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The Complete Guide to a Viking River Cruise

Ever consider a Viking European river cruise? River cruises are very popular choices for people who like traveling to new places in the comfort of a floating hotel. That is, you sleep and eat on the ship and are transported to your destinations along a river. It’s certainly a relaxing way to travel. Plus, Viking offers several excursions each day that the ship is in port. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our Viking River cruise, which transported us comfortably to some amazing European destinations.

This article highlights the European river cruises aboard the Viking Longboats. The sizes of the ships are designed specifically for the rivers they ply (e.g., they need to navigate the sometimes narrow waterways and any locks along the way). Viking ships all sport calming Scandinavian decor and are designed efficiently.  The general experience on all Viking River cruise ships is the same, no matter what ship you’re on. However, the information in this article is from our Grand European Tour cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest aboard the Skirnir and Modi (more on the two ships later).  Once you’ve booked a Viking cruise, take the next steps , like creating an online account with Viking, to ensure a wonderful adventure .

NOTE: This article was completely updated in January 2023 from the original article, written in 2019 . Some procedures and protocols on cruise ships have changed to address public health concerns since the global COVID-19 pandemic. Check with your Viking agent or travel agent (or your MyVikingJourney online portal if you’re already booked on a cruise) to learn the latest protocols aboard the ship, and in the countries you’ll be visiting. Despite some tweaks, this article will prepare you for your Viking River cruise. Enjoy!

What to Expect on a Viking River Cruise

Viking is an industry leader for a variety of reasons, including their choices of fascinating destinations, varied excursion options, attention to detail in designing the private and shared spaces, and a welcoming and hard-working staff.

Viking River Cruise Destinations

You’ll find Viking River cruises throughout Europe, Egypt, and Southeast Asia . There are so many choices of destinations and lengths of the trip. Some people book two cruises back-to-back to extend their vacation. Also, Viking offers options to add a few days in the first or last destination before and after a cruise.

What You’ll Find on Viking

On all river cruises, guests are offered one complimentary shore excursion at every destination . In addition, quite a few “optional” excursions are available at an extra cost. The excursions provide guests with an array of experiences, including peeks into how locals live, how and where they work, and some “privileged access” options just for Viking guests.

Onboard you’ll have port talks to prepare you for each new day along with musical entertainment in the lounge. Plus, you can expect some special cooking and craft demonstrations, wine tastings, and presentations about a destination’s unique features .

Guests are served complimentary soft drinks, beer, or wine during lunch and dinner. There is an extra charge for the Silver Spirits package for guests who want to enjoy premium wines and beer, cocktails, and champagnes.

What You Won’t Find on Viking

There are several things you won’t find on a Viking River cruise, and they are often some of the prime reasons so many people choose Viking .

• No inside staterooms.
• No kids. All guests are 18 years old or more.
• No smoking.
• No casinos.
• No formal nights.
• No charge for Wi-Fi.

Viking River Cruise Ships

Viking Longboats have four decks:

• The Sun Deck has tables and chairs for guests to enjoy the views plus a walking track.
• The Upper Deck has the library, bar, lounge, Aquavit Terrace, coffee and tea station, and internet cafe, along with both of the Explorer Suites, all of the Veranda Suites, and some of the Veranda and French Balcony staterooms.
• The Middle Deck has Guest Services, the restaurant, the Viking shop, and some of the Veranda and French Balcony staterooms. 
• The Lower Deck has the Standard Staterooms.

Stairs connect all the decks; an elevator service the upper and middle decks.

Viking River Cruise Staterooms

All Viking River cruise ship staterooms have:

• river views.
• king-size beds that can be split to make two twin beds.
• private bathrooms that are separate from the living space.
• housekeeping twice a day.
• a telephone, safe, and refrigerator.
• a closet with wooden hangers.
• luggage storage under the beds.
• free Wi-Fi (though connection speeds vary depending upon location).
• a flat-screen TV with infotainment options.
• 110/220-volt outlets and USB ports.

Stateroom Options

The different types of staterooms range in size, available outdoor space, the time for guaranteed stateroom access, and amenities. Also, the ability to book optional excursions varies by the stateroom level . For example, the guests in the Explorer Suites can book optional excursions before guests in the Veranda Suites. This practice continues through all the classes of staterooms, with the standard staterooms getting the last optional booking options. Having said this, there are often opportunities to book optional excursions once you board the ship. This is because some guests may have canceled their planned optional excursions prior to the cruise, so it’s a good practice to check on this and any other concerns once you’re on board. 

• 150 square foot stateroom with picture window (no outdoor space)
• located on the Main Deck (lowest deck)
• 3:00 pm guaranteed stateroom access
• 135 square foot stateroom with French balcony (sliding glass door with no outdoor space)
• located on the Upper Deck and Middle Deck
• 205 square foot room with full-size private veranda
• 275 square foot suite with full-size private veranda
• located on the Upper Deck 
• 12:00 pm guaranteed stateroom access
• mini-bar with wine, beer, and soft drinks that are replenished daily
• complimentary fruit plate daily
• complimentary laundry & shoe shine services
• expansive 445 square foot living space (separate living room and bedroom) with wraparound balcony at the stern of the ship plus a French balcony in the bedroom. 
• complimentary in-room breakfast service
• complimentary Silver Spirits beverage package
• private arrival and departure transfer (from and to the airport)

Stateroom Amenities

The staterooms and bathrooms are efficiently designed to maximize usable space , and there are many things to appreciate in the staterooms.

• A safe with an electronic keypad is provided in each room. You set the code, so it’s a cinch to remember. It easily holds passports and other travel documents, along with jewelry and money. One tip we learned is to put a shoe (just one!) in the safe the day before you check out. Having to look for the shoe on the last day will remind you to open the safe so you don’t forget your valuables.
• Staterooms have 110V and 220V electrical outlets , so you can plug in whichever fits your needs. We took a universal travel adaptor with 4 USB plugs and 4 outlets and used just one outlet for all of our electronics (smartphones, cameras, tablets , and Apple Watch). That saved precious counter space.
• There’s a full-size   hair dryer with a German Schuko 2-pin plug that matches the 2-prong outlet in the bathroom.
• Sturdy wooden hangers are in your closet upon arrival; if you need more, just ask, and they will be delivered promptly.
• A complete supply of Freyja toiletries , including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion along with a shower cap and vanity set, awaits you in the bathroom. These supplies are replenished as needed.
• The bathroom has a laundry line in the shower that is handy for hanging hand-washed garments.
• Laundry can be sent out to be done. It is usually returned within 24 hours. You can choose to have your garments washed and ironed or ironed only. For an idea of the costs for cleaning and ironing, pants are 6 Euros, a blouse is 5 Euros, and a polo shirt is 3.5 Euros (at the time of publication). Guests in an Explorer Suite or Veranda Suite receive complimentary laundry services.
• There’s a mini-fridge in the staterooms. Whatever you consume will be replenished when the staff cleans your room.
• A large glass bottle of water i n your guest room (along with glasses) will be replenished as needed. (You will also be offered bottled water as you leave for each excursion.)
• There are two listening devices on lanyards along with an earpiece (for your left ear) for each device inside your room. Keep these devices in the chargers when not in use, so they are fully charged for excursions.
• All rooms have a color TV with live channels, complimentary movies, and Viking programming . We used the TV for weather updates and a map that always shows the ship’s location; this was very handy as we navigated the rivers in between ports of call. 
• Housekeeping will visit your room in the morning to clean it.
• Housekeeping will revisit your room while you’re at dinner. You’ll notice the Viking Daily on your bed when you return to your room later that evening. This publication outlines the schedule for the next day, with all included and optional excursions as well as suggestions on where to visit and eat during your free time the next day.
• There’s room under the bed to store suitcases after unpacking.

Viking River Cruise Common Areas

In addition to your stateroom, there are several key public areas on the longships including an expansive, relaxing lounge and bar, the Aquavit Terrace at the ship’s bow for al fresco dining and soaking in river views, a dining room, a coffee/tea station, a small library, and an area with two desktop computers for guest use. For more details on the areas designed for guest comfort, read the illustrated guide to the Viking River Cruise ship’s common areas .

Embarkation

Staterooms are guaranteed to be ready at 3:00 pm. (If you are booked in one of the suites, you’ll have access to your stateroom at 12:00.) If you arrive before your guaranteed time of 3:00 pm, you can spend time in the Lounge or leave your luggage on the ship and begin to explore the city on your own. A light buffet is available in the Lounge around midday, so you’ll be able to recharge a bit before the cruise begins — a nice treat if you just got off a long flight.

The Viking Onboard Experience

Naturally, safety is a primary concern of travelers and the crew. There was a mandatory safety drill on our first full day of the river cruise. Life vests were under the beds, but prior to the drill, they were placed on our beds while we were at lunch. Just before the drill, we were all asked to return to our staterooms and don our life vests. After that, we went to an assigned group on the upper deck (groups are determined by what floor the staterooms are on), and we had to give our stateroom number to the staff at the assigned location (for roll call). Once everyone was accounted for, we were able to leave, return our life vests to our stateroom, and resume what we were doing.

Each time you leave the ship, you scan your room key . When you return to the ship, you scan it again . This is one way the crew can account for all guests. Before leaving a dock, there may be announcements asking for guests in certain rooms to let the staff know they are on the ship. (It’s not uncommon for someone to forget to scan their card when returning to the ship.)

Attire on a river cruise is casual. During the day on excursions, travelers dress very comfortably as they leave the ship to explore a destination. However, most guests sport a smart casual look for dinner. Leave your dressier clothes at home; no formal nights are on a Viking River cruise. 

Meals on a Viking River Cruise

Three meals are included each day at the following times:

• Breakfast: 7:00-9:00 am
• Lunch: 12:00-2:00 pm 
• Dinner: 7:00 pm

Soda, beer, and house wine are available at lunch and dinner at no charge.

Travelers who purchase the Silver Spirits beverage package (price varies depending on the length of your cruise) can get whatever alcoholic beverage they want during lunch, dinner, and whenever else the bar is staffed (afternoons and evenings) at no additional charge. The Silver Spirits package is complimentary for guests in an Explorer Suite.

If you have dietary restrictions, let Viking know when you book. You should also alert the Maitre d’ once on board.

The river cruises have open seating, so that means you aren’t assigned any table mates. Each time you enter the dining room, you find a table that you want to sit at. We enjoyed sitting with different people; it gave us a chance to learn about their travel experiences and lives a bit. You never know what you’ll learn or who you’ll meet!

Although lunch is available in the dining room, we favored the Aquavit Terrace (at the front of the ship) for our midday meal. It’s relaxed and has an abundant food buffet with soup, a variety of salads, meats, warm sandwiches (like paninis and Cuban sandwiches), fruit, and dessert. There’s always iced tea — often with different flavors every day. Servers take your drink orders (sodas, beer, wine) and freshen up your glass when it is empty. Just inside is the Lounge where we ate one rainy lunchtime. The Aquavit Terrace is one advantage Viking has over its competition. This is a great venue for enjoying the passing landscape on travel days and relaxed dining every day.

Prior to dinner, the chef usually introduces the options including his/her recommendations. On our cruise, this was done in the Lounge just after the evening port talk by the program director. Dinner begins at 7:00 pm in the dining room. If you choose to eat on the Aquavit Terrace, dinner begins at 7:15 pm with all of the same options as in the dining room.

Menu Options

On one side of the menu are the “classics” or options that are always available. W hen we cruised, the “classics” included Caesar salad as a starter; steak, salmon, and chicken as entrees, and Creme Brûlée, a selection of cheeses, a fruit plate, and ice cream for dessert.

On the other side of the menu are “regional specialties” or options that are focused on our destinations. Examples were creamy potato soup, Wiener Schnitzel, and Sacher cake when in Vienna; while in Budapest, the menu featured Hungarian Farmer Salad, Fogas Karpathy (perch and shrimp in white wine sauce), and Zserbo (a layered walnut and chocolate cake).

Without a doubt, we give Viking chefs top marks for the presentation and flavor of the food they serve. We always enjoyed the variety of food from the local areas we were visiting. After all, we travel to experience new places, new food, and new people, so we like to eat local specialties whenever possible. We were never disappointed with our meal selections. Whichever side of the menu you order from, the meals for the entire table are served at the same time.

Guests & Socializing

Cruising is a social experience as you chat with fellow passengers on excursions, at the social hour before dinner in the Lounge, and at meals.  An easy way to begin a conversation is to ask where people are from, about their past travel experiences, and what excursions interest them the most. We’ve found there are a lot of commonalities as well as interesting folks to meet. 

River cruises are designed for the mature traveler as Viking guests must be 18 years old. Many of the guests are retired, but there were quite a few still working or recently retired. 

Exercising on a River Cruise

There is no fitness center or spa on Viking River cruise ships; the space that could be a fitness center is instead put to use in the common areas and staterooms. (European river cruise ships are limited in size due to the rivers they cruise on, so they have the same overall dimensions. Some companies may take space from common areas to put into spas and fitness centers; others, like Viking, use all that available space for staterooms and common areas.)

To burn off some of the calories ingested by the delicious food onboard, I walked in the morning around the sun deck track. 12.5 laps = 1 mile. Viking asks that guests not walk on the sun deck from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am as a courtesy to those whose cabins are just below the sun deck. Getting my heart rate up while enjoying beautiful scenery passing by while the ship made its way down a river was a win-win.

My husband prefers to jog each morning, and he was able to when we were docked in the early morning before excursions began. Other times, we were still sailing, so he could not. A good idea if you’re a runner is to check with the reception desk to map out when there will be time in the morning to leave the ship for a jog or run before excursions begin.

Excursions on a Viking River Cruise

You can sign up for excursions from your account on MyVikingJourney.com prior to your trip. Sometimes optional excursions sell out, although there are usually some available once you’re on the ship. Please note that Viking requires at least 48 hours’ cancellation notice if you are on the ship and decide not to go on an optional excursion. 

There are three activity levels for excursions :

• Easy means the walking will be on mostly smooth (not cobbled) surfaces, there are few steps, and the tours will be 1.5 hours or less.
• Moderate means the walking could be a little more strenuous or have more stairs or inclines. The total time on these outings could be 1.5 to 3 hours.
• Demanding means extensive walking, hiking, or biking. Walking could be on unpaved or uneven surfaces and may involve many steps or steep inclines. The total time on these outings could be longer than 3 hours.

Prior to Excursions

About 15 minutes before each excursion, there is an announcement to remind guests that it is almost time to leave and to remember the listening devices. These devices are attached to lanyards with earpieces. 

You’ll receive an excursion card with a number and a letter. The number indicates which ship you’re on. (This is handy because you might encounter tour groups from other Viking ships that are docked in the same city at the same time.) The letter indicates which excursion group you’re on. Since there are often different excursions leaving simultaneously , this is an efficient way to find which tour guide to meet as you disembark the ship. The buses and tour guides for your group are each marked: the bus has a placard with the same number and letter to let you know you need to board that bus; the tour guide has a red and white sign on a paddle to indicate that group, as well.

Leaving the Ship

As you leave the ship, you’ll scan your room key to indicate your departure and rescan it upon returning . This is Viking’s way of accounting for guests.

As you leave the ship, you are handed a bottle of water.  To conserve resources, you could easily fill a reusable water bottle from home with water in the rooms. There are also bright red full-size Viking umbrellas to take along on excursions if it’s raining. I learned that I probably should have packed a small collapsable umbrella to stuff in my backpack; that way, I won’t be carrying the big Viking umbrella around after the rain has stopped while we’re still sightseeing.

A Few Important Excursion Notes

It’s important to note that when the ship docks somewhere in the morning and you go on an excursion, you sometimes will be brought back to the ship in a different location — like another city further down the river. This taught me to take pictures when I first see a scenic sight just in case I wouldn’t have the opportunity again.

There is precise timing to docking and excursions. For example, we arrived in Cologne at 9:30 am and our walking tour began at 10:00 am. Viking is very efficient with their timing. Likewise, when the ship is ready to leave, it leaves — as long as all the guests are accounted for. 

Not everyone needs to go on excursions. Some guests preferred to stay in the Lounge and simply relax, read a book, or enjoy the view beyond the big plate glass window or take in the views from the sun deck.

Big City Lesson

One thing we learned is that although some excursions will guide you through a large city, if it is inland a bit, you may be spending a significant amount of time traveling from the ship to the city — and comparatively modest amounts of time actually in the city itself. We learned this the hard way one day, and we realized that we actually prefer exploring the little towns that we dock at more. Our preferred day at a town where we were docked included a morning walking tour (an included excursion) to get the lay of the land. In the afternoon, we followed up on some of the suggestions the local guide from the morning had regarding how to spend the remainder of the day. That worked well as we enjoyed some nice non-touristy lunches and other walks and tours on our own.

Viking Communication

We found the onboard communication to be excellent . This includes the Viking Daily which provides information for each new day and the evening updates by the program director in the Lounge before dinner. There are also daily announcements with information on docking and reminders about impending excursion departures. 

TIP: Take a picture of The Viking Daily each evening before heading to bed. Then it’ll be the first photo on your camera roll before the next day’s activities. Doing so will help you remember months and years later where all your amazing pictures are from!

The crew communicates with each other quite well. For example, once the crew knows that everyone is accounted for after excursions, the ship is sailing within minutes of the anticipated departure (as noted in the Viking Daily ). 

Viking Staff

The Viking onboard staff — from the captain, hotel manager, and program director to the housekeeping and wait staff — were all positive, upbeat folks: smiling, accommodating, and helpful. Also, the onboard staff and the local guides speak English well.

Little Touches by Viking

Viking has perfected hospitality on many levels. Their crew is well-trained and genuinely appears to want to make you happy. There are lots of smiles and offers of help. They also are known for providing little touches that many guests appreciate. Here are some examples from our cruise:

• Viking is happy to celebrate your birthdays and anniversaries while onboard. Many people were serenaded during dinner, and special treats made pleasant surprises. We celebrated a big anniversary on our cruise and were delighted with champagne and a special dessert awaiting us in our room after dinner one night.
• Every once in a while, you may be treated to a little “extra” like a refreshing drink served on the sun deck while sailing one day.
• I borrowed some books from the ship’s library and left them on a table in our room. When I returned, I noticed two Viking bookmarks resting on top of the books. Likewise, a few days later, I had just started reading a different book and placed it on my night table on top of my Kindle. When I returned to the room, I noticed another bookmark was placed on top of it. 

Tipping is the universal way to thank someone for providing excellent service — and you will find excellent service on Viking. You can choose to pre-pay gratuities which we did. Prepaid gratuities came to 18 Euros per guest per day. Viking adds a discretionary service charge (15 Euros per guest per day when we traveled) to your shipboard account if you choose not to prepay the gratuity . The tips cover all onboard staff. We also took along some thank you cards and added some extra cash to give to those we felt went above and beyond during our cruise.

The recommended tipping (for each guest) on excursions is 2 Euros for local guides and 1 Euro for bus drivers.  Needless to say, it’s handy to have small change for tipping.

Onboard Account

Viking keeps track of your expenses during the cruise, including bar items, laundry, phone calls, and purchases from the Viking shop (logo wear and souvenirs). When the cruise ends, you settle your account in cash (U.S. dollars or Euros) or by credit card.

