Viking Mississippi Inaugural Sailing Overbooked

[beachbum45]

Reserved a Terrace Suite 2 years ago for the Viking Mississippi inaugural sailing on 8/27/22. Just received notification from Viking that my cabin is among the cabins that will not be ready and therefore my cruise has been cancelled! I am outraged to be receiving this devastating news so close to departure. Our friends received a notice 3 weeks ago asking if they would give up their cabin in exchange for a FREE CRUISE because the ship was overbooked. Naturally, I was concerned about my booking but was told everything was okay. And now I am being told that my stateroom is "under construction". Right! Viking didn't reserve enough cabins for their big execs! As an added insult, they offered a 110% FCC as compensation for the inconvenience. Mississippi sailings are sold out for the next year but of course Viking wants to hang on to my money for as long as they can. This is unconscionable! My TA has reached out to everyone she knows and Viking is not budging. I used to think that Viking was a first class operation but their unfathomable dishonesty and lack of empathy and accountability confirms the opposite. Their loyalty does not lie with the customer and I will never cruise with this company again. I'm curious to know if anyone else has been "booted off" of this sailing.

[TMLAalum]

Sounds fraudulent to me to say nothing of totally unethical! Think the fraud supercedes the unethical!

Despite all the glowing reviews from Viking customers, I've read enough here on Cruise Critic from posters like yourself that have me convinced to never book with them- either river or ocean!

I am so sorry that your planned ahead cruise has been sabotaged at the last minute! You deserve a full refund NOW!

[notamermaid]

3 hours ago, beachbum45 said:

As an added insult, they offered a 110% FCC as compensation for the inconvenience.

I am sorry to say that this is a typical reaction of Viking (and potentially a couple of other lines) and while I understand it (the FCC) - but not agree with it - in cases of low water or similar things, I do not understand it here. Unacceptable.

 

3 hours ago, beachbum45 said:

My TA has reached out to everyone she knows and Viking is not budging.

Media - going for bad media, publicly wide range - may be the only, but brutal way forward for you. Newspaper, online sites beyond the circle of river cruisers...

 

Viking have not been very successful in their approach and planning of the Mississippi cruises, to put it mildly. Negative press is not what they want right now. "Mishaps" may now have a bigger impact than they would in normal circumstances. Go into battle, but prepare well.

 

So, Viking could not get all state rooms ready in five months: https://www.travelweekly.com/River-Cruising/Viking-Mississippi-float-out

 

https://www.travelweek.ca/news/viking-celebrates-25th-anniversary-with-new-video-and-special-savings/

 

New ships are built on the back of the FCC's receivers, the one year in advance full payers, the payments of very happy sail againers and with money the banks that pump into this and the confidence of the investors behind Viking. It is a very successful business and great product, but for me not the company to sail with, ever. I do not approve of their business practices.

 

It would be very interesting to hear what happened to other state rooms.

 

Hope you can sort this out to your satisfaction.

 

notamermaid

 

[beachbum45]

Glad to know that I am not the only one that feels this way. I am pushing forward.

 

I understand several staterooms have been impacted. Excellent point about FCC's and advance full payers!!

[beachbum45]

For the third time, the inaugural sailing for Mississippi River has been cancelled!! Wow, just wow.

Unbelievable. Notice given 4 days prior to departure. Those looking forward to a long anticipated vacation now have no vacation and zero time to plan for a replacement trip. Viking should be offering a FULL REFUND plus 110% FCC. Give people their money back that you've had for 2 years!!

 

Here is the announcement from 23AUG:

Due to circumstances beyond our control, construction of the Viking Mississippi has been delayed. Therefore, select early departures of Viking Mississippi’s first season have been cancelled. Guests on affected sailings and their Travel Advisors have been notified directly by Viking Customer Relations.

[Roz]

 @beachbum45, that stinks royally.   I agree with you that Viking should be giving you a full refund and then some, which I would take and book with another line.