viking line vs viking cruises

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 excursion in Grenada 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.

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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The ultimate guide to Viking cruise ships and itineraries

Some cruise lines try to be all things to all people. Viking isn't one of them.

Since its founding in 1997, the upscale cruise brand has carved out a niche catering to a certain type of thoughtful, inquisitive, generally older traveler looking to explore the world and learn a thing or two along the way.

Most Viking customers are approaching their retirement years — or are already there — and they're eager to finally see all the places they didn't have time to visit when raising kids and establishing careers in their younger years.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG's cruise newsletter .

For this subset of travelers, Viking offers a wide range of both ocean and river cruise itineraries that have a heavy focus on the destinations visited. These aren't cruises where it's all about the ship.

Viking voyages bring a lot of extended stays in ports where passengers get more time to explore historical sites and experience the local culture than is typical on cruises. Unlike most lines, Viking offers included-in-the-fare tours in every port, allowing every passenger on board to get a guided experience during stops without having to pay extra. (In general, Viking voyages are highly inclusive, in keeping with its "no nickel-and-diming" philosophy.)

On board, Viking's programming revolves heavily around what the line calls "cultural enrichment" — lectures by experts on topics related to the places its ships visit, as well as cultural and culinary offerings that often have a local tie-in.

What Viking ships don't offer is a lot of onboard amusements aimed at families and younger travelers. In fact, the line doesn't even allow children under the age of 18 on its ships. It's one of the only major cruise brands in the world with such a rule.

Viking ships also don't cater to the party crowd. If it's a floating celebration you're looking for in a vacation, this isn't the line for you.

As Viking founder Torstein Hagen likes to say, a Viking cruise is the "thinking person's cruise, not the drinking person's cruise."

Related: A beginners guide to picking a cruise line

3 things TPG loves about Viking

• Its focus is on destinations and enrichment.
• The elegant, Scandinavian-influenced design of its ships.
• Its "no nickel-and-diming" philosophy.

What we could do without

• The lack of fitness centers on Viking river ships.

The Viking fleet

Viking has more ships than any other major cruise brand in the world, more than 90 in all. It also has both ocean ships and river ships — something that is unusual among major lines. Despite this, it has one of the easiest-to-understand fleets.

That's because the vast majority of Viking's ocean vessels are carbon copies of each other. If you've seen one, you've seen them all. Ditto for the line's river vessels.

Viking currently operates 11 ocean ships, nine of which are nearly identical. The exceptions are two recently unveiled Viking ocean vessels specifically designed for expedition cruising — a type of cruising that involves traveling to remote, hard-to-reach places on hardy vessels that carry their own landing craft.

The nine nearly identical ocean ships — Viking Saturn, Viking Neptune, Viking Mars, Viking Venus, Viking Jupiter, Viking Orion, Viking Sky, Viking Sea and Viking Star — began rolling out in 2015. Each has the capacity for 930 passengers. Six more nearly identical vessels are scheduled to debut between 2024 and 2028, and Viking has options with a shipyard to order four more of the ships for delivery in 2029 and 2030.

At 47,800 tons, these ocean ships are less than a fourth the size of the giant megaships being built by the likes of Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises, in keeping with Viking's focus on intimate, upscale voyages. Big floating resorts, they aren't.

Note that there is one more vessel in this same series, called Zhao Shang Yi Dun, that has been permanently transferred to a joint venture that operates for the China market. When it debuted in 2017, it originally catered to the North American market and was called Viking Sun.

Viking's two expedition ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, are smaller than the above vessels, as is typical for expedition ships, and carry 378 passengers at maximum occupancy.

Then there are the river ships. At last count, Viking had 80 river ships in its fleet — an astounding number that is the result of blistering growth over the past decade. (As recently as 2012, the line operated just 29 river ships.)

As noted above, almost all of Viking's river ships are of the same basic design and are known as the Longships — a reference to the historic vessels used by Vikings in the Middle Ages.

Most Viking Longships are 443 feet long, the perfect length to fit into the locks on many of Europe's rivers. Viking has also built slightly shorter versions of the Longships measuring 262 feet, 361 feet or 410 feet in length specifically to sail on rivers where lock sizes or other navigational factors require a smaller vessel. The 410-foot-long versions of the vessels, for instance, were specifically built to be able to sail into the heart of Paris on the Seine River.

While most Viking river ships are Longships, there are a few exceptions in the Viking river fleet. Viking operates several smaller, purpose-built vessels on the Nile River in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia. It also has several older river vessels that predate the Longships that operated in Russia and Ukraine until recently. (For now, river cruise itineraries in both countries are on hold due to the Ukraine war.)

Viking also recently began sailings on the Mississippi River with a new ship specifically designed for the river and its tributaries.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

Destinations and itineraries

Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line, mostly due to the fact that it operates both ocean cruises and river cruises.

Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note.

You'll find Viking river ships operating on the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also operated cruises on the Volga in Russia and the Dnieper in Ukraine. (As noted above, sailings on the latter two rivers are on hold due to the war in Ukraine and may not resume for many years.)

Viking also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong River in Southeast Asia, and it recently began trips on the Mississippi River.

The line's ocean ships can be found in nearly every ocean and sea around the world, from North America to Europe and Asia.

Viking's ocean ships have a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which the line considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) It's also a big player in the Mediterranean. You'll find Viking's ocean ships in other key cruise destinations as well, such as Alaska, the Caribbean and Panama Canal, Canada and New England, South America, Asia and Australia.

In addition, in early 2022, the line began its first cruises to Antarctica with its first expedition ship, Viking Octantis. That summer, the same vessel launched the line's first voyages in the Great Lakes — a destination that only a handful of cruise operators visit.

You'll find everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages among the line's voyages.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking ship

Who sails Viking

Most Viking passengers are North Americans who are approaching retirement age or already retired. The company's core market is people who range in age from 55 to 75 years, although it does draw some passengers who are younger or older.

In general, it's an educated crowd, with many passengers coming from professional backgrounds or a life of running their own businesses. They're often people who have spent years focused on work and building up savings for retirement, and they're finally ready to start enjoying the fruits of their labor by spending some of the savings on travel to places they've long put off visiting.

They're also people who can afford a relatively high-end vacation experience. While Viking doesn't market itself as a luxury line, some would call it that. Viking vessels are full of luxury touches, with the pricing to match (see more on what Viking trips cost at the bottom of this story).

In general, you'll find a lot of couples on Viking ships and some solo travelers. You'll also find the occasional multigenerational group — a retired couple traveling with their working-age adult children, for instance.

However, unlike nearly every other cruise brand, what you won't find are families with young kids. As noted above, Viking doesn't allow passengers under the age of 18 on its ships — a key differentiator for the brand as compared to other cruise lines.

Cabins and suites

Is a balcony something you can't live without when staying in a cabin on a cruise ship? Viking could be your line.

Viking is one of the only cruise brands in the world that offers a balcony with every cabin on every ocean ship it operates — even the least expensive, smallest cabins. That's something that even the most upscale of Viking's ocean cruise rivals including Oceania Cruises , Azamara , Seabourn , Silversea Cruises and Regent Seven Seas Cruises can't say.

Viking's ocean ships also offer a large number of suites, many of which are quite spacious. Even the smallest cabins on Viking's ocean ships are large by cruise ship standards at 270 square feet, and the largest suites measure nearly 1,500 square feet.

If you're looking for a big open room on an ocean cruise (and are willing to pay for it), Viking offers you plenty of options.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking cabins and suites

Viking also offers lots of balcony cabins and suites on its river ships, something that isn't always the case in the river cruise business, where space on vessels is at a premium. Unlike its ocean ships, Viking's river ships aren't all-balcony-cabin vessels.

Designwise, Viking cabins and suites across all categories are modern and elegant in an understated sort of way, with Scandinavian-influenced furnishings and decor that tie to the Norwegian heritage of the company's founder.

You'll find beds topped with crisp, white duvets and Scandinavian throws, comfortable contemporary sofas and chairs in neutral tones, and light-wood desks and side tables that combine to offer a residential feel in bedroom areas. Soothing, minimalist colors — think creams, grays and lighter blues — are the order of the day.

