viking river cruise tipping policy

How to Prepurchase Gratuities for Viking River Cruise

When it comes to preparing for your upcoming Viking River Cruise, one important aspect to consider is how to manage gratuities. Fortunately, Viking River Cruises provides two convenient options to ensure a seamless and enjoyable journey. The first option is to pre-purchase gratuities through the My Viking Journey portal. At the standard recommended rate of US$18 per guest per day, you can ease your mind and focus on the amazing experiences that await you. Alternatively, if you prefer a hands-off approach, Viking River Cruises automatically includes a discretionary service charge of €15 per guest per day to your shipboard account. So, let go of any worries about gratuities, sit back, and immerse yourself in the wonders that await you on your Viking River Cruise adventure.

Should I Prepay Gratuities on a Viking River Cruise?

When considering whether to prepay gratuities on a Viking River Cruise, it’s important to understand the companys policies. Viking River Cruises automatically adds gratuities to your final bill at the end of your cruise. However, they also provide the option to prepay gratuities before your cruise begins. This can be a convenient way to ensure that your gratuities are taken care of ahead of time and avoid any surprises when settling your final bill.

The question of whether or not to prepay gratuities ultimately comes down to personal preference. Some travelers may prefer to have everything paid for in advance, including gratuities, so they can simply enjoy their cruise without worrying about additional expenses. Others may prefer to wait and see how their experience unfolds before deciding how much to tip. Each approach has it’s merits, and it ultimately depends on what you feel most comfortable with.

It’s worth noting that Viking River Cruises does recommend tipping local guides and drivers in cash. This is a customary practice in many countries, and it’s a way to show appreciation for their services. However, specific tipping amounts aren’t provided by the company, and it’s ultimately up to your discretion to determine how much to tip.

You can focus on enjoying the onboard amenities, exploring the destinations, and immersing yourself in the unique experiences offered by Viking River Cruises.

The Pros and Cons of Prepaying Gratuities on a Viking River Cruise.

Prepaying gratuities on a Viking River Cruise can have both pros and cons. One of the major advantages is convenience. By prepaying gratuities, you can avoid the hassle of carrying cash or dealing with gratuity payments throughout your trip. It also ensures that the crew members receive their deserved tips in a timely manner.

Another benefit of prepaying gratuities is that it allows you to budget more effectively. Since the gratuities are already paid for, you won’t have to worry about allocating extra funds for tipping during your cruise.

However, there are a few downsides to consider as well. One potential con is that prepaying gratuities could limit your ability to adjust the tip amount based on the level of service you receive. If you’re dissatisfied with the service from a specific crew member, you may not have the option to adjust their tip accordingly.

Additionally, some people prefer to personally hand out gratuities as a way to show appreciation for exceptional service. Prepaying gratuities may take away this personal touch.

Ultimately, whether to prepay gratuities on a Viking River Cruise is a personal decision. Consider the convenience, budgeting benefits, and your own tipping preferences when making a choice.

Viking Cruises, a renowned cruise line offering river, ocean, and expedition cruises, includes an automatic service gratuity called a “hotel and dining charge” of $17 per person per day in it’s final bills. This charge may vary depending on the cabin category. However, if customers are dissatisfied with the service provided, they’ve the option to adjust this amount at the Explorers’ Desk before disembarking.

Are Gratuities Included in Viking Fares?

When it comes to Viking River Cruises, gratuities aren’t included in the fare. Viking Cruises, formerly known as Viking River Cruises, is a renowned cruise line that offers river, ocean, and expedition cruises. While their operating headquarters are based in Basel, Switzerland, their marketing headquarters are located in Los Angeles, California.

Viking Cruises adds an automatic service gratuity, which they refer to as a “hotel and dining charge,” of $17 per person per day to your bill, depending on the cabin category you choose. This gratuity covers the exceptional service provided by the staff throughout your cruise experience.

You can do this before disembarking at the Explorers Desk, ensuring that you’ve the opportunity to appropriately recognize the service you’ve received.

It’s important to note that while gratuities aren’t included in the fare, they’re a customary practice within the cruise industry. Recognizing the hard work and dedication of the staff through gratuities is a way to show appreciation for their exceptional service. Therefore, it’s recommended to plan and budget for gratuities when preparing for your Viking River Cruise.

Cruise lines often have specific policies regarding gratuities, which are an important part of the overall cruise cost. On big-ship lines, it’s possible to prepay your gratuities either at the time of booking or include them in your final onboard bill at the conclusion of your sailing. These options provide flexibility for passengers to handle gratuity payments based on their preferences.

Can You Prepay Your Gratuities on a Cruise?

When planning a cruise, many travelers wonder if they can prepay their gratuities. It’s a common practice on big-ship lines, where crew gratuities are included in the overall cruise cost. This means that you can choose to prepay your gratuities when you make your booking. By doing so, you can have peace of mind knowing that this aspect of your cruise expenses is taken care of in advance.

However, it’s important to note that prepaying gratuities isn’t the only option available. If you prefer, you can also choose to pay your gratuities at the end of your sailing, as part of your onboard bill. In this case, the gratuity amount will be automatically added to your final bill, and you can settle it along with any other charges you may have incurred during your trip.

They’ll be able to provide you with the necessary information and assist you with the process. Keep in mind that gratuity amounts can vary depending on the cruise line and the length of your sailing. It’s recommended to check the cruise lines specific policies and guidelines to ensure you’re aware of the correct amount to prepay.

This allows you to include this expense in your overall cruise cost and budget it accordingly.

How Do Gratuities Work on Different Cruise Lines?

Gratuities on different cruise lines can vary in terms of payment, amount, and policy. Some cruise lines automatically add gratuities to your onboard account, while others may leave it up to your discretion. The payment for gratuities is typically settled at the end of your cruise.

Every cruise line has it’s own guidelines when it comes to tipping. Some cruise lines include the gratuities in the price of your cruise, while others require you to pay them separately. The amount of gratuities can also vary, but a common range is around $10 to $15 per person, per day.

If you want to prepurchase gratuities for a Viking River Cruise specifically, it’s best to check their official website or contact their customer service. Viking River Cruises often offer the option to prepay gratuities as part of their booking process, ensuring that your gratuities are already taken care of before boarding the ship.

Remember to research the specific gratuity policies and recommendations for your chosen cruise line to ensure you’re properly prepared and considerate of the onboard staff.

However, not all cruise lines include gratuities in the cruise fare. Some lines, particularly those in the luxury segment such as Azamara, Ponant, Regent, Silversea, and Seabourn, automatically add gratuities to your onboard account. This article will discuss the average cruise line gratuity and provide information on how gratuities are handled by various cruise lines.

