OnTheJourney

Well, to some extent agreed that I'm probably trying to convince myself, but still some uncertainties as to all the advantages / disadvantages of one vs. the other. For instance, if the Viking flight schedule goes awry, do they readily adjust so that they do the most they can to get you to where you should be? In my case, it wouldn't be a case of missing the ship at the start of the cruise since we have the 2-day pre-extension. I'll consult further with my TA.

Don't really want that since I don't fly all that often. I'd say probably so since with the former I might be hard pressed to use the credits - especially with the value of business class tickets. With the latter, I get my money back with no need to worry about booking trips with flights solely for the purpose of trying to use up a large amount of credit. When we fly domestically I don't bother with business class.

No...I got it...thanks. Just heard from my TA. They came up with a price a bit closer to what I'm finding on Delta, but the part that makes me nervous is them saying that "early ticketing is subject to approval from the ticketing department and may not be allowed more than 90 days prior to departure.". Another unsettling thing is them saying that "seats are not guaranteed". I realize this can be the case even if booking with the airline, although I can't recall ever having a pre-booked seat changed once done directly on either the airline's website or expedia. I still don't understand exactly how the cruise line manages to obtain seats on a plane if they can't guarantee it (or even ticket it) until 60-90 days before departure. Certainly less of a potential issue when we're talking about a choice of hundreds of economy / main cabin seats, but not quite the same for the only 20-25 business seats. What happens if people get on the airline website and book (at least what appear to be) open seats - some of which the cruise line intended to use. So far, noone here on CC has been able to explain exactly how this works. I still contend that this is why planes wind up being oversold, though I realize the airlines do this intentionally, banking on a certain % of people canceling. But then what do they gain if they wind up forking out 5 figures to passengers to give up their seats? Playing the percentages, much like forms of gambling! My agent is referring to an advantage being that if I book the flights through Viking they are "covered". I assume she means that they would be part of risk free guarantee (if so chosen) or else the money returned if canceled within the allowable timeframe. Otherwise, you really can't "insure" flight costs as part of a trip cancellation policy being that the airline automatically issues credit for a canceled flight and thus the flight costs don't qualify as "non-refundable" expenditures. The way I view it, paying the premium for refundable airline tickets is essentially like buying a form of "cancel for any reason" insurance. Once again, the airline plays the percentages in that most people who hold a refundable ticket will likely go ahead and keep their flights, so the airline simply pockets the extra 15% above regular ticket price. Although I've read about people deliberately requesting a refund if a better price or flight itinerary comes along.

Wow! That's a terrific price. I'm finding around $3800 pp right now roundtrip over to Rome and back again from Athens. About another grand if making it a refundable ticket.

I have to agree, and yet I've about reached the point where I figure I'll likely be doing a fairly limited amount of international air travel in the future so...why not go for it. It spoils you real quick. The first time we did it was a free upgrade - no idea why that happened. Second time was to do longhaul down to Buenos Aires. Argentine Airlines had a much cheaper B-class price than I've typically seen and, again, it was really nice. So I'm strongly considering it for our upcoming transatlantic. Getting tired of not being able to get any sleep even in premium economy (which can vary greatly - we just did a cruise where the PE going over was great, but coming back was crappy. I paid alot extra and wound up with the same amenities as the people in the back of the plane. Complained about it and got some money back from United. It's all economies of scale. Some folks will splurge for a Mercedes S-class or Tesla, and others will feel it's simply way overpriced. Same with using 4-5 star hotels or restaurants versus cheaper. Certainly it ultimately boils down to budget and affordability, but for too many years I was of the mind that something like B-class is just too much to spend for an airline flight. Age changes one's perspective I'm finding. In looking back I wish I would have had upgraded seats for most longhaul we've done. The one plane we used to cross the pond, in economy, was in no way suited for longhaul. I'll think about that one while reclining in B-class next time. Hindsight is 20/20. Also, "Can't take it with ya." 😉

I'm finding just the opposite to be true for an international itinerary I need for January. Delta is coming in much cheaper than the AA, BA, and United options I looked at. Just depends on the specific itinerary I suppose.

