Since the outbreak of the novel coronavirus pneumonia (COVID-19) in January this year, many consumers who had planned river (or ocean) cruise trips this year have been affected by cancelled sailings, while some are also concerned about whether cruise companies will cancel upcoming voyages. To reassure guests, Viking Cruises today announced that if the epidemic is brought under control, it will commence its 2020 sailing season for the Chinese market in July. All guests who have booked sailings from March to June this year can enjoy special cancellation and amendment policies during the epidemic period. They can either change their sailing dates free of charge and receive additional vouchers, or opt for a full refund.
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Viking River Cruises
As early as January 23, Viking Cruises released its first special cancellation and amendment policy in response to the epidemic. On February 14, the company cancelled all European river cruise sailings departing from China in March and upgraded its special cancellation and amendment policy, while continuing to monitor the development of the epidemic.
Brendan Tansey, Managing Director of Viking Cruises China, said: “For Viking, two things are paramount: the health and safety of our guests and crew, and the travel experience we provide to our guests. In the face of the epidemic, we will only set sail when we can ensure the minimal health and safety risks for our guests and crew, and when we can deliver the high-standard travel experience that Viking is known for. Although the domestic epidemic situation has been initially contained, there are signs of the virus spreading in other countries, especially with multiple infection cases recently reported in parts of Europe. Therefore, we have decided to cancel sailings from April to June and postpone our 2020 sailing season to July. We firmly believe this is the most responsible approach for our guests and crew.”
To minimize losses for guests, Viking Cruises’ special cancellation and amendment policy allows affected guests to apply for a full refund or change their sailing to any date between July 1, 2020, and December 31, 2021. Guests who choose to amend their sailing will receive a voucher worth 20% of the original fare paid. Since the announcement of the policy, Viking Cruises and its travel agency partners have been actively contacting affected guests to process refunds or amendments one by one.
Based on current information, Viking Cruises is optimistic about a smooth start in July and hopes this news will alleviate guests’ concerns caused by the uncertainty of the sailing dates. “Of course, we will continue to monitor the epidemic situation, fully cooperate with the prevention and control efforts of the Chinese government and the World Health Organization, and make further adjustments to the sailing schedule if necessary,” Brendan Tansey added.
Donation to the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation1 million yuan, contributing to the fight against the epidemic
In addition to safeguarding the interests of its guests and crew, Viking Cruises has recently fulfilled its commitment to join forces with social welfare organizations to combat the epidemic. It donated 1 million yuan to the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation to support frontline efforts in the fight against COVID-19.
Due to the ongoing spread of the epidemic, frontline treatment work for novel coronavirus pneumonia still faces pressure, especially in Hubei Province where some designated hospitals for COVID-19 treatment and medical supplies are still in need. The donation from Viking Cruises to the China Soong Ching Ling Foundation will be allocated to Wuhan Union Hospital affiliated with Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, and Jingzhou Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital in Hubei, to support COVID-19 prevention, control, and treatment efforts.
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Viking Cruises remains confident in its long-term commitment to China
Confident in long-term development in China, with plans to invest up to2 billion yuan
Faced with the short-term challenges posed by the epidemic, Viking Cruises stated that it has the full capability and firm confidence to overcome the difficulties, and emphasized its continued investment and long-term development in the Chinese market.
As an international cruise company with 23 years of operating experience, Viking Cruises currently employs over 10,000 staff worldwide and serves more than 500,000 guests annually, with annual sales reaching 3 billion US dollars. In 2020, the Viking global fleet will consist of 79 ships, including 6 ocean-going vessels. Brendan Tansey reiterated: “Viking Cruises is full of confidence in its future development in the Chinese market. When we first entered the Chinese market, we made comprehensive preparations for long-term development here, including the allocation of resources such as funding and personnel, and we definitely have the strength to withstand short-term setbacks and challenges. Currently, we have investment plans totaling up to 2 billion yuan for the Chinese market. We will introduce new routes for China in 2021 and bring ocean-going products to China in 2022.”