Does Cruise Price Include Gratuities?

When it comes to cruising, one question that often arises is whether the cruise price includes gratuities. The answer to this question can vary depending on the cruise line and the type of cruise you’re taking. However, in general, most cruise lines do automatically add gratuities to your onboard account.

The average cruise line gratuity can vary depending on the cruise line and the length of your cruise. It’s important to note that gratuities are typically added per person, per day, and can range from around $10 to $2This means that if you’re on a 7-day cruise, you could expect to pay around $70 to $175 in gratuities.

Luxury cruise lines like Azamara, Ponant, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Sea Dream, and Virgin Voyages are known for including gratuities in the cruise fare. This means that you don’t have to worry about additional gratuity charges during your cruise. This can be a great added convenience and can save you some extra money in the long run.

Seabourn Cruise Line, which is headquartered in Seattle, Washington, is one such luxury cruise line that includes gratuities in the cruise fare. Owned by Carnival Corporation & plc, Seabourn is known for it’s exceptional service and luxurious amenities. They offer a variety of itineraries to destinations all over the world, providing guests with an unforgettable cruise experience.

This information can usually be found on the cruise lines website or by contacting their customer service. By pre-purchasing gratuities or choosing a cruise line that includes them, you can ensure that you’ve one less thing to worry about during your vacation.

However, Viking River Cruises has made it easy for you to take care of this in advance. By pre-purchasing your gratuities on My Viking Journey, you can simply sit back and enjoy your journey without worrying about tipping. On the other hand, if you prefer a hassle-free experience, the cruise line also offers the option of automatically adding a discretionary service charge of €15 per guest per day to your shipboard account. This flexibility ensures that you can choose the option that best suits your preferences and budget. So, whether you decide to pre-purchase gratuities or opt for the automatic service charge, you can rest assured that Viking River Cruises has taken care of this aspect for you, allowing you to fully enjoy your cruise experience.

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How Much Do You Tip on a Viking Cruise?

By Alice Nichols

Are you planning a Viking Cruise and wondering how much to tip? Tipping is an important part of the cruising experience, but it can also be confusing. In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about tipping on a Viking Cruise.

Understanding the Viking Cruise Tipping Policy

Viking Cruises has a unique approach to tipping. They have a “no tipping” policy, which means that all gratuities are included in the cost of the cruise. This includes tips for housekeeping, dining room service, and tour guides.

Why No Tipping?

Viking Cruises has a no-tipping policy to simplify the cruising experience for their guests. This allows guests to relax and enjoy their vacation without worrying about additional expenses or calculating gratuities.

Should You Tip Anyway?

While tipping is not required on Viking Cruises, some guests choose to tip anyway as a way to show appreciation for exceptional service. If you do choose to tip, it’s important to keep in mind that only cash tips are accepted onboard.

How Much Should You Tip?

If you decide to tip on your Viking Cruise, the amount is up to you. A general guideline is $15-$20 per person per day for excellent service. However, this amount can vary based on your personal preferences and the level of service you receive.

Tipping for Shore Excursions

If you go on any shore excursions during your Viking Cruise, it’s customary to tip your tour guide. A good rule of thumb is $10-$15 per person per excursion.

Tipping at Disembarkation

At disembarkation, there may be crew members who assist with luggage or transportation. If you feel inclined to tip these individuals, a good guideline is $1-$2 per bag or $10-$20 for transportation assistance.

Tipping on a Viking Cruise is not required, but it’s always appreciated. If you do decide to tip, it’s important to keep in mind that only cash tips are accepted onboard.

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Cruise FAQs

How much do you tip on a viking river cruise.

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

• Tipping on a Viking River Cruise should consider factors such as the level of service, length of the cruise, size of the group, and exceptional service provided.
• It is important to understand the tipping culture on Viking River Cruises, which typically involves cash tips and alternative ways to show appreciation.
• Tipping expectations may vary in different regions like Europe, North America, and Asia, so it is important to understand the tipping customs in each region.
• Apart from cash tips, alternative ways to show gratitude include handwritten thank-you notes, writing positive reviews, and expressing gratitude without relying solely on money.

Factors to Consider When Tipping on a Viking River Cruise

Understanding the Tipping Culture on Viking River Cruises

Tipping expectations on viking river cruises, alternatives to cash tips, recommended tipping guidelines for viking river cruise staff, how to determine the appropriate tip amount on a viking river cruise, tipping etiquette for onboard services on viking river cruises, the importance of tipping on a viking river cruise experience, are tipping pools or individual tips preferred on viking river cruises, tipping pool or individual, preferred tipping method, viking river cruise tips, helpful tips for budgeting tipping expenses on a viking river cruise, frequently asked questions, are gratuities included in the price of a viking river cruise ticket, what is the average amount that passengers typically tip on a viking river cruise, are there any specific guidelines or expectations for tipping tour guides or excursion staff, are there any instances where tipping is not necessary or expected on a viking river cruise, how should passengers handle tipping if they receive exceptional service from a specific staff member on a viking river cruise.

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With a lifelong fascination for exploring new horizons, Alfons discovered his love for the ocean and cruising at a young age. From sailing across pristine Caribbean waters to embarking on daring expeditions to far-flung destinations, he has amassed a treasure trove of first-hand experiences in the world of cruising.

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Alfons is the visionary leader and driving force behind Voyager Info’s success. As the Editor in Chief, he brings a wealth of experience and an unwavering passion for travel to the helm of our cruise-centric platform. With a lifelong fascination for exploring new horizons, Alfons discovered his love for the ocean and cruising at a young age. From sailing across pristine Caribbean waters to embarking on daring expeditions to far-flung destinations, he has amassed a treasure trove of first-hand experiences in the world of cruising.

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Viking River Cruise Tips: 21 Important Things You MUST Know!

March 7, 2024 //  by  Linda Malys Yore //   44 Comments

Are you looking for Viking River Cruise tips to help you plan your trip?

Do you have questions about what life will be like when you are on board?

Look no further because I sailed the on an extraordinary Viking European river cruise and I have answers and tips for you.

When I sailed, I had no idea what to expect! I can assure you that Viking far surpassed any expectations I had!

Be prepared to be pampered by the attentive Viking staff.  Be prepared to visit fantastic and interesting locations, with local guides hired directly by Viking, to narrate and enhance your experience.

Be ready for sumptuous food. Be ready to meet interesting and wonderful people experiencing your Viking River cruise alongside you. Are you ready???

Viking River Cruise Tips: 21 Imoirtant Things You MUST Know!

