Herbaru

Hi Viking. Once you have finished dealing with some of the more urgent messages on this forum, I would be grateful if you can give us an update on the state of the Altenwörth Lock and the Gabcikovo Lock.

 

Is Altenwörth Lock still on scedule for a 20th June reopening & is Gabcikovo Lock now open in both directions ?

 

Thanks

 

David

I'm not Viking but I am on the Danube, Viking Ledgend from Budapest - Passau. Cruised through Gabcikovo Lock yesterday, June 18. They say it is only open for up river traffic.

Regarding Altenwörth: Last night we were told it is not looking good for reopening. Gotta run will post again when I can.

Dear Hubaru,

 

We wanted to follow-up again on your concern regarding the Gabcikovo Lock and whether or not it will have an affect an any Viking sailings, including your June 16 Danube Waltz cruise sailing from Budapest to Passau.

 

Slovak authorities have confirmed that the electrical system of the Gabcikovo Lock sustained some damage and is temporarily closed for repairs. Lock operations in the upstream direction will resume on Saturday, June 15 and therefore the closure is not expected to affect any Viking sailings departing from Budapest this weekend. The downstream side will likely require a slightly longer closure, but Viking sailings departing from Nuremberg this weekend will not be in the area for another week and therefore we do not expect these sailings to be affected either.

 

Thank you for your patience as we awaited official confirmation. If you have any other questions or concerns, you can contact us directly at TellUs@vikingcruises.com.

 

We hope you have a wonderful cruise!

 

Kindly,

Viking Cruises

Thanks for the follow up! Now if you could do your magic on the other dock!

Thank you for your response to me personally and for addressing some of the other posts recently.

Hi Herbaru,

 

We do understand your concern. Here’s what we can tell you tonight: there is not, as of yet, an official statement from the Slovak authorities on the lock at Gabcikovo. Apparently, the electrical system has sustained some damage and the closure and its duration have not been officially confirmed. Right now it’s late at night here in the States and very early in the morning in Slovakia, so our expectation is that by tomorrow afternoon (in the States) an official statement will be issued and we will know better what, if any, affect it will have on some of our itineraries (including yours).

 

We will provide another update here on this situation as soon as there is new information to share. And will maintain the regular updates on our website, too: www.vrc.com/weatherupdate. If you have any additional questions or concerns before your departure, you can also contact us directly at TellUs@vikingcruises.com.

 

Most sincerely,

Viking Cruises

Viking can you please respond to this posting?

Is this another lock closed that will effect the June 16 Danube Waltz Cruise???

As stated on Uniwords website;

"closure of the Gabcikovo Lock between Budapest and Bratislava for repairs. The lock is expected to reopen on June 19. "

On the Uniworld posting, they say the lock between Budapest and Bratislava is under repair so that no traffic can pass through in either direction. If you are sailing from Budapest, my guess is that there will be some disruption. You would need to have a ship on either side of the lock. So downstream they would dock near Bratislava and upstream maybe in Budapest and bus in between?

Oh no! Is the the trip your friends are on? Hope everyone is okay. How did you get this information?

>

It was on the Viking Kvasir which was on the Amsterdam - Budapest sailing which started June 8. So I guess 252 kms from Amsterdam. That's two Viking ships in 2 weeks that have hit a bridge. see post #29.

Mr Fudd, I am confused. I thought the June 9th Danube Waltz (Passau to Budapest) aboard Viking Legend was canceled?

What bridge? We were never on the boat sailing long enough, on the Danube last week, to get to a bridge! Just want an entire cash refund as do so many of our fellow passengers. No one should have to bear a 12 hour bus ride! That is not a pleasure cruise!

I feel your pain, pablor24! I am in the same boat as you. Sailing Viking Legend Budapest - Passau June 16. We have gotten the same company line at you.

I'm feeling that Viking is being really disingenious. I'm sailing in a couple of days and when you call they offer no insight into back-up plans. Yes, this is once in 500 years flooding. But these cruises get changed almost yearly for low- or high-water levels. Which hotels would we be staying at? Where will we be going? I've asked all of these questions by phone and the customer service reps refuse to disclose anything or inform where this information can be obtained. It seriously feels like a bait-and-switch where I'm being forced to go to a port and maybe or maybe not board. And to do all of this in a foreign country where I have far less recourse.

 

All in all, it's clear that Viking has decided that my money is more important than my satisfaction. I'll never cruise with them again, and I would strongly warn others from doing so. Otherwise, you might be looking at what I'm looking at (and trip changes like I said seem to happen for various reasons every year): a $5000 per person bus trip from unknown hotels to unknown destinations without any idea what my vacation will be.

 

And yes, they will reply to this: pablor24, please contact us so we can sort things out.

 

But seriously, I have multiple times. Their posts here are just for their own PR --they are nothing but fake lip service.

I for one would like to see a little more details about the expected alterations. If not here at least to the folks who have reservations on upcoming cruises. I'm booked on The Legend, Budapest - Passau June 16 with 3 day extension to Prague. If someone could just tell me what the backup plans are I would than know what to expect before hand and not have to be surprised/disappointed when I get there.

Viking has not contacted us but we called about a week ago. We do plan to call today.