Viking 'Footsteps of the Cossacks' (Ukraine)

[silkismom]

The flts w/Viking were part of the package, I did pay the extra to choose my flts, but not a lot of choices from COS. They are giving us an overnight in Vienna. The strange thing is that on Fri, I could see my flts & added our FF numbers, yesterday & today I couldn't see anything--not sure if they are still working on it or what--needless to say, if they aren't there tomorrow, my TA will get a call!!.

[Peregrina651]

The flts w/Viking were part of the package, I did pay the extra to choose my flts, but not a lot of choices from COS. They are giving us an overnight in Vienna. The strange thing is that on Fri, I could see my flts & added our FF numbers, yesterday & today I couldn't see anything--not sure if they are still working on it or what--needless to say, if they aren't there tomorrow, my TA will get a call!!.

 

Here is what I learned about FF miles on our flights to and from. First, not all class tickets are eligible for miles (and each leg could be a different class). Second, the FF rules are different for each airline. We flew three different airlines. No trouble getting miles from United (all 413 of them from BOS to IAD). Lufthansa gave us no miles for our entire return trip Kiev to Bos). I spoke with United and although they tried, they could not help in finding out if Austrian Airlines will give us FF miles for our flights from IAD to Odessa; I will eventually remember to call Austrian.

 

On your outbound flights, consider an East Coast overnight at your expense. We did it on our trip to China and it really made a difference for us. Besides the fact that we did not have to leave the house at 3 in the morning to make our flight, we also did not have to worry about our connecting flight running late (which it did).

[Grandcruisevirgin]

How does one get the custom air and how much is it? How does one, who booked with Viking and is still waiting for their refund of the foreign transaction fee for the Kiev extension, pay for custom air without incurring another foreign transaction fee?

 

After the deposit (charged to AmEx, no foreign transaction fee applied) I know there was an option to pay the balance of the cost of the trip with a check and save a few dollars, but I didn't do that, paid with AmEx again, and again I wasn't charged a foreign transaction fee. It was only the extension and insurance, booked recently and charged to Citi card that had the foreign transaction fee put on it.

 

Are the flights for the Sept 22 2013 cruise really available now? I looked on yahoo travel today and saw flights from some airlines going through Munich (to Kiev) and returning from Odessa to Kiev to Munich, but nothing through Vienna. I'd really like to see a little of Vienna. Do you think Viking will send me back that way if I don't get the custom air?

 

Oh - and BTW, I'm leaving from an East Coast City - and still most of the flights I saw sent me through Chicago or Newark (not much more east than where I am, but I understand that both cities are more 'international hubs' than my home airport.

[Peregrina651]

How does one get the custom air and how much is it? How does one, who booked with Viking and is still waiting for their refund of the foreign transaction fee for the Kiev extension, pay for custom air without incurring another foreign transaction fee?

 

The custom air fee is quoted on the Viking website, which will also explain the ins-and-outs of the kind of changes you can make to your flight arrangements. Some changes in flight arrangements will cause your airfare to go up; this is spelled out on these pages.

 

If you want to limit your costs to the special airfare price that Viking has quoted, then you will be limited to the flight choices that Viking offers--and it may or may not include a forced overnight stop. We flew over through Vienna but did not stay overnight. Instead of flying us from Boston to Vienna, we flew to Dulles to catch a flight that would get us into Vienna in time to catch the 10:40am flight to Odessa.

After the deposit (charged to AmEx, no foreign transaction fee applied) I know there was an option to pay the balance of the cost of the trip with a check and save a few dollars, but I didn't do that, paid with AmEx again, and again I wasn't charged a foreign transaction fee. It was only the extension and insurance, booked recently and charged to Citi card that had the foreign transaction fee put on it.

 

Foreign transaction fees are charged by the credit card company and not by Viking--and it is your bank that decides whether you are doing business with a foreign company or not. To avoid the foreign transaction fees, use a card that doesn't charge them.

