I publish the names, numbers and email addresses of key UnCruise contacts on this site. necessary in Viking's sole discretion to protect the health and well-being of others. I asked at the explorers desk..Or guest relations. I am writing to you today from my home, rather than the Viking office. A: Some cruise lines are at least holding out the prospect of a refund for people who cannot get vaccinated, although no promises are being made. I would try to get an extension for that 4K voucher. Let's say you paid $1000 for a cruise, and the cruise line will charge 25% if you cancel between 90 and 75 days prior to your sail date, returning $750 back to you. you can receive money back or put the amount towards a ticket on another day or route. Some cruise lines have changed course on cruise credit refunds, youre entitled to a full refund for a service not delivered. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. On March 11, we were the first cruise line to announce a temporary suspension of operations through April 30, 2020. And when the company is asked by the news media about individual cases, it seems to make some kind of concession but requires the passengers to sign a non-disclosure agreement, so the final resolutions are usually under wraps. 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.. I hope companies look on this favourably. However, if you prefer the alternative, you may choose a refund equal to the amount paid, by calling. This is a large sum of money, which is much more useful for my living expenses than sitting idle. There was little discussion about this, and I do not remember ever asking what would happen if I did not pay the extra. Started August 27, 2021, By He wanted his money back. 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. The takeaway for West is always to read the contract. Viking Line Abp, org. No way to hurry it up. Returns are refunded to your original method of payment. She lost her engagement ring in a rental car. I chose to go next year. You can also accept the vouchers, as thousands of other passengers have. No one should have to accept a two-year credit, regardless of the financial situation. Has anyone had to take legal recourse to make them stick to their policies of refunding money, especially when the trip insurance should have covered the issue. Select "ok" to confirm refund. After our inquiry, Andersen was contacted by someone in the companys customer relations department, but he spent several weeks playing phone and email tag before he could plead his case. My Samsung tablet wont hold a charge. Here are the terms of UnCruises cruise credit: To West, it was simple. Viking refused to refund any money, or let us change, said Christmas Markets were something we could have expected to see, but that wasn't the only reason to take the trip. But Robert M. Lawless, a law professor at the University of Illinois . Was it made before the deadline? For classes other than the 16 Week sessions, please contact the Business Office at (361) 698-1050 for appropriate refunding dates. That cost was non-refundable. Vienna and Krems are also off the itinerary. If you would like a full cash refund, in lieu of the voucher option, you should contact our customer service team as soon as possible so that we can process your request. West appealed and a few months later received an update from a manager. Plus our TA was not copied.Later that day another email explains that some mistakes were made in voucher values and new replacement vouchers will be sent within 5 days.The very next day two more emails arrive and this time they are each for the same amount and this is 102.5% of the original cruise instead of 125%.At least we know they are working on the voucher!!! Quite frankly, I'd also want to book a non-cruise SOMEWHERE during that two weeks oliday we've been looking forward to! They just dont want to part with the cash, Andersen said. Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link 119-90. That's the letter I couldn't find. In early March, I asked Viking if the trip had been canceled, and it said no. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. 75% of total price. Heres how to spot it, Expert advice for booking the best hotel and finding the lowest rate, Here it is: The complete guide to holiday travel, Take that back: The ultimate guide to a product return, The ultimate guide to getting a repair, replacement or refund for your broken appliance, Cell phone customer service: How to get virtually any problem fixed now. Our opinions are usually based on personal experiences. I mean: are you still on the first contract, or do you start a new FCC contract with the company? It makes sense that the company would charge more for a single traveler. My wife and I paid $10,096 for a cruise and tour on the Viking Idi for April. So the company is giving itself a license to keep their money and reschedule over and over, while consumers dont have a right to a refund. Check out Elliott Advocacy Today, our free, daily newsletter with links to your favorite commentary, tips and news about consumer advocacy. US government now rates Hungary and Germany as Zone 4, " do not travel". 