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Travel planning comes with excitement, but sometimes circumstances change, making it necessary to cancel a cruise. Viking Cruises, renowned for its luxury river and ocean voyages, has a detailed cancellation policy designed to balance flexibility for travelers with operational requirements for the cruise line. Understanding Viking’s policy is critical to protecting your investment, avoiding unnecessary fees, and ensuring a smooth experience if plans need adjustment.
Viking Cruises differentiates between River Cruises and Ocean Cruises, and policies may vary slightly between the two. Generally, cancellation fees are based on the timing of your cancellation relative to your cruise departure date.
Non-refundable deposits: A portion of your booking is often non-refundable.
Cancellation fees: Increasing fees apply as the departure date approaches.
Travel insurance: Strongly recommended to protect against unforeseen events.
Exceptions: Certain circumstances, like medical emergencies or government travel restrictions, may alter penalties.
Viking River Cruises are highly popular in Europe, Asia, and other regions. Their cancellation policy is structured in tiers based on the number of days prior to departure.
Standard deposit is $500 per person for most river cruises.
Deposit is non-refundable, even if you cancel immediately after booking.
Days Before DepartureFee Percentage of Total Fare
More than 181 daysDeposit only (non-refundable)
180–121 days25% of total fare
120–91 days50% of total fare
90–61 days75% of total fare
60 days or less100% of total fare
Certain special promotions may have stricter or more flexible rules.
Viking reserves the right to adjust penalties for extraordinary events (e.g., pandemics, natural disasters).
Viking Ocean Cruises operate worldwide, including popular destinations in the Caribbean, Mediterranean, and Asia-Pacific. The cancellation policy is similar to river cruises but slightly stricter for peak season sailings.
Ocean cruise deposits are generally $1,000 per person.
Deposits are non-refundable under standard policy.
Days Before DepartureFee Percentage of Total Fare
More than 181 daysDeposit only
180–151 days25%
150–121 days50%
120–91 days75%
90 days or less100%
Group bookings may have modified timelines.
Larger parties may be subject to stricter cancellation deadlines and fees.
Cancellation fees are assessed based on the percentage of your total cruise fare. This includes:
Cruise fare itself
Taxes and port charges
Optional add-ons booked through Viking
Fees do not include personal expenses like flights, transfers, or shore excursions booked independently.
Travel insurance is essential when booking with Viking Cruises. Benefits include:
Coverage for illness or medical emergencies
Trip interruption or delay reimbursement
Protection against unforeseen natural disasters
Refunds for government-imposed travel restrictions
Insurance can often offset cancellation fees or allow for full reimbursement under covered circumstances. Viking offers travel insurance options during booking.
Contact Viking Cruises Directly
Phone: 1-888-207-1989 (U.S.)
Email: info@vikingcruises.com
Website portal: Manage My Booking
Provide Your Reservation Number
Ensure you have all traveler details handy.
Confirm Fees and Deadlines
Ask for exact cancellation amount based on your cruise and date.
Submit Written Confirmation
Email or online confirmation is required to finalize cancellation.
Review Refund or Credit Options
If eligible, refunds may take 7–14 business days.
In some cases, Viking may offer a future cruise credit instead of cash refund.
Cancel Early: Fees are lowest the farther out you cancel.
Book Flexible Promotions: Some special rates allow easier cancellations.
Use Travel Insurance: Protect against medical, personal, or unforeseen travel disruptions.
Coordinate with Group Bookings: Ensure all members understand cancellation timelines.
Consider Rescheduling Instead of Canceling: Viking may allow shifting to another date without full penalties in certain circumstances.
Medical Emergencies: Viking may waive or reduce fees with documentation.
Global or Regional Travel Restrictions: COVID-19 and similar situations may result in credits or adjusted policies.
Death of a Traveler: Documentation may allow full or partial refund.
It’s important to communicate directly with Viking Cruises in these cases.
Refunds for canceled cruises are processed through the original payment method.
Timing varies: typically 7–14 business days after confirmation.
Travel insurance claims may extend processing time depending on the insurer.
Independent shore excursions booked outside Viking Cruises have separate cancellation policies.
Viking-organized shore excursions usually follow the same cancellation timeline as the cruise.
Viking offers rebooking options if you cancel due to unforeseen events:
Apply existing fare as a credit toward a future voyage.
Rebooking may require paying fare differences for the new date.
Travel insurance may cover penalties in certain scenarios.
Group bookings have distinct rules:
Multiple passengers’ cancellations may affect the overall fee schedule.
Some group promotions require earlier cancellations to avoid full penalties.
Always confirm group-specific rules with Viking or your travel agent.
Peak season sailings (Europe summer, holiday cruises) may have higher deposits or earlier cancellation deadlines.
Promotional fares often carry stricter cancellation rules.
Always read the terms before booking to avoid surprises.
Viking Cruises’ cancellation policy is considered mid-range in flexibility:
More restrictive than ultra-flexible sailings with refundable deposits.
Less strict than budget cruise lines that require 100% payment upfront.
Offers travel insurance and future cruise credits to mitigate losses.
Review the cancellation timeline for your specific cruise.
Determine cancellation fee percentage based on days prior to departure.
Contact Viking Cruises or your travel agent.
Submit cancellation request in writing.
Request confirmation and refund schedule.
Check for eligibility for travel insurance claims.
Decide whether to accept refund or rebook future cruise credit.
Q1: Can I cancel a Viking cruise last minute?
Yes, but you may lose 100% of your fare depending on the timeline.
Q2: Are deposits refundable?
No, deposits are generally non-refundable.
Q3: Can I transfer my booking to another traveler?
Some exceptions may exist; contact Viking directly.
Q4: Does travel insurance cover cancellations?
Yes, for covered circumstances such as illness or emergencies.
Q5: Can I rebook instead of canceling?
Yes, Viking often allows future cruise credit in place of full cancellation.
Book early to lock in standard deposit timelines.
Purchase comprehensive travel insurance.
Confirm promotional terms before finalizing booking.
Keep a record of all communications with Viking.
Consider rebooking options if travel plans are uncertain.
Viking Cruises’ cancellation policy is structured to provide clarity and protection for both travelers and the cruise line. Understanding the deposit, timeline, and fee structure is crucial to avoid unexpected costs.
Travelers are encouraged to purchase travel insurance, plan ahead, and maintain communication with Viking to handle cancellations smoothly. Flexibility exists for special circumstances, group bookings, and rebooking future cruises.
By following these guidelines, passengers can safeguard their investment while still enjoying the luxury and adventure Viking Cruises offers.
Your ultimate guide to cruise adventures. Discover amazing destinations, find the perfect cruise, and create unforgettable memories on the high seas.
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