#1) viking river cruises are small and intimate so be prepared to get to know your fellow travelers.

I had never been on a river cruise, only on the mega-huge ocean liners. I did not know what to expect.

There were only 186 passengers on our Viking River cruise.

Because your Viking River cruise ship will be smaller it will be easier to master its layout and locate everything.

So one of my first Viking riverboat cruise tips is to be prepared for a more personalized trip,

Prepare to be pampered, and look forward to meeting your fellow travelers on a personal level.

Viking River cruise tips: you decide how busy you want to be during your Viking River cruise!

 #2)  Be Prepared to Be Wowed By The Viking  Staff  Who Works Diligently To Ensure Your Perfect Trip Right From the Start

From the moment you sign up for your trip of a lifetime Viking river cruise, Viking will assign you a booking agent.

This will be your Viking ambassador who will do everything in their power to make your processing effortless.

Another of my Viking River cruise tips is to ask your booking agent all the questions you have.

The stunning lobby of the Viking Baldur. 

#3) Another Of The Viking River Cruise Tips Is To Make Your Online Profile At Home

Once your booking is completed, Viking will instruct you to set up your personalized online account.

You will have access to the daily options during your cruise, with descriptions of shore excursions and lots of information about the Viking ship you will be sailing on.

Another of my Viking River cruise tips is to familiarize yourself with this personalized online resource. There is a Q & A section, videos, and tips for every day of your journey.

Viking River cruise tips: familiarize yourself with the information in your online personalized account while you are still at home.

#4)  Utilize The Personalized Cruise Documents Viking Will Send You Before Your Trip

Well before your departure date, you will receive your cruise documents in the mail from Viking.

Your cruise documents booklet will contain everything about your Viking River cruise in one place.

The itinerary, your specific ship, your flight information (if arranged through a Viking booking agent), and detailed embarkation details for the sailing day.

There’s a “before you go” section, containing information about passports/visas, onboard dress code, packing tips, and local currencies.

The “your cruise in detail” lists in great detail each stop on your itinerary, and explanations of the tours Viking offers, both included and optional tours.

One of the best Viking River cruise tips I can share is to read your cruise documents booklet from front to back to prepare for the best Viking trip ever.

#5)  Do Not Worry About Transfers Because Viking Will Transport You To Ship And Back To Airport

You won’t have to worry about getting to the ship or to the airport once your river cruise is completed, because Viking Viking handles all of that for you.

If you decide to go a bit early or stay on your own to explore after the cruise concludes, (not arranged through Viking) then you will be responsible for your transportation.

This is a great Viking tip to be aware of.

Viking River cruise tips: plan to read the daily newspapers (on the tabletop) Viking provides for several countries, to stay on top of current events!

#6)  Take Advantage Of The Trip Extensions Viking Cruises Offer

You are going to a far-off destination anyway, so why not consider staying longer to enjoy the sights and experience the culture and history?

You will have a variety of cities and destinations to select from which you can add on at the beginning or at the end of your trip.

I was not able to take advantage of this Viking River cruise tip for a variety of reasons.

But my fellow passengers raved about the hotel accommodations and the arranged tours Viking Cruises offered through these extensions.

If you plan a longer stay before or after your river cruise,  speak with your booking agent about your dates.

You can extend your travel plans within 30 days of the beginning or end dates of your cruise. This is a great perk and a great Viking river cruise tip!

#7) You Will Have More Room Than You Think In Your Cabin On Your Viking River Boat Cruise

If you are wondering how you will manage in a small cabin, I can assure you that you will have plenty of space.

You will find a surprising amount of storage space in your stateroom. There are lots of drawers to organize your clothes and unmentionables in.

The closet was large and easy to accommodate the hanging clothes of two adults. If you need more hangers, ask your room steward who will bring them.

Read also: All about my experiences the first week of the Viking Grand European Tour

There is plenty of room for two to walk around the room on a Viking river cruise. 

When your unpacking is completed, you store your luggage under your bed! That is so genius.

Even the largest, most cumbersome piece of luggage can fit under your bed ensuring a tidy room with space to move around comfortably!

Viking River cruise tips: once you finish unpacking, place your suitcase under your bed.

#8)  Utilize The Refrigerator Viking Provides In Your Stateroom

Viking thought of everything by placing refrigerators in every stateroom! 

This is a great perk because you can have chilled water, juice, or whatever you want right at your fingertips in the privacy of your room.

There is no 24-hour room service offered on Viking riverboat tours. So a few Viking tips are to eat a hearty dinner and stock your cabin refrigerator with snacks and drinks for the midnight munchies .

Read next: Week two of my Viking Grand European Tour

A delicious Viking River cruise tips is to keep snacks and drinks in your stateroom refrigerator.

#10) You Will Find A Large Screen TV In Your Room But You May Not Watch It During Your Viking Riverboat Cruise

There is a huge television in every room and there are some great viewing options. You can select from television shows, movies, documentaries, news outlets, and follow your ship’s location.

Another of the Viking riverboat tips is you can decide when you wish to watch TV, if at all, or spend a relaxing afternoon catching up on the world’s current events.

An important Viking Riverboat tip is to place your audio devices in the charging station.

#11) Make Use Of Amenities In Your Stateroom Bathroom During Your Viking River Cruise

While the bathroom was a smidge on the small side,  it is modern and welcoming.

The walk-in shower is luxurious, and Viking even provides a retractable clothesline for washing your unmentionables during your trip.

One of the best Viking riverboat cruise tips is to lighten your packing load, bring less, and handwash some of your clothes during your trip.

Use the clothesline to hang them to dry, overnight or while you are out on an excursion.

There are plenty of shelves for 2 to place toiletries and makeup.

Also, Viking river cruises are so smooth that none of your things will slide around.

Beautifully sleek and modern stateroom bathroom.

Shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, and body lotion are all supplied.

A great Viking river cruise tip is to turn off all bathroom lights during the night, which will trigger the nightlight to come on.

You won’t be worried about stumbling while getting to the bathroom at night.

#12) Utilize The Safe In Your Stateroom During Your Viking Riverboat Cruise

Another of my Viking River Cruise tips is to keep your passport and credit cards in your room safe securely locked.

You may be advised at the beginning of the cruise it will not be necessary to bring your travel documents when you leave the ship.

There may be one or two shore excursions when bringing your passport will be mandatory, but otherwise, keep them securely locked in your room.)

One of my additional Viking River Cruise tips is to make copies of your travel documents while still at home and carry these with you instead as a safeguard.

Lock up your travel documents, jewelry, credit cards, and money.  

