pflorio994

Bailey,

Enjoyed for your suggestions. Doing the Danube Christmas cruise in December 2016.

In early November 2015 when Lufthansa went on strike, Viking went above and beyond to help reschedule everyone involved with flights going home. And all was done in a 1 day.

River Cruise Virgin here but perhaps some of you more...ahem, ...seasoned cruisers can fill me in on my issue. I discovered the MyVoyage page several weeks prior to receiving the email and signed us up for the included tours at each of our ports. However, in Bratislava, the page states, "no tours available for this port". I emailed Viking to confirm that there would be an included tour here and got a positive response but now under 45 days pre-cruise and there still isn't a tour shown there.

 

Anyone else experienced this? Should I be trying to set up our own tour "just in case" Viking doesn't offer one?

 

TIA

Yesterday, I posted the question on Viking's discussion Facebook page and last evening I received a telephone call advising me that Bratislava is included on the Danube Waltz tour and that the MyVikingJourney page is not yet completed. They are trying to complete all the itineraries on the Journey page and hope to have it completed by the end of March.

I also inquired if you need to cancel the optional paid excursion how will you be refunded. She advised me that any cancellation for the prepaid excursions must be cancelled at least 3 days prior to the excursion but the refund details is still being worked out.

I emailed Viking again this morning at TellUs@vikingcruise.com and invited them to join in on this conversation since their are many questions/concerns.

Hope this is some help. Maybe Viking will finally join us

From OP... "Wondering if any early 2016 Viking travelers have gotten the invitation to login to MyVoyage

and if they are seeing the same thing."

 

Thanks(All) for the note. WE are with a group, so only our TA gets emails from Viking...

and she has not mentioned MyVoyage or pre-selecting optional excursions.

She said selection may be done after we get on board.

 

Is this going to be a situation like NCL, where best options are sold out to pre-payers?

Shipshape, I am not traveling until December and got the email this morning. No sure when you are traveling, but Viking recommends everyone to sign in to MyVoyage and pick their optional tours; as most of them would be sold out if I wait until I am on board. They told me last night, all itineraries/optional excursions will be posted by the end of March.

They claimed it worked for their ocean cruises so they instituted the policy on the river cruises (which I think is a mistake).

All you need is your booking number and an email address to sign in.

here is a copy of the email:

"CUSTOMIZE YOUR VIKING RIVER CRUISE TODAY

Now that you've reserved your Viking journey, we invite you to register on MyVikingJourney.com, our new website designed exclusively for our guests. It's the one convenient place you can go, 24 hours a day, to get all the information you need as your departure date draws near.

Creating an account is quick, easy and secure.

Just go to MyVikingJourney.com and set up your account using the information below:

Name:

Booking No.:

Once you've created your account, you'll set a password to use on return visits.

CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT

MYVIKINGJOURNEY.COM LETS YOU:

Make online payments with credit card or e-check

Browse & book shore excursions, up to several per day

Complete your Guest Information Form, a critical form Viking needs before you go

Enhance your trip with a Silver Spirits premium beverage package

Get answers to Top 50 FAQs so you're fully prepared

Gain peace of mind with Viking Travel Protection

Access & print visa applications and travel itineraries

Explore your ship see public spaces and staterooms

View flight details at 75 days prior to departure

Learn about onboard dining & view sample menus

Manage your daily schedule in your personalized calendar

Consider extending your stay with a pre-cruise or post-cruise hotel package"

Several of the optional excursions on our trip are already sold out. There is no option to sign up for a waiting list (or to be notified by email if openings become available.) Do we assume that those options won't be offered once aboard as they have in the past? What about the people who aren't online or tech savvy and can't/don't pre-plan their excursions? Are they SOL on the excursions?

I would email Viking at TellUs@vikingcruises.com and ask them that specific question or contact your booking agent and ask them. I have the My Trip site, but my next cruise is not until December.

I would email them at tellus@vikingcruises.com and ask them why their website has Transfer Request Forms (http://www.vikingrivercruises.com/my-trip/travel-information/transfer-request-form.html).

If this is no longer available, then they should remove it from their website.

I have been on 6 cruises with Viking and see smokers just outside the exit doors where the stairs to the sun deck are located smoking. Not sure if it is really permitted though especially when the top deck is closed.