Parallel Parked Ships

Sometimes there’s a lot of river cruise ship traffic in popular cities. This was true in Passau, a city of over 50,000, and especially in heavyweights like Vienna and Budapest. When this happens, the cruise ship parks parallel to another cruise ship. This means that your ship could be the first, second, or third ship docked. Furthermore, this means that you may have to walk through another ship to get to shore or people are walking through your ship to get to and from theirs. The ships are designed for this — to have travelers walk through the common spaces. And our experience was that we were usually parked next to other Viking ships, so we walked through familiar spaces.

Having to dock the ship next to another cruise ship also means that the view from your stateroom could be blocked and your cabin could be a bit dark.  We were docked next to other ships several times on our 15-day cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest. It’s not a deal breaker for us, but it’s something every river cruise guest should be forewarned about. 

Transferring Ships

There are times when river cruise ships have to have guests disembark a ship and then board a sister ship. Sometimes the river water levels may be too low in spots (due to the lack of sufficient rain during summer) or there is another issue (like a broken lock) necessitating the change.

When We Had to Switch Ships

Here’s our story. We were sailing from Amsterdam to Budapest. There was a broken lock near Regensburg, about halfway between the two big cities. Viking had a sister ship sailing the same journey in the opposite direction — from Budapest to Amsterdam — so we switched ships. We got off our ship, the Skirnir, in Nuremberg (one of our scheduled ports) before the damaged lock. The guests on the other ship, the Modi, got off the ship at Regensburg, on the other side of the damaged lock. Essentially, each ship then turned around and went back to the city from which it originated. Suffice it to say that Viking has this all figured out and has contingency plans firmly in place.

Impact on Guests

What it meant for guests was a minor inconvenience. We had to have our luggage packed and placed outside our stateroom door by 7:00 am on the day of the switch. Viking collected the luggage (with different colored tags for the three different floors of the ship) and trucked it to where the Modi, our new ship, was docked. All guests left the ship for excursions (the times of the excursions were modified that day so they would all be timed for the same number of hours). After the excursions, we all met at a restaurant in Nuremberg for lunch, had a little free time, and then were bussed to the new ship in the late afternoon. As we arrived at the ship, we were warmly greeted, and we went to our rooms (which were intentionally left unlocked). Our luggage awaited us, and our new room keys were on the dresser.

Since they are sister ships, they are the same, so the only thing that changed was the crew. The one exception was the program director, who made the move with us. Otherwise, we had a brand new crew. We had grown to like the crew on the Skirnir, but we quickly came to like the new ones as well.

Disembarkation

Viking has guest departures timed to match their future travel plans. Viking assigns different colored luggage tags to guests depending on what their next travel destination is (a post-excursion through Viking, a trip independent of Viking, or a flight home). The tags have the time the luggage must be outside the staterooms as well as the time that guests are expected to depart the ship. (Viking asks that luggage not be placed outside the staterooms when going to bed the previous night due to safety concerns — should there be an emergency, having bags in the narrow corridors would pose a safety risk.) 

On our cruise, some guests had to put their luggage outside their staterooms as early as 2:45 am and leave the ship at 3:30 am to go to the airport. Regardless of their next destinations, all guests had to place their luggage outside their rooms no later than 9:00 am. After that point, guests still on board could use the common areas (Lounge or sun deck) until their transfer to the airport or other destination. That way, Viking could clean the staterooms and ready the ship for the passengers boarding later that day for the next cruise.

Planning Your Viking River Cruise

Once you book a Viking River cruise, take the next steps to ensure an amazing experience . One of those steps is to create an online account with Viking. There you’ll find a countdown to departure, background on each port of call, the entire list of excursions available (some are complimentary; others cost extra) that you can book online, a calendar showing your itinerary for each day, and other helpful information about the cruise. For a complete list of action steps

You will receive your final travel documents and Viking luggage tags within three weeks of your trip. Included is a packet of information specific to your ship (including phone numbers on the ship plus embarkation location information) and an itinerary.

Booking Options

Some travelers prefer to book through Viking itself. We opted to book through our travel agent with whom we could meet face-to-face, ask questions, and learn from her knowledge of cruising and different cruise companies. Plus, some travel agents provide onboard credit to cruising clients. Since we booked through our travel agent, Viking sent her the final travel documents, and she checked them before passing them on to us.

Disclaimer: My husband and I paid for our Viking River cruise ourselves. We did not receive any compensation or discounts from Viking or any other organization. I merely want to share our experience on a river cruise with my readers. 

Related Articles

Viking related articles.

• Viking Ocean Cruises: The Ultimate Guide
• Viking Ocean Cruise Excursions: What You Need to Know
• Viking Cruises: Best Action Steps to Take After Booking a Cruise
• Viking River Cruises: The Complete Guide
• Best Sights to See on a Viking Grand European Tour Cruise
• Viking Antarctica Cruise: A Complete Guide for Adventurers

General Travel Planning Articles

• Best Apps and Websites for Savvy Travelers
• Travel Lightly: Top Ten Tips for Your Next Trip

Travel Planning Timeline

• Expert Tips for Traveling to Europe for More Fun, Less Stress
• How to Use Google Translate While Traveling

Final Thoughts

We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking River cruise. O n our trip, we met interesting people; visited fascinating places; sampled new foods, wines, and beer; and appreciated Viking’s convenience and gracious hospitality . We can’t say enough about how well-run and maintained the ships are. Although we have some other trips planned (that we organize ourselves, as we often do), we are contemplating which Viking cruise — river or ocean — we will be booking next. 

The Viking Grand European Tour from Amsterdam to Budapest was a great experience that we’ll never forget.

To ensure you remember all the great experiences on your cruise, take lots of pictures and create a photo book of your journey when you return home. You’ll be glad you did!

If you have taken a Viking River cruise and want to share your experiences, please do so in the comment area below. 🙂

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108 thoughts on “the complete guide to a viking river cruise”.

Thank you so much for the wonderful information in this guide! We are leaving in 6 days for the Grand European Adventure from Amsterdam to Budapest. This is our first cruise ever, and you have answered many questions we still had. We appreciate you sharing your time and adventures with us, and I signed up for your “Travel With Lolly” newsletter too! Thanks again!

I’m hoping you’re having a fabulous cruise! That’s a great itinerary.

Things that I learned while stationed in Germany and traveling around the local economy. You need some small change for this. – Public toilets have attendants who maintain them and who expect a gratuity (.20-.50 Euros) for use. This may have increased since my last visit. – Damen = Women, not “The Men” – Herren = Men, not “Her”

Thanks, Rich!

Some cruises include excursions. How expensive are the excursions? Where do you find the choices? Thanks!

Hi Leslie, Viking cruises include an excursion at each destination; these are usually general bus or walking tours of a city. In addition, they offer optional excursions that are more targeted to specific interests like concerts, museums, hiking or biking, and farm or winery tours. The anticipated optional excursions are listed on the Viking website for each cruise. They are also listed on MyVikingJourney.com, a site you can access after you book a Viking cruise, along with prices. Prices vary and usually run from $60-$200.

Thanks for this information. I’ve been on a Viking ocean cruise but am going on my first river cruise in June. I found that it’s easy to book shore excursions on one’s own (through “Tours by Locals”, AirBnB, and other venues) and many cost far less than what Viking charges. For example, going to Monet’s house and gardens in Giverny will cost 4 of us about 1/3 of what Viking is charging. Going to a chocolate making session at Lindt will cost $90 per person — about twice that going w/Viking. I know they have staff to pay, and overhead to finance, and many people will want the easier route of booking a Viking excursion. But for those who have the time to explore options online, and are willing to read through reviews to ascertain the good and bad of each offered tour, I highly recommend a little independent booking.

Thanks for sharing, Carol!

Thank you so much for this super-detailed information. :). I have a couple of follow up questions. I read a number of the comments, but time right now is a premium, so I apologize in advance if I am rehashing any prior q’s.

We are leaving on our Rhine cruise next week and are super excited! 1. Is there much sailing during daylight hours? I fear that all the great sailing will be while we are sleeping. The point of a cruise, for me, is a good bit of time enjoying the water. 2. My husband and I are seasoned travelers. Would you encourage or discourage any bookings at locations through outside vendors? I recall the part of your article that indicates the ship may change position during excursions. I would hate to book an outside excursion and come back to find the ship has gone on to another location. For instance, we would like to take a side morning trip to Heidelberg during the stop at Speyer, but we don’t want to do the 9 hour tour available through Viking. We were thinking we may get a ride to Heidelberg and tour the castle on our own. Viking doesn’t really say anything about outside tours.

Thanks again!

Hi Karen, There may be some sailing during the day, depending on the distance between two ports, but most of it is in the evening and at nighttime. You’ll probably be enjoying some views while sailing during late afternoon and early evening. To get more information about the times the ship is expected to be in port, use the Live Chat feature on the My Viking Journey online site to ask about it. When you know when the ship is in port, you can figure out when it will most likely be sailing and if you have enough time for an outside tour. I’ve found the Live Chat staff to be very helpful; hopefully, you will, too! Have a wonderful cruise!

This is a very informative post and the details are very helpful. We will be doing the river cruise at the end of July (Budapest to Amsterdam) and opted for a post cruise excursion that offers 1-day tour and the next day on our own. With this 1 limited free day, can you please recommend a thing or two to do or visit in Amsterdam? We’re thinking of Anne Frank museum, is it worth it? My husband is a classical music junky and wanted to tour or watch something in Concertgebau. I will appreciate your recommendations.

Hi Joel, Spending time in Amsterdam offers so many options! It comes down to what you like to do. I think the Anne Frank House is worth a visit, as are the musuems. The only issue is getting tickets for a visit just a few weeks away. Perhaps going on TripAdvisor will give you ideas for things you’d enjoy doing. They may have recommendations for special interest tours or other experiences that speak to you!

Hi Lolly – oh my goodness! This is the BEST information. Thank you so much for your thoroughness! We are taking our first river cruise in November 2024 (Rhine Getaway on the Gersemi) and we cannot wait, but we are also grateful that we have so much time to research and prepare. A river cruise has been on my list for quite some time. Thank you again!

I’m glad the article helped you prepare for your upcoming river cruise. I hope you have a wonderful time on the ship, exploring new places, and meeting new people. 🙂

Lolly, No questions, I just wanted to thank you for having such an informative post. You answered all the questions we had after going through the Viking pages. Thanks for what you do.

Thanks for the kind words, Keith! I’m glad you found the article helpful.

When using a visa credit card, will the charge be in dollars or Euros?

Hi Glenn, When using credit cards in Europe, it’s usually best to avoid converting the amount into dollars (because there’s usually a fee for doing so). So accept the transaction amount “without conversion,” as you want to use the local currency option.

Although we’ve done probably 25 or so cruises on the big ships this is our first river cruise. We’ll be on the Grand European from Amsterdam to Budapest in July and we’re beginning to get really excited. Of course, that also means that we were starting to come up with all sorts of questions about the ship & excursions. Happily, your article has answered many of our questions!! I do have one question though – can we get additional Euros through the service desk on the ship or should we make sure we have plenty before we board? Thanks so much!

Hi Jan, I’m glad you found the article helpful! About Euros, Viking’s guest services desk will break Euros into smaller denominations, but they don’t handle currency exchanges. If you’re starting with some Euros, you should be able to easily obtain more from ATMs in Amsterdam (and other ports); the guest services desk should be able to tell you where to find one near the ship. Keep in mind that many shops and restaurants accept credit cards (VISA and MasterCard primarily), so you’ll probably use your Euros mostly for small incidentals and for tipping tour guides and bus drivers when on excursions. Accepting the local conversion rate (not into dollars) is usually advantageous when withdrawing from an ATM. For more tips for traveling to Europe, read Expert Tips for Traveling to Europe for More Fun, Less Stress . Have a wonderful cruise!

How much time (approx) did you have in each port?

Great question, Jessica! Unfortunately, there’s no easy answer. You can ask Viking or your travel agent for specifics for the cruise that interests you. As an example, on my upcoming Viking cruise in the Mediterranean, we arrive in port in the mornings by 8:00 or 9:00 am. Our departure times vary quite a bit from 4:00 pm to 11:00 pm.

What a great article! We leave on our trip tomorrow, Antwerp to Amsterdam for ten days. We have never cruised before. This was so helpful. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for your kind words. Have a marvelous time!

Thank you for this very informative article. Looking at the Viking Daily it appears that included tours are in the morning and optional ones are in the afternoon. Is it then possible to do one of each per day?

Hi Barb, Excursion options vary and are often driven by local tour operators and their schedules. There weren’t separate morning and afternoon excursions for an upcoming ocean cruise my husband and I are taking, and that’ll work out just fine. Most days, my husband and I will go on an excursion in the morning and then explore a town independently in the afternoon (and evening, if still in port) — perhaps having a leisurely lunch in a scenic spot, visiting a museum, or going for a hike nearby. I suggest asking about ideas for independent activity once you’re aboard the ship. The Viking Daily gives some general ideas, and I’m sure the Viking staff can help you find things (e.g., museums, restaurants, shops) that specifically interest you. Oftentimes, it’s exploring on our own that makes traveling so enjoyable. Hopefully, it will be the same for you, too. Have a wonderful cruise!

Great article. Thank you for taking the time to post this. One question: in checking in for your flight at the end of the cruise, did you have any issues doing this on board the ship? We might want to change airline seats, which we cannot do before our cruise.

Hi Ron, I’ve not experienced any issues connecting online while on the ship. If you do, I’d suggest going to Guest Services for help. Have a wonderful cruise!

Thanks for your article it was very informative. My husband and I are booked on the Grand European cruise with an extension in Prague at the end of June. We are traveling with 8 other people. Would there be any issue with booking an independent excursion for the days we will be in Prague or in the ports that we will be in overnight? Viking is only offering us a morning excursion the second day in Prague so we are looking to do some exploring on our own.

Hi Anne, booking an independent excursion shouldn’t be a problem. Quite a few cruisers actually do that. Just make sure you are aware of the times the ship will leave the port so you don’t miss its departure. Have a wonderful cruise!

Great post. Very informative. One question though – How can we tell how much bus travel time is involved in each excursion? We are doing the Grand European Tours B-A with extensions in Prague and Amsterdam, and have booked a full schedule. We are doing the Salzburg Highlights but just read it’s a 2 hour bus ride each way. We don’t even know if it is The Sound of Music “heavy”, and that is kindof why we are doing it. There are other excursions that day that we could do. Thank you for your article and your help!

Hi Kathy, Great question! I suggest signing on to My Viking Journey and using the “Live Chat” feature to get your answer. After logging on to My Viking Journey, go to the “Shore Excursions” section and initiate a conversation with a Viking Cruise rep. You should see a red “Live Chat” box along the margin of the screen. You’ll be able to find out about the length of bus trips to/from excursions and other related information. Have a fabulous cruise!

We have quite a bit of Viking on board credits and wanted to purchase optional shore excursions with that credit. But it looks like pre purchasing using on board credit isn’t possible. What are the chances of excursions still being available when we are on board? We are on the Aug Rhine cruise and our 1st river cruise.

Hi Pat, There’s a good chance that some optional excursions will be available once you board the ship — even if they’re listed on MyVikingJourney as being sold out. That’s because some people end up canceling their reservations for optional excursions. Go to the guest service desk and inquire about the excursions you want and if they’re fully booked, ask to be placed on a waitlist. Wishing you good luck and a fantastic cruise!

I am going on a Christmas Market cruise with Viking in 2024. Since it will be winter with colder temps, I am wondering about the indoor lounging space/common areas on the longboats. Is there plenty of space for passengers indoors in the common areas, if the outdoors are too cold or rainy? Do you know if the outdoor areas on the sun deck can be enclosed for added warmth on these cooler weather trips? Thanks for any thoughts!

Hi Jaime, Viking’s European longship has a spacious lounge, the Aquavit Terrace (some of which can be enclosed in bad weather), and seating in the atrium area — all good choices for relaxing inside while not in your stateroom. The sun deck does not have enclosed spaces. Enjoy your cruise!

Does anyone wear jeans at dinner?

Hi Carolyn,

Per Viking: “There are no ‘formal nights’ in the evening; recommended evening dress is ‘elegant casual.’ For ladies, this may include a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse; and for gentlemen, trousers and a collared shirt. A tie and jacket are optional.”

However, some guests do wear nice jeans (not torn or ripped) in the evening. It’s relatively easy to dress up a pair of jeans a bit, so the overall look is “elegant casual.” Enjoy your cruise!

GREAT INFO. Scheduled for Grand European in September 2023. Wondering how much american cash we should bring and do we need to get euros prior to arrival (if so how much). You mention that from 5:15-7 there will be drinks & live music or a port talk. If you want wine at that time is there a charge?

What is the availability of restroom facilities in these small towns? Do they charge for use?

Hi Victoria, I’m so glad you found the article helpful! Deciding on cash is a personal choice, of course. My husband and I like to have about 100-200 Euros on us before leaving home. Plus, we always have some dollars with us, too. If you want to obtain Euros before departure, check with your bank or AAA office to see if they can help you. Also, you can get Euros from bank ATMs after you land; there are probably some ATMS near your cruise embarkation site. We’ve never had a problem finding an ATM in Europe, and Viking can surely help direct you to one. Remember to notify your bank of your travel dates and destinations before leaving home! (Another idea is to get Euros at one of the airport currency exchange kiosks, but the exchange rates will probably not be favorable.)

Viking offers complimentary wine, beer, and soft drinks during lunch and dinner. At other times, like when gathered in the lounge before dinner, you’ll charge your wine, beer, or cocktails to your stateroom.

Public restrooms are available in European towns, and many charge a nominal fee (.50-1 Euro). Your best bet is to ask about availability, location, and cost at Guest Services once onboard. Have a wonderful cruise in September!

Thank you for great information and insights! We took our first Viking River cruise in 2018 (Rhine – Amsterdam to Basel) and leave in a month for the Danube (Budapest to Regensburg) with the pre and post cruise stays. You answered my questions about docking locations (though understand they are subject to change) and the Hungarian currency. Hope you have been able to enjoy more Viking cruises since your original one.

We are also thinking of taking an old smart phone and purchasing a SIM card that works in Europe for language translation, directions, and apps to enhance our experience. Our US-based cell phone service does not work outside of the US. Do you have any experience about this?

No, Tamara, I don’t have direct experience replacing SIM cards. My husband and I use a major U.S. cellphone carrier that functions well in Europe. When we travel to Europe, we notify our carrier before departure. It’s been a seamless process for us, and it functions well although we do incur additional international charges.

I’m glad you found the article helpful, Tamara. Our next Viking cruise is coming up soon, and I can’t wait. Enjoy your journey!

