Hagen points out that Viking was the first cruise line to stop operations and the decision was taken to postpone cruises until August 31, 2020, with travel remaining difficult.

The company is offered a 125 percent Future Cruise Voucher, valid for 24 months for any Viking river, expedition or ocean cruise, to guests who were on summer Viking cruises. The voucher can also be transferred to full.

"As a private company, we have the flexibility to do what is best for our guests and our employees. We are committed to maintaining the safest and healthiest fleet in the industry and we are fortunate to have small ocean ships with only 930 guests, and river ships with only 190 guests. We have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness — and are now developing additional protocols to make traveling with Viking even safer. We will be sharing more information about this very soon. Also, during this time of non-operation, we are further training our crew and preparing our fleet to welcome you on board again. Since our first announcement, many of you have expressed concern for our crew, and I want to reassure you that we are continuing to take good care of them."

Maritime Business World