Viking have announced that they will extend their temporary suspension of cruise operations until June 30, to protect customers and staff from the ongoing novel coronavirus pandemic. 

Earlier in March, the company has announced the temporary suspension to all river and ocean cruises until May 1, however the COVID-19 pause has now been extended until the end of June.

“This is a decision we made with a heavy heart, but with present circumstances what they are, we are unable to deliver the high-quality Viking experience for which we are known,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking, in a letter to their guests on March 12.

“Since we started Viking nearly 23 years ago, we have always cared first and foremost about our guests and our employees. I feel we have become one large Viking family of 500,000 guests each year and 10,000 employees.”

For guests who have a cruise which falls within the window of the suspension, Viking is offering the choice of a Future Cruise Voucher valued at 125% of the amount paid for the booking or a refund for the purchase price. Full details are available on the company’s website.

The vouchers will easily be put to good use in the future, as Viking are set to launch expedition journeys to the Arctic and Antarctic in early 2022, as well as cruises around the North American great lakes.