Lolly, We are going to cruise Viking July on European sojourn with pre post extensions Bucharest and Amsterdam. This will be first river cruise for us. We are in a veranda A stateroom and doing business class flights as a bucket wish. We are experienced travelers on land but this will be a new experience. My first question is, without using the laundry service on board , do you have suggestions on washing items in your cabin? Is there a retractable clothes line in the shower to accommodate hanging clothes. ? You know is it a venus and mars question. Haha. I am sure i will have more later but your thread is wonderful. Any comments on safety in cities? Using ATMs machines? Thank you for your time. Rosetta

It sounds like you have a wonderful journey coming up this summer, Rosetta! Concerning laundry, yes, there is a retractable clothesline in the shower. I’ve hand washed some things in the sink and hung them up to dry on the line, and it worked fine. My husband and I sent out a few clothes to the Viking laundry, which also worked out well. Concerning safety, you can sign up for STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program), a free program run by the U.S. Department of State. Once enrolled, you enter the dates of your travel and your destinations. They will text you with any security issues you should be aware of while you’re away. (When we were in Europe a few years ago, we received texts of some demonstrations in town and were given their locations and advised to stay away. We weren’t near them then, but it was nice to be notified of them.) If you don’t live in the U.S., I’m sure other governments have similar programs for travelers. And about ATMs, we’ve used them in Europe without any problems. Just make sure you notify your bank before traveling, so they don’t flag your ATM transaction in another country as suspicious! Have fun!

I didn’t read through all the comments, so I hope I’m not being repetitive. We thoroughly enjoyed our Viking river cruise from Prague to Paris last summer. I will add one note that we experienced. River traffic varies and the time to pass through the locks can change based on the number of ships, weather, etc. There were a few days when we arrived at our port later than planned and had much less time to explore the city. It wasn’t a deal breaker, but something you should be aware of. We also like to explore on our own, so there were times when we just joined a tour for a while and then told the guide we were going to branch out on our own. We always made sure we were back to the ship on time! We loved our trip and would recommend it to others.

You make an excellent point, Julia. As much as Viking tries to stick to its anticipated docking times, some things – like other ships waiting in line to go through locks, weather issues, and river levels – are beyond its control. It’s just the nature of this type of travel. And I think remembering that delays can arise on any type of travel (e.g., flights, cruises, trains) helps us all manage our expectations. So glad that you had a great cruise!

As mentioned throughout the comments, thank you so much for such insightful and helpful information! My husband and I are doing the Grand Tour B —> A in early October 2023. I am very intrigued by the Salzberg excursion but see that it is a 2 plus hour bus ride each way. Do you have any experience with that destination? Would an excursion like that feel to rushed to enjoy, or do you know if Salzberg is a “not to be missed” kind of place? Really, just looking for your opinion on longer trips off-ship. Thank you!

Hi Robin, you pose a great question, but it isn’t easy to answer! My husband and I had planned to go on the Salzburg excursion, but when we learned we would be spending so much time on the bus to travel there and back (for a total of 9.5 hours), we decided to spend our time in Passau instead. We didn’t regret our decision. We took the walking tour of Passau, enjoyed a leisurely lunch in town, went on a hike, and strolled around town afterward. We liked exploring on our own after getting the lay of the land from the morning tour guide. Having said that, I know that Salzburg is lovely and many people enjoy that excursion. Frankly, I don’t think you can go wrong either way, but they’re two very different experiences. Enjoy your cruise! It’s a great one!

Do you have to go on the planned excursion or can you go off and explore on your own?

Hi Daisy, you have the choice of going on the included or an optional excursion — or exploring on your own. Once you’re on the ship, you’ll learn the times that the ship will be docked in a city, so you can plan your day. For a walking tour (directly from the ship), some passengers go on the tour to learn about the destination and then spend the rest of the day shopping, enjoying a meal, or just wandering around. In addition, some people research other (non-Viking) tour options in advance of their cruise and book a personal or small-group tour to suit their specific interests on their own. Have fun whatever you decide to do!

Just found your site–lots of great info! We’re doing the Rhine Getaway, Amsterdam to Basel in early Oct, but haven’t actually booked yet! We love most of the optional excursions versus the included excursions but about how much do the optional ones cost? Are they like $20 per person or more like $200? For instance, how much is the “Top of Cologne” in Cologne Germany and is it worth it? I like the idea of a smaller group so that is a plus. Thank you!!

Hi Stephanie, Thanks for your kind words. As you know, Viking offers an included excursion in each port. These are typically large-group bus or walking tours of a city that provide a nice overview of a place. The optional excursions have smaller groups and are more focused on cultural, recreational, and even culinary experiences. That’s where you might find biking or hiking options, or as you mentioned, the “Top of Cologne” optional tour. My husband and I took the “Top of Cologne” excursion, and it was one of the best. It was led by an art historian who took us up to the very top of the cathedral (above the ceiling) where the craftspeople worked. Before we descended, we were able to step outside and soak in panoramic views of the city. That was just one of the optional tours we enjoyed and still talk about. There are costs associated with the optional tours and they vary, and I suppose that correlates with the costs Viking incurs. You’ll see all your options on the online My Viking Journey portal when the tours open up prior to your trip. I’ve not taken a Viking optional tour that I didn’t like, but I will say that there are passengers who also book tours independent of Viking due to a keen interest in something and the personal or small-group experience that is available with independent tour guides. Good luck with your planning, and have a great cruise!

So glad I discovered your very informative account of the Viking River Cruise! One question I have is how you handled local currency in Hungary as they do not use the euro. We have extended our cruise to allow two extra days in Budapest, thus giving us four days there. I’m sure we will need some “pocket money” for small purchases. Also, what shore excursions do you recommend while in Budapest?

Hi Pat, I’m so glad you found my article helpful! Regarding local currency in Hungary, you can head to an ATM once you’re there to get the amount of local cash you want. As for shore excursions, my husband and I enjoyed the walking tour (through Viking) that included the funicular up to Castle Hill. Also, we had booked an English-speaking tour of the Hungarian Parliament which ended up being fascinating; if you plan to do this, make sure to make reservations online ahead of your visit. We walked from where the ship was docked to the Parliament building for the tour and enjoyed a stroll back to the ship along the river. On our walk, we passed the Shoes Along the Danube (very moving) and other interesting sights. Some other Viking guests enjoyed their visits to the thermal baths, but we opted to “do our own thing” with the parliament tour and walks to areas recommended by our local tour guide (from the walking tour).

Doing the Grand European Trip for our 50th in May of 2023. Going from A to B with two extra days in Amsterdam and Budapest. 1. We do the red eye and get into Amsterdam early morning. After clearing customs and immigration and getting our luggage, how do we find Viking to take us to our hotel or how does Viking find us? 2. Check-in time for the hotel is 3:00 PM. Does Viking get us into our room early or do we have to check our luggage with the hotel and wait until 3:00 PM? 3. On leaving Amsterdam, check-out time from the hotel is Noon but embarkation is not till 3:00 PM. What does Viking do with our luggage once we check out of the hotel? I don’t want to waste any precious time in Amsterdam because this may be the last time we see it. Thanks.

Sounds like you’ve got a great anniversary trip planned, Gary! A few weeks prior to your departure, Viking will send stickers for you to wear at the airport when you land, so they can identify you as a Viking guest. (You’ll also receive Viking tags for your luggage.) As for the specifics about checking in to hotels and then embarkation timing, I’d suggest you contact Viking directly (or your travel agent if you used one to book the trip). That way, you’ll learn exactly how things will work with getting to and from that specific hotel. I hope you have a wonderful 50th celebration on the Grand European Tour!

Great article. Serious question…..how to get coffee in the morning without getting dressed??? Is room service available or will my husband have the opportunity to ‘fetch’ my coffee?

Hi Catherine, I’m glad the article was helpful. About coffee, there is a coffee and tea station on Viking’s river cruise ships that’s open 24/7 in the main common space. That makes it handy for your husband to fetch your morning cup! It’s also where you’ll find freshly baked goodies throughout the day.🙂 I hope you two have a fabulous time on your cruise!

Hi Lolly, thank you for the great article and this really prepared us for our trip next week. I have a quick question that I wouldn’t seem to find the answer online: We are thinking about renting a car at Koblenz and go to Nurburgring for a few hours and also at Speyer to go to Stuttgart for the day. Is that possible? We found the car rentals and made reservations, but we can’t find any daily schedule of when the ship docks and departs at each port. Just wondering if there is a regular daily schedule and of course we understand the change caused by water level, weather, etc. Thanks again!

Hi Danny, I’m not sure which cruise you’re referring to, but you asked an excellent question about renting a car to make day trips while on the cruise. I think it would be a tight schedule if the ship is docked for just a day. You’d need to factor in picking up and dropping off the rental cars and then driving to and from your planned destinations. 

I’d suggest you talk with the staff once you are aboard to learn of their planned docking times and see what they recommend. That way, you’ll have current information and be able to talk to people “in the know” to see if your plans will work. Even with that information, as you mentioned, dockings could be delayed to traffic on the river or there could be delays going through locks.

I’m sorry I can’t give you a more definitive answer, but so much depends on conditions at the time you board and what the staff recommends. I hope you have a wonderful cruise and that things work out for your planned day trips!

Re renting a car to go to a specific place Viking tours don’t include: Is Uber possible in the cities Viking goes to? I’d much rather take an Uber than rent a car!!! Also, for individualized tours – try Tours by Locals (we’ve had EXCELLENT tours in many, many cities including Europe, India, Malaysia, Thailand…), or AirBnB’s tours.

Hi Carol, Although ride-share companies, like Uber, are in many cities worldwide, they’re not everywhere, so it depends on what cities you’re considering. Some areas also have other popular ride-share companies like Bolt in Europe. It’s best to check availability online — or ask Viking — for the cities you’ll be visiting. As for Tours by Locals, I’ve used them, as well, and was pleased.

We are going on the Grand European tour in October 2022. How can we arrange individual tours or make dinner reservations if we dont know the times or the port arrangements? Do we just work with Viking program director on the day of or the day before?

Hi Kathleen, For individual tours and dinner reservations, I’d let the provider (tour company, restaurant) know what day you’ll be coming into port. They may be familiar enough with Viking’s schedule to easily accommodate you. Once onboard, verify the time you’ll be in port and then fine-tune your tour or dinner plans. Have a great cruise!

We are taking the Grand European cruise, B-A, in late September 2022. The water levels are extremely low right now. Any thoughts on how this might play out for us?

Hi Karen, A few things could happen when river levels are too low for cruise ships. Passengers could disembark and be bussed on an excursion and then afterwards, be bussed to a different location on the river where the water levels are higher. There they may board another ship. For example, sometimes two sister ships sail on the same one-way voyage starting at the same time – just at opposite ends of the itinerary. That way, if they reach a low point in the river, they can have passengers disembark, go on bussed excursions, and afterwards be taken to the sister ship that completes the journey. To accomplish this, passengers pack up the night before the transfer, and while out on excursions, their luggage is transferred to the other ship. When passengers get to the sister ship, their luggage is in their new cabins (which are usually the same cabins they had on the original ship).

Another option, if the river levels are too low overall, would be for passengers to be bussed from destination to destination, staying in hotels, throughout the cruise.

Incidentally, we had to change ships midway through a river cruise because of a broken lock on the river, and Viking handled it professionally and without too much inconvenience.

One thing to keep in mind is that things can change from day to day, week to week – and that includes river levels. Low river levels today might be just fine for cruising in a few days.

I guess the bottom line is to remember that disruptions can happen whenever we travel, so plan to get the most out of each experience and cherish the time that you get to explore new places and meet new people. I hope you have a wonderful time!

Lolly – just finished the Grand European tour a week ago (Budapest-Amsterdam). Was our first Viking cruise, so we used your article as a guide. We could not have chosen any better than the Skirnir and Viking. Everything was as you said – food, service, boat, amenities, all topnotch. (OK, the wifi in the rooms REALLY sucks…but if that’s your #1 problem, you aren’t doing badly). The hotel manager was great – and the program director was a literal Energizer Bunny. Herding 169 tourists onto separate buses all going separate places at separate times…wow, that’s a job! The maitre-d I am convinced is in league with the devil, as she tempted diners again and again with “just try this ONE little pastry”. Our stateroom steward kept the room immaculate. We kept our itinerary full, which might have been an error – trust me, you want to take a breather every few days! Viking then allowed us to purchase a no-expiry date voucher towards another cruise – an amount they matched. So for 200 dollars, we got a 400 value – good for tickets, flights, an excursion, or even the beverage package. We will definitely be using it in the years to come.

Oh, I’m so glad you had a wonderful cruise with amazing service! Haha, I got a kick out of being tempted with just one little pastry! Great service – sounds like Viking! As for keeping the itinerary full, it’s hard not to when you have so many great places to explore, but I agree that scheduling downtime is important, too. I bet you’re planning your next cruise already. I’m looking forward to ours next year!

I was curious about what time you have to be back on the ship at night. We are thinking we would might rather be wandering through the town and trying local cuisine.

Hi Karen, you will have the freedom to wander on your own in the evenings in some locations. Check your cruise itinerary as it will tell you the expected times your ship will be docked at each stop. Once onboard, you’ll be given more specific times, so you’ll be able to fine-tune your plans. Enjoy!

They will let you know on board. They say they will be staying til X o’clock and then leaving. Better be aboard, cuz they won’t wait!

Hi. I wonder if you have any thoughts on us meeting up with friends from Stuttgart. We would either meet in Bamburg or Wurzburg. Is this allowed? Also can you remember if those two cities is where the boat docked. Just thinking of the best options for meeting friends for a short visit. Thank you

Hi Theo, you shouldn’t have any problems meeting up with your friends in either Bamburg or Wurzburg while on the cruise. I’d suggest you reference your online itinerary on Viking’s site before departure to get a rough idea of when you’ll be docked in each city. Follow up with a conversation with the Viking staff when you’re onboard to learn the expected times and exact location of the ship while docked. This should allow you to finalize your plans to disembark and go meet your friends. Enjoy!

WOW, what a complete piece of well written and informative information we have come across. Thanks!! We are heading out on our first river cruise, the Kara from Basel to Amsterdam in late September this year. Trying to guess the weather so we can narrow down what to pack. We’re celebrating our 50th! One of many questions we have is how much currency (and what kind) to bring with us. We saw you comment about change for guides and such and credit cards with no foreign charges. But, what else would we spend money on? We’re planning on a dinner in a town, tour of some beer gardens and lunch in Heidelberg, and just walking around. Your comments are really appreciated.

Congrats on your 50th! Sound like you have a great cruise coming up! As for how much money to bring along, I usually start out with about $300 worth of local currency. That gives my husband and me plenty of money for tipping the local guides and bus drivers as well as Viking staff before we leave. Also, having cash is great for souvenirs, incidentals, snacks, or a quick lunch while exploring a city. By the way, Viking does build in a set amount of gratuities for ship staff (or you can arrange for this on your account before sailing), but you may also want to give a personal cash tip to staff members who are particularly helpful. If you think you might do that, you may want to take along a few blank thank you cards to enclose your extra tips, so you can explain why you valued their service so much. I know other travelers who just get cash out of ATMs while traveling (and I’ve done that, too, of course), but I just like beginning the trip with some local cash. Good luck! Have fun!

Most the times we always take the NCL cruise, but this is the first time on Viking Cruise River The Grand European Tour from Budapest to Amsterdam (for our 22nd anniversary).I’m so glad I found a lot of information from the article that’s very helpful for us for excursions, maybe transferring ships, parallel parked ships and other information. The best description and information about Viking River Cruise, thank you for taking the time to write this information, we’re very appreciate.

Thanks for your kind words, Triana. I hope you have a fabulous anniversary cruise!

Thank you for your informative article! We leave Saturday for Prague followed by the Budapest to Amsterdam Viking river cruise. We have booked all the included excursions, but have held off booking the optional ones as we love to do our own thing when in port, and perhaps covering more “ground” than the optional excursions. Can you tell me which docking/ports might be too far from the cities/towns? Thank you!

Hi Deb, you’re just a few days away from your journey. How exciting! One great thing about Viking is that many times their ships dock right in the towns, so it’s easy to get off and be on your way to make your own discoveries. Of all the stops on the Grand European Tour, these are the cities in which our ship had prime docking spots (making it very easy to go out and explore on our own): Budapest, Vienna, Melk, Passau, Regensburg, Wurzburg, Cologne, and Amsterdam. Keep in mind, though, that things are not 100% the same from cruise to cruise due, in part, to other ship traffic at the time. The best thing to do is to talk with a Viking staff member as soon as you board to find out details for your specific cruise. Good luck! I hope you have a wonderful time!

Thank you for all the information. We are planning to take the Grand European Tour in July of 2023. We are trying to determine if the additional cost for a veranda stateroom is worth the extra expense compared to the french balcony. On average, how much time did you spend on the boat sailing from each port? Do you travel overnight for most of the time or is there day travel as well?

Hi Tanya, Sounds like you have a great cruise coming up! About the stateroom, that really comes down to personal preference. Having the veranda offers you another personal space plus a nice perch (with chairs) from which to view the passing scenery during the time that the ship is sailing in daylight hours. (For my husband and me, having the personal outdoor space was high on our list. We enjoyed relaxing there and enjoying the sights and sounds of being on the ship. We actually enjoyed sitting outside in the dark before bed, too, cruising by small towns.) There’s a mix of traveling overnight (almost all of the time) and during the morning/afternoon/evening (some of the time). If you decide on the stateroom with a french balcony, you will still be able to enjoy some time outside in the common areas while the ship is sailing. I hope you have a wonderful time!

We are scheduled to take the Viking Danube cruise in early June 2022. We chose a French Balcony room. My question is about size of our luggage (or size limitation due room size). I have seem videos of rooms but cannot perceive where we can place our 2 luggages + backpacks and not having to hop over them inside our room. Please hare your opinion with me.

Hi Ricardo, It sounds like you have a great trip ahead! You can store your luggage under the bed(s). Once unpacked, you can put your backpacks in your empty luggage and slide it all under the bed(s) and not think about them until it’s time to leave. Have a great cruise!

First timer on river cruise. Does everyone get back on the bus when the excursion is over or is that the time you make plans for individual sightseeing? Did you use local guides? Did you bring euros or use credit card? Thanks

Hi David, it sounds like you’re gearing up for a great adventure! We went on the Viking excursions (with local guides) and did not book any local guides directly. A few guests scheduled independent sightseeing tours, and it seemed to work out well for them. By the way, the excursions included in the trip are typically large group experiences, while the optional excursions (available at an extra cost) are usually much smaller groups as they are more focused on specific areas of interest. We received great overviews of a place with the large group tours, but what we remember most were the unique experiences that came from the optional experiences. As for money, we used a credit card (with no foreign transaction fees) and Euros (very handy for tipping tour guides and purchasing small incidentals). Have a wonderful cruise!

Thank you for the excellent summary of each important category. It is very helpful to reduce wandering around looking like a tourist while trying to figure out the procedures. 🙂 Any further suggestions about picking up the excursion cards each morning? How early are they available to avoid the rush? Did you see anyone carry on and off luggage? We travel light with one roll aboard and one backpack. Any idea if the Terrace will be open for meals in the chill of November? Is there a restaurant seating option for introverts? 🙂 Thanks again.

I’m glad you found the article helpful, Thomas! Now to your questions. I’d suggest you ask about picking up excursion cards and other details like that once you’re on the ship, as some procedures like this may vary a bit. We travel light, as well, but the ship will take care of delivering your luggage to your room; we just kept our small carry ons (the ones that fit under the airplane seats) with us. The Aquavit Terrace is a great place to have a meal. There’s a section of the Aquavit Terrace at the very front of the ship that’s open to the weather, but there’s also an area (just behind it) that can be enclosed with sliding glass doors, so the area can be enjoyed when the weather isn’t cooperating. And about general seating at meals in the dining room, there’s a choice of large and small tables and there’s no assigned seating, so if you’re one of the early ones at meal time, you’ll have a great chance of finding a setting that suits you best. Have a wonderful cruise, Thomas!

