viking cruises customer reviews

I Traveled on Viking Cruises, the “World’s Best Cruise Line”: My Unfiltered Experience

I would have laughed in your face if you had told me that I’d be writing a Viking Cruises review a few years ago. Self-declared as “not a cruise person,” the idea of getting on any cruise—much less a luxury cruise line like Viking —was so far off my radar that it might as well have been in a different galaxy, save for maybe sailing to Antarctica when I had the funds.

Yet, the opportunity to sail on the world’s best ocean cruise line, as named by Condé Nast Traveler, Cruise Critic, Travel + Leisure, Town & Country, and USA Today, amongst many others, presented itself, thanks to an extremely generous gift from my boyfriend’s parents.

So there we were, a couple of 24-year-olds booking a cruise that would have an average passenger age of 72. And guess what? Despite our considerable age difference, we met so many wonderful fellow passengers, even if there were a few naysayers (let’s say one hater for every two friendly passengers).

We spent months perusing Viking Ocean Cruises and Viking River Cruises itineraries, none of which are under eight days long; we finally picked the Amazon & Caribbean Adventure aboard the gorgeous Viking Sea, a 12-day itinerary stopping at a few Caribbean islands, before sailing nearly the entirety of the Amazon River.

The itinerary seemed like a once-in-a-lifetime trip that frankly, made much more sense to do on a boat than by foot.

After planning and prepping for months (including two pricey, mandatory Yellow Fever vaccines and one-way tickets from Manaus, Brazil), we were informed a week before embarking that our Amazon cruise wouldn’t sail the Amazon at all. Instead, it would sail the Caribbean Islands for 12 days on an itinerary similar to Viking’s West Indies Explorer.

We were given no option to cancel. So, on Thanksgiving week, we packed our bags to leave for San Juan, Puerto Rico, where the ship would depart, and scrambled to cancel expensive flights from Manaus to rebook one-way flights from San Juan during the holiday season.

Would this be a phenomenal, spontaneous adventure or a corporate cruise blunder?

Viking Cruises Rating: Is it a Good Cruise Line?

Overall, I rate Viking Cruises a 7.5 out of 10. My rating isn’t just limited to my onboard experience with Viking, which is easily an 8.5 or 9 out of 10 but includes communication with Viking’s corporate customer service before embarking and the itineraries Viking offers, which really brought down my rating.

Factoring into my rating were stateroom quality and cleanliness, included amenities, available dining, offered shore excursions, entertainment, the on-board staff, corporate customer service, Viking Cruises itineraries, value, and my overall experience while sailing with Viking Cruises.

• Staterooms: 9/10
• Amenities: 10/10
• Restaurants and bars: 7/10
• Shore excursions: 7/10
• Entertainment: 6/10
• Onboard staff: 10/10
• Customer service: 2/10
• Available itineraries: 7/10
• Value: 9/10
• Overall experience: 8/10

Viking Cruises Review: Pros

As a cruise curmudgeon, I was fully prepared to have a very short list of pros for Viking Cruises . Yet, when I stepped on board, my frosty opinion of cruising thawed with the warm Caribbean winds.

I indulged—relaxing in the idyllic Explorer’s Lounge for every sail-away, taking every opportunity to dress up in my chicest resortwear, and marveling at panoramic views from the ship’s wraparound decks and infinity pool.

Here’s what I loved about Viking Cruises:

• Amazing staff—the absolute best part of the cruise
• No kids under 18 allowed
• No pricing surprises
• Included WiFi
• No interior staterooms
• Every cabin has a balcony
• Daily afternoon tea
• Reasonable pricing for premium spirits, cocktails, and wine
• Small ship sizes
• Nearly 1:1 passenger-to-staff ratio
• Beautiful ship design—not tacky or cheesy
• Use of the spa is included
• Self-serve laundry is free
• No limit to outside alcohol brought on board and no corkage fee

Viking Cruises Review: Cons

If this Viking Cruises review is going to be honest, I have to point out the clear and obvious flaws with the cruise line that brought down my rating of it.

Even though I had an amazing time—and I really did—several glaring issues took away from the experience (the fact that we ended up in the Caribbean for two weeks instead of the Amazon being one of them).

After our major itinerary change, we were shocked when our itinerary changed again at the port in San Juan, removing our only sea day and port of call.

We thought that would be where the itinerary chaos stopped until a couple of our ports ended up being shipping ports instead of cruise ports, where our boat was surrounded by cargo and passengers had to be shuttled to and from town.

Aside from those one-offs, these Viking Cruises cons are worth considering before you book:

• Small ship sizes mean a lot of rocking, easy to get motion sickness
• Very few vegetarian dining options, basically no vegan dining options
• Poor communication about itinerary changes
• Inadequate compensation for major itinerary changes with no option to cancel or change
• Housekeeping doesn’t live up to the rest of the staff
• Onboard entertainment leaves something to be desired
• Disengaged, pretentious cruise director
• Paid shore excursion options often lacked excitement
• WiFi could be laggy, cutting out a few times during the trip

What’s Included on Viking Cruises?

What’s earned Viking Cruises its praises is founder and CEO Torstein Hagen’s philosophy that truly all-inclusive, luxury cruising means no nickel-and-diming.

No paying exorbitant WiFi fees, no additional fees for the spa, and no paying for specialty restaurants, the list goes on. With that in mind, we knew this trip would be like any other.

Included on every Viking cruise are:

• Complimentary shore excursion at every port
• Free WiFi onboard
• House wine, beer, and soft drinks at lunch and dinner
• Coffee, tea, and bottled water at all times
• Corkage fees for outside alcohol brought on board
• Access to the spa (treatments are paid)
• Destination lectures and theater performances
• Port taxes and fees
• Self-service laundry, including detergent
• All onboard restaurants, including specialty restaurants
• Freyja toiletries in-room

Viking Cruises Staterooms

One of the most attractive aspects of sailing with Viking Cruises is that there are no interior staterooms on any ship. Every cabin has large windows and a balcony, along with a well-sized bathroom, adding to the luxury experience.

Stateroom design is thoughtful, from the brilliant dressing table—complete with mirror lighting—to the universal outlets and ample storage for toiletries in the bathroom.

The only aspect of our stateroom that didn’t hit the mark was housekeeping. We were originally impressed with our room attendant, who was at our cabin within minutes of us reaching our stateroom to offer extra hangers (massive bonus points). Still, generally, our room wasn’t kept to the standard I’d expect from Viking or a similar luxury hotel.

It was cleaned and the bed was remade in the morning and at turndown, but extras I’ve come to expect at top-tier hotels didn’t exist, like tidying products on the counters, and moving strewn clothing and footwear.

I think our experience may have been an outlier—friends we made onboard received far better housekeeping.

Viking Cruises Staterooms to Avoid

Knowing which cabins to avoid on many cruise lines is crucial for ensuring comfortable accommodations. Not on Viking.

I can’t say there are any Viking Ocean Cruises cabins to avoid, just some slightly better than others, such as those on higher floors or the starboard side versus the port side, depending on where you’re docking. The lack of a casino and major entertainment venues onboard keeps Viking ships quiet.

Are the Upgraded Viking Cruises Cabins Worth It?

We originally booked the cheapest cabin type, the veranda stateroom. When we checked in, we received an upgrade to a room of the same size on a higher floor when our itinerary changed, and 300 passengers dropped out of the sailing.

Are the nicer Viking Cruises cabins worth it?

In my opinion, no. While it was nice to be on a higher floor, so much thought has gone into a top-notch room experience for Viking passengers that the upgrade didn’t make a noticeable improvement to our experience.

Viking Cruises Dress Code

Viking Cruises has specific dress codes for its ships, but they don’t demand ballgowns and black-tie.

Hagen, firmly against the idea that vacation should require stuffy, formal clothing, ensured that Viking Cruises do not have formal nights or theme nights that demand a separate wardrobe.

Given Viking Cruises’ older, wealthy clientele, I was panicked about what to wear on a Viking Ocean cruise before embarking. Would my crop tops and bikinis be okay? As it happens, my fears were totally unwarranted—several staff members even complimented my Caribbean cruise outfits , secretly quelling my nerves.

Viking Cruises Dress Code During the Day

In the morning, casual clothing is allowed everywhere onboard Viking Cruises. Shorts, t-shirts, sundresses—it’s all permitted, including at the main sit-down restaurant.

Athletic clothing and swimwear are not allowed anywhere on the ship except on the pool deck and at the gym. I thought this would be difficult to follow, however because the pool deck includes the World Cafe (the Viking Ocean Cruises buffet restaurant) along with Aquavit (the pool bar), this was very easy to follow.

Viking Cruises Dress Code at Night

At night, the dress code shifts slightly and becomes slightly more elevated. Men must wear slacks and a collared shirt. Polos are okay, but T-shirts are not. Women are allowed to wear dresses, skirts, or slacks but cannot wear shorts.

True to its ethos of a comfortable cruise experience, Viking has considered guests who don’t wish to dress up after the sun sets. Casual clothing is permitted at the World Cafe at all times.

Viking Cruises Staff and Service

Viking Cruises is luxury but hardly snooty or pretentious. Its quiet, subtle approach to luxury feels more like settling into a close friend’s home than something flashy.

Staff seals the approach with an ultra-personal approach to service and an amazingly warm, welcoming demeanor. Even staff we only interacted with once or twice would remember our names, preferences, or stateroom number—it was extremely impressive.

We absolutely loved it.

So many people contributed to making our trip special. They were the very best part of the cruise and absolutely the reason I loved it so much.

So thank you to John, who works ship security and built a friendship with us after teasing me about a lost passenger card on day one; Grace, the restaurant hostess whose memory never failed to surprise us; Rodge, an exceptional bar waiter; Erin, the assistant cruise director who went out of her way to make us feel welcome as the clear outliers (young people) on board; and John, the guitarist engaging in meaningful conversations with us.

Thank you to Amelia, the vivacious sommelier who went out of her way to make the best cocktail I had on the ship; Seema, our favorite waitress who never failed to delight us with jokes and recommendations; Mirza, the best bartender on the ship with ample beer knowledge to share with my boyfriend; and of course the beloved Suta, who was the very, very best part of our day, every day.

I cannot sing praises about the Viking Cruises staff enough. They are reason alone to pick this cruise line over all the others. If there’s one thing to take away from this Viking Cruise review, it’s that. There were so many nights that we would have rather been down in the crew bar than in the passenger area because they were that much fun to be around.

The only staff member we didn’t love was the cruise director—he rarely engaged with guests and was often only spotted socializing with ship executives. It rubbed us the wrong way, especially because the ship’s assistant cruise director and hotel management team executives were so phenomenal.

The fabulous staff’s attention to detail and camaraderie made it extra difficult to say goodbye to the Viking Sea after 12 days onboard.

Viking Cruises Itineraries

Viking Cruises sails several regions through Viking River and Ocean Cruises . Currently, the cruise line has 42 Viking River itineraries, and 94 Viking Ocean itineraries, sailing to over 200 destinations.

From low-key European river sailings to adventurous Antarctic expeditions, itineraries offer something for every type of traveler.

That said, actually choosing an itinerary proved more difficult than expected. Itineraries, for the most part, are very well-planned, but some (especially in Europe) missed the mark a little, skipping out on major destinations in some countries or staying too long in others. It didn’t help that Viking itineraries are long. I really wish they’d add some trips that are four to seven days instead of eight.

However, we generally loved the options available and were very excited about the prospect of sailing the Amazon. 

Talking to other passengers aboard our ship who were avid Viking cruisers, rivers are really where Viking shines brightest. It’s strongly recommended to stay away from itineraries that involve a lot of on-land movement with buses as they aren’t quite the same.

Moving forward, I’d consider booking a river cruise or an Antarctic cruise with Viking, but will probably stay away from anything considered more adventurous due to how our itinerary change was handled, like the Egypt sailing.

When you finally decide on your itinerary, book it well in advance. As Viking only operates small luxury cruise ships, sailings sell out quickly.

