Update: August 8 Departure of Viking Star

[NJB43]

Having taken two Viking river cruises in the last fifteen months, we booked on the Star for the Istanbul to Venice trip beginning November 17. However, given the Star's problems, I am increasingly concerned about how our trip will go. As well, my husband and I are not impressed with Viking's handling of the situation.

 

In contrast, when Hurtigruten cancelled our trip up the coast of Norway in April due to mechanical problems, they covered all the costs associated with rescheduling - extra hotel night, rescheduled airfares, etc. and they gave us a cabin upgrade. Viking could learn from Hurtigruten!

[Port Hope]

Looks like the Star is on the move again!

http://cruiseoutlook.com/current-position/viking-ocean_star

[Mammacat]

Marine time.com shows Viking Star leaving...hope she is really fixed!

[buggins0402]

Yes, I see she has moved. There is a tug behind her...is that because she is in an area that needs a pilot boat?

 

Destination does show Copenhagen and she should make it by the 10th easily leaving now, if she goes at normal cruise speeds.

[BrianI]

Viking Star is only doing 10knots closely followed by a tug also heading for Copenhagen.

It looks to me like the Viking Star has limited engine power and the tug is backup in case of further problems.

Brian

[cassandra44]

Sounds as if the Viking Oceans lawyers ought to be sharpening their pencils to launch an action against Fincantieri for a flaw in manufacture.. But then of course other vessels are in the works.....but then again Viking doesn't own them until they take possession.- so who will prevail?

Couldn't resist but honestly we are following all the posts and it must be simply dreadful to experience this dreadful mess.

[Viking Cruises]

Dear NJB43,

 

We appreciate your loyalty and regret to hear you are having second thoughts about your upcoming cruise. November is still a few months away and, while we are confident in the performance of Viking Star and do not foresee any additional technical challenges, we would encourage you to contact us at tellus@vikingcruises.com so that we may answer your questions and help put your mind at ease. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

Kind regards,

Viking Cruises

 

Having taken two Viking river cruises in the last fifteen months, we booked on the Star for the Istanbul to Venice trip beginning November 17. However, given the Star's problems, I am increasingly concerned about how our trip will go. As well, my husband and I are not impressed with Viking's handling of the situation.

 

In contrast, when Hurtigruten cancelled our trip up the coast of Norway in April due to mechanical problems, they covered all the costs associated with rescheduling - extra hotel night, rescheduled airfares, etc. and they gave us a cabin upgrade. Viking could learn from Hurtigruten!

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I have until April 1st to decide whether to switch to Oceania or Regent which has similar cruises for the same price.

 

Watching closely as to how Viking responds. I travel a lot and expect a few issues now and then. But how a carrier or cruise line handles the inevitable crisis it what earns my loyalty.

 

I have done Viking River Cruises, but this is my first Ocean booking. Their unreasonable final pay deadlines already put a bad taste in my mouth. Won't take much more bad news for me to give Regent or Oceania a try.

 

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[juliesaddiction]

Switch to Oceania...you wont be disappointed ;) And their final payment is due 90 days before your sail date.....not 2 years like Viking.

[Mammacat]

Info Received: 3 min ago (2015-08-08 15:09)

Area: Baltic Sea

Latitude / Longitude: 57.65107° / 19.61898°

Status: Restricted Manoeuvrability

Speed/Course: 10.5kn / 218°

AIS Source: 737 http://www.sjofartsforeningen.se

Itineraries History

Latest Positions

Nearby Vessels

[theremin]

Viking Star has accelerated thru 14.5 knots (previously sailing at 10.6) and seems to be gaining add'l speed. I think she is capable of 20.

The Mars (tug that has shadowed Star since Tallinn) has reversed course and is heading back toward Tallinn.

 

Maybe . . .

[bcorre2]

Karl Erik to pick-up the escort? 20 knot winds ahead

 

Something to keep you busy. 40 miles between them, Star traveling @ 14 knots, Karl @ 8 knots.

When do they meet?

Edited August 8, 2015 by bcorre2

[wave time]

Viking Star has accelerated thru 14.5 knots (previously sailing at 10.6) and seems to be gaining add'l speed. I think she is capable of 20.

The Mars (tug that has shadowed Star since Tallinn) has reversed course and is heading back toward Tallinn.

 

Maybe . . .

 

Finally, some good news. Hopefully she will be back on course soon.

[Mammacat]

Info Received: 2 min ago (2015-08-08 22:23)

Area: Baltic Sea

Latitude / Longitude: 56.66277° / 18.00508°

Status: Underway using Engine

Speed/Course: 14.4kn / 233°

AIS Source: 737 http://www.sjofartsforeningen.se

Itineraries History

Latest Positions

Nearby Vessels

[bcorre2]

Just two ships passing in the night!

Press on Star. Journey restarts the 15th, two Barcelona to Venice trips and we board in Venice. :)

[paquebot]

A traveler on the very first leg in April, and with mixed reviews about our cruise experience, I find myself rooting full on for Viking Star. Status: "underway using engine" sure beats status: "limited manoeuvrability".

 

Bon voyage to all future cruisers. May it be smooth sailing from this point forward.

 

Paquebot

[theremin]

This morning the Star is sailing at 16.3 knots and the Copenhagen arrival estimate has been moved up from 0300/10 Aug to 1400/9 Aug . . . she's due in this afternoon.

I have no insight into how the ship is performing, but find the absence of a shadow tug and recent cruising speeds to be encouraging.

[Mammacat]

Hopefully everything is fixed...Bon voyage to this next sailing!!

[theremin]

The Star has just docked in Copenhagen.

 

I know several folks on the next cruise were concerned about whether this would, in fact, occur. You can relax now . . . and BON VOYAGE!!:D

[Lucky 99]

Hopefully, the Star will back up to normal speed well before then!

[roothy123]

Hopefully, the Star will back up to normal speed well before then!

 

Well, if you're talking about speed as in knots per hour, it appears she got up to "normal speed" today, so I doubt there's much to worry about for September. Cruise ships seldom run at their top-rated speed, and "normal speed" can be whatever the Captain feels is best for getting to the next port on time. Things like nautical miles to go, passenger comfort (some Captains wait to speed up until late at night), tides, and a host of other things can enter into the Captain's decision on how fast to go. If Star leaves Copenhagen and gets to the Kiel Canal on time, she's going her "normal speed!" By the way, Marine Traffic and the other ship tracking sites use UTC rather than local time when posting anticipated arrival times. UTC is generally 2 or 3 hours earlier than local time in Europe, so don't be alarmed if it looks like Star is going to be late getting to a port. Besides, the anticipated arrival time is just an estimate. The only thing that really matters to us passengers is whether she arrives at the berth on time, gets tied down and cleared by the authorities in a timely manner so people can get off!

 

Would love to be getting on her tomorrow, but I have to wait my turn....