Booked an Amsterdam to Budapest trip in September ’23….our first river cruise (for our 20th). Besides being helpful, your thorough details helped me to envision and imagine, which is my favorite part of planning! The daily planner for Vienna was the best….one of the stranger transitions from Ocean to River cruising is not having your port times right there on the schedule. Thanks for the great details!

I’m so glad you found the article helpful, Rich! I’m with you on how much fun it is to plan trips. Have a wonderful cruise next year!

Thank you for taking the time to write this informative piece. We thoroughly enjoyed a Viking Ocean cruise in 2019 and have been eager to try river cruising. We’ll do the Grand European from B to A in October this year. Your descriptions of the change of ship due to the broken lock and of docking side by side with other ships were reassuring. I will miss the free on board laundromat from ocean cruising though! Your advice about avoiding the far inland tours is wise, I think. We are not interested in spending a lot of time on buses. All the best.

I’m glad you found the article helpful. You mentioned laundry, and although there’s no laundromat on Viking’s European river cruise ships, there is a laundry service that you can use. (Depending on the category of your stateroom, the laundry service may be complimentary.) We sent some clothing to be laundered, and we were happy with that choice. Enjoy your cruise this fall!

Thanks for the great information. We are on a Viking rive4 cruise from Budapest to Amsterdam in April 2023.

What are your thoughts on the Silver Spirits package? I understand drinks are provided with meals but I enjoy a few drinks before dinner.

Good question, John, but it’s not an easy one to answer!

Here are a few things to think about when considering Viking’s Silver Spirits package.

As you probably know, Viking offers nice quality wine, beer, and soft drinks free of charge at lunch and dinner. The Silver Spirits package offers unlimited drinks including cocktails, premium wine, and beer. The Silver Spirits option is offered at a fixed price per guest and spans the entire length of the trip. You either choose it for your cruise, or you don’t – no daily option. (The price of the package varies, but it comes to about $20 or so a day per person.) If sharing a stateroom, both guests must pay for the package.

Paying upfront might offer peace of mind if you like knowing that it’s already paid for and you don’t have to think about an upcoming beverage bill. So it comes down to how much – and what kind of beverages – you’re likely to consume each day. You said you enjoy a few drinks before dinner, and if you add in some premium wine at dinner, the total you spend each day might add up pretty quickly. If you’re interested in figuring out the details, you may want to ask Viking for a bar menu with pricing before making up your mind.

With all that said, my husband and I did opt for the Silver Spirits package. In addition to cocktails, there were some very nice premium wine options aboard Viking, and we had fun trying ones that were new to us. We’ve had no regrets. 🙂

I hope you thoroughly enjoy your Viking cruise next year! Cheers!

Hi, Considering the Silver Spirits package. What are the charges for individual cocktails, apertifs or premium beers/wines by glass? Thanks

Hi Linda, you’re facing a big decision: to go with Silver Spirits or not! As you probably know, the package includes unlimited beverages when the bars are open. That includes any drinks up to $15 like cocktails, aperitifs, and premium wines by the glass. Without the Silver Spirits package, I’d plan on $6-10 for most cocktails, aperitifs, or premium wine by the glass. (Viking offers complimentary house wine and beer at lunch and dinner.) Another consideration, of course, is how often you might order specialty drinks from the bar: at lunch, throughout the day, before and/or after dinner? Some folks elect to get the Silver Spirits package because they enjoy trying new cocktails and/or premium wines while on vacation. Others get the package because they like having their drinks all inclusive without having to think about a bar tab. Hope this info helps you a bit! Have a wonderful cruise!

I agree with a previous comment about this being the most informative, most inclusive article I’ve seen as well. Indeed, very VERY helpful…especially for first time river cruisers. Thank you for your thoughtfulness. Good Job!!

I’m so glad you found the article helpful, Ronnie! Thank you!

I have been on 1 Viking River cruise and 3 (soon to be 4-I hope!) Ocean Cruises. My sister is taking her first river cruise in March and I found this site while trying to find info for her. This is by far THE BEST description and information on Viking River Cruises that I have ever read! Everyone should read this as every question seems to be answered well and clearly!

Thanks so much for the kind words, Laura! It makes me happy when I can help others get more comfortable with and enjoy their travels. Hope your sister finds her Viking river cruise everything she hopes it to be. What a great experience she has ahead of her! 🙂

Interesting information! We’re planning a Viking river cruise May 2022. Trying to navigate changing pandemic restrictions is a challenge I’d rather not have to deal with, but we’ll give it a try.

Thanks, Tom! We do indeed have new travel hiccups and challenges these days. I hope things go smoothly for you and that you have a wonderful time!

My husband and I will be sailing with Viking on a Rhine River cruise (Netherlands to Lucerne) this month and our very first river cruise (during a pandemic). Aside from the new safety protocols Viking has put in place your “Complete Guide to a Viking River cruise” was thoroughly informative, enjoyed the photos and took many notes while reading. Thank you for making me less anxious!

Happy traveling, Lolly!

Oh, I’m so happy you’re able to enjoy traveling safely during the pandemic. Yes, there have been changes to address public health safety, but I’m betting they won’t interfere with your overall enjoyment. And I’m so glad I was able to help you prepare for your cruise. Have fun! Bon voyage!

Thank you! We depart in 9 days on the Grand European tour, and this is the best account I have seen… we’ve done a dozen ocean cruises on several lines, but never a river cruise. My husband had been to a number of these cities on business and wanted me to visit them too, and this makes it sound easy. I liked the posted copy of the daily ‘news’ and we had already decided from our ocean experiences to take the drinks package. We’ve chosen a mix of the included tours and the custom days, avoided any places to which we’ve already travelled and have added in the ‘extensions’ to both ends, hoping to see friends in Amsterdam. Especially your tips on dinner were helpful — I will pack his blazer. And the small umbrellas! Since it will be November, and I’m also afraid of open heights we’ve opted for the French balcony room. The rooms do seem smaller than ocean cruiser rooms: did you stay in your cabin a lot? Thank you so much for this detailed account. Much better idea of what we’re ‘sailing’ into now!

Hi Cynthia, I bet you’re so excited about your upcoming trip! It sounds like you are all set. I just have one clarification about dressing for dinner mentioned in the article you read. Many folks do tend to change from the clothes they wore for daily excursions to something a little dressier for dinner, but I wouldn’t call dinner attire dressy. It would be more like “smart casual” (so no worn jeans and flip-flops, for example). Your husband doesn’t need to pack a blazer if he wouldn’t normally wear one for dinner. (I’m trying to save you room in your luggage!) People are relaxed aboard Viking river cruises (no dressy occasions), and that’s one thing people tend to enjoy about the experience. Have a wonderful time!

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Cruise ship casinos: Everything you need to know about gambling at sea

Cruise ship casino gambling is a big deal to some cruisers. You know how you often hear people on a cruise ship planning their day around the entertainment, tours and mealtimes? Last night, I eavesdropped on a conversation where a group of six people was planning their entire next day around time in the ship's casino.

For other cruisers, the casino is more of an onboard curiosity than anything else. What are all those table games? Do people actually win money — or free cruises — playing in cruise ship casinos?

For cruise news, reviews and tips, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

If you're curious, I've compiled answers to the most common questions people ask about cruise ship casinos. Some of the answers may surprise you.

Do all cruise ships have casinos?

Most large, mainstream cruise ships have casinos, including the ships of Carnival Cruise Line, Royal Caribbean, MSC Cruises, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line (other than Pride of America), Celebrity Cruises, Princess Cruises and Virgin Voyages.

Specialty cruise lines like Disney Cruise Line, Paul Gauguin and most expedition cruise ships do not have casinos. Premium cruise lines Oceania Cruises and Cunard have casinos, while Viking, Azamara and Windstar Cruises do not. (Windstar and Azamara actually removed casinos from their ships and repurposed the space.)

Among the luxury cruise lines, Silversea and Seabourn have casinos on their non-expedition ships; Regent Seven Seas has casinos on all its ships. Smaller luxury ships like those belonging to Ponant, Ritz-Carlton, Scenic and Emerald do not have casinos. River cruise lines do not have casinos on board, even on U.S. rivers where "riverboat" gambling is reserved for casino boats, not river cruise ships.

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

Are cruise casinos open in port?

With a few exceptions, cruise casinos are not open while ships are in port. They are generally limited to operating while the ship is in international waters. This is why Norwegian's Pride of America doesn't have a casino. Since the ship cruises exclusively in Hawaii, it never leaves U.S. waters.

Cruisers are also often surprised to learn that the casino is closed on some nights during Alaska cruises . Cruises that sail from Victoria, British Columbia, to Seattle on the final night are a good example. The ship goes straight from Canadian waters to U.S. waters without ever reaching international open waters, so the casino closes the night before arrival in Victoria and does not reopen during the cruise.

Ports that currently allow the cruise lines to operate their casinos while the ship is in port include Bermuda and Malta, which require cruise lines to apply for a gaming license. Bermuda has allowed casino operations for licensed ships between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m. since 2013. It's an ideal situation as Bermuda has no land-based casinos, and many cruise ships overnight in port on Bermuda cruises. Malta, which does have land-based casinos, allows ships that have been approved for licenses to open their casinos between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m.

Which casino games are on cruise ships?

Gaming in cruise ship casinos usually includes a mix of slot machines and table games, such as three-card poker, Caribbean stud poker, craps, blackjack and roulette. Regionally popular table games like Texas Hold 'em and pai gow may also be available on some sailings.

Can you win money in a cruise ship casino?

Most cruise ship casino games operate under the same rules and payout percentages you would find in a land-based casino; therefore, the answer is yes, you can win money in a cruise ship casino.

Social media posts and casino announcements would indicate that at least a small handful of people win four- and even occasionally five-figure slot machine payouts on a regular basis. But just as in a land-based casino, it's far easier to lose your stake than it is to win that kind of money.

How many casino points do you need to get a free cruise?

As at land-based casinos, each cruise line offering gambling on board sets its own criteria for earning perks through the line's casino loyalty program or players club. Points are generally tied to the time played and the amount of money you gamble, including the money you win and recirculate.

Much like an airline loyalty program, casino points usually accumulate over a year, earning you better perks as you work toward increasingly higher status levels. Annual free or discounted cruises are one of those perks, often beginning with complimentary (aka comped) inside cabins at relatively low status levels.

Many casinos also let you match casino status from land-based casinos (or even other cruise lines), giving you a leg up. For example, I haven't cruised with Carnival in a while, and I've never played in the line's onboard casinos, but I signed up for the Carnival players club via its Fun Match program. When I registered, I uploaded an offer from a competing cruise line and a players club card from MGM. Now when I log in to Carnival's website, I am shown casino offers that include free and discounted cruises.

Related: How to earn free cruises and perks with casino loyalty programs on land and at sea

Some cruise lines also issue instant awards for the number of points earned (i.e., money spent) on an individual cruise, regardless of status. That would be like an airline awarding free future flights to passengers who spent the most money on their flights, no matter their loyalty status.

Most mainstream cruise lines use comped cruises to fill cabins on dates they anticipate having a surplus of vacancies. These extra offers often appear random, but are generally targeted for marketing purposes rather than as rewards for high amounts of play. New players may receive these comps after low levels of play because cruise lines are always interested in attracting new casino players.

All of that adds up to the possibility of receiving a free cruise for a small number of points earned for cruising, as well as guaranteed free cruises as your points rise to the levels of play set out in the cruise lines' casino loyalty programs.

What is the best casino game to play on a cruise ship?

The best casino game to play on a cruise ship is the one that is most entertaining for you. Ultimately, you play to have fun, right?

The games that require a combination of skill and luck are the ones where the odds of winning are in your favor. For example, the overall odds on blackjack favor the casino by only 1%, while the casino has a 25% edge overall when it comes to slot machines.

Those odds mean the cruise lines operating casinos will favor slot machine players over card players, both in terms of the number of games provided and the loyalty perks awarded.

In summary, for winning money, the best games are skill games. For earning loyalty perks like free cruises, slot machines are the best choice.

Are drinks free in the casino on cruise ships?

Historically, drinks have not been free to cruise ship casino gamblers the way they usually are in land-based casinos. There are exceptions, however.

Free drinks in the casino are a perk of casino loyalty on Royal Caribbean, Carnival, Princess, Holland America and Norwegian Cruise Line. Reach the required level, and you'll earn free drinks from the casino bar, usually for a full status year. Carnival, Princess and Virgin Voyages also often throw in free drinks (either in the casino or throughout the ship) for individual comped cruises. Everyone actively gambling in the casino gets free well drinks on Celebrity cruises.

In addition, drinks are free in the casinos of luxury cruise lines like Silversea, Seabourn and Regent Seven Seas because all onboard drinks are included in the cruise fare. On the big-ship lines, anyone who purchases a drinks package or cruises on a fare that includes drinks will also be drinking "free" in the casino.

Are cruise ship casinos regulated?

Cruise ship casinos are regulated in two ways. They typically adhere to the laws of the ship's country of registry. But because gambling normally only takes place while the ship is in international waters, cruise lines that sail from U.S. ports also adhere to the rules set out by the Cruise Lines International Association. Those rules state that all equipment purchased and installed on the vessels of member cruise lines will meet the regulatory standards of the Nevada Gaming Control Board or other licensed jurisdiction for payback and internal software.

Additionally, house rules must be made available in every casino. Each member cruise line is to post at every gaming table minimum and maximum betting limits for each game, and only adults are allowed to play the slots or the tables.

What's the age minimum to gamble in a cruise ship casino?

The minimum age for gambling in a cruise ship casino is 18 in most cases, but there are exceptions. MSC Cruises has a minimum gambling age of 21 on any cruise with a U.S. port; otherwise, the age is 18. Some cruise lines, including Royal Caribbean and Celebrity, raise the minimum age to 21 on Alaska sailings.

Related: The 6 best cruise lines for young adults

Do ships run casino tournaments?

Cruise ship casinos on mainstream cruise lines often host tournaments on board featuring various casino games. The list includes slot tournaments, as well as card game tournaments for blackjack and Texas Hold 'em.

Some tournaments are invitational, offered to casino loyalty members of a certain level only. These are often held on cruises hosted specifically for players who have reached that level. For instance, Royal Caribbean holds Signature cruises designed to pamper and entertain these top-level players.

Can you smoke in the casino?

Casinos are often seen as the last bastion of cruise ship smoking freedom (beyond small, designated areas on deck). But the number of ships that offer nonsmoking casinos is steadily growing.

Celebrity Cruises does not allow smoking in its ships' casinos, and the relatively small casinos on luxury ships are generally nonsmoking, as well.

Several lines have hybrid options. For example, some Carnival ships have separate smoking and nonsmoking casinos. Norwegian has separate smoking rooms on some ships; however, cigarette smoking and e-cigarette use are allowed in casinos on ships that don't have separate smoking rooms. Princess does not allow smoking except at designated slot machines, and Holland America also has designated smoking areas in the casino.

Related: Is smoking allowed on cruise ships? A line-by-line guide

Do cruise ship casinos take cash?

Cruise ship casinos accept cash at both slot machines and table games. As an example, you can sit down at a slot machine and feed in a $20 bill, which is then converted into "credits" on the machine's screen. The value of the credit depends on the denomination of the machine. Alternatively, you might walk up to a roulette table and lay down $20 and exchange that for chips.

The exchange of cash at machines and tables is a one-way deal, even when you win. Slot machines and dealers in cruise ship casinos don't dispense cash. When you finish playing, you may be issued a paper credit slip to take to the cashier's cage for cash, or you may have your winnings loaded directly onto your onboard account on some cruise lines. At the tables, you will take chips to the cashier to exchange back into cash.

If you don't travel with cash, you can find ATMs in the casino or at guest services. Alternatives to cash in cruise ship casinos are paper credit slips, which can be played as cash at either machines or tables, onboard credit or casino free play loaded on your stateroom account, or lines of credit arranged with the casino.

You can also charge gambling money directly to your onboard account like you would charge a drink at a bar or anything else on board. Fees for gambling charges vary among cruise lines, but in most instances, table games charge a service fee, and slot machines do not.

For example, my husband recently requested money from his onboard account at a blackjack table and was charged a 5% surcharge. The ship we were on was not set up to charge onboard accounts directly from the slot machines (sometimes they are), so I had to go to the cashier for a credit slip to play. I was not charged a surcharge, although if I had asked for cash, I would have been. Both of our charges were added to our final onboard bill.

Because there is no fee added to money for slot play, onboard casinos will usually put rules in place about how quickly you can cash out of the machine. The rules are designed to keep cruisers from using slot machines as ATMs to get either cash for the table games or to cash out onboard credit they've been given from the cruise line or their travel agent.

Bottom line

If you like to gamble, cruise ship casinos provide a fun way to spend a sea day or evening on the ship. You can take lessons to learn the games you don't know how to play and even participate in tournaments.

Besides the fun of playing on board, many cruise lines have players clubs that offer onboard perks and even free cruises. And since the odds of winning are about the same as in a U.S. land-based casino, with similar regulations in place, cruise ship casinos are a safe bet for fun and entertainment — though we always encourage you to play responsibly.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• River Cruising

Whichexcursions are included on Viking River Cruise?

By Sun Lover , September 4, 2019 in River Cruising

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I'm looking into possibly booking a Viking River Cruise in Europe.  On the itinerary when I pull up the individual days, each day has an excursion that has "Included" in the upper left-hand corner and then it also lists other excursions and also some say "Privileged Access," which I don't know what that means.  Are all the excursion choices included without extra cost?  When I click on the ones that do not say "Included" on them, there is no price listed.

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Peregrina651

Only the ones marked included are included in your cruise fare.

Everything else is a paid excursion. Prices are not given on the website; they will be given on the guest interface known as MyVikingJourney (MVJ) when shorex booking opens for your cruise. Access to MVJ is available only when you have an open booking with Viking and is where you go to learn more about your itinerary, book your excursions (including the included ones), pre-pay your gratuities if you wish, etc.

Privileged Access means that they have arranged some sort of special access either out of hours or to some place that is not normally open to visitors.

Also note that not every excursion shown on the individual day will be offered on every sailing. The "port" pages are generic and are used for all itineraries that call at that port. The final selection of shorex for your sailing will be available on MVJ when booking opens.

Thanks so much.  Your information is very helpful.  I've only been on ocean cruises and know absolutely nothing about river cruises so any advice I can get is much appreciated.

LeRenardrouge

Our experience on Viking River cruises is that their included excursions are very good and make good use of the time.  The optional excursions are usually to give an added cultural experience such as a concert, special winery tour and tasting, or special interest foodie excursion, in addition to the included excursion.  In general, their prices for optionals are reasonable.  The offered excursions tend to be offered on all the cruises versus what can happen on the ocean cruises.  Occasionally because a particular excursion might fall on a Sunday or holiday on a sailing, it could mean it may not be available on a specific sailing.  