Bathrooms in Viking cabins are serene, modernist escapes with luxurious travertine-lined walls, Scandinavian-influenced wood-veneered vanities, shiny white sinks and chrome fixtures.

In keeping with the high-end nature of the brand, Viking cabins and suites have a lot of upscale touches, from sumptuous bedding that envelops you to heated floors in bathrooms. The rooms aren't overly flashy, though.

What they are is eminently functional, with storage in all the right places, lots of outlets for charging your devices and lighting right where you need it. We love the reading lights built into the fabric headboards, which are in addition to the lamps on bedside tables. You won't have trouble seeing the pages of the Viking Daily activity newsletter while lying in a Viking cabin bed.

Other little touches in Viking cabins that show a line thinking about functionality as much as decor include the large and clear lettering on the Freyja toiletries that you'll find in every Viking cabin bathroom. The toiletries were specifically designed with bigger and clearer lettering than is common for toiletries on cruise ships and at hotels so that the line's older customers would have no trouble differentiating the body wash from the body lotion and shampoo.

Restaurants and dining

The number of restaurants and other dining options that you'll find on Viking ships will vary greatly depending on whether you are sailing on an ocean or a river ship.

All of Viking's oceangoing ships, which are much bigger than its river ships, have at least four and usually more outlets serving food of some sort.

Every one of the line's 930-passenger ocean ships has a main restaurant (called, simply, The Restaurant) with rotating menus that include dishes that tie to the destination where the vessel is sailing. There also are casual buffet eateries called World Cafe on every vessel. You'll probably eat most of your meals in one of these eateries.

The main restaurants on these ships are notable for their walls of glass that can slide open to create al fresco dining, something that is unusual in the cruise world.

Each of the 930-passenger ocean ships also has two smaller restaurants with specialized cuisine: Manfredi's, a high-end Italian eatery, and The Chef's Table, which offers a five-course tasting menu themed around a specific cuisine that changes every few days.

There's no extra charge for dining in the smaller restaurants, but reservations are required. Each passenger is only allowed to make one to three reservations per cruise at the eateries, depending on which category of cabin they have booked.

Viking's bigger ocean ships also have poolside grills that serve made-to-order gourmet hamburgers and other grill items. Passengers can grab a snack — with a Norwegian twist — at the forward-facing lounges atop the ships, which are home to a small food counter called Mamsen's. Named after Viking founder Torstein Hagen's mother (Ragnhild "Mamsen" Hagen), it offers authentic tastes of Norway such as traditional heart-shaped waffles, specialty cakes and the brown goat cheese that is found around the country.

Passengers will also find finger sandwiches, scones and teas in the afternoon at the glass-topped Wintergarden lounge at the top of every vessel.

The line's smaller expedition ocean ships, Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris, offer four of the above venues: The Restaurant, World Cafe, Manfredi's and Mamsen's.

Viking's river ships, by contrast, typically offer just two eateries: a main restaurant where passengers eat most of their meals and a smaller, casual buffet with indoor and outdoor seating.

Fun fact: The Manfredi's restaurants on Viking ocean ships are named after former Silversea Cruises owner Manfredi Lefebvre d'Ovidio, a friend of Viking founder Torstein Hagen. Some Silversea ships, in turn, have lounge areas named after Hagen.

Entertainment and activities

Many of the activities on board Viking's ocean ships revolve around "cultural enrichment," to use a phrase often used by Viking executives. On any given day, you might find an expert on one of the destinations you're visiting lecturing in the theater, or a classical musician performing in the central atrium, known as The Living Room. The ships also offer some traditional entertainment, including production shows with singers and dancers.

On the line's river ships, you'll also find onboard lectures, usually related to the destinations the ships are visiting, as well as destination-related demonstrations and tastings. (On a Seine River voyage, you might have a tasting of local French cheeses or French wines, for instance).

You'll also find live piano music in the evenings in river ship lounges.

Theaters, lounges and shows

Each of the line's ocean ships has a theater at its front that is home to production shows, movie showings (with fresh popcorn available) and enrichment lecturers.

In keeping with Viking's focus on cultural immersion, lecturers often have expertise related to the places you'll be visiting on your sailing. The line also draws a wide range of interesting and accomplished people from all walks of life to serve as guest lecturers, including well-known academics, diplomats and even astronauts.

In addition to the theater, a secondary lounge space on the ships called Torshavn is home to musical entertainment at night. It's also known for an extensive collection of Armagnacs, with one from almost every year of the past eight decades. (A fun game is to try the Armagnac from your birth year. Just be careful — some years are far more expensive than others.)

You'll also find musicians including pianists and guitar players performing at times in the Viking Living Room — a three-deck-high, atrium-like space at the center of the ship. Filled with comfortable seating areas and home to a bar, the Viking Living Room serves as a central meeting point for passengers throughout the day and night. It's also home to the ship's Explorers' Desk — the equivalent of a guest relations area on other ships.

There's also live music at night in the Explorers' Lounge, a two-deck-high observation lounge and bar area at the very top of the ship. The Explorers' Lounge also is home to Mamsen's, the food counter serving tastes of Norway mentioned above.

The pool deck and other venues

The centerpiece of the top deck of each of Viking's ocean ships is the main pool area, which is home to a pool, hot tub and rows of lounge chairs, as well as comfortable seating areas.

The entire main pool area is covered with a glass magrodome that can be opened on short notice on warm and sunny days — or closed if the ship encounters inclement weather.

Just behind the main pool area on each of the ocean ships is a lovely, glass-topped lounge with comfortable seating called the Wintergarden that is home to afternoon tea. A den of serenity, it's one of our favorite places on these vessels.

A secondary pool area with an infinity pool is at the back of each of the ships.

Other interior spaces that are part of the ocean ships include a stylish spa with a thermal suite area that is open to all passengers at no extra charge (something that is not common on cruise vessels) and a fitness center.

Note that Viking river ships do not have fitness centers, which is relatively unusual for river ships. Viking has long argued that few of its customers use fitness centers and the space that would be devoted to one is better used for other things. However, if you're fitness-obsessed, Viking river ships may not be the best choice for your river trip.

Related: The 12 cruise ships with the most spectacular attractions at sea

Children's program

Viking does not allow children under the age of 18 on its vessels and thus has no children's programs on any of its vessels.

What to know before you go

Required documents.

Viking operates international itineraries where a passport is required. Passports must be valid for at least six months. Note that it is important that the name on your reservation be exactly as it is stated on your passport or other official proof of nationality.

Viking adds an automatic service gratuity (which it calls a "hotel and dining charge") of $17 per person per day to final bills, depending on your cabin category. If you are unhappy with the service you receive, you can adjust this amount before disembarking at the Explorers' Desk. (You can also increase the tip amount if so desired.) Also, a 15% gratuity is added to bills at bars and for drinks at restaurants.

Related: Everything you need to know about tipping on a cruise ship

As part of Viking's "no nickel-and-diming" philosophy, the line offers free Wi-Fi service to passengers on all its ships throughout sailings. Note that internet service can be slow at times of heavy use, as is typical on cruise vessels. In addition, in order to ensure fair usage for all, the line limits some heavy-bandwidth applications, downloads and software upgrades.

Related: Wi-Fi on cruise ships: 5 things to know about internet use on board

Carry-on drinks policy

Unlike many lines, Viking allows you to bring your own wine, Champagne, beer and liquor onto ships at embarkation with no limits. The line also doesn't charge a corkage fee.

Smoking policy

On all ships, smoking (including electronic cigarettes) is only allowed in designated outdoor areas. It's forbidden in cabins and on cabin balconies.

Some Viking ships, including all of the line's ocean vessels (including its one expedition vessel), have self-serve launderettes on cabin decks with washing machines, dryers, irons and ironing boards. The launderettes are stocked with detergent for the washing machines that, unlike on many cruise ships with launderettes, do not come with an extra cost.

In addition, most Viking vessels offer laundry and pressing services. Such services are complimentary for passengers staying in certain categories of cabins. Otherwise, fees are comparable to what you'll pay cleaners at home. Dry cleaning is available on the line's ocean ships but not on Viking river ships.

