DOES VIKING CRUISE LINE HAVE A FINAL PAYMENT POLICY?
I recently asked several different Viking Cruise Line representatives what their current final payment policy is. You would be surprised at some of the answers I received.
What is the cruise industry standard for final payments?
The hospitality industry, unlike other types of business, is known for advance payments for services, with penalties charged, for prior cancellations. Airlines have always required payment in full at time of reservation. The cruise industry, in particular, has travelers making advance payments from 60 to 90 days out, with a few exceptions.
Of these, Viking Cruise Lines, has, in the past, required as little as a 6 month prior-to-sail-date final remittance. However, in late 2018, Viking started demanding a full year in-advance-of-cruise-sailing final payment. This ‘policy’, seems to be here to stay, but with a few different iterations.
What does Viking say about their final payment requirement?
When I requested more information from Viking, on their payment ‘policy’, I was informed that there is no official ‘policy’, and that guests and agents are merely informed of the payment requirements at time of booking. As this payment-way-in-advance-‘policy’ seems to run against the grain of common sense, (it has already drawn the ire of Viking’s most ardent supporters, with a 71% negative review, as covered in my blog article: Is Viking Cruise Line Asking Too Much Too Soon With One Year Advance Final Payments?), then, it doesn’t seem unwarranted, to take a closer look.
The only way to determine Viking’s current final payment ‘policy’, is, apparently, to call in, and ask, on a case by case basis, what the final payment requirement is, for each scenario. After making dozens and dozens of reservations recently, and as best as can be determined, the final payment ‘policy’ of Viking, is as follows.
Viking Cruise Line’s Final Payment ‘Policy’
- Viking requires a 12 month advance final payment on every cruise booking.
- This ‘policy’ is subject to change, such as the current Explorers’ Sale which requires a 30 day final payment deadline from time of booking regardless of sail date.
- If a person is a past guest and has a sailing scheduled already within one year, and makes a request for payment delay, they can have a 6 month advance final payment.
- If a guest has received, and can accurately recite, a promotional code, received directly from Viking, that lessens the final payment requirement, their final payment time can be adjusted accordingly.
- Viking reserves the right to change their final payment ‘policy’ at any time, whether announced publicly or not.
And that folks is the long and short of it.
How Can I Get Viking To Adjust This ‘Policy’?
As a long time seasoned travel professional, having helped thousands of River Cruise and Small-Ship Ocean cruisers with their vacations, I have learned to choose my battles wisely.
Viking Cruise Lines has become a formidable player in the the hospitality industry and is likely to continue being so for a very long time. From what I have found, so far, this final payment procedure, does not seem to be, open to debate or modification, regardless of who is asking, nor to whom one is talking. This is not to say it can’t be adjusted, but the matter does seem to be a sticky point with Viking.
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Don’t Limit Your Options, Work With a Qualified Travel Professional
So what I recommend is to look at all your options before putting your next vacation together. Work with a Travel Agent like Cruisin’ With Ted, who covers all the cruise lines, giving you a wider range of options. Remember that we are always here to offer the best advice and steer you in the right direction to make your vacation the most memorable ever.
As far as I can tell, although there have been, some gripes from clients, and several missed booking opportunities, due to inadequate client cash flow, as demanded by Viking, I don’t see Viking Cruise Ship cabin occupancy rates suffering demonstrably, as a result.
And if it does, at some time in the future, then maybe things will change back to the prior final payment arrangement. But don’t hold your breadth.
