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Viking River Cruises Complaints Summary

326 Resolved
288 Unresolved
Our verdict: While Viking River Cruises has an above-average resolution rate, there’s room for improvement. Investigate common issues reported by customers and understand how they were resolved. Be prepared to follow up on your queries if needed, and keep detailed records of all interactions.
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12:38 am EDT
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Viking River Cruises River cruise turns into bus trip

Viking Aegir European Sojourn July 2013 - a lock strike in Germany caused problems during the Budapest to Amsterdam portion of the trip. Viking had knowledge of the strike well before the ship even left Bucharest and did not announce it until the day before we were due to arrive in Passau. From then on, we were bussed to cities in Germany, spending a minimum of two hours on the bus each way every day. We were on a bus that got lost going to Heidelberg Castle and ended up on a road that did not allow buses at all. Returning to the ship was a nightmare when the bus decided we were going to Nuremberg instead of Wuerzburg. Many passengers were becoming ill and spreading sickness on the long bus rides, some of which were on buses with little or no air conditioning. To top it off, we were ordered to disembark two days early, even after we were promised that we would arrive in Amsterdam by Saturday, July 27, and bused to Cologne and then on to Amsterdam only to find out that Aegir was docked in Amsterdam by noon on July 27. We did not pay thousands of dollars to take a bus trip and were not given the option after Melk to either disembark and return home or continue with the cruise with the understanding there could be problems due to the strike. We received an email (dated July 31) upon our return home offering a 25% voucher for future travel within 7 to 10 days. As of today, August 21, we have not seen that. Letters written to Torstein Hagen, Joost Ouendag, and Stephanie Maldonado, received at the Woodland Hills office on August 12, have not been acknowledged nor has there been any type of response. We requested a portion of our money be returned as well as a more generous voucher. Viking's lack of communication and obvious disregard for the age and physical limitations of most of the passengers when they decided we would be bused for ten days made this portion of the trip not only uncomfortable, but almost unbearable.

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Update by DLWikey
Aug 22, 2013 1:01 pm EDT

European Sojourn, July 2013, Viking Aegir - Budapest to Amsterdam portion of cruise turned into a bus trip after we were informed the night before we were supposed to be in Passau of a lock worker strike in Germany. Bus rides were more than 2 hours each way every day for 10 days. Viking knew about the impending strike before the ship left Bucharest and did not offer alternative options - leave at Budapest, leave at Passau, or stay on and take your chances. Some buses had little or no air conditioning with days that were in the high 80s and 90s, sick passengers, and locked bathrooms. Most of the passengers were elderly with issues getting on, off, and sitting for long periods of time. We were on a bus going to Heidelberg that got lost (two hour trip one way is now three hours), ended up on a road that did not allow buses, and then tried to take us to Nuremberg instead of Wuerzburg on the return trip (two hour trip is, again, three hours). We were told by the program director for a week that we would be in Amsterdam by Saturday, July 27, but then told on the evening of July 24 to pack our bags as we would be bused to Amsterdam via Cologne. We did not pay for a bus trip! Then we arrive home on July 27 and received an email on July 31 stating we would each receive a 25% voucher for future travel in 7 to 10 days. We did not feel this was adequate given what we were charged for a river cruise that basically used the ship as a hotel for almost half of the trip so we wrote a letter requesting more compensation (the June cruise received FULL refund of their cost even though they had been on the ship more than a week and a 75% voucher for future travel) and received a letter today from an agent stating we would not get any additional compensation. We never received the 25% vouchers in the first place and other members of our group sent the same request we did and have already received at least the 25% vouchers!

Update by DLWikey
Aug 28, 2013 6:33 pm EDT

The issue has already been handled.

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C Casper
, US
Jul 09, 2014 7:12 pm EDT
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Stop sending mailings to the above address. 3503 Wood Duck Way, Hendersonville, NC [protected]
Customer # [protected] Source Code # ON9MEB

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truth is mine
, US
Jul 09, 2014 7:42 pm EDT

WOW, so do you also demand this from other advertisers?

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10:30 am EDT
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Viking River Cruises long ship cruise becomes long bus ride

Viking Skadi Grand European Tour 6/16/2013
This was a very disappointing “cruise” with six days of long bus rides replacing long ship cruising, along with four nights in two hotels. The second hotel was an airport hotel with dinners in an upscale airport cafeteria. One night in each hotel was an excruciatingly slow dinner service. Experienced Viking customers on the cruise said they were disappointed relative to past cruises.
Several included city tours and optional tours did not live up to their descriptions. E.g. driving by an opera house hardly seems like “seeing” an opera house, nor do 13 pieces make an orchestra. The experienced crew of the Embla was way beyond the apparently new crew of the Skadi, which also does not as yet have useable Internet in some cabins.
Viking mislead all the way starting with web and email statements indicating a single day of bussing around one broken lock. They provided minimal information at the last minute before each days change in plans. We have yet to receive the promised compensation offer which is likely to be a discount on a future cruise. We are yet to receive any official apology from Viking.
The one thing that went well was having the same excellent Cruise Director and Concierge the whole time. They did a great job in spite of the circumstances and having to front for Viking which did not want us to have straight information. They did a heroic job, especially without the two extra guides for the hotels and bus trips promised early on.
We did not get the value expected for our $12, 000.

