old biddy

When we did Viking Homelands in 2017, we cancelled a pre booked excursion within the given time once on board. The refund went to our on board account. I can't see why it should change in today's climate, but who knows!

They still haven't cancelled Eastern Seaboard Explorer in September. We are due to join Star in Montreal and cruise to New York. Plainly this isn't going to happen.

16 hours ago, MikeD1000 said:

 

 Does anyone have a recommendation for a hotel in Portsmouth?

Several years ago we stayed at the Holiday Inn on the outskirts of Portsmouth then got a taxi to the port. I remember finding long term parking in Portsmouth an impossibility. The hotel did a 'cruise package', parking and overnight stay. I can't remember the cost but I don't think it was too horrendous.

I will be very interested in your feedback after the cruise. We love Viking cruises but feel the constraints (all for very good reasons) will severely detract from the holiday, so for the time being it is land based UK breaks for us.

39 minutes ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Clay - all they indicated was 8-day voyages R/T Portsmouth, with details to follow.

 

https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/24566-viking-to-cruise-from-uk-in-may-with-new-ship.html

 

I've just had a conversation with UK office, (although all working from home) the itinerary for proposed cruises is Portsmouth, Falmouth, Scily Isles, Liverpool, Portland and back to Portsmouth. They are reducing the number of passengers to 450 to allow for greater social distancing.

However they are NOT insisting on vaccination, apparently it is down to personal choice! When I pointed out I thought that would put a lot of people off, me included, the reply was 'insisting on vaccination would put a lot of people off'. They are holding a lot on the daily testing, but that doesn't stop Covid getting on board. By the time it is picked up by testing it is too late, the infected individual will already have been in contact with goodness knows how many people.

8 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

You will not be disappointed. No Canada = no Alaska.

Equally, Eastern Seaboard Explorer starting in Montreal is obviously a no go, but as yet not cancelled, really frustrating. I fully I understand that Viking are very busy with the recent cancellations, but the no Canada cruising was announced before latest from Viking. I just wish they would be honest.

2 hours ago, NeilP57 said:

 

I am remaining optimistic that our August Viking Homeland cruise will go ahead as I am "glass half full" sort of person, but I guess only time will tell. 

 

 

Not wishing to burst your bubble, but we are booked on Eastern Seaboard Explorer in September, it starts in Montreal. Canada have banned all cruises until Feb. 2022 and it is still showing on MVJ as going! I can't get any response from Viking about what they are planning to do. Logically it will have to be cancelled.

We were booked on this cruise last year which was obviously cancelled, so moved it to this year. We've just had our May cruise cancelled, so at the moment not doing very well!

5 hours ago, krrgolf said:

I have been trying to reach Viking River Cruises over the past two days - if I get through to the recorded message I hold for ages and am told "they will be with me shortly". I have sent an email but no response.

 

Is anyone else having the same issues?  I know they have just announced a further cancellation of cruises to the end of May but they should change the recorded message if they are not taking calls.

Without wishing to seem rude, what email address did you use? I used operationsuk@vikingcruises.com at 8pm on Wednesday night and had reply at 9.30 on Thursday morning. Granted mine was about our cancelled May cruise, so perhaps they are prioritising the cancellations, I don't know- obviously.

2 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

The latest cancellation notice is now posted to the Viking website - cancelled to 31st May. No updated film from the Chairman on Viking TV, yet.

Despite what is stated on the Viking website latest statement, not all passengers affected by the latest cancellations have been informed - I haven't! Yes I was expecting my May cruise to be cancelled (it was locked on MVJ) and have been checking Viking website, email and Cruise Critic all day anticipating an announcement. As it happens it was Andy's post on here that finally gave me the information I have been waiting for. By the time the announcement was posted the UK office was shut - just my luck. I have to say I am very disappointed by the poor communication from Viking.

I was also hoping for some reference to Canadian cruises later in the year, we are booked on Eastern Seaboard Explorer in September, as Canada have banned all cruises until February 2022 something needs to happen!

Our May cruise is 'locked' in MVJ, which I am sure means it is cancelled, but no email confirmation as yet.

Also no news about what is happening with Eastern Seaboard Explorer in September. Canada banned all cruises until Feb 2022 a couple of weeks ago so I was hoping for something by now. Plainly the cruise can't go, so some communication would be good.

43 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

In the awake of the Vikings might go, since it will have several foreign ports at the start, it could just skip Canada and go down into the US.  After the Eastern Seaboard cruises, the Star does several Caribbean cruises in the fall, before starting the WC in Fort Lauderdale on Christmas Eve.  So Viking might feel it advantageous to bring the Star across and keep as close to its schedule as possible.  Just wishful thinking on my part, I guess.