 

BTW, Viking does not receive any of the foreign transaction fee; it all goes to the credit card company.

 

Are the flights for the Sept 22 2013 cruise really available now? I looked on yahoo travel today and saw flights from some airlines going through Munich (to Kiev) and returning from Odessa to Kiev to Munich, but nothing through Vienna. I'd really like to see a little of Vienna. Do you think Viking will send me back that way if I don't get the custom air?

I'm not sure how far out you can get your flights; it may depend on the airlines.

 

There is no way of telling in advance how Viking will route you but if you want some say in the process, you have to use custom air; otherwise, you just take what you are given.

Oh - and BTW, I'm leaving from an East Coast City - and still most of the flights I saw sent me through Chicago or Newark (not much more east than where I am, but I understand that both cities are more 'international hubs' than my home airport.

 

Try using Dulles as your home airport; there are lots of transatlantic flights from there. If you use a home airport that does not have connecting flights into Dulles because the two airports are too close then it will send you further afield to New York, Newark or even Chicago. Dulles flies into Vienna (Austrian Airlines).

 

The problem is that you have to force the flight websites to give you the information you want. If you want to fly from your home airport, then, when you search, try breaking up the flight into multiple cities and name the segments home to ??, ?? to Kiev. ?? can be Newark, JFK or even Boston--try them all. By not naming a connecting city in Europe, you will soon get a good idea of which cities have the best connections into Kiev and out of Odessa.

 

You do not have to fly back to Kiev as you leave Odessa.

 

 

[silkismom]

My TA had to work with Viking, my flts are COS-ORD-DUS-Kiev, and Odessa-Vienna (they pay overnight if you fly w/Austrian air)-IAD-COS, at first there was less than 1 hour in ORD--never happen--now we sit there for 5 hrs. Supposedly for $50 pp they will work for upgrades using your FF, still waiting to see how that will work out. Our air was part of the cruise "package" and we paid $100 for "custom air". All the flts have to be w/in Star alliance, one world etc.

[Grandcruisevirgin]

Thanks for the explanation. I'm wondering if it's possible to 'roll the dice' and see what Viking comes up with 75 days before the cruise, and then if I don't like the flights, getting the custom air sometime between 75 days before and 50 days before I leave (less than 50 days before departure, the custom air becomes unavailable).

 

Driving to Dulles airport is not an option. But, I should check out the cost of an airport shuttle to Dulles, especially if it will pick me up at home and bring me back there.

 

Oh well, I'm going to do a Scarlett O'Hara about this right now - I'll think about it in January, 2013, after 2013 is another year.

[Peregrina651]

My TA had to work with Viking,

 

That's right. If you work with a travel agent, then they have to make any calls--no matter what it is you are trying to find out. It has its upsides and its downsides. Someone on one of these threads said that he went to his TA's office and they made the call together to work out the flights. I went on-line and did a lot of searching for flights and then outlined for my travel agent what I was looking for before she talked with Custom Air.

 

my flts are COS-ORD-DUS-Kiev, and Odessa-Vienna (they pay overnight if you fly w/Austrian air)-IAD-COS, at first there was less than 1 hour in ORD--never happen--now we sit there for 5 hrs.

I'll take the 5 hours!! One hour barely gives you enough time to use the facilities let alone run from one end of the airport to another to make a connection and if your flight from COS is running even the slightest bit late, then you risk not making your flight at all. All that tension is no way to start a vacation!! Start relaxed; stay relaxed.

[silkismom]

Well, so much for wishful thinking, Viking decided they couldn't do upgrade because the flt was on LH--what a crock!! They are both in Star Alliance and can do upgrades on each other. As soon as its ticketed--they say 60 days out--I'll be on the phone to UA. At least we'll have seatback TVs-on AA to Rome you had to crane your neck--of course there wasn't anything worth watching anyhow. I did miss the little plane flying over the ocean. I haven't recovered from MAD-DFW-COS on Nov 7, I'm still sick, so many sick people on that flt--Spainish germs must be different.

