What's Included on Viking River Cruises?

Viking River Cruises built its reputation on "Viking Inclusive Value" – transparent pricing that bundles the essentials into every fare with no hidden fees.

Here's exactly what's included, what costs extra and how to budget smart.

Viking River Cruises Inclusions at a Glance

*Laundry is complimentary for Explorer Suite guests on all itineraries, for Veranda Suite guests on European sailings and for Terrace Suite and Penthouse Junior Suite guests on the Mississippi. Guests in every Mississippi stateroom can use the self-service launderettes. Other staterooms pay a per-item fee on European and Asian itineraries. More on this below.

†Silver Spirits beverage package available for $27/person/day.

What Does a Viking River Cruise Include

All Meals & No Cover Charges, Ever

Viking's highly trained chefs craft an enriching culinary experience using fresh herbs from the onboard garden and regional ingredients. Every meal is included in your fare. No cover charges, no upcharges, ever.

• The Restaurant: Open-seating dining for breakfast, lunch & dinner with four-course menus reflecting your destinations, from Rhine castles to Nile temples.
• Aquavit Terrace: Viking's signature indoor/outdoor observation lounge offering casual dining for all three meals. Perfect for scenic river views and a more relaxed pace.
• Room Service: Breakfast service exclusively for Explorer Suite guests.

Wine, Beer & Soft Drinks With Meals

House wines (often sourced from local vineyards), beer, and soft drinks are included at every lunch and dinner with no limit. Viking is known for pouring liberally.

• Specialty Coffee & Hot Teas: Free 24/7 at self-serve coffee stations. No charge, whether it's a cappuccino at sunrise or chamomile before bed.
• Bottled Water: Provided daily in your stateroom and at the gangway before excursions. Viking includes this at no extra charge – a meaningful perk when you're exploring ports all day.

At Least One Shore Excursion in Every Port

Viking includes at least one guided shore excursion in every port, led by local experts. The included tour is typically a "Panoramic" or "Highlights" experience (a walking tour or coach excursion covering the destination's main cultural and historical attractions).

For travelers wanting to go deeper, Viking offers premium optional experiences at an additional cost, and they're broken up into three categories:

• Local Life: Culinary tours, visits to Viking-sponsored schools and behind-the-scenes glimpses of daily life
• Working World: Historic windmills, Wachau Valley wine cellars and truffle hunting with a local farmer
• Privileged Access: Before/after-hours museum access, private palace visits, exclusive folklore and opera performances

You may also choose an Overland Excursion, available on select longer sailings. These are fully guided multi-day tours beyond the port and more inland. Examples include exploring the Normandy coast, going on a safari in search of lions, sleeping in a hotel made of ice in Norway and much more. Overland Excursions include deluxe hotel stays, meals and transportation, so you can explore while our Cruise Experts handle the logistics.

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi is included for all guests. Connect unlimited devices with your room number and surname. It handles email, social media, and light browsing well. Please note that connection speed may vary.

Airport Transfers (When You Book Viking Air)

Book airfare through Viking and roundtrip transfers are included. A Viking representative meets you on arrival and handles all logistics to and from the ship. If you book your own flights, transfers can be purchased separately.

Onboard Enrichment Programs

Viking's "thinking person's cruise" philosophy means cultural programming is woven into every stage of your journey:

• Before You Go: Recommended reading lists and filmographies to prepare for your destinations and build anticipation.
• On Board: Destination-focused lectures, regional cooking demonstrations, and live local music performances.
• On Shore: Accompany the ship's chef to a local market, tour a private chocolate factory, or view a museum's private collection.

Laundry (On Select Ships)

On the Mississippi, Explorer, Terrace and Penthouse Junior Suite guests receive complimentary laundry and shoe shine, Penthouse Veranda guests receive complimentary pressing and shoe shine, and every guest can use the self-service launderettes.

On European itineraries, Explorer Suite and Veranda Suite guests receive complimentary laundry and shoe shine, and other staterooms pay a per-item fee.

On Egypt itineraries, complimentary laundry is for Explorer Suite guests only.

On the Mekong and India, Explorer Suite guests receive complimentary laundry and shoe shine.

