He did say this:

"I do want to say that yes, I understand Viking's contract as I have read through it now multiple times, and I know that they are under no obligation whatsoever to accomodate my parents. My initial contact with the VRC customer service (and I use that term loosely in this situation) was probably the worst I have ever experience."

Do you know if he indeed posted it elsewhere? You should know that I think before you say that. Thats unethical too.

Good thought about checking with your cc company. We too have the reserve card. Great for travelers.

<<...He did say this:

"I do want to say that yes, I understand Viking's contract as I have read through it now multiple times, and I know that they are under no obligation whatsoever to accomodate my parents. My initial contact with the VRC customer service (and I use that term loosely in this situation) was probably the worst I have ever experience."...>>

While it easy to "feel compassion" for OP's parents this statement doesn't jive with initial post. If OP understood Viking's contract why then did he/she even post the rant in the first place and, secondly, get angry with the customer service rep when the terms of the contract were explained. OP seemed to think he/she and the parents should get special treatment even though they elected not to purchase trip insurance.

Bad mouthing a cruise line because they didn't offer a refund in a case where it was clear the fee was non-refundable is unfair to the cruise line.

True but he come to realize his mistake. Time to move forward. I am sure nest time they will get trip insurance.

As for losing his temper yes it was a mistake as is the title of the post. However I was totally astounded by initial replies I received from X and RCL about issues I had. Then too they simply did not seem to care one bit. I've been there.

As for Viking I hope the contact person can figure out a resolution. After all they had the money so try to think of it as good CS which may get you customers for life.

if you have been here long enough you see plenty of complaints about Viking. This is one of many.

"Do you know if he indeed posted it elsewhere? You should know that I think before you say that. Thats unethical too."


Google the first sentence: "My parents purchased a Viking River cruise to leave in April 2017." and you will see where it was posted, and even the poster's name on Facebook.

I love your ingenuity. :).

I did just that and found one reference. I didn't find it on fb. Do you have a link o that?

The question is did the poster actually know that or assumed it?

Also this is what I found on VRC review board on cruise critic.

Just went thru literally dozens of reviews on cruise critic of VRC. ALL were five star and all but one were from members with one post. The sole exception had two posts. Seriously? Not one person disliked anything?? What do they put in the food. :D.

Let me be clearer. I looked on cruise critic for reviews and the above is what I noted.

FYI. DH and I just booked our first (non-riverboat) cruise thru the travel department of our Chase Sapphire card. Our booking agent let us know that as a part of booking they Chase, we have free travel insurance. The price was exactly the same as booking thru NCL or other liquidators such as Vacationstogo.

The Chase reserve has travel insurance and emergency evac. coverage up to 100k. It does cover medical expenses as a supplement to your own medical insurance up to $2500.00. To be clear you still need medical insurance as 2.5k doesn't cover much in most countries.

If the OP had purchased the trip with the Reserve card yes as ginger said it would have been covered or at least I think so based on what I read. It gives 10k per person and up to 50k per yr. Also it says you are covered "if you charge some portion of the price or the covered item to your acct." So you don't have to buy the trip thru Chase travel dept.

Clearly in their pamphlet "sickness" is the first item covered. Just need documentation which in this case would have been easy.

I wonder what other cc's offer to be competitive.

Be careful when purchasing trip insurance that you read the coverage. Some plans are better than others.

I also want to share another good feature of travel insurance. A friend of mine booked and was scheduled to travel with another couple. One member of that couple took ill, and could not make the cruise. Since they had booked together and could no longer travel together, their insurance plan allowed my friend to cancel without penalty. He received his fully paid fare back. I did not inquire if the cancellation fee for his airfare was also covered however.

agree with fmpden that their credit card may have travel insurance. it has not yet been tested, but when we compared our credit card insurance to the insurance offered for sale by Viking, the free cc insurance seemed a bit better!

It sucks but rules are rules. If they make an exception this time then where does it stop? I have been on a Viking river cruise to Eastern Europe and trust me they are NOT cheap! (but SO worth it) So I guess the MILLION $$ question is....Why didn't your parents buy trip insurance?????

Oh great!! I just looked and it looks like the OP just registered!! Just to complain I am sure!! Does anyone ever register to tell about a GOOD experience?? Don't listen to the OP. Viking was/is a great cruise company! One of the best customer service experience I have had! If your parents didn't have the common sense to get trip insurance, they AND you have no one to blame but yourself!! I love how people never what to take responsibility for their actions and just blame it on someone else....GEEZ!

But that is the new standard. Didn't we just elect someone who believes in that approach.

Jacketwatch, sorry, I didn't come back to this thread till now. Here is the first one of several posts, with Facebook link and name. I did not lie :)

Search Results
Kim Peter Resz - My parents purchased a Viking River... | Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/VikingRiver...55686953008492
My parents purchased a Viking River cruise to leave in April 2017. My mother had to have a 7 hour emergency surgery on 03/23/17, doctors informed her...

Thank you.

I know you don't mess around. :S-.

And I like that.