[Peregrina651]

Well, so much for wishful thinking, Viking decided they couldn't do upgrade because the flt was on LH--what a crock!! They are both in Star Alliance and can do upgrades on each other. As soon as its ticketed--they say 60 days out--I'll be on the phone to UA. At least we'll have seatback TVs-on AA to Rome you had to crane your neck--of course there wasn't anything worth watching anyhow. I did miss the little plane flying over the ocean. I haven't recovered from MAD-DFW-COS on Nov 7, I'm still sick, so many sick people on that flt--Spainish germs must be different.

 

Viking is just the middle-man. If you are upgrading with miles then it depends on the class of the ticket and each airline, even though part of the alliance, has its own rules as to which classes are upgradeable and which classes can earn miles. It's not a crock; the airlines have caught on to our manoeuvrings and have closed the loopholes. Lufthansa seems to be the most restrictive.

 

The reason that Viking can offer such great prices on airfare is because for the most part, they book the real cheap tickets that are not eligible for upgrades or miles. The next question to ask is what it would cost to be ticketed in a class that can be upgraded? It will mean adding a couple of hundred to the airfare.

 

Don't blame Spain. Blame your own immune system. Every place you go has its own germ pool that is different from the one you have built up immunity to--and airplanes are the worst.

[Peregrina651]

I'm wondering if it's possible to 'roll the dice' and see what Viking comes up with 75 days before the cruise, and then if I don't like the flights, getting the custom air sometime between 75 days before and 50 days before I leave (less than 50 days before departure, the custom air becomes unavailable).

 

 

IMHO--and this is really just my opinion: Don't roll the dice. Plunk down the $$$ now and get the flights you want (well not exactly the flights you want because there are still restrictions on which flight plans are eligible). Avoid tight connections and pre-dawn departures. $50 is nothing compared to what you have already paid for the vacation. Since the right flights are so important to making for a stress-free vacation, don't be penny-wise and dollar foolish.

[Grandcruisevirgin]

You're right.

 

I'll call Viking this evening or tomorrow.

 

I'm not going to pay for a seat upgrade, but I want the best possible chance of getting a window - and therefore something to lean on - for the longer flights. The sooner they ticket me, the better. If any of the flights are on Delta, I don't see why I can't get a frequent flyer upgrade on them, I certainly have enough miles and will argue the point directly with Delta if need be.

 

Thanks for helping me see the big picture. :o

[Peregrina651]

If any of the flights are on Delta, I don't see why I can't get a frequent flyer upgrade on them, I certainly have enough miles and will argue the point directly with Delta if need be.

 

 

Just two comments. 1) You will most likely be put on Star Alliance flights not Delta. 2) Just because you have the miles does not mean you can use them on any flight. The FF rules have changed. Airlines do not permit you to upgrade just any fare; only certain classes of fares (marked by a letter on your ticket) are eligible for an upgrade. The rules differ from from airline to airline and usually Viking's special fares are in the not upgradeable classes. If you want to upgrade your ticket, then you will probably have to pay more airfare. In other words, don't hold your breath on the upgrade.

 

Still, being able to choose your flights --and maybe even your seat -- is well worth it.

[Grandcruisevirgin]

OK, I've done it.

 

Traveling BWI to Newark to Frankfurt to Kiev on the way.

 

Coming back - Odessa to Istanbul to Newark to BWI.

 

As a woman traveling alone, I was not very happy with the flight to Istanbul, but spending 2 hours there sounded better than flying out of Dulles.

 

And honestly: Of the 3 cities where I'll be changing planes, Newark is probably the scariest!

 

I'm flying United/Luthansa most of the way and have window seats reserved for the flights I was able to pick seats on, that is everything except Frankfurt to Kiev and then Odessa to Istanbul, which are short flights. The flight from Odessa to Istanbul leaves at a decent time and the very helpful Viking agent told me that if new flights are added, I can make changes up to 90 days before departure.

