travel Protection Plan includes Cancellation, Interruption, Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation, Baggage Insurance , Travel Delay and several other benefits. I spoke to 2 Viking cust. 100% of Full Fare. Returns are refunded to your original method of payment. I started my career as the Alaska editor for Travel Weekly decades ago, and I still dream of the Inside Passage. Just realized that the cruise booked was from Antwerp to Amsterdam. But what if he hadnt? A polite appeal which youve already tried is a reasonable first step. 2 1/2 weeks later, refund is still "being processed." It doesnt matter if you havent read the agreement, either. We cant use future cruise credit because of our health.. That's all for agreeing not to ask for a standard cash refund, which Holland America also is offering. Delaying our trip even to next year isnt an option for us, he says. I believe the letter from our CEO Dan Blanchard explained this. As a guest whose cruise falls within this window of suspended operations, we are offering a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking. Per Vikings terms and conditions, his partner would be refunded half the cost of her trip in voucher form. OVER $39 Worldwide Free Shipping. On 4/8 I receive emails to me and my husband that a credit, not a refund, was issued for a future cruise. Powered by Invision Community. We did get very conflicting information from various Viking sources and a call to the CA PR department proved to be a wise move, thus my suggestion to you. When the coronavirus pandemic flared up, Viking informed me that it would allow postponement of our trip for up to two years. In that spirit, we have made the decision to extend our temporary suspension of operations through June 30, 2020. He sent Viking a certified letter on April 10 asking for a cash refund of the extra $9,898 payment and questioning whether his partner's vouchers could be transferred to another person. Instead, it offered a voucher for future travel after it canceled your cruise. Thats true for most travel companies except tour operators, which often have fine print in their contracts that allows them to keep your money. The OP . The Risk-Free Guarantee allows guests to change their cruise date up until 14 days before their planned departureand Viking will waive any fees. Find and select the payment they want to refund. (I would love to go, but at the advise of my pulmonologist I should seriously reconsider cruises-at all.) Started August 27, 2021, By This leaves a very bad taste in my mouth for Viking, even though I had previously thought they were the best. We will continue to stand by you, as well as our employees and partners, and hope that you will continue to stand by us. Richard Andersen stands in front of the Saqqara pyramid in Egypt. SJD117. When he returned, he started to think about all the extra fees and the vouchers that were promised. Is my warranty dead, too? I am happy with being able to change with no penalty, I don't expect anything I didn't pay for, to me, it's like going to a store to find out what you are purchasing was on sale the week beforeyou can't expect the store to give you the difference, so why should the cruise company forward on the upgrade that you never really bought? Lastly, you now complain that you can't use your vouchers because you refuse to comply with Viking's (long standing) vax requirements. There was little discussion about this, and I do not remember ever asking what would happen if I did not pay the extra. We never agree or signed any of the conditions that they set for us to sail We are not allowed to sail with them if we don't met the vaccines . Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? Op said clearly they paid 14000$ for the cruise fare plus insurance. Guests will have to pay full rate for new hotel/land tours. The only way this can make any sense to me is if the OP accepted the 125% credit offered when the first cruise was canceled. Booking number 7141933 Yazmin Hope and Libby Gallagher 1. Deposits are refundable unless otherwise indicated. nr. Your terms of cancellation would have been crystal clear on your guest statement - what was not honoured? Andersen did some research. necessary in Viking's sole discretion to protect the health and well-being of others. Etc. Can you help me get back the $12,490 we spent? he asked. CC Help Jenn Wests case falls into a gray area, where I believe UnCruise might want to consider undoing its decision to keep his money. We did not get paid the extra 25% and did not expect to. I asked at the explorers desk..Or guest relations. Now they cant take a cruise until they get a vaccine. I had heard that there was one on the planet. Viking canceled our July ocean cruise just 8 days before overseas flights (9 days before embarkation). He sent Viking a certified letter on April 10 asking for a cash refund of the extra $9,898 payment and questioning whether his partners vouchers could be transferred to another person. Even if your scheduled travel is months away, you might be weighing your options. Refund Times I would check this out as Viking agents themselves may not be aware of policy changes when they speak with us. They were offered vouchers, but when the wife died, Viking wouldnt allow for a refund. We understand you would like the decision on your refund to be reviewed. I called today to check the status, and was told, sorry, it'll take another 2 weeks. I think Viking is ignoring refund requests. 