Your Viking River Cruise Questions Answered.
Viking Cruises is a luxury cruise line. It is one of the most popular cruise lines that offer river cruise itineraries.
Viking River cruise itineraries are some of the best, with a vast array of itineraries to choose from, therefore giving you flexibility when it comes to picking a date, price, and itinerary.
Viking focuses on destination-rich experiences and cultural immersion.
Today we are going to look at some of the well-known facts about Viking River cruises that will increase your knowledge about the Viking brand and specifically the Viking River so that you can have a better understanding of the brand and have a great time cruising on any of their great river cruise itineraries.
The Viking Longship Njord near the town of Durnstein on the Danube River.
Who Owns Viking River Cruise?
Viking was founded in 1997 by Chairman Torstein Hagen, and in the year 2000, Viking purchased European KD river cruises. This purchase enabled Viking to expand both its fleet and its itineraries. In 2022 Viking launched its Mississippi River cruises.
Is Viking River The Best River Cruise Line?
The question of whether Viking River Cruise is the best river cruise line is subjective and it depends on personal preference however, Viking is different from other river cruise lines in some ways.
- Viking River owns and operates its own ships right from designing and building.
- Viking River owns prime dock locations along the rivers which offer guests priority docking.
- Viking River owns its own hotel management team which helps them to stay consistent in the professionalism of their services, with their dedicated Viking concierge at your pre or post-cruise hotel stay.
- They are a thinking person cruise.
- Viking River has received numerous awards for its services, ships, and overall experience.
Where Do Viking River Cruises Dock?
Viking River Cruises offers a lot of amazing river cruise itineraries for you to choose from.
At every port, they offer complimentary shore excursions that offer destination-rich experiences, they allow you to experience the town as the locals would, and you have a chance to select a shore excursion that focuses on the local life e.g. (a visit to the farmer's market), working-class e.g ( a visit to a factory) or privileged access e.g ( a palace or a museum).
Amsterdam, the Netherlands in springtime, with tulips in the foreground.
Does Viking River Cruise Have Onboard Entertainment?
Viking River is a thinking-person cruise, their entertainment is different from most other cruise lines.
Viking River offers onboard activities like history art lectures, regional demonstrations, destination performances, port talks, a sun deck, a library, and soft music.
Viking River Cruises does not have a Casino or rollercoasters, no art auctions, no formal nights, no smoking, and no umbrella drinks. They also have an 18+ only policy, meaning that it is an adults-only cruise line.
Are Viking River River Cruises All Inclusive?
If you are wondering what is included in your fare, Viking River Cruises are mostly all-inclusive. Viking River Cruises does not charge extra for what most other cruise lines charge extra for.
Your Viking River Cruise fare includes accommodation, meals, wine, beer, and soft drinks with lunch and dinner, onboard activities, a complimentary shore excursion in each port of call, wi-fi, specialty coffees and teas which are available 24 hours a day, bottled water, movies on demand, port fees, and taxes.
Viking River also offers all-inclusive air travel, if you choose to purchase air with Viking, all your transfers will also be included with the airfare.
Aquavit Terrace at dawn with breakfast on the table onboard the Viking Longship Hlin in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley in Germany
What Is Not Included In Your River Cruise Fare?
Viking does not charge extra for beer, wine, and soft drinks for lunch and dinner but they charge extra for cocktails with the silver spirits package.
Regarding gratuities, Viking states that they charge extra for gratuities so that their staff can perform at their best.
They also charge for high-end special-interest shore excursions and pre and post-cruise extension packages.
Are Viking River Cruise Deposits Refundable?
This depends on the cancellation policy and if you purchased travel insurance.
What Is The Cancellation Policy For Viking River Cruises?
Viking River Cruises offers a cancel for any reason travel protection plan. It protects 100% of your travel investment.
There is usually a penalty of about $100 per person if you cancel 120 days before your cruise, any time later than that the penalty can be anywhere from 20% up to 100% of the total cost.
Do Viking River Cruises Have Laundry Facilities?
Yes, Viking River Cruises longships have laundry facilities, you can do your laundry at no extra cost to you.
Do Viking River Cruises Have Gyms?
Most Viking River Cruise longships do not have gym facilities, most Viking River Cruise ships are more intimate.
Guests inside the Viking Longship Library looking at books.
Why Is Viking River Cruises So Expensive?
This is a commonly asked question. Viking River Cruises is a luxury cruise line, that offers destination-rich itineraries and cultural immersion.
Viking River Cruises are so expensive because a Viking River Cruise vacation is mostly all-inclusive.
They do not nickel and dime you. You get complimentary basic shore excursions, wine, beer, and soft drinks with your meals, Wi-Fi-free laundry and so much more.
How Do You Book A Viking River Cruise?
The most efficient way to book a Viking River Cruise is through a travel agent but you can also book directly with the Viking. You can find most travel agents online.
You can fill out this travel inquiry form and we will reach out to you.
Why Should You Book Viking River Cruise, Is Viking River Cruise Worth It?
Yes, Viking River Cruises is totally worth it. You get a chance to meet like-minded people, most people become friends afterward, it is a great way to grow your community of friends, explore the world, and increase your knowledge about the different parts of the world you will be visiting.
What Do You Wear On A Viking River Cruise?
Casual. Viking River Cruises does not have formal nights.
Explorer Suite, Viking Mississippi
Which Airline Does The Viking River Cruise Cost?
Viking River Cruises has contracts with airline companies like KLM, Lufthansa, and many more companies.
Which Viking River Cruise Is The Best?
In Europe, an example of a great Viking River Cruise Itinerary is the Rhine Getaway, Danube Waltz, Romantic Danube, or the Grand European Tour.
If you have never been on a cruise before a short 7-day itinerary would be perfect.
Does Viking River Have River Cruises In The United States?
Yes, Viking River Cruise cruises on the River Mississippi. They launched their Mississippi River cruises in 2002.
Their River Mississippi ship design is a mix and blend of their Viking River Longships and their Viking Ocean ships.
Rendering of the Viking Mississippi ship
How Big Are Viking River Cruise Ships? How Many Passengers Are On A Viking River Cruise?
Viking River offers small ships cruises, and Viking longships are able to dock right in the middle of small towns. In Europe, Viking longships carry just 190 passengers. The Viking Mississippi carries 386 passengers.
Conclusion.
Viking River Cruises is a great way to explore the world. Their destination-focused itineraries, amazing Long Ships, and all-inclusive vacation experience make it a great vacation option for most tourists. Have you taken a Viking River Cruise before?