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 and on Mississippi River sailings. European and Asian itineraries charge a modest fee per item for standard staterooms.

†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, and 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. Unlike many competitors, 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 Privileged Access experiences at an additional cost:

• 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, truffle hunting with a local farmer
• Privileged Access: Before/after-hours museum access, private palace visits, exclusive folklore and opera performances

Complimentary Wi-Fi

Shipwide 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 – not designed for streaming or video calls.

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)

Mississippi River cruises include self-service launderettes with complimentary detergent. European and Asian itineraries charge a per-item fee for standard stateroom guests. Explorer Suite guests receive complimentary laundry on all itineraries.

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

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?

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 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 – 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 Makes Viking River Cruises Stand Out?

True Inclusive Value: No nickel-and-diming. Excursions, Wi-Fi, meals, and beverages are bundled upfront.

Destination-Focused Experience: Menus reflect each region, lectures are led by local historians, and shore programs are built around cultural immersion – not just sightseeing.

Scandinavian Design: Viking Longships feature floor-to-ceiling windows, Scandinavian minimalism, and innovative layouts, including river cruising's only true two-room suites.

Intimate Scale: At just 190 passengers, Viking delivers a personal experience where the crew knows your name and preferences.

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.

Explorer Suite: The Ultimate Viking Experience

For travelers seeking the pinnacle of river cruising, Viking's Explorer Suites are among the largest and most luxurious accommodations on European rivers at 445 square feet.

Standard Stateroom vs. Explorer Suite: What's the Real Difference?

While both offer signature Viking comfort (heated bathroom floors, high-end beds, Scandinavian design), the difference between a River-view Stateroom and an Explorer Suite is the difference between a high-end hotel room and a fully inclusive VIP penthouse.

Space & Layout

High-Value Inclusions

*Viking Air Plus lets you choose your airline and schedule. Airfare cost is still separate unless a "Free Air" promotion is running.

The Verdict

River-view Stateroom: The right choice if you're spending most of your time on shore or in the ship's communal spaces. A well-appointed, comfortable base.

Explorer Suite: For travelers who want the "private club" feel – drinks on a wraparound balcony, breakfast in your robe, no bar tab, no laundry bill. The Silver Spirits package alone ($189 on a 7-night cruise) offsets a meaningful portion of the upgrade cost.

Exclusive Explorer Suite Perks

• ✨ Priority embarkation & private transfers
• 🍾 Welcome bottle of Champagne
• 🍷 Complimentary Silver Spirits Beverage Package
• 🥐 In-room breakfast service
• 🧺 Complimentary laundry and shoeshine
• 🍎 Daily fruit platter & replenished mini-bar
• 🌊 Wraparound veranda with 270-degree views
• ✈️ Viking Air Plus (choose your own flights)
• ☕ In-room espresso machine

Egypt note: Silver Spirits cannot be purchased separately on Egypt sailings – it's only available as a complimentary amenity for Explorer Suite guests.

Explorer Suites sell out 12-18 months in advance. Book early.

Why Book Viking River Cruises With The Cruise Web?

At The Cruise Web, we've been helping travelers plan unforgettable vacations 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!

Frequently Asked Questions About Viking River Cruises

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?

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 smaller rivers (Douro, Elbe, Seine) are slightly smaller "baby Longships" adapted to navigate tighter locks and city centers, though they maintain similar amenities.

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.