That is very good thinking. I get the feeling Canada is going to be more cautious opening their borders, so your thinking makes a lot of sense. As I've said before we will just have to bide our time and see what happens.

55 minutes ago, SantaFe1 said:

We are on the flip side of this.  We are in the US and booked on the Sept. 1 cruise, In the Wake of the Vikings, which brings the ship from Bergen across the Atlantic to Montreal for the Sept. 15 Eastern Seaboard sailing, which is now listed as sold out, i.e. not available to book at this time.  However, our cruise, which goes to four ports in Canada, is still listed as available for booking, at least in the US.  I wonder if it is listed as sold out in the UK.  We are so hoping to be able to go.

Rest assured in the Wake of the Vikings is still available. Seemingly not a lot of availability but some.

3 hours ago, TayanaLorna said:

Both Eastern Seaboard Explorer cruises for September 2021 are listed as sold outbon the Viking website.  I am in the US.  No future years are listed either.  There are only 2 such cruises listed for the year.  Given the uncertainty of multi country cruising this year, doing one that only involves 2 countries would be more probable.  If the US/CA border opens, then this cruise or the Alaska one would be popular.

Thanks so much for your reply. Interesting they are listed as sold out. I still doubt that we will be welcome over the pond. We will just have to hold tight and see what develops. 

We are due on this cruise in September but fully expect not to go. However both cruises, from Montreal and New York later this year are apparently no longer available to book via the Viking website. Our cruise is showing on my Viking Journey. I really can't believe both cruises are fully booked. 

Could some kind person in US, Canada, Australia or anywhere other than UK look to see if it available to book there? I am wondering if we Covid Variant riddled Brits are no longer wanted in US / Canada, or at least in the near future, I can fully understand if that is the case, I would just like to know.

I can book other cruises for this year so I don't think it a fault on the website,

6 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

If Viking do opt to start with around UK cruises, compliance is not required with EU guidelines, as the UK has already left the EU. However, the test cruises on the River ships would most likely have to comply.

Sadly the Foreign Office has updated it guidance, and now states nobody should go on cruises, due to the perceived risk, previously it was only the over 70s. If Viking do try to start with round Britain cruises I fear joining them may be problematic.

1 hour ago, photopro2 said:

Agreed! The cost will need to be kept down too because the UK is a fairly small place that residents can get around relatively easily anyway. We would be paying in the main for a stay at a Viking "hotel" but would certainly consider that. That said, it could be seen by the company themselves as a test and "shakedown" of new antiviral protocols and procedures and priced accordingly. As you say, we shall have to wait and see.......🤔 fingers crossed though 🤞

 

A Viking hotel will do me nicely, thankyou. Originally I said I didn't want to be a Guinea pig on the first post pandemic voyage, however, if the price is right and all things considered it looks good I might well change my mind - a woman's prerogative!

3 hours ago, Captain_Morgan said:

I realize P&O don’t specifically operate cruises around the UK,  but they sail FROM the UK (i.e. Southampton) with at least a 90%  British clientele meaning they are taking their guidance from a multitude of sources including Public Health England as cited in their recent cancellation update.  
It should come as no surprise that there would be interest in the resumption of cruises, but I think it’s very careless for any cruise line to attempt a rush back to service for the sake of attempting to clear mounting incurred costs.  
 

Whichever line is first to return will face a mountain of scrutiny, especially if/when the first case of COVID is reported onboard as it will surely damage the brand in question, perhaps beyond 

It hasn't been stated when this cruise may go  it could be September, when Sky should be doing Eastern Seaboard Explorer, which wont happen due to Canadian restrictions. A lot can happen in 3 to4 months, nobody knows, hopefully the world will be in a better place, if it isn't I wouldn't give the cruise a first glance let alone a second. 

As I see it Viking are testing the water to see what the interest might be, no point in trying to organise something if everybody is negative and there will be zero uptake. A lot of hoops will have to be jumped through and at the end of the day the decision may be it's not possible. Let's wait and see.

P&O doesn't specifically operate cruises round the UK and islands. It might have a UK clientele but operates further afield. IF Viking can come up with a viable cruise, that wont involve any pre or post isolation, and the cruise experience is not diminished we are definitely interested. There are lots of elements that have to be right before we would go, but certainly worth considering. How else are we going to get our cruise fix this year otherwise?

I know the feeling. We were supposed to be doing Eastern Seaboard Explorer ( Montreal to New York). 24hrs after I cancelled, Canada said their waterways shut to ships over 100 person capacity until Octber 2020. The cruise hasn't actually been cancelled by Viking yet, obviously it will be, but we have rebooked, got a stateroom we want and the cruise we want, so we are more than happy.