#13)  Be Prepared To Be Pampered Because The Viking Cruise Staff Caters To Your Every Need With A Smile

The staff-to-passenger ratio is very close on the smaller and more intimate Viking River Cruises.

You will get to know your cabin steward personally as he/she will be responsible for the daily upkeep of your stateroom, plus fulfilling your daily wishes.

Another of my Viking River Cruise tips is to ask for those things that will enhance your trip as the Viking staff are there to serve you.

The dining room staff, the bar staff, the reception staff, and the officers of the ship you will be sailing on will all be there to serve you. 

And you will recognize them and soon call them by their names. They get to know you very quickly and address you by your name.

Here I am with the officers of the Viking Baldur.. One of the best big Viking river cruise tips: just ask!

Here I am with Tessa, the program director.. Do not hesitate to approach any Viking staff member with questions or concerns.

#14) Let The Staff Know If You Are Celebrating A Milestone While On Viking Riverboat Cruises

If you will be celebrating something special such as a birthday or an anniversary, one of my Viking River Cruise tips is to notify the staff of your riverboat.

You can inform them online while still home in your personalized online account, or onboard the ship once sailing has commenced.

The Viking staff will make sure to personalize your special celebration.

Notify your wait staff of any occasions you want to celebrate.

#15) Dining Options Are Up To You During Your Viking Riverboat Trip

Viking continually is winning top awards for culinary excellence. The Viking kitchen staff stands ready to create unforgettable meals to please you.

My Viking River cruise tip is to notify the Viking staff of any special dietary restrictions or preferences you have. They are professionals and capable of dealing with just about any request.

Another Viking tip is to seek out the Maitre D or the chef as soon after you arrive onboard and identify yourself and your specific dietary preference.

Sit at different tables in the main dining room each time to meet more of your fellow passengers. Seats are not assigned.

#16) Breakfast, Lunch, And Dinner On A Viking River Cruise: It’s Up To You!

The two dining locations you can choose from on your Viking River cruise are the main dining room, and the terrace, which is smaller and a bit more casual.

A Viking cruise tip is that you may select which location you wish to dine at, and then inform your wait staff of your dining preference and your customized meal will be served to you.

Another cruise tip is to familiarize yourself with your breakfast and lunch option

Breakfast is served in the main dining room and the terrace.

Muffins and scones are available at two coffee stations, where you can make any fancy coffee you desire, with tea being available as well.

Read Next: The Ultimate 2 Days In Amsterdam Itinerary. if you will be flying into Amsterdam to begin a Viking river cruise!

Consider having lunch out on the terrace. Or breakfast. Or dinner!

Plan to sit at many different tables, with different people to meet more of your fellow passengers.

The same is true for lunch, with cookies and regional pastries being available instead at the coffee stations.

During your trip, a great Viking river cruise tip is to mix things up, be flexible depending on your specific plans for a specific day, take turns trying out all the eating options you have!

Here is one of two coffee stations available on board a Viking River cruise ship.

Breakfast and lunch are offered within a window of time at your pleasure.

Dinner, however, is served promptly at 7 PM for all guests.

Decide to have dinner or lunch out on the terrace.

There is no 24-hour room service onboard Viking river cruises. A great Viking tip is to eat a full dinner and carry away a snack or two to store in your onboard refrigerator.

An additional cruise tip is grab some cookies from either of the coffee stations.

#17) Consider If A  Silver Spirits Beverage Package During Your Viking Cruise Is for You

Onboard during your journey, soft drinks and house wines, both red and white house wines are available to you during lunch and dinner hours.

This is ample time to enjoy a delicious glass of wine or a soft drink.

However, Viking offers for your consideration the Silver Spirits Beverage Package. This includes all wines, beers, cocktails, mixers, long drinks, and soft drinks anytime throughout your day  and night.

A great Viking river cruise tip is to consider if the Silver Spirits Beverage Package is a good choice for you, or not.

This is a personal choice, so discuss it with your Viking booking agent, as we did. If you decide to onboard during sailing, you will be accommodated on board.

Decide if Viking’s Silver Spirits Beverage Package is for you.

#18)  Take Advantage Of The Daily Excursions Viking Offers, Each With A Local Guide

In your personalized online Viking account which you will set up, you will find all the excursions Viking offers you during your cruise.

Every day Viking has an included tour. These tours are free to all passengers. I signed up for every single included tour on our Grand European Tour cruise that I took.

There are also additional optional excursions offered by Viking at a lot of the destinations, which have additional fees.

The Viking motorcoach in Vienna, Austria. All Viking coaches for all excursions are comfortable and quiet. 

ALL tours offered by Viking are exceptional and dive into the local history and current culture of the cities and villages you will visit. .

On each tour, Viking provides a local guide, who usually lives in the area, and will narrate everything.

They are open to questions from the group. You will wear Audiovox hearing devices to hear your guide, which you will find in your room.

One of my top Viking tips is to place your hearing device back on its charger when you return to your room, so it will be fully charged for the next excursion.

#19) You Decide What To Do, Or Not Do, Onboard During Your Viking River Cruise

Another one of the great Viking tips is while traveling on a Viking river cruise, you are in charge of your schedule. You decide how busy you want to be. Or not!

There will be mornings or afternoons during your trip when the ship will be sailing to its next destination. Or days when your ship will remain in port overnight or for a few days.

During these times, Viking always has onboard enrichment programs available.

It is my experience that Viking hand-selects only people who are experts in their fields, who are engaging, and who present their information in an interesting and captivating way. 

Viking river cruise tips is that I recommend you carefully consider your schedule and how rested you are, and attend as many enrichment lectures and demonstrations as you can.

Attend as many onboard enrichment lectures/demonstrations as you can. 

#20)  Be Aware WiFi Is Available But Not Like At Home On Your Viking River Boat Cruise

You will travel through some of the most beautiful countryside and scenery on the planet.

That often precludes a strong internet signal, due to remoteness and mountainous regions.

Once on board, you can ask for the ship’s WiFi password.

One of the biggest Viking river cruise tips is to be careful and check your phone settings frequently.

Be certain that you are on the ship’s Wifi, and not its satellite system, which would be prohibitively expensive.

Another Viking cruise tip is walking around onboard your ship, and speaking with your fellow passengers to reveal the best location(s) that provide the strongest wifi.

Wifi bandwidth is strongest when in port, very early in the morning, or very late at night .

The strongest signals are usually in the individual towns and villages your ship will visit. 

You want to text and check email when out on your excursion tours.