I think the included excursions on their Ocean cruises are not as good but it does depend somewhat on the location.  If you are in port for say the whole day, if the included excursion is only a couple of hours, we normally opt for an optional that is most of the day or find an optional which can be done in addition to the included.  

Thanks for the information.  Have you had good experiences on the Viking River cruises?  They seem to be highly recommended but I'm wondering how they compare to the others.

sharkster77

@Sun Lover  my advice is to read these boards and soak in as much as you can.  I got interested in river cruises 3yrs ago, but life kept me from booking until last year.  I sail in 3 weeks, and I feel that these threads gave me a PhD education in river cruising!

You will learn quickly that ocean and river cruises have just about NOTHING in common:  ~170 passengers (not thousands), one dining venue, everyone dines at once, casual dress for dinner, no casino, probably no pool or exercise room, nobody trying to sell you something every 10 minutes, no annoying photographers, no climbing walls, very low key evening entertainment, etc.  We were drawn to river cruising because I think ocean cruising would annoy the hell out of me.

We booked with Viking, but read the other boards as well--there are several other cruise lines that are very good.  Viking had what we wanted for the Rhine, for example, but I would NEVER book Viking for the Seine--they aren't allowed to dock in Paris proper--passengers have to be bussed in to the city center (~1 hr due to traffic).  Without these boards I would NEVER know this.

13 minutes ago, sharkster77 said: casual dress for dinner, no casino, probably no pool or exercise room, nobody trying to sell you something every 10 minutes, no annoying photographers, no climbing walls, very low key evening entertainment, etc

You have described Viking Ocean. IMHO, Viking has done a wonderful job of translating its river experience into a comparable ocean experience -- no casinos, no children, no photographers, no nickel and dime-ing, no flaming desserts or frou-frou umbrella drinks, port intensive, casual, no butlers, no white gloves. Your ship is not your destination; it is just your floating hotel taking you from one interesting port to the next. 

27 minutes ago, sharkster77 said: but I would NEVER book Viking for the Seine--they aren't allowed to dock in Paris proper--passengers have to be bussed in to the city center (~1 hr due to traffic).  Without these boards I would NEVER know this.

This is no longer true. Starting in 2020, Viking will have cruises that will be docking in Central Paris. By the end of the season, 3 of 5 ships that Viking will operate on the Seine will dock in central Paris.The new ships are shorter to conform with the port authority regulations. Cruises docking in central Paris will also be more expensive than those docking in Le Pecq.

From the Viking website:

Note: The Paris port authority assigned Viking Kadlin and Viking Rinda a docking location in Le Pecq, a western suburb of Paris. To help maximize your time in the city center, we are offering complimentary shuttles for Viking guests throughout your stay. Viking Kari , Viking Radgrid and Viking Skaga will dock at Port de Grenelle in central Paris.

Are most of the Viking ships about the same as far as the onboard amenities, food, accommodations, etc?

3 hours ago, Sun Lover said: Are most of the Viking ships about the same as far as the onboard amenities, food, accommodations, etc?

The longships are identical, which makes the ship swaps in the case of low water manageable--one gets the exact same cabin as before, the lounge, dining room, etc are all in the same locations, same minimalist Scandinavian décor, etc.

On the Douro and in Russia, China, and SE Asia, the ships are very different.  On the Rhine, Danube, Moselle, Seine, they are identical (except for the new "smaller" longships Peregrina mentions above.

@Peregrina651  (greetings to a fellow Bostonian, BTW!),  I agree that Viking's adaptation of their river cruise model to the ocean is intriguing.  I was drawn to river cruising because of the aforementioned things on ocean liners that I would find annoying.  But Viking has me interested in ocean cruising!  The itinerary that circles the British Isles is on my radar.

I had heard about Viking's smaller longships being built for the Seine, but the increase in price for that privilege would lead me to price-shop other lines more closely to be sure the surcharge doesn't make other lines a better value.

12 hours ago, Sun Lover said: Have you had good experiences on the Viking River cruises?  They seem to be highly recommended but I'm wondering how they compare to the others.

Hi Sun Lover, we've been on two Viking rivers cruises now, the Danube Waltz (Budapest to Passau on the Legend) last summer and the Cities of Light cruisetour (Prague to Paris on the longship Alsvin) this summer.  We enjoyed our Danube Waltz cruise so much that we immediately booked another Viking river cruise when we got home; just got back from Cities of Light and had a great time again!  I should note that, on both cruises, were were fortunate not to experience water level issues or other problems (broken locks, mechanical breakdowns) that can turn a cruise into a bus tour.  

We haven't tried any other river cruise lines to compare, and there may be other lines that fit your needs and expectations better than Viking would.  I would suggest that you read through the "stickies" on this forum comparing the different lines.  Also, google "river cruise line comparisons" to get a feel for what the different lines offer; for example, here is an article I found helpful:  https://www.rivercruiseadvisor.com/river-cruise-reviews/europe-river-cruise-reviews/europe-river-cruise-reviews-cruise-operator/ . From my research,  Viking is not the most luxurious or all-inclusive (or expensive) river cruise line but, for the price we paid which included air, we have been very happy with what Viking offers. Also, o n both our cruises, there have been many "repeat Viking customers," some who have sailed with Viking multiple times and are happy with the product.   I would say that Viking compares with a top-brand Marriott or Hilton hotel that gets 4+ stars - comfortable, great service, very good to excellent food and excursions at a "reasonable" price.  However, it's not going to be the Ritz Carlton of cruise lines.  For example, if you want a truly gourmet meal experience every night or all-inclusive luxury, you may want to look into other lines.    Have fun planning!   

3rdCoastFan

I'd like to echo the suggestion to review the comparison stickies in this forum. Viking has a great PR team and I had no idea there were so many options for river cruises until I started to read posts here in advance of my Viking cruise last spring. I don't regret sailing on Viking in the least - the price was right given what we were looking for and with the air fare deal we secured. 

As far as optional excursions, prices varied on my Rhine cruise last April. Dinners in a particular town were around $100/person. Daytime tours may have been $50-75/person. An all-day excursion - like the Alsatian food/wine in Strasbourg - was close to $200/person. Once you select a line and specific cruise, you may want to read through 'roll call' threads from past years to get more feedback on specific excursions. You can sign up ahead of time - or wait until you're on the boat. You may find that some are sold out if you wait that long, though. The 'included' excursions never sell out (at least on Viking cruises). 

The included excursions were generally good on my Rhine cruise. At times, the boat would make a brief stop early in the morning so that everyone could board buses. We would then ride to the port town and do our tour while our boat continued to sail. Other times, and I'm thinking of Strasbourg, in particular, you get a lengthy bus ride before getting dropped off outside the city center. Strasbourg does not permit buses to enter the city center so that's not anything Viking can control - but, point being, if you're expecting every port stop to be smack dab in the middle of a town, you should re-calibrate your expectations. 

As far as Viking ships, there are two "prestige" class ships on the Danube - the Viking Legend and Viking Prestige. I'm sure these are fine but if you pick a cruise on the Danube, I would prioritize a cruise on one of the Longships. 

2 hours ago, 3rdCoastFan said: As far as Viking ships, there are two "prestige" class ships on the Danube - the Viking Legend and Viking Prestige. I'm sure these are fine but if you pick a cruise on the Danube, I would prioritize a cruise on one of the Longships. 

We've sailed both, the Legend and the Longship Alsvin, so I can provide a head-to-head comparison of our experience:

Pros of Legend compared to Longship: it's priced a little cheaper than the Longships for a given itinerary; French balcony staterooms are larger than on a Longship (170 versus 135 sq ft); service was outstanding (we sat at the same table every night for dinner because our waiters were so attentive, efficient and friendly - they became our new "best friends" 😃  by the end of the cruise!); food was a little better on the Legend compared to the Alsvin, although the food quality on both was overall very good to excellent.  

Cons of the Legend: older ship that seemed a little worn in places (e.g., carpets, upholstery) and I've heard reports of mechanical or AC breakdowns that can affect the quality of the cruise; decor definitely not as attractive as on a Longship; the Legend and Prestige ships do not offer balcony cabins (only French Balconies) and do not have the Aquavit Terrace (which we really enjoyed on the Alsvin Longship!).

Everything else seemed about equal in terms of the quality of the excursions and tour guides, Program Director, cabin stewards, etc. 

What do you mean by "stickies?"  I'm not sure where to look to compare the different river cruise lines.  Viking is having an anniversary sale until the end of Sept.  Does anyone know if their sales prices for that are really good?  If they are, I'd like to try to book something by the end of the month.  Also, for a first time river cruise, we were thinking of booking the 8 day Rhine trip in late August/early Sept. of 2020.  Do you think that's a good choice for our first river cruise?  Thanks.

@Sun Lover m if you're not sure if river cruising will be your cup of tea, then the Rhine is an excellent choice.  Shorter cruise, has good mixture of ports and scenic cruising.  If you LOVE the experience, then there are longer cruises available for the future.

RE: the "stickies":  at the top of the river cruising forum there are a bunch of threads with a padlock next to them--these are the introductory threads or stickies, as they are locked in at the top of the page.

Thank you!  I'll definitely check into that.

Hi Sun Lover, the only way to know whether a "sale price" is truly good is to compare with the other cruise line prices offering the same itinerary, along with all the amenities (air, gratuities, etc.).  For example, Viking sometimes offers a "2 for 1 sale" but not sure if that is really much of a savings.  I find it helpful to price out the different cruise line prices and try to compare "apples to apples" as much as possible. 

38 minutes ago, Moonlion said: Viking sometimes offers a "2 for 1 sale"

That used to be the standard way that they listed their prices (in other words, not really a sale price but just window dressing to make their standard pricing sound better) but as of a few months ago they have abandoned that practice.

We took the 14-day Rhine/Main/Danube cruise (Grand European?) in 2017. We were very impressed by the quality of the guides of the included excursions. Mostly graduate students and university professors. Way above our expectations.

Anecdote: we had a university professor for our Cologne tour. (Outstanding. If we could, we would have packed him up and taken him with us for the rest of the cruise.)  We were walking around the cathedral. When were rounding the back to the far side, I said, "Oh, they have falling buttresses!" The prof looked at me with that proud teacher expression, and said, "Yes, they do!" I guess I got my gold star for the day.  😊

Just now, hawkeye65 said: falling

Oh, I hate autocorrect. That's "flying buttresses" not "falling buttresses."

17 minutes ago, hawkeye65 said: Oh, I hate autocorrect. That's "flying buttresses" not "falling buttresses."

Drives me crazy!!

BUT, it seems you caught the mistake quickly and could have gone back and just edited the post. There is an edit function (it sits beside the QUOTE button on a desktop; don't know where it hides on a mobile device) and a 20 minutes window to fix any mistakes.

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Viking River Cruise: 15 Things to Know Before You Go

By Helene Sula

The moon shone brightly on the smooth Rhône River as we sailed silently, passing dimly lit chateaus and castles. I took a seven-day Viking River Cruise through France’s Provence and Lyon region and was not only enthralled with the scenery but adored the ship itself. 

If you're considering a Viking Cruise or want to know what it's like to sail on a river, this post will guide you through everything you need to know before you go.

I boarded the Viking Buri on a windy spring day in Avignon, France. Upon arrival, waiters greeted me with a lemongrass scented towel and a glass of ice water. After briefly looking at our passports, the Maître d' himself ushered our luggage into a cozy stateroom and explained the features of the room.

Was this really a cruise? Yes. And it only gets better from here.

Viking Cruises offers excursions on the sea and river. I was delighted to spend seven days along the Rhône River on the Provence and Lyon itinerary .

Viking features a number (over 60 in fact!) of river cruises on their fleet. I've outlined what you can expect on a river excursion.

15 things to know before you take a Viking River Cruise

It’s stress-free..

When I set sail on Viking I was immediately met with many questions, the most frequent, why take a cruise? To me, taking a cruise is probably the most relaxing vacation.

Travel planning usually takes a lot of time: where to stay, eat, sleep, and most importantly, what to see. But when taking a cruise much of this (and more) is done for you. With a Viking cruise, you know they've taken care of everything. You can sit back and enjoy the scenery around you. No need to stress. When I really want to relax I choose Viking.

See my first time cruising with Viking, here:

Stress-Free Travel with Viking Ocean Cruises

Very few “extra” costs

I hate being nickel and dimed. When paying for a vacation, I want to know all of my costs up front. This is one thing I love about Viking. Once you pay for your cruise, you’re pretty much all set. Included is a tour every day, all of your meals, and unlimited beer and wine at lunch and dinner. If you want an alcoholic drink at any other time, you can purchase the reasonably-priced “Silver Spirits” package which includes unlimited top-shelf liquor, specialty beer, and wine — available whenever you want.

Once you book your cruise, you’ll receive extensive details about your journey and options for booking tours. Of course, you can stick to the included tours. We spent more to take a few optional tours. For example, we took a truffle, cheese, and wine tasting tour outside of Lyon — one of my favorite experiences on the trip. We also purchased an additional trip to a Les Baux to see “Carrieres de Lumières” — an incredible display of Van Gogh’s artwork on an old stone quarry wall. Set to music, it felt like walking through a real life “Fantasia” and as if I was part of the artist's masterpieces. I think these tours were all well worth the additional cost. 

At the bottom of this post I share my exact trip itinerary.

It’s surprisingly casual

I was a bit worried that I wouldn’t have enough formal wear for dinner at night, as is required on some cruises, but not to worry. Viking River cruises are somewhat casual.  I loved that I could wear jeans or a dress at dinner. I would suggest packing a nice pair of flats, blouse, and jeans or pants, to wear for dinner (no shorts or t-shirts). You don’t have to wear a long black dress every night. I did also pack a few dresses, leggings, and I ended up buying a Viking fleece on board. I wasn’t anticipating how chilly France would be in May! I always pack my tennis shoes and a few lightweight sweaters. 

You won’t spend tons of time in the room, but opt for a balcony

The itineraries with Viking sometimes mean you might visit one or two places in a day. That means you’ll have lots to see and do. But, when you are cruising, it’s absolutely wonderful to see the sights from the comfort of your room’s balcony. We spotted stately chateaus, vineyards clutching the sides of cliffs, and hilltop towns nestled beside fortresses. You can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea as you watch the world sail by. It’s a not-to-miss experience!

For me, one advantage of a river cruise is the luxury of having all your belongings in one place. I travel a lot and am often hauling my stuff from place to place. With a cruise, I can easily visit multiple places across the country, or even countries, and have the convenience of putting everything in one spot and knowing all my meals, transfers, and sleeping is in one convenient and comfy spot.

Bring Your Cruise Documents

This might sound like a no-brainer, but the two things you shouldn't forget are your passport and your cruise documents. The documents outline all the details you need to know about your trip and also include things like handy luggage tags.

You'll also find important information such as currency, language, and flight details if you booked with Viking.

Something to note is that Viking provides transfers to and from the airport, so you won't need to worry about getting to and from. Since I was exploring France a bit before my cruise, I found my own way to the ship. But they provided transfers from the ship to the airport when I was departing.

Leave your converters at home

Another great feature of a Viking River cruise is the ship's electrical outlets. Is that a crazy thing to say?! Yes. But having to pack additional converters or keeping your fingers crossed that your curling iron won't blow up is a nice feature. On the Viking ships you'll find American plugs (as well as European), making it easy to plug in your electronics.

Basically, Viking thinks of everything — just one reason I love this company.

Tell the staff about your special occasions

Michael and I were celebrating our 8th (!) wedding anniversary aboard the ship. I casually let the ship staff know about it. To our delight, on the night of our anniversary, the waitstaff surprised us with a delicious cake, candles, then serenaded us to “It's Now or Never.” It was such a memorable moment!

Viking goes out of its way to make you feel special, especially if you're celebrating an important event. So feel free to let them know.

The ship has WiFi, but it's limited

Yes, they advertise WiFi on board the Viking ships, but it's not going to be lightning fast Internet like you're used to at home. Just something to keep in mind. The Internet is good enough to check your emails or social media, but not quite strong enough to upload a video. This is not the case on ocean cruises, but I did find this on the river.

It's all about the destination

Yes, the cruise ship is incredible. But get off the boat! When you dock ashore, Viking includes an activity each and every day. This makes Viking different from other ships. They want you to get off the ship and find out more about the places you're visiting.

If you want additional help you can also use the onboard concierge to plan additional experiences or things to do. I highly recommend using these services to find unique options, food, and things that interest you.

Seven days isn't enough? No worries! Viking offers trip extensions so you can see even more of the cities and learn more about the history.

The food alone is worth the cost of the trip

All the Swiss-trained chefs prepare the food fresh every day. Viking menus emphasize specialty dishes from the region where you’re cruising. All the delicious food on Viking is included and starts with a breakfast buffet and a choice to order off-the-menu. You can also grab pastries in the Aquavit terrace.

Lunch is served in two locations: the dining room for a more formal order off-the-menu, or pasta and salad from the buffet. The Aquavit terrace grill serves burgers, hot dogs, and more. Dinner is served in the dining room or Aquavit and you’ll order off-the-menu.

You’re encouraged to order a starter, main dish, and dessert. Don’t worry if you can’t choose. They’ll bring you both! I particularly enjoyed the savory soups such as mushroom truffle and French onion. There’s also a coffee and water station with soft, fresh baked cookies. They're dangerous — I couldn’t pass by without grabbing one. The exceptional food on Viking is worth the cost of the cruise alone. 

Almost everyone on the ship has sailed with Viking before

The first night of our arrival we received welcome drinks and listened to music in the Aquavit lounge. The staff went over important information before introducing themselves. Then the guests were asked if they had sailed with Viking before. Nearly every hand shot up! A true testament to the Viking experience. 

There's a reason why Viking consistently receives awards as the best cruise company out there.

The cruise is great for adults of any age

Viking doesn’t allow children on board. You must be at least 18 to book a cruise. Most of the time you’ll find a bit of an older crowd. But that’s not to say younger cruisers will feel out of place. There are activities to appeal to all ages. 

River cruising differs greatly from ocean cruising

Having sailed with Viking on both ocean and river, I can tell you the experience is not the same. Ocean cruises feature a much larger ship, a wider variety of restaurants and entertainment, and a bigger crew. The Viking River cruises are more intimate. You usually dock overnight at many of the ports, leaving you the option to explore in the evening if you choose. 

Leave time to explore your ship

The Viking Longship is an absolute masterpiece of Scandinavian design. Clean lines and beautiful, modern decor are featured throughout the vessel.

We sailed on the Viking Buri — well equipped with everything you could need and more. A glamours marble entryway leads to a lovely staircase toward a library, beautiful dining room, sun deck, bar, lounge, as well as many tucked away corners where guests can relax. 

The staff are world class

One day I mentioned that I preferred Diet Coke over coffee in the morning. Every morning after that, the waiter or waitress brought me a Diet Coke with a fresh glass of ice, I never had to ask again. They specialize in that personal touch, even making a point to remember names!

Intent on making the trip the best ever, the staff are fun, personable, and helpful. They not only cook, clean, organize, and serve, but they also entertain. One reason I and others keep coming back to Viking is because of the incredible staff. One important note: you tip additionally per day, per person. I recommend to also tip any staff you feel went above and beyond. For us, it was the Maître d, bartender, and piano player.

