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As the leading small ship cruise line, Viking takes you closer to the heart of the places you want to visit. For more than 23 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness, and our new protocol enhancements make Viking even safer. Developed in coordination with an international team of scientific and medical advisors, the Viking Health & Safety Program is one of the most well-researched and comprehensive COVID-19 prevention and mitigation plans in the travel industry.

• Frequent quick and easy non-invasive saliva PCR tests for all guests and crew, processed in full-scale Viking-dedicated laboratories
• New air purification technology installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured independent air handling units for all guest staterooms
• Additional health checks, sanitization and physical distancing to protect Viking guests and crew at all points of the journey

Message from our Chairman

On December 8, 2020, Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen introduced the new Viking Health & Safety Program and discussed the research that has informed the basis for our protocol enhancements.

Viking Health & Safety Program – Updated October 15, 2021

The information included here should be considered current for all guests. Specific protocols and procedures may evolve over time to adapt to various conditions or travel regulations in the destinations in which we operate. Please continue to check this site for the most up-to-date version of the Viking Health & Safety Program.

Health & Safety FAQ

Does viking require guests to be vaccinated.

Beginning on May 22, 2021 with the official restart of limited operations in the United Kingdom—and remaining in effect at least through at least September 30, 2021—all Viking sailings will be available exclusively for vaccinated guests.

Viking is requiring vaccinations among all guests in accordance with entry rules in many of the destinations that will welcome Viking ships—and as a complement to our new health and safety protocol enhancements, which were designed to protect guests and crew even while the COVID-19 vaccine rollout is still moving forward. Viking’s medical and operations teams will continue to monitor vaccination rates and entry requirements—and will adjust our protocol and policies as needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew.

How long will the vaccine requirement for guests remain in effect?

Currently, we will require vaccinations among guests for sailings scheduled to depart at least through September 30, 2021. Viking’s medical and operations teams will continue to monitor vaccination rates and entry requirements—and will adjust our protocol and policies as needed to ensure the safety and wellbeing of our guests and crew.

Will I be required to take a COVID-19 test before traveling to a Viking Ship?

Viking does not require our guests to take a COVID-19 test before departing from home. Depending on your dates of travel, Viking may require a PCR test as part of the process of embarking your ship. This quick and easy non-invasive PCR test will be conducted via simple saliva sample in a plastic tube and processed in a full-scale Viking-dedicated laboratory.

However, entry requirements can and do vary by country, so guests should be sure to visit the Viking website and read the Pre-Cruise Requirements found under the Resources tab of their itinerary, in addition to following all guidelines that may be provided by email and/or on MyVikingJourney.com .

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You say guests will be tested frequently during the cruise. What type of COVID-19 test will be conducted and how is the test performed?

Viking will use PCR testing, as this is considered the best type of test to detect the virus. The quick and easy non-invasive PCR test will be conducted by simple saliva sample in a small plastic tube, delivered to guests in their stateroom. After guests provide the saliva sample in the tube, they will package the tube in a provided plastic pouch, and a crew member will collect the sample for processing.

How frequently will guests be tested?

Quick and easy PCR tests will be conducted prior to embarkation and on an ongoing, regular basis throughout an itinerary, dependent on prevalence levels from both our guests’ country of origin and the destinations to which we will sail.

Are crew tested as frequently as guests?

All Viking crew will be tested at the same or higher frequency as our guests.

What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 at embarkation?

Guests with a positive COVID-19 test at embarkation will be given a second test to validate the first. If the second test confirms COVID-19, Viking will arrange for the guest to recover ashore before returning home once their recovery is complete. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling.

What happens if a guest tests positive for COVID-19 while on their Viking cruise?

Guests with a positive COVID-19 test will be isolated on board and then disembarked at the first opportunity for quarantine at an appropriate facility ashore. A second test will be performed to validate the first test. If the second test confirms COVID-19, we will arrange for the guest to recover ashore before returning home once their recovery is complete. Upon their return home, Viking Customer Relations will contact the guest and their travel advisor directly regarding any necessary refunding or rescheduling.

What happens if there are a large number of COVID-19 cases on board my ship?

Viking’s Health & Safety Program is focused on the prevention and mitigation of COVID-19. Our research shows that because Viking will test all guests and crew daily, the risk of a large number of guests or crew falling ill is very low. However, we plan for all scenarios – and we have contingency plans in place should this unlikely scenario arise.

COVID-19 is known to spread through the air. How is the air treated onboard Viking ships?

Our fleet of modern, small ocean and river ships feature independent air handling units, which means each stateroom has “fresh” external air that is not shared with other staterooms or public spaces. Just like in a hospital, we have also designed a solution to implement short-wavelength ultraviolet (or UV-C) lights and new high-density filters that will sanitize the air on our vessels. This solution will ensure that:

• 99.99% of viruses and bacteria in the air are killed.
• We maximize the possible number of air changes.
• We provide a risk-free solution for the crew when cleaning filters, as viruses are killed and not simply trapped in the filters.

How frequently do you sanitize my stateroom?

Every stateroom is cleaned and sanitized daily. In addition, every stateroom goes through a “deep-cleaning” sanitization process between each cruise.

How frequently do you sanitize public spaces such as the restaurants?

Restaurants are sanitized between every service; all other public spaces are fully sanitized at a minimum every 24 hours, with high touchpoints sanitized more frequently every day.

Will I be required to wear a face mask while on board?

Face masks may be required for all guests and crew while moving about the ship, depending on conditions at time of sailing.

Will I be required to wear a face mask when going ashore?

Viking may require guests and staff to wear a face mask while ashore, depending on local requirements.

Will there be social distancing on board?

We have set up all of our public spaces, including restaurants and lounges, for appropriate social distancing.

Is there a difference between what I can expect on a Viking ocean ship and a Viking river ship?

Our Viking Health & Safety Program is the same across our fleet of ocean and river vessels. Viking ocean and river ships, however, differ in size and number of venues. As such, guests traveling on either an ocean or river ship may experience minor day-to-day variations in how we implement our overall program.

Does Viking’s Travel Protection Plan cover COVID-19 costs (e.g., medical treatment, quarantine, repatriation, etc.)?

Yes, our Travel Protection Plan helps protect you from many unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, which could include necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expenses related to COVID-19.

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Everything You Need to Know About Viking Ocean Cruises’ Cancellation Policy

When planning a cruise, it’s essential to understand the cancellation policy to avoid any unexpected fees or frustrations. Viking Ocean Cruises, known for its exceptional service and immersive experiences, has a cancellation policy designed to provide flexibility and peace of mind to its guests. In this guide, we will explore the most important aspects of Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy, ensuring you have all the information you need before embarking on your journey.