Viking Cruises Shore Excursions

I quickly learned that shore excursions can really add up—especially in the Caribbean. We weren’t planning on booking many excursions for our Amazon itinerary as there’s tons to explore independently there, more sea days in the itinerary, and lots of reasonably priced activities from third party tour operators.

The Caribbean was a different story. We learned the hard way that booking shore excursions through your cruise line or through an independent operator can really change your experience, even if they are extra expensive in the Caribbean.

Not given enough time to book through independent operators due to the itinerary change, we bit the bullet and booked several excursions through Viking.

How to Book Viking Cruises Excursions

Book your excursions quickly. Excursions can be booked ahead of embarkment via the My Viking portal, and are available to different cabin classes at different times. Those in the most premium cabin classes get the earliest access.

If you change your mind about excursions and want to book onboard, it’s not a problem. Guest services are available at all hours for last-minute excursion bookings. Tickets will be delivered to your cabin by housekeeping the night before if you book on the ship.

Viking Cruises Complimentary Shore Excursions

Viking acknowledges how important excursions are when cruising by offering every passenger a complimentary shore excursion at each port of call, regardless of cabin type.

Before you get too excited, know this isn’t an invitation to book whatever activity the cruise line offers. Viking determines the free excursion at each port, which is typically a walking or driving tour of the port of call. It’s not the most thrilling way to spend your day, but it can save you some money, especially if you’re at a port you’re not as excited about.

Premium Viking Ocean Cruises Shore Excursions

Other excursions offered are a little more exciting and very pricey. We found many of the excursions offered by Viking at a fraction of the price from Shore Excursions Group , which often sub-contracts the same local providers as major cruise companies.

Overall, offered excursions from Viking weren’t the most adventurous, compared to cruise lines that cater to a younger clientele. They were slower in pace and typically didn’t offer too much physical activity.

We booked several excursions through Viking—catamaran sailing and a walking tour in Saint Lucia, catamaran sailing and snorkeling in Grenada, and a tour of Foursquare rum distillery and a craft brewery in Barbados. We also tried booking an excursion in Dominica after our original plans to go waterfall rappelling fell through; however, it was canceled last minute due to bad weather.

Our excursion in Saint Lucia was phenomenal, save for rain and choppy waters, which were out of Viking’s control. Our Grenada tour wasn’t exactly as described, and in Barbados, we were rushed through Foursquare and spent far too long at a mediocre craft brewery.

We weren’t impressed with how Viking handled the snafu in Dominica. After our original choice was sold out, the cruise line refused to add a second tour despite having a waiting list of over 20 people for it, and we weren’t told that the excursion we booked was canceled until we came down to the disembarkment deck to leave.

Instead, we took the shuttle over to the cruise terminal and grabbed the first taxi driver we saw to take us to Titou Gorge . Our taxi tour was fun, but it was frustrating that we didn’t get off the ship until well past 1 pm, having our time in Dominica cut short for Viking’s failure to communicate.

I wish I could give a better review of Viking Ocean Cruises shore excursions, but I honestly think passengers should book independently to save money and assure quality.

Viking Ocean Cruises Restaurants and Bars

We took full advantage of Viking’s generous approach to dining by trying every single restaurant on the Viking Sea. There are 12 different Viking Ocean Cruises restaurants and bars on board, including the cooking school: The Restaurant, World Cafe, Explorer’s Lounge, Mamsen’s, Manfredi’s, The Chef’s Table, Torshavn, the Library, Aquavit Terrace, the Pool Bar, the Wintergarden, and the Kitchen.

The Restaurant is the main dining establishment on Viking Ocean cruises. This is a sit-down restaurant with outstanding service. The restaurant takes two approaches to its menu, splitting it into a selection of classic plates that never change and a daily rotating destination menu created based on your port of call that day. The vegetarian menu rotates daily and is displayed on the destination menu.

The World Cafe, Viking’s casual buffet restaurant, was our go-to for breakfast and lunch and has surprisingly decent pizza. We tried breakfast at The Restaurant, but found it to be the same quality as the World Cafe. The Restaurant is not open for lunch and always had better quality at dinner.

Explorer’s Lounge was by far my favorite spot on the ship. Located at the helm, the bar’s panoramic views were breathtaking, and the seating was oh-so-comfortable, like your well-lived living room. In the morning, the Explorer’s Lounge operates Mamsen’s, which serves Nordic breakfast favorites inspired by Hagen’s mother’s recipes (definitely get the waffle with all the fixings).

The Wintergarden was also among the best Viking Ocean restaurants for me. It only opens for afternoon tea from 1 pm to 4 pm and is a tranquil spot, especially when the strings duo is playing.

Overall, the food on the ship was far better than expected, but vegetarian options left something to be desired. Plates often felt recycled and relied heavily on creamy risotto or pasta. Manfredi’s, the Italian restaurant, had the best food for vegetarians on the ship—it certainly was not The Restaurant.

Aside from adding vegetarian options, Viking could really improve the timing and quantity of food offered throughout the day. Set dining times often left periods without great food options, and the in-room dining menu was very brief. Late-night nibbles weren’t found except for small charcuterie plates at the Explorer’s Lounge.

Is the Viking Silver Spirits Beverage Package Worth It?

For many, the Viking Silver Spirits premium beverage package may not be worth it. Cocktails and premium beer and wine by the glass are very well-priced, with most cocktails around $10.

The Silver Spirits package is $25 per person per day. Both members of your cabin have to add the package—you cannot purchase it individually.

Originally, we weren’t going to add the Silver Spirits package to our trip, but we decided to after we were offered onboard ship credit as compensation for our itinerary change.

I’m glad we did. Though I think we definitely would’ve drank less without it, it was nice to be able to try all of the different wines and cocktails Viking Ocean Cruises offers without needing to think about price. There are so many different wines available on the ship.

Most of the fellow passengers we encountered on the cruise did have the package even if the value didn’t make total sense for them, simply for the ease of not needing to think on vacation.

Viking Ocean Cruises Amenities

Stepping into the LivNordic Spa on Viking Ocean cruises, you’ll understand why the cruise line is a top choice for travelers.

All Viking Ocean cruises include spa access. The LivNordic Spa, as the name suggests, is based on Nordic wellness principles and includes a full thermal suite consisting of a snow grotto, several saunas, a steam room, cold plunge, hot plunge, and hydrotherapy pool in addition to private treatment rooms. Outside the spa is a small salon for hair, nail, and facial treatments.

The spa is a lovely place to unwind after a long day of sightseeing, but it isn’t huge, so it gets busy quickly. You’re best experiencing it during the day at a port you’re not too interested in. The same guidance goes for the pools, which crowd up on sea days and in the late afternoon.

Speaking of the pools, Viking Ocean ships are the only cruise ships to have infinity pools at sea. They’re plunge pools and surprisingly deep when the boat is docked (levels lower when the ship is sailing). We went for a dip in the infinity pool on the Viking Sea both in port and while sailing and loved taking in the view while swimming. Pool bar wait staff coming around with dipped ice cream cones was the cherry on top.

Other notable amenities included are the WiFi, the sports deck, and the fitness center. The gym is small but gets the job done and has everything you could need for a full-body workout. I loved that Viking put water bottles in each machine, so I didn’t even need to remember to bring one down.

Viking Cruises’ WiFi worked well—when it worked. A few times during the trip, it cut out or became extremely slow, but that’s to be expected when you rely on satellite internet in the middle of the ocean.

What frequent cruisers might notice is that shopping is less robust than on major lines (fine by me!) and that there are no casinos on any Viking cruise ships.

Viking Cruises Entertainment

If you asked even the most loyal Viking passengers what the cruise line’s biggest downfall is, they’d likely say the entertainment.

Then again, you didn’t really choose Viking for entertainment, did you? That’s why cruise lines like Royal Caribbean Cruises , Disney Cruise Line , and Norwegian Cruise Line exist, right?

My trip with Viking Ocean Cruises had the Viking Vocalists, a quartet of musical theater majors performing medleys; John, a solo guitarist; Irina and Nani, a string duo; Lidia, a solo pianist; and the Viking Band aboard as musical performers.

The theater hosted the Viking Vocalists, several destination lectures, a few movie showings, and performances from the assistant cruise director and the cruise director. During the cruise, Viking brought guest performers aboard a couple of times, like a solo guitarist.

The rest of the musical performers could be seen performing in the ship’s bars and common spaces. Classical performers typically were in the Atrium and Wintergarden. The Viking Band played Torshavn, the ship’s club, while the solo guitarist played the Explorer’s Lounge and Torshavn.

We saw the Viking Vocalists a few times, and thought they were kind of just okay. Some members were really talented, others were less so. The choice of music generally wasn’t thrilling or was poorly executed.

By skipping a performance in the theater, we didn’t feel like we were missing out on anything, and we enjoyed visiting with other passengers and staff in the evenings more. Then again, we’re the type of people who found the puzzles in the Atrium and trivia night in the Explorer’s Lounge more exciting prospects.

My favorite performers on the ship were the classical strings duo, who played beautiful pieces, and John, the solo guitarist whose choice of song always matched the location (I still can’t get over him playing “Ring of Fire” in the Explorer’s Lounge as we sailed past a large wildfire in Antigua).

There seemed to be a hierarchy among performers and staff on the ship, and I didn’t like it. Staff in management and the Viking Vocalists (considered the most premium performers) were mostly white Europeans. In contrast, lounge performers and those in service jobs tended to be almost entirely from South and Southeast Asian countries.

Though I’m sure there’s a reason for this, I have to wonder—is there not a pathway for employees from these countries, who make up the bulk majority of Viking Ocean’s workforce, to advance to these more favorable jobs?

Viking Ocean Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises

Is sailing with Viking Ocean Cruises better than Viking River Cruises ?

Viking Ocean Cruises is best for travelers who want to sail destinations like the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Iceland, and China with the Viking service and amenities they’ve come to know and love on a small ocean cruise ship. These cruises are not for those who get seasickness easily.

Viking River Cruises is the better option for all cruisers, generally. Those boats are even smaller than the Viking Ocean, but they don’t tend to rock as much and usually run smoother. It’s easy to stick to an itinerary despite bad weather when passengers can just hop off board and be bussed down the river.

Viking River Cruises is best known for its European itineraries, though it also offers cruises on rivers like the Mississippi and Nile.

What to Know Before Booking a Viking Ocean Cruise

Kids under 18 are not allowed onboard.

People under 18 are not allowed on Viking Cruises. That’s right—during your cruise, there will be absolutely no kids running around or screaming babies making a fuss.

It’s inconvenient for those who want to bring young grandchildren or their kids, but for us, it was one of the best aspects of sailing with Viking. I genuinely can’t imagine sailing on a massive cruise ship filled with families anymore—Viking’s child-free, small luxury cruise ships have ruined me.

If you’re looking for an adult-only cruise line with a younger demographic, try Virgin Voyages .

Viking Cruises Does Not Have Casinos on Its Ships

Put the poker chips away—there is no gambling on Viking Cruises. Puzzles and chess in the Atrium and a round of trivia at the Explorer’s Lounge are the only games to be played aboard.

I really enjoyed not having a casino aboard. It kept the atmosphere of the ship more refined, and I felt like our fellow passengers were cruising because they really loved to travel by sea, not because they wanted to hide out at the casino for the duration of the voyage.

Bring Motion Sickness Pills

Expect a lot of rocking when sailing on small ocean cruise ships like the Viking Ocean fleet. Some nights were better than others—we might feel a constant, slow sway—while others were extremely choppy. My legs would shake rapidly when seated from the motion, and hangers in our closet would hit against the doors.

The boat’s speed definitely affected its movement (as speed increased, so would the sway). We visited the Caribbean when there were strong winds, also contributing to the strong rocking.

Bring Dramamine or motion sickness patches, and lots of them. Even the most confident cruisers have experienced motion sickness on Viking—some staff members said they also do occasionally!

You Will Need Passport Validity of at Least 6 Months

Get your paperwork in order before you embark. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the final date of your sailing.

Depending on your itinerary, Viking may also require proof of visas or certain vaccines.

