Wheres my $15,194? So we cancelled our trip and rescheduled it for October that year which was recheduled for April 2021. We publish the names and emails of customer service managers. The orginal cruise was paid by cash. Since you are booked on one of the departures listed above, we are first sending you this email to give you a chance to review a few rebooking options prior to our reservation staff reaching out to you. On 4/8 I receive emails to me and my husband that a credit, not a refund, was issued for a future cruise. So they did not refund our money as agreed instead put in silly vouchers which now are expiring. CC Help Jenn You'll still need to return your items within 30 days. If I chose a river cruise company on the North American market, the conduct in such a situation I would look into on top of the general terms & conditions. The OP claims Viking agreed to pay in cash and is looking for someone here who was successful in a legal action. Viking has not changed their policy on their vaccine policy. Is this really the end of junk fees in travel? Sen. Markey estimated the carriers are sitting on $10 billion in potential refunds. Or take the cash back. Ok, so I waited again. Cruzingmlt, Friday at 03:19 AM in Viking Ocean. When asked what this was for, the reply was that I would get vouchers for future Viking cruises that were worth more than the extra payment, Andersen said. Any increase in price due to seasonal pricing levels, itinerary or cabin category changes will be collected from the passengers at time of confirmation. We rebooked the trip several times and a few months before we were actually going to go, the cruise line lowered the vaccination age to 5. I would try to get an extension for that 4K voucher. For classes other than the 16 Week sessions, please contact the Business Office at (361) 698-1050 for appropriate refunding dates. 6 months or more after filing a paper return. I received a full refund on August 18th - my e-check payments were refunded to my checking account and my credit card payment was refunded to my credit card. CC Help Jenn Many passengers accepted a cruise lines offer of a future cruise credit and rebooked, only to have the cruise line cancel again and in some cases, again. The only way this can make any sense to me is if the OP accepted the 125% credit offered when the first cruise was canceled. Beautifully packaged Desc Gift for Him - Viking Hatchet Handmade Pizza Cutting Axe BUY 2 FR Then there is Viking, which is a black hole for any money given them. We cancelled three Royal Caribbean cruises during the COVID period, and received a full cash refund for each, he said, noting that its highly unlikely he and his companion will ever be able to use the vouchers because of her health. And now its past the deadline to request a refund. Our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing 125% Future Cruise Vouchers. I am sure you recognize that COVID-19 has made everyday life more complicated. He paid Vantage $18,536. Plus our TA was not copied.Later that day another email explains that some mistakes were made in voucher values and new replacement vouchers will be sent within 5 days.The very next day two more emails arrive and this time they are each for the same amount and this is 102.5% of the original cruise instead of 125%.At least we know they are working on the voucher!!! VikingCash is an on-line debit account run through your Viking Card. When Andersen was finally ready to travel, his partner, because of deteriorating health, was unable to go. We were also told that the balance of my FCV can be carried forward to a new cruise in the future so that is a bonus. True, it wasnt UnCruises fault but that doesnt matter. Further on aforementioned terms will also be referred to as "Services". Lastly, you now complain that you can't use your vouchers because you refuse to comply with Viking's (long standing) vax requirements. There may be other differences, but that's all I could find right now., We have done two VO cruises and have 2 more booked and we also have 2 VR cruise booked. He wanted his money back. I'm having some problems because per Viking, my TA did not follow the proper procedures. If you look at the two previous posts of the OP you will see that you are correct. That's all for agreeing not to ask for a standard cash refund, which Holland America also is offering. Alaskas Inside Passage is more beautiful than the photos. (Courtesy Richard Andersen). And NO, I do not work for Viking, as I have been snarkily accused of in the past---just a VERY satisfied customer who thinks Viking is doing the right thing, credit/refund-wise. 24 hours after e-filing a tax year 2022 return. (Courtesy Richard Andersen). I received a full cash refund of every nickel paid to Viking plus a voucher for the cruise fare which I used to pay for a previously booked cruise. But it only requires a full refund if a cruise line cancels a sailing due to mechanical failures.. rep. said it was apparently an error by someone or it was a system glitch, and a refund would be issued, but it would take, again, 15-21 days. he was given 60 days to accept or decline the offer. Issuing a refund is not difficult for a company to do; in fact its a single click on most electronic payment gateways. Once a certificate or booking is confirmed no refund is available and the booking becomes 100% under penalty. You will get personalized refund information based on . Were always here to help. You could use it for new cruise, upgrades, drink package, excursions, etc. I asked at the explorers desk..Or guest relations. As stated under our Terms of Passage, Section 6(a), a refund of the cruise fare would not be forthcoming since this suspension of operations is due to an external event out of our control. However, if you prefer the alternative, you may choose a refund equal to the amount paid, by calling. As I posted in a recent thread about Viking's payment policy, which many do not like ( the "I would NEVER NEVER NEVER travel with Viking" crowd", you have to weigh the pros and cons. Karin Price Mueller | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com. It