Here’s a look at our exact 7-day Viking Buri Provence and Lyon Excursion:

Day 1 – arrival and avignon.

We arrived in Avignon and headed to the ship where a light lunch was provided. Our luggage was whisked right into the room and we had time to explore the boat and meet our fellow passengers on the ship.

Day 2 Arles

At Arles, known as the place where Van Gogh cut off his ear, we did a walking tour, saw the incredible Roman ruins, and walked the lovely sun-drenched cobblestone streets. Here we also went to Les Baux to see the “Carrieres de Lumières” exhibit in the quarry.

Day 3 Avignon

Heading back to Avignon, we walked through the city walls and explored the Pope's Palace- one of the most important historical sites in France. Now, it's used for a theater festival each year. We also went to the market and sampled oysters and candied fruits.

Day 4 Viviers

Lavender is extremely prevalent in Provence. On a tour of a lavender museum, we learned the many uses of this beautiful flower. Driving through small towns near the area I spotted house after house with blue shutters — a signature color in Provence.

Day 5 Tournon

After exploring the small town of Tournon, we hopped on a steam train! Yes, this was an included tour — incredible. We passed beautiful churches, bridges, and a gorge. Afterward, we took a walking tour of Vienne with its lovely church and Roman temple.

This, my second time to Lyon, reminded me of what makes this city so special — the incredible church, the views all around the city, the intricate and historical murals that explain its history. Because we were docked in Lyon that night, we could stroll the streets and take in the well-lit city after dark.

Day 7 Lyon and Excursion

Today we left Lyon on a bus tour that started with learning and tasting wine in the Beaujolais region. After wine, we had a feast of truffle flavored delights followed by a truffle hunt with an adorable dog. We finished off the day learning about goat cheese making, and we brought home salted caramel sauce.

Day 8 Departure from Lyon

On our final day, we packed up our stuff, had a delicious breakfast, and Viking assisted us straight to the Lyon airport. I was so sad to go, but know I'll be booking another Viking cruise soon!

How to choose a Viking cruise:

First and foremost think about the length of time. You can opt to spend seven days cruising the river or opt for two weeks cruising in the ocean.

Are you adventurous? Do you prefer seeing the sights like castles and walking cobblestone streets? Consider what you like to do or what's on your bucket-list and let the cruise fit your options.

If you're still feeling stuck, just remember, you can't really go wrong. Viking prides itself on going to astonishing and enriching destinations. I find Viking to be really exceptional. We left feeling they made every possible effort to make our trip special. And it was. 

MEET THE AUTHOR

Helene Sula

I believe that one trip can change your life. It did for me. I'm a self proclaimed home body that quit her job, moved abroad, and more often than not, lives out of a carry-on bag. If I'm not traveling, I'm most likely re-reading Harry Potter or watching "Midnight in Paris" while snuggling my dogs. I'm a digital marketing expert who turned my love of travel into a full-time career. And I help others do it too.

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Viking Ocean Cruises Review — Ships, Destinations, Accommodations, and More

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Departure ports, private ports/islands, complimentary dining, bars and beverages, accommodations, viking explorer society, final thoughts.

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Viking Cruise Line is probably more well-known for river cruising, but did you know that they offer ocean cruises, as well?

Since 2015, Viking Ocean Cruises has been a leader in “small ship” cruising. You’ll notice lots of differences between Viking Ocean Cruises and other popular cruise lines like Royal Caribbean and Princess from the moment you step onboard.

First, you’ll notice that the ships are smaller than other cruise lines, carrying only 930 passengers each. Compare that to Royal Caribbean’s Oasis Class ships which can each carry over 5,000 passengers! There won’t be any children onboard either — all guests must be at least 18 years old . You’ll also notice the absence of many traditional cruise line features like art auctions, casinos, waterslides, and photography setups.

Another huge difference is that Viking includes a shore excursion complimentary at each port of call and there are no specialty restaurants that charge additional fees !

Name: Viking Ocean Cruises

Parent Company: Viking Cruises

Number of Ships: 9

Destinations: 200+

Loyalty Program: Viking Explorer Society

Credit Card: None

Viking Ocean Cruises currently operates 9 ships. These are all identical sister ships that are classified as “small ships,” carrying only 930 passengers.

• Viking Jupiter
• Viking Mars
• Viking Neptune
• Viking Orion
• Viking Star
• Viking Venus

Hot Tip: Viking has one of the newest fleets around. The oldest Viking Ocean cruise ship is Viking Star, which debuted in 2015.

Viking Ocean Cruises travels to over 200 destinations on 6 continents from 30 departure ports.

Viking Ocean Cruises does not have a private port or island.

Hot Tip: Not sure where to go to book your cruise to get the most bang for your buck? Check out our guide to the best websites to book your cruise at the lowest prices .

Onboard Activities

The onboard activities on a Viking cruise are a little different than what you’ll find elsewhere. You won’t find casinos, bingo or art auctions . You won’t find multiple pools with waterslides or splash pads. You won’t find a rock climbing wall or ice skating rink.

What you will find is programming designed to support your onshore activities . Dubbed “The Thinking Person’s Cruise,” Viking aims to educate, enlighten, and inspire you.

Here are some of the activities you may find on a Viking Ocean cruise:

• Guest lectures
• Live classical music
• Multimedia presentations about each port
• Munch Moments featuring artwork by Edvard Munch
• Nordic art collection
• Outdoor movies
• Performances based on your destination
• Pool with a retractable roof
• The Kitchen Table cooking school
• The Met: Live in HD
• Viking Resident Historians

During the day, casual attire including shorts and jeans is acceptable. Swimsuits, cover-ups, and exercise clothes should only be worn around the pool, sports deck, and fitness center.

There are no formal nights on a Viking Ocean Cruise. However, after 6 p.m., “elegant casual” attire is required in dining facilities (with the exception of World Cafe), special events, and evening performances. For women, elegant casual includes dresses or skirts/pants with a blouse or sweater. Men should wear trousers and a collared shirt.

Bottom Line: Cruising with Viking Ocean Cruises is a bit different. There aren’t any casinos, art auctions, photography sales, or children. You won’t pay extra for Wi-Fi or to use the launderettes . There are no formal nights and smoking isn’t allowed anywhere onboard.

Dining and Beverages

One of the big differences between Viking Ocean Cruises and other cruise lines is dining. You won’t find any restaurants on a Viking Ocean ship that come with an additional charge. Plus, house wine, beer, and soft drinks are included with your lunch and dinner.

• Aquavit Terrace
• Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant*
• The Chef’s Table*
• The Restaurant

*Denotes an “alternative restaurant” that requires reservations

There are beautiful spaces on a Viking ship to relax with friends and have a drink. You’ll enjoy the 2 story panoramic windows in the Explorer’s Lounge or you can listen to live music in Torshavn .

If afternoon tea is what you’d prefer, stop by Wintergarden for tea, finger sandwiches, scones, and desserts.

Unlike most other cruise lines, Viking Ocean Cruises offers house wines and beers along with soft drinks complimentary with lunch and dinner. Specialty coffees and teas plus bottled water are also available for free at any time.

While many drinks are included in your cruise fare, you can also purchase a beverage package to include even more.

The Silver Spirits Beverage Package is available for  $19.95 per person per day and includes any drinks (except Champagne) up to $15 per glass. This includes beers, wines, cocktails, liquors, and soft drinks.

You must be at least 21 years old to purchase a Silver Spirits Beverage Package, and both adults in the stateroom must purchase the package.

If you’d prefer to bring alcohol onboard, you can do so for free . There is no limit to what you can bring onboard and there is no corkage fee charged regardless of where the alcohol is consumed.

Hot Tip: Curious about award travel on cruises? Check out our complete guide to using miles and points to book a cruise.

The base-level accommodation on a Viking Ocean ship isn’t the interior room you might expect. That’s because there are no interior rooms on Viking! All staterooms have a private veranda.

The Veranda Stateroom comes with a king-size Viking Explorer bed, free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TV with on-demand movies, and a mini-bar stocked with soft drinks, water, and snacks.

A Penthouse Veranda Stateroom includes a mini-bar with alcoholic beverages, a large bathroom with a glass-enclosed shower and a heated floor, a welcome bottle of Champagne, and 2 guaranteed priority reservations at each alternative restaurant.

Hot Tip: While embarkation is at 11 a.m., the time you’ll be able to access your stateroom is based on the type of room you select. All suites come with the earliest access time of 11 a.m.

A Penthouse Junior Suite is a step up in luxury. This type of room comes with 3 priority reservations at each alternative restaurant, priority shore excursion reservations, and priority spa reservations.

The bathroom comes with dual sinks, a heated floor, and an anti-fog mirror. Plus, you’ll enjoy extras like a welcome bottle of Champagne, in-suite binoculars, in-suite coffee maker, and twice-daily housekeeping.

The largest stateroom onboard a Viking Ocean ship is the Owner’s Suite. This luxurious multi-room suite has over 1,400 square feet of indoor and outdoor living space plus tons of perks. There is a master bath with a glass-enclosed shower and all the bells and whistles, plus 2 guest bathrooms. There’s a separate dining room that seats 6 people plus a private library, oceanview dry sauna, a boardroom for business meetings, wine and music collections, and more. Plus you’ll have the earliest access to reserve shore excursions and spa treatments and 4 guaranteed reservations in each of the alternative restaurants.

Bottom Line: Every stateroom on a Viking Ocean Cruises ship has a private veranda — there are no inside staterooms!

As soon as you’ve sailed with Viking once, you are a member of the Viking Explorer Society.

Unlike other cruise ship loyalty programs, there are no tiers of membership in the Viking Explorer Society. Unfortunately, the benefits are minimal.

As a Viking Explorer Society member, you’ll receive an onboard credit when you book your next Viking cruise within 2 years of your last one.

• Book your next Viking cruise within 1 year and you’ll receive $200 per person in shipboard credit.
• Book your next Viking cruise within 2 years and you’ll receive $100 per person in shipboard credit

When you cruise as a Viking Explorer Society member, you’ll also be able to attend a members-only cocktail party with the ship’s staff.

Hot Tip: Get the most bang for your buck by using the right credit card to book your cruise.

Sailing on a Viking Ocean cruise is not like a cruise on any other cruise line. These cruises are for the sophisticated traveler looking for more of a cultural experience.

All of Viking’s ships are considered “small ships,” carrying only 930 passengers each. You won’t find casinos or kids on a Viking cruise. However, you will find luxury accommodations, serene community spaces, live classical music, and lectures to educate and inspire.

If you’re looking for a party ship or traveling with kids , Viking Ocean cruises won’t fit the bill (check out Carnival , Disney Cruise Line , or Norwegian instead). But, if you’re looking for a more intimate experience that focuses on luxury and cultural experiences, Viking Ocean Cruises could be a great fit for your next vacation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does viking have a loyalty program.

Yes, the Viking loyalty program is called Viking Explorer Society. You’ll be enrolled automatically after your first Viking cruise. Unfortunately, the benefits are minimal — a shipboard credit if you book another cruise within 2 years and a members-only cocktail party.

Which Viking cruise ship is the best?

All of the Viking Ocean cruise ships are identical sister ships, so it’s really hard to determine which one is the “best.” Viking Neptune is the newest ship, which debuted in 2022.

Can you bring your own alcohol on a Viking cruise?

Yes, any guest 21 years or older can bring alcohol onboard with no charge.

Are Viking Ocean Cruises all-inclusive?

Viking Ocean cruises are about as all-inclusive as you can get on a cruise. You won’t find any additional charges for the alternative restaurants, Wi-Fi, or even wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner. Specialty coffees, teas, and use of the launderettes are included as well. They even offer 1 complimentary excursion at every port of call!

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Viking Cruises Frequently Asked Questions

• Post author: James
• Post published: November 7, 2019
• Post category: Viking / Travel Blog / Tips

Updated: 03/20/2023

We have cruised with Viking many times, so friends and family tend to ask us a lot of questions about life aboard the ship, amenities, and excursions just to name a few. Since we have been asked these questions so many times, we thought a FAQ-type article covering some of these questions would help those folks who are considering a Viking Cruise. We hope this post is informative and helps make your cruise selection a bit easier.

Please note that this article is not sponsored by anyone. All opinions are our own based on our own experiences on multiple Viking Cruises.

1. What type of stateroom type should I pick and where is the best location on the ship?

We will address this question in two parts, Ocean cruises versus River cruises.

Ocean Cruises – There are several classes of staterooms on Viking’s ocean ships, but we will divide them into three main classes for this discussion, the Veranda/Deluxe Veranda, Penthouse Veranda and Suites. All cabins are located on Decks 3 through 8, although there are limited rooms on Decks 7 and 8. Stateroom rates go up as you move higher on the ship. In addition, cabins located mid-ship are more desirable, since there is less motion in the middle of the ship if the seas become rough.

If the Veranda style room is still too small for your taste, the Penthouse Veranda provides a little more room at 338 square feet. You will receive some additional perks with this class of cabin such as daily replenishment of your mini-bar and a welcome bottle of champagne.

Finally, the Penthouse Suites and higher range in size from 405 square feet to a whopping 1448 square feet. Premium perks that accompany these rooms include complementary laundry services and daily replenishment of your fruit basket. If you want your cabin to feel a bit more like a condo, then one of the suites may be more to your liking. Keep in mind that there is also a much higher cost for suites.

Another thing to keep in mind when making your room selection is that as your room class increases, you receive a higher priority when making reservations for excursions, specialty restaurants and the spa. Since most of the ship consists of Veranda and Deluxe Veranda staterooms, these rooms may not get all the excursions or times desired.  We always book a Penthouse Veranda (PV) class just so we can book excursions a little earlier. 

River Cruises – The stateroom classes on Longships are more limited than the ocean ships since they are much smaller and only 3 decks have cabins. Fore and aft cabin location does not really matter much on a Longship, since there is virtually no rocking motion on river cruise ships.

At 150 square feet, the Standard Stateroom is the most economical cabin. They are all located on the bottom deck and have a smaller, nonfunctional window. If are just looking for a place to sleep and shower, this may be the right room for you.

The Veranda cabins are slightly larger at 205 square feet. These rooms have a small inside sitting area as well as a large sliding glass door that opens to a small, private balcony. If you like to sit outside to enjoy your morning coffee or evening glass of wine, this cabin may be a good choice. Be aware though, there are many times when in port, that another ship will be docked adjacent to your ship. If so, your balcony might only be a few feet from a window or balcony of that adjacent ship. In these instances you will likely not have much of a view and might even have someone starring back at you.

The last class of cabins are the Veranda Suites and Explorer Suites. Ranging from 275 square feet to almost 450 square feet, these rooms will allow you to spread out a bit more. If you think that you might spend more time in your room or prefer to have a separate bedroom, one of these suites could meet your needs.

2. Are the included tours good and should I book any optional tours?

Viking’s optional excursions provide passengers with an opportunity to have a guided tour of additional points of interest or permit passengers to delve into areas of particular interest, like winetasting or local history. These excursions allow you to enrich your cruise experience, so you should definitely take advantage of these opportunities.

Keep in mind that optional excursions are not limited to Viking. We have booked excursions with third party tour companies that have been excellent. Many times the third party tours are actually less expensive than the Viking tour and the quality is just as good. TripAdvisor and Viking Online Forums on Facebook are great places to find reviews of all the tours and can help you select the tours that most closely match your interests.

TIP: As the time approaches for your trip many people book their included and optional excursions.  It’s easy to get excited  about all the great tours and you book many of them.  But be careful, long days of excursions can leave you exhausted.  Think about some time to relax and rejuvenate.

3. Will I have much free time to explore on my own?

You can also choose to skip all or part of the included excursion and explore on your own. On a few occasions when we didn’t want to stay for the whole excursion, we found out from the guide where the excursion would end and then just met the group there for a ride back to the ship.

If you have any specific interest that you want to pursue, you can always work with the ship’s concierge. They are always more than happy to arrange transportation or other special requests at any port.

4. How much money do I need to take and in which currency?

This has to be one of the most frequently asked questions we are asked. There is probably not one right answer, but we can give some guidelines.

First, how much currency you take really depends on your itinerary and how many different currencies you may encounter. If you are cruising the Rhine for example, then Euros should be the only currency you need. But if you are traveling through Eastern Europe, where each country uses its own currency, it become a little more complicated.

Credit cards are accepted just about everywhere, so we try to use ours whenever possible. Most cards no longer charge Foreign Transaction Fees, but you should check with your credit card company so that you know what to expect.

You are going to need at least a little cash for tips, restrooms and other small purchases. Keep in mind that Viking does not exchange currency on the ship. We usually leave home with maybe $50 to $100 in local currency so we can take care of any immediate needs upon arrival. After that we use our debit card to withdraw local currency at an ATM located in a hotel or bank. Try not to use independent ATMS located elsewhere. They tend to charge higher exchange rates and are usually less secure.

TIP: Although it is an exception, there are some restaurants and cafes that do not take credit cards, even in large cities. If you have any doubts, ask before you sit down to eat or drink! Otherwise someone in your party will have to hunt down an ATM – “ahem”, not that it has ever happened to us!!

5. Does the ship have Wi-Fi and will my cell phone work?

Phone service will depend on your carrier and where you are traveling. We have Verizon and have found throughout Europe the reception is very good. We found only a few areas, usually outside of the cities, where service was poor. Normally though, we leave our phone in Airplane Mode and use it only for emergencies. Cell phone usage in some countries can be quite expensive. For more information on this topic, check our blog article Controlling International Cell Phone Costs .

6. What is the average age of the cruise passengers?

After several Viking Cruises, I would estimate that the average age of passengers is over 65. So if you are under that age, you will probably be one of the younger passengers on board.

Why is the average age that high? A few reasons come to mind. First, these cruises are not inexpensive. With an average cost of around $1000 per day per couple, the cost could be seen as too expensive by younger people. Second, although there are some shorter trips, many of the Viking Cruises are 10-15 days or more. That length of time is more than many younger people can get away from work. Lastly, Viking takes care of everything during the whole trip, from transfers, excursions, meals, etc. Many older folks like this relatively stress free, relaxing way to travel. Younger folks tend to like to do their own thing, preferring more freedom in their itinerary.

So does that mean if you are younger you shouldn’t go? That answer is absolutely NO! If you enjoy different cultures, meeting new people and experiencing both the excitement of metropolitan cities and the charm of small towns, Viking can provide you with an amazing travel experience. We highly recommend you try it.

7. Does everyone speak English?

In short, yes, the entire cruise and all tours are conducted in English. Viking employs a very helpful and friendly international staff, all of whom speak excellent English.

Most passengers will be from the United States, with most of the others coming from the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, New Zealand and Australia. The passengers we have met from other countries were all fluent in English. So you should have no worries about communicating with your fellow passengers.

During times when you are touring on your own, you may want to learn a few words of the local language. While many folks speak some English nowadays, you will find that most appreciate the fact that you are trying to communicate in their language.

8. Is there much to do on the ship?

Unlike very large cruise ships, Viking ships are not a destination unto themselves. There are no casinos, slides or go-carts on Viking ships. Although ocean ships do have a theater, fitness center, pools and a spa, the river ships do not.

