Viking Cruises is suspending all ocean and river operations for a limited time in light of the coronavirus outbreak.

The measure affects all sailings from today (Thursday) until 30 April. The line will then resume operations from 1 May.

It was recently confirmed that a passenger tested positive for the virus during a Viking cruise in Cambodia. It is understood that the British passenger was exposed to the virus on a Vietnam Airlines flight from London to Hanoi on 2 March.

In a statement to passengers, Viking chairman Torstein Hagen said: “I am sure you recognise that COVID-19 has made travel exceedingly complicated. An increasing number of ports, including Venice, Monte Carlo and Bergen, have temporarily closed to cruise ships; major attractions such as the Vatican and other museums have been closed; and some countries are imposing restrictions on public gatherings and visitors.

“In recent days we have had an experience where a river cruise guest in Southeast Asia was exposed to COVID-19 while in transit on an international airline. While this guest is not exhibiting symptoms, she has been placed in quarantine. Separately, the remaining 28 guests will also be quarantined.

“The situation has now become such that operating as a travel company involves significant risks of quarantines or medical detentions, which could diminish the travel experiences for which our guests have been planning.

“Therefore, we have made the difficult decision to temporarily suspend operations of our river and ocean vessels embarking from 12 March to 30 April 2020 – at which time we believe Viking will be in a better place to provide the experiences our guests expect and deserve.”

For those guests whose cruise falls within the window of suspended operations, Viking is offering the choice of a future cruise voucher, valued at 125 per cent of all money paid, or a refund equal to the amount paid.

Guests will have 24 months to use their future cruise voucher to make a new booking on any river, ocean or expedition itinerary.