Selion

By design. Princess wants you to buy the packages.

Never say never. River Flash Sale Free International Air Reduced Fares Promo Code FLS Expires 7/31 https://www.viking.com/promotions/us/en/river/FLS/20230615.html Offer valid on bookings made from Jul 27 to Jul 31, 2023. Cruise from $2,599 per person based on select Nov 2023 departures of Romantic Danube; Rhine Getaway; Danube Waltz in category F; cruise from $2,799 per person based on select Nov 2023 departures of Holland & Belgium in category F; cruise from $2,999 per person based on select Nov 2023 departures of Portugal’s River of Gold; Cities of Light; Paris to the Swiss Alps; Elegant Elbe in category F; cruise from $3,499 per person based on select Nov 2023 departures of Grand European Tour in category F; cruise from $4,999 per person based on select Nov 2023 departures of Capitals of Eastern Europe in category F; subject to availability, other categories may be higher. Call for details. Prices are in US dollars and for US residents only. Air does not have to be purchased to get cruise/tour offer. All fares reflect cruise taxes, port taxes and fees. Book by Jul 31, 2023. Pay in full at time of booking. Offer expires Jul 31, 2023. Edit: Duoro River sailings in November are sold out. FLS is working on some Dec sailings.

Thought I'd tack on this thread instead of creating a new one. Do all Concierge staterooms on Edge-class ships have infinite balcony instead of the traditional balcony?

Premium Econ looks to be the sweet spot!

Not sure if this falls under "transfers" for insurance, but Travel Guard allows policy holders to "modify" travel dates, coverage amounts, and areas of travel. I had modified a Travel Guard policy last year when I cancelled the Viking River cruise and booked a Viking Ocean cruise. TG kept the policy number the same, and we only need to pay the difference in the premiums (VO was more expensive than VR). That was the second modification. The first modification was changing the cruise from an MSC cruise in the Med to the VR. Different reservations, but same policy. Another time (pre-pandemic) I had to modify a TG policy, they said it would be easier to cancel and purchase a new one. TG issued a voucher, minus $7 USD admin fee, and I used the voucher toward the cost of the new policy. The different approach might be due to DOBs. TG calculates premiums based on the trip costs and travelers' age when the policy is purchased. Example: Traveler DOB is in June. Original policy was purchased in May. Modification request was made in July. TG may not want to do a modification due to their premium calculations.

Per @Baron Barracuda earlier post, TripMate insurance does not transfer. You'll need to cancel the existing insurance (any refunds???) and purchase a new policy. If you are cancelling existing reservation only to rebook at the current promo, you are likely not going to be cancelling using the CFAR Waiver since the penalties are $100 per person up to 120 days prior to sailing. If you are withing 120 days of sailing, the penalties are much higher and even cancelling under CFAR may not make financial sense. Remember Viking vouchers are not refundable. You are not getting your money back if you cancel under CFAR. I assume the entire question is: "If I rebook using Viking voucher from CFAR, does the insurance coverage for medical carry forward?" For any coverages related to Trip Costs, I'm going to guess and say "No." Because TripMate determined that Viking voucher with no cash value. If you need to cancel the cruise (rebooked with voucher) due to sickness or injury (a normally covered reason), TripMate will not provide you with a refund because the new booking was paid with a voucher. You may still have coverage if you experienced a medical emergency while on the cruise. You'll need to verify that with TripMate (not Viking). DISCLAIMER: I have never bought TripMate. These are my educated conjectures.

Clarification on "Repricing", as practiced by other cruise lines: You keep your existing reservation and reservation number. Cruise line will reprice your booked reservation at the current/prevailing fares & promos. This can be done before final payment date, and even after final payment date if you wish to upgrade to a higher category cabin with additional money paid to cruise lines. With that definition, Viking does not reprice. Viking requires you to cancel with applicable penalties and book a new reservation.