Viking's recently unveiled Mississippi River ship offers self-service launderettes but no send-out laundry and pressing service.

Related: Everything you need to know about cruise ship laundry services

Electrical outlets

All of the line's vessels have standard North American-style, 110-volt outlets in rooms as well as European-style, 220-volt outlets and USB ports in cabins.

The currency used on Viking ships is U.S. dollars.

Drinking age

You must be 21 to consume alcohol on Viking ships.

During the day, there is no specific dress code, and people dress casually. If it's a sea day in a warm-weather destination, and you're bound for the top deck, a short-sleeve shirt and shorts are just fine.

Evenings have an official dress code, but it's not too formal. The line asks passengers to keep things "elegant casual" when heading to any of the ship's dining venues, performances or special events. To Viking, that means a dress, skirt or slacks with a sweater or blouse for women, and trousers and a collared shirt for men. A tie and jacket for men are optional. Jeans are not permitted.

This evening dress code is not enforced at the casual World Cafe eateries on Viking ocean ships, where passengers can go even more casual in the evenings.

Related: Cruise packing list: The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise

Viking cruise loyalty program

Viking doesn't have a loyalty program in the traditional sense — one where passengers earn points every time they travel with the brand and progress through multiple tiers that bring an ever-expanding array of perks. However, it does offer a few basic perks for past guests.

Once you travel with the brand for the first time, you will automatically be enrolled in the Viking Explorer Society. As part of this society, you will receive:

• A credit of $200 per passenger anytime you book a Viking voyage within one year of your last Viking voyage. If you reserve within two years, you receive a $100 credit.
• An invitation to a members-only Viking Explorer Society cocktail party when sailing on Viking ships.
• Early word by email or regular mail on new Viking Cruises itineraries and new ships, as well as special limited-time offers.

Note that the credits mentioned above cannot always be combined with promotions the line offers.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking's cruise loyalty program

How much does a Viking cruise cost?

Viking sailings aren't inexpensive. Ten-night "Greek Odyssey" voyages to the Greek Islands start at $3,999 per person. That works out to roughly $800 per day for a couple sharing a room. Some of the line's more exotic sailings, such as its expedition trips to Antarctica, cost even more. Fourteen-night Antarctica trips start at $13,995 per person — about $2,000 per day for a couple.

Related: 6 ways to travel to Antarctica in luxury and style

Still, as is typical for cruise lines at the high end, Viking includes a lot in its base price. In addition to a room on board and all meals, the fares include beer, wine and soft drinks with lunch and dinner; specialty coffees, teas and bottled water around the clock; shipboard Wi-Fi; and (perhaps most notably) a shore excursion in every port. The latter is something relatively few lines roll into their base fares, and shore excursions can be expensive.

Viking also includes access to the thermal areas of its spa in its base fares. Such access almost always comes with an extra charge on cruise vessels.

Viking fares do include port taxes and fees, which can add up to hundreds of dollars per sailing. Most other lines do not include port taxes and fees in their base fares and add them later in the booking process.

Note that Viking does charge extra for two key things that many luxury lines such as Silversea, Seabourn and Regent do not: alcoholic drinks at bars and gratuities. This is one reason some cruisers do not consider Viking at quite the same level as those other brands.

How to book

If you're sure you know what sort of cabin you want, on which ship, on which itinerary — and about a dozen other things — you can head over to Viking.com and book directly.

That said, given the complexity of booking a cruise — there are a lot of decisions to make during the booking process, trust us — we always recommend that you use a seasoned travel agent who specializes in cruises.

A good travel agent will quiz you about your particular interests, travel style and preferences, and steer you to the perfect cruise line, ship, itinerary and cabin for you. An agent can also help you if something goes wrong before, during or after your voyage.

If you're sure that Viking is your line, look for a travel agent who specializes in trips with the brand. You want someone who knows all of the line's many itineraries in detail and, preferably, has sailed on or at least inspected some of the line's vessels, too, to understand the various cabin types and onboard amenities.

Related: How to book a cruise with points and miles

Whether you use a travel agent or not, make sure to maximize your credit card spending when paying for the cruise by using a credit card that offers extra points for travel purchases . This could be the Chase Sapphire Reserve , which offers 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel and dining (excluding the annual $300 travel credit). There's also the Chase Sapphire Preferred Card , which offers 2 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on travel (and 3 Ultimate Rewards points per dollar on dining).

Bottom line

Viking can be defined as much by what it isn't as what it is. It's not a line for families with young children. It's not a line that offers megaships topped with every sort of amusement known to humans. And it's not a line for the party crowd.

What it is is a line that has focused very specifically on "thinking person's cruises" that offer a deeper dive into the destinations that its ships visit than is typical at many lines. It's all about exploring the world and doing so in comfort.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 12 best cruises for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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• Aug 30, 2021

Viking Ocean Cruises vs. Viking River Cruises Including Pros & Cons

Updated: Sep 11, 2021

Viking has three divisions consisting of Viking Ocean Cruises, Viking River Cruises, and Viking Expeditions. This post compares their river and ocean cruises. It's also going to cover Viking's strengths and weaknesses.

You'll get facts and my viewpoint as a cruise-selling travel specialist. I want to include a warning. I'd love everything having to do with vacations to be positive, and I appreciate and value a lot of what Viking is about and offers. But this post is going to present the positives and negatives. It's not going to be all "unicorns and rainbows."

For a fully rounded perspective, I'm sharing the thoughts and feedback from my clients, Laura and Joe. They have sailed multiple times on Viking's river cruises and recently returned from their first Viking ocean cruise. Watch for quotes from Joe in blue later in the article. I think you'll appreciate his input.

Viking Cruises' From Birth (Berth?) to Now

Viking ocean cruises' ships.

Viking Ocean Cruises started in 2015. Now, with eight ships, they sail North and South Americas, including the Panama Canal and the Caribbean, Northern Europe, the Mediterranean, Asia, and the Pacific.

Their eight 930-passenger ocean ships are identical, with minor changes to some public areas on the newer ships.

Viking River Cruise' Ships

Viking River Cruises began in 1997. Growing in numbers quickly, Viking currently has 78 river vessels, including their 56 signature "longships," which I'll be discussing. You'll find Viking sailing rivers in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Egypt, and Asia. They will begin sailing the Mississippi River in August 2022.

Viking's riverboats hold 100 to 386 passengers. The longships specifically accommodate 190 guests. All longships are identical, with possibly a few minor public room changes.

Longship video tour

Longship 360 degree tour

Viking is the largest riverboat company with the number of ships and the number of guests they bring along the rivers. No other line builds as many ships so quickly or out-markets them.

The Viking Experience

Viking is often referred to as "luxury," a word possibly overused in the travel industry. There's no doubt that Viking is certainly upscale. But for those who have been on a luxury line, you'll not feel it's quite at the same level. Yet, it's a very elevated experience beyond the premium lines. I believe it's a crossbreed and would put it at "ultra-premium."

All of Viking's cruises are port-intensive. You are going to be in a port every day (river) or with few "at sea" days (ocean).

Viking Chairman Torstein Hagen encourages us to "Be curious." Viking offers excursions that immerse you in the local cultures. Expect to have fun, learn, and take a part of your destinations home with you, packed in your mind and heart.

You will find the river longships nearly identical to each other and the non-longships boats to be relatively similar to the longships in many ways. You'll also find the ocean ships to be similar to each other.

All of the ships are beautiful, comfortable, and elegant. Travelers who are destination-focused tend to appreciate the consistency in the vessels. The region you are sailing in is your destination, and the floating hotel that hosts you between the ports does it with style.

Features & Services Offered on Both Viking Ocean and Viking River Cruises

There's quite a bit that's consistent between both types of cruises:

1) Viking is "adults only" with a minimum age of 18.

2) No smoking.

3) No formal nights.

4) Dress is casual by day and "country club casual" in the evenings.

5) Free Wi-Fi.

6) All accommodations are for single or double occupancy. Ships do not accommodate triple or quad occupancies.