 

The total cost was $50!

 

I would have liked the stop and forced overnight in Vienna, but maybe in 2014 I can take another Viking cruise and see that area of the world.

 

Thanks for guiding me through, everyone. If left to my own devices and allowing Viking to just put me on any flight - I probably would have ended up on the same flights, as the problem (lack of flights) seems to be a BWI problem, but put in the middle seat the entire way. :D

[Peregrina651]

OK, I've done it.

 

Traveling BWI to Newark to Frankfurt to Kiev on the way.

 

Coming back - Odessa to Istanbul to Newark to BWI.

 

As a woman traveling alone, I was not very happy with the flight to Istanbul, but spending 2 hours there sounded better than flying out of Dulles.

 

And honestly: Of the 3 cities where I'll be changing planes, Newark is probably the scariest!

 

I'm flying United/Luthansa most of the way and have window seats reserved for the flights I was able to pick seats on, that is everything except Frankfurt to Kiev and then Odessa to Istanbul, which are short flights. The flight from Odessa to Istanbul leaves at a decent time and the very helpful Viking agent told me that if new flights are added, I can make changes up to 90 days before departure.

 

The total cost was $50!

 

I would have liked the stop and forced overnight in Vienna, but maybe in 2014 I can take another Viking cruise and see that area of the world.

 

Thanks for guiding me through, everyone. If left to my own devices and allowing Viking to just put me on any flight - I probably would have ended up on the same flights, as the problem (lack of flights) seems to be a BWI problem, but put in the middle seat the entire way. :D

 

YeeHaw!! Now there is nothing to brood about for the next 9 months. You have your flights and your seats and only care-free anticipation. Sounds like you have a good flight plan overall without having to give up leaving out of BWI.

 

I am sure that there are those who will complain about the custom air fee but here is my take on it. It is a value added fee. In the long run, it helps to keep the cost of the airfare down--a boon for those who are watching the budget and are willing to take what they get on the flights. If you do want to make changes, the fees are reasonable, less than one per cent of what you are already paying for cruise+flight.

 

Frankfurt airport is huge but if you have any problems, it is the place to have them. We had some issues flying home and the folks in Frankfurt took care of us. Kiev could not issue our boarding passes--heck, they couldn't even tell us which line to stand in order to check in--and they forced us to check our carry on bags because they were 'too heavy.' Thus when we arrived at Frankfurt, we had to retrieve our bags, get our boarding passes and pass through security again. All I wanted from the stewardess was a game plan, some instructions of where we had to go to make the next flight. Instead, before we even took off from Kiev, she had already contacted Frankfurt and arranged for us to be met at the gate and escorted to our next gate (including all our stops for bags and boarding passes). In other words, if you think you will have trouble making your connection to Kiev, speak up!

 

I think you are right. Newark is probably the worst of the airports that you have to deal with but it is better than flying to Chicago to get a transatlantic flight--flying west to go east --and it isn't like you are going to have to go beyond the gate areas (hopefully).

 

Please don't worry about Istanbul. It is a beautiful city and the people are very nice. Moreover, you will be with other Viking passengers since Viking offers at Istanbul extension. Buy some saffron if you can; it will keep ypu busy while you wait for your flight to Newark. It will be cheaper than here and makes a great gift for anyone who likes to cook with it--and it is very easy to pack into your already full bags;). Buy whole stems and not powdered (which is usually cut with turmeric and does not hold its flavor).

[silkismom]

One thing about Frankfurt--don't have a video camera, DH had to go to a separate room, be screened and other hassles, both directions. Sure its an old camera, but they should know what it is. We almost missed our connecting flts because of it.

[Peregrina651]

One thing about Frankfurt--don't have a video camera, DH had to go to a separate room, be screened and other hassles, both directions. Sure its an old camera, but they should know what it is. We almost missed our connecting flts because of it.