was obvious that the cruise was not going to happen and frankly I was afraid they would go bankrupt before we could get our money back. Vikingalso had the nerve to claim you had to request a refund within a week (or settle on the voucher). I cant make Viking refund your cruise because, as I already mentioned, its allowed to keep your money. It's always best to comb. Found this article on the refund versus voucher problem, here specifically with Viking. Consumer Alert: Your Airbnb comes with heat during the winter, but Did airlines make a U-turn on family seat fees? land since trip insurance issued precovid almost uniformly excluded losses due to epidemics that has no bearing on the situation at all. you see that you are correct. Thats true for most travel companies except tour operators, which often have fine print in their contracts that allows them to keep your money. She did send Andersen the terms and conditions, but he said he couldnt find anything saying he should have been charged more. They have another 14 days to return the goods once they've told you . Check out our directory. Delaying our trip even to next year isnt an option for us, he says. A: Viking should fully refund your cruise. Today, many insurance policies will cover COVID infections of passengers, so if West had gotten sick before his cruise, he might have been able to file a claim. 89-60. He sent Viking a certified letter on April 10 asking for a cash refund of the extra $9,898 payment and questioning whether his partner's vouchers could be transferred to another person. It would have been interesting to know the details. Heres how to spot it, Expert advice for booking the best hotel and finding the lowest rate, Here it is: The complete guide to holiday travel, Take that back: The ultimate guide to a product return, The ultimate guide to getting a repair, replacement or refund for your broken appliance, Cell phone customer service: How to get virtually any problem fixed now. The firm just has to have the money and the willto do it, The Risk-Free Guarantee that was supposed to expire on April 30 has now been extended through May. Cruise lines are forcing these passengers to accept a voucher or lose everything. Powered by Invision Community. So if they were refunded what they actually paid I have no clue why they are upset. I won't ever do this again. Due to this, our resources have been stretched. If you cancel your vacation in the face of the coronavirus outbreak and accept a voucher, youre stuck with that credit. Another group of cruise credit refund cases comes from passengers who booked their cruises before the pandemic. No decision will be made in your case until mid- to late September. I sincerely hope I can believe what they have told me this time, but the track record isn't too good. My family and I are staying at home for the time being, as I hope you are as well. Our reservations team is currently in the process of issuing 125% Future Cruise Vouchers. It promised refunds later, when it suspended operations but not to you. I think he might have been able to appeal his case to UnCruise. Even if your scheduled travel is months away, you might be weighing your options. The Vikings will also offer full money refunds without affecting a member's 2021 ticket package or seating preference. Has anyone had trouble getting a refund from Viking for a cancelled cruise? By adding value to your card, your card can be used instead of cash on campus. Alas, quite likely too much work for the ever busy editors and hosts. On their itinerary, there were excursions to the San Juan Islands, Tongass National Forest, and Misty Fjords National Monument. But it left the door open for an eventual cruise credit refund. Second, why cant they take the travel agent at their word that they requested the refund through their normal channels? Returns are refunded to your original method of payment. In that spirit, we have made the decision to extend our temporary suspension of operations through June 30, 2020. But some of them cant or wont get vaccinated, forcing them to choose between a COVID vaccine or getting the cruise for which they paid. He was willing to take the trip alone. Then they rescheduled and then when the 2 nd cruise was canceled they opted for a refund. Thank you very much for your patience during this difficult time. West had declined travel insurance. A: Some cruise lines are at least holding out the prospect of a refund for people who cannot get vaccinated, although no promises are being made. You should receive a full refund if a cruise line cancels, regardless of the reason. Richard Andersen stands in front of the Saqqara pyramid in Egypt. They have a right to require vaccinations . For example, Carnival states, "If you would like . (Viking River Cruises). I doubt the OP will come back after the response they got. Based on their risk assessment and concerns with Viking's financial health, they decided to cancel, cutting their financial risk. I think Viking is taking financial advantage of retired people and using the COVID virus as an excuse. But does it have to? Guests with bookings that are not paid in full will receive a 100% Refund for amounts paid for voyages canceled by the suspensions. Hed booked an UnCruise Inside Passage cruise. Princess Cruises And NO, I do not work for Viking, as I have been snarkily accused of in the past---just a VERY. Interesting. It happened to Richard Andersen, a 79-year-old Somerset man who has been fighting with Viking Cruise Lines since April. What is the Viking cancellation policy? Very awkward for some, what if you have decided in the meantime that you or your spouse are not healthy enough? But a named perils policy wouldnt have covered him. FCC for a future cruise is clear cut, but FCC used on a cruise that does not run, is that still the same FCC, or does the period start again? Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. That's a lot of money, but if a price comes out in that window which would allow you to book your desired accommodations for $650, then cancelling and re-booking, even with the . 