NOTIFICATION: Information contained in this brochure is not an offer or a contract. The transportation of passengers and baggage on Viking Tours is provided solely by the Operator and is governed by the Terms and Conditions printed on the Invoice and/or Passenger Ticket Contract. For complete information on Terms and Conditions, itinerary, liability of Viking dba Viking Tours (hereafter “Viking Tours”) liability limits and all sections mentioned below, refer to the Invoice and/or Passenger Ticket Contract. A copy of the Terms and Conditions is available by contacting your travel agent or Viking Tours.
RESERVATIONS: To make a reservation, contact your local travel agency or call Viking Tours directly at 1-877-845-8687.
PAYMENTS: Visa, MasterCard, American Express, Discover and checks are all acceptable forms of payments. All payments made by check should be made payable to Viking Tours.
PAYMENT POLICY: A deposit of $500 per person is required to secure a confirmed reservation. When more than one trip is booked, deposit and payment policies apply per trip. The final balance is due no later than 90 days prior to departure. All reservations are subject to cancellation if payments are not received by the due date. Upon full payment by the participant(s) of the amount specified as the Tour Price (see Invoice), Viking Tours agrees to arrange for the provision of the services as described in this brochure and as modified by supplementary materials. Your full payment or acceptance of a ticket constitutes agreement to the terms and conditions of the Passenger Ticket Contract.
CANCELLATION POLICY: All cancellations must be in writing. The following cancellation charges will be assessed for all written cancellations received prior to departure up to the scheduled time of departure. For all air-inclusive packages cancelled after the receipt of an airline ticket, refunds will be processed after the return of the airline ticket. Viking Tours strongly recommends the purchase of the Travel Protection Plan.
Cancellation received Following charges will apply (Days before departure) for Ocean/River Tours
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
Cancellation received Following charges will apply (Days before departure) for Land Tours
121 days or more: $100 per person
120-60 days: $500 of full fare
59-30 days: $1,000 of full fare
29-0 days: 100% of full fare
REVISIONS/CHANGES: Once a booking has a deposit, all changes are subject to a minimal $30 charge per change.
DOCUMENTS: Documents will be issued approximately 3 weeks prior to departure. All early document requests will be charged a $25 early processing fee.
TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION/VISAS: All passengers must have passports valid for six months following the return date of your trip and necessary visas when traveling. Passengers 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, passengers 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 passengers selecting visa required destinations. Note: Due to airline security measures, your passport name must match your airline ticket name or you may be denied boarding. Viking Tours accepts no responsibility for obtaining required visas nor for advising guests of visa or other immigration requirements.
DISABLED PASSENGERS: We welcome guests with special needs. Guests who have any medical, physical or other special needs must contact Viking Tours, at 1-877-VIK-TOURS (1-877-845-8687), to obtain our Policy Statement. All vessels and motorcoaches are equipped to European standards. Vessel operators will, under appropriate circumstances, permit its passengers to use motorized scooters and wheelchairs which satisfy the criteria stated in the Viking Tours Policy Statement, based upon a full understanding and appreciation by its passengers and their companions that the facilities visited, methods and modes of conveyance may involve negotiating stairs, inclines, or uneven surfaces such as cobblestones or steep gangways. Accordingly, a physically challenged passenger will require the services of a responsible adult since the availability of another responsible party does not exist.
CHILDREN/MINORS: Due to the nature of our cruise/tour itineraries, Viking Tours does not maintain facilities or services for children. On all cruises and tours, minors under the age of 18 must be accompanied and share a cabin/room with a parent, legal guardian or other responsible adult over the age of 21. We regret that we cannot accommodate children under 12 years of age, and we reserve the right to limit the number of minors under the age of 18 years.
OPERATORS: The ships and tour programs described in our brochures are not operated by Viking Tours. Viking Tours acts solely as a Sales Agent/Preferred Supplier for the operators of the vessels and tours described in this brochure. Viking Tours neither owns nor operates any of the vessels, buses, or hotels described herein. Viking Tours purchases transportation (by aircraft, coach, train, vessel or otherwise), hotel and other lodging accommodations, restaurant, ground handling and other services from various independent suppliers and thus assumes no responsibility or liability for acts or omissions of the owners or operators in regard to the tours and cruises described herein.
TIPS: It is customary to give gratuities to ground and ship personnel, subject to your satisfaction. Specific tipping guidelines will be provided with your pre-trip documents. Gratuities onboard and on land are not included in your tour price.
