Terms and Conditions
NOTIFICATION
Information contained in Viking River Cruises brochures, website or advertising materials (“Viking Advertising”) is not an offer or a contract. The transportation of guests and baggage on all river cruise vessels is provided solely by the operator and is governed by the terms and conditions printed on the Passenger Ticket Contract. For complete information on terms and conditions, itinerary, liability of Viking River Cruises, Inc., liability limits and all sections mentioned below, refer to the Passenger Ticket Contract. A copy of the Passenger Ticket Contract is available via the links just above.
PAYMENT POLICY
A deposit for cruise fare of $500 per person is required to secure a confirmed reservation. Promotions may have different payment terms—please refer to the offer. When more than one cruise is booked, deposit and payment policies apply per cruise. The final balance is due no later than 90 days prior to sailing. All reservations are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the due date. Air seats are limited; airfares are subject to change and are not guaranteed until full payment of air is received. Upon full payment by the participant(s) of the amount specified as the Full Fare (see Invoice), Viking River Cruises, Inc. agrees to arrange for the provision of the services as described herein and as modified by any supplementary marketing materials. Upon receipt of your deposit or full payment or upon the issuance of the Passenger Ticket Contract directly or by a travel agent or upon receipt of a confirmation letter or final invoice from us, both the Passenger and the Carrier will be fully bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket Contract.
RESERVATIONS
To make a reservation, contact your local travel agency or call Viking River Cruises, Inc. directly at the phone number shown above.
PAYMENTS
Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover, checks and Electronic Funds Transfer are all acceptable forms of payments. All payments made by check should be made payable to Viking River Cruises, Inc. Some credit card companies may impose a “Foreign Transaction Fee” even though your transaction is denominated in U.S. dollars. This is an arbitrary fee that occurs in a small number of cases and accrues entirely to the credit card–issuing bank. Viking does not control these bank-imposed fees nor does Viking derive any benefit from them, monetary or otherwise; we are therefore unable to accept responsibility for the fees.
CANCELLATION POLICY
For any cruise booking, whether under deposit, partially paid, or paid in full and air-inclusive packages paid in full, the following travel agent- or guest-requested situations are considered cancellations and penalties will apply as noted below: changes to departure date; substitutions of itinerary; substitution of another person for original booked guest(s); or changing to a promotional fare. All cancellations must be in writing. For all air-inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be processed only after the return of airline ticket. The following cancellation charges will be assessed for all written cancellations received prior to departure up to the scheduled time of departure.
Cancellation received | Following charges will apply:
(Broken out by days before departure)
121 days or more | $100 per person
120-90 days | 15% of full fare
89-60 days | 35% of full fare
59-30 days | 50% of full fare
29-0 days | 100% of full fare
Full Fare is defined as the full cost of any cruise, land or air component purchased from Viking.
REVISIONS/CHANGES
Once a cruise booking has a deposit or air is paid in full, all changes are subject to a $30 charge per change. See prior section under Cancellation Policy for additional details on situations which are classified as cancellations rather than changes.
DOCUMENTS
Documents will be issued approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. All early document requests will be charged a $25 early processing fee.
TRANSFERS
Roundtrip airport-to-ship or hotel transfers are only included when air is purchased with a cruise package. Transfers are only valid on cruise departure and arrival dates. If you should choose to make your own air arrangements, transfers may be purchased through Viking River Cruises, Inc. for an additional cost or you may make your own transfer arrangements.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION/VISAS
All guests must have passports valid for six months following disembarkation and necessary visas when boarding. Guests are advised to check with their travel agent or the U.S. Consulate Service to determine which documents they must obtain. If incorrect documents are obtained, guests will be unable to participate in particular shore excursions and may be denied boarding and/or entry into certain countries. Visa kits from an independent third party are provided upon request as a service to guests selecting destinations in Russia, China, Egypt, Jordan or Southeast Asia. Note: Due to airline security measures, your passport name must match your airline ticket name or you may be denied boarding. Viking River Cruises accepts no responsibility for obtaining required visas nor for advising guests of visa or other immigration requirements.
CHILDREN/MINORS
Due to the nature of our cruise itineraries, Viking River Cruises does not maintain facilities or services for children aboard river cruise vessels. On all cruises and cruise journeys, minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied and share a stateroom with a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult over the age of 21. We reserve the right to limit the number of minors under the age of 18 years on board.