1. Cancellation Periods: Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy is divided into specific timeframes, each with its associated fees. It’s crucial to be aware of these periods to assess the potential financial implications of canceling your cruise. Here is an overview of the cancellation periods:

Cancellation Period | Cancellation Fee ——————- | —————- 91+ days before departure | $100 per person 61-90 days before departure | 15% of the fare 30-60 days before departure | 50% of the fare 14-29 days before departure | 75% of the fare Less than 14 days before departure | 100% of the fare

2. Travel Protection Plan: Viking Ocean Cruises offers a prehensive Travel Protection Plan that can provide coverage for trip cancellation due to covered reasons. This plan helps protect your investment by reimbursing you for non-refundable cancellation fees if unforeseen circumstances arise. It is highly re mended to consider this plan to safeguard your cruise investment.

3. Exceptions and Restrictions: It’s important to note that some cruises, such as World Cruise and Grand Voyages, may have different cancellation policies due to their unique nature. Additionally, certain promotions or discounted fares may have specific cancellation terms and conditions. Always review the terms of your specific booking to understand any exceptions or restrictions that may apply.

Understanding Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy is crucial for a stress-free cruise experience. By familiarizing yourself with the cancellation periods, considering the Travel Protection Plan, and being aware of any exceptions or restrictions, you can make informed decisions and mitigate potential financial risks.

For more detailed information on Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy, please refer to their official website [1]. Planning a cruise can be exciting, and knowing the cancellation policy will ensure you have peace of mind throughout the entire process.

Sources: [1] Viking Ocean Cruises’ Official Website: www.vikingcruises.

Can I get a refund for my Viking cruise?

When can i cancel my viking cruise.

Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy provides flexibility for guests who need to cancel their cruise. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to cancel your Viking cruise, the timing is crucial. It’s important to note that the cancellation policy varies depending on the type of cruise and time of cancellation. For most cruises, if you cancel 121 days or more before departure, you’ll receive a full refund. However, if you cancel within 120-90 days, there will be a penalty fee. It’s advisable to review the specific cancellation policy for your cruise to understand the exact dates and fees associated with cancellation. To learn more about Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy and get all the details, visit their official website: [Viking Ocean Cruises’ Cancellation Policy](https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/my-trip/important-information/guest-ticket-contract.html#cancellation-policy).

Can I cancel my cruise for a full refund?

Viking Ocean Cruises offers a flexible cancellation policy that allows guests to cancel their cruise and receive a full refund under certain conditions. If you cancel your cruise at least 121 days before departure, you will receive a full refund of the cruise fare paid. However, if you cancel within 120 days of departure, the cancellation fees will vary depending on the length of the cruise. For cruises less than 15 days, the cancellation fee ranges from 50% to 100% of the cruise fare, while for cruises 15 days or longer, the fee ranges from 50% to 75% of the cruise fare. It’s important to note that cancellation fees may also apply to any additional services or packages booked. For more information and to review the full cancellation policy, please visit Viking Ocean Cruises’ official website at [insert reliable source link].

How much do you lose if you cancel a cruise?

Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy determines the amount you may lose if you decide to cancel your cruise. The policy states that if you cancel your booking, a cancellation fee will be applied based on the number of days prior to the departure date. For example, if you cancel between 121 and 90 days before departure, the fee is 20% of the cruise fare. As the cancellation date gets closer, the fee increases. It is essential to review the specific cancellation policy for your booking to understand the potential financial implications. To learn more about Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy and its details, visit their official website: https://www.vikingcruises.com/oceans/my-trip/faqs.html#cancel.

MV Viking Sun

MV Viking Sun is a luxurious ocean cruise ship operated by Viking Ocean Cruises. It offers a unique and unforgettable travel experience with its elegant design, exceptional service, and state-of-the-art amenities. The ship’s cancellation policy ensures flexibility and peace of mind for travelers. In case of cancellation, guests are eligible for a refund based on the number of days prior to departure. The policy also allows for a future cruise credit, which can be used towards a future booking. It is important to note that cancellation fees may apply, depending on the timing of the cancellation. To learn more about Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy and the specific details regarding MV Viking Sun, please visit their official website [insert link to official website].

In summary, Viking Ocean Cruises has a comprehensive cancellation policy in place to protect both the company and its customers. Understanding the terms and conditions of this policy is crucial for anyone considering booking a cruise with Viking Ocean Cruises.

When it comes to canceling a Viking Ocean Cruise, the timing of your cancellation plays a significant role in determining the amount of refund you may be eligible for. The closer you cancel to the departure date, the less likely you are to receive a full refund. It is important to note that cancellation fees are applicable regardless of the reason for canceling, so it’s essential to take this into account when making your travel plans.

Viking Ocean Cruises offers a tiered cancellation fee structure, which means that the amount you will be charged for canceling your cruise depends on how far in advance you cancel. For example, if you cancel more than 121 days before the departure date, you will incur a cancellation fee of $100 per person. However, if you cancel within 45 days of the departure date, the cancellation fee can be as much as the full cost of the cruise.

It is worth mentioning that Viking Ocean Cruises also offers a Travel Protection Plan, which can provide additional coverage for cancellations due to unforeseen circumstances. This plan is optional but highly recommended, as it can provide peace of mind and financial protection in case you need to cancel your trip.

To better understand the specific cancellation fees that may apply to your booking, it is advisable to refer to Viking Ocean Cruises’ official website. The website provides a detailed breakdown of the cancellation fees based on the number of days before the departure date.

As with any travel-related decision, it is essential to review the cancellation policy thoroughly before making a reservation. This will ensure that you fully understand the financial implications of canceling your Viking Ocean Cruise and can make an informed decision.

In conclusion, Viking Ocean Cruises’ cancellation policy is designed to protect both the company and its customers. It is important to familiarize yourself with the specific terms and conditions of the policy, including the tiered cancellation fee structure and the availability of the optional Travel Protection Plan. By doing so, you can make informed decisions and avoid any surprises or financial setbacks in the event of a cancellation.

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Viking Travel Protection Insurance Plan

For your convenience, Viking offers a Travel Protection Plan. This may help protect your travel investment, your belongings and most importantly, you, from many unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, including costs of circumstances that may arise related to COVID-19.

The Travel Protection Plan includes a non-insurance Cancel For Any Reason Waiver (provided by Viking), Travel Insurance Benefits (underwritten by Generali- U.S. Branch) and Assistance Services (provided by Generali Global Assistance).  

