Canceled Turkey ........

[fishman620]

We just got an email from Viking on our Venice to Istanbul cruise in September.....They have cancelled all ports of call in Turkey and substituted it with more ports of call in Greece. While I understand the cancellation and concern about Turkey....I would like to know from cruisers if the new ports of call will be of interest or comparable to the ports in Turkey. Our main focus was going to the ports of call in Turkey, when we booked two years ago. We are thinking of cancelling the cruise. Any advice would be appreciated. Here is the email we received from Viking. This message is to inform you of a change to your upcoming voyage. In an overabundance of caution, we have decided to reroute Viking Sea away from Istanbul and Kusadasi. This decision has not been taken lightly, and you may rest assured that your safety and the enjoyment of your cruise have been paramount in all of our considerations. Please take a moment to review the following changes to your itinerary. We have highlighted the new ports you will be visiting in red. We are confident that these substitutions will make for a most compelling and enjoyable voyage."

 

 

 

"

[fishman620]

forgot to attach schedule......

Day Original Schedule Revised Schedule

1

Venice, Italy: embarkation Venice, Italy: embarkation

2

Pula, Croatia Koper, Slovenia

3

Dubrovnik, Croatia Zadar, Croatia

4

Kotor, Montenegro Dubrovnik, Croatia

5

Cruising the Adriatic Kotor, Montenegro

6

Santorini, Greece Corfu, Greece

7

Athens, Greece Katakolon (Olympia), Greece

8

Kusadasi, Turkey Santorini, Greece

9

Istanbul, Turkey Athens, Greece

10

Istanbul, Turkey: disembarkation Athens, Greece: disembarkation

[flhartley]

We are on 21 day in Sept., will enjoy new ports, especially Olympia and will fly to Istanbul and complete our trip.

[Vineyard View]

Well....the State Department has advised against US citizens going in to Turkey...I am surprised it took Viking this long. Other cruise lines have cancelled months ago.

We were in Turkey about 1 1/2 years ago. So I get the desire to go there.

But IMHO Viking is being smart.

 

Not sure I would go right now. But if you need to go to Turkey at this time, then it probably makes sense to look at your options.

[Vineyard View]

Fhartley- Olympia is just incredible. Enjoy! The history, the energy, the beauty...

[Midnytemum]

Hi, seems we're on the same cruise. I'm sad about Turkey, lucky I was there 6 years ago but wanted my husband to see Ephesus and Istanbul I loved it so much. We haven't got our email yet, we're in Adelaide, Australia.

You have time to cancel but be quick the first deadline is soon and it will cost but not to much, it's in the information. I tried to cancel out last week but can't as we are on the Barcelona to Venice, as well and we are travelling with friends on that sector as both are one trip.

Was anything mentioned about flights or are we all going through Istanbul

to Athens? I'm ok with it will lose some money on our hotel in Istanbul for for nights but I'll checkout how much now, we will do some islands out of Athens instead if the flights are transferred free of charge.

 

 

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[flhartley]

Hi, seems we're on the same cruise. I'm sad about Turkey, lucky I was there 6 years ago but wanted my husband to see Ephesus and Istanbul I loved it so much. We haven't got our email yet, we're in Adelaide, Australia.

You have time to cancel but be quick the first deadline is soon and it will cost but not to much, it's in the information. I tried to cancel out last week but can't as we are on the Barcelona to Venice, as well and we are travelling with friends on that sector as both are one trip.

Was anything mentioned about flights or are we all going through Istanbul

to Athens? I'm ok with it will lose some money on our hotel in Istanbul for for nights but I'll checkout how much now, we will do some islands out of Athens instead if the flights are transferred free of charge.

 

 

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We are on Barcelona to NOW Athens with friends. Let's be sure to connect. Viking is taking care of flights if you book air through them which we did not. That is one reason we are probably going to book a cheap flight from Athens to Istanbul and spend three days in Istanbul as we had originally planned. Both my wife Kathy and I are not the type to change what we do based on fear is around us. We certainly understand why others do not see the world the same way we do. We may be being naïve. We are Frank and Kathy Hartley from Tucson Arizona and we are in cabin 6029.

[Midnytemum]

Flying back to Istanbul was our first plan as we'll lose our hotel fee, which I paid fully on booking as everything was connecting in Istanbul! May still do it if the Greek islands don't suit. We are Anni and Bruce Cottle and we'll be in cabin 4065, look forward to meeting you.

 

 

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[flhartley]

Flying back to Istanbul was our first plan as we'll lose our hotel fee, which I paid fully on booking as everything was connecting in Istanbul! May still do it if the Greek islands don't suit. We are Anni and Bruce Cottle and we'll be in cabin 4065, look forward to meeting you.

 

 

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Aegean Air for ticket that includes a bag about $185 each at 1:50 pm.