WHAT VIKING SAID:
Dear Viking Guest: (6/16/3013 – similar to Web info posed for several days earlier)
Thank you for choosing Viking Cruises for your upcoming Grand European Tour on June 16, 2013. Water levels on the Rhine, Main, Main-Danube Canal and Danube River have begun to come down after peak flood levels last week and navigation is starting to return to normal. However, due to events of the last week various ships in the fleet have had their sailing schedules altered and they may not be where they need to be. In addition, the Austrian authorities have announced that the Altenwörth lock, which is located on the Danube River between the cities of Vienna and Melk, was damaged during the recent flood. The lock is currently closed for repairs and is scheduled to reopen on June 20, 2013. As a result of these current conditions, we will operate your cruise with modifications.
You will now embark sister ship Viking Embla (Longship, built 2012) in Budapest and begin your itinerary, as planned. There is a possibility that the Altenwörth lock will affect Viking Embla’s ability to continue sailing on the Danube River. It is expected that a ship switch will take place with Viking Skadi on June 26. We anticipate that a full-day excursion to Heidelberg will take the place of originally scheduled sailing time. While you and your fellow guests are in Heidelberg, your belongings will be transferred to Viking Skadi, to which you will return after the excursion. After this ship switch the cruise itinerary will again continue as originally planned.
We look forward to welcoming you aboard and wish you a wonderful journey.
Sincerely,
Joost Ouendag
Vice President, Customer Relations
Viking Cruises

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jbn9900
, US
Aug 27, 2014 3:13 am EDT
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Very poor customer service says they respond to emails submitted on their website in 2 days its been over a week and NO response.

Same applies to the webmaster@vikingcruises.com

What a way to run a business. Torstein Hagen Chairman

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Viking River Cruises compensation voucher does not match Viking email offer

The Danube River was flooded. Other companies canceled cruises, but not Viking. Never gave us an opportunity to cancel. Ship could sail no further than 60 miles, never searching any of the planned ports. Ship was used as "floating hotel" for the first 4 nights and they herded us onto buses and took us to locations that were not included in the original literary. City tours were cut short because we were traveling during the day instead of sailing at night. Evacuated at 7:45PM from hotel in Budapest that was on the river and flooded. Said we would get a compensation.
June 20, 2013 Email from Joost Ouendag, VP Customer Relations: "In consideration of the substantial difficulties of your cruise, we would like to offer you a credit voucher worth 100% of your MS Vienna cruise fare...It is combinable with 1) all current offers on our cruises, 2) Past Guest Travel Credit, for which you qualify, 3) Viking Referral Rewards Credit.
When voucher was received it had lots of "fine print." Decided to try to use it to book the Nov 27 Heart of Germany cruise. That resulted in discovering it would actually cost more when using the voucher. In other words, Viking gave us a worthless voucher, meaning they gave us no compensation.

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Viking River Cruises refund of deposit

About 11:00 AM on 5/20 I booked three rooms for my family on a Viking River Cruise. After discussing this with my wife at lunch and we decided that it was not a great bargain. We sent a cancellation notice (e-mail) at 3:34 PM. Viking withdrew deposit money ($3000 / room or $9000) that night. I complained and they said our money would be refunded in 2 - 4 weeks. I told them this was unacceptable. If they can withdraw the money overnight, they can return it to my account overnight. After several e-mails and discussions, they promised to return the money by 5/30. On 5/30, they did return two of the deposits. They still owe $3000. I believe a tour company should treat this kind of transaction like any other contract with a three day right of recession. They should not take money from my account until a three day waiting period has lapsed. I will not use Viking again and would advise all to be very cautious of their financial practices.

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Viking River Cruises deceitful contract

Despite the fact that their web site "Terms and Conditions" clearly states that payment in full is not due until 90 days before departure, they actually demand it 6 months before. Their justification is that is you have a "special rate" the contract doesn't apply. the agent said that the contract doesn't apply to 99% of their customers and i recorded her saying that.
I understand that they want to float my money for 6 months and i don't even object. What i object to is the underhanded way that they do it. EVERY business should be very clear on their terms and conditions and i am going to file a complaint with the FTC.

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Raw Eagle
, US
Jun 06, 2013 3:12 pm EDT

eVERY business should be very clear on their terms and conditions

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Viking River Cruises - travel protection plan

On March 27, 2013, my partner and I booked a cruise to China, Booking #1644443, with Viking River Cruises. The trip was scheduled for September 2014. At the time of booking I were told several times by Mr. Igor Soludukha, that all charges, less $100 per passenger, were fully refundable as long as the trip was cancelled prior to 121 days before the cruise...

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Viking River Cruises Abandoned by guide

Told by guide to wait at bottom of stairs while he led more agile people for a "five minute" look at a German castle that was not on the tour. He never came back. My wife tried to tell him three times that he forgot those he left behind. When she got it across to him he decided to just leave us and come for us at end of tour. 40 minutes later he returns, refuses to acknowledge he forgot and had refused to return. I however had heard the whole conversation over the tour radios we had been given. I told Viking tour people and they said to submit a complaint card and maybe they would not use him again. Their is no greater tour guide crime than to abandon his customers in a foreign country except for murder and robbery. He should be banned forever. Viking refuses any responsibility.