For our Amazon River cruise, getting a Yellow Fever vaccine was mandatory and had to be administered more than 10 days before we departed Puerto Rico. All passengers had to have a yellow book to prove they were vaccinated.

Pack All the Essentials in Advance

The stores on Viking Cruises are expensive. We were sticker-shocked when we saw that a small bottle of sunscreen at the general store onboard was $30 after running out. Ports of call had cheaper prices, but depending on the port, may not have quality goods.

Stock up by buying things like sunscreen , aloe vera gel , bug spray , band-aids , sunglasses , and the like at home before you go. We ran past a Walmart and a CVS in San Juan before embarking in addition to picking up a few things from Amazon , which helped us a lot.

Viking Cruises Review: The Bottom Line

As much as I hate to admit that my boyfriend was right, he was. Despite everything that went wrong with our cruise, I loved sailing with Viking, even if I didn’t exactly love the destinations we visited.

It really comes down to the staff and service. They made Viking so exceptional. I would absolutely sail with Viking Cruises again—just probably not to the Amazon. We met a couple onboard who had their first Amazon cruise with Viking canceled, only to have it canceled again!

So maybe, just maybe, I’m a little bit of a cruise person now. A small luxury cruise ship, a very expensive cruise person (still probably not a contemporary—or budget—cruise person).

Though planning my own trips will always be my favorite way to travel, Viking Cruises gave me two weeks of relaxation and rejuvenation that I usually don’t slow down enough for.

Thank you so much again to my boyfriend’s wonderful grandparents, for giving us an incredibly memorable, generous experience.

Viking Cruises Review: FAQ

The average age on a Viking cruise is typically in the 70s. On my cruise, the average age was 72 out of over 600 passengers.

Viking cruises are geared towards an older, affluent crowd, who make up the majority of passengers. However, travelers of all ages still sail with Viking. On my ship, two other passengers in their young 20s were sailing with their grandparents.

Passengers under 40 might find that Viking cruises operate at a slower pace than others. Entertainment and excursions are more low-key and low-impact than cruise lines geared toward younger people. I sailed with Viking Cruises at 24 and still made friends with many fellow passengers, even if they were several decades older. We loved making friends with the staff and exploring on our own as passengers with Viking who were under 40 years old.

Viking Ocean cruises typically have 900 passengers. Viking River cruise ships are smaller, usually only sailing with 190 passengers at most.

Eva Phan is the founder of Eva Darling, a travel and style website aiming to empower women to see the world solo while sharing on-trend, luxury feminine style inspiration. Featured in publications including Forbes, Thrillist, and Yahoo News, Eva has combined her education from Parsons School of Design with her incurable case of the travel bug to create a global destination that encourages others to romanticize their everyday.

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Fantastic info and very thorough! We love Viking because of the size, ages, amenities, food and wait staff!

After traveling on a Viking ship, I can understand how it sweeps awards! Will definitely be considering Viking for future cruises

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Viking River cruise is my best trip... - Viking Cruises France

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Retirement home on the water. Great for very elderly and infirm who love to drink. We had rainy... read more

The Viking staff was always courteous and friendly. The food and dining room service were very... read more

Viking River cruise is my best trip ever....

I have been on cruises, tours all over the world, with many different companies in different parts of the world and this 15 day Viking river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest was my best vacation ever......I just can't say enough good thinks about the Viking staff, the food and everything else.....I would recommend Viking 100% , from the Captain down to the maids........

First, I want to qualify this review. My first experience on Viking was a dream come true. I found a wonderful sale on the Paris to Paris trip. Despite the cold, the staff was wonderful, kind and so incredibly thoughtful. There were warm drinks waiting at the door when we came back from excursions, hot chocolate, warm brandy, heated blankets for chilled bodies. The guides were educated, full of wonderful stories. I felt myself often moved to tears by all the beauty. When I found another sale the next year, there was no question. Unfortunately, there should have been. As soon as we'd booked another wonderful sale for the Rhine popped up. It was a year ahead, so I asked if we could take advantage of that sale and told no, it was just too bad. A month before sailing our ship and rooms were changed. We no longer had a balcony room and were put on the third floor. The receptionist was rude to my husband, who just happens to be the nicest man in the world. They had an MC named Wolfgang who when I asked a question, told me that wasn't his job and to find someone else. There were no hot drinks after cold days. The food was awful and they actually didn't have enough. Now, I have cancer, so I don't eat huge amounts, but I do know you refill a buffet. The guides were third rate and often left us on our own to get lost. It was mostly sheer dumb luck we made it back. We lost an entire day because we didn't buy the Heidelberg excursion and weren't allowed off the boat to see it on our own. The room we'd been moved to actually smelled and no matter what we tried, it wouldn't change. We left the cruise and spent three days in London at The Tower Hotel that we booked by ourselves. It was the best three days of the trip. I don't think I'll ever book another Viking cruise, ever. It was simply so BAD, I can't find a way to redeem it.