The 125% is if you rebook a cruise that Viking cancel. If you cancel its 100%. I cancelled our September cruise and rebooked for same cruise next year and got 100%. As luck would have it the cruise is marginally cheaper next year! 

Another factor to consider is, if the world is not in a better place than it is now, by the time of your next cruise, provided you book by 30 June, you will be able to rebook again at no charge, or take a FCC valid for 2 years. By my calculations that means you will have up to 3 more years before you have to cruise again. If the world is no better by then, heaven help us!

I have just moved our September 2020 Eastern Seaboard Explorer to September 2021. Should things not have improved by this time next year, because we have done this before 30 June, we will be able to cancel and get a FCC, or move to another cruise to be taken within 2 years, I.e up to 2023. In my book a really customer friendly strategy.

Thank you, you've just confirmed our thoughts and probably added more fuel to the 'no go' scenario

3 hours ago, Heidi13 said:

 

Next port??? The Alaska season is in all probability not happening, as foreign flag ships must stop in Canada or board/disembark in Canada. At present our ports are closed to cruise ships, as is the US border. In BC we require a 14-day quarantine period some every international traveller entering the Province, which will remain in force for the foreseeable future. Therefore, don't see any cruise ships in BC ports this summer.

Andy, can I pick your brain. I am not expecting a definitive answer just a very shrewd guess. We are due to sail out of Montreal in September finishing up on New York. Currently, we  have no intention of going, a long haul flight, via Paris,  wearing masks and gloves, no food or drink for 8hrs really is not an ideal start to a cruise. We also have concerns about the on board experience. We have cruised with Viking 4 times and don't fancy a diluted experience. What I'm asking you can you see any possibility of this cruise happening? We are hoping Viking will cancel so we can get our deposit refunded, if we cancel then it is a FCC and at the moment we can't see when we will next be able to (a) get insurance or (b) the British government say it is safe for the over 70s to cruise again.

I  realise Montreal  is a long way from you, but I thought you might have a better insight than me!

I loved following your exploits on the Magical Mystery Cruise!

Have a look at 'Viking cancellations' thread, posting 31, that may help.

45 minutes ago, arlowood said:

HI Folks

UK based - my wife and I are booked on the Viking Orion for an Alaska cruise departing 14th August. Viking's operations are currently suspended to the end of June so our cruise does not yet come under the "Cancelled " category.

 

We are due to pay the balance (~£6500) to our TA on the 19th May and I'm wrestling with what decision route to take. This is compounded by the fact that our TA has virtually shut down due to the CV distancing rules and is only operating a skeleton staff. Responses from them and action by them could take days if not weeks.

 

My reading of the situation from our perspective is that, even if the cruise industry does manage to restart operations before August, we as "vulnerable" over-70's may still be banned from cruising with the likely absence of an effective vaccine by that date. It is also questionable whether the travel insurance industry would be willing to cover us until more clarity on risks is available.

 

I certainly don't want to cancel from my end as this would mean the loss of our deposit (£2700). I am also wary of paying the balance and leaving close to £9200 sitting in Viking's coffers for 2 years.

 

My get-out strategy is to explore transferring my current booking to another cruise - probably in 2022, as things are more likely to be back to normal by then and there may well be a vaccine available. If I want to do this and it is possible then I need to act quickly as Viking will only accept transfer requests in writing and that, I presume, will have to come from my TA who are significantly hampered due to lock-down and social distancing constraints.

 

Has anyone used this transfer option in the current CV situation and was it successful? Were Viking amenable and receptive to doing the transfer

We are in a similar position to yourselves, although our cruise isn't until early September. Again the over 70 factor comes into play as my other half is there. 

However, my reading of the first cruise cancellation and amendment notification, is that you can cancel up to 24hrs before departure and get a FCV for the monies already paid. So, if you cancel your Alaska cruise before paying the balance, you will get a voucher for £2700. Yes you don't get the money back, but neither do you actually lose it. I believe you have until the end of 2021 to use the voucher. This is an option we are considering. Somewhere I know I have read another Brit has taken this route on an Alaska cruise and got a FCV.

This may not help your thought process at all, and I know it doesn't exactly answer the question you posed,but I thought it might help.

I think you will find the answer to this is 'yes'. Several years ago we had cancelled BA flights and when the TA tried to make the repayment to our card, it had expired and the payment wouldn't go through. We had to give her the new expiry date. It was a few years ago and things may have changed, also it was a UK credit card, I don't know if that will make a difference.