Viking trips are much more focused on experiencing new cultures and learning more about the history of the areas you are visiting. Think of the ship as more of a floating luxury hotel, that transports you to these new experiences. So onboard you can expect cultural presentations, samples of local cuisine, local performers and informational presentations about the areas you are visiting.

9. Will I have to sit with other people for meals?

The Ocean ships have many more dining options with seating for 2 people, so having a private dinner will be much easier. Ocean ships also have 24-hour room service, so you can choose to dine in your room if you prefer.

Understandably there could be times that you just want a quiet lunch or dinner and not sit with others. But meeting your fellow passengers is one of the best parts of the cruise experience. We have met so many interesting people from all over the world and have really been enlightened by these opportunities to learn about their lives, interests and opinions.

10. Why should I choose Viking Air Plus?

You have several options when planning your flights for your cruise.

You can book the flights yourself. If you do, then you will need to arrange your own transfers to and from your hotel or ship. And remember, if you buy travel insurance from Viking, it will only cover the portions of the trip that you purchased from Viking – not your flights or transfers.

Your next option is to use Viking Air. Using this option, you purchase your airfare through Viking and they book all the flights. In addition, all transfers are included. However, you will not have any input into the selected airline, connection times or departure/arrival times. If you do not care about having control over these factors, then this is a good option.

Lastly, you can elect to purchase Viking Air Plus . The fee for this option varies by destination, but is between $100 and $200 per person. For this additional fee, you will be able to work with Viking to select the specific airline and flights that you prefer. Personally, we like flying the most direct routes possible and having our connection city (if required) to be in Europe. We also prefer to schedule longer layovers, so that there is less chance of missing a connection. We also like to arrive at our destination city as early in the day as possible, as this gives us the whole day to explore, relax and adjust to the time change.

Selecting Viking Air also makes you eligible for some additional perks. You can deviate from the normal itinerary by either flying into or out of an alternate city, or by spending extra time in your destination city either before or after your cruise. You can even choose to stop over for multiple days in another destination such as London, Paris, Munich, Hong Kong and U.S. gateway cities, on your way to or from your cruise. The price for these deviations and stopovers varies by city. You can find more detailed information by contacting your Viking agent or Travel agent for deviation/stopover cities and prices. We also have an extensive blog article on booking your Viking Cruise that includes a more thorough explanation of all of these options.

11. Should I plan a pre/post extension of my itinerary?

Our philosophy is, if you are traveling such a long way to a destination you may never return to, then why not stretch your stay a few days on either end. You can arrange the extension completely on your own or you can purchase the extensions from Viking. It will probably be less expensive to do it all yourself, but for many people, the idea of having Viking take care of it all is appealing.

The advantages of arranging your extensions with Viking is that Viking will be there every step of the way. Since your entire itinerary is with Viking, all transfers and hotels are included, and breakfast is usually provided each morning. Most extensions will include at least one tour and a Viking concierge desk will be available most of the day in the hotel lobby to assist you.

For more information on extensions with Viking versus planing your own , check out our article on this subject.

Planning a pre-extension may also offer you a little protection in case your flight or luggage gets delayed. Without a pre-extension, you could be flying in on the same day that your ship leaves port. So if you are significantly delayed, or your luggage doesn’t make it, you are going to be in stress mode trying to get you or your luggage caught up to the ship. Obviously you will have a much better chance of getting your luggage and beginning your cruise on time if you arrive a couple of days earlier. If your flight does get delayed, you still may miss a little bit of your pre-extension, but at least you won’t miss the ship.

TIP: If you are worried about your luggage getting lost or delayed, try going light with just carry on. Our blog, Tips for Packing Light , will provide information to help you.

12. What if I want to arrive early or stay later, does that affect the cost of my Viking Airfare?

If you decide to plan your own extensions but still use Viking Air, the airfare does not change. But there is a charge for the deviation or stopover.  The costs vary by destination, so check with Viking or your Travel Agent.

13. How might my cruise be diverted/delayed?

Many passengers do not realize how certain weather conditions or water levels can effect a cruise and cause it to be delayed or to miss ports. Most of the time these conditions are out of the control of Viking, as Mother Nature is unpredictable. But here are a few scenarios to consider.

River Cruises – One of the most common issues on a river is the water level either being too high or too low. Low water is easy to understand, if water levels are too low, the ship will hit bottom. But high water can mean the ship is too high to pass under bridges. In some cases, the cruise lines can work around the issue by positioning a different ship at a location beyond the point of high or low water. This solution results in a bit of inconvenience, since passengers will have to pack and un-pack again on the new ship. If this solution is not possible, the cruise line may have to bus passengers for longer distances and passengers may even have to spend nights in hotels rather than on their cruise ship.

There are also many locks on some of the rivers. There are occasions when locks are damaged, or maintenance on the locks forces them to close. If the ship is unable to traverse the lock, then they will try the strategy of positioning another ship beyond the closed lock.

Ocean Cruises – The most likely cause for an Ocean ship to miss a port is due to rough waters and/or high winds. This may keep a ship from making port, or leaving port for a day or more. Sometimes when there are extreme tides, ships may not be able to make port at all and will be forced to skip a port or sail to an alternate port.

Missing any part of a cruise is a cause for dissatisfaction and disappointment for the passengers, but the cruise line must balance the expectation of its passengers with ensuring their safety. And fortunately, safety always has the upper hand.

The other potential issue that can cause delays to either type of vessel is some type of ship failure or maintenance issue. Although not as common, this can happen and remedies will be contingent on the specific problem and the time required for addressing the problem.

Hopefully this article sheds some light on the questions that you may have regarding a Viking cruise. Do you have any other questions that we can answer? If there is anything else that you would like to know or if you have any information that you would like to share, be sure to leave us a note in the comments section below.

This Post Has 12 Comments

More great tips!

How much walking do the tours have in ports ?

Usually it is not that much. But there are a few that are longer depending on the city.

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I love your comments. My husband and I are considering booking our second river cruise soon. We did City Of Lights 3 years ago and loved it! Our recent booking to the Viking Homelands Ocean Cruise was cancelled due to the pandemic. Viking gave us a voucher which is good until 2023. Can someone suggest a special river cruise?

Our favorite river cruise was the Grand European. You see so much and cruise the Rhine, Maine and Danube. Check it out, the itinerary is fantastic.

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Do you have any thoughts about a Greek cruise (Viking) in February? The ship seems to be filling up. Just wondering about the weather and any potential cancelled ports.

Sorry, we haven’t cruised in the winter.

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Viking Cruise Line | Must-Know Secrets That No One Tells You

Courtesy of Viking Cruises

• Cruises and Sailing
• River Cruises
• Types of Travel
• Viking Cruises

Note: The Travel Awaits team regularly updates content to provide the latest, and most accurate information to our readers. The updated content in this article may not reflect the views or opinions of the original author.

If you’re a savvy traveler, you probably know about Viking Cruises. The cruise line provides luxurious river and ocean cruises, with “luxurious” being the key word; while most people think of a cruise vacation as a by-the-numbers affair, Viking has redefined guest expectations by providing a carefully cultivated all-inclusive experience.

Courtesy of Viking Ocean Cruises

Viking cruises founder and CEO is Torstein Hagen who started with four riverboats in Russia. Today, the Viking ocean ships employ a unique modernist aesthetic that simply feels different from what you’d get from Carnival, Royal Caribbean, or any of the other industry leaders, and their approach has paid dividends.

When you’re sitting in the Explorers’ Lounge perusing vintage maps or enjoying a thermal bath on the spa deck, you’ll know why Viking Ocean Cruises are held in such high regard.

Of course, the ships’ features might not matter if the routes were boring. Fortunately, that’s not the case: typical Viking ships are significantly smaller than the ships of major cruise lines, (like Viking Polaris, Viking Octanis, Viking Sun, and Viking Star), which ensures that they’re able to enter smaller ports during Viking expeditions. As a result, Viking Cruises offer incredible itineraries with unmatched onboard amenities.

Viking Cruise Line Secrets No One Tells You

1. the true meaning of “all-inclusive”.

If you’ve cruised before, you know that Viking Ocean cruises are…well, expensive. You can expect to pay several thousand dollars for your trip (although rates vary greatly by route and month), which seems costly compared to the $500-600 rates you’d find from other cruise companies.

However, once you’ve paid, you don’t need to spend much more. Your fare includes a shore excursion in each port of call (including all port charges and government taxes), onboard meals with beer and wine, Wi-Fi access, self-service laundry, spa access, and 24-hour room service.

Viking estimates that their amenities are worth about $200, per guest, per day. To get that value, you’ll have to use as many of the onboard services as possible, but it beats constantly taking out your wallet for things like internet access and port fees.

And not to hammer home the point, but Viking cruises are truly luxurious. Standard features like heated bathroom floors and high-quality wooden deck furniture really help the cruise line stand out from its competitors (and no, we haven’t received payment from Viking for this piece). With that said, some If you want to enjoy a cocktail outside of lunch or dinner service, you’ll have to pay for the privilege. However…

2. How To Avoid Overpaying For Drinks

If you’re planning on drinking regularly — no judgments here, we’re talking about a vacation — there are a couple of ways to keep your budget in check.

The most obvious: Pay for the Silver Spirits beverage package, which offers unlimited beers, cocktails, premium wines, juices, espresso drinks, and mineral water for the entire cruise. Prices vary depending on the length of the cruise, but for around $19.95 per night per guest, you’ll never have to worry about what you’re spending.

Is that worth it? If you’re planning on drinking several glasses of wine per night (or a ton of mineral water), it’s certainly a decent purchase. If that doesn’t sound like a great value (or if you’re not planning on paying for enough beverages to justify the surcharge), there’s another option.

“You can also buy local wine and bring it onboard,” a Viking Cruises representative tells TravelAwaits via email. “Each stateroom on Viking Longships and Viking’s ocean ships have a refrigerator, and a corkscrew is also available onboard.”

As with all other aspects of your cruise, the trick is to plan ahead. Make a list of planned expenditures, then do the math to see whether you can justify the Silver Spirits package. If not, you can always grab a few bottles of the good stuff during a shore excursion.

3. Plan For A Pre-Meal Drink

Ocean cruisers won’t want to miss out on Torshavn.

“Drawing its name from the capital of the Faroe Islands, Torshavn is a lively music venue inspired by the romantic jazz lounges of 1940s Hollywood, and it’s an ideal spot for pre-dinner drinks and after-dinner entertainment,” a Viking representative tells us. “This intimate club environment also offers a selection of rare vintage Armagnacs from 1935 through 1965.”

“Don’t miss the opportunity to sample these extraordinary, limited-quantity brandies from France’s Armagnac region in Gascony during your sailing.”

Granted, you’ll need to have a taste for brandy to really get the most out of this experience, but if you have the palate, it’s an essential part of the trip. If that’s not to your interests, you could always relax with a nice afternoon tea.

“Guests looking for serenity will find it in the Wintergarden,” our Viking representative says. “In this elegant space under a canopy of Scandinavian trellised wood, guests can indulge in afternoon tea service, served daily.”

4. How To Pick Your Stateroom

If you’ve got money to burn, you won’t be disappointed by the premium suites on a Viking cruise. That doesn’t necessarily make them a great value.

For example, river cruises have two 445-sq.-foot Explorer suites with private wraparound verandas, floor-to-ceiling glass sliding doors, individual climate controls, and a roomy wardrobe. Veranda suites are smaller (275 square feet), but feature large private bathrooms, climate controls, 40-inch flat-panel TVs, and various other amenities. Ocean cruises have similar options, though exact room sizes and features will vary.

However, if you’re looking to save money, think about whether you’ll actually spend much time in your suite. If you’re an active person (or if you’re planning to adopt a slightly more active lifestyle during a two- or three-week cruise), a less expensive stateroom could save you a tremendous amount of money.

Standard staterooms are much less expensive, and while they’re not exactly roomy, that doesn’t matter if you’re just using them as a sort of home base. You won’t have much of a view, but you’ll still get the 24/7 room service, and if you’re feeling claustrophobic, you can always head to a different part of the ship.

5. The Best Time To Travel on a Viking Sea Cruise

When booking your Viking sea cruise, you’ll have an easier time finding staterooms during certain months of the year. For the best possible time, you’ll want to be flexible.

“Guests sailing the rivers in December can experience the traditional European Christmas markets and see the cities in a new way while enjoying local holiday treats and hot mulled wine,” our source notes.

If you’re taking one of the Viking river cruises, do a bit of research on the cities you’ll be visiting. Find out what’s happening, then plan your itinerary appropriately. An easy approach is to sign up for the Viking Weekly, an online newsletter with recommendations, itinerary spotlights, videos, and more. The company also offers print publications designed to get travelers aboard one of Viking ocean ships.

With ocean cruise, timing is less of an issue, but you’ll still want to plan as far in advance as is possible. Viking Ocean Cruises can be booked several years in advance, and for some travelers, that extra planning time can ensure a once-in-a-lifetime trip.

6. How To Make A Viking Cruise Affordable

As we mentioned earlier, Viking Ocean cruises aren’t cheap, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t travel frugally.

Viking River Cruises offer a 3.3 percent discount for travelers who pay via e-check, so if you’re looking for a way to reduce your expenses, that’s a great place to start. You should also research tipping policies for your vessel; while tips are voluntary for both ocean and river cruises, Viking ocean cruises have a discretionary hotel and dining charge of $15.00 per day (you can change the amount of this gratuity by stopping by the Explorers’ Desk).

For river cruises, tipping recommendations vary depending on your location. The Viking River Cruises website contains gratuity recommendations for various cruises, along with currency recommendations.

While you’ll want to show your gratitude to the ship’s staff, you’ll want to know what you’re paying, particularly if you’re traveling on a ship that doesn’t use your typical currency. Planning in advance should help you avoid a costly mistake (or embarrassing faux pas).

7. Don’t Forget Your Cell Phone

Part of the fun of a cruise is getting away from the stresses of your everyday life, and for many of us, that means turning off the smartphone for a while. However, Viking offers a few apps to make your cruise more enjoyable, and if you don’t install them, you’ll miss out.

“The Viking Art Guide (available for free in the App Store and Google Play ) offers a self-guided audio tour of the artwork throughout the public spaces of the Viking Ocean Ships, with insightful commentary from your host, Viking’s Senior Vice President Karine Hagen, as well as a variety of curators and experts,” our source says.

Another essential download is the Viking Voyager app, which lets you see daily events, plan your cruise program, and book shore excursions, spa appointments, and dinner reservations. Sure, you can do all of that without the app, but a bit of technology goes a long way.

As one of the app’s reviewers puts it: “This app is an essential tool for getting the most out of your cruise.”

8. Find the Best On Board Internet Reception

When you are traveling you need to update social media regularly. You can’t just take a cruise, turn off all mobile devices, and not post a single thing. For that reason, Wi-Fi is available throughout the ship, but the reception can be spotty. You will typically notice this when going through the innumerable river and canal locks. 

That’s why you’ll appreciate this advice: the best stateroom Wi-Fi reception is in the bathroom because it is closest to the hallway. As for the entire ship, the strongest Wi-Fi signal is in the library located on the Upper Deck.

9. Try Out All Of The Dining Options

On a Viking cruise, diners can visit any restaurant without incurring any additional charge. Many travelers play it safe, sticking with contemporary American fare at the buffet, but our Viking source strongly recommended exploring all of the ships’ culinary options.

A simple place to start: Mamsen’s, a chic deli located on every Viking ocean cruise ship.

“Located in the Explorer’s Lounge, Mamsen’s serves traditional Scandinavian fare inspired by Ragnhild Hagen – Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen’s mother, or ‘Mamsen,’ as she was known to the family,” our source wrote. “The deli, named in her honor, serves cuisine inspired by her kitchen, from sweet rolls with cloudberry jam, salmon gravlax, and open-faced sandwiches to her heart-shaped waffles served with jam or gjetost and Norwegian brown goat cheese.”

You’ll also want to check out Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant and The Chef’s Table, the cruise line’s premium restaurants. Some suites come with a guaranteed reservation, but if you’re grabbing a stateroom, try to visit the restaurants early in your voyage.

And if you enjoy your experience at one of those premium restaurants, feel free to head back later in the trip — at The Chef’s Table, the menu changes every three days.

10. Know Your Menu

On the ship restaurant menus, you’ll find the left side featuring daily-prepared chef specialties, often regional seasonal cuisine. Meanwhile, the right side of the menu offers standard options like fish, chicken, and steak. 

You’ll discover first-hand that the standard options take longer to prepare than the chef specialties, because a steak, for example, will be cooked to order while the specialties only require assembly. Keep in mind that if you order from the right side of the menu, your entire table will need to wait to be served until your special order is ready.

11. Tour The Bridge And The Galley.

If you’re on an ocean cruise, you can actually take a tour of the bridge and galley, but you’ll need to act quickly in order to get a spot.

“At least once during your sailing, the ship will offer behind-the-scenes tours of the bridge, where the captain and crew manage the direction and speed of the ship, and the galley, the kitchen,” a Viking representative says.

“These are limited capacity and can only be booked once onboard, so talk to the guest services team once you arrive and watch your Viking Daily newsletter to make sure you can secure your spot.”

That might not interest every traveler, but if you’re interested in the inner workings of a major cruise vessel, it’s well worth the time.

12. Get Off The Boat When You Can

Given the luxurious nature of the Viking vessels, it’s easy to understand why a traveler would want to stay on the boat. That’s fine if you’re on an ocean cruise, but for Viking river cruises, make sure you’re taking advantage of the local culture.

“Unlike Viking ocean cruises, sailing on river cruises puts you in the heart of many of the cities you visit,” our source tells us. “During each port of call, guests can explore the destinations with a short walk from their ship’s dock. Plus, the ships sail smoothly down Europe’s waterways, meaning, no waves for those who get seasick.”

This is where a carefully planned travel itinerary can really elevate your trip. Of course, if you miss a stop, you can still enjoy the cities: Viking’s Culture Curriculum program provides onboard performances and lectures from artists, musicians, and historians, along with “authentic culinary demonstrations.”

In other words, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to expand your knowledge of world cultures. Just make sure to make an effort!

13. Don’t Overpack

Remember, Viking cruises provide pretty much everything you need for a great vacation. The worst thing you can do is clutter up your quarters with unnecessary items.

Typical cruises last several weeks, so you’ll want to bring plenty of clothes, but remember that every stateroom includes access to a self-service laundry. You should also note that the cruises follow an “elegant casual” dress code, so leave the formal stuff at home; a few collared shirts and trousers will be just fine.

Most rooms are also equipped with hair dryers, so while you might want to bring other electric products — hair straighteners and curlers, for instance — leave the dryer behind.

And even if you’re extremely particular about your shampoo, you don’t need to bring any onboard. Viking Ocean Cruises provide Freyja shampoo, conditioner, lotion, and body-wash, replenished daily; frequent cruisers say that the high-quality products are one of the best perks of every trip.

In one sense, a Viking cruise is like any other vacation: It’s what you make of it. In every other sense, though, it’s unmatched, especially when compared with cruises from other major companies. Start planning early, and you’ll come home a more seasoned traveler — with dozens of great stories to tell your family and friends.

Are Pets Allowed on Board A Viking Cruise Ship?

