Viking River Cruises review: Air & train transfer services for departure & return

Dear Torstein Hagen, CEO & President of Viking Cruise,

We had been enjoyed every river cruises & ocean cruises in the past years.

But my last river cruise was extremely disappointing for the air departure, train transfer and finally departure from (Buri ship) 10/8/2023 to Marseille airport.

1. Last years 9/12/2022 we were on board on Octantis, 6 of us booked the finest of France, north & south France river cruise for September 20 2023. All six of us, (3 couples) travel constantly together and live in Los Angeles vicinity areas.

We all had booked business class ,but our departure time and airline were designated at different departure time with different airline. We contacted the Viking air department and client services stated in order to fly together it will charge $150 fee for changes of each flight.

2. After the cruise form Fjorgyn, a first-class train ride was from Paris to Lyon, but our seats were behind the luggage rack and seated opposite of the other two passengers and i cannot stretch my legs straight, it initiated my lower back pain to flared up.

3. I have two health issues, one lower back pain due to L4, L5 vertebrate calcium deposit & my left ankle. On depart day 10/8/23 4;00am from Buri ship to Marseille Airport, there were 28 passengers on the bus to the airport.

Arrived airport at 5:20am, it was pitch dark at airport Viking had only one client service personnel to oversee the transfer. We had to drag our luggage to the terminal for 500 yards without and help. Upon enter the terminal no one from Viking guide us to the airline counter for check-in. Ask many airport attendants to help except they do not speak English. Finally we were able to find a person who direct to the right counter to check in.

After checking in, we were told to go outside the terminal to find another building to the departure gate. Due to preparation for 2024 Olympic, the pathways were blocked, and all signs were in France, it was frustrating and finally found the entrance of the building.

There was no help from Viking's personnel at all to direct & helped us. As Viking in the past there were many personnel to take care of us and it also stated in Viking brochure. It was definitely a total disappointment. With this trip I had to ask my orthopedic Physican to help to ease my pain due to dragging the luggage on the uneven surface of the road.

It may be the last trip that we shall book another trip with Viking again.

Sincerely'

Clark Chow

email : [protected]@yahoo.com