RESPONSIBILITY: Viking Tours 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 tour, as a result of any cause beyond the control of Viking Tours Guests specifically release Viking Tours 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 tour participants 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 Tours 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 Tours be construed as a carrier under a contract for safe carriage of the passenger or his or her belongings. Viking Tours and the owners and operators of any vessels identified in this brochure shall be entitled to any and all liability limitations, immunities and rights applicable to them or any of them under the Athens Convention Relating to the Carriage of Passengers and their Luggage by Sea, 1974 (the “Athens Convention”) and the International Convention on Limitation of Liability for Maritime Claims, 1976, with revisions and amendments (hereinafter collectively referred to as the “1976 Convention”), if and as applicable, and by this 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 Tours and the owners and operators of the vessels identified in this brochure shall be entitled to claim the benefit of whichever law, regulation, treaty or doctrine provides the greatest legal protections to Viking Tours and the owners and operators of the vessels identified in this brochure.
ACTS OF GOD, STRIKE, OR OTHER CONDITIONS BEYOND CONTROL: Neither Viking Tours nor the owners or operators of any vessels, craft, coaches, or other means of conveyance or any facilities identified in this brochure shall be liable for delay or inability to perform any condition in this brochure 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.
REFUSAL OF PASSAGE: Viking Tours shall not be required to refund any amount paid by any tour participant who must leave the tour prematurely for any reason, nor shall Viking Tours or the owners or operators of the vessels identified in this brochure be responsible for the lodging, meals, return transportation or other expenses incurred by such tour participant.
ADVANCED, CANCELLED OR DELAYED TRIPS OR CRUISES: Viking Tours reserves the right to withdraw and/or cancel a tour or to make changes in the itinerary and hotel accommodations whenever, in its sole judgment, or in the judgment of the vessel owner or tour 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 vessel identified in this brochure may, at any time, cancel, advance or postpone any scheduled tour and may, but is not obliged to, substitute another vessel or itinerary and shall not be liable for any loss whatsoever to passengers by reason of any such cancellation, advancement or postponement.
SERVICES PROVIDED BY AIRLINES: Viking Tours reserves the right to choose the air carrier, routing and city airport from each gateway city. Viking Tours utilizes 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 anytime. Viking Tours will make every attempt to accommodate passengers traveling together, however this cannot be guaranteed. Flight schedules will be released 90 days prior to departure. Contact your airline directly to confirm seat assignments, request special meals, reconfirm your flights, check in procedures and carry-on limitations. Any changes made to an issued airline ticket will incur a $50 per ticket change fee, plus any charge fee incurred by the subject air carrier. Any additional costs including penalties for cancellations/rebookings will be made at the passenger’s expense. All airline tickets issued by Viking Tours are refundable only to Viking Tours therefore, all tickets should be returned to: Viking Tours: Attention Air Refunds. Viking Tours will determine the amount of any refund due. If the air ticket is lost, the passenger is responsible for the cost of its replacement. Viking Tours has no responsibility for any travel plans caused by airline delays or for any act, omission or event occurring while not on board.
TRANSFERS: Roundtrip airport-to-hotels/ship transfers are only included when air is purchased with a tour package. Transfers are only valid on tour departure and arrival dates. If you should choose to make your own air arrangements, transfers may be purchased through Viking Tours for an additional cost or you may make your own transfer arrangements.
HOTELS: The hotel packages as listed in this brochure have been developed in association with various international hotels. Situations may arise, voluntarily or involuntarily, that necessitate changes. Viking Tours reserves the right to substitute hotels as it is deemed necessary and to provide comparable alternatives.
ITINERARIES, PRICES/INCREASES AND OMISSIONS: Itineraries are subject to change and may need to be altered or cancelled. All prices shown in this brochure are subject to change with or without notice. Adjustments for currency and/or fuel fluctuations may apply. See Viking’s website or call Viking for up to date prices. Airfares are subject to change if bookings are not paid in full. Tour charges, cruise fares and air fares will not be changed once payment in full has been received. Optional shore excursions/tours/concerts, excess baggage charges, drinks, beverages and meals not included in the package are additional costs to the passenger.
UNITED STATES TOUR OPERATORS ASSOCIATION $1 MILLION TRAVELERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM: Viking Tours is an Active Member of USTOA, is required to post $1 Million with USTOA to be used to reimburse, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program, the advance payments of Viking Tours customers in the unlikely event of Viking Tours bankruptcy, insolvency or cessation of business. Further, you should understand that the $1 Million posted by Viking Tours may be sufficient to provide only a partial recovery of the advance payments received by Viking Tours Complete details of the USTOA Travelers Assistance Program 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.
CALIFORNIA SELLER OF TRAVEL LAW: Viking Tours is registered in California as a seller of travel. Viking Tours seller of travel registration number is 2052644-40. Registration as a seller of travel does not constitute approval by the State of California. Viking Tours is a participant in the Travel Consumer Restitution Fund, which provides restitution in certain circumstances to passengers who are residents of California.
© 2007, Viking Tours, Inc.: all copy, diagrams, visual content and original photography. Select photos are licensed. All rights reserved.