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. Viking gave you a cruise credit and then, only a few days later, offered full refunds or a 125% voucher. Did we mention it's free? Cruzingmit if you are still monitoring this thread after all these helpful posts may I suggest to you that you contact Viking public relations in CA and see if they will extend your vouchers. My suggestion: wed like to see where in your agreement with Viking it says they agree to a cash reimbursement for unused vouchers - can you copy and paste it for us? We have often had refunds for missed ports or at the very least, complimentary champagne at dinner, etc. Where's My Refund? Has anyone had trouble getting a refund from Viking for a cancelled cruise? In response to duquephart, they kept our $4000! Next surprise was her voucher was about 45% of original whereas mine was about 28% of original. departure, Viking will assess whether certain pre- or post-cruise programs should be limited and/or cancelled, depending on variables such as COVID-19 prevalence in the country visited, any travel restrictions in the relevant locale, and the overall risk. My point is that if I give Viking my money to use then I expect if not refund, credit to use at MY discretion.6. I used a TA, based on a referral from an acquaintance, to make my booking. As a private company we do not have to worry about quarterly profit expectations and that flexibility allows us the ability to do what is best for our guests and our employees. these second cruise was cancelled because eat Viking Sun was sold. This can vary based on circumstances. CC Help Jenn To that end, I am pleased to let you know that later today you will receive another email from Viking inviting you to join me for a video update about future initiatives, including introducing our new experience channel where we can all continue to explore the world togetherfrom the comfort of our homes. Get a cash refund if the returned item is less than $10. 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. Two days later, Fedex Ex knocks on the door with separate letters for me and my wife containing checks for SBC connected with the cancelled cruise. Time to hire a lawyer. Take advantage of that fact. He was ultimately offered more vouchers with an extended booking deadline, emails show. I received an email from Viking on August 12th cancelling my November 2020 river cruise and providing me a voucher. A full refund will be given for most optional shore excursions if you give notice of cancellation at least 48 hours prior to the optional shore excursion. 100% of total price - No refund. 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. Would be nice if one could read something about it on cruisecritic. Visit my website: www.kawguy.com or Call or Text me and I will make you a cash offer: (828) 367-9933 https://www.kawguy.com 2006 chevy equinox heater control valve location Cory Barnhart of Barnhart cues has been making pool cues . The maximum withdrawal amount tends to be lower at gas stations. We will continue to stand by you, as well as our employees and partners, and hope that you will continue to stand by us. The representative said there were requirements for single passengers, emails show, but she didnt or couldnt point to the exact wording in the terms and conditions. 59 or less. I mostly agree with duquephart. 28 to 15 days. Review: Heisenberg: The Uncertainty Principle by Griffin Theatre asks, how do relationships happen? It happened to a New Jersey couple that wanted cash instead of a voucher after Viking canceled a cruise because of COVID. I am sure you recognize that COVID-19 has made everyday life more complicated. We seek to provide the best adventure cruises and personalized service to each guest, that is one of the reasons we have so many repeat guests come onboard, a representative told me. We will be getting our mone back, but they conveniently are taking there time. It promised refunds later, when it suspended operations but not to you. Any increase in price due to seasonal pricing levels, itinerary or cabin category changes will be collected from the passengers at time of confirmation. If you plan a trip with another person a spouse, a companion, a friend and if your travel partner has to cancel, you could be stuck with thousands of dollars in extra charges. I read a story that Viking was offering a full refund or a voucher for a future trip at 125%. Medial Marijuana Recommendations. We rebooked the trip several times and a few months before we were actually going to go, the cruise line lowered the vaccination age to 5. The hotel must refund the money to the consumer's credit card. Were always here to help. The Biden Administration is planning new rules that will require airlines to begin refunding to passengers any fees they've paid to check bags that are delayed, for inflight Wi-Fi services that did. Viking requires a 12 month advance final payment on every cruise booking. West received the money and is grateful for the help. LauraS NavyVeteran, August 21, 2020 in River Cruising. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. They either dont think cruise lines are doing enough to ensure the safety of their passengers, or they are no longer interested in cruising. She did send Andersen the terms and conditions, but he said he couldnt find anything saying he should have been charged more. During the 16 th through 20 th class days (February 7 - 13, 2023): 25%. Wilderness Adventurer. Dear Viking Guests, Second, why cant they take the travel agent at their word that they requested the refund through their normal channels? 