7) All staterooms and suites have views, most of which have full balconies or French balconies. All guests get to enjoy natural daylight and scenery.

8) Both ocean and river ships have Scandinavian design features. There is a lot of natural light due to floor-to-ceiling windows around the ships, leather and natural wood elements, and wool fabric textures. Designs are sleek, light, clean, and upscale casual, but not ultra-modern . There's a feeling of bringing the outdoors inside and create a peaceful, relaxed atmosphere.

9) Beer, wine, and soft drinks are included with shipboard lunches and dinners.

10) There is no limit on the amount of wine, beer, spirits, and soft drinks you may bring onto the ship at embarkation or in a port.

11) The optional Silver Spirits Premium Beverage Package is available if you wish to have unlimited drinks and prefer premium wines at meals. The cost of the package which can be purchased in advance is $19.95 per guest, per day.

12) Dinners on the riverboats and in the main dining room on the ocean ships are open seating. You can sit with whom you want and when you want during dining times.

13) In addition to the main dining room, both types of ships have the Aquavit Terrance.

This venue blends the indoors with the outdoors.

14) 24-hour availability of complimentary specialty coffees, teas & bottled water

15) All accommodations have both 110V and 220V outlets to accommodate

American and European appliances.

16) All cabins have heated bathroom floors, anti-fog mirrors, 40-42" flatscreen TVs with Movies On Demand, mini-refrigerators, security safe, hairdryer, and premium toiletries.

17) Robes and slippers are available.

18) Twice-daily housekeeping by your stateroom steward

19) One complimentary excursion per port is offered along with optional ($) excursions.

20) Business Center with computers

21) Library (stocked with books & board games)

22) Walking track

23) Ground transfers when airfare is purchased through Viking

24) Onboard cultural enrichment programs with guest lecturers and presenters

What You'll Experience Only on Viking's River Boats:

Regional guest performers provide entertainment, typically musical or dance, indicative of the area's culture in which the ship's sailing.

Foods are mostly locally sourced. In addition to some well-known meal entrees, you will find many regional cuisines and mostly regional wines and beers. Constant locally sourced foods also mean the freshest of foods.

Each longship has its own herb garden for chefs to pick from.

Laundry and press services are available.

While both ocean and river have local lecturers and programs, the riverboats are heavier on demonstrations and activities.

Extras You'll Experience Only on Viking's Ocean Boats:

With 930 passengers, Viking's ships are on the smaller side for ocean ships which are large enough for more activities, food, and entertainment options, but intimate enough for guests to know each other and small enough to get into ports not available to mega-ships.

The difference in size allows the ocean ships to offer a lot more options than their riverboat cousins. Added features and amenities are:

Complimentary self-service launderettes, including detergent

Pools! A covered main pool, a pool with an open roof, and an infinity pool

24-hour room service

"We had room service breakfast on early excursion days which was excellent. They offer the full breakfast menu." -Joe

Alternative restaurant dining at no extra charge

A top-rated spa with a thermal suite that offers a thalassotherapy pool, steam room, snow room, heated lounge chairs

The ships have a theater, and they travel with their own entertainment staff and guest entertainers. Guests can enjoy tributes such as ABBA and possibly the Beatles and the Rat Pack, as well as headliners.

"The evening onboard musical entertainment and lectures were exceptional. All of the public areas had musical accompaniment in the evening, there were also extensive libraries throughout the ship and a variety of quiet areas." -Joe

Seven more restaurants and eateries!

Chef's Table (dinner with wine pairings, reservations required)

Manfredi’s Italian Restaurant

Mamsen's (think "Nordic comfort food")

World Café (buffet)

Wintergarden (afternoon tea, finger sandwiches & pastries)

The Kitchen Table (unique interactive culinary experience from shopping through preparation and dining)

"Chef's Table was outstanding." -Joe

The Good, the Bad, and What You Want to Know to Decide if a Viking Cruise is for You:

Food is subjective, but the consensus is that Viking's food is very good. Riverboats may have one edge due to the freshness of ingredients being procured throughout the sailing, fresh-from-the-garden herbs, and local infusion on the menus.

The dining variety, on the other hand, is better on the ocean cruises. There's a choice of seven restaurants and eateries compared to the two on riverboats. That offers a lot of change of scenery and dining-type options.

Tip: Chef's Table changes their menu every 2-3 days, depending on the length of the sailing. Keep that in mind when making reservations if you wish to eat there more than once during your cruise.

"The choice of restaurants onboard was a new experience compared to the river cruises. The quality of the food was comparable to the river cruises and the kitchen and wait staff were the best." -Joe

COMMUNICATION:

Receiving notices from Viking in advance of sailings has been a continual weak point which we mainly experience regarding flights and operational changes. For that reason, my agency tries to predict possible weak points and increase verification of those potential items.

To be fair, Viking did a wonderful job conveying all of the health protocols of our clients who recently cruised to Iceland regarding Covid-19 protocols for them and for Iceland.

MY VIKING JOURNEY:

This is Viking's online guest portal where clients complete their Guest Information Form, reserve shore excursions, and purchase the optional Silver Spirit Premium Beverage Package. Ocean cruise guests can also manage spa and restaurant reservations.

Many of our clients have experienced "computer glitches" with the system. Sometimes it's more than glitches. One instance was an excursion mysteriously getting canceled for one person in the cabin. Viking blamed the client, which is possible. However, it would be hard to accidentally have done this, and he's pretty computer savvy.

Another example was clients who made reservations for Chef's Table in advance. As soon as they got on the ship, they learned that the reservations never got to the ship. We don't know if the problem was My Viking Journey or shoreside-to-ship communication. It's always wise to take a copy of confirmations of advance purchases, appointments, and reservations with you. Thankfully our client took their restaurant confirmation with them and the ship staff happily "made it happen."

"Prior to sailing, we struggled to book our excursions and dinner reservations online. The servers kept crashing, reservations disappeared, excursions were dropped and our accounts either were double-booked or dropped. Although we (including you Connie) spent hours on the phone with Viking reps something always turned up missing or incorrect. Upon boarding, we found some of our excursions were incorrect and there was no record of any dinner reservations." -Joe

Viking normally requires final payment 12 months in advance of sailings. While that's not unheard of, it is unusual. Frankly, I'm not a fan of people having to part with their money that early. I imagine it's at least part of how their aggressive shipbuilding is paid for. (Oh my, I promised my viewpoint, didn't I.)

As much as I dislike the very early final payment, Viking does have a discount offer that I like that has been embraced by some of our clients. If you pay by electronic check instead of credit card, they will give you a 3.3% discount on your cruise. If you are planning to pay off your credit card once your next statement arrives and you have purchased third-party trip insurance such as Travel Insured , it's a win-win option for saving some money.

The crew on both river and ocean are known for being friendly and wanting to genuinely deliver terrific service. They adapt quickly to resolving any problems and also "fixing" lost or erroneous details that had been planned pre-sailing.

"The response of onboard Viking Guest Services to (missing pre-booked plans) could not have been better..... Armed with your email Connie, we went to Guest Services along with many others on the ship, expecting a battle. Well the staff could not have been more accomodating. Within minutes we had our excursions and requested dinner reservations. That experience set the tone for the remainder of the trip.The smallest change or request was either accomodated or a satisfactory alternative solution provided. -Joe

NAVIGABILITY:

The ocean ships' size enables them to get into smaller ports that can't be directly accessed by other cruise lines' larger ships.

This is the last of a three-part series involving Laura and Joe's trip. The first was what it was like cruising during Covid-19 . The second highlighted their experience in magical Iceland .

I look forward to helping you “navigate” your river or ocean cruise. Let’s talk about what line best fits your lifestyle, interests, and needs. Email me so we can start off with a complimentary telephone consultation to meet, see if we’re a good fit, and start planning your next great vacation or group trip!

Happy Traveling!

• Viking Cruise Line

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2 commentaires

I totally loved this blog and Connie is so great to work with. She is the best

Gail, thank you! I love working with you and your friends to be a part of getting you all out to see the world and build those memories! -Connie

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Uniworld vs Viking

Sailing the rivers of Europe is nothing less than an invigorating, enchanting experience. River cruises are just one of many different ways you can explore the continent, but they may just be the most comfortable, convenient and scenic way to do it.

