Viking Cruises has suspended all services until 2021 due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The firm brought all of its services to a halt back in March as a number of outbreaks of the virus were linked to cruise ships.
It was originally hoped that travel would resume from the end of September. But firm bosses say they are waiting until international travel is “less complicated”, reports the Mirror.
The Foreign Office is still continuing to advise Scots not to travel on cruises at this present time.
Customers who have booked with the company will be offered a 125 per cent future cruise credit or a full refund.
All applications for the compensation must be made before August 24.
Chairman Torstein Hagen said: “As keen as we may be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait. I have said before that we will only sail again when it is safe to do so.
"We are a private, closely-held company, which means we do not have to rush the decision to return to service.
"It is in that spirit that we are extending our temporary suspension of operations through December 31, 2020 – at which time we believe the world will be in a better position, and international travel will be less complicated."
In a message to customers, he added: “On March 11, when we became the first cruise line to temporarily suspend operations at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I would not have imagined that in August we would still not be sailing and that I would be writing this letter to you.
“Every day I am encouraged by the scientific advancements toward Covid-19 therapeutics and a vaccine.
“But as you well know, recent events have shown us that the recovery from this pandemic will be sporadic, and the ability to travel freely across borders remains some time away.
“As keen as we may be to get back to exploring, for now, international travel must wait.
“Just last week, on August 5, we celebrated our 23rd anniversary.
“Viking is a very different company today from when we started in 1997 with four river ships. But one thing has not changed in the last two decades.
"Since Viking’s very first day, our commitment to the safety and welfare of all those on board our vessels and to our mission – to deliver experiences that focus on the destination, allowing you to explore the world in comfort – has never wavered.
“I have said before that we will only sail again when it is safe to do so. We are a private, closely-held company, which means we do not have to rush the decision to return to service.”
The cruise line had previously hoped to offer a series of cruises around the UK.
The cruise industry was hit hard by the pandemic, with the virus first grounding the Diamond Princess, in Japan, creating headlines around the world, and then the Grand Princess, in the United States.
Other companies that have suspended all sailings include Celestyal, Victory Cruise Line, Crystal and Alaskan Dream Cruises.
The future looks unclear for the industry after one of the first ships in the world to resume sailing again was struck by a coronavirus outbreak.