Cancel For Any Reason If you must cancel your trip ahead of departure, the nonrefundable portion of your trip cost can be fully reimbursed in Viking travel vouchers.   Payments are for the full Travel Protection Plan, which is made up of the Part A Non-Insurance Cancel For Any Reason Waiver, and Part B Insurance Benefits, and Assistance Services (a separate fee for Assistance Services is included in the Plan Payment).   Insurance benefits in the Plan are subject to limitations and exclusions, including an exclusion for pre-existing conditions.  Plan benefits, limits and provisions vary by state/jurisdiction and not all coverage is available in all states. To review full plan details online and Important Disclosures, go to:?  www.tripmate.com/wpGR625V .

This is not a complete description of all benefits and limitations. For full terms and conditions of coverage, ask your Vacations To Go cruise counselor. Prices, terms, and conditions listed in this summary are subject to change without notice, and need to be reconfirmed with your Vacations To Go cruise counselor at the time of booking. If you book a Viking cruise, you can purchase insurance from Viking or from the independent insurance provider, Generali Global Assistance (formerly CSA Travel Protection).  Click here  to see details of the Go Plan from Generali Global Assistance. 

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Viking trip insurance - recommendations on purchasing Viking trip insurance or purchasing separately?

By Janie1229 , May 12, 2022 in Viking Ocean

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Hi, we have never taken a Viking trip and are looking at the Viking Rhine Getaway trip. What are everyone's thoughts on purchase the trip insurance offered through Viking or getting trip insurance on your own? Thanks!

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Share on other sites, shadowlover.

It's usually significantly cheaper to buy on your own.  If you want cancel for any reason however I believe viking will be the way to go.  I use Steve from the trip insurance store as he is a wealth of knowledge.

Frenchberet

I don’t agree that buying insurance in your own is usually cheaper.  We always purchase our own insurance.  My travel partner is 10 years older than me so his insurance is several hundred dollars more than mine.    

For our next Viking cruise (Antarctic expedition), we purchased insurance through Viking.  It is a percentage of the total trip costs so we both paid the same amount.  His cost is a bit cheaper than the policy we usually buy, mine is a bit more.  The total cost for Viking is a little cheaper than our regular company, same coverage.  

With Covid still looming over our heads, we felt there might be an advantage to booking everything through Viking.

1 hour ago, shadowlover said: It's usually significantly cheaper to buy on your own.  If you want cancel for any reason however I believe viking will be the way to go.  I use Steve from the trip insurance store as he is a wealth of knowledge.

I don’t believe it is always less expensive to purchase on one’s own. I do agree,  especially during the pandemic, using a knowledgeable agent is crucial. I also use Steve at tripinsuancestore.com. It pays to have a trusted intermediary in the event of a claim. I would suggest you read the Cruise Critic Insurance Board. 

Peregrina651

When it comes to insurance, it isn't just about price; it's about what you get for that price. Read the contracts carefully so that you understand what you are buying -- and what you aren't buying.

One thing to understand about getting the Viking insurance is that your refund is in the form of a voucher towards another cruise on Viking. If you buy your own insurance, you get cash. 

Personally, I don't want a voucher, I want cash if i have to cancel.

9 hours ago, Peregrina651 said: When it comes to insurance, it isn't just about price; it's about what you get for that price. Read the contracts carefully so that you understand what you are buying -- and what you aren't buying.   One thing to understand about getting the Viking insurance is that your refund is in the form of a voucher towards another cruise on Viking. If you buy your own insurance, you get cash.    Personally, I don't want a voucher, I want cash if i have to cancel.    

We have always used the Viking insurance (actually Trip Mate ... they work with Viking they are not owned by Viking) will refund cash if the reason for cancelling is medical.  We cancelled our first VO cruise in 2015 for medical reasons and we received a full refund ... 50% from Viking which was credited back to our checking account within two weeks of our email request and the rest (minus what we paid for the insurance of course) within a month of our initial contact with Viking.  The cruise vouchers come with the "cancel for any reason" waiver and I believe is offered by Viking for those that insure with Trip Mate.  

Sunflower & The Scientist

11 hours ago, Peregrina651 said: When it comes to insurance, it isn't just about price; it's about what you get for that price. Read the contracts carefully so that you understand what you are buying -- and what you aren't buying.   One thing to understand about getting the Viking insurance is that your refund is in the form of a voucher towards another cruise on Viking. If you buy your own insurance, you get cash.    Personally, I don't want a voucher, I want cash if i have to cancel.    

I second this information.  Read, read, read....then ask a lot of questions especially with COVID related issues.  Refunds verses vouchers is important but also look at what is offered for medical and all the incidentals.  

I did a Google search for highest-rated travel insurance carriers, and it came up with Nationwide as the highest-rated; does anyone have experience with them? Any recommendations for others?

20 hours ago, Janie1229 said: Hi, we have never taken a Viking trip and are looking at the Viking Rhine Getaway trip. What are everyone's thoughts on purchase the trip insurance offered through Viking or getting trip insurance on your own? Thanks!

Insurance is one of the things that shouldn't be purchased based on price, as I find with insurance you really do get what you pay for.

Personally, until our Viking 2019/20 World Cruise, we never purchased cruise line insurance, as based on our age, the cruise line insurance was more expensive for less coverage. However, for the 19/20 WC, no local or online broker would accept the risk, so we were stuck with the Viking Tripmate.

Having read the policy document thoroughly, it does have some pros & cons. Since we are now over 60 and have pre-existing conditions, the pre-existing condition waiver is definitely a saving, especially if you ever had to make a major claim. The cost model, which is based on a percentage of the fare rather than age/health risk assessment, for us is now cheaper, for comparable coverage. Another cost benefit is that the insurance cost is not based on any vouchers used.

The biggest con for us is the very poor level of medical coverage. Therefore, when we purchase the Viking insurance, we also purchase a local medical coverage policy, as we won't travel without at least $5M, over what our Provincial Health will pay for out of Province coverage.

I note the Viking insurance provides a cash refund when you cancel for a covered reason. If you cancel with the CFAR, it only provides FCV's, which are only valid for 1-yr.

Best thing you can do is download a copy of the Tripmate policy document and compare it to insurance available from a local or online broker.

Oneof the problem we encounter is if we book our next cruise while onboard we are often not home soon enough to purchase coverage for pre-existing conditions.  We USAA and you must but the insurance soon after your initial payment.  Fortunately we have never had to use the insurance!

• 2 weeks later...

GregoryPaul

Uh oh. Looks like we need to cancel our cruise due to my father in law’s cancer diagnosis. 

We purchased TripMate insurance through Viking at the time we paid for the cruise -approx 240 days out. The very first paragraph on the policy (GR425V) reads, “This plan may only be purchased up to 120 days (180 days for voyages of 35 days or longer) prior to your Viking Cruises scheduled departure date.”

