Two New Viking Ships Delayed; Agent Commissions Protected

 

Photo courtesy Viking River Cruises

Viking River Cruises announced the delayed arrival of Viking Freya and Viking Njord, two of its new Viking Longships. The two river vessels were originally set to launch in late March, but now won't be delivered until mid-April.

The river line cited "broader shipyard delays" as the reason. The revised delivery schedule will result in cancellation of five scheduled sailings for Viking Freya and Viking Njord.

All affected guests are being contacted to discuss alternative cruise options. Guests booked on cancelled sailings have the option to rebook a similar itinerary on a different ship and receive up to a 50 percent credit on a future cruise booking. Or, if they don't choose to rebook, they'll receive a full refund.

Viking said travel agent commissions for the cancelled bookings will be protected.

Two other new Viking Longships, Viking Odin and Viking Idun, will be christened as planned on March 21. "We are looking forward to christening Viking Odin and Viking Idun on schedule in Amsterdam and eagerly await the delivery of Viking Freya and Viking Njord,” said Torstein Hagen, founder and chairman of Viking River Cruises.

“We are disappointed about this change in our 2012 launch schedule, and truly regret any inconvenience that it may cause our guests," he said.

Visit www.vikingrivercruises.com