Since officially entering the Chinese market in 2016, Viking Cruises has maintained strong growth momentum. During the 2019 sailing season, the number of Chinese guests increased by 77.1% year-on-year. Brendan Tansey believes that the outbreak will only delay but not reduce the travel demand of Chinese consumers, and the potential of China’s outbound river cruise market remains huge. China will continue to be an important “future” market in Viking Cruises’ global strategy.
Brendan Tansey added: “We predict that China’s outbound travel market will quickly recover after the epidemic. After the SARS outbreak, the market grew by 34.5% in August 2003 compared to the same period the previous year, and for the whole year, it grew by 22% in 2003 and 43% in 2004.”[1]. We estimate that China’s outbound travel market will also welcome a new round of growth after weathering the ‘storm’ of this epidemic. Viking Cruises believes that ‘together we shall overcome, and the sun will shine again after the storm.’ We look forward to reuniting with our guests in Europe when the sun shines again.”
[1] “Tourism Industry: Hit by SARS in 2003, Rebounded in 2004,” Department of Policy, Law and Regulation, National Tourism Administration, China Economic Information, 2004, Issue 2
About Viking Cruises
VIKING CRUISES, LTD. is a global cruise company from Norway, dedicated to providing high-quality river and ocean cruise services to travelers from around the world. The company was founded in 1997 by its Chairman, Torstein Hagen, who said: “Viking Cruises offers ‘deep cultural journeys’ for travelers with a strong interest in history, culture, folklore, and cuisine, as an alternative to traditional cruise experiences.” Since then, the company has continued to grow and expand. In 2020, the Viking global fleet consists of 73 Viking Longships and 6 ocean cruises, and the company has won numerous prestigious international cruise awards over the years, becoming a highly acclaimed premium cruise line (for small ships). Currently, Viking Cruises operates in multiple global markets, with its operational headquarters in Basel, Switzerland, and its sales headquarters in Los Angeles, USA.
Since officially entering the Chinese market in 2016, Viking Cruises has pioneered the launch of European river cruise products tailored specifically for Chinese guests. Viking Cruises has always adhered to a service philosophy that highly respects Chinese consumers, offering all-inclusive packages* and full Chinese-language services, ensuring guests can enjoy an authentic European river cruise without language barriers or hassle.
All-inclusive package*
“Viking All-Inclusive Value” (Viking Inclusive Value) offers incredible value, covering airport transfers, luxury accommodation, admission fees to sightseeing spots included in the itinerary, three meals a day and onboard beverages during the trip, as well as port fees, full Chinese concierge and guide services, onboard cultural appreciation activities, and government taxes and fees. However, it does not include visa fees, airfare, insurance, or other expenses not included in the predetermined itinerary. At the airport, Viking greeters in red uniforms will welcome you and escort you to the dock for boarding, and they will also take you to the airport on the last day of your trip. For accommodation, Viking Cruises offers five types of comfortable cabins, all with ample natural light and beautiful views of the riverbanks, ensuring a warm and cozy stay. For dining, all three meals a day and meals during shore excursions are free. In addition to authentic European cuisine, Chinese options such as soy milk and deep-fried dough sticks, Cantonese-style soups, congee, noodles, and rice are also available. When you begin your river journey, a dedicated Viking tour bus will accompany you throughout to cover your onshore transportation costs. As is well known, some attractions in Europe require admission fees, but on Viking, the entrance fees for all sightseeing spots included in the itinerary are covered in the cruise fare. Viking has hired dozens of Chinese staff members and foreign concierges with Chinese language skills. There are no language barriers either on board or on land. In addition to the ever-changing riverside scenery, Viking also arranges a variety of onboard activities, such as enjoying musical performances or learning to make local cuisine.
To book a voyage, please visit the official Viking Cruises website (http://vikingcruises.cn/), follow Viking Cruises on Weibo, or scan the QR code to follow the official WeChat account for more information.