crazycruiselady Posted July 26, 2015 #1 Share Posted July 26, 2015 I received an email from Viking saying my July 31 Elbe River cruise on the Fontane was canceled because of low water levels. However, on their website, Viking is not listing this as one of the cancelled cruises. Something seems fishy. Is anyone else booked on this cruise getting the cancellation email or is it just us and we have been bumped for some reason? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Floridiana Posted July 26, 2015 #2 Share Posted July 26, 2015 The website obviously needs time to be updated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biker1972 Posted July 26, 2015 #3 Share Posted July 26, 2015 The water levels on the Elbe are extremely low. Boats with shallower draft than the Viking boats are cutting loads or not running. Viking is certainly cancelling; they just have not updated their website. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted July 26, 2015 #4 Share Posted July 26, 2015 So sorry your trip is cancelled. Must be very disappointing. Hopefully you can reschedule. It is possible Viking's web people are off for the weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
remydiva Posted July 26, 2015 #5 Share Posted July 26, 2015 In spite of the fact that the website hasn't been updated (shame shame..weekend or not, it should have been), kudos for Viking notifying and cancelling AHEAD of time...a full week ahead.. Disappointment for sure but it beats the heck out of flying all that way and then cancelling. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JVilleGal Posted July 26, 2015 #6 Share Posted July 26, 2015 In spite of the fact that the website hasn't been updated (shame shame..weekend or not, it should have been), kudos for Viking notifying and cancelling AHEAD of time...a full week ahead.. Disappointment for sure but it beats the heck out of flying all that way and then cancelling. Maybe finally they are making decisions based on "Lessons Learned" ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lahlah57 Posted July 26, 2015 #7 Share Posted July 26, 2015 This could fit into the "damned if you do and damned if you don't " adage. Either way it sucks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycruiselady Posted July 26, 2015 Author #8 Share Posted July 26, 2015 I understand that Viking has no control over the river level and I would much rather have my cruise canceled than end up being bused around. I received the email Friday at noon so they did have time that day to change their website information. I was informed by one customer relations agent I talked to that the cruise was actually canceled on Thursday so they waited to let us know. For some reason, as of now, the Beyla is still sailing on the Elbe River the same time although I have a feeling those poor passengers will on a bus at least part of the time. I would like to say the Viking customer relations agents have been very understanding and helpful but we are looking forward to talking to one of their supervisors on Monday to see if they can book us on a similar cruise without charging us a fortune by not honoring the free airfare deal we originally booked under. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crazycruiselady Posted July 28, 2015 Author #9 Share Posted July 28, 2015 UPDATE. It is now 5 days later and Viking has still not updated it's website with the cancellation!!!! Also, there is almost no chance of a cruise in this area for the rest of the year. We found 1 cabin on an Aug. 3rd departure in Eastern Europe. The starting price was almost exactly the starting price of our original cruise. Great, right, since we got a full refund and a $1000 each discount on a future cruise. Oh no. We got a good deal on our original booking but now that refund plus the discount leaves us $3,000!!!! SHORT for the new cruise. Bottom line, refund plus discount will NOT get us a replacement cruise!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
davidrw Posted July 28, 2015 #10 Share Posted July 28, 2015 UPDATE. It is now 5 days later and Viking has still not updated it's website with the cancellation!!!!Also, there is almost no chance of a cruise in this area for the rest of the year. We found 1 cabin on an Aug. 3rd departure in Eastern Europe. The starting price was almost exactly the starting price of our original cruise. Great, right, since we got a full refund and a $1000 each discount on a future cruise. Oh no. We got a good deal on our original booking but now that refund plus the discount leaves us $3,000!!!! SHORT for the new cruise. Bottom line, refund plus discount will NOT get us a replacement cruise!!! It is worth checking with a couple of other tour companies before giving up, prices are based on availability and someone may have some gaps to fill. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Coral Posted July 29, 2015 #11 Share Posted July 29, 2015 (edited) UPDATE. It is now 5 days later and Viking has still not updated it's website with the cancellation!!!! Honestly - if they had contacted everyone successfully who was booked on the cruise, there is no need to post this info on the website. Sorry that you are unable to find a replacement trip :( Edited July 29, 2015 by Coral Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KathyK13 Posted July 29, 2015 #12 Share Posted July 29, 2015 Definitely check some other cruise companies. I know that AMA and Avalon both have some good deals for August/September. Of course you would lose the $1000 each discount from Viking. Or you could keep an eye on any Viking deals for 2016; maybe you could get another good deal next year. Assuming you want to stay with Viking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Cruises Posted July 29, 2015 #13 Share Posted July 29, 2015 UPDATE. It is now 5 days later and Viking has still not updated it's website with the cancellation!!!!Also, there is almost no chance of a cruise in this area for the rest of the year. We found 1 cabin on an Aug. 3rd departure in Eastern Europe. The starting price was almost exactly the starting price of our original cruise. Great, right, since we got a full refund and a $1000 each discount on a future cruise. Oh no. We got a good deal on our original booking but now that refund plus the discount leaves us $3,000!!!! SHORT for the new cruise. Bottom line, refund plus discount will NOT get us a replacement cruise!!! Dear crazycruiselady: Our website is now updated with all sailings currently impacted by low water levels - we apologize for the delay. As you have discovered, stateroom availability is limited this time of the year; however, we would suggest you contact us at tellus@vikingcruises.com so that we may assist with re-book options. We look forward to hearing from you! Best regards, Viking Cruises Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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