Viking Cruises has become the latest cruise line to extend its temporary suspension of operations through 31 August 2020.

In a letter to his guests, chairman Torstein Hagen said: “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 onboard 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.

“We were the first cruise line to announce a temporary suspension of operations. We have continued to evaluate the situation, responding accordingly.

“While restrictions related to Covid-19 are beginning to ease in some countries, travel remains complicated. Therefore, we have made the decision to extend our temporary suspension of operations through August 31, 2020.”

Guests who have been impacted are being offered a 125 per cent future cruise voucher or alternatively can choose a full cash refund. Those who opt for the latter are being asked to contact Viking’s UK office via email at [email protected] prior to 12 June 2020.

The Viking Cruises chairman also confirmed that the cruise line’s fleet expansion is still going ahead as planned.

“At Viking, we are looking to the future and the expansion of our fleet.

“Early next year, we will launch Viking Venus; and, in 2022 we will welcome our new expedition vessels, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, that will sail the Arctic, Antarctic and North America’s Great Lakes and, of course, Viking Mississippi.”

Visit vikingcruises.co.uk for more information.