Although river cruises are on the more expensive side, it must be said that fierce competition between river cruise lines does keep the prices as low as possible, and the quality and standards exceptionally high.

This Uniworld vs Viking comparison takes a look at two of the top river cruise lines in Europe. (They both also sail rivers in Asia, Russia, and Egypt.)

Uniworld vs Viking River Cruises Comparison

Uniworld River Cruises , in full, is the older of the two, founded in 1976. It focuses on all-inclusive luxury travel.

Viking River Cruises , on the other hand, is Europe’s largest and arguably most famous cruise line. Here’s our review of Viking Cruises here if you’re interested.

Now, let’s break down river cruises in different aspects and see how Uniworld vs Viking compare to one another.

Pricing and Value

If you’re someone who likes getting spoiled and pampered, Uniworld is the cruise line for you. It offers an all-inclusive package and features lavish interior decorations and ornate accommodations. Uniworld doesn’t hide the fact that it’s a luxury cruise line. In fact, it boasts it. Uniworld is an all-inclusive river cruise line – the fare includes unlimited premium spirits and wines, delicious five-star farm-to-table cuisine, carefully curated excursions, all gratuities onboard, bicycles for onshore use, WiFi, and more.

That said, Uniworld is the more expensive of the two cruise lines, comparatively speaking.

Viking offers what they call “Viking Inclusive Value”. Their cruise fare includes everything you, and nothing you do not. You get one complimentary shore excursion in every port of call, free WiFi, beer, wine & soft drinks with onboard lunch & dinner, bottled water replenished daily, and more. Gratuities are not included, however. This keeps the total price of a Viking River Cruise lower than its competitor’s.

Don’t think that a Viking river cruise brings you back to basics, though. Although the cruise line doesn’t often use the words “luxury” and “luxurious”, there’s plenty of it on their ships.

Considering a river cruise with Uniworld or Viking? See if we can’t get you the best price. Request a quote today.

Itineraries

In Europe, both cruise lines sail the Rhine, Danube , Seine, Moselle, Main, Rhone, Douro and other iconic rivers. They also have cruises on rivers in Russia, Egypt and East Asia. Their itineraries may not be exactly the same, but they are very comparable.

What is different between the two companies, however, is the nature of their cruises. Uniworld is known for its themed cruises—arts, music and family cruises. This is possible because of Uniworld’s huge variety in its fleet (see below).

Viking focuses on cruises filled with culture and cuisine. Their target audience is more mature and older than Uniworld’s. If you’re after a relaxing cruise on a scenic river, in a quiet atmosphere, Viking River Cruises is the best option.

Ships and Cabins

When it comes to design and amenities, the Uniworld vs Viking difference couldn’t be more striking. Their ships and cabins aren’t as similar as you may think.

Uniworld Ships and Cabins

Uniworld’s fleet consists of ships that are all completely different. This includes the onboard cabins as well, which are decorated individually in all kinds of styles and colors. It’s this variety in ships that allows Uniworld to organize specific cruises, such as Sound of Music Cruises or cruises geared toward young families. Onboard Uniworld ships, you can also find amenities such as gyms, swimming pools, movie theaters and laundry facilities.

Each ship is inspired by the very rivers upon which they cruise. They blend old-world elegance with the latest technological innovations and luxurious amenities. Every detail has been thoughtfully considered and flawlessly rendered.

Viking Ships and Cabins

Viking is the total opposite. The iconic Viking Longships all feature Scandinavian design and are among the largest river cruise ships, accommodating up to 190 passengers. Their ships are thoughtfully engineered to get you closer to your destination. They provide unprecedented levels of comfort, including spacious staterooms with full-size verandas.

Viking’s iconic, recognizable design makes it a good cruise line for both first-time guests and returning passengers. They also offer more variety than other ships with unparalleled staterooms & suites.

Where style, opulence and luxury characterize the ships and cruises of Uniworld, Viking is more about minimalism, cultural immersion and serenity.

Excursions and Activities

Both cruise lines offer a wide range of onshore excursions and onboard activities and entertainment. There’s nothing that sets them apart, besides the fact that Uniworld has some excursions that are undeniably more high-end and upscale . Generally speaking, Uniworld as well as Viking adhere to the classic river cruise excursion format. There are walking tours in ports, bus trips into the countryside and guided visits to historic and important local landmarks.

In terms of food, Uniworld vs Viking ends in a draw, too. Both have buffet breakfasts and lunches, along with a la carte options. Food is excellent, well-presented and creative, including healthy and vegetarian choices . Dining areas are al fresco and classy on all ships. If you’re a foodie , Viking and Uniworld won’t disappoint. Note that there may not be the formal dinners that you’ll find on ocean cruises, but the two cruise lines do have a welcome event with cocktails and a captain’s gala dinner.

To conclude this Uniworld vs Viking comparison, we think that it all comes down to personal preference. Uniworld is all-inclusive, lavish, and specific. It is also tends to be a bit more expensive. Viking is an excellent choice if you’re more particular, and prefer to choose exactly what you spend your money on. They both have similar itineraries, but Viking’s simplicity and minimalism make them one of the most affordable river cruise lines They focus on culture and destinations instead of elaborate onboard facilities.

Get a price on a cruise in this post

Born and raised in Belgium, Bram is currently based in the Pacific Northwest where he spends his days blogging, hiking, indulging in freshly roasted coffee and sipping craft beers. An experienced traveler, his… More about Bram R

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Viking Cruises vs Norwegian Cruise Line

Sunday, May 5th

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 known for its sophisticated and immersive travel experiences. With a fleet of more than 60 river and ocean-going vessels, Viking offers river cruises in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Asia, and Egypt, as well as ocean cruises to destinations including Scandinavia, the Baltic, the Mediterranean, North America, the Caribbean, and the Arctic. The company is well-loved for its all-inclusive pricing, which covers everything from onboard meals and drinks to shore excursions and WiFi (but not gratuities, FYI). Viking is also known for its emphasis on cultural immersion and enrichment, with onshore experiences designed to help travelers connect with local people, history, and traditions. With an emphasis on comfort, relaxation, and exploration, Viking offers a high-end cruise experience for adult travelers seeking a refined and enriching vacation.

• Norwegian Cruise Line
• Best for large-ship sailing, especially in Alaska
• 18 ships in the fleet
• Ships accommodate anywhere from 1,900 to 4,000+ passengers
• Private island in the Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay
• Exciting amenities on board, like go-kart tracks and climbing walls
• No required or recommended gratuities
• Freestyle cruising plus "Free at Sea" promos can make your cruise flexible and affordable

Norwegian Cruise Line, or NCL, offers sailings to destinations around the world plus exciting entertainment and flexible amenities. NCL is suitable for cruisers of all ages and adventure levels, and it's one of the only non-luxury class cruise lines that doesn't require gratuities (or even recommend them at any particular amount). While being on a ship with 2,000-4,000 other passengers might not appeal to some vacationers, NCL's large ships make it easy to eat, play, and relax in any way you want.

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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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Avalon vs. Viking River Cruises: Comparison 2024

By: Author Dan Bagby

Posted on Published: April 30, 2023

River cruises are a fun and alternative way of touring places like Europe , the Amazon , and Asia . A lot of people associate river cruises with an older crowd. However, they have exploded in popularity in recent years and you can now find a pretty even mix of age ranges on board. River cruises offer the comfort and luxury of boutique hotels and the convenience of train travel, making them especially appealing to honeymooners , too. 

If you’re considering a river cruise for your next romantic getaway, you might be overwhelmed by the sheer number of options. In this article, we compare Avalon vs. Viking river cruises. Read on to learn about the subtle differences between the two so you can choose which is best for you.

Avalon vs. Viking River Cruises: Overview

Viking river cruises explore the many waterways of Western and Central Europe as well as the Nile in Egypt , the Mekong Delta in Southeast Asia, the Yangtze River in China, and parts of the Mississippi River in the U.S . Most of their fleet sails in Europe. 