If that is true, how can Viking even sell it to us? Hardly seems “fair.”

BTW, I know that my answer will come from Viking or TripMate and not from “the internet” but I also know that a lot of folks on this forum have an awful lot of experience in these things, so I thought I’d ask while I’m waiting to hear back from Viking/TripMate.

…. Or should we go the voucher route? We are currently 90 days out and have about $48K invested in our trip alone (not counting in-laws). We did buy during the Viking “Risk Free Guarantee Period.

I really do appreciate any advice offered.

We are all sorry to hear that you must cancel a long anticipated adventure and wish your father-in-law a speedy return to good health.

You have the insurance, right? So that is all that matters.

You should receive a combination of cash and vouchers as determined by the cancellation matrix stated in the Booking Terms & Conditions and repeated on the your Viking invoice. If you bought your air through Viking and it has been ticketed, you may also have to pay a cancellation fee for that: " For all air - inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be subject to a US$350.00 fee per passenger with an issued airline tick et, in addition to the cancellation fees detailed below in tables A and B"

So, a portion will come back to you as cash, the portion that Viking is not retaining as the cancellation fee. The amount that Viking keeps is covered by the insurance and will be reimbursed to you under the terms of the insurance contract. I believe that the terms of the insurance you have says that you will receive reimbursement in the form of a voucher.

If you have any paid optional shore excursions, they will also be refunded during the cancellation process. They should come back to you as cash as you are cancelling them more that 48 hours ahead of their scheduled departure.

It will take Viking a few weeks to process your cancellation (lots of accounting steps involved).

48 minutes ago, Peregrina651 said:     We are all sorry to hear that you must cancel a long anticipated adventure and wish your father-in-law a speedy return to good health.   You have the insurance, right? So that is all that matters.   You should receive a combination of cash and vouchers as determined by the cancellation matrix stated in the Booking Terms & Conditions and repeated on the your Viking invoice. If you bought your air through Viking and it has been ticketed, you may also have to pay a cancellation fee for that: " For all air - inclusive packages cancelled after issuance of an airline ticket, the air portion of the refund, if any, will be subject to a US$350.00 fee per passenger with an issued airline tick et, in addition to the cancellation fees detailed below in tables A and B"   So, a portion will come back to you as cash, the portion that Viking is not retaining as the cancellation fee. The amount that Viking keeps is covered by the insurance and will be reimbursed to you under the terms of the insurance contract. I believe that the terms of the insurance you have says that you will receive reimbursement in the form of a voucher.   If you have any paid optional shore excursions, they will also be refunded during the cancellation process. They should come back to you as cash as you are cancelling them more that 48 hours ahead of their scheduled departure.   It will take Viking a few weeks to process your cancellation (lots of accounting steps involved).    

We’ve only had Viking insurance once and didn’t have to use it. But I would think that if you cancel for a covered reason (which a medical diagnosis “unable to travel” would be) that you’ll get cash back—not a voucher. I think others have mentioned this on CC in recent months. If doing “cancel for any reason” then it’s a voucher for at least a portion of the fare/fees.

When cancelling a cruise, my understanding is you have a choice of the RFG, which provides 100% vouchers, or a partial cash refund, in accordance with the cancellation policy

With the Viking Insurance, if you opt for the refund, you will receive a partial cash refund from Viking with the percentage based on the number of days before departure. From 70 to 89 days, they retain 35% of the fare. For the funds retained by Viking, you can submit a claim to the insurance and provided you meet the criteria for a covered reason, the insurance should pay the cash that Viking's cancellation policy withheld.

Another point to consider - If you do not meet the insurance criteria for a cash refund, the Viking Insurance does provide vouchers, but they are only valid for 12-months. Therefore, you need to consider your probability of meeting the cash refund requirements (stated reason). If you have a low probability, it may be better requesting the 2-yr vouchers from the RFG, rather than the partial cash and 1-yr insurance vouchers.

This is all based on the fact that the cruise was booked with cash rather than an existing FCV. The insurance cost is not levied on the value of the FCV, only cash paid. If a FCV was used for partial payment, you would need to negotiate to have it re-instated.

The Other Tom

On 5/12/2022 at 2:03 PM, Janie1229 said: Hi, we have never taken a Viking trip and are looking at the Viking Rhine Getaway trip. What are everyone's thoughts on purchase the trip insurance offered through Viking or getting trip insurance on your own? Thanks!

You can buy through Viking or on your own, but make sure you get what you want in a policy.  A good place to start is insuremytrip.com.  You can compare policies, prices, etc.

I can't say this for sure but I think one of the advantages of private insurance is they cover the date ranges and your pre-estimated trip cost.  Tripmate as far as I understand only covers the trip from a Viking point of view.  If you choose to extend your vacation before or after to say wander around Italy as well as purchase your flights separately from Viking I don't think Tripmate covers that.

Somebody else can pipe in here and correct me if I am wrong.

Thank you all for both your kind words and your well-reasoned responses.

You guys know better than me that the answer you get on the phone may vary with the level of experience at the other end.

The agent I spoke with today knew her stuff and advised me that my particular “no risk” voucher (they have apparently somewhat morphed over the course of Covid) would provide me a fully transferable voucher that I could use for 24 months from date of issue. She stressed that I only needed to re-book and did not need to travel in that time frame. She said it would cover all the monies paid to Viking including what I paid for insurance since I am not yet ticketed by the airline. But’s it’s a one-use, use it or lose it deal,

She then recommended that I go the “standard claim and insurance route.” This one should get me 80% of my fees back in cash from Viking (less the cost of insurance) “if they receive and process” my claim before June 3 when it goes down to 65%.  Once I receive their settlement, I can make an insurance claim with  TripMate to get the balance of the monies I paid refunded in cash (again, less insurance costs). Viking’s claim process appears simple, just an email (names, booking numbers, reason, type of refund requested) although so far all I’ve received is an automated reply.

Trip Mate seemed to confirm this and also stated that my claim “should” qualify as father/father-in-law is clearly family. They did say we’ll need to provide “a note from his doctor” explaining why he can not travel. Apparently, we will need to fill out some forms on their website, print them off and mail signed hard copies along with our doctor’s note.

Yes, we are on our own to claw back monies paid to guides, private transfers and other hotels.

I’m somewhat addicted to this site so I’ll most likely post again and let you all know how this actually plays out.

I’m bummed but obviously nothing compared to what my father-in-law is going through. I know, I’ve already .been down that same road at the same cancer clinic (Moffitt in Tampa).

Meanwhile look for me on the dock toasting your adventures.

Viking already refunded their 80% share ($35K), it’s only been a week. Great job, Viking!

Insurance claim for the other 20% still in the works … a bit cumbersome.