And of course, McDonalds and Starbucks offer free lightning-fast internet anywhere in the world, so a great one of my top Viking River cruise tips is to look for them if you wish to use the internet.

Read Next: 7 Best Things To Do In Passau Germany if this wonderful city is on your itinerary.

#21)  Gratuities Are Expected (You Won’t Mind Tipping!) On Your Viking River Boat Cruise

So what is the the tipping policy on Viking River Cruises?

You will get to know your onboard wait staff during your Viking River cruise.

They are all truly dedicated to serving you and go out of their way to please you.

  In your cruise documents booklet mailed to you, a Viking River Cruise tipping guide is availabe with suggestions for the program director, wait staff, and local guides.

Viking River cruise tips suggest that tipping is totally at your discretion.

Austria night in the main dining room of the Viking Baldur. 

Viking River Cruise Tips: My Packing List!

If you want packing tips read my How to Pack lightly article.

This unisex RFID-blocking concealed travel pouch is lightweight and comes in several colors. It has lots of organization to give you peace of mind.

These RFID sleeves would be a solution.

This world traveler adapter kit can charge several devices at the same time.

This Anker high-speed phone charging battery is the exact one I carry with me on all of my trips.

My daughter gifted me this  FugeTek Selfie Stick and Tripod  for my birthday. It has Bloothtooth connectivity so it is easy to use.

  These Bagail packing cubes   are  the exact ones I use whenever I travel .

I never leave home on a trip without my Bobble filtration bottle. The 18.5-ounce size is perfect for travel and fits nicely in a backpack or purse.

This replaceable carbon filter ensures fresh water when you fill your Bobble.

You will want a backpack or daypack to store snacks, water bottles, phones, extra clothes, etc… This foldable water-resistant backpack would be great.

Mostly everyone is familiar with the Skechers brand, and these Air Run high fashion sneakers come in colors to match your outfits and are still affordable.

If your Viking River Cruise is in warmer weather, maybe you want a pair of sandals to wear at dinner or on local excursions. I highly recommend these Vionics adjustable strap orthotic sandals.

This cotton unisex lightweight scarf is versatile and can be worn in any season.

These unisex polarized sunglasses come in lots of lens colors and frame designs and are extremely affordable.

If you are fond of aviator-style aviator-style sunglasses these polarized aviators may interest you.

If you need new luggage, this expandable soft-side spinner luggage is affordable.

Like hard-sided better? Then you may favor this hard-sided luggage set . Both sets come with TSA locks and 8 wheels per piece.

Do not forget TSA-approved luggage locks! These come in a pack and each has 3-digit combination padlocks.

As an Amazon Affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases at no additional charge to you.

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Reader Interactions

November 27, 2018 at 9:28 pm

This all looks and sounds lovely, I think I shall just have to try one out. Thank you.

November 29, 2018 at 11:00 am

Christine, you would love river cruising. Much more intimate and pampering than a large party cruise ship.

January 6, 2019 at 8:28 pm

10/2018 Danube river cruise was a bus trip due to low river. Viking did not inform their clients.

January 6, 2019 at 9:49 pm

Marlyn, I received an email before my Viking European river cruise about the possibility of a trip disruption due to low river waters. Did Viking not pre-warn you via email about this possibility?

January 21, 2019 at 6:25 pm

We did our eleventh Viking cruise this fall, Basel to Amsterdam. This was our third time on this particular cruise.

Viking did inform us by email that due to the low river levels, we may have to change ships during the cruise. This did happen, but it was greatly preferable to having the cruise cancelled! It was inconvenient to have to pack up our room in the middle of the cruise and then unpack again. But the Viking crew did all the carrying and transporting of luggage between ships.

Meanwhile we had a slightly longer bus trip to our planned destination of Heidelberg Castle, and another slightly longer bus trip back to the ship afterwards. However, we were able to see quite a bit of the German countryside that we normally would have missed, so we thought that was a plus.

We heard that Viking was the only cruise line allowed on most of the Rhine with the water that low. In Cologne, the water level was less than three feet!

January 22, 2019 at 2:42 pm

Wow! Eleven Viking cruises! That’s amazing! Our experience was similar to yours, and only one optional excursion had to be canceled. I thought Viking did an exceptional job of handling the situation. Not too many of our fellow passengers complained because it was not Viking’s fault, it was Mother Nature herself! Have you tried a Viking Ocean Cruise?

March 29, 2019 at 11:19 pm

Hello Linda, I found all your tips helpful and encouraging. My husband and I have an upcoming Danube Waltz cruise on Viking. Do you recall any information about the mattress brand and/or pillow brand that Viking uses? Or can you describe the firmness of the mattresses, and thickness and construction of the pillows? I am wondering if I should bring pillows from home for comfort sake. Thank you, Lory

March 30, 2019 at 8:49 am

I do apologize but I did not check the mattress brand. It was unbelievably comfortable though. Sometimes too hard or too soft hurt my hips and I do not sleep well and I am a wreck the next day, however I had no problems w/the mattress. The pillows were light & fluffy with a good weight. However I did not use them to sleep. I brought my own pillow. That is my personal choice though. I always travel w/my own pillow wherever I go. I am excited for you. I love the intimacy of river cruises. Have a fabulous time.

May 25, 2019 at 11:15 am

I took my first Viking River cruise last June. I was on the Viking Var. It was amazing.The staff, the food, everything was excellent.

May 25, 2019 at 8:46 pm

Ooooh I am so happy you love Viking as much as I do.

June 16, 2019 at 11:38 am

We are leaving in two weeks on our first Viking cruise from Basal to Amsterdam. We are getting excited. This is for our 40 th anniversary. Any tips on what to wear.

June 16, 2019 at 2:51 pm

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! Happy #40. Bring sturdy shoes bc you will probably be walking more than usual. Viking dress code is comfortable. Like what you would wear to church or out to dinner. Check the weather. That will dictate what to bring. My next cruise is having weather in the 90s! Now that really has dictated the attire I will be bringing! Check out my “Alaska Cruise Packing List” on lindaontherun.com. Although it is for Alaska, it has LOTS of cruise suggestions for you to consider, from clothes to electronics and sunglasses. Best of luck to you as you sail with Viking. That is such a pretty part of Europe too!

June 23, 2019 at 10:16 am

Took my son in 2017 first time Viking and it met all expectations and surprised my son on how much fun he had with all us “old folks”. He is dairy free and they made special meals for him each day. My husband and I have cruised the oceans for the past 18 years and are now moving into the Viking world.

Value, service and small boat cannot compare with the other experience!!!!