DISABLED GUESTS
You must report any disability requiring special attention while on your Viking River Cruises itinerary to Viking at the time the reservation is made. All vessels and motorcoaches are equipped to European standards. Most transportation services, including the vessels and motorcoaches, are not equipped with elevators or wheelchair ramps. Viking will make reasonable attempts to accommodate the special needs of disabled travelers, but is not responsible in the event it is unable to do so nor is it responsible for any denial of services by vessel operators, air carriers, hotels, restaurants or other independent suppliers. We regret that we cannot provide individual assistance to a vacation participant for walking, dining, getting on and off vessels, motorcoaches and other vehicles, or other personal needs. A qualified and physically able companion must accompany travelers who need such assistance and must assume full responsibility for their well being. The guest assumes the full risk of use and of any prohibitions imposed by vendors. Motorized scooters are not typically suitable on international cruises.
TIPS
It is customary to give cruise gratuities, subject to your satisfaction of services rendered. Gratuities on board and on land are not included in your Full Fare.
EUROPE OPERATORS
The ships described herein are operated by Viking River Cruises Ltd., Viking River Tours Ltd., Viking Croisičres S.A. or Viking River Cruises AG.
CHINA OPERATORS
The ships and/or cruises described herein are operated by one or more of the following: Chongqing New Century Cruise Co. Ltd., Viking River Cruises AG, Viking River Tours Ltd., Viking River Tours (China) Ltd. and China International Travel Service Beijing Co., Ltd.
MEKONG OPERATORS
The ships and/or cruises described herein are operated by one or more of the following: Pandaw Cruises Management Pte Ltd., Viking Tours Ltd.
EGYPT OPERATORS
The ships and/or tours described herein are operated by one or more of the following: Mövenpick Nile Cruises, Viking River Tours Ltd.
VIKING RIVER CRUISES, INC.
Viking River Cruises, Inc. acts solely as a Sales Agent for the above-mentioned operators of the vessels described in Viking advertising. Viking River Cruises, Inc. neither owns nor operates any of the vessels described herein and thus assumes no responsibility or liability for acts or omissions of the vessel owners or operators in regard to the cruises described herein.
RESPONSIBILITY
Viking River Cruises, Inc. accepts no liability or responsibility, whether occasioned by railroad, motorcoach, private car, boat, aircraft or any other conveyance, for any injury, damages, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned either by reason or defect, through the acts or defaults of any company or person, or in carrying out the arrangements of the cruise, as a result of any cause beyond the control of Viking River Cruises, Inc. Guests specifically release Viking River Cruises, Inc. from any and all claims for loss or damage to baggage or property or from personal injuries or death, or from loss or delay, arising out of the acts, omissions or negligence of any independent contractors, such as air carriers, hotels, shore excursion operators, restaurateurs, transportation providers, medical personnel or other providers of services or facilities. All arrangements made for guests with independent contractors, including medical services, are made solely for convenience to participants and are done at the participant’s own risk. Medical personnel are independent contractors. Viking River Cruises, Inc. specifically disclaims all liability for damages for emotional distress, mental suffering or psychological injury of any kind, except to the extent prohibited by 46 U.S.C. §183c(b). Tickets, vouchers and any other travel documents are subject to all terms and conditions of the respective suppliers (some of which may limit supplier’s liability). Under no circumstances shall Viking River Cruises, Inc. be construed as a carrier under a contract for safe carriage of the guest or his or her belongings.
Viking River Cruises, Inc. and the owners and operators of the vessels identified herein shall be entitled to any and all liability limitations, immunities and rights applicable to them or any of them under the Strasbourg Convention on the Limitation of Liability of Owners of Inland Navigation Vessels (CLNI), with protocols and amendments, together with the further provisions of the International Convention of Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, with revisions and amendments (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “Convention”), if and as applicable, and by those other and further limitations of liability set forth in the statutory and general maritime law of the United States, (including Title 46 U.S. Code Section 181-186, 188), as well as any other applicable nation’s laws limiting liability. Viking River Cruises, Inc. and the owners and operators of the vessels identified herein shall be entitled to claim the benefit of whichever law, regulation, treaty or doctrine provides the greatest legal protections to Viking River Cruises, Inc. and the owners and operators of the vessels identified herein.
REFUSAL OF PASSAGE
Viking River Cruises, Inc. shall not be required to refund any amount paid by any guest who must leave the cruise prematurely for any reason, nor shall Viking River Cruises, Inc. or the owners or operators of the vessels identified herein be responsible for the lodging, meals, return transportation or other expenses incurred by such guest.