Port Taxes & Charges

All port taxes and charges are included in your fare. The price you see is the price you pay.

Are Gratuities Included on Viking River Cruises

No. Gratuities are not included in the base fare and are one of the most important extras to budget for.

Viking offers two options: pre-purchase through My Viking Journey, or an auto-charge added to your shipboard account at the end of the cruise (adjustable at Guest Services). Gratuities are distributed among your Program Director, waitstaff, stateroom stewards, galley staff, and nautical crew.

Regional Gratuity Rates

*Gratuities are per person and subject to change.

Save money in Europe: Pre-purchasing locks in USD pricing. Paying onboard in Euros typically costs 5-10% more due to the exchange rate.

Egypt, India & Mekong Split Rate: The higher ship rate ($25) reflects increased operating costs, staffing ratios and additional logistics like private security. The land rate ($10) covers the separate tour staff during land portions.

Pre- & Post-Cruise Extension Tipping

Tour Directors on land extensions are not covered by the onboard gratuity. Budget cash separately:

Europe dining note: Most restaurants include service in the bill. Rounding up is standard – no need to add 15-20% as you would in the U.S.

How Gratuities Are Calculated

Viking charges based on nights on board, not total itinerary days.

An 8-day cruise = 7 nights of gratuities.

What Is Viking's Silver Spirits Beverage Package

For guests who want premium drinks outside of meal times, Viking offers the Silver Spirits Beverage Package at $27 per person, per day.

What's Included In Silver Spirits Package

This upgraded package gives you unlimited access to:

• Upgraded select wines, premium beer & spirits/whiskeys from around the world
• Select wines by the bottle
• Cocktails, aperitifs & house champagne by the glass
• Specialty coffee drinks, soft drinks & juices
• Open bar during operating hours – anytime, anywhere on the ship

Essentially, Silver Spirits transforms your cruise into an all-inclusive beverage experience where you can enjoy premium drinks anytime, anywhere on the ship.

Is Silver Spirits Package Worth It

Since Viking already includes house wine and beer at meals, Silver Spirits is about upgrading to premium selections and drinking freely between meals.

At $27/day, you'd need roughly 2-3 drinks outside of mealtimes to break even. It's best suited for guests who enjoy pre-dinner cocktails, premium wine at dinner, or drinks on the sun deck.

Important requirements:

• Both guests in a stateroom must purchase for the full voyage
• Must be 21+ to purchase and consume
• Not available on Egypt itineraries (complimentary for Explorer Suite guests only)

Are Specialty Restaurants Included on Viking River Cruises

Viking Longships don't have traditional specialty restaurants with cover charges. The Aquavit Terrace serves as a casual alternative venue, and it's completely complimentary.

All dining on board is included with no upcharges or reservation fees.

What Is NOT Included on Viking River Cruises

Specialty coffees and hot teas are complimentary 24/7 at coffee stations even without Silver Spirits.

What's Included in Each Viking River Cruise Stateroom

Every Viking River Cruises stateroom includes the fare inclusions covered above. What changes by room type is size, layout, view and a few suite-level extras. Available staterooms vary by ship and region, so we've broken them out below.

Viking River Cruise Staterooms in Europe

Viking's Longships sail the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, and Rhône, and share one layout: 190 passengers and 95 staterooms across five types. The layout below applies to ships like Viking Aegir, Viking Bragi and Viking Haki.

Sizes for the Explorer Suite, Veranda Suite and Veranda Stateroom include the private veranda. French Balcony and Standard Staterooms have no veranda.

Longship Stateroom Inclusions

All five room types include noon embarkation, free Wi-Fi and a queen-size bed (twin configuration available). Explorer Suites add Silver Spirits, in-room breakfast and a private transfer to the Veranda Suite perks. Only two sail on each Longship.

Veranda, French Balcony and Standard Staterooms share the same inclusions, so we've grouped them below.

*Viking Air Plus is a phone service with a Viking Air Expert to customize your flights. Airfare is still separate unless a Free Air promotion is running.

Pick a Standard, French Balcony or Veranda Stateroom for a comfortable base to return to after time ashore or in the lounge.

