Viking Cruises cancels all holidays until 2021 due to coronavirus
VIKING Cruises has cancelled all sailings until next year due to the ongoing pandemic.
The cruise liner has been forced to suspend holidays until 2021 due to “complicated overseas travel”.
All passengers with cruises booked this year can claim a full refund, if requested by August 24, or 125 per cent future cruise credit.
The credit must be used in the next 24 months, and 2021 and 2022 cruises can be booked now.
Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen explained the world will be in a “better position” and overseas travel “less complicated”.
He explained: “On March 11, when we became the first cruise line to temporarily suspend operations at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, I would not have imagined that in August we would still not be sailing and that I would be writing this letter to you.
“Every day I am encouraged by the scientific advancements toward COVID-19 therapeutics and a vaccine.”
“But as you well know, recent events have shown us that the recovery from this pandemic will be sporadic, and the ability to travel freely across borders remains some time away.”
“As keen as we may be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait.”
They aren’t the only cruise company being forced to extend their cancellations.
P&O Cruises has cancelled all trips until November 12 as well as two with longer itineraries due to begin in January 2021.
The firm had previously cancelled sailings until October 15.
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The UK Foreign Office still advises against all cruise holidays.
The current advice states: “The Foreign & Commonwealth Office advises against cruise ship travel at this time. This is due to the ongoing pandemic and is based on medical advice from Public Health England.
“The government will continue to review its cruise ship travel advice based on the latest medical advice.”