TERRIER1 Posted January 1, 2023 #101 Share Posted January 1, 2023 1 hour ago, downsmead said: This is the issue! It will be interesting to see what Viking offers. We have missed ports before on Viking and have been given some OBC but this is completely different. We were on the Viking Star in it's inaugural year when there was a "mechanical" issue. We made it to Tallinn but the problem could not be resolved so everyone was off loaded. We missed 6 of the scheduled 11 ports. Viking originally said they would only reimburse us 50% but there was a furor since more than half the ports were missed. We were finally reimbursed 65% plus a 50% voucher. I am curious as well as to how Viking will handle this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrulyBlonde Posted January 1, 2023 #102 Share Posted January 1, 2023 Geez, flying to NZ and OZ from the USA is very costly and takes lots of planning due to length of flights. We did this cruise with X a few years ago and so happy to have done the part of the World. If we had to float around on the ship and miss what we basically paid for, we would be livid. Many of you are much more easy going than I would be. That is a good thing. Best of luck. 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obobru Posted January 1, 2023 #103 Share Posted January 1, 2023 15 hours ago, Babr said: What kind of claim would insurance cover in this instance? I can’t think of which provision would cover snail infestation. Missed port is often a reason on cruise insurance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babr Posted January 1, 2023 #104 Share Posted January 1, 2023 49 minutes ago, Obobru said: Missed port is often a reason on cruise insurance Perhaps in the UK. Not so much in US policies. In this case, I am confident that Viking will take care of its guests. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted January 1, 2023 #105 Share Posted January 1, 2023 Maybe we should be responding in the spirit of the traveller actually impacted here, which is @katlew who has been most gracious in the face of a rather difficult cruise. 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrulyBlonde Posted January 1, 2023 #106 Share Posted January 1, 2023 (edited) 9 minutes ago, Pushka said: Maybe we should be responding in the spirit of the traveller actually impacted here, which is @katlew who has been most gracious in the face of a rather difficult cruise. Yes, that was what I was alluding to when I made my post. They are handling their disappointment quite graciously. I do hope they have the opportunity in the future to return to both OZ and NZ. I enjoyed my time in both places immensely and happy to have "completed" that part of the World I had always wanted to visit. 🙂 It is a very long flight and no plans to return but wonderful memories. Edited January 1, 2023 by TrulyBlonde 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KBs mum Posted January 1, 2023 #107 Share Posted January 1, 2023 Perhaps those on Orion should be aiming for something along the lines of the compensation those on Sky got. Perhaps not the free invitational cruise, but at least a full refund and vouchers so the cruise/holiday could be rebooked at no financial loss, including flights etc 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare katlew Posted January 1, 2023 Author #108 Share Posted January 1, 2023 (edited) 2 hours ago, TrulyBlonde said: Yes, that was what I was alluding to when I made my post. They are handling their disappointment quite graciously. I do hope they have the opportunity in the future to return to both OZ and NZ. I enjoyed my time in both places immensely and happy to have "completed" that part of the World I had always wanted to visit. 🙂 It is a very long flight and no plans to return but wonderful memories. Yes, it took a lot to get here & we are very sad & disappointed to miss things we planned & so looked forward too. We keep reminding ourselves we are lucky, as we are safe and it wasn’t a scary issue like the Polaris. Also we are in a situation where we can probably visit NZ/Australia again. I know there are many people on this ship that might not be able to do that & I really feel bad they lost this experience. I understand their anger, though we have no idea who is really to blame here or just a fluke. I think this happening over the holidays really added to the issue too. Imagine finding a diving crew willing to do this work over this past week! Our divers work all day NYE and New Year’s Day. I overheard a great conversation at guest services yesterday. A couple was asking if they could just stay on the boat & sail back to Auckland. It’s the same itinerary plus Napier, so they’d see all the ports. The rep was calling to see if it was possible. I tried to tempt my husband into it, but silly work needs him back. I will say we are very glad we booked extra days in Auckland & Sydney on either end of the cruise. We are looking forward to exploring Sydney & a trip to the Blue Mountains. On another note, we really feel like Viking did not expect this as we are seeing things run out or low, this is just something we are guessing based on what we see. It’s nothing major we know of but the wasabi peas are gone, spring salad greens are looking a little sad, tomato & lime slices are a little smaller, and there are fewer & fewer types of beer. The breakfast buffet felt less full this morning. There are no more benedicts premade ready to take and less fruit variety. The bartender last night said they hope a lot will be restocked at our technical stop today in Melbourne. Wish us luck it’s smooth sailing into Sydney! Edited January 2, 2023 by katlew 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare katlew Posted January 1, 2023 Author #109 Share Posted January 1, 2023 2 hours ago, KBs mum said: Perhaps those on Orion should be aiming for something along the lines of the compensation those on Sky got. Perhaps not the free invitational cruise, but at least a full refund and vouchers so the cruise/holiday could be rebooked at no financial loss, including flights etc I think we’ll be well compensated, but won’t know until we get home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare katlew Posted January 1, 2023 Author #110 Share Posted January 1, 2023 5 hours ago, TERRIER1 said: We were on the Viking Star in it's inaugural year when there was a "mechanical" issue. We made it to Tallinn but the problem could not be resolved so everyone was off loaded. We missed 6 of the scheduled 11 ports. Viking originally said they would only reimburse us 50% but there was a furor since more than half the ports were missed. We were finally reimbursed 65% plus a 50% voucher. I am curious as well as to how Viking will handle this. We were originally told 50% voucher, but that quickly changed to approximate compensation after more issues. We are expecting at least 100% in some refund/voucher form. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare katlew Posted January 2, 2023 Author #111 Share Posted January 2, 2023 Ok, we get to get off the boat in Melbourne! Well, we get to get off, go through immigration and get right back on. It’s very late with the first two floors going at 10:15pm and the last at 11:30pm. Guess we better watch those after dinner drinks 😉 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted January 2, 2023 #112 Share Posted January 2, 2023 47 minutes ago, katlew said: Ok, we get to get off the boat in Melbourne! Well, we get to get off, go through immigration and get right back on. It’s very late with the first two floors going at 10:15pm and the last at 11:30pm. Guess we better watch those after dinner drinks 😉 Groan to be in that last group. Or even the first group. I guess Sydney doesn't want to process Immigration. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare katlew Posted January 2, 2023 Author #113 Share Posted January 2, 2023 16 minutes ago, Pushka said: Groan to be in that last group. Or even the first group. I guess Sydney doesn't want to process Immigration. It also means we don’t have to waste time in Sydney doing immigration & can go on tours. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted January 2, 2023 #114 Share Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) 2 minutes ago, katlew said: It also means we don’t have to waste time in Sydney doing immigration & can go on tours. Good to hear there is a positive then. Enjoy Sydney and hope you berth in the Harbour. The sail in is wonderful. But usually very early in the morning. Even if it's White Bay you will get to go under the Bridge. Edited January 2, 2023 by Pushka 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TrulyBlonde Posted January 2, 2023 #115 Share Posted January 2, 2023 19 minutes ago, Pushka said: Good to hear there is a positive then. Enjoy Sydney and hope you berth in the Harbour. The sail in is wonderful. But usually very early in the morning. Even if it's White Bay you will get to go under the Bridge. Yes! Set your alarm for the sail in. It is worth it. Hope you dock in the Harbour too. Perfect place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlerRob Posted January 2, 2023 #116 Share Posted January 2, 2023 30 minutes ago, Pushka said: The sail in is wonderful. But usually very early in the morning. Some living proof ... enjoy the sail in! 🍺🥌 6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitchly Posted January 2, 2023 #117 Share Posted January 2, 2023 On 12/31/2022 at 10:03 PM, Serendiptydesign said: Please do visit Nz it is a lovely place well I am biased we live there. May be fly in and rent a car. If you pm privately we live 20 minutes from Martinborough wine district and offer accommodation. What a kind offer! We would love to see New Zealand some day. (Though not, I think, on a cruise.) It’s on the bucket list. If we do, we will get in touch! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Twitchly Posted January 2, 2023 #118 Share Posted January 2, 2023 15 hours ago, Stickman1990 said: They’ll be heart broken I’m sure Do you really think NZ should not protect its environment from contamination by foreign pests? Not at all. But thanks to this eye-opening thread, this foreign pest will travel there overland rather than by ship, if we ever do get to go. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare katlew Posted January 2, 2023 Author #119 Share Posted January 2, 2023 2 hours ago, Pushka said: Good to hear there is a positive then. Enjoy Sydney and hope you berth in the Harbour. The sail in is wonderful. But usually very early in the morning. Even if it's White Bay you will get to go under the Bridge. We don’t get in until 1pm, do hopefully a good sail in. Thank you for all you great posts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CurlerRob Posted January 2, 2023 #120 Share Posted January 2, 2023 24 minutes ago, Twitchly said: Not at all. But thanks to this eye-opening thread, this foreign pest will travel there overland rather than by ship, if we ever do get to go. Don't discard the marine approach totally, as it's a wonderful way to see the country. The problems encountered in this thread, while extremely unfortunate, are unique in my experience. Hopefully they will lead to better precautions by the cruise lines going forward - nobody wants this to happen! 🍺🥌 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted January 2, 2023 #121 Share Posted January 2, 2023 (edited) On 12/31/2022 at 6:02 PM, Newleno said: Dont forget the Viking Sky, LOL..I don't believe I'll forget that one being that I was there! Edited January 2, 2023 by OnTheJourney 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OnTheJourney Posted January 2, 2023 #122 Share Posted January 2, 2023 10 hours ago, TERRIER1 said: We were on the Viking Star in it's inaugural year when there was a "mechanical" issue. We made it to Tallinn but the problem could not be resolved so everyone was off loaded. I remember this well. We were docked right next to you on the RCL Serenade during our Baltic cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare uktog Posted January 2, 2023 #123 Share Posted January 2, 2023 The issue is now on main page BBC in the UK today. It will be interesting to see how Viking deal with UK guests who will have very particular consumer rights protections in relation to this cruise. Viking Orion: Cruise passengers stranded after marine growth halts ship https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-64138743 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted January 2, 2023 #124 Share Posted January 2, 2023 27 minutes ago, uktog said: The issue is now on main page BBC in the UK today. It will be interesting to see how Viking deal with UK guests who will have very particular consumer rights protections in relation to this cruise. Viking Orion: Cruise passengers stranded after marine growth halts ship https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-64138743 Why mention Adelaide? If NZ hadn't prevented the cruise from porting then Adelaide wasn't even on the itinerary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pushka Posted January 2, 2023 #125 Share Posted January 2, 2023 And now exactly the same has happened to Regent Explorer today. Refused entry at a port in NZ. And also coming to Adelaide for cleaning. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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