More than 90 per cent of the 4,500 people who responded to Viking Line’s passenger survey have found the company’s vessels to be safe throughout the pandemic. The health safety survey, introduced in the spring of 2020, also reveals that there is great interest in boat trips after Covid restrictions are eased.

During the spring of 2020, Viking Line began asking its passengers about their views of Covid safety on board. So far, more than 4,500 passengers on Viking Line’s vessels have completed the survey, which is carried out on a regular basis.

“Ever since the start of the pandemic, we have done everything we can to ensure that people will be able to travel safely and with confidence and enjoy their sea journey. Two years ago, we were the first shipping company in the world to be MyCare-certified for our work to prevent the spread of illness and infection. This certification covers all our vessels as well as our terminals in Finland, Sweden and Estonia,” says Viking Line’s Head of Shipboard Commercial Operations, Wilhelm Hård af Segerstad.

Of the passengers who responded to the survey, 93 per cent found it safe to travel on Viking Line’s vessels even during the Covid pandemic and said they would like to sail again. More than 90 per cent of those who responded thought the journey met their expectations and was safe.

“Among other factors, our passengers see the absence of crowds and a continued sense of safety as indicators of a successful trip, but it is also important to have good food, nice cabins and excellent service. We are really pleased that our staff’s wonderfully dedicated approach to Covid safety measures has conveyed such a strong sense of safety to passengers,” says Wilhelm Hård af Segerstad.

During the pandemic, many different safety measures have been implemented on board: cleaning has been enhanced, digital information screens have been used to remind people about the importance of social distancing and face protection, restaurant opening hours have been adjusted, and the times when food and drinks are available have been restricted. In its operations, Viking Line has complied with the regulations of both Finnish and Swedish authorities.

Viking Line’s health safety survey results also indicate that people have an increased interest in taking sea journeys in the near future. About one in ten respondents expect to spend more money than before on cruises and sea journeys in the near future. More than 15 per cent believe they will take more cruises than before in the future, while 9 per cent predicted they will be less enthusiastic about taking a cruise.

“The relaxing of restrictions starting in mid-February will also give Finns more freedom and better opportunities for safe sea journeys during the annual winter break as well. In early March, the brand-new Viking Glory will launch service on the route between Turku and Stockholm, which has generated great enthusiasm. Completely new cruise experiences are promised. Many of the departures this spring are already nearly sold out. In Helsinki, our service will double when Amorella starts sailing alongside Gabriella in early April,” notes Wilhelm Hård af Segerstad.

Figures for Åland tourism broke all records last summer, and our special cruises, for example, were extremely popular.  Viking Line’s passengers have found Mariehamn to be a particularly safe destination during the pandemic.

“Cruises and boat tourism look set to have a strong position. In recent years, there has been a lot of talk about the upturn in domestic tourism and travelling locally. According to our survey, there is the same high level of interest in boat tourism when our customers are asked their view of how they want to travel in the near future,” says Mikael Paulinow, Senior Project Manager in charge of Viking Line’s survey activities.