Key West Cancelled

[holech]

Our stop at Key West on our Janaury cruise has been eliminated by Viking. We get another day at sea. I even knew this port was limiting ships. Why did Viking put it on the itinerary?

I saw on a Facebook Viking cruise page that Viking is giving a $150 per person OBC for those sailings with Key West cancelled.

I contacted Viking and the agent said I don't get the OBC. Not fair. I told the Viking agent but his hands were tied. Typical answers I got.

 

[longterm]

We had a Panama Canal cruise scheduled for March 2023; I got that notice yesterday about Key West.

 

We cancelled our cruise when we got that notice; 6 sea days out of 14 just doesn't make any sense for us.

[CCWineLover]

Not unexpected - they just finally are making it official.

Those who know Key West know that the cruise ships won't be going there.  Not sure why Viking put it on there in the first place.  To us it is no big deal - we weren't expecting Key West so it is no loss.  We will enjoy 6 days out of 14 on Viking - sea days are wonderful!

[longterm]

4 minutes ago, CCWineLover said:

Not unexpected - they just finally are making it official.

Those who know Key West know that the cruise ships won't be going there.  Not sure why Viking put it on there in the first place.  To us it is no big deal - we weren't expecting Key West so it is no loss.  We will enjoy 6 days out of 14 on Viking - sea days are wonderful!

We haven't yet done a cruise with that many sea days, so maybe we'd like it more than we think we would.

 

We're fairly active and like to see new destinations, so we generally look for cruises with only a couple of sea days wherever possible. I regret not getting to see the Canal though.

[formernuke]

We are booked on Feb1 2023 Classic Panama Canal Cruise that includes Key West. As of now, we have not been notified of any changes. Is it that the number of visits are just limited and we just lucked out?

[formernuke]

Spoke too soon! Just got the notice that Key West was replaced by a sea day.

[Mimiya11]

2 hours ago, formernuke said:

We are booked on Feb1 2023 Classic Panama Canal Cruise that includes Key West. As of now, we have not been notified of any changes. Is it that the number of visits are just limited and we just lucked out?

We are going early March and just got an email from Viking yesterday.   From what I have read on the Key West port website, other ships are still stopping there.   Was not a big deal for us, so sticking with our plans.  

[Mimiya11]

27 minutes ago, formernuke said:

Spoke too soon! Just got the notice that Key West was replaced by a sea day.

Oops then I posted too soon.   LOL

[Hubby1]

Viking bait and switch

Received notice less than an hour ago that Key West had been eliminated from the Feb. 11 Classic Panama cruise. This is the second port eliminated from the trip--Colon was the first. And of course I receive notice of the cancellation less than 48 hours after i made the final payment. Thinking hard about cancelling and defaulting to a Princess Cruise. Since I bought the Travel Insurance through Viking they told be I could cancel with only a $100 per person ($200) penalty and the $1000 plus it cost for the insurance --approx $1200 loss. This would have been my first time on Viking (have 20+ cruises on Oceania and Celebrity). If I go,  it will definitely be my last. Obviously you can't trust Viking. No OBC or anything -- spa credit to kill two sea days in a row (on a ship without a casino) has been offered. 

 

[CCWineLover]

13 minutes ago, Hubby1 said:

Viking bait and switch

Received notice less than an hour ago that Key West had been eliminated from the Feb. 11 Classic Panama cruise. This is the second port eliminated from the trip--Colon was the first. And of course I receive notice of the cancellation less than 48 hours after i made the final payment. Thinking hard about cancelling and defaulting to a Princess Cruise. Since I bought the Travel Insurance through Viking they told be I could cancel with only a $100 per person ($200) penalty and the $1000 plus it cost for the insurance --approx $1200 loss. This would have been my first time on Viking (have 20+ cruises on Oceania and Celebrity). If I go,  it will definitely be my last. Obviously you can't trust Viking. No OBC or anything -- spa credit to kill two sea days in a row (on a ship without a casino) has been offered. 

 

Sorry you are bitter and feel that way.  Perhaps time to go back to what you feel comfortable with (Celebrity and Oceania).  I'm only sorry that you didn't at least give Viking one chance.  The only consolation is that there will be one less customer to compete with for popular Viking cruises for those of us who do like Viking (and don't like casinos).