Thanks for the heads up on the video cameras. These days most P&S cameras include video capabilities but I don't remember having any hassles with our cameras (but then again, I was just so upset about everything else that I just did not pay attention to everything that was going on at the security check points). Frankfurt is the only place where I had to remove my gold bangle bracelets and since the clasps are getting old I was none to happy about that. We went through security with our go-cart and driver. The cart had its under-carriage inspected with a mirror each time we went through and the driver had to walk through the magic arches with us.

[silkismom]

Be careful what you post on this thread, it may come back to bite you, it seems that Viking has a spy who can't take any bad comments. My TA & I are about to split ways, after a friendship of many years because of it. Maybe they should read some posts concerning other cruiseline air problems and other cruise problems to get some ideas that this board is for posting the bad as well as the good that people experience.

[Viking Cruises]

Be careful what you post on this thread, it may come back to bite you, it seems that Viking has a spy who can't take any bad comments. My TA & I are about to split ways, after a friendship of many years because of it. Maybe they should read some posts concerning other cruiseline air problems and other cruise problems to get some ideas that this board is for posting the bad as well as the good that people experience.

 

Dear silkismom,

 

We do monitor Cruise Critic, along with other sites, for conversations that our guests are having about Viking. We learn A LOT from doing so, and occasionally we come across someone who is upset or frustrated—and in those cases we try to assist. We read your post and contacted your Travel Agent to get a better understanding of your concerns and see if we could find any kind of solution. When guests choose to book their travel through an agent, we always keep the agent updated and involved in any discussion about the guest’s arrangements, out of respect for the agent/client relationship.

 

We apologize if our attempt to help has caused extra frustration and concern; that was certainly not our intent. The Viking representative best able to handle this particular request will be back in the office on Monday and will contact you to see what can be done about upgrades. If you would like to contact us directly before Monday (or anytime), you can do so at TellUs@vikingrivercruises.com. We’d be happy to hear from you.

 

Kind regards,

Viking River Cruises

[silkismom]

I appologize to all concerned for my comments. As mentioned previously, I've been sick since my 11 hour flt from MAD and really didn't want to go cattle class ever again, but I've been set straight on the logistics and cost of trying to upgrade. I guess I'll use my FF for free(?) trips to the Caribbean or Hawaii. I've been saving them in hopes of having a comfortable seat where I can actually sleep on a long flt. but paying several thousand $ more isn't in the cards at this time. I am looking forward to this cruise since I've never been to that area and it probably will be the only time.

 

Thank you Rose for all your work.

[Peregrina651]

I appologize to all concerned for my comments. As mentioned previously, I've been sick since my 11 hour flt from MAD and really didn't want to go cattle class ever again, but I've been set straight on the logistics and cost of trying to upgrade. I guess I'll use my FF for free(?) trips to the Caribbean or Hawaii. I've been saving them in hopes of having a comfortable seat where I can actually sleep on a long flt. but paying several thousand $ more isn't in the cards at this time. I am looking forward to this cruise since I've never been to that area and it probably will be the only time.

 

Thank you Rose for all your work.

 

Not a problem. We have all been there at time or another.

[Grandcruisevirgin]

What's outside cabins 413 and 414? I've looked at the deck plans - it looks like something's there. I've looked at the side angle pictures and counted windows, I also looked at the pictures of the single cabins - they say there's a 'large picture window,' but the curtain is always drawn.

 

Is it a staircase? Lifeboat? What?

[Peregrina651]

What's outside cabins 413 and 414? I've looked at the deck plans - it looks like something's there. I've looked at the side angle pictures and counted windows, I also looked at the pictures of the single cabins - they say there's a 'large picture window,' but the curtain is always drawn.

 

Is it a staircase? Lifeboat? What?

 

There is something outside of most of the windows--chairs, stairs, equipment boxes, etc. Looking at the diagram it looks like there are stairs outside your window.