About how far out do they actually ticket the flight? We have an itinerary on our flights but they are not "ticketed" so I can't contact United, amazingly I was able to change the seats online but not upgrade.

I was told by Viking that once you paid your trip in full, you can ask for the air to be ticketed. I also wanted to upgrade and did successfully 8 months prior to my trip.

Based on last time around it seemed that those who contacted Viking and negotiated directly did end up at least somewhat satisfied with the outcome so I'd go right ahead and get in touch:

 

TellUs@vikingcruises.com

You are correct. People come on line here and complain; but do not go back to the cruiseline themselves. I know many people who were compensated by Viking only because they did go to TellUs@vikingcruises.com

I have traveled many times with Viking and have docked in many industrial areas. Your package of instructions included a map of where the ship "might be" and also included the following:

"Your ship will be docked in one of these locations. Do not dismiss your taxi until you have positively located the ship. The ship‘s docking location is at the discretion of port

authorities, and your ship‘s Captain can be ordered to move the ship without notice. If you encounter any difficulty, call your ship."

It is about time that Viking posted something. Happy to see as i am cruising with Viking the 7th time

As I have booked my 7th cruise with Viking, I am also surprised that whoever monitors this board at Viking has yet to comment. I even sent messages to the folks at Viking management that I know and had no response from them.

Very poor service on Viking's part. Fran, I hope you enjoy your cruises. The Elbe cruise is very nice and you get to see how the old East Germany has rebuilt itself.

Hi! I am very glad to have found this Roll Call, especially with so many experienced travelers!

 

My husband and I are going on the Rhine Getaway, Basel to Amsterdam, May 30 - June 6, 2015. Coming from CA, we're going to get over a bit of jetlag in NY for a few days before flying to Basel, then we're going to Lucerne (on our own) May 28 & 29. My concern is how to best get to Lucerne and then back to Basel on May 30 for the ship's departure.

 

Barring that, I will look into (a) renting a car and/or (b) going by train.

I'd love advice from anyone else on this forum with information on that little conundrum! I know we'll be tired after being on the plane all night and want to make the transfer as easy as possible.

 

/QUOTE]

 

Have you checked out the pricing with Viking for transfers to the ship. I know you can purchase them separately.

News to me...where did you see that in print? This is my third but for next tine, that would be helpful to know about.

 

Please provide a link from the FAQ or website if you can as i can find nothing about this under Custom Air.

Thnks

It is one of the perks belonging to Viking's Explorer Society. I always remind them when I use Custom Air.

Interested in taking this cruise November 2015. Can anyone tell me what the weather is like early to mid November.

Thanks

Looks like a great cruise. Too bad that they are offering it only in April and May.

Was on a Viking cruise last week (11/2 - 11/9) and it was flooded then. The poor people in Avignon could not even get off their ship. We transferred from one ship to another because of the flooding.

Tried to play the Viking CD of pictures and it was blank :( . This whole cruise was a total nightmare and disappointment. I emailed Tellus@vikingcruises.com last week while on board and never heard from them.

We just returned from the Portraits of Southern France and had the exact same experienced on the Viking Hermod. We were unable to travel south of Vienne due to heavy rains and flooding, so we were bussed to Avignon where we swapped ships and remained docked for the last 4 days. Missed the experience of cruising.

After traveling with Viking for 5 previous cruise, this was the worst cruise that I ever took with them. It is so unfortunate that the crew on the Hermod was so inexperienced. The Buri was a little better. I think it may be time to look at other companies.

Just returned from a Viking Longship and there was 3-110 outlets and one in the bathroom for a shaver. No need for a converter.

Both the Buri and the Hermod were full

Currently on hermod and we are told that we need to change ships.

Raining for 4 days and locks between Vienne and Avignon clogged with debris

Thank you for your comment. Looking forward to your review as I will be on the Hermod in early November.

Average Rainfall (inches)

Lyon

Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2.0 2.4 3.0 3.1 2.6 3.1 3.0 3.4 2.7 2.0

Vienne

Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

2.0 2.4 3.0 2.6 2.6 3.1 3.0 3.4 2.7 2.0

Chalon-sur-Soane

Mar Apr May June July Aug Sept Oct Nov Dec

1.9 2.0 2.3 2.7 2.5 2.5 2.1 2.9 2.8 2.3