[Midnytemum]

Sounds good to me, will wait for our email, will certainly save money, thanks for the info.

 

 

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[lovelylian]

I can understand why Viking have cancelled. We were berthed in Istanbul for 2 nights on the Riviera last September. Whilst there were no particular security problems for the passengers, everyone came and went as usual, but the ship itself stuck out like a sore thumb and the waters nearby had to be constantly patrolled by police boats. It's probably difficult for them to get insurance to dock there.

[English Voyager]

I can understand why Viking have cancelled. We were berthed in Istanbul for 2 nights on the Riviera last September. Whilst there were no particular security problems for the passengers, everyone came and went as usual, but the ship itself stuck out like a sore thumb and the waters nearby had to be constantly patrolled by police boats. It's probably difficult for them to get insurance to dock there.

 

We were on the Europa 2 which was also docked in Istanbul last September, and experienced no problems.

 

In fact Hapag-Lloyd are still featuring Turkey in the Europa 2's itineraries

[fishman620]

Midnytemum, here is what Viking said in the email concerning flights

"If you booked your flights through Viking, we will make the necessary changes and email you a new Air Itinerary. You should have your revised flight plan within the next two weeks. Please do not hesitate to call the Air Team after you receive the revised schedule."

 

I realize why Viking had to cancel out of Turkey but we paid alot of money upfront two years ago and can take a tour/cruise to Greece for alot less money (we've already been to Venice), so was thinking that we might try one of their other itineraries if that is allowed, does anyone know if it is? I'll give them a call today.

[DrBanjo]

My wife and I are booked on "Empires of the Mediterranean", which was scheduled to begin Dec. 4 in Istanbul. We are very disappointed, since Istanbul has been on our list for several years. We visited Ephesus previously, and it would have been nice to see it again, but we won't miss that as much as Istanbul. Our initial response was to think about canceling our cruise, but we might not do that. We are still wrestling with that possibility. We haven't been to Venice yet, or to Santorini, or Kotor, or Dubrovnik.

[Midnytemum]

Fishman60. Thanks for the flights clarification. We are on the Catalonia to Constantinople cruise and cannot cancel half of it, I tried just last week.

We have decided to fly to Istanbul from Athens so I'll ring Viking here today and hope that I can keep my original flights, don't want to stay in Athens. Going into Istanbul on our own will be much better than going in on the boat, more low key.

 

 

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[flhartley]

See Viking response to an email I sent to them last night about whether they would help with the change fees for air not booked through Viking.

 

Dear Mr. Hartley:

 

Thank you for contacting us.

 

I am in receipt of your email message below and am happy to assist with your inquiry.

 

In consideration of the recent notice, we are happy to cover airline change fees up to $350.00 per person for impacted guests, like yourself, who have booked their own air and are required to change the departure city from Istanbul to Athens.

 

Once your flights are adjusted by the airline, please send your receipt reflecting the change fees directly to me and I will be happy to assist with the reimbursement.

 

Mr. Hartley, thank you again for reaching out. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have any additional questions.

 

Kind regards,

 

Valerie Kepler I Viking Cruises I Customer Engagement Specialist I (t) 877.668.4546, ext. 8828 I (f) 818.594.8463 I valerie.kepler@vikingcruises.com I vikingcruises.com

[zone8grandma]

The travel warning advised against travel to southeastern Turkey.

Unless the warning changes, we plan to keep to our plans, flying from Athens to Istanbul.

 

I understand Viking's actions. Had they not changed the itinerary, they'd probably be facing cancellations from nervous Nellie types.

 

The rest of the warning was simply common sense.

Edited April 26, 2016 by zone8grandma

[zone8grandma]

See Viking response to an email I sent to them last night about whether they would help with the change fees for air not booked through Viking.

 

Dear Mr. Hartley:

 

Thank you for contacting us.

 

I am in receipt of your email message below and am happy to assist with your inquiry.

 

In consideration of the recent notice, we are happy to cover airline change fees up to $350.00 per person for impacted guests, like yourself, who have booked their own air and are required to change the departure city from Istanbul to Athens.

 

Once your flights are adjusted by the airline, please send your receipt reflecting the change fees directly to me and I will be happy to assist with the reimbursement.

 

Mr. Hartley, thank you again for reaching out. Please do not hesitate to contact me directly should you have any additional questions.

 

Kind regards,

 

Valerie Kepler I Viking Cruises I Customer Engagement Specialist I (t) 877.668.4546, ext. 8828 I (f) 818.594.8463 I valerie.kepler@vikingcruises.com I vikingcruises.com

 

Thank you for posting this. I will ask Viking if they will cover the cost of our ticket to fly from Athens to Istanbul....