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Viking River Cruises misleading itineraries and bad organization

I am currently on a Viking cruise through Russia. St petersburg to Moscow
The organization is not focused on customer experience. We get on average 1 hour per day off this boat. We are currently sitting of Yaroslavl refueling. We gave been sitting here for 4 hours so far and have another 3 hours to wait until we can go onshore for 3 hours. I don't understand why we couldn't be dropped off onshore whilst it is being refueled. Beside the [protected]@s risk of refueling occurring below the smoking area of the boat we are stuck, bored stupid whilst this all happens. The most boring trip due to the organization of the itinerary. The staff are not engaging, not interested in making our stay interesting. I would not recommend this to anyone ever. I did a scenic cruise through Europe 2 years ago and they were perfect. Waste of money.

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Viking River Cruises misleading pricing

1. 2-for-1 Early Booking Discount. The discount that never goes away. It's a marketing gimmick. Don't fall for it.
2. Can't get unsubscribe from their e-mail list. Have tried several times but still get bombarded. Also can't find an e-mail for customer service to send a complaint. Can only find a phone number. I want to send an e-mail to document my complaints.
3. Single "supplement" is double the cost of the per person price for two in a cabin. You have to call to find out what the single supplement is because it's not listed anywhere in their brochures or on their website. Single supplements through other cruise lines or vacations are not double the price.
4. Paid the extra fee for special airline service, but it was useless, and I couldn't get a refund. Specifically asked to be booked on United so I could use miles to upgrade. When I called United, I was informed that the tickets were not upgradeable. Viking should have told me that.
5. Was told over the phone that I could use a voucher from a previous trip for a cruise this year. Confirmation e-mail did not show the voucher being applied. Called for an explanation but agent was on vacation. Backup agent said the voucher couldn't be used for the cruise. I canceled.

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bob stevents
Orlando, US
Jan 05, 2013 2:03 pm EST

viking tends to sound much better than they really are. other river cruise lines deliver much better value

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bob stevents
Orlando, US
Jan 05, 2013 2:02 pm EST

viking tends to wound much better than they really are

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Viking River Cruises wifi

Promised wifi is a bust. Only one device can be used, lockout occurs when shutting down and attempting another device, there is a 1.5 hour wait (their estimate) for resolution, and latency (ping) is poorest signal quality seen in years. Don't believe them when they market wifi aboard their line - it's a no-go.

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N~J~B
Lisle, US
Jan 18, 2013 10:04 pm EST

We were at the far end of the boat (the entire 3 nights that we were stuck in the Regensburg dock/parking lot) and WiFi NEVER made it as far as our room even sitting still!

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Viking River Cruises Travel arrangements

After reading all the complaints listed from passengers on your Air Arrangements Division of Viking I would have thought good business practices would require you to clean up the Air Travel Division. Since you have not, my husband and I have additional complaints to add to extension list. It seems to me if a reservation is made for a husband and wife, same date, same room on board the river boat someone would clue into the fact that during travel their preference would be to travel in adjacent seats. When the travel package from Viking was received, I noticed seating was either not assigned or each of us was in a different section. I called the Air Travel division and they said I had to call my travel agent, my travel called Viking and seats were re-assigned, OR SO THEY SAID. The problem is when I called Polish Air, the seats were not assigned, they had no record of ANY seat assignment being made. I recalled Viking, no answer. VOICE MAIL but requested to leave a message; recalled - no answer requested to leave a message; recalled and again requested to leave a message; AND ON AND ON it went. So far no return phone call.
Note to future passengers: Viking Air Travel Division is mismanaged, poorly supervised and generally to be avoided at all costs. Have your travel agent make separate arrangements, it will save you plenty of grief.
Note to Viking: clean up your Air Travel Division, it's a fragile economy these days and it's costing you business and business is money...

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Sandy Sison
, US
Aug 03, 2023 2:58 pm EDT
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Wish I read this sooner. I’m having the same issues. I had seat assignments in My Viking Journey (finally) at 60 days before our trip to Egypt and Jordan. At day 48 I noticed that my seats were gone! I called the airline who told me I had no reservations for any of the 4 flights because Viking didn’t pay them yet. I called Viking and they said if I wanted seat assignments “early “ I could pay $50 per person per flight to reserve a seat- or else the seats will be assigned when we arrive at the airport. Oh, What? I paid Viking a year ago completely for the cruise/land package and airfare. I’m still waiting for seat assignment. Praying that I’ll get to sit with my husband. Ridiculous. Never again!

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Viking River Cruises Istanbul hotel

This is about the three supplemental days in Istanbul after the Kiev-Odessa Cruise.
The Conrad in Istanbul is a lovely first-class hotel, but it is too far from where we need to go in town, and the eternal traffic jam everywhere makes it doubly bad. The traffic cuts down on tourism time, and the guide spends too much time on unnecessary details, under the circumstance, and the main attraction is hurried. Dancing girls sculpted under the obelisk in the Hippodrome Plaza is pretty interesting, I admit, but not when it hurries our Blue Mosque time. Because of distance and traffic, we 'always' got back to the hotel late from our morning tour and with no time to eat before the afternoon tour began.Dare I mention the the sound system? Not very clear to begin with, but on one morning, it cut off half of what was being said. I didn't want to put this in a public forum.