June 24, 2019 at 1:53 am

So happy your son had a great Viking experience. I am planning to sail with my daughter as well. Hope she loves Viking as much as we all do!

June 26, 2019 at 8:43 am

Thanks for the informative post, Linda! We’re booked for Vikings Waterways of the Tsars in the fall. Have you had any travel experience in Russia?

June 29, 2019 at 2:40 am

No experience traveling to Russia yet. This sounds like a fabulous experience to have. You will be in great hands with Viking!!

July 4, 2019 at 1:21 pm

This is an amazing trip! It was the only item on my bucket list, and I wasn’t disappointed. My adult son and I often travel overseas (the hubby is not a traveler) and he was awed also. Take LOTS of digital cards and extra batteries for your camera. Viking will stop in town for you to exchange money, BUT you have to ask them (then even helped translate!). Also, the banks want CRISP, UNUSED dollar bills. Not sure why, but fortunately I had those (they refused to exchange our used bills). The son and I took several tours independently of each other, and loved everything. We really enjoyed the Bana option – do be sure to take a swimsuit. The son is a professional concert musician, and picked up sever CDs of chants. I collect Russian lacquer boxes, so I enjoyed discussing that with several artisans. My best friend collects Santas, and I purchased a lovely one for her. Either make sure you have plenty of room in your suitcase, or carry a foldable one for everything (we do foldable). Can’t say enough about the Viking Russian cruise. Totally awesome!!!!!

July 8, 2019 at 7:34 am

This sounds amazing. Thanks so much for sharing your experiences!

July 3, 2019 at 6:20 pm

We will be on Viking Hild, Basel to Trier, Rhine and Mosel Rivers. September, 2019. This will be our first Viking Cruise! Really getting excited about this first class experience. Thank you for your information.

July 4, 2019 at 7:14 am

I am very very excited for you. I wish you a very happy trip!

July 4, 2019 at 6:42 pm

We are going on our first Viking cruise on the Rhine. How large are the groups on the included excursions.?

July 6, 2019 at 2:23 pm

Viking does an exceptional job diving up the guests into groups of about 25 or so on excursions. Each group has a local guide that narrates. You will have an audio sound unit w/headphones in your room. You will be able to hear the guide very well. Have a wonderful trip.

October 22, 2019 at 1:56 am

Hello Linda, Thank you for all the wonderful tips. Anyway my hubby n I will be doing our first Viking cruise from November 16-23; this year from Basel to Amsterdam. This will be cold and possibly rainy. Any tips on what to bring to wear? Thanks, Alice

July 5, 2019 at 3:52 pm

My mom and I are leaving for Viking Homelands in late August and will need 6 different currencies for tipping local guides (excursions). And I’m not sure how prevalant credit cards will be accepted for shopping during the excursions. Any pointers on this front?

July 6, 2019 at 2:19 pm

I would suggest you call Viking or the travel agent that booked your cruise for you for some info and answers. Those are important questions. I am currently traveling in Europe visiting several different countries. In my travel info, locations that only accepted cash & not credit cards was disclosed beforehand. The cruise line or your booking agent will probably have answers for you. Have a great time. PS- I travel a lot with my daughter too.

July 8, 2019 at 4:01 pm

We will fly into Basel for our Rhine Getaway Cruise. Should we have Swiss Francs in addition to euros? Or will even have time to site see and be on the ship instead?

July 11, 2019 at 11:14 pm

I am so excited for you! This sounds fantastic. I would call Viking directly to get the answer to your question.

August 14, 2019 at 4:04 pm

Great article. Viking is the Best. We are taking our 4th in March; Passage to Eastern Europe this time. Have done the Grand European twice as we loved it so much the first time. Paris to the Swiss Alps was also great. We always do pre or post extension since we are already there and it adds to the great cruise.

August 16, 2019 at 1:51 am

Linda, I am currently on Vikings Waterways of the Tsar’s cruise from St Petersburg to Moscow. It is *unbelievable* and I encourage you to add this to your list! The food, the itinerary & of course the staff are all unbeatable!!!

October 5, 2019 at 9:34 am

Considering a Rhine River cruise with Viking. Do you know if Fox cable news is available on the in cabin TV? I know if sounds like a stupid question, but my travel companion can’t sleep without it being on at night.

October 6, 2019 at 5:17 pm

I am going to say I am pretty sure, but I would call Viking to be specifically sure.

October 10, 2019 at 4:06 pm

We are going on our first Rhine cruise later this month. Are curling irons allowed on board ?

October 10, 2019 at 9:36 pm

Look in the fine print of the cruise document booklet Viking sent you to clarify. On my trip, they were not permitted. (But Viking did not search luggage either)

January 27, 2020 at 4:08 pm

I’m so excited to go on my first Viking Cruise. I’m doing the Cities of Light. What is customary to tip the boat staff & who all should I tip. Sorry I have no clue.

January 27, 2020 at 4:15 pm

I am SO HAPPY for you. Viking Cruises has a tipping policy you can access on their website. Wishing you the absolute best trip. Bob Voyage!

January 27, 2020 at 4:33 pm

Oh great, I will check it out. Do you have any idea when we eat a meal off the ship What the tipping would be? 15-20% like here in US?

December 11, 2022 at 7:48 pm

Thanks for all the information! We are getting ready to leave on our first Viking river cruise – Danube Christmas Market!

December 22, 2022 at 6:29 pm

We just went on the Viking Danube Waltz cruise. It was amazing! Your tips were very helpful on what to expect. We did an extension after the cruise in Prague. Very worth it! Funny thing, the hotel room was enormous compared to our cabin on the boat, but had less storage space. I preferred the bathroom on the boat!

December 26, 2022 at 2:30 pm

Thank you so much for sharing your Viking experience! I love all the storage on the Viking river boats!

May 29, 2023 at 11:55 am

Did I see gloves (dress gloves? rubber?) amongst your items in your stateroom? What purpose does these serve?

May 31, 2023 at 3:40 pm

Hi Diane, I used gloves to wash undergarments during the cruise.

August 31, 2023 at 7:39 pm

I can think of only one tip: GO! Book a cruise now. You will not regret it. Best time I ever had.

[…] Read Next: 20 Viking River Cruise Tips To Help You Plan Your Trip […]

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• River Cruising

Gratuities for Viking Excursion Drivers & Guides

By Kathy53 , October 11, 2021 in River Cruising

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We're on a Viking Rhine river cruise in May, 2022.  This will be our first river cruise.  Viking says to tip $5.00 to your Driver for each excursion & $10.00 to your Guide.  While I'm all in favour of tipping, is this expected?   