[Mimiya11]

30 minutes ago, Hubby1 said:

Viking bait and switch

Received notice less than an hour ago that Key West had been eliminated from the Feb. 11 Classic Panama cruise. This is the second port eliminated from the trip--Colon was the first. And of course I receive notice of the cancellation less than 48 hours after i made the final payment. Thinking hard about cancelling and defaulting to a Princess Cruise. Since I bought the Travel Insurance through Viking they told be I could cancel with only a $100 per person ($200) penalty and the $1000 plus it cost for the insurance --approx $1200 loss. This would have been my first time on Viking (have 20+ cruises on Oceania and Celebrity). If I go,  it will definitely be my last. Obviously you can't trust Viking. No OBC or anything -- spa credit to kill two sea days in a row (on a ship without a casino) has been offered. 

 

That is terrible   When was Colon eliminated?    Hope that is not the case for our March cruise as that would be very disappointing.    

Having said that, this is our first Viking cruise so we are happy to go regardless.      

[CDNPolar]

The elimination of Key West is not new.  I was on a Panama cruise in December of 2021 and it was listed on the itinerary on MVJ with all excursions showing sold out.

 

I believe that this is because Key West have limited the guest count on cruise ships and Viking is too big.

 

Not sure why Viking keep this port on the itinerary as it only causes grief like we are seeing here...

 

Oh, and by the way, we fully expected to stop at Key West even though excursions were sold out.  We only found out on embarkation day that we would not be stopping. 

[Mimiya11]

2 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

The elimination of Key West is not new.  I was on a Panama cruise in December of 2021 and it was listed on the itinerary on MVJ with all excursions showing sold out.

 

I believe that this is because Key West have limited the guest count on cruise ships and Viking is too big.

 

Not sure why Viking keep this port on the itinerary as it only causes grief like we are seeing here...

 

Oh, and by the way, we fully expected to stop at Key West even though excursions were sold out.  We only found out on embarkation day that we would not be stopping. 

Key West does not surprise me as I had read that the locals were fighting against it being a port stop.

As you were on the Panama cruise last year and I am still working my way through the excursion options, any recommendations for included, Viking or private excursions?   (btw, hi from Markham)  

[Liz Masterson]

Well I'm surprised. I was expecting to stop. It was my understanding that they didn't want large ships and that odds were good the smaller Viking Ship would get to stop. 

 

I'd like to know why some cruises are getting $150pp onboard credit and others are not. 

 

Maybe ther is a reason that makes sense. I may not like the reason but I'd still like to know why.

[CDNPolar]

4 hours ago, Liz Masterson said:

Well I'm surprised. I was expecting to stop. It was my understanding that they didn't want large ships and that odds were good the smaller Viking Ship would get to stop. 

 

I'd like to know why some cruises are getting $150pp onboard credit and others are not. 

 

Maybe ther is a reason that makes sense. I may not like the reason but I'd still like to know why.

Might be the difference of calling in and asking/complaining.  We did not ask or complain on one port missed on our recent Homelands cruise, but apparently some did and they got some compensation.

[longterm]

I still see Colon, Panama listed in the description for this cruise, but it would really have rankled had they removed that port call and we were still on that cruise. 

I did cancel our reservations and we'll apply those funds to our upcoming British Isles Explorer cruise instead; $150 credit per person seems a little low as a compensation for skipping a port of call, but I suppose that's their standard policy--don't know, haven't had that happen to us yet.

 

[holech]

I heard back from my travel agent who contacted Viking. No OBC.

I know Viking can well afford to give back to us but I guess with the amount of cruises effected they are just being cheap. Even if they’ve held our money for many months. 

[CDNPolar]

 

6 hours ago, Mimiya11 said:

Key West does not surprise me as I had read that the locals were fighting against it being a port stop.

As you were on the Panama cruise last year and I am still working my way through the excursion options, any recommendations for included, Viking or private excursions?   (btw, hi from Markham)  

Hello Markham from Mississauga.

 

Cozumel - We did the Ruins of San Gervasio - Informative and OK

Belize - We did the Cave Tubing - LOVED IT - Great experience

Roatan - We were supposed to do Kayaking and Snorkeling but was cancelled due to weather

Costa Rica - We did the Nature Walk and Ariel Tram - Good and informative

Colon - We did Panama City By Foot - Good and informative

Jamaica - We did Rose Hall and Shopping - Rose Hall was good but the shopping was just a tourist trap

 

I cannot get too excited about any of these EXCEPT the Cave Tubing.  I have been to many of these islands before and to me the excursions are all the same.