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Viking River Cruises Included air travel

I am VERY dissatisfied with the air arrangements that Viking made. I have written to the CEO, but have not had the courtesy of even a phone call.
April 29, 2012

Torstein Hagen
Chief Executive Officer
Viking River Cruises
5700 Canoga Avenue # 200
Woodland Hills, CA91367-6569

SUBJECT: BOOKING NUMBER1285702

Dear Mr. Hagen:

I am writing to seek your assistance regarding the air travel arrangements that were made in conjunction with the subject Booking Number. The travel route to our initial China destination, Shanghai, is from Chicago to San Francisco to Beijing to Shanghai. Total flight hours are nineteen (19) plus a total of more than five (5) hours of layover time in San Francisco and Beijing. Thus, we’ll be traveling more than twenty-four hours before we finally land in Shanghai and then we’ll have still more time before we are bedded down in our Shanghai hotel.

I think this is unconscionable for a company that espouses on the packaging for their Viking Explorer Society, “He who returns from a journey is not the same as he who left.” I ask, parenthetically, will the routing chosen by Viking change us in the way that you hope? My suspicion is that most of your travelers are not in their thirties and that many/most are near our ages, 74 and 71.

There are alternatives to this routing. For example, United offers both nonstop and one-stop flights. My suspicion is that Viking chose our routing without consideration of its guests and their ages.

I called Viking Thursday, April 26, to see if changes were possible and was told no, UNLESS I was willing to pay $300 per passenger ticket change ($600 total). I felt this was unacceptable and asked to speak to the clerk’s supervisor and was EVENTUALLY routed to the supervisor’s voice mailbox. I left a message, but have not received the requested return call.

Had I known that Viking would route us on such a circuitous path, requiring more than twenty-four hours of travel time, I would have made our reservations independent of Viking, or perhaps might have chosen a different tour company. We have traveled with Viking (Paris to Prague) in 2009 and found it to be a delightful and satisfying trip. However, I made my own air travel arrangements.

In summary, I am asking that you intercede on our behalf. The air travel arrangements made by Viking are hardly acceptable. At this late date we might be stuck with them, but the memory of traveling for more than twenty-four hours will also remain in our minds. Viking could have done it differently. The clerk I talked to could have been more cordial. The supervisor could have returned my call as requested in my voice mail. Please help.

Sincerely,

Robert and Dian Hornick
Permanent Address
4706 Montego Pointe Way, #103
Bonita Springs, FL 34134
Cell: [protected] E-mail: [protected]@AOL.COM Trip Departure Address
11271 Lindbergh Lane
Poplar Grove, IL 61065
Cell: [protected] E-mail: [protected]@AOL.COM

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Viking River Cruises Insurance rip-off

On September 29, 2011 my husband and I booked a trip with Viking cruise line from Budapest to Nuremberg. We were very unhappy that we have to cancel this cruise for reasons beyond our control.
When we called to cancel the cruise we were told there would be a $200 cancellation fee ($100 each) which we were aware of and had no problem paying. However, we were then told our insurance, which we did not think would be in effect until we paid in full for the cruise would cover the $200. This would then cost us $1198. This did not make any sense to me and if you think about it would not make any sense to anyone.
We were told the insurance was based on the full amount of the cruise which would be $12, 500. Why would I pay $1198 to cover $200. I have taken a number of cruises with Oceania, Disney and Princess cruise lines and insurance was never charged until the cruise was paid in full. No where on my bill does it indicate the insurance would be paid on day I booked the cruise.
I had a big problem with this and was very upset to think this cruise line would rip people off like this. I was sure this must have been a mistake and asked for any help they could give me in correcting this. This was a lot of money to lose by any one's standards especially since I was canceling the cruise well before date of final payment. I had only given them $2198 and was scheduled to give them the remainder on March 1. We were leaving on Sept 8, 2012.
The company responded to my phone calls and e-mails protesting this charge with "We are sorry but that is our policy and we do not make exceptions.
If this is their policy I would advise all future travelers to avoid Viking River Cruises.

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Update by angolo
Feb 14, 2012 6:51 pm EST

We were contacted and are happy to say if all goes as discussed there will be no reason to not travel with Viking in the future.

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Viking River Cruises Poor customer service & undesirable flights

Last weekend, we booked a trip to China through Viking River cruises for June 2012 (Imperial Jewels of China tour). I researched available flights from Louisville to China and selected the most desirable, shortest flights. I passed the flight information on to my travel agent, who then called Viking to book for us. Viking informed her that we could not have those flights because they contract through airlines and those flights were not offered in the contract. Instead they put us on a return flight that takes 33% longer.

I called the Viking Air Plus Department and was treated very rudely. The representative that answered told me that they wouldn't talk to me because I was just a customer and not a travel agent. I asked her questions about the trip and she was short and rude with me. I asked to speak with a manager about the flights and was told that a manager "wouldn't speak to me because I wasn't a travel agent." I corrected her and said that a manager would speak with me because I was a customer. She told me that they were 20 minutes away from closing and no manager was there, and that there were only two people still working. I informed her that I would call back the next day.