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I haven’t looked lately but they used to suggest 1 euro for the driver and 2 euro for the guide. $5 and 10 seem high to me. 

Not sure where you saw the $5 and 10 figures but I just checked and the MyVikingJourney site it still says €1 for driver and €2 for guide. 

16 minutes ago, mhb1757 said: I haven’t looked lately but they used to suggest 1 euro for the driver and 2 euro for the guide. $5 and 10 seem high to me. 

Thank you.  I stand corrected as I've just checked our booking and you are absolutely right.  I have no idea where I got my numbers from.  

CILCIANRQTS

5 minutes ago, Kathy53 said: Thank you.  I stand corrected as I've just checked our booking and you are absolutely right.  I have no idea where I got my numbers from.  

The Canadian Viking site DOES mention those numbers (in US dollars) under FAQ’s. Not sure if it’s an error or a precursor of things to come…

4 minutes ago, CILCIANRQTS said: The Canadian Viking site DOES mention those numbers (in US dollars) under FAQ’s. Not sure if it’s an error or a precursor of things to come…  

Thank you CILCIANRQTS.  We'll take Euros & USD as both currencies will be accepted.

sharkster77

2 hours ago, Kathy53 said: Thank you CILCIANRQTS.  We'll take Euros & USD as both currencies will be accepted.

I would think the bus drivers and local guides would appreciate euros more than USD---as a resident of the US I would look askance if someone came here and tried to pay me with euros.  When in Rome.........

notamermaid

I must admit that I am a bit surprised about the US dollars as well. A work I am not part of that aspect of tourism so I can only guess these types of personnel are used to getting so many US dollars that it makes it worthwhile to accept them and go to the bank and exchange them. Along the Rhine in my area you certainly cannot pay in cash US dollars in shops or get services for it. Perhaps in Basel or certain places in Cologne? A driver would not be able to use his tip to buy a beer in his local pub around here...

4 hours ago, notamermaid said: I must admit that I am a bit surprised about the US dollars as well. A work I am not part of that aspect of tourism so I can only guess these types of personnel are used to getting so many US dollars that it makes it worthwhile to accept them and go to the bank and exchange them. Along the Rhine in my area you certainly cannot pay in cash US dollars in shops or get services for it. Perhaps in Basel or certain places in Cologne? A driver would not be able to use his tip to buy a beer in his local pub around here...   notamermaid  

Agree 1000%---no US businesses would accept euros or British pounds, so why would we expect Europeans to accept US dollars?  Not sure if it's ignorance or arrogance.

I only ran into one retail outlet that willingly accepted USD and at a good exchange rate. That was one of the glass galleries in Wertheim because the artist was heading to the US in a few days as an artist in residence and wanted small bills for when he arrived. 

Thank you to all for your valuable responses.  I, personally, want and will take the currency of the country for all of the reasons mentioned.  The reason for my question initially was out of conflicting information I received when I spoke with people.  Besides, it is far easier for me to exchange CDN $ for the countries' currencies than back and forth with CDN, USD & Euros, or whatever. 

"Agree 1000%---no US businesses would accept euros or British pounds, so why would we expect Europeans to accept US dollars?"  After all, the   same rule applies in Canada, we use CDN $ and not USD.  

I have read that an exception to this rule is in Basel, where some may accept euros because many Swiss in Basel cross the border to shop in France where prices are better.  I have also read that in Budapest some may accept euros as travelers there for a short stay who may not have obtained forints, but don't expect a very favorable exchange rate.

We have avoided problems by using our credit cards wherever possible, and choosing to pay in local currency (as opposed to USD).  This lets your bank set the exchange rate, which is more likely in your favor.

That is correct about the Swiss living close to the German border as well, from what I have read. In Budapest I did not get florins, it was easy to obtain coins by buying some souvenirs in Estergom, my first stop in Hungary, and take it from there. I paid mostly in euros, change was mostly in florins and occasionally I paid in florins. It got me through 36 hours without changing any money at a bank. Watch out for "exchange offices" that give you very unfavourable rates there.

This is one of the reasons I like sailing lines like Uniworld and Tauck.  All tips are included.

8 hours ago, Roz said: This is one of the reasons I like sailing lines like Uniworld and Tauck.  All tips are included.

It was the same on Avalon.

Canal archive

As with Scenic, I remember someone remarking when they went all inclusive that the level of service would suffer but from what we experienced the opposite seemed to be the case. It is so pleasant not to be concerned about tipping and if a member of staff does happen to be just that little bit extra especial then it’s up to yourself if you wish to be just a tad extra grateful. 

As far as I am aware, tipping isn't generally 'automatic' in Germany, France, Switzerland or Holland, although it is often done in food and drink establishments. Nobody will be offended if you tip or not.

The how much to tip advice does not appear (or a least it hadn't pre covid) in documents sent to us in the UK. I suspect it's guidance for those from countries where tipping of 'set' amounts or percentages is expected and who therefore worry about getting it right. 

By the way, we have tipped in all the countries I mentioned, we simply don't feel any obligation to. 

• 2 weeks later...

Bringing a tipping culture into countries where it is absolutely not the custom or practice causes issues. It isn't just a case of we want to reward, as it has impacts on jobs. I have seen in Africa petrol pump attendants get tipped a days pay and waiters etc more than a professional gets paid in a month as a tip for a one or two week holiday.

The consequence of this is that people move from being a nurse, engineer even a doctor to the tourist business. Then of course it becomes expected from staff with all that flows from that too

There should be more cultural sensitivity around this topic as opposed to we tip in my country so we are going to do it in others without thought 

I find it interesting from a cultural differences point of view that when visiting another country, US people ask how much to tip, thinking they will be looked down on if they don't tip, whereas UK people ask if they should tip, but don't worry about it, or the amount, unless informed there are unwritten rules (eg as in USA) 

Not saying either is better/worse, its just interesting

Years ago my husband as soon as he arrived in the States, he went a lot, got a load of dollar bills so now when we go I leave it all up to him. Problem solved!

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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. 

Stateroom Categories

• 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.
• Upon arrival, sturdy wooden hangers were in your closet; if you need more, just ask, and they will be delivered promptly.
• The bathroom awaits you with a complete supply of Freyja toiletries, including shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and body lotion, along with a shower cap and vanity set. 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. The staff will replenish whatever you consume when your room is cleaned.
• 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 and an earpiece (for your left ear) for each device inside your room. When not in use, keep these devices in the chargers 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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• Expeditions
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Viking Health & Safety Program

Your health and wellbeing are always our top priority. As the world’s leading exploration company, Viking takes you closer to the heart of the places you want to visit. For more than 25 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness.

