Viking Cruises Group Friiendly?

[hroscoe1949]

I have a group of 22 seniors going on the Viking Rinda on 18JUN2019

As they are not as "agile" as youger folks, they would like to come in a day early so that when they reach the airport at 6AM they are not shuttled right off to the ship and tours. They elected to come in on the 17th and stay an extra night and then meet Viking back at the airport for normal scheduled transfer to the ship on the 18th. Viking (all air is through them) refused to guarantee transfers to the ship. Here is their response:

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This is not a standard request so we have to kind of trick the system. Please have your agent provide a flight schedule for 18Jun2019 and we will try to add the arrival transfer based on that.

 

Please know this IS NOT GUARANTEED but we will try to make this happen. Also please make sure your agent understands that if we can do this and if the flight changes or they cannot make it on time, THEY ARE 100% RESPONSIBLE to make it to the ship on their own.

 

Having said all of that, I honestly feel it may be better if they just purchase a transfer from their Paris hotel to the ship.

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If our flight had arrived on the 18th, we would have transfers. Not guaranteed? How to you explain to 22 seniors that their bus didn't arrive because it wasn't guaranteed?

 

I am thinking of booking transfers at additional PERSONAL cost from the airport. Does any one have any suggestions?

 

Thanks

[LHT28]

there is a river cruise forum

 

maybe post there

 

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=191

[hroscoe1949]

Thanks

[6rugrats]

I don't understand why this is a problem. As long as they meet the transfer at the airport at the correct time, they should be fine.

[ldubs]

I'm not understanding why this would be a problem either. Perhaps Viking is just going a little overboard with the CYA. Anyway, are you a travel agent or are you part of the the group?

[leaveitallbehind]

It's not a matter of being group friendly or not, but a matter of logistics and coordinating their connection with the shuttle. Typically the shuttles meet the guests at baggage claim at the arrival terminals specific to the arriving flights on the date of ship departure. The reps typically are there with signs identifying themselves for the arriving guests to see as they enter baggage claim. Since the guests in question are arriving the day before they would not be part of the groups of passengers arriving day of to be met in the manner described.

 

The "CYA" is in the event that the guests are not at baggage claim at the right time day of arrival where the shuttle agents would be, or are not clearly identified and would perhaps miss the shuttle connection as a result. If the passengers are at the designated meeting point at the designated time then it should not be an issue. They are just protecting themselves in the event there is any confusion with the guests regarding that.

Edited May 27, 2018 by leaveitallbehind