Viking has become the first cruise line to suspend all cruises, both river and ocean, until May 1, 2020 due to the coronavirus outbreak.
The cruise line posted the following message about their decision to temporarily suspend cruises:
“Dear Viking Guests,
Today Viking announced that we will temporarily suspend river and ocean cruise operations until May 1, 2020 in response to the coronavirus COVID-19 situation. The announcement was made today by Chairman Torstein Hagen in a video message and letter sent to currently booked guests with impacted sailings.
We believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve after this time and plan to resume operations on May 1, 2020, continuing all further sailings as originally planned.
You too can view Mr. Hagen’s video here: https://www.vikingcruises.com/notice/update-video.html.
We will stand by our guests, colleagues and partners in these challenging times and hope that you in turn will stand with us too.
Sincerely,
The Viking Family”
For those guests whose cruise falls within this window of suspended operations, Viking is offering the choice of a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of all monies paid to Viking or a refund equal to the amount paid. Guests will have 24 months to use their Future Cruise Voucher to make a new reservation on any river, ocean or expedition cruise. For additional flexibility, if you are unable to use your voucher, Viking will automatically send you a refund equal to the original amount paid to Viking after the voucher expires. These Future Cruise Vouchers will also be fully transferable.
Rest assured, Viking’s reservations team is currently in the process of issuing Future Cruise Vouchers of 125% of all monies paid to Viking. However, if you would prefer the alternative please call Viking at 1-833-900-0951 or contact your Travel Agent by March 25, 2020.
Viking said that they are looking forward as they plan to continue expansion of their destination-focused travel experiences. In addition to their many award-winning river and ocean cruises, in early 2022 Viking will launch their expedition journeys to the Arctic and Antarctica, as well as North America’s Great Lakes. And, at the beginning of April 2020, Viking will announce their newest river voyages closer to home, in America’s heartland