Choose a Veranda Suite for a separate sitting room, noon room access and complimentary laundry.

Choose an Explorer Suite to add Silver Spirits, in-room breakfast and a private transfer. The drinks package alone is a $189 per person value on a 7-night cruise. Our Cruise Experts can help you decide if the upgrade is worth it and secure your suite at no additional cost.

Sailing the Douro, Elbe or Seine? Those ships are laid out a little differently, so we've given them their own section below.

Viking River Cruise Staterooms on the Douro, Elbe & Seine

Viking's smaller-river ships are laid out a little differently from the Longships above. The Douro and Elbe ships top out at the Veranda Suite, while the Seine ships include two Explorer Suites.

On the Douro and Elbe ships, Veranda Suites include welcome Champagne, a stocked mini-bar, a daily fruit plate, complimentary laundry and shoe shine and Viking Air Plus (US and Canada only). Seine suites follow the Longship inclusions above.

View Viking River Cruises to Europe

Viking River Cruise Staterooms on the Mississippi

Viking Mississippi carries 386 guests in 193 staterooms, and every room has a full veranda or a French balcony.

The French Balcony Stateroom is the only room without a private veranda, so every other size includes outdoor space. Deluxe Veranda Staterooms add an in-room coffee machine, binoculars and a traditional Norwegian blanket to the Veranda Stateroom. Penthouse Veranda Staterooms add welcome Champagne, a mini-bar stocked with alcoholic beverages, and complimentary pressing and shoe shine. Terrace Suites and Penthouse Junior Suites also include complimentary laundry, and Explorer Suites include Silver Spirits.

View Cruises to the Mississippi River

Viking River Cruise Staterooms in Egypt

Viking's newer Egypt ships, including Viking Anubis and Viking Aton, are identical sister ships with 82 guests in 41 staterooms: 12 Standard, 21 Veranda, 6 Veranda Suites and 2 Explorer Suites. Viking Ra, an all-suite ship for 52 guests, has Veranda Suites and Suites that each measure 291 sq ft.

The Explorer Suite, Veranda Suite and Veranda Stateroom measurements count their private verandas, including the Explorer Suite's 195 sq ft veranda. On Egypt sailings, complimentary laundry is for Explorer Suite guests only.

Silver Spirits cannot be purchased separately on Egypt sailings. It is only available as a complimentary amenity for Explorer Suite guests.

Browse Viking River Cruises to Egypt

Viking River Cruise Staterooms in Asia

Viking's Asia ships are laid out a little differently on each river. The Mekong ships, including Viking Tonle and Viking Saigon, have 26 French Balcony Staterooms, 12 Veranda Staterooms and 2 Explorer Suites. In India, Viking Ganges and her sister ship Viking Brahmaputra have 38 Veranda Staterooms and 2 Explorer Suites.

Every size listed here includes a private veranda except the French Balcony Stateroom. Explorer Suite guests on both rivers also receive complimentary in-room breakfast, laundry and shoe shine, plus Silver Spirits.

Not sure which stateroom fits your sailing? Details can change, so our Cruise Experts can check the latest inclusions for your ship and date.

Explore Viking River Cruises to Asia

What Makes Viking River Cruises Different

1. True Inclusive Value: No nickel-and-diming. Excursions, Wi-Fi, meals and beverages are bundled upfront.
2. Destination-Focused Experience: Menus reflect each region, lectures are led by local historians, and shore programs are built around cultural immersion – not just sightseeing.
3. Scandinavian Design: Viking Longships feature floor-to-ceiling windows, Scandinavian minimalism, and innovative layouts, including river cruising's only true two-room suites.
4. Intimate Scale: At just 190 passengers, Viking delivers a personal experience where the crew knows your name and preferences.
5. The Value Math: Included shore excursions are worth $100-$150 per port. On a 10-day cruise with 8-9 stops, that's $800-$1,350 in tour value built into your fare.

Why Book Viking River Cruises With The Cruise Web?

At The Cruise Web, we've been helping travelers plan Viking river cruises for over 30 years. With our A+ BBB rating, 4.9-star Google rating and no booking fees, we make it easy to find the best value on Viking sailings.

