Chicagocruiser919

We had our travel agent exercise our Risk-Free cancellation today in advance of our 9/7 cruise. Contrary to what Viking told me last week that excursion cancellations would be refunded to the original means of payment when I cancelled our shore excursions on the My Viking Journey website last week, my travel agent was told today that under the terms of the Risk-Free cancellation, all monies paid — the cruise, the excursions and the transfers — will be converted to a Future Cruise Credit. Disappointing.

33 minutes ago, sleepybobo said:

 

 

I also cancelled our excursions one day prior to cancelling the cruise.  Viking said that didn't give them enough time to process the refund for the excursions.  So the amount I paid for the excursions went to the voucher.  

 

If you want the excursions refunded, then I guess you have to wait the refund to come in before cancelling the cruise.  

I called Viking last week and asked about cancelling excursions and was told they would refund to the original form of payment, which I confirmed was my credit card. I cancelled them through My Viking Journey on 8/13 because I knew we would (sadly) eventually cancel our 9/7 cruise and I preferred to have those amounts refunded rather than added to the FCC. So far the credits have not appeared on my credit card. This morning I asked our travel agent to cancel the cruise this week, in advance of next week’s voluntary cancellation deadline. We’ll see if the excursion credits end up in the FCC.

I think I read somewhere on one of these Viking boards that the Iceland government was expected to announce some revision to their COVID protocols today, August 17. Anyone else recall that, and if so, has anyone seen or heard anything?

Thank you.

From Reuters News Service:

August 10, 2021, 4:23 AM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) warned on Monday against travel to Israel, France, Thailand, Iceland and several other countries because of a rising number of COVID-19 cases in those nations. 

The CDC has been adding to its highest "Level 4: Very High" COVID-19 level as cases spread around the globe. 

The U.S. State Department also issued its parallel Level 4: Do Not Travel" advisories for Iceland and France on Monday.

Just received this notice in an email from Viking re: our 9/7 Viking Jupiter cruise:

04AUG2021

Dear Viking Guest,

This message is to advise you of a change to what was previously communicated regarding independent exploration in Iceland.

On August 2, 2021, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the travel advisory level for Iceland to a "Level 3." As a result of this change, we do not expect that independent exploration will be permitted. Therefore only Viking-operated shore excursions will be allowed during your voyage. Rest assured, we will offer a range of shore excursions, including sightseeing, special interest and active tours, and each one will be hosted by an experienced guide. We continue to monitor the situation and will notify you of any changes. 

If you have any questions regarding this matter, please call Reservations at 1-855-300-3970, Monday through Sunday, 5:00 AM to 7:00 PM, PT.

We look forward to welcoming you on board.

Sincerely,

Viking