Viking has announced it will continue restarting its limited operations with a collection of Bermuda and Iceland itineraries beginning in June 2021. Due to strong demand from Viking customers in the UK, Viking has also added two additional sailings to its England's Scenic Shores itinerary in June 2021. All new Viking Welcome Back voyages will be available exclusively to vaccinated passengers, in accordance with the regulations of the destinations welcoming Viking ships, and as a complement to Viking's enhanced health and safety protocols. Bookings for the new Bermuda, Iceland, and UK voyages are now open.
For the new Bermuda Escape itinerary, Viking Orion will be based in Hamilton for 8-day round-trip cruises; for the new Iceland's Natural Beauty itinerary, Viking Sky will be based in Reykjavik for 8-day round-trip cruises. On both itineraries, the smaller size of Viking's ocean-going vessels will allow easy access to both small and large ports in Bermuda and Iceland this summer.
Viking has been working closely with authorities in the UK, Bermuda, and Iceland for months. The company is actively developing additional Welcome Back sailings to a variety of other popular destinations, including Greece, Turkey, and Malta, with the aim of announcing more sailings in 2021 as soon as government approvals are obtained.
“We applaud the governments of the UK, Bermuda, and Iceland for their collaboration and support in safely restarting the cruise industry,” said Torstein Hagen, Chairman of Viking. “We believe there is no safer way to travel the world than on a Viking voyage, and we look forward to welcoming guests aboard and welcoming them back to the world.”.
Today's news follows Viking's recent announcement that it would initially restart operations with domestic departures in England for UK residents aboard the Viking Venus from May 2021.
Those sailing on the new voyages to the UK, Bermuda, and Iceland will also experience Viking’s health and safety program. Based on scientific research, Viking’s health and safety program was developed in collaboration with an international team of medical advisors. Using a large-scale laboratory installed on all Viking ocean-going ships, passengers and crew will undergo PCR testing upon embarkation and frequently throughout the itinerary. New air purification technology has also been installed on all Viking ships, which have always featured separate air handling units for every guest cabin. And additional health checks, disinfection, and physical distancing measures will provide greater protection for Viking guests and crew at every point of the voyage.
