Viking Cruises, and Other Lines, Changes Plans Because of Ukraine News
by Dori Saltzman /Photo: Shutterstock.com
With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine creating an active war zone in the Baltic, Viking River Cruises, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and Oceania Cruises all canceled port stops or full itineraries in the region.
Viking River Cruises
Of the lines that have so far made changes, Viking’s have been the most extensive, canceling its entire season of Kyiv, Black Sea & Bucharest itinerary.
“The safety and security of our guests and crew is always our top priority,” a Viking representative told Travel Market Report. “Given recent developments and the developing conflict in Ukraine, we have made the difficult decision to cancel all 2022 departures of our Kyiv, Black Sea & Bucharest itinerary. Guests and their travel advisors on impacted departures have been notified directly by Viking customer relations.”
Viking is monitoring the situation and evaluating other itineraries that call in Russia this year, which the line says “will require modifications.”
Atlas Ocean Voyages
Visits to St. Petersburg have been dropped from Atlas’ summer Baltic itineraries. On both the Hamburg-to-Kiel itinerary, departing August 26, and the Kiel-roundtrip sailing, departing September 7, World Navigator will call at Kotka and Mariehamn, Finland instead. Additionally, the August 26 voyage will include a transit of the Kiel Canal, while the September 7 sailing will add a stop in Saaremaa, Estonia.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises & Oceania Cruise
Sister brands Regent Seven Seas and Oceania, both owned by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, are pulling stops to all port calls in Russia and Ukraine, including stops in the far north of Russia.
“The safety and security of our guests, crew and communities we visit is our top priority. Due to the escalated situation between Russia and Ukraine, we have made the decision to alter itineraries and remove calls to St. Petersburg, Russia from our 2022 sailings. We are currently working to confirm replacement ports and will advise all impacted guests and travel advisors as soon as possible," a spokesperson for Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings said.
