Viking has prolonged its short-term suspension of functions for all river and ocean cruises by December 31, 2020. All cruises are cancelled by that day, with payment policies outlined underneath.
In its general public statement the line pressured that in March 2020, it was the to start with cruise line to quickly suspend functions of river and ocean cruises. “Our commitment to our household of visitors and workforce is that their basic safety and very well remaining is constantly our top rated precedence,” the line’s statement mentioned, incorporating that “in that spirit” it experienced prolonged the “pause” by the conclude of the year.
“If itinerary adjustments are needed, impacted visitors and their journey agents are notified specifically by Viking Buyer Relations,” the line’s on the internet statement mentioned.
Letter from Hagen
In addition, this week Viking published a guest letter online from Torstein Hagen, chairman of Viking, and loaded an on the internet video concept.
In the letter, Hagen mentioned he could not have imagined in March that by August the line would continue to not be sailing. That mentioned, Hagen pressured that “just about every day I am encouraged by the scientific advancements toward COVID-19 therapeutics and a vaccine.” But, Hagen also mentioned that “latest functions have shown us that the restoration from this pandemic will be sporadic, and the means to journey freely across borders stays some time away.”
Even though the U.S. Point out Department has lifted some journey advisories for People in america, a lot of nations are continue to restricting visitors, he famous: “As eager as we might be to get back to discovering, for now, international journey should wait around.”
On August five, Viking celebrated its 23rd anniversary. It started off operations in 1997 with 4 river ships, and today is a pretty diverse, a great deal much larger organization that operates ocean, river and (shortly to be) expedition cruises.
“But one particular factor has not modified in the very last two many years,” mentioned Hagen. “Since Viking’s pretty to start with day, our commitment to the basic safety and welfare of all those onboard our vessels and to our mission—to provide ordeals that emphasis on the spot, allowing you to check out the globe in comfort—has in no way wavered. I have mentioned just before that we will only sail yet again when it is protected to do so. We are a personal, closely-held organization, which usually means we do not have to hurry the conclusion to return to service.”
In extending the short-term suspension of cruises by year’s conclude, Hagen mentioned that by that issue, “we feel the globe will be in a much better posture, and international journey will be less difficult.”
Potential Cruise Voucher
For visitors on cancelled voyages, Viking is presenting a one hundred twenty five percent Future Cruise Voucher. It addresses one hundred p.c of monies compensated to Viking, as well as an extra 25 percent value.
Viking described that the added worth permits visitors to improve their future trip—perhaps by traveling in a diverse year incorporating a pre- or post-cruise extension upgrading the stateroom class upgrading to enterprise course air or even choosing a diverse itinerary for 2021 or 2022.
The one hundred twenty five p.c Potential Cruise Voucher has some exceptional and increased terms. For case in point, it is absolutely transferable, allowing travelers to gift it to somebody. It can be utilized inside of the subsequent 24 months to any river, ocean or expedition cruise. If visitors are unable to use the voucher by the expiration day, they can return the expired voucher to Viking, and the line will send a dollars refund equal to the first amount compensated to Viking.
On top of that, any vouchers that experienced previously been utilized to the now cancelled scheduling have been routinely reinstated, are legitimate for 24 months and are accessible for the guest’s quick use. If purchasers use their voucher and rebook their cruise by August 31, the line’s Risk-Absolutely free Guarantee applies. That usually means visitors can change their plans up to 24 hours prior to departure.
Alternatively, if guests prefer a dollars refund above the added-worth voucher, they can get that but the ask for should be built just before August 24, 2020.
This post originally appeared on www.travelagentcentral.com.
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