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. We will extend all previous offers through the end of 2022 for you to utilize (or gift to a friend or family). I found them to be very reasonable in our case. I called them the next day to request a refund instead of the voucher. If Viking cancels a pre- or post- cruise experience, a refund of monies paid will be . Were always here to help. We did not get paid the extra 25% and did not expect to. Since we started Viking nearly 23 years ago, we have always cared first and foremost about our guests and our employees. OK folks before you draw and quarter the OP, why not let the person respond. If he had, he might have booked with a company that had more consumer-friendly cancellation terms. Due to this, our resources have been stretched. The cruise lines terms and conditions raised some red flags, he said. Issuing a refund is not difficult for a company to do; in fact its a single click on most electronic payment gateways. But I digress. Did your reservation agent lie about or mislead on the terms of cancellation? please re-read conditions on Mays extension. If the cruise line. If you do not have a new travel date in mind, you will be provided with a certificate within the next couple weeks to move your funds over to a 2020 Alaska itinerary or even 2021. The company had failed to deliver it. When the coronavirus pandemic flared up, Viking informed me that it would allow postponement of our trip for up to two years. Instant refunds are either refunded to your credit card or issued as an Amazon.com Gift Card balance. . 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. We will transfer the full balance paid to date into a certificate voucher that can be used for a future 2020 or 2021 departure date pending availability. Powered by Invision Community. That didn't seem . It included the trip insurance. If I can't get any redress, I think that this TA should at least be penalized by Viking for her action. A. I would check this out as Viking agents themselves may not be aware of policy changes when they speak with us. Now our vouchers are supposed to expire in a few days. Refunds are made upon receipt and depend on the working times of banks. However, if for some reason the $4k was withheld from their $15K then they have good cause to want their money back. does viking give cash refunds. Andersen did some research. Why is it taking so long to get a cruise refund? Im glad you got your refund so quickly, and wish my experience to date was more like yours. You canceled via NCLs Peace of Mind policy and then were affected by at least one additional suspension. 3. Female firefighters in Richton Park lead by example: You dont have to be a man to do this job, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. 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. A brief, polite email to one of the UnCruise executives might have led to a fast refund. He was willing to take the trip alone. D Dr. Linda Lewis of US Jun 25, 2020 5:02 pm EDT Review updated: Dec 23, 2021 Resolved Replied Featured review Sure, if a company files for bankruptcy in the United States, it has the option to file Chapter 7, liquidate -- and shut down. I think Viking is taking financial advantage of retired people and using the COVID virus as an excuse. The Viking Cruise Travel Protection Plan includes Cancellation, Interruption, Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation, Baggage Insurance , Travel Delay and several other benefits. I think you would find them willing to discuss options. Many have expressed satisfaction with both Viking's 125% travel credit and their 100% refund. Read (or re-read) post #24 above. We knew if we cancelled, we would be out a decent amount of money. Over the next several months, he tried numerous ways to contact the company so someone could address his requests, without luck. Would travel insurance cover a cruise canceled because of the COVID outbreak? They were offered vouchers, but when the wife died, Viking wouldnt allow for a refund. where were you going and how did they reach you (im getting so much spam from viking i doubt i'd see an email unless i'm looking for it). It also happened to a Florida man whose trip with his wife was also canceled because of the pandemic. Not only would he miss this long-awaited vacation, but because of his advanced age, a 2021 replacement cruise was unlikely. Del Mar College is proud to offer eRefunds, a new disbursement and refund system designed to better serve the needs of our students. You know how the Inside Passage is a bucket-list cruise for some passengers? Cruzingmlt, Friday at 03:19 AM in Viking Ocean. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. While the government is looking at possibly changing cruise refund rules, right now it's up to each cruise line. 14 days or less. Asked for a supervisor but she told me the same thing - 2 more weeks. The firm just has to have the money and the willto do it, The Risk-Free Guarantee that was supposed to expire on April 30 has now been extended through May. And then theres the nuclear option disputing the charges on your wifes credit card and forcing Viking to refund your cruise. Ours did not. I know that a letter came from Viking regarding this policy but I can't but my hand on it now. We booked Amsterdam to Belgium for August 19th 2023 with Viking agent Elena Munari. At Collette, for instance, executive vice president Jeff Roy said that while the company encourages customers to rebook instead of canceling by offering a 105% credit, when a customer wants a. CC Help Jenn They've got lawyers stacked in huge piles. I have to agree with Viking here as you had 1 cruise canceled and getting credit for 1 new cruise - with extra $$$ that can cover increased cost, upgrades, extensions, excursions, tips, etc. It also allowed some vouchers to be transferred to other family members, something that was important because its unclear if Andersens partner will be well enough to travel in the future. Does Viking? LauraS . I