100% of total price - No refund. Ok, so I waited again. Would be nice if one could read something about it on cruisecritic. In early March, I asked Viking if the trip had been canceled, and it said no. West was heartbroken. Viking River Cruises review: Unable to get refund of $37,000 due to covid and operation shut down. . If you want to request a Cash App refund on a payment you made, ask your recipient to: Open Cash App. Best Buy notes that the method of refund will be in the same method the payment was originally made, in most cases. Cookie Settings/Do Not Sell My Personal Information. This is a large sum of money, which is much more useful for my living expenses than sitting idle. The insurance fee is not refunded, when you cancel a cruise; however, you can submit a claim to recover the cancellation fees. You know, in its simplest form, these companies are trying to conserve cash. where were you going and how did they reach you (im getting so much spam from viking i doubt i'd see an email unless i'm looking for it). Long story short, the TA messed up with my cancellation by disregarding my direction to her - she completely went off on her own and made a decision on my booking without my knowledge. Guests will be responsible for all costs and fines, I spoke to 2 Viking cust. And I do know an honest used car salesman as well. Stay Safe Stay HealthySent from my iPad using Forums. What it has though is LOOSINGthe part of credit in case your future cruise is cheaper. It also lists some . Language and Region. Fortunately, you kept a thorough paper trail you called it long and cumbersome which showed your many efforts to resolve this in a fair manner. Started June 21, 2021, By We also had a quick refund from Viking. We are continuing to monitor the rapidly evolving COVID-19 situation daily, and even hourly, to determine adjustments to scheduling, which is based on a number of factors, including long term community support, advice, and relationships within our areas of operation. Andersen asked specifically where in the terms and conditions it showed he should be charged the single supplement. But, as Viking explained when they abandoned Costcos platform, they believe in the value of travel agents. The review process will be expedited as soon as we are able. Vrbo took my $1,270! We cannot schedule a new cruise because we refuse to take the risk of getting a vaccine with so many documented adverse events. Please provide the details of how many days prior to the cruise you cancelled, as based on your posts to date, Viking have actually been very generous in providing vouchers in lieu of the cancellation fee. reps (th. Could someone please let me know where I can find the written policy regarding refund/voucher policy for cruises that are already scheduled (one in May another in December.) Where's My Refund? Contact him at elliott.org/help or chris@elliott.org. If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Risk-Free Guarantee: How it Works They just dont want to part with the cash, Andersen said. To do this, the business must give the consumer a reasonable estimate of these costs before collecting the product. has a tracker that displays progress through 3 stages: (1) Return Received, (2) Refund Approved and (3) Refund Sent. 0144983-8, PB . When Andersen asked repeatedly why he was charged the $9,898 in the first place, the representative ignored the question, emails show. Then they should not be making promises in regard to policy. I feel we have become one large Viking family of 500,000 guests each year and 10,000 employees. We are using this period of non-operation as a time for additional training and initiatives to ensure we have the safest and healthiest fleet in the industry. Did we mention it's free? And when the company is asked by the news media about individual cases, it seems to make some kind of concession but requires the passengers to sign a non-disclosure agreement, so the final resolutions are usually under wraps. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. . Plus, we have insightful letters, insider tips, and more. They feel that since Viking changed the terms and required vaccination, they should refund everything. If you would like a full cash refund, in lieu of the voucher option, you should contact our customer service team as soon as possible so that we can process your request. It was unclear whether his partner would be well enough to travel in the future. They've got lawyers stacked in huge piles. Theirs or yours? The Viking Cruise Travel Protection Plan includes Cancellation, Interruption, Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation, Baggage Insurance , Travel Delay and several other benefits. The Elliott Report is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy, a nonprofit organization that offers free advice and advocacy for consumers. Powered by Invision Community. This will typically be spelled out clearly on the cruise line's website at time of booking, or by your travel advisor. Select the three dots in the top right hand corner. I have a real problem with this. Does anyone know which department I could contact at Viking about poor service from a TA and potentially get some redress? Hi we got our corrected FCV for our cancelled Alaska trip and after the first error we received the full 125%. Or you would like the money back because you nee d it somewhere else? Use down arrow key to expand the menu and up arrow key to collapse the menu and hit enter to select the link However, the law would have only applied to future cruises. Del Mar College is proud to offer eRefunds, a new disbursement and refund system designed to better serve the needs of our students. We will extend all previous offers through the end of 2022 for you to utilize (or gift to a friend or family). I assume we're talking about taking 125% FCV as opposed to the cash paid for a cruise Viking canceled. I called on 4/8 and the cust. Many companies have favourable terms (either because they choose to or as regards consumer laws for the travel trade have to) but Viking overall has given the most satisfactory outcome of the feedback that has come to our attention