Powered by Invision Community. The Viking Ocean brand was introduced in 2015 with Viking Star, which started operations with mostly one-way itineraries in Baltic Sea (Scandinavia, Russia) and Mediterranean Sea. Each PCR lab contains equipment and chemicals for conducting test analysis. And I hope it is a good answer for you. Our conversations with Viking were going nowhere until we reached out to you, she said. I just paid for a cruise using a voucher. Beer, soft drinks and wine by the glass are included with lunches and dinners. She called next day and said no operations said it is sailing. Curiously, in August 2021, Viking OCEAN announced a "double world cruise 2023-2024" with two ships (Neptune and Sky) sailing on an identical itinerary from Florida to the UK. We took advantage of that thinking it was the only offer we would get. On both riverboats, all the hotel staff is Mandarin-speaking, all the signage is in Mandarin (from menus to toiletries). But a pattern is there that is certainly deliberate. Viking Mississippi - As of January 23, 2023 Due to damage from substantial river debris to the Viking Mississippi 's propulsion system, the ship will undergo repairs requiring the cancellation of upcoming departures. But all was not lost. The sailings are with fly-cruise packages inclusive of two domestic flights (Cairo-Luxor-Cairo). Could all be perfectly benign, may not be. On May 17, 2013, the company announced the launch of its "Viking Ocean" division. The Viking riverboats Ra-Osiris-Aton cruise only on the Nile portion (roundtrip from Luxor). (14-nights) "Mediterranean Explorer" (visits 5 countries, included 12 land tours). Had they waited 10 more days, they would have received the full refund. 19952023, The Independent Traveler, Inc. Viking Shores and Fjords - SEPT 2021 - Cancelled? on 9/4 - but the header of the email said 9/3 on the Eir. The inaugural cruise itineraries of both expedition vessels are 13-day polar voyages - one in Antarctica, the other in the European Arctic. Karin Price Mueller may be reached at KPriceMueller@NJAdvanceMedia.com. Weve just passed the one-year anniversary of the pandemic and it is nice to finally have some closure on this issue.. The funding helped the company's growth, particularly on the ocean cruising market, and also strengthened its balance sheet as it branched into China (since 2016). 10 more were launched in 2013, and additional 18 launched in 2014 (including 2 smaller ships purpose-built for Douro River in Portugal). The 65-day itinerary (March 2 through May 5, 2023, on Viking Octantis) visits 29 ports (9 countries, 3 continents) departs from Buenos Aires Argentina, visits the Antarctic Peninsula, continues northward around Cape Horn, along South America's coast (Chile, Peru, Ecuador), passes through Panama Canal, then up to Mexico, Florida USA, NYC New York, Canada (Nova Scotia and Quebec) and via St Lawrence River to Ontario and via Detroit MI, ending in Milwaukee WI. Signature destinations include Beagle Channel (Glacier Alley) and Drake Passage, Cape Horn, Half Moon Island, Deception Island (Whalers Bay), Brown Bluff, Wiencke Island (Damoy Point), Lemaire Channel, Petermann Island, Cuverville Island, Neko Harbor (Antarctic Peninsula). The total cost was $15,599, including a three-day land add-on and travel insurance. Replacing the biodegradable oils, the water is being directly discharged into the sea. Viking Ocean's port agent for China is Wallem Ship Agency China. Multiple sailing dates are available in November-December 2022; additional sailing dates are available in January and December 2023 and 2024. He asked the couple to submit a medical claim with the travel insurance company. Today, 1/22/22 I contacted Viking Cruise lines about canceling a river cruise to France for this June, plenty of days before the cancellation date, and was told that I could not get ALL my money back. Some voyages (few in Europe, Egypt, Southeast Asia, and China) are "cruise tours" marked. Here you can compare all Viking cruise ships (RIVER, OCEAN, EXPEDITIONS) and their itineraries, destinations, and departure dates. Not sure on the UK site. "Viking World Cruise 2019" prices started from USD 90,000 per person (with double occupancy). That's just what happened, and we are now booked in July 2021 with an upgraded cabin and air fare. We are on the Embla 11-22 which is in the same situation. Prices start at US$4,400 per person with discounted airfare. Environmental impact is further reduced through the ship's membrane water treatment plant. And certainly not in the next 24 months especially on a ship of any kind, Keyles said. The contract's potential value is approx NOK 5 billion (USD 611 million = EUR 525 m) for both ships, and also includes optional two