I'm considering this instead of buying air through Viking for an upcoming cruise. They initially quoted my TA a price for business class tickets, and then once my agent discussed the itinerary with them that I came up with, she was told that Viking does not "have a contract" for the nonstop flight from the US to Rome. Actually, I think it was also that they aren't contracted for any nonstop flights. Not certain though. As a result, the new quote was over $4k higher than the original, bringing the total to just about $4k higher than I can get directly from Delta even if paying for refundable. It's very tempting since I can do it easily on their website and choose seats at the same time as booking. None of this waiting till 60 days before departure as I've been told by several people on CC. I'm not finding Viking's air department very easy to work with. TA agrees. Almost seems like a win / no-lose to go with the refundable tickets (?) There can be a fee for the cancellation, but doesn't sound like it'd be a deal breaker. Buying the flights through Viking also increases the insurance by several hundred $ as well. The refundable flights can be cancelled even a few hours before scheduled departure.

Andy, I assumed (and thought) that monies paid towards a cruise and/or air are returned in the form of vouchers with RFG, so must have misunderstood something I read in one of the posts. Thanks for the clarification though. Nice that they did multiple vouchers for you. Surely hope you can cruise again in the future.

Andy, perhaps I'm thinking too much in terms of FCC. So under risk-free booking, all the money for the cruise, etc. is returned as cash?

This is very true.

But so far that hasn't been my experience at all. I had chatted with several agents who didn't all give me the same advice. One said she could at least add the $100 air+ cost so that I'd have an air component on my booking. Next one said..nope..can't do that. It appears I can't deal with them directly to book the air for one thing, and my TA just dreads calling their air department. She's frustrated with having gotten a good quote and then suddenly one far more expensive. So we're going back and forth via 3-way conversations and not making much progress. Several emails already and phone messages over the past week, and I still have nothing. I can hop on the airline website, book the flights I've researched, AND choose seats right away...and done in 20 minutes. I'll still wait and see if tomorrow my TA can again get ahold of someone helpful at the air department (some are and some aren't as much), run the new itinerary by them, and see what they come up with. If it's still this baloney about not having a contract for a (totally different) nonstop flight and thus having to charge an extra $4k+, I think I'm going to go with the airline. I want to get this done.

Twitchly...exactly. So, in my case, with pre and post I'd say I'm already covered regardless of who I book the air through....no? I will GLADLY book air through Viking if (using early ticketing) I can be reasonably assured of getting seats well before 60 days out but more importantly, I don't want to be gouged price-wise. I don't mind paying a few hundred or even a bit more, but for them to (re)quote me a price on B-class that is $4k above what they initially quoted my TA is pretty hard to swallow. I'm a bit nervous about how some here have reported that Viking changed their flights with very little advance notice. I don't know...I'm just so used to doing most travel plans myself, with the exception of booking cruises or organized land tours through our agent. The cost of Viking's air also jacks up the insurance. Just hate to wind up with yet more FCC if for some reason we wind up canceling, and I sure don't want more airline credits (like with a non-refundable ticket) that has to be used within a year or whatever. It took nearly a 2-hour conversation with an Expedia agent recently to apply credits from previously canceled flights to a new booking. So the refundable is certainly an attractive option.

Here's the thing though....the pre and post extensions say that it includes ALL transfers. I mean, didn't I already pay for transfers? So would they charge me again just because I'm not using their air? That would seem a bit weird.

You mean directly from the airline or does Viking also offer that option (I''m thinking not)? Great question....I actually started to wonder about this. We have the pre and post extensions...so if I'm going independent flight booking, do I have to arrange all those transfers with Viking? I'd need to know what all that would cost in order to run the numbers and see which way it comes out best. And, it's not all about which 'appears' to be cheapest but also which is the easiest / most convenient. What about in the case of a pre-cruise extension? I'll chat with Viking about some of this. Not so much worried about the cost as I am the service. Do they do as well for people who book their own air?

None. But then our sailing was only at about 70% capacity. I booked Manfredi's before the sailing - not sure anymore on Chef's Table. I think we waited till we boarded being that we didn't know which menu they were serving on which days. Booking shore excursions, as you likely already know, is tied in with your room category as to when you can do it. We had been upgraded to a PV1 category, and so had pretty early access to excursions.

Wonder how many were on that Naming Voyage? I forgot about that. I will always think of the Chairman's cruise, however, as the true maiden voyage since I suspect the Valletta to Rome was likely a limited number of people. Doesn't ultimately matter. It was a unique opportunity to sail on a brand new ship.