2 hours ago, GregoryPaul said: Viking already refunded their 80% share ($35K), it’s only been a week. Great job, Viking!   Insurance claim for the other 20% still in the works … a bit cumbersome.

Congratulations on making good progress to date. Good luck on getting the insurance portion paid promptly.

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Travelers Plans How to Travelers Plans in The World

Viking travel protection plan uf425v.

Traveling is one of the most exciting experiences one can have. From exploring new cultures to trying different cuisines, there are countless things to look forward to. However, amidst all the fun and adventure, it is important to prepare for the unexpected. This is where travel insurance comes in, and the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V is a great option for those planning a trip.

What is the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V?

The Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V is a comprehensive travel insurance plan that provides coverage for a variety of travel-related issues. This plan is specifically designed for travelers who are going on a Viking River Cruise or Viking Ocean Cruise. It offers trip cancellation and interruption coverage, emergency medical and dental coverage, baggage and personal effects coverage, and more.

What does the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V cover?

The Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V provides coverage for the following:

• Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
• Emergency medical and dental coverage
• Emergency medical transportation coverage
• Baggage and personal effects coverage
• Baggage delay coverage
• Travel delay coverage
• Missed connection coverage
• 24-hour hotline assistance

What are the benefits of the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V?

There are several benefits of choosing the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V:

• Comprehensive coverage: The plan offers coverage for a wide range of travel-related issues, ensuring that you are protected in the event of an unexpected event.
• Peace of mind: Knowing that you have travel insurance can give you peace of mind, allowing you to enjoy your trip without worrying about what might happen.
• Convenience: The plan is easy to purchase and offers 24-hour hotline assistance, so you can get help when you need it.
• Flexible coverage: You can choose the level of coverage that best fits your needs and budget.

How much does the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V cost?

The cost of the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V varies depending on several factors, including the length of your trip, your age, and the level of coverage you choose. However, the cost is typically a small percentage of the total trip cost, making it a cost-effective way to protect your investment.

How do I purchase the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V?

You can purchase the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V when you book your Viking River or Ocean Cruise. Simply add the plan to your reservation, and you will be covered for the duration of your trip.

Overall, the Viking Travel Protection Plan UF425V is an excellent option for those planning a Viking River or Ocean Cruise. With comprehensive coverage, flexible options, and 24-hour assistance, you can travel with peace of mind knowing that you are protected in the event of an unexpected event.

• Expeditions
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Passports, Visa & Travel Documents

Viking will send you a number of notifications via email as your departure date nears, including your booking confirmation, payment receipts and, if you purchased your air travel from Viking, logistical information about your air travel and transfers. Be sure your email account is set up to receive communications from Viking so that these messages can find their way to you.

Distribution of Travel Documents

Tickets and other travel documents will be issued approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. Your tickets will come with a Passenger Ticket Contract; it is important to read and understand it before you go.

Passenger Ticket Contract (US & Canada)

Due to airline security measures, your passport name must match your airline ticket name or you may be denied boarding. Your passport’s expiration date must be at least six months after your return from your trip; if it is not, you should renew your passport.

Passport Application

If you are traveling with us to Australia, Brazil, Cambodia, China, Egypt India, Jordan, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Turkey, or Vietnam, you will need a visa. Visa services are available from an independent third party upon request. If you would like to obtain your visa through our partner, please visit their website and download a visa kit. Complete and return the forms to the visa company in a timely manner so that you will have your documentation in time to travel. The timing is explained within the kit instructions. Anyone who wishes to obtain their own visas for Cambodia and Vietnam should make sure to get a single-entry visa for Cambodia and a double-entry visa for Vietnam . This will enable travel to Vietnam, to Cambodia and back to Vietnam during the course of the itinerary. On Ocean cruises, the ship will obtain the required visa prior to your arrival for Egypt, Jordan, Oman, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates. On River cruises, our representatives will help you acquire your Egypt and Jordan visas on arrival. Note: Visa requirements subject to change at any time without notice. Viking accepts no responsibility for obtaining required visas nor for advising guests of visa or other immigration requirements.

Generations Visa Service

Travel Insurance

Viking recommends that all guests purchase travel insurance ahead of their departure. This may help protect your travel investment, your belongings and most importantly, you from many unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip. While there are several insurance companies offering travel protection plans, Viking recommends Manulife and has arranged for dedicated resources to support our guests’ needs. To obtain additional information and explore options for coverage, please contact Manulife directly at 1-855-246-9929 or by visiting ManuLife .

Pay by echeck and Save

Enjoy the convenience of paying for your trip by echeck (also known as EFT or electronic funds transfer). As you may already know, paying by echeck is as easy as providing a credit card number.

• You may use echeck to pay for your Viking cruise or cruisetour, and for airfare. Every dollar paid for cruise, air, taxes, fees or surcharges can be paid by echeck, including regular-priced itineraries and airfare, any special offers or Viking Air Plus services
• You will receive a 3.3% discount and there is no fee for this service
• You can make secure payments on the Booking Payments page in the My Viking Journey Payments & Cart section.

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Viking Protection Plan

Welcome to the Viking Protection Plan, the premier RV Extended Service Contract for RV travelers. Whether you own a motorhome or towable RV, the Viking Protection Plan RV Service Contract (commonly referred to as an RV Extended Warranty), is the perfect option for safeguarding yourself from the high costs associated with mechanical breakdowns.

Coverage Options: The Viking Protection Plan RV Warranty is available to new and used motorhomes, travel trailers, 5 th Wheels, toy haulers, pop-up and slide-in campers, subject to eligibility requirements based on age and mileage.

•  Optional Coverages are available to take your RV protection to the next level.
•  Comprehensive trip interruption benefits will help take the sting out of your next RV breakdown.
•  The Viking Protection Plan is presented by quality partners, with a stable financial backing, and excellent customer service.

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Viking Cruises Travel Insurance - 2024 Review

Viking cruises travel insurance.

• Strong insurance partner
• Good Medical Insurance
• Cancel for Any Reason
• Pre-existing Condition Waiver
• Cancel for Any Reason pays expiring future credit not Cash
• Low Medical Evacuation Coverage
• No Cancel For Work Reason Coverage
• No Interrupt For Any Reason Coverage

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Viking Cruises is a leader in luxury river and ocean cruises. Viking also sails expedition ships to remote areas of the world such as the Arctic and Antarctic.

In this review, we’ll detail Viking’s Travel Protection Plan coverage and cost versus comprehensive trip insurance options available on the wider market.

When you book your cruise with Viking, they offer travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses. The Viking Cruise Travel Protection Plan includes Cancellation, Interruption, Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation,  Baggage Insurance , Travel Delay and several other benefits.