more vessels of the same series. I am sure I will get the dreaded e-mail today or tomorrow. These new types marine engines use 20% less fuel than the conventional ones. Started June 21, 2021, By The note proceeds were used for repaying all the company's loans used to finance the building of the Viking Ocean liners Star and Sky, as well as for repurchasing Viking Sea (operated on sale-leaseback agreement). Fleetwide operations were planned to resume on October 1, 2020. Viking's 7th ocean ship (Viking Venus) joined the fleet in 2021, with an inaugural season in Northern Europe and Scandinavia. Viking Expeditions (as a travel brand) was officially launched on January 15, 2020, with cruising operations starting in January 2022. The new company's fleet currently includes only Viking Sun (Zhao-Shang-Yi-Dun) but will be expanded by adding China-made newbuilds in the following years. It is of course for low water scenarios, I did not say that explicitly. Viking Cruises' arrival to the Mississippi represents a commitment to tourism and economic development in a lot of communities along the river, with the new sailings expected to bring 5,800+ guests to the region in 2022 and 17,600+ during the first full cruise season in 2023. I hope I'm wrong but all the signs point to another round of cancellation--and I would rather be wrong than offer you false hope. It sounds to me as if they may be sailing with a reduced fleet, meaning not all ships on the Rhine will go back into operation this year. The experience (touted beneficial to the body's blood circulation) includes heating in a sauna (steam bath), then walking into this small room. It was to be on the Alruna from Basel to Amst. . Provides us a link to sign up for notifications as they become available. The largest cruise ship to ever sail on the Mississippi River is scheduled to set sail after June 2023. Thanks for the update! Viking Venus is scheduled for the August 13-23 cruise. The Hangar is an aft-located indoor marina for launching the smaller-sized RIBs (rigid inflatable boats). The fact that Viking has so many ships on a route means that when they hit low water there is very likely another ship nearby going in the opposite direction. Weird that you read. The next day, they got a phone call. On Apr 4, 2018, Viking and VARD (Norwegian subsidiary of the Italian shipbuilding company Fincantieri) signed LoI (Letter of Intent) for designing and building 2 new-class ocean liners. Followers 7. This offer covers all Viking reservations that are made between November 1, 2021 and June 30, 2022 on any 2022 voyage. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. In mid-December 2020, Viking and China Merchants Shekou Industrial Zone Holdings officially announced the creation of the new joint venture company "Viking China Coastal Cruise" focused on mid-sized luxury ship voyages in China exclusively. Passengers can experience the exciting scenery of Meteora, with its medieval monasteries, or explore the religious center of Dion, situated on the foothills of Mt Olympus. Cailey Rizzo. I don't blame Viking for being less than forthcomingthey have to assume and state officially that everything is on, until it's officially off. Pricing starts at US$4,000 per person with discounted airfare. The soaring peaks of the peninsula are home to twenty monasteries where monks work to preserve a vast collection of liturgical works and art. We reached out to the company to ask it to reconsider, especially because some of its customers did indeed receive full refunds. In Southeast Asia (Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos) Viking River Cruises charters riverboats from the Pandaw fleet - including the ships Katha Pandaw (as Viking Mandalay), and Orient Pandaw (as Viking Orient). Northern Europe/Baltic cruises depart from Norway (Bergen) and Sweden (Stockholm). If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Mediterranean cruises leave from: Turkey (Istanbul), Italy (Venice, Rome /port Civitavecchia), Spain (Barcelona). I think you are correct - check this post: Viking Ocean - Combined Cruise Schedule - Page 5 - Viking Ocean - Cruise Critic Community, .Im sharing this bad feeling as our Trade Routes itinerary is no longer available to view or book for 2021 and I am also locked out ofMVJ. Offering 125% FCC. The longer/71-day itinerary visits 33 ports (10 countries, 3 continents). No phone person is going to give you anything but the party line. The strong demand led Viking to open 2024 cruise dates sooner than expected. CC Help Jenn The 7-ship "virtual" naming ceremony was via satellite connections and held in 4 riverports - Basel Switzerland (Sigrun and Einar), Rostock Germany (Ullur and Sigyn), Brunsbuttel Germany (Vali and Tir) and Oporto