Viking River Cruise

Viking has always charged high prices living off their extensive advertising campaigns. Lots of great river cruise companies out there that charge quite a bit less! I usually go with Gate 1, but there are several good alternatives.

That said, this problem was not caused by Viking and is not exclusive to Viking. Historically low river levels in Europe have caused major disruptions with every river cruise line. It is extremely disappointing when this impacts you. I know because I spent 3 of the 7 nights of my river cruise in hotels/buses at the beginning of July. It wasn’t the experience I thought I was signing up for, but it was still a good experience. Your trip can still be good.

When you signed up for your river cruise there was a very clear explanation of the possible effects of fluctuating river levels on the cruise experience. You had to acknowledge the terms and conditions prior to signing up for the cruise. I know most people often just put a check mark and don’t read them, but they are there for a reason.

I am very sorry you are experiencing this. I know it is frustrating to see your dream trip fall short of expectations before it even begins. However, the river levels are beyond Viking’s control and the terms and conditions are something you agreed to. I hope that you can still find a way to enjoy your trip, even if it really isn’t the trip you wanted.

I think if I sign up for another river cruise, I will take out special cancel for any reason travel insurance as a safeguard.

I'm not a fan of Viking either. Not value for money and they didn't even offer an apology when the grey water tank backed up and my room smelled awful. The head housekeeper came to my room, ran the shower, put a wet bathmat over the drain, told me to keep my window open and in a couple days the smell would move on. I did love river cruising though and I'd love to know how other cruise companies are handling this situation. The photos I've seen of how dry the Danube is are just horrendous.

So, Viking can replace a river cruise with a 400 mile bus trip. Sound OK to you?

for comparison, there was a post yesterday from someone else with their cruise cancelled and who got a refund from Grand Circle. Worth remembering for the future.

https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/general-europe/rhine-cruise-cancelled-need-suggestions

It sounds like the Grand Circle situation is one where the company cancelled the cruise altogether (in which case of course a refund is due), rather than the Viking scenario where they have changed the itinerary but are continuing with the trip, and it’s the passengers who want to cancel. As noted, this is a pretty common situation with river cruises and the standard terms and conditions provide for it.

So you're saying a 400 mile bus trip does replace a river cruise!!!???

It's very disappointing and something that happens with high or low water levels. I wouldn't be ok with it either, but those of us who regularly answer questions on this forum have read warnings, trip reports, and angry posts from people who have had this experience. So we are aware of the gamble. I'm sure readers will learn from reading your post.

One person who wrote had the whole trip turned into a bus and hotel trip, the hotels being what Viking could dig up at the last minute. Others have reported nice hotels. Large ship cruises make changes too due to weather, where favorite ports are canceled and we just sail on.
This is really too bad. How many of your days have been affected?

Looks like Viking is covered under "#12 CARRIER’S RIGHTS AND DISCRETION" on Viking's "PASSENGER TICKET CONTRACT (NON-US PORTS)" document.
https://docs.vikingcruises.com/pdf/PassengerTicketContract-Non-US.pdf

I would be very upset about that change too, and the fact that they won't refund your trip. You didn't sign up for a bus tour; you signed up for a river cruise.

I think if the cruise lines know they will be facing these climate change low water events, then they shouldn't be selling the cruise in the first place.

My sympathy for how this is turning out for you. You are no doubt not the only Forum reader that may have read through the "fine print" novel at top speed. I think we all hope that a company would treat their customers better than this.

Viking is definitely the top dog and apparently chooses the option that loses them the least amount of money possible, at the expense of their guests' enjoyment. I suspect they will lose many customers this year over how they opt to handle this climate tragedy. A couple weeks back, a Viking riverboat ran aground, and after running out of food and water, they had to remove passengers and their luggage via police boats. The bus is apparently their best option to avoid a repeat.

No, it’s not fine and you vented but unfortunately it’s not going to change anything. And you chose to do your venting on an open forum so you have opened it up to others posting their opinions on the situation. If you’re going to be just that more upset over the responses maybe posting here wasn’t the best thing for you to do at this time.

It sounds like Viking had no choice but to replace the cruise with a 400 mile bus trip but it seems like they could have planned the same itinerary for the bus.

a Viking riverboat ran aground, and after running out of food and water

The ship emphatically did NOT run out of food and water unless you read over sensationalised reports. They tried to continue with a cruise in low water conditions and found a shoal. The situation was under control at all times.

So they are being criticised for that, now being criticised for cancelling, and running a bus instead. A case of can't win.

As stated this is all river cruise operators, and also, far more importantly the freight boats which use the rivers.

Viking still have the cost of maintaining and crewing the boats, as well as the extra cost of hotels and buses, so why should they vary a crystal clear contract.

They probably don't have a choice because the rivers will have been closed to traffic by the navigation authorities.

So, Viking can replace a river cruise with a 400 mile bus trip. Sound OK to you?

To put it bluntly, you agreed to the bus trip in the terms and conditions you signed. They warn of what will occur if there are high or low water levels. It is a risk you take.

Low water levels are not new, they are now occurring yearly it seems, a bit of research, ask a question here, or browse the Cruisecritic website would have talked about the issue.

Does it suck, yeah. I was just on the Rhine earlier this week, it is very low, and none of the 10 or so cruise lines, not just Viking, are running on the middle Rhine.

Although not recently, I have taken two river cruises - both on the Danube although with different companies (Avalon and Viking). Both experiences were fine and low water levels were not an issue. However, I wonder how upgrades selected on the river ship are translated when the traveler is now staying in a hotel due to river related problems? As I budget minded traveler, we selected the least expensive state rooms for our Danube adventures but some of our fellow travelers paid for much more expensive onboard accommodations. How is this reflected in "upgrades" when hotels are the replacement?

Just a FYI for readers on the forum. This is a quote from another river cruise company’s website under a section called, “Is a river cruise right for me,”

“High & Low Water: Weather conditions or unforeseen events, such as heavy fog, a damaged lock, or an incapacitated vessel blocking the river, may impact a sailing. In such cases, the itinerary may be operated partially or entirely by deluxe motor coach, accompanied by a professional Tour Manager, with overnights in hotels. We remain committed to preserving as many of the originally scheduled touring features as possible and will strive to ensure a seamless and enjoyable travel experience.“

There is no attempt to mislead any customers about possible deviations from the original plan.

Dear OP, we sympathize with you, but since this modified journey is now the trip that is available to you, you do have a choice. You can choose to make the best of it and still have a good time or you can be miserable dwelling on what you are missing.

@blue439. My experience in June/July was that cabin category made no difference in hotel accommodations.

isn31c, the information was in a Fortune article dated July 31. It happened in Bulgaria, where Viking ship Ullar ran aground near Vidin. They had been scheduled to take on supplies in Vidin but were unable to dock, thus "running out of food and water."

Having recently been on a Viking ship, I suspect they still hadn't run out of beer and wine, however...