Would anyone know, if one purchases a ticket for two for the performance at the SRS, for a certain date/and time, and a river cruise ship does not get me into the dock and into Vienna in time for an 11 AM performance, and we have two very expensive tickets.....can we get a refund? I have written to the SRS and have not gotten a response so far. i think I will get a paper receipt over the internet, to pick up the tickets on a credit card already provided to them, just before the performance. Thanks for any response. Our hotel is right across the street, so might work.

I don't know for sure but would assume the tickets are non-refundable like most theatre and concert tix.. But there are a couple of Fodorites who live in Austria and might know and hopefully one of them will see your post overnight.

Check with your river cruise company. Our ship docked the night before.

Sue81, if you would share the performance, date and time, I would be happy to ring the SRS ticket office and enquire about refunds/exchanges. I know that certain performances sell non-refundable tickets (the morning exercises, for example) but those tickets are inexpensive. Feel free to send me the information via private message.

Hi Forfortravel, the date of the performance is 12/22 at 11 AM, as you know tickets are quite expensive, and I am taking my adult son. I've been to the morning exercise and wanted to see the actual performance. I did hear back, but need to know if I had to cancel ahead of time, will they still charge me? I really appreciate this. Thank you. Would you know if it is very far from the performance ring to the tour of the stable/horses? As I recall it is right next to it, right? Thanks again. Also, Underhill, I think the boat co would let me get off the ship early with those going to airport, at least that is my plan . This is the only performance while we will be in Vienna for 4 days.

I'd be surprised if the tickets are refundable for no-shows. It's nice you have FourForTravel to check it out for you.

We toured the stables and it is right across from the show arena, which is itself a gorgeous feat of architecture.

Hi MoBro, I was there years ago, and yes it is an amazing architecture. I don't think it is refundable, but I thought "maybe" if you were to call before, and I have some uncertainties with one bad leg, they might refund, if time to sell the seat again. Probably not possible. We are staying across the street at hotel, so that will help.

Sue81, sorry to be the bearer of disappointing news. I rang the ticket office a few moments ago and was informed that tickets can neither be exchanged nor refunded once purchased. The stables are adjacent to the performance ring, but the entrance to the arena itself is on Josefplatz.

(I have occasionally found myself at Stallburg when the beautiful horses are being led across the lane (Reitschulgasse) to the arena for morning exercises and can never resist taking a snap. )

And that may be the best place to get a photo since the ushers are quite adamant about enforcing the "no photo" rule inside the arena.We watched them seize cameras/phones (they were returned upon exit) and even temporarily escort people out when they took pictures.

thank you all, I do appreciate this.

It has occurred to me checking in on this thread that if seeing the performance is your top priority you might consider getting off the boat at the previous city stop and going overland to Vienna.

Believe me it is not my topo priority, as my son is an Art History prof, so we will be covering a lot of museums, land, and etc. This has just been a particularly difficult event to get tickets for with my messed up computer, it is blocking everything and I have to deal with it. I am at the end of this thread. again thanks.

This is the reason that many travelers purchase travel insurance. "Trip Delay" is one of the coverages ... but you'd need to check with the carrier to find out whether a delayed river cruise arrival would qualify as a "common carrier."

For this question, you can only rely on what a representative of the underlying carrier (such as Travelex, Travel Guard, etc.) says (and get their name and the time of the conversation). Don't rely on the word of a company that sells insurance products. They may be well meaning, but their word is not authoritative. In this case, I'd phone the actual insurance carrier, ask a sales agent, and purchase over the phone with them if their answer satisfies you. A minimal $500 per person policy should suffice.

Let me recommend a wonderful novel by Mary Stewart that deals with the Lippizaners: "Airs above the Ground."

Thank you Underhill, I will try to get it. S.

Hi, thanks for the book suggestion, I have started to read it and think I will enjoy it. Appreciate it.