 

What I will say is the HIGHLIGHT of the trip is the partial crossing of the Panama Canal.  Absolutely worth getting up at 5am and being on the deck outside the Explorer Lounge to witness the approach.  Approaching in the dark is spectacular.  Get there 30-45 minutes before the expected arrival or you may not get a good railing spot.  Again - for me the highlight of this trip.

 

 

[duquephart]

45 minutes ago, CDNPolar said:

Might be the difference of calling in and asking/complaining.  We did not ask or complain on one port missed on our recent Homelands cruise, but apparently some did and they got some compensation.

 

If you're referring to Bornholm "some compensation" came to $1,000 for us.

[Mimiya11]

1 hour ago, CDNPolar said:

 

I cannot get too excited about any of these EXCEPT the Cave Tubing.  I have been to many of these islands before and to me the excursions are all the same.

 

What I will say is the HIGHLIGHT of the trip is the partial crossing of the Panama Canal.  Absolutely worth getting up at 5am and being on the deck outside the Explorer Lounge to witness the approach.  Approaching in the dark is spectacular.  Get there 30-45 minutes before the expected arrival or you may not get a good railing spot.  Again - for me the highlight of this trip.

 

 

Thanks!   Our main reason for booking was to watch the approach so appreciate the heads up re getting up early.    

Cozumel, been there, done that.  Same with Jamaica, plus not at all interested in shopping so may just stay put that day. 

I already booked Cave Tubing through an outside vendor who comes highly rated on the Ports of Call boards.  Looks like such fun. 

Excited about Costa Rica (if even just for a day) But...most of all excited to try Viking for the first time. 

Thanks for your input.       

[Jim Avery]

I love cruising too but a number of ports are beginning to follow the lead of Venice.  Telling the cruise lines that they have gotten too big, ships too big, with too many people to be welcomed.  Think about living somewhere that several of the behemoths of the sea unload in your town every day....  

[millybess]

2 hours ago, duquephart said:

 

If you're referring to Bornholm "some compensation" came to $1,000 for us.

Wow! We missed Bornholm too, on a V cruise several years ago. It didn’t occur to us to ask for compensation. We were enjoying the cruise so much, we didn’t even care!  Lesson learned for next time — if we remember to ask for it. 😎😎

[millybess]

54 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

Think about living somewhere that several of the behemoths of the sea unload in your town every day....  

You are indeed correct. Where I live, we’re happy to greet 378 guests from Viking Octantis. 

[duquephart]

Expressed disappointment. Having already missed out on Gulf of Finland & Mariehamn.

[Hubby1]

We have been had by Viking--the Viking Star can dock in Key West. A 2020 referendum prohibiting cruise ships was immediately overturned by the Florida State Legislature. In March there was a key west city attempt to limit cruise ships with over 1500 passengers. Nothing indicates this was ever put into effect. Either way the Viking Star is a less than 1000 passenger ship. SEE BELOW from a March 22 except from a Key West paper. Has anyone heard anything about the Port Fees and Taxes Viking is saving by skipping Colon an Key West? Looks like we have been had--because they can.

 

 

At a meeting last week, the Key West City Council read out its compromise measure which will be presented and finalized at the next meeting scheduled for April 5. At issue was the November 2020 referendum in which residents voted to limit the size of cruise ships based on passenger capacity, restrict the number of people coming ashore each day from cruise ships, and favor cruise ships with the best environmental records. While the residents voted overwhelmingly in support of the three restrictions, Florida’s legislature and governor overrode the limitations in a retroactive law passed last summer.

Key West has three piers, two of which are controlled by the city and a third that is leased in perpetuity to a private operator. Since the beginning of the action, opponents and lawyers have argued that the City Council had no legal authority to restrict operations at the private pier and could face lawsuits if it attempted to impose the restrictions. 

The new ordinance which is nearly completed restricts most cruise ships to the single privately operated Pier B facility. It imposes restrictions on the city-run downtown Mallory Square Pier as well as the outer Mole Pier, which is owned by the U.S. Navy. The city piers will only accept smaller cruise ships that accommodate less than 1,300 passengers and they will only be available when the privately-run Pier B is not in use.