Viking also offers some packages that connect with their fleet of ocean liners, such as the Viking Fjords and Shores tour that combines a voyage through Scandinavian fjords with a cruise along the Rhine River. The shortest river cruise offered by Viking is 8 days long and the longest is 23 days. 

Viking’s river cruise fleets consists of 64 ships worldwide, each one modeled after Scandinavian longships. Thanks to their sleek design, they’re able to navigate narrow waterways like the Douro River that flows through Portugal’s wine country . 

Avalon has a fleet of 19 ships. In addition to sailing many of the same European rivers that Viking does, as well as the Mekong Delta, Avalon also offers tours of the Ganges River in India and the Galapagos Islands and Amazon River in South America . 

Avalon’s shortest cruise is 4 days long while their longest cruise is 28 days. Avalon river cruise ships are said to boast the best views in the industry thanks to ingenious designs. Also because of how they are structured, the ships accommodate fewer guests than other river cruises so the decks tend to be less crowded.

Both Avalon and Viking run special cruises through the Netherlands and Belgium during the spring that showcase seasonal tulips in all their stunning colors, as well as Christmas market cruises during the holidays. 

Avalon offers several cruises geared toward guests looking for something specific on their tour. They’re called “special interest cruise”’ and include Active Discovery tours for folks who like to keep moving and want an immersive cultural experience, wine and beer tasting cruises, culinary expeditions, Jewish heritage cruises, WWII history tours, photography tours, and the Storytelling Series which features celebrities that have an intimate knowledge of the area. 

Both operators offer guests the option to extend their cruise with pre- and post-cruise land tours and hotel packages. 

Avalon vs. Viking River Cruises: Cabins

Both Avalon and Viking have made a name for themselves with their luxurious cabins, but a few key differences set them apart. These can be the deciding factor when it comes to choosing between an Avalon vs. Viking river cruise.

Viking’s cabins come with the option of a French balcony or a veranda. French balcony doors open up the space nicely and let in some fresh air, but they don’t offer any outdoor space. Verandas, on the other hand, provide a bit of outdoor seating. Cabin bathrooms are spacious and come with heated floors and anti-fog mirrors. 

On the other hand, cabins on Avalon’s signature Suites Ships all come with French balconies. The suites are much more spacious than Viking cabins, but don’t have any outdoor seating space. Additionally, Avalon provides each guest with a great view by configuring all of the beds to face the window instead of the wall.

Avalon vs. Viking River Cruises: Food and Drinks

Both cruise lines have a wide selection of dishes that are included in the cost of your ticket. Gourmet meals include familiar options and regional specialties. Non-alcoholic drinks, wine, and beer are included with lunch and dinner onboard both Viking and Avalon cruises. Guests are also welcome to bring their own alcohol on board, and Viking has an unlimited beverage package that you can purchase. 

Meals are taken in the main lounge of Avalon’s ships and guests can choose to eat indoors or al fresco. Viking’s dining room is located in the Aquavit Terrace, a glass-enclosed space that can open up if the weather is nice. 

Avalon might have the upper hand when it comes to culinary options. They have a barbecue on the top deck that gets used on warm, sunny evenings. They also offer guests a 15-course tasting menu that includes wine pairings. This set menu is served several times throughout the duration of the cruise and offered for free once to each passenger. Avalon also has more vegetarian and vegan options thanks to their partnership with the Wrenkh brothers who specialize in veggie dishes. 

Avalon vs. Viking River Cruises: Entertainment and Activities

Viking and Avalon, like almost every other river cruise operator, offer one free shore excursion at every port. Mostly these free excursions are around 2-3 hours long and consist of walking tours that highlight popular tourist attractions of the area. 

After that, passengers are free to explore the area on their own (Avalon has free bikes that guests can borrow, while Viking does not) or take part in an additional tour or activity for an added cost. These tours might include a visit to a museum, tickets to a play or show, a cooking or dance class, or a hike or water-based activity. Not every port of call includes these extra activities; they’re mostly reserved for towns that offer lots to see and do. 

When the ship is sailing, there is plenty to do on board. Again, some of these activities are included and some incur an extra charge. Tastings, yoga, or a presentation are some typical afternoon activities, while evening entertainment might include karaoke or movie night, dancing, or a special dinner. 

Alternatively, passengers can enjoy some quiet time enjoying the ship’s onboard amenities. River cruise ships don’t offer as much in this area as ocean liners, because they’re smaller and not as much time is spent on board between ports. That being said, Avalon does offer more amenities for guests to enjoy than Viking does, including a whirlpool on the top deck, a small fitness center, and a salon. Both cruise companies offer a well-stocked library on board. 

Avalon vs. Viking River Cruises: Cost

The cost of your river cruise will vary by region, season, number of days, the type of stateroom you’re staying in, and whether or not you choose to purchase add-ons like extra excursions, pre- or post-cruise extensions, or drink packages . In general, river cruises cost more in Egypt, Asia, and South America than they do in Europe. 

Viking river cruises cost between $2500-$3000 for 8 days in Europe, or roughly $300 per day. Fares run a bit higher during the holidays, and specialty cruises are more expensive than standard cruises. Viking has special offers several times throughout the year that can save you money, and booking at least a year in advance can save you around $200-$300 per week. 

Avalon follows a similar pricing structure but is slightly more expensive. Their shortest European cruise (4 days along the Danube River) starts at around $300 per day. Special interest cruises are also more costly than standard cruises, around $500+ per day. 

Avalon vs. Viking River Cruises: Atmosphere

Viking and Avalon are luxury cruise liners that attract a slightly older clientele interested in learning about the culture and history of the area. However, river cru i ses for young people are popular with travelers who have grown tired of backpacking from hostel to hostel. You’re likely to find a mix of passengers from every demographic between the ages of 35-65. 

Since river cruises are much smaller than ocean liners, passengers can get to know each other better as the voyage continues; social events like karaoke nights and dance parties encourage guests to mingle. For this reason, river cruises are as appealing to solo travelers as they are to groups and couples.  

Couples traveling with kids should keep in mind that while Avalon does permit children over the age of 8 onboard, there are no child-friendly entertainment options, kids’ menus, or child-minding services available. Viking River Cruises are not kid-friendl y and all passengers must be over the age of 18. 

Avalon vs. Viking River Cruises: The Bottom Line

Avalon and Viking river cruises are very similar in many ways. Both are luxury travel companies that offer comfortable accommodations, superb customer service, and gourmet meals while giving passengers the chance to see the world in a unique way. 

Avalon river cruises are a better choice for passengers with a keen interest in specific niches like history or photography. They also offer more choices when it comes to entertainment and amenities and carry fewer passengers. If you’ve already visited Europe several times and are looking for something more immersive, Avalon might be for you. 

However, Viking has more itineraries and gives you flexible booking options. If you’re traveling with a group or have a limited time frame, you might have more success finding a tour that works for everyone with Viking. 

Not sure whether either of these is the right river cruise line for you? Check out articles on AmaWaterways vs. Avalon , Viking vs. AmaWaterways , Uniworld vs. Viking , Uniworld vs. Avalon , and Uniworld vs. Tauck , or talk to a river cruise specialist to find the perfect one for you.

He is an expert travel advisor and enthusiast. He has traveled extensively in the USA, Central America, South America, and Europe. He has visited every Sandals Resort and is one of a select few Diamond Elite members of the Sandals Chairman’s Royal Club. Dan graduated from Johnson & Wales University with an associate degree in Culinary Arts. Later he graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelor’s degree in International Studies with a focus on people and culture.