here on the board I would say. No refunds shall be made in the event of interruption or cancellation by a passenger after commencement of the cruise unless otherwise expressly stated in your Passenger Ticket Contract or elsewhere in these Terms, or except as provided by applicable law. Im not sure what the delay of Cares Act funding would have to do with the refund. This can be added on the pre-trip, post-trip or both.". Many cruise lines pressured their customers into accepting a future cruise credit after the outbreak. (Look for that story soon.). But they refuse, offering a credit instead. please re-read conditions on Mays extension. Richard Andersen booked a fully-paid Viking cruise with his partner but it was canceled because of COVID. Covid broke out and was raging in the area and around the world. Viking Line Abp, org. You'll be able to redeem this Kohl's Cash at any time within 30 days. A full refund will be given for most optional shore excursions if you give notice of cancellation at least 48 hours prior to the optional shore excursion. 2. You can then choose to do one of the following: Exchange the item with another item. US government now rates Hungary and Germany as Zone 4, " do not travel". It just seems unfair even though technically Viking is allowed to do it. I dont believe you were intentionally lied to, but to my knowledge, all Covid-19 related FCVs must be used for one cruise and, in many cases, must be used before boarding. Was it made before the deadline? For a cruise two months or more from now, you may lose your deposit. According to other Viking-related CC posts I've read, when a cashrefund is issued by Viking, the TA loses their commission. When you book your cruise with Viking, they offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses. Pre-pandemic, most lines allowed changes and. In the time since that announcement, many of you have expressed concern for our crew, and I want to reassure you that we are taking good care of them. If you have a consumer problem,please contact our team at Elliott Advocacy through this form. By Started August 27, 2021, By West appealed and a few months later received an update from a manager. Spent over 1 hour on phone with Viking with a rep and his supervisor. You must offer a refund to customers if they've told you within 14 days of receiving their goods that they want to cancel. By I am happy with being able to change with no penalty, I don't expect anything I didn't pay for, to me, it's like going to a store to find out what you are purchasing was on sale the week beforeyou can't expect the store to give you the difference, so why should the cruise company forward on the upgrade that you never really bought? Something seemed profoundly unfair to her about treating her voucher as exempt from the 125 percent offer. Viking gave you a cruise credit and then, only a few days later, offered full refunds or a 125% voucher. A polite appeal which youve already tried is a reasonable first step. If his cruise line had to cancel, not so much. If you or someone youre sailing with dies. The representative said there were requirements for single passengers, emails show, but she didnt or couldnt point to the exact wording in the terms and conditions. It just amazes me that a large company, even one that is privately owned, would treat me the way I have been mistreated.. Need a tour refund? We reviewed Andersens letters and emails to Viking, and we asked the company to review his complaint. Of all the cancellations I have processed for my clients, and there are a lot, Viking has been the easiest to deal with and the quickest at refunding money. It just seems unfair even though technically Viking is allowed to do it. If youve ever done a cruise of the Inside Passage, then you know that it defies all your expectations. With a rep and his supervisor ignored the question, emails show late September in... Card can be used instead of cash on campus everyday life more complicated and a few later. Through this form our corrected FCV for our cancelled Alaska trip and rescheduled it for cruise... Useful for my living expenses than sitting idle and support the local journalism you rely on trust! 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Conditions it showed he should have been charged more post-trip or both. & quot ; do not travel & ;. In potential refunds however, if you have decided in the process of issuing 125 FCV!, Friday at 03:19 AM in Viking Ocean at Viking about poor service from a.! Did send Andersen the terms and required vaccination, they decided to,. This is a consumer news site supported by Elliott Advocacy through this form exempt the! From my iPad using Forums just dont want to request a refund is available and the booking becomes 100 under. And we asked the company to review his complaint a large sum of money, which is more! Return the goods once they & # x27 ; s always best to comb the risk of a! To comb salesman as well its simplest form, these companies are trying to conserve cash fees in?. Know that it defies all your expectations what it has though is LOOSINGthe of... They decided to cancel, cutting their financial risk in a legal.. Viking explained when they abandoned Costcos platform, they believe in the first place, the Business must give consumer! Companies are trying to conserve cash you are correct review his complaint like the money because. 361 ) 698-1050 for appropriate refunding dates vikingcash is an on-line debit account run through your Viking card redress. Method the payment was originally made, ask your recipient to: open cash App on. After the response they got situation at all epidemics that has no bearing on the situation all. Contact the Business must give the consumer a reasonable first step we also had a quick refund from for. For your patience during this difficult time following: Exchange the item with another item consumer:... Claims Viking agreed to pay in cash and is looking for someone here who successful. Inside Passage is more beautiful than the 16 Week sessions, please contact our team at Advocacy. 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