Viking Air Left Much to be desired

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Vote: 1

Review summary

At the time this Viking ocean cruise was offered, it had a promotion of free roundtrip airfare. Implicit in this promotion is "reasonable" flight arrangements. However, this was not our experience. First, notwithstanding 15+ daily direct (relatively inexpensive) flights from Phoenix to Los Angeles, Viking set us up on 6:30 a.m. flight, which means getting to the airport at 4:30 a.m. Then, on our return flight from L.A., again notwithstanding many daily direct flights, they routed us through San Francisco - adding multiple hours and unnecessary variables to our travel. And finally, when we attempted to change our outbound flight to a more reasonable hour/convenient location, Viking wanted to charge us a $350/person change fee - which is 2 - 2.5x the cost of a ticket. Its almost as if Viking is intentionally trying to make air travel for its guests unduly cumbersome and time-consuming, which certainly diminishes the overall travel experience. As veteran river and ocean cruisers we have, in the past, recommended Viking to family and friends. However, given this latest experience, we are encouraging our family and friends to look elsewhere. There are many good, higher-end cruise lines to choose from, and we believe they can have a more positive experience with one of those other lines. Viking has lost its luster.

Embarkation

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

Onboard Activities

Entertainment

Service and Staff

Ship Quality

Cabin / Stateroom

Ports of call

Los Angeles, California

Hilo, Hawaii

Kahului, Maui

Honolulu, Oahu

Nawiliwili, Kauai

VAITAPE, BORA BORA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

COOKS BAY, MOOREA, FRENCH POLYNESIA

Papeete, Tahiti

Nuku Hiva, Marquesas

San Diego, California

Disembarkation