Danube Christmas Delights Cruise, Viking Ingvi, 4 – 18 Dec 2022, Budapest to Passau with 2 nights Budapest pre and 3 nights Prague post Background: I think most “reviews” do not provide much actionable information. They just relate whether the people liked it, or not. I, on the other hand, am always looking for detailed info that is not available from a top-level tour/cruise review site. I am looking for “behind the scenes info” and to benefit from the experience of somebody else like me who has done this already and found the “golden nugget” that will make our trip different or special. So, this is a detailed travelogue rather than a quick “review”. Viking cruises have been “reviewed” to death in the last 10 years. Fair warning, if you don’t want details, you can stop reading now, but if you want a real account -- warts and all – please continue. I’ve saved what I consider some nuggets and very good tips at the end that it took a while for us to learn. Airlines and air travel: I HIGHLY recommend outside premium economy seats. The seats are wider, they recline about 45 deg to sleep, really good food (like standard airline food was 50 years ago), free drinks, and a decent entertainment system (including internet for a fee). The weather was iffy (low ceilings/rain/ snow) but the flights were on time. When we arrived in Budapest, the Viking travel agent was waiting at the baggage claim. She made a dozen of us wait for “the last two people…”. After 45 minutes, she finally called the bus and we got out of there. It turns out the 2 people had some crazy idea the Viking transfer service was like a hotel shuttle you called when YOU were ready, and they went to eat breakfast after the flight. Many fellow travelers were NOT happy. Back: Austrian Vienna to Dulles (767 premium economy) but the airplane broke, and the flight was canceled. I’m not sure if being premium economy made a difference (i.e. – paying more) but rather than having to wait at the service center to get a new flight, we received texts and emails within 30 minutes with a new reservation the next day from Vienna to JFK on Austrian, then JFK to ORF on American. MAKE SURE YOU GIVE THE AIRLINE YOUR EMAIL/CELL # SO THEY CAN ALERT YOU AND CONTACT YOU. Conversely, in the USA Global Entry worked like a champ, they have added facial recognition and we didn’t even have to scan our passports. We bypassed the big customs lines and got through in literally 2 minutes. If you will travel out of the country a few times in the next few years, get Global Entry. It takes some effort to do the interviews/security checks and it costs $100 for 5 years, but you also get TSA pre-check with it. Our deboarding at JFK was delayed due to a medical emergency right off the jet bridge so our bags were waiting when we got there, but we still had to hustle them about 50 yards to a “connection” baggage desk. Why can’t the airline do that? Yes, a foreign airline can check your bags all the way through, even changing airlines, with today’s technology but you must drag them from carousel to counter (and no this was not due to customs). The contrast between clean, modern, and not crowded airports in Europe and the goat pen that is JFK is stark (not to mention the prices for crappy airline terminal food). Weather: I would not recommend this cruise in Nov/Dec if not for the Christmas Markets. The days are too short and the weather too cold/unpredictable/iffy UNLESS you are in it for the markets. There is just not enough daylight to really enjoy the "regular" excursions (it gets light about 7:30 and dark by 4:00). The ship and the Danube: The Viking Ingvi is identical to every other Viking Longship so refer to the commercial reviews for details if you are not familiar. The standard huge differences between big ocean ships and river cruise ships apply. There were 183 people, 90 were past Viking cruisers and many had been trying to do this cruise since 2020. Most were from throughout the USA, with a few from Canada, and at least one couple from the UK. We made multiple friends quickly. You should think about the timing and weather during your cruise while picking a cabin. We again had a Veranda with balcony but did not use the balcony this time because of the cold weather. We had a standard Viking experience (generally very good to outstanding service) however, it seems they are suffering server issues like everybody else. Dinner service (but not breakfast or lunch) was generally slow (two nights we missed dessert in order to make nighttime excursions). "On board enrichment" events were just so-so; mediocre local singers, etc, we missed most of them due to excursions and time at the boat, and the Danube history lecture came on the last day instead of at the front - who cares by then? The food was again very good to outstanding, the silver spirits drink package is worth the $150 per person. We are only social (not big) drinkers but when we drink, we like top shelf. Housekeeping, bartenders, servers (except dinner per above), cruise director, customer service desk were all A+ level. The ship's store even had stocked merchandise this time. We ate breakfast on the Aquavit Lounge every day on the previous cruise but this time it was only served in the restaurant - fine. It was so cold the "sun" deck was a waste this time and had been our hangout on the first cruise. Something Viking should have improved in 5 years, but has not, is the internet and TV service. They advertise this going in, but their IT connectivity sucks. The ship was generally on time but got in late at a couple stops - I assume due to delays at one of the 11 locks they had to navigate. However, the delay was in the middle of the night, so we didn’t really care, made for long nights for the ops crew though. Christmas Markets in general: We thought the Christmas Markets would be like the top scale juried craft shows in the USA. Not really, they are more like county fair craft and food stands. They are over 50% food (but GOOD food; great wurst, chimney cakes, langos, gluhwein, Christmas punch, roasted nuts, pastries, etc) but you have already paid for great food on the boat so are not that hungry. Woolen goods, wooden and crystal ornaments, wooden toys, some jewelry, Christmas pyramids and smokers, etc. The goods got higher quality (and slightly higher prices) as we moved west bound through Austria, to Germany, and the Czech Republic. DO NOT wait, however, to buy. If you like something, get it! You may not see it again and this is not a case of price shopping. The honey gluhwein, the fruit wine Christmas punch with a shot of vodka, and hot chocolate with Bailey’s were our favorites. I really liked the chimney cake pastries; in Prague they made them into cones filled with ice cream! The port calls and the excursions: General: We like to take the “tourist”/general survey type excursions first and then go back to see stuff more in depth as we get familiar and if we have the time. This cruise can trend to develop into an “ABC” cruise. ABC was a joke by Mihal (Michael from Serbia) the cruise director; “a beautiful castle, a beautiful church, another beautiful castle, another beautiful church…….oh damn! another bloody castle, another bloody church………..” YOU ARE IN CONTROL OF THAT VIA OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS. If you just stick to the provided excursions, you will get ABC’d to death. Security: At every stop we where told this part of Europe was very safe. However, every one of them said to guard your valuables, cell phones, cameras, tablets, cash, etc. by keeping wallets in front pockets and wear purses with straps in front of your body. They warned against pick pockets at the Christmas Markets as it can be like salmon swimming upstream as described elsewhere in this review. Budapest HU: The Corinthia Grand Hotel is the standard, versus upgraded, pre-cruise hotel, but it is still pretty grand. First class service, great cook-to-order breakfast/buffet, nice bars, good location mid-town on Pest (eastern side) of the river. “Moon” and Victor were great hosts. They gave us the intro tour, showed us how to use public transportation, advice on money, and gave restaurant and sightseeing recommendations. Two nights in the hotel, third night on the boat. Panoramic Budapest and Budapest by night were good intro tours. Not to be missed: Hungarian Parliament building, Castle Hill, Matthias Church, and Fisherman’s Bastion on Buda (west side), Pest side is offices, restaurants, bars, nightclubs galore (we learned Budapest is the bachelor/bachelorette party capital of Europe) and Christmas Markets (2). Wish we had seen: More of Buda on the west but the Chain Bridge is still closed due to major renovation, more of life during the Soviet occupation (didn’t get to those museums). Did not make it to the huge “open farmers market” or the “ruin bars” in the Jewish quarter due to time. The main Christmas Market was the most “county fair like” and we got worried they would all be like that – no they are not, we just had to wait. Bratislava SV: Biggest disappointment of the cruise. It was about 35 deg with heavy rain and winds on arrival. Our biggest complaint of the Viking staff was they lined everybody up in maybe 6 groups (it was the only tour that day) with umbrellas in the crappy weather then walked to town. They could have formed up in the boat by group and avoided half of that. We did the ABC tour, and an “organ concert” in a small church. The concert was a guy singer and his wife playing the organ who did 4 Christmas songs and then hawked their CD’s to the group. We hustled back to the boat to dry out and warm up and had no desire to check out the Christmas Market in the weather. So much for Bratislava. I have friends who told us it was a well-kept secret and a highlight of their trip. NOT on this day, a total bust. Not to be missed: NO CLUE! Wish we had seen: EVERYTHING! Vienna AU: A short cruise to Vienna. Wish we had two days there instead of one. Panoramic Vienna was a bus tour around the Ringstrasse and a walking tour of the old town. Some folks went to the Schoenbrunn summer Hapsburg palace, but we walked to the Hotel Sacher to get Sacher tortes, saw the Lipezzaner stables, and went to the other markets. There are 3 Christmas Markets increasing in size. The main market is HUGE in the park in front of the Rathouse (town hall). It was cold and we were there on a Sat afternoon/night. At 4:00 the place got overrun with families. Viking ran shuttle buses from the boat to the markets but there was so much traffic (and the cops closed down some roads due to a “demonstration” by ultra-left malcontents) the buses could not get to us. Viking did rescue us but we had to walk a ways to get to the transport. Oh well. Not to be missed: Vienna is one of the cruise highlights. An evening concert of Mozart, Vivaldi, and Strauss with a small orchestra, singers, and dancers. These musicians are members of the Vienna Philharmonic and opera and do this as a side gig. They are first class performers. Christmas markets (all 3) but go EARLY. Wish we had seen: Time to do interior tours of the Hapsburg Palace, etc. Inside tours of the other buildings and palaces. A mom and daughter on our boat had arranged to go to the opera, we would have liked time to go to other concerts and holiday performances. Wish we had one more day there instead of some of the following stuff. Krems AU: Arrived at 07:00. There was only time for a trip to the Gottwieg Abbey south of town. Really interesting working Abbey from the 12th century; vineyards, orchards, timber, schools, and local parish support. We were there on Sun AM and did not get to see the church due to mass. A very extensive and interesting, but long, tour left only 30 minutes for wine tasting, sightseeing, and shopping. Viking wanted to sail though the Wachau valley (kind of like the Middle Rhine) in the day light and left at 1:30. But with 35 deg and freezing rain – who cares? Nobody wanted to be outside talking pictures. It seems like they were sticking to the summer-time cruise plan, they need to be more flexible. Most of the Christmas Market was closed on Sun morning so not worth seeing. Not to be missed: Gottweig Abbey Wish we had seen: Christmas Market and the town instead of ABC castles and churches in the Wachau valley in the rain and snow. Linz AU: One of the highlights of the cruise. Linz is a combination of the very old with the very modern as it is the steel/industrial capital of Upper Austria. Think Pittsburgh but only 60 years old vice 125 years old as the Marshall plan rebuilt the steel mills after WWII. We did the old town tour and took the tram up to the little church north of town at Postlingberg. Second best Christmas Market where we discovered “the Linzer Angel” and great little cafe’s, we discovered Linzer torte and cappuccino at the bakery from where Maria Theresa had pastries delivered all over the Austro-Hungarian empire. Not to be missed: Take the #50 tram (ticket office in the town hall) up the hill to the little church, called the Linz Basilica, or more formally “Our Lady of the Seven Sorrows” church for an incredible view of the entire city. There is also a zoo and a kid’s fairly-tale amusement park called the Grottobahn full of families on that hill. The Christmas market had handmade ornaments and school groups performing as well as honey gluhwein, and the Linzer Angel. Passau GE: Last stop on the cruise just inside Germany. Did the old city ABC tour (are you starting to see a trend here)? Good Christmas market with nicer and more expensive stuff. We attended a gingerbread making lecture, discovered another neat café, and bought a bunch of goodies at Confiserie & Cafe Simon which is world famous for all kinds of candy, cookies, pastries, and baked goods. Those who did not book a post cruise trip had an early get up and a long bus ride (3 hrs + 2 hrs prior to departure show time) to the Munich airport. Maybe 20 went to the Salzburg/Munich post tour, then flew out of Munich. About 20 of us boarded a bus at 07:30 for the 4 hr trip to Prague on mostly two-lane roads over hill and dale in the snow that reminded me of the hills in western New York State. Prague CZ: Probably the highlight of the trip, better than Budapest and even Vienna. Marcus, the Viking host, and crew met us at the Prague Marriott which is a new and modern downtown full-service hotel. In fact, the complaints about this place were it was “too modern” and there were too many cruise lines staying there. There were 3 Viking boats, 2 AmaWaterways, and at least 1 Avalon. Some were on a pre-cruise stay and some were post like us. The hotel Artisan restaurant and bar was very good, and they had a pastry/coffee shop in the lobby (think the best Au Bon Pain or Panera Bread you have ever been to). We went to the main Christmas market in the old town square and did the Prague By Night tour with outstanding views of the city and a quick beer at the St Norbert monastery brewery. They had an early snow in Prague, and it was beautiful at night. Most people went on to the Lobkowicz tour and concert and we were the ONLY couple signed up for the Prague Food Tour. We had a personal guide (Charley who had lived in San Francisco for 7 years) and driver (George). Normally he has 6 -12 but we were not the first solo couple. We went to one place for appetizers, a second for roast leg of duck, potatoes, and cabbage, and to a third famous place for dessert. We discussed not only food, but history, culture, and politics one-on-one with somebody who had lived in the USA and also under Soviet communism in the former Czechoslovakia. JUST AWESOME! Prague has multiple Christmas markets but the main one is in the Old Town square. It was big with quality merchandise, a big stage with live entertainment, the BEST honey gluhwein, and the BEST gourmet hot chocolate with fanciest marshmallows I have ever seen (about $3). Not to be missed: Charles Bridge, Prague Castle, Astronomical clock, St Norbert’s brewery restaurant (at least for me), and the Old Square Christmas Market. Wish we had seen: Inside of the Prague Castle buildings, more of the museums, there are art museums and Smithsonian style museums there was just no time for, more restaurants just no time to do it. Nuggets of wisdom that may help you save time, money, or aggravation, and make your trip more enjoyable: Travel insurance: It may seem “expensive” but it is relatively “cheap” peace of mind and we will take it every time. Also, we have Medicare for health care, and it is NOT in force outside the USA. Tipping: Servers in Europe, unlike the USA, get paid for serving and don’t depend on tips to make a living. So, a tip is really for exceptional service. Plan on 10% if service is exceptional. Ask them if you can give a tip if you want to. I’ve even had them present me with a bill for various amounts and they asked me to “pick an amount” I was comfortable with. If you liked the tour tip your local guide AND driver about 2 euros or $2 per person. This is their job, and they are not doing it for free. Money: I recommend you keep about $50 in USA dollars, $50 worth in Euros, and $50 worth in the local currency. You will be able to pay 85% of the time with a credit or debit card. Keep a little of ALL kinds of cash in your pocket. People will take at least one or maybe all of them. Use the ATMs for cash but NOT all ATMs. There are privateer ATMs all over the cities and towns, but they will charge a horrendous exchange fee (like 25%). USE ATMs ONLY AT BANKS. Always carry a few coins to use for the public restrooms. In Europe, the public restrooms are clean and there is usually an attendant. That is because they charge the equivalent of 25 to 50 cents to use them. The cafes and restaurants all have clean restrooms for customers. Credit/debit cards: As stated above most places will take cards (for sure all restaurants and bars, hotels, stores, even taxis). However, check your cards BEFORE you go and make sure they 1) have no foreign transaction fees and 2) know you are traveling and there will be charges from weird locations. Cell phones: 99% of all cell phones work internationally now. You can buy international plans by month or by the day for calls, texts, and data. Add one to your plan BEFORE you travel for yourself AND your partner. Google Maps works great overseas. Learn to user the “walking directions” feature, we NEVER use that in the USA as we always drive but it is very powerful. It will tell you exactly what public transportation to use (bus XX, to tram XY, walk 5 minutes to X street, and then take tram XZ to your destination, etc, etc). You can also use your phone to translate signs and such on the spot. Computers: As stated above the cruise boats have internet (although spotty and small bandwidth) and will not be as useful as if you are sitting on your home network. Local transportation: In the cities get a tram/bus/subway metro map and learn to use it. Ask the local Viking rep how to pay for fares (if needed) and how to use the system. In Europe everybody uses public transport, and in the USA (except in the very big cities) nobody does, we all drive our own cars. It was a pleasant surprise that in most locations public transport is FREE for those 65 and over. They may or may not have an Uber or Lyft where you travel (they had something called “Bolt” in Budapest and Prague that was a combination Uber and Door Dash) but they will have taxis. Be careful they do not say “independent contractor” on the door and are part of a big taxi company. The privateers can set their own rates and we were warned they prey on “rich” tourists. You should stick to public transportation anyway as it is plentiful, always runs, and is cheap or even free. That’s enough for now. Happy traveling and hope you enjoy yourselves, we certainly did (again) and are planning our next cruise.

The best way to improve the viking experience is stay home and watch television. My friend and I just returned from a cruise down the Danube. from Passua to Budapest. We bought the Munich, satzburg extension and the Budapest extension. When I got to Budapest I was taken to the hospital and admitted for 4 days with pneumonia. Iwas not allowed to stay on the viking sightseeing bus although I ask, I was forced to walk at least one half a mile in the snowy mist and on frozen ground. The trip went downhill from there. Viking made no attempt to help me although I purchased their trip insurance. Viking is after money only and gives no regard to the wellbeing of their customers.

We took a river cruise back in June 30 only we never left till July 1st The Vikings travel agent changed our flight so we missed a whole day in Budapest and they never refunded our $499 excursion trip I am still waiting They keep giving me the run around after i submitted all the qualification documents stating that the flight was changed

My husband and I recently travelled on the Viking Orion from Bali to Sydney. It was our first experience on Viking and we accepted the VERY high cost because of the rave reviews of a Viking cruise. We were greatly disappointed but that is for another review. As I have read through many social media posts one glaring problem was the inability of Viking to competently restock their liquor. Several premium brands were not available on our cruise and they ran out of dark beer and several other major categories of liquor completely. I understand this is a 1st world problem, but the ongoing complaints from other passengers makes me question the cruise line in general. Is Viking having problems restocking for a more systemic problem rather than the canned “supply problems” excuse.

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Viking Cruises Review

Sunday, May 19th

2024 Cruise Line Reviews

• Viking Cruises
• Best for river cruises
• Over 60 river- and ocean-going ships in the fleet
• Viking Expeditions available to Antarctica, the Great Lakes, and Canada
• Must be 18+
• Complimentary amenities include Wi-Fi; house wines, beers, and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners; coffee and hot tea available 24/7; self-service launderettes
• Every sailing includes one shore excursion in each port of call, including visits to UNESCO sites

Viking Cruises is a luxury cruise line that offers river and ocean cruises around the world. The company was founded in 1997 and is known for its Scandinavian-inspired design and focus on cultural experiences.

Small- to mid-range ship sizes

One of the most notable aspects of Viking Cruises is the company's fleet of ships. The river ships are relatively small, with a maximum capacity of around 200 passengers, which allows for an intimate and personalized experience. The ocean ships are larger, but still maintain a sense of exclusivity with a maximum capacity of around 930 passengers. All cabins feature a veranda or French balcony, and the ocean ships also have a variety of suite options available. The company's Scandinavian design aesthetic is evident throughout the ships, with sleek, modern decor and plenty of natural light.

