Tag Archives: Viking Line

Debut month was a big success for the new Viking Glory 

The response to Viking Line’s new flagship, Viking Glory, has been overwhelming and the number of bookings, which currently exceeds 350,000, has exceeded all expectations. In its first month in service, Viking Line has already reinforced its market share to over 70% on the Turku-Åland-Stockholm route as more than 70,000 passengers sailed on the new vessel in March. In addition nearly 280,000 passengers have booked a trip and are waiting for their turn.
 

On March 1, Viking Line’s new flagship, Viking Glory, was launched in service on the Stockholm–Mariehamn–Turku route. It is one of the world’s most climate-smart vessels and offers passengers top-class comfort and a wide range of experiences. More than 70,000 passengers have already managed to enjoy wonderful vistas through the large windows that provide views of the world’s most beautiful archipelago.

During the launch, there was uncertainty about placing a new vessel in service given the impact of the Covid pandemic on travel. But people’s interest and sales have both exceeded expectations, and since tickets went on sale almost 350,000 passengers have booked a trip on Viking Glory.

“With Viking Glory, we now have not just a new cruise concept but indeed a full-out cruise experience with an international atmosphere on the Baltic Sea. Many guests we’ve spoken to have compared their experience on board to a modern city hotel with lounge bars, piano players, jazz trios and modern DJs. They say we’ve created something new on the Baltic Sea, and that’s high praise,” says Johanna Boijer-Svahnström, Communications Director on Viking Line.

Now that travel restrictions have been lifted, there is also increased interest in cruises, cabin holidays and hotel packages among people travelling to both Finland and Åland.


“After a long and challenging period, we can see that interest in cruises and holiday travel in nearby areas is growing and to some extent approaching normal, which is a little extra special this year given that Åland is also celebrating 100 years of autonomous rule in 2022. The whole of Åland is celebrating, with all kinds of exciting events during the spring and summer, including musicals, exhibitions and concerts, so there are at least 100 reasons to visit Åland this very year,” adds Johanna Boijer-Svahnström.

Book your tickets for Viking Glory here

Read more about Viking Glory

Read more about Åland 100 years

All Viking Line ships return to service in July – Silvija Travel Tips

M/S Mariella and M/S Cinderella will return to service on 2 July 2020. M/S Mariella will sail the Helsinki–Tallinn route from 2 July until 9 August 2020. M/S Cinderella will return to sail the Stockholm–Mariehamn route as well as special cruises from Stockholm to Visby. With these additions, all of Viking Line’s vessels will have returned to passenger service.

As of 2 July, all seven of Viking Line’s vessels will be back in use for passenger traffic. M/S Amorella and M/S Viking Grace will sail the Turku–Åland–Stockholm route, M/S Gabriella the Helsinki–Åland route and M/S Rosella the Mariehamn–Kapellskär route. M/S Cinderella will sail the Stockholm–Mariehamn route as well as special cruises between Stockholm and Visby during August and September.

M/S Mariella will supplement the normal service of M/S Viking XPRS between Helsinki and Tallinn with four additional daily departures from the beginning of July until 9 August. This means that this summer, Viking Line will have more departures on the Helsinki–Tallinn route than ever before. Passengers can set off from Helsinki on the early morning ship to Tallinn and return home on the evening departure, thereby reserving the bulk of the day to enjoy in Tallinn. This also ensures that our route tourists will have an abundant number of departure options.

The number of passengers is on the rise and the summer weather has increased the demand for travel as expected.

‘It is such a joy to see people returning to our ships. Our passengers have expressed their satisfaction with our range of timetable options. Holidays in the surrounding countries remain very popular and we believe that this will be a busy summer’, says Kaj Takolander, Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Viking Line.

When the pandemic hit this spring, temporarily limiting people’s possibility to travel, Viking Line used its ships to help ensure Finland’s security of supply by transporting essential goods.

‘The past few months have been highly active in terms of freight traffic. We believe that passenger traffic will start to pick up rapidly now as well. We have gone to great lengths to ensure that cruise travel is as safe as possible for everyone. For example, our Pre-order service is clearly rising in popularity. It enables customers to order their onboard purchases in advance to be delivered safely either directly to their car or to the ship’s pick-up location. Additionally, passengers also have the possibility to take advantage of our convenient Room Service and order, for example, lunch to be delivered to their own cabin’, explains Takolander.

All Viking Line ships are continuing to ensure passenger safety in accordance with systematic and strict standards. The number of passengers on all cruises is currently more limited and thorough measures are being carried out as a means of safeguarding hygiene aboard our vessels. This past spring, the distinguished classification company Det Norske Veritas Germanischer Lloyd (DNV GL) verified all Viking Line ships and terminals in accordance with their My Care methodology. This proves that Viking Line has the certified ability to manage and prevent the risk of infections such as COVID-19. Viking Line is the first shipping company in the world to have received this recognition from DNV GL. 

www.vikingline.com

Viking Line’s service over the next few weeks – Silvija Travel Tips

As a result of the Finnish government’s decision on 4 May 2020, to gradually ease some of the restrictions related to the Covid-19 coronavirus, starting 14 May 2020, Viking Line will open up passenger service again for essential traffic. Essential traffic includes travel for work and other travel defined by the authorities. The company recommend that all passengers familiarize themselves with the instructions issued by the authorities prior to travelling. The restrictions are in effect until May 31, 2020.

Source: Viking Line

Viking Line’s service on the Baltic Sea as of April 2, 2020 – Silvija Travel Tips

Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus, Viking Line will continue to keep service on the Baltic Sea at a reduced level. Four of the Company’s seven vessels will sail primarily with cargo between Finland and Sweden, the Åland Islands and Estonia to ensure the security of supply. Passenger traffic has virtually come to a standstill following the authorities’ restrictions. 

Demand for cargo transport remains high. Viking Line continues to transport goods between Finland, Sweden, Åland and Estonia with four vessels to ensure the security of supply.

“It is important to maintain vital social functions during these exceptional circumstances, and Viking Line is doing so by providing cargo service between these countries,” says Jan Hanses, President and CEO of Viking Line.

Viking Line’s service for the period 2nd April 2020 and beyond:

Turku – Åland (Långnäs) – Stockholm

M/S Viking Grace and M/S Amorella will serve the route until further notice according to the following timetable: https://www.sales.vikingline.com/find-cruise-trip/timetables-connections/timetables/turku-stockholm/

Mariehamn – Kapellskär:

M/S Rosella will sail between Mariehamn and Kapellskär only for cargo on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays until at least April 30, 2020. Passenger traffic can resume at the earliest on April 15, 2020, or in accordance with the instructions of the relevant authorities.

Helsinki – Tallinn

M/S Gabriella will sail between Helsinki and Tallinn until at least April 30, 2020, according to the following timetable https://www.sales.vikingline.com/find-cruise-trip/timetables-connections/timetables/helsinki-tallinn/

Suspended traffic:

  • Traffic between Helsinki and Stockholm will be suspended until at least May 13, 2020. 
  • Cruise traffic from Stockholm to Mariehamn with M/S Viking Cinderella will be suspended until at least May 13, 2020. 
  • Traffic with Viking XPRS, which normally sails between Helsinki and Tallinn, will be suspended until at least April 30, 2020.

We will contact the customers affected by the cancelled departures. Free re-booking and cancellation apply for booked trips. Customers are encouraged to wait for this contact due to the great pressure on customer service. More info on refund and rebooking can be found on the Viking Line website. www.vikiingline.com

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