Viking River Cruises

Viking is celebrated for its "Thinking Person’s Cruise," focusing on cultural enrichment rather than onboard gimmicks. They are famous for their Scandinavian design, which features light-filled spaces and "Longships" engineered to dock in the heart of historic cities. There are no casinos, no photographers, and no children under 18.

Viking is generally defined as an understated luxury or premium-plus line. While they avoid the "white glove" formality of some ultra-luxury brands, they offer an award-winning experience characterised by high-end service, refined design, and an incredibly inclusive price point that consistently wins "World’s Best" accolades.

Viking offers "Inclusive Value." While not 100% all-inclusive (like some lines that include every premium spirit), your fare covers a shore excursion in every port, Wi-Fi, all meals, and house wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner. For UK guests, onboard gratuities and port taxes are also typically included.

• Shore Excursions: At least one guided tour in every port of call.

• Beverages: Beer, wine, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; 24-hour specialty coffee and tea.

• Connectivity: Complimentary Wi-Fi throughout the ship.

• Comfort: Bottled water replenished daily and heated bathroom floors.

• Travel: Port taxes, fees, and ground transfers (when booking Viking Air).

Yes. For those who want unlimited premium spirits, cocktails, and wines outside of mealtimes, Viking offers the Silver Spirits Beverage Package. It covers any drink up to a certain value and is available for a fixed daily rate.

Yes, Wi-Fi is complimentary for all guests. While connectivity on the rivers is generally excellent for browsing and email, signal strength can vary when passing through deep gorges or remote stretches of the river.

Viking has the largest fleet in the world, sailing the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and Douro in Europe. They also offer exotic itineraries on the Nile in Egypt, the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and have recently launched purpose-built ships for the Mississippi in the USA.

The dress code is "Casual Elegance." During the day, comfortable walking clothes and shoes for sightseeing are standard. In the evening, "elegant casual" is recommended (trousers and a collared shirt for men; a dress, skirt, or slacks for women).

No. Viking is famously "no formal nights." You will never need a tuxedo or an evening gown, and there is no pressure to dress up beyond a smart-casual level for dinner.

Most Viking Longships feature both North American 110V and European 220V (two-pin) sockets. There are typically USB charging ports located by the bedside. UK guests will need a travel adapter for 3-pin plugs.

For UK bookings, onboard gratuities are included in your cruise fare, so there is no need to worry about a daily service charge. Tipping local guides and drivers after shore excursions is common but entirely at your discretion.

Yes. Unlike many other lines, Viking has a very generous alcohol policy. Guests are welcome to bring wine, champagne, or spirits purchased on land back to the ship to enjoy in their stateroom or even in public areas without any corkage fees.

While AmaWaterways focuses on active cruising (bikes and hiking) and Scenic is ultra-all-inclusive with butler service, Viking specialises in "destination immersion." Viking is the choice for travellers who prefer a serene, adult-only environment and a clean, modern aesthetic over traditional cruise ship décor.