Best choice for river cruises in Europe - and elsewhere

Viking Cruises is particularly known for its river cruises in Europe, which travel along the Rhine, Danube, Seine, and other scenic waterways. These cruises offer a chance to explore historic cities, picturesque villages, and stunning landscapes. Shore excursions are included in the fare and are designed to immerse passengers in local culture, such as wine tastings in Burgundy or a visit to a working windmill in the Netherlands. But, river cruising with Viking is hardly limited to Europe: you can just as easily sail the Mekong, Mississippi, or Nile.

Get to know your destination well

The ocean cruises offered by Viking Cruises also emphasize cultural experiences, with a focus on destinations rather than onboard amenities. The ships visit ports around the world, from the Caribbean to Asia to the Mediterranean, and often stay in port for longer periods of time to allow passengers to fully explore each destination. Excursions are again included in the fare and are designed to give passengers a deeper understanding of local culture, such as a visit to a traditional Japanese tea ceremony or a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Petra in Jordan. And, for the truly adventurous, Viking Expeditions can take you to sights few people have seen in Antarctica, the Great Lakes, and Canada.

Not your traditional spring break option

Still, it's probably not going to come as a huge shock when we say that there were no traditional "spring break in the Caribbean" options here, like we used as our comparison sailing across cruise lines. Sure, you'll get results if you enter a March date with the Caribbean as the preferred location, but the itineraries will include sailings like an Amazon and Caribbean Adventure from San Juan to Manaus, several Atlantic crossings, and Panama Canal/Pacific Coast. Nonetheless, it's pretty exciting to think of spending 15 days traveling from Barcelona to Ft. Lauderdale, taking three tours and visiting five countries, starting at just $3,299 per person.

Most amenities included in your fare

Moving on to amenities, Viking Cruises offers a range of options to keep passengers entertained and relaxed. Your sailing will always come with complimentary Wi-Fi; house wines, beers, and soft drinks with onboard lunches and dinners; coffee and hot tea available 24/7; and self-service launderettes. Viking Cruises also offers a range of wellness and fitness options on board, including a spa, fitness center, and yoga classes. The company's ocean ships feature a Nordic-inspired thermal suite with a snow grotto, heated loungers, and a sauna. All of these are part of the "Viking Inclusive Value" .

Gratuities are extra

However, Viking Cruises doesn't include your gratuities as part of their complimentary offerings. Your account will automatically be charged $17 per guest per day, which is shared among the waitstaff, stateroom stewards, laundry staff, and others.

All dining is included

Dining on Viking Cruises is a highlight for many passengers, with a focus on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients and regional cuisine. The ships feature a variety of dining venues, from a casual poolside grill to a more formal chef's table experience. All dining experiences are included with your fare.

Passengers tend to be older

One potential downside to Viking Cruises is the demographic of its passengers, which tends to skew older. While the company is making efforts to attract a younger crowd (still 18+, though) with its ocean cruises, these sailings still tend to be popular with retirees.

Top pick for river cruises - especially among retirees

Overall, Viking Cruises is a good choice for (older) travelers who are interested in cultural experiences, scenic destinations, and a luxury onboard experience. The company's attention to detail and emphasis on local culture make for a unique and memorable vacation.

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The 15 Best Cruise Lines

Which cruise line is the best.

Cruising is a popular way of traveling for many people, offering a unique experience that combines the convenience of a floating hotel with the excitement of visiting multiple destinations in one trip. In an average year, over fifteen million people say "all aboard" and set sail on an amazing vacation.

There are many different cruise lines to choose from, and each one offers a different type of experience. Some are geared towards families, while others are more focused on luxury or adventure. What would you like to see and do while you're onboard? Is a casino a must-have or a rather-avoid? Would a Broadway-caliber show tip the scales for you? Do you need a wide range of activities to keep the kiddos happy while the adults live it up or relax? The onboard activities and amenities can really make or break your vacation, so be sure you know what you're getting.

Cruise Line FAQ

Which cruise line is the best, what is included in the cost of a cruise, what is the minimum age to cruise, what are the dining options on a cruise ship, are cruise ships crowded, do i have to dress up, are activities included at destination ports, can i bring my own alcohol onboard.

Continued from above...

Another factor that can influence which cruise line you choose is the itinerary. Cruise ships travel all over the world, but some cruise lines may not have destinations available where you're hoping to go. You should also consider the size of the ship: larger ships offer more amenities, but smaller ships can access ports that bigger ships can't.

Speaking of amenities, make sure you understand what you'll get as part of your fare and which extras will come with an additional cost. For example, most cruises offer drink packages for alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, but a few have drink stations where you can get complimentary lemonade, coffee and tea. Other amenities that might be important to you are Wi-Fi, spa services, babysitting, fitness classes, and upgraded dining experiences. You can usually get a decent discount if you sign up for an amenities package before you sail, so keep an eye out for promotions in the months leading up to your sailing.

When you take a cruise, it's almost always expected that you'll tip the crew members who have attended to your needs while onboard: your cabin steward ( who probably leaves your towels folded into fun shapes every night ), your servers at your nightly meals, and the head waiter. Cruise lines have a recommended gratuity to cover all three of those staff members, usually $15-$20 per traveler, per day; the total gratuity amount may be charged automatically to your account, or you may be given envelopes to make cash payments.

While it usually isn't mandatory to pay those gratuities - you can ask to have them removed if they're applied automatically, especially if you've received poor service - it's typically considered in poor taste not to tip at the suggested levels (because crew members' salaries, much like servers at your local restaurant, are based on the expectation of tips paid by guests). And, if you receive service that goes above and beyond, adding to the recommended gratuity is always appreciated. Be aware that tips for bartenders, poolside servers, and professional services provided in the spa or elsewhere are not included in the daily suggested gratuity and may be charged automatically at the time of service.

Now that you have a good overview of the cruising experience, which cruise line should you choose? Beyond the points we already covered, here are a few additional criteria that might make it easier to pick:

• Embarkation port. You could get a great deal on a cruise, but what will it cost you to get to the port? That could involve airfare, an overnight stay or two in a nearby hotel (so that you're less likely to be affected by travel delays), and transportation from the airport or hotel to the port. This is especially true if you're taking a cruise that departs from an international destination.
• Perks for repeat cruisers. Like frequent flyer programs on airlines, most cruise lines offer benefits the more you sail. If you find yourself absolutely loving cruise vacations, it can be advantageous to put all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak. Rewards programs can include casino benefits, complimentary meals at the upgraded dining experiences, exclusive sail-away parties with free cocktails and tchotchkes, early-access booking on future cruises, and much more.
• Reputation. It's a really smart idea to see what other travelers have said about their overall experience with a cruise line before booking your trip. The ads on TV may make that private island look amazing, but someone who's been there might point out that you'll pay extra to get on that waterslide. Or, previous cruisers could tell you that despite having several formal nights on the schedule, a particular cruise line has no problem with people showing up to dinner in flip-flops and swimsuit coverups. Find out if the cruise line you're considering lines up in reality with what they advertise.

Here at Top Consumer Reviews, cruising is one of our favorite ways to travel and experience new things. And with so many different cruise lines to choose from, it can be overwhelming to know where to start. But, don't worry: take a look at our in-depth analysis of today's most popular options, find the one that's the best match for your vacation ideas and your travel party, and book that trip you've been dreaming of. Bon voyage!

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Reviews 1.6.

Most relevant

All about the $$$

I understand when you book a cruise and you don't sign up for their insurance you take the risk of losing your money. However, with Viking I think they take it to a whole other level. My son's wife suffered a serious heart condition and was hospitalized. She is now unable to go on the cruise they had booked with Viking. Because it was within 30 days of the departure they had to forfeit all of the money they paid for the cruise - close to $14,000 dollars. This we understood, however, even though the trip was paid for, they would not allowed someone else take her place. To add insult to injury, he then decided he to go by himself since I was going to be on the cruise so he could be with me. This is the part I don't understand - to travel without his wife he has to pay an additional $2500 on top of the $14,000! I get the single rate is higher but he has already paid well above the single rate and more. We've had to make changes with other cruise lines and they have been much more accommodating when issues arise. We had planned another family trip for the eight of us next year but never again on Viking.

Date of experience : 29 April 2024

Viking vouchers have undisclosed testrictions

Viking will do every sneaky thing they can to steal your money. I purchased 2 $200 vouchers while on a Viking cruise that they stated had no restrictions or limitations. I recently applied them to a future river which I had to cancel well within the cancellation period without penalty. They kept my $50 deposit but also kept the vouchers so they could not be applied to a future booking. This is completely dishonest and unethical. Avoid this tour operator at all costs.

Date of experience : 23 April 2024

NOT CUSTOMER FRIENDLY

Had a Iceland Cruise in June 2026. I needed to cancel due to personal reasons. I contacted Viking and explained my particutar situation. I was giving Viking over a 2 year notice so the cabin can be resold. Viking denied my request for a refund of the "BIG" $50 Deposit. There are always exceptions to the rules that Viking could have made in my case. NOT CUSTOMER FRIENDLY.

Date of experience : 10 April 2024

We gave Viking $8999.00 toward a future…

We gave Viking $8999.00 toward a future cruise. Due to illness we were unable to book a cruise. When we requested to use that deposit for another cruise and or return the money, they denied the request. Dealing with Miller Rubio was a lesson in duplicity and deceit.I would strongly encourage Ocean travelers to find a more honorable company.

Date of experience : 04 April 2024

Viking air agents are awful

I am writing this review before the cruise. I hope I can return and review this with a higher rating. So far it has been a cluster $&@“. Air management team has been a nightmare. They had my traveling companion on a different flight to Amsterdam. Not good. 3.5 hrs on the phone to get it straightened out and of course more $$ out of pocket. I finally just said I will get myself to Atlanta you get me to Amsterdam and back to Atlanta. So one leg of my prepaid trip is paid by me a second time. No ONE travel consultant assigned to us so absolutely no consistency. Lack of communication has also been a big problem. This is to be the Cream de la cream, cruise travel company. I am not seeing it. Hope it changes with the cruise, but they have a lot of work to do in the front end to be given a top rating.

Date of experience : 08 March 2024

Customer service is no help at all

Customer service is no help at all. We booked two cruises at the same time .. they said we can not have transfer in between the cruise to the air port unless we fly back to USA and fly back to Europe?? Secondly we pay for air plus to book the flight we wanted and they changed our flight from directly to transfer to Canada.. so why we pay for the extra 100 ??

Date of experience : 01 April 2024

Booked a cruise with Viking (which was…

Booked a cruise with Viking (which was listed as requiring $25 down to book). Shortly thereafter, Viking wanted full payment for a cruise 1 year in the future. Therefore, Viking is holding full payment and collecting interest on the funds. This appears to be a new money making mechanism by Viking using their client's money to increase their cash flow.

Date of experience : 01 August 2023

Viking Corporate vs Viking Ship's Crew

This review is about Viking Corporate - NOT the Viking Vidar staff. Corporate lies - plain and simple. Trying to get specifics on a cruise itinerary was like pulling teeth. And, other than one Customer Rep - Patricia T - the Customer Reps will either tell you there's no way to find out an answer, or they will just tell you something to get rid of you. So what if what they told you made you make a certain choice of an included or optional tour, and THEN, WHILE ON THE CRUISE, you find out it was a LIE! Because of Viking Corporate, I will never go on another Viking cruise - which is sad because the Ship's Crew will do whatever it takes to make this the best vacation of your life

Date of experience : 17 July 2023

We have just returned from a wonderful ocean cruise

We have just returned from a wonderful cruise on Viking Sea from Athens to Venice. Unfortunately the airline lost our luggage for five days which was far from ideal but Viking staff provided us with toiletries and also laundered our clothes each evening returning them early next morning. Our cabin stewards, Angel and Rhuel went beyond the call of duty to help us out with a few other missing item. The food was very good, the cleanliness was excellent and most importantly, the Staff were lovely. We mainly did the included excursions and the guides were very knowledgeable and interesting. All transfers were well organised and there were representatives at the foreign airports guiding us to check in and sorting out our luggage transfer so we only had our hand luggage to carry. All in all we were very happy people and have already booked our next ocean cruise with them.