The policy is underwritten by the United States Fire company, which also underwrites policies for companies Cruise Insurance 101 partners with.

If you book your Viking cruise through Viking’s website, you have an opportunity to opt-in or opt-out of insurance during the checkout process. However, if you prefer to shop around, simply opt-out. You have plenty of time to check prices before Viking closes insurance enrollment.

Of course, when you buy a travel insurance plan on the wider marketplace, you can buy travel insurance anytime until the day before departure. However, we recommend buying it early so it includes coverage for Pre-existing Medical Conditions. More about this later.

Our Cruise: Waterways of the Tsars

Our chosen cruise is the 13-day Waterways of the Tsars River cruise for two travelers, ages 55 and 60.  The tour starts in Moscow and leisurly cruises along the Volga River to St. Peterburg.

We also had several pre-cruise options available: two nights in St Petersburg for $499 per person or three nights in Helsinki for $999 per person. An additional option to spend two nights in Moscow post-cruise for $599 per person is also available. We’ve opted not to include these additions.

After choosing our stateroom, the total cost of the trip is $14,798 for our travelers.

Viking has a nice addon to include airfare in the total trip cost if you choose. Airfare from 150 US cities can be included so you don’t need to shop for airfare.

Economy tickets from your airport of choice are included free. Premium economy seats or business class seats are also available for an additional price. For our trip, we chose Premium Economy airfare from Chicago’s O’Hare airport for an additional $799 per person. Had we chosen business class, it would have added $3499 per person to the trip cost.

Viking Travel Protection

After choosing or declining airfare, the last set of options we have before checkout is deciding whether to take Viking’s Travel Protection Plan insurance. This plan with Viking, offers travel insurance to protect your non-refundable expenses. The Viking Cruise Travel Protection Plan includes Cancellation, Interruption, Medical Insurance, Medical Evacuation, Baggage Insurance, Travel Delay, and several other benefits.

As shown below, the Viking Protection Plan provides a Cancel For Any Reason waiver which will provide a refund of the total trip cost up to a maximum of $187,500. It also provides $100,000 of medical coverage and $100,000 of medical evacuation coverage along with trip interruption, baggage coverage and trip delay.

Including or declining airfare will change the amount charged for the insurance if it is selected. Declining airfare or choosing the free economy airfare, the Travel Protection Insurance is $719 per person.

Choosing Premium Economy airfare increases the insurance to $819 per person (See below).

Finally, choosing Business Class airfare increases the insurance to $919 per person (see below).

As we’ve chosen the Premium Economy seating, making our insurance selection $819 per person for a total of $1638 if we choose to add it. Can we find comparable or better travel insurance for a lower cost? Let’s find out.

Comparison Quotes

When shopping for trip insurance, many travelers aren’t sure where to start. We always recommend travelers leaving the US acquire at least:

• $100,000 medical insurance, and
• $250,000 emergency medical evacuation, and
• a Waiver of Pre-existing Medical Conditions.

These levels ensure you’re covered for most medical emergencies overseas.

Next, we compare Viking Cruises travel insurance with two policies available on  Cruise Insurance 101  Travel Insurance Marketplace for our trip cost of $14,798

The least expensive plan that provides at least $100,000 in Medical Insurance , $250,000 in Medical Evacuation  and includes a  Waiver of Pre-existing Medical Condition is the Trawick First Class for $840.07 for both travelers together.

This plan has $150,000 of medical coverage, which is $50,000 MORE than the Viking policy and $1 million of medical evacuation, which is $900,000 MORE than Viking provides. It is also $597.93 LESS than the Viking Protection Plan. However, one thing the Trawick plan does not have included is a Cancel for Any Reason option added to it. So, let’s look at a version that does.

Let’s consider  Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%), because it’s the least expensive plan that includes  Cancel For Any Reason . This version of the plan would most closely match the coverages for the Viking Protection Plan. The Trawick First Class (CFAR75%) is the same policy as before but adds the Cancel For Any Reason option.

Let’s look at these three policies side-by-side:

Price and Value

First, you can see that Viking cruise travel insurance ($1,638) costs nearly double the standard Trawick First Class policy ($840.07). While Trawick provides $1 million for medical evacuation, Viking’s medical evacuation is only $100,000, which is less than half of what we recommend for this coverage. Low Medical Evacuation coverage can leave you with a large out-of-pocket expense if a medical emergency requires an airlift back home.

Also, notice that Viking’s “cancel for any reason” grants a future credit, not a cash refund. The vouchers expire in 12 months if you don’t use them. By contrast, the Trawick First Class (CFAR 75%) pays a cash refund. If you spent over $14,000 on a trip and only get future credit, that’s a lot of money to sacrifice to vouchers (which only last a year).

For the price, the Viking Cruises’ travel protection plan offers disappointing value.

Trip Cancellation

When you buy travel insurance through a Travel Insurance Marketplace like Cruise Insurance 101 or directly from the insurer, all benefits listed in the policy are provided by the insurance company.

For Viking cruise trip insurance, Viking, not the insurance company, pays for the  Trip Cancellation  benefit. In fact, many cruise lines that offer a Cancel For Any Reason waiver pay for the Trip Cancellation section themselves.

Of course, all other benefits such as  Medical Insurance , Baggage and the rest are reimbursed by the insurance company, not Viking.

Travel insurance with Trip Cancellation protects your investment in case you must cancel unexpectedly. Every policy has a list of reasons that are covered for a 100% refund if you must cancel.

Viking cruise travel insurance provides a typical list of cancellation reasons found in most travel insurance plans:

• A Sickness, Injury, or death of You, a Family Member, or a person booked with You on the Trip which with respect to any such Sickness or Injury, requires examination and/or treatment by a Physician at the time you cancel Your Trip. The treating physician must certify that the Sickness or Injury will prevent You from taking Your Trip.
• You or a person booked with You on the Trip are quarantined, selected for jury duty, or receive a valid court order to appear as a witness in a third-party legal action (which jury duty or court appearance would be during the time of the Trip), and such impediment to travel remains at the time You cancel Your Trip.
• Your home or the home of a person booked with You on the Trip, or the destination accommodations specified for Your Trip, are made uninhabitable by natural disaster (such as a flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire, or blizzard) and are reasonably expected to remain uninhabitable during the time of the Trip.
• Your place of employment or the place of employment of a person booked with You on the Trip is damaged due to a natural disaster (such as a flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire, or blizzard), requiring You or that traveling companion to remain at work instead of participating in the Trip as a result.
• A documented theft of Your passport(s) or visa(s) which is/are not recovered prior to the time that you cancel Your Trip.
• A job transfer (other than a temporary assignment) at Your primary place of employment of 250 miles or more.
• Your documented involvement in a traffic accident while en route to join the Trip which reasonably causes You to miss the Trip departure.
• Unannounced organized labor strike, inclement weather, or mechanical breakdown which delays, for 12 hours or more, the aircraft on which You are scheduled to travel for (or to) the Trip.
• A shutdown of an airport or the air traffic control system which is reasonably expected to prevent you from departing on the Trip.
• You or a person booked with You on the Trip is either (a) called to emergency military duty following a natural disaster (such as a flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake, fire, or blizzard); or (b) has a previously granted military leave or re-assignment revoked, and either such impediment to travel as described in subparts (a) and (b) remains at the time that You cancel Your Trip.
• You are terminated or laid off Your job by Your employer for whom You have worked for at least one continuous year, and You are unemployed as of the time that You cancel Your Trip.
• Within 30 days of the scheduled Trip departure date, an act of terrorism occurs in a city that is part of the itinerary for Your Trip, and it is deemed a terrorist incident by the United States Government or by the authorities in the country where the act(s) occurred.

If you cancel for any of the reasons listed above, Viking compensates you, not the insurance company.

Of course, Trip Cancellation reimbursement only applies to the money you spent with Viking. If you bought airfare, hotels or excursions through a 3rd party, Viking’s travel insurance leaves you exposed for those losses.

If you must cancel your trip for a reason that’s not covered by the policy, Viking offers credit toward a future cruise, but it must be used within 12 months and may not be used for the initial deposit. Viking calls this feature a “Cancel For Any Reason” Waiver.

You can easily cover all travel arrangements, like cruise fare, airfare, hotels, transfer, excursions, and rental cars with a single policy through Cruise Insurance 101 . This strategy is much easier to manage and saves you money.

Cancel For Any Reason

As mentioned previously, Viking pays a cash reimbursement if you cancel your trip due to a covered reason.

If you cancel the cruise for any other reason, Viking only offers future credit or vouchers. In fact, cruise lines and tour agencies are notorious for offering future credit instead of cash refunds. Lack of cash refund puts some travelers in a difficult financial position, sometimes when they need money the most.

Cancel For Any Reason travel insurance policies available on Cruise Insurance 101 do not provide future credit. They will refund in cash.

If you must cancel your trip, cash is the most useful tool. Although Viking calls their feature Cancel For Any Reason, in practice, it’s more like “Postpone For Any Reason.”

Here’s how Viking’s “Cancel For Any Reason” Waiver works:

• The policy must be purchased within 14 days of the initial trip deposit or payment, and
• The “Cancel For Any Reason” Waiver does not become effective until you make full payment for the cruise vacation, and
• The waiver does not cover fees or costs associated with any transportation, accommodations, or other travel services that are not arranged by Viking, and
• If you have other travel insurance, the waiver will be reduced by the amount of any Trip Cancellation amounts paid or payable under any other travel insurance or travel protection plan providing Trip Cancellation benefits.

Then, travel vouchers are subject to the following limitations:

• Viking Cruises travel vouchers may only be used when purchasing transportation, accommodations, or travel services from Viking Cruises, and
• Must be redeemed within 12 months of the date of issue, and
• Such travel vouchers are non-refundable and non-transferable, and
• Will only be issued in the name of the person(s) for whom the Trip were cancelled, and
• Are not redeemable for cash, and
• Viking Cruises travel vouchers may not be used as a credit toward the initial deposit for a future Trip booked through Viking Cruises, or to purchase another Viking Cruises Travel Protection Plan, and
• The value of such travel vouchers will not be reimbursable under the Waiver of any future Viking Cruises Travel Protection Plan that you may purchase.

If that sounds restrictive, it is.

There are a lot of rules about how and when Viking allows you to receive and use your future credit vouchers.

On the other hand, policies available through  Cruise Insurance 101 with the Cancel For Any Reason benefit and are much simpler to understand.

Here’s how they work:

• If you cancel for a reason other than those covered by the policy, you receive 50% or 75% (depending on policy) of your Trip Cost reimbursed in Cash
• Must purchase the policy within 10 - 21 days (depending on policy) of your Initial Trip Payment, and increase your policy coverage within 20 days of any subsequent payments
• Must cover 100% of all trip costs by the policy
• Must cancel the trip 48 hours or more prior to your Departure Date.

That’s all there is to it. Not complicated.

Trip Interruption

Trip Interruption  works the same way as Trip Cancellation but occurs when you’re already on your trip.

For example, if you got news from back home that a family member was suddenly hospitalized with a critical illness, you can return home early. The insurance reimburses you for the unused portion of the trip, plus the extra cost of going home early.

Viking Cruises travel insurance covers more reasons for Trip Interruption than for Trip Cancellation.

Covered Interruptions include:

• Covered sickness, injury or death of you, a family member, traveling companion or business partner that occurs during the trip
• Being hijacked, quarantined, required to serve on a jury, or subpoena
• Primary place of residence or destination being rendered uninhabitable by fire, flood, burglary, or other natural disaster
• Documented theft of passports or visas
• Permanent transfer of employment of 250 miles or more
• Being directly involved in a traffic accident on the way to departure
• Unannounced strike of common carrier
• Inclement weather
• Mechanical breakdown of common carrier
• Government-mandated shutdown of an airport or air traffic control system
• Traveler is in the military and called to emergency duty for a national disaster other than war
• Involuntary employer termination or layoff
• Revocation of previously granted military leave or reassignment due to war
• Your family or friends living abroad with whom you are planning to stay are unable to provide accommodations due to life-threatening illness/injury or death of one of them
• Victim of felonious assault
• Trip is delayed and causes you to lose 50% or more of the scheduled trip duration

Viking cruise trip insurance provides a respectable list of covered interruption reasons. Interestingly, they offer more covered reasons for Trip Interruption than for Trip Cancellation. But it’s not surprising since the insurance company pays for the Interruption, not Viking, who pays for the Cancellation.

Medical Insurance

While most travelers are concerned with losing their investment in the trip, many overlook the importance of  Medical Insurance.

A trip cost of $5,000 or $25,000 is a significant purchase. But if a medical emergency occurs during your trip, a hospital bill of $100,000 is a far more devastating loss.

Because medical treatment is expensive everywhere in the world, we recommend all travelers leaving the US to purchase at least $100,000 Medical Insurance.

Some travelers assume  Medicare  covers them outside the US, but, unfortunately, this is not the case. Medicare does not pay any international providers.

Although some Medicare supplement policies include a $50,000 emergency health insurance, it comes with some restrictions. The benefit is a lifetime limit, not a per trip limit.