The next day, I called and spoke with another woman, Patrice, this time very helpful and polite. But she was unable to put us on the requested flights, so I thanked her and asked to still speak to a manager (she had been talking to the manager during my call). She transferred my call to the manager. But he did not answer the call and instead i got his voicemail. I left my name, number, a brief description of my complaint, and requested a return phone call. He has never called me back. Unacceptable customer service.

I am requesting that we be put on the most desirable flights offered. Only a few seats on that particular plane have been reserved this far in advance. There is certainly room on the plane. And it is ridiculous to ask people in their 70s to fly hours longer and add additional connecting flights to their journey. The flights to China are very long and exhausting, and the thought of it being made even longer because we will not be placed on these flights we are requesting is upsetting.

I would like for Viking to return my call and to help us.

If they contact me I will repost and let you know the outcome.

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Update by Dr. Janet Parrish
Feb 04, 2012 3:44 pm EST

A Viking manager promptly called my travel agent about this post, and a representative called me as well. I am very pleased with their responsiveness to my concern and the resolution to the problem.

Thank you, Viking, for making me a satisfied customer once again.

Update by Dr. Janet Parrish
Feb 03, 2012 11:27 am EST

Thank you for your feedback. I do understand the concept of contracting airlines. I also understand that when paying 5 figures for a vacation with flight included, especially with a reputable company such as Viking, I expect the flights included to be ones that someone would actually want to choose to take. Not ones that are significantly longer and with additional connections.

I also expect to be treated respectfully by customer service, both when being spoken to by customer service and in having my calls returned.

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Viking River Cruises Some trip dissatisfaction

On July 1st 2011 I took the Grand European River Cruise - Our ships name was the Prestige - On a whole I the cruise - I became dissatisfied towards the end of the trip - The last 3-4 days I felt the service became poor in the dining room - There were a few times when people at my table did not get there food ordered - An example: My friend ordered an omelet for breakfast and never got it - Also, we waited long periods of time before we were asked if we wanted more wine or dessert or to order something off the menue for lunch - The first week maybe week and a half we never had to ask they were always right there to service us - We expected the same service though out the whole trip - The second part of my complaint is about the Prague extension - I enjoyed the city very much - Want I did like was the lack of service we got from the Prestige Representative - On the excursion the representative did not go with us as they did when we went on an excursion off the ship which I found to be very helpful - I was extremely upset with our departure at the airport - I was told the day before we left that a rep would be going with us to the airport - Instead she put me and my friend in a cab and left us on our own to fend for ourselves - She said there would be a rep at the airport to assist us - We got there and no one was around - We did not know where to start, what to do, and where to go - Thank God we found an airport worker who spoke some English - This was very stressful to both of us - They were there for us in Amsterdam when we began our trip they should have been there for us in Prague.

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Viking River Cruises Terrible customer service and product