IIRC the "Gotcha" is the new cruise needs to be within 90 days of the original sailing date. It could be any itinerary on any MSC ship.

Multiple threads in the last few weeks made me think we should have a post talking about things to watch out for when booking Viking, using Viking vouchers, and purchasing TripMate insurance through Viking. Here are a few of them, feel free to add more... Final Payment Due & Repricing 12 to 18 months prior to embarkation Could be reduced if you have another Viking cruise booked or the promo allows it. Viking does not allow repricing, period. What you booked is what you get. You can attempt to cancel (for the applicable penalties) and rebook, although there are rumors that Viking is clamping down on this practice. Viking Vouchers Vouchers has NO cash value. TripMate will not provide coverage for bookings made with vouchers unless you pay for an "upgrade." Vouchers can only be used ONCE. Once it's applied to a booking voucher is considered as used and Viking will not reissued a used voucher. No refunds on unused voucher balance. Example: Voucher has a face value of $13000. New cruise is $10000 and you applied the voucher towards the balance. You either need to spend $3000 in onboard services & excursions, or you lose $3000. Viking will not refund the unused portion. TripMate Insurance (IMO just avoid it, but if you must...) Cancel for Any Reason Waiver is provided by Viking through the use of Viking vouchers (see above). TripMate will not provide coverage for bookings made with vouchers unless you pay for an "upgrade." (I think it's worth repeating) Want refunds? You must cancel under a covered reason outlined in policy and file a claim with TripMate. Must be purchased 120 days (or 180 days for cruises longer than 35 days) prior to embarkation date. COVID Vaccine Requirement Viking requires all passengers to be fully vaccinated for cruises departing on or before October 31, 2023

Sorry to hear the OP had a horrendous embarkation day. I would like to hear more about the cruise and ship itself.

It happened twice out of 70 days you'd spent with Viking. Maybe Viking just wanted to change things up a bit?

We do. MIL has a chronic condition and we can't risk it if something were to happen with her. We also do not ever buy insurance offered through cruise lines or airlines. Better coverages to be had buying independently, and often less expensive.

10MAY-200626_RiskFreeGuarantee.pdf FWIW, the voucher's T&C took up less than half of page. This was sent to me when the booking was only a hold on the cabin, before I made the deposit. Now, did I read the entire Passenger Contract? No. But I read the Risk Free Guarantee T&C numerous times to know what the vouchers can and cannot do in case we need to change or cancel. It came in handy when we had to change a Nov 2022 river cruise.

What does Viking have to do with your travel insurance company not paying? Edit - June 2022 you said? Your booking would be covered by Viking's COVID-era "Risk Free Guarantee." You could've gotten a voucher or transferred the booking to another cruise at a later date. Stop complaining about the companies when you didn't read the T&Cs in their entirety.

Just watched Black Mirror S6 Ep1 on Streamberry. It's in our nature to ask "How can they do this?" when it is us who accepted the T&Cs without fully understanding them.

Welcome to CC! Sorry to hear about your situation. The shortcomings of Viking vouchers and TripMate had been discussed time & again on this board. Unfortunately what you had experienced isn't something new. TripMate as a travel insurance provider leaves A LOT to be desired. For one, they won't cover cruises booked with vouchers unless you paid for the "upgrade." Instead of cancelling the booking, have you asked Viking if you could transfer your booking to a later sailing date? Hopefully by that time your health has improved to be able to make the trip.

Once you go Yacht Club, you can't go back!

Did you book your air with Viking or independently? If you have independent air, it may not be worth whatever Viking is prepared to offer. If it's Viking air, make sure they make an offer you can't refuse. 🤣

Before you remove the drink package from your reservation, Google NCL's current drink menus for prices. On my 2021 cruise, a lot of drinks are in the $12-$15 range. The drink package is only $21/person/day. 2 to 3 glasses of wine at dinner and you are at the break even point already.