[OziNewbieCruiser]

DrBanjo, the thought of cancelling our cruise in August crossed my mind too, especially as we were flying in to Istanbul 6 days early as we had heard it was amazing, and even though we would lose our deposit and flight costs. However we've decided we will still have a fantastic trip commencing in Athens. I've been to Venice briefly and can't wait to return, and am particularly looking forward to Dubrovnik and Santorini, so I think you might regret it later if you cancel.

[TGBoss]

We are booked on the Empires cruise in March 2017. Just heard from our TA that she just received notice that Viking will not be going to Istanbul next year on the Sea. Interesting that this decision has been made so early.

 

Waiting to hear the change in itinerary, to see if it is the same as what the original poster received. Still planning on going, as we want to see Croatia and Venice, as well as go back to Santorini. Will just have to decide if want to extend and go to Istanbul on our own!

[flhartley]

DrBanjo, the thought of cancelling our cruise in August crossed my mind too, especially as we were flying in to Istanbul 6 days early as we had heard it was amazing, and even though we would lose our deposit and flight costs. However we've decided we will still have a fantastic trip commencing in Athens. I've been to Venice briefly and can't wait to return, and am particularly looking forward to Dubrovnik and Santorini, so I think you might regret it later if you cancel.

 

 

If you decide to go and would like a recommendation for a private guide for any portion of your trip, feel free to reach out to me. We have been working with a man who came very highly recommended to us from friends who actually used him. My email is FLhartley@yahoo.com

[roothy123]

I'm now so glad we were able to make it to Isatanbul this past September on Star. Nevertheless, even back then, some people were afraid to go off the ship, and there were some incidents occurring which scared more than a few people. It's such a shame, as Istanbul was one of our favorite ports on Empires of the Med cruise.

 

The way the "before" and "after" itinerary shows on the CC post, I'm not totally sure of what's being substituted for Istanbul, if anything. On Empires, our favorite ports were Santorini and Istanbul, and since we had been in Athens before, that was probably our least favorite stop. However, there's obviously a lot to see and do there, so most people would probably like it more than we did. We haven't been to Olympia, but I've read that most people love it. If this had happened to us, we would have probably flown to Istanbul, stayed in the hotel we had reserved, and flown home from Istanbul as planned.

[rjscott]

My wife and I are booked on "Empires of the Mediterranean", which was scheduled to begin Dec. 4 in Istanbul. We are very disappointed, since Istanbul has been on our list for several years. We visited Ephesus previously, and it would have been nice to see it again, but we won't miss that as much as Istanbul. Our initial response was to think about canceling our cruise, but we might not do that. We are still wrestling with that possibility. We haven't been to Venice yet, or to Santorini, or Kotor, or Dubrovnik.

 

We were on the maiden cruise of the Viking Star from Istanbul to Venice, so I can certainly sympathize with your disappointment over missing out on Istanbul and Ephesus. However, we thoroughly enjoyed Dubrovnik and Kotor is a photographer's dream. And, although we both loved Venice, my husband said it was his favorite port. So, don't abandon ship over the loss of Istanbul. ;) We enjoyed the Star so much, we are sailing Venice to Barcelona on the Viking Sea this October.

 

Becki

Edited April 28, 2016 by rjscott

[binbin854]

Be helpful to know what Viking has done to compensate people that booked travel on their own to Istanbul and decide to still go prior and fly to Athens on their own. Doesn't appear to be any consistency in their offers

 

 

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[Fitzall]

We just got an email from Viking on our Venice to Istanbul cruise in September.....They have cancelled all ports of call in Turkey and substituted it with more ports of call in Greece. While I understand the cancellation and concern about Turkey....I would like to know from cruisers if the new ports of call will be of interest or comparable to the ports in Turkey. Our main focus was going to the ports of call in Turkey, when we booked two years ago. We are thinking of cancelling the cruise. Any advice would be appreciated. Here is the email we received from Viking. This message is to inform you of a change to your upcoming voyage. In an overabundance of caution, we have decided to reroute Viking Sea away from Istanbul and Kusadasi. This decision has not been taken lightly, and you may rest assured that your safety and the enjoyment of your cruise have been paramount in all of our considerations. Please take a moment to review the following changes to your itinerary. We have highlighted the new ports you will be visiting in red. We are confident that these substitutions will make for a most compelling and enjoyable voyage."

 

 

 

"

 

14 Aug cruise, originally Istanbul-Venice; now Athens Venice. Still having a week or so in Istanbul & then Viking paying for us to travel Istanbul-Athens to pick up the cruise.

 

We are looking forward to the new ports especially Zadar & Koper. We've organised non Viking Tours on both these days. Zadar .... Krka NP; Koper ... Postojna Cave and Predjama Castle.

 

Will miss the day of actual cruising, however I'm glad Dubrovnik & Kotor are still there. Doing a private tour in Koper ... Perast, Kotor & Mt Lovcon (9 hrs in all)