In addition, Medicare supplement policies require you to pay a 20% out-of-pocket co-insurance (up to $10,000 of your money). If your primary insurance at home is Medicare and a Medicare supplement, it makes sense to get additional coverage.

Another common misconception is that health care is free in other countries. That’s only half true.

Countries that offer universal health care only provide it to their residents. They pay taxes to fund their national health care program and provide free care at public hospitals. On the other hand, traveling Americans are sent to private hospitals for treatment where you must pay the full price out of pocket.

If you receive treatment at a private medical center, you can expect $3,000 to $4,000 or more for inpatient fees per night, plus additional costs for medicine, tests, treatments, or surgeries. After you worked hard to save for retirement, would you want to risk losing your nest egg to foreign medical care?

One last situation worth noting is that the US State Department does not provide any financial support for medical treatment. Nor do they pay for medical evacuation to bring you home.

This myriad of circumstances is why  Cruise Insurance 101 recommends each traveler take at least $100,000 Medical Insurance when leaving the US .

Looking at Viking Cruise medical insurance, they provide our minimum recommended amount of $100,000 for medical coverage. Very few cruise lines provide such a generous benefit.

If you prefer Medical Insurance with a higher limit, several policies found on Cruise Insurance 101 have coverage of $150,000, $250,000, and even $500,000.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

Medical Evacuation  insurance is the follow on to Medical Insurance. Together, these two benefits provide comprehensive coverage in a medical emergency.

People often dismiss the importance of Medical Evacuation insurance.

Suppose you are healthy and not taking any medication. While on your cruise, you start feeling bad and the crew thinks you are having a stroke. They rush you to the nearest hospital and the doctor confirms a stroke after completing multiple tests.

The doctor says you are stable enough to travel, but not well enough to take a commercial flight home. She orders air transportation home on a medical jet because you’re still at risk and require medical personnel to oversee your vitals.

Medical air transportation can cost $15,000 to $25,000 per flight hour and it’s a 10-hour flight home.. Who will pay for the flight? Your personal health insurance does not cover Medical Evacuation.

But travel insurance does!

Medical Evacuation provides transportation:

• From the point of injury or illness to the closest hospital, and
• From the first hospital to another hospital that is better equipped to treat your condition, and
• Transportation home either by commercial airline or private medical aircraft.

In addition, it includes the return of remains if a traveler dies during their trip.

Cruise Insurance 101 recommends all travelers leaving the US get at least $250,000 Emergency Medical Evacuation protection.

Sadly, Viking cruises travel insurance falls well short of this recommendation. They include only $100,000 for Medical Evacuation. Since the bulk of their river cruises sail in Europe, their coverage falls short to get a traveler back home.

More worrisome, Viking’s expedition cruises, which travel to very remote locations around the globe, would require even higher Medical Evacuation protection. For trips to the Arctic, Antarctic, Galapagos, and other distant places, we recommend you take at least $500,000 in Medical Evacuation, with $1 million being preferable. Viking’s minimal $100,000 Medical Evacuation amount may not get you back to dry land, much less a hospital in a city.

By contrast, the  Trawick First Class  provides $1 million of Medical Evacuation and is priced lower than the Viking Protection Plan.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Most  senior travelers  are concerned about whether  Pre-existing Medical Conditions  could interfere with their travel insurance coverage.

Fortunately, most policies do not look at your entire life’s medical history. Instead, they only concern themselves with the most recent 60-180 days.

They define a Pre-existing Medical Condition as one for which in the past 60-180 days you’ve received treatment, testing, medication change, new medication added, or the doctor recommended treatment or a test that has not occurred yet.

If you have a stable condition that’s been treated for years with medication, and that medication has not changed, and the condition has not worsened, then it would be covered by the policy since it’s older than 60-180 days. Often, people have nothing to worry about regarding conditions like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.

On the other hand, if you recently went to the doctor for treatment, test or medication change of a pre-existing condition, then these conditions may be excluded from coverage.

To make sure your travel insurance covers Pre-existing Conditions, look for a policy with a Waiver of Pre-existing Medical Conditions. This waiver allows the policy to cover your condition if you purchase it within 14-21 days of the Initial Trip Deposit or Payment.

Cruise Insurance 101 recommends travelers, especially seniors, purchase a travel insurance plan that covers Pre-existing Conditions.

The Viking Protection Plan offers the Waiver of Pre-existing Medical Conditions when you purchase the policy within 14 days of the Initial Deposit. Not all cruise lines provide this coverage, so we were pleased to see the Waiver from Viking.

Keep in mind, Viking isn’t the only insurance that offers a Waiver of Pre-existing Medical Conditions. Most policies available through  Cruise Insurance 101  offer a Waiver, including the Trawick First Class we’ve been discussing.

If you are purchasing the insurance outside of the required time period listed to get the pre-existing medical condition waiver, there are several policies – the Trawick Voyager and the IMG Travel LX , that will provide the waiver if you purchase the policy on or before your final trip payment.

Although Viking Cruises receives high accolades each year for their cruises, their travel insurance falls short of expectations for several reasons:

First, their plan is expensive, and has inadequate coverage the key area of Medical Evacuation, offering only $100,000 when we recommend at least $250,000.

Second, their Cancel For Any Reason waiver only gives you future credit toward cruises, not a cash refund.

Overall, we rate it a 7 out of 10.

Travelers planning a Viking River cruise vacation will find the best value for their money and peace of mind when they shop for travel insurance at Cruise Insurance 101 Travel Insurance Marketplace. There, you can review dozens of options and select the best policy to fit your needs.

To help you find the best policy, Cruise Insurance 101 recommends having at least $100,000 in travel medical coverage and $250,000 emergency medical evacuation when traveling outside the US. And, if you purchase the policy within the 14-21 days of initial trip payment, please consider a travel insurance policy with the pre-existing condition waiver included to ensure the most coverage for your money.

If you are planning a Viking River cruise in 2022, be sure to pack insurance before you travel. You never know when you may need it.

Have questions? Chat with us online, send us an email at  [email protected]  or alternatively call us at  +1(786) 751-2984 . We would love to hear from you.

Safe travels!

This article has been written for review purposes only and does not suggest sponsorship or endorsement of AARDY by the trademark owner.

Recent AARDY Travel Insurance Customer Reviews

Kelly Bowen

Melonie was so helpful and explained everything. This was so easy and I had been putting off getting cruise insurance from the fear that I would be on the phone for hours. Not the case.

Very efficient communication

Very efficient communication. Willing to accommodate my needs with a large group traveling together.

Sherri Conyers

Used and easy to compare travel….

Used and Easy to compare travel insurance prices and very thorough.

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