While I agree it's NCL that should be contacted if there's an issue/question with the upgrade, it's not because NCL is held responsible for their contractors. It's because NCL has the final say in accepting the upgrade bid or not: Norwegian Cruise Line reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to decide whether or not to accept your Offer, and it makes no representation that any Guest will be upgraded regardless of whether or not cabins are available in the category for which an Offer is being made. https://www.ncl.com/ca/en/content/upgrade-advantage-terms #12

That's great for UK & EU cruisers! US cruisers are left to fend for ourselves, but public shaming on social media is always an option.

Have you read any cruise line ticket contracts and T&Cs lately? From NCL, this part of its T&C specifically about transportation (https://www.ncl.com/about/terms-and-conditions#s5m13) : Transportation Liability In arranging for the transportation of passengers to and from the vessel or for excursions, accommodations or any other activities away from the vessel, Norwegian Cruise Line does so only as a convenience to the passenger. The passenger hereby agrees that Norwegian Cruise Line shall not be liable or responsible in any respect for any property damage or personal injury arising from the selection of any mode of transportation, accommodation, excursion or activity on the passenger's behalf. Norwegian Cruise Line disclaims any responsibility for personal injury or property damage arising out of the acts, omission or negligence of any air carrier, hotel, restauranteur or other provider of the acts, omission or negligence of any air carrier, hotel, restauranteur or other provider of services offered in addition to the ship's cruise, such as concessionaires operating photography, shops, beauty salon, laundry, gaming, etc. NCL shall not be responsible for any damage or inconvenience caused by late air, car or motorcoach arrivals, nor for any personal injuries or loss or damage to baggage or other property occurring off the vessel. Any liability for loss or damage to personal baggage is in accordance with the Guest Ticket Contract provisions. Passengers' baggage and property are transported, stored and handled at owners' risk at all times. NCL is not responsible or liable for any loss, theft, pilferage, damage or delay to passengers' baggage or personal effects. Air, car, motorcoach and ground transfer shall be the responsibility of the provider of the services and in accordance with applicable limitations. As a convenience to passengers, Norwegian Cruise Line may sell tickets for shoreside tours or arrange other services which are operated by independent contractors, but Norwegian Cruise Line shall not be responsible in any way whatsoever for any damage, loss, injury or death arising out of any service provided ashore or by any airline, motel, hotel, ground carrier or any other provider of any of the services provided or offered in addition to the ship's cruise. Norwegian Cruise Line also reserves the right to change its itinerary whenever advisable or necessary which may cause all or any part of a tour, program or other service provided by independent third parties to be changed or abandoned. In this case, Norwegian Cruise Line will not be responsible for any losses or expenses caused by reason of such changes or abandonment. NCL's responsibility does not extend beyond the vessel. Therefore, any arrangements made by or for passengers either before boarding the ship or whenever disembarking entirely from the ship are at the passengers' own risk. Passengers going ashore on their own are responsible for reboarding the ship prior to departure from port. Oh, and it gets better! NCL doesn't even guarantee its ships will be floating (https://www.ncl.com/sites/default/files/NCL_Guest_Ticket Contract_US_EN_02_2023.pdf) : 6. Limitations and Disclaimers of Liability: (a) THE CARRIER AND THE GUEST HEREBY AGREE THERE IS NO WARRANTY, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE FITNESS, SEAWORTHINESS, OR CONDITION OF THE VESSEL... And we are expecting a cruise line will be responsible for its subcontractor and contractors...

2nd on Athens Gate. Great location. Book the suite with a 270-degree wrap-around balcony. There's really no reason to do a 2-day pre- or post-cruise extension with Viking. First day is a tour of Athens and 2nd day you're on your own. If you are not venturing outside of Athens, just book the hotel on your own and taxi to & from port or airport.

The pandemic is over. Why should I bother washing hands?

Obviously I made a mistake. You didn't even say that! It was made by UKstages.