Chairman of Viking to invite rescued guests on another cruise
Torstein Hagen, the chairman of Viking Ocean Cruises, is to invite passengers involved in a dramatic air resue from the Viking Sky, to try another of the company’s cruises.
Some 479 of the 915 passegners, many of whom were elderly, were rescued from the ship by helicopter after a wave smashed through the windows of the ship, knocking them off their feet and leaving them soaked and freezing.
The others were still on the Viking Sky when she limped into Molde in Norway, from where the majority have been flown home, according to the cruise line.
Around 20 passengers were treated in hospital for injuries after the £4,000 two-week voyage from Tilbury in Essex.
A spokeswoman said guests had already been informed that all 915 will receive a refund. She added: "In addition, the chairman will extend a personal invitation for another cruise."
She did not say whether customers would receive any financial compensation.
Viking Sky is still docked in Molde where repairs are being carried out. She is expected to be back in service in April, said the cruise line. Her next cruise from Tilbury tomorrow has been cancelled.
Speaking yesterday afternoon, Hagen said: "The majority of our guests have disembarked or are in the process of leaving the vessel and are travelling back to their homes. We will continue to follow up with them to ensure their needs are covered.
"We have already begun our own internal investigation and our goal is to establish a complete and thorough understanding of what happened, and we welcome the investigations that have been launched, and will fully support them.
"The past few days have been stressful and hectic for both guests and crew alike. I would like to personally apologise for what our guests experienced. I would also like to say how impressed and grateful I am for the efforts of the national rescue services, rescue personnel, local authorities and the people along the More coast, and thank them for the concern and generosity they have shown our guests. I would also like to express my thanks to the crew on board the Viking Sky for their efforts and dedication."
It was the end of Viking Ocean Cruises’ first winter season sailing in Norway.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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