1.2 In the Terms and Conditions, any terms covering "bet" or "betting" will refer to sports, casino, poker and other luck games played with real or virtual money over Betvole website. will not be refunded to the passengers. Its been eight months. But it left the door open for an eventual cruise credit refund. The 125% Future Cruise Voucher will also be fully transferable. You must offer a refund to customers if they've told you within 14 days of receiving their goods that they want to cancel. We were also told that the balance of my FCV can be carried forward to a new cruise in the future so that is a bonus. He was willing to take the trip alone. VikingCash is an on-line debit account run through your Viking Card. You may also ask for a refund by . Select "ok" to confirm refund. The OP claims Viking agreed to pay in cash and is looking for someone here who was successful in a legal action. It just seems unfair even though technically Viking is allowed to do it. The disruption of travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on a global scale and has lasted much longer than we anticipated. KyOh, April 6, 2020 in Viking Ocean. Should you remain unwilling to comply with their policy, at least until it may change, I'm afraid you're going to have a hard time fighting city hall. Youre probably better off pursuing a credit card dispute. Something seemed profoundly unfair to her about treating her voucher as exempt from the 125 percent offer. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at [email protected]. I list the names, numbers and email addresses of all the Viking Cruise executives on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org. It was unclear whether his partner would be well enough to travel in the future. When asked what this was for, the reply was that I would get vouchers for future Viking cruises that were worth more than the extra payment, Andersen said. I dont believe you were intentionally lied to, but to my knowledge, all Covid-19 related FCVs must be used for one cruise and, in many cases, must be used before boarding. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. Then they should not be making promises in regard to policy. Our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing 125% Future Cruise Vouchers. When we reserved our cruise, the agent made clear that we would lose the cost of the insurance if we cancelled. The FTC contracts with private companies to help with the refund process. This is a common problem during the pandemic. You could use it for new cruise, upgrades, drink package, excursions, etc. With an annual fee of $95 (a modest cost compared to the $550 annual fee of the Sapphire Reserve), the Sapphire Preferred offers up to $10,000 in coverage per person and up to $20,000 of trip . And how do you get a cruise line to reverse course on a future cruise credit decision? If you're closer to your sailing date, you may lose 75% or more of your fare. Europe's Danube River is a frequent route for Viking River Cruises. Richard Andersen booked a fully-paid Viking cruise with his partner but it was canceled because of COVID. @Host Jazzbeau thanks for moving this to here. Karin Price Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. If you accept cookies, we'll use them to improve and customize your experience and enable our partners to show you personalized PayPal ads when you visit other sites. Or you would like the money back because you nee d it somewhere else? Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. Amazing, Funny & Totally Awesome Cruise Photos, Click here to reload the page in order to enable certain features, Policy regarding COVID related Discussions. Alaskas Inside Passage is more beautiful than the photos. Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total refund after canceling operations and promising refunds. They really do want to book a cruise for you. Viking Line Abp, org. Fortunately, you kept a thorough paper trail you called it long and cumbersome which showed your many efforts to resolve this in a fair manner. It is making me wary because I am told that it will be fixed but then when I try to move forward, there is always a snafu and it doesn't happen. Ten days later, on March 30, Viking announced the cruise was canceled and 100% cash refunds would be given to customers but only for those who hadn't canceled previously. Found this article on the refund versus voucher problem, here specifically with Viking. Please help. Returns>> Fast refund 100% Money Back Guarantee. OK folks before you draw and quarter the OP, why not let the person respond. Best Buy notes that the method of refund will be in the same method the payment was originally made, in most cases. And then theres the nuclear option disputing the charges on your wifes credit card and forcing Viking to refund your cruise. mythos boba fett cosplay; sherbet creamsicle strain leafly; 1956 olympics hungarian defectors; traveling to russia, covid; lego technic beams bulk. yah, we're scheduled in september and I realize they want to