Squawkman

Sorry for your loss. If the future cruise credit was issued before 2/28/21, you most likely could have had your voucher refunded if you contacted Viking on 12/12 when you first heard about your FIL’s medical status. This past April, my wife broke her small toe 2 days before we were to fly out and we were able to salvage the FCV with no issues. We since rebooked that cruise, but now are aware there is no recourse if we can’t make it. while I’m sorry for your predicament, I can’t heed your advice in your last paragraph - Pax need to read the contract, regulations, etc. before accepting a FCV.

Here’s the email I received with personal info deleted: This is an automated email. Please do not reply. Southern Mediterranean Discovery VIKING SKY Booking Number: Ms Mr 06DEC2018 Limited Time Offer: Upgrade to a Penthouse Veranda for $199 USD per person!* Thank you for choosing Viking for your upcoming cruise. We trust that you will enjoy a cruise line voted #1 by the readers of Travel + Leisure for the third year in a row in their World's Best Awards 2018. Your 8-day voyage travels from Rome to Barcelona one culturally enriching itinerary. For a limited time, based on space availability, we would like to invite you to upgrade your experience. For $199 USD per person, enjoy the extra space, perks, and amenities that a Penthouse Veranda provides, including: 338 sq. ft. (25% more space) to relax and enjoy the views Mini-bar replenished daily with complimentary alcoholic beverages 2 guaranteed priority reservations at each alternative restaurant (must be made onboard if within 7 days prior to departure) Complimentary bottle of champagne Complimentary shoe shine and pressing service 1:00 PM priority stateroom access To view a deck plan, please click here. Call now for details: 1-888-xxxx, Mon - Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM PST or email Xxxxc We thank you for your patronage and look forward to welcoming you on board soon. Sincerely, Xxxx Operations Agent, Yield Management 1-888-xxxx Viking ***** *Upgrade subject to stateroom availability. Upgrades on a first come, first-served basis. Offer is only available pre-cruise. Insurance may be affected due to cruise cost increase.

In my case, an email was sent to individuals booked for that specific cruise. No promo codes, just a direct person to call if interested.

I was offered and took a last minute upgrade from DV4 ->PV1 for $199pp 4 years ago. I use the same Viking agent and he didn’t know about it until I told him. Offer was by personal email about a week before embarkation. No explanation why I was picked, except maybe because I had done 2 river cruises and this was our first ocean.

Clay - you’re correct. The workaround is when you cancel an existing booking and rebook it as new. Not always possible or desired. Impossible without losing money if the original cruise was booked after 12/1/21 with vouchers. The original question was if using promo codes were restricted to those who received it directly - my response was a resounding no. When I used promo codes, they were brand new bookings or cancellations and rebooking of existing cruises. None were ever paid in full. As we usually have at least one future cruise booked when we book another, they’re always PIF six months before embarkation.

In our case we requested the voucher to be applied when we cancelled Homelands.

That depends on the stipulations of the voucher. We had booked Viking Homelands with a Covid related voucher. When St. Petersburg was eliminated from the itinerary earlier this year, we were able to cancel and apply the voucher to a 2023 cruise booked a few months earlier.

Absolutely true. Done it a few times. My Viking agent told me as long as you give him a valid code, he can apply the discount.

That was our feeling exactly, so we did book Hawaii. But when Hawaii was closed to cruise ships and the cruise became Mexican Riviera, we bailed and got a full cash refund. We were told publicly (here on CC) and privately by folks who stayed on that we made a good decision.

FYI - on our river cruise last month, there was a limit of 10 certificates per person.

As I mentioned, the default is for any outstanding vouchers to be applied. I needed to be proactive and request the Viking agent not to use the voucher. If the booking is transferred to a TA, I would think that shouldn’t make a difference- but I never did that so I don’t know. I never had any vouchers applied without my knowledge. I do agree that there should be language on the original booking document stating vouchers have been applied. I did 4 Viking cruises (2 river, 2 ocean) since November, 2021, and have 4 more booked over for 2023 and 2024. No outstanding vouchers were applied without my knowledge.

This is another reason I forgo using a TA for OBC and use the same Viking agent for all my bookings. The “default” is to apply any outstanding vouchers of any kind. We always discuss outstanding vouchers and have held back using vouchers when it made sense for us to do so. Whenever we finalize a booking, our agent says on the line until I receive and review the new or revised booking document. If something is incorrect, he fixes it immediately and sends a new document. On at least 2 bookings I found errors that were corrected while we were still on the phone.

I meant it wasn’t necessary to connect to a specific WiFi network to activate WiFi when airplane mode is turned on. Sorry for any confusion.

While on a Viking ship, only the ship’s WiFi is used. I’m always in Airplane mode so no cell service can be accessed. When we’re out on a excursion and have “free time”, I usually look for a Macdonalds or Burger King and use their free WiFi.

The ATT $10 deal lasts 24 hours from when you invoke it - then cell service shuts off. Use or lose the full 24 hours.

It isn’t necessary to connect to a WiFi network - just turn it on even if no network is available. I do this each time I get my seat on the plane. If I’m flying on United, as a Mileage Plus member, I can often get free iMessage during the flight (iMessage only - no text, calls, email, web, etc. unless I pay extra). Other frequent flyer groups might offer other WiFi services.

I assume you’re aware the Douro ships are smaller than Danube ships and hold about half as many passengers.

In airplane mode with WiFi on you can do anything your US plan allows including answering the phone, responding to SMS (green) text, etc.

Good for,you! We pondered that one but feel it would be a little too much for us. We are doing a Canada ocean cruise with a promo code provided by Selion.

I agree with CC. We were on the Mediterranean Odyssey cruise this fall and the crowd was the youngest I ever remember seeing on Viking - ocean or river. In our early 70s, we were definitely several years above the median age.

My daughter was a high school exchange student in Norway 25 years ago. Unless things have changed, English is required and starts when students enter third grade. For those who follow an academic track in upper high school, a second foreign language is taken along with advanced English. Ironically, she found advanced English very challenging as they covered literature beyond what she had in her high school in the US.

Interesting as it’s a three day weekend in the US as well.

Thanks for taking the time to do this and sharing it here. Our BIE cruise is after yours - May 27, 2023 - and we were surprised to see excursions listed about 3 days ago! Our cruise is also London to Bergen, but the excursions are not all the same. I compared the day in London and found 5 of the 6 excursions were the same. Our offerings do not include Southwark - but we have the Imperial War Museum and Classic Monuments of London (total of 7 choices). It appears that we’ll be in port longer as, for example, the Tower of London is in the afternoon while yours is in the morning. I haven’t compared any of the other days, but everyone should be aware their BIE cruise may have different offerings.

I totally agree and greatly appreciate your sharing everything with us as Viking does not directly inform us of these promos. In our case, I concluded earlier this year that my wife and I are not expedition material as we have limitations that could preclude us (or possibly others we join) from enjoying many of the included excursions. The Atlantic Coastline expedition is tempting, but I'm actually glad we have other plans for the one discounted date offered - lest we talk mourselves into thinking we can fully enjoy this expedition. 🙂