No. Only service animals and certified therapy dogs may be allowed at Viking’s sole discretion. Guests who require the help of a service animal must complete and submit the Service Animal Request Form to Viking before final payment is due. 

What Is the Electrical Voltage in the Staterooms on Viking Cruise Ships?

There are both 110V and 220V electrical outlets in your stateroom. All outlets are European style with a ground, except for two US 110V sockets above the desk and one US 110V socket on each side of the bed. There are no UK 3-pin sockets. 

Are the Viking Cruise Ships Non-Smoking?

They are generally nonsmoking, but to accommodate guests who smoke, there is a designated outdoor smoking area on the starboard side of Deck 8. All other areas of the ship are designated non-smoking areas. Restrictions also apply to e-cigarettes.

Is There a Library on Board a Viking Cruise Vessel?

Yes. Viking ocean and Viking expeditions ships include the library located in The Living Room. Book selection is curated by London bookseller Heywood Hill to enrich and enhance your journey.

Are There Luggage Restrictions On Board Viking Cruise Ships?

All luggage on board a Viking Cruise vessel must be stored in the guest’s stateroom. All information concerning luggage will be available to you with ample time to plan for your voyage. A full list of allowable and prohibited items on board is available on their Prohibited Items List.

Brian Thomas is a professional writer with over 15 years of experience. He’s traveled extensively during that time, frequently touring the American Southwest as both a musician and a tourist. In 2019, he visited Japan and Mexico, and he’s become passionate about spreading a simple message: Traveling isn't necessarily expensive, and it's one of the best paths to self-improvement.

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While you sail along the rivers of Egypt, Europe or Asia, Viking Rivers wants you to enjoy not just the serene beauty of the ports you’ll see, but to also get a great primer on the local cultures. That’s why on their river ships you’ll enjoy performances by local singers and dancers, along with demonstrations by local chefs. There are also lectures planned throughout your cruise on the history, traditions and language of the nearby regions. 

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Europe river cruises – will there ever be a place for casinos?

If you’re a regular on Europe river cruises – whether that be the natural beauty of the Rhine Valley, the historical attractions of the Danube or the sun-kissed Spanish appeal of the Douro – one thing you’ll have noticed is the distinct lack of a casino on-board your vessel.

Now, if you frequent Europe river cruises exclusively and have yet to explore the continent by ocean, this may be something which hasn’t even occurred to you. After all, why would there be any reason to have one? With so much to see, when would you have the time to dance with lady luck? If however, you’re the type of person who likes to embark on Europe ocean cruises as well as Europe river cruises, you’ll no-doubt be aware that the cruise ship casino is traditional and popular fixture. Whether it’s a ringing, buzzing, colourfully illuminated mini Vegas full of one armed bandits or a more refined, James Bond-style Monte Carlo hang-out, the on-board casino is certainly here to stay.

A different kind of cruising

Before Europe river cruises there was …

The Mississippi River. Of course, that’s not strictly true, as our European rivers have been around just as long. Rather, the Mississippi River was entertaining river cruisers long before the notion of Europe river cruises even existed. Before the advent of rail travel in the United States, river travel was king and indeed, the Mississippi was very much the south’s lifeblood – a vital artery of trade and travel. Of course, when you consider that the Mississippi River is 2,320 miles long, for the 19 th century trader on a particularly long journey, that’s a lot of downtime, even with multiple trading stops. Enter river cruise gambling.

A mobile gambling mecca

With so much time to pass, gambling quickly became the most popular way to pass the time and with a lot of wealthy traders plying their wares, the stakes could often get pretty high. Of course, word, like the current, travels fast and it wasn’t long before many of the country’s professional casino gamblers began to set their sights on the river. After all, the temptation to strip a rich trader – perhaps a little green around the gambling gills – of some of his hard earned, must’ve been a big one. Card games soon became big business, though it didn’t take long for the traders to realise what was going on and spot the professionals among their fellow merchants. No one likes a cheat and indeed, things soon came to a head in 1835, when five casino gamblers were hung for doing just that. Excessive yes, but the message was clear and the professional gamblers took notice and looked elsewhere, leaving the American Civil War to finish off the tradition of river boat gambling.

Rolling on the river

That was until the river cruise casino came along. Despite its reputation for big-hitting gamblers and culture of day-long Vegas slot machine vigils, America’s never really had a history of being tolerant towards gambling. Aside from the aforementioned gambling capital, its fellow Nevada state city Reno and Atlantic City, there are, in fact few places which embrace the gambler. Few places, that is, on land. Iowa was the first American state to exploit a legal loophole which allowed for riverboat casinos. Providing that they actually sailed along the river at least a few times, thus entering what was described as international waters, these boats could operate legally; a fact which was soon exploited and one which saw the rebirth of riverboat gambling, with other states soon following suit.

These days, there are a number of riverboat casinos to be found on the Mississippi River, including the always popular Casino Queen, which can be found docked close to St Louis. Indeed, these days, the laws have been relaxed and you’re more likely to find a permanently moored Mississippi gambling casino than a mobile one. Meaning that, it’s enough that the casino isn’t on land to keep it legal.

So, if you really want to recreate that riverboat gambling ambience, for now, it looks like you’ll have to head over to the States. However, the beautiful scenery, culture and of course, good food on offer on Europe River cruises will surely provide even the most hardened gambler with more than enough of a distraction from the bright lights of casino!

By Simon Brotherton Google

photo credit: ZackW via photopin cc

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Archive (2021)

CNBC: The best cruises of 2022, according to U.S. News & World Report

November 9, 2021 — Two cruise lines, Viking and Disney, dominate a new ranking released by U.S. News & World Report.

Read the full article >

Travel Weekly: Viking Saturn to join Viking Ocean Cruises fleet in 2023

October 13, 2021 — The 930-passenger vessel, identical to its eight sister ships, will spend its maiden season sailing in the Nordic countries, including two 15-day cruises (Iceland-Greenland-Canada and Iceland-Norway) and a 29-day sailing to Greenland, Iceland and Norway.

Condé Nast Traveler: The Best Cruise Lines in the World: 2021 Readers' Choice Awards: Medium Ship Line #1: Viking Ocean Cruise

October 5, 2021 — Originally a river cruise line, Viking has launched six ocean-going vessels since 2015, the most recent being the brand-new Viking Venus, whose maiden voyage took place in 2021. The ships are nearly identical, carrying 930 passengers each, housed in balcony staterooms. Though not all-inclusive, Viking Ocean offers guests one free excursion in each port (the ships primarily sail Northern Europe, though there are some Mediterranean itineraries, too), beer and wine with lunch and dinner, and an unlimited Wi-Fi connection.

USA Today: This cruise line is setting the standard for traveling during a pandemic

September 8, 2021 — Never one to follow the pack, Viking has distinguished itself from other major cruise lines by focusing on “exploring the world in comfort.” Unlike most of its colleagues, it doesn’t allow kids under 18, it doesn’t have casinos and it doesn’t charge extra for Wi-Fi, laundry, specialty restaurants or beer and wine at lunch and dinner. Plus, one shore excursion is included in every port and every cabin comes with a private balcony.

Cruise Critic: Just Back From Viking Venus: Brand-New Cruise Ship, Brand-New Homeport

September 2, 2021 — What is the secret to a well-designed cruise ship? There's no one answer, of course, but versatility plays a role. As a passenger, you want to be on a ship that has as much to offer on a sun-soaked itinerary as it does during rainy weather. And cruise lines want the flexibility to be able to move ships around to different climates and countries, particularly during a pandemic when limited ports are availability. Maybe that's why Viking's ocean cruise ships have done so well managing their return to service with 'Welcome Back' itineraries based in three different countries -- Iceland, Bermuda and Malta.

Travel + Leisure: Viking's 2022 World Cruise Sold Out so Quickly, It's Offering 2 in 2023

August 27, 2021 — For the first time ever, Viking will operate two world cruises within one year, due to increased demand for longer-term travel. The 2023-2024 Viking World Cruise will sail aboard two different ships, both setting sail on identical itineraries from Fort Lauderdale and leaving within days of each other. The announcement comes after both Viking's 2021 and 2022 world cruises sold out in record time.

CNBC: Viking chairman on cruise demand: Bookings up 42% for 2022 over 2019

August 10, 2021 — Chairman Torstein Hagen joins ‘Squawk on the Street’ to discuss the Viking Health & Safety Program and the path forward.

Forbes: My (COVID-19) Positive Experience Cruising To Iceland On Viking Sky Last Week

July 19, 2021 — Viking has taken the pandemic seriously. They’ve spent the past year and a half creating the only full-scale testing labs at sea, putting them into place on every one of their ships (not an inexpensive undertaking) along with health and safety protocols that are setting the gold standard for cruising during these unsettling times.

CNN: Here’s how Viking Cruises plans to welcome back vaccinated guests

April 28, 2021 — Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen talks to CNN’s Richard Quest on “Quest Means Business” to discuss our plans for welcoming vaccinated guests back on board our ocean ships in 2021.

CNBC: Viking restarts limited cruise operation with vaccine and testing requirements

April 9, 2021 — Torstein Hagen, Viking chairman, joins “Squawk on the Street” to discuss the cruise line’s reopening plans and outlook for the company.

Forbes: Free Virtual Entertainment From Viking Cruises: Yes, You Can Enjoy Travel Fun At Home

February 21, 2021 — Applause to travel companies that have gone the extra mile during the pandemic by creatively developing free virtual entertainment. One of the best and brightest roll-outs to build community and share positive experiences comes from Viking Cruises, which launched, in April 2020, a new digital platform called Viking.TV, available online. Now approaching its one year anniversary, Viking.TV has amassed an impressive collection of engaging original cultural content and live-stream video adventures.

Forbes: Viking Cruises Bets You’ll Be Ready For This Epic Journey In 2022–23

January 21, 2021 — How many of the 58 ports on this 138-day cruise have you been to? Once the world is vaccinated and the pandemic subsides, many will be craving a cruise again. Viking Cruises has a new 138-day World Cruise that might be the most relaxing way to (almost) circle the globe. It visits some of the world’s most famous destinations on almost every continent.

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IPO watch: Cruise line operator Viking to go public as it looks to cash in on baby boomer buzz

BackyardProduction/iStock Editorial via Getty Images

Viking Holdings ( VIK ) is expected to price its IPO next week and begin to trade. The ocean and river cruise company is planning to sell 44M shares priced between $21 and $25 per share in the initial public offering, which would raise just over $1B at the mid-point of the range and value the company at around $10B.

The company disclosed in an SEC filing that in 2023 it reported a loss of $1.85B on $4.7B in revenue as cruise operating expenses increased by 33% to $2.85B. Adjusted EBITDA loss widened to $1.09B from $367M in 2022 and the adjusted EBITDA margin expanded to 35.5% from 18.4% the year prior. As of December 31, Viking ( VIK ) had $1.3B in cash, $11.4B in total liabilities, and free cash flow of -$673 for the preceding 12-month period. Viking ( VIK ) started in 1997 with just 4 river cruise ships but has expanded to 84 ships in operation with 650K passengers in 2023.

The IPO is generating some positive buzz from investors due to the niche aspect of the company's business. Notably, Viking ( VIK ) caters to older cruise line customers looking for a quieter, high-end experience. Viking cruises do not allow children under 18 and have no casinos. Instead of promoting a party atmosphere, Viking proclaims to be a global leader in experiential travel by exploring all seven continents, all five oceans, and more than 20 iconic rivers. Crucially, Viking said its single-brand focus has helped with customer retention.

"We also leverage our strong brand loyalty for future product launches, with over 60% of bookings for each of the inaugural seasons for Viking Ocean, Viking Expedition and Viking Mississippi made by past guests. Our guests know they can expect a consistent, excellent experience on each voyage they take with us, which has allowed us to expand our travel platform successfully with new destinations and experiences. Our repeat guest percentage has steadily increased over time from 27% for the 2015 season to 51% for the 2023 season."

In Viking's F-1 SEC filing, the company also noted that demographics are working in its favor.

"The U.S. population aged 55 years and older comprises 30% of the total population, has the largest spending power of any demographic based on annual expenditures and holds over 70% of U.S. wealth as measured by the U.S. Federal Reserve. The U.S. population aged 55 years and older is also the fastest growing segment of the population, with expected growth from 98 million people in 2020 to 110 million people in 2030, according to the Congressional Budget Office."

In general, strong revenue growth and positive booking trends have not been enough to allay fears of high debt loads and elevated interest rates. However, Royal Caribbean's conference call update on the exceptional demand during the Wave Season could serve as a rising tide for its peers Carnival ( CCL ), Norwegian Cruise Line ( NCLH ), and Lindblad Expeditions ( LIND ).

More on Viking Holdings

• FOMC Meeting, Jobs Report, And Apple Earnings Headline Big Week
• Viking Holdings Hopes To Cruise To A Successful U.S. IPO
• IPO Roundup: UL Solutions, PACS Group, and more
• Financial information for Viking Holdings Ltd

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Cruise Operator Viking’s IPO Looks Like a Winner

V iking Cruises has turned European river travel into a lucrative business by catering to the Masterpiece Theater crowd—affluent older American tourists interested in culture, art, and history.

The cruise line’s parent, Viking Holdings, plans to go public in the coming week. The deal could generate a positive reception from investors due to the company’s profitability, high-end niche, and growth prospects.

Viking plans to sell 44 million shares in a price range of $21 to $25, which would raise $1 billion and value the company at around $10 billion based on 431 million shares outstanding, according to its prospectus. The deal is expected to be priced on April 30 and begin trading on May 1. The stock will trade on the NYSE under the ticker VIK. Underwriters include BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan, UBS, and Wells Fargo.

The company operates 92 vessels including 58 of its signature flat, long ships accommodating 190 passengers each that ply European rivers such as the Seine, Rhine, and Danube. The company’s slogan is “Exploring the World in Comfort.”

The Viking experience is the antithesis of boozy fun marketed by big cruise lines on their massive ships. There are no children under 18 allowed on Viking vessels and there are no casinos on board.

Founded in 1997, Viking has become synonymous with European river travel due in part to shrewd marketing. It sponsored PBS’s Masterpiece Theater, including the hit series Downton Abbey. The company diversified into the luxury ocean market in 2015 and now leads in that sector.

The company had $4.7 billion in revenue in 2023, up nearly 50% from 2022, and it earned a pro forma 56 cents a share excluding special factors. At the midpoint of the pricing range, the company would be valued at a steep 41 times its 2023 pro forma earnings.

But the stock looks reasonable based on free cash flow. It’s valued at about 10 times the $1 billion of free cash flow that it generated last year. Using another metric, the company is valued at about 13 times its 2023 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization, or Ebitda. Viking has less than $4 billion of net debt.

Viking released some first-quarter financials in its prospectus that showed improvement over the same period in 2023. Revenue of $715 million at the midpoint of a range was up 14% versus the year-earlier period, and its operating loss narrowed to $80 million at the midpoint of the range, against a $116 million loss in the first quarter of 2023. The first quarter is seasonally weak, with the company profitable in the second and third quarters of the year.

The luxury market is hot, with investors gravitating toward stocks such as Ferrari and Hermès. The company bills itself as the only “pure play luxury public cruise line.”

The initial public offering will represent a score for CEO, chairman and founder Torstein Hagen and for investors TPG and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board.

Before the IPO, Hagen owned about 54% of the company, with TPG and CPP at roughly 21% each. In the IPO, the company will sell 11 million shares and TPG and CPP a total of 33 million.

Viking carried about 650,000 passengers in 2023, who paid an average of more than $7,000 per trip against about $2,000 for cruise line industry leader Carnival, which is a mostly mass-market company. Viking caters to travelers, mostly Americans, who are 55 years old or over and who are interested in culture, art, music, history, and science. it caters to what it calls “thinking people.”

Viking says it has 51% of the riverboat market for North American tourists. In 2015, it started an ocean cruising division and now has an industry-leading share of 26%.

In a presentation available on the RetailRoadshow website, Hagen said that Viking has disproved the industry view that it’s “tough making money on smaller ships.” Viking’s riverboats are larger than those of many of its competitors, which allows for more passengers and profitability.

The company sees considerable growth potential in coming years, with 18 new riverboats and six oceangoing ships due for delivery through 2028. Part of its strategy is to operate identical river long-ships and oceangoing ships to simplify marketing and maintenance.

Challenges for Viking include growing competition in the European river market, with some rivals offering what they tout as a more exclusive experience than Viking. Travel specialist Tauck, for instance, notes on its website that its riverboats carry no more than 130 guests.

There are only so many European rivers to experience. Viking’s growth could come from its ocean travel focused on Europe (mostly the Mediterranean and Baltic seas) as well as the Antarctic. River travel is growing on waterways such as the Mississippi in the U.S. and the Mekong in Southeast Asia.

“We maintain a clear focus on our most relevant customer group: English-speaking travelers aged 55 years old and over, who have the time, money, and desire to explore the world,” Hagen wrote in the prospectus. That strategy has worked, and Viking could be rewarded for it when it goes public soon.

Write to Andrew Bary at [email protected]

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Cruise operator Viking targets $11 billion valuation as IPO market stays hot

Viking Holdings, the European cruise line operator, is seeking to raise more than $1 billion in a public offering next week that could become the second-biggest IPO of 2024.

Viking is scheduled to price on April 30 and trade the next day, a person familiar with the deal told Fortune . The Pembroke, Bermuda–based company plans to sell 44 million shares at $21 to $25 each, according to a regulatory filing dated April 22. Viking will be offering 11 million shares with the remainder coming from shareholders, according to a statement . BofA Securities and JPMorgan are lead underwriters on the deal, which could end up valuing Viking—slated to trade under VIK on the New York Stock Exchange—at almost $11 billion.

Torstein Hagen, Viking’s chairman and CEO, founded the company in 1997. It has a fleet of 92 vessels that travel to all seven continents, including special expeditions to Antarctica and to the Arctic North.

“Looking toward the future, we believe there are a number of opportunities for growing Viking,” Hagen wrote in a letter accompanying the filing. “We have 24 new ships on order, with options for 12 more. We have also started to enter new markets, such as China and elsewhere in Asia, where we see significant growth potential over the long term.”

Revenue for Viking rose 48% to $4.7 billion in 2023. The company was profitable in 2022 but posted $1.86 billion in losses last year, and it’s highly leveraged, reporting $5.4 billion in total debt as of Dec. 31.

“We have substantial indebtedness and we may not be able to generate sufficient cash to service all of our indebtedness or to obtain additional financing if necessary,” Viking said in the regulatory filing.

The company is also backed by private equity. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board and TPG likely will each have nearly 5% of the firm’s voting power after the IPO.

The IPO market is bouncing back. Last week, Ibotta rose 17% during its first day of trading after pricing at $88. Rubrik, a Microsoft-backed cloud data security provider, is scheduled to list shares on Thursday and could raise as much as $713 million . Also on Thursday, Marex Group, a U.K.-based financial services platform, is expected to trade, according to IPOScoop.com.

The year’s biggest IPO still belongs to Amer Sport, the maker of Wilson tennis racquets, which raised $1.37 billion in February, according to data from Dealogic. Viking, if it prices at the top of its range, could raise as much as $1.1 billion.

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