PHOTO: The Viking Star was just christened in May. (courtesy of Viking Ocean Cruises)
UPDATE Aug. 2, 2015: Viking Cruises confirmed that the current voyage is ending in Tallinn due to a "highly unusual" problem with electric transformers in the ship's propulsion system. Here is the company's complete statement: "Viking Star experienced a mechanical issue while sailing its 'Viking Homelands' itinerary and is currently docked in Tallinn. The mechanical issue is related to the electric transformers in one part of the ship's propulsion system. Engineers are working onboard, but because repairs are expected to continue through the weekend, Viking has decided to cancel the remaining portion of this cruise. All guests onboard were informed earlier today and have been offered options for continuing their journey to Bergen or returning home from Tallinn at Viking's expense. This specific mechanical issue is highly unusual, and all guests will receive compensation for the inconvenience. At this point in time no decision has been made regarding the upcoming sailing schedule, but should there need to be any itinerary modifications, Viking Customer Relations will be in direct contact with all affected guests."
It looks like the new Viking Star cruise ship is having engine problems in Tallinn, Estonia, and may have cancelled its current voyage.
Passengers on the cruise are posting updates on Cruise Critic message boards, with one saying the current cruise is over. The story was first reported by maritime lawyer Jim Walker on his Cruise Law blog.
"We have just been advised from Viking that the mechanical issues cannot allow us to leave Tallinn until Aug. 4 at the earliest," HMforcruise posted Aug. 1 on Cruise Critic. "Then we go straight to Bergen arriving late Aug. 7. Thus all ports of call cancelled. Options either stay on or let Viking arrange air out. We are choosing to fly home as we have already been in Tallinn since July 30. Good luck, next sailing cruise. Sorry we broke the ship!"
OBX Cruisers posted on July 31 that the ship sailed into Tallinn the day before at reduced speed "due to mechanical issues." Shortly thereafter, scheduled calls at Berlin, Germany, and Gdansk, Poland, were cancelled.
TravelPulse reached out to Viking's public relations consultants for confirmation and details, but didn't immediately hear back. The company had not posted any updates on its website, Facebook page or Twitter account by midday Aug. 1.
"Being told over and over that they are waiting on a part. It's been 3 days, are they shipping it snail mail??" Iggy25 wrote earlier on Aug. 1.
Introduced in May, the 930-passenger, 47,800-ton Viking Star is the first ship in the new Viking Ocean Cruises, sister company to Viking River Cruises.
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