My mother and I took the Waterways of the Czars cruise with Viking, and were sorely disappointed. The cruise is not worth the money spent and we would not cruise with Viking again. The onboard administrative staff lacked basic customer service skills (they like to lecture you) and we did not feel welcome at all, more liked policed if we did not conform to their strict schedule. The included tours were short (the shortest less than an hour and the longest 3 hours) and we felt that some of their optional excursions (which were very expensive) should have been included. Viking will try to nickel and dime you every step of the way, overcharging you for taxi rides, excursions, and even when you settle your onboard account (ship currency is the euro, but at the end you'll be charged in rubles with an exchange rate plus an extra surcharge). The onboard experience was poor, and the offboard experience was okay.
The food, at best, was edible. The food was not fresh. The pastries were stale, the steak tough, and the salad wilted. My mother, who speaks Tagalog, was able to talk to the Filipino wait staff about what goes behind the scenes in their restaurants. They recycle food (leftover bread served during breakfast is used for sandwiches served at lunch, expired yogurt cups are opened and mixed together in a bowl). If you have traveled on large ocean liners before, you will know that a cruise ship never runs out of food. On this cruise, if you don't come to a meal on time, there is a chance that there won't be enough food for you. On one occasion my mother and I came to lunch 30 minutes after it was served and they had run out of chicken wings. There aren't too many food options, either. Most meals you only have one or two options for appetizers or main course. The wait staff were disorganized and understaffed. It took forever for the next course to be served and many times our ice cream for dessert was served melted. I have some concerns about the welfare of the workers as well. From what my mom gathered during her conversations in Tagalog, the workers are mistreated and underpaid, working 6 months with no days off and earning $30 per day. I also overheard one of wait staff meetings after dinner in one of their restaurants and the restaurant manager was swearing at the staff about how they were driving her crazy.
The stateroom was very small. My mother and I both brought one carry-on and one large suitcase and there wasn't any room to walk. My mom had to put her large bag on top of her bed so we'd have some floor space to get to the door. The "yacht-style" bathroom is also very small. When I first walked in, I wondered where was the shower, but soon realized I was in the shower. Next to the sink is a shower head and a shower curtain you pull to prevent the toilet area from getting all wet. I would recommend bringing flipflops with you to shower/enter the bathroom with. Because the bathroom also doubles as the shower, surfaces will be constantly wet. The air conditioner worked most of the time, but was very loud. It was a very old unit, and the controls didn't match the operation instructions. The housekeepers were stingy about giving amenities, such as shampoo and conditioner. I think they were told only to provide them every three days or something. Because my mother and I are of small stature, we were able to manage, but we can't speak the same for other, larger passengers on the ship. Most staterooms were not equipped with a TV; only the most deluxe suites had one.
There were next to no activities onboard. They had one TV playing BBC news in a small nook with enough seating for about 6 people. There was a movie every night, but most of them were old and/or obscure. The few activities they had practically the whole ship attended, resulting in packed rooms with inadequate seating for everyone. Viking touts cultural lectures that educates passengers about the place they're visiting, but the one I went to was not very good. The presenter sounded unprepared and I could have done a better job putting together the powerpoint presentation. It was really boring and several people left early. There was a vodka tasting event, but of course costed extra. Considering the large proportion of time spent on the ship (~50%), you would think Viking would invest a little more in onboard activities. I spent quite a lot of time to myself in my stateroom. It was a good thing I had brought my laptop, which was stocked with movies, to entertain me. Viking could have organized more activities, easily. They could have done a bingo night, or had karaoke, or Jeopardy, at close to no additional cost to them.
St. Petersburg and Moscow were very nice-- I wish there were more days in those cities. There are tons of things to see. In St. Petersburg, the Hermitage and the Church of the Resurrection are must-sees. Moscow's Red Square has the iconic St. Basil's Cathedral, which is as beautiful inside as it is outside. I'd recommend going to the Moscow by Night tour, when everything is lit up. The stops between the two cities were alright-- some good, some meh. I really liked Kizhi, with it's peaceful, pastoral charm. The local guide we had was really knowledgeable and spoke clear English. Mandrogy, on the other hand, was lame. The fake town looked like it was constructed exclusively for tourists, in which its main attraction is the souvenir shop. We also toured a whole bunch of churches, and they tend to blur after a while. The craftsmanship put into each one is astounding, but after you've seen the fifth or sixth church, they all look the same. Throughout the trip you will be exposed to countless souvenir shopping areas, but don't buy until you're at Uglich. They have the best prices for the same stuff you'll see at every stop. The nesting dolls you'll see there will sell for two to ten times more in Moscow. There were many optional excursions that should have made it into the included tours. Sadly because of the language barrier in Russia, you don't really have a choice of who you're buying tours from, and Viking takes advantage of that, charging 20 euros for a simple shuttle bus to and from the city center, and as much as 70 for a tour of a convent.
This vacation was the most stressful we've ever had. We had booked a pre-extension tour of Helsinki in addition to our cruise. Helsinki was a very nice place, but we could have done the trip on our own at a much cheaper price. Viking only included one walking tour and the rest of the trip was on our own. When it was time to leave Finland for Russia, it was discovered on the train there that we were missing a Russian visa, which we thought our Viking-provided invitation letter was. Throughout our previous travels, we had never visited a country where we needed to apply for a visa beforehand, so we never knew what a visa looked like, and Viking gave us inadequate, vague information on how to obtain one. When giving us the invitation letter, they could have said "this is not a visa" and we would avoided so much trouble. There were so many opportunities to inform us about the visas. Had they checked before we left the country, or even when we arrived in Finland, or even before we got on the train, some of this would have been avoided. We, two small women, were booted off the train with a couple hundred pounds of luggage, and had ten minutes to change platforms and get on the next train going back to Helsinki. We ended up missed the first couple of days of the cruise, and purchasing the visas on such short notice set us back $1200. We pleaded with Viking to help us and Viking refused. We were left on our own, stranded in a foreign country. They refused to help us pay for anything, so we were left paying for the hotel stay and train tickets. They even charged us 40 euros for picking us up at the train station and refused to provide us with the tours we had missed (which we had paid for in the cruise fare) at no additional charge. The tour operators were very rigid and inflexible. They only offered to organize or book things, but always at our cost. This company gave us the impression that they don't care for their customer and think only of profit. This ordeal placed unimaginable amounts of mental and emotional amounts of stress on us and my mother woke up the next day with pain in her left side. We were ready to just give up and go home, but we would lose the money toward the cruise as well as the plane tickets from Moscow, so we were forced to swallow the costs for the visas. We will never forget the way Viking treated us, and that is the main reason we would never sail with them again.

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Guy M Wong
, US
Oct 28, 2011 1:01 am EDT

I would disagree with the original poster, having just taken the Waterways of the Czars trip on the Viking MS Pakhomov, now known as MS Ingvar, from Sep 29, 2011 to Oct 11, 2011. I thought the over all experience was positive though the trip was not without problems.

The program was good, the staff was knowledgeable and courteous, even the food on board was quite good. My only complaint was the ship management did not bother to sanitize the handrails in the hallways and staircase which may have led to most passengers getting sick, most likely catching it from a passenger who turned out to have bronchitis.

My pictures and my other concerns are at http://www.flickr.com/photos/guywong/collections/72157627697721403/. But at the risk of repeating myself, I believe most passengers on board enjoyed the trip very much.

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Viking River Cruises Insurance rip off

On July 2010 us and another couple booked a cruise to China with Viking River Cruises that was fully paid by July 30th, 2010. The trip was scheduled for October 2011. At the time of booking we were told several times that all charges less $100.00 per paseenger were fully refundable as long as the trip was cancelled prior to 121 days before the cruise. Due to the economic conditions of the company I and the the other person work for, our vacations were not approved and on March 1, 2011 we were forced to cancel the trip. We submitted proof that this was beyond our control. Viking has elected to NOT refund us the $1, 198.00 each of us paid for the Trip Mate Insurance. I have, in the notes I took that all the moneys would be refunded, less the $100.00 per person, if cancelled 121 days or more prior to the departure date. I took this at face value.

