Viking Cancels All Cruises Through End of 2020
Viking has prolonged its temporary suspension of operations for all river and ocean cruises through December 31, 2020. All cruises are cancelled through that day, with payment procedures outlined underneath.
In its community assertion the line stressed that in March 2020, it was the initially cruise line to briefly suspend operations of river and ocean cruises. “Our dedication to our family members of friends and employees is that their security and properly currently being is often our major priority,” the line’s assertion mentioned, incorporating that “in that spirit” it had prolonged the “pause” through the conclude of the year.
“If itinerary modifications are necessary, impacted friends and their travel brokers are notified specifically by Viking Customer Relations,” the line’s online assertion mentioned.
Letter from Hagen
In addition, this week Viking published a guest letter online from Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, and loaded an online video clip information.
In the letter, Hagen mentioned he could not have imagined in March that by August the line would even now not be sailing. That mentioned, Hagen stressed that “each individual working day I am encouraged by the scientific advancements toward COVID-19 therapeutics and a vaccine.” But, Hagen also mentioned that “current activities have shown us that the recovery from this pandemic will be sporadic, and the capacity to travel freely across borders remains some time absent.”
Even though the U.S. Condition Department has lifted some travel advisories for Us residents, many countries are even now limiting travellers, he noted: “As keen as we may possibly be to get again to discovering, for now, intercontinental travel have to wait around.”
On August five, Viking celebrated its twenty third anniversary. It started operations in 1997 with four river ships, and today is a incredibly distinctive, a lot larger sized organization that operates ocean, river and (soon to be) expedition cruises.
“But one factor has not transformed in the final two many years,” mentioned Hagen. “Due to the fact Viking’s incredibly initially working day, our dedication to the security and welfare of all those onboard our vessels and to our mission—to produce ordeals that aim on the destination, permitting you to examine the globe in comfort—has in no way wavered. I have mentioned in advance of that we will only sail all over again when it is secure to do so. We are a private, carefully-held organization, which signifies we do not have to rush the choice to return to assistance.”
In extending the temporary suspension of cruises through year’s conclude, Hagen mentioned that by that place, “we think the globe will be in a much better situation, and intercontinental travel will be considerably less complex.”
Foreseeable future Cruise Voucher
For friends on cancelled voyages, Viking is offering a 125 percent Future Cruise Voucher. It handles a hundred percent of monies compensated to Viking, furthermore an more 25 percent value.
Viking pointed out that the added value makes it possible for friends to improve their long run trip—perhaps by touring in a distinctive season incorporating a pre- or submit-cruise extension upgrading the stateroom classification upgrading to business class air or even selecting a distinctive itinerary for 2021 or 2022.
The 125 percent Foreseeable future Cruise Voucher has some exclusive and increased phrases. For instance, it truly is thoroughly transferable, permitting travelers to gift it to somebody. It can be used in just the next 24 months to any river, ocean or expedition cruise. If friends are unable to use the voucher by the expiration day, they can return the expired voucher to Viking, and the line will deliver a dollars refund equivalent to the unique total compensated to Viking.
In addition, any vouchers that had earlier been used to the now cancelled reserving ended up routinely reinstated, are legitimate for 24 months and are obtainable for the guest’s fast use. If clientele use their voucher and rebook their cruise by August 31, the line’s Risk-Free Guarantee applies. That signifies friends can transform their plans up to 24 hours prior to departure.
Alternatively, if guests prefer a dollars refund about the added-value voucher, they can get that but the request have to be manufactured in advance of August 24, 2020.
This article initially appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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