Date of experience : 01 September 2023

Viking Venus without most amenities.

Viking Venus : cruise round Med and on to Israel. This was a wonderful itinerary , a beautiful ship , excellent food and service. In fact, everything we have come to expect from Viking except…there were apparently a few cases of a GI infection . As a consequence all water amenities, main pool, infinity pool, jacuzzi and spa were closed for the whole of the cruise! As compensation we have been offered a derisory £200 voucher towards a future cruise. An insult! We will not be booking with Viking again.

Date of experience : 25 November 2022

Privacy violation

Sent brochure without consent. I sent an email to be removed from the mailing list, but when attempting to call as a backup measure, I was notified that the privacy line was for employees and not for customers. The company is intentionally avoiding ways to respect consumer privacy. I will never be a customer of this cruise line.

Date of experience : 03 February 2024

Multiple airline delays and flight…

Multiple airline delays and flight cancellations resulted in my wife and I missing the first three days of the cruise and no realistic plan to meet up with the boat later, so requested a return flight to US ,which we got. After arriving home, we filed for reimbursement from Trip Mate. Payment was denied because we had used vouchers from covid cancelled cruises to pay for current cruise. $7,000 out the window. Never again Viking!

Date of experience : 28 May 2023

Bait and switch pure and simple

Bait and switch pure and simple. Reserve a cabin at a promotional rate, they cancel. Then, reinstate you at their rate that they want you to pay. Awful. Do not use this cruise line. Many other cruise lines honor their promotions. These people do not!!! Worst experience!!

Date of experience : 03 December 2023

Fantastic experience, highly recommended

Fantastic experience, just returned from a cruise with Viking and was blown away by the quality of food, excursions and especially the staff who go above and beyond to ensure you have an amazing time, the ship was outstanding too. Thank you Viking! I have some wonderful memories that will stay with me and my mother forever.

Date of experience : 03 October 2021

Just received an email from Viking…

Just received an email from Viking informing us that half of the Xmas markets we were suppose to visit will not be open. They marketed the cruise as a Xmas market cruise which is why we booked it. We get the email 3 days prior to our trip and they knew from the beginning the markets would not open until early December. A clear case of bait and switch and will cause us to never cruise with them again.

Date of experience : 21 November 2023

Our first cruise with Viking and…

Our first cruise with Viking and definitely the last. A ship that was only a year old yet was already feeling its age. Staff service was hit and miss, tables for dining too close together and the meals in some occasions very inconsistent and not the 5* star we were expecting. Cleaning left a lot to be desired with housekeeping contacted on numerous occasions due to the poor state of public areas. We did our own flights thankfully as we heard horror stories from other passengers of misconnections and luggage taking extra days to arrive. The crew spent a lot of time cleaning the external areas of the shop - our balcony was cleaned every second day when this could have been better deployed into other areas. The oddest item was when ordering a Pina Colada received a mass of ice which was undrinkable. Complainants were given a tray of sugary cakes - not what we wanted , just good food and service which we paid a lot if money for.

Date of experience : 03 October 2023

What a cracking tour

What a cracking tour with the best guide Chris. Funny, interesting and a great way to see parts of Dublin and hear a bit of history to it too. Definitely recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Date of experience : 12 November 2023

I had a reservation for the Heart of…Delta

I had a reservation for the Heart of Delta Cruise including premium economy for the air portion. I was advised after booking and making my deposit that I was being downgraded to economy. I then called and was told if I wanted premium economy I would now have to pay a higher price. This is called bait and switch and is unethical if not down right fraudulent.

Date of experience : 24 November 2023

Viking Victim Unit

It's been three years now that Viking has held my family's money hostage because we don't wish to take the jab. Viking changed their policy after they took all our money, lured us into taking now worthless vouchers. They refuse to accept the fact that they changed the terms of the contract. Most all other cruise lines have dropped this mandate. The US gov has basically declared the "plandemic" over and all other mandates have been drop but Viking still won't change their policy. If you happen to be in the same position there is a group forming to file a class action law suit against Viking. #VikingVictims

Date of experience : 01 February 2023

I'm with Robin (see below)

I'm with Robin (see below). We are cancelling our river cruise due to viking's heavy handed covid vaccine requirement. Also lost out on the cruise vouchers. NEVER BUY A VIKING CRUISE VOUCHER We will be sailing with a different cruise line and will not be back to Viking. Viking has lost four loyal customers with 10 past cruises between us.

Date of experience : 18 February 2023

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Viking Ocean Cruises

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Cruising with Viking

Since 2015, Viking’s ocean cruises have earned acclaim for their inclusive luxury ships and engaging destination-focused itineraries. Viking’s voyages appeal to active and intellectual adults who are interested in learning about the history and culture of the destinations they visit. The cruise line's 10 identical 930-passenger ships include attractive perks, such as shipwide complimentary Wi-Fi and verandas for all cabins.

The smaller size of Viking's ships allows them to access more exclusive ports throughout Europe, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. Standard cruise itineraries range from eight to 93 days, while the line's World Cruise options can last up to 180 days. As part of Viking's inclusive fare, passengers are also treated to one complimentary shore excursion in each port of call.

U.S. News Insider Tip: While Viking's cruise fares seem high compared to other lines, you need to compare their all-inclusive value to cruises where everything comes at an additional cost. There are very few extra expenses that you will have once you're on board the ship. They also offer discounted sailings, including their Quiet Season Mediterranean Cruises. – Gwen Pratesi, Contributor

Pros & Cons

All cabins include verandas

Shipwide Wi-Fi access on every vessel

Complimentary excursion at every port of call

Ships don't offer children's programming

No itineraries for less than seven nights

High prices year-round

• Expert Rating » 4.7
• Traveler Rating » 4.3
• Health Rating » 5.0

Viking Ocean Cruises has been ranked based on an expert evaluation of the line's level of luxury, as well as an assessment of user reviews and health ratings.

• # 1 in Best Cruise Lines for Couples
• # 1 in Best Luxury Cruise Lines
• # 1 in Best Cruise Lines in the Mediterranean

Explore Photos

Viking Ocean Cruises Ships

Viking Venus

Viking Saturn

Viking Mars

Viking Jupiter

Viking Star

Viking Orion

Viking Neptune

Before You Book

• A $500 deposit per person is required to secure a reservation on a Viking ocean cruise. A 20% deposit is required on cruise tours of 35 days or longer and Viking's World & Grand Cruises.
• The date of your final payment is dependent on your itinerary and will be noted on your invoice.
• If you cancel your cruise 120 days or more before your scheduled departure, you'll be charged $100 per person. Canceling closer to the cruise departure date will incur varying fees that are a percentage of the cruise fare. Visit Viking's Terms & Conditions  page for more information on the cancellation policy.
• If you have any medical needs associated with a disability, you must inform Viking at the time of booking. To inquire about accessibility, you can call 1-877-668-4546. Viking does not permit women who are more than 24 weeks pregnant on any of its ocean cruises.
• Viking does not allow children 17 or younger on its ocean cruises.

Before You Board

• You must have a passport valid for at least six months after your cruise ends, as well as any necessary visas in order to board.
• Passengers must bring any required inoculation records on board. Refer to the  World Health Organization  and the  Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  websites to learn about recommended vaccinations.
• You'll receive your travel documents about two weeks prior to your scheduled departure date. Your cruise embarkation time is based on your cabin category and begins at 11 a.m., but you'll need to be on board no later than two hours before departure.
• You can make reservations for shore excursions, dining venues and spa treatments in advance on the My Viking Journey website. Booking windows open based on which cabin category you choose. For more information on when you can book, visit Viking's website.

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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• Expeditions
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Venice, the Adriatic & Greece

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• Dates & Pricing
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Reviews 1.6.

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No Refund Policy

Had a planned eastern European river cruise starting mid-October for over a year. Just got order from Doctor to cancel due to sudden onset of autoimmune kidney disease. Vikings' policy allows no refund under the circumstances (i.e. , I am out the $3500 no matter what) and a friend who will take my place must pay her full share of the room as well! Viking collects 3 fares for a 2 person room. Don't sail Viking unless you are guaranteed of going on the trip. We will never try Viking again!

Date of experience : 30 August 2022

Profit before customer experience

Viking changed our flight schedule at very short notice. Wanted us to travel with 3 flights via 2 countries, when we complained they hid behind T & C’s very sneaky & very poor customer service, they cited they couldn’t absorb costs of a more direct flight routing. Cannot recommend whatsoever - there are better cruise lines who deliver & care about providing a decent level of customer experience - avoid them if you can.

Date of experience : 12 January 2023

Viking is probably the most unprofessional Travel Company

Viking is probably the most unsympathetic/unprofessional company I have ever experienced. My husband and I were excited about our long awaited cruise next May. Unfortunately, my husband unexpectedly passed away last month. Viking has responded to his passing by cancelling the nearly $9,000 I paid for my husbands share of the trip. On top of that, they are asking for me to pay additional same $ 9,000. amount for me to go on this journey alone! I am going to seek legal advice to, but this ridiculous policy has added hugely to my grieving. The dream vacation I have waited for 8 years has gone down the drain. Think 3 times before booking with Viking!!!

Date of experience : 10 October 2022

Great service

I had a trip with Viking River Cruises booked for this month. Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the trip was cancelled. My review is for how well Viking handled the situation. The company sent the first emails out in early March advising that anyone could change their trip without penalty. Then, in early April our particular cruise was cancelled. Given the situation, Viking did a great job of responding to inquiries and refunding the cost of the trip. They were even offering 125% of the cost of the trip if you opted for a future cruise voucher. I received my refund a few weeks later. I would not hesitate to book another trip with them when all of this craziness is over. Thank you Viking for being so good to your customers.

Date of experience : 13 May 2020

Uses stolen information to get…

Uses stolen information to get addresses for their mailing lists. I never use my living address, period. I only receive deliveries from Amazon here. Otherwise, only my state government and previous employers have had it. My state and one of those jobs were hacked last year and my information was stolen. Suddenly, I receive a Viking advertisement here. I have lived here 4.5 years and NEVER received junk mail for anything. What does this leave me to believe? Either 1) Viking brokered a deal to get my address from Amazon without my knowledge or consent--which I don't believe, or I would've gotten spam from other parties Amazon sold my info to in the past. Or 2) They bought it directly from my state. Highly unlikely since the only state dept that has this address is HIPAA protected. Or 2) Viking bought a blackhat list of stolen information from one of the previously mentioned data leaks. Even if I had the money to go on a cruise, I would NEVER use Viking at this point. Trash companies do trash things.

Date of experience : 07 January 2024

Reserved cruise in July 2023

Reserved cruise in July 2023. Final payment end of September 2023. Used e-check to get 3.3% discount and then Viking, after final payment, went in and took $2281 more without warning. Travel agent called them, same day they requested transfer, and advised them of their error. Several days later, money gone causing overdraft situation. Called Viking and they couldn't care less about getting me back the money they stole from me. Travel agent receiving same run around. All they say is the refund request is submitted and then had the audacity to tell me the refund could take 21 business days. This was a once in a lifetime cruise and they are ruining it. I understand mistakes are made but they couldn't care less about resolving it properly or holding themselves accountable. I have filed complaints with the Los Angeles BBB and the FTC. Stay away from Viking.

Date of experience : 02 October 2023

Inflexible to adjustments and bad air coordination

After cancelling a river trip due to covid and then rebooking for this year, we needed to make a change and have lost 100% of our money. SO INFELXIBLE!! And then a friend traveling had their air booked for the wrong month and an additional friend had their air deleted from their account so are left having to drive 8 hours to the next nearest airport. We'll stick to Hurtigruten from now on!