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• 0 ) || ( !isPortal() && !widgetIsReady ) )"> 0 }"> DEPARTURE DATE   DEPARTURE DATE 0) || !isPortal() --> 11, 'dropup': breakpoint() > 767 && dropupAvailable(), 'disabled': isPortal() && !setSelectedCruiseType().length > 0 }, selectPicker:setSelectedYearMonth, optionsText: 'display', optionsValue:'value', optionsCaption: yearMonthCaption(), selectPickerOptions: { optionsArray: yearsMonths }" aria-label="Find a cruise - Select departure date" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-98" style="display: none">  
• DURATION   DURATION 11, 'dropup': breakpoint() > 767 && dropupAvailable() },selectPicker:setSelectedDuration, optionsText:'display', optionsValue:'value', optionsCaption: durationCaption(), selectPickerOptions: { optionsArray: durations }" aria-label="Find a cruise - Select cruise duration" aria-hidden="true" tabindex="-98" style="display: none">  

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The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Viking cruise ship

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Fast-growing Viking has one of the most diverse arrays of itineraries of any cruise line.

Not only does the California-based company offer ocean cruises in almost every corner of the world, it also offers river cruises on many of the world’s major rivers.

That’s notably different from most cruise lines. Typically, cruise lines operate either ocean cruises or river cruises but not both. That gives them a smaller range of itineraries.

For more cruise guides, tips and news, sign up for TPG’s cruise newsletter .

Viking has a particularly large footprint when it comes to European river itineraries, with a wide range of sailings on nearly every European river of any note, from the Douro in Portugal to (until recently) the Volga in Russia.

The company also operates river trips on the Nile in Egypt and the Mekong in Southeast Asia, and it just began river trips on the Mississippi River .

There are 80 river ships in Viking’s fleet — an astounding number. None of its main competitors among river lines catering to North Americans, which include Avalon Waterways, Uniworld and AmaWaterways , have anywhere near that number of vessels.

Related: First look at Viking’s stylish new Nile River ship

Among ocean cruise destinations, Viking has a major presence in Scandinavia and Northern Europe, which it considers its home turf. (The company was founded by a Norwegian family.) However, you’ll find Viking’s nine traditional ocean ships everywhere from North America to Asia and Australia.

Last year, the line began cruising to Antarctica with its first expedition ship — a type of vessel built specifically for travel to remote, hard-to-reach places. Viking now has two such vessels.

Among the line’s voyages, there’s everything from eight-day cruises in the Mediterranean to 138-day around-the-world voyages.

Overwhelmed with choices? Here are the five best Viking cruise destinations where the line can truly offer you a memorable vacation.

Scandinavia and Northern Europe

Some of Viking’s most interesting itineraries are around Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea, with many beginning or ending in Norway — the homeland of the company’s founder and chairman, Torstein Hagen.

As Hagen once told me, Scandinavia and the Baltic Sea are what the company considers “Viking country” — a region where it wants to dominate.

During summers, in particular, Viking devotes an unusually large number of its ships to itineraries around Scandinavia, the Baltic Sea and other Northern Europe destinations such as Iceland. Many, notably, use the relatively small but famously scenic Norwegian city of Bergen (population 286,000) as a gateway, something no other line is doing. That allows for unusual variations on the typical Baltic Sea or Norwegian fjords cruise.

The line’s most popular route in the region, “Viking Homelands,” is a two-week-long, one-way trip between Bergen and Stockholm that combines several days of exploring the fjord region of Norway’s west coast with more-typical Baltic cruise destinations such as St. Petersburg, Russia, and Helsinki.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking ships and itineraries

Note that, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Viking has pulled the St. Petersburg stop, as well as stops in Finland and Estonia from the Viking Homelands itinerary; the trips instead feature extra stops in Norway and Denmark. It’s unlikely St. Petersburg will return to the itinerary until the war in Ukraine is resolved.

Viking also offers a 14-night itinerary that includes several stops in the northernmost part of the country above the Arctic Circle. Dubbed “Into the Midnight Sun,” the one-way route between Bergen and London is unique because it combines calls in far-north Honningsvag and Tromso, Norway, with visits to Scotland’s remote Shetland Islands and the Orkney Islands. Though part of the United Kingdom, these archipelagos have ties to Norwegian and Viking history.

Itineraries that will take you from Bergen to Iceland or even as far away as France, Portugal and Spain also are available.

Viking’s Scandinavia and Northern Europe trips range widely in length from just seven nights to a whopping 28 nights.

Among the longest sailings that Viking offers that include calls in Northern Europe are one-way, 28-night voyages between Bergen and New York City. The trips include stops in Norway, Iceland, Greenland and Canada.

In Northern Europe, Viking ships mostly sail out of Bergen, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Copenhagen and London as well as Reykjavik.

The Mediterranean

Viking has grown into a major player in Mediterranean sailings, with more than 30 distinct itineraries that include stops in the region.

The trips include voyages focused specifically on the Western Mediterranean or Eastern Mediterranean and some that include stops across both areas.

Typical of the latter is the line’s 14-night “Mediterranean Antiquities” routing, a one-way trip between Athens and Barcelona that stops in Greece, Turkey, Italy, Monaco, France and Spain.

More-focused Mediterranean itineraries include the line’s nine-night “Empires of the Mediterranean” voyages between Venice and Athens, which mostly concentrate on stops along the eastern side of the Adriatic Sea in Slovenia, Croatia and Montenegro.

In the Mediterranean, the line’s main hubs are Barcelona; Civitavecchia (the port for Rome) and Venice, Italy; Piraeus (the port for Athens), Greece; and Istanbul.

Related: The complete guide to Viking cabins and suites  

Europe riverways

Viking is, quite simply, the giant of river cruising in Europe — at least among lines that cater to English speakers. The company operates around 70 river ships on a broad swath of the continent’s rivers — far more than any other river line catering to North Americans.

In all, the line accounts for about half of all river cruises taken by North Americans in the region. The next biggest player in Europe river cruises for North Americans, AmaWaterways, is less than half the size.

Among the rivers in Europe where Viking has a major presence are the Rhine, Main and Danube in Central Europe; the Seine, Rhone, Dordogne, Garonne and Gironde in France; the Douro in Portugal; and the Moselle and Elbe in Germany. Until recently, Viking also offered cruises on the Dnieper River in Ukraine. The voyages have been suspended since Russia invaded the country in early 2022.

On nearly all of the rivers, the line offers multiple itineraries with lengths ranging from seven nights to as many as 22 nights.

Among 10 different itineraries on the Rhine River alone, offerings range from a seven-night “Rhine Getaway” from Amsterdam to Basel, Switzerland, to a 22-night “European Sojourn” from Amsterdam to Bucharest, Romania. The latter adds travel on the Main and Danube rivers to days on the Rhine.

Viking offers some of the most intimate and elegant cruises on the Nile, with three ships including the recently unveiled, 82-passenger Viking Osiris — one of our favorite vessels on the river.

All three of Viking’s Nile ships operate the same seven-night Nile cruise itinerary that Viking pairs with a four-night stay at a hotel in Cairo (three nights before the cruise and one night after) to create an 11-night “Pharaohs and Pyramids” tour of Egypt.

Related: The ultimate guide to Viking’s loyalty program

The cruise portion of the tour includes visits to the historic temples of Luxor, Karnak, Esna, Dendera and Abu Simbel as well as a visit to the iconic Valley of the Kings. The stay in Cairo brings a visit to the pyramids of Giza, the Egyptian Museum and other sites.

Viking Osiris is the first of four sister ships that Viking plans to launch on the Nile by 2025 as it doubles its footprint in Egypt. The vessels offer a clean-lined, Scandinavian-influenced design that mimics the look of Viking’s Europe-based vessels.

Notably, the ship features an entire deck of sprawling suites that rival anything else found on the Nile for luxury and comfort. Each comes with two full-size rooms — a large living room with a residential feel and an adjacent bedroom with a walk-in closet and bathroom. Each suite also has an outdoor balcony with seating for two — something you don’t always see on Nile ships.

Viking is a newcomer to cruises to Antarctica, but the destination is a big growth area for the line. Viking recently added two new, 378-passenger expedition cruise vessels specifically built to travel to the White Continent.

Dubbed Viking Octantis, the first of these vessels began sailings to Antarctica in February 2022. The second ship in the series, Viking Polaris, has just joined its sister in Antarctica this year. Together, the two ships are already making waves in the market for Antarctica cruises, in part because they have several new and unusual features.