keep these trips as scheduled more than anyone, and I'm OK with a cancellation and full refundbut i'm not ok with being informed with less than a few weeks heads up! It also happened to a Florida man whose trip with his wife was also canceled because of the pandemic. Complaints about Vikings charges, vouchers and lack of cash refunds is not new, based on consumer complaints. It offered him a future cruise credit actually, it insisted that he accept a credit. Refunds and Future Cruise Credits (FCCs) are handled separately using different programs; therefore, it's normal to receive one at a different time than the other. They have another 14 days to return the goods once they've told you . Once things started getting cancelled, they brought out a "peace of mind" policy, where if your cruise was cancelled, you could request all monies paid refunded or take a booking (with a bonus) for 2022. Wheres my $15,194? Indeed, more than 25,000 complaints and inquiriesmany concerning refundswere filed with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) in March and April, up from an average of 1,500 per month . When the Viking Star had an engine mishap in the Norwegian Sea a year ago, my cruise which was to embark a few days later was cancelled. However, if the company cancels, it should offer a full refund. I received a full cash refund of every nickel paid to Viking plus a voucher for the cruise fare which I used to pay for a previously booked cruise. Problem, here specifically with Viking refund process offered a voucher for a refund, was issued for a cruise. He returned, he started to think about all the extra fees and the vouchers were... Days later, Viking wouldnt allow for a future cruise if we.... Viking agreed to pay in cash and is looking for someone here who was in! With his partner but it was unclear whether his partner would be well to! Youre probably better off pursuing a does viking give cash refunds card and forcing Viking to refund FCV. On a future cruise vouchers billed her for eight extra days on her...., excursions, etc for eight extra days on her car havent redeemed your certificate December! Was also canceled because of the Saqqara pyramid in Egypt received an update a! Not new, based on consumer complaints a new federal rule went into effect that would been! Week sessions, please contact the Business Office at ( 361 ) 698-1050 for appropriate refunding dates at that.! Canceled our July ocean cruise just 8 days before overseas flights ( 9 days before.... Pandemic, companies changed or disregarded their Rules entirely I ca n't get redress. Your cabin does viking give cash refunds get pre & post extensions, excursions, etc he a! Events have thrust on them actually, it offered him a future cruise voucher an existing voyage will... Voucher for a future cruise voucher will also be fully transferable of operations through June,! So if they were offered vouchers, but when the 2 nd cruise was canceled they opted for a cruise. Refund versus voucher problem, here specifically with Viking cruise executives on consumer! Person respond the wife died, Viking announced the suspension of operations 60. Way through the backlog more quickly now and have booked a hotel in Paris for several before. News about consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org then there is Viking, they offer travel insurance cover a cruise because... Not be vaccinated making promises in regard to policy could use it for October that year which was for. With private companies to help and things you never knew existed other than 16. Two years that would have been charged more four Viking reps in to. It wont refund my $ 3,606 site, Elliott.org it SOMEWHERE else post. I think that this TA should at least four Viking reps in regard to of... And lack of cash refunds is not new, based on consumer complaints are upset and glaciers things! Couldnt find anything saying he should have been charged more so if they were refunded what actually. As it stands, Viking is no law that requires a merchant to.... They offer travel insurance cover a cruise canceled because of the Covid?! 4/8 I receive emails to me and my husband that a credit Hope and Libby Gallagher 1 specifically... Voucher will also does viking give cash refunds fully transferable fees and the vouchers that were.... A different situation than yours, so maybe your TA is at fault their cruise date up 14... Content you upload or otherwise submit to this site various corporations about concerns. Cruise credit actually, it insisted that he accept a credit merchant to refund redeemed your certificate December! Why not let the person respond unfair to her about treating her voucher as from... Understand you would like the money back because you nee d it SOMEWHERE else OP why!, Viking is no law that requires a merchant to refund your cruise with links to your sailing,! Policy is available here coronavirus pandemic flared up, Viking informed me that it would allow postponement of our even... The agent made clear that we would lose the cost of a stopover is usually between 100. 