Date of experience : 10 May 2023

Issues with flight delaysnwith no communication from Viking on rebooking

Flight delay to NY so missed connecting flight to Amsterdam, and absolutely no communication from Viking to rearrange flights. Found out originally from the gate agent that they had rebooked us. We had upgraded to premium economy and it was not available on the multiple stop flight they had rebooked us on. Called Viking to complain and they said there was no other option. Received notice from Delta several hours later that we had been rebooked on a flight out of New York and again absolutely no communication from Viking about this, and we were still in Cincinnati so of course we were unable to make that connection. We ended up canceling. Horrible horrible experience! Never received a call, text,email from Viking about any of this. Just awful! Absolutely no communication.

Date of experience : 26 September 2023

Viking River Cruises and Flights

Attempting to book flights with a Viking Cruise, Passau to Budapest, June/July 2024 - when calling and speaking with three different Viking reps., get three completely different answers to the same questions. Viking needs all their employees to have better training on the exact details of booking flights. I hesitate to book a flight through Viking

Date of experience : 29 October 2023

Disappointed with the cancellation policy

Disappointed with Viking Cruises cancellation policy. No one expects to have to cancel a cruise. I had to cancel due to ill health and provided over five months notice. No partial refund was given and I lost the total deposit of $1000.I understand that the T&Cs outline the refund policy. However, I believe the policy is rather onerous. I was told to claim on my travel insurance if I had any. I had to send three emails to receive a response and cancellation certificate from Viking Cruises. I won't be booking any future cruise with them.

Date of experience : 18 January 2023

My wife and I took the river cruise…

My wife and I took the river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest in 2022. It wound up being a bus tour as much as a boat tour. The rivers in Europe are about dried up. Viking waited until we were in Amsterdam for 2 days before telling us we would be using a bus for 2 days before boarding the boat. Buses were used at various places to get us around the dry river areas. Always check the river conditions in Europe before booking any river cruise. Viking "WON'T" tell you.

Date of experience : 11 October 2022

Viking Grand European river desaster…

Viking Grand European river desaster absolute mess, we paid top $ for a suite with balcony on a river cruise that ended in sitting on full busses for days, trying to get to tours of which some got canceled. The picure of a romantic rivier cruise with beutifull scenic views that Viking painted became a concrete wall in a dirty doc, not even in the river, with debris and dead fish floating around the boat. Do not book the Grand Eurpean cruise with Viking early season, they know the locks are not working and rivers to full this time of the year but still go ahead with the cruises. Last but not least we are being bussed to hotels for the remainder of the trip and as it is Easter do not even know what we will get. Do not waste thousands of dollars a day on this cruise, there's way better things to do with your money.

Date of experience : 06 April 2023

Viking Canceled Part of Our Trip

We have taken many river/ocean cruises with Viking. For over a year we have been planning a trip to Jerusalem and Egypt. Our primary goal was to visit Jerusalem. On October 10th, 2023 Viking cancel our trip to Jerusalem which we understand. I called Viking and asked to have our trip rebooked to next year. Both the representative and manager I spoke with refused to rebook without a penalty of 75%. I explained several times we would not have booked a trip to Egypt without including Jerusalem. Viking at one time provided excellent customer service, we have been greatly disappointed in the last few trips we've taken and especially our Jerusalem Trip. I do not recommend traveling with Viking.

Date of experience : 09 October 2023

Ludicrous covid rules

We have had to cancel our river cruise because of their ludicrous covid policy. Cannot go on a cruise if not jabbed even to countries which have no covid requirements any more. To go on the cruise people do not have to supply a negative covid test so you still go on the cruise in theory even if you have covid. The vaccinations mean nothing anyway. Utter and total joke.

Date of experience : 01 February 2023

Buyer Beware if Considering a Viking…

Buyer Beware if Considering a Viking Cruise! I had the same experience as others who have written reviews about Viking. We booked a river cruise for 2024 and were told that the cost was all inclusive and we were getting additional benefits for airfare, on board amenities, etc, but it is all untrue. When I realized this, I cancelled our trip and we lost $2,000 deposit, even though the trip is over 9 months from now. I spoke to a senior member of their sales team asking if she could at least give me 50% of the deposit back. She was dismissive and rude and essentially told me "this happens all the time." Don't be a sucker like I was and make sure you read the fine print on the contract (because of course they won't tell you) and always put charges on your credit card so you have a least some level of recourse.

Date of experience : 12 September 2023

Legal action?

I, too, have fallen into the Viking River Cruise voucher / trip insurance trap. Trip planned for May of 2020. I won't go into the nitty gritty details, as they are very similar to what I've read here, but my question is...is anyone considering legal action?

Date of experience : 12 March 2022

Viking Disappoints

We had always enjoyed Viking cruises, but today, we experienced a customer service disappointment that leaves us treated unfairly. Our Viking agent promised to hold our booking to confirm flight information, but Viking failed to honor the price quoted because of a price increase, which the agent said was unforeseen. A business is only as good as its people and as it honors its commitments. Viking failed this one miserably!

Date of experience : 03 August 2023

Viking Cruise recommends that their…

Viking Cruise recommends that their customers insure their travel & trip with Trip Mate Travel Insurance. This insurance company is worthless and doesn't live up to the stated reimbursements as advertised in its' brochure. I'm now wondering what the cozy deal is between Viking and Trip Mate, considering the vast number of Trip Mate complaints from Viking Cruise customers. Does anyone know if Trip Mate customers have or are considering a class action suit against the company for fraud?

Date of experience : 07 September 2022

Booked a trip just before covid hit…

Booked a trip just before covid hit which had to be canceled for obvious reasons. Received most monies back but they held $1400 back which had to be used by 4/22. Just booked a $25000 trip with them and ask them to extend $1400 to July which they refused. Not impressed and wi never book another trip with this company.

Date of experience : 04 August 2022

Great new boat and staff ruined by other issues

Great new boat, Viking Osiris for a Nile cruise. Wonderful food and staff on board. Amazing tour guides. But Viking reservations hopeless. No email to contact them. No information re flights until last minute then charged us 2K for 'upgrade' when flight to Egypt was on standard short haul A320 with no leg room. Some ludicrous early starts on transfer days 04.00-05.00 only to them be stuck in a hotel lobby for hours. Some of the worst buses ever for some shore excursions. The i ternal flights on VERY old small plans which was scary. Paying a premium price for poor quality service, profiteering. Then the real kicker, day 1 I heard someone coughing, I just knew what this was and then more and more got ill and on last day I teated +ve, missing a whole week of work. NO attempt to contain on board. I have complained but no reply Further, the final night hotel and food was simply grim

Date of experience : 25 May 2023

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Malta & Greek Island cruise 2021

We booked a Viking Cruise for September 2021. This is a "bubble" cruise; in that one plane from USA to Malta, no pre or post trips allowed and no going ashore on your own. However the US federal government recently advised NOT to travel to Greece or Malta. Due to this advice and the fact: that if one of us were tested positive we would be put ashore to isolate for 7 days (Greece) or if we were near someone who tested positive, we would be isolated in our room for the duration of the cruise. We decided it is too much of a risk. We asked if we can transfer the $20K credit to our Antarctic cruise in November 2022. NO was the response, credits can only be used on NEW bookings! As everyone is booking cruises into 2023 it is nigh on impossible to find a cruise we wish to sail on. Looks as if Viking are hedging their bets that either the credit runs out or us elderly die. Now debating whether to cancel the Antarctic cruise, lose deposit and rebook to use $20K credit.

Date of experience : August 15, 2021

Cancel while you can

Viking is horrible. Cancel while you still have a chance. I wish I had. Once they have your money they tell you that you have to jump through their hoops like completing their guest registration form before they will even talk to you EVEN THOUGH YOU CANNOT COMPLETE THE REGISTRATION FORM WITHOUT A PASSPORT WHICH YOU ALREADY HAVE EXPLAINED YOU HAVE APPLIED FOR AND ARE WAITNG FOR)-THIS IS STRICTLY YOUR PROBLEM. After this then if you are lucky and pay them even more money they will talk to you about any POSSIBILITY of changes in arrangements like changes to air travel they have arranged but they have advised you are probably beyond the time limit to do so although it is not yet within the time they have set to inquire). When asked why this is so you are are told basically " because they can".

Date of experience : August 24, 2022

Ignorant, obnoxious and entitled

I never come across a big bunch of ignorant, geriatric, moronic a$$holes as this group I had came across today! Taking over the Hilton in Taupo NZ, they were obnoxious.

Date of experience : February 15, 2023

Caveat Emptor

This review is for the 2nd half of our Frances Finest tour. We arrived in Paris from Lyon and were bussed to the ship (Fjorgyn). Room -- The suite was good and had more storage that on the previous ship (Buri). The ship was clean and the staff OK. Food/Wine -- Adequate but not up to expectations. Mostly tasted the same but with different names. In France -- no excuse. Had the drinks package but again was disappointed. Could get the same wine at local super market!! Tours -- OK but crowded. One example -- Monet's home/garden. Arrived with 3 other tour groups -- a real mess. Had to wear devices to hear tour guide that included ear pieces, so if you happen to be wearing glasses and hearing aides you would have 4 different devices competing for "ear space'. Also too much bus riding and not enough free time to explore. Finally Viking provided cases of plastic water bottle's. Would be much more environmentally friendly to loan/give each guest their own insulated permanent bottle and refill as necessary. Would pay for themselves in short order. Covid protocols -- daily testing and required masking unless eating (including on the bus). After reading other reviews of those dealing with Covid isolation these are a good (if inconvenient) requirements. Staff -- Ok but not was good as those on the Buri. Travel - OK but had to jump thru international VeriFly, French declarations, and EU contact tracing requirements as well as Antigen testing 24 hours before flying. That's right -- you will not know if you can travel until the last minute (especially if you are flying on a weekend). Overall -- Would NOT do again until Covid is more under control. Travel is not the pleasant experience it was BC.

Date of experience : June 04, 2022

Viking is a scam

Viking is a scam. Cancelled cruises, no refunds, 20k gone. Customer service is incompetent. Very predatory. Google it. Read the stories. It is awful what they are doing to people.

Date of experience : September 23, 2022

Beware - you may lose your money!!

We booked a cruise 125 days out. After a week we read the fine print regarding requiring COVID vaccinations (our mistake in not reading closely before sending in full payment of almost $10000). Canceling 120 days out or more, $100 per person cancellation fee. Very reasonable. We were at 118 days, and so they charged us almost $2000 to cancel!! We explained that we had reasons why we could not be vaccinated, and if they could be a little more reasonable. They claimed that their cancellation schedule was gradual and fair. Going from $200 to $2000 in one week (4 months out), does that seem fair or reasonable to you? In my opinion they are simply exploiting an opportunity to make money from COVID. This is despicable!! We made the mistake in not reading the fine print more closely. But their response was much worse!! We even suggested a middle ground of $500, nope! They are keeping their $2000!! Shameful!! We will never go on one of their cruises, and will do everything we can to let people know about this.

Date of experience : April 07, 2023

Absolutely do not accept voucher. They are the spin experts in taking your money.

Booked a cruise for 2020 in which Viking cancelled it. They offered 25% added to voucher if we took it. We then rebooked in good faith for the next year, Sept. 2021. Viking sent a letter saying they were requiring vaccination and booster for all travelers. Because my wife and I can not get vaccinated (medical exemptions) we had to cancel. They said our only option was to take a voucher which has a two expiration date. We have made a couple of attempts to get our money back but they refuse. Just got off phone with Viking rep and was told we have to wait till August next year to even get it reviewed. Told us voucher money has now lost us about $2000 from what we have paid in cash for the first cruise cancelled by them for Covid. We are beyond frustrated. Very shady operation and because of changing rules looks like they can do whatever they want by changing rules.