ADVANCED, CANCELLED OR DELAYED SAILING
Viking River Cruises, Inc. reserves the right to withdraw and/or cancel a cruise or to make changes in the itinerary and hotel accommodations whenever, in its sole judgment, or in the judgment of the vessel owner or operator, conditions warrant it. In the event of charters of the vessels, truces, lockouts, riots or stoppage of labor from whatever cause or for any other reason whatsoever, the owner or operator of the vessels identified herein may, at any time, cancel, advance or postpone any scheduled cruise and may, but is not obliged to, substitute another vessel or itinerary and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to guests by reason of any such cancellation, advancement or postponement.
ACTS OF GOD, STRIKE, OR OTHER CONDITIONS BEYOND CONTROL
Neither Viking River Cruises, Inc. nor the owners or operators of the vessels identified herein shall be liable for delay or inability to perform any condition described herein or any part thereof caused by or arising out of strikes, lockout or labor difficulties or shortages whether or not the carrier is party thereto, or explosion, fire, collision, standing or foundering of the vessel or breakdown or failure of or damage to the vessel or its hull or machinery or fittings howsoever and wheresoever any or the same may arise or be caused, or civil commotion, riot, insurrection, war, government restraint, requisitioning of the vessel, political disturbance, acts or threats of terrorism, inability to secure or failure of supplies including fuel, Acts of God, or other circumstances beyond their control.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY AIRLINES
Viking River Cruises, Inc. reserves the right to choose the air carrier, routing and city airport from each gateway city. Viking River Cruises, Inc., may utilize contracted block space as outlined by each specific carrier, therefore all flights and routings may not be available. Flight schedules/seat assignments may be changed or cancelled without prior notice at any time. Viking River Cruises will attempt to accommodate guests traveling together, however this cannot be guaranteed. Flight schedules will be released 75 days prior to departure. Contact your airline directly to confirm seat assignments, request special meals and reconfirm your flights, check-in procedures and carry-on limitations. Any changes (including name changes) made to booking or issued airline ticket will incur a $50-per-ticket change fee, plus any change fee incurred by the subject air carrier. Any additional costs including penalties for cancellations/ rebookings will be made at the guest’s expense. All airline tickets issued by Viking River Cruises, Inc. are refundable only to Viking River Cruises, Inc., therefore, all tickets should be returned to: Viking River Cruises, Inc.: Attention Air Refunds. Viking River Cruises, Inc. will determine the amount of any refund due. If the air ticket is lost, the guest is responsible for the cost of its replacement. Viking River Cruises, Inc. has no responsibility for any change in travel plans caused by airline delays or for any act, omission or event.
EXTENSIONS
The extension packages as listed herein have been developed in association with various international hotels. Situations may arise, voluntarily or involuntarily, that necessitate changes. Viking River Cruises, Inc. reserves the right to substitute hotels as it is deemed necessary and to provide comparable alternatives.
TRAVEL PROTECTION
Travel Protection is not included in the listed fares. It is offered for purchase through a third-party vendor. Once paid, the Travel Protection Plan premium is not refundable.
ITINERARIES, PRICES/INCREASES AND OMISSIONS
Itineraries are subject to change and may need to be altered or cancelled specifically because of water levels or wind factors. Prices shown herein are subject to change with or without notice. Adjustments for currency and/or fuel fluctuations may apply. Airfares are subject to change if bookings are not paid in full. Optional shore excursions/ tours/ concerts, excess baggage charges, drinks, beverages and meals not included in the package are additional costs to the guest. Viking is not responsible for omissions, printing and/or presentation errors and reserves the right to make corrections as required. Check our website for the most up-to-date prices, terms and conditions.
CALIFORNIA SELLER OF TRAVEL LAW
Viking River Cruises, Inc. is registered in California as a seller of travel. Viking River Cruises, Inc.’s seller of travel registration number is 2052644-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Viking River Cruises, Inc. is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund, which provides restitution in certain circumstances to guests who are residents of California.
UNITED STATES TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION $1 MILLION TRAVELERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
Viking River Cruises, Inc. is an Active Member of United States Tour Operator’s Association (“USTOA”) and participates in the USTOA’s Travelers Assistance Program. You may make a claim to this program if you are owed a refund. The Plan covers losses for transportation or travel services that were not refunded when required. A guest may make a claim against the Plan within 90 days after Viking River Cruises, Inc.’s bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business or failure to fund on account of cancellation or non-performance. USTOA’s total liability for all consumer claims from customers of Viking River Cruises, Inc. is limited to $1,000,000. In some cases $1,000,000 may not be sufficient to cover all losses. Complete details of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program and claim forms may be obtained by writing to USTOA at 275 Madison Avenue, Suite 2014, New York, New York 10016, or by email to information@ustoa.com or by visiting their website at www.USTOA.com.