didn't ask for, didn't expect, and didn't get the free upgradeI didn't pay for it, so why should they honour it? Wheres my airline ticket refund from GotoGate? Your travel certificate is good through December 2022. I immediately asked Viking for a full refund and got a rejection. I think that's fair. Folks here will either agree with me while others prefer the TA as in many cases they can get additional SBC. I called on 4/8 and the cust. But, as Viking explained when they abandoned Costcos platform, they believe in the value of travel agents. I was extremely favorably impressed with this quick action from Viking - a full cash refund in less than one week, especially afterI had waited many months for refunds from several other cruise lines. Your situation sounds similarto mine, where Viking is blaming the TA. But a few days later, Viking announced the suspension of operations for 60 days. 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. Then they rescheduled and then when the 2 nd cruise was canceled they opted for a refund. Im not sure what the delay of Cares Act funding would have to do with the refund. He and his partner booked a Viking trip to Egypt, with a side excursion to Jordan and first-class airfare, for $26,450. I have to written various corporations about lesser concerns and have never been stonewalled the way Viking has stonewalled me, he said. Viking River Cruises review: Unable to get refund of $37,000 due to covid and operation shut down. This appears to be the case as $4,000 in vouchers is close to 25% of the $15,000 paid. 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 . Or you would like the money back because you nee d it somewhere else? Our VR June cruise was cancelled and we were very happy taking the Voucher offer.Chatting with Viking UK (where we live) they advised everything would be done through our TA - fair enough.Surprise surprise when the emails land in my wife and my inboxes. Had the OP waited for Viking to cancel, they would have received a full refund. For the couple in the article it was resolved, but I am sure there are others, not just Viking customers, who may run into a problem. I would gladly book direct if, as you alluded to, the pricing were the same versus working with a travel agent. please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. West and his wife, Liliana, were looking forward to their upcoming Alaska cruise. Now what?Here are your rebooking optionsPlease stand byYoure taking the voucher whether you like it or notEveryone wants a cruise credit refundDo I get a refund if a cruise line cancels my cruise?What about travel insurance?Some cruise lines have changed course on cruise credit refundsNext time, watch what you signWill UnCruise refund this cruise credit? Those policies cover only specific events. Then COVID hit and the trip had to be delayed. It doesnt matter if you havent read the agreement, either. The case will be listed at ftc.gov/refunds, along with the name of the company issuing payments and a phone number for questions. 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. We also had a quick refund from Viking. Pre-pandemic, most lines allowed changes and. In 2021, NCL finally revised some of its refund rules. Guests will be responsible for all costs and fines, It just amazes me that a large company, even one that is privately owned, would treat me the way I have been mistreated.. Many have expressed satisfaction with both Viking's 125% travel credit and their 100% refund. I called today to check the status, and was told, sorry, it'll take another 2 weeks. Youll see whales and glaciers and things you never knew existed. Also post #22 cites the procedure and due date tom request cash. In 2020, he was about to set sail on a 12-day tour from Seattle to Juneau, Alaska, on the Wilderness Discoverer. I spoke to 2 Viking cust. This article was published on July 27, 2022, and updated on August 17, 2022. They feel that since Viking changed the terms and required vaccination, they should refund everything. 3 or 4 days after e-filing a tax year 2021 or 2020 return. 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? By Full Fare is defined as the full cost of any cruise, land or air component purchased from Viking. Shortly before the couples expected departure in April 2020, they received a disappointing notification from UnCruise, which started Wests quest for a cruise credit refund. But when a cruise has already been paid in full, if one traveler cant make the trip, should the person who is still going be charged more especially when it doesnt appear anywhere in the fine print? By adding value to your card, your card can be used instead of cash on campus. Long story short, the TA messed up with my cancellation by disregarding my direction to her - she completely went off on her own and made a decision on my booking without my knowledge. Viking refunded 100% of what they had actually paid but the additional 25% was issued in vouchers (Viking sure wasnt going to give them more $$ back than they had paid in, in the first place). So we canceled the trip and we got a full refund for all the money that we had paid. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. What is the Viking cancellation policy? (Look for that story soon.). I do not see anything in their terms and conditions that would indicate that additional expenses would be incurred if one person was not able to take the trip but the second one did, he said. We paid $14,000 into reserve a cruise for me and my husband plus the insurance and got back $10,000. I spoke to 2 Viking cust. You must offer a refund to customers if they've told you within 14 days of receiving their goods that they want to cancel. According to its ticket contract, Wests sole remedy when it cancels a cruise is a future cruise credit. I believe I was told what I was told in order to sell a booking. Our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing 125% Future Cruise Vouchers. CC Help Jenn 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. However, if you prefer the alternative, you may choose a refund equal to the amount paid, by calling Viking at 1-833-900-0951 by April 6, 2020. Viking has not changed their policy on their vaccine policy. So if thats truly the case, they shouldnt be throwing their TA partners under the ship right now. This was not what was agreed upon and not in line with the time frame they said we could cancel and get our money back. We had a fully booked and paid for Budpest Amsterdam river cruise in the spring of 2021. We all make decisions and we should live with the consequences. Asked for a supervisor but she told me the same thing - 2 more weeks. Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. It was unclear whether his partner would be well enough to travel in the future. April 11, 18, 25; May 2 In times like these, companies are bending over backward to accommodate their customers. If you or someone youre sailing with dies. The review process will be expedited as soon as we are able. Is my warranty dead, too? Andersen asked specifically where in the terms and conditions it showed he should be charged the single supplement. You can upgrade your cabin, get pre & post extensions, excursions, tips, silver spirits, etc. If you're return something you used Kohl's Cash to purchase, you can expect to get that Kohl's Cash back in-full. Then there is Viking, which is a black hole for any money given them. Richard Andersen stands in front of the Saqqara pyramid in Egypt. Vouchers will be automatically applied to your purchases for this journey, including cruise fare, air, hotel extensions, excursions, beverage package, and prepaid gratuities, Wondering if anyone else has had this experience with Viking. Crystal anecdotally is doing well, as well. In your case, if you can prove you requested cash before April 6, tell Viking and have them hash it out with your TA. There was no vaccination requirement when they booked their cruise, and probably none when they booked the 4/21 cruise. A polite appeal which youve already tried is a reasonable first step. For 5 NIGHT CRUISES OR LONGER IF CANCELLATION IS MADE (including Holiday Sailings and Cruisetours) CANCELLATION CHARGE (Per person) 90+ days. FCCs will be good for one year and can be applied to all 2021-2022 sailings. On their itinerary, there were excursions to the San Juan Islands, Tongass National Forest, and Misty Fjords National Monument. Can I get a refund for my Marriott Vacation Club Points? 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. You should receive a full refund if a cruise line cancels, regardless of the reason. Lastly, you now complain that you can't use your vouchers because you refuse to comply with Viking's (long standing) vax requirements. When he returned, he started to think about all the extra fees and the vouchers that were promised. The cost of a stopover is usually between $100 and $300. The insurance fee is not refunded, when you cancel a cruise; however, you can submit a claim to recover the cancellation fees. Even if your scheduled travel is months away, you might be weighing your options. Princess Cruises I have been trying to rectify the situation directly with the TA but I am starting to get nervous that this is fixable. It is an adjustment for all of us and particularly for someone like me, who spends most of his time traveling. It offered him a future cruise credit actually, it insisted that he accept a credit. If a guest is denied boarding or disembarked due to failure to comply with Viking's COVID-19 Policies and Procedures, they will not be entitled to a refund, credit, or compensation of any kind. Please help. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Please provide the details of how many days prior to the cruise you cancelled, as based on your posts to date, Viking have actually been very generous in providing vouchers in lieu of the cancellation fee. UnCruise refused, citing its Terms and Conditions. It would have been interesting to know the details. Then COVID hit. Even if you had the risk free guarantee, those cancellations were always refunded entirely with vouchers. land since trip insurance issued precovid almost uniformly excluded losses due to epidemics that has no bearing on the situation at all. Viking refuses - saying it was paid with vouchers. Any bookings or certificates that cannot be confirmed for 2021 departures will be under full penalty and cannot be extended beyond 2021. If his cruise line had to cancel, not so much. 24 hours after e-filing a tax year 2022 return. But there are two problems with that. But the fact that youre retired has no bearing on this case. Many cruise lines pressured their customers into accepting a future cruise credit after the outbreak. Please help! Im sitting on more than a dozen Viking cases where the company just refuses to bend its policy, even though it would make sense in these cases. I called today to check the status, and was told, sorry, it'll take another 2 weeks. We dont mean losing the money paid for the person who cant take the trip. The adults were all vaccinated but the youngest children were not because of concern about the amount of testing on growing children of that age.