Travel Protection Plan

As you prepare for your upcoming voyage, we recommend you consider purchasing a Travel Protection Plan, which covers unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, including any necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expenses related to any illness.

Viking offers a Travel Protection Plan, administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. Plan details can be found here .

As you prepare for your journey, we encourage you to prioritize your health and the health of those around you. Although not required, Viking recommends that you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines ahead of your departure and as recommended by your healthcare provider.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers comprehensive guidelines to ensure you are protected from contracting and spreading contagious diseases to your fellow travelers, your ship’s crew and the communities you will visit along your voyage.

Travel Requirements

As your trip nears, ensure you understand the travel requirements for countries along your voyage.

Some countries require vaccinations to visit. Be sure you are aware and have planned for all relevant vaccine requirements.

Small Ships

Our Switzerland-registered river vessels host just 190 or fewer guests; our fleet of Norwegian-registered all-veranda ocean ships and all-Nordic Balcony expedition ships host only 930 guests and 378-guests, respectively. And with no interior staterooms on any of our ships, guests enjoy expansive views from outside staterooms.

Purified Air

Enjoy fresh air in your stateroom, knowing that all staterooms on Viking ocean, river and expedition ships feature independent air handling units that do not share air with other areas of the ship. Take comfort in knowing that the air in the public areas of your ship has also been purified with high-density filters, which kill 99% of all airborne viruses and bacteria.

Medical Services

While every precaution can reduce the risk of illness, we are also prepared for that outcome. Our ocean and expedition vessels and the Viking Mississippi have state-of-the-art Medical Centers. While onboard our other river vessels, guests can seek medical guidance via a 24/7 hotline staffed by doctors ashore that can be accessed through the ship’s dedicated online portal or by phone.

Housekeeping

Rest assured that the surfaces on your ship will be cleaned and sanitized continuously with daily scheduled deep cleanings.

Dining & Entertainment

On your ship, you can expect spacious, airy public areas and abundant options for al fresco dining. Also, on our ocean and expedition voyages, as always, you can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service. Should you choose to do so, the ship is equipped with capabilities that allow you to watch live events and enriching content through your in-room entertainment system.

Spa & Fitness

On ocean and expedition voyages, The Spa and Fitness Center undergo rigorous cleaning and frequent sanitization.

Local Partner Training

As part of the Viking Health & Safety Program, we regularly train our local partners, including motor coach drivers and tour guides. While ashore, Viking’s measures will always meet or exceed local guidelines.

Viking Health & Safety Program – Updated November 1, 2023

The information included here should be considered current for all guests. Specific protocols and procedures may evolve over time to adapt to various conditions or travel regulations in the destinations in which we operate. Please continue to check this site for the most up-to-date version of the Viking Health & Safety Program.

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• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises

• Expeditions
• Complimentary Brochures

Viking Health & Safety Program

Your health and wellbeing are always our top priority. As the world’s leading exploration company, Viking takes you closer to the heart of the places you want to visit. For more than 25 years, we have always had the highest standards for health and cleanliness.

Travel Protection Plan

As you prepare for your upcoming voyage, we recommend you consider purchasing a Travel Protection Plan, which covers unforeseen circumstances that may arise before or during your trip, including any necessary medical, quarantine or repatriation expenses related to any illness.

Viking offers a Travel Protection Plan, administered by Trip Mate, a Generali Global Assistance & Insurance Services brand. Plan details can be found here .

As you prepare for your journey, we encourage you to prioritize your health and the health of those around you. Although not required, Viking recommends that you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines ahead of your departure and as recommended by your healthcare provider.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) offers comprehensive guidelines to ensure you are protected from contracting and spreading contagious diseases to your fellow travelers, your ship’s crew and the communities you will visit along your voyage.

Travel Requirements

As your trip nears, ensure you understand the travel requirements for countries along your voyage.

Some countries require vaccinations to visit. Be sure you are aware and have planned for all relevant vaccine requirements.

Small Ships

Our Switzerland-registered river vessels host just 190 or fewer guests; our fleet of Norwegian-registered all-veranda ocean ships and all-Nordic Balcony expedition ships host only 930 guests and 378-guests, respectively. And with no interior staterooms on any of our ships, guests enjoy expansive views from outside staterooms.

Purified Air

Enjoy fresh air in your stateroom, knowing that all staterooms on Viking ocean, river and expedition ships feature independent air handling units that do not share air with other areas of the ship. Take comfort in knowing that the air in the public areas of your ship has also been purified with high-density filters, which kill 99% of all airborne viruses and bacteria.

Medical Services

While every precaution can reduce the risk of illness, we are also prepared for that outcome. Our ocean and expedition vessels and the Viking Mississippi have state-of-the-art Medical Centers. While onboard our other river vessels, guests can seek medical guidance via a 24/7 hotline staffed by doctors ashore that can be accessed through the ship’s dedicated online portal or by phone.

Housekeeping

Rest assured that the surfaces on your ship will be cleaned and sanitized continuously with daily scheduled deep cleanings.

Dining & Entertainment

On your ship, you can expect spacious, airy public areas and abundant options for al fresco dining. Also, on our ocean and expedition voyages, as always, you can enjoy complimentary 24-hour room service. Should you choose to do so, the ship is equipped with capabilities that allow you to watch live events and enriching content through your in-room entertainment system.

Spa & Fitness

On ocean and expedition voyages, The Spa and Fitness Center undergo rigorous cleaning and frequent sanitization.

Local Partner Training

As part of the Viking Health & Safety Program, we regularly train our local partners, including motor coach drivers and tour guides. While ashore, Viking’s measures will always meet or exceed local guidelines.

Viking Health & Safety Program – Updated November 1, 2023

The information included here should be considered current for all guests. Specific protocols and procedures may evolve over time to adapt to various conditions or travel regulations in the destinations in which we operate. Please continue to check this site for the most up-to-date version of the Viking Health & Safety Program.

Sign up to receive updates from Viking

Stay current with special offers, news and destination-focused content.

Company Information

• Order a Brochure
• Special Offers
• Sweepstakes
• Travel Advisors
• Media Center
• Investor Relations
• Health & Safety Program
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy
• Manage Cookies

Viking River Cruises

• Mississippi

Viking Ocean Cruises

• Scandinavia
• British Isles & Ireland
• North America
• Caribbean & Central America
• South America
• Mediterranean
• Quiet Season Mediterranean
• Australia & New Zealand
• World Cruises
• Grand Journeys

Viking Expeditions

• Great Lakes
• Longitudinal World Cruises