VIKING Cruises says it is “extremely disappointed” by a decision made by Indonesian authorities to block Viking Sun’s entry to the Javan capital of Semarang over the weekend. The ship was refused over reports of COVID-19 on board, however Viking has sharply refuted the claims, stating there have been no...
VIKING Cruises says it is “extremely disappointed” by a decision made by Indonesian authorities to block Viking Sun’s entry to the Javan capital of Semarang over the weekend.
The ship was refused over reports of COVID-19 on board, however Viking has sharply refuted the claims, stating there have been no identified cases of any guests or crew suffering from “fevers, coughs or influenza-like symptoms”, and that the vessel is being regularly checked by independent health regulators.
“The reasons we have been given are not based on fact and were not correct,” a spokesperson for the cruise line told Cruise Weekly.
“Whilst we respect the decision was made out of concern, we would reiterate that the decision was not rooted in fact”.
Passengers on board Viking Sun were eventually allowed to disembark in Bali.
In further news, Viking has revealed it will be cutting the remaining Asian legs of Viking Sun’s Ultimate World Cruise, due to the ongoing “uncertainty of port closures”.
The ship will set sail directly for the Suez Canal on its way to Europe upon leaving Bali.
MEANWHILE, Viking Orion will reposition earlier than planned from Asia to service the Canada and Alaska region, offering four new 11-day Alaska & The Inside Passage voyages priced from $3,995 per person, twin share.
The decision to hasten the move was brought on by the “current climate” created by COVID-19, Viking said, with the newly added itineraries scheduled to depart in Apr and May.
All four of the new voyages will be 10 nights in length, and sail between Canada’s Vancouver and Seward in Alaska.
Any guests affected by the schedule changes have already been contacted by the cruise line.
Pictured: Viking Sun.