Portugal (Helgrim). Disappointed with Viking Cruises cancellation policy. Next are listed all Viking Expeditions cruise itineraries by length and theme. This is a parallel situation I had a month ago when my Ukraine river cruise was cancelled just days after I paid the balance. The first longship's 2016 itineraries (starting November 10) are on Rhine River, between homeports Amsterdam and Basel. Everybody please keep reporting. Koln-Dusseldorfer was acquired by Viking in 2000. On January 11, Norwegian Cruise Line informed passengers that near-term sailings on additional ships would be canceled, primarily for departures over the next two weeks (details below). On March 16, 2022, were joint-christened 8 riverboats - 4x in Paris (Fjorgyn, Kari, Radgrid, Skaga) and 4x in Amsterdam (Egdir, Gersemi, Gymir, Hervor). In 2013, the company launched its new brand "Viking Ocean Cruises". This is no way to keep customers happy. . Viking.TV targets primarily non-cruising people (those staying home) rather than travelers. 15-day "America's Great River" from New Orleans to St. Paul on nearly the entire length of the Mississippi River (multiple sailing dates in June, September, and October 2023) prices start at US$11000 per person, with discounted airfare from US$200 per person. Viking is also expanding its Mediterranean program by adding 5 new itineraries visiting Istanbul. No partial refund was given and I lost the total deposit of $1000.I understand that the T&Cs outline the refund policy. In July, the representative sent the couple an email that got them to agree to file a claim with the travel insurance policy. The lounge has floor-ceiling and wall-to-wall windows (providing 270-degree unobstructed views) and an outdoor deck seating (Finse Terrace). Owned & operated fleet, with the best docking locations in Europe. Cruise fares start from around USD 4,300 pp. Only says "Additional 2021 Voyages Coming Soon". The new, 16-day Canada & the Atlantic Coastline itinerary will expand offerings along the St. Lawrence River and Atlantic coastline, featuring destinations including Quebec City, Charleston SC, Norfolk VA, Trois-Rivieres (Quebec), and more. The new domestic travel brand (China Coastal Cruise Project) was scheduled for inauguration in 2021-Q1 with Viking Sun - transferred to the joint venture (news 8277). The B2B itinerary started with Valletta overnight and visited Kotor, Dubrovnik, Split, Zadar, Sibenik, Mgarr Malta, Valletta (overnight), Kalamata, Piraeus-Athens (overnight), Santorini, Rhodes, Souda Crete. The components are kept in freezers and refrigerators and stored at correct temperatures. I am sure I will get the dreaded e-mail today or tomorrow. In 2015, Viking's European river cruise sales became a bit slower than expected. The company is responsible for vessels berthing (cruise terminal arrangements), logistics, freshwater supply, customs, crew changes, passenger disembarkation/embarkation. The company dedicated two longships, on which the primary onboard language is Mandarin. Started October 12, 2018, Copyright 19952023 The Independent Traveler, Inc. This looks to me like a lot of cruises that they have been taking reservations for and collecting payment for may be cancelled. Posted elsewhere, but we received our official cancellation email this am from Viking for our Oct 4 Trade Routes Bergen to Barcelona. Most passenger staterooms (189 total) are with French balconies, excluding only Deck 6's Suites (OS-Owner, ES-Explorer). Viking's Great Lakes cruises visit ports and destinations in Canada's Ontario state (Thunder Bay, Toronto, Welland Canal, Niagara Falls, Point Pelee NP) and the USA's Minnesota-Michigan-Wisconsin states (Detroit MI, Alpena MI, Mackinac Island MI in Lake Huron, Apostle Islands WI, Houghton MI on Lake Superior, Traverse City MI, Milwaukee WI on Lake Michigan, Duluth MN) and feature passing through Soo Locks at Sault Ste Marie (Lake Superior - Lake Huron transition). Viking Cruises has announced that its river and ocean operations will remain on hold through May 31, 2021, which means cruises won't resume until June at the very earliest. When will Viking make the next cancellation announcement? All the 6 ships will be built and owned by ECO Shipyards (subsidiary of Edison Chouest Offshore) and operated under charter. I had to cancel due to ill health and provided over five months notice. In 2012 were introduced the "Viking Longship" class of vessels. China Merchants Viking Cruises' General Manager is Wu Wei. Nafpilo, Greece is set between the Bay of Argos and breathtaking mountains. Later on 7/15 we got an apology email stating they made an error and that we would indeed be on the 9/3 cruise - in a different stateroom and our prebooked excursions were gone as well.