We cancelled our trip with seven (7) months notice!. It is sad that a company of the caliber and reputation of Viking to impose a penalty of $2, 796.00 {($1, 198 + $200) x 2)}. Had we not taken the insurance, the only costs to us would have been the $100.00 per person since we were well within the 121 day window.

We are extremely disappointed as we believe this is quite unjust and unfair. It absolutely makes no sense to withhold and not refund the insurance money for a trip cancelled so many months prior to the cruise. This is supposed to be trip protection, not trip rip-off.

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Update by JPA1403
Sep 08, 2011 3:05 pm EDT

To all concerned:
Since I posted this complaint, personnel from Customner Relations at Viking River Cruises have been in contact with us and we reached an agreement to our complete satisfaction.
Sincerely,
JPA1403

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7:21 pm EDT
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Viking River Cruises Viking marine - paid $4000 deposit - still no boat lift after 1 year 2 months

Hi, unfortunately I and others have had a very poor experience with Viking Marine International - www.vikingboatlift.com.

Why am I doing this? To give folks a "heads-up", so that they may make informed decisions.

It has been 1 year, 2 months, and a few days, since Viking Marine received my US$4000 deposit for a boat lift they promised to deliver and install in "4 to 6 weeks".

As of July 12 2011 I still don't have a boat lift...

I have requested my money back, but have not received that either.

See the full story here - http://myvikingboatliftexperience.blogspot.com

Thanks! Keith

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Update by keithf
Jan 02, 2013 8:35 pm EST

Happy New Year folks!

Just wanted to let you know that the Canadian Government just laid 30 charges against Viking Marine International - full details on my blog at http://myvikingboatliftexperience.blogspot.com

Safe boating all!

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jeff camp
Park City, US
Nov 17, 2014 4:47 pm EST

Viking has had my $8, 000 deposit since 2010. still no lift or refund!

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PDQ Group
Brampton, CA
Aug 05, 2013 1:11 pm EDT

Funny how his link to the govt. doesn't come back with anything related to his supposed story.

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9:31 pm EDT
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Viking River Cruises Cannot rely upon their representations

When we booked the China’s Cultural Delights tour I was asked about any special diet restrictions or food allergies. I informed the VRC rep that my wife did have some very specific food allergies. The VRC rep indicated that she would note that and ensure that the ship’s chef was made aware of it. I then said to the rep that I intend to call United Airlines to make certain that they could accommodate the meal restrictions for the round trip flight from SFO to China and back. The rep then stated, “That won’t be necessary – let me take care of that for you. I’ll call United and let them know.” I thanked her for that and assumed that the airline would be informed of the food restriction.

When we boarded United Flight 344 on March 14, 2011, we were told that the airline had no knowledge of a special food request. As a result, my wife was unable to eat anything for the duration of the 11 hour flight.

Upon arriving in China, I did not have phone access but I did have limited email access. I emailed VRC, advised them of the VRC miscue and asked that they phone United Air to ensure that they could provide an appropriate meal for my wife on the return trip. Here is VRC's email reply, verbatim:

“Sorry for the inconvenience but unfortunately the meal request is only
available on our ships we cannot accommodate on the air flight as those
are not apart Viking.”

Here is my email response to the VRC rep:

“So why was I told by a Viking rep that Viking would handle that air meal
request? And what is the status of that request on the return flight?
The info in your reply to me is contrary to the representations made to
me by Viking earlier. I await your advice.”

Over the course of several more email exchanges between the VRC reps and myself, that same message was reiterated to me and they continuously refused to call United Airlines to make appropriate food arrangements, despite my being assured by the first rep that VRC did indeed make such calls to airlines. On the return trip, we had to pack a meal for my wife since VRC refused to correct the error and make the simple call to the airline. As noted, I did not have access to a phone and could not make the call myself.

If a VRC rep promises to do something over the phone, get it in writing. And don't expect them to fix their own mistakes. Massively poor customer service.

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Update by end 0)))
May 04, 2011 2:46 pm EDT

FINAL - got a call yesterday from VRC, presumably triggered by the above post. Another round of apologies - then I was told that they could not locate the letter I sent to them. I was asked what could be done to make this right. I said "nothing", that I am through being a customer, and if they would re-educate the two knuckleheads who repeatedly failed to assist us, it would be enough. If this saves another passenger from the same grief I experienced, then I am done.

Update by end 0)))
May 03, 2011 4:07 am EDT

Still nothing. The wait continues...

Update by end 0)))
Apr 30, 2011 9:15 pm EDT

See the above comment by VRC. I rec'd a call from them a few days after this board posting. I advised the female caller that I had sent a letter to the president of VRC. She asked me what could be done to resolve and I said that they should read the letter and reply to me, in writing, with their proposal. I have not heard anything in return. My letter went out on April 10. Let's see how quick they turn this around. Nearly 3 weeks and nothing, in writing, even acknowledging my correspondence. Not surprising.