 

BTW, remember to close the room darkening curtains to your room if you are parading around in the all-together. If the room lights are on in the evening, people on the deck can see right into the the room, even if you have the 'privacy' curtains pulled. Just because you can't see out doesn't mean that people can't see in.

 

Also, don't open the windows for fresh air because you will get bugs in the room along with the air--especially on the Dnieper.

[Peregrina651]

There is something outside of most of the windows--chairs, stairs, equipment boxes, etc. Looking at the diagram it looks like there are stairs outside your window.

 

BTW, remember to close the room darkening curtains to your room if you are parading around in the all-together. If the room lights are on in the evening, people on the deck can see right into the the room, even if you have the 'privacy' curtains pulled. Just because you can't see out doesn't mean that people can't see in.

 

Also, don't open the windows for fresh air because you will get bugs in the room along with the air--especially on the Dnieper.

 

 

 

I forgot to say: Don't worry so much about what is outside your window. The windows, when closed, are fairly sound-proof and you aren't really bothered by people as they pass by your window.

[Grandcruisevirgin]

...Just call me the 'Queen of the Obstructed View.'

 

I'm having severe angst about going through Turkey on the way back. I don't know if Viking allowed enough time (I only have about an hour and a half) between flights, if I have to clear EU Customs and Immigration and then go through check-in and security there...

 

(I have a tight connection in Frankfurt on the way, but having read through this entire thread last night, I now know what to do - ask for help in advance, while on the Lufthansa flight, like you did.)

 

I don't know what kind of assistance I'll be able to get from a Turkish Air flight attendant about connecting to a United - or maybe it's Lufthansa again - flight...

 

But, there are very few options between ODS and BWI, I found a Ukrainian Air flight from Odessa to Kiev, then there are a lot more options, including going through Poland or Munich. If I miss a connection, I'd rather be stuck in Ukraine, Poland or Germany than in Turkey.

 

I wouldn't mind getting up at 3 AM if I could go back through Vienna, but it seems that's not going to happen.

 

But, I'm going to stop obsessing about this until 2013, I'll check the flight schedules again and then I'll resume my obsessing. :confused:

[Peregrina651]

...Just call me the 'Queen of the Obstructed View.'

 

I'm having severe angst about going through Turkey on the way back. I don't know if Viking allowed enough time (I only have about an hour and a half) between flights, if I have to clear EU Customs and Immigration and then go through check-in and security there...

 

 

Don't worry about the view from your room; you won't be spending much time there. Besides which, since the only place to sit in the room is on your bed, you don't get much of view no matter what; the angle is all wrong for viewing out.

 

Here is a link to a picture of our cabin and you will see that the beds are low compared to the window. I tried to put it right in the post but it didn't work.

 

 

Stop obsessing about Istanbul; it is a modern airport serving an international clientele. (However, you are right about Munich/Frankfurt/Vienna etc. having more connections to East Coast cities and that is certainly a big consideration). Here is the link for the Ataturk Airport; take some time to explore it because it is full of helpful information about the airport. Here is what the website says about making international connections; you will not have to go through customs/immigration to get from one flight to another--even if Odessa cannot give you a boarding pass:

Transfer Passengers: (International Transfer Passengers With An International Connection Flight) A boarding card is issued for the passenger (if not issued in the country of origin) at the transit desk of the relevant handling company on the Arrivals floor. The passenger does not go through passport control. Instead, he/she directly proceeds through the transit area into the International Departures area. Baggage will be automatically transferred to the connecting flight.

 

Start following your flights online. You should be able to get an idea of where one flight arrives and the other takes off; it won't be precise but it will give you a general idea so that you can check it out on the airport map. You will also get an idea of the flight's on-time record and that will help you determine if you have enough time between flights.

 

There is no need to fly back to Kiev to get home. Odessa connects to a number of transatlantic hubs that will get you into East Coast cities, even if not directly into BWI. Check out reviews of Ukrainian airlines before you make any decisions.

Edited December 6, 2012 by Peregrina651