Thinking of scrapping this whole idea of buying air through Viking. It just seems complicated and a hassle. Instead, I'm considering paying extra for refundable tickets. I've never done that before but from everything I read they truly are fully refundable even up to a few hours before the flight. Given the (much) higher cost of Viking AND the significant increase in insurance when adding the flights, I don't see how I can lose by going refundable, the total cost of which is still over $4k less than the price they quoted my TA. I still don't understand why they don't have contracts for the nonstop flights.

Yes, there were only a few every time I've checked, so does that have something to do with Viking indicating that they have no contract for them? Seems a bit ridiculous to make a concession on going with a connection for the sake of saving money, i.e. an itinierary that they contract with. The whole thing is just frustrating. I'm not going to pay way over what I can get on my own just for the sake of it being protected under risk-free. Seats are going quick though in B-class, so I'd like to get this thing done. If I pay for early ticketing, then how does that work? Do I get to choose the seats on MVJ? I think my agent said something about that, but not sure. How early is "early" anyway? Once I get into final trip planning such as making the necessary reservations - be they hotel or air - I want it done and over with. Then, if changes come along from the airline, just have to deal with it.

We were the first group to sail on her on the Chairman's cruise back in May from Rome to Barcelona. Very impressed with the ship. Service was outstanding. All the food was great as well. Our meal in the Chef's Table was simply amazing. In case you aren't aware, they do a rotating (fixed) menu - changes every few days. Manfredi's was really good also. We LOVE Mamsen's. Definitely try the waffles. Really nice open-faced sandwiches for lunch also. I think my favorite place on the ship is the Wintergarden. Plan on being there at least once for afternoon tea, since they serve nice mini-sandiwches and the scones are well worth it! Check out the spa too - beautiful facility. Lots of small, cozy nook areas around the ship for just sitting and relaxing or reading, or even contributing to a jigsaw puzzle in progress during the trip. We like the quiet and peaceful atmosphere that Viking offers. NO photographers bothering you for pictures either. Enjoy! Same here! How very nice of them. I echo many of your thoughts. Staff was SO friendly and helpful throughout the cruise.

I was wondering about lack of non-stop from where you are. The JFK-FCO is the one I came across so hopefully Viking's price won't be too insane. On my own, I can get B-class out of JFK for almost $5k less than Viking quoted for the PHL-FCO (nonstop) itinerary that my TA asked them about. That's crazy. JFK is about a 2 hr. 20 min. drive for us.

Exactly what we'll be doing. Did you do nonstop to Rome? Not sure why they are telling my TA that they have no contract for any non-stop flight and hence alot more money. I found nonstop with Delta at a really good price so will foward a different itinerary to my TA to mention the next time she calls the air department.

Andy...for sure! The current airline situation is dicey at best, no matter if it's domestic or international. Cancellations and rescheduling is crazy of late. Our next Viking cruise isn't till January, so hopefully things settle down by then, but I have some domestic flights in fall. Never know.

I agree completely and am very tempted to do so again, having found a terrific price on business class AND I can actually choose seats directly on the airline website, unlike on expedia (unless paying first). Just hate the idea of winding up with a lot of airline credit if we'd decide to cancel the cruise or can't go. I'll give my TA the new itinerary I came across and see how Viking responds to her. If they have no contractual arrangement with any non-stop flights (and thus charge alot more - especially more than I can find myself) then I just might book on my own and hope for the best.

Under risk-free, I was told that the air, along with any other monies spent, will all become part of credit towards a future cruise. Like many of us, I'm SO tired of accumulating and trying to use credits. Can't wait till all these rebookings are over and done with, so we can go back to a more relaxed approach of choosing where we want to go without the extra stress of feeling like we have to 'fit in' extra trips that have been canceled and rebooked as many as 3 times.

Exactly what just happened to my TA today. I feel bad for her. She really tried hard. Called them, and then while on hold called me to verify the correct flight info that I'd like, talked to Viking again and once she mentioned the non-stop I want to Rome, she was told that these (non-stop) flights are not something they are contracted with (?) and so the price suddenly shot up an extra $1800 pp, winding up being a total of more than what I find on expedia for the entire itinerary. So much for the 'good' price that they initially quoted my TA for B-class. Like dangling the carrot. Totally frustrated at this point. TA advised that I at least explore other options over the weekend (unless I want to pay the revised amount they quoted her...not my first choice) including one-stop.Then, she'll try again on Monday. I hate stops for international flights, especially for the overnight. No idea what to do at this point. DW is to the point where she doesn't want to do many more international flights. Can't say I blame her.