Update by end 0)))
Apr 14, 2011 3:52 am EDT

I just wrote a reply to VRC and will report back here on their response. This should be interesting. The company had little or no concern about my issue in emails rounds 1, 2 and 3. We'll see if this public display drives a different result.

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Viking River Cruises In-depth Review

Header 1: Overview of Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises is a renowned cruise line that offers unforgettable journeys along some of the world's most iconic rivers. With a focus on cultural immersion and personalized experiences, Viking River Cruises is a top choice for travelers seeking a unique and enriching vacation.

Header 2: Destinations and Itineraries

Viking River Cruises offers a wide range of destinations and itineraries, allowing travelers to explore Europe, Asia, Egypt, and Russia. From the romantic Rhine River to the majestic Mekong River, each itinerary is carefully crafted to showcase the best of the region, with expertly guided shore excursions and immersive cultural experiences.

Header 3: Onboard Experience

The onboard experience with Viking River Cruises is nothing short of exceptional. The ships are elegantly designed, with spacious and comfortable cabins that offer stunning views of the surrounding landscapes. The atmosphere is relaxed and intimate, creating a sense of community among fellow travelers.

Header 4: Accommodations and Amenities

Viking River Cruises provides luxurious accommodations that are thoughtfully designed to ensure comfort and relaxation. From cozy staterooms to spacious suites, each cabin is equipped with modern amenities and offers a serene retreat after a day of exploration. The ships also feature a range of amenities, including lounges, libraries, and sun decks, providing ample space for relaxation and socializing.

Header 5: Dining Options

The dining options on Viking River Cruises are a highlight of the journey. Guests can indulge in delicious cuisine inspired by the destinations visited, with a focus on fresh, locally sourced ingredients. From gourmet multi-course meals to casual al fresco dining, there is something to satisfy every palate.

Header 6: Entertainment and Activities

Viking River Cruises offers a variety of entertainment and activities to enhance the onboard experience. From informative lectures and cultural performances to cooking demonstrations and wine tastings, there is always something engaging and enriching to participate in.

Header 7: Service and Staff

The service and staff on Viking River Cruises are consistently praised for their professionalism, attentiveness, and friendliness. From the moment guests step onboard, they are greeted with warm smiles and a genuine desire to ensure a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Header 8: Pricing and Value for Money

Viking River Cruises offers excellent value for money, with transparent pricing and inclusions that make budgeting for a cruise vacation hassle-free. The all-inclusive nature of the cruises, including meals, shore excursions, and Wi-Fi, ensures that guests can relax and enjoy their journey without worrying about additional costs.

Header 9: Customer Reviews and Satisfaction

Customer reviews of Viking River Cruises are overwhelmingly positive, with many guests praising the exceptional service, immersive itineraries, and luxurious accommodations. The high level of customer satisfaction is a testament to the cruise line's commitment to providing unforgettable experiences.

Header 10: Safety and Security Measures

Viking River Cruises prioritizes the safety and security of its guests. The ships are equipped with state-of-the-art navigation systems and safety features, and the crew undergoes rigorous training to ensure the well-being of passengers. Additionally, the cruise line closely monitors travel advisories and takes necessary precautions to ensure a safe and enjoyable journey.

Header 11: Environmental Responsibility

Viking River Cruises is dedicated to environmental responsibility and sustainability. The cruise line has implemented various initiatives to minimize its environmental impact, including energy-efficient technologies, waste reduction programs, and partnerships with local communities to support conservation efforts.

Header 12: Booking Process and Customer Support

The booking process with Viking River Cruises is seamless and user-friendly. The cruise line's website provides detailed information about itineraries, accommodations, and pricing, making it easy for travelers to find the perfect cruise. Additionally, the customer support team is readily available to assist with any inquiries or concerns.

Header 13: Additional Services and Packages

Viking River Cruises offers a range of additional services and packages to enhance the cruise experience. From pre and post-cruise extensions to special celebrations and themed cruises, guests can customize their journey to suit their preferences and interests.

Header 14: Accessibility and Special Needs

Viking River Cruises strives to accommodate guests with special needs and disabilities. The ships are designed to be accessible, with wheelchair-friendly cabins and public areas. The crew is trained to provide assistance and support to guests with mobility challenges, ensuring a comfortable and inclusive experience for all.

Header 15: Pros and Cons of Viking River Cruises

Pros: Immersive itineraries, luxurious accommodations, exceptional service, all-inclusive pricing, cultural enrichment activities.

Cons: Limited onboard entertainment options, potential for crowded shore excursions.

Header 16: Comparison with Competitors

Viking River Cruises stands out from its competitors with its focus on cultural immersion, personalized experiences, and exceptional service. While other cruise lines may offer similar itineraries, Viking River Cruises sets itself apart with its attention to detail and commitment to creating unforgettable journeys.

Header 17: Recommendations and Conclusion

Viking River Cruises is highly recommended for travelers seeking a unique and enriching cruise experience. With its immersive itineraries, luxurious accommodations, and exceptional service, Viking River Cruises offers a truly unforgettable journey along some of the world's most iconic rivers. Whether exploring Europe, Asia, Egypt, or Russia, guests are guaranteed to create lifelong memories and return home with a deeper appreciation for the destinations visited.

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