Viking Cruises announced it will not operate any ocean and river voyages through August 31, 2020 (this way effectively canceling company's entire summer season) due to travel restrictions caused by the pandemic.
On Thursday, May 28, Torstein Hagen (company’s Founder and Chairman) made an official video announcement to customers, explaining that while some countries were opening up to international tourists, travel restrictions (mainly in Europe and Canada) had forced the company to suspend service for two more months. Viking plans to restart shipping operations (with riverboats, ocean- and expedition ships) on September 1,
Canceled bookings receive 125% refunds in FCC (future cruise credit) with rebooking or 100% monetary refunds.
Viking was the very first cruise ship company to suspend operations due to the pandemic. The luxury brand starts Mississippi River cruises in 2022 (with the newbuild Viking Mississippi) and in January 2022 inaugurates Great Lakes cruises.