Our Cruise Experts can help you:

• Determine whether the Silver Spirits Package offers value for your specific drinking preferences
• Navigate current Viking promotions and limited-time offers
• Coordinate flights, transfers, and pre/post-cruise hotel stays
• Secure the best stateroom category for your budget

Ready to explore Europe's rivers, the Nile, the Mekong, or the Mississippi? Give our Cruise Experts a call at 1-800-377-9383 or visit cruiseweb.com to start planning your Viking river cruise today!

Note: The contents of this article are accurate as of the publication date. Viking River Cruises itineraries, inclusions, and prices are subject to change at any time.

Frequently Asked Questions About Viking River Cruises (FAQ)

How much are Viking River Cruises gratuities?

Gratuities are not included in Viking River Cruises fares.

On European and Mississippi River sailings, gratuities are $20 USD per person, per night when prepaid through My Viking Journey.

On European sailings, gratuities charged to the onboard account are billed at €20 per person, per night.

Egypt, India and Mekong itineraries use a split rate: $10 USD per person, per night for land portions and $25 USD per person, per night on the ship.

Gratuities are based on nights on board, not total itinerary days, so an 8-day cruise is charged for 7 nights. Onboard gratuity charges can be adjusted at Guest Services. Tour directors on pre- and post-cruise land extensions are not covered by the onboard gratuity and are tipped separately.

Can I bring my own wine or liquor on board?

Yes! Unlike ocean cruises, Viking River Cruises welcomes guests to bring their own bottles on board with no corkage fees. Many travelers pick up local wines during shore excursions and enjoy them in their stateroom, the lounge, or at dinner.

Is Viking suitable for children?

Viking discourages children under 12 and designs their experience for adults. The enrichment programs, pace, and atmosphere cater to mature travelers seeking cultural immersion.

Are all Viking Longships the same?

No. Most European Viking Longships (on the Rhine, Main, Danube, Moselle, and Rhône) share a consistent design with 190 passengers, two Explorer Suites, and seven Veranda Suites. Ships on the Douro, Elbe, and Seine are smaller and built for their rivers, so each has its own stateroom layout. Viking Helgrim (Douro) carries 106 guests and Viking Beyla (Elbe) carries 98, and neither has an Explorer Suite. The Seine ships Viking Nerthus and Viking Fjolvar carry 168 guests and include two Explorer Suites.

Do I need to make dining reservations?

No. Viking offers open-seating dining with no fixed meal times, giving you complete flexibility to dine when and where you choose.

What's the dress code on Viking?

Viking River Cruises have a relaxed, elegant dress code. Think "country club casual" for dinner – no formal nights or tuxedos required. Most guests wear slacks or nice jeans with a collared shirt or blouse for evening meals.

Can I still sail Viking without buying the air package?

Absolutely. Airfare is optional. Many guests prefer to book their own flights to use miles, add pre-cruise extensions, or fly business class. If you don't purchase Viking Air, you can still buy transfers separately.

Can I purchase Silver Spirits on Egypt itineraries?

No, the Silver Spirits beverage package is not available for purchase on Egypt sailings. However, it is included complimentary for guests staying in Explorer Suites on these itineraries. You must be 21 or older to purchase and consume alcoholic beverages on all Viking cruises.

How far in advance should I book?

Viking cruises are incredibly popular and often sell out 12-18 months ahead, especially for peak season sailings (April-October in Europe) and Explorer Suites. We recommend booking as early as possible to secure your preferred dates and stateroom category.

What happens if water levels are too high or too low?

River cruising is subject to water levels, which can fluctuate due to weather. If water levels prevent sailing on certain sections, Viking has contingency plans including motorcoach transfers and alternative itineraries. This is one reason Viking maintains a large fleet – they can swap passengers between ships if needed to ensure you still experience every destination.

Why book with The Cruise Web instead of direct?

The Cruise Web's Cruise Experts provide one dedicated point of contact for planning a Viking River Cruise, from matching a suite category to your travel style to getting access to exclusive rates and onboard credit offers, at no additional cost to you.