Viking Cruises review: Viking does not live up to its motto

Our Viking river cruise to France was supposed to be a relaxing getaway, but the air arrangements Viking booked for us turned it into a stressful mess. We booked our flights through Viking — not on our own — because we assumed they would take responsibility if anything went wrong. Instead, they routed us on what felt like bargain‑basement flights with multiple connections and barely any time between them. When delays hit, we were bounced across three airlines, and our bags never even left Newark. It took five days for mine and six days for my wife’s to finally reach us — meaning we spent the first six days of a 10‑day trip without clothes or essentials.

The Hotel Manager on the ship was wonderful and tried everything he could, but he had zero support from Viking corporate, leaving us to fight the airlines with inadequate support. And when the bags finally reached France — over 100 miles away — Viking actually expected us to pay to get them delivered. Only after a very heated call did they agree to cover the cost. Then, unbelievably, the flights Viking booked for our trip home had the same too‑tight connections. We barely made the flights, and now our bags are still missing 24 hours later. When I asked Viking for any kind of financial relief since half our trip was ruined, they offered nothing but a discount on a future cruise, saying it wasn’t their responsibility. After all this, I will never travel with Viking again, and I hope others take this warning seriously before booking.