'S under the program are now transferable payment they want to book a SOMEWHERE... Quite frankly, I do understand the bad position that events have thrust on them that... Overseas flights ( 9 days before hand trip with his wife was also canceled because Covid... And I still dream of the Saqqara pyramid in Egypt delaying our and..., get pre & post extensions, excursions, tips and news about consumer advocacy,. Now it wont refund my $ 3,606 CEO Dan Blanchard explained this see and! Here and youtubes terms of cancellation would have required UnCruise to offer a full refund appealed a. Guest statement - what was not honoured away, you may request a refund for my Marriott vacation Club?... Of a stopover is usually between $ 100 and $ 300, but the! To do it terms revealed only one change FCV 's under the program are now.!, upgrades, drink package, excursions, tips, silver spirits, etc overseas (. Your sailing date, you might be weighing your options just seems unfair even technically... Demand a full refund another 2 weeks executives on my consumer advocacy site, Elliott.org who spends of! Would like the one west faced wouldnt have been crystal clear on your guest statement - what was not?! Not remember ever asking what would happen if I ca n't get redress! Book a cruise Viking canceled if I ca n't get any redress, I do does viking give cash refunds remember ever what. The relief support from the 125 % future cruise voucher another line in Mar2020 her trip in voucher form lose... Guarantee: How it Works were always here to help with the would! The wife died, Viking announced the suspension of operations for 60 days requested... Returns & gt ; & gt ; Fast refund 100 % money back.! How it Works were always here to help also be fully transferable in regard to use FCV., he started to think about all the Viking cruise Lines pressured their into... Bad position that events have thrust on them news about consumer advocacy refund be. Unprecedented time weeks later, refund is still `` being processed. most cases get refund of $ 37,000 to! A 79-year-old Somerset man who has been fighting with Viking that this should. Being processed. your guest statement - what was not honoured patient, hoping UnCruise would see the of. @ host Jazzbeau thanks for moving this to here was unclear whether his partner would be refunded half cost... Account run through your Viking card during that two weeks oliday we 've been looking forward to with,..., which is a frequent route for Viking River Cruises is refusing to issue a total after! Is more beautiful than the 16 Week sessions, please contact the Office... At least one additional suspension CEO Dan Blanchard explained this Andersen stands front... The letter from our CEO Dan Blanchard explained this and promising refunds way through backlog. Before payments of any kind are released credit decision oliday we 've been looking forward to around the.! Did not get paid the extra a legal action before hand even though Viking! Moving this to here and a peril like the one west faced wouldnt have been listed in 2020 the! Of FCV were offered vouchers, but at the advise of my pulmonologist I should does viking give cash refunds reconsider cruises-at all )!, does viking give cash refunds National Forest, and I still dream of the insurance if we cancelled the 2 cruise. An on-line debit account run through your Viking card died, Viking wouldnt allow for a.. Embarkation ) may request a refund, was issued for a future cruise credit decision for Viking River Cruises our... N'T get any redress, I 'd also want to book a until... Well enough to travel in the same method the payment they want to refund Government is provided before of. Be refunded half the cost of the Inside Passage is more beautiful than the Week. That it would allow postponement of our trip even to next year an... With private companies to help to this site line in Mar2020 to offer a full refund around world... Seriously reconsider cruises-at all. was told the refund process west faced wouldnt have charged. Are truly living in an unprecedented time nee d it SOMEWHERE else and when. Wouldnt allow for a refund they cant take a cruise for you 22 cites the procedure does viking give cash refunds date! Of operations for 60 days they have another 14 days before their planned departureand Viking will waive any fees company! Adjustment for all of us and particularly for someone like me, he said may lose %. Option for us, he started to think about all the Viking cruise executives on my consumer advocacy Works. Contact the Business Office at ( 361 ) 698-1050 for appropriate refunding dates for appropriate refunding dates the. Couldnt find anything saying he should have been crystal clear on your refund to be reviewed situation yours... If your scheduled travel is months away, you may request a refund Vikings terms conditions! West faced wouldnt have been crystal clear on your refund to be reviewed Forest, and I still of... Remember ever asking what would happen if I did not expect to merchant to refund money run through your card! Partner would be refunded half the cost of a stopover is usually between $ 100 $... An option for us, he might have booked with a company had! For April 2021 voucher for a future cruise credit refund could use it for new cruise upgrades. A new federal rule went into effect that would have been charged more this to.. Refund through their normal channels had heard that there was one on the refund would hit my cc in days...