Title: Safety Concerns, Misinformation, and Missed Opportunities - A Disastrous Experience on Viking Vela
Our Viking Vela cruise was an utter disappointment and a logistical mess from start to finish. Not only did we encounter multiple safety concerns and constant misinformation, but we were also robbed of the itinerary we booked for - including missing the Northern Lights, which was the highlight of this trip for us.
1. Chaotic Delays and Misinformation from the Start
Our troubles began before even boarding the ship. The Vela arrived more than 6 hours late, and we were given no clear reason for the delay. One Viking staff member told us it was due to "weather," while another told our friends it was because of a cargo ship blocking the way. Later, we found out from fellow passengers that the same thrusters that previously caused the Vela to be towed had not been fixed, and the ship had to attempt docking three times. This lack of transparency was frustrating and unsettling.
2. Safety Hazards Onboard
When we finally boarded, the problems continued. While using the right-side elevator by the Spa, the doors slammed violently shut, trapping us inside for several minutes. Had anyone been standing in the door's path, they would have been seriously injured. We later saw a Spa front desk employee angrily confronting an engineer, demanding they "fix things when guests aren't around." It was clear there were ongoing maintenance issues, and passengers were caught in the middle of it.
3. Broken Amenities and Poorly Managed Facilities
One of the only highlights we were looking forward to was Mamsen, which offered gluten-free desserts and the famed "brown cheese." Unfortunately, the doors to Mamsen were often broken and wouldn't stay open. It was only open at random hours, making it impossible to plan a visit. This type of poor planning added to our frustration.
On top of that, the WIFI was practically unusable for the entire cruise. When we were stuck at sea with nothing to do, we couldn't even watch a movie because the streaming service kept cutting out. It was so bad that Customer Service offered conflicting explanations, with one person even telling us, "You're in a better room, so no coffee maker is provided." None of their answers made any sense, and the incompetence across the board was evident.
4. Serious Ship Functionality Issues
The worst issue we faced was when the stabilizers went out one evening, causing the ship to rock violently. The Captain finally admitted to the issue when the swaying became unbearable, but it was clear that the ship had been having problems since we left Tilbury. We weren't allowed to walk on the top deck "due to weather" during many sea days, but there was no visible sign of bad weather - no large waves, no rain, nothing. Engineers were seen all over the ship throughout the day, confirming that the vessel was plagued with operational problems.
5. Missed Ports and Major Disruptions
The trip was supposed to include iconic ports such as Amsterdam, Alta, and Tromsø, with scenic fjord sailing and a high chance of viewing the Northern Lights. Unfortunately, everything fell apart:
Amsterdam was canceled as soon as we left Tilbury, which should have been our first clue. Instead of allowing passengers to disembark and stay in Amsterdam, we were forced to continue on a broken ship.
Narvik was skipped due to "weather," but we ended up spending two full days there later. Narvik is an industrial city with virtually nothing to see or do. Worse, everything was closed since we arrived on a Sunday.
We missed Tromsø and Alta, two of the most critical ports for viewing the Northern Lights, which was the entire reason we booked this cruise. Instead, we sailed up and down the southern coast of Norway, far from the optimal location for seeing the Lights.
Viking's handling of the missed ports was unprofessional. We were only informed after midnight about staying another day in Trondheim, leaving us no time to adjust our plans. Their scare tactics to push us into overpriced excursions also added insult to injury.
6. Constant Excuses and Lack of Accountability
At no point did Viking take responsibility for the disastrous trip. We learned from a crew member that Viking had never planned to sail to Alta or Tromsø. The fact that they continued selling this itinerary, knowing full well the ship wasn't fit for the North Sea, is unacceptable. We should have been given the option to cancel and receive a refund when these main destinations were scrapped.
To add insult to injury, while we were stuck on board, other travelers told us about their cruises on smaller vessels, like the Nordcapp ship, which completed all 33 ports and had no weather-related issues. They saw the Northern Lights and experienced smooth sailing - everything we were promised but never received.
7. Terrible End to a Terrible Trip
Even our return home was chaotic. The drop-off to the airport in Bergen was 45 minutes late, and we almost m read more
