NJB43 Posted August 7, 2015 #26 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Having taken two Viking river cruises in the last fifteen months, we booked on the Star for the Istanbul to Venice trip beginning November 17. However, given the Star's problems, I am increasingly concerned about how our trip will go. As well, my husband and I are not impressed with Viking's handling of the situation. In contrast, when Hurtigruten cancelled our trip up the coast of Norway in April due to mechanical problems, they covered all the costs associated with rescheduling - extra hotel night, rescheduled airfares, etc. and they gave us a cabin upgrade. Viking could learn from Hurtigruten! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Port Hope Posted August 7, 2015 #27 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Looks like the Star is on the move again! http://cruiseoutlook.com/current-position/viking-ocean_star Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mammacat Posted August 7, 2015 #28 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Marine time.com shows Viking Star leaving...hope she is really fixed! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buggins0402 Posted August 7, 2015 #29 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Yes, I see she has moved. There is a tug behind her...is that because she is in an area that needs a pilot boat? Destination does show Copenhagen and she should make it by the 10th easily leaving now, if she goes at normal cruise speeds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BrianI Posted August 7, 2015 #30 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Viking Star is only doing 10knots closely followed by a tug also heading for Copenhagen. It looks to me like the Viking Star has limited engine power and the tug is backup in case of further problems. Brian Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassandra44 Posted August 7, 2015 #31 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Sounds as if the Viking Oceans lawyers ought to be sharpening their pencils to launch an action against Fincantieri for a flaw in manufacture.. But then of course other vessels are in the works.....but then again Viking doesn't own them until they take possession.- so who will prevail? Couldn't resist but honestly we are following all the posts and it must be simply dreadful to experience this dreadful mess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Viking Cruises Posted August 7, 2015 Author #32 Share Posted August 7, 2015 Dear NJB43, We appreciate your loyalty and regret to hear you are having second thoughts about your upcoming cruise. November is still a few months away and, while we are confident in the performance of Viking Star and do not foresee any additional technical challenges, we would encourage you to contact us at tellus@vikingcruises.com so that we may answer your questions and help put your mind at ease. We look forward to hearing from you! Kind regards, Viking Cruises Having taken two Viking river cruises in the last fifteen months, we booked on the Star for the Istanbul to Venice trip beginning November 17. However, given the Star's problems, I am increasingly concerned about how our trip will go. As well, my husband and I are not impressed with Viking's handling of the situation. In contrast, when Hurtigruten cancelled our trip up the coast of Norway in April due to mechanical problems, they covered all the costs associated with rescheduling - extra hotel night, rescheduled airfares, etc. and they gave us a cabin upgrade. Viking could learn from Hurtigruten! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare The-Inside-Cabin Posted August 7, 2015 #33 Share Posted August 7, 2015 I have until April 1st to decide whether to switch to Oceania or Regent which has similar cruises for the same price. Watching closely as to how Viking responds. I travel a lot and expect a few issues now and then. But how a carrier or cruise line handles the inevitable crisis it what earns my loyalty. I have done Viking River Cruises, but this is my first Ocean booking. Their unreasonable final pay deadlines already put a bad taste in my mouth. Won't take much more bad news for me to give Regent or Oceania a try. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juliesaddiction Posted August 8, 2015 #34 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Switch to Oceania...you wont be disappointed ;) And their final payment is due 90 days before your sail date.....not 2 years like Viking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mammacat Posted August 8, 2015 #35 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Info Received: 3 min ago (2015-08-08 15:09) Area: Baltic Sea Latitude / Longitude: 57.65107° / 19.61898° Status: Restricted Manoeuvrability Speed/Course: 10.5kn / 218° AIS Source: 737 http://www.sjofartsforeningen.se Itineraries History Latest Positions Nearby Vessels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theremin Posted August 8, 2015 #36 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Viking Star has accelerated thru 14.5 knots (previously sailing at 10.6) and seems to be gaining add'l speed. I think she is capable of 20. The Mars (tug that has shadowed Star since Tallinn) has reversed course and is heading back toward Tallinn. Maybe . . . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcorre2 Posted August 8, 2015 #37 Share Posted August 8, 2015 (edited) Karl Erik to pick-up the escort? 20 knot winds ahead Something to keep you busy. 40 miles between them, Star traveling @ 14 knots, Karl @ 8 knots. When do they meet? Edited August 8, 2015 by bcorre2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wave time Posted August 8, 2015 #38 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Viking Star has accelerated thru 14.5 knots (previously sailing at 10.6) and seems to be gaining add'l speed. I think she is capable of 20. The Mars (tug that has shadowed Star since Tallinn) has reversed course and is heading back toward Tallinn. Maybe . . . Finally, some good news. Hopefully she will be back on course soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mammacat Posted August 8, 2015 #39 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Info Received: 2 min ago (2015-08-08 22:23) Area: Baltic Sea Latitude / Longitude: 56.66277° / 18.00508° Status: Underway using Engine Speed/Course: 14.4kn / 233° AIS Source: 737 http://www.sjofartsforeningen.se Itineraries History Latest Positions Nearby Vessels Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bcorre2 Posted August 8, 2015 #40 Share Posted August 8, 2015 Just two ships passing in the night! Press on Star. Journey restarts the 15th, two Barcelona to Venice trips and we board in Venice. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paquebot Posted August 8, 2015 #41 Share Posted August 8, 2015 A traveler on the very first leg in April, and with mixed reviews about our cruise experience, I find myself rooting full on for Viking Star. Status: "underway using engine" sure beats status: "limited manoeuvrability". Bon voyage to all future cruisers. May it be smooth sailing from this point forward. Paquebot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theremin Posted August 9, 2015 #42 Share Posted August 9, 2015 This morning the Star is sailing at 16.3 knots and the Copenhagen arrival estimate has been moved up from 0300/10 Aug to 1400/9 Aug . . . she's due in this afternoon. I have no insight into how the ship is performing, but find the absence of a shadow tug and recent cruising speeds to be encouraging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mammacat Posted August 9, 2015 #43 Share Posted August 9, 2015 Hopefully everything is fixed...Bon voyage to this next sailing!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theremin Posted August 9, 2015 #44 Share Posted August 9, 2015 The Star has just docked in Copenhagen. I know several folks on the next cruise were concerned about whether this would, in fact, occur. You can relax now . . . and BON VOYAGE!!:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky 99 Posted August 9, 2015 #45 Share Posted August 9, 2015 Hopefully, the Star will back up to normal speed well before then! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roothy123 Posted August 10, 2015 #46 Share Posted August 10, 2015 Hopefully, the Star will back up to normal speed well before then! Well, if you're talking about speed as in knots per hour, it appears she got up to "normal speed" today, so I doubt there's much to worry about for September. Cruise ships seldom run at their top-rated speed, and "normal speed" can be whatever the Captain feels is best for getting to the next port on time. Things like nautical miles to go, passenger comfort (some Captains wait to speed up until late at night), tides, and a host of other things can enter into the Captain's decision on how fast to go. If Star leaves Copenhagen and gets to the Kiel Canal on time, she's going her "normal speed!" By the way, Marine Traffic and the other ship tracking sites use UTC rather than local time when posting anticipated arrival times. UTC is generally 2 or 3 hours earlier than local time in Europe, so don't be alarmed if it looks like Star is going to be late getting to a port. Besides, the anticipated arrival time is just an estimate. The only thing that really matters to us passengers is whether she arrives at the berth on time, gets tied down and cleared by the authorities in a timely manner so people can get off! Would love to be getting on her tomorrow, but I have to wait my turn.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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