VIKING Cruises has today unveiled details of its hotly anticipated new Mississippi River cruise product (CW 27 Feb), with the company’s Chairman Torstein Hagen releasing itineraries for sale to past passengers effective from 15 Apr. In a video update in which he also confirmed Viking was extending its global suspension...
VIKING Cruises has today unveiled details of its hotly anticipated new Mississippi River cruise product (CW 27 Feb), with the company’s Chairman Torstein Hagen releasing itineraries for sale to past passengers effective from 15 Apr.
In a video update in which he also confirmed Viking was extending its global suspension of river and ocean cruising for two more months until 30 Jun (TD breaking news), Hagen assured customers the company was firmly focused on the future.
“Viking is a private company, and thanks to our great guests we had an outstanding year in 2019.
“In addition to me and my family we have two private shareholders – TPG and the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board, and they are standing firmly behind us.”
He said guests on cancelled trips would continue to receive a 125% future cruise credit, or could also elect to take a refund.
“We are standing by to help you book your next voyage,” he said, also assuring passengers that Viking was firmly focused on health and safety and was proud to have been the first cruise line to suspend operations to protect passengers and guests as the COVID-19 crisis escalated.
Hagen said during the hiatus Viking was working on “further scientific steps to reduce any health concerns about cruising.
“I can assure you we will only sail again when it is safe,” he said.
Speaking about the new Viking Mississippi (pictured), Hagen described it as having an “elegant, modern design – with no paddlewheels, real or fake”.
The ship will host 386 guests in 193 all-outside staterooms in seven categories.
Familiar features include the Explorers’ Lounge, River Cafe, The Restaurant and the Aquavit Terrace, Sun Terrace with an infinity plunge pool, complimentary shore excursions and other inclusions – see renders at facebook.com/cruiseweekly.
MEANWHILE to keep inspiring travel during the COVID-19 hiatus, Viking has launched a new dedicated online TV channel.
Available now at viking.tv, it will feature destination content, concerts, live-streamed messages from Viking crew, and more.