Date of experience : July 20, 2022

Like many others we had a river cruise…

Like many others we had a river cruise booked which was affected by the pandemic. We were due to go in June 2020 and when the UK government advised over 70s not to travel abroad in March 2020 we cancelled as our balance amount was due. Of course Viking did not refund! We got a voucher. Not for 125% as others did. Just 100% because we cancelled. We were worried about the validity of the voucher so later in 2020 converted it into a cruise for June 2021. They even asked for nearly £200 more deposit (amount now nearly £1900) Still uneasy about going we moved it again to June 2022. Now after reading Vikings conditions of sailing we are very nervous about the upcoming cruise. Constant spot checks and tempersture taking might make the boat safe but living under threat of testing positive and being abandoned in a foreign country does not make for a happy holiday! I would dearly love a refund but that seems to be sonething they will not consider. I never ever will willingly book another Viking holiday. If they won’t refund people under any circumstances including a world wide pandemic then I’d advise anyone to think carefully before parting with hard earned cash!

Date of experience : February 08, 2022

Shame on Viking Cruises.

Shame on Viking Cruises. My Mom and Dad went on a viking European cruise that did not sail. The water level was too low so they were bussed to all destinations. The cruise was $28,000 (airfare was ontop of that). Viking said they would rebate $14,000 towards another cruise. However, my mum has stage 4 metastatic cancer with brain mets so another cruise may not be in the cards. Viking WILL NOT refund any money. They've said either put it to another cruise or nothing.... this makes me SICK. Shame on Viking taking advantage of people in this way. This woman may not make another cruise, refund the money another way you ignorant, disgusting company. Furthermore, they won't provide refund insurance to my mum if she vacations with them AND they won't let her gift the trip to someone else if she is too ill when the time comes. It's her or no one and they keep the money. THIS CRUISE LINE IS SCUM!! They are crooks that wont refund money to a dying woman and they don't deserve your business, take it elsewhere. SHAME ON YOU VIKING CRUISES SHAME ON YOU!!

Date of experience : July 16, 2023

The food was awful

The food was awful , the service bad some waiters were very rude we were forced to do a lot of included tours or couldn’t leave the ship . It was our first river cruise it was 23 days Bucharest to Amsterdam with Viking . We would never do a river cruise again

Date of experience : October 12, 2022

Greed during humanitarian crisis.

As evacuees from Gaza head south toward the Egyptian border a humanitarian crises is unfolding. Egypt is the only crossing available to them. Dispite this horrendous situation, Viking is continuing the Pharoahs and Pyramids trip beginning Oct. 23, 2023. This is unconscionable. The lack of sensitivity, and the unmitigated greed on display by this organization is an affront to Egypt, the evacuees, and Viking clients.

Date of experience : October 13, 2023

BEWARE OF VIKING CRUISES

BEWARE OF VIKING CRUISES. A TOTAL "SCAM". A "RIP OFF"...BUYER BEWARE!!! No wonder Viking gets only "two-stars" after 400 Yelp and Trust Pilot reviews. In December 2022 we booked...almost two years in advance...a "Pharaohs & Pyramids" Luxor-to-Luxor Nile River cruise for October of 2024. At Viking's recommendation, we purchased travel insurance protection. The total down payment was $2,428 ($1,000 plus the full $1,428. insurance premium). In April 2023 (eighteen months before the cruise) we decided to cancel. Our refund? A meager $800...and that's if we ever see it after reading about others who have waited for years. So why the massive $1,638 penalty? According to Viking's "fine print" (that nobody ever reads), after just twenty days Viking and its cozy insurance company gets to keep the entire $1,428. insurance premium in addition to the $200 trip cancellation fee. Yep. You're reading this right. Viking keeps a whopping $1,638 for a cruise and travel insurance they'll never have to provide. Said another way, Viking makes money whether or not you cruise. In fact? It can be argued that Viking's profit margin is higher if you book but never take the cruise. What's that? You want to respectfully complain to a Viking rep or people higher up? Good luck. You'll do better by spitting into a gale-force wind. The bottom line? Viking is an unethical enterprise that preys on customers, and vulnerable seniors. SHAME ON YOU VIKING! SHAME, SHAME, SHAME!

Date of experience : April 16, 2023

Viking is the worst Company in the…

Viking is the worst Company in the Travel industry, Don't be fooled by their commercials on Public Television. I booked a River cruise on Viking for August 2022. Viking booked my flight and unfortunately due to mechanical problems, the flight was cancelled. The rebooked flight was 2 days later, which meant we would miss 2 days and had to find a way to get from Amsterdam to Cologne on our own. We spoke to 10 different people being transferred between Customer Service and Customer relations, After hours on the phone, I received an email stating my flight and trip was cancelled without my consent. When I finally spoke to a VP in their Main office in California, I was told that I cancelled the trip. Clearly a case of gaslighting. Vikings Contract of Carriage clearly states that all cancellations have to be in writing. I did not cancel. They don't care. I even asked to be rebooked on another trip instead of refunding my money. No, that did not happen. They were happy to steal my $10,000. Even my travel agent, Affordable Tours, tried to intervene, and they said in disgust, "Viking is the Worst". Do not get SCAMMED. Never use Viking.

Date of experience : August 12, 2022

Do not book with Viking Cruises ,they…

Do not book with Viking Cruises ,they turned my cancelled trip into vouchers with expiration dates that I never knew about. I also booked this trip years ago when there was not a vaccine mandate.They will not return my money of around $22000.00 They told me I did not need vaccinations for 2022 ,now I found out we do .We do not believe in the vaccinations and I told them that right out front. They have no intentions of giving my money back .Do I not have any rights? Anybody got any idea what do I do?

Date of experience : January 25, 2022

Viking's treatment of it's customers…

Viking's treatment of it's customers makes no sense....they combined two of my trips (without asking) into one "butterfly trip" which meant when I had to cancel the first, it cancelled the 2nd. What? Why? That' our policy,. Then they said (under the Risk Free Guarantee) we could have a voucher, but it would be a combined voucher which could only be used for one future trip. What? Why? That's our policy. Viking is not a good company to work with. They don't care....

Date of experience : July 17, 2022

corporate policy

My wife and I booked a Danube cruise in August 2023. While in Amsterdam I fell and broke my patella requiring an immediate return to the states for surgery. We opted not to purchase their insurance, so the cost of the cruise was ultimately on us. This I am not disputing. We had purchased an expensive upgrade suite that we wished to transfer to our traveling companions and asked that they be allowed access to the room we had fully paid for. This was not allowed and my friends were charged a substantial upgrade fee. I felt that this was a poor corporate policy and attempted to challenge the decision asking for the money charged to our friends or for a voucher to be used if we used Viking again. Discussions with their representative were disquieting. They informed me that this was not their policy despite, in my opinion, they had "double dipped" on the charge. I still feel that this policy is an obvious example of corporate greed. I have no additional recourse other than to make my concerns open to other cruise line customers. We will not be booking with Viking again and I have contacted my professional organization informing them of my experience. I suspect this will result in thousands of dollars in lost revenues. Also, I was informed by my travel companions that the upgraded suite did have issues. Located near the engine, the sound was invasive and the fuel smell pervasive. Note, too, that the Danube fluctuates in depth substantially and that some visits to villages have to be reached by bus. If the river is too high or too low ships cannot get by the bridges. On the positive, I was informed that the service was exemplary. Dr. Gregory C. Marone

Date of experience : August 21, 2023

first and last

This was my first, and now last, Viking cruise. One of the excursions we took was completely misrepresented–fewer than half of the promised activities occurred, and those that did were sad excuses for the kinds of things one can reasonably expect. The highlight of the trip was a soggy piece of tasteless pancake with a line of whipped cream sprayed on it in front of us, which we received after waiting in the rain for 20 minutes. It was not just a waste of $400, but of one entire day of the cruise. The trip was led by a 19-year-old who was pleasant enough, but did not know how to run an excursion. He mostly talked about himself and TV shows–on a trip focused on how 19th Century farmers lived! I explained the problems in detail upon getting back on the ship and a few days later received a message from the excursion director–Sasha, I believe. She summarized my complaint with the least important details while leaving out the important ones, and offered 10% credit. So I would only be paying $360 for wasting an entire day on a misrepresented excursion run by a kid barely out of high school! Viking obviously does not vet their excursions with care, and does not stand by their products. They saved themselves 90% of my payment–and lost 2 customers for life. There are many other cruise lines that do take care about whom they entrust their guests to and do care about their guests’ satisfaction–stick to them and avoid Viking.

Date of experience : August 15, 2023

We did the Grand European Tour in…

We did the Grand European Tour in October. Overall we had an ok time, but I would never do this again. Maybe with a different company but our lovely 25th anniversary River cruise turned into ugly docking situations and bus rides. Not worth the price. Initially, I did thorough research and knew low water levels may be a problem so I purchased the very high priced trip insurance that allows you to cancel for any reason. Unfortunately Viking didn’t let on there were issues before we boarded our plane. We arrived to be told that we wouldn’t be boarding in Budapest at all, and our time in Budapest would be impacted by the need for the first of many bus trips to board. Water levels affected us one more time midway through the cruise and we had to swap ships, which resulted in a fellow passenger having their luggage lost. We reserved a suite and I was so looking forward to having coffee on my balcony and a relaxing read out there every once in a while. Well, imagine how shocked I was when most mornings you open your curtains and find you are staring directly into the cabin of another boat. They tie all the boats together next to each other to dock. So much for the view… Lastly, there was a problem at some point navigating through some locks overnight and we woke to find out we had reversed and sailed backwards to dock at a port that was behind us. To try to see the most scenic section of the river, a series of bus rides and smaller boats were lined up to try to get us there. The ship wouldn’t be able to make it before dark and we would miss it otherwise. My husband decided to go on this but I stayed back. I wouldn’t say I often get car sick but I did on the buses and this was an extended day of bussing. No thanks. Most of the logistical problems they had on our boat had nothing to do with water levels. They struggled to meet the promised itineraries. The cruise director did a wonderful job and all the passengers adapted and tried to enjoy themselves, but it doesn’t make me want to do it ever again. They told us Viking would be contacting us to get some sort of compensation for the disastrous itinerary, but I heard nothing. After a couple weeks I reached out to them myself. After explaining our disappointment in our anniversary vacation, they stated they would give us $1K credit for our next trip (um, I’m sorry what next trip) and we would have to sign an NDA. 😳 Keep in mind, the trip for both of us cost over $30K. So clearly I signed nothing and I thought you all should know what could happen on these boats.

Date of experience : October 08, 2023

Take the money and run, poor maintenance, service and ownership.

Third time cruise with Viking and hands down the worst travel experience we've ever encountered, particularly for the first class price we paid. Ship generators failed, stuck in port, no A/C in many rooms and common spaces, the repairs were never fully completed aside form maneuvering after 36hrs of delay. Long bus rides and abbreviated stops due to the issue with poor to no A/C on buses. The ship even left and forgot about passengers out on a VIKING excursion at one point. This was an all inclusive purchase through Viking even with First Class airfare. Even the seat with United Airlines Polaris failed on the return 13hr trip from Amsterdam to San Francisco. Viking has refused to offer an apology, take ownership and make it right aside from offering a blanket email to passengers for $500 off a future cruise. When you pay for a meal and they miss the mark, do you get a voucher to come back or do they take care of you there and then AND offer for you to come back to make amends? Not VIKING, they take your $17000 blame anyone else or don't engage you at all and offer you a pittance of a voucher that has a 1 year shelf life for an overpriced fare to begin with. United says Viking has to address the refund, VIKING says UNITED...everything was paid through Viking using their services and staff but they refuse to take any ownership and engage or to even apologize. It's quite telling of a companies ethos and management when they are challenged. Every company looks good when things are right, it's how you respond during adversity and when you fail is what shows your true ethos. Viking is a failure and poor value and experience on every mark.

Date of experience : August 13, 2023

They will charge you a lot of money but…

They will charge you a lot of money but would not care for you at the end of the day. The places I saw needed much to be desired I was told that at the airport someone will help us until we boarded our plane. the Lufthansa person told me I need to fill out the form required for returning Americans to USA and she was not helpful .I missed my flight and had to stay overnight to a dingy hotel in tears in a French country who doesn't really want to help you . I will never travel with Viking . Their ad is wonderful but after all is said and done it is all crap.

Date of experience : September 02, 2022

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