Most notable is The Hangar, an enclosed marina that allows passengers to transfer to two of each ship’s exploratory vessels while still in the protected interior of the ship. A first for an expedition ship, it’s something that is significantly improving the experience for passengers heading out on Antarctica exploration.

Related: The 3 types of Viking ships, explained

In another first for polar expedition cruise vessels, every cabin on both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris has floor-to-ceiling glass walls that slide partially open from the top to create a balcony-like feel.

Viking offers several Antarctic itineraries, with the typical trip starting with a night at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina, before a flight to Ushuaia, Argentina, to board one of the two expedition ships for an 11-night cruise to Antarctica and back. A longer version of the trip features 13 nights on board one of the ships and extra days in Antarctica.

Viking also offers Antarctica sailings that combine a visit to the White Continent with stops in the Falkland Islands, Uruguay and Brazil.

Viking Octantis, notably, also operated Viking’s first sailings around the Great Lakes this year. In 2023, both Viking Octantis and Viking Polaris will spend their summers in the Great Lakes.

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• 15 best cruise ships for people who never want to grow up
• What to pack for your first cruise

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Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Viking IPO: Key Facts Behind the Luxury Cruise Operator’s Billion-Dollar Debut

Sean O'Neill , Skift

April 30th, 2024 at 6:37 PM EDT

Wednesday's IPO will value Viking, an operator of luxury river and ocean cruises, at roughly $10 billion. Leaders in the luxury travel sector will be eyeing the move closely.

Sean O'Neill

Viking , an operator of river and ocean cruises, and a group of shareholders were set to raise more than $1.54 billion in an initial public offering on Wednesday.

When the stock begins trading Wednesday on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol VIK , the Bermuda-based luxury travel company anticipates that the price per share will be $24.

The company and its shareholders will offer 53 million shares . The IPO placed a roughly $10.3 billion valuation on the company on a fully distributed basis as of the opening bell.

10 Facts About Viking’s IPO and Strategy

• The IPO will enrich chairman, CEO, and co-founder Torstein “Tor” Hagen, 81, who will control a slim majority of Viking shares. The public debut will make Hagen worth roughly $5 billion , according to Bloomberg estimates.
• Hagen began Viking in 1997 with four river ships. Today, the company sails 80 river vessels, averaging 190 passengers each. It also has nine ocean-sailing ships, which typically hold about 900 passengers, making them relatively smaller than traditional ocean vessels. The company has three other vessels, such as those used to cruise the Nile in Egypt.
• Viking wasn’t profitable last year. It reported a $1.86 billion loss in its 2023 fiscal year. But it said that was related to one-time losses. The company reported about $1.09 billion in adjusted EBITDA in its SEC filings.
• The company targets well-off travelers, typically those above age 55. Its average revenue per passenger last year was $7,251.
• The company stands apart from traditional ocean cruise lines. There aren’t water slides or casinos on board. Small children are often banned.
• The company claims it served one out of four luxury cruise-goers on ocean cruises last year out of a market of about 1.1 million. Competitor brands include Oceania, Silversea, Seabourn, and Regent.
• The company claims to have served one out of two river cruise travelers last year, out of a market of 700,000 passengers. Rivals include Grand Circle.
• About 90% of Viking’s guests are from North America. Most of its cruise ship itineraries are in Europe and Antarctica, but it has routes worldwide.
• Viking said it may use some of the capital from the IPO to help expand its offerings to land-based tours and excursions. It will also use some of the capital to pay down its debt, which was $5.4 billion in December.
• Viking has 24 new ships on order, with options for 12 more. It plans to enter China and other markets.

For more on the company, see Viking’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission . Analyst Jess Peterson has crunched other key numbers.

UPDATE: This story was updated with the final pricing for the stock.

Cruise and Tours Sector Stock Index Performance Year-to-Date

What am I looking at?  The performance of cruise and tours sector stocks within the ST200 . The index includes companies publicly traded across global markets including both cruise lines and tour operators.

The Skift Travel 200 (ST200)  combines the financial performance of nearly 200 travel companies worth more than a trillion dollars into a single number. See more cruise and tours sector financial performance .

Read the full methodology behind the Skift Travel 200.

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Tags: cruise lines , cruises , ipo , IPOs , luxury , river cruise , river cruises , river cruising , viking

Photo credit: Sofa chairs in a public atrium on board a Viking river cruise ship. Source: Viking.

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Viking shares rise 8% after cruise line operator's market debut

By seema mody,cnbc • published may 1, 2024 • updated on may 1, 2024 at 2:03 pm.

• Viking started trading on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday at $26.15 under the ticker "VIK."
• The company's IPO coincides with a strong rebound in cruise bookings.

Viking is not your typical cruise operator.

Aboard its smaller, upscale vessels, you won't find any kids. In fact, the cruise line doesn't hide the fact that it is going after the high-income baby boomer.

Casinos? Not on these cruise ships.

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In Viking Holdings' prospectus, the company said its cruises are for the "thinking person," underscoring its efforts to appeal to the baby boomer traveler who seeks adventure and new experiences.

"They have the money, they have the time and, in my belief, the moment you try to do everything for everybody, you know what happens? You do nothing well. So we are very, very clear focused," Torstein Hagen, CEO and chairman of Viking, told CNBC.

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The luxury cruise line was targeting a $10.4 billion valuation in its initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange on Wednesday, making it the third-largest cruise operator after Royal Caribbean and Carnival . Norwegian Cruise Line is the fourth largest. Viking started trading Wednesday at $26.15 a share under the ticker " VIK " after pricing at $24 a share.

It closed its first trading day with a gain of more than 8%, ending at $26.10 per share.

Viking upsized its IPO after existing shareholders decided to sell an additional 9 million shares amid strong demand from mutual fund investors, according to a source familiar with the situation.

In 1997, Viking had four ships. It has quickly grown its fleet to 92 vessels, 80 of which are river-based ships that travel down the world's biggest rivers, including the Seine in France and the Nile in Egypt.

"We're different because when you talk about the big cruise lines, they're large in the Caribbean," Hagen said. "We have a tiny sliver in the Caribbean. The rest is Europe."

The timing of Viking's IPO coincides with a strong rebound in cruise bookings. On April 25, Royal Caribbean raised its guidance for 2024 amid a bright outlook for the sector.

"Cruising has really come into the forefront as a competitive choice in travel," Jason Liberty, CEO of Royal Caribbean, said to CNBC in a recent interview. "The overall travel industry is $1.9 trillion. The cruise industry is $56 billion of that. I think cruising is at a much different level than it was pre-pandemic."

While the company's prospectus showed Viking brought in $4.71 billion in sales in 2023, it did report a net loss for the year. What is getting investors excited is the company's revenue per passenger of $7,251, which is much higher than that of any other publicly traded cruise line. Viking's premium price point allows it to make more money on each customer.

Investors will also be looking for details on Viking's expansion plans. Earlier this month, Norwegian Cruise Line said it ordered eight new ships scheduled for delivery over the next 12 years.

Carnival, Royal Caribbean and MSC Cruises all have robust portfolios, which has raised concerns of overcapacity weighing on demand. But for now, the industry is focused on how well demand has rebounded from the pandemic and that, even with higher prices , cruising is still cheaper on average than hotel vacations.

UBS leisure analyst Robin Farley said land-based hotel rates are 25% higher than in 2019. During that same time frame, cruise line rates are up 10%.

"The gap between cruising and hotels is wide. That makes cruise compelling right now," Farley said.

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Cruise operator Viking prices IPO within range to raise $1.54 billion

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Reporting by Echo Wang in San Francisco and Mrinmay Dey in Bengaluru; Editing by Anirban Sen, Lisa Shumaker and Sherry Jacob-Phillips

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Echo Wang is a correspondent at Reuters covering U.S. equity capital markets, and the intersection of Chinese business in the U.S, breaking news from U.S. crackdown on TikTok and Grindr, to restrictions Chinese companies face in listing in New York. She was the Reuters' Reporter of the Year in 2020.

A BP-Eni joint venture and Rhino Resources Namibia have signed an agreement for a 42.5% interest in a block in the country's offshore Orange Basin, the companies said on Friday.

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