SEVERE INJURY caused by Viking Homelands Ocean cruise

[Mammacat]

Any reason why not?

[OneBag]

I suspect it is a combination of factors that taken individually are not critical. If Viking has not diagnosed the problem already it will likely need a laboratory and extensive tests to pin down. In other words, it is not likely that the cause will be identified quickly.

 

Sadly, it will likely take several more incidents before the bean counters will justify the cost of preventing further occurrences.

 

While they're figuring out the cause, Viking needs to install safety film immediately. Now that they know about the problem, and particularly since it has occurred more than once, there is no excuse for putting existing and future passengers at risk while the engineers sort this out.

[Mammacat]

So from all the posts from all who have traveled this horrible saga, the problem is poor customer service. Why not post to trip advisor. I am sure Viking actively monitors social-media sites to intercept before they go viral and do further damage. Maybe you will get a quicker response.

 

I will not be traveling until September 3rd and to be honest I am not looking forward to this trip. Exploding shower doors!!! Ugh I will be sure to bring duct tape for my safety while showering and for anything else that falls apart!!

[RDC1]

Has trip advisor posted any of this saga??? I could not find any info there about all these problems. Do you have a link?

 

It is not there, because none of those impacted have posted there. If they did post then it would be there. Thus the suggestion that they should, where they will get more exposure.

 

Vikings responses seem to be aimed at trying to get the discussion off of public forums, not at giving any real information.

Edited August 14, 2015 by RDC1

[buggins0402]

It is not there, because none of those impacted have posted there. If they did post then it would be there. Thus the suggestion that they should, where they will get more exposure.

 

Vikings responses seem to be aimed at trying to get the discussion off of public forums, not at giving any real information.

 

Actually that forum is pretty lightly visited...it's mostly UK residents that seem to post there. We were suggesting that site because TripAdvisor does allow private messaging between members. The e-mails are sent by TripAdvisor. Therefore, those involved, could contact each other without putting their e-mail address out in a public forum.

 

Use the link cited in a couple messages....otherwise it's difficult to find it as it is hidden within the site. There is a different "cruises" section on the main menu of TripAdvisor. That one just sends you to Cruise Critic.

Edited August 14, 2015 by buggins0402

[LHT28]

It is not there, because none of those impacted have posted there. If they did post then it would be there. Thus the suggestion that they should, where they will get more exposure.

 

Vikings responses seem to be aimed at trying to get the discussion off of public forums, not at giving any real information.

 

Also notice the 2 that posted here have not been back

Maybe they had to sign a gag order to get more compensation

cover-up the facts so new people booking with VO will never know ;)

 

Maybe I watch too many crime shows :D

[kathy9]

That is true about not discussing compensation from a cruise line.

My DH and I received a settlement after an incident aboard an Azamara cruise upon which we agreed not to discuss the compensation or the incident.

[Mammacat]

How sad and disgusting is this?

Edited August 14, 2015 by Mammacat

[lahlah57]

I "get" that accidents happen but how it is handled after the accident is quite another!

I am glad we cancelled our Viking voyage and stuck with our favorite Crystal cruiseline.

 

The thing that struck me was how the victim wished to fly home and Viking said they would business class their flight but when they got to the airport....there was no arrangements made for them. This would have been a small compensation for this accident and Viking could not see themselves thru that one?!

 

The one situation that could have been a trajedy is if her face, the eyes or a child were the target of this mishap. I do not know if Viking would have recovered from that one!

 

POORLY DONE VIKING...POORLY DONE!

[Salacia]

Also notice the 2 that posted here have not been back

Maybe they had to sign a gag order to get more compensation

cover-up the facts so new people booking with VO will never know ;)

 

Maybe I watch too many crime shows :D

 

I don't know why the two posters who reported this very serious problem with the glass shower stalls have not been back as of yet, but I applaud them for making us aware of these incidents. As a potential new passenger contemplating a booking with VO, I can assure you that we are now aware of a potentially catastrophic condition and have no intention of booking unless and until there is full disclosure and remedy of the hazard.

 

Hopefully there will be reports in the news media about these incidents - that is if a news outlet not in the pocket of the cruise industry decides to pick up the story.

 

Best wished to all concerned, and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the OP.

 

Salacia

[lahlah57]

I don't know why the two posters who reported this very serious problem with the glass shower stalls have not been back as of yet, but I applaud them for making us aware of these incidents. As a potential new passenger contemplating a booking with VO, I can assure you that we are now aware of a potentially catastrophic condition and have no intention of booking unless and until there is full disclosure and remedy of the hazard.

 

Hopefully there will be reports in the news media about these incidents - that is if a news outlet not in the pocket of the cruise industry decides to pick up the story.

 

Best wished to all concerned, and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the OP.

 

Salacia

 

As posted above.....they were payed off with the stipulation to keep their mouths shut.:rolleyes:

[Mammacat]

If only...there are pictures posted of injuries sustained at beginning of this blog.

 

It's number 4 from the Colorado cruiser.

Edited August 15, 2015 by Mammacat

[Saba2009]

As I understand there are serious problems with the shower glass and also stair rails. What about the glass in the overflow pool? I would never ever go for a swim there! Good to know that Viking already have made a rescue frame if the glass breaks, but with the current track record on the glass installations I would never trust it.

 

It is also very interesting to see Vikings love for glass. Lots of glass vases in the bookshelfs. Not problematic on the river boats, but in heavy sea on the seven seas it will be interesting to see how they will fly about. Why not fix them properly before another accident.

[Azulann]

That is true about not discussing compensation from a cruise line.

My DH and I received a settlement after an incident aboard an Azamara cruise upon which we agreed not to discuss the compensation or the incident.

 

Does even mentioning you received a settlement from Azamara fall outside or inside your part of the barigain?:confused:

I also see you posted a thread about this terrible shower glass incident on the Azamara board without the above comment.

 

The reason I am interested in both boards is that I will be booking a cruise for 2017 on either Viking Ocean or Azamara. Both are still in the running in my mind.

I never give posts full of speculation much weight in any of my cruise decisions.

[kathy9]

Does even mentioning you received a settlement from Azamara fall outside or inside your part of the barigain?

I also see you posted a thread about this terrible shower glass incident on the Azamara board without the above comment.

 

The reason I am interested in both boards is that I will be booking a cruise for 2017 on either Viking Ocean or Azamara. Both are still in the running in my mind.

I never give posts full of speculation much weight in any of my cruise decisions.

 

The issue had nothing to do with guest safety. I have sailed Azamara since then and will be on the Quest in November 2015.

We love small ships and The Star was really a little to large for our tastes.

The customer service and the service overall on Azamara is above and beyond Viking.

My DH will not sail on Viking again after our Star cruise.

Kathy

Edited August 15, 2015 by kathy9

[howiefrommd]

Non-disclosure/confidentiality agreements are pretty routine and in fact many litigants sign one and do not ever realize that they have signed it. I am sure if you peruse the "cruise contract" you will find within the boilerplate language things like hold harmless, arbitration, etc.

 

In addition to VO I have also taken Azamara (and Oceania) and agree with previous posters that VO does not provide the level of service that that Azamara or Oceania offers.

 

However if you like unlimited free wine/beer and if something tanks on your cruise (a coupon off a future cruise, the routine VO response to a situation) then VO is your line.

 

The amazing thing is when we took the VO (a b2b cruise) all the senior staff kept saying how they are a five (5) star line, etc. I think they have some sole searching to do if they truly believe this.

[Traveler103]

I wonder why the shower doors are not made from safety glass?

Very scary.....

 

Shower doors are made from tempered glass. In the US, that includes shower doors and sliding glass or patio doors. The photos indicate that - tempered glass breaks into small chunks rather than long shards so it will cause less damage but broken glass is still sharp and can cause injury. Tempered glass is what is in the side and back windows of your car. A sharp blow or some other stress can cause it to break or shatter. Laminated safety glass is in the windshield - it has a plastic layer in between two pieces of glass so the glass holds together when broken.

[Traveler103]

The pictures do not enlarge very well, but it does look like the door was made of some sort of safety glass. The OP suggests that the door "exploded". Presumably the force of the door "exploding" propelled pieces with sufficient force to pierce skin.

 

 

 

At a total loss as to why one would think that the company owning the shower door is not at fault. Of course the company bears responsibility. Especially if this is not the first "exploding" door.

 

Viking will be looking at the the manufacturer and/or installer. This type of glass breaks from either imperfections in the glass or damage around the edge of the glass. Also, direct impact can do the same.

[Traveler103]

I don't know why the two posters who reported this very serious problem with the glass shower stalls have not been back as of yet, but I applaud them for making us aware of these incidents. As a potential new passenger contemplating a booking with VO, I can assure you that we are now aware of a potentially catastrophic condition and have no intention of booking unless and until there is full disclosure and remedy of the hazard.

 

Hopefully there will be reports in the news media about these incidents - that is if a news outlet not in the pocket of the cruise industry decides to pick up the story.

 

Best wished to all concerned, and best wishes for a full and speedy recovery to the OP.

 

Salacia

 

This can happen in any shower - at home, a hotel, or on cruise ship. I'm sure Viking will be having serious discussions with the suppliers and installers to understand if there is a need for a retrofit / replacement or at least an inspection of all showers.

[ZandZ]

Sorry if this seems off topic but... we had a large curved glass sink in our bathroom at home that exploded just like this one day. The husband was standing in front of it at the time but there was no stream in the shower and the sink was not wet... based on this i dont think being in port bears any relation to the explosion.. we believed at the time that the glass might have been compromised from someone dropping something in it and it took a light touch or something to make it go boom...

In light if what i am reading here i think maybe the curve process compromises the glass.

 

No need to have a decapitation btw... have this happen to a diabetic and the resulting injuries however small will be cause enough for a serious issue.. ugh ask me how i know [emoji22]

 

 

good luck to everyone involved!!!! I feel for you.

 

Sent from my SM-N910C using Tapatalk

Edited August 15, 2015 by ZandZ

[lahlah57]

Does even mentioning you received a settlement from Azamara fall outside or inside your part of the barigain?:confused:

I also see you posted a thread about this terrible shower glass incident on the Azamara board without the above comment.

 

The reason I am interested in both boards is that I will be booking a cruise for 2017 on either Viking Ocean or Azamara. Both are still in the running in my mind.

I never give posts full of speculation much weight in any of my cruise decisions.

 

As Kathy said.....Azamara is a wonderful cruiseline. We went to the British Isles 2 years ago and we have no complaints! Treated very well. Viking could be on our radar but not for a few years hopefully when they get it together and make customers first.

[Viking Cruises]

Hello everyone,

 

We wanted to post a status update and provide a bit more information about the incidents of shower glass failure, as well as what is being done onboard to rectify the situation. Our Viking Star technical team have consulted with the design engineers, the glass manufacturers and independent third-party glass experts, to assess both what happened, and to ensure the safety of our guests.

 

The conclusion reached is that these were isolated incidents; they were not part of a chain of events and do not correlate to a particular stateroom category or location on the ship. According to the engineers and experts, the failures resulted from a combination of the settling process that occurs with new ships and the incorrect fitting of the glass. The experts continue to monitor the situation to ensure it is resolved. As a preventive effort, we have had specialists undertake the process of removing and refitting all the shower glass with new materials. The safety of our guests and staff is always our top priority and we are extremely upset that a few of our guests have had to experience this situation. Please know that we are working tirelessly onboard to prevent any similar incidents from happening again.

 

Sincerely,

Viking Cruises

[lahlah57]

This can happen in any shower - at home, a hotel, or on cruise ship. I'm sure Viking will be having serious discussions with the suppliers and installers to understand if there is a need for a retrofit / replacement or at least an inspection of all showers.

 

Inspections and retrofits of this glass could mean a drydock situation. They cannot afford more of these accidents or it could mean major costly litigation $$$. One time...an accident.

More than that and do nothing, it will be seen as a negative reaction to a judge.

[Mammacat]

We are leaving Sept. 3rd. If you read the reviews on VO today, we are in for the treat of our lives!!

 

When I got the Google alert about Viking Ocean, I went onto Cruise Critic about the ships problem in Estonia, and how Viking treated their passengers.

I wanted to cancel but we would loose ALL our money...

 

I'm not feeling all warm and fuzzy about going...I was also surprised that having had all our money for two years we don't even have a direct flight to Venice!!

 

So now I hope they have inspected all the showers..put into place some tape that will catch future explosions!!!

 

I just want a nice cruise on a beautiful ship...

